Bukjin Finally Wakes Up
"……."
As far as Bukjin could tell, this AI wasn't nearly as smart as he had hoped.
"Sin-sin, what are the specific conditions required to trigger a smartphone update?" Bukjin asked again.
『I'm sorry, Master. I don't know that either!』
The voice was cheerful, almost bubbly.
"……Useless thing. Go away," Bukjin muttered, his irritation mounting.
『I don't understand what you're saying, Master!』
The AI's voice sounded slightly more dejected than before.
"Sin-sin, shutdown."
『Yes, Master. See you again soon!』
With that, the voice-recognition AI icon vanished from the screen. That night, Bukjin stayed up in silence, meticulously researching the functions of his two newly acquired apps.
The next morning arrived with crisp, fresh air and a clear sky. The morning sun began to peek over the horizon.
"The time has come! All students are to move outside the territory immediately!" shouted Jin Geom-nam, a commander of the Unmong-wi.
The hundred students lined up one by one, passing through the main gates and heading toward the Green Wilderness. By night, the wilderness was a forbidden zone where humanity dared not tread. During the day, it was slightly more manageable, but it was far from safe. After all, the wilderness was the domain of magical beasts.
Fortunately, this particular stretch of wilderness had been scouted and cleared by high-level experts beforehand to serve as a training ground for the junior academy students. Consequently, no ferocious Grade 3 or higher large-scale magical beasts were expected to appear within a hundred-mile radius. As long as the students didn't do anything foolish—like crawling directly into a beast's mouth—these geniuses were unlikely to face true mortal peril.
However, nothing was absolute. There had been accidents in the past where a genius student lost their life during a selection trial in these very wilds.
1. If you find yourself in a dangerous situation you cannot escape, break the stone tablet provided to you. This will activate a protection array to ensure your safety.
2. Breaking the tablet signifies your withdrawal from the trial and immediate disqualification.
3. The tablet only functions when broken by its owner. If broken by another, both parties will be disqualified.
4. You must return to the territory one hour before sunset. Failure to do so will result in the gates being locked.
Jin Geom-nam's cold voice echoed across the plains. The hundred students quickly gathered into the factions they had formed during the previous night's bonfire. Among them, the largest groups were led by the 'Twin Pillars of Genius' from the National Imperial Junior Academy: Do Man-seong and Yi Do.
Each led a group of about twenty students, looking for all the world like young generals heading into battle. Other influential geniuses like Mo Yeom-dong and So Yeong-yeong also had about a dozen followers each. Behind them, other students ranked high in the overall standings led smaller groups of four or five.
Only four students stood alone, without any group: Im Jin, Im Bukjin, Ak Hong-hyang…… and a boy named Sim Bi.
"Student Im."
Before departing, Yi Do approached Bukjin once more with a warm, polite smile.
"They say a single tree does not make a forest. Why not reconsider and join us? If we work together, we can at least provide significant support should we encounter a ferocious beast in the wilderness."
But Bukjin shook his head.
"I appreciate the offer, but I'll pass."
Yi Do glanced at the remaining Im Jin, and as if realizing something, he didn't press the matter further. Do Man-seong, on the other hand, glared at Bukjin with predatory eyes, his gaze sweeping up and down Bukjin's frame. He made a threatening gesture, clearly indicating he wouldn't let Bukjin off easily, though he didn't say a word out loud.
The trial had officially begun, but no one moved first. The students were all watching each other, waiting. It was as if they were waiting for Im Jin, the genius among geniuses, to speak. It felt as though she had become the central figure governing this entire preliminary round.
The early morning sun climbed higher, scattering golden light across the horizon and illuminating the young warriors. It was a scene straight out of a painting. Standing at the very front of the crowd, Im Jin was undoubtedly the protagonist of this picturesque landscape. There was an indescribable, innate aura of majesty radiating from her.
If Mok Sim-wol's beauty was of the human realm, Im Jin's beauty was something that transcended all living things—a beauty that felt surreal. Though she stood right before their eyes, she felt like a divine being from ancient myth, existing in a place far beyond their reach.
Today, Im Jin wore an expression of haughty, cold indifference. She was currently in her 'Boss Mode.'
That girl really is two-faced. She doesn't actually have a split personality, does she? Bukjin wondered to himself.
At that moment, Im Jin turned her head and stole a glance at Bukjin. Her voice was as cold as ice, yet clear and filled with power.
"Follow me."
The watching students assumed Bukjin would nod immediately without a second thought. Who would refuse an invitation from the greatest genius and beauty of Unmong City? Moreover, Bukjin was a notorious lecher and a scoundrel; he had even less reason to decline.
However.
"I appreciate the offer, but I'll pass."
Bukjin rejected Im Jin's proposal using the exact same words he had used for Yi Do. The crowd was stunned into silence.
"Why?" Im Jin asked, her brow furrowing. A faint, oppressive pressure began to emanate from her.
"My teeth are very strong," Bukjin replied.
Im Jin looked confused, her expression questioning the relevance of his statement. Bukjin elaborated.
"Because my teeth are so strong, I don't eat the soft rice that others try to spoon-feed me."
"Haa, your pride……" Im Jin sighed, seemingly at a loss for words. But then, as if remembering something, a smile spread across her face. As her icy expression melted, the smile that emerged was like a flower blooming in full, bringing life to everything around it.
Her face changed again. Did her personality switch? Bukjin muttered inwardly, feeling a sudden chill.
The moment he saw that smile, Bukjin felt a shiver run down his spine for some reason. He had a very bad feeling about this. The 'New Personality' Im Jin, the top beauty of Unmong City, stepped toward Bukjin with light, airy steps. She reached out with a gentle hand and straightened his collar.
Then, she let out a soft sigh and spoke.
"Actually…… what's wrong with eating soft rice? I, Im Jin, can spoon-feed my dear Brother Im as much soft rice as he wants. If anyone has something to say about it, I'll just cut out their tongue……!"
The expressions of every student witnessing this scene went blank. In particular, the male geniuses of the National Imperial Junior Academy could practically hear the sound of their own hearts shattering into a million pieces.
Im Jin, the goddess of everyone's dreams, was openly expressing her affection for a piece of trash scoundrel right in front of them. Glances filled with a mixture of envy and intense jealousy converged on Bukjin.
But Bukjin still shook his head. He spoke clearly, his voice filled with a solemn, tragic weight.
"No. Please understand why I cannot go with you. My Im family has fallen, and my father has been framed with a shameful crime. Furthermore, the whereabouts of my older sister are unknown. I am no longer the person I once was. I have sworn that until I clear my father's name and find my sister, I will never be swayed by personal feelings or romance."
Hahaha! This should be a reason they have to accept, right?
Contrary to his outward expression, Bukjin was gloating internally. He had anticipated this situation and spent the previous night racking his brain to come up with the most plausible excuse. The old Bukjin was a lecherous, petty, and despicable scoundrel. If he suddenly changed his behavior, it would surely arouse suspicion. He had no intention of grouping up with anyone because he couldn't risk others discovering the secrets of his smartphone.
"I see! So the bad boy has finally come to his senses? As expected of the man I like! Fine. Then I'll support you! Brother Im, trust in your own strength and do your best! But remember! If anything dangerous happens, you must call for me immediately!"
Im Jin gave Bukjin a light hug, patted his back, and then set off into the wilderness alone.
D-Dammit! She hugged me while I was off guard? She's bolder than she looks! I guess no woman can escape my charms after all……
The geniuses of the Imperial Academy heard their hearts break for a second time. When Im Jin had first shown her feelings the night before, they hadn't wanted to believe it. They thought their goddess was just playing a prank out of boredom. But today…… they were forced to witness one cruel scene after another.
In an instant, Bukjin had become the greatest enemy of every genius in the Imperial Academy.
"Im Bukjin, I will never let you get your hands on a badge," Do Man-seong growled, his voice like a roar through gritted teeth. "You'd better be prepared…… Come on, let's move!"
Do Man-seong led his faction into the wilderness. Yi Do gave Bukjin a wry smile.
"Student Im, you have now become the target of jealousy for every student in our Imperial Academy. Barring any miracles, many people will likely try to make things difficult for you. Please…… take care of yourself."
With those words, Yi Do and his group also departed. One by one, the various factions headed deep into the wilderness. Every single student shot Bukjin a venomous glare before leaving, their expressions looking as if they were staring at a mortal enemy who had stolen their lover.
The boy called Sim Bi, seemingly deciding to tackle the trial alone, picked a direction and left without a word.
Once the crowds had thinned, Ak Hong-hyang looked at Bukjin.
"I wish you luck."
Bukjin waved his hand dismissively and ran forward before she could say anything else. Ak Hong-hyang simply lowered her head in silence. After a long moment, she let out a soft sigh. A look of fierce determination returned to her face. She whispered to herself.
"Let's do this. Even if the whole world gives up on me, I must never give up on myself. For Mother's sake, I'll endure no matter how hard it gets!"
And so, bathed in the morning light, a righteous and kind girl clutched her sword tightly with her injured arm and stepped into the wilderness.