The Realm of the Superhuman
"Is there any chance we could... reconsider?"
"What are you talking about?"
Yeah. I beat Jin Baekryong. There's no getting around that. At least 300 people saw it, and right now they're chewing it over, tearing it apart, and having a field day with it.
But up to that point, it could still pass as, Oh, turns out Jin Baekryong was all hype. There's a promising rookie besides the heirs of the Ten Great Families in the first years. Something like that. Hell, there might even be rumors flying that Jin Baekryong was a fluke.
But dominating the Beatrice Academy entrance exam with an overwhelming first place and the overall top score? That's a whole different story. This isn't just hype—it's unbelievable.
Topping the world's number one academy means the whole world will start paying attention to me now. My dream of a laid-back life as a building owner, sipping tea in peace? Yeah, that's sailing off into the sunset.
Just like Elis said, there'll be countless eyes glued to me, waiting for me to slip up. I hate that kind of life. If there's still a way to turn this around...
"Maybe when they double-check the scores, mine aren't as high as I think? Or someone from another group racked up points that blow mine away?"
Say yes. Please.
Finally, the instructor clenches his fist, slaps his palm, nods with a determined look, and opens his mouth.
"Aha! Are you worried you might not actually be top?"
Goddammit. The opposite.
"Don't worry! Perfect score on the written exam, survival points doubled as one of the final two survivors for the max, and you collected more tokens than any other group—29. The odds of Kim Yu-won not being top are 0%. Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely top!"
Yeah. I'm absolutely, absolutely, absolutely top. Did he really need to emphasize it like that? But even without it, the fact that I'm screwed doesn't change.
"Wait... wasn't Kim Yu-won supposed to be a ranged hunter?"
A fresh piece of gossip starts rippling through the crowd.
"Right...! I think I saw him at the ranged exam site!"
That was me trying to hide my strength...
"He's strong enough to crush Jin Baekryong in close quarters in an instant, so his ranged must be even crazier?"
No, it's not.
"That's... just S-rank, right? No way we have the youngest S-rank hunter in our class, huh?"
My ranged attacks top out at high B-rank, maybe low A at best. S-rank is straight-up nonsense.
Clap—
Right before the rumors could spiral further, the instructor claps his hands to cut in.
"With Group A, the Beatrice Academy entrance exam is now concluded. We'll send your admission ranking and class assignments via text, so check them and head to the ceremony next week accordingly. Next time we meet, it'll be as instructor and students. This has been your Monster Ecology instructor, Han A-reum. Great job, everyone."
Clap clap clap clap clap—
The entrance exam ended amid thunderous applause from the students. But to me, that clapping didn't sound sweet at all. It felt like some kind of sonic torment mocking me.
"Oh, and Kim Yu-won? We'll send a separate guide for the freshman representative duties, so prepare well."
Han A-reum winked at me with a grin. I'd basically been half-forced into freshman rep, and now I had to prepare for that too. That's the world for you. Way too harsh for a guy who just wants to do his own thing. At the ripe old age of 137, I felt a bitter taste in my mouth, like I'd finally grown up a little.
"Hey, enough moping. Let's grab food—you're buying, right?"
Shin-woo slung an arm around my shoulders from behind. A week ago, after devouring the chicken he bought with my wives, I'd texted him to treat me to a meal after the exam.
Looking around, the instructors and most students had cleared out. Only my crew and a few stragglers remained.
"Ha... fine. A promise is a promise."
No matter how messed up my head was, I couldn't break my word.
"Man, you fought like a beast... Spill the reincarnation stories over food. That fight got me dying to know."
The fight that shattered my peaceful life, sure.
"Got it."
I'd planned to tell my ball-and-chain buddies anyway. That's when the rest of the group, who'd been watching, approached.
"Yu-won, impressive as always. True to a warrior of the Heavenly Demon Cult—no holds barred, crushing your foe without mercy. Your power's a bit down from back then, but your skills haven't rusted a bit."
This life, I'd gone easy, but those moves were honed over at least 60 years after parting with Ha-yeon. Memories stick even if emotions fade, so once I reclaim those feelings, I can hit peak form anytime.
Though it'll take a ton of EXP and elixirs.
"No wonder I mistook you for a demon..."
Estelle still hadn't learned, pegging me as a demon lord's minion. Mistaking me for a demon? She's the heretic here.
"Dar— I mean, yeah, that's our Yu-won."
Liera almost slipped with "darling" but caught herself. Good enough—I'd pat her later at home.
At least she didn't say it outright.
"I'm dying to hear how you've been too."
Even Seung-ah, curious about my past, joined in.
And then, an unexpected figure approached: Jin Baekryong, who'd gotten mounted, pummeled, and booted from VR earlier.
He bowed deeply to me.
"I've learned so much. I sparred often with family elders and hunted plenty of monsters—I thought I was battle-hardened. What a huge mistake. Thanks to you, I see the path to true training now."
Uh... that path's a dead end, buddy.
From our clash, Jin Baekryong's style mirrored the Nangong family—pure power houses like the Heavenly Demon Cult, wielding straightforward swordplay without tricks. Face chaos and variability? Polish the fundamentals and smash through with raw force. That's their way. It suited him too.
He didn't seem like a bad guy, so a little advice couldn't hurt. I'd feel bad if I wrecked his bright future.
"Don't waver. That fight shook your faith in your path and drew you to mine—but that's poison."
My way isn't yours. Chasing flash blinds you to the essentials.
"Trust yourself. Swing your sword your way. When all doubt vanishes at its edge, and your blade never falters, then you'll truly surpass the wall."
What he'd mastered wasn't martial arts. But breaking through walls wasn't about the form of power—be it aura or internal energy. It was one truth piercing it all.
Only those who never doubt their foundation, never quit, and keep stepping forward earn the right to enter the superhuman realm.
Not a single superhuman I'd met lacked unshakable self-belief.
"Trust, huh..."
His eyes lit with resolve as he drew his sword. He swung lightly downward from high guard.
The blade fell silently, without a whisper. But ahead of it, the scenery differed. No energy infused, yet a pristine cut sliced from ceiling to distant wall to floor.
Heart steady, blade steady.
Then, white energy poured from Jin Baekryong, enveloping him. Cracking and popping sounds echoed within.
One word, and he breaks through... insane bastard.
Talent freaks like him should all drop dead. They snag decades of others' grind in a heartbeat—irregulars mocking everyone's sweat.
"Wh-what the hell is that?"
Shin-woo gawked like a country bumpkin seeing molting rebirth for the first time. Everyone else here had witnessed it before—except him and Seung-ah—so they stayed cool.
Weird that Seung-ah's not freaking out too.
Maybe after recent shocks, this was tame.
The noises faded as the pure white cocoon of his energy cracked open.
"Yoo Seung-ah. Close your eyes."
Shin-woo whispered in her ear, out of my hearing? No, I caught it.
"Why?"
"No time to explain. Just do it, and don't open till I say."
"Okay."
Seung-ah shut her eyes. I did too.
Sense told me Jin Baekryong emerged—energy more refined, body stronger, face even more handsome like a spirit. Aftermath of rebirth left him naked, clothes shredded. My wives had anticipated and closed their eyes. Only Shin-woo's eyes were open.
"Ah, fuck my eyes!!!"
Shin-woo reeled from the eyeful. Glancing around, confirming everyone else had eyes shut, he cursed me out.
"Kim Yu-won, you son of a bitch!!! You knew, didn't you?! Why didn't you tell me to close mine?!"
Payback for all his teasing. Perfect.
Ignoring his howls of betrayal, freshly superhuman Jin Baekryong stepped out and bowed to me—full martial arts style, hands polite.
"Master. Thank you from the heart. Your teachings let me surpass the wall."
Who the hell's your master, you psycho.
I've never taken a disciple like you. And put some damn clothes on—I gotta open my eyes soon.