Chapter 202
Chapter 202
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 203
Chapter Title: Noon
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Noon, 12 PM.
The three-day, two-night Seongmuje special training had finally come to an end.
Over the past three days and two nights, we'd gone through all sorts of training.
Physical conditioning, individual combat drills, stage escape training, and more—but the one that took up the biggest chunk was, of course, teamwork training.
Seongmuje did have individual matches,
but the main event was the school showdown.
That's why the awkward vibe from the first day had shifted to something warm and friendly now.
They must've all gotten close in that short time.
With the special training wrapped up, the students packed their bags and gathered together.
Lee Hee-young, the teacher in charge of Seongmuje special training and our representative, stepped forward.
"You've all worked hard over these three days and two nights of training. It might feel short when you think about how much time we have left until Seongmuje, but I believe this opportunity has helped you build bonds with your teammates and improve your teamwork."
The students nodded in agreement with Lee Hee-young's words. I focused on what she was saying, too.
After that, she launched into a speech about magic and camaraderie. Just as it was starting to get a bit dull, she clapped her hands sharply.
"With that, we've completed the special training schedule. See you all again in March!"
"Yes!"
With bright responses, the students exchanged goodbyes with those around them and headed off on their separate ways.
I was about to get ready to leave when someone approached me.
"Sunbae."
The word "sunbae" made me think it was Choi Seo-yoon calling, so I turned around.
But it was someone unexpected.
A silver-haired girl standing there shyly.
It was Eun Seol-ah.
I have no idea why I mixed her up with Choi Seo-yoon—her voice was different, too. Maybe because I'd heard "sunbae" from Choi Seo-yoon so many times it was ingrained.
"You worked hard during the special training."
At my words, Eun Seol-ah gave a small smile.
"You too, sunbae."
"Heading back to the Silver Moon House now?"
Eun Seol-ah nodded.
"Yeah, I should. What about you, sunbae?"
"Home to rest."
"Ah."
Eun Seol-ah nodded slightly.
"Seol-ah! What're you doing!"
Just then, a voice called from behind her.
I turned toward the sound and saw some fresh-faced incoming first-years calling out to her from a distance.
I'd been worried since she's so shy, but it looked like she'd made some friends to go back with.
"Your friends are waiting. Better head out."
"Yeah! See you in the spring!"
With a spirited voice, she bowed her head briskly and ran off to her friends.
I watched her back with a warm feeling. Is this what it's like seeing your little sister adapt well to school life?
"Kim Sun-woo."
This time, it was Lee Seo-jun approaching me. Behind him were Choi Seo-yoon, Yoo Ah-ra, and several other key figures.
"Wanna grab lunch as an afterparty?"
Lunch, huh.
I shook my head.
"Nah, I'm busy today."
"Doing what?"
Choi Seo-yoon came closer and asked.
"I've got a prior engagement."
"A prior engagement?"
Choi Seo-yoon looked at me with eyes full of curiosity.
"Yeah. It's an old promise, so I have to keep it."
Lee Seo-jun looked disappointed at my answer.
"Hmm. Too bad."
"Nothing we can do if he's got plans. Let's just eat without him."
Shin Young-jun chimed in.
"Yeah, we'll all be together again next week anyway. We can eat then."
"True, now that you mention it. We'll see each other next week."
Next week was when we'd use the Training Room tickets. We'd probably spend even more time there than during this special training.
"...I don't have a Training Room ticket."
That's when Lee Hyun-joo muttered from the back, sounding dissatisfied.
Oh, right. She was here too.
I'd kinda forgotten about her lately since I hadn't been paying attention.
"Ugh. Should've been more proactive during Taehwi Festival instead of slacking off."
When Shin Young-jun teased her, Lee Hyun-joo shot him a fierce glare.
"...Anyway, I'm heading out. See you next week."
"Alright, take care."
"Yeah."
"See you next week, sunbae."
"Yeah."
After the goodbyes, I stepped out of the training center.
I pretended to head toward the portal gate, then subtly changed direction.
My destination wasn't Seoul, but somewhere else in Gangwon Province.
There was a dungeon I owned near this training center.
Yang Tae-min, my prior engagement, was probably waiting there.
Confirming no one was watching, I disguised myself as Kim Jin-woo.
Time passed, and I arrived at the dungeon.
"Oho..."
In the few days I'd been away, the exterior had changed quite a bit.
It used to scream "dungeon" at first glance, but now it looked like some kind of factory. Containers had popped up around it, and there were clear signs of expansion work in progress.
"...Is this a security system?"
I eyed the red lasers filling the dungeon entrance.
Yang Tae-min had mentioned installing a security system.
But seeing it in person was impressive. As expected from a workshop grad—he really knew how to use that magic engineering tech.
I used the card I'd gotten beforehand to enter the dungeon.
I quickly reached the reward room where the magic stones were stored.
"Ung-ae?"
As I stepped inside, a familiar voice greeted me.
"Gretel."
She came running to me on her short legs as I called her name with a smile.
"Did you stay well?"
"Ung-ae!"
I picked up Gretel and looked around.
Judging by the massive piles of magic stones neatly stacked, Worker Gretel had been busy while I was gone.
"Huh? Mr. Kim Jin-woo?"
Yang Tae-min appeared then.
"When did you get here?"
He smiled and approached me. His cheeks were smudged with black—he'd clearly been working hard.
Anyone would think he was just an employee. Though he was technically the company rep.
"Just arrived."
"Ah. It's changed a lot here in just a few days, right?"
"Yeah, it really has."
I surveyed the area. Mining machines filled every gap perfectly.
I'd blown almost all the money I'd duplicated from stocks over months buying those.
Of course, once magic stone sales kicked off properly, I'd recoup it fast.
"Ung-ae."
Then Gretel looked at Yang Tae-min. He met her gaze and spoke.
"This wooden one's abilities are seriously impressive. At first, I thought it was just crying like a baby, but every time it works, I'm blown away. Haha."
"Gretel has way more strength than she looks."
I set Gretel down.
She toddled over to Yang Tae-min and tapped his leg affectionately, like she was expressing fondness.
It was her first time around anyone but me, so I was glad they were getting along.
"When do the employee interviews start?"
"As soon as possible would be best, but we've still got a lot to sort out, so next week."
"Next week might be tough for me to help again. I've got about a week booked solid."
"Next week too? You must have a packed schedule."
"Yeah, backlog from ongoing stuff."
"Got it."
We finished chatting and were walking deeper into the dungeon when Gretel toddled up to me.
She summoned a wooden vine, gripped something with it, and held it out to me.
"What's this?"
"Ung-ae."
What she offered was a massive magic stone.
Its deep red glow revealed the enormous mana packed inside.
"Don't tell me this is a gift for me?"
"Ung-ae."
This thing would sell for a fortune. Why give it to me specifically?
Though it is mine anyway.
Still, her thoughtfulness warmed my heart, so I accepted it.
"Thanks, Gretel."
I hugged her with a smile.
Time flew in the bustling dungeon, and soon it was 8 PM.
For my next appointment, I took a portal gate back to Seoul.
My destination was Han So-ok, the upscale Korean restaurant I'd visited before.
A staff member guided me, and as I opened the door, Han Se-yeon greeted me.
"Ms. Han Se-yeon."
"Jin-woo."
She smiled and stood from her seat.
It felt like ages since we'd last met. Her vibe seemed different somehow—more soft and radiant.
"Did you change your hairstyle a bit?"
"Oh, I went to the salon today. I've got two days off starting now."
She said it with a pleased smile.
Her smile lifted my mood, and I smiled back.
As we sat, she looked at me with a joyful expression.
"But what's the occasion? Reserving a place like this yourself."
"I said I'd buy you a meal. A bit late, but."
"Right, you did."
We chatted casually like that. Soon, exquisite dishes filled the table.
No alcohol. Booze is fine, but sometimes these sober, straightforward talks hit the spot.
"Oh, and this."
Mid-sip of water, I placed the blue seaweed from the ruins on the table.
Han Se-yeon's eyes lit up with interest.
"Blue seaweed? The mana content looks substantial..."
She kept staring at it.
"This is from the East Sea, right? How'd you get it? This is top-grade stuff. You can't buy quality like this even with money."
"Swam in the ocean and stumbled on it."
"Swam? In this weather?"
She looked stunned.
"Had to hunt some underwater monsters."
"Wow... You hunt underwater monsters too? I thought other wizards avoided that."
Yeah, it was tough. Hard to move freely in water, and you couldn't use your full power.
"But why this?"
"Wanted to ask an expert on the best way to eat it."
"Best way to eat it, huh..."
She let out a soft laugh.
"Give it here. As a former top chef, I'll cook it to your taste."
I handed it over with a chuckle at her half-joking tone.
She took the seaweed, glanced at me slyly, then spoke again.
"Hmm. Since we've got such great ingredients, want me to cook it tonight?"
"Tonight?"
"Yeah, hard to wait when it's this good."
I'd figured it needed about a week, so that was unexpected.
Not bad, though. Faster is better.
"If you can do it tonight, I'm all for it. To your company then?"
"Nope. Too many eyes at the office. I'll cook at my place. Got all the equipment there."
I nodded.
Heading to Han Se-yeon's place late at night felt a bit odd, but whatever—ignore the trivial stuff.
We finished the enjoyable meal and stepped outside.
I followed her to the parking lot and got into her luxury car.
The sweet diffuser scent tickled my nose from the passenger seat.
Han Se-yeon leaned over, rummaging for something.
She paused abruptly and looked up at me.
"What's up?"
Her face inched very close to mine. She hesitated, then took a small breath.
"...Nothing."
She must've caught my scent.
I'd eaten Gretel's fruit, and in the sealed car, the fragrance was stronger.
She hit the accelerator with a casual expression. The car glided smoothly down the dark road.
I stared blankly out the window. The streetlights piercing the darkness stirred some needless sentiment.
Then, recent events flashed through my mind.
The changed world. Beings questioning me.
Stories from the original that never mentioned me, things even I didn't know.
"Do you manage the mysteries owned by Hanseong Group, Ms. Han Se-jin?"
My sudden question made Han Se-yeon glance at me before fixing her eyes forward again.
"Mysteries?"
"It's famous that the Hanseong family holds tons of them."
"...True. But why?"
"The prophecy mystery owned by Hanseong. Wondering if I could maybe use it."