Chapter 233
Chapter 233
----------------------------------------------------------------- Translator: Ace Chapter: 233 Chapter Title: Blue Zone Selection Exam ----------------------------------------------------------------- The selection exam was one of Blue Zone's major events. Blue Zone periodically scouted executives who would form the core of the guild. Naturally, the players recruited this way received different treatment within the guild. Moreover, those selected in this exam drew the world's attention. It was only natural that they would make a name for themselves after winning the competition. Those interested in Blue Zone and confident in their skills never missed this opportunity. No. They actually looked forward to it. They believed their skills could propel them straight to a key position in the guild. "About a thousand people." Adolf, a high ranker in Blue Zone, muttered while looking at the list. "Quite a crowd." His gaze swept over the participants gathered in the auditorium. There were unfamiliar faces and familiar ones. Since each participant was confident in their abilities, many had made names for themselves somewhere. But Adolf, the supervisor of the selection exam, had no intention of choosing solely based on skill. "Exclude those who defected from other guilds. They lack loyalty." "I figured you'd say that, so I already sorted the list." "How did you know?" "You gave the same orders last year and the year before." Baek Jo-min was the one who brought the list on paper. He had prepared it in advance while registering the participants, anticipating Adolf's instructions. Adolf nodded with a slightly surprised look. "You do good work." "Thank you." Baek Jo-min's lips twitched at the praise. Adolf began reading through the list. Then, midway. "Jeong Chan-young? What's this guy?" One name stood out, marked differently from the others. "He just reached the 8th floor." "Just reached it? Does he even know what this place is?" "We explained it fully." "Is the name real?" At Adolf's question, Baek Jo-min fell silent. Real name? Adolf was asking if the player Jeong Chan-young might be hiding his identity. "I-I'll check right now." "If he was trying to deceive us, he'd have forged his kit by now. What's the point checking at this stage?" Adolf clicked his tongue at Baek Jo-min, who clamped his mouth shut like a clam. "Tch. I thought you were smart." "Sorry..." "No. That's not the important part right now, friend." Confusion crossed Baek Jo-min's face. In that instant, Adolf's finger touched his throat. Baek Jo-min's eyes shook violently. Though startled, his body didn't move an inch. Like a mouse facing a snake, Baek Jo-min froze solid. Perhaps. 'If that finger hadn't stopped...' Adolf's hand could have torn out his flesh and taken his life. "Friend. The important thing isn't whether you verified that guy's identity. That doesn't matter at all." "Th-then..." "Are you adding your personal opinion to the exclusion list?" Adolf's brow twitched. "Why not? Why don't you do the evaluations and pick the executives yourself?" "Th-that's..." "Verifying that guy's identity and deciding what to do about it is my judgment and my authority. But in your eyes, do I look like some puppet who does whatever you say?" "..." "I really hate people who overstep their bounds. Especially when they're idiots." With that, Adolf withdrew the finger pressed to his throat. "Don't forget your place. There's a fine line between being competent and crossing it." "...
I'll keep that in mind."
Baek Jo-min bowed his head, biting his lip hard. It was while Adolf was reprimanding Baek Jo-min. 'Adolf.' In the middle of the auditorium crowd. Soo-hyuk was glaring at Adolf, who was with Baek Jo-min. 'So you're the one left.' It was a face he remembered. He had been with Kim Il-su from the founding of Blue Zone and participated in the Hydra raid. If he had steadily built his strength from then until now, he would certainly be a high ranker. And that meant. 'There's a chance he was put in charge of Hyo-min.' Honestly, he had been half-doubting it.
"He asked me to help rescue my comrade."
When he heard that from Jin Ha-ryeong. The first thing Soo-hyuk imagined was losing all three at once. He had thought about it the entire way here. Was Hyo-min really here? Could Si-woo and Ye-ryeong be wrong? But seeing Adolf here at this point made it quite plausible. Soo-hyuk's gaze lingered on Adolf only briefly. He was wearing another mask—a bare face and an alias—but that made it all the more crucial to be certain. 'Looks like I've got business to attend to.' Soo-hyuk turned his gaze away from Arnold. He couldn't tell what expression he was making while watching that guy. It had been so long since he walked around bare-faced without a mask. Soo-hyuk pulled out a small mirror from his pocket and checked his face. After practicing a few expressions, he nodded in satisfaction. Then he looked at Arnold again. Arnold, who had been receiving Baek Jo-min's report from afar, met Soo-hyuk's eyes. He wanted to wave, but once was enough. Soo-hyuk turned away again. Adolf's name was also written small on the list of people he had to get revenge on in his heart.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The actual exams began the next day. The first day's schedule was just confirming the participants' list from Blue Zone and announcing the exam themes. "First exam is sparring." "As announced." "But what does it mean that win or loss doesn't affect passing?" "Means both can pass or both can fail." "No worries about drawing a strong opponent then." "Or fail even against a weak one if you're incompetent." The first exam was a simple spar. Just show off your skills in front of examiners like Adolf. Nothing complicated since there were no special rules. 'Pass first for now.' The real deal started with the second exam. And to even take that, he had to pass the first. Soo-hyuk shoved his hands in his pockets and headed out into the street. If Hyo-min was really here, he wanted to figure out where. But then. "No companions, huh." A familiar voice and approaching footsteps. "Alone?" Adolf approached Soo-hyuk. Soo-hyuk, who had been looking around, confirmed he was being addressed and nodded. "Me?" "Yeah. Wanna grab tea if you're bored? Food's even better." Soo-hyuk stared blankly at the friendly-faced Adolf. After locking eyes for a moment, Soo-hyuk shrugged. "Introduce me to a good spot if you know one." "Follow me." Arnold led Soo-hyuk to a restaurant. Entering the classic eatery filled with savory aromas, Arnold ordered right away, clearly a regular. "I love this place. They nail my hometown dishes." Beer, sausages, and a massive whole boiled pork leg arrived. Soo-hyuk sat across from Adolf, fork in hand, and ate. After a few bites of sausage and meat chased with beer, it was indeed good. "Not bad." "Why aren't you asking the reason?" Adolf asked while slicing meat with fork and knife. He had only made small talk on the way here. Now that the meal started, he got to the point. Soo-hyuk answered without flinching. "I'm suspicious, aren't I?" Adolf's eyes sparkled at Soo-hyuk's reply. Spotting the intent was impressive, but expected. But to say it outright like this? "Why think that?" "Not on the rankings." "Can't a newbie just arriving think that?" "Background check would turn up nothing." Food went into Adolf's mouth. Conversation paused as he chewed. Silence hung over the meal for a bit. Adolf wiped grease from his lips with a napkin and nodded. "Right. I did some digging." "Knew you would." "Nothing came up. How?" Blue Zone's intel network was formidable. They were among the top guilds in influence. Yet they found nothing on Soo-hyuk—or rather, the ranker 'Jeong Chan-young'. It was suspicious. A faceless ranker? Impossible. "Hiding in some mountain? No contacts at all?" Someone skilled enough for ranker status would have rumors, big or small. Countless guilds and even more scouts made it inevitable. 'Can't help but suspect.' Soo-hyuk knew that too. He never expected no suspicion. From their view, Jeong Chan-young dropped from the sky. Knowing that, Soo-hyuk still used the name and came. One reason. Didn't matter if they suspected. No. Actually... "Want to see my kit?" "Nah. If you're faking identity on purpose, you'd forge that too." "Too bad. Won't believe my innocence." "Instead." A smug smile curved Adolf's lips. "Gotta check for reverse plastic surgery." "Sure." "..." The smile didn't last. Adolf's smirk twisted at Soo-hyuk's unflinching reply without a hint of hesitation. 'Got something up his sleeve?' Adolf frowned at Soo-hyuk's relaxed demeanor. 'Or am I off?' What if it wasn't face-altering magic? Circumstances were odd, but no proof. Just doubts like 'no way he dropped from the sky.' But without face change, no reason to suspect. 'What's the gain?' Blue Zone had no real enemies now. Demons required hiding race, not identity. To infiltrate disguised, there had to be motive. But racking his brain, only one fit. 'He was aware after all.' Soo-hyuk drained his remaining beer, meeting Adolf's confused eyes. 'For Ye-ryeong, changing face and infiltrating is nothing.' Blue Zone's top watch-out was Ye-ryeong above all. Unlike Si-woo, she could alter her face and go anywhere. Probably why he suspected him. But learning it wasn't reverse magic would scramble his head. "Suspicion cleared?" "Huh?" Adolf hesitated at Soo-hyuk's question, then nodded. "Yeah. No reason to doubt if you cooperate well." "All clear then. I'll cooperate fully, of course." He raised his glass again, but it was light. The wooden mug was already empty. "Was gonna toast, but no beer left." "I'll order another." "Thanks for the freebie." Adolf ordered another beer. Not fully dispelled—his eyes on Soo-hyuk still held suspicion. 'What rotten luck...' Hiding his expression behind the wooden mug, Soo-hyuk gazed at Adolf as he clinked glasses and drank again. 'You'll be first.'
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