Chapter 35
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 35
Chapter Title: Sudden Rise (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
That night.
I was in my room, talking with Jia.
Isnt adding shape transformation to an elemental aura going a little too far?
For once, Jia was grumbling.
All this attention on you I was barely managing to keep it under control
She let out a heavy sigh.
You said you had to become a member for the Localized Battle, so I expected you to reveal some of your power.
I could even let the use of an elemental aura at the ruins slide but shape transformation is just too much
I couldnt come up with a response.
Werent there other ways, like just revealing higher stats? Why did you have to
Right, well
From Jias perspective, her point was valid.
If I really had some hidden power, thats what I would have done.
But this was the only way I could do it.
I couldnt just keep a rare skill under wraps.
It was my only meal ticket in this situation.
Of course, I couldnt tell her any of this.
Well, I had no idea that elemental auras or shape transformation were such rare skills.
Another day, another shameless lie.
It was my so-called Im an elf, so I dont know much about the human world strategy.
I suppose its easy for the elven race, blessed by mana as you are Ugh. You really lack common sense in the strangest areas.
Thankfully, the strategy seemed to work.
From now on, please at least consult with me before you act.
Alright.
Jia looked at me and gave a faint, resigned smile.
By the way, what did your clan have to say?
Huh? My clan?
Come to think of it, I did vaguely mention something about a secret elven society last time.
Yes. The organization that fabricated your past and is backing you from the shadows. I dont know their name
Ah, aha! You mean that organization!
Yes. That one.
What organization is that?
I had no idea, but I had to play along.
They just told me to do as I please. As long as Im not found out as an elf and make it to the Localized Battle, they dont care.
Wow. Thats some incredible confidence.
Huh?
Confidence in what, all of a sudden?
Doesnt that mean they can cover for you, no matter what you do?
Ah, yeah. I guess so.
Is that how she saw it?
Anyway, Ancestor. Things might get a little annoying for you, but you brought this on yourself, so deal with it. Im out. This is already beyond what I can handle.
Come on. How annoying can it get?
* * *
The next day.
I immediately realized that Jias warning was no exaggeration.
Seoyul! Have you decided on a career path after graduation?
Are you free today? Want to have lunch together?
Seoyul! Lets train together tonight!
I was having breakfast in the dormitory lobby.
Suddenly, I was surrounded by a massive crowd, unable to move.
Are you interested in the Talisman Guild? My brother is
Talisman? Forget them. Come to our Revolution Guild. The guild master will give you the best treatment
Yeah, no thanks to your sweatshop.
Says the third-rate company that got caught for tax evasion.
What a huge change in just one day.
Just yesterday, I felt like they saw me as a rock clinging to the gold nugget that was Shin Jia.
Or was it not that bad?
Then again, after I revealed my fire-attribute mana, a few more people did start approaching me.
But it was never anything like this.
Im, Im sorry, but that kind of thing is
Dont be like that, cant you just meet him once? The guild master said if I bring you in, Ill get a bonahem.
They were all talking at once, and I couldnt make out what anyone was saying.
My head was spinning.
I now understood perfectly what it felt like to be overwhelmed by a crowd.
Just then, I made eye contact with Jia through the throng of people.
Her eyes seemed to be saying, See? I told you it would get annoying.
I desperately tried to convey my own message.
Help me.
Jia smiled as if she had no choice and stood up from her seat.
Sorry, but Seoyul is scheduled to join Shinhwa Group after graduation.
The room fell silent in an instant.
So could you please stop bothering him?
No company or guild here could offer better terms than Shinhwa Group.
...Ah, man.
What a buzzkill.
Told you. They were in on it from the start.
I guess. I knew Shin Jia wouldnt be head over heels for some guy.
Everyone clicked their tongues and returned to their seats.
Shinhwa Group, as expected.
Its name carried serious weight.
Once everyone was gone, I collapsed onto the table.
I was exhausted.
Jia approached and whispered in my ear.
I can help you out on campus, but when the big shots show up, I really wont be able to do anything. Just so you know.
Ugh.
For a moment, I was filled with regret, wondering if I had made a huge mistake.
* * *
That afternoon.
I had a lunch appointment with Yuhwa today.
I quietly slipped off the school grounds and headed to the nearby Okhwadang.
Welcome.
As I entered the room, Yuhwa greeted me with the same relaxed demeanor as last time.
...Hello.
I trudged over and plopped down in the seat across from her.
Yuhwa smiled faintly.
You look exhausted.
Im dying.
People were so relentlessly bothersome.
My mind was a mess.
I didnt get why they were so eager to get their hands on an F-rank superhuman.
But whats your reason for drawing so much attention?
?
What kind of bizarre nonsense was this?
I stared at Yuhwa with the eyes of a dead mackerel.
Am I wrong? Youre revealing your power in such a peculiar way, I thought your goal was to create a buzz.
Ah.
Right. From Yuhwas perspective, that was a natural assumption.
Its a secret.
I was too tired to even make up a story, so I just gave a vague answer.
You said youre participating in the Localized Battle. Are you acting as some kind of bait?
Yep, yep. Something like that.
My reply was completely devoid of spirit.
Silence fell suddenly.
I lifted my head and looked at Yuhwa.
I knew it.
She seemed lost in thought.
What could she be thinking about so hard?
Ah. Sorry. I was just spacing out.
As if sensing my gaze, Yuhwa snapped out of her thoughts.
I ordered something a little different from last time. Is that okay?
The life returned to my eyes.
Or perhaps, it was more like madness.
Of course. Im not a picky eater.
You cant go wrong with Okhwadang.
* * *
Who was it that said it?
That happiness isnt found in some faraway place.
I agree.
Happiness was very close by.
To be precise, it was in a restaurant in Seoul, South Korea, called Okhwadang.
In other words, right here.
...If there were Okhwadangs all over the world, wed have world peace.
My mumble made Yuhwa burst into laughter.
Thats a pretty good idea. I think it would actually work.
Right?
A warm atmosphere settled between us.
We savored the pleasant feeling of fullness and enjoyed the silence.
The grassy scent, unique to traditional Korean houses, brought a sense of calm to my mind.
I dont know how much time passed like that.
Oh, right. Im just asking this on the off chance.
Yuhwa spoke first.
Do you still have the Gauntlet of the Ferocious Tiger?
...I didnt sell it. I told you I still have it.
Geumho was having a great time using it as a toy. The last time I saw, he was chewing and slobbering all over it.
So you werent really after the money, then.
Yuhwa smiled knowingly.
Perhaps you need an Ancient Relic?
Hmm.
I did need them.
But I couldnt just come out and say it.
Ancient Relics were antiques.
If she asked what I planned to use them for, Id have a hard time answering.
Well. Maybe I need one, maybe I dont.
I let my words trail off vaguely.
Aha. So thats how you want to play it?
Yuhwa laughed playfully.
This felt ominous.
What is it?
Never mind. I wont tell you.
Yuhwa turned her head slightly.
Then she glanced at me with a mischievous look in her eyes.
I knew exactly what she was thinking without her saying a word.
Her face screamed, Are you sure you dont want to hear? Youll definitely regret it.
...Alright. Ill tell you the truth. I need them.
Wouldnt it have been nice if you were this honest from the start?
Only then did Yuhwa flash a bright smile.
So, what were you going to tell me?
Ah, its nothing major. The Bihon Guild has a deal with the Collector soon.
My eyes widened like saucers.
...The Collector Im thinking of?
The Collector.
Also known as the Gatherer.
Yes. The eccentric collector whose hobby is gathering all sorts of rare things in the world.
Among his collection were [Ancient Relics].
If I could just get my hands on a few items from his collection
A strange light gleamed in my eyes.
What do you think? If you say you need them, I could try to arrange a meeting.
Yuhwa gave me a meaningful smile.
* * *
After parting with Yuhwa, I was sitting in a quiet nearby park, idly passing the time.
I cant give you a 100% guarantee. As you know, that man is quite the eccentric. But Ill do my best.
Thats what Yuhwa had said at the end.
Knowing her personality, she wouldnt have mentioned something impossible.
I figured my chances of meeting the Collector were probably around fifty-fifty.
The problem was what to do even if I did meet him.
How could I get Ancient Relics from that eccentric?
Id have to think about that, too.
*Bzzzt-*
Just then, my phone vibrated. It was a message from an unknown number.
Whats this?
[Free tonight.]
That was it.
No name, no context.
But I knew immediately who it was from.
Anyone could tell this is from Choi Jihoon.
Well, I didnt have any other plans tonight.
I might as well meet him.
I was the one who wanted to talk first, after all.
[Where should we meet?]
I replied in an equally dry tone.
[My house.]
He wants me to come to his house all of a sudden?
[How am I supposed to know where your house is?]
[Tell me where you are now, and Ill send a car.]
Hes being unusually helpful.
It felt uncharacteristically kind for Choi Jihoon.
Did something good happen to him?
[Im at Skyfrost Park right now.]
* * *
Choi Jihoons house was as grand and opulent as one would expect from a chaebol family.
After passing through the main gate, we drove in a limousine for five minutes, and the building was still nowhere in sight.
...This place seems ten times bigger than Jias house.
I thought Jias house was big, but this was on a completely different level.
Their companies were supposed to be of similar size, so was it just a difference in the owners mindsets?
Then again, Shinhwa Group did value frugality.
After a total of ten minutes of driving, a massive mansion finally came into view.
Whoa.
And what an incredibly luxurious building it was. It had a grandeur youd only see in movies.
We have arrived.
The driver opened the door and bowed his head.
Ah, yes. Thank you.
As I got out of the car, a man who appeared to be a secretary approached me and gave a slight nod.
I will guide you. This way.
I quietly followed the secretary. The interior of the mansion was just as dazzling.
The phrase a different world couldnt have been more fitting.
After walking for some time.
The young master is waiting inside.
The secretary pointed to a door and spoke. Then he knocked gently.
Young Master. Kang Seoyul has arrived.
Let him in.
Yes, sir.
The secretary opened the door.
...Huh?
I was expecting some incredibly lavish room, but it was surprisingly ordinary.
Youve had a long journey.
His greeting was very calm and composed.
For a moment, the thought Who are you? crossed my mind.
Especially since he got thrashed by me yesterday.
I thought hed be consumed by rage, but he was far too calm.
Secretary Jang. Could you please leave us to talk alone?
Yes. Understood.
The secretary bowed again from the doorway.
Please call if you need anything.
With that, only Choi Jihoon and I were left in the room.
An awkward silence filled the air.
Sit.
Choi Jihoon gestured to the chair opposite him.
I quietly sat down.
Silence fell again.
It felt less like a cold dagger was being plunged into my chest and more like an awkward one.
I had no idea what to talk about with this guy.
I came here to clear up the misunderstanding he had, so I should probably be the one to start.
So, first of all
It was then.
Im sorry.
Suddenly, Choi Jihoon said something strange.
...What did you say?
For a second, I doubted my own ears.
If I wasnt mistaken, I thought I just heard him say he was sorry.
I misunderstood. Im sorry.
It seemed it wasnt an auditory hallucination.
What is this?
Is this one of those famous hidden camera pranks?
My pupils trembled with confusion.
I never imagined you had such a past
What?
My confusion turned to shock.
Did he just say my past?
My eyes shook violently.
My past.
That would mean the past of the original protagonist, Kang Seoyul.
No way.
He found out about it at this point in time?
How on earth?
I also apologize for digging into your background without permission.
Choi Jihoon wore a bitter smile as he took some documents out of his bag.
He then handed them to me.
Written on the documents were these words:
[Sunshine Orphanage Human Experimentation Incident Report]
I pressed a hand to my forehead.
My fear had become reality.
Why now, of all times
< Sudden Rise (3) > End