Chapter 38
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: A Diamond in the Rough (1)
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The weekend passed in a flash.
Today is Monday.
I spent all of Sunday cooped up at home.
Partly to figure out the new trait I'd acquired.
Partly to think about what would change after my meeting with Hermit.
And partly to consider the fallout from the shift in my relationship with Choi Jihoon.
I lay in bed, overworking my brain.
First, considering Hermit's position within the organization and his way of handling things.
The chances of my information reaching the organization were extremely slim.
Hermit was the type to finish a job and then wrap it up with a report.
He never spoke to anyone about his process. You could call him a complete outsider within the organization.
He was forced to join by Unknown in the first place, so it was no surprise he didn't feel any attachment.
The organization knew he couldn't betray them because of the curse, so they left him alone. That was another reason his method became "act first, report later."
Anyway, after thinking it over from various angles.
I concluded that the probability of my information reaching the organization's ears was close to zero.
Plus, I'd sealed Hermit's lips with the Great Spirit's contract,
so I didn't have to worry about him leaking my information in the future.
Far from worrying, I could now get information about the organization through him. A blessing in disguise, you could say.
If I played my cards right, I might even be able to make Hermit, who harbored a hatred for the organization, one of my own.
...To do that, I'd first have to solve Unknown's curse.
I knew the solution, but it was difficult to do anything about it at this stage.
So for now, I'd just maintain my relationship with Hermit...
Seoyul.
Huh?
Jia's sudden voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
The announcement just went up.
Ah. The school rankings?
Come to think of it, today was the day the rankings were updated.
What's my rank?
With a faint smile, Jia held out her smartphone to me.
The screen displayed my name along with my new rank.
[Kang Seoyul]
[Rank 497 -> 231]
...What the?
Wasn't that a bit too steep of a climb?
I could feel the stares of the other students. They all looked just as surprised.
No way.
I've never seen anyone's rank jump that fast before.
You think he'll break into the top 100 next?
The top 100, though...
Could I?
Considering the trait I got from the Fire Spirit, it wasn't entirely impossible.
Ha. To think Kang Seoyul was one of those talented freaks.
I know, right? I'm so jealous.
I want elemental magic too.
Rumors were even spreading that I was some kind of prodigy. For some reason, it felt unfair.
Calling me a prodigy when I was just a loser without a status window.
I gave a bitter smile.
Hey, hey.
Whoa. Look.
It was then that the classroom suddenly fell silent.
?
Wondering what was going on, I looked around. Everyone was staring at the classroom entrance.
I turned my gaze to the entrance as well.
...
Choi Jihoon stood there.
Behind him, Kim Cheoljin followed with a look of pure amusement, while Ha Siyeon trailed in, looking flustered.
*Gulp.*
The sound of people swallowing nervously echoed around me. A quick glance revealed faces full of anticipation.
The kind of faces that made you want to hand them popcorn.
Look at them, neither one is backing down.
The tension is insane.
But what was Kang Seoyul thinking, picking a fight with the heir to the Soosung Group?
What do you mean? They say he's joining the Shinhwa Group after graduation. He's probably banking on that.
Everyone whispered, their eyes darting back and forth between me and Choi Jihoon.
Hmph.
Did he not like this atmosphere?
Choi Jihoon scoffed and strode confidently toward me.
To be precise, he wasn't heading for me, but for his own desk near mine.
...
Suddenly, Choi Jihoon stopped in front of me.
Gasps could be heard from the onlookers.
No way.
Looks like they're about to throw down.
Well, yeah. There's no way Choi Jihoon's pride would let him just stand by.
The atmosphere grew even more heated.
They say watching other people fight is the most entertaining thing in the world, so they must have been thrilled.
*Glowwwwer*
I felt an intense pressure and glanced to my side to see Jia glaring at Choi Jihoon with the face of a demon.
Seriously terrifying.
Ugh. What do we do?
Just let it be. This looks like it'll be fun.
Behind Choi Jihoon, Ha Siyeon and Kim Cheoljin had their own distinct reactions.
...Kang Seoyul.
Choi Jihoon spoke, his expression reluctant.
The sound of gulping grew even louder around us.
I doubt they'd even watch the climax of a movie with this much focus.
Yeah.
But what can I say.
What you're all expecting isn't going to happen.
Good morning.
You too. Have a good weekend?
In that instant, the atmosphere in the classroom froze over.
...?
Jia looked at Choi Jihoon as if he'd eaten something strange.
...Hey. Are you sick or something?
Kim Cheoljin asked, his face filled with genuine concern.
?
Ha Siyeon glanced back and forth between Choi Jihoon and me several times, then...
Ah!
...as if she understood something, she exclaimed and gave me a thumbs-up.
I have no idea what's going through her head.
With that, Choi Jihoon returned to his seat.
But the room remained steeped in silence.
...Um, Seoyul. Did something happen between you two?
Jia, who knew Choi Jihoon's personality better than anyone, asked with a look of utter confusion.
We just... had a little man-to-man talk.
A talk? With that asshole?
Jia glanced at Choi Jihoon with eyes full of disbelief.
What did you talk about to make him act like that?
She looked genuinely baffled. The eyes of Kim Cheoljin, Ha Siyeon, and the rest of the class were all fixed on me.
Just.
I shrugged, trailing off vaguely.
Talked about life?
* * *
After Monday morning's science classes were over, the entire afternoon was scheduled for outdoor training.
Today, we will be conducting one-on-one combat training against virtual monsters.
The instructor in charge was Pi Jinho.
We have analyzed each of your data and assigned an appropriate monster.
Instructor Pi Jinho laughed heartily.
To others, it might look like a cheerful smile, but I wasn't fooled.
That was the expression he usually made when I was suffering during training.
In other words, he was filled with the thought of tormenting us.
Of course, they've been selected based on your weaknesses, so it will be quite difficult. Think of this as training to test your ability to overcome a crisis.
Ah...
Oh my god.
See?
He's excited at the thought of torturing us.
First up, Cadet Seo Suhan. Prepare to enter.
Sir!
The monster you'll be facing is the Steel Pincer.
...I'm sorry, sir?
Cadet Seo Suhan used a spear.
However, he hadn't yet reached the stage where he could imbue his spear with mana.
And the Steel Pincer's special trait was its extremely high resistance to piercing attacks.
A perfect counter.
The probability of Seo Suhan defeating the Steel Pincer was close to zero.
I forgot to mention.
Pi Jinho grinned even more brightly as he looked at the bewildered students.
Cadets who win this training exercise will be awarded special points. So do your best.
At his words, everyone's eyes changed. Special points. It was a magic phrase that could conjure motivation out of thin air.
Oh, right. One more thing.
His smile grew wider.
I felt uneasy.
The historical pass rate for this training is 2.98%.
Ah.
That's insane.
With that, their soaring motivation plummeted back to earth.
I heard from an upperclassman that they really pinpoint your weakness.
There's also a rumor that the training is designed to crush your overconfidence.
[Steel Pincer generation complete.]
[Virtual combat will commence in 10 seconds.]
Begin.
Just as expected,
Cadet Seo Suhan began to suffer, unable to even mount a proper counterattack.
So he's basically telling us not to win.
Tsk.
The cadets had already lost their will to fight.
But my motivation, on the other hand, was soaring sky-high.
Instructor.
I raised my hand.
What is it?
How many special points will be awarded?
Quite confident, aren't you.
A peculiar light glinted in the instructor's eyes.
Your rank was 231, wasn't it.
Yes, sir.
He's right on the mark.
Then you should be able to climb to around rank 170.
...That much?
It means the training is just that difficult.
Pi Jinho grinned.
A smile that made people uneasy.
I get the gist of it.
The instructor was certain.
That there was no way I could win.
Since he knew me well, he must have chosen a monster I absolutely couldn't beat.
Wicked. So wicked.
Understood.
Your expression hasn't changed. Do you have a hidden card up your sleeve?
Pi Jinho watched me with a curious expression.
I gave a silent shrug.
[Cadet Seo Suhan eliminated.]
Just then, Seo Suhan was sliced up by the Steel Pincer and exited.
Good. Next up, Cadet Kang Seoyul. Enter.
Sir.
I checked my short spear and dagger.
The monster you'll be facing is the Sun Lion.
At his words, the murmuring grew louder.
Whoa. No way.
The Sun Lion? Isn't that the one with fire immunity and high durability and stamina?
Wow. That's just cruel.
The Sun Lion.
Just what you'd expect from Pi Jinho.
He knows me very well.
He's picked a monster I absolutely cannot defeat.
This should be easy.
What?
However, that monster was chosen based on my data up until last Friday.
One minute should be enough.
I calmly walked into the facility.
As I walked, I pulled the black glove on my right hand tighter.
While I was pulling it, a faint green light seeped from between the gaps in the glove.
[Rank 231 Kang Seoyul. Entry confirmed.]
Alright.
Time to show them how overpowered the Fire Spirit is.
[Sun Lion. Generating.]
* * *
After Kang Seoyul disappeared inside.
The remaining cadets started talking amongst themselves.
What's with his confidence?
How can he beat a Sun Lion? It's a total mismatch.
It was less of a conversation and more like trash talk.
Seems like all the recent hype has gone to his head.
Still, a Sun Lion is just too much.
He's so arrogant, isn't he? It's annoying.
They were already annoyed that Kang Seoyul, who used to be at the bottom, was suddenly in the spotlight,
so this was a perfect opportunity.
*I hope he gets humiliated.*
That was what most of the cadets were thinking.
However, a few cadets thought differently.
What do you think?
Kim Cheoljin asked.
Seoyul isn't the type to act like that without confidence.
Right.
Ha Siyeon nodded.
Maybe he has an ace up his sleeve?
She wasn't sure of the details, but since Kang Seoyul said he would win, she took his victory as a given.
Ha Siyeon was certain of it.
And you, Jihoon?
Kim Cheoljin asked, wiggling his eyebrows dramatically. He looked eager to hear Choi Jihoon's answer.
He'll win.
...Huh?
Kim Cheoljin was dumbfounded by the unexpected reply.
Are you really sick or something?
Kim Cheoljin placed a hand on Choi Jihoon's forehead with the expression of someone looking at their dying mother.
Stop your bullshit.
Choi Jihoon dodged his hand and said pointedly, his expression displeased.
I've simply acknowledged his skill.
...Wow.
Ha Siyeon's and Kim Cheoljin's eyes widened.
No way. The Choi Jihoon... has matured?
Jihoon...
Kim Cheoljin's expression quickly turned to despair.
While Ha Siyeon's turned to one of being deeply moved.
Shin Jia, who had been secretly listening to their conversation, was just as surprised.
What on earth did he do to make that asshole change so much...
Along with her surprise, her respect for him soared.
As expected of my ancestor.
He must have decided it wasn't good to be on bad terms with Choi Jihoon and took action.
But to think he could move the heart of the hopeless Choi Jihoon to this extent.
Everything about him, from one to ten, is perfect.
This must be the difference in caliber.
Sigh.
Then, a sigh escaped her.
My ancestor declared he would defeat the Sun Lion.
That meant he would reveal a power other than his fire-attribute magic.
...Surely he wouldn't use another elemental magic, would he?
According to legends, elves were sometimes able to use dual or even triple elements.
If Kang Seoyul were to pull out water or ice magic, the Sun Lion's weaknesses...
...I don't even want to imagine it.
A transcendent being with dual elements.
The amount of attention he would receive would be incomparable to now.
Please.
Shin Jia prayed desperately.
Please don't let Kang Seoyul do anything crazy.
[Sun Lion generation complete.]
[Virtual combat will commence in 10 seconds.]
Begin!
If he fails, I'm posting it all over social media.
Ooh. I'm in.
The countdown proceeded amidst the cadets' murmurs.
[7, 6, 5]
And at the moment it hit five seconds.
*Fwoooooosh!*
Flames erupted violently from the dagger and short spear Kang Seoyul held.
Aww.
What the.
Everyone was disappointed.
*What, it's just fire after all?*
*What's fire going to do to a Sun Lion?*
*Is showing off his aura all he's got?*
*He's going to be so embarrassed.*
Their minds were filled with such negative thoughts.
[3, 2]
Huh? Wait a second.
Then, someone suddenly shouted.
Doesn't the color of the flames... look a little strange?