Promotion (2)
The forum exploded with reactions the moment the video went live. Comments flooded in, one after another.
2. Led the team and fought orcs on the front lines herself.
3. In every battle except those involving the orc king, she fought without Eclipse or Shin Seongmin. She said she'd prove her skills, and she actually did.
4. When facing the orc king and Eclipse's power ran out, she didn't run. She stepped forward and held on against the orc king until Eclipse awakened, enduring the mana storm.
5. Completed the North Korea subjugation.
All sorts of frantic reactions praising Yusoha dominated the community. As soon as the video was released, the Awakened Association officially recognized her achievements and posted an official notice that her S-class promotion ceremony would be held in the near future.
The response to the video was explosive. Yusoha's sincere attitude in a desperate situation, her willingness to take responsibility for her actions, and the fact that she replaced her subordinates' equipment with her own money—she had shown the ideal image of a leader. Comments praising Yusoha as much as Eclipse began to overflow across the community.
Another topic that caught fire was Eclipse's awakening and the brief glimpse of his bare face. Though it was only a fleeting moment, once it was captured on video, no one missed it. The sudden appearance of a man of unparalleled beauty in the midst of a life-or-death battle sent the world into an uproar. Some said they now understood why he had hidden his face all this time. Others asked why he had bothered covering such a face at all. Men who saw it lamented the unfairness of the world, while women began posting comments saying they were jealous of Yusoha to the point of madness.
Yusoha and Eclipse were watching the scene unfold in real time.
“……Is my face really at a level that would cause this kind of reaction?”
“I told you so. Look. The crazy ones are already starting to show up.”
As Yusoha shoved the comments toward him, Eclipse's expression twisted into a deep frown. It was a spectacle unlike any other.
“……It reminds me of that princess.”
“There are going to be a whole bunch of people like that. You'd better be prepared, Eclipse.”
“Haa.”
Eclipse let out a weary sigh.
“Well, now that we've seen the reactions…… I should make a call.”
“A call? To where?”
“The Association. I need to schedule the promotion ceremony.”
“Ah.”
“Hello? Mr. President. This is Yusoha.”
— Ah, Miss Soha. It's been a while. How's your body holding up?
“I'm fine. Fully recovered.”
— I assume you're calling about the promotion ceremony? I've already reviewed the video. No signs of manipulation…… This should be more than sufficient.
“Thank you for looking at it favorably.”
— When would you like the ceremony scheduled?
“Whenever is convenient for you would be best, Mr. President.”
— How about one week from now?
“One week? Where are you thinking of holding it?”
— The Awakened Academy, as always. Showing the students the moment a new S-class Awakened is born should help motivate them.
“Ah, that sounds good. Come to think of it, the graduation exams are coming up soon, aren't they?”
— That's right. We also want to show them your promotion to S-class before the exams.
“That works for us. But you're not only informing us about the schedule, right?”
— Of course not.
“Haha. I figured. Understood.”
— Good. Then come to the Awakened Academy in one week.
“Yes, Mr. President. I'll see you then.”
Yusoha ended the call with a smile on her lips.
“Is the promotion ceremony all set?”
“Yeah. One week from now. They want both of us to wear formal suits and come to the Awakened Academy.”
“The Awakened Academy?”
“Yeah. It's literally a school for training Awakened. S-class promotion ceremonies are always held there. Something about inspiring the students?”
“I see……”
“Of course, you have to come with me. You know that, right?”
“Wherever you go, I must follow. Am I not your Guardian Star?”
“Then it's settled.”
“By the way, what should we do from now on? Training?”
“I was thinking that originally…… but now I'm considering just resting for a bit.”
“Are you still not fully recovered?”
“I am recovered, but…… there are days like this sometimes. Days when I just want to rest a lot.”
“Then rest. There's no need to push yourself.”
“Should I?”
“Yes. Training only shows its true effect when both body and mind are stable. Your condition has been somewhat unstable lately, so take this opportunity to rest comfortably. The matter of proving yourself has been resolved, and you'll soon be promoted to S-class.”
“If even you say so, then I guess I should rest. Eclipse, come here for a moment.”
Yusoha's face looked strangely pleased.
“Hm? Why all of a sudden?”
“Just because.”
As Eclipse approached, she poked his cheek.
“Your skin is really nice. How do you take care of it?”
“I don't.”
“……Really?”
“Yes. I don't even know how.”
“……That's cheating.”
Yusoha's face was rarely filled with such defeat. Skin that glowed without any care? Did something like that actually exist?
“Is it because you're a Guardian Star?”
“I'm not sure…… It might be. Back in my world, it was quite rough.”
“Really?”
“I even grew a lot of facial hair…… I looked quite shabby in many ways.”
Yusoha imagined Eclipse with a stylish beard.
“……I don't think it would've looked shabby at all.”
It would probably have given him a dignified charm. No, with that face, it definitely would have.
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. If you get the chance later, try growing one.”
“……Well, all right.”
The conversation paused for a moment. Yusoha picked up the remote and spoke to Eclipse.
“Want to watch some TV?”
“As you wish.”
“Hehe. Then let's watch the news? I'm sure all sorts of reactions to my video will be popping up by now. Watching that might be fun too.”
“That sounds good.”
Sure enough, the TV was filled with stories about Yusoha, Eclipse, and Hwanryeong Team 2. The most notable was Shin Seongmin's interview.
— Hello, Mr. Shin Seongmin.
— Ah, hello. Nice to see you again.
It was the same broadcasting station that had interviewed Shin Seongmin before, now conducting another interview.
— Things have been quite noisy regarding this expedition, haven't they?
— Haha, yes, they have. My ears are practically ringing. Anyway, feel free to ask anything you're curious about.
— Then, may I ask what role you played in this expedition?
— I was literally just a figurehead. Nothing more, nothing less. Team Leader Yusoha handled all the combat leadership and planning.
— Oh, really?
— Eclipse and I had already agreed to only watch Hwanryeong Team 2's operations or step in during dangerous situations. Except for the final battle, all the credit goes to Hwanryeong Team 2.
— I see……
— Also, this North Korea expedition was entirely funded by Team Leader Yusoha, from supplies to equipment. Thanks to that, my wallet is completely empty right now.
— Haha, I can't imagine the usually cool-headed Yusoha making a face like that.
— That's how astronomical the amount was. And during this expedition, there was no support from Hwanryeong at all. It was an expedition designed and completed solely by Team Leader Yusoha. I barely did anything.
— Ah, there's one more thing I'd like to ask.
— Yes, go ahead.
— Were all the events in the final battle real?
— They were. No CG or editing was involved. When Eclipse and the orc king clashed directly, the sky and ground really split apart at the first impact. The eardrums of Hwanryeong Team 2 members burst from that alone.
— My goodness……
— I've never seen an orc that strong before. Without Eclipse, we all would've died. Korea wouldn't have been safe either. Considering how monsters grow stronger in eroded areas…… if we'd left it alone, something unimaginable would've happened.
— It's no different from saving Korea!
— That's right. If you have any more questions……
From that interview onward, wherever one looked on TV, there were only stories about Yusoha, Eclipse, and Hwanryeong Team 2. For Yusoha, who usually enjoyed people's attention, this situation was extremely satisfying, and a smile bloomed on her lips throughout the broadcast.
“It turned out well.”
“Right? I think it was a good idea to go on the expedition after all.”
“Even though you regretted going during the expedition itself.”
“……I did back then, but not anymore.”
“Haha. I was joking. Yes, it turned out well in many ways. That guy probably would've come after me even if we hadn't invaded North Korea. We blocked that in advance, so it was a job well done.”
Eclipse said this while placing his hand on Yusoha's head.
“Heh, right?”
Yusoha looked up at Eclipse with her characteristic confident smile.
“Congratulations on becoming S-class.”
“I haven't been promoted yet.”
“But it's confirmed, isn't it?”
“It is.”
“By the way, the Awakened Academy…… Is it similar to the knight training grounds in my world?”
“Hmm, probably something like that?”
“But what's this graduation exam?”
“Ah, when students graduate from the academy, the Awakened take an exam.”
“An exam?”
“Yeah. It's not about raising scores or anything. It's about showing themselves to numerous guilds and proving their abilities.”
“And the students who show an excellent performance……”
“Right. They'll be scouted by high-ranking guilds. For example, our Hwanryeong.”
“I see. So after the S-class promotion ceremony, you're planning to observe the graduation exam and recruit students into Hwanryeong?”
“Exactly. The more capable personnel we have, the better.”
“Expanding our forces is always important.”
“Anyway, I hope there are a lot of good kids this time.”
Yusoha muttered this while watching the TV screen showing her own image.
“There probably will be. Enough to satisfy you.”
“You think so? I've heard the students this year are quite promising…… I should take a good look too.”
The two continued watching TV and talking for a while longer.
* * *
Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, a week had gone by.
In front of Hwanryeong headquarters, cheers echoed from all directions as Eclipse and Yusoha were captured on camera. Both wore custom-tailored suits personally designed by Jeong Seyeon and boarded the luxury limousine provided by Hwanryeong. Their destination was the Awakened Academy.
Today was the day of Yusoha's S-class promotion ceremony.