Chapter 45: World Class? Kim Min-su
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 45: World Class? Kim Min-su
'He’s here.'
Lee Min-jun stood up the moment he saw Baek Tae-yang walking toward him from a distance.
'I need to make a good impression starting now.'
His initial plan had been to approach Kim Min-su.
After all, Min-su held the title of [Hero] and was a cadet whose talent had already been proven. Not only that, but his potential was staggering. To be at that level as a first-year—there was no telling how much more he would grow as he got older. His looks were a bit lacking, but he had plenty of star power.
'But even then, he was just a rough diamond.'
The man approaching now exuded a somewhat delinquent aura.
This man was a gem that had already been cut and polished. Lee Min-jun had never believed in the idea of someone being "complete" from the very beginning. Even after seeing it with his own eyes, he had spent a good while wondering if what he saw was real.
The way he handled Don Quixote was not something an ordinary cadet could pull off.
"Tae-yang, you've arrived!"
If he had to choose between Kim Min-su and Baek Tae-yang, it was Baek Tae-yang, hands down. Of course, since you couldn't exactly put a tiger in a doghouse, scouting him for the guild was out of the question. However, he could create as many points of contact as he wanted.
You couldn't claim to have a connection just because you exchanged business cards. A connection was like a pulse—a "vein" of life. How could you call a pulse that didn't beat "alive"?
"Ah, Team Leader Lee Min-jun! Hello!"
"Have you been well?"
"It's only been a day since we last saw each other."
"Haha, I suppose that's true."
Lee Min-jun found it hard to believe that the man laughing so casually now was the same man he had seen in the Gate. He couldn't forget the sight of grass and trees being crushed under the weight of that Main Skill.
And that wasn't all.
The way he utilized his weapons when taking down Don Quixote was nothing short of astonishing. That meticulous brain, calculating everything from the moment he launched the massive weapon case. The combat sense to control the distance between himself and the enemy using long-range, mid-range, and close-range weapons. The decisiveness to kill humanoid monsters without a moment's hesitation.
This wasn't something that could be taught. It was the realm of talent, possible only for those born with it. Baek Tae-yang was destined to become a peerless existence even within that realm.
"If you don't have any plans for the break, how about we clear a Gate or a Dungeon together?"
"Sure... why not."
His reaction was lukewarm, but it didn't matter. It was uncertain when he’d ever get another chance to make an appointment with Baek Tae-yang if not now. Lee Min-jun felt infinite gratitude toward Kim Seok-gu for making this meeting possible.
'Now is the only time to set a date.'
News of the S-Class Gate clear was currently spreading across the globe. A first-year cadet had taken the highest contribution points and was currently unattached? He was bound to be flooded with calls.
To be honest, he wanted to contact Kim Min-su as well, but the optics weren't great. It was easier to win someone over if you gave the impression that you were focusing entirely on them.
However, five minutes later, Lee Min-jun’s thoughts would change completely.
'Were those two always that close?'
It looked like Baek Tae-yang was the one doing all the talking, but the atmosphere was good. He had only approached one of them because Kim Min-su’s expression while looking at Baek Tae-yang hadn't been great, but seeing them carry on a heartwarming conversation made him wish he’d spoken to both.
What were these two future prospects talking about? Perhaps they were sharing feedback on the Gate battle?
Lee Min-jun gathered his thoughts and took his leave.
*
"Min-su, this is an opportunity. You can make Yu-min jealous—it’s perfect, isn't it?"
"Is... is that so? Honestly, I did think I needed a chance to turn things around."
"I knew it. Your brain really does work fast when it counts."
"Heh... hehe, right? I'm not exactly a total novice when it comes to romance."
"It's 'layman,' Min-su."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever, that thing."
I had been thinking of 108 ways to coax Kim Min-su, but none of them were necessary. To think he’d fall for it after just a few words of prodding. He had even adopted an entirely different vibe than usual, which caught me off guard.
'It’s annoying how strangely relaxed he is.'
He had the exact same face as the guys who used to pick fights for no reason back in school. That guy who would smile triumphantly while suddenly preaching about the plot of some light novel. The face of someone trying to teach me, saying my historical facts were wrong or that things were different if you looked deeper.
Kim Min-su was making that exact face right now.
"Actually, I was going to say it first, but man... you're quite impatient, aren't you, Tae-yang?"
What is this? Why is he suddenly talking like this?
"Since I got the Kaivan... model offer and all, I guess we should go to the amusement park."
Why is he acting so high and mighty? Is there really a need to shrug his shoulders that much?
"Since we're talking about it, shall we go now? Wait here for a bit, Tae-yang. This will be over in a flash."
Kim Min-su walked toward Melanie with an exaggerated, wide-stanced strut. I could see things proceeding smoothly after just a few words. Melanie was continuing the conversation with a look that said, 'Is this really happening?'
Occasionally, she shot me a look pleading for an explanation, but I ignored her. Even if her face looked like that, she was bound to be happy on the inside. Snatching away someone close to the daughter of a rival group was a massive achievement.
"Quiet down the side chatter and gather 'round! Class is over after some brief feedback today."
At Kim Seok-gu’s words, the rowdy atmosphere settled instantly. Kim Min-su, who had been talking with a very arrogant expression, also stopped. Melanie let out a sigh of relief and slowly drifted toward my side.
"What on earth did you say to him to make a person change so instantly?"
"I really didn't do anything."
"Don't lie to me. I saw it with my own eyes, and you're still playing innocent?"
It was unfair. If you really thought about it, I was a victim too.
"I'm telling you, I really didn't do anything. He just started acting like that on his own."
"I'm not falling for it. Just the other day, he couldn't even meet my eyes, and now he's looking at me like he's wondering if I'll fall for him while he's modeling. You're telling me that's not your doing?"
"He actually said that...?"
It was a series of shocks and surprises. To think he could craft a sentence that made Melanie’s disgusted expression immediately understandable. Perhaps I had been underestimating Kim Min-su all this time. To think he possessed such linguistic prowess—had he been fooling me?
The saying that you can't tell a fool from a genius was true.
"...Therefore, with the exception of Baek Tae-yang, Kim Min-su, and Melanie, the rest of Class D has been scheduled for another Gate field trip."
"I couldn't hear properly because of you."
"Can't you just piece it together? It means they couldn't measure the skills of the others because the five of us cleared an S-Class Gate."
She’s prickly, but she tells me everything I need to know. It was because when we cleared the F-Class Gate, the presence of such an overwhelming asymmetrical force made it impossible to properly assess everyone's stats.
After that, a week-long break was announced. It felt like a long rest.
"But why is there a week-long break, Instructor?"
"Victory Academy is not so cruel as to grind cadets down immediately after clearing a Gate."
"Thank you."
"When you go on the F-Class Gate field trip, there will be more than twice the usual number of instructors, so you don't need to worry about safety."
The question from the Class D cadet was answered. I wondered why it was a week, but it was Victory Academy's own way of showing consideration. Furthermore, since Always-Active Main Skill holders didn't have to attend the field trip tomorrow, it meant an eight-day vacation. It seemed the instructors' major tasks were finished as well, so no support was needed.
'Not bad.'
I had only brought up the amusement park, but I was wondering when to go. If things were like this, there was no problem going as early as tomorrow.
"Tae-yang! Shall we go to the amusement park tomorrow?"
"Whoa, you startled me. Don't talk right into my ear."
"Ah... sorry."
As soon as Kim Seok-gu finished speaking, Kim Min-su approached me. I liked the enthusiasm, but my ears hurt every time he spoke because he couldn't judge the distance.
"Therefore, Baek Tae-yang, Kim Min-su, and Melanie are dismissed. The rest of the cadets will conduct training and go over precautions for tomorrow's F-Class Gate."
Boos erupted instantly, but Kim Seok-gu didn't care. In fact, as if he had expected this reaction, he skillfully pulled a stone slab out of the ground. I hadn't realized it when I saw it at the sparring grounds, but it was clearly Kim Seok-gu’s sub-skill.
"Then shall we get going so we don't get in the way? Min-su, you and I still have things to discuss."
"Uh, yeah... Then Tae-yang, tomorrow for the amusement park, okay? I'll tell Yu-min! I'll definitely be the one to do it, so you don't have to contact her!"
"Sure, go ahead."
Yu-min was going to come to my place once classes were over anyway.
'At this rate, they'll break up within next week.'
The eight-day break had moved the plan forward significantly.
[Rocinante activated! Drive safely!]
I glanced back as I climbed onto Rocinante. Melanie was doing her best not to show how miserable she was while talking to Kim Min-su. I admired her mental strength—she might be breaking out in a cold sweat, but she never let her brow furrow. Kim Min-su had a look on his face like he was the absolute boss, which didn't suit him at all.
'Min-su, no matter what plan you come up with, it's all useless.'
I pulled the throttle, looking forward to seeing how long that confident expression would last.
*
'The Pure Love Diary Writer was right after all.'
From the answer that blessings come after a long rest, to the claim that a confident attitude changes one's surroundings—not a single thing that person said was wrong.
Could they be watching over me?
Kim Min-su wore a greasy smile as he watched Baek Tae-yang fade into the distance. He was the one who received the Kaivan model offer, and he was the one who brought up going to the amusement park tomorrow. This meant he held all the cards.
"Melanie, just a moment."
"Ah... yes."
While Baek Tae-yang was busy driving, he had to seize control of the group chat as well. He truly regretted living his life without knowing these things until now.
'The Pure Love Diary Writer must have been in over a hundred relationships, right?'
The more he knew, the more amazing that person seemed.
[Kim Min-su has invited Mwy Shweetie♥ (So Yu-min) and Baek Tae-yang (Baek Tae-yang).]
[Kim Min-su] :: Hey guys, let's meet in front of the main gate of Wonderland by nine tomorrow! Don't be late! [2]
'They'll read it soon.'
The [2] was still there because they hadn't read it yet, but he didn't mind. Everyone would have no choice but to reply as soon as they checked the chat.
"Sorry, I had something urgent to take care of... where were we?"
The "World Class Face"—an expression only the most successful people wore—was truly fitting for him. Thinking this, Min-su smiled brightly while maintaining his World Class Face.
He was so excited for tomorrow that he couldn't hide his joy.