Chapter 9
“You’re quick-witted, so it’ll be easy to talk to you. You’re right. The investigation into the incident was completed while you were unconscious. Everyone claimed they didn’t see anything because they were hiding in the master bathroom and other corners, so we had to thoroughly investigate the scene.”
“…”
“That’s when we started to suspect that you might be a Guard, Ms. Kim.”
“…”
“Of course, at first, we didn’t think so. There were no traces of the unique abilities that Guards use. Besides, you’re a civilian bodyguard, so we thought you might just be good at fighting. But the more we investigated, the stranger it got. Your stamina was beyond what a civilian could possess. You need to be at least a Guard to engage in a fight, even remotely resembling a battle, with a monster.”
“…”
“More than anything, we wondered why you stepped up in place of all those people, Ms. Kim.”
There were strong men there at the time. The fact that Sehyun stepped up, leaving all of them behind, meant she had something to rely on.
Indeed, Sehyun had managed to kill a young monster, something a civilian could never even dream of. Of course, the process was desperate and not entirely impossible, but it was a boldness that was impossible without something to rely on.
“We thought, perhaps you’re a newly Awakened Guard.”
“That’s right. As I said, I became a Guard on the day of the incident.”
Sehyun answered calmly and stared at Eunah as if to ask if she had anything else to say.
“I thought so. However, even though I personally believe you, there are procedures we have to follow.”
Eunah finished speaking and took out a small chip from her pocket. Sehyun immediately recognized what it was, even though it was so small that it was barely noticeable.
It was a camera.
“After you consent to the recording, please answer my questions truthfully. There’s also a way to sign a confirmation statement directly. Which method would you prefer? Of course, if you choose to write a confirmation statement, you’ll have to meet me again, which might be inconvenient.”
“I’ll do the recording.”
Sehyun answered after a moment of contemplation. Meeting again was a hassle.
“Good idea. Then, from now on, we will begin recording your statement with your consent, Ms. Kim Sehyun. Guard Shin Eunah, starting the questions.”
“…”
“You said you received the System’s call on the day the Hole occurred. Are you responsible for your words?”
Despite her calm tone, Eunah’s eyes glinted. Although her expression remained neutral, the pressure bearing down on Sehyun was considerable.
So this is what a Guard is like.
Sehyun felt cold sweat running down her back, but she spoke with an indifferent expression.
“As I said before, I became a Guard on the day the emergency Hole occurred.”
Eunah stared at her with a strange glint in her eyes for a moment and then nodded.
Skill: Eye of Truth – Confirms the truthfulness of a statement.
‘Truth.’
Eunah looked at the skill window floating in the air and lowered her gaze.
She was slightly relieved that the expected answer came out. She hoped the courage the woman in front of her had shown wasn’t a deception.
“I see. Okay. I have a few questions about the situation that day. Do you have time?”
“Yes, but not much.”
“Okay. Then I’ll try not to take up too much of your time.”
Eunah asked a few questions. They were mostly ordinary.
The path the monster took to invade, the situation of the confrontation, other victims, or any other noteworthy situations.
Sehyun answered calmly, recalling what she could.
“Thank you for your answers.”
Eunah smiled.
“You’re welcome.”
“And please take this.”
Eunah took out a file she had prepared beforehand and handed it to her.
“These are the necessary documents, including how to register with the Guard Association. I hope they’ll be helpful.”
Sehyun looked back and forth between the documents and Eunah with a puzzled expression. Eunah tilted her head.
“What’s wrong?”
“No… it’s nothing. I was just wondering why you’re being so nice to me. I heard from the doctor at the hospital. You told him to take good care of me.”
“Ah… Did the doctor say something so insensitive?”
“Yes.”
Eunah looked slightly embarrassed at Sehyun’s answer. Then, after a moment of awkward silence, she spoke.
“I was mistaken. I asked him to take care of you because I thought you were a civilian.”
“Ah…”
She must have thought that a civilian had sacrificed herself for many other civilians. That’s why she had contacted him separately and asked him to take care of her.
“But that doesn’t mean I take your sacrifice lightly, Ms. Sehyun, now that you’re a Guard. I’m still truly moved by your courage. It wouldn’t have been an easy choice. Even for a trained bodyguard.”
It wouldn’t have been easy for someone who had just become a Guard to stand before monsters.
On the contrary, knowing the horrors of battle better than anyone else, she would have wanted to run away first.
“…Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Eunah stood up with a relieved expression.
Sehyun followed suit and bowed deeply to Eunah. Eunah looked surprised.
“What are you doing?”
“Thank you for saving my life.”
“…”
“If it weren’t for you, I would have probably died on the spot.”
Eunah was momentarily speechless at Sehyun’s unexpected and polite gratitude. Then she blinked and waved her hand.
“That’s my job.”
“Even if it’s your job, it doesn’t change the fact that you saved my life.”
“…”
“If you had been even a little late, I would have probably died. Thanks to you, I’m alive. Thank you.”
Eunah looked at Sehyun, speechless for a moment.
How long had it been since she received such sincere gratitude?
Guards possessed honor and wealth. The foundation of that honor and wealth lay in saving people.
That’s why people admired Guards, but they also took it for granted that Guards saved people.
Instead, they were criticized when they failed to save someone. Having been a Guard for a long time, Eunah had become accustomed to such treatment.
Someone who was expected to save others.
But the woman in front of her was sincerely grateful for her doing what was expected of her. Eunah looked at Sehyun for a moment and then smiled, her eyes crinkling.
“I’m the one who should be thanking you.”
For reminding her of her initial desire to save people after such a long time.
Eunah left the cafe with lighter steps than before.
***
After Eunah left, Sehyun sat there, staring blankly into space.
…What is this?
Skill ‘Sound Blocking’ confirmed.
Do you want to create ‘Sound Blocking’ as a skill?
Skill: Sound Blocking (Unavailable)
Blocks sound from leaking outwards. The range can be determined by the user, with a maximum duration of 3 hours.
However, using this skill consumes an additional 30% of stamina per hour.
Sehyun looked around, just in case.
She didn’t see anyone using a skill nearby.
Then…
‘It’s Ms. Shin Eunah.’
Sehyun was certain. She suddenly remembered that she couldn’t hear any surrounding sounds while talking to Eunah.
More than anything, it was surprising that they were having such an important conversation in a cafe.
She had been wondering about it, but it was possible because of this skill.
Sehyun rested her chin on her hand and pondered. Skills had also appeared while she was fighting the monster.
They were skills related to the techniques she had used, such as ‘Pull’ and ‘Swing.’
But this time, it was the opposite. The fact that the skill Eunah used appeared for her meant…
Wait a minute.
“This is amazing.”
Sehyun was genuinely impressed.
If someone used a skill on her, she could identify what that skill was.
Moreover, she could make that skill her own. If used well, this was an incredible ability.
However, the problem was ‘Unavailable.’ Why was it unavailable? There was no information on how to make it available.
How can I make it available…?
“Sister!”
While she was lost in thought, Jungwoo, who had been waiting at a distance, approached her.
“Is the talk over?”
“Yes.”
“Then let’s go home now. Mom is waiting.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
Sehyun reluctantly tore her gaze away from the status window and stood up.
Her steps were light as she pushed open the cafe door.
She was happy to be going home after a long time.
***
“Don’t you think it’s strange?”
Juri, who was in charge of Guard management and new recruit registration at the Guard Association headquarters, asked with a puzzled expression, looking out the window.
“What is?”
Sungho, who was sitting next to her, asked in a nonchalant voice.
“The sudden increase in Guard registrations.”
“Not that again.”
“It’s strange, isn’t it? As you know, Senior, there hasn’t been a single Guard registration for a year.”
“That’s right.”
Guard registrations had abruptly stopped a year ago.
It happened one day as if it were cut off. The Guard Association headquarters was in a state of emergency when the Guards, who used to appear at a rate of about a hundred per year, stopped appearing.
Although they didn’t officially acknowledge the problem, they invested an unprecedented amount of money in promoting the ‘System’s call’ and how to become a Guard.
But now, exactly one year later…
“Does it make sense that thirty-nine people registered in just two days?”
Juri frowned, finding it strange.
“You’re complaining even when we have new Guards? Why? Do you not want to work?”
“No! Of course not!”
Juri was more dedicated to the Guard Association’s work than anyone else.
“Then what’s wrong?”
“It’s just strange. I can’t explain it exactly, but something feels off.”
Especially two days ago.
Juri recalled the ten people who had entered the Guard registration room two days ago.
Ten people who had received the System’s call on the same day, which was unprecedented.
It could be a coincidence that they all received it at the same time, but the aura that some of them exuded, their knowledge of the System, and above all…
‘They were too familiar with using skills.’
People who had just received the System’s call usually struggled.
But they used skills naturally in their daily lives, controlling them meticulously as if they had practiced countless times.
“Senior, come to think of it, didn’t those ten people look familiar? Some of their names sounded vaguely familiar, and some of their faces too. Where? Where have I seen them before? Ah! That guy! Shin Jooho, the son of the S Club president…! There was a news report about a Guard appearing among the high-ranking officials of the S Club, and there was a lot of buzz about him being handsome! Gasp! Then the person next to him…”
Juri tilted her head.
The S club?