Chapter 15
This was the only way.
The only way she could experience the skills and combat abilities of the high-ranking Guards firsthand.
Of course, it was quite dangerous, like challenging a madman.
“…This crazy bitch.”
“If you don’t come, I’ll shout it from the rooftop.”
“…”
Sehyun got up and replied with an expressionless face, ignoring Jooho’s threat.
“You and me…”
Sehyun trailed off and looked at the remaining nine A-grades. Their faces showed a variety of emotions towards her.
Contempt, annoyance, curiosity.
Most of them were negative.
What would happen if these people, who were rife with disdain for lower ranks, found out that she and Jooho were cousins?
Nothing good would come out of it.
Especially from the black-haired man with his piercing gaze.
“How about it? Should I say more? Some of you seem to be able to hear this.”
Sehyun tilted her head as she spoke.
“Kim Sehyun!”
Jooho finally roared. Sehyun stared at his distorted face and chuckled, picking up her tray and getting up from her seat.
“Think carefully.”
And then her vision flashed.
Skill: Sound Blocking (Unavailable)
Skill detected. Sensitivity increased by +1.
Skill: Sound Blocking (Unavailable)
Skill detected. Sensitivity increased by +1.
Skill: Sound Blocking (Unavailable)
Skill detected. Sensitivity increased by +1.
Sound Blocking (Unavailable) – Sensitivity 10
“Ah…”
Sound Blocking (Unavailable) → Changed to Sound Blocking.
Reconfiguring settings.
Sound Blocking Level 1
Sehyun smiled faintly at the message that finally appeared.
Fifth floor of the building used by the ten A-grades.
Taeoh, with his black hair and black eyes, stood in the middle of the lobby, looking at Jooho, who was blocking his way, with an indifferent expression.
“What happened this morning was really nothing. It’s nothing, so don’t worry about it.”
Jooho tried hard not to stutter as he spoke.
It was Kang Taeoh, after all.
Kang Taeoh, the only son of Kang Myungsan, the first-generation Guard who was now the president of the Guard Association, had been born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
As if that wasn’t enough, he had also received the System’s call and become a Guard. Although they hadn’t properly measured his abilities, even the president was said to be pleased. There were even jokes about the presidency being passed down to him.
Therefore, before entering the training camp, Jooho had been pressured by his father to “hold onto the opportunity you’ve grasped” and cling to Taeoh.
Even without his father telling him, Jooho had no intention of letting go of Taeoh. He could enjoy all sorts of wealth and glory just by being by his side. What fool would push that away?
But things were about to go wrong.
Because of that Kim Sehyun.
Taeoh had OCD. Having been born into privilege, he had his own standards. He used those standards to categorize people and decide who to interact with.
Naturally, Sehyun, who was poor, had no abilities, and was an orphan, was never included.
But that insignificant and lowly Sehyun had the audacity to sit at the next table and act familiar…
The moment Jooho saw Taeoh’s face contort as if something filthy had touched him, he felt the blood drain from his body.
Because Taeoh wasn’t the kind of person who would just wipe off dirt; he would cut it off completely.
Jooho had a bad feeling that Taeoh might cut him off.
Kang Taeoh had plenty of people around him who could replace Jooho, so he wouldn’t miss him.
The problem was Jooho. If he was cut off by Kang Taeoh, and his father found out…
Jooho’s hand twitched slightly.
“We went to the same school, so she just said hi.”
“No, you were the one who greeted her first. I saw it all yesterday.”
A voice suddenly cut in. It was Sungwon, the one with blonde hair, who had been buried in the sofa in the lobby, fiddling with his phone.
“I saw you smiling and acting all friendly with her. I saw it allll.”
That bastard…!
Jooho’s lips twisted.
“Anyway.”
Taeoh finally spoke. His low voice was heavy, like a stone sinking to the bottom of a lake.
“Make sure this never happens again. I hate people who can’t read the room.”
“Yes, I understand!”
Taeoh glanced at Jooho. He swallowed hard and finally turned his gaze to Sungwon.
“Where’s Cha Haejoon?”
“Who knows. It’s not like it’s the first time he’s not here. He does his own thing.”
“…”
Taeoh, with a displeased expression, walked past Jooho and headed to his room. Jooho let out a long sigh after confirming that Taeoh had disappeared into his room, then gritted his teeth.
“That crazy bitch…”
What if Taeoh found out that he and Kim Sehyun were cousins? What if he found out that he had been assaulting her for a year?
…If that happened…
Taeoh despised people who didn’t meet his standards, but he also despised those who bullied and toyed with those people for no reason.
To Taeoh, insignificant people were those he didn’t want to interact with, but they weren’t people he could bully.
Taeoh’s cold face came to mind. Jooho shuddered slightly, his lips twisting.
He had gone to threaten her beforehand because he was afraid she might deliberately cause a scene after recognizing him, but instead of being intimidated, she had used it to her advantage.
‘The day after tomorrow, 8 p.m. Gaon sparring room, first floor.’
Fine, since things had come to this, he had no choice but to crush her so she wouldn’t be able to utter a word.
A sinister smile spread across Jooho’s face.
That’s it for today.
Sehyun opened the map of the training center and marked an X on the southern area, which she had arbitrarily designated.
She had been meticulously exploring the area, dividing it into sections over the past few days.
After the presentation, they had toured the training center together, but they had only been given a brief overview of the building locations while standing on the road.
So she was taking the time to explore the area thoroughly on her own.
It might be just a month for some, but for Sehyun, it was ‘a whole month.’ She intended to make the most of it.
She had to become as strong as possible and get a high grade.
For Jungwoo and her aunt.
And for Shin Jooho, who was acting like a wolf after their reunion.
To do that…
She was walking, formulating a plan in her head, when,
That guy’s doing that again.
Sehyun turned her head absentmindedly and saw a man sitting on a bench.
Cha Haejoon, the A-grade.
During today’s training…
Sehyun recalled what had happened during today’s training.
The training environment was the same as the previous test.
However, the content of the test was different. It was like a game where they had to deplete the monster’s predetermined HP through attacks. The method of attack didn’t matter.
The grades were determined by adding the attack score and the defense score. It was a nightmare for Sehyun, who had no offensive abilities.
Anyway, she couldn’t just stand there doing nothing, so she was trying to figure out how to score as many points as possible when,
Beep.
The starting signal sounded, and
Processed.
It was almost simultaneous.
The notification that the monster had been processed rang out.
Sehyun knew the System wouldn’t lie, but she couldn’t believe it, so she turned around.
Like her, everyone’s gazes were fixed on one spot. Kang Taeoh was standing at the very back.
He was standing tall, looking straight ahead, as if nothing had happened. The only indication that something had happened was the steam rising from his hand.
‘What, is it really over?’
‘Over?’
People murmured and glanced at Taeoh. Hearing those murmurs, Sehyun looked around instead of at Taeoh.
Processed.
The first notification had definitely been layered. That meant there was at least one more person who had finished at the same time as Kang Taeoh.
She turned her head and saw a tall man standing in the corner.
Cha Haejoon.
The space in front of him was also empty. It meant the monster was gone. Unlike Taeoh, his shoulders weren’t tense.
He was just sitting there, staring blankly into space with a slightly annoyed expression.
What the…
She felt a sense of despair at the realization that there were monsters like that.
‘Screech!’
She came back to her senses when the monster, which had been unintentionally ignored, let out a long roar.
But she couldn’t catch it because she had gone over the 10-minute time limit.
In the end, Sehyun received an F grade again today. Recalling the incident, Sehyun looked at Cha Haejoon with curious eyes.
Just how strong was he? What did she have to do to become like that? Was it just natural talent?
Sehyun felt a tinge of despair but quickly shook her head.
No, stop thinking like that.
Despair would only hinder her potential.
She didn’t want to let her abilities be stunted.
Sehyun closed her eyes briefly and then opened them again.
Whoosh.
The wind blew, and the map of the training center she was holding flew away. As Sehyun turned her head to follow the wind,
…Huh?
The map, which should have been tumbling away in the distance, had stopped.
The streetlight in front of her was blocked. A tall silhouette stood in its place.
When did he get here…?
Cha Haejoon had been far away just a moment ago. But in the blink of an eye, he was standing there, stepping on the edge of her map that was lying on the ground.
Haejoon bent down, picked up the map, and dusted it off before handing it to her.
“Thank you.”
Sehyun took the map. There was a slight mark on the edge, but it didn’t affect her ability to read it.
Did he notice her watching him?
It was possible, considering his sharp senses.
Sehyun thought he might be offended. It would be annoying to have someone watching you while you’re trying to rest.
She was about to apologize when,
“I’m sorry. I could have picked it up with my hand, but my foot moved first.”
“…Ah, it’s okay. Thank you for picking it up.”
As Sehyun smiled and replied,
Skill ‘Eye of Truth’ confirmed.
Do you want to create ‘Eye of Truth’ as a skill?
Oh, I was way off lol. But if Taeoh does despise those kinds of people isn’t his actions so far been ironic? He just called our mc a rat lol. Anyways eye of truth skill again?