Chapter 48: Midterms (3)
With a mechanical sound, the entrance to the Artificial Dungeon opened.
Cold air leaked out.
And through that gap, one person walked in.
Kang Tae-wook.
Taewoon High Year 2 Class A.
The absolute number one.
As his expressionless face was caught on the screen, the students gathered in the sparring room held their breath.
“Wow, as expected, the aura is different.”
“He really is handsome.”
“He is 1st place, so well….”
Amidst the buzzing noise.
Just one person.
Only Yoo jin noticed that Kang Tae-wook’s fingertips were trembling very slightly.
[Last team entry complete.]
***
‘I care about him?’
Who on earth?
Although he entered the Artificial Dungeon, Kang Tae-wook’s nerves were entirely elsewhere.
Even though it was an artificially created dungeon.
Just as a hesitant guy dies.
Just as a soldier who is spacing out dies first.
Kang Tae-wook’s behavior was no different from offering his life on the battlefield.
No matter if it was an exam.
Even if it was only scores, not lives, that depended on it.
Even Kang Tae-wook, who adhered only to being the overwhelming 1st place, could not understand why he was having these thoughts.
The face of Jin-ho surrounded by the children comes to mind.
As if an earthworm that didn't squirm even when stepped on was trying to become a dragon.
And the image of the homeroom teacher, Yoo jin, smiling while looking at him overlapped.
Why is it.
No matter how much he erases it from his head, their appearances are drawn again.
“…….”
He fell into an abyss so deep he didn't even know if he was breathing.
‘I have only one son.’
‘Prove that you are useful.’
A familiar face came to mind.
An existence he hoped would look at him properly just once.
An existence he wished would pat his head just once, please.
“Fa… ther…….”
‘Only when you stand above ordinary humans do you finally become a true human.’
‘Your older brother can at least be a tool. You can’t even be that.’
Spitting out words he couldn't even understand, he locked up a child who wasn't even eight years old for a week in a small room where the lights didn't even turn on.
That is why Tae-wook became twisted.
And came to wear a mask.
However, Tae-wook constantly craved affection from that existence.
It couldn't be helped.
Because the existence to crave from…….
Was only him.
Grind!
The sound of teeth grinding was heard.
A chill began to bloom from Kang Tae-wook’s fingertips.
***
Same time.
Taewoon High’s Old School Building.
The fragrant scent of black tea filled the principal's office.
The principal, who was enjoying tea time, took a sip of the black tea contained in the glass cup and slumped onto the sofa with a satisfied expression.
“Haa……. How long has it been since this comfort.”
A dress shirt that looked like it would burst.
It was behavior that didn't match the muscles covering his entire body, but it couldn't be helped.
Because it had been too long since he had this warmth and leisure.
Since this semester started.
To be precise, since Yoo jin was appointed here at Taewoon High, he hadn't been able to enjoy this leisure.
Errand.
Terror.
Errand.
Disgrace.
Errand.
Accident.
Errand…….
Although not every day, various incidents happened at the school in just two months since he arrived.
From the principal's perspective, huge incidents where the school's honor and his own neck might fall off.
That is why the principal was feeling the preciousness of this time better than anyone else.
“Ah…… I’m happy…….”
At that moment.
Thud.
Along with a small sound.
Ripples arose in the tea contained in the glass.
“What was that sound?”
The principal, muttering while looking at the ceiling, lifted the black tea again and brought it to his mouth.
“Someone must have dropped something upstairs.”
He couldn't even imagine at all that this was a sound heard from the sparring room.
***
A desert zone where hot sandstorms swirl around everywhere.
The sunlight spread dazzlingly.
However, only Kang Tae-wook’s surroundings looked different.
It was chilly.
Step, step.
Every time Kang Tae-wook walked, the sand on the floor froze.
Crunch.
Crunch.
If Kang Tae-wook passed by, everything in the world froze.
The ground.
Rocks.
Even the air.
He walked like that.
Doing nothing.
Not fighting.
He just walked through the entire interior of the dungeon like that.
Then.
The Testnagi met at the entrance.
The Testnagi met at the second terrain.
The third, fourth, and after that.
All the monsters encountered were aggroed by Kang Tae-wook and formed a shape chasing behind him.
Like the Pied Piper.
Like a shepherd herding sheep.
All monsters came to be gathered in one place.
And lastly.
A giant monster looking like a snake, the Testdragi.
The huge and threatening final boss of the Artificial Dungeon appeared.
All monsters in this dungeon came to gather in one spot.
And as if preparations were finished.
Kang Tae-wook brushed down the hem of his school uniform.
Then, without a word, he stretched out his hand.
In an instant.
Crack!
The sky froze.
Dozens of giant ice spears were summoned above Kang Tae-wook’s head.
The students watching from behind couldn't close their mouths.
Kang Tae-wook’s ice ability.
There was only one student in Taewoon High who could summon that amount at once with that level of power.
That was the proof of the talent Kang Tae-wook possessed.
When the chill of the summoned ice spears dug into the skin.
Booooooooom!
Dozens of ice spears assaulted the monsters all at once.
One shot was enough.
With that one attack.
The exams taken previously disappearing from memory was.
***
The children who surrounded Jin-ho.
And Jin-ho.
Clearly, just a few minutes ago, flowers of laughter were blooming on their faces.
Although the children watching from afar were not direct, they were still watching Jin-ho with a good gaze.
And Teacher Kang Hye-rin too.
Was smiling while looking at the children’s appearance.
So, that meant all of that was the past, not the present.
The expressions of the children looking at the screen had stopped.
A giant scream.
And immediately, the bodies of the monsters shattering while frozen.
Nothing survived.
Nothing.
“Whoa―!”
“Crazy, that’s seriously crazy.”
The sparring room became noisy.
Overwhelming power.
Flawless skill.
Skill that no one could deny.
However, the most surprising thing was.
That it was a single attack that caused all these emotions.
Whether intentional or not, they didn't know.
No, it must have been intentional.
That must be why he didn't attack the trash mobs even while having such power.
The watching students didn't know what reason that was for, but.
A single color filling the screen.
The world was entirely just ice.
Kang Tae-wook’s Unique Skill.
Ice ability, a top-tier skill even among nature types.
Only one thought was coming to mind for everyone watching.
‘Different.’
Although one shouldn't divide people by high and low.
This…….
The level was different.
A different species.
It seemed like an existence with a wall that couldn't be reached that much.
Number 1 in A-Class Hunter rankings just by talent.
A prospect said to surpass Lee Si-wang.
Into the screen.
An expression colder than absolute zero had settled on the face of Kang Tae-wook who showed an ability on a different dimension of strength.
The excitement was brief, and silence soon filled the sparring room due to the overwhelming strength.
“…….”
“…….”
Gazes that seemed like they would be sucked into the screen.
And expressions that had lost their minds.
It was the same for Yoo jin that his expression had subsided, but an emotion different from others was blooming on his face.
“How deep a place have you fallen into, Kang Tae-wook…….”
***
Taking the last step toward the dungeon exit, Kang Tae-wook raised his head.
The sky was there.
Although fake.
The sky shining like the real thing.
“I don’t need any of it.”
Spitting out a monologue, Kang Tae-wook moved his steps to the Artificial Dungeon exit.
“Things like acknowledgment…… things like interest…… I don’t need any of it.”
Lips trembling slightly.
Kang Tae-wook muttered like that.
However, he knew better than anyone else.
Because the moment he spat out those words, one side of his chest ached painfully.
What he craved so much.
Even once…….
Ziiing―.
As soon as the blue sky disappeared, the scenery of the sparring room unfolded.
What he wanted him to look at even once.
That was…….
Right there now.
That gaze with which Teacher Yoo jin was looking at Jin-ho.
***
The sparring room where the last team returned.
It was a different atmosphere from when the previous exams ended.
No one approached.
Nor did they applaud.
Even Chan-sol and Min-jun, who were somewhat close to Kang Tae-wook, were just watching from afar hesitantly.
Kang Tae-wook was alone.
Like that.
A time of silence continued.
Yoo jin was quietly watching Kang Tae-wook’s back.
Without a word.
Then he muttered very quietly.
“Someday you too will be saved.”
If you come to know that there is a person who will hold onto you when you really reach out your hand.
And…….
“If you come to know what true strength is.”
In Yoo jin’s gaze.
Both Kang Tae-wook and Jin-ho were contained.
With a sad yet warm.
Smile.
[Year 2 Class A practical exam end.]
The mechanical sound rang out.
And the second day of midterms came to a close.
***
Taewoon High New School Building.
The teachers’ office where Year 2 homeroom teachers were gathered.
On the last day of exams, the teachers’ office, which had become relatively relaxed, had a brighter atmosphere.
However, it wasn't true liberation in front of the exams and report cards that hadn't ended yet.
“Did you hear that? Teacher Ji-na?”
Teacher Kang Hye-rin, who entered holding coffee, approached whispering.
“What is it?”
Yu Ji-na, who was embracing a large mug cup in her arms, turned her head.
“They say Hunter Cho Sang-geun is doing a special class before the Athletic Meet?”
“Gasp, really? That Ignis Guild Master?”
“Yes, I heard the kids are going crazy?”
A small commotion arose among the teachers.
Although other male teachers sitting in their respective seats didn't join the conversation, their bodies were already half-turned toward Teacher Kang Hye-rin.
“Of course they would be. But how does Teacher know such high-level information?”
Kang Hye-rin opened her mouth while putting back on the white gown that was on her seat.
“I heard him talking on the phone.”
“Talking on the phone?”
“Yes. Talking directly to the Ignis Guild Master.”
Yu Ji-na tilted her head and muttered.
“To be able to talk directly to the Ignis Guild Master…….”
Although they weren't saying it, other teachers were also nodding silently.
“He said he wanted to give a gift to the children for working hard on the midterms? He’s really amazing, Teacher Yoo jin.”
As Kang Hye-rin’s monologue rang out, question marks appeared on the expression of Yu Ji-na who was facing her.
???
It was the same for other teachers who were only listening with their ears.
“Teacher…… Yoo jin? Not the Principal?”
Yu Ji-na asked with a bewildered face.
“Yes. Not the Principal, Teacher Yoo jin.”
“…….”
Unlike Kang Hye-rin who was smiling brightly, the eyes of the other teachers including Yu Ji-na didn't even blink for a long time.
***
That afternoon.
“You worked hard for three days.”
Yoo jin’s voice rang out in the classroom of Year 2 Class A.
The children who finished all the exams including the last one.
Yoo jin looked into the eyes of each and every child.
Although not as much as before, exams were exams.
How nervous they must have been, and how much they must have cared.
Perhaps because of that, a sense of liberation and happiness filled the children’s eyes.
“There were no injured personnel, and no unsavory incidents, so Teacher is very happy.”
A smile spread on the corners of Yoo jin’s mouth.
“Whatever the exam results are, an exam is just an exam so don’t worry too much. Don’t blame yourselves either. When the report cards go out later, just look at them once and throw them in the trash can. And I hope you leave just one thing in your hearts. That you can do well next time.”
Grin.
As Yoo jin smiled widely, the children’s faces brightened little by little.
“Well, what’s the use of talking long. You suffered for 3 days. Rest well for at least today. Listen to classes well like usual from tomorrow. Then…….”
As soon as Yoo jin’s words ended, the class president was about to stand up from his seat.
At that moment.
“Oh right!”
Kang Tae-wook, who was about to greet at Yoo jin’s loud voice, flinched.
It was the same for the other children.
“I didn't say the most important thing.”
Yoo jin, who was standing at the podium, laughed loudly as if the corners of his lips would tear.
“I prepared a gift. It’s nothing much, I prepared a special lecture like last time.”
The children’s interest turned to Yoo jin.
“Who is he, Cho Sang-geun. Ignis Guild Master? I told him to come so listen to the special lecture well.”
Unlike Yoo jin speaking lightly, the expressions of the children sitting in the classroom stopped.
‘He told him?’
Hunter Ranking 2nd.
S-Class Cho Sang-geun.
Who can call that person ‘he’…….