Chapter 177: Chapter 177

About time to come barging in? Ah, here she comes. Now. One. Two. Three— Newest update provıded by novelFirｅ.net

Good thing I prepared in advance. Almost suffered eardrum terrorism.

More than that, how does Irina never deviate from expectations?

Even what she'll say upon arrival is roughly predictable. Probably...

"I heard everything! Why can't I?! Even honorary team member is rejected!"

Ask that reason from me? Should ask Magic Tower Clan Master.

Team member recruitment has guaranteed autonomy for me, but not you.

"Because you're S-rank. Can't help it."

"Why! Oppa is S-rank too!"

"I was clan-affiliated before receiving S-rank. And there's no precedent in Korea or other countries for two or more S-ranks in one clan."

That's the surface reason - the real reason is separate.

When accepting Irina, only the state can handle the aftermath.

No matter how much Magic Tower, handling Irina's aftermath would be difficult.

Kang Inbeom also worried about exactly that part, saying absolutely not.

'Said broken dish costs alone equal an apartment - that says it all.'

Ah, what can I do? The master requests it! Please don't do that!

I'm a clan member so I respect the clan master's decision. This is natural.

"You're noisy, Irina. If it's not allowed, it's not allowed - why so many words?"

Suhyeon nods enthusiastically agreeing with my opinion.

Thinking now's the time, very eagerly trying to restrain.

"No, it's absurd! An S-rank offering to join and they refuse?! Can't accept this. Oppa, immediately set up a meeting with Magic Tower Clan Master. I'll persuade them!"

"I'm not the clan master's secretary - why would I set up meetings? And you keep doing this making them more burdened to avoid you. Show some restraint. You're apartment neighbors - why ?"

Unlike Suhyeon who lives in a completely different place,

Didn't you come to my house front just recently?

"The Examiner is right."

"You be quiet! You're on the same team, same academy!"

"Irina can come to the academy whenever she wants."

"Oh my. Blocked? Irina set it as deal conditions herself."

Wow. Really, Suhyeon never loses a single word.

She still can never surpass Irina in 'ability.'

Then seems like she wants to gain superiority in other areas.

Suhyeon, who was restraining Irina, sends a strange look.

Can't help it since mine and Irina's phones rang almost simultaneously.

"Oppa. Seems like work broke out?"

"...Right. Is this East Coast again?"

Gangwon Province side seems unusual lately.

The A-rank annihilation incident before, massive gate occurrences after that.

Plus just days ago an S-rank gate appeared, with Han Jiyoon and other S-ranks dispatched.

[S-rank gate occurred near Samcheok]

But meanwhile another S-rank appeared.

Right when it's my dispatch turn.

"This time it's Seojin oppa?"

"That burly man. Him."

Then Irina goes "Hmm" and fidgets with her chin, pondering something.

"Hey. Don't think about it."

"You're going to push that person aside and take that spot again."

"Oh. How did you know?"

Now it's knowing each other perfectly. Really, what are you trying to do?

I'm starting to understand why Irina's parents worry so much.

Keep avoiding what should be done and trying to do what shouldn't be done.

That's why Kang Inbeom feels burdened about accepting her as clan member.

Meanwhile, not really considering others' thoughts is more problematic.

It's amazing that Irina yields subtly to Suhyeon.

"You stay here. When your turn comes, go sort things out then."

"Ah, I also want to go with oppa... Mmph—"

"Come back quickly, Examiner. Portal personnel must be waiting!"

Suhyeon, who quickly covered Irina's mouth, speeds up the send-off.

"We promised not to interfere with Examiner's work."

Promise? What promise did you make?

I tilted my head but no particular answer came back.

Just Irina with dissatisfied eyes was all.

"...Next time I'll directly ask the Association President to change turns."

Though saying that, she doesn't insist further.

Looking at this, seems Suhyeon also plays Irina restraint role to some degree.

Glancing back, I see three people led by Kang Hana running over.

Yoo Dasom and Lee Hyunwoo too. Looking at this, same team members?

"A-rank gate support request just came! It's Magic Tower clan management area so we need to go!"

At those words, Suhyeon's gaze momentarily rests on me.

Though they're A-rank, still barely hanging on. Precarious level.

So I backed them up while preparing for contingencies.

But right now, I also urgently need to dispatch to Gangwon region.

"It's okay, Examiner."

Seeming to notice my worry, Suhyeon smiles.

"We can do well. Everyone will do well even without the Examiner."

"Eh? What, Suhyeon. Examiner isn't going with us today?"

"Just received dispatch orders to Gangwon region."

At Suhyeon's words, Lee Hyunwoo goes "Ah!" showing regret.

Because he can't ride my bus or have backup? Hardly.

That guy regrets not being able to show his performance and growth to me.

Last time fighting A-rank monsters, he was fighting as if bragging to me.

"Suhyeon is right, Examiner. We can do well ourselves, so don't worry."

Kang Hana and Yoo Dasom also agree, trying to ease my worries.

But the more they do this, the more worried I become.

I had no particular thoughts initially, but them doing this makes me more concerned.

"...If you keep worrying, should I go?"

For a moment I thought I misheard. So staring at her—

"You heard correctly. You heard right."

"Yes. If oppa asks, I can go with them. It's my day off anyway, and since it's A-rank, it's work those friends should do, right? I'm just insurance preparing for contingencies, so there'd be almost no troublesome work."

Really, really Irina volunteers so readily? Someone who absolutely won't do such work?

Looking at her meaningfully asking if she's serious, Irina shrugs.

"If you don't want it, forget it."

Saying that seems like there's another reason.

If I ask, she'll definitely say she won't do it, so can't ask.

Indeed now it's better to quietly agree?

"That side - any objections?"

At my question, the remaining team members led by Kang Hana shake their heads.

Insurance preparing for contingencies would be reassuring.

Though that insurance being 'Irina' is slightly worrying?

Yoo Dasom, who came beside me, carefully opens her lips.

"This isn't also a trial the Examiner prepared, is it?"

I didn't prepare it, but can't deny the word trial.

After briefly entrusting team members to Irina and immediately using portal,

Arriving at Samcheok, I immediately reached a place with unusual energy.

'Of all places, the sea side.'

No law says gates only appear on land.

Sometimes unluckily generated underground, becoming dungeons as is.

And some are generated in the sea, which is troublesome.

Gates created in the sea produce monsters similar to marine life.

The problem here is those monsters are 'amphibious.'

Suddenly jumping from the sea to devastate coastlines.

From people's perspective, helplessly victimized without time to escape.

That sea-side gate happens to be S-rank this time.

I hear in such cases it's giant octopus or endless shark.

Looking at that shadow, it's not the latter. Seems to be octopus side.

No wait. Using what ability users call it, it would be S-rank monster 'Kraken.'

Ominous crying sounds from the sea.

That side also noticed my presence. Acknowledged me as the greatest threat.

This leads to one of two conclusions. Run away or fight.

And the Kraken chose fighting.

Does it think difficult prey means better delicacy?

Or is it targeting people evacuating behind me?

Whatever it is doesn't matter. That side comes in, this side blocks.

- Third Eye activated.

Trait activation conditions met.

Readjusting opponent's rank.

Rank adjustment - Master level or above confirmed

Indeed not an easy opponent. Master level or above - will take some time.

Well, it'll just take time, doesn't mean I can't win.

◎ Sole Examination Officer

Opponent who didn't receive promotion from Baek Seojin.

Recognizing as examination target.

Feeling very good lately. Couldn't be more refreshing.

First, Academy students are working very hard.

Though some results are so-so, process is equally important.

My goal isn't for all students to become tremendous experts anyway.

Surviving in this harsh world and pulling their weight.

Just that much would be successful from my perspective.

'Plus Suhyeon, Lee Hyunwoo, and other team members' growth is smooth.'

Additionally, I've greatly reduced villain forces.

About half benefited unintentionally from gate incidents,

But anyway, good is good, right!

Sea splits, waves surge, and giant octopus appears between them.

...Ah, should call it squid instead of octopus? Not sure exactly what to call it.

Anyway, Kraken bastard! Cowardly. Using tentacles in fair combat.

Then this side using things other than two arms is also no problem?

I recently succeeded in controlling one more shadow.

But troublesomely had no opponent to test those two shadow streams.

, volunteering and even getting nicely pierced - just grateful.