Chapter 187: Chapter 187

Emily was confused. She had heard something completely unbelievable.

"Examiner Baek Seojin there is literally an 'examiner.'"

He wasn't the full professor she expected, nor the head instructor.

That Korean S-rank who defeated an Elder was called an examiner.

Moreover, that examination wasn't even for top-level students!

'What kind of ridiculous situation is this...'

S-rank isn't just some neighborhood dog's name - its significance is tremendous.

Why would they place such precious human resources in a Silver rank examiner position?

'Does the Republic of Korea have surplus human resources? That didn't seem to be the case?'

Even if human resources were surplus, the S-rank individual's intentions matter too.

What S-rank ability user in the world would want such a position for themselves?

Silver rank. By external standards, between D-rank and C-rank.

Not the absolute lowest, but definitely not high level either.

They're asking him to examine those ranks. An S-rank, examining them!

'If they asked other S-ranks to handle such work, they would have exploded saying it's disrespectful treatment.'

But the man called Baek Seojin standing beside seems to have no complaints.

No, beyond that, he seems to genuinely want to be in that position.

Perhaps to feel superiority looking down at those rising from below?

But S-rank itself is already an insurmountable wall.

If he wanted to feel superior, a higher rank examiner position would be right.

"I understand the confusion. To answer that, that friend Baek Seojin isn't for the best one person but for ten ordinary people."

The remaining reason is as Ma Hakjun said - he really does this for ten ordinary people.

Amazing work. Impossible without considerable responsibility and firm character.

Sacrifice aside, the gap from level differences can't be bridged.

Can S-ranks really understand difficulties experienced by low-level ability users?

This isn't thinking from simple contempt or superiority. It's an unavoidable problem.

Can eagles soaring through the sky understand the hard daily life of ants crawling on the ground!

'Strange, curious person. No, should I say amazing.'

Talking more, I could realize Ma Hakjun's words were absolutely correct.

Not because someone ordered or requested, but genuinely wanting to do this work.

The S-rank ability user called Baek Seojin was truly satisfied with being Silver rank examiner!

Then suddenly, one thought crossed Emily's mind.

If she sparred with such a person, might it help her too?

Might she resolve some of this frustrating, blocked feeling?

He's different from other S-ranks she's seen.

He might show her the path forward when she can't advance.

So she requested sparring despite the rudeness. Latest content publıshed on novᴇlfire.net

Victory and defeat are predetermined anyway, so no burden about the match.

She just wants to somehow resolve this blocked foreign feeling.

"...Hmm. Well, it's not difficult work. Then without dragging it long, let's go to the training hall."

Fortunately, Baek Seojin accepted her sparring proposal.

Sparring with S-rank - an opportunity hard to get even in her home country.

Emily herself only experienced it a few times being Bernard Shaw's daughter.

Finally standing in the training hall center, Emily's mind filled with various thoughts.

What level of powerhouse is this Korean S-rank ability user who defeated an Elder?

Are the rumors true that he's a powerhouse on different trajectories from other S-ranks like Irina?

If he has such skills, could he handle all remaining Elders too?

The revenge impossible for Emily herself - couldn't Baek Seojin accomplish it...

The chain of thoughts finally subsides.

Baek Seojin standing across looked at such Emily and drew his sword.

"Focus. No matter how much it's sparring, I absolutely don't do things half-heartedly."

Emily's apology was cut off there.

Suddenly rushing enormous energy, tension pulling all body muscles.

The man standing before her now is clearly emitting full 'killing intent'!

As if he'll kill and eliminate her right now! Like facing an Elder!

"Seeing this, you seem to be wavering between two things, neither here nor there."

"What do you mean..."

"Revenge for your father, and the sense of duty to fill your father's empty position."

At Baek Seojin's words, Emily's body shook greatly for an instant.

Never expected her hidden inner thoughts to be discovered so immediately.

She wondered if he uses mind reading.

From Baek Seojin's perspective, it was possible because he could examine with Third Eye.

"Let's check once. Whether you can achieve revenge, or if it's still premature."

Since you requested sparring yourself, don't be crushed by it.

Imitating Kwak Hyuk and Hyun Sujin's energy, Baek Seojin smiled.

Heart feels like bursting. Arms and legs ache as if breaking.

Feels like collapsing right now, but gritting teeth to endure.

'How many times... did I fall?'

Fell so much that memory barely remains clear.

Though Emily doesn't know, only 20 minutes passed since sparring began.

In that short time, she was slammed to the ground exactly 17 times by Baek Seojin.

With one punch, one kick, one stroke of swordsmanship,

And killing intent flying to make spine shiver.

She's someone who went through much effort, training, and real combat to become A-rank.

A past where she gritted teeth and endured to not tarnish her father's name.

Recently she also wrestled with monsters strengthened by the Great Upheaval.

But why is this one sparring more difficult than all that?

"Whether revenge or growth, both are still far off."

If really turning to revenge, severely insufficient.

The momentum Baek Seojin is showing now is just imitating Kwak Hyuk and Hyun Sujin's level.

If really facing an Elder, it would be several times more terrible nightmare.

If she can't endure even this fake momentum, she can't win against the real thing.

Far from revenge, she'll surely die receiving only mockery.

Conversely, if wanting growth, ultimately must reach S-rank.

That also has no meaning if she can't overcome current trials.

Elders are ultimately powerhouses with same level as S-rank - must endure before them.

Baek Seojin's sword strikes Emily once more.

Clearly aimed at the heart, the energy contained at the tip is clear killing intent.

At least he reduced speed, otherwise would have suffered fatal wounds.

"Don't think difficultly. Think simply, simply."

"Surviving. Doing everything as one ability user. Doing so, at some moment you'll clearly see which path to take, how to advance."

Whether revenge or duty. You'll eventually understand everything.

After finishing those words, Baek Seojin sank Emily once more.

Sparring conducted with different feeling from Lee Hyunwoo's time.

Unlike him who just became A-rank, Emily is a skilled A-rank ability user.

Additionally, if wanting revenge, must target Elders; if choosing duty, must aim for S-rank level.

Whichever it becomes, must treat several times harsher than before.

Fortunate point: sparring requested from that side first, rudeness committed first.

Wasn't something I insisted on, and Emily herself apologized too.

Britain can't say anything about me going somewhat hard there.

'Thanks to that, seems I went slightly more excessive than necessary.'

Emily can be seen lying collapsed, continuously coughing roughly.

Powerhouse worthy of being called top military power excluding S-ranks.

Precious talent in Britain where ability users are insufficient due to continuing gate situations.

Slightly sorry for beating such person like that, but unavoidable.

- Activating Third Eye. -

◎ Emily Shaw : Revenge and Duty

◎ Details : Conflicted between revenge and duty. Abilities temporarily decreased until conflict resolves.

: Realized her own insufficiency. Will eventually make a choice somehow.

Right. Must open floodgates this way to advance again.

"...Strange. I lost, really miserably lost. But oddly refreshing."

After replacing the broken simultaneous translator during sparring with spare equipment,

Emily, who barely sat up, looks at me tilting her head.

"For reference, the momentum you faced just now was from the Elder I defeated."

"Now you understand. Whatever place, what kind of place you must reach."

Then Emily slowly stood up saying 'Seems so.'

Though appearance became a mess, expression feels brighter than before.

Would be great if Bronze friends remaining at the Academy became too.

"Amazing. Both Mr. Baek Seojin and the country called Korea."

"I might be so, but why Korea suddenly?"

"Small territory and few population, but look at ability user levels. Starting from that Irina to Han Jiyoon, other S-ranks and now you. Can't help saying amazing."

Uh oh. That's because this world setting ultimately revolves around Korea.

Actually, as Emily said, looking closely, everything doesn't make sense.

Territory and population inferior to other places, but ability user levels are top-tier.

Though Irina used power and Suhyeon helped, the Joint Academy being located in Korea probably received that reason to some degree.

"Slightly envious. A place where ability users like you serve as Silver rank examiner."

Hmm. Bronze rank students who suffered until recently would faint hearing that.

"If you have time, occasionally come challenge again."

"Yes? Um... is that really okay?"

"Of course. No, naturally should be so."

You might be A-rank in Britain, but in my heart you're Bronze.