It was late afternoon after the first day’s schedule of the physical aptitude test had ended.
“Take responsibility!”
Without any preamble, Arna grabbed me by the collar. It was in a corner of the outdoor training center, out of sight of the crowd.
I tilted my head.
“For what am I supposed to take responsibility?”
“For my long jump record!”
So this was about the standing long jump that had happened earlier today.
She had barely managed a proper jump before falling flat on her face right at the start line.
Because of that, Arna’s official record was a mere 5 cm, the lowest score out of all the results today.
Not that I’m proud to say it, but even my own record of 1 meter 80 cm far surpassed hers.
Ah, this isn’t something to boast about.
Anyway.
“And why is it my fault?”
“It’s all because of you! You were making absurd noises like ‘pong-dang’ from behind me!”
“Jeez. Now you’re blaming others. You’ve gotten quite whiny, Arna.”
“IIIieeeeekkkk…!”
Arna gripped my collar even harder. Her expression looked like she was about to pummel me.
She was clearly extremely upset.
“First, get rid of that dirty sand sticking to your hair. It’s starting to rub off on me too.”
“Ah.”
Arna flinched and quickly released her hold to brush off the remaining sand.
Then, she once again grabbed my collar.
“This is settled, right?”
“…”
That Arna managed to grab my collar again. She wasn’t any ordinary person, it seemed.
“So what exactly do you want me to do? What responsibility are you asking of me?”
All I did was shout “pong-dang” from behind. I didn’t physically interfere with her. There was no foul play here.
This was ultimately Arna’s own mistake. If she were a professional, she should have been able to easily ignore random sounds like that.
It’s not my fault at all.
Perhaps.
“You embarrassed me in front of everyone…! Was that the right thing to say?”
That was a bit pitiful. It wasn’t just the students watching. There were Guild officials and even reporters present.
Of course she’d be ashamed after face-planting into the sandpit like that. There’s probably no greater embarrassment than that.
“Still, it didn’t make it into any articles.”
Oddly, despite being witnessed by numerous reporters, not a single line was published about the incident.
The school administration likely intervened to suppress it. It was probably Principal Lee Min-ho. They couldn’t afford to turn a precious Han-yul Military Academy idol into a laughingstock.
It seems he’s helpful when it counts.
“It’s not about the article right now! Apologize to me immediately!”
“Hmm? Apologize? Is that all you need?”
What? I thought this “responsibility” would involve something drastic, but all it took was a simple apology?
It wasn’t such hard work, so I decided to apologize right away.
“I’m sorry. It was my mistake earlier. I admit it.”
“Are you saying you’ll apologize with mere words…?”
“Are you asking me to kneel down too, then?”
Apparently, she wanted a more sincere apology. It couldn’t be helped. I’d have to go all out with it.
I performed a deep prostration against the wall with practiced ease.
“Arna, I’m sorryyyyyyyyy!”
“Wait! What’s the point of doing a handstand like that?!?”
I used to do this back at the company. Working as the general director at a game company, there were frequent occasions that required a bow of penance.
When a severe bug surfaced within a game, when absurd business models surfaced with new content, or when there were controversies regarding ideology…
I, as the representative, took the fall. I shielded the company from incoming criticism with this single body of mine, standing alone as the lone bullet magnet.
No one at the company ever bowed alongside me. The CEO would go off to play golf in the morning, and the chief PD would be busy munching on home-run balls in the break room.
And it wasn’t something I could ask the junior staff to join me in. How could a leader ever ask their subordinates to do such an embarrassing thing?
At least, I didn’t want to end up like the CEO or the PD. So I had to bear everything myself.
“To all Awakened individuals, for the great disturbance and distress we’ve caused, we sincerely apologize!”
“Excuse me? Are you apologizing to me, right? The flow just suddenly took a weird turn.”
“We will strive to provide better services going forward! Please forgive this unworthy director with your magnanimity!”
“Strange words are coming out now! And where are those tears coming from?! We’re not in a situation to cry!”
-What’s going on? Why are people gathering?
-Someone just prostrated themselves suddenly!
Before I knew it, a crowd was gathering in the corner of the training ground, drawn by my anguished cries.
Arna desperately grabbed my leg.
“Come on! Get up! Do you want me to look like some sort of freak?!”
“Using this mistake as a springboard, I shall ensure that never again—”
“The apology is enough! Just get up alreadyyyyy!”
Arna, unable to endure it any longer, forcibly lifted my leg with great effort.
It was like pulling a stubborn root out of the ground.
*
The second day of physical aptitude testing had arrived.
The events were the same as yesterday. The same basic physical tests.
However, the difference from yesterday is that we would be using magical power today.
One might say that for Awakened ones, today is more important than yesterday. This was their chance to truly showcase their skills to the Guild officials.
-On two, three!
Because of this, everyone’s eyes looked sharper today. Though there was still quite a while before the tests began, people were already warming up on the outdoor training grounds.
Over there, I spotted Arna as well. Determined to make up for yesterday’s fail in the long jump, her energy level was heightened.
I hope she does well.
“Hnnnnnnggg.”
Meanwhile, I was lounging on the viewing stands, leisurely yawning. I hadn’t moved my body in a while, so when I awoke this morning, I felt like I was dying. The fatigue still hadn’t worn off.
How am I supposed to keep this up until Friday? If this continues, I might end up in the emergency room again.
I could already see in my mind the face of Choi Soo-eun lecturing me for neglecting my health.
“Hi?”
At that moment, someone suddenly greeted me. This person wasn’t a student here. A tiny girl with snow-white flowing hair.
For a second, I almost yelled at her for speaking so casually, but I immediately recognized her. Though her appearance suggested otherwise, she was a nearly 40-year-old working mom.
One shouldn’t disrespect adults so casually.
“Are you Shin Yoon-seong?”
Ruby-like crimson eyes, slightly shorter than average height, and a face perpetually youthful despite her age.
It was Ryu Jung-min, the Guild Leader of Yeonwol. She was accompanied by her assistant.
“What is this about…?”
I was surprised. This is Ryu Jung-min from Yeonwol, one of Korea’s leading large guilds, personally approaching me.
What’s more, she even knew my name. A name she’d likely remember when she couldn’t even recall her own assistant’s.
This was unusual.
-Isn’t that the Yeonwol Guild Leader? She really approached Shin Yoon-seong, right? Could it be a recruitment offer?
-Maybe not. Shin Yoon-seong is only a C-rank. She’s probably just asking for directions.
Nearby students, who were warming up, momentarily halted their movements to peer at us curiously. Everyone seemed to be anticipating what Ryu Jung-min would say next.
Ryu Jung-min was an influential figure. The Guild Leader of none other than Yeonwol, a guild that many combat students would want to work for after graduation.
If they were asked to name their top five dream workplaces, Yeonwol would undoubtedly be among them.
It was akin to a Fortune 500 company.
-What do you think she’ll say? Is she here for recruitment or not?
-I’m betting 500,000 won on ‘not.’
-Oh, I was about to place a bet on that too.
It’s too early to speculate.
Just because Ryu Jung-min showed up doesn’t guarantee a contract. She might have just come to ask for directions.
There are plenty of C-rank Awakened ones around here. Why would the Guild Leader of Yeonwol specifically approach me with a contract so early on the second day of testing?
“It’s not anything that grand, really.”
Ryu Jung-min finally spoke, and indeed, it didn’t seem related to contracts.
The students watching let out a sigh of relief. Some of them were worried, wondering if someone like me would end up getting into Yeonwol.
“Hey, you…”
However,
there is a saying.
You need to hear a person out until the end.
Ryu Jung-min continued.
“How about leaving this boring school and joining the academy ran by our guild Yeonwol instead?”
Bang!
Suddenly, one student slammed into the high jump bar. Others froze stiff, their eyes wide.
…
An eerie stillness enveloped the entire outdoor training ground. No one moved. Everyone seemed shocked by Ryu Jung-min’s words.
-Wha… Are you saying to drop out of school…?
Far away, Arna also looked flustered, unable to conceal her surprise.
It wouldn’t be because she’d suddenly miss me, would it? After all, she was the one grabbing my collar just yesterday.
It seems the shock came because she, being an S-rank, was bypassed, and this offer was extended first to me.
That’s why she looked like she felt slighted.
