The weekend had passed, and Monday had arrived.
Normally, I should have been in the lecture hall, but here I was, inexplicably at the local police station.
Clap clap clap—!
Inside the audio-visual room, employees were giving me enthusiastic applause.
—”You have consistently shown unwavering concern and effort for the stability of the region….”
—”Especially, you have actively taken the lead in subduing Lesser Monsters….”
—”Because you have become a role model for the whole society, we are awarding you with this medal.”
Following this, an elderly man in a neatly pressed police uniform handed me a plaque.
Judging by the four mugunghwa flowers on his shoulder, he seemed to be the head of the station.
“Ho ho, congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
We shook hands, then turned our gaze toward the VIP seating area. There were not only police station employees but also representatives from Han-yul Military Academy.
Flash—!
Flash—!
Of course, journalists were also present.
The incessant flashing of cameras made me feel like my face was going to collapse as I struggled to maintain my expression.
Looks like even being an entertainer isn’t easy.
“Hmph…”
After one round of photo-taking, it seemed like the medal presentation was about to conclude…
“Alright, let’s all head up to the stage. Since we’ve all gathered here, we should take a picture together, right?”
At this cue, a man who had been sitting in the front row of the VIP section suddenly stood up.
He had a kind-hearted appearance that would surely be popular with middle-aged women, and his suit fit perfectly without a trace of a belly.
Lee Min-ho, the headmaster of Han-yul Military Academy.
“Don’t hesitate; come up here quickly, police officers too.”
Following Headmaster Lee Min-ho’s words, people began to gather on the stage one by one.
“Hem hem.”
At this moment, Lee Min-ho cleverly secured the seat next to me—right where the camera would capture the best view.
“…”
There goes all the fuss just for capturing one Lesser Monster. There should have only been a simple line in the papers, but instead, a full-fledged medal presentation had been arranged.
“Everybody, come to the center so your faces are visible.”
The reason this event had been exaggerated was heavily influenced by Headmaster Lee Min-ho.
He was the one who deliberately pushed for this medal presentation, even involving the local police station.
The reason was simple: to showcase the achievements of Han-yul Military Academy—and more specifically, his personal accomplishments—to the public.
“Journalists, please do take good pictures.”
Wherever there are cameras, he will rush there. Without cameras? He’ll whistle and make them come running.
That’s Lee Min-ho’s way.
“By the way, have everyone eaten yet? I’ve reserved a good all-you-can-eat soup place nearby. Let’s all head there afterward.”
Oh-oh-oh—!
Naturally, the press couldn’t help but adore Min-ho. He brought them news stories on his own.
Moreover, his good looks and charisma make him almost like an Awakened person, even if he isn’t. There are even rumors that he might enter politics soon.
“Shin Yoon-seong, how about joining us for lunch?”
“…”
I dislike this guy. He’s taken every possible opportunity to stick a straw into my back. He’s truly a relentless man.
Eating all-you-can-eat soup with him feels like I’ll end up with perilla leaves stuck between my teeth.
“I’m sorry, but I already have other plans.”
“Oh, is that so? Can’t be helped. Then we’ll save the meal for another time.”
With the event over and all the photos taken, it seemed like there was nothing left for me.
As I expected, he made no move to grab me.
Truly, his intentions are too transparent.
I’d prefer not to get entangled with him if I can avoid it.
By the way, my excuse about “other plans” was not a lie—there really were some.
Not just bluffing in front of the school headmaster.
I’m not that much of a loser.
Anyway, no I’m not.
“Are you here?”
Our meeting place was the teaching hospital of Han-yul Military Academy. Choi Soo-eun was already there to meet me.
“Do you have something to show me?”
“Yeah, but it’s a bit hard to discuss here.”
Soo-eun signaled toward the hospital, inviting me inside.
We headed to the lounge on the first floor of the hospital. It was a spacious area that both staff and patients could freely use, with vending machines dispensing beverages and snacks.
“How about lunch?”
“I haven’t eaten yet.”
We took a seat at a table. A faint scent of alcohol still lingered after a recent disinfection.
“Is that so? I haven’t eaten either.”
“…”
Soo-eun raised her eyebrows slightly.
What’s this reaction? Could she be hinting at eating together?
Still, I wanted to have fermented soybean stew with baked mackerel for lunch.
It feels awkward to eat smelly food around Soo-eun since she’ll have to return to the hospital after this.
I’ll refrain from suggesting we eat together.
Because I’m considerate like that.
Man, I’m damn cool.
“…Whatever.”
Soo-eun reached into her jacket pocket and placed something on the table.
A bracelet with a faint golden glow.
“Is this some kind of door-to-door sales pitch? Trying to lure me in with talk of a germanium bracelet?”
“It’s nothing like that!”
Soo-eun exclaimed loudly. Thankfully, it wasn’t a multi-level marketing scam or anything.
Of course not, she’s who she is. The daughter of the Director of Hero Management Department wouldn’t stoop that low.
“This bracelet is for you.”
“Whoa, is this a proposal? I wasn’t expecting it at all. You’re even taking the initiative….”
“It’s nothing like that!”
She shouted again, then sighed deeply.
“Phew… It’s an artifact….”
“An artifact…?”
“I just thought it might be useful for you.”
She should’ve said it was an artifact from the start. Startled, I picked up the bracelet immediately.
—
Rudra’s Bracelet
Rank: Legendary
Effect: When worn, +3 Max Magic Power, +30% Magic Recovery Speed, -20% Skill Magic Power Consumption.
Cannot stack stat bonuses with other artifacts.
—
Wow. All stats were related to magic.
Compared to the skeleton ring and fawn hairpin I saw last time, this one boasted significantly stronger options.
Truly worthy of being a Legendary artifact.
“Where did you get such a valuable item?”
“My father gave it to me. A while ago.”
Holy shiiit. Gotfather. From today onward, I’ll bow to the direction of the Hero Management Department building every day.
No, since it comes from Soo-eun, should I bow toward the hospital instead? Should I just bow here now?
“Is it really okay for me to take this?”
“Even if I kept it, it wouldn’t be of much use to me. You know.”
Most importantly, Soo-eun is an unawakened individual. No matter how many magical items she surrounds herself with, they won’t affect her. For Soo-eun, this bracelet was nothing more than a decorative item.
“What if your father finds out? He might say something about handing over an artifact to some guy he doesn’t even know.”
“Well… I think it’ll be fine.”
Family matters are something she’ll handle herself. I decided not to pry further.
“Anyway, how do I wear this thing?”
I don’t know much about accessories, so I can’t even figure out how to wear it properly.
How do you undo this string?
“Give it here, I’ll help.”
Soo-eun took the bracelet. She untied it and slid it onto my wrist.
“Hmm…”
While I thought the bracelet was quite pretty on its own, it looked a bit strange on me. The string was too thin to suit my thick male wrist.
It felt like I was wearing a bracelet intended for a woman.
“You’re right… The design doesn’t really suit a guy…”
Soo-eun also noticed this and gave a faint laugh.
“Then, why don’t you wear it around another part of your body?”
“Another part? Where?”
While I was questioning, Soo-eun tilted her head.
I took off my shoe.
“How about wearing it around the ankle?”
“Are you serious…?”
Soo-eun gave me a look of disdain. Apparently, wearing it around the ankle was a bit too much.
Let the person who doesn’t know anything about fashion stay silent.
“Anyway, thanks. I’ll definitely remember this and repay you when I become successful in the future.”
“It’s fine. I didn’t give it with any expectations. And….”
Soo-eun glanced away, then whispered.
“I already received my repayment last time…”
When exactly did I give her something?
Oh, was she talking about me paying for her drink at the café last time?
What a stroke of luck. Getting a Legendary Artifact for just a single cup of blueberry latte? The artifact is far more expensive, but good things come to those who are lucky.
“Senior! I’m done eating! Let’s switch shifts! Oh? Ohhh…!”
A student from the Medical Division entered the lounge. It was Soo-eun’s junior.
The junior screamed as soon as she saw Soo-eun.
“Wow! Senior! When did you put your makeup on? You were bare-faced this morning!”
“…!”
Suddenly, Soo-eun’s body trembled. Then she stiffened like a robot, twitching her cheeks.
“Woah! Woah! This is the first time I’ve seen Senior put on makeup! You never used to do it at the hospital! What made you decide to today? You look amazing!”
The junior circled around Soo-eun, clapping her hands.
On the other hand, Soo-eun appeared extremely uncomfortable, gritting her teeth tightly.
“Please… just… be quiet… I’m asking you….”
“Can’t hear you, Senior! What did you say?”
No matter how Soo-eun protested, the junior ignored her and continued showering her with compliments.
Right in front of me.
