Chapter 60

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on April 12, 2025

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I’m aware.

That my personality isn’t the best.

I came across something in a storybook Spring read to me a few days ago that mentioned how much of one’s personality is not just innate but shaped heavily by environment and education during early childhood.

I can relate to that somewhat.

The slums, days spent solely on survival, where if you didn’t snatch first, you’d be the one snatched from. It was a world where I was my only protector.

That was the environment in which I grew up in my previous life.

In a place like that, kindness doesn’t survive.

Even those perceived as “good” eventually had to turn “bad” to survive, and anyone who refused this transformation ended up as a corpse floating down the river by night.

How could someone who lived like that turn out nice?

Of course, I’m rotten to the core.

Given this, do you think I got along well with my peers or juniors when I entered the Black Tower?

Not at all.

They looked down on me for being a slumdweller, and I had not a scrap of interest in them.

When both sides are mutually disdainful, how could there be mutual understanding?

Proof of this is that, apart from “Old Man,” I don’t know anyone’s name from my time in the Black Tower. Isn’t that enough to show my lack of sociability?

Thus, naturally, talk of camaraderie or cliques became a distant story.

But then,

I, the slumdweller, became the crown prince of the Black Tower.

The children of merchants who flaunted their gold, visiting salons every night, and the children of royalty who dazzled people into following them with their charm—those who found it distasteful to even compare themselves with a slumdweller like me.

Ultimately, none of them reached the pinnacle upon which I stand, meeting their ends instead.

Why?

Because of sheer prowess!

Money, fame, status… Even personality itself…

Ultimately, they mean nothing in the face of overwhelming strength.

It was when I became the crown prince of the Black Tower that I realized this truth — that one’s position is ultimately defined by their skill.

*

This is why I’m not fond of what I’m observing.

The members who should be leading the investigation team are busy only tending to their selfish interests.

“I need you to listen. I have no intention of commanding or forcing your Team 3. But is it just going to be you guys? There are other classmates, and there are juniors too. Are you seriously suggesting to manage all these people without a command structure?”

“Excuse me! Now you’re involving juniors too? Park Jin-yong, let’s be clear. You’re trying to take command, aren’t you? Isn’t that the same as intending to hog all the glory of this investigation team?”

“Hey, why do you twist my words like that?”

“Seriously? Am I misunderstanding then? So you don’t need command? Didn’t the team hear that?”

“Hey, Jeong So-i.”

“What, Park Jin-yong.”

The teammates who should be calming these two are instead inciting the fight.

“Didn’t we let you win last time? At the very least, you should give a turn to someone else as well.”

“What nonsense. That wasn’t you letting us win, that was us earning it through our abilities.”

“I don’t even understand why this has turned into a dispute. Isn’t Team 1 just Team 1 as it should be? Both in terms of skill and capability, doesn’t it make sense that we should take command?”

“This talk is nonsense. Honestly, did you earn your place in Team 1 through skill? Park Jin-yong became Team Leader through his connections.”

“Exactly. He’s always cowering and running away, isn’t he?”

“What nonsense is this? Have you finished talking? Let’s settle it then, why don’t we?”

“Do you truly believe you’re a match?”

Standing by on the sidelines, observing this situation with a detached air are the juniors, feeling none of this quarrel personally involves them.

“Sigh… I hope it ends quickly. When is it over?”

“Frankly, it’d be more entertaining if they fought. Park Jin-yong and Jeong So-i are both 4th-year aces, so it’s fascinating to see who will prevail.”

“I don’t understand. Why are they fighting? Can’t they agree to make one captain and the other vice-captain?”

“That’s easier said than done. Isn’t it about performance?”

“To be honest, I understand why this is happening. They enrolled as top students, but unfortunately, they’ve had their spotlight stolen by the juniors – like Disaster and Jin Yu-ri. They must be thinking they should at least secure some performance metrics now over these three years.”

“That sounds about right. It’s a bit sad though.”

What I find personally amusing is that professors, who should be calming the students, are failing in their role, pacing around helplessly.

“Professor Choi! How much longer will you stand idly by? Let’s resolve this.”

“That’s correct. Jin-yong is the leader of the First Team, after all. As the head of the class, let him take charge for a smooth resolution.”

“But even so, is that fair? Jeong So-i has already displayed her considerable abilities. Not allowing competition wouldn’t be unjust, would it?”

“That’s true. How can we just expect her to lower her head simply because he is the leader of Team 1? Don’t you agree?”

“Ahem… Still, as much as that’s true, he is the leader of Team 1…”

It’s a complete mess.

This place would be like an execution stand if disdain could k*ll.

Had this been solely about our year, with those two bickering being classmates, I would already have gone over and thrown a punch.

Not to mention, if I were still the reckless version of myself before meeting Spring, who hadn’t embraced the role of fatherhood, this duo would already be rolling on the floor.

But, now I’m Spring’s Dad.

Let’s just say I’ve upgraded with patience.

“Let’s go.”

“Eeh? What? Just like that?”

“Why, did you think I’d jump around like a fool?”

Nods.

Jin Yu-ri spoke with a look of disdain. Isn’t it obvious?

“Alright. If they want to fight over their own bowls of rice, let them. Let’s leave it be.”

“Hehe~ Ignoring it like this too? Our Hyuki has grown so much. Sister should pat pat him, huh?”

“Get your hands off my b*tt, or I might regret not warning you.”

Though I verbalized it, my hands are itching.

I am, after all, a senior.

In a hierarchy that doesn’t particularly matter to me, the concept of “senior” still exists. Entangled in other people’s petty skirmishes doesn’t seem amusing, right?

We lack any clear justification here.

There’s no way I can strike out, and, frankly, I’ve had enough of this foolish chatter.

The only way out is to leave. If the temple is undesirable, the monk should leave—my intention was to quietly exit this debacle.

Honestly, if only they hadn’t drawn attention to me.

“Hey, where are you heading?”

“Just a moment, junior. The meeting isn’t over yet, where do you think you’re going?”

“…”

I turned around and stared at the two.

Do you two not know me? Though it’s embarrassing to say, there should be no one in the Academy who isn’t familiar with my personality.

“Stay put, Park Ki-hyuk.”

“I apologize for the length of the story, but you’re a member of the investigation team, aren’t you? You must participate in meetings.”

I’m fully aware of that. There’s no denial.

But if you insist on provoking me…

‘Is it because they don’t want to give up control?’

Hadn’t Kim Ha-ni said so before? The casting vote lies with me.

Even if the seniors were divided into two camps, with me representing the juniors—despite not intending to—I had become the pivot.

The two seniors didn’t wish for the spotlight to shift from them to me at all…

It’s fine.

This is annoying.

Let them sort it out.

Why am I even concerning myself with their standpoint?

“I guess that’s perfect then. I was feeling sick of it anyway.”

Ugh, ugh.

Unwrapping my fists, I turned around.

Whether sensing my killing intent or not, both turned to face me. Our gazes met, and finally, we looked each other fully in the eyes.

“Look, you both might be well-formed, but with that endless bickering over trivial matters, aren’t you just plain pathetic?”

“…!!”

“You two are absolutely atrocious.”

It’s a life wasted in vanity when it could have been magnificent.

How embarrassing.

“You guys claim to be ‘superhumans,’ don’t you? Then, stop talking nonsense and…”

The value of a superhuman does not lie in words.

Only power.

Skill.

“Prove it with your skills.”

My greatsword targeted them.

“Come on.”

Kwaaang-!!

The tent flew into the sky from the force.

—

Of course, the moment Park Ki-hyuk swung his greatsword, the meeting abruptly ended.

With dazzling battles happening right before their eyes, who could focus on a meeting? Even the professors who should’ve stepped in were dumbstruck, standing there like statues.

Jin Yu-ri chuckled.

“Of course. I expected Ki-hyuk to hold back, but this is him.”

Look at his smile there. Even while being surrounded, he seems overjoyed.

He’s adorable, incredibly adorable.

Nevertheless, this is from Jin Yu-ri’s perspective because she knows Park Ki-hyuk well. Kim Ha-ni is flailing, flummoxed.

“S-Se-shouldn’t we interfere, senpai?”

“Huh? Why?”

“Because… Those two are from the 4th year, and… what if Park Ki-hyuk gets injured?”

“Snicker… Park Ki-hyuk injured? Are you serious?”

“But… it’s a 2 on 1, and those two are top-tier students in their year. Even Park Ki-hyuk…”

“Top-tier in their year? Sorry, never heard of them.”

No matter how I try to recall, their names don’t register.

In moments like these…

Jin Yu-ri poked Kim Ha-ni’s back and said.

“Sister TMI, enlighten us.”

“Sister TMI?”

“Starting today, it’s your nickname. Tell us more about these guys.”

Instantly, Kim Ha-ni’s face reddened.

Sister TMI.

Could it be she’s feeling a little acknowledged?

Over there, wearing plate armor is the male senior, Park Jin-yong. He’s Team 1’s leader, known for enrolling with the highest scores in the year. Profession-wise, he’s a hybrid healer and tank, and there were rumors he almost became a paladin.”

“The senior airborne with bow, maintaining overwatch, is Jeong So-i. Although she’s more subdued today, she’s generally known for having an amiable disposition and commanding a loyal following. She’s known to be a summoner-type magician. There’s even a rumor that she controls ‘Celestial Beasts.'”

Of course, Sister TMI.

Once tapped, she just goes on spilling all the information.

Kim Ha-ni was swiftly demonstrating her usefulness in her new role.

Jin Yu-ri, while brushing Kim Ha-ni’s hair, focused on the battle.

“Hmm, there’s a tank capable of self-healing, and a ranged attacker skilled at summoning and suppression.”

A perfect puzzle.

Both possess abilities that complement each other perfectly.

Ironically so, considering that these two, who fought heatedly moments ago, are crucial pieces for each other.

Both, as if impressed by each other’s synergy, often look at each other in surprise after successfully landing blows. The harmony between them turns the tide in their favor, leaving Park Ki-hyuk in an evidently difficult situation.

Crack! Crack!

The skeletons summoned by Park Ki-Hyuk are crushed under Jeong So-I’s summoned creature, the ‘Toad’. The skeletons are completely rendered useless.

Whenever there’s the slightest opening,

Swish!

The Toad releases arrows coated with poison aimed at the most dangerous moments, delivering lethal blows.

The skeletons are ineffective, and Park Ki-hyuk’s ability to dodge is significantly compromised because of the poisoned arrows.

With limited remaining tricks under his belt, Park Ki-hyuk chooses the one he feels most confident in—going straight ahead.

But as he charges forward, a golden shield appears directly in his path.

Clang!

“You aren’t getting past.”

“Hm…”

Blocking Park Ki-hyuk’s path is Park Jin-yong.

Living up to the rumors that he nearly became a paladin, Park Jin-yong unleashes streams of divine power, blocking Park Ki-hyuk’s assault.

Despite the flashy magics and techniques, the actual battle state is tediously predictable.

Seeing the third ‘Moonlight Slash’ blocked, Jin Yu-ri gave a wry smile.

“Still, him. Even after he sent Baphomet and Asura to Spring, and now he’s again leaning on a frontal assault. Endurance battles will be tough…”

“Huh?”

“Such things exist.”

The giant body Park Ki-hyuk possesses does not align with conventional magical usage. Hence, he built an external mana hub using his servitors.

But currently, two of those external mana hubs, Baphomet and Asura, are gone. He left them with Spring out of concern. Naturally, the accessible mana and firepower have significantly reduced.

This is evident as his signature tool, the curse, is now less potent compared to previous times, to the point where Park Jin-yong, with his holy affinity, can handle it adequately.

And at that moment,

Thud! The arrow finally strikes Park Ki-hyuk’s shoulder.

To this, Jin Yu-ri exclaims, “Hoo!” with surprise, and from Park Ki-hyuk’s mouth comes, “Whoa!”

Kim Ha-ni felt exasperated:

“He’s happy after being hit? Aren’t we on the same side?”

“Seemed difficult to predict, but it’s worse than expected.”

“Shouldn’t we be concerned?”

“Concerned, I am.”

For a moment, Kim Ha-ni was reassured hearing a straightforward answer.

But the following words dropped her jaw.

“Those two, they’ve bitten off more than they can chew.”

Because Park Ki-hyuk is grinning,