“Superiority complex? That’s absurd! How could I… Hahaha!”
Arna had just stepped out of the counselor’s office and burst into laughter right in the middle of the hallway. It was laughter born out of sheer disbelief.
“No matter how you look at it, that’s a bit much! Anyway!”
She decided to change her thoughts now.
These recent stress-induced illnesses she’s been experiencing. All of these symptoms arose from being too focused on the evaluations.
It wasn’t because of any superiority complex.
“Perhaps I should take a break today as the professor suggested?”
She resolved to put the evaluations aside for today and take a short rest.
Certainly, by tomorrow, everything will return to normal. This headache, this indigestion, this sticky feeling will all disappear.
“Hmm…”
Arna hummed a tune while walking out of the building.
Perhaps it was due to the fresh outdoor air, but she felt a sense of clarity in her mind. Already, she felt lighter.
There’s absolutely no way this is about superiority complex.
“Well, where should I go?”
It was a rare opportunity for freedom. What should she do first?
Should she go grab a snack? Or maybe visit a coin karaoke?
“Ah, that’s right! I heard there’s a new gym that opened up!”
She hadn’t exercised at all recently, having been focused on the final exams and Individual Tactical Assessments. It wouldn’t be bad to go to the gym and work up a good sweat this time.
There’s no better prescription than movement to clear one’s mind.
Arna headed towards the Fourth Research Pavilion, where the new gym was supposed to be.
“Uh, why…”
The gym was filled with the latest equipment, and it was almost completely empty, making it akin to paradise.
“Why is that person…?”
But Arna couldn’t feel happy at all.
Because…
—Huff… Huff…
In the far distance was Shin Yoon-seong; he was doing a bench press all by himself.
“Ugh.”
At the sight of Shin Yoon-seong, Arna suddenly started to feel a headache. Her stomach churned. Her body felt unusually heavy, like a sponge soaked with water.
“Maybe… it’s best to just go back…”
The gym was practically empty. There was no question that they would make eye contact while exercising here.
What would Yoon-seong say if they met? He’d likely start by calling her a fatty monster, then proceed to mock her for not clearing the Individual Tactical Assessment yet.
He’d probably also interfere while she’s working out…
—Huff… Huff…
“…”
But for some reason, her feet wouldn’t move. Her eyes kept drifting towards Shin Yoon-seong.
Why couldn’t she make her body follow her intention when she knew she should escape? She didn’t understand herself. No matter how much she thought about it, the tangled mess of thoughts only seemed to worsen instead of resolve.
Before she knew it, her mind was clouded in fog. She was no longer in any state to keep her rationality.
There was nothing left but to trust her instincts.
“Uh, well, I’ve come this far anyway. Might as well do a little workout before leaving, right?”
Ultimately, Arna stepped onto the treadmill nearby. It was located quite close to the bench press Shin Yoon-seong was using.
DING!
“Hmm!”
With a clearing of her throat, Arna started with a light walking pace.
Surely, Shin Yoon-seong would hear the sound of the treadmill.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
—Huff… Huff…
But contrary to her expectations, Shin Yoon-seong didn’t even glance her way. He continued focusing solely on his routine.
—Haa…
Even when he paused to rest, he was simply looking at the floor, regulating his breathing. His focus was entirely consumed by his exercise.
He didn’t look towards the treadmill even once.
“Ugh…”
Arna gritted her teeth.
Wouldn’t it be enough if he looked once? It wasn’t asking for much—just a simple greeting. Was that so difficult?
Deciding to up the ante, Arna increased the treadmill’s speed.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The sound of the track running and her steps became louder than before.
Anyone who couldn’t hear this would need to consult an audiologist.
Slick—
Just then, Shin Yoon-seong stood up.
“!”
Arna quickly turned her head. She acted as if nothing happened, concentrating solely on the treadmill.
If Shin Yoon-seong were to notice her, she was ready to say something casual like, “Oh? What a coincidence. You’re here too?”
So, will he finally look here?
Will he come towards me?
Will he acknowledge me with some sort of greeting?
—Fat workouts done. Next is shoulder exercise.
Creak!
In an instant, Arna’s foot slipped. She quickly stopped the treadmill.
“What, what, what is this?!”
What kind of situation is this? Another ignore? Is he treating me like I’m invisible?
How dare he? Me? Arna, the best at Han-yul Military Academy? Arna Kristin Dottir, who’s respected by everyone?
“Eeek…”
This is enough to invoke some righteous anger.
Alright. Let’s see who wins.
Thump!
Arna stepped off the treadmill and headed toward the dumbbells. Shin Yoon-seong was also just picking out dumbbells.
—Starting with 5kg.
Shin Yoon-seong stood in front of the full-length mirror, dumbbells in both hands, performing light shoulder presses while looking into the glass.
“Ah, I’ll start with 8kg!”
Arna made this comment aloud as if everyone around could hear, though the gym only consisted of her and Shin Yoon-seong.
“Hmm!”
Arna took a position diagonally behind Shin Yoon-seong where she’d still be within the full-length mirror’s view.
—Huff… Huff…
But once again, just like before, Shin Yoon-seong ignored her. From the look of it, it seemed as if he didn’t even realize she was in the mirror.
“…”
Is he really not seeing me?
Or is he deliberately ignoring me?
Thinking about it, the last time in the indoor training facility when she tried speaking to him, Shin Yoon-seong tilted his head saying he hadn’t heard her.
Should I just go up to him and ask directly?
“No! I also have my pride!”
If Arna were to initiate the conversation, the game would essentially be over. It might even make her seem like she’s clinging to him.
She will never take the subordinate position in her relationship with Shin Yoon-seong.
“Whoa… when did he…!”
While Arna was lost in thought, Shin Yoon-seong had disappeared from her sight.
And upon checking, he was heading towards the shower area.
“Shower area…?”
She knows full well that this is the male-only shower area. A place where women like herself cannot enter.
“…”
However, right now, there’s no one else in this gym.
If Arna were to enter the shower area, no one could stop her.
Plus, this newly built gym doesn’t even have a CCTV camera installed. There’s no worry about any gossip afterward.
“Ho ho…”
Arna smiled wickedly. What would happen if she followed Shin Yoon-seong into the shower?
The images were already forming in her mind. The expression Shin Yoon-seong would make upon hearing a scream when Arna entered the shower area.
He would never expect her to follow all the way into the shower room. Even if he tried to ignore her before, that would be the limit.
“So…”
Arna stealthily followed Shin Yoon-seong. The changing room came into view.
SHHHHHH—
The actual shower area was further in from the changing room. Judging from the water sounds already beginning, he must have just started his shower.
“…”
Now, if I enter the shower room, surprise Shin Yoon-seong, and my mission is completed.
“Uh…? What am I trying to do right now?”
Suddenly, Arna snapped back to reality. What am I doing here? I’m contemplating intruding on a male shower room without any logical excuse?
Am I trying to become a pervert?
“Th-that’s right… right? Even still, entering a male shower area is a bit much…”
I almost got myself into real trouble. It would have been real trouble.
To become blinded by my obsession to such an extent to attempt such grotesque behavior.
It’s fortunate I’ve come to my senses now.
“Hoo…”
Arna turned around. I’ll leave the changing room before encountering anyone.
“…Wait a moment.”
At that moment, Arna’s eyes fell on a cabinet. Specifically, the locker where Shin Yoon-seong’s clothes were stored.
Almost hypnotized, Arna approached the cabinet. She simply stared at Shin Yoon-seong’s clothes.
“…”
A set of training gear, a summer shirt, trousers, a belt, socks…
Finally, a wine-colored boxer brief.
Gulp!
Without knowing it, Arna swallowed her saliva.
She had never been this close to observing men’s underwear. And it was someone else’s underwear at that.
It was probably still warm from wearing it just moments ago—would there be any sweat mixed in?
“Haa… Haa…”
For some reason, her breathing quickened. Her heart was pounding, her nostrils flared, and a surge of heat spread through her veins.
This feeling—just like the first time she’d been exposed to an erotic manga. She was flooded with dopamine.
She’s in a total state of arousal.
“It’s all your fault… It’s because of you… because you were ignoring me…”
Arna rationalized to herself as she extended her hand toward the pants.
And naturally, she didn’t forget to grab the wine-colored boxer brief alongside.
“…”
And so,
Arna Kristin Dottir,
she became a panty thief all at once.
“What? Where are they all?”
At the same moment, Kang Tae-hoon entered the lab and tilted his head. He didn’t find those who should have been there.
“Phew… Phew…”
Only Rashid remained amidst the lab.
‘What’s with this guy exercising like this all day? He doesn’t look normal either.’
“Hey, Darkie! Where’s the kid?”
“Seminar. He went.”
“And Shin Yoon-seong?”
“At the gym.”
When it’s time, they’ll surely make their way back. Ignoring them, Kang Tae-hoon flopped down onto his usual couch.
“Hmm.”
He immediately reached for his smartphone. He accessed a portal site and began browsing through the news headlines.
Specifically focusing on the social section.
———
“Summer food poisoning” joint inspections at Gyeonggi daycare centers
A monster hunter gone missing for a week found dead
Endless indiscriminate murders… Is the perpetrator an Awakened One? Heroes Management Department: “We will soon release a statement”
Naked man roaming the streets… arrested on site by the police
———
“…”
Kang Tae-hoon reflected on past events while perusing the news. During the recent open school event.
On International Assessment Day, Lloyd Hintz, who was Kang Tae-hoon’s opponent, undoubtedly used an enhancer.
However, there was no related article published in the news at all. Not even one up to this day.
Of course, Lloyd Hintz, representing one of America’s promising stars, surely has influential backers covering for him. They probably cut off any news reports prior to publication. Kang Tae-hoon understood this much.
The problem was the medicine peddler who provided the enhancer to Lloyd. He was certain the Han-yul Military Academy had taken the peddler into custody after the game ended.
However, there had been no updates since.
What happened to the peddler?
“Before that, this Shin Yoon-seong dude is also acting weird…”
On the other hand, Shin Yoon-seong, who had personally apprehended the medicine peddler on site, had said nothing since the assessment battle.
It seemed he wasn’t at all curious about what became of the peddler he’d caught or his whereabouts.
“Whatever… It’s my own fault for having hopes on this guy…”
BANG!
At that moment, the lab door slammed open.
“Did you call?”
It was Shin Yoon-seong returning, completely without anything covering below—pants, a piece of cloth—nothing.
“You crazy bastard!”
Looking directly at Shin Yoon-seong, Kang Tae-hoon shouted loudly.
“You think this place is a bathhouse? What’s with walking around flaunting your junk?! Put that ridiculous thing away quickly! Or do you want to get your ass kicked?!”
