"What do you think, Examiner?"

Today, as usual, when I was about to conduct Lee Hyunwoo's silver rank evaluation. The guy who was quietly preparing across from me brings up such words. The guy who usually didn't talk much, saying he was concentrating right before evaluations, suddenly why is he acting like this.

More than that, what thoughts are you asking about? Let's attach subjects.

"About Hyeon Sujin. Whether to restore her honor as an ability user or not."

Ah. You're talking about that story.

Instead of answering Lee Hyunwoo's question, I silently head to the center of the examination hall. At my footsteps, Lee Hyunwoo also stands across from me with his sword lowered.

"People's opinions are split in two. While the evil acts she committed as an Elder are certain, she accomplished much as an S-rank ability user before that, was also falsely accused by cowardly people, and at the final moment helped the examiner in defeating an S-rank monster, so honor restoration is right, versus..."

"Conversely, in any case, causing innocent people to be hurt and killed can absolutely never be overlooked. However it ended, she died as an Elder, as a villain, so she should be left as is."

Lee Hyunwoo nods and quietly looks at me. As if asking what I think when people's opinions are like that.

"I'm curious why you're asking me such things, student Lee Hyunwoo."

"You had contact points with Hyeon Sujin, and weren't you together at her final moment?"

"That's quite flimsy as a reason. It's not like I was comrades with that woman."

Rather, wouldn't it be right to ask Han Jiyoon, who was her colleague, or Ma Hakjun, who taught her?

I slowly raise my sword and circulate my magic once.

Both arms that were literally trashed are now in perfect condition.

And the magic that was completely messed up has now completely settled. After fighting the Cyclops, I feel like I've actually become stronger.

Ah, more precisely, it's not just a 'feeling.' When I came to my senses after treatment, I could see this with my Third Eye.

◎ Required stat reached : Trait will be strengthened.

A somewhat sudden achievement of required stats. I wondered if I had finally filled the designated number. Whether that damn question mark had finally disappeared.

◎ Numbers blocked : 531 ( 531 / ??? )

But the question marks behind remained the same. And the number was also '531,' which by any measure wasn't a special number.

If it had been a round number like 500 or 1000, that would be different. '531.' Isn't that an uncomfortable number by anyone's standards!

At this point, I thought that 'stats' might not just be a simple number concept. But something else entirely.

Rather than evaluating those who are more or less the same, when dealing with overwhelmingly strong beings. For example, when using the Gatekeeper trait against an S-rank monster like this time. Maybe that's when it finally counts toward some stat requirement, that kind of thought.

...Well, it's just a hypothesis with nothing certain.

"What do you think, student Lee Hyunwoo?"

"My opinion? Well. I understand there were unavoidable reasons, but..."

It's quite a difficult problem. Anyone couldn't rashly divide good and bad.

There were worse bastards who drove her that far. They conducted anti-ethical experiments and then tried to erase everything. When that was investigated, they even stamped her as a traitor to isolate her.

Hyeon Sujin willingly became a traitor there. Not through normal methods, but turning toward a direction she shouldn't have. Many innocent people died and were hurt in that process.

This is why public opinion is split in half fighting over whether to restore her honor or not.

"To be honest, I think it's right to leave it as is."

"As is? Do you mean leaving it neither here nor there?"

"Yes. Neither the Elder who was a disaster to the world, nor the ability user who was a national hero. Remaining forever as a shadow that will continue to have divided evaluations, that must hold controversy. That kind of ending."

My goodness. Who would have thought that Lee Hyunwoo would make such heavy and serious remarks? It's somewhat absurd, and on the other hand touching that he seems to have matured.

Is the guy who only knew how to shout evaluation! training! finally showing a protagonist-like side?

"What about you, Examiner?"

"I'd say I have similar opinions to student Lee Hyunwoo."

It's a clear fact that external forces intervened in Hyeon Sujin's decision and actions. And those external forces were never favorable, nor good or clean. In some ways, she could also be called a victim.

But then there's also the problem of real victims who suffered because of her. If she gets honor restoration as a hero, what should happen to those who lost their lives to shadows? Because of that part, I had no choice but to have similar thoughts to Lee Hyunwoo.

Hyeon Sujin, she should become a shadow for life as she chose. She should choose a life that doesn't deny her existence but can't come out into the light.

"Let's stop that talk and do what we need to do. Student Lee Hyunwoo. Besides you, there are students waiting in line for their turn."

My rank measurement still doesn't come out above A-rank. I measured again after the Cyclops subjugation, but it was the same situation.

However, the nation semi-forcibly decided my rank as S-rank. The reason being that the Ability User Association and two or more S-rank ability users guaranteed it. The two who stood as guarantors were naturally Han Jiyoon and Irina.

"Are you using both dual types today?"

Ah, and I'm not the only one at the center of attention.

The dual types, which could be called the exclusive domain of the strong, appeared in two people. One is Suhyeon, who will be called the 'Crimson Witch.' And the other is that guy right there.

"Actually, I'm still bewildered. During the fight, my sword broke so I thought 'whatever!' and charged bare-handed. But when I wrapped magic around both arms and legs, it was surprisingly decent, so I thought let's do this properly."

Lee Hyunwoo's dual types are weaponry and martial arts. I naturally expected it. Didn't he fiercely pressure me in evaluations just from looking at the internet?

"So, what's your answer?"

"Of course I have to use both. If I don't use both, the examiner won't let it slide."

Oh. Correct answer. If you don't use dual types, I was going to plant you upside down on the floor.

"And. Examiner?"

Just as I'm about to start and raise my sword straight ahead. Lee Hyunwoo makes an awkward smile and continues.

"I think today will be the last time."

"...The last time?"

Suddenly what nonsense is this? The last time? Are you dropping out of the academy? No way? You're not that kind of guy?

"Receiving evaluations. Precisely, maintaining bronze."

At Lee Hyunwoo's words, I finally let out an 'ah' of understanding.

He's definitely someone who could pass silver rank measurement, so why does he keep giving up at the last moment? Setting aside that doubt, I continued giving evaluations as Lee Hyunwoo wanted. He must have some level he wants to reach, so I silently waited.

For almost half a year. Until the end of the first semester approached. And today. Finally, it seems the guy made his decision.

Now he feels he can move beyond that, that he's finished his promise with himself.

"But student Lee Hyunwoo? You seem overly confident. Who promised to send you tomorrow? You're talking like you made a promise. You need to satisfy me, are you confident?"

"You'll definitely do so. I promise. So, until today, please take care of me. Examiner."

This bastard. Anyone listening would think you got a silver promise.

But it's also likely, since Lee Hyunwoo has beaten A-rank monsters without difficulty. He can't keep wearing bronze alone in the academy forever. Since his resolve is set, I think he'll grow like crazy from now on.

...More than that, looking at this, that guy's perseverance trait stack must be incredibly built up. Excluding weekends and hospital time, it must be over 50? I'm really looking forward to what kind of monster will be born after finishing tomorrow's evaluation.

Come to S-rank quickly too, Hyunwoo. I don't want to suffer alone.

*

"Examiner Baek Seojin. We've arrived."

At the suited man's words while holding the steering wheel, Baek Seojin glances around. The memorial hall Ma Hakjun told him about. He said Hyeon Sujin's fiancé rests here.

"Please wait here. I'll go alone."

Baek Seojin gets out of the car, stopping those who wanted to accompany him. Now that he's definitely become 'S-rank' in name and reality, security itself is meaningless. Knowing this, the suited men also nodded and waited in the car.

A place where many people are laid to rest. Baek Seojin, who was looking for someone there, soon stopped in front of one.

"..."

Unlike others, there's not even a single photo with someone. Perhaps it's natural. A created being, so someone who couldn't have family.

"I'm too late. I'm sorry."

The memory is still blurry. What kind of person he was, what kind of relationship they had. But Baek Seojin could instinctively know. This person was also lonely like me. And yet, like me, had a heart that wanted to prevent tragedy.

Baek Seojin, who had been silent for a while, opened his lips as if for someone to hear.

"How was those bastards' end? Was it what you wanted? I hope it was. I worked quite hard, you know. To let those bastards slip away quietly. Ugh. You don't know how hard it was."

It's not empty words. I had to break out in cold sweat stopping Han Jiyoon and Irina who were excited and rampaging. I also had to give various explanations to stop the equally angry Ma Hakjun and Kang Minseong.

"You saw the news, right? The one saying if you surrender now, they'll treat you not as an Elder or villain, but as an ability user. Though there were mistakes and faults, they said they could give you a chance for a fresh start with consideration of circumstances."

"It's a rare opportunity. It's not too late even now, so if you change your mind, come back anytime. Ah, but. If you come back, be prepared to get beaten to just before death, not to death."

No answer came. There was no one beside to listen to the story in the first place. What was here was only a shadow created by falling light.

Baek Seojin, who had been waiting for someone for a while, shrugged his shoulders once and turned around. Then he slowly retraced his path back, and suddenly spoke as if something occurred to him.

"I'll work hard. In place of you two."

Baek Seojin left the memorial hall like that.

And some time later.

Swoooosh—

A streak of shadow appeared along the wall and stood in front of where someone slept. Though it's hard to see clearly because light doesn't reach, the shadow is surely smiling, isn't it?