Chapter 30

<Chapter 31> Everything Was Just Prep for Despair and NTR

The promised week passed quicker than expected.

Yu-jin and Tae-jin Kim both felt a tinge of regret as they faced each other.

Unlike the first day, Tae-jin Kim had come all the way to the gate to greet him.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Tae-jin Kim said with a bittersweet smile.

“From the start, I thought about chasing you away. How did you manage to last a whole week?”

“I enjoyed being with you, Senior.”

Yu-jin was sincere.

Peaceful surroundings, no complicated human relations.

All that existed were strangely mature girls.

Even for loner Yu-jin, it was a comfortable space to be in.

Of course, if someone told him to live here forever, that would be troublesome.

“Can I come again next time?”

“…Hmm, I wonder.”

No matter what, Tae-jin Kim was still opposing Hwagcheon.

Regularly meeting the heir of that place wouldn’t be good.

There’s a chance rumors detrimental to his career might spread around.

Not only that, it wouldn’t be good for Yu-jin either.

He might even be doubted by Hwagcheon’s executives regarding his qualifications.

“What? If you want to come, just come.”

But Tae-jin Kim answered like this.

She liked Yu-jin.

In just one week, she genuinely started thinking of him as her disciple.

Most importantly, he gave her hope.

This guy might change Hwagcheon someday.

“He’s still a rookie, but I’ve trained him enough not to lose easily to some random punk.”

Even risking his life in battle wouldn’t be an issue.

At this point, Yu-jin could probably handle himself.

That’s what it means to have been taught by Tae-jin Kim.

“Ah, there he is.”

A black Benz driven by Biseo Park approached from afar.

The Benz smoothly parked a bit away from them.

Biseo Park, still wearing his dark sunglasses, bowed slightly towards them.

“Both of you have worked hard.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Oh, this is Biseo Park, my secretary.”

Tae-jin Kim looked at the deeply bowed Biseo Park with a strange gaze.

Even if he’s at least upper-level Scorpio rank or lower-level Strong Hero rank…

How can the heir of Hwagcheon use such a powerful man as a secretary?

It was hard to judge whether Hwagcheon was generous or if Yu-jin was special.

“Hey, are you some lackey of Hwagcheon?”

“No, I’m Do-ryeon-nim’s glorious first blade.”

Unexpectedly hearing this, Tae-jin Kim chuckled.

He thought Yu-jin was just a newbie.

Looks like he’s built up his own base already.

“Hmm, interesting. Though, that guy wasn’t normal from the start.”

Biseo Park didn’t say anything.

But inside, he was a little surprised.

By tone and expression alone, he could tell it was praise.

‘Praise from Tae-jin Kim?’

Tae-jin Kim is infamous among heroes for being harshly critical.

Especially since the target is the heir of Hwagcheon.

It would be impossible unless Yu-jin was exceptionally likable.

“As the heir’s secretary, you should be able to communicate with higher-ups, right?”

“I used to be the chairman’s direct secretary.”

“Then pass this along to your boss. Tae-jin Kim says he’ll visit Hwagcheon soon regarding something about Kim Yu-jin.”

“What does that mean…?”

“That’s all I have to say to Hwagcheon.”

Tae-jin Kim didn’t say anything more and turned his head back to Yu-jin.

“Hey, kid.”

“Ah, Senior! At least call me by my name on the last day.”

“Shut up. You’re still a rookie.”

“Ah, but I’m not an egg anymore. I managed.”

Tae-jin Kim quietly stared at Yu-jin.

Though it was a short time, affection for his disciple could be seen in his eyes.

“I see potential in you. Keep nurturing it without losing heart.”

“…Sorry, I don’t understand what you mean!”

“Tch, never mind, never mind. There will be something to discuss soon. Until then, don’t lose to anyone and take care.”

“I can confidently say I’ll do well!”

Defeat happens because you fight, right?

If you don’t fight, you won’t lose.

Therefore, a loner is unbeatable.

“Anyway, if I can’t talk properly, then this is a parting gift.”

Tae-jin Kim extended a pouch.

Inside was a blue, round rice cake-like object.

“What is this? A rice cake?”

“It’s a Spirit Pill.”

Spirit Pill.

A solidified form of medicine that supposedly grows one’s strength and capacity.

And if it’s this color, it belongs to the highest grade.

Even an average Strong Hero would covet such a rare item.

“Looks kinda tasteless. I prefer sweet stuff.”

Of course, Yu-jin had no idea of its value.

Sighing deeply, Tae-jin Kim spoke.

“When a really tense situation comes, use this.”

“For example?”

“Like when you’re fighting someone.”

Actually, Spirit Pills come with many risks.

They temporarily increase the user’s power significantly.

But in exchange, the user loses sanity and becomes an aggressive monster.

Using it during combat carries inherent risks.

It’s closer to a secret technique reserved for the final moment.

‘Well, the heir of Hwagcheon should know this much, right?’

That’s why he handed it over.

Of course, it’s best not to use it.

Considering Hwagcheon’s environment, who knows what dangers might arise?

At the very least, it can help save his life in the worst-case scenario.

“In any case, this is a wish for you to stay healthy until we meet again.”

“Yes! And you should take care too, Senior. Don’t eat too salty food for your age.”

“Who’s worrying about whom now?”

Tae-jin Kim waved his hand lightly as he turned away.

Watching this, Biseo Park felt a chill down his spine.

‘Could he have planned this?’

As mentioned, Kim Yu-jin’s status in Hwagcheon is low.

Without accomplishments, no matter how strong he is, the executives won’t recognize him.

If he can’t win their support, he can’t truly become the heir.

Worse, there’s a possibility they might attack him for the heir position.

Conversely, what would happen if Strong Hero Tae-jin Kim got involved?

‘Not only can he restrain the executives, but he’d also gain an incredible achievement by recruiting Tae-jin Kim.’

Of course, that’s absolutely not easy.

The opponent is a Strong Hero who strongly dislikes Hwagcheon.

Turning such a powerful figure into an ally is nearly impossible.

However, Yu-jin somehow achieved this in just a week.

‘I have no idea what trick he pulled.’

To become close enough to call each other “senior” in such a short time…

Yu-jin’s strength and wisdom were known.

But who would have guessed his social skills were top-notch too?

‘I need to work harder. Otherwise, I might just hold Lord back.’

With renewed determination, Biseo Park looked at Yu-jin with respect.

‘Hahaha! In the end, the famous hero Tae-jin Kim left unnoticed! Nice!’

Incidentally, Kim Yu-jin didn’t even realize the girl he spent time with was actually Tae-jin Kim.

*…*

The next day.

After a week, Yu-jin returned to the Academy.

Normally, one would look forward to meeting friends again.

But Yu-jin was different.

Rather, the closer he got to school, the worse his condition became.

“Yo, my stomach hurts…”

-What’s wrong all of a sudden?

Yu-jin pulling pranks wasn’t new.

The slime watching beside him thought, “Here we go again,” but still asked out of courtesy.

“Nervous because it’s been a while since I’ve been to school.”

-Now? Haven’t you been going to school for quite some time?

“My mental fortitude, which was honed daily, weakened during the past week.”

-Crazy person.

To others, it might sound absurd, but Yu-jin was genuinely worried.

After all, he’s returning after a full week.

Usually, he goes every day without noticing, but upon reflection, anxiety crept in.

It feels somewhat awkward, doesn’t it?

“Will the kids think weird things about me?”

-They were probably happier without you.

An unnecessarily harsh fact bomb flew his way.

Come on, isn’t that too cruel?

A loner is a delicate creature, you know.

“You’re such a bad person.”

-Realized that now? Shut up and keep walking. We’re already in front of the school anyway.

Indeed, Yu-jin had already arrived in front of the school.

He was just loitering outside instead of going in.

Anyone watching might think the school had some kind of barrier set up.

“To a loner, psychological barriers are almost like real barriers, you know.”

Muttering nonsense like that for a while made the slime watching increasingly irritated.

-Shut up and go in. It’s something you have to do anyway.

“But I agreed to spar with Chul-soo this morning! What if I mess up and get hated again like last time?”

-…Is there anything else you could do to make them hate you more? Like killing their parents or something?

“Chul-soo doesn’t have parents to kill.”

-WTF? Were you planning to kill them if they were alive?

Of course, Yu-jin had no such intention.

…

Instead, he wanted to get along well.

He wanted to become friends, eat lunch together, study together, play together, and enjoy his youth.

“But based on past experiences, I feel like something will fail again.”

-You’re realizing this now? It’s really tear-jerkingly fortunate.

Yu-jin was a loner who knew how to grow.

Generally, when people worry like this, the worst-case scenario often unfolds.

Maybe this time it’ll be different.

If not, mending ties with Chul-soo would be almost impossible.

Whatever happens, he wanted to avoid that.

“Ugh! Worried again, and my stomach…”

-You’re such a handful.

Entering school means meeting friends after a week.

Moreover, future relationships hang in the balance.

For a loner like Yu-jin, it’s natural to be nervous.

“Ah, right! That Spirit Pill!”

Suddenly, an idea struck Yu-jin.

Recalling some enlightenment, he pulled out the pouch he’d received.

Inside was the Spirit Pill given by Tae-jin Kim.

“She clearly said to eat it when I’m nervous or before fighting someone, right?”

Right now, he’s definitely nervous, and it’s right before sparring.

When else should he eat it if not now?

“Maybe it’s like a calming pill?”

Regardless, eating it seems better than not.

Yu-jin swallowed the pill in one gulp.

-Hey, you idiot!! Why did you eat that now, damn it!!

The slime shouted hurriedly, but it was too late.

Simultaneously with swallowing, the pill’s energy spread throughout Yu-jin’s body.

As the mysterious power dispersed, his eyes gradually lost their light.

His usual innocence disappeared, replaced by coldness and madness.

How much time passed?

When Yu-jin lifted his head, he seemed different.

-…Hey, are you okay?

“…I feel shitty.”

-Damn it!

Yu-jin’s eyes were filled with murderous intent.

The slime silently mourned for Chul-soo, who would soon have to fight this moron.

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