Academy's Silver Gatekeeper-Chapter 78

A thought suddenly crosses my mind. That guy Kwak Hyuk. Maybe he just looks scary on the outside but is actually all bark and no bite. Otherwise, how could I end up with this result again?

"Seriously, how can you be this fine after getting beaten up by an Elder like that?"

I was grabbed by doctors and subjected to all kinds of evaluation and tests. They said I shouldn't not have any discomfort whatsoever.

Furthermore, even with field treatment after sustaining such serious injuries, they said there might be aftereffects the body couldn't handle from that moment of damage.

I sensed their urgency and complied willingly. Honestly, I don't want my body in bad condition either. If I'm going to live, living long without pain is definitely the best option.

And the result was, surprisingly, one hundred percent - no, a thousand percent healthy. As a bonus, I was so incredibly healthy that even the doctors wondered if this made any sense.

"We were worried about the aftereffects, but this is truly fortunate."

"It seems the field treatment was appropriate."

"Patient Baek Seojin's physical abilities seem exceptional."

"From my perspective, I'd say he might be Superman!"

Well, I think the problem is just Kwak Hyuk, that bastard. Shouldn't an Elder be able to at least half-cripple someone even if they can't kill them? How could he make my body so perfectly fine that I'm getting an early discharge?

Discharged only days after regaining consciousness. Honestly, I thought I'd be hospitalized for a few more days, but no such luck.

That alone was frustrating enough, but what followed was worse.

"Well, shit."

The first thing I saw leaving the hospital was people who clearly lived off taxes. They were waiting in several groups at the main entrance.

In jet-black suits that didn't suit them at all. Damn, why are they wearing sunglasses? Do they want to advertise, "Look at me!"?

A group of suspicious-looking men and women in suits. It was obvious who they were waiting for without even asking.

"Mr. Baek Seojin."

As soon as I came out of the hospital, the suited group approached me.

I wonder if saying "I'm not Baek Seojin" would work here. I don't expect it to, but maybe they'd at least pretend to be fooled once.

"Are you him?"

"...Yes. I am Baek Seojin."

Of course, I didn't actually say "That's not me" or anything like that. I knew that would only make things more difficult for me.

These people had obviously approached after confirming my face. So after I confirmed my identity, they slightly moved closer to me.

"We're from a government department. Sorry, but we'd like you to come with us immediately."

"Excuse me. I just got discharged."

"We know. And we also know there's nothing wrong with your body."

"Physically, that's true. But mentally, I'm extremely tired. I want to rest."

I was expressing "I'm really tired. So please go away" in a roundabout way. I hoped they'd take the hint and say "Is that so? Understood," but no.

"This is a matter of national security. We're asking because time is tight."

Wow, these bastards. They're pulling that card here. What? National security? What national security issue? They're talking nonsense. At most, they just want to find out what kind of person I am.

I thought hard about how to shake them off. But I couldn't come up with any good solutions. Should I scream for help? That might make people wonder what's going on.

"Excuse me."

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind the suited group.

With arms crossed and a very displeased expression was none other than Han Jiyoon. Perhaps she had come to pick me up after hearing about my discharge.

"What are you doing?"

"Ro– I mean, Professor Han Jiyoon. Currently, we're performing our official duties..."

"So what? Which department are you from? No, wait. It doesn't even matter which department. Let me put this kindly – all of you, go back. What do you think you're doing with someone who just got discharged?"

Han Jiyoon clicked her tongue and approached through the group of suits. Some of the suited people couldn't hide their awkward expressions but still slightly blocked the way, seemingly trying to explain their situation again.

"But, Professor Han Jiyoon..."

Srrng—

She slightly pulled out the sword she had at her waist, as if she didn't need to hear more. As the sword left its sheath, the sunlight reflected off the blade looked extremely threatening.

"Do you think I'm easy to deal with? That I'm reasonable unlike Irina, who's completely unreasonable?"

At that, the suited men and women shook their heads and immediately stepped back.

S-rank ability user. For these people, mingling in society was ultimately their personal choice. They could always abandon everything and become villains if they felt like it. If that happened, it would mean one more Elder that they couldn't handle.

Especially since South Korea had lost two S-rank users just a few years ago. No, it wasn't just a loss – they had completely turned into villains.

Their identities, as I well knew, were Hyeon Sujin and Kwak Hyuk.

'That's why they can't make a move against Irina. If that crazy woman becomes an Elder too, we'd be in serious trouble.'

TN: If Irina becomes an elder, it's over hahaha.

In that situation, another S-rank, Han Jiyoon, had appeared. And they were saying "We're from the government. Please step aside"? Seriously? If word of this reached superiors, it wouldn't end with just their heads rolling.

As the suited group hastily backed away, Han Jiyoon returned her sword to its place. Then she spoke to them still in a cold voice.

"I don't know which department you're from, but go back and tell them to act reasonably. Understand? Taking a patient who was just discharged, especially someone who got seriously injured trying to protect Academy students. Instead of showing respect, you come with claims about national security. Let me be clear: this is a warning. If I see this behavior again, there will be consequences beyond words. Consider this an official expression of 'regret.'"

"Y-yes. Understood. We apologize, Ro– I mean, Professor Han Jiyoon."

The suited group quickly scattered away. Thanks to them, people's attention seemed to be gathering, but Han Jiyoon quickly took me and moved away.

"I'm sorry, Seojin. Let me apologize on their behalf."

"Why are you apologizing, Professor? It's fine. And I understand those people too – they're just sad civil servants who have to follow orders from above."

Who would understand civil servants if not other civil servants? If we say we have no authority and need to transfer to another department, people complain we're not working. When something just doesn't work out, if higher-ups say do it, we just have to keep quiet.

"So I'm really fine."

"...Thank you for saying that, at least."

To avoid drawing more attention, we left through the back. There, several men and women who had been waiting guided Han Jiyoon and me to a car. They seemed to be Academy-related personnel, or perhaps members of her clan.

"I'll take you home."

"Is that okay? As far as I know, Professor Han Jiyoon is an extremely busy person."

With two S-ranks becoming villains, and one of the few remaining S-ranks being a crazy woman, the remaining S-rank users have an excessive workload in the current situation.

Like the previous time, cooperating with other countries to repel villains, or dealing with monsters or dungeons that might be difficult even for A-ranks. Places where S-ranks are needed probably exist everywhere in the world.

On top of that, the government must be bothersome in managing these precious people. I can understand why Hyeon Sujin and Kwak Hyuk said "Screw the country" and became villains.

"I may be busy, but I'm not that short on time. And I have things to talk about."

Han Jiyoon, who had been looking at me for a moment, suddenly bowed her head.

"Thank you. And I'm sorry. It was originally my job, but I left it all to you, Seojin. I'm truly sorry. Wearing the title of S-rank, I'm ashamed."

I had expected the thanks, but the apology was a bit sudden. It wasn't Han Jiyoon's fault that an Elder appeared, nor did she push me into action.

She had done her best to arrive quickly at the scene, that's all. And fighting the Elder wasn't forced on me by anyone – it was my choice.

To protect my students, those who needed my evaluation. And to stop someone who hadn't even been evaluated by me from crossing the line. I had simply acted in accordance with my "Gatekeeper" trait.

"I'm really fine, I'm telling you. Please don't do this. It makes me feel more burdened."

"Thank you for saying that, at least."

Afterward, Han Jiyoon updated me on various people.

First, Ma Hakjun was also very grateful for what happened. He praised me for saving the students twice now, after the previous Academy attack. He wants to talk comfortably in a quiet place, not as Headmaster and Examiner, when time permits.

'Ma Hakjun is always welcome. He's a reliable ally.'

Her main story was that quite a lot of people had heard about the incident.

It seems they didn't try to hide my activities as much as before. No, it's not that they didn't want to, but that they couldn't.

Back then, I had just tried to block the Elder, got hit a few times, and flew away. But this time, against that Elder, even while getting beaten to a pulp, I ultimately succeeded in landing a critical hit on him.

And that scene was witnessed not only by students but also by state ability users. It would be impossible to cover up all of that.

"Oh, and one more thing. You're likely to have your rank reassessed within this month."

"I was expecting that."

"The government seems rather hopeful. They've been desperate after losing two precious S-ranks in just a few years. How desperate must they be to call a few still-A-rank users the next generation of S-ranks? No matter how talented they are, there's never been a case of an A-rank rising to S-rank."

I've heard about that. They say that up to A-rank is possible through personal effort and ability growth. But for the S-rank, called demigods, innate factors ultimately have a decisive influence. Whether awakening early or late, effort alone isn't enough, they say.

"What do you think, Seojin?"

"Well, my ability did awaken late, that's true. But..."

But in the rank reassessment, B-rank would be my limit. Even if I'm really lucky... A-rank? Honestly, that would be a miracle.

'Now that I've somewhat figured it out.'

My trait can't be used just anytime, anywhere. Especially not in situations with no real reason, like a rank reassessment.

"I don't think the rank will turn out as high as they want."

I simply wondered if what I had wanted before the possession – "Silver" – had influenced it. But now I know that's not all.

The Gatekeeper trait was influenced by something I didn't even know.