Chapter 127 Growth is Surpassing the Past (3)
Yu-hyeon’s sudden proposal of a truth game.
I did not even need to think about it to know what his intentions were.
“You are curious about why I do not use both hands, aren't you?”
“Haha, well. I have not said anything yet.”
Sure, he had not said what question he would ask.
The problem was that his ulterior motive was obvious even without him speaking.
‘Given the timing, that is the only thing he would ask about.’
Every time Yu-hyeon mentioned the use of both hands, I had shut my mouth.
That continued right up until the moment the truth game was mentioned.
In this situation, how could I believe him if he claimed to have some other curiosity?
‘What should I do…….’
One might say I could just refuse.
Since it was a story I did not want to tell, there was no need to accept the proposal.
However, there was a reason for my hesitation.
‘I am just as curious about him as he is about me.’
In human relationships, there are implicit promises that are kept even without verbalizing them.
A prime example is not asking questions that might be uncomfortable for the other person.
This was especially true since the relationship between Yu-hyeon and me was not formed to build a friendship.
‘But if I accept Yu-hyeon’s proposal, I can ask questions regardless of that implicit promise.’
That was why I was conflicted.
A past I was reluctant to talk about, versus Yu-hyeon’s secrets that I wanted to know.
It was a situation where those two things were clashing.
So, I worked my brain hard to figure out what to do, and before long, I was able to reach a conclusion.
“…Let's do it your way.”
I decided to accept Yu-hyeon’s proposal.
Of course, this conclusion was not reached solely because of strong curiosity.
‘This guy already knows the most about me anyway.’
It was ironic, but the person who knew me best in this world was likely Yu-hyeon.
Putting everything else aside, he already knew my biggest secret.
‘That I can use the talents of others.’
He did not know exactly what the talent was, but that alone was already the end of it.
While one might reach a very similar range, "identical" talents could not exist.
Furthermore, what were the talents I had used in front of Yu-hyeon before?
They were Im Seong-cheol’s Blue Flame and Shin Yu-hwan’s Black Spear Summon.
‘I used talents that could be called their very identities, so that says it all.’
That was why I accepted the proposal.
Since he already knew my most fatal secret, what was there to hold back?
At my acceptance, Yu-hyeon nodded as if he would not give me a chance to change my mind.
“Excellent. Time spent getting to know each other is always beneficial.”
“Aren't you tired of talking nonsense every time?”
“Ahaha, calling it nonsense. In reality, the more we understand each other, the better our efficiency becomes.”
He was right, but why did it sound like total nonsense when he said it?
‘Is this why people say background is important?’
Since his background was the Reverse Heaven Sect, it was not easy to trust him.
But that was a point not worth making.
I got straight to the point.
“Then who should ask first?”
“I do not mind. You decide, Brother.”
“I do not mind either, but…… this would go on forever. I will just ask first.”
Even just ordering food can take dozens of minutes if people keep telling each other to choose.
In that case, it was better to decide quickly.
‘Then the first question should definitely be that.’
People who say you should start with light questions are amateurs.
By nature, you should ask what you are most curious about.
So, without hesitation, I threw a question at Yu-hyeon.
“Why did you join the Reverse Heaven Sect, of all places?”
It was a sensitive question that I normally could not have asked easily.
At the same time, it was a question that could help me understand the person named Yu-hyeon as quickly as possible.
***
While Yu-hyeon and Choi Yu-seong were continuing their dangerous(?) truth game.
At the Horizon Guild's training ground, busy days were continuing.
“Phew! Shall we stop here?”
“…Tch. I can do more, but you look tired, so I will stop here just for you.”
“Haha! Right. Thanks.”
Had it been about an hour?
Kim Su-hyeok and Oh Jin-eon came down from the training platform after finishing their long spar.
Watching them, Cha Yu-na wore a satisfied expression and gave them a round of applause.
“Both of you have improved a lot compared to a month ago. The growth rate of kids these days is extraordinary.”
“Thank you!”
“Heh. I was not being insincere, so there is no need to thank me.”
As she said, it was absolutely not insincere.
Those two especially were advancing at a rate that made her wonder if it was even possible to grow this quickly.
‘Besides, the other kids are only slow compared to those two. They are actually very fast.’
Excluding Kim Su-hyeok and Ryu Jin-oh, who were invited to Horizon this time, Oh Jin-eon, Do Gang-ho, Ju Ha-yeon, and even Ha Eun-ha.
They were also showing a very rapid growth trend.
‘So, I must bring them to Horizon later, no matter what.’
What kind of industry was this?
It was an industry where individual skill was so important that one born genius could change a guild's influence.
‘These children definitely have the potential of those born geniuses.’
Of course, she did not know if everyone would be a genius, but for now, it was important that even one of them had that potential.
‘Plus, they are practically a bundle set.’
Judging by how they always stuck together, it was clear that if she persuaded just one, the rest would follow.
Of course, in Ju Ha-yeon’s case, she could not come because of her circumstances, but it was still a good thing to be involved with the eldest daughter of the Hoyeon Group.
As she continued thinking about the cadets, one person suddenly came to mind.
Perhaps Kim Su-hyeok, who was resting, had the same thought, as he brought up that person's name.
“By the way, I wonder if Yu-seong is doing well?”
He was a person who should have been here according to the plan Cha Yu-na had originally made.
However, he was not here because he had rejected Cha Yu-na’s proposal, saying he had a prior engagement.
Because of that, Cha Yu-na spoke with a bit of pettiness.
“I am sure he is doing fine on his own, isn't he? Since he even turned down Horizon.”
“Haha…… By the way, I wonder who Yu-seong is receiving lessons from?”
Kim Su-hyeok recalled the events of the vacation ceremony.
At that time, they could not even exchange many words because Yu-seong said he had someone to receive lessons from and had to go quickly.
He had looked so hurried that Kim Su-hyeok had no choice but to let him go, but he could not help but be curious.
‘Because Horizon’s education is called the best.’
Clearing Gates with active players from Horizon, and a training room equipped with the best facilities.
‘On top of that, the players even gave lessons whenever they had time.’
To turn all that down and go to someone else.
How could he not be curious?
Just as Kim Su-hyeok’s curiosity about who Choi Yu-seong had gone to was growing, an answer came from an unexpected place.
“I think it might be related to that person he met at the party.”
Ju Ha-yeon, who had quietly finished her archery training and returned, threw out a comment.
At those words, a question mark appeared on Kim Su-hyeok’s face.
“That person?”
“You probably did not see because you were doing something else then, but he had an acquaintance there.”
“Yu-seong did?”
“Yes. After the award ceremony, he even left his seat saying he had something to talk about, so isn't that the most likely person? However, looking at the list, that person was an A-Rank player.”
Right. An A-Rank player.
That was why Ju Ha-yeon had not spoken with certainty.
There were several more S-Rank players in Horizon alone.
However, Cha Yu-na seemed to think differently.
“I think Cadet Ha-yeon is right.”
Unlike Ju Ha-yeon, Cha Yu-na spoke with conviction.
Kim Su-hyeok immediately asked about that reaction.
“Pardon? I am not ignoring that person, but in that case, wouldn't it have been better to just come to Horizon?”
“Heh. Cadet Su-hyeok, you are still young after all.”
Kim Su-hyeok tilted his head at Cha Yu-na’s words.
What he had just said was certainly not wrong from a realistic standpoint.
However, Kim Su-hyeok had no choice but to agree with the explanation that followed.
“Just because someone is officially A-Rank does not mean everyone has the skill of an A-Rank.”
“…Is there a reason to stay as an A-Rank when your skill is higher?”
“Heh. Look at Yu-hwan, who has no manners whatsoever. Isn't he the same?”
At those words, Kim Su-hyeok understood instantly.
In Shin Yu-hwan’s case, despite his rank, no one thought of his skill as merely A-Rank.
But not all the questions were resolved.
“But isn't that a very rare case?”
“That is true. Yu-hwan is a bit of a special case.”
“Then the probability that the person is someone like Player Shin Yu-hwan is……”
“One hundred percent.”
“One, one hundred percent?!”
Kim Su-hyeok, so shocked by Cha Yu-na’s answer, even stuttered as he asked back.
It was not just Kim Su-hyeok who was surprised.
Everyone present, even Do Gang-ho, was surprised, so what more needed to be said?
“Is that really true?”
Of course, this was not a strange reaction.
It was extremely rare for someone as rational and calculating as Cha Yu-na to say something was 100%.
And naturally, there was a reason why Cha Yu-na said that.
“Yes. Based on my judgment, that person's skill was absolutely not A-Rank. That is definitely S-Rank.”
“But that person never showed any abilities at the party or anything……”
“You do not necessarily have to see it to know. That is also why I said Cadet Su-hyeok is still young.”
Cha Yu-na calmly continued her explanation as she spoke.
“You know that players basically have mana surrounding them even normally, right?”
“Yes. I learned that in class. I heard that investigations are also conducted using the flow of that mana.”
“Right. But I did not feel that at all from that person. What does that mean?”
The first to answer Cha Yu-na’s question was unexpectedly Oh Jin-eon.
“It means the person is either a civilian without mana, or someone whose mana control has reached the limit.”
“Oh? Cadet Jin-eon, you are more knowledgeable about theory than I thought?”
“I learned that theory is also a mandatory virtue.”
“Heh, good attitude. Anyway, as Cadet Jin-eon said, it is one of those two. But that person is a player, isn't he?”
Now that they had come this far, the answer was practically already out.
“That means he knows how to handle mana to the limit.”
“Right. And there are no players of A-Rank or below among those who can handle mana to the limit.”
To handle mana to the limit, one's mana affinity must be insanely high.
And a high mana affinity means the total amount of mana handled is also insanely high.
Could such a person lack skill? That was impossible.
To handle it to such a limit meant that their real combat experience was also enormous.
Having finished her thoughts up to that point, Ju Ha-yeon spoke with a voice that sounded quite interested.
“That is surprising. To think he was an expert of that level.”
“I am just as surprised. To think Cadet Yu-seong had such a connection.”
When he first entered Glory, she thought he would not have much of a connection since he was a lower-ranked cadet.
But to think he was involved with a hidden master.
Even Cha Yu-na, who had experienced all sorts of situations, could not help but be amazed.
It was then.
“Then, Cha Yu-na, how much of an expert do you think that person is?”
Ryu Jin-oh, who had been quiet until now, threw out a comment.
In his eyes, a competitive spirit was felt that could not be hidden even if he tried.
At that sight, Cha Yu-na smiled inwardly.
‘It is obvious what he is thinking.’
Is it because he is still young? It was very easy to read his thoughts just from his eyes.
He must be curious about what kind of expert Choi Yu-seong is receiving lessons from, and how strong Choi Yu-seong will become after receiving those lessons.
Then, a mischievous plan suddenly came to mind.
But.
‘It is probably better to tell them the truth.’
It was not fixed, but there was a high probability they were children who would be together in the future.
It was only right for them to grow while fueling a proper sense of competition with each other.
To do that, it was right for them to hear and judge based only on facts, not a lie mixed with a joke.
Therefore, Cha Yu-na shared her thoughts without a single lie.
“At the very least, wouldn't he be about as strong as Yu-hwan?”
Of course, the problem of truth sounding like a lie was unavoidable.
“…Is that really true?”
“Yes. If he can completely deceive my senses even though I am quite sensitive to mana, he must be about that much.”
“…….”
“But there is no need to be too discouraged. Being outstanding yourself and being good at teaching are separate things.”
Unfortunately, Cha Yu-na’s voice did not reach the kids.
In their heads, only the fact that an expert at least as strong as Shin Yu-hwan was teaching Choi Yu-seong was already being inputted.
‘I absolutely cannot accept being protected by him.’
So, someone burned passionately.
‘Hmm, I felt helpless last time, so I cannot let that happen again.’
And someone else retraced the regrets of the past.
‘I wonder how much Yu-seong will have changed when he returns? I am already looking forward to it!’
And someone else showed pure joy at the fact that their friend was becoming stronger.
‘Chomp. I am getting hungry.’
…Of course, there was also someone like Do Gang-ho, who had no thoughts at all.
Anyway, the children each harbored different thoughts.
However, a common thought also existed.
‘I must work hard so as not to lose.’
That was the desire not to lose.
Is walking side by side not what makes a comrade and, by extension, a friend?
They could not afford to be in a position where they only received help.
Therefore, the cadets gathered at the site returned to their training, thinking of Choi Yu-seong, who would be undergoing intense training even now.
Of course, that was strictly the cadets' thoughts, and in reality, Choi Yu-seong was just playing a truth game.
But anyway, isn't it important that they worked harder thanks to the Choi Yu-seong in their imaginations?
…Probably.
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