Academy's Silver Gatekeeper

Meanwhile, after parting ways with Kang Hana, Kim Suhyeon was unusually angry.

Most observers would only notice her staring, but she was definitely furious as she stood next to Baek Seojin.

Her reason was simple…

“Let’s begin, Examiner Baek Seojin. Silver exam.”

“You sound confident, Student Jung Yuhyeon.”

It was Jung Yuhyeon, Student Council Vice President, and the person who had fought Baek Seojin yesterday.

He was the man who had said horrible things to the Examiner and even hurt him.

A tiny spark flickered in Kim Suhyeon’s eyes, though neither Baek Seojin nor Jung Yuhyeon noticed it.

“Don’t underestimate this exam by dwelling on yesterday’s events.”

“Remembering yesterday makes me even more sure of my chances.”

“It only turned out that way because the Student Council President got involved.”

“It only turned out that way because I was trying not to make it worse.”

He was a public official who had faced countless angry citizens, so Baek Seojin crushed Jung Yuhyeon in verbal sparring.

Jung Yuhyeon bit his lip, realizing he couldn’t win with words. He still believed this guy was beneath him. He just needed to keep his guard up. Even a mouse could bite a cat, so a lion must do its best even when hunting a rabbit.

“I won’t let what happened yesterday happen again. I’ll destroy you.”

Soon, your entire life will also be in ruins.

He smirked inwardly and glanced at Kim Suhyeon.

“The granddaughter of Kang Minseong.”

She was a headache for someone like him, at least in terms of background. She could crush him, but she was weaker than even that examiner.

He couldn’t treat her with contempt because of the enormous figure supporting her, and it pained his pride to bow his head.

“I don’t know why she’s staring my way…”

Right now, it was more urgent to stomp this annoying man flat. He needed to avenge yesterday’s humiliation and break free of Bronze in just one day.

“Let’s start?”

As soon as Baek Seojin said that, Jung Yuhyeon moved away to create distance. He must have learned from the first-strike advantage yesterday.

“I felt a bit pressured since it was just a spar yesterday, but this is an exam, so I can relax.”

Baek Seojin stood in place, acting calm and collected. Yesterday, he had rushed in as soon as the fight started, punching his opponent right in the face. Today, he showed total composure instead.

Grit—

Jung Yuhyeon ground his teeth and nearly charged in right then. He wanted to stomp that smug mouth flat under his foot.

“…Hoo.”

He exhaled slowly, gathering himself. Being Gold wasn’t just about strong powers.

“He’s not coming.”

If he was going to be baited, he would have come charging already. That was worthy of someone who’d been a Gold until yesterday.

Baek Seojin clicked his tongue inwardly and prepared for real combat. He didn’t pick up a sword or anything else, but a shield.

Jung Yuhyeon, gripping his throwing knife, narrowed his eyes.

“They said he’s technically a Support-type who specializes in detection and measurement.”

He had first assumed the Examiner was a Weaponry-type or Martial Arts-type, since his exam fights involved those styles, using swords or martial arts to subdue students.

That was a misunderstanding. A Support-type could still use a sword or martial arts, though they generally lacked the unique trump cards possessed by pure Weaponry or Martial Arts Superhumans.

They usually lose if they clash head-on with true Weaponry or Martial Arts users. That’s why most Support-types used shields, preferring to hold out until backup arrived.

The shield Baek Seojin held looked just big enough to protect his torso. It could block throwing knives, but it wasn’t huge. He must have prepared it after recalling yesterday’s battle.

“Does he expect me to be trapped if my knife toss gets blocked?”

If the throw is neutralized, he’d have to move in for close combat, and then this Examiner might try the same quick grab from yesterday. Jung Yuhyeon guessed that was his plan.

“He’s going to regret bringing that shield.”

Yesterday’s fight made him realize something.

This exam wasn’t about using stealth or ambush tactics, which were his real strong points in a real fight against villains. Normally, he’d stay light and hidden, waiting to strike.

He couldn’t ambush here, and there was no need to force it. If it wouldn’t work, he’d simply discard it.

Swoosh—!

Suddenly, Baek Seojin’s expression tensed up.

These airborne projectiles sounded heavier and sharper than yesterday’s.

Thud—!

Thunk—!

They weren’t the same small knives he usually used. They were bigger and heavier.

Those wouldn’t be ideal for stealth. They would be a burden to throw or swing around, and they’d also be easier for the target to see coming and block.

Thud—

Thunk—

That was exactly what he aimed for.

The big, heavy knives slammed into the shield over and over. Its weight kept increasing, which placed growing strain on the wielder.

It was hard to yank them out because they had sunk in deeply, and it wasn’t as if the target would stand around letting him pry them free.

“Keep blocking. If you do that two more times, the shield will be too heavy to hold.”

This wasn’t a stealth move for real life. It was all about bringing down this one foe. He was free to abandon his usual style.

He spun a blade in his hand and waited. If the Examiner moved the shield away, another knife was ready. Holding it up would soon become unmanageable. Dropping the shield meant throwing away his advantage.

“How does it feel to be on the receiving end, you lowly bastard?”

He guessed the Examiner never imagined an ambush-type like him would try this.

That’s why he wouldn’t ever reach Silver. He focused on the idea that I’d rely on ambush alone, and tried to counter me with a shield, never expecting it would become his own vulnerability.

Jung Yuhyeon circled around Baek Seojin, who already had over ten knives stuck in his shield. Whenever the Examiner looked like he might lower the shield or touch one of the embedded knives, Jung Yuhyeon feigned another throw, forcing him to burn stamina on nothing.

“He’s not coming in. He’s just letting time drag on.”

He stayed alert, watching for any subtle change. After a few minutes, he finally spotted an opening.

The Examiner’s arm, which was holding the shield, wobbled. Perhaps he had reached his limit. The knives might not be that heavy alone, but a bunch of large ones stuck all over the shield could wear him down.

He considered whether to charge in right now or not. The man might be faking it, and losing again was not an option. One loss was enough. He intended to wait for the perfect moment to finish him in one blow…

“Hup!”

He saw his chance and kicked off the ground. The Examiner had decided he couldn’t hold the shield any longer, so he was lowering it.

It left him slower to react. Jung Yuhyeon pressed forward without hesitation.

He would have no time to defend. Moving the shield to his back or dropping it would create a window for me to close in. By the time he tries to protect himself, I’ll already be in striking range…

Smirk—

“…Huh.”

Up close, he saw it clearly: the Examiner was smiling.

That arm, which had been trembling a second ago, was swinging with incredible force, as if it had never wavered. The shield that looked like it was being put away was…

Fwoom—!

…coming straight at him with a terrifying sound.

“It's a feint, you asshole.”

That’s what Baek Seojin must have been thinking as he slammed the shield down on Jung Yuhyeon’s shoulder.

He had already shattered ribs on his first day here, and it hadn’t caused a huge problem. Accidents happened all the time at the Superhumans’ Academy. It was normal. Out in the field, it would be a lot worse.

Which meant cracking a shoulder bone was acceptable.

He still held a grudge for that foul insult about parents.

Crunch—

“Graaah!”

That was all. Jung Yuhyeon clutched his shoulder and sank to his knees. He couldn’t move his arm, and the searing pain nearly made him sob in front of everyone.

“Student Jung Yuhyeon. Are you alright?”

Examiner Baek Seojin stepped over, gazing down with fake concern. That look in his eyes was clearly ridicule.

He realized that his shoulder wasn’t the only thing the Examiner could have hit. His neck or head could have been the target. If this had been real combat, he wouldn’t have escaped with a mere injury.

“I can escort you to the infirmary if you can’t move.”

“Don’t bother!”

Jung Yuhyeon staggered to his feet, gripping his shoulder.

His anger was about to drive him insane. He had lost once again to that piece of trash. He wanted to draw his knife and slash the Examiner’s throat, but he barely contained himself.

“The Silver exam is failed. You did not pass, Student Jung Yuhyeon.”

“…”

“Train harder, Bronze.”

He seemed aware of exactly what was in his mind and rubbed salt in the wound.

Grit—

Jung Yuhyeon rushed out of the exam area.

“Fine, laugh while you can, you bastard. In two days, or maybe tomorrow, your downfall will be sealed.”

He had gotten word that everything was ready. He had made a special request, and they delivered. The plan focused on “Civil Servant Sexual Assault.” His people and players were standing by, and they’d spring the trap as soon as he confirmed the details.

That arrogant orphan would soon break down, screaming about how wronged he was, until he collapsed from exhaustion.

“The world’s not so easy, you orphan bastard.”

Wearing a bitter smile, he headed to the infirmary, clutching his shoulder.

 *

And nothing happened.

Yuyu: Huh?