As the sun began to set, the party that had obtained the Egg of Beginnings searched the surrounding structures thoroughly and concluded that there was nothing more to be found before leaving the area.
“Come on, let’s just taste it! It’s so big, what’s there to worry about? Huh? How about it?”
– Nodding
“Right? Honestly, Ha-yul, aren’t you curious about the taste? If something weird comes out from the draw, it’s a loss. I tapped on it and it feels like there’s something inside, let’s cook it and try!”
– Nodding again!
Most of the schedule was over. By tomorrow evening, they would automatically exit the tower.
But complacency was a no-go. There were plenty of students still itching to hunt as the schedule neared its end.
If you harbored dull thoughts like “it’s almost over,” you’d get eliminated by other students.
So, while Baek Ahrin was looking for a suitable place to spend the last day, she turned her head to the raucous noise coming from behind.
There was Lee Ha-yul, rarely making a pouty face and shaking his head repeatedly.
The culprits were none other than Hong Yeon-hwa and Elia, who had mischievous grins on either side of him.
They were poking the Egg of Beginnings, teasing him with “Let’s fry it into an egg!” and “How about making an egg roll?” at which Lee Ha-yul squeaked and squirmed each time.
It must be precious; he was clutching the Egg of Beginnings tightly to his chest.
He didn’t seem to genuinely dislike their playfulness, but he was desperately trying to protect the egg, just the same.
Watching the scene reminded Baek Ahrin of something Elia had said before.
Lee Ha-yul’s reactions were so lively when teased that it was entertaining, wasn’t it?
Even Baek Ahrin had to agree.
If he just brushed it off, it would’ve ended there, but his delightful reactions made them want to tease him more and more.
At first, it seemed like only Elia was teasing, but now Hong Yeon-hwa had also subtly joined in to poke fun at Lee Ha-yul.
“Looks like they’re having fun.”
Baek Ahrin sighed inwardly at how enjoyable they appeared. If she wasn’t the party leader, she would have jumped in and teased him too…
Though they seemed to let their hair down and have fun, all three were on high alert for any signs around them.
They were ready to respond to sudden ambushes at any moment.
Hong Yeon-hwa had been trained as the heir of the Gop-hwa Clan, and Elia had been in a professional academy since childhood; both were well-prepared for such situations.
In the mix was Lee Ha-yul, who had only been a superhuman for two months and had been enrolled at Shio-ram for just over a month, yet he too had acquired that same readiness.
Even with his eyes shrouded in darkness and even when his sensory abilities were temporarily neutralized, he would still respond appropriately if an ambush came.
‘……’
Baek Ahrin reflected on the recent past.
The day they first met during the new student orientation. She couldn’t gauge Lee Ha-yul’s potential at all.
She only thought there must be a good reason behind the principal’s decision.
Once the proper academic schedule started and they were assigned to the same class, Lee Ha-yul had been growing unrecognizably day by day.
It made sense.
Newly awakened superhumans usually experience steep growth. On top of that, with the Blessing of Growth added, it was only natural for him to grow rapidly.
But Baek Ahrin’s thoughts changed over time.
The first day, the second day… reasonable growth was acceptable.
But by the third and fourth days… into the following week, his growth rate had skyrocketed. It was not just a simple diagonal graph; it was as if a building was being constructed, shooting upwards.
His physique matured, and his internal mana stacked up. Even the basic stance, which had been awkward, was corrected as each day went by.
Even considering the Blessing of Growth, his growth rate was extraordinary.
The earlier duel confirmed her suspicions.
Aidan Reynolds. To Baek Ahrin, he was an easy opponent, but he was still a student of Shio-ram.
A superhuman trained at specialized superhuman development facilities since his childhood, having awakened his mana and unique abilities.
Simply being enrolled at Shio-ram earned him world-class potential as a student.
And against such a contender, Lee Ha-yul had claimed victory.
It was preposterous. Perhaps Lee Ha-yul himself wasn’t aware of the community’s discourse, but the result of that duel had sparked a big stir.
There was luck involved. It was a victory made possible due to a fortunate roll of the dice.
But to meet even the bare minimum criteria for that gamble to succeed was all due to Lee Ha-yul himself.
In just a short span of one month, he had raised his physical abilities to a level rivaling the students, honed the qualifications to clash swords, and exhibited skill in managing sturdy body techniques and strong energy.
At that point, doubts about special admission into Shio-ram mostly dissipated. The lottery was being scratched off little by little.
In dungeon practicum, she had also heard of his achievements.
His elevated physical abilities, skills in combat, and extraordinary sensing abilities demonstrated in explorations.
Moreover, rumor had it he had even ventured into magic during that time! That’s something you’d take years to learn if you didn’t have the talent.
It was astonishing. It was awe-inspiring. If this growth rate continued, he would become an inconceivable hero.
And then, even that expectation was shattered.
‘……’
The schedule that had unfolded over the last few days was hard to accept. Though he wore a friendly face, she was filled with questions about his growth rate.
Baek Ahrin had planned to find Lee Ha-yul in the Tower of Growth and offer him help.
To offer him assistance and incur a favor. It was simple, but it would build up solidarity bit by bit, creating a relationship that didn’t feel burdensome.
However, she didn’t think it would succeed. Honestly, she thought there was a greater chance he would get eliminated before she could find him.
But the result was different.
He turned the tables on those students who had underestimated him.
It wasn’t a one-on-one situation like before.
In a forest sprawling in all directions, it was a battle of one against many in relentless combat.
Hadn’t it been said that the students he eliminated were burning with rage? If we viewed their disqualification as an injury instead, many would be affected.
The results of this tower entry wouldn’t end as mere noise. They would turn into something much more significant than the previous duel.
Furthermore, he was growing at an alarming rate even at this moment. Was it because of the dual effect of the Blessing of Growth? Even considering that, it was an utterly incomprehensible phenomenon.
Baek Ahrin had initially failed to grasp that.
Since then, things had been unusual, and utterly remarkable.
Now…
– It’s dangerous.
Thud! Her heart raced wildly. The vibrations surged through her extremities. Her body froze momentarily.
Every lifeform has a heartbeat—the keystone of life. Most creatures have hearts that pulsate with every moment.
Baek Ahrin was no different. The difference was that, on rare occasions, her heart might freeze in place.
After a heartbeat, chillness washed over her heart. The cold blood spread throughout her body, driving a frigid chill through her veins and circuits.
Her flesh was filled with coldness instead of warmth.
Baek Ahrin had always garnered goodwill with her ever-present smile and gentle demeanor.
But now…
‘……’
There was no hint of that former self.
Her face was frozen solid, as stiff as ice. It wore a blank expression with not a trace of emotion, rendering it unrecognizable as the usual Baek Ahrin.
Her cool, sunken irises bore down on Lee Ha-yul. While her eyes were once compared to the sea, they now resembled the darkness of the abyss.
“Huh?”
Suddenly, Hong Yeon-hwa turned her gaze.
Their eyes locked.
Baek Ahrin’s icy visage met Hong Yeon-hwa’s bright crimson eyes.
Hong Yeon-hwa, who had been staring hard at Baek Ahrin, tilted her head.
“What are you looking at?”
She acted just like usual. Hong Yeon-hwa was oblivious to Baek Ahrin’s change.
That’s the purpose of the ‘mask.’ If you couldn’t hide your face, it wouldn’t be called a mask.
– Thud!
Her frozen heart gave a faint thump. It was just for a moment, but her heart started to beat again.
Her expression softened. The frozen countenance melted away, and her familiar smile instantly returned.
Baek Ahrin spoke incredulously, as if returning to her usual self.
“Why are you starting trouble again? Trying to show your true colors?”
“True colors? What nonsense. You were the one staring at me… no, you were watching him.”
“That’s something even you should know… just talk comfortably. More importantly, stop bothering Ha-yul. He’s uncomfortable.”
After saying that, Baek Ahrin turned away, ignoring Hong Yeon-hwa’s chatter behind her.
This had been a common occurrence between them since they were young.
Hong Yeon-hwa would pick a fight driven by something bothersome, only to get tossed back by Baek Ahrin’s counterattack.
Even among the servants of various clans, this was a familiar routine.
The difference this time was that Baek Ahrin hadn’t retaliated much at all.
– Thud!
Her cold heart pounded again. It felt like it was communicating intent as Baek Ahrin placed a hand over her chest.
The heartbeat conveyed a message.
– Kill.
Baek Ahrin’s eyes widened. This was the first time her heart had expressed itself so clearly.
Unlike before, when it was vague, now it was an explicit and instinctive message that even a three-year-old could understand.
Would that be enough to rate as dangerous?
Deep in thought and blinking, Baek Ahrin smiled widely and murmured.
“Shove it, you bastard.”
They say a dog learns a lot after just three years.
She’s been entangled with the crazy Hong Yeon-hwa for over a decade.
Her proficiency in profanity would rival anyone else’s.
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