Chapter 33: [Reward – The Sense of the Sword Master]
I wasn’t seeing things wrong.
The characters next to “Sword Master” were the same ones I often saw in fantasy novels.
If we’re talking about a Sword Master, that means it’s a Swordmaster.
Depending on the novel, the details vary, but most of them are sword-wielding masters clad in plate armor.
[Borrowing the sense of the greatest swordsman in human history.]
After reading the explanation, it didn’t seem like it exhibited any performance that transcended physical laws.
However, it didn’t look entirely flimsy. The title of being the greatest in human history created a certain expectation.
What kind of sense does such a superhuman possess? I was extremely curious.
As I seriously pondered whether to just close my eyes and smack Gaeul’s father in front of me, Gaeul spoke up.
“I’m not going to sign the contract then.”
That was a firm declaration.
Gaeul’s father, who had been glaring at Gahyeon, looked flustered and said, “Gaeul, I think there’s a misunderstanding. I’m not trying to stop Gahyeon from pursuing art.”
His demeanor was overly submissive, almost pathetic for a parent.
“…Don’t you think there’s something unnecessary in the support section? It seems there’s too much money allocated for education and basic living expenses. If Dad takes that money, he could spend it more efficiently.”
Ignoring her father’s words, Gaeul turned to me and said, “Team Leader Seon, please disregard the contract.”
The look in Gaeul’s eyes was filled with sadness and desperation. I could tell what she was wishing for from that gaze.
“If Gaeul’s intention is this, there’s nothing I can do. I’ll proceed with the contract after looking into it a bit more.”
I matched her expectations.
In the face of this sudden change, Gaeul’s father lowered his head and said, “If this is Gaeul’s wish, I can’t do anything… So, please let’s proceed with the contract under these conditions.”
He began to unfold the contract, signing it as if I were about to leave.
I was caught off guard and stopped him. “Are you sure you don’t need to check the contract further?”
“Yes, it’s fine.”
“You can ask a lawyer to confirm it. There’s no need to rush things.”
“Haha, I’ve lived a life where I’ve had to read contracts often. I can judge this much.”
Gaeul’s father, pulling out an ink stick from the living room shelf, scratched his head and then said sheepishly while glancing at Gaeul, “Ah… And please transfer the deposit to this account.”
He handed me an old smartphone that had the account details written on it.
I took a picture of the number and requested him to send it via message.
Then Gaeul’s father cheered up and completed all the necessary parts of the contract with his signatures.
That sight was quite unsettling.
[Quest Complete! You’ve received a fragment of memory as a reward.]
Seeing the quest completion window, it seemed that somehow Gaeul would be joining TwoBear after all.
“Well then, I’ll be taking my leave. Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Thank you, Team Leader Seon!”
Gaeul’s father stood up and bowed 90 degrees to me as I prepared to leave.
I greeted the rain at a 90-degree angle.
When looking at it on the surface, it was a rather burdensome treatment for someone who appeared to be around 20 years old.
I quickly packed my bags to escape the uncomfortable atmosphere and left the house.
“I’ll see you off, Team Leader Seon!”
Gaeul hurried out, wearing her white sneakers.
With confidence, Gaeul followed me, keeping a cautious step behind.
Seeing Gaeul like that, I thought about how anything I said to her might come off as cheap sympathy.
So, I kept my mouth shut.
Although Gaeul followed me out, she seemed uncomfortable speaking to me and maintained her silence.
We descended the hill without exchanging any words.
It wasn’t until we reached the parking area that Gaeul finally spoke to me.
“Team Leader Seon.”
“Yeah?”
“You mentioned this morning at the agency that the part-time job I had was also an adult’s work.”
“Right.”
“Then why am I doing adult work but don’t have any of the rights of an adult?”
Gaeul looked very worn out when she said that.
Gaeul became an adult for her younger sibling. She quit school and dedicated her life to part-time jobs every day.
Yet, when she needed her rights most, she had to be at the mercy of adults.
Just like my older sister, who raised me in place of our parents.
“Why do I have to take on responsibilities when I have no authority?”
“…”
If I were to respond kindly to her question, she would accept it, believing that over time it would get better.
And nothing would change.
But if I said the words popping into my head, our relationship would change, and it would cost me a lot of time and money.
The scales in my mind swung wildly.
Amidst the fierce calculation of costs and benefits, I decided to see this moment as an opportunity to win over a future A-grade talent with top star potential.
I just wanted to think that way. Even if it meant stretching things a bit.
“Gaeul, is it okay if I speak casually from now on?”
“…Yeah, go ahead.”
I dropped the honorifics and asked.
“Why did you ask why you have responsibilities as an adult but no rights?”
Gaeul simply nodded silently.
“That’s because you’re still a kid.”
It was a pretty old-fashioned comment.
Gaeul stared at me in shock, as if she hadn’t heard me correctly.
Through my expression, she seemed to realize that she hadn’t misheard me.
As she processed my words, Gaeul’s pent-up emotions burst out, and she raised her voice.
“…But Team Leader Seon, you said I’m doing adult work! Am I just supposed to be tossed around like this?”
“Oh, you have to be tossed around.”
Undoubtedly, anger began to cloud Gaeul’s face.
Looking at her expression, I spoke with a seriousness I had never exhibited before.
“You need to be actively supported and protected so you can pursue your dreams. If you waste time carelessly, you should be forced to study against your will, and sometimes you need to hear life advice.”
I hoped she wouldn’t regret this in the future.
“They have to make sure you eat a variety of foods to get all your nutrients, and if you stray onto a wrong path, you have to hear those old-fashioned lectures.”
I wanted her to be healthy in the future.
I hope for it.
“You have to be swayed by those adults so you can become a better person. A happier person, Gaeul.”
That was the right of a child and the duty of an adult.
“Well, you are still a kid.”
Gaeul, who quietly listened to my words, had a peculiar expression as if she didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.
Gradually, all those emotions came together and were expressed to me without holding back.
“…It’s excessively idealistic.”
She shouted as if bursting out the suppressed emotions she had held back.
“To me, adults weren’t those kinds of people. They were just the ones who always made you give up one thing after another! They were selfish people who only knew themselves!”
“Just because you grow older doesn’t mean everyone becomes an adult.”
“Then where are these so-called adults?!”
I lowered my head and met Gaeul’s gaze.
“So, I will be the adult for you, the child.”
“…Huh?”
“So you won’t be sacrificed to obligations. So you won’t be weighed down by responsibilities. So you can dream like a child.”
Just like my older sister did for me.
“I’ll make it happen.”
“….”
Gaeul’s eyes looking at me were flowing with clear tears.
A long silence followed.
After that silence, Gaeul finally opened her mouth.
“…How?”
Asking like that left me puzzled. I couldn’t show her anything right now.
I said awkwardly, “Can’t we just prove it slowly from now on?”
I took out the tissues I had prepared for winter and wiped her tears away.
Despite crying, Gaeul looked into my eyes and said, “Then, please do me one favor first.”
“I’ll do anything I can.”
Hesitating for a moment, she glanced at me and cautiously said, “…Wait, can you hug me?”
Instead of answering, I pulled Gaeul tightly into an embrace.
Gaeul gently nestled her head against my chest, hugging me back with all her strength as if she didn’t want to let go.
*
In the corner of the training room, 한겨울 was practicing alone with the lights dimmed as much as possible when she noticed a sudden new face that made her jump.
Winter looked out of the small window of the practice room at the mysterious figure.
With flowing hair tinged with a slight brown and a puppy-like face, the impression of the unknown being could be summed up in one word.
“Pretty….”
She wore a simple outfit of loose jeans and a plain t-shirt, yet she seemed to shine brightly.
Winter thought, “So that’s what kind of kid becomes an idol,” and felt a sense of defeat.
“Teacher Taeyang must like such pretty kids….”
Winter’s thoughts began to drift in a more negative direction.
In her mind, there was a huge gap between the self who had come this far thanks to leaning on Taeyang’s warmth and that pretty girl.
Winter averted her gaze from the window and sat crumpled in the practice room.
She imagined herself becoming less and less valuable, overshadowed by the trainees that Taeyang picked one by one.
If Taeyang could bring out talent from someone as weak, dark, and pathetic as her, then surely, that girl could easily harness even greater talent.
It seems like a scene out of a sitcom for sure!
—
“Prepare for it to unfold.”
“Naturally, Gyeoul would be left behind in that situation.”
“Though, there was a belief that Taeyang wouldn’t let her go even if that situation arose.”
“But I wondered if Gyeoul could bear the guilt of putting that burden on Taeyang.”
“Despite that, she also thought about wanting to stay close, leaning on Taeyang’s kindness.”
“Gyeoul felt terribly ugly for feeling that way.”
“Gyeoul buried her head between her knees, sucked into her own dark room filled with guilt and self-loathing.”
“Then, someone approached her at that moment.”
“…Are you perhaps a trainee from TwoBear?”
It was a cute girl she had just seen.
“…Yes, sorry to bother you, but I’m Han Gyeoul, a trainee from TwoBear.”
Gyeoul was trembling so much that she couldn’t even meet the bright gaze of the girl.
The cute girl, Gaeul, looked at Gyeoul and spoke cheerfully.
“Wow! So glad to meet you! I’m Yoo Gaeul, and I’ll be living as a trainee here!”
Overwhelmed by Gaeul’s bright energy, Gyeoul responded awkwardly, like a robot reading a textbook.
“…H-h-hi, nice to meet you.”
“I’m so glad too! Ah, I’ve already said that. How old are you? Are you older, younger, or the same age? I’m 17 by the lunar calendar! If I had stayed in high school, I would’ve been a sophomore, but I can’t call myself that since I dropped out! What about you, senior? How old are you?”
With her tail wagging like a golden retriever at a pet café, Gaeul approached Gyeoul with all the friendliness of a golden retriever.
“Ah… I’m 16…”
“Oh, you’re 16! That makes you younger! So cute! Oh, don’t worry! Just because I’m older doesn’t mean I’m gonna act like a cranky old man! I actually think of you as a senior and can’t wait to learn from you! Although I’m lacking, I hope you’ll teach me all sorts of things! Of course, I won’t just be a nuisance by asking questions. I’ll pull an all-nighter to learn and become a proud member worthy of your standards!”
Faced with Gaeul’s extreme extroversion, Gyeoul, the ultimate introvert, could only nod like a doll powered by solar energy.
‘She seems like a good person, though.’
Gyeoul felt relieved by that.
“By the way, that black Adidas tracksuit is so cute! It’s oversized, a bit like you borrowed your dad’s clothes, right? I’m not saying it doesn’t suit you! You look really cute, like a little squirrel! Do you usually like oversized clothes?”
Gyeoul steeled her heart.
‘It must not have been easy for her to approach someone like me. I need to work up the courage so she doesn’t feel awkward! I’ll change. I can’t let Teacher Taeyang down.’
Gathering her courage, Gyeoul explained about her outfit.
“I don’t particularly like oversized clothes. This is just something that Taeyang… I mean Team Leader Seon used to wear…”
“…What?”
Gyeoul was startled by the sudden change in Gaeul’s voice and looked up.
When she did, Gaeul’s warmth had vanished like a lie.
“…What did you just say?”
Gaeul still had a smile on her face, but somehow it felt threatening.
Inside, Gyeoul screamed.
‘Help me, Teacher Taeyang!’
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