At some point, I realized that the growth of my unique ability had stagnated.
Of course, that’s to be expected. Unlike physical abilities, magical power, or skill level, unique abilities are notoriously tricky to grow.
Expecting rapid growth like when I just awakened is a gluttonous thought.
What’s more, the speed that I consider “slow” is something that others might envy me for and want to beat me up over.
‘What is this?’
As I came down from the stage to my assigned dressing room, my mind was a mess trying to catch the vibrations that resonated inside.
‘This is… Jack of All Trades.’
Although my growth had slowed, my unique ability, Jack of All Trades, steadily continued to grow. When I awkwardly patted my chest, I felt the unique traits scattered within.
‘Why did it grow?’
The somewhat stagnant unique abilities showed signs of significant growth. But the situation in which it showed those signs was rather odd.
Jack of All Trades.
The name of my understood unique ability. It has both good and bad meanings. Among the good meanings, there are two.
A person proficient in multiple areas. And a person who is strangely beautiful.
The function of Jack of All Trades that I primarily think of is the former, becoming proficient in various areas.
Although I denied the latter’s existence, it might still be there.
When people around me offer flattery, I shrugged it off, thinking they were just being polite, but recently, I’ve starting to feel something about my appearance.
‘…Come to think of it, even in the Gop-hwa Clan.’
Preparing according to the procedures outlined by the servants, wearing the Gop-hwa Clan’s traditional clothing, and participating in the banquet gave me a sense of unique ability growth.
At the time, I didn’t realize it clearly, but looking back now, that was definitely Jack of All Trades.
‘I don’t know why.’
But what’s important is that my unique ability showed signs of growth.
Unique abilities can be considered crucial elements in my strength. If there’s a chance to grow this, it’s only natural to seize it.
To throw away this opportunity just because of a mere sense of shame would be a gluttonous and reckless thought.
I’m far from in a position of leisure. I need as much power as I can get.
– Huh, huuu…
A trembling sigh escaped me.
There was only one option left.
“Ha-yul doesn’t seem to have much to prepare…”
[Ugh…]
Elia’s innocent comment plunged deeply into my heart…
*
The dressing time was not long, and the competition began soon.
“…The cross-dressing contest, participant number 39… Third year Baek Sang-hyun.”
“Whoa, Baek Sang-hyun is ugly~”
“Shut it!”
The 39th condemned prisoner stepped onto the stage. As the derision erupted from the audience, the cadets screamed back.
Ahahahaha! The venue filled with laughter. The cadet who took the stage turned red with shame and started grabbing at his wig.
“Whoa! That’s Shio-ram’s prop! Don’t break it!”
“Is it okay for that Shio-ram cadet’s self-esteem to hit rock bottom?”
“Participation wasn’t mandatory, you know?”
“Ugh.”
Those sitting in the audience were bursting with laughter.
The appearance of the cadet on stage was utterly ridiculous.
Dressed in flouncy clothes over his muscular frame, he wore a long wig on his short hair, and his face showed signs of inexperience, mixed with overwhelming shame.
“Baek Sang-hyun! Have confidence!”
“Pride of the Baek family! Baek! Sang! Hyun!”
“Shut up!”
Even those just drawn in by the rumors chuckled, and those who were close to the cadet were holding back tears of laughter.
“Let’s see you off the stage…”
A third-year Shio-ram cadet. Even at his current level, he was a major force and recognized as a noble cadet, but now he was merely a condemned prisoner on the execution stage.
“Cross-dressing contest, participant number 19, Hong Yeon-hwa.”
“Ooo…”
Not everyone had fallen to ridicule. There were some who shone even in the subpar conditions and preparations.
As Hong Yeon-hwa stepped onto the lit stage, gasps echoed.
She showed no particular adornment or makeup. Just bandaged her chest, and wore a suitably baggy shirt and pants to conceal her body’s curves.
Just that alone added a certain charm. Even wrapped in a rag, she radiated brilliance.
“Wow! Is that cross-dressing! Change your clothes!”
“Yoon-ha, you can tell who’s speaking.”
“Gasp!”
The response wasn’t too bad. Hong Yeon-hwa, who was confident about her appearance, naturally expected that.
Thus, she submitted her application and stepped onto the stage without a hint of shame.
“Cross-dressing contest, participant number 20, Baek Ahrin~”
“Wow!”
Baek Ahrin had a similar look. Her hair was still tied back, and she wore a baggy suit. She waved her gloved hands and smiled brightly.
Even louder cheers followed. Leaving aside looks, Baek Ahrin had much higher public reputation and likability than Hong Yeon-hwa. Therefore, she had a considerably larger number of cheerers.
After her turn ended, Hong Yeon-hwa’s lips curled in a slight smirk. Yoon-ha had mocked her, yet they cheered for Baek Ahrin…
“Ha, did you see? This is the difference in conduct.”
“Shut it.”
Once Baek Ahrin finished her turn and approached, she chatted casually. She had just introduced herself on stage and showcased a simple trick.
Participants can show off their transformed appearance and introduce themselves briefly, along with a simple skill before leaving the stage.
Hong Yeon-hwa chuckled, crossing her arms, and soon let out an astonished breath at the weight she felt.
“Ha-yul would probably hate this.”
“…That so.”
Seeing this, Baek Ahrin giggled. Hong Yeon-hwa couldn’t retort and didn’t know how to respond.
It was just bandages wrapped around her, but wouldn’t this shock Lee Ha-yul, too? Such silly thoughts began to flutter.
“Still, I mean, you’re getting pretty good reviews, right? It’s probably because you’ve been behaving well lately.”
“What’s it to you?”
“Are you really not asking that sincerely?”
“……”
Baek Ahrin diverted her gaze from the silent Hong Yeon-hwa and scanned the darkened audience.
There seemed to be more cheers for Hong Yeon-hwa than she had expected.
“Is the response pretty tame? Did your personality really improve?”
“What about saying to just kill the hostage? In the tower, at least.”
“I can’t believe that Hong Yeon-hwa got leashed… I never imagined it.”
“…Aha.”
Listening quietly to the whispers, Baek Ahrin nodded.
It seemed that rumors about the tamed Hong Yeon-hwa had spread widely among outsiders. After all, a year had passed, so it was only natural for it to spread.
“Is it about time for them to come out?”
“Yeah, I think they’ll come out soon since they’re like number fifty-something now.”
In fact, many in the audience were waiting for the source of the rumors that had calmed Hong Yeon-hwa.
Even those who weren’t the source of the rumors were drawn in by various news.
‘…Things are going well.’
Baek Ahrin scanned the audience again with an expressionless gaze.
It was a spectacle that matched the event’s purpose. People laughing together, chatting, leaving memories to reminisce about in the future.
Additionally, it also suited the underlying intention.
In this world, the superhumans are the center of society. Superhumans are the nobles and the powerful.
Even low-ranking superhumans are superior to ordinary people and receive benefits. Under most regional laws, superhumans are subject to separate standards.
It’s a natural phenomenon that the strong hold power, but on the flip side, it also creates a thick boundary between ordinary people and superhumans.
That overly thick boundary gives rise to jealousy and increases the risk of it turning into animosity.
Therefore, the ongoing policy is one that deifies superhumans and facilitates such light-hearted events.
“Yeon-hwa, I know you’re excited, but can’t you just sit still for a second?”
Baek Ahrin, lost in thought for a moment with a blank expression, shot a glare at Hong Yeon-hwa, who was fidgety beside her.
Hong Yeon-hwa’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as each participant’s turn approached, her body moving restlessly.
“Ugh.”
Even after being told to calm down, Hong Yeon-hwa remained unsettlingly hyperactive, making Baek Ahrin shake her head disapprovingly.
She had been a friend of hers before she got cursed, but there were many peculiar aspects to her personality that couldn’t be denied.
– Thud
At that moment, the stage lights turned off as the cadet left. It was now time for the next participant.
“Now, the next participant.”
The event host’s repetitive words that had been uttered dozens of times. But with that one line, the previously bustling noise ceased. Hong Yeon-hwa, who had been nervously scanning the surroundings, stopped.
Everyone’s attention shifted to the entrance of the stage connected to the waiting room.
Those who had come specifically to see. Those who had arrived unknowingly but took interest afterward.
The cadets who were familiar and accustomed to the stage as well as the camera drones quietly hovering from above all focused on the entrance.
– Thud
The sound of footsteps echoed in the softly lit hallway.
A light tremor passed through the lively venue, and someone could even be heard nervously swallowing.
Even ordinary people had become sick of hearing about Lee Ha-yul’s impressive appearance lately.
If you showed a photo and asked if they were a man or a woman, they might not know how to answer, but if you asked if they were fine-looking, you could bet they’d nod blankly.
Plus, just the day before, Lee Ha-yul showcased remarkable growth and skills that might as well be classified as top-tier.
Given that this was an event showcasing him right after his tower ascent, it was only natural that people and attention gathered like a swarm.
– Thud… Thud…
The footsteps grew closer.
Eventually, someone stepped onto the stage from the entrance, and the dim stage brightened.
The lights were off, but everyone could recognize him clearly.
It was white. A common thought echoed in everyone’s minds.
Everything from head to toe was overwhelmingly white.
His hair, white like silk, flowed down his back, shimmering like stars, and the garment concealing his legs was a neat, white ceremonial robe.
Even the skin not hidden by the clothing was white.
Even if you covered it with white paper, the paper would seem dull in comparison, as his skin was flawless, clear, and porcelain-like.
Unlike some previous cadets, he hadn’t done anything special to embellish himself.
He had simply grown his hair longer and donned a ceremonial robe. And he was awake.
“……”
People’s mouths fell open.
Most had already seen photos and were utterly amazed, but seeing him in person was an entirely different experience.
Lee Ha-yul’s eyes were a cloudy gray, muted as if wrapped in thick storm clouds.
However, instead of gloom, a sense of mystery enveloped him. His eyes were open, yet they appeared to look through you without actually perceiving anything.
It was as if he possessed no right to be seen. Yet the very nature of those eyes was powerful enough to draw admiration.
Staring into those mysterious eyes felt like one could get lost within the storm.
Conversely, it somehow felt as if his unawareness of the gaze was not arrogance but a form of respect.
– …Thunk!
The lights flickered on belatedly. The bright light shone on the stage, but it barely stood in contrast to the bright white light that had already entered.
“……”
“……”
“……”
Even the usual playful cheer was silenced. Everyone kept their mouths shut or stood in awe, gazing at Lee Ha-yul.
‘Intentionally’ ‘crafted’ by Lee Ha-yul’s own design, Jack of All Trades actively aided his presence.
[……]
Standing under the spotlight, Lee Ha-yul watched the speechless host and smiled slightly with the corners of his mouth.
My stomach felt bloated. It was a psychological reason and also due to the unique ability swelling inside me.
‘Damn, how is this even real?’
Lee Ha-yul silently cursed.
– Zing…
The drone broadcasting the event was operational. Lee Ha-yul felt an impulse to shoot it down…
*
[Unique ability “Jack of All Trades” is growing.]
…
[Unique ability “Jack of All Trades” is growing.]
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