“By risking his life to subjugate a Djinn, he has shown himself to be a model citizen… This commendation proves his excellent service for the good of society and his exemplary behavior which will motivate others. Cadet Kim Suho.”
Yoo Sihyuk hands Kim Suho the commendation certificate without adding any needless commentary. Kim Suho then takes the certificate with honor and dignity.
“Chae Nayun, same as above.”
Next is Chae Nayun.
“Kim Hajin, same as above.”
Then Kim Hajin.
“Hyon Hyung”
And me.
“Yoo Yoenha.”
Lastly, she.
“The conferment ceremony is now over.” The host announces the end of the program, thus giving the audience the freedom to interview the young heroes who contributed much to the safety of the people.
The long wait has become merely five minutes.
“Oh, by the way…” Yoo Sihyuk who is about to leave the garden suddenly stops as though he remembers something.
“The reward for the Djinn subjugation is 45 million won. I almost forgot to tell you.”
The moment I hear that, I feel grateful for everything. Hajin must feel the same the way he is smiling. Suho tries to hide it, but he likes the sound of that. Only Yoenha and Nayun show a lack of emotion. Sigh… These rich girls will never understand the pain of poor fellas like us.
“Good luck. We’ll meet again if chance allows it… And you, walk with me.” I frown at his words. He specifically is singling me out of the five of us. I have no choice but to follow. I feel Hajin’s eyes staring at the back of my head.
Many thoughts run amok my head. Perhaps, is Yoo Sihyuk going to off me? Nah. That will be too drastic considering I just received a commendation certificate. Then, what is it? At first, I am thinking how much a stroke of bad luck it is that the Association is entertaining the thought that I might be a Djinn.
But on second thoughts, if I can be more optimistic about it, I am actually lucky. After all, someone very credible is cluing me of the Hero Associations’ movements and its suspicion of me.
With that line of thought, I should thank Yoo Sihyuk, and that is what I will do.
“Thank you,” I softly intone.
“Huh? No problem…” He nonchalantly replies. “Just think of it as me screwing with the Hero Association.”
It is safe to assume he doesn’t like the Hero Association from hearing his words. Still, it begs to ask. “But why do you want me to walk with you?”
“I feel bad, that’s all.” Yoo SIhyuk shakes his shoulder as if it doesn’t really matter to him.
Eh?
In the novel, there is not much background story to Yoo Sihyuk. From the little tidbits of the novel, I understand that he is an orthodox master that the world acknowledges as belonging to the pinnacle of strength. Moreover, the guy clearly lives on a mountain like some hermit. I guess, his eccentricity is due to his character settings to be such a master.
It makes me wonder how a bigshot like him can remember my name in a way that he can specifically point out that the Hero Association is investigating me.
“So, what weapon do you use?” He asks.
At the very random question, I give my honest reply. “Daggers.”
“Hmmm…” Yoo Sihyuk hums for a moment, thinking of something. “You are in luck, I have a dagger with me. It is something I use as a secondary weapon in my youth. Here, you can have it.”
I am speechless at his casual attitude. He hands me a single dagger with oriental features. It is a curved dagger that specializes in lacerating and digging deep into wounds. Cutting arteries, veins, ligaments, and the most hidden vital points will be much easier with this weapon.
I don’t know how good the weapon he is handing me exactly, but I know that it is good, and maybe even ten times better than the dagger that Cube issues to its students.
“This favor… I don’t think I can accept this…” There is no free lunch in this world, and to owe a favor to someone who is as unknown as Yoo Sihyuk is too dangerous for me.
I don’t like dealing with uncertainties. Maybe I am getting all too comfortable with knowing the character of people around me like Hajin, Yoenha, Suho, Nayun, and Jonghak. They aren’t really my bests friends, despite the connections I share with them.
But I have this certainty about how they will react to my smallest actions. I am kind of a manipulative bastard, and I know that much, that is why I dread being manipulated.
When I am about to return the dagger that unknowingly is already in my hand, Yoo Sihyuk shakes his head in disapproval. “From now on, this is yours. Use it to protect yourself.”
Suddenly he asks me. “Do you know the Nine Stars?”
I don’t know why he is asking me something pretty random again, but I answer nonetheless. “I know what everyone knows about them.” I frankly answer, recalling the various information I read from the library.
“Ah~ so… My master belongs to the Nine Stars and he has a friend… This friend has super clairvoyant abilities. Word for word, she told me to tell you this…”
I feel tense at this quickly developing event. I don’t know much about the Nine Stars’ Gifts from the novel, but if it is a friend of a Nine Star, it can only be someone of equivalent strength or a Nine Star herself.
“Ahem…” Yoo Sihyuk fakes a cough. “The Hero Association suspects there is a Devil’s Seed among the Cube cadets, and is pulling no punches on investigating it. You are the main suspect.”
My eyes widen in shock. I am hearing something that should not be heard a second time at this moment. Again, why me? I tremble at the thought of the world going against me.
“There are two investigation forces. The Association hired outside help, and then there is their own secret investigation team…”
“How do you know the existence of Devil’s Seed?”
I interrupt Yoo Sihyuk’s words, as this is a very alarming matter.
“As I said, clairvoyant…” He tells me as if the reason is self-explanatory already. “The clairvoyant’s side effect of her gift is that she will fall into slumber depending on how heavy the future she sees is…” He adds.
Gift's side effects. It is a knowledge that the public is unaware of. It is a sickness that comes with the evolution and strengthening of the Gift. All of the Nine Stars suffer from this ailment. If there really is a clairvoyant in this world, and with that side effect, it is understandable why they are only appearing now.
The only reason I can think of is that the future of the novel I was reading is already certain. But the now? It has become so uncertain that a clairvoyant has no choice but to intervene. The Nine Stars. They are no longer background characters like in the novel. I fear that in the future, they might have more active involvement.
“I understand, but why me?” I ask him.
Yoo Sihyuk tilts his head in confusion at my own question. “I don’t know.”
Ask the clairvoyant. His eyes seem to tell me. Just like that, he leaves me to my lonesome self. I dryly walk to the nearest café, thinking of my plans for the future. Devils, huh? If a Devil’s Seed is really fermenting within Cube, this is grave news.
The appearance of Devils is an apocalyptic event that the characters from the novel barely is able to stop. But even with that, the Devil’s arrival in this world is still an inevitable event.
I must buy time.
There should be a way. I must kill the Devil’s Seed before it can fully bud into this world. From the café, I glance at the wide garden opposite me. The others must still be busy with the reporters and curious people. They are ignorantly engaging with this merriment under the noses of a possible world-ending threat.
“Ah, there you are.”
It is at that moment that a charming voice and scent flow toward me. Just by hearing the voice, I can tell who it is. I immediately slump on my seat at the prospect of being investigated face to face. The owner of the voice then walks over and sits down on the seat in front of me with a smooth motion.
Yun Seung-Ah clasps her hand and gazes at me with interest.
“Hello. I am hoping to talk with someone else, but I am happy to talk with you too…”
My mind goes haywire, recalling the prior events of when the interrogation, I and Yoenha returned to Cube at the earliest after healing our injuries.
I dive straight to the point. “I am not a Djinn.”
“Eh?” Yun Seung-Ah must be thinking that I will never come out like this.
“I am willing to cooperate,” I add. “I am feeling lucky today, and I believe I have so much to offer…”
“Oho?” Yun Seung-Ah’s interest turns to suspicion. “And what help can you offer?”
After this conferment ceremony, Hajin will receive a major power boost. He will gain the mysterious power of Stigma that will allow him to use magic power, and shape it to his will. Then he will also have access to various dark websites of secretive nature.
Lastly and most importantly is that his [Observation and Reading] Gift will evolve and gain a new function. If there is really a Devil’s Seed, then Hajin’s cooperation will be necessary. It looks like my planned confession has to be hurried.
“I can find the Devil for you… The only thing I want is for the Guilds and the Hero Association to send their best to deal with this Devil…”
“W-what are you talking about? What Devil?” Yun Seung-Ah’s look of confusion suggests that she doesn’t know any of the Association’s real intentions.
“Just tell it to the Association the way I told you. I can assure you that you will never regret it…” I am risking my neck out here by telling her this, but if I want to save myself, to save this world, and then… I can only do this.
Looks like what I suspect as luck is actually misfortune in disguise. I play with my new dagger, feeling pity for the turn of events.
I guess, getting the opportunity to prevent a potential crisis can also be luck. My optimism is getting too out of hand. I feel so miserable at this development… The lucky streak ends here. From now on, I must make my own luck.
“By risking his life to subjugate a Djinn, he has shown himself to be a model citizen… This commendation proves his excellent service for the good of society and his exemplary behavior which will motivate others. Cadet Kim Suho.”
Yoo Sihyuk hands Kim Suho the commendation certificate without adding any needless commentary. Kim Suho then takes the certificate with honor and dignity.
“Chae Nayun, same as above.”
Next is Chae Nayun.
“Kim Hajin, same as above.”
Then Kim Hajin.
“Hyon Hyung”
And me.
“Yoo Yoenha.”
Lastly, she.
“The conferment ceremony is now over.” The host announces the end of the program, thus giving the audience the freedom to interview the young heroes who contributed much to the safety of the people.
The long wait has become merely five minutes.
“Oh, by the way…” Yoo Sihyuk who is about to leave the garden suddenly stops as though he remembers something.
“The reward for the Djinn subjugation is 45 million won. I almost forgot to tell you.”
The moment I hear that, I feel grateful for everything. Hajin must feel the same the way he is smiling. Suho tries to hide it, but he likes the sound of that. Only Yoenha and Nayun show a lack of emotion. Sigh… These rich girls will never understand the pain of poor fellas like us.
“Good luck. We’ll meet again if chance allows it… And you, walk with me.” I frown at his words. He specifically is singling me out of the five of us. I have no choice but to follow. I feel Hajin’s eyes staring at the back of my head.
Many thoughts run amok my head. Perhaps, is Yoo Sihyuk going to off me? Nah. That will be too drastic considering I just received a commendation certificate. Then, what is it? At first, I am thinking how much a stroke of bad luck it is that the Association is entertaining the thought that I might be a Djinn.
But on second thoughts, if I can be more optimistic about it, I am actually lucky. After all, someone very credible is cluing me of the Hero Associations’ movements and its suspicion of me.
With that line of thought, I should thank Yoo Sihyuk, and that is what I will do.
“Thank you,” I softly intone.
“Huh? No problem…” He nonchalantly replies. “Just think of it as me screwing with the Hero Association.”
It is safe to assume he doesn’t like the Hero Association from hearing his words. Still, it begs to ask. “But why do you want me to walk with you?”
“I feel bad, that’s all.” Yoo SIhyuk shakes his shoulder as if it doesn’t really matter to him.
Eh?
In the novel, there is not much background story to Yoo Sihyuk. From the little tidbits of the novel, I understand that he is an orthodox master that the world acknowledges as belonging to the pinnacle of strength. Moreover, the guy clearly lives on a mountain like some hermit. I guess, his eccentricity is due to his character settings to be such a master.
It makes me wonder how a bigshot like him can remember my name in a way that he can specifically point out that the Hero Association is investigating me.
“So, what weapon do you use?” He asks.
At the very random question, I give my honest reply. “Daggers.”
“Hmmm…” Yoo Sihyuk hums for a moment, thinking of something. “You are in luck, I have a dagger with me. It is something I use as a secondary weapon in my youth. Here, you can have it.”
I am speechless at his casual attitude. He hands me a single dagger with oriental features. It is a curved dagger that specializes in lacerating and digging deep into wounds. Cutting arteries, veins, ligaments, and the most hidden vital points will be much easier with this weapon.
I don’t know how good the weapon he is handing me exactly, but I know that it is good, and maybe even ten times better than the dagger that Cube issues to its students.
“This favor… I don’t think I can accept this…” There is no free lunch in this world, and to owe a favor to someone who is as unknown as Yoo Sihyuk is too dangerous for me.
I don’t like dealing with uncertainties. Maybe I am getting all too comfortable with knowing the character of people around me like Hajin, Yoenha, Suho, Nayun, and Jonghak. They aren’t really my bests friends, despite the connections I share with them.
But I have this certainty about how they will react to my smallest actions. I am kind of a manipulative bastard, and I know that much, that is why I dread being manipulated.
When I am about to return the dagger that unknowingly is already in my hand, Yoo Sihyuk shakes his head in disapproval. “From now on, this is yours. Use it to protect yourself.”
Suddenly he asks me. “Do you know the Nine Stars?”
I don’t know why he is asking me something pretty random again, but I answer nonetheless. “I know what everyone knows about them.” I frankly answer, recalling the various information I read from the library.
“Ah~ so… My master belongs to the Nine Stars and he has a friend… This friend has super clairvoyant abilities. Word for word, she told me to tell you this…”
I feel tense at this quickly developing event. I don’t know much about the Nine Stars’ Gifts from the novel, but if it is a friend of a Nine Star, it can only be someone of equivalent strength or a Nine Star herself.
“Ahem…” Yoo Sihyuk fakes a cough. “The Hero Association suspects there is a Devil’s Seed among the Cube cadets, and is pulling no punches on investigating it. You are the main suspect.”
My eyes widen in shock. I am hearing something that should not be heard a second time at this moment. Again, why me? I tremble at the thought of the world going against me.
“There are two investigation forces. The Association hired outside help, and then there is their own secret investigation team…”
“How do you know the existence of Devil’s Seed?”
I interrupt Yoo Sihyuk’s words, as this is a very alarming matter.
“As I said, clairvoyant…” He tells me as if the reason is self-explanatory already. “The clairvoyant’s side effect of her gift is that she will fall into slumber depending on how heavy the future she sees is…” He adds.
Gift's side effects. It is a knowledge that the public is unaware of. It is a sickness that comes with the evolution and strengthening of the Gift. All of the Nine Stars suffer from this ailment. If there really is a clairvoyant in this world, and with that side effect, it is understandable why they are only appearing now.
The only reason I can think of is that the future of the novel I was reading is already certain. But the now? It has become so uncertain that a clairvoyant has no choice but to intervene. The Nine Stars. They are no longer background characters like in the novel. I fear that in the future, they might have more active involvement.
“I understand, but why me?” I ask him.
Yoo Sihyuk tilts his head in confusion at my own question. “I don’t know.”
Ask the clairvoyant. His eyes seem to tell me. Just like that, he leaves me to my lonesome self. I dryly walk to the nearest café, thinking of my plans for the future. Devils, huh? If a Devil’s Seed is really fermenting within Cube, this is grave news.
The appearance of Devils is an apocalyptic event that the characters from the novel barely is able to stop. But even with that, the Devil’s arrival in this world is still an inevitable event.
I must buy time.
There should be a way. I must kill the Devil’s Seed before it can fully bud into this world. From the café, I glance at the wide garden opposite me. The others must still be busy with the reporters and curious people. They are ignorantly engaging with this merriment under the noses of a possible world-ending threat.
“Ah, there you are.”
It is at that moment that a charming voice and scent flow toward me. Just by hearing the voice, I can tell who it is. I immediately slump on my seat at the prospect of being investigated face to face. The owner of the voice then walks over and sits down on the seat in front of me with a smooth motion.
Yun Seung-Ah clasps her hand and gazes at me with interest.
“Hello. I am hoping to talk with someone else, but I am happy to talk with you too…”
My mind goes haywire, recalling the prior events of when the interrogation, I and Yoenha returned to Cube at the earliest after healing our injuries.
I dive straight to the point. “I am not a Djinn.”
“Eh?” Yun Seung-Ah must be thinking that I will never come out like this.
“I am willing to cooperate,” I add. “I am feeling lucky today, and I believe I have so much to offer…”
“Oho?” Yun Seung-Ah’s interest turns to suspicion. “And what help can you offer?”
After this conferment ceremony, Hajin will receive a major power boost. He will gain the mysterious power of Stigma that will allow him to use magic power, and shape it to his will. Then he will also have access to various dark websites of secretive nature.
Lastly and most importantly is that his [Observation and Reading] Gift will evolve and gain a new function. If there is really a Devil’s Seed, then Hajin’s cooperation will be necessary. It looks like my planned confession has to be hurried.
“I can find the Devil for you… The only thing I want is for the Guilds and the Hero Association to send their best to deal with this Devil…”
“W-what are you talking about? What Devil?” Yun Seung-Ah’s look of confusion suggests that she doesn’t know any of the Association’s real intentions.
“Just tell it to the Association the way I told you. I can assure you that you will never regret it…” I am risking my neck out here by telling her this, but if I want to save myself, to save this world, and then… I can only do this.
Looks like what I suspect as luck is actually misfortune in disguise. I play with my new dagger, feeling pity for the turn of events.
I guess, getting the opportunity to prevent a potential crisis can also be luck. My optimism is getting too out of hand. I feel so miserable at this development… The lucky streak ends here. From now on, I must make my own luck.
