Academy's Silver Gatekeeper-Chapter 101

Generally speaking, conversation between people can be said to be like clapping.

Two hands must properly collide for sound to come out. We call clapping when a sound is made.

Conversation is the same. You have to exchange words that suit each other. Topics only I know, or words only the other person wants to say. That's not conversation but the same as talking to yourself in the air.

...And the current situation was exactly that.

'What sudden bullshit is this? Revenge? What revenge? Against whom?'

Does this woman also have bad feelings toward Irina like Kwak Hyuk? But neither Irina nor others have ever mentioned such things.

Above all, I had a strong feeling that Hyeon Sujin was avoiding Irina as much as possible. Not because she was scared, but because clashing would be too much of a loss.

Last time when Hyeon Sujin appeared before me, Irina showed up right away. Before that, this woman left immediately as if it would be bothersome to clash.

'Considering those parts, she's not the type who'd seek revenge against Irina.'

What is she talking about? I wanted to ask. But instead of opening my mouth, I decided to just keep it shut. In situations like this, silence is golden.

How much time passed like that?

"...Aren't you going to answer?"

Unable to wait for my silence any longer, Hyeon Sujin snapped. At that reaction, I almost said 'I don't know what you're talking about' again.

Let me endure. If I endure, as always, the other side will spill everything on their own. Answers obtained from questions I ask are less valuable than words the other side can't bear and says.

"I don't know what you're expecting, but it would be better to give up. For your own sake too."

"...Whatever you say, in the end, you and I are enemies, aren't we?"

"So?"

"I can't easily trust you."

Right. So tell me more. About yourself, and about that revenge. If you're frustrated, spill everything you know in front of me.

"Right. I am an enemy of other ability users. Because I'm a traitor. But at least you can't be. Do you know why? Because your very existence is proof of betrayal."

...What is she suddenly saying? Why is my existence proof of betrayal? Absurdly, as I stared at Hyeon Sujin, she smiled.

"Family."

Why is she suddenly bringing up family?

"You have no family at all."

...Even if I have no family, it's unpleasant to throw around such insults.

I almost got angry enough to throw the first punch, but I held back once. As I wanted, Hyeon Sujin was currently spilling everything very well.

"Yes. I don't have any. I'm an orphan. Long ago, I got caught up in a massive monster attack..."

"Did they teach you to think, reminisce, and speak like that? No, were you brainwashed?"

My displeasure exceeded its limit. No matter how much I was trained by low-level civil service life. Even though I've reached a level where I can pass over most personal attacks without caring. I've still passed the stage of enduring against someone who's openly picking fights.

"Excuse me. Why do you keep talking nonsense..."

Crack—!

'Huh?'

Sparks flew before my eyes. My vision suddenly flashed white. Instinctively, I reached out and grabbed the kitchen knife I'd been eyeing.

That Elder, that cowardly bitch, definitely made a surprise attack.

Right. That's what it would be. Those who kidnapped Suhyeon and even brainwashed her. Those led by their desires who betrayed and abandoned everything. For such people, this kind of surprise attack wouldn't even be worth considering.

I was too careless. I was pointlessly playing along. Stupidly, I shouldn't have. I shouldn't have let my guard down! Even now, I should aim for a gap and attack once, then...

"Let's make a promise. We won't die!"

"Everyone, promise. We'll all survive!"

A very faint voice passing through my head. And a scene. I'd seen this before. Yes. It's definitely in my memory.

Children huddled together. And tightly clasped hands. All wearing the same clothes, in a space filled only with gray.

I thought it was a dream. Everything was new. But why suddenly. Why is that scene coming back now?

"Baek Seojin."

As if responding to my question, Hyeon Sujin's voice can be heard.

"Don't you think it's strange? How an ordinary ability user like you can fight so fiercely against an Elder, an S-rank. And how you're standing here like this, without any side effects or aftereffects."

The first can be explained by my unique privilege that no one knows. The 'trait' I can see with the Third Eye. Thanks to the Gatekeeper trait, I had many advantageous aspects in combat.

'Right. So I can at least answer the first part. But...'

The second part. After fighting so fiercely and miserably. Others suffered injuries serious enough to worry about survival. Yet I endured it as if it were nothing and overcame it to live normally.

That part can't be fully explained even with this trait.

"Because you're excessively tough? Or because you have a special constitution? There's a limit to that too. Everyone is just captivated by the absurd results you achieved and missing this. Can this really be passed off as being tough or having that kind of constitution?"

I had nothing to say. I couldn't think of anything to retort. Rather, at those words from Hyeon Sujin, I was even thinking of a third question myself.

Combat ability that emerges even in situations where traits haven't manifested. Initially being pushed back but somehow adapting and enduring at some point. Too excellent to simply call talent—it was strangely so.

"Strange, right? Thinking about it. It can't be explained if you're an ordinary person."

I wanted to ignore it, wanted to deny it, but couldn't. Someone else knows secrets I don't even know. Thinking that, I can't brush it off. A strange feeling arose that I must know, must absolutely hear.

"You seem to know something about it."

So unconsciously, I spoke in a somewhat urgent tone. I shouldn't do this. If I give the opponent advantageous ground, I'll be dragged around. When that worry arose, Hyeon Sujin nodded and parted her lips.

"I know. Yeah, I know alright. You were made. Baek Seojin. Your existence wasn't born by the world's providence. You were forcibly created by those damn bastards!"

"How..."

"How am I certain?"

A smile appears at Hyeon Sujin's lips.

Not because she's happy or amused. That was the self-deprecating laugh of one who reminisces, one who was left alone.

"You're the same. As that person."

I had no way of knowing who 'that person' was. But one thing was certain. The 'person' Hyeon Sujin mentioned was extremely important to this woman. Perhaps it could be the reason she abandoned everything and became an Elder.

"The bastards who led that are still alive. They're even living brazenly, enjoying luxury. Those who did such dirty things, as if nothing happened!"

Hyeon Sujin takes another step forward. I didn't step back accordingly.

"Come with me. I'll tell you. I'll make you remember. Your brothers and sisters, how they were used and how they disappeared. And let's get revenge together. For them."

Revenge. Why does that word resonate so deeply? For a moment, I almost unconsciously took her outstretched hand.

Right, until one question suddenly occurred to me and stopped me.

"...You said revenge, Ms. Hyeon Sujin."

"Right. Revenge. For you, and for those who were in the same situation as you."

"It sounds to me like those who committed inhumane acts."

"Right. You can see it that way. I'll tell you more details as we go. So..."

"Then in the end, aren't you no different?"

"...What?"

One question that let me steady my wavering heart.

Right, let's say she had circumstances that forced her to do so. Let's say somewhere in current South Korea, there are bastards who committed inhumane acts. She wants revenge against them, destruction of those acts. Yeah, I understand.

But even so, if there's one thing I can't just let pass.

"What about the innocent people who died and were hurt, and will be hurt, because of your revenge?"

To relieve their resentment, she's creating another resentment. While saying she'll avenge them, she's piling up other resentments.

True revenge is only done against the target. What Hyeon Sujin is trying to do now can't be called revenge.

"...Think carefully before you say the next words."

Did Hyeon Sujin also catch on to the question I harbored? The previous calm aura completely disappeared, replaced by something ominous. It feels like looking at a surging tsunami ready to rage at any moment.

"So what I want to say is."

But would I cower and bow my head here? I have experience dealing with malicious civil complainants. I had no intention of surrendering to this and saying sorry.

"You're the same too. Both those you want revenge against and you. All of you."

CRASH—!

Simultaneously with the end of my words, an ear-splitting explosion was heard. Angry Hyeon Sujin attacked... no, that's not it?

'What's that... isn't that the front door?'

Something that flew past me and hit Hyeon Sujin. Right. It's the front door. That very sturdy front door!

"You crazy fucking bitch! Who the hell do you think you're eyeing!"

And right next to me, golden light fiercely charged in.

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