Fast. Sharp. And terrifyingly cruel. That was my impression of Kim Suhyeon's sword.
According to Kim Suhyeon herself, she was actually holding back quite a bit. Because her opponent wasn't Irina. Because they could seriously hurt each other if she didn't. She was wielding her sword while suppressing herself to the maximum.
I can't express how dumbfounded I was hearing her say that. If this level of restraint was "holding back," what would her true sword be like when expressing her full anger? Just how vicious a trajectory would her sword draw?
Of course, her swordsmanship wasn't flawlessly complete yet. Rather, it would be more accurate to say it had just begun. I could see small moments of uncertainty, slight trembling.
Nevertheless, when fighting her opponent, she wasn't backing down at all.
'Crimson Witch. Really... it was truly fortunate that I saved her from the Elder then.'
If I hadn't been able to save Kim Suhyeon, if I had watched her being dragged away by the Elder, I would have regretted my foolish choice for the rest of my life.
I would have blamed myself for the brutal massacre unfolding before my eyes.
Sword against sword, blade against blade, they clash with a clear ringing sound. At a glance, it looks like a beautiful dance. But the chilling killing intent flowing within cannot be erased.
The one facing Kim Suhyeon is a Platinum-rank student.
I believe they mentioned having some acquaintance with Kang Hana. Thanks to that, they've also become someone I exchange greetings with. The reason I suggested a duel between that student and Kim Suhyeon was simple.
'Because we both need to prove ourselves. Me, and Kim Suhyeon too.'
Change is necessary. And that change has its limits if it's just talk. It must be demonstrated. So I showed it. What kind of examiner I was. And next, I showed who could leave Bronze and advance to Silver.
Actually, I had thought it would be better to choose Lee Hyunwoo for this part. I had almost decided on him. There wasn't really anyone else worth considering besides him.
If it was him, there would be no complaints about him being the first to receive a Silver promotion. Even if there was a penalty, it would be bearable, wouldn't it? The "No Pain, No Gain" trait would be regrettable, but I thought we should let him go at this point.
But just yesterday, when Kim Suhyeon came to me wanting an evaluation...
Inwardly muttering that, I changed my decision.
That moment still hasn't left my mind. The sight of Kim Suhyeon standing before me, calling me, was truly the 'Crimson Witch' incarnate.
Her eyes, turned red by the Crimson Witch trait, had become an even deeper crimson. Even around her body, a faint red aura of light swirled. That unique energy that she was trying to contain but couldn't completely erase.
And that prediction was confirmed by my Third Eye.
◎ Kim Suhyeon : Crimson Witch
◎ Details : A being that has finally bloomed on the blood-soaked battlefield. She grows exponentially stronger the more blood she sees in battle. Her hyper-awareness state continues until her killing intent subsides. The probability of being injured decreases, and even if injured, she never weakens. As long as there is someone to guide her, she won't break down and will become stronger.
- The trait has been strengthened.
- An additional sub-trait will be created.
Just as my trait was strengthened through Silver rank evaluations, Kim Suhyeon's Crimson Witch trait had also been strengthened.
From the part about growing exponentially stronger to all the other aspects. And it says an additional sub-trait will be created as well.
A demeanor so different from usual. A suddenly strengthened trait. I sensed it right then. This situation was absolutely not a coincidence.
"Something happened to you, didn't it?"
Yes, something must have happened. Something quite significant. Otherwise, the Crimson Witch trait couldn't have been strengthened like that.
At my words, Kim Suhyeon looked slightly surprised before nodding.
I can't express how shocked and tense I was. I was worried that something bad might have happened.
Was it because I was too preoccupied with the Academy practical and couldn't pay enough attention? Or did something unfortunate happen while I was unconscious? I was thinking all sorts of things when Kim Suhyeon slowly opened her lips.
"Actually, I've been fighting with Irina."
Hearing those words, what came to mind? Nothing. I truly couldn't think of anything. It was too shocking and absurd to process.
She fought with whom? Irina? That crazy blonde woman?
Even villains, no, even Elders avoid her because they find her burdensome.
It's said that among villains, there's an unspoken rule not to mess with her parents because no one knows what might happen.
"Su-Suhyeon, are you okay? Why were you fighting Irina... Are you hurt anywhere?"
This wasn't overreacting. I was genuinely shocked. Has anyone ever fought Irina and come out unscathed? Absolutely not.
Moreover, compared to Irina, Kim Suhyeon was just a beginner. She may have awakened as the Crimson Witch, but she's still in the initial state. Even a flick of Irina's finger could be fatal.
But Kim Suhyeon spoke casually as if it was nothing.
"Someday, I will definitely defeat that woman. And definitely..."
"And? Definitely what? Suhyeon, tell me."
"...protect. I will protect. Definitely."
She never answered what she would protect. That part of Kim Suhyeon made me uneasy.
Considering her actions so far, she should have answered my question. The fact that she kept her answer hidden until the end worried me.
The good news was that it wasn't a serious situation.
If it had been a real problem, Kang Minseong would have taken action before me. But considering that the duel venue was none other than the Kang family estate, It seemed that Kang Minseong saw no major issue and therefore allowed it.
As a bonus, was it thanks to the duel or fight with Irina? The Crimson Witch trait was strengthened, and Kim Suhyeon's own skills improved tremendously. When she took the evaluation, I found myself saying, "What is this?"
'So I decided. The first person to pass the Silver rank evaluation, the honorable first promotion, would be none other than Kim Suhyeon.'
The "No Pain, No Gain" trait is regrettable for Kim Suhyeon as well. I must have thought a hundred times yesterday that she's already incredibly strong, so wouldn't it be better to invest in her?
But the current situation was demanding change from me. To continue being the Silver Gatekeeper, to maintain my position as rank examiner, I needed to show the students who are my subjects the possibility of promotion.
From that perspective, Kim Suhyeon, along with Lee Hyunwoo, was someone who could be promoted immediately without issue. And if I had to choose, I judged that Kim Suhyeon was more suitable than Lee Hyunwoo.
Because Lee Hyunwoo is still growing continuously on his own. So it's better to let his "No Pain, No Gain" trait accumulate a bit more. In contrast, Kim Suhyeon had somehow grown instantaneously through her duel with Irina.
"That's insane. Is that really the same Kim Suhyeon?"
"Impossible. She was just Bronze until recently. I remember. She was really nothing special!"
"Who's denying it? I also heard she was quite unremarkable for being Kang Minseong's granddaughter. But..."
You're all shocked, right? Surprised? That Kim Suhyeon has changed like that. I understand. To be honest, I didn't expect her to change like that either. I thought it would take some time, but why did she grow so drastically?
'...No, that's not right. Thinking about it, maybe it's actually quite natural?'
From the beginning, she was destined to awaken as the 'Crimson Witch.' So whether in a positive or negative direction, once the trigger was activated, that was it. Once that happened, Kim Suhyeon would become as strong as Lee Hyunwoo, truly incredible.
Unlike before, a slightly duller sound was heard. The Platinum-rank student had gained a slight advantage over Kim Suhyeon. When that happened, both Kim Suhyeon and the student put away their swords as if by agreement.
"Thank you for the good duel."
"Not at all. It's I who should thank you. I've become convinced that I shouldn't be complacent."
I wonder what would have happened if this had been a real battle where lives were at stake. I guarantee that Kim Suhyeon wouldn't have backed down so easily. Even if it meant losing, she would have left her opponent covered in blood as well.
Right now, she's at a level where she can somewhat fight with a Platinum rank. But as time passes, she'll accelerate rapidly and shoot up in no time.
'So, it's perfectly appropriate for her to be the first Silver promotion.'
Actually, what I was most worried about wasn't the "No Pain, No Gain" trait.
Having the 'Gatekeeper' trait and even conducting Silver rank evaluations, Yet instead of blocking someone, I let them pass—the situation just now. I was more worried about not blocking the path to Silver as a Silver Gatekeeper.
At the end of Kim Suhyeon's evaluation, when I granted her entry to Silver, Frightening messages appeared beyond the Third Eye, as if they had been waiting.
- You have failed to guard the gate.
- This evaluation was conducted inside the Academy.
- Physical damage to your body is extremely minimal.
- Mental damage is also extremely minimal.
What penalty would I receive this time? How much would accumulate? With these concerns, I couldn't properly acknowledge Kim Suhyeon who was rejoicing. Worried that Kim Suhyeon might notice, I barely managed a smile and patted her shoulder.
- The Third Eye is active.
As if the Gatekeeper trait had sensed my feelings, Another message began to flicker beyond the Third Eye.
- A sub-trait has been created.
◎ Sub-trait : Gatekeeper's Heart
◎ Details : You cannot firmly block the Silver gate forever. After tremendous effort, it's natural for someone with proper qualifications to emerge. An individual deemed to have 'qualifications' is not included in the penalty calculation.
- The sub-trait 'Gatekeeper's Heart' is applied.
- The penalty gauge does not increase.