Chapter 31

After that, we continued to learn the Guard Unit’s duties in various ways and gradually blended in with the members.

Though they were called an elite group and all that, it was still a place where people lived, and as we helped out with work while being mindful, we gradually grew closer.

Now, a week later, we were practically treated as the official rookies of the Guard Unit.

“So, Joohwa, you only finished the first semester of your first year before coming here?”

It was a question from Yoo Jitae, a core member of Cheongdam 2nd Guard Unit and a 2nd-Rank Exorcist.

“Yes. That’s right.”

“That’s no joke… You might even reach 1st-Rank someday.”

That in itself was very high praise, but even that was insufficient for Cheong Joohwa.

After all, she was one of the Special-Rank Exorcists who would be at the center of the story in the future battles to come.

‘Though the road ahead is still long.’

That’s why I had to carefully fit each piece into place, one by one.

‘Starting from here.’

I was sensing it intuitively. That an incident would definitely occur within the next few days.

The number of Specters that had appeared in this area recently was already eleven.

An abnormally high figure.

Because of that, the atmosphere among the nearby Guard Units was gradually turning hostile.

“Ah, they snatched it again. How annoying.”

It was a lament from Seo Jihye, who had just returned from patrol.

Cheong Joohwa, who had grown close enough to speak casually with her, asked.

“Was it the 1st Guard Unit again this time?”

“Yeah. They go absolutely crazy if a target even comes near their sector. It’s not just about achievements, but at a time like this…”

Those in the know are aware, but power struggles are also routine in the Guard Units of this world.

Just like in the real military, they scrutinize one’s background, and the subtle power plays among various families, including the Three Great Noble Families, are fierce.

Especially the performance competition between Cheongdam 2nd Guard Unit, aligned with the Cheong Family line, and the 1st Guard Unit, aligned with the Baek Family line, was quite intense.

“I heard Senior Hwang got injured last time?”

“Yeah. Apparently, a dispute broke out.”

A situation where emotions between them are running high. And the increasingly frequent appearances of Specters.

By now, those who could read the signs would have noticed. The reason the incident about to happen was also heavily mentioned in the original work was precisely because of this.

‘……’

That’s right.

Over the A+-Rank Specter, the Red Specter, the Exorcists of each Guard Unit never ceased to check each other.

In the process, the newly appeared Fire Goblin vanished, and significant damage occurred due to the Red Specter escaping the encirclement.

‘That’s putting the cart before the horse to an extreme degree.’

Of course, there were underlying circumstances. The current internal situation of the Baek Family was heavily involved in the overheated atmosphere between the Guard Units.

But as someone who knew the butterfly effect caused by the Red Specter, I couldn’t help but shake my head at the outcome.

“Jihye, mind if I borrow the kids for a bit?”

My thoughts were interrupted as a short-haired woman who came down from the second floor spoke to Seo Jihye, who was grumbling.

“Huh? Why all of a sudden?”

“Just to go on patrol together. Is that not okay?”

“No. Yes. Have a safe trip.”

She was Cheong Jiyeon, one of the influential figures in the 2nd Guard Unit, boasting top-tier skills even among 2nd-Rank Exorcists.

Rumors said she was practically considered a 1st-Rank, a first-rate Exorcist.

I had checked her out briefly last time as we passed by, but I opened her stats again.

‘Appraisal.’

Ding!

【Cheong Jiyeon】

▶Level 54

▶Stats

【Stamina : B-】

【Spiritual Power : A+】

【Art Formula : B+】

【Mental Power : A+】

▶Traits (6/10)

【Vast Ascending Pool Energy (S-)】

【Battle Specter (A)】

【Combat Instinct (A-)】

【Growth Acceleration (B)】

【Spiritual Power Amplification (B)】

【Sensory Expansion (C+)】

She wasn’t as strong as Cheong Soha, whom I had seen before, but she was still quite powerful. At least in this area, it would be hard to find a match for her.

Such a woman looked at Cheong Joohwa and me in turn and smiled.

“Shall we go then?”

“……”

I didn’t sense any particular hostility, but she was still someone whose true intentions were hard to grasp.

Today’s destination was Route 3.

A route that focused on patrolling the outskirts, slightly away from commercial or residential areas.

Frankly, the scenery was completely familiar by now.

“You’re getting quite good reviews.”

“……”

“Jihye has been pestering me to bring you over here after you graduate from the Academy.”

“Oh. Really?”

At first, I thought she definitely had some business in mind, but Cheong Jiyeon simply proceeded with the patrol without any particular action.

Just as the patrol was nearing its end, the presence of multiple people was felt from across the mountain path.

Thud. Thud.

The middle-aged man who spotted us first among them spoke curtly.

“What brings the high-and-mighty big shot out patrolling the entire route?”

“Being sarcastic, are we?”

With that one exchange, it wasn’t hard to guess who they were. Exorcists from the 1st Guard Unit, whose patrol route partially overlapped with ours.

‘…They look pretty strong.’

Two personnel.

A middle-aged man who seemed to be the superior and a younger man paired with him.

‘Appraisal.’

Ding!

【Baek Taekang】

▶Level 51

▶Stats

【Stamina : C-】

【Spiritual Power : B+】

【Art Formula : A-】

【Mental Power : B】

▶Traits (5/10)

【Conduction (A+)】

【Critical Strike (A)】

【Tool Crafting (B)】

【Synesthesia (B)】

【Hawk’s Eye (C+)】

【Baek Jiwoon】

▶Level 43

▶Stats

【Stamina : B】

【Spiritual Power : B】

【Art Formula : B】

【Mental Power : C】

▶Traits (4/10)

【Cursed Hand (A-)】

【Swift Blade Through Chaos (A-)】

【Growth Acceleration (B)】

【Precision Control (C+)】

‘About this much, huh.’

Baek Taekang was quite strong.

Baek Jiwoon was no pushover either.

The middle-aged man standing in front, Baek Taekang, continued speaking.

“They’ve been getting cheeky lately. Your stragglers.”

“No one on our side deserves to be called that.”

“Is that so? Looking purely at achievements, it was a level that could worry us……”

At those words, the corner of Cheong Jiyeon’s eye twitched.

The recent injury incident and the disputes caused by performance competition were all started by the 1st Guard Unit side.

“Let’s just go.”

Cheong Jiyeon ended the conversation and strode forward, and we quietly followed behind.

Just as we were crossing paths with the 1st Guard Unit personnel, something ominous swept over me, who was at the very back.

Whoosh.

“Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra.”

Crack!

Probably a Curse-Type Art Formula. Not a particularly powerful kind. If I had to estimate, its power was just at the level of a mischievous prank.

I blocked it preemptively with reflexes honed from the game, but this was a clear attack.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“……”

Baek Jiwoon, the caster of the Cursed Technique, frowned with a flustered expression, as if he never imagined I would block it.

And then, as if she had been waiting for that moment, Cheong Jiyeon stepped forward and spoke sharply.

“Huh. Seems the rumors about you picking fights over every little thing like thugs are true after all?”

“What are you talking about? It was just a greeting. If someone gets hit by an attack of that level, wouldn’t it be absurd to talk about protecting citizens?”

Though he said that, Baek Taekang shot a displeased look at Baek Jiwoon for some reason.

It was unclear whether he was blaming him for acting rashly or for embarrassingly failing against a student.

Glancing at Baek Jiwoon, Cheong Jiyeon smirked and spoke again.

“Is that the much-talked-about rookie over there?”

“…He’s still just a fledgling.”

I had definitely heard about it too. That an excellent rookie had joined the 1st Guard Unit. Because of that, I had to listen to our rookie Seo Jihye grumbling enviously.

“How about it? Seems like a good opportunity.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Your rookie and our rookie. Let’s have them face off.”

It was our side who was flustered by that. Cheong Joohwa and I shot Cheong Jiyeon looks asking what on earth she was talking about, but she paid no heed.

“One on one. A light match. Of course, with stakes.”

At Cheong Jiyeon’s words, Baek Jiwoon, his pride wounded, stepped forward.

“What nonsense. Your rookie is a student, isn’t she? Clearly here for practical training……”

“So, scared?”

When she put it that way, Baek Jiwoon shut his mouth and looked back at Baek Taekang behind him. Simultaneously, Baek Taekang’s gaze changed.

Baek Jiwoon, who undoubtedly held a 3rd-Rank Exorcist qualification, and us, who were students. Naturally, the disadvantage was on our side. From Baek Taekang’s perspective, it was an opportunity too good to pass up.

“…Frankly, I was going to refuse out of courtesy.”

“Jumping at it so eagerly. Then I’ll take that as acceptance.”

Jingle.

Cheong Jiyeon took out something sparkling from her bosom. It was an oddly shaped necklace.

“You…… Are you in your right mind?”

Seeing Baek Taekang’s surprise, it seemed this was no ordinary item. I examined it carefully.

‘Appraisal.’

Ding!

【Cheongsimok】

▶■■■■

‘What?’

Upon checking the content, I felt a sensation as if my heart had dropped.

A mark indicating the content couldn’t be read. And the name Cheongsimok. To my knowledge, only one item fit the aforementioned conditions.

‘…That’s clearly a Cursed Tool that first appeared in Part 2, isn’t it?’

I stared at it with a dumbfounded expression.

Not only was it not an item to be wagered in such a bet, as Baek Taekang said, but it was a treasure that shouldn’t even be here in the first place.

‘Did Cheong Jiyeon have it during the Part 1 timeline?’

It was mentioned within Exorcism Academy Part 1, but it never actually influenced the story. It was merely one of the hooks for the sequel.

And now, such an item was unexpectedly before my eyes.

‘Is this woman crazy?’

Cheongsimok is one of the three great Cursed Tools of the Cheong Family. A treasure among treasures, with value not inferior to the Azure-White Sword possessed by Cheong Soha. It absolutely should not be staked in such a cheap bet. I seriously doubted Cheong Jiyeon’s mental state.

Be that as it may, Cheong Jiyeon simply continued with what she had to say.

“Aren’t you going to take yours out quickly too? The stake made of Baekpyeon. You always carry it, don’t you?”

“Are you perhaps talking about the Baekpyeonjang? What on earth are you saying! The Baekpyeonjang is not an item to be wagered in such a……”

“As you can see at a glance, this is incredibly precious. I’m the one at a loss anyway? Well, if you don’t want to, you can back out.”

At those words, Baek Taekang’s expression hardened as he sank into thought.

And soon, he made a decision.

“This will be an irreversible matter.”

“Good. That’s the spirit.”

And so, a truly sudden bet match was arranged.

From behind, Cheong Joohwa whispered to me.

“What are you planning to do in a situation like this?”

“…Well.”

It was clear there was some scheme. It was impossible to know who it was aimed at. But whatever the case, I had no intention of being manipulated at will.

So I decided to take advantage within this situation.

“You planned this from the start, didn’t you?”

“Sorry for the suddenness. You’ll have to endure a bit of hardship.”

“We won’t do it.”

“Huh?”

“Even if you look at us like that, we have no reason to agree, do we?”

It was certainly a valid argument. In response, Cheong Jiyeon smiled meaningfully and asked in a probing manner.

“…Is that so? I thought you were the type who liked this sort of thing. I heard you already had a go at a Specter,”

“It depends on the situation.”

In other words, this was a kind of transaction. If she wanted something from us, she naturally had to pay an equivalent price.

“Huh.”

Cheong Jiyeon let out a sigh as if looking at an audacious fellow. Since she was treated as an influential figure in this area, such a response of standing up to her head-on must be quite unfamiliar.

“Then, what do you want?”

Finally, when the awaited words came out, I smiled lightly and presented my main point.

“Let’s make a bet.”

“A bet?”

“Seeing that you’ve staked something as serious as a treasure, you must naturally think our side will win. Is that correct?”

“That’s right.”

“We each propose a time in one-minute increments. The one closer to the point where the match is decided wins.”

In other words, it meant betting on when the match would be decided.

“…And the stakes?”

That was the main point.

Now it was my turn to probe them.

Without hesitation, I presented an extraordinary stake as the prize.

“If I win, I’ll take the Baekpyeonjang that the opponent staked in the bet.”

At those words, Cheong Jiyeon’s expression darkened.

Cheong Jiyeon, who had slightly furrowed her brow, spoke.

“Aren’t you being a bit greedy? Do you know how much value that holds when you say that?”

“I think it’s well within the acceptable range.”

Cheong Jiyeon looked at me with cold eyes.

Just that alone brought a pressure so intense it made my skin crawl.

‘…I wonder how she’ll respond.’

If she refused, I could just demand other compensation.

More important than that was the response here. Through this, I could probably roughly grasp Cheong Jiyeon’s intentions.

And Cheong Jiyeon, after serious contemplation, gave me her answer.

“Fine. I’ll accept it.”

“……”

I didn’t show it, but I clicked my tongue inwardly at that moment. Because the answer I hadn’t hoped for had come out.

“But I get to set the time first.”

“…Very well.”

The target wasn’t the Baek Family’s Cursed Tool or the two people from the 1st Guard Unit.

If the Baekpyeonjang was the goal from the start, she wouldn’t so easily offer it again as a reward.

‘…Yet she accepted my proposal.’

That meant her real goal was something else entirely.

Looking at her attitude, I became convinced.

What Cheong Jiyeon wanted to probe through this bet was clearly us.

And in a rather dangerous way.