Chapter 30

I glanced at the clock and remarked casually.

“Just fifty more laps and the warm-up will be over.”

The kids, who had been circling the Training Arena like limp zombies, flinched.

“Stop… please…”

Kim Soo-gyeom, drenched in sweat, shook his head. Choi Soo-jung seemed to lack even the energy to talk back, just panting for breath, and Lee Won-sik’s gaze was completely vacant.

Even so, their feet didn’t stop moving, so they were at least obedient.

“Tired already?”

“……”

“……”

“……”

There was no reply. It meant they didn’t even have the strength to speak.

This was what I wanted.

This is what it takes to raise one’s Soul’s Tier.

Only after pushing them to their physical limits would the Buff Magic show its true effect.

With a happy heart, I swung my arm.

[Strength Enhancement]

[Sense Assist]

[Vitality]

The moment the buffs took effect, the light slowly returned to their eyes.

Though their expressions seemed to have gotten even worse than before.

Sure enough, the words that came out of their mouths reflected that.

“We die and come back to life, die and come back to life…”

“This. This is torture…”

“Just kill me…”

It might feel like death now, but after a little while, this too will become manageable.

I can see it.

Their potential, squirming as if preparing to take flight.

As I was thinking that, a question suddenly occurred to me.

Wait a minute.

What’s my Potential Rank?

I was so focused on raising the kids that I hadn’t checked my own status. I was, of course, growing well on my own. Every time I had Ian’s Dream, Synchronization would occur, and my potential would naturally rise with it.

What I was curious about now was my exact status.

My Potential Rank was written as F-Rank in the Status Window, but I had realized long ago that it didn’t properly describe me.

There was another way to know my true level.

I gently closed my eyes.

Fwaah-

I threw my consciousness deep into my inner self.

This place, like a void of outer space, was what Ian had described as our soul and spirit.

He said that the wider the space, the higher the person’s tier.

I overlaid the Rank standards set by the System onto it. Several lines appeared in the dark universe.

One line per Rank.

Following the now-clear benchmarks, I expanded my consciousness.

The lines began to move farther apart, one by one. From F-Rank all the way to A-Rank. I had expected this much.

I set my sights a little farther. Beyond that, I could see the S-Rank line.

What a relief. I’ll be able to grow to S-Rank without any issues.

Just as I was about to relax and pull my consciousness out.

I tilted my head.

“?”

Beyond the boundary line, there was still a vast expanse of cosmic space with no benchmark set.

It was absurd.

To think I couldn’t confirm my Potential Rank because there was no benchmark for that realm.

As I was lost in that thought, Head of department Kim Yoon-joong walked over with a displeased look on his face.

What’s with that guy so early in the morning?

“Catch.”

He tossed something at me, and I examined it.

A square wooden plaque, with the Association’s emblem smoothly embedded in it.

“Your new position from now on. Squad Leader of Squad 11.”

Ah, so this is it.

It was a kind of token that only those who led a team in the Association, or those who were Rank 2 or higher, could receive.

Han Seung-hoon had said that most criminals would tremble at the mere sight of it.

That’s how powerful its authority was. The first thing that came to mind was the Summary Judgment Authority.

“You happy?”

“I’ll work hard.”

“Don’t just work hard, do a good job.”

“Yes. I’ll do a good job.”

“Like you’ll do a good job with them.”

“……”

It seemed I’d really gotten on his bad side since bringing the kids in.

To get back in his good graces, I suppose I have no choice but to show him results. As I was thinking, Head of department Kim Yoon-joong spoke, his face looking as if he were heading off to a battlefield.

“Follow me.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the executive meeting. I have to tell the others you’ve become a Squad Leader.”

It sounded like he was about to declare war.

That was probably the case, since an executive meeting was a gathering attended by all the Squad Leaders.

If I were to explain in front of all those people that I had become a Squad Leader, and that the members I brought for my squad were all D-Ranks…

Yeah, this was definitely a declaration of war.

As I was mentally preparing myself, Head of department Kim Yoon-joong spoke casually.

“By the way, you. Did you and Lee Jeong-hwan perhaps…”

He trailed off, stroking his chin.

“Never mind. Let’s talk when we get there.”

Head of department Kim Yoon-joong clicked his tongue and strode away.

As soon as I opened the meeting room door, I saw about a dozen people.

Among them were some familiar faces.

Im Han-na and Hong Gyeong-pyo.

The people, who had been chatting with indifferent faces, started grumbling as soon as they saw Head of department Kim Yoon-joong.

“Head of department. Today isn’t an executive meeting day, is it?”

“Did something urgent happen?”

“But who’s that next to you… Choi Gi-woong?”

At Hong Gyeong-pyo’s words, even those with bored expressions snapped their heads in my direction.

“Choi Gi-woong? Ah, the guy who resolved the Ilseong incident.”

“Do you know how he did it?”

“I don’t. It’s classified. Even the executives have zipped their lips.”

“You heard that much? JW is about to cut all their funding, you know. Because of him.”

“Hmm? Why?”

“It’s a long story, but the person that chairman was looking for, he…”

At that point, Head of department Kim Yoon-joong cut in.

“Say hello. This is Choi Gi-woong. The new Squad Leader.”

I thought a mass Silence spell had been cast.

The atmosphere turned icy in an instant.

As if he had expected it, Head of department Kim Yoon-joong gestured at me with his chin, a grim look on his face.

I bowed my head and said.

“I am Choi Gi-woong, the new Squad Leader of Squad 11. I look forward to working with you all.”

“Right, let’s do well. Everyone, a round of applause.”

Naturally, not even a semblance of applause was heard.

Instead, cold stares stabbed into my chest.

Some let out a dry laugh, while others crossed their arms and looked me up and down.

Im Han-na was smiling, at least, but it didn’t seem to be in a positive way.

“Wasn’t that guy Rank 5?”

“He’ll be Rank 4 when the Association President gets back from Jeju Island.”

“But why so soon…”

“Because I allowed it.”

At Head of department Kim Yoon-joong’s words, the people grunted and nodded.

Since it was the Head of department’s decision, what could they do? That was exactly the tone.

“Looks like the new guy wanted to play Team leader.”

A large man threw a barbed comment.

Baek In-ho, A-Rank, Tanker, a veteran Hunter with over 15 years in the Association who commanded ten people under him.

Information flowed into my head in detail.

“But were there any unaffiliated people who would join his squad?”

“He said he found them himself.”

“Really? Who?”

Head of department Kim Yoon-joong placed the kids’ profiles on the table with a thud.

One by one, the people shuffled through the documents.

After they were done, they no longer had the dumbfounded expressions from before.

What was certain was that the reaction was much worse than before.

“Head of department.”

At someone’s words, Head of department Kim Yoon-joong shook his head.

“It’s been decided.”

“By whom?”

“By me.”

The air slowly began to heat up.

This time, the atmosphere wasn’t one to let things slide so easily.

“I can accept him becoming a Team leader. But I find it hard to accept bringing these people in.”

Hong Gyeong-pyo said, gesturing at me with his chin.

“Mr. Choi Gi-woong. Did you get something out of the Ilseong incident?”

“No.”

“Then?”

“I saw potential in these friends.”

“What kind of potential?”

“Well. It’s a bit difficult to explain.”

In truth, I had given up on persuading them on this front. I couldn’t just say, ‘I have Buff Magic, and it can raise Potential Ranks.’

At that point, Head of department Kim Yoon-joong stepped in.

“Everyone, just accept it as is…”

“Head of department.”

“Why do you keep calling me, you punk.”

Hong Gyeong-pyo let out a deep sigh and looked at me. His gaze was practically screaming, ‘I’ve got you now.’

“Honestly, I can’t accept it, but since you’ve decided, Head of department, I understand. However. There’s one thing we need to get straight. Does anyone among us know what Choi Gi-woong’s current Rank is, or his Potential Rank? His traits or Skills. Does anyone know a single thing?”

“……”

“No one, right? Then what are we supposed to trust to eat and work with this person? In a dangerous situation, can we trust him with our backs?”

Even Head of department Kim Yoon-joong seemed to agree with that, as he looked at me.

“He told me he’d be B-Rank by today. We even made a bet, didn’t we?”

“What? I heard his Status Window says he’s F-Rank.”

“I heard he was C-Rank when he caught the JW General manager.”

The stares were piercing. No matter where I looked, none were kind. Even Head of department Kim Yoon-joong was the same. His eyes clearly said, ‘What in the world have you been going around saying, and to whom?’

Im Han-na gestured at me with her chin, a meaningful look on her face.

“Tell us. What’s your real Rank?”

“I am B-Rank.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s put that aside for now. What about your Potential Rank?”

“……”

The words, ‘It’s S-Rank or higher, but I don’t know for sure,’ rose to the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed them. I had no intention of hiding it. No, I actually wanted to reveal it. That my Potential Rank is S-Rank.

Not just for my sake, but because I thought the kids I brought in would no longer be looked down upon.

But it didn’t seem like they would believe me even if I said it.

“I heard that Ms. Jung Hye-in can see Potential Ranks.”

So I decided to use someone else.

“Can’t you say it with your own mouth?”

“I’m not saying it because I don’t know myself.”

“Does that make any sense?”

“Is there any reason it shouldn’t?”

Hong Gyeong-pyo frowned and looked at Head of department Kim Yoon-joong.

“I admit that the Ilseong incident was resolved well thanks to Mr. Choi Gi-woong. I also know that’s why you’re protecting him, Head of department.”

“Who am I protecting?”

“If not, then you should be giving him a separate disciplinary action for souring relations with JW.”

“Now this punk is trying to boss me around. Are you worried you won’t get your Elixirs from now on?”

“Head of department!”

“Since we’re on the topic, I’ll turn a blind eye to what you receive secretly on the side. But you’d better be prepared if you accept any strange requests.”

At the chilling words, Hong Gyeong-pyo’s neck shrank back. Kim Yoon-joong, after gauging the atmosphere for a moment, said slyly.

“Do the rest of you think so too? That I’m playing favorites with him and he should be punished?”

“Well, if it’s true that things with JW have gone sour, then I suppose so?”

Im Han-na said with a bright smile.

At that, Head of department Kim Yoon-joong let out a deep sigh.

“Putting other things aside. Where did you hear that nonsense about Choi Gi-woong and JW?”

Hong Gyeong-pyo grumbled with an aggrieved expression.

“You didn’t know? Yesterday, with Chairman Lee Jeong-hwan…”

“So what about it? Lee Jeong-hwan and Choi Gi-woong met, so what?”

Head of department Kim Yoon-joong said, waving his hand.

“Is Chairman Lee Jeong-hwan cutting the funding? Did he tell you that?”

“Well, no, but in the future… Look at this. You’re taking his side right now, Head of department, aren’t you…”

“Tsk.”

Head of department Kim Yoon-joong clicked his tongue and tossed a piece of paper onto the table.

“Lee Jeong-hwan said he’s doubling the funding starting next quarter. Said things went very well thanks to Choi Gi-woong.”

A silence even heavier than before fell over the meeting room. This was worse than when he announced I was becoming a Squad Leader, or when I said I was bringing in D-Ranks from Ilseong. They all had indescribable expressions, like people witnessing an unrealistic spectacle.

“What did you do to Lee Jeong-hwan?”

Head of department Kim Yoon-joong stared at me with a disgusted look.

“Did you threaten Lee Jeong-hwan or something? He’s not the type to fall for that.”

I quietly stroked my chin.

I hadn’t expected a reaction this soon.

But with this coming up at this timing, I was starting to feel very good.

If I had stayed here any longer, I might have suffocated to death.

That aside,

“He seemed to have some worries, so I helped him resolve them.”

“Worries?”

“He asked me not to go into detail.”

Head of department Kim Yoon-joong turned his head with a frustrated look. Towards Hong Gyeong-pyo.

“He’s handled two major cases since he got here, and what? I’m playing favorites with whom?”

Catching his breath, Head of department Kim Yoon-joong still looked at me with a distrustful face.

“His Potential Rank, his current Rank. I’m a bit suspicious about that myself, but.”

Just then, a knock was heard and the meeting room door opened.

At the same time, a woman with long, flowing black hair entered.

“As Choi Gi-woong said, she’ll confirm it. Right now.”