97 – Summary (1)
097.
Bae Yurin was standing in front of the entrance.
Her typical expressionless face and emotionless ashen eyes were fixed on my face without a flicker of emotion.
Hmm. Slightly awkward.
“…….”
“…….”
A moment of silence fell.
It was a somewhat uncomfortable silence.
Just then, the wind howled fiercely.
Bae Yurin’s lightly crimson hair fluttered in the wind.
Her sleeves and the hem of her clothes also swayed in the breeze, but she seemed indifferent, waiting for my response with an air of composure.
“An apology?”
“Hmm.”
I glanced briefly at Bae Yurin’s waist.
The practice sword she always carried was nowhere in sight.
Even if it was Bae Yurin, who was ignorant about swords, she wouldn’t come to me personally after receiving proper training and do something strange.
Moreover, she said she came to apologize.
Bae Yurin might be a bit obsessed with her sword, but she wasn’t the type to lie or deceive.
During the ranking battle, she used a quite threatening sword skill while losing control, but that was when she was quite agitated.
The possibility of the current composed Bae Yurin making up an excuse to play a prank on me was very low.
“Well, come in for now.”
I had something to say to Baek Yurin as well.
I needed to resolve the issue she was struggling with and take measures to prevent her from turning into a villain.
“Excuse me… I’ll be right back.”
Baek Yurin entered the living room slowly after taking off her shoes.
After guiding her to the plush sofa, I moved towards the kitchen.
I took out some jujube tea from the instant tea set I had bought before, poured it into a teacup, added some honey and ice, and placed it on the living room table.
“Hmm?”
Baek Yurin blinked her eyes in confusion as she looked at the jujube tea, then tilted her head slightly.
It was a puzzled look.
“Are you giving this to me?”
“Yeah, drink up. You’re my guest, after all.”
“…”
“Don’t like instant stuff? Well, you are a rich girl, after all, just like Yoo Seolhyun or Ju Jiyeon.”
She didn’t dress up like Yoo Seolhyun or Ju Jiyeon, but Baek Yurin was just as much a rich girl as they were.
No wonder, her grandfather was praised as the best swordsman in the country, wasn’t he?
Many martial artists had worked hard to cross the threshold of the swordsmanship dojo to learn Baek Geomryu, which was founded by Baek Yeonghyun.
Even Yi Siun, the best swordsman in the country, struggled to learn the sword from Baek Yeonghyun.
Come to think of it, how many Baek Geomryu dojos were there in the country?
Hmm… It’s like a franchise.
“…No, I just didn’t know if you’d like the jujube tea.”
“Ah, well.”
In your character profile, it was set that you liked jujube tea.
Because of your grumpy grandfather, you started drinking jujube tea when you were young, and it became a habit, or something like that.
Due to its slightly bitter taste, you prefer to add a bit of honey, right?
“Anyway… thank you.”
Was it because I was treated to tea?
Bai Yulin gulped down the jujube tea.
Whether it was because she thought she had to show courtesy as a guest or not, Bai Yulin was drinking the jujube tea I gave her quite well.
If it wasn’t related to the sword, Bai Yulin almost looked normal.
“…Lee Jinhyuk.”
Bai Yulin, who was now looking at me with the teacup down, spoke quietly, her lips trembling a few times as she endlessly apologized.
“No matter how many times you said he wasn’t that man… I didn’t listen…”
It was a bit ridiculous to hear with one ear and let it out with the other.
“It’s not because I was convinced you were that man… I just wanted to believe you were that man… I’m sorry.”
Wanted to believe.
“To tell you the truth, I was once thoroughly defeated by a man called Vittorilante… So I wanted to meet him again to show him that I’ve changed… And also…”
I met Bai Yulin’s eyes for a moment.
Intense longing seemed to be swirling in her cloudy white pupils.
“…I had vague hopes that I might learn something through his fight.”
It felt as if I were hitting a wall, just like in a game.
And that restlessness ultimately drove Baek Yurin to become a villain consumed by madness.
“It seems like I’ve caused you nothing but trouble…”
Baek Yurin muttered, sounding a bit flustered.
“Baek Yurin.”
“Yes.”
“But why did you mistake me for that man?”
“Huh?”
“I had his sword, injured the white-haired woman during the midterm exam, and because of the Seong Yura incident, right?”
“….”
Baek Yurin hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.
“…That’s true, but someone told me.”
“Who?”
“…I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you more than that. It wouldn’t be worth knowing for no reason.”
“Just tell me one thing. Am I a girl of the same age as you?”
“…Probably.”
“Well, that settles it then.”
“…You have a keen sense for something.”
It must have been Yu Dahee after all.
Among the female members of Rebellion who interact with Baek Yurin, it is likely that Yudahee and Seong Yura are the closest in age.
But Seong Yura has been captured, so Yudahee is the only one left.
“It seems like she tried to provoke Baek Yurin by using me.”
I can’t tell if Yudahee truly believes that I am villainous or if she is just doubtful, but either way, it was clear that she intended to use me.
“Well, considering the incidents during the midterm exams and Seong Yura’s situation, it’s unavoidable for Yudahee to attract attention in Baek Yurin’s eyes.”
Being noticeable to a growth-oriented villain like Baek Yurin was not a good thing in many ways.
“But why did you have that man’s sword…?”
“Ah, that’s…”
I explained roughly what had happened to Baek Yurin.
I also told her about the unidentified person who had defeated a considerable number of villains inside the mansion during the Seong Yura incident.
Due to the fire, the identity of the bodies couldn’t be confirmed, but judging by the fact that I had the sword that Vrilante had used, it seemed like…
“…That man died?”
“It’s not certain.”
“…I didn’t think he would die so pathetically.”
Baek Yurin only murmured slightly, looking up at the empty air, as if feeling somewhat disheartened.
It must have been quite shocking for her to learn that the man who had been a wall to overcome and a rival had faced death.
But if that man had really been alive, it would have been quite awkward for you.
In terms of the world setting, if Yudahee had been similar to you in talents or slightly below, and had continued to grow without dying, you would have never caught up with her in your lifetime.
After all, you were destined to be surpassed by Ishiwoon and Gang Daehan, even without the sudden enlightenment and rapid growth in the IF side novel.
“Enlightenment and rapid growth….”
“Baek Yurin, are you blocked by a wall?”
“How did you know that?”
Baek Yurin looked slightly surprised by my sudden words.
“What if I helped you break through that wall?”
“You?”
Perhaps she had been stuck for over a year, struggling alone against the wall.
She must have been surprised to see the significant growth of Lee Siwoon and Kang Daehan in this ranking competition.
Every day, she would witness others growing at an unpredictable pace, which filled her heart with frustration and anxiety.
Baek Yeonghyeon didn’t provide proper help because he was uncomfortable with her obsession with the sword, and others just watched Baek Yeonghyeon’s every move.
Moreover, Baek Yurin didn’t fit well with the Baekgeomryu sword style.
That’s why in the spin-off novel, she created a completely new Baekgeomryu style, tailored to herself.
“Would you like to take a look at this?”
I handed Baek Yurin several documents filled with illustrations and text.
Giving this to Baek Yurin now could have been a dangerous move, as it might have served as a handshake that could turn into a villainous act.
There was a possibility that I could be the one growing an opponent who might become a villain in the future.
However, based on the character and personality I had observed in Baek Yurin until now, there was no reason to believe that she would repay the favor of the sword with enmity.
In fact, her sincere feelings towards the sword seemed more genuine than anyone else’s.
In the spin-off novel, when Soyeon provided a significant help regarding the sword to Baek Yurin, she eventually sided with Soyeon.
After all, Baek Yurin didn’t really consider the Rebellion as particularly important.
Whether a villain or a hero, it was a simple matter of symbols to Baek Yurin.
“……?”
Baek Yurin looked puzzled but seemed curious as she quietly accepted the documents.
It was a basic martial arts manual for the Baekgeomryu, reconstructed plausibly based on in-game knowledge and side novel content. It contained various forms, principles of basic footwork, Baek Yurin’s bad habits, mana manipulation, and commentary on swordsmanship.
Ah, of course, I only wrote down what I exactly remembered. And the commentary might not be my own speculation but rather an excerpt from Soyeon’s advice in the side novel, perhaps?
There were quite a few vague expressions, but the Baek Yurin in the novel understood them well.
After listening to the advice, Baek Yurin relentlessly broke down barriers and reached the highest level. Who wouldn’t think she’s a genius who emerged out of nowhere?
“……”
Baek Yurin read the documents as if under a spell.
It wasn’t filled with a lot of content, probably just a teaser to gauge Baek Yurin’s reaction.
“……Hm.”
After quickly reading through the front part, Baek Yurin looked around.
Her gaze fell on the decorative sword hanging on the wall. Huh? Could it be?
Baek Yurin soon took out the decorative sword and slowly began to emit mana in the middle of the living room, illuminating the forms.
“Wait, Baek Yurin?”
“……Hmm? Uh, hmm.”
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Baek Yurin, as if possessed, waved the sword a few times.
Every time Baek Yurin stepped on the floor, there was a thud echoing through the living room.
With a graceful black sword, Baek Yurin slowly lowered the sword.
“…It’s a bit different.”
She looked at me as if she found it somewhat strange.
“…The movements seem a bit… smoother. It feels different, just with subtle changes in weight distribution, basic posture, and the delicate use of mana.”
“Oh, really?”
I wouldn’t know unless she told me.
It’s just something I wrote diligently about the content of the training you did in the future spin-off.
“…Amazing. How did you become this skilled?”
“I have confidence in my ability to analyze and establish things.”
“The content seems a bit short… Is there more you can tell me?”
“Well, once you master everything written there.”
Baek Yurin came close to me, and with a gaze mixed with intense heat, she looked at me.
It was a bit overwhelming.
“…I came to apologize today… and I’ve already incurred more debts.”
Baek Yurin opened her mouth, holding the documents close to her chest.
“Tell me, Lee Jinhyuk. What do you want…? If it’s something I can help with… I’ll do anything.”
“It’s nothing extraordinary, really.”
Well, it is quite extraordinary, though.
“I’m planning to catch a few villains later. Help me with that.”
“Okay.”
“Huh? You’re responding so quickly. Do you think I’m trying to catch someone?”
“…I just have a feeling. Earlier, you asked about something. About what Yoo Dahee said, right?”
“Hmm.”
You caught on?
Well, never mind that. Can I just say Yoo Dahee’s name now?
Earlier, you said you wouldn’t tell me more because it’s dangerous. And besides, you’re a member of Rebellion now, isn’t it disloyal not to tell me?
“…Based on your reaction earlier, it seemed like you were connected to Yoo Dahee’s group. After all, you were the one who arrested Sung Yura.”
Can I say that? But you also…
…Oh, am I a member of that group too? You know that much… Well, it doesn’t matter now that the man is dead. We and Yoo Dahee only cooperated for our own purposes.
Baek Yurin hung the decorative sword back on the wall.
“…Originally, Yoo Dahee probably involved me to tarnish my grandfather’s reputation. Well, I don’t know the exact purpose.”
Yoo Dahee’s exact purpose.
That’s probably…
“Oh, the floor is a bit damaged. Is it because of me… Sorry… Take this.”
“A card?”
Baek Yurin, noticing the damage on the floor caused by the fight, handed me a card.
“You can spend up to… 25 million won… Take it.”
“No, I can’t accept this kind of thing.”
I already had a lot of money, but there’s no need to refuse free money.
“Hmm. Now that I think about it, you seem a bit frail… I’ll bring you some medicine…”
“Huh? Really?”
She’s even offering medicine? Wow, she’s quite generous.
Even with a lot of money, it’s hard to get valuable medicine like that.
It’s from the famous Baek Yurin, so it can’t be cheap.
“…Don’t worry about it, it’s not that great compared to this.”
Baek Yurin casually flicked the documents I handed her.
Oh, that, it’s just some things I remembered and scribbled down.
You’re a genius, Baek Yurin, for understanding and implementing what I scribbled down like it’s nothing.
“Anyway… I’m sorry about what happened in the ranking competition. And thanks for today.”
“Oh, yeah.”
“Let’s meet again after the exam is over… I’ll have more to repay you for today.”
Did she do that just to find a way to break the ice?
Baek Yurin seemed quite thoughtful, especially for someone like her.
“Well then, I’ll be going…”
With a slight nod, Baek Yurin bid her farewell.
It seemed like they had become quite close after this incident.
“I didn’t expect to get involved with Baek Yurin like this… but well, it’s not a bad thing.”
Yuseolhyun, Seong Yura, Rok Sannu, Baek Yurin, and so on.
Already in the middle and later part, the villains who will threaten the protagonist and his companions were persuaded or arrested.
Seriously, isn’t this a completely different development from the game?
The first semester break hasn’t even started yet, but there are already so many villains turning over a new leaf(?).
‘Soyeon has awakened, and Yuseolhyeon, Roksan-nu, and I have become quite close… and now Ishiwoon doesn’t seem so jealous… and it feels like I can get help from Baek Yurin…’
There are many skills that can be used.
Really.
‘There’s no need to postpone anymore.’
Although the protagonist and his companions were still growing, the members of Rebellion were the same.
They will all grow into high rankers, top ranked, and monstrous beings in the future, but not now, not yet.
‘Let’s take the lead before those guys grow any further.’
Just like in the game, the protagonist and his companions worked together to solve the incidents caused by the Rebellion members.
But this is not a game, it’s reality.
Some already know the material, as well as names, weaknesses, abilities, and so on. There’s no need to wait unnecessarily, right?
Isn’t it?
***
“…Ah. I hope he doesn’t say anything about coming without contacting me.”
Jin Soyeon mumbled to herself hesitantly near Ijinhyeok’s house.
Even if it’s between childhood friends, visiting without saying anything doesn’t seem like a big deal, but didn’t she confess to Ijinhyeok?
G-Guess it’s just unnecessarily worrying?
Jin Soyeon tried her best not to show it, but just being by his side made her heart race.
So during the ranking match, Baek Yurin suddenly used the Geomgisang, shocking everyone.
Wow, Baek Yurin, seriously?
Attacking a surrendered opponent? Is she in her right mind?
“Haah, first of all, Jinhyuk… Is he, at home?”
Interrupting her thoughts about Baek Yurin, Jinsuyeon slowly began to think that since Jinhyuk didn’t have many friends, he must be at home.
“Hmm?”
Isn’t Baek Yurin coming out of Jinhyuk’s house?
“No, why would she?”
Baek Yurin, who always had a poker face, coming out of Jinhyuk’s house, was quite conspicuous.
Why?
