Chapter 45: Our Rookie King Has Changed (5)

Our Rookie King Has Changed (5)

"You said you met with the vice-captain yesterday?"

"Not really. Without saying a thing, she dropped a muffin on my tray and walked off."

"Hey."

The next morning, Shin-hyuk told Karen about his meeting with the vice-captain, and she immediately burst into laughter.

"I'm asking because I don't know, but is there something special about muffins for the British?"

"Ahh, no. It's just because the vice-captain is a little awkward." From Karen's smile, Kang Shin-hyuk knew there was something up. However, she gave no sign of answering his question.

"You must've done well. Did she seem like a bad person?"

"No, she seemed like a good person."

"Alright, then I'll see you later."

Kang Shin-hyuk wasn't going to join the Wyvern Knights in exchange for a muffin and decided to refuse to even consider it. Do Woojin came up to the two of them as they were entering the school.

"Hey, I'm going to hall two starting today."

"Huh? Why did that happen?"

"Hm?" Do Woojin's words were for Karen and seemed to have something to do with the Wyvern Knights. He apologized mentally to them, but he wasn't going to fall for it.

"There's a 2nd year named Yoo Minjun. You should remember him."

"Oh, there was a person like that..." Kang Shin-hyuk recalled that there had been another reason for him going after the Rookie King title. It was to rub it in the face of that senior who had been looking down at him, but so much had happened right after that he had forgotten entirely. Thinking of that senior now, it didn't inspire much in Shin-hyuk anymore. He had too many other things to worry about to be bothered by such a person.

"Why did I lend artifacts to you during the finals? That senior was asking about that...finally, they kicked me out of the first building."

"What the hell is going on in hall one and two? Does this have anything to do with the split between the captain and vice-captain?"

"Right. Remember that there is a training center for the Wyvern Knights in the school forest? There are two buildings."

"The second building is for the vice-captain." Do Woojin had originally been picked by a senior who worked under the captain and joined the Wyvern Knights. But that senior had been disgusted by this incident, and he had been moved to join the vice-captain. It really wasn't funny.

"I like the second building. There are fewer people, so there is plenty of free space. We're throwing a barbecue party this Sunday, too."

"I don't know why this is happening in the first place, just because I lent an artifact?"

"Why don't you just fight against it?"

"That's not allowed."

"I can't. We have to help the vice-captain." At Kang Shin-hyuk's words, watching idly from the sideline, Do Woojin shook his head, and Karen replied a firm no. Karen then turned back to Do Woojin.

"Whatever the reason, we'll be on the same side in the future. Let's work hard together, Do Woojin. Ah, at times like these...if only a strong friend joined us..."

"I won't." He was a little sorry that he was the reason for Do Woojin being kicked out, but ultimately, he was a bit glad that he wouldn't have to deal with such an awful senior anymore.

"Yeah, I don't want to get involved with such an odd guy." Do Woojin nodded, sympathizing with Shin-hyuk.

"I just don't like someone being above me...now that this has happened, why don't we help the vice-captain get the position of captain? It looks like she's stronger."

"That's what I want to do too..."

"More than that, you two should talk without me." Whether or not the story of an epic rebellion began here, Shin-hyuk made himself blissfully unaware. He ran away from Karen's pursuit, who was trying to tell him about the internal affairs of the Wyvern Knights. Karen clicked her tongue and glanced at Do Woojin for help, but he just shook his head. Baek In-ha, who had just appeared behind them, decided to speak up.

"What, are you dating Do Woojin too?"

"Wow, none of you are helpful!"

***

"A formation means placing people in a specific structure with unique roles. It can be done in advance to cope with a fluid situation. It is not only important in large-scale battles but also when exploring dungeons." After school, group 7 was once more gathered in the multipurpose room to listen to Shin Eunah's lecture about the basics of exploring a dungeon.

"So, from now on, I will educate you on the basic formation that suits each situation. Your success will depend on how quickly you can adapt to a rapidly changing situation and respond appropriately."

"Can you tell us about the appropriate formation for this dungeon?"

"If you understand the basics behind it, you'll be able to figure that out on your own." The actual training would occur on Friday, and today was Wednesday, so they had only two days to beat their knowledge to a level that was useful in a real battle. They were subjected to practical formation training, accompanied by response training that mimicked a battle situation.

"I feel like I'm a real superhuman."

"The one who does the best in class often makes a mistake in the real world." Because they were outstanding talents, Karen and Baek In-ha were able to follow through without any problem once the training switched from theory to practice. When it came to the way they moved, everyone was already a professional.

"Hmm, this much...you pass."

"Thank you." After the training, Do Woojin's provocation skill was measured by Shin Eunah. Even though he had just learned the skill, it was already a considerable level.

"If Shin-hyuk and Stringfield pressure the enemies at a distance, and Do Woojin pulls them closer with a taunt, I can go ahead and clean up. Isn't that perfect?"

"Yeah, yeah, just do what you're saying."

"What about our party leader? I think Shin-hyuk would be good for it."

"Well..."

"Okay, then Shin-hyuk." Thus, Kang Shin-hyuk became the party leader. He wasn't confident, but he was also aware that only he would be able to control Baek at any point.

"Good." Shin Eunah gave a satisfied nod as soon as they picked a leader.

"I'm getting used to it now. Tomorrow, we will review the things that need to be grasped when entering a dungeon and prepare for the actual battle. You are dismissed...Kang Shin-hyuk, remain here. I need to make a list of the items you will be bringing into the dungeon."

"Okay."

"Ah, wait a minute." Shin Eunah stopped the others from dispersing, handing each of them a coffee can from her bag. They all accepted it without question, expecting as much, and then split up. Kang Shin-hyuk was convinced she was just being conscientious.

"Then...how many are you going to take?" With only the two of them there, Shin Eunah took out a document and pen from her bag. It may have just been because of his mood, but Shin-hyuk thought her speech was becoming more comfortable around him. He put down his canned coffee and tilted his head.

"There will be a few more...I think ten."

"Ten, did you make all of them?"

"No, not yet, just three. I'm planning to finish the rest from now on." Including the steel javelin he made the other day, he had three that Lee Manwoo had certified. The remaining seven would be forged from the magic metal he would prepare. He wanted to bring the Brenite Spear, but it would be hard to explain where it came from. Thinking about Lee Manwoo's personality, he wondered if he would even be willing to give the okay sign.

"From now on? Is that possible?"

"Yeah."

"..." Upon hearing that, Shin Eunah frowned slightly and looked at the watch on her delicate wrist. It was a brand of watch Shin-hyuk had never even heard of, and he wondered how expensive it had been.

"Is it possible to see the production myself? I've been interested in it for a while."

"Uh, um..." He wondered if it would be okay. She shouldn't have any knowledge of how Anvil actually forged, so it might be fine.

"Yes, but there is a teacher in the club..."

"That's no problem." There was one problem that Shin-hyuk overlooked, however, and it was how eye-catching Shin Eunah was. As she walked alongside him to the clubroom, everyone they passed had their eyes on them.

"It's her..."

"What, why is she here?"

"Do you not know? I saw her at school a few days ago..."

"She's so pretty..."

"Hey, it's the Rookie King. Are you with him?"

Kang Shin-hyuk felt like he was the focus of the rumors that were spreading among the people right now, even from the little he could hear. He had already been attracting a lot of attention these days, but now that he was seen with Shin Eunah...he wished he could just grab one of these people and explain that she was his supervisor for gate practice. Maybe this was what she had been aiming for? No, it seemed that she didn't care about her surroundings at all with her unchanging, icy expression. He sighed and proceeded as quickly as he could to the third floor of the Biryong Hall.

"Mr. Lee Manwoo."

"Well." In the room of the Artifact Production Club, Lee Manwoo was sitting alone and reading a newspaper. In these days where everything had been replaced by digital, it was the very image of a stubborn, old craftsman. Almost too much so.

"Well?"

"Mr. Lee Manwoo, long time no see."

"Alright...it's you." The two seemed to know each other. It was only natural, as she was a graduate of Shinyoung. But he wondered why Claire hadn't known about that fact if she suspected Lee Manwoo was here. As Shin-hyuk tilted his head, the two continued to converse.

"I heard about what happened a while ago, I'm sorry."

"It's not something for you need to apologize for."

"Alright."

"Now, why are you...hmm, yes. You are their trainer. Do you have any doubts he made it himself?"

"No, I came to watch the production process."

"It's a demonstration then." Lee Manwoo frowned.

"Are you going to badmouth this guy's work?"

"Huh?"

"No." Kang Shin-hyuk, who was listening from the side, raising his head. Shin Eunah was quick to deny his words, and Lee Manwoo clicked his tongue.

"This student came to the club once and said that compared to what they were looking for, what we had was far short of it."

"..." Shin Eunah clamped her mouth shut. Kang Shin-hyuk began to recall what Claire previously told him about Lee Manwoo and how Shin Eunah said he could not compare to Anvil. Shin-hyuk wondered about that story, and Lee Manwoo moved forward slightly as if to protect Shin-hyuk.

"If you're going to comment about this guy's work, then just go back. I can vouch that this guy can create artifacts."

"Are you teaching him yourself?"

"...No, not quite."

"I'm relieved."

"What a terrible guy." Shin Eunah was hostile towards the old man without hesitation. Lee Manwoo clicked his tongue at her words, but only let her enter after she pledged not to bad mouth Shin-hyuk's work.

"Then look. I purchased some of the most commonly used magic metal, Kenyon, and some of the more popular metal you might look for, Alite." Lee Manwoo had prepared four kilograms of the metal total, with two one-kilogram ingots each. The Kenyon had a shiny silver look to it, and the Alite radiated a subtle golden glow. Shin-hyuk was more interested in the Alite than the Kenyon.

"Kenyon is, in a sense, the top version of steel. It is reinforced by absorbing magical power, so it is preferred by those who use magic. It also has a high rate of success in enchanting...Alite, on the other hand, doesn't accept magical power and is hard to turn into an artifact. But once completed, it is excellent for blocking and destroying magic."

"I see..." Lee Manwoo had known Shin-hyuk couldn't handle magic and must've prepared it out of consideration for him. Shin-hyuk smiled ambiguously at him.

"It's a waste to turn it into a javelin."

"Every attempt has meaning. Try it."

"If you say so." He took the two Alite ingots without any further hesitation. Shin Eunah struck up a conversation with Lee Manwoo as they watched him turn on the furnace.

"I heard you gave up the hammer."

"I did. Still, I thought I could clear the road ahead of him."

"Is that so? You're doing that much." Shin Eunah's expression hardened, and Lee Manwoo continued.

"So, tell me. Is it possible that you were connected to that guy..."

"Yes, Jormungand...I was informed that the anti-superhuman coalition is starting to move again." Lee Manwoo's expression also hardened and became grim. He had a bad relationship with the group called Jormungand.

"It's said they are recruiting new blood after losing many members in the previous conflict. Shinyoung decided to put their prospects together after receiving that intel."

"Are you a part of that escort?"

"We are cooperating with Vanguard as well. So even if there is another accident, the students will be safe."

-Klang! Klang! Klang!

Kang Shin-hyuk started hammering on the molten metal as the two continued to talk.

"I still don't like what the higher-ups are doing."

"...It was the best choice to protect the students."

"I won't deny that, but it's dangerous."

"From the moment they enter this school, the students will be prepared to fight."

Only

"Aren't those just pretty words? Well?" Shin Eunah didn't respond, staring at the figure of Shin-hyuk while he worked. Lee Manwoo nearly passed out as he witnessed the small smile on her lips.

'She can smile?' Lee Manwoo had been interested in her ever since she complained about his work being bad. The Ice Princess, the Lightning Witch, and so on. Just by looking at her nicknames, you could get a sense of how beautiful she was- and her terrible personality. She never involved herself with anyone during the three years she was at Shinyoung, and no one had seen her smiling face. This continued after she graduated and became a member of the Superhuman association.

'But she...' Lee Manwoo recalled the day she visited the club room and spat on their work. She had said it was lacking compared to what she was looking for. So, what if she had found it? What if that was Kang Shin-hyuk? What if it weren't to observe his work that she had come here?

'Huh...at least I don't have to worry about his safety.' Lee Manwoo was surprised at the conclusion he had come to, so much, so laughter came out of him unbidden. Shin Eunah turned to him with a scary expression.

"..."

"Is there a problem...?"

"...No, no..." Shin Eunah turned her head back expressionlessly, but Lee Manwoo, with the eyes of a craftsman, could see her blushing ears. Of course, he looked away without a word.

Kang Shin-hyuk was forging the magic metal, unaware of what was happening around him.