Chapter 16: The Begining of Revenge

Jeong Eun-seo, who was beside me, asked a question.

“When will you be able to join me in searching for my grandfather’s inheritance?”

“For now, it’s difficult. I’ll be busy at the Academy for a month or two. If I find time, it could be sooner… but it might also take longer, so I can’t give you a definite answer.”

I spoke to her, noting the disappointed look in her eyes.

“Since it might take a while, I’ll give you a piece of information. Please just listen without asking any questions.”

Jeong Eun-seo nodded.

“To be honest, I have a rough idea of where your grandfather’s inheritance might be. On the second underground floor of the labyrinth, there’s a hidden place. I believe that’s where it is.”

“Y-you found the hidden place?”

“Didn’t I just say no questions?”

“Oh… I’m sorry…”

After a brief moment of hesitation, Jeong Eun-seo spoke to me.

“If what you say is true, and you’re going to the F-Class, then I’ll return to the Academy starting tomorrow. After all, it’s more reassuring to be by your side than waiting from afar. Besides, since I haven’t attended for a long time, I’ve been demoted to F-Class, so we can be in the same class.”

“Is that really necessary? You could just do what you need to, and I can contact you when I’m ready to act.”

“No, I can’t. I’d feel uneasy. Who knows what might happen in the meantime?”

She looked at me with worried eyes as she continued.

“I know that you’re strong, Lee Hyun-seung, but if the Artemis Guild starts making moves, your strength alone might not be enough. When that time comes, I’ll talk to my father to lend you his support.”

“…Alright, understood.”

Honestly, having additional support wouldn’t be bad for me, so I saw no reason to reject her offer. Who would turn down a free backing?

However, a question suddenly occurred to me.

“Ms. Jeong Eun-seo, I don’t quite understand. Why are you going so far to help me? If all you wanted was to find your grandfather’s inheritance, there was no need to confront Yoo Hee-yeon like you did earlier.”

“W-what do you mean I went so far to… help? I’m just giving you the treatment you deserve for helping me in the labyrinth. And, in case you didn’t know, having a teammate with a legendary-class profession requires even more than this.”

She briefly took out her phone and checked a list.

“Our guild has people with unique-class professions, but no one has a legendary-class profession. Artemis Guild probably doesn’t either. Well… they might secretly have one stashed away, but regardless, your rank is more extraordinary than you might realize. Although your job level is low now, your strength will grow beyond what others can match as time goes on. I’m investing in the future.”

I looked at her, thinking to myself.

‘Not only do I have the Gunmage profession, but I also have the Blacksmith profession, which is legendary. If I reveal that, it’ll be chaos.’

Well, Jeong Eun-seo had a point. Even the incredible magic aura from the Magic Tower’s mage earlier didn’t match the legendary level. Nam Jin-seok probably has a high job level, so if we fought now, I’d lose, but who knows what would happen after I grow a bit. Plus, my profession gains extra traits as it levels up. Although being a Gunmage had its drawbacks, the [Simultaneous Awakening] trait made it not so disappointing.

Jeong Eun-seo looked at me and spoke.

“We already exchanged contact information, so starting tomorrow, let’s go to the Academy together. My driver can take us, so I’ll pick you up on the way.”

“Isn’t it unnecessary to go together? It’ll take longer for you.”

When I asked, she answered as if it was no big deal.

“We’re going the same way anyway, so just let me know what time you leave each day, and I’ll come to pick you up.”

“Hmm… well, if you’re willing to do that, I’d appreciate it.”

In truth, the distance from my home to the Academy wasn’t exactly short. Using public transportation was fairly inconvenient, so having someone offer to drive me was definitely a welcome change.

“Alright then. Starting tomorrow, let’s go with that plan. If anything comes up, I’ll call you, so make sure you answer.”

“A call? Why would you need to call me?”

“Just, you know… in case I need advice or have something to talk about. F-friends do that kind of thing, don’t they?”

As I watched her blush when she mentioned the word “friend,” a realization struck me.

‘Ah, she doesn’t have friends her own age.’

Jeong Eun-seo had a strong personality and a fierce pride. She wasn’t the type to make an effort to befriend others and was straightforward enough to hurt people without intending to. Before entering the Academy, she had private lessons with one-on-one tutors, and after joining, she hadn’t attended for several months. She simply had no friends her age, which meant I was the only friend around her age.

‘Have I… become her friend?’

In the original game, there wasn’t a single person Jeong Eun-seo called a friend. She only viewed them as classmates. So, her attitude now did seem a bit unusual.

“Do as you like. But if I’m busy, I may not answer.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be mindful.”

At that moment—

Rustle

I sensed someone’s presence behind me, so I looked back in that direction.

“Is someone there?”

At Jeong Eun-seo’s question, I shook my head.

“No, it’s nothing. Anyway, let’s wrap up here for today and continue any other discussions over text.”

With a simple farewell, I parted ways with Jeong Eun-seo.

Step
Step
Step

Eventually, I headed toward the place where I had sensed someone’s presence hiding.

Pause

“Why are you following me? Got something to say?”

When I spoke toward the wall, Sung Hyun-wook sheepishly emerged from behind it.

“H-how did you know?”

Sung Hyun-wook clenched his teeth in frustration, avoiding my gaze. I spoke to him.

“Why are you pacing around like a desperate dog? Is it because I know Jeong Eun-seo and Magician Nam Jin-seok? You really are a pathetic guy, always sucking up to those who are successful and flipping your attitude at the drop of a hat. Disgusting.”

Swoosh

Finally, Sung Hyun-wook approached Lee Hyun-seung, speaking in a low voice.

“What? Did you just say all that, Lee Hyun-seung? Are you kidding me? Don’t make me laugh. If anyone’s a suck-up, it’s you, you idiot. It’s disgusting watching you pretend to be something when you have no real skills or strength. You’re nothing more than a weakling who happens to have met the right woman by chance. Why should I have to listen to trash like you?”

“Huff… huff…”

Sung Hyun-wook’s face flushed red as he glared at me, clearly enraged. It seemed his pride was still wounded from having to bow and apologize to Nam Jin-seok earlier.

He shouted, still not letting go of his grudge.

“I feel nauseous seeing losers like you. Leeching off someone else’s authority and strutting around like you’re something special is revolting. You’re just a failure who couldn’t do anything at the Academy but scribble on test papers, so don’t spout nonsense! I’m not someone that a lowlife like you can disrespect!”

I frowned as I replied to him.

“Why won’t you admit it, even when the evidence is right in front of you? Voyeur, voyeur. Stop spouting that nonsense. And you’re calling me incompetent? Just so you know, I recently awakened.”

Lee Hyun-seung quickly scanned me, his gaze landing on the gun hanging at my waist.

Pfft!

He burst into hysterical laughter.

“When you said you awakened, I thought you’d gotten some amazing class or something, but… a gun? With no basic magic stat, so you’re relying on the magical stat attached to an item to be a Gunmage? Haha! You pathetic idiot. You probably don’t know this, but Gunmages are trash. Well, I guess it suits a trashy loser like you.”

“Trash?”

I glared at Sung Hyun-wook and spoke.

“If you really think I’m a piece of trash, how about a one-on-one duel at the Academy tomorrow?”

“What? A one-on-one duel? Between you, a Gunmage, and me, a Swordsman?”

Sung Hyun-wook smirked as he looked at me and replied.

“Don’t regret it. You’re the one who suggested it first. Promise me that you won’t use any of your connections. Don’t come crawling to Jeong Eun-seo or Nam Jin-seok for help after I’ve humiliated you.”

I held back a laugh and replied to Sung Hyun-wook.

“I promise.”

Clap!

Sung Hyun-wook shoved me, then muttered as he turned away.

“I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll make sure to leave you half-crippled. I’ll return every bit of humiliation I suffered today because of you.”

Step
Step
Step

I watched Sung Hyun-wook walk away, his laughter chilling, and I opened my status window, muttering to myself.

“Trash Gunmage? Alright, we’ll see tomorrow, you fool.”

[Legendary Gunmage]
Class Rank: Legendary
Class Level: 1
▶ Allows for highly proficient handling of firearms.
▶ Each use of a firearm significantly increases related proficiency growth rate.
▶ Adds extra damage to attacks made with firearms.
▶ Currently locked. Unlocks as class level increases.
▶ Growth-type class. Special abilities are unlocked as the class level reaches certain milestones.