Me, opening the door here is the worst-case scenario.
Considering the impression that I was receiving a stern talking-to in this guidance room, there's absolutely no way I would be the one to open the door. It's akin to a suspect being questioned opening the door instead of the interrogator—it simply defies logic.
He probably thinks I've already subdued Yoo Soojin or something.
There was a hidden calculation behind this seemingly straightforward statement. The fortunate part was that the conversations inside couldn't be overheard from outside.
My mind was racing; I had to find a way out of this situation. Soojin, still not fully composed, was slowly getting dressed. Her disheveled hair and trembling lips clearly wouldn't be fixed in time. If there was no immediate solution, I needed to come up with a new plan.
Right now, the best solution I could think of was reopening the notification window I had previously ignored!
It's a crucial moment, I have to trust my notification window!
———————————
Quest Cleared!
Reward: Enchanting Gaze (B) has been granted!
Enchanting Gaze (B): Allows you to view the target's personal information.
(Name, height, weight, basic description, etc. / Penalty: Your vision becomes sticky while in use.)
Look forward to the next quest!
——————————–
What's there to look forward to?
I already knew that the confirmed reward couldn't be used in the current situation. What I trusted were the Virgin Bomber and achievement rewards.
He's not opening the door right away. He's waiting.
This judgment was based on the information about Jang Duchul stored in Baek Taeyang's memory. Jang Duchul was a top hunter who frequently appeared on TV and was a prominent figure among the 2nd generation. His personality and beliefs were quite well-known.
Please!
———————————
Virgin Bombing Successful! Direct hit!
You have gained Yoo Minhyuk's [Sub Skill] Cleanup (F), the man who loves Yoo Soojin the most!
Cleanup (F): Tidies up a messy space with precision.
(Limited to actions performed with your own body, consumes stamina equivalent to the extent of the cleanup after the skill is used.)
———————————
That's it!
Victory was mine. The skill I desperately needed had conveniently surfaced just at the right moment. With this in my arsenal, I could tackle the entire situation.
But hold on, Yoo Minhyuk? Same surname, huh?
The connection between the names Yoo Soojin and Yoo Minhyuk sent a shiver down my spine. Could it be her father? He might be her older brother, but without any generational indicators, it leaned towards her father.
The concept of love is quite broad, huh? Familial love is included? Perhaps the skill doesn't differentiate?
Despite the relief of having a solution, a shadow of guilt loomed over me. It was akin to that awkward moment of bumping into your girlfriend's parents after a steamy hotel night.
I haven't really done anything wrong, but…
I felt like an ass, extending my reach beyond a romantic relationship to gain the desired skill from her family.
I probably won't ever meet Soojin's parents, right?
The chances of meeting a fellow student's parents at the academy were probably close to zero, but if it did happen, I was certain to feel guilty. He was certainly a doting father, based on the fact that he was the person who loved Yoo Soojin the most. But if he ever got wind of the fact that a white-haired delinquent had claimed his daughter's first experience…
Wouldn't he just love to pummel me into pieces?
The most convenient way to rescue his daughter from the clutches of a thug was, without a doubt, a good old-fashioned beating.
If such a situation ever arises, I better make a run for it.
With my thoughts in order, I checked the next skill.
———————————
Achievement! [Tore It Up on the First Meeting] Unlocked!
Reward: Acquired [Sub Skill] Playboy Memory (C)!
Playboy Memory (C): A skill linked to and in tandem with the Virgin Bomber.
A virgin's first experience will be remembered as at least 'not too bad.'
(Memories and feelings may change based on subsequent actions, always active.)
———————————
This skill wasn't half bad. It provided a sense of security, even if I were to swing my tool recklessly. It almost seemed to be highly recommended. The message sounded like an encouragement not to fret about creating bad memories, even if you rubbed them the wrong way.
With the skill check done, it was time to resolve the situation.
"Senior, please open the door."
"Huh? Me?"
As I activated Cleanup, the thick white liquid pooled on the floor disappeared. The room looked even neater than when I first entered. In case there were any issues, I could even use the excuse that I received a reprimand and decided to do some cleaning.
Soojin's face also appeared refreshed. The versatility of Cleanup was indeed impressive. Sure, it felt like I had moved my body a lot, but the cost-benefit ratio was no joke. This moment underscored the true power of a skill.
If it doesn't specify "always active," are all skills assumed to be activated then?
I had no clue if they highlighted "always active" because passive skills were too special. I scoured Baek Taeyang's memories, but they weren't giving up any secrets. Maybe these skills were tailor-made just for Kim Taeyang? Perhaps Baek Taeyang was created purely to stir the pot as a rival.
Moreover, I hadn't read the novel from start to finish, and I had a lot of knowledge gaps. It was frustrating that the information in this academy novel only covered the basics. Did they expect me to figure out every detail one by one? It was certainly not user-friendly. I wanted to delve into this aspect further, but time was of the essence.
"Senior, I'll pretend to be self-reflective from the back."
"Okay, I'll take care of the rest."
Soojin was very quick to catch on. The conversation that followed after opening the door went smoothly, leaving no room for suspicion. Although she couldn't hide her flushed face, Jang Duchul didn't seem to find it odd. It was a success.
+++++
Shaking hands, I couldn't help but ponder how much had transpired in less than a minute.
Well, I suppose I lucked out this time.
Internally, I heaved a sigh of relief before turning my attention to Jang Duchul.
The man looked as if he had been chiseled from a block of stone. His physique exuded an unusual aura, like he was about to embark on some bizarre adventure. From the scar running down his neck to his left cheek to his calloused hand, everything about him seemed rugged. Even the buttons on his instructor's uniform looked like they were begging for mercy beneath his muscular frame.
"Baek Taeyang, I'm Instructor Jang Duchul, your homeroom teacher. Follow me to your class."
With those words, he promptly turned and started walking. I was about to follow him, but Soojin tugged at the hem of my clothes. When I turned back, she gestured with her hand, mimicking a phone and wearing a sweet smile.
"Let's stay in touch."
Her words were mouthed with such cuteness that I almost couldn't handle it. A faint blush, black hair flowing like scattered petals, lips moving like cherry blossoms in the breeze. Even without her glasses, she remained stunning, perhaps even more so.
I nodded in agreement and followed Jang Duchul. But it hit me belatedly, we hadn't exchanged numbers. The only thing we'd exchanged was our own pleasure.
+++++
His back looks like it's two people combined.
Jang Duchul had earned a reputation as a giant among ordinary folks. If you were to inquire about his life's difficulties, those in his circle would describe him as overwhelmingly kind, almost as if there were no other way to put it!
Despite trailing behind, I couldn't help but sense a sudden surge in his combat prowess. His physique exuded such confidence that no one would dare challenge him.
But where are we going now?
We had been walking for a good ten minutes, and there was no end in sight. I was unfamiliar with Victory Academy's layout, but it was clear this wasn't a typical destination. Just a quick glance around revealed classrooms filled with students. Yet, instead of entering, we continued to march. It was more than enough to fuel suspicions.
I follow when told to, but…
Back when I followed Soojin to the guidance room, there were plenty of students and instructors around. But now, students are dwindling, and instructors are multiplying.
Am I being thrown into some bizarre experiment?
Is Victory Academy creating students through some secretive brainwashing process that ordinary folks are oblivious to?
Should I make a run for it? Am I about to get shredded on my very first day in this new school?
With each step, passing through security checks over and over, my anxiety steadily escalated.
"Don't worry, we're not going to an unusual place. I'm sure you understand the risks of passive skills. The Fat Boy Incident is a vivid example." Duchul reassured me, as if he could read my thoughts.
The Fat Boy Incident. It was a major event etched in Baek Taeyang's memory. The perpetrator behind this catastrophe was a 17-year-old boy named Johnny Price, an average student residing in Arizona, USA.
The only thing that set him apart was the fact that he was fat. His school friends used this as a pretext to start bullying him.
The bullying, which started when he was 12, continued for an astonishing five years and progressively worsened. He attempted to seek help as the harassment grew more severe, but he found himself helpless due to the deep-seated despair that had taken hold. His parents, both working to make ends meet, were neglectful, and the teachers paid minimal attention to their classroom.
Eventually, the torment extended beyond the school's walls—Johnny's trusty companion, his beloved dog, fell victim to the bullies. Driven by rage and having lost his senses, he lashed out. But all his accumulated helplessness and the overwhelming number of bullies led to a brutal beating. Cornered to the brink of death, Johnny struggled as if it were his last fight and awakened his skill just when he needed it most.
Sometimes, redemption can be ruthless.
In what felt like the blink of an eye, a roaring fire consumed an entire neighborhood. It was genuinely a blink of an eye, as everything turned to ashes in that brief span.
Passive skills proved to be a curse. While the effects could be minimized, it was impossible to entirely eliminate them. Furthermore, in those early days, education and preparation for awakened individuals were severely lacking, leaving Johnny clueless about how to control his newfound power.
Initially, he felt relief as those who had tormented him vanished. But this fleeting satisfaction gave way to despair as he realized that he had inadvertently killed everyone. His emotions merged with the skill, and the inferno grew uncontrollably. Within 30 minutes of the incident, Arizona was engulfed in a massive blaze.
Every phenomenon generated by a skill could only be countered by a skill. While it might appear as fire on the surface, it was, in reality, something that resembled fire.
The U.S. government's decision was swift. They didn't consider calming Johnny down or anything of the sort. The only directive issued was the elimination of Johnny, also known as Operation Fat Boy.
A team of fifteen level 1 hunters was dispatched to Arizona. In the ensuing confrontation, three died, and five were injured before Johnny was killed. The confirmed death toll stood at 723,178, and when including those unidentifiable or missing, it exceeded 900,000.
This incident served as a catalyst for global discussions on preparing and educating awakened individuals, as well as effectively managing passive skills.
"As a result of that incident, there has been extensive research on controlling passive skills."
Duchul brought us to a halt in front of a massive case. It featured three locks, and the solid, jet-black metal case, though unopened, was undeniably weighty.
"And this is the result."
The case started to open with a hissing sound. Stepping closer to look inside, there was a rubber ring about the size of a bracelet.
It looks like…
"No, it's not a condom. It's an ability limiter bracelet."
Is this guy trying to make a joke?
I shot Duchul a bewildered look.
I'm supposed to wear this? Seriously?
Duchul nodded very seriously and repeated once more, "It's not a condom."
I reluctantly strapped it onto my arm. This is the real curse.