As Kim Seyeon watched the training, she became quieter, but she stayed until the end. After hearing two or three times from Ahn Sungho that she could leave now, she finally left the gym.
“Good job. We’re done for today.”
“Th-thank you.”
Park Jinsung lay down briefly, appreciating the impending muscle soreness. He even imagined crawling to alleviate the pain.
“Starting tomorrow, are you in the same unit as Kim Seyeon?”
“Ah, well, yes. I heard she transferred here.”
“To be honest, Kim Seyeon and I go way back.”
“Really…? Huh?! Is that so?!”
“You seem even more surprised than I thought.”
Park Jinsung gathered his legs and sat up.
“But isn’t today the first time you’ve seen Kim Seyeon?”
“It seems like she can’t remember. We’ve been close since middle school.”
“Close like eating together? But how can she not remember you?”
“In middle school, I never made it to the finals of any combat competition. On the other hand, she consistently ranked at the top as if it were natural.”
“I see.”
Park Jinsung recalled Ahn Sungho’s Edeya rank.
An unexpected low rank. It was a level that was hard to imagine when thinking about Ahn Sungho.
“Of course, in high school, I was superior academically. Although we never directly competed, that is.”
“Aren’t you leaving?”
“I plan to do a little more before leaving.”
Ahn Sungho’s training is just beginning now. The routine he did with Park Jinsung was merely a shallow warm-up.
‘Ugh, is he a monster…?’
It was a complete contrast to his own soaked appearance.
Park Jinsung sincerely thought that Ahn Sungho was like a monster.
* * *
During the usual morning roll call.
The homeroom teacher brought a student who was as white as jade.
“Hey, everyone, pay attention. We have a new transfer student today.”
“Where should I stand, sir?”
“You can go to the end of the 1st squad.”
“I prefer the 3rd squad. I’ll go to the 3rd squad.”
Kim Seyeon went straight to the end of the 3rd squad. Her confident attitude left the 10th platoon leader and even her fellow students astonished.
At the end of the 3rd squad were the squad leader, Byun Kiyoung, and in front of him sat the weakest link, Park Jinsung.
As Kim Seyeon approached, Byun Kiyoung’s expression became incredibly arrogant.
“Hey, new transfer student. State your name and class.”
“I don’t want to. We’re both Corporals, do we really have to do this?”
“What…?”
Byun Kiyoung swallowed hard. Nonetheless, as the 3rd squad leader, he tried his best to maintain his expression.
Kim Seyeon’s attitude naturally exuded an air of superiority, making it impossible for the other students to rebel against her confident demeanor.
“Platoon leader? I like it here! I’ll stay here!”
“Oh dear.”
Kim Seyeon claimed to be Park Jinsung’s partner. Park Jinsung already felt a tingling pain in his kidneys.
“Hey, trainee. Do you dislike me? Why are you making such a fuss and showing your displeasure? Should I just give you a good hit?”
“Sob, sob. When did I show any displeasure?”
“Hmm. Corporal Kim Seyeon?”
The 10th platoon leader called Kim Seyeon with a light cough.
“Yes, platoon leader. I’m here.”
“Even so, you should at least introduce yourself to your fellow soldiers, right?”
“Oh, right.”
Bang!
Kim Seyeon’s sudden rise from her seat almost caused Park Jinsung to stumble over.
It was a series of actions that were hard to find anywhere else. The sudden outburst caused Byun Kiyoung to be furious.
“Hey… new student… go ahead and introduce yourself.”
“I don’t want to. Everyone can hear it from here anyway.”
“Is she for real?”
Ignoring Byun Kiyoung’s attempt to object, Kim Seyeon continued to speak.
“Hey, everyone! Nice to meet you all. I’m Kim Seyeon, the new Corporal who transferred to this Brigade. My Edeya is ‘White Jade Goblin,’ and my goal is to become even stronger. Please take care of me.”
“…….”
The students fell into a momentary silence upon hearing her ‘Edeya.’
“…….”
Even Byun Kiyoung, who had blushed earlier, was now in shock.
The classroom, which was previously immersed in thoughts, suddenly erupted with excitement.
“Wow! What?! She’s a real ‘White Jade Goblin’?!”
“Is this for real?! Not a joke?!”
“Quiet! Everyone, be quiet!”
“Wow, our school’s recruiting power is insane.”
“The other classes are in the middle of a lesson! Keep it down!”
The 10th platoon leader’s call for silence was easily drowned out by the buzz of chatter. Kim Seyeon’s revealed Edeya was truly shocking.
Edeya, in its essence, represents the one and only unique soul that each individual is born with, even before they come into this world.
Even if the meaning and abilities of Edeya were similar, each individual’s Edeya was ultimately unique. There was always a crucial difference. Just like how people have different appearances, the significance engraved in their souls could never be the same.
However, some people hoped that their Edeya would continuously grow stronger through generations.
More refined, sharper, and greater.
One Korean clan, the Kim clan from Kimhae, reached a consensus on the inheritance of Edeya. For the greater cause, the Kim clan willingly abandoned their ancestral roots and established a new lineage.
Across several generations, they relentlessly imparted the same education, ideology, and combat training. It was akin to a laboratory or experiment.
They had to be cautious about mixing with other bloodlines. Marriages were only allowed within a certain number of generations to avoid genetic variations.
Though the number of the clan drastically decreased, around the fifth generation, similar traits finally began to manifest.
The newborns possessed fair skin and the ability to master a skill to its extreme limits.
Due to their ghostly proficiency, people began to call them “White Jade Goblin” or “White Goblins.”
And perhaps because of that,
[White Jade Goblin]
World Soul Unit Ranking: A
The caster materializes the White Jade Goblin within their body.
The Kim clan succeeded in adopting the existence of a mythical creature as their Edeya. With the acquisition of Goblin title, they chose to identify themselves as the White Jade Kim clan.
Do you remember Plato’s theory of Forms?
What we actually see and feel are mere shadows, not the true essence of existence.
The White Jade Kim clan’s creation of White Jade Goblin was no different; they made the essence of existence itself their soul’s significance, not just a shadow.
If the name “White Jade Goblin” carries the meaning of “swordsmanship,” then it can be seen as the highest compatibility with that meaning, the ultimate expression of that significance.
In simpler terms, it signified a master-level skill that no one else could replicate.
However, the only limitation was that not everyone possessed it from the beginning; it was something that could be acquired. The possibility of reaching it someday was the only inherent limitation.
White Jade Goblin was born only once in a generation, and only from a daughter. With their dwindling numbers, the clan was on the verge of extinction.
But eventually, it happened.
In the final generation, a Goblin who excelled in swordsmanship emerged. They possessed potential that far surpassed that of an ordinary man.
They might even demonstrate the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
The last Goblin was undoubtedly a top-tier Goblin in history.
Kim Seyeon.
An individual recognized by the generation and approved by the heavens. An elite from the moment of birth.
“Platoon Leader? Can I sit now?”
“Sure, you can sit. Oh, by the way, from today, Corporal Kim Seyeon will be the vice leader of 3rd squad. The rest of you, be quiet! Please, quiet down!”
“Yes, understood.”
Kim Seyeon calmly took her seat without any sign of hesitation.
The 10th platoon leader thought that someone like Kim Seyeon should be given a prominent position right away to foster a sense of belonging and keep her tied to their squad.
The radical change in the squad administration drove the students even crazier.
‘Ugh, the rolling stone has come in!’
Byun Kiyoung took a swipe at Kim Seyeon’s impressive back. Not only did he dislike having a subordinate as a vice squad leader, but he also found it disgusting that they had chosen someone so insignificant.
“Wow, were you that famous?”
“Well, I’ve been pretty since I was young.”
“That’s not the problem….”
“Even you are famous, aren’t you? Being an F-rank trainee is not such a common title.”
“Ugh. Stop making me feel sad. Please, stop.”
“Huhu, even though you say that, you’re still famous.”
Kim Seyeon didn’t find the F-rank guy next to her unlikable at all.
There was an uncommon sense of ease about her. The source of that ease became somewhat intriguing.
Kim Seyeon’s appearance shook up the entire Haeun Special Brigade. Finally, there was someone who could threaten Corporal Ahn Sungho, gathering all sorts of attention.
Even the teachers considered Kim Seyeon as the top student of the second year. Her evaluation as an extraordinary swordsman was precisely that.
The last generation of the illustrious clan that drew attention from Korean society. A vice leader stronger than the squad leader. The only existence that threatened Ahn Sungho.
With her outward beauty, Kim Seyeon’s popularity skyrocketed. Even students from other grades occasionally came to watch her.
Moreover, Kim Seyeon’s strength wasn’t just about physical prowess. She displayed overwhelming leadership skills, evident in the squad-level combat evaluations.
“Hey! Kim Seyeon! It’s an order from the squad leader! Quickly cover the flank!”
“What are you saying? Right now, a frontal assault would result in fewer casualties.”
Kim Seyeon’s orders were far more efficient and devastating than Byun Kiyoung’s commands. Byun Kiyoung had many orders that only served to highlight himself.
“Hey, partner trainee. Go and draw some enemy attention. Can you still do that?”
“Heh… Corporal… I’m really exhausted. Please let me rest.”
“What are you saying? I’ll just hit you!”
Kim Seyeon even used the F-rank trainee efficiently.
The 10th Platoon, 3rd Squad, naturally gained strength as if drawn to Kim Seyeon. It received evaluations like “not just a one-woman team led by Kim Seyeon.”
The squad members started following Kim Seyeon quite naturally. Naturally, the squad’s performance improved significantly compared to when Byun Kiyoung was in command.
“Hey, trainee. Let’s go have lunch together.”
Lunchtime felt somewhat peaceful, contrary to what was expected. Surprisingly, the incident occurred during a rather calm period.
Kim Seyeon wanted to honorably seat Park Jinsung beside her so they could eat together.
“I don’t want to. I need to clean up.”
“No one else to eat with. Hurry up and join me.”
“Don’t lie. You’re popular, you know.”
“I don’t like insincere people. They just give me fleeting glances and, ugh, I’m not interested.”
“Oh! It really won’t do! I have to clean the chalkboard erasers, sweep and mop the floor, and prepare the next class’s materials. I don’t have time.”
“What? Are you telling me you’re doing all the cleaning and preparation for other squads too? All by yourself?”
The other students had already gone to have their meals, and there was no sign of anyone else available to help with the tasks.
“Ah, I do it because I want to. Don’t misunderstand.”
“Really?”
Certainly, with Park Jinsung’s stamina, he could finish all the tasks for their platoon and still have time left. In fact, Park Jinsung seemed focused as he cleaned, even feeling the texture of each object, as if responding to Ahn Sungho’s demands.
Kim Seyeon’s expression contorted briefly. The movement of her eyebrows was as strikingly white as her porcelain skin.
“Uhm? W-What, Kim Seyeon?”
“Just do it for now. I’ll get you a red bean bun or something.”
“Hehe, Kim Seyeon!”
“Wh-What, why, you, hey.”
“I want a red bean bun, please!!”
……
Kim Seyeon gritted her teeth hard. The device known as the “Limit Breaker” inside her mind broke.
“Argh! Kim Seyeon! Wh-why are you suddenly like this!”
With her temperature rising, Kim Seyeon started overturning the entire classroom.
……
“I-I’m sorry!! Sob!”
Clatter, clatter!
She kicked over the desk, threw the broom and mop around, and even launched the chalkboard erasers out of the window.
……
“Come on, follow me. Let’s go to the cafeteria.”
“Yes.”
Park Jinsung unintentionally stood at attention.
After the entire classroom was turned upside down, they ended up dividing the cleaning tasks among the squads.
Kim Seyeon didn’t forget to report thoroughly to the 10th Platoon leader. Thanks to Kim Seyeon’s efforts, the 10th Platoon received favorable evaluations, and the Platoon leader was unquestionably on Kim Seyeon’s side.
“Each of you should do your own tasks. Do you all want to die?”
Even within the 3rd Squad, they divided the cleaning tasks. No one dared to challenge the “White Jade Goblin” in any way. Justice, power, and legitimacy, they all belonged to Kim Seyeon.
“These trashy people…!”
However, the brighter the light, the deeper the shadow.
The once carefree Byun Kiyoung personally voiced his disgust. Just before the afternoon classes, he called Kim Seyeon.
“Hey… vice leader.”
“Byun Kiyoung? What’s wrong, do you have something to do with me?”
“Call me Squad Leader. And if I don’t have anything to do, can’t I call my subordinates as I please?”
“Well, that’s true. Then I guess I should quickly become a squad leader?”
“…Trash.”
Byun Kiyoung’s voice dropped low.
“If there’s nothing, can I go? Sub… Squad… Leader.” [Note: “Sub-leader” in Korean is “분대장님” (pronounced as “Bundaejangnim”). “Trash” in Korean is “쓰레기” (pronounced as “sseuregi”).]
“Come up to the rooftop after school. There’s something to discuss about the squad.”
“Hmm. Okay?”
Clouds began to gather in the once clear sky.
Swoosh.
Along with a small shadow, a cool breeze swept by for a moment.
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