Villain Hides His True Colors

The third day of the Hero Licensure Exam had arrived.

Bright sunlight could be seen shining through the windows as it contrasted the somber scenery outside of Pyongyang.

I had grown quite accustomed to such mornings at the test site.

From a corner of the lobby which had become sort of my reserved spot, I took out my game console.

Huu…I couldn’t believe it had only been three days.

If I had known that time would go so slowly, I would have brought more games.

I took out a pack of sandwiches that Elizabeth had prepared for me from my inventory, and ate it one by one as I played my games.

Fortunately, it wasn’t something she had made, so the taste was somehow okay. For a while, only the sound of the game console resonated quietly in the empty lobby.

At some point, from one side of the lobby, people began to slowly appear.

And among the crowds, Cheon Eugene was also mixed. The brat walked to me with quick steps when he found me.

“Choi Noah. How come you didn’t show up for breakfast this morning?”

“I don’t like fried pollock.”

I spoke firmly.

“Is that so? It was new to my taste and surprisingly not bad. However, if you don’t supplement your nutrition properly, it’ll affect your tests. Eat this at least.”

He took out a banana and held it in front of me. Perhaps it was a fruit that came as a side dish today.

“Hmm…”

“D-do you hate bananas? Th-then I’ll go and change it into an apple…”

“No, it’s okay. Thank you.”

Honestly, it didn’t look very delicious, but for now I put the banana he had handed me into my inventory.

Concerning the upcoming 4th test, it was better to have as much food as possible

“Well. Good. It’s important for a knight to always groom and manage his body like a sword. So from now on, pay more attention to your body.”

He raised his chin with a proud look as if he had done something great.

The moment I clicked my tongue in annoyance at his pathetic appearance, suddenly, I felt a very unpleasant gaze from somewhere. It felt like muddy water was clinging onto me.

I quickly turned my head and looked around.

Some of the candidates were glancing this way, but none of them were giving off an unusual feeling.

Was I mistaken…?

And then, I made eye contact with a boy in the crowd.

No. 00187.

It was a boy who looked to be about 16 to 17 years old.

In particular, his face was so pale that it looked like I was staring at a corpse.

“…”

The boy stared at me for a short moment, but soon turned his head and disappeared into the crowd.

Cheon Eugene, who was next to me, was still chattering about ‘knight health care tips’ as if he didn’t sense any abnormalities.

…What was that just now?

I couldn’t clearly explain why, but I haven’t had a very good feeling since the start of the morning.

At that moment, a broadcast rang in the lobby.

[Briefing room announcement. By 9:00AM sharp, all candidates should gather in front of the central entrance on the first floor.]

Well, I didn’t have to worry about it for now.

In any case, I mixed in with the other candidates and went downstairs.

* * * * * * * * * *

The schedule for today’s 3rd test was related to Courage and will be divided into morning and afternoon.

In the morning, basic physical fitness evaluation will be conducted for both low and high rank hero candidates in the next building. And then in the afternoon, high-rank hero candidates will gather separately to test their practical skills according to their specialty.

For this reason, there were already a lot of low-rank candidates gathered when I arrived at the training facility according to the supervisor’s guidance.

Thud–!

As I entered the training facility, the low-rank hero candidates’ attention all turned my way at once.

I didn’t know why, but frankly, it wasn’t a very friendly atmosphere. It felt like I was in enemy territory.

The low and high rank hero candidates were strangely hostile towards each other, even though the tests themselves were different from the beginning.

Under such pressure, the relatively small number of high-rank hero candidates shrugged and avoided eye contact.

The supervisor who led us then spoke.

“From now on, everyone will be divided into groups, so go where your number is written and measure your physical strength.”

The high-rank candidates were split up and distributed to each group.

“Friend, which group are you in?”

“I’m in group 21.”

“Hmm…I’m in group 5. That’s unfortunate. Looks like we won’t be able to compete until the afternoon test.”

Cheon Eugene left such a remark and walked to the group he belonged to. It was funny to see him talk about a showdown when he had never beaten me before.

After seeing him off, I turned around.

I should head to my group too.

The group I belonged to was near the edge of the training facility. Upon arriving, I could see various equipment to measure physical strength installed on the floor.

I could also see low-rank hero candidates who had already established some friendships huddled together and talking.

“What? High-rank hero candidates younger than my nephew?”

“Didn’t you know? There are many young applicants this time. Because of the hero who had stopped the terrorist attack not too long ago.”

“Anyway, there are so many people who don’t understand what it means to be a hero and only have big dreams. I don’t know who this Choi Noah is, but I want to know what sort of guts he has to be taking the high-rank hero exam.”

They chatted loudly as if they purposely wanted me to listen.

Honestly, normally I would have been a little annoyed, but I didn’t have the slightest interest in these guys.

That should have been the case, but…

Ding–

[Challenge – Legendary Candidate]

Condition: Get a perfect score on the last 3rd test and set a new grand slam record.

Time: 1 day.

Reward: 3x Random Box (Low).

A Challenge suddenly came to mind. Perhaps I had received it for getting a perfect score on the previous tests.

Heuheu…good.

Even if it wasn’t a Challenge, from the beginning, my goal for today’s 3rd test was overwhelmingly first place.

Getting a perfect score was something I couldn’t help myself with.

The corner of my lip rose as I looked at the people gathered here.

* * * * * * * * * *

Sudron had always thought life to be very easy.

Thanks to his parents who had first-class citizenship cards, he was able to have anything he had ever wanted since birth. And his handsome appearance as a result of inheriting good genes helped him to be liked by others without much effort.

In addition, he had discovered that he had great talent for abilities not too long ago, and so, for him, he thought this world was like a playground specifically prepared for him.

Haha…As expected, everyone but me is an idiot.

He thought as such while examining the candidates in group 21. Women who pretended to be close to him, and men who gave jealous looks.

Nothing had changed from the usual.

I was bored, so I thought I would get a hero license. Well, it’s nothing special in the end.

To prepare for this hero exam, Sudron had put in serious effort, something he hadn’t done in a long time.

Nevertheless, he had a ridiculously shorter period to prepare than others.

The low-rank hero exam, which took about one to two years on average to prepare, he was able to reach the 3rd test easily even though he had only prepared for six months.

I can’t understand people who have to take this easy thing three or four times. Was this a difference in talent?

As he was laughing inside, the supervisor who was conducting the measurement called his number.

“Next candidate, please come forward.”

“Yes! Understood!”

Sudron stood in front of a heavy cylinder that was fixed to the floor.

There was a ring attached to it that could be pulled with both hands like a rowing machine. It was a test to measure ‘muscle strength’ through the length at which you can pull the ring.

“If you’re ready, let’s start with pure muscle strength without the use of mana.”

“Okay.”

Sudron warmed up and took off his top. Soon after, muscles that forked like a sculpture were revealed.

“Oh my!”

“Wow, I guess he’s been working out.”

He became the focus of the candidates around him. The attention of women and the jealousy of men.

It was one of the joys he found in life.

You idiots, haha.

Mindful of the gazes around him, he slowly pulled out the fixed ring.

“Heup!”

The sculptural muscles swelled clearly, and the wire attached to the ring was released little by little.

Like that, one step, two steps. He gradually pulled the ring.

And when he finally reached his limit, he released the ring with trembling hands. The wire was sucked back in at a high speed.

“1.12 meters!”

“Huu…”

At the words of the supervisor, he wiped off the sweat on his forehead with a satisfied expression.

Producing such a result with just pure muscle strength wasn’t something easily accomplished.

Even among veteran heroes who were already active in the field, there weren’t many who could exceed this one meter unless they used mana or superpower.

“Wow! That guy is crazy. It’s over a meter without mana?”

“Damn, with that strength, he could just challenge the high-rank hero exam. Did the bastard come here to show off?”

Sudron basked in the limelight as other candidates around him looked at him with jealousy.

After enjoying their gazes, he measured his muscle strength with mana this time.

The result was 2.50 meters. It wasn’t as explosive as the top heroes, but it could also be said to be an amazing level.

Ah, should I have really aimed for the high-rank hero exam?

He thought he would take it step by step from the ground. But now he thought perhaps he should take the high-rank exam next year.

Turning his head with such thoughts, at the end of his gaze was a child with an exam No. 13579 on his chest.

Seeing that even a kid could pass the first and second round of the high-rank exam, it seems that the difficulty of the exam itself isn’t that difficult as long as you study well.

“Let’s move on to candidate No. 13579. Come to the front.”

“Yes.”

And just in time, the boy he was watching stepped forward to measure his muscle strength.

The eyes of those in the same group were all focused on the boy.

“I’m sure he’ll try to do something with mana anyway.”

“Or maybe he was only lucky to have passed the first and second round.”

“Aye, he’s still an aspiring high-rank candidate. There might be something he can do. Let’s wait and see.”

There was a mix of expectations and ridicules in their gazes.

***

[ Translator – Yasi ]

[ Proofreader – Karane ]

They might have had second thoughts if the person standing in front of them was a large adult, but the boy in front of them looked too small and soft.

“Please start the measurement.”

The boy immediately grabbed the ring and asked the supervisor.

“Hmm…What if I get a perfect score without mana? Do I have to do it again using mana?”

The candidates watching the boy burst into laughter.

Their expressions mixed with a little bit of vigilance or jealousy from earlier had turned into complete ridicule.

I was wondering if there was something, but now that I see it, he was just a delusional kid.

Thinking so, Sudron nodded to himself. The supervisor, as if caught off guard, replied with a stutter.

“Uh…Well, that won’t happen, but if it does, there’s no need to measure again using mana.”

“Oh, I see. Thank you.”

The boy replied with a smile. And then at the same time, he immediately pulled at the ring.

Clink–!

The wire that was rolled up was pulled out in an instant.

“H-huh? What?!”

“Was the weight not properly set up?”

The boy’s movement seemed to have no resistance, as if he was pulling an ordinary string.

1 meter, 2 meters, 3 meters, 4 meters… And then 5 meters.

Finally, the entire wire was released. In that state, the boy asked innocently.

“The entire wire is pulled. Is this a perfect score?”

“…P-perfect score.”

The candidates from group 21 blankly stared at the scene. Not only them but also other groups who were watching the situation of group 21.

N-no way!

Sudron couldn’t believe the boy’s result.

After pulling it himself, he understood it would be normal for a child who had no muscles like the boy to not even try.

Something’s wrong with this.

He didn’t know if mana or superpowers were used, but it was an incomprehensible result that he was worse than a child in a simple muscle strength test.

So he angrily shouted.

“Supervisor! Isn’t that cheating? I think he used mana.”

And as if agreeing with his opinion, people around him began to shout.

“That’s right! It doesn’t make sense, right?! We need to thoroughly investigate and find out!” 

The test site where group 21 was located quickly devolved into a sea of noises. The supervisor who was in front of them sweated as he tried to calm the situation.

“If he had used mana, it would have been displayed on the screen. The measurement was completed normally, so you don’t have to worry.”

The supervisor kindly explained to them.

However, the candidates of group 21 couldn’t easily accept it and voiced their grievances.

“I can’t accept it!”

“I wonder if he had made a bribe with the Hero Association. Isn’t it suspicious?!”

“E-everyone, calm down!”

Sudron smiled more and more as he watched the situation flow as he had intended.

The little swindler was still standing in a daze and holding onto the ring. Seeing that, he was even more convinced that his guess was right.

How can he hold onto the ring for that long? I thought my arm would fall off if I even held it for a second longer.

The moment when there was more and more commotion, suddenly, red energy began to flow around the boy’s body.

And…

Clink, clink–

The wire, which was already completely pulled out, screamed as if it would break. A sharp unbearable noise resonated in the test site.

“?!”

The commotion instantly died down. And then everyone looked at the measuring instrument fixed to the floor.

D-don’t tell me…

But even before that thought could come to an end, the sound was heard again.

Crack–Crack–!

The measuring instrument firmly fixed to the floor was gradually being torn away.

And the supervisor who saw it rushed to stop the boy.

“H-hold on! No. 13579! You don’t have to continue!”

At that moment, Sudron saw it. The boy smiled and pulled the ring further.

And…

Crack–Boom–!

The heavy instrument that had finally detached from the floor flew towards him at a frightening speed.

A huge chunk of metal obscured his view.

N-no!

Sudron intuitively sensed his end. But at that moment, the wire hanging from the instrument was pulled tightly.

Boom–!

The instrument fell narrowly next to him. 

Crack–!

And the strong training floor was split like a spider web.

Looking at it, he lost his strength and collapsed. Then, he heard the boy’s voice.

“I got a perfect score, right?”

“…Right.”

Hearing the boy, Sudron had a thought.

…I should never stare at the high-rank hero exam.

* * * * * * * * * *

I looked at the instrument that was thrown on the floor.

Hmm…There was nothing here.

The Challenge said to achieve a new record, so I thought there would be a hidden piece if I did this.

Far from completing the Challenge, no achievement emerged.

There was no need to do this in the future.

In fact, I had used too much mana to pull it. It would be best to just do it moderately in the remaining morning tests.

And I had to save my mana since I had to prepare for the actual evaluation in the afternoon.

As such, I planned to complete the remaining tests without using mana. Strength, Speed, Endurance, Flexibility, etc…

In fact, my physical ability was inching towards 4.0, so getting a perfect score wouldn’t be that difficult.

As a result, I was able to safely continue my perfect score in the morning.

But, what was really important was…the afternoon evaluation that was about to start now.

Clang–Boom! Clang–Boom!

The floor of the training ground vibrated and a giant made of metal could be seen walking this way.

Like what was commonly found in robot games, it was a stylish robot with useless horns and a cloak.

Along with the sound of a rattling cylinder, the giant robot finally stopped. Next, it separated in the air and disappeared into a subspace.

A scene that was literally like a man’s dream.

“Oho…!”

And where the robot had disappeared, a dwarf with a large head was standing in its place.

Compared to the robot, it was really…No, the reaction was definitely different.

Holding a microphone in his hand, the man spoke.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Dr. Jaegal, an A-Rank hero who came to help you evaluate your practical skills today. And…”

Speaking up to here, the man paused for a moment before continuing.

“…Out of all of you, only half will remain. Maybe not just eliminated from the exam, but your life as a hero as well. Keukeu.”

As such, that was how the afternoon practical skill evaluation began.