I'm a C-Class, but All the S-Classes Are Obsessed with Me - Chapter 18

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 18
“Oh, got it.”
Baek Seon-woo withdrew his hand from mine, letting out a light exclamation.
The moment his warmth receded, a chill settled across my back.
I stood frozen, staring ahead without any reaction.
Though I wasn’t sure what to feel in all of this.
The arrow wasn’t exactly centered on the target, but it had at least struck within the circle, embedded deep.
In twenty-five years, this was my first weapon, my first true hit.
There was still something I needed to say, so I opened my mouth first toward Baek Seon-woo, who hadn’t moved from my side.
“You did that on purpose just now, didn’t you?”
“Did what?”
“Helped me with my grip.”
I asked while maintaining as much composure as I could, though tension coiled through me. A single careless word might give him some unwanted certainty, so I chose mine carefully.
While waiting for his answer, I flexed my hand that had gripped the bowstring several times. As the tension eased, my fingertips began to tingle.
“I don’t know.”
His evasive, offhand tone made irritation spike through me. All that heightened attention for such a useless response—it felt like a waste.
“Baek Seon-woo, you—”
“I was just curious, that’s all.”
He cut off my words with a light shrug and answered.
‘I really want to punch him just once.’
My fist clenched involuntarily, power flooding into my knuckles. Words would never win against someone like him—if revenge was coming, it would have to be physical.
‘I’ll pay him back for this someday, I swear it.’
Unaware of my absolute resolve, I fixed Baek Seon-woo with a sharp glare, his expression infuriatingly serene.
Then, as if nothing had happened, I bent down immediately and began gathering the arrows scattered and half-buried across the ground one by one.
I had to collect the ones that had landed pathetically near my feet and bring them back down.
The moment I reached for them, Baek Seon-woo suddenly crouched down and began helping me clean up.
‘When he does things like this, it’s hard to say anything.’
I carefully picked up arrows while asking him a question.
“So, you’re certain now?”
Baek Seon-woo, who had been methodically gathering arrows, burst into laughter the moment he heard my question.
I felt like my heart wouldn’t survive much more of this, and yet he looked so unfairly composed—it infuriated me.
“Yeah, I figured it out right away.”
“…”
“You’re just clumsy, that’s all.”
“Hey, be serious.”
His joke made me flare up instantly—I grabbed an arrow and made as if to throw it at him.
Faced with that, Baek Seon-woo immediately raised one arm to shield his face.
What am I supposed to do with someone like him?
As his arm lowered, his eyes appeared gently curved in laughter. It was a pretty smile, certainly, but that didn’t mean my anger dissolved.
Whee!
The moment I looked away from him, a whistle sounded, followed by the Instructor’s voice.
“Training complete! Everyone return your equipment and disperse.”
Had the time really gone that quickly?
Looking at the bundle of arrows now gathered in one hand, I finished cleaning up and rose from the ground. Baek Seon-woo stood as well, then slipped the arrows he’d collected into a nearby quiver.
Still, he’d spent the time helping, so I owed him at least a word of thanks.
“…Thanks.”
“Just in words?”
Honestly, with him there’s no moving past anything.
After confirming the quiver was full, I left without responding, taking the lead ahead of him.
Today’s afternoon class ended here, so the sooner I returned the weapon, the better off I’d be time-wise.
‘Maybe I’ll grab ramen with Hye-rin.’
As spicy flavors came to mind, hunger suddenly swept through me.
As I hurried back to the Dormitory, someone naturally fell into step beside me, matching my pace.
“Ha-ryeong.”
Unsurprisingly, it was Baek Seon-woo, and I found myself laughing inwardly.
Who could have predicted I’d have my name called so many times by someone I’d only met a month ago—far more than by blood family?
“I’m listening, so speak.”
“Consider that earlier thing settled.”
“Baek Seon-woo.”
“Hmm?”
I felt his gaze brush against my profile, but I didn’t bother meeting it and got straight to the point.
“Could you manage to explain things properly all at once?”
“I’m doing fine.”
“…Never mind.”
Best to drop it.
If I pulled anything else out now, I had a feeling I’d end up on the receiving end again.
After I fell silent, a short laugh suddenly escaped from beside me.
Whether to envy that optimistic temperament or not…
“I’m grateful too, Ha-ryeong.”
Out of nowhere?
At this mysterious thanks, I finally turned to look at Baek Seon-woo. The corners of his mouth lifted in that familiar gentle smile, but something about it felt unsettling.
“Because of you, I’ve finally gained certainty.”
“…What are you talking about?”
“Nothing, really. I have a prior appointment, so I’ll head out. Take care.”
He patted my right shoulder twice, then turned and walked away without a trace of hesitation. Dumbfounded, I simply stood there watching his retreating figure.
‘Damn it, should I just close my eyes and follow him around?’
If I picked a day and tailed him for a while, I might dig up some weakness. Then I could use it to tease him every time something like this happened.
I was mulling over these dubious strategies when it happened.
[ The Guardian of Taewon tilts his head, wondering why you’re taking such a roundabout way when the matter would be solved simply by checking the Awakener List. ]
As if that’s some kind of cure-all—it only lists personal information and work history at best.
I was tugging at my bangs in frustration when—
“You there, Freshman Ju Ha-ryeong.”
At the sudden call, I felt foreboding rather than curiosity.
I turned around, carefully arranging my expression, and my eyes met with the Instructor who had spoken from the platform. I knew right then that I was done for, and bit the inside of my cheek.
The Instructor looked me over once, then turned his head and gestured toward something with his chin.
“On your way, would you mind moving those dolls over there as well?”
Wow… so discrimination could be this shameless.
I was too stunned to respond immediately. My silence made the Instructor’s eyebrow twitch. Then he lowered his voice and called my name again.
“Freshman Ju Ha-ryeong.”
“…Yes.”
“Even Upper-rank Hunters are struggling like that, so if you have any conscience, you should help out.”
The Instructor tilted his body and gestured with his chin toward somewhere else—the opposite direction from where I’d been standing, toward the Close-range Training Area.
Did this person not see what I’m holding in my hand?
“I’ve only shot arrows today.”
“Exactly why you should move them. As a C-rank, your hands must be slow—isn’t that why you still have work left?”
A bitter smile leaked from the corner of the Instructor’s mouth.
He’d been treating Seo Do-hyeok and Baek Seon-woo respectfully as teaching assistants and such, but now C-rank me was being put to work. That was the point, I realized.
And slow hands?
No matter how behind schedule I supposedly was, it was ridiculous to use that as an excuse.
[ The Guardian of Taewon strongly suggests demonstrating that even a bow can become a lethal weapon, since things have come to this. ]
…This is disgusting, truly.
Inwardly, I agreed with the Guardian’s sentiment completely, but my current position didn’t allow for it. I couldn’t act on instinct, so I swallowed hard and resigned myself.
“Yes, understood.”
If they want it done, it gets done.
I forced my rigid jaw open in acknowledgment.
After bowing deeply and passing by the Instructor, I could have sworn I heard a brief, incredulous laugh behind me.
The system window that appeared conveyed the Constellation’s frustration just as plainly.
[ The Guardian of Taewon pounds his chest a couple of times, then swallows a deep sigh, noting that enduring everything is not the same as being capable of it. ]
[ The Guardian of Taewon vents his resentment, demanding how much longer he must watch his contractor’s submission. ]
Come on, it’s not like this is the first time you’ve seen this. A quick bow and we move on—makes things easier later.
[ The Guardian of Taewon shudders and says he doesn’t care, then warns not to stop him today and starts gulping down tea one cup after another. ]
…In all this, I’m somehow getting the feeling our Guardian is remarkably wholesome.
‘Still, the timing really is something.’
Where had the Instructor been watching from until Baek Seon-woo disappeared?
Swallowing a curse, I headed toward the Close-range Training Area. Several students were already passing by me, each carrying one of the large Magical Dolls in their arms.
‘Is it just these that need moving?’
The moment I arrived at the area, something sprawled across the dirt caught my eye.
I slung the bow over one shoulder and grabbed the doll’s arm to lift it.
In that instant, a faint presence stirred nearby.
“Leave it.”
“……?”
“I’ll do it.”
A hand appeared suddenly in my field of vision, snatching the doll from my grip with surprising ease.
I turned toward the movement and found Seo Do-hyeok cradling the doll lightly, his expression utterly unmoved.
Before I could even register shock at the speed of it all, I straightened my posture and moved to stand beside him.
“But why would you—”
“I didn’t like how you were doing it.”
I hadn’t expected even Seo Do-hyeok to tell me to my face that I displeased him. The thought that he was helping despite this made me purse my lips and respond flatly.
“Then you should have left it alone.”
“Not you. The dummy.”
His gaze cut toward me—sharp and cutting. His dark eyes remained cold, and now they seemed to hold a hint of displeasure as well.
Then, with apparent indifference, Seo Do-hyeok turned away and strode past me. I watched him go and let out a small sigh.
‘I can’t figure out what rhythm to match with him.’
Another person impossible to read.
I shook my head at the thought that everyone around me seemed to be this way, let out a hollow laugh, and followed the same path he had taken.
‘I was headed there anyway.’
That unwieldy bow was still in my hands, after all. Still, it was better to walk separately—fewer things to worry about.
“Hey, what are you doing taking so long?”
“We thought you were in the bathroom.”
“Seriously. Do we need to bring you tissues?”
As we reached the Armory, a chorus of noise spilled out from the Storage attached right beside it.
I hung the bow on an empty rack and stepped out, stealing a glance at what was happening inside the Storage.
‘They’re all working hard.’
The outside was empty, but inside was utter chaos.
I should have been the one waiting in line in that cramped space—but instead, Seo Do-hyeok had taken my place.
‘So that’s what he meant.’
I still didn’t know what exactly besides me he’d found unsatisfactory.
If I stepped in now, it would only create more awkwardness between us. I forced down the uneasy feeling and turned away.
As I took my next step, someone rushed past me with a ragged breath.
C-rank, Yet All the S-rank Awakeners Are Obsessed with Me
Episode 18
Author
| Seo Yu-yeon
Published
| March 6, 2026
Publisher
| TaleSix Corporation
Illustrator
| Cho Geuk
Title Design
| Mallang Kongtteok
Website
| https://talesyx.com/
Email
| [email protected]
© Seo Yu-yeon, 2026
This publication is issued by TaleSix in accordance with an agreement with the copyright holder, and as a work protected under copyright law, it may not be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without written permission from TaleSix.
UCI
| G720:N+A277-20260212008.0018
Price
: 100 won

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————