Rank 0 of the Awakener Special School - Chapter 48

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Rank 0 of the Awakener Special School
Chapter 48
“Well, Ji-u, you arrived right on time.”
Weekend.
Ji-u met up with the Special Unit as planned.
The unexpected part was that Do Min-gi, who seemed to have neither interest nor intention of participating in such an event, was there too.
And furthermore.
“Oh, so you’re the new recruit. I’ve heard a lot about you. What’s the occasion that the unit commander remembered your name?”
“Hey, the unit commander was the one who suggested this welcoming event in the first place.”
“Welcome! Now we’ve got three first-years on the team.”
Three people she’d never seen before were there as well.
They seemed to be other members of the Special Unit who’d just returned from a mission. From the atmosphere, they appeared to be second or third-year students.
“Hmm? Ji-u, are you alright?”
Then Tae Ga-yeong suddenly stared intently at Ji-u.
“Your expression looks a bit dark. You’re not feeling unwell, are you?”
This woman was quite perceptive.
How had she noticed when Ji-u was doing her best not to show it?
Truth was, Ji-u hadn’t felt well in some time.
The shoulder wound she’d gotten from Do Min-gi appeared to have healed on the surface, but the pain lingered.
Her body felt consistently heavy, and the headaches were only getting worse with each passing day.
Yet Ji-u responded without letting it show, her tone matter-of-fact.
“I’m fine. I just didn’t sleep well last night.”
“Sleep is important. If it becomes too much, tell me anytime. I’ll gladly offer my lap as a pillow.”
The moment Tae Ga-yeong lightly tapped her shoulder.
“Ow!”
The pain made the world spin.
“What’s wrong, Ji-u?”
“…It’s nothing.”
She absolutely couldn’t tell her the shoulder injury from Do Min-gi hadn’t fully healed yet.
Ji-u bit her lower lip gently to suppress the pain, making sure no one saw.
Truth be told, until this morning she’d been debating whether to skip the welcome event. Yet she’d forced herself to attend anyway for one reason alone.
‘Gyeon Bo-seong might be here.’
But regrettably, today was another blank draw.
She’d covertly checked the name tags of everyone gathered here, but there was no “Gyeon Bo-seong” among them.
‘I should’ve just rested in my room.’
In the moment she let out a small, silent sigh, her eyes met someone else’s nearby.
It was Moon Yu-jin.
Hadn’t she said she wasn’t coming? Had she changed her mind suddenly?
“Alright, since everyone’s here, shall we head in?”
Tae Ga-yeong, having confirmed the headcount, spoke.
This was a lake located on the northwest side of the campus.
True to what she’d heard, there was a small two-story annex building near the lake.
Ji-u stared at the building with a bewildered expression.
‘They’re holding the welcome event here?’
…Seriously?
Though she’d never been here before, the haunted house she’d been picturing in her mind looked exactly like this.
At best, it resembled an old castle from a vintage foreign film.
At worst, it looked like an abandoned manor about to collapse any moment.
“Hmm?”
Meanwhile, Tae Ga-yeong’s eyes widened as she watched Ji-u freeze before the annex building.
“Now that I think about it, Ji-u, you didn’t bring any luggage?”
“…I didn’t hear anything about bringing supplies?”
“Well, if you don’t particularly need anything, no matter. But for a one-night-two-day trip, you could’ve at least brought a toothbrush.”
…What? One night, two days?
Ji-u spun around to look at Nam Rae-in, who was standing behind her.
“I just found out too.”
He merely shrugged.
“Reports have come in of Infected Entities occasionally appearing near this lake, likely due to frequent Narak Backflow lately. We’re scheduled to stay here for one night and two days, patrolling the surrounding area.”
“I’ve never heard of this before. Commander, wasn’t today supposed to be the new recruit welcoming ceremony?”
“It serves both purposes.”
“Great, a mission after coming all this way…”
“Don’t think of it too negatively. It’s more like volunteer work. Think of it as a pleasant walk, everyone.”
Drawing all the bewildered gazes upon herself, Tae Ga-yeong thrust her sword toward the old castle with an exhilarated expression, the blade gleaming.
“Let’s charge ahead, soldiers.”
…No one was brave enough to voice objections to the commander’s proposal.
After entering the annex, the members of the Special Unit moved to an appropriate room inside.
“Alright, everyone sit down. We’ll handle the perimeter patrol starting this evening, so let’s do the welcome event first. Oh, and watch that corner—the floor looks like it could give way. Don’t get your foot stuck.”
Snacks such as Potato Chips and Orange Juice had been prepared in advance.
Along with shabby plastic chairs.
“Who was in charge of organizing this welcome ceremony?”
“Min-gi, sir.”
“If you’re going to decorate, couldn’t you have made it a bit nicer?”
“…Do you have a complaint?”
“No, sir.”
The welcome ceremony began as they exchanged trivial conversation.
“Well then, let’s toast to welcome our new recruit!”
“…Cheers.”
The senior members, meeting Ji-u for the first time, naturally took seats beside her and struck up conversation.
“New recruit, is it true you’re the granddaughter of Seolhwa Pharmaceuticals?”
“I heard that too. Wow, that’s a huge company. As a conglomerate heiress, you probably ride horses during vacation, right?”
“Are you planning to take over the family business later?”
She didn’t sense any hostility from them. Rather, their bright eyes gleamed with curiosity.
“Well, that’s…”
This kind of attention was unfamiliar, so she felt a bit flustered.
“Why did you join the Special Unit anyway? With your background, you wouldn’t need the Special Unit’s benefits, right?”
“Hey, Yu-jin comes from a famous family too.”
“That’s true.”
Was Moon Yu-jin also from a well-known household? She vaguely remembered hearing that her parents were involved in politics.
In an moment of unconsciously glancing toward Moon Yu-jin, their eyes met as if she’d been waiting for it.
Throughout this, the senior members’ chatter continued unabated.
“But it’s surprising. They say you handled that mission last weekend by the scruff of the neck? When I only heard the stories, I thought you were a complete hothouse flower.”
“Me too. Plus, there were rumors. In middle school, you were in Narak—”
“Stop.”
At that moment, Tae Ga-yeong opened her mouth.
“Don’t spout useless nonsense. Keep your mouths shut.”
The seniors who’d been chattering incessantly until then fell silent in unison.
…Was she angry?
Unlike her usually bright and hearty demeanor, her stern expression looked considerably intimidating.
Tae Ga-yeong’s expression softened as if none of that had happened, and she tapped the seat beside her.
“Ji-u, come here.”
“Yes, of course.”
Ji-u obediently moved to sit beside her.
“I understand everyone’s curious about our cute new recruit, but there’s something more important we should be asking, isn’t there? The most crucial thing.”
Everyone, including Ji-u, looked at Tae Ga-yeong with questioning eyes.
“Now that you’ve officially joined the Special Unit, I believe there should be no secrets among us.”
Tae Ga-yeong glanced briefly at Ji-u.
“If you’re hiding anything, lay it bare right here, right now.”
In that moment, Ji-u’s heart sank slightly.
‘Secret? What secret is she talking about?’
Ji-u unconsciously wrapped her right arm around her painful left shoulder.
Could it be…
Does she know the truth about my Core?
‘No, that can’t be.’
Perhaps she’d just heard something about ‘Awakening’ from the headmaster and was probing her about it.
During this recent mission, Ji-u had purified the elementary school students and Do Min-gi’s toxins.
Perhaps Tae Ga-yeong had sensed something odd about that and suspected Ji-u as a result.
“Or would you prefer that I ask directly? If so, I shall.”
Tae Ga-yeong’s eyes hardened as she looked at Ji-u.
“Ji-u, you—”
Her voice was grave and serious, devoid of its usual playfulness.
Ji-u swallowed silently.
“Is it true that you’re engaged to Rae-in?”
“…”
“…”
Thunk.
The paper cup in her hand fell.
It was Yu-jin’s.

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