Rank 0 of the Awakener Special School - Chapter 57

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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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Ranking Zero of the Awakener Special School
Episode 57
The second exam was the Non-lethal Suppression test.
In short, a one-on-one tournament format.
However, you must achieve victory without causing death or irreversible injury to your opponent. The referee will intervene in cases of absurd tactics or extreme danger.
“Damn it… if you don’t have a combat-specialized Core, you can’t even fight. What am I supposed to do with a normal Core like mine…?”
“Who knows? If the matchups go your way, you might pull off a win.”
“Are you insane? My opponent is Nam Rae-in.”
“Just forfeit. I’d recommend it.”
Beyond that, there was the Instantaneous Firepower Evaluation test—inflicting the greatest damage on a specially manufactured mannequin within three seconds.
There was also the Multi-to-One Survival Combat test—enduring against training drones for a limited time, and ultimately destroying the drone control device.
Thus, most of Gawon’s practical exams favored those who possessed combat-specialized Cores.
Of course, being an Awakener didn’t automatically funnel you into military or combat fields in the future.
So why were the tests structured this way?
It was for the Sponsors observing the exams.
Regardless of the competition, spectators always craved sensational thrills.
Those who drew more attention, who promised more buzz.
Except in specific industries like medicine, that’s who the Sponsors wanted.
In a sense, you could call this exam a performance for the Sponsors.
‘What’s so entertaining about this, anyway.’
Squeak—
Yu-jin turned his head, twisting the faucet closed as water stopped flowing.
This was the Water Station at the edge of the Sports Ground.
Having finished his fourth exam, Yu-jin had come here to rinse his face lightly.
Even now, across the way, a massive LED Screen was broadcasting the current progress of the ongoing exam.
“What’s that…?”
A student standing at the opposite Water Station muttered vacantly, eyes fixed on the LED Screen.
The chatter of the nearby students reached Yu-jin’s ears.
“Insane—at this rate she’s basically a monster.”
“Seol Ji-hyo from Class 2? The one who got bullied back in middle school?”
…Seol Ji-hyo?
Yu-jin’s gaze naturally followed.
“No joke. It looks like she’s scored the highest on all four exams so far? How does someone like that get bullied?”
“You didn’t hear the Class 2 kids talking? She had some accident in eighth grade and fell hard. They say she completely changed after that.”
“Wasn’t there a rumor she joined the Special Unit?”
“Yeah, I heard that too. They say she’s Tae Ga-young’s favorite toy or something?”
“Her? Wow…”
The clusters of students gathered around the Water Station gazed at Seol Ji-hyo, reflected in the LED, with curious eyes.
Unaware of Yu-jin’s presence nearby, one of them added,
“But with that score, doesn’t Yu-jin come in second?”
“Yeah, second place. I honestly thought Yu-jin would take first in the Instantaneous Firepower Evaluation.”
“Wow, Yu-jin’s pride must be hurt. He’s never lost first place before.”
Pride…
Listening to their chatter, Yu-jin lifted his gaze toward the LED monitor.
There on the screen was Seol Ji-hyo, who had just claimed the highest score in the Core Application test.
Yu-jin’s name, which had held first place before, had slipped down below hers.
And yet…
it didn’t bother him as much as he’d expected.
Was it normal for your pride to be wounded when you lost first place?
– You don’t look very happy about it.
Ji-hyo had said that to Yu-jin once, when he scored a perfect on a math test.
What had he answered her then?
– It was easy. Not getting a perfect would be strange.
…Right.
He felt the same way now.
It had always been Yu-jin’s place—at the top, without much effort.
The number “1” had never been an achievement or accomplishment for Yu-jin.
From kindergarten to his current year in high school, Yu-jin’s life had always flowed like clockwork.
As his parents told him, as the school instructed, as things were predetermined.
Following through, producing results, receiving evaluations.
All of it felt to Yu-jin like merely a landscape that stirred nothing in him.
If you ran along the rails laid beneath your feet from the moment of birth, then everything that flickered past the window was just scenery.
– How boring it must be.
Suddenly, that day’s words from Seol Ji-hyo echoed again.
…Now, somehow, he felt he might understand what she meant.
“…”
Yu-jin’s gaze remained fixed on Seol Ji-hyo, reflected in the LED Screen as if nailed there.
A dusty gray Towel draped across her neck, he watched her face onscreen, forgetting even to dry the water still dripping from it.
Then.
At some point, he realized it.
The complexion of Seol Ji-hyo captured by the camera…
‘Something’s off.’
She looked different from her usual self.
Her pallid complexion, pupils strangely unfocused, breath coming in shallow gasps—she was wiping cold sweat from her brow.
Now that he thought about it, her color hadn’t looked good since the Special Unit retreat. More precisely, since she took on her first assignment.
‘Is she sick?’
It gnawed at him.
He didn’t know how or what to confirm, but his feet moved of their own accord—that much.
“Oh, Yu-jin, you’re here.”
Just then, someone approached the Water Station.
It was his homeroom teacher.
“We’re short on some equipment for the next exam. Could you do me a favor and move a few things from the Storage Room?”
“Ah…”
“I’d appreciate it. Here’s the list.”
His homeroom teacher handed him a sheet of paper.
As class president, he was used to running errands for teachers. But now, this moment felt irritating.
…But what could he do?
Yu-jin had no choice but to head toward the Storage Room.
“This exam really brought out the big shots, didn’t it?”
As he reached the entrance, Yu-jin heard a male student’s voice from inside.
“Right? This could be my big break. If I hook even one Sponsor here, I’ve got it made.”
“Talk is cheap. They’re just here to look. The school’s just going to pocket the sponsorship money anyway. What’s left for us?”
“Still, you never know. I’m hoping I score better on the next exam…”
A few students seemed to be resting here before the next exam began.
Either way, as Yu-jin reached to open the Storage Room door,
“Think the Seolhwa Pharmaceuticals chairman came?”
“Of course. His granddaughter’s here.”
Yu-jin’s hand froze in midair.
And after a moment,
Click—
he yanked the door open.
“…”
Even in broad daylight, the Storage Room interior was dark. Light barely seeped in through the small ventilation duct rattling as it turned.
But then.
‘What.’
Yu-jin’s brows furrowed slightly.
And for good reason.
‘…Alone?’
Nam Rae-in was visible, lightly leaning against an old vaulting horse.
It was strange. He’d definitely just heard voices.
He’d thought at least two or three people—or more—were gathered here, but stepping inside, he saw no one but Nam Rae-in.
“Hey.”
Nam Rae-in, noticing Yu-jin, pushed off from the vaulting horse and offered a casual greeting.
Since the welcoming ceremony, this was the first time Yu-jin had faced Nam Rae-in directly.
Of course, he’d seen him in the Hallway passing by. A few times he’d even watched him call out to Seol Ji-hyo from the back classroom door.
But they’d never spoken before.
‘There was no reason to.’
Yu-jin glanced around the Storage Room quickly, then turned his gaze to Nam Rae-in.
“…What are you doing here?”
“Resting. Standing out in that blazing sun all day burns your skin.”
Nam Rae-in replied in his characteristic carefree tone, pushing off from the wall and brushing dust from his clothes.
“What about you?”
“Running an errand.”
“That’s rough. Being class president must be tough.”
Nam Rae-in passed right by Yu-jin.
“…Wait.”
As he tried to exit the Storage Room, Yu-jin’s lips parted.
“Wasn’t there someone else here besides you?”
At that question, Nam Rae-in’s footsteps stopped.
After a moment, he turned back slowly.
In the Storage Room, where darkness had settled deeply,
his amethyst-like violet eyes gleamed faintly in the shadows.
“No, I was alone.”

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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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