Chapter 102

Everyone is Young Except for Me

Evolution? I was dumbfounded by the sudden situation. I hadn’t expected this to happen now.

[New abilities have started to blossom.]

[Solar grows at certain levels.]

[The next growth will be at level 200.]

“It seems to be evolving at level 100.”

I learned a new thing as Solar continued to emit a light. The light repeatedly twisted and grew. Once it calmed down a short time later, Kim Sujeong looked surprised. “Wow, amazing!”

[Solar, the sun elemental, has completed its first evolution.]

[Childhood -> growth period has been entered.]

[Its personality has become more active and intellectual abilities have increased slightly.]

[The sun’s flames have become stronger.]

[Small hands are created so it can do more activities.]

[The new ability ‘Sun Explosion’ has been acquired!]

[Sun Explosion: Solar will consume its own sun energy to create a massive explosion. The explosion has a radius of 100 meters and enemies swept away by the massive sun flames will have a chance to fall into the ‘burned’ state. The exploded Solar will return to its original size.]

Um... not bad. It was a moment I had been waiting for. I had been in a hurry because it hadn’t developed its ability even after waiting a long time. Thus, this was a good thing. By the way, Solar could grow even further. It should look different than it did currently. Of course, I still liked it.

“Solar has become stronger! Master!” Solar waved to me with a small hand.

I smiled and stroked it. The flames were tougher but it still felt warm. Solar had definitely become stronger. “You are great. Keke.”

I heard footsteps behind me and looked back to see Gyeonso Dragon running over. It seemed he had been startled by the sudden commotion. “You came late.” 

“I’m sorry, Brother. It doesn’t seem like it was a big deal. I’m glad. I was scared that you would be in danger.”

“Tsk tsk, run over using your lightning next time.” 

“Haha. I understand.” He saw Solar and seemed to understand the situation. 

I looked up at the sky. The congratulatory messages from the constellations were overflowing.

[The firefly star, ‘Camille,’ is blessing Solar’s evolution!]

[The fist star, ‘Raitra,’ is emitting blue lightning as he celebrates the evolution of Solar!]

[The firefly star, ‘Camille,’ is beating ‘Raitra’ because it is troublesome.]

[The fist star, ‘Raitra,’ is looking sullen.]

I laughed at the messages. In fact, Raitra wasn’t a type of person who deserved to be treated like this. He was the one with the highest fighting power among the second-grade constellations. He was a pretty good-natured person, even if he was a bit ignorant because he came from a clan that worshipped fighting. He didn’t touch women with weak strength and couldn’t pass by when he saw villains.

Among individual constellations, he was called one of the ‘Seven Chivalrous Stars.’ Additionally, Camille was also part of the Seven Chivalrous Stars. This was why I chose her.

“Camille, stop it. I like Raitra the way he is. Thank you, Raitra.” 

[The fist star, ‘Raitra,’ has a bright expression.]

[The firefly star, ‘Camille,’ is turning her head away with a sour expression.]

I spoke to Camille, "Camille, don’t you want to eat this? If you don’t eat it fast then it’ll become cold.”

The finished star fish dish was currently being held in my hands. Camille sent me an amazing message.

[The firefly star, ‘Camille,’ is starting the pre-meal prayer.]

Then sparks appeared over Kim Sujeong’s head. “W-What?”

“I think she is asking you to follow along.”

“With what?”

“Camille has a habit of praying before eating food.”

“R-Really? Eh? Something is coming to my head!”

The sparks just now seemed to be a memory transfer. Kim Sujeong exclaimed in an astonished voice, “Isn’t this the Hippocratic Oath? Why does Camille know this...? Ah~ that’s right... I see.”

Kim Sujeong questioned it for a moment but she quickly started to speak. “I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant: I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow. I...”

Her prayers continued. Respect and gratitude to their teachers, medicine that should be done with conscience and dignity, and the sacrificial spirit to put the patient’s health and life first, etc. I looked at her holding her hand to her heart and was overcome with a strange feeling. Her serious expression made her look different. As expected, she would be a good daughter-in-law.

By the way, the Hippocratic Oath...

There was actually a Hippocrates in this world. He was called the Saint of Medicine and Camille’s mentor. This was why Camille knew the oath. After the prayer, Kim Sujeong moved the fireflies and the star fish dish I made disappeared into luminous light. By the way... why did she only take half?

Kim Sujeong told me, “It is for us to eat.”

“Yes...?”

[The firefly star, ‘Camille,’ says she has learned to share good things.]

As expected, she was that teacher’s apprentice.

“Thank you. I’ll eat well.”

We happily shared the dish as night fell.

* * *

At a secluded cafe, Cha Jincheol was meeting someone. It was Choi Mido. They sat facing each other. It was Cha Jincheol who spoke first, “You look much prettier in person.”

“I’m a beauty.”

“You are shameless.”

“Can you say I’m confident?”

“...Okay. Then why did you want to see me so suddenly?” 

Mido’s cheeks were puffed up like a balloon. “Are you asking because you don’t know?”

“Yes, I’m asking because I don’t know.

“Che.”

‘Why...?’

She suddenly asked to meet him out of nowhere but she was sulking alone. Cha Jincheol couldn’t understand why and shook his head.

“Why do you want to meet my grandfather?”

Ah, this was the reason. “I have something to say to him.”

“So what do you want to say?”

“It is a secret.”

“What type of secret is it?”

“It is said that a man with a lot of secrets is fatal. My brother-in-law said this.”

Mido exclaimed, “Ah, really... Then what happened on that day?”

‘That day? What day is she talking about?’

The question was quickly resolved.

“Don’t you know? You died suddenly on the day you met my grandfather.”

“Ah, that?”

“I was really surprised. I logged out and suspected my grandfather did something. I felt really sorry for my grandfather.”

‘Hmm, what should I say...’

Cha Jincheol was deeply troubled as he tried to figure out how to answer. The grandfather would be in great trouble if Cha Jincheol told Mido the truth here. He was going to ask a favor so it would be low to place a burden on the grandfather.

‘It can’t be helped.’

“It’s a secret.”

“No, are you some type of NIS agent? Or are you an employee working for Union? What secret...”

“Union.”

“...Huh?”

“I work at Union.”

This wasn’t a secret.

* * *

At this time, Park Muyeol and Kim Gitae enlisted together and were undergoing training. The loud shouts of an instructor stopped the two men.

“In place~ set!”

Park Muyeol stopped with a restrained motion but Kim Gitae next to him couldn’t do it in time. The angry instructor’s yell pierced his ear.

“Trainee 71! Can’t you do it properly? This is the second time!”

“I-I’m really sorry!”

“Do it again!”

He went back and could feel stinging gazes all around him. Park Muyeol comforted the young people who were glaring at Kim Gitae. “I’m sorry. This friend is a public service worker.” [1]

“No, why would a public servant worker come in here?” 

“Ah~ it’s really crazy. Do it right this time. Understood?”

“Damn, this is complete torture.”

Kim Gitae repeatedly apologized toward them. Seeing this, Park Muyeol felt sorry. Still, who would’ve thought? A person like this was actually a public service worker. ‘Son of a bitch. He should’ve told me in advance.’

If Park Muyeol had known this, he would’ve gone in alone. The moment Kim Gitae approached, Park Muyeol asked him, "No, why are you a public service worker?”

“I broke my teeth fighting when I was a child. I went to the dentist and took it out. This is why I missed out.”

“That is the reason?”

“Yes...”

“You should’ve told me. Then I would’ve gone in alone.”

“You interrupted me.”

“Groan.”

The two people continued the drill for another 30 minutes. It was because Kim Gitae made a mistake once again. It took a lot of effort and mental solidarity but fortunately, they managed to successfully complete the drill training wonderfully.

[The first stage, ‘drill training,’ has been completed.]

[Experience has been acquired.]

[10 dry breads have been acquired.]

[5 low-grade magic power potions have been acquired.]

[Your agility stat has increased by 1.]

‘Damn, giving some useless things. When will I get a weapon?’

Still, his agility had risen by quite a bit. He would be done once he completed 10 repetitive drills.

Ttiring~

[The second stage, ‘weapons training,’ has started.]

“Oh, they’re finally giving a weapon.”

Park Muyeol stared at the instructor in front of him with a look of anticipation. He was silently asking to be given a weapon. 

The instructor’s mouth opened, “I have never seen such bad trainees in my life!”

‘This guy is starting again.’

Park Muyeol listened with one ear while the words spilled out the other ear. In fact, this thing wasn’t unusual at the Samcheong School of Education. Trash of life, no regards for their others, and other unspeakable swear words all came out of the mouths of the teachers. Even so, he endured it. He had to endure it no matter the insults.

‘I used to walk with logs at that time. Strangely,I miss that time today. What will I hear this time?’

Park Muyeol slightly smiled as he looked forward. The instructor’s eyes were as sharp as an eagle. However, the words that came out of his mouth were unexpected. “Trash guys like you need to be mentally armed! So from now on, you will be shaved! Starting with your hair!”

The young men training together murmured.

“Eh?”

“What?”

“Shave?”

“No, I’ve never heard of anything like this...”

“This isn’t the army... ah, right, it is the army.” 

“No, even so, this is a bit...”

“I can’t believe I enlisted again... I enlisted again!”

As the surroundings became chaotic, the instructor shouted, “Everyone, be quiet!”

Simultaneously, they all became as silent as dead rats. Then a soldier appeared from somewhere and handed the instructor a small object. It was a familiar thing.

‘Is this perhaps...?’

“A hair clipper?”

“Crazy! Why is that here?!”

“It seems to work with magic power?”

“Ah, this is really XXX. It is like a dog.”

“Crazy. Union are XX dogs.”

The young people training together all stared at Kim Gitae once again. Their murderous eyes made him feel helpless.

“Uh, this... I’m sorry to all of you.” 

If it was a matter that could be fixed by apologizing then Park Muyeol wouldn’t have sighed like this. However, Park Muyeol was his immediate superior. He couldn’t bear to see Kim Gitae’s shoulder drooping after this person acted as his shadow for 10 years.

Park Muyeol stepped forward. “This young instructor.”

“What? Trainee! How dare you answer back to an instructor!”

“Shut up! This guy!” Park Muyeol shouted with annoyance and the angry instructor started to rush over.

“Have you ever seen such a madman?!”

Was there a distance of two meters left? Park Muyeol shouted, "Let’s make a bet!”

“What? Hah, really outrageous. Okay, what do you want to bet on?”

His index finger pointed at the hair clipper in the instructor’s hand. “Bet on that in a one-on-one fight with me.”

“What?”

Ttiring~

[The hidden quest ‘Defeat the Instructor!’ has begun.]

Park Muyeol smiled.

“The loser will shave. Above and below.”

[1] For compulsory military service, some people are assigned to non-active work. Included in this are public service workers who are those ordered to do public service work at places that require auxiliary workers such as local community centres