Chapter 74

The place where the Guardians Guild’s practical test was held was a small Rift called the ‘Poison Ant Rift’.

Its small size,  the appearance of monsters and poor topographic environment, makes it unsuitable for repetitive work, often called soul stone mining.  

However, it was a perfect place for training and testing since it is only necessary to be careful about dangerous areas and the monsters that appear are not that powerful. 

Yerin explained all the trivia while on our way to the Rift. 

“If you don’t go to the area that the supervisors told you not to go, nothing will happen.” 

“Okay.” 

“And don’t use summoning during the exam.”  

“What……? After practicing so hard, why should I not use it.?”  

In preparation for the test, I focused on practicing Summoning with Yerin.

I was quite confident, so I felt a little unfair when I was told not to use it.  

“If I tell you not to show it, don’t show it. You  brought your sword, so just show your sword skills.” 

“……?” 

Yerin suddenly banned my Summon skill.  

It was very absurd, but I was forced to nod my head at her very stubborn attitude.  

We arrived in front of the gathering place – Poison Ant Rift.  

Yerin dropped me off from the car and went to the place where guild officials gathered.  

I looked around and headed to the place where the test participants were gathered. 

About 50 applicants were waiting for the test at the meeting place.  

They waited for the start of the test in their own ways, such as warming up lightly, seriously checking the equipment, or checking the clock with an anxious look.  

While I was looking around the test applicants, I began to feel uncomfortable.

And soon after, I found out the identity of the sense of incompatibility.  

‘Why is everyone so young?’ 

I think everyone is in their late teens or early 20s. 

Was there an age limit on the recruitment criteria?  

I was very embarrassed as I felt like I didn’t belong here.  

I went to a corner where there were no people because of the atmosphere.  

I waited quietly for the start of the test like a statue. 

A woman in her mid-30s took a microphone and climbed onto a temporarily installed platform.  

“Ah… Ah! Applicants who are waiting for the test. Please come to the front.”  

Applicants, who were scattered in disorder, gathered in front of the podium one by one.  

“I’m the deputy guild leader of  Guardians Guild, Hayoung. Before we start the test, there will be an identification process. Verify your identity at the tent here. Please wear the test name tag we give you at the end of the confirmation.”  

Following the guidance of the female deputy guild leader, applicants flocked to the tent.  

I also joined the long queue. 

After a while, I received a tag after getting my ID and Awakener ID confirmed. 

Team 3? 

In the tag, my name and Team number was written.  

“If you have a tag, please wear it right away and gather with your team members. Please cooperate a little for the smooth progress of the test.”  

Following the guidance of the deputy guild leader on the podium, I went out to find my team members. 

I was able to find a small girl with a tag written Team 3 on it.  

Yun Sehe. 

It was the name on the tag. 

She was too short and had a youthful appearance. 

At first glance, she looked like a middle school student.  

I felt like I was looking at a cute doll, perhaps because of her expressionless face. 

“Excuse me, you’re in Team 3, right.?” 

“Yes.” 

“Nice to meet you, I guess we’ll be on the same team from now on.” 

“Yes, I look forward to your kind cooperation.” 

“… “

It was a very calm response, unlike her cute little appearance. 

I stood by quietly, awkwardly unable to continue the conversation. 

“This is Team 3, right?” 

The last team member appeared. 

The name on the name tag was Jung Taeho.  

Yellow-dyed hair and height similar to mine.  

The face was young like the girl, but the atmosphere was opposite – Too lively. 

“Hello, I’m Jung Taeho.” 

“Nice to meet you, I’m Lim Sihyeon.” 

“Huh? You’re applying for the open recruitment? Aren’t you a little too old for that.?”  

I’ve been poked at the sore spot which I wanted to avoid.  

I tried not to distort my smile as much as possible and replied. 

“It hasn’t been long since I Awakened…” 

“Oh, I see. Don’t worry, Mister. I’ll take care of you for this test. Just trust me and follow me.” 

Jung Taeho showed off himself with his youthful confidence and childish words and actions.  

I think I have been in the Parent mode a lot lately.

The behavior that would have felt rude in the past, now felt a little cute. 

Jung Taeho kept giving me information and tips on the test. 

Maybe I looked pitiful in his eyes.  

Yun Sehe, who was quiet on the other side, came forward and slightly shot back at the chattering Jung Taeho.  

“Hey, would you please be quiet? I can’t concentrate.”  

“What? Don’t you see we’re talking about some important tips?”  

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“What tips… Why don’t you stop being a know-it-all.?” 

“What? You shorty….” 

Yun Sehe trembled as if trying to suppress her rising emotions. 

“Wh…What did you……what did you say?”  

“Shorty, when I saw you first, I thought some Supervisor brought his daughter to work. How about drinking some milk and growing up first, before trying to enter the guild.” 

“Urgh…..Urgh” 

Jung Taeho seemed to be the type to step on a mine without realizing it. 

I watched the war of nerves between the two as if I was watching a thriller movie. 

“Take back what you said.”  

“Why should I? You’re the one who poked her nose in other people’s business.” 

“You you you……” 

“ Stop it you two. Why are you fighting with your teammate?”   

I stepped in the middle and calmed both of them. 

The two stopped the war of nerves.  

I handed over the candy that I had habitually carried around. 

The two teens stared at the candy and me.  

Did I seem like an old man who always carries a candy? Or would they hate me for treating them like a kid? 

“Thank you. Mister.” 

“Thank you.” 

Fortunately, the two took the candy and thanked me. 

Perhaps thanks to the sweet candy, the cold atmosphere felt a little relaxed. 

I was also an applicant who will be taking the test, but somehow I felt like I was the guardian of the two.  

“Everyone, please focus. Before we begin the practical exam, I would like to thank all the applicants who came here. We are running out of time, so I will start explaining about the test right away.”  

“The test will be conducted in groups, and three people will be evaluated as one team. It is important to catch a lot of monsters in the Rift, but please be aware that the coordination and cooperation between team members will also be an important evaluation factor.  

“The guild members who are active in the Guardians Guild will be the supervisors and will be evaluating. Those who will play the role of supervisor, can you come forward?”  

Six people came to the podium at the deputy guild leader’s call. 

” Wow, isn’t she the ‘Great Wizard of Sound’.” 

“She’s much prettier than I thought.” 

“Who’s the slim guy with a mask?” 

“Isn’t he Nam Jinhyuk, the famous multi-element wizard?”  

Young candidates looked at the supervisor with envy.  

It looked like they were looking at a famous idol. 

“Wow… That’s Seo Yerin… She’s so cool.”  

Yun Sehe next to me also glistened her eyes at the sight of Yerin.  

“If I enter the guild, I can be like that soon, right?”  

Jung Taeho burned his future ambitions by looking at the cool supervisors.  

They were different, but from both of them I felt an unspoiled innocence. 

I was looking at the two teens warmly, then suddenly, a cell phone message arrived.  

YERIN: Hey. Don’t smile like an old man while looking at the cute chicks, got it.?  

It was a message from Yerin. 

I got angry at the expression “old man” and immediately replied.  

– You’re the same age as me, Old lady! Don’t be so jealous of your student, Teacher.^^  

Yerin grinned looking at me from the front. 

“Yerin, do you know any of the applicants?” 

“Oh… Huh? Why?”  

“I think you’ve been looking at someone for a while, so who?” 

“…”

Yerin flinched and avoided Nam Jinhyuk’s eyes. 

Nam Jinhyuk, wearing a mask, looked at the applicants again and said. 

“ You are looking at the guy who looks a bit old, aren’t you?” 

“Oh, how did you know?” 

“How did I know? You’ve been grinning from time to time looking at him. Is he your boyfriend?”  

“What, what, what Boyfriend? What? Never.”  

Nam Jinhyuk opened his eyes wide at his colleague’s strangely embarrassed appearance.  

“It’s more suspicious because you’re so embarrassed.” 

“What’s suspicious about it?” 

Nam Jinhyuk looked at the out of place  applicant again. 

The more he looked at him, the more doubts accumulated on Nam Jinhyuk’s face.  

Yerin’s popularity was not only in the guild but also among many Awakeners.

Many liked her, male and female, young and old, because of her stunning appearance, cool personality, and always positive attitude.  

Nam Jinhyuk had heard many news of Yerin rejecting and breaking the hearts of many rich and powerful men, but he had never heard the news of her having a boyfriend.  

Although there were many men who were cool and handsome, Yerin had never turned her head towards them.  

Compared to such men, the person named Lim Sihyeon seemed to be lacking in many ways in Nam Jinhyuk’s eyes.  

“I’m sure he’s not your boyfriend. You can’t go out with a normal person like that.” 

“What do you mean by that? Sihyeon is so charming. Even though he looks a little ordinary on the outside, he has various layers of charm like an onion, which increases as you peel.” 

“…?” 

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Nam Jinhyuk’s eyes opened wide at the sudden burst of Yerin’s  anger.  

He felt something was wrong, so he whistled awkwardly and avoided her eyes.  

‘He is a person who, Yerin cares this much?’ 

‘What kind of person is he…?’  

Nam Jinhyuk’s gaze got fixed at Lim Sihyeon.