I Want To Have You (2)

At the moment when Bodenov Silla was making a cold analysis.

Ju Yuri, unaware of her gaze, casually let her words slip.

“So… how is it?”

The person Ju Yuri was speaking to was not Silla.

Her words were directed at the third and final member of their group.

A woman in a suit and glasses.

She belonged to <Dragon Sword Mir>, a team leader of <Twelve Branches>, Woo Ham-ji.

She also happened to be the superior of the rabbit beastkin, Toya Kang, who was sitting across from them.

“Indeed…”

Woo Ham-ji, a hamster beastkin, stroked her characteristically puffy cheeks while her eyes gleamed with excitement.

A radiance filled her entire being—the kind of glow she exuded whenever she spotted an exceptional talent.

“Indeed, blood doesn’t lie.”
“…Huh?”
“Look at those flames.”

What Woo Ham-ji pointed to was Ju Na-young, who was currently performing spectacularly.

Driven by the desire to impress Yu Seha, Ju Na-young, already strong, ignited an even more intense heat.

Blazing flames surged around her.
Explosions of fire burst forth.
Infernos erupted and spread wildly.

And with the addition of [Dragon Transformation], which elevated her agility and overall physical prowess, her opponent stood no chance.

Woo Ham-ji, munching on sunflower seeds from who knows where, continued her analysis.

“Ju Na-young’s current opponent is a woman we at <Dragon Sword Mir> are also keeping an eye on.”

A first-year prodigy with the <Samurai> class.

She was a named rookie known for her seasoned skills and unique, powerful sword-drawing technique.

In fact, scouts had come to recruit her, as she was quite a promising talent.

However, such great expectations were meaningless.

It wasn’t because she was weak.

It was a phenomenon that emerged because Ju Na-young was incredibly strong.

In fact, her opponent was skilled enough to be holding her own, barely managing to block Ju Na-young’s punches with her blade, beads of sweat forming on her brow.

“To think that, within just a few months of enrollment, she has already learned [Reckless Dash]… And judging by the intensity of those flames, [Burning Flames] must have leveled up as well.”

“……”

Ju Yuri just stared silently…
With cold eyes at Woo Ham-ji.

As the atmosphere worsened, Bodanov Silla tried to do something.

But Woo Ham-ji’s words came out first.

“Squeak! My goodness!”

Woo Ham-ji exclaimed in awe.

To finish things off, Ju Na-young shattered the ground.

Plant roots wrapped in flames sprouted from the ground and began to attack the opponent.

“No way, even [Flame Forest]?!”

Woo Ham-ji was genuinely impressed.
She knew Ju Na-young was a <Druid> class, but it was a common belief that without knowledge in [Nature Magic], it was practically meaningless.

An individual regarded as essentially classless.

However, after what she had just witnessed, that evaluation needed to be revised.

Woo Ham-ji did not hold back her praise thereafter.

As the team leader of <Zodiac>, a specialized scouting team, she had risen to her position through sheer analytical and judgment skills alone, without any personal connections.

However, she had one fatal flaw.

A flaw that, in many ways, was the very reason she had never been promoted beyond her current rank.

She lacked the ability to read the room.

Bang!

In the end, Ju Yuri exploded with the anger she had been accumulating.

Bodenov Silla, who was next to her, held her forehead.

“…Team Leader Woo Ham-ji?”
“…Yes?”

Ju Yuri barely managed to lift her trembling lips.

A vein of anger was etched across her forehead.

“…The person I asked about isn’t the one who’s putting on a good fight right now.”

Ju Yuri lowered her sunglasses.

Behind them, her eyes gleamed with a green hue strikingly similar to Ju Na-young’s.

“That man right there.”

The very reason Ju Yuri came all the way here herself.

A raw gem with talents beyond rumors.

And at the same time, the man of her rival cousin.

Yu Seha.

Ju Yuri’s gaze, from start to finish…

Was solely focused on Yu Seha.

“……”

Team Leader Woo Ham-ji pursed her lips at Ju Yuri’s explosive anger.

‘Hoooom.’

She sighed inwardly, realizing her mistake a little too late.

Indeed, mentioning Ju Na-young in front of Ju Yuri… was bound to provoke her.

‘But…’

Thanks to that action just now, Woo Ham-ji was once again convinced.

‘The rumors were true.’

Ju Yuri wasn’t just antagonistic.
It was said she harbored feelings of inferiority and anxiety toward Ju Na-young.

Her <Crimson Dragon> bloodline was noticeably lacking.
And as time went on, the gap between them was becoming more and more apparent.

Rumors were even leaking out among the <Opposition>.

Woo Ham-ji pondered for a moment.

Should she try to align with Ju Na-young’s faction instead of sticking with Ju Yuri’s line?

However, for now, she decided to lie low and weather the storm.

“Sorry. My vision was narrow… Please forgive me.”
“So, what do you think of that man?”
“…Sorry?”

Woo Ham-ji looked at Yu Seha at the end of Ju Yuri’s gaze.

She recalled the sparring match from earlier.

‘Hmm…’

Certainly, an excellent talent.
That was an undeniable fact.

His terrifyingly swift sword strikes allowed him to effortlessly slip into his opponent’s blind spots, and his exceptional mobility only enhanced his combat style.

It was impressive, but…

To Woo Ham-ji, that was all there was.

She didn’t see anything particularly extraordinary.

‘More than anything, he seems to lack versatility.’

Her assessment was a solid Grade B.
A noteworthy hunter, sure, but nothing beyond that.

“Really? Your insight isn’t as great as I thought.”
“…Squeak?”

Ju Yuri reacted slightly dumbfounded.

“Want to make a bet with me?”
“A bet?”
“Yeah. In the next match—let’s wager on whether he shows something so remarkable it’ll leave you speechless or not. What do you think?”
“…Squeak? Sure, if you want to.”

Ju Yuri gave a deep smile.

‘…Just Grade B?’

Ju Yuri downgraded her evaluation of Woo Ham-ji by a notch.

She brought her in because she heard she rose to team leader on her own merits.

She didn’t expect her to be so poor at assessing people.

It seemed she’d have to put her plans to make Woo Ham-ji her subordinate on hold.

She had no use for incompetent people—only the truly capable.

She recalled Yu Seha’s movements from earlier.

‘I guarantee he didn’t use even 10% of his power.’

Surely, there were endless things he was hiding.

This was the same conclusion that Team Leader Cho Seol-hwa had reached.

To Ju Yuri, Yu Seha was a brilliant raw gem.

A talent that could become anything.

This was the same thought as Peng Jin-ah.

Ju Yuri looked at Yu Seha from the same perspective as the two outstanding people.

Although Ju Yuri may not be a legitimate heir with awakened blood like Ju Na-young, she was someone challenging the throne with the support of the <Opposition>.

From a young age, Ju Yuri had seen countless talents and possessed the insight to match them.

If Ju Na-young had the <Queen’s Sense> to instinctively understand a person’s inner self and judge whether they were trustworthy or not…

Ju Yuri had the <Queen’s Insight> to recognize a person’s potential and refine it to shine even brighter.

Even if one tried to put it mildly, the relationship between the two was far from good.

They distrusted, rejected, and disliked each other.

At best, they simply avoided outright hostility.

Ironically, however, the talents they possessed were exactly what the clan called <Dragon Sword Mir> needed most.

“Ah, it seems to be starting.”

At Sarang-mi’s call, Yu Seha went down.

He exchanged greetings with the female cadet designated for the second match and entered the competition.

Ten minutes later.

“……”

Woo Ham-ji stared blankly ahead.

Yu Seha’s clean victory was visible.

When he extended his hand, the defeated woman blushed and took it.

“H-How… Just how many <Skills> does he even have…?”
“[Stone Hardening], [Rapid Healing], [Strong Endurance], [High Bone Density], [Strange Monstrous Strength], [Rapid Strike]… and judging by his swordsmanship, his [Swordsmanship] level must be at least 8 or higher.”
“Th-that many?”
“Probably more? And he didn’t even use a single true finishing move.”

Ju Yuri nodded with her arms crossed.
As expected, her eyes were not wrong.

Yu Seha’s brilliance lay not only in his diverse collection of <Skills>, but in his ability to apply them strategically, with precise judgment and execution.

‘……’

Ju Yuri placed her hand over her heart.

A subtle thump, thump.

Her heart raced with excitement.

The excitement of discovering a treasure beyond expectations was unending.

‘The overwhelming genius combined with the battle sense that utilizes it over 100% in real situations.’

Indeed, there was a reason why the <Overlord Sword> accepted him as an exclusive disciple.

“……”

Oh no.

Ju Yuri felt she made a momentary mistake.

There was no need to think of that woman.

―Peng Jin-ah? I heard you’ve been following Ju Na-young.
―…It seems there’s a misunderstanding; Ju Na-young is the one following me around.
―Oh? Is that so? Then it’s even better. You, come to me.

Back then, during her days as a hunter, Peng Jin-ah had tilted her head in confusion at the unexpected offer.

―What do you mean?
―Just as it sounds. If it’s me, I’ll make sure your strength is used in a more suitable place. What do you want?

Money? Fame? Men? Weapons? Power?

―Say anything. I guarantee I can offer more than what Ju Na-young proposes…
―I refuse.
―…Why? What am I lacking?

To the question, Peng Jin-ah answered as if it was nothing.

―Rather than someone who knows my worth… I prefer someone I can be at ease with when they’re beside me.

“…Useless memories…”

Ju Yuri frowned.
She refocused on Yu Seha.

Originally, it was just Ju Na-young.

She was only interested in him because Ju Na-young was hopelessly infatuated with him.

‘I’ve changed my mind now.’

She no longer just wanted to take him away.
She had decided to keep him by her side.

She pictured a future where Yu Seha stood beside her.
A future where he became her sword.
How reliable that would be.

‘If Yu Seha is by my side…’

She could live up to expectations.

Her grandmother’s expectations, and those of her relatives trying to elevate her.

‘…I have to do it.’

Ju Yuri clenched her fist tightly.

‘I am a woman who will become queen.’

For that, she needed outstanding talents.
She needed someone she could call her own.

And now…
In this place…

‘Found it.’

Ju Yuri’s greed was clearly directed at Yu Seha.

“Silla?”
“Huh, yeah?”
“You gave it, right?”

Even with the subject omitted, Bodenov Silla quickly caught on.

“Yeah, I gave the business card in [Interpersonal Combat Class]. He probably didn’t throw it away, given his personality.”
“Good, then let’s talk to him.”
“…This soon?”
“The sooner, the better. Don’t worry. I’ll speak to him face-to-face myself.”

To tell him to become hers.
To tell him to become her sword.
And in return, she would give him anything he desired.

‘Even if that is…’

Me.

“Tell him to join <Reverse Scale>.”

The rapidly progressing <Sparring Match> test was swiftly nearing its conclusion.

Currently, I was exchanging swords with my opponent.

‘Or perhaps saying exchanging is a misnomer.’

Since the outcome was decided in a single strike.

Clang!

A distinct metallic sound echoed.

A sword spun in the air, deeply embedding itself into the dueling arena floor.

“……”

I silently pointed my sword at my opponent.

The match was decided in less than a minute since it began.

An overwhelming victory, but…

‘That’s probably because this guy didn’t properly respond.’

I looked at my opponent without a word.

A young boy with a nervous smile, raising both hands and sweating bullets, appeared.

Neither handsome nor ugly…

A person with such a vague impression that you’d forget him right after seeing him once.

A man with no presence or distinctive features.

At the same time, he seemed unusually harmless.

“…I-I lost.”

As he sheathed his sword, the boy offered just the right amount of flattery, saying things like, ‘As expected, I can’t compete… You’re amazing.’

To an outsider, his words might have seemed like a humble and respectful concession.

But I knew better. Every single word he just said was an act.

‘Seeing it like this, it’s chilling.’

Every single action was calculated and executed.

No wonder he was a named <Villain>.

Soon, he extended his hand.

“I-it was a good match. Yu Seha.”

That’s four consecutive wins for me.

“Good luck in the next match too.”

“……”

I looked at the boy’s hand, which seemed insignificant, like a street extra.

‘Kim Minsu.’

A mid-ranked first-year warrior in the <Academy>.

But in reality, a senior member of the crime clan <Tartarus>.

‘At the same time…’

A man possessing a [Unique Ability] as fraudulent as the [Eyes of Reversed Heaven] from GAL.

I gazed at him silently.