59. Why should I listen to you?

“According to what you said, I will never have to wonder about your name.”

“Because you are weaker than me.”

At Joo-Won Choi’s cold words, Min-A Song glared at him as if he was unfair. However, Joo-Won Choi didn’t care at all and walked towards another place.

“Now… Wait a minute!”

Song Min-ah stopped Choi Joo-won, who was leaving.

“Just, what the hell did you do? It wasn’t enough to divide the mana once released into several branches, so even the power was almost uniform. Did you use the artifact?”

Choi Joo-won sighed and spoke.

“If you’re at that level, you would know, but I didn’t use any artifacts. How did you do it? Should I tell you that? To the person who doesn’t even say his name right and behaves badly?”

Song Mina hesitated, then she opened her mouth to apologize.

“That… I will apologize if you just let me know…”

“No need.”

When Choi Joo-won was about to leave again, Song Min-ah hurriedly spoke.

“That… Then it’s okay not to tell me, so just tell me this. Can I do the same thing you did if I take your lectures?”

Choi Joo-won smiled.

“If you learn from me, you will be able to do at least this without any problems. I bet you.”

With that said, Choi Joo-won left to look at the other prospective students. Song Min-a, who blankly looked at his back, thought.

‘Why is a person with that level of ability still in an academy like this?’

To be honest, Hellmund Academy is not lacking compared to other places. However, considering that the title of prestigious was still in the running, I couldn’t help but have a little doubt that an instructor with the ability of Joo-Won Choi would work here. It was because it seemed that there would be many people willing to meet the pay if they asked for a higher price.

Song Mina thought.

‘Ego is not important right now. In a few years, that instructor will be the best in the country.’

As an innate magical ability, she was able to infer at a glance how skillful people handle magic.

Choi Joo-won, whom she just saw, was astonished at her magical power. Even, he didn’t seem to show his full strength. It is difficult to even predict how much greater ability he will have.

‘I have to bend down first.’

She thought so. I decided to please Choi Joo-won, so I decided to learn all the knowledge and magical abilities he knew. It was simply a thought. A business relationship with no affection whatsoever.

However, as time passes, Song Min-ah develops a good feeling for Choi Joo-won.

Mina Song’s first day of practical magic class. After finishing her class, Joo-Won Choi came to see her.

“Your name was Mina Song. The last time I had a test, I was sorry. Honestly, as an instructor, I shouldn’t have reacted so sensitively. I apologize for any inconvenience, and this is in return for my apology.”

Choi Joo-won gave Song Min-ah a ring from her.

Song Mina looked down at the ring with her puzzled eyes and thought.

‘This ring is not an ordinary ring?…’

A ring that exudes tremendous magical power even at first glance. Even the ring on Choi Joo-won’s hand resonated with his mana.

“Can you give this to me?

Song Min-ah was able to notice. She could predict how high the value of the ring would be, if not even the power of the ring.

“Well, it’s because I don’t really need money. Oh, and I made this ring myself. I was a little sorry for publicly embarrassing you in front of the students, so I paid more attention.”

-Tup

Putting the ring on Song Min-ah’s hand, Choi Joo-won spoke.

“The effect is activated just by wearing the ring, the effect is simple. It enhances the use of magic. The moment you wear this ring, you will understand better when using magic, and you will be able to use it more efficiently.”

Actually, that wasn’t the only effect on the ring.

It was an artifact that had various useful functions such as increased mana recovery, increased mana utilization, increased magic power, and increased understanding of magic.

-Whoop

The moment Minah Song tried it on, she could feel it right away. How powerful is this ring?

‘You made this yourself?’

Song Min-ah corrected her assessment, saying that her Choi Joo-won’s abilities far exceeded her own expectations. She and she looked blankly at the place where Choi Joo-won had left and thought.

‘Anyone can tell you that you hand over these things casually to someone weaker than you, because it’s not enough to apologize first? I wouldn’t have to do that…’

This world is a world where the weak are ignored and the strong live in riot. Song Min-ah has experienced the logic of the weak-knowledge with her whole body since she was a child, and she thought that in order to survive in this harsh world, she had to step on others more and become stronger.

Above all, her father was a person who believed in the logic of her power more than anyone else, and Song Min-ah, who had been educated by her father, always repeated.

‘Strength is the best, and strength is everything about living in this world. If you’re weak, you’ll be eaten, and if you’re strong, it’s natural to prey on them.’

But a person far from her ideal just appeared in front of her eyes. Even if he has strong power, he does not show off first, admits his mistakes neatly, and is not conceited by being obsessed with his abilities.

She met someone who was more mature than anyone else.

‘There’s no way this kind of person exists…’

After that, Song Min-ah followed Joo-won Choi. Because she was curious about his move.

I was curious about many things, such as how Choi Joo-won usually lives, how he treats people, and what his hobbies are.

Song Min-ah said that on days off for Choi Joo-won, she hid in front of his house and followed the places he was heading to.

– Jeobeok Jeobeok Jeobeok

‘Where are you going?’

The place where Choi Joo-won arrived was an orphanage.

“Guys, I am here.”

When Joo-Won Choi approached the children with a smile, they all jumped out like arrows.

“Brother! Why are you here now!”

“I wonder if Joo-won waited for his brother…”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so busy these days that I don’t have time to come well.”

Choi Joo-won smiled apologetically and stroked the children’s heads.

At that time, the head of the nursery school, a woman who seemed to be kind to her age, came out and bowed her head.

“Aww, Instructor Choi Joo-won, thank you so much for visiting us again. I heard that you opened a new class these days, but you came like this even though you were busy. Thank you so much.”

Handing over the greeting, Choi Joo-won casually handed over the money envelope. And he whispered so that the children around him couldn’t hear.

“I put in about 50 million won. Please buy delicious things for the children and write them where needed.”

“This… I can’t get this much money…!”

The head of the orphanage was frightened and waved his hand, but Joo-Won Choi spoke sternly.

“I think I will be very busy in the future. You won’t be able to come very often to see the children. Please accept it as a substitute.”

At the suggestion of Choi Joo-won several times, the head of the orphanage couldn’t win and took the money and bowed his head.

“I will definitely use it to help children achieve what they want to eat and what they want to learn.”

Choi Joo-won said she went to play with the children with a smile.

She looked at Song Min-ah from a distance and felt like her head was going blank.

‘Does it make sense that there are people like this in the world?’

Minah Song, objectively speaking, is strong. However, in her first meeting with Song Min-ah, he treated her colder than anyone else, but smiles and smiles like a mild sheep in front of the helpless children and the nursery school manager.

The manner in which he treats people with no possessions, power, or anything politely is quite foreign. Song Min-ah, all the strong people she saw were selfish and oppressive.

– Jeobeok Jeobeok Jeobeok

Joo-Won Choi returns home late in the evening. Song Mina stood in front of him and talked.

“Instructor.”

“What is it? Song Min-ah, why are you here?”

Mina Song asked with an expression that she couldn’t understand.

“Instructor, to be honest, I’ve been following you for days because I was worried about you.”

Choi Joo-won answered without panicking.

“I’ve been seeing a lot of you around lately, so it must be that you’ve been following me secretly. Why did you do that? To be honest, I’m not in a good mood.”

“I was just… Curious. Why do you have such strong strength to help and be considerate of others?”

Choi Joo-won said calmly.

“It’s just self-satisfaction. Must there be a reason?”

“I don’t understand. My father always told me that humans are selfish.”

Song Mina shouted.

“My father taught me a person’s vitals as soon as he was able to walk. From the moment he started walking, he told me that it wouldn’t be strange if someone else tried to take his life.”

“As much as he taught me how to talk, he taught me how to doubt.”

“When he taught me how to get along with other people, he also taught me how to stand above him.”

“He said that if you trust someone, the end will be a terrible ruin. If you help someone, you just don’t even know these worms. If you do a favor, you think it’s your right and you don’t know how to be grateful.”

“He said that you shouldn’t be looked down upon. If you look weak, you become prey, so you have to look tenacious. He said it was a joke.”

She shouted in a choked voice.

“He said that’s how you can live in this world! He said that sympathy and relying on someone are useless in this world.”

Choi Joo-won shook her head and let out a sigh.

“Yes, maybe that’s right. So you live your life. That’s it, right?”

Then the girl cried and spoke.

“I don’t want to. I don’t want to live like that.”

“You know. My father watches over everything about me. He’s trying to destroy everything I can give him affection for fear of making my heart weak.”

“When I first grew cotton, my father used to pluck the flowers for training when he had time to water them.”

“When I bought a pretty doll, he tore it to pieces, saying that it was for weak children to play with.”

“The day after I sneaked in my pet animals out of loneliness, a dish made from them was served on the table.”

“There is a lady who was in the same guild as my father. I relied on her a lot. I consulted with her when I had difficulties. Thanks to her, I was mentally stable. But my father found out about it by chance. You checked my phone.”

Song Min-ah looked at Choi Joo-won and spoke with her complex eyes.

“…The day after my father found out, news came that the lady had died in the dungeon. The cause of death was an accident. But it must have been father’s plot.”

“After that, I didn’t trust anyone. I didn’t try to give affection to anyone. My father would ruin everything anyway.”

“After I decided not to give affection, I decided to think of everyone as my enemy. I decided to trample on the weak and put my own safety first, so there would be no betrayal, betrayal, or hurting anyone because of my father. I thought they were selfish and tried to live like that.”

“But I’m fed up with living this way. Me too. I want to live a normal life… I want to live a normal life… Even once is good, even one person is fine… Someone I can rely on I need it. You are strong, so please help me to live a normal life. I also want to believe in, rely on, help others and live happily.”

-Tup

Choi Joo-won stroked Song Min-ah’s head with her eyes expressing regret.

“It must have been difficult. Rely on me when you’re having a hard time. As you can see, I’m not easily broken like a toy. I don’t know what kind of guild leader your father is, but even if you depend on me, I won’t be found dead anywhere. Did you see it? How much am I? It’s not overwhelmingly strong, but it’s possible to take care of my body.”

“That… Can I?”

Choi Joo-won patted and talked.

“Of course, you haven’t done anything wrong. There’s no need to feel guilty. From now on, if there’s anything you want to do, do it as much as you want. I’ll help you. If there’s something difficult, I’ll listen to it. I’m a lecturer, right? I help students when they’re struggling. It’s only natural to give.”

– Kwaaak

Song Min-a hugged Choi Joo-won and talked.

“Thank you… Are you looking at all the mistakes I made on the first day… And the tailings I did today?”

“Well, it’s not a big mistake, so I’ll forgive you.”

She wiped away her tears and asked Choi Ju-won a question.

“Instructor, can I live like a normal person?”

“Of course. I’ll help you.”

***

Coming back to the present, the broadcasting station where Sim Ji-hyeok carried out the terror attack. There, Mina Song prayed to Joowon Choi.

“I… I can explain everything…”

She had her circumstances. There are circumstances in which she cannot trust Choi Joo-won. She did and she tried to talk and she did. Why did she do that and why did she not believe me?

However, Choi Joo-won’s gaze was too cold.

“I don’t need an explanation. Do you remember what happened in the past? You asked me to help me, so I tried my best for you. You listened to me when I had a hard time, and when I needed help, I was happy to help you. You I tried my best because my magic talent was outstanding, but as you can see, the results were the worst.”

-Click

Choi Joo-won opened her work phone and showed it. It was filled with thousands of accusatory texts.

“Instructor. Actually, my father…”

“Shut up.”

Choi Joo-won looked at her with a cold expression.

“How long are you going to give excuses to others? I live like that for the rest of my life. Because no one interferes. Instead, don’t come to me. I don’t want to be involved with you again. Whatever the reason, whatever the circumstances, my lost time is won’t come back.”

“The day you all turned against me. Can you imagine how I feel? I tried my best, but no one believed in me. No, I don’t care if there were other reasons. It’s no consolation to me. “Do I have to forgive you for making excuses after stabbing someone in the back? Why? I didn’t do anything wrong to you guys. Even though I tried so hard to trust you, you guys ignored me and didn’t believe me.”

Choi Joo-won turns around and is about to leave.

“Keuheugh…”

Song Min-a cried and grabbed Choi Joo-won’s ankle.

“You said you’d help. You said you’d help me live a normal life. You said you’d forgive me. You said you’d forgive me. The instructor said it often. You said people can make mistakes, and you just need to change. Please forgive me just once. I’ll do anything. Really, I’ll do anything…”

Choi Joo-won sighed and whispered to Song Min-ah.

“People can make mistakes… They just have to change… Yes, there was a time when I thought that way. I believed that anyone could be edified, and he gave me many opportunities.”

Joo-Won Choi spoke while shaking off Song Min-Ah’s hand that was holding her crotch.

“But not anymore. Why, why should I give you a chance. Why should I listen to you?”

“Instructor. Why are you talking like that? Why are you looking at me like that? I won’t make excuses. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“Get out of here. If you don’t want to look nasty. Don’t test my patience any more.”

Every word Choi Joo-won said deeply penetrated her heart. To the extent that I thought that if it had been a knife instead of a word, she wouldn’t have been so hurt. Joo-Won Choi was so cold, as if her affectionate tone of voice and expression, and everything she felt in her past was an illusion.

But there is nothing more cruel than that. Choi Joo-won’s eyes looking at herself.

There was no sympathy in his eyes, only hatred.