There is a proverb that says, “The ground hardens after the rain.”
It means that one grows stronger after trials and pain.
Likewise, since the terror attack on the joint exchange event was handled brilliantly, the standing of Korea’s academy will only grow more esteemed and solidified.
Of course, the rain hasn’t stopped yet.
At present, with a mountain of post-processing and unfinished tasks, an invisible downpour is pouring within the various institutions surrounding the academy.
Even seeing employees scurrying around the building lobby with pitiful, drenched expressions like wet rats showed how the aftermath of the terror attack was tormenting many people.
First, the rain had to stop for the ground to harden.
“Wow, it’s coming, it’s coming!”
“Man, masks really are something.”
Jin Mugyeol and Kwak Dohyeong placed a phone between them.
Their gazes were fixed on the phone screen.
It turned out they were watching the news.
The broadcast was showing the scene of the terror attack in progress.
Kang Han, looking like he had just finished a fierce battle, was being briefly interviewed by reporters despite the aftereffects of his rampage still lingering.
The public response was overwhelmingly one of amazement.
Moreover, rumors began spreading that Kang Han’s rampage wasn’t due to his lack of ability but because the cult had injected suspicious substances into him.
This even led to an announcement by the association that they would investigate further.
In any case, the public opinion about the berserker was flowing in the ideal direction I had hoped for.
There were occasional comments blatantly attempting to stir conflict, but they weren’t enough to sway the overall mood.
Just the fact that an intense debate over the berserker’s safety was reignited meant that the intended purpose had been more than achieved.
It was a huge success.
Frankly speaking, I never expected the public to reignite their interest in the berserker’s safety so passionately, which was, of course, Kang Han’s accomplishment.
“Can’t you stop watching already…?”
Kang Han seemed quite embarrassed to see his face plastered all over the news.
He couldn’t bear to look at the screen and stared blankly at the distant mountains.
I tapped his back and took a seat.
“Let them enjoy it a bit. Everyone worked hard.”
“Oh, okay.”
Kang Han flinched as if startled.
“Hm.”
These days, something about this guy felt off.
Was it since right after the terror attack ended?
For some reason, he avoided making eye contact with me and fidgeted like someone guilty of something.
On top of that, he kept asking if I was hurt anywhere.
There was no way he was picking a fight with me.
If something was bothering him, he could just say it, but whenever I tried to probe, he’d retreat like a worm burrowing deep into the ground.
That’s how avoidance-prone people are—once they decide to hide, there’s no way to uncover what’s on their mind.
‘Did he sense something?’
If I had to nitpick, it was true that a significant change occurred in my body starting that day.
After all, I’m now a bona fide cultist.
But no matter how sharp a berserker’s instincts are, they wouldn’t have been able to figure that out…
Just as I was lost in thought,
“All interviews are done!”
It was Lee Rasol.
As part of the post-terror investigation, we were all having various interviews with investigators.
Kim Lara and Kim Jinsu, who weren’t present, were probably spending time with investigators elsewhere.
However, Lee Rasol’s interview took particularly long because of her blood relation to Lee Rayun, one of the high-ranking executives.
Inside, I wasn’t sure what kind of conversation Lee Rasol had with the investigator, but her complexion didn’t look too bad.
“Did they give you a hard time?”
“I fought desperately that day too, didn’t I? It seems like there were a lot of testimonies about that. It feels like my effort paid off. Hehe.”
“Do you think they’ll give you a chance for a follow-up interview later?”
“Well, even though we’re family, I’m not sure about that. But if an opportunity arises, I’ll definitely let you know, Mr. Yidam.”
“Thanks.”
While we were talking, Jin Mugyeol was called in for his turn.
Today, we had planned to unwind with the friends we trained with for the joint exchange event.
Even though some of us were done with our turns, we were idling around the nearby park.
Lee Rasol had gone all out and booked a villa for the occasion, but we decided to depart together once everyone was ready.
Because of this, there was some free time, and I naturally started observing my surroundings.
Outside the building, citizens were peacefully spending time in the park.
It was a weekend, and children were playing without a care in the world, enjoying picnics with their parents.
The sight of carefree children running around had a way of holding my gaze.
I used to live without worries like that too.
I miss it.
Just light thoughts like these.
Everyday life, people, the world I would live in from now on, the things I needed to protect—such thoughts floated through my mind like clouds without any weight.
I didn’t want to think too deeply about them, at least not now.
Lately, my body and mind had been pushed to their limits, so moments like these felt precious.
After all, they say there’s no better rest for the brain than spacing out.
But then, for some reason—
“Ah, uh…”
Lee Rasol and Kang Han were fidgeting restlessly.
Both of their glances were directed at me, sneaking quick looks.
How did I notice? Humans have peripheral vision.
Besides, this body of mine had heightened senses, so it was impossible not to notice.
Lee Rasol and Kang Han were each sneaking glances at me while nervously biting their nails or shaking their legs.
Did I do something wrong?
“If you need the bathroom, just go. We’ve got plenty of time left.”
“Oh, no, that’s not it…”
“And you, Kang Han?”
“Oh, it’s not that for me either…”
What were they trying to get at?
Then Lee Rasol suddenly asked me a question instead.
“Mr. Yidam, do you like kids by any chance?”
“Huh?”
“Well, you’ve been staring blankly in that direction for a while now… over there.”
She pointed to the kids playing nearby.
I wasn’t sure why she asked, but I replied without hesitation.
“Yeah, I do. Why?”
They’re noisy and don’t listen well, but I’ve always thought even those aspects are just a fleeting stage that’ll pass when they reach adolescence.
A long time ago, when I volunteered at a daycare center as part of a school activity, I realized I was pretty good at entertaining kids.
It might not seem like it fits me, but I actually like children quite a bit.
But as soon as she heard my answer, Lee Rasol staggered and collapsed onto the bench like she had fainted.
I was so startled I almost shouted.
“Hey! What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
“Oh, just a sudden dizzy spell… Please don’t mind me…”
But then there was another one.
“Kang Han, what about you now…?”
“Uh, me too… I just feel a little lightheaded…”
Did they eat something bad together?
I had no idea why they were acting like this toward me, but I was about to say something when—
“Oh my!”
A woman’s scream came from a distance.
I looked to see a child who had been playing nearby suddenly take a hard fall.
The uneven stone tiles on the ground made things worse, and the boy’s knee was severely scraped, bleeding to the point that if it wasn’t treated immediately, it was obvious the wound would become infected.
“Waaahhh!”
The boy’s loud cries echoed.
“I’ll go check on him.”
Since the distance was close, I was about to step in, but Kang Han was faster.
The boy, who was sitting on the ground crying, suddenly noticed Kang Han and opened his eyes wide.
“It’s Berserker hyung!”
“You know me?”
“Yeah! You’re super strong! My friends and I always play Berserker at school!”
“Really?”
Kang Han chuckled awkwardly and picked up the boy.
The child completely forgot about the blood streaming down his leg and chattered excitedly to Kang Han, telling him all sorts of things.
At that age, meeting a celebrity wasn’t an everyday occurrence, especially someone like Kang Han, who was not only famous in Korea but had been gaining global recognition as a Berserker recently.
For boys who loved cool and strong heroes, it wasn’t hard to imagine them watching Kang Han’s fight videos on YouTube dozens of times.
Judging from the boy’s enthusiasm, it was clear he was one of those fans.
“Thank you so much; my child…”
“It’s nothing.”
Kang Han exchanged a brief greeting with the boy’s parents, who had arrived late, and even gave them a signed autograph on some paper they had.
Only then did he return to our group.
When he came back, I noticed faint veins bulging on his temples.
The scent of blood had triggered the Berserker’s instincts.
I couldn’t help but laugh a little at the sight.
“Was the kid heavy or something?”
“Boys are always heavy.”
Kang Han sat on the bench, closed his eyes, and took deep breaths.
“Hoo…”
Finally, the tension in his veins slowly subsided, and the visible veins faded away.
I watched Kang Han from the side, feeling pleased.
It was clear that his ability to control himself was improving noticeably with time.
At this rate, I couldn’t help but think he’d manage well on his own or with his friends, even without me.
Maybe I’d been worrying too much.
I had a habit of trying to handle everything by myself—it was just my nature, and I knew it well.
Anyway.
“Look at how popular you are with kids. Lucky you, huh?”
I patted Kang Han’s back, and his face turned pale.
For a moment, I wasn’t sure if I’d just hit a person or slapped a squid.
What was up with him now?
Could it be that the berserk state hadn’t completely worn off yet?
“Uh, should I have let you meditate a little longer? My bad…”
“No… it’s fine…”
In the end, I still couldn’t figure out why both Lee Rasol and Kang Han were acting so awkward around me.
What was this about? Were they excluding me?
I was left to wonder.