Black Badger - Chapter 443



Only Krnovel

443. 63rd Promotion Exam (2)

Why are there so many people?

As soon as I entered the hallway where the media room was, my mouth fell open.

I heard that the media room inside the Black Badger building is off-limits to anyone other than authorized personnel.

In addition, I heard that they are broadcasting live from a much larger media room than last year. The largest media room in Black Badger headquarters is said to be almost the size of a large auditorium.

But there was a line of people waiting from the entrance to get in.

A bottleneck has occurred.

“How many people come originally?”

“Don’t you know? I came to see this for the first time last year~….”

Ricardo answered nonchalantly.

Ami was the shooter for those taking the promotion exam, so she left the room to make some kind of oath. Later, the shooters will all come in at once.

“Ask Ami later… She usually comes every year~.”

“Is there any room available?”

Fortunately, it existed.

It was the last seat, but I managed to grab the remaining seat. I sat down on the chair and looked out at the media room full of people.

I don’t think there were as many seniors as there were at the year-end party.

Although it is not a specific position, but a mix of general employees.

There were even those who had just returned from the clearing work and were nowhere to be seen. They came in, spilling sand, and then quickly ran to take a shower.

Was Kairos really this popular?

I thought it was a good idea to send the arrested missionary home, and I sat down until the test started.

As signs of the exam beginning appeared, the media room seats were filled.

Then the shooters came in.

“Shooters, stand up!”

People applauded as the three shooters came in one after another.

“Thank you for your hard work!”

Ami smiled brightly and waved her hand.

Behind him came Lee Ho and Adrienne Wood, a senior I was seeing for the first time. Wood looked relaxed, but Lee Ho had a worried look on his face.

The former senior intelligence officer, who had been casually greeting me as he came in, soon spotted me.

He gestured wildly and opened and closed his mouth.

what?

I leaned my upper body toward the hallway.

ah.

They’re trying to make us aware of the existence of CIS employees who are sitting around pretending to be regular employees.

I nodded to indicate that I understood.

Ricardo, who had been staring blankly at the screen, snorted.

“He really is a broad-minded person… .”

“Hello? Yes.”

He was very affectionate and had a strong sense of justice.

So he kept refusing to listen to me when I told him to back off. I wasn’t going to let this get to him.

I felt a little guilty that I couldn’t explain clearly what I was trying to do.

But I guess it’ll be okay since you’re a strong person.

“Let’s get started!”

I was about to tell Ricardo that he could leave halfway if he was bored, but the media room suddenly became quiet at someone’s shout.

“It came out!”

I saw my juniors.

Luke runs calmly but confidently. Nana Dol follows him, trembling.

Next to her was a red-haired man.

The people cheered.

“Black Jack!!”

Low, deep voices called out Kairos’ name.

“Blackjack! Blackjack!”

“handsome!”

“awesome!”

“I want to go for a drive in your car too! Give me a ride, Blackjack!”

“We have to cheer for the other new recruits too!”

The clear voice of the Ami sitting in the front row covered the loud cheers.

“Okay? Luke and Nana, please cheer for us too!”

“Don’t worry!”

Someone shouted loudly.

“Let’s go!”

I feel sorry for Nana.

I thought to myself as I watched my successors preparing to dismount and walking towards the apparatus. When I met them briefly before, I saw that they seemed to hate being the center of attention.

Since I was in the same class as Kairos, I ended up taking the test in front of so many people.

This year’s promotion exam, unlike last year, started after lunch. This was because the weather was bad in the morning. However, it was said that they would not postpone it until the next day and that they would go swimming in the ocean at night.

“This semester’s exams aren’t that easy.”

“What? You can’t ride a Chinook, can you?”

“They said the weather isn’t good.”

“Oh, the falling objects are the worst.”

Listening to the seniors grumbling, I thought back to the three weeks of training I had received at the Airborne Special Warfare School.

The device isn’t that great.

It’s so narrow and when you jump off something, you feel like you’re committing suicide.

Since the altitude wasn’t as high as that of a Chinook or an airplane, there wasn’t enough time to open the reserve parachute, which is used in case the main parachute doesn’t open. It was a really bad choice, considering that if the main parachute didn’t open, it would mean immediate death, and there was no time to enjoy the joy of falling.

I saw 63 people boarding the balloon with parachutes weighing about 20 kg on their backs.

It had already been confirmed that no tampering had occurred with the materials used in the promotion test.

If that happened, it would make the Black Badgers an enemy, and it wouldn’t be wise to make the richest and most influential group an enemy.

Since it’s a live broadcast, there will be a lot of people watching… I won’t do anything crazy like destroy the supplies.

“It’s a little windy.”

“But everyone is good at holding.”

“Look at how everyone gets pushed off the landing spot even though they have a good hold.”

Still, Luke, Kairos, and Nana landed safely.

Even though the wind was blowing quite a bit stronger than when I jumped, everyone rolled on the ground in perfect posture.

“Good job.”

“Wow, that’s neat.”

“There are no crazy guys who believe in their reinforced bodies and land while standing. Wasn’t there one a few times ago?”

“It all fell apart after that.”

“uh!”

Whew!

Nana Dol’s parachute was caught in the wind and opened up on the road.

The green parachute was caught in the wind and started to drag her backwards.

People straightened their upper bodies.

“Hey, separate the canapés! Separate! Separate!”

“Oh my, I’m so embarrassed.”

“Detach before the parachute cord strangles you!”

“ah!”

“Okay!”

A parachute canapé like a mushroom cap fell straight down.

Nana, who was being dragged by a parachute blown by the wind, stopped being dragged. Shouts of relief erupted here and there.

I also breathed a sigh of relief.

Ricardo spoke slowly.

“I’m a little embarrassed… .”

“Because I’m new.”

Luke grew up in a military family and Kairos probably hasn’t been flustered since he was 10 years old… .

Comparing Nana to them is a bit unfair to Nana.

Anyway, everyone passed the airlift. The new recruits got up and neatly finished collecting their parachutes. It took some time for Nana to collect her parachute, but anyway, the first item was completed without any problems.

Two men from the 63rd class approached Nana, who had turned pale, and patted her shoulder without saying a word.

The relaxed seniors spoke one by one.

“I’m so jealous!”

“Let me play Blackjack too!”

“Oh, I’ll pass because it’s too much of a burden. That curly-haired kid is just pitiful.”

“Luke Lyle is good. He has a level of skill that doesn’t seem like a rookie.”

“Rock climbing is about to start.”

“jack!”

People screamed as Kairos pulled up his clothes to his arms.

“Kwaaak, Jaeaeak!”

“Blackjack!! Blackjack!!”

“He must be tired of life too… .”

Ricardo looked down at the men cheering at the sight of Kairos’s forearms.

I laughed heartily.

After watching the seniors cheering and shaking their fists for a moment, I saw the juniors rock climbing.

Everyone did a great job, without a single flaw.

Luke and Kairos arrived almost simultaneously, and Nana was the last to finish climbing the rock without a single mistake.

People applauded happily when they saw that all three passed without any problems.

“Ah. Since you don’t have lunch, you’re going straight to the shooting range and then the basic physical test.”

“They said they’d check your basic physical strength before eating dinner.”

“Hey, how long has it been since you took a swimming test at night? The ocean at night isn’t easy, but this class is a bit tough.”

“I’m going out to buy something. What do you want to eat? Coffee?”

Will Kairos be good at shooting?

Unlike our time, the shooting test followed right away. Maybe it was because I had a hard time with it for various reasons, but I looked at the screen with the most nervousness I’ve ever felt.

Kyle’s tribe had many archers, but I didn’t know if Kairos had learned them.

There is no way a guy who can’t even have fun with a sword would find a bow fun…

I guess I was bending my back too much without realizing it.

Ricardo tapped me on the shoulder.

“Ugh.”

“Relax….”

The senior’s speech was interrupted midway.

My body reflexively froze in pain and I hurriedly turned to the senior sitting next to me.

“senior.”

Ricardo, who had been staring intently at my shoulder, turned his head and raised an eyebrow at me without saying a word.

It’s ruined.

The other person hadn’t even opened his mouth, but I could already hear a voice saying, ‘Recite it.’

As I listened to the news that Kairos had passed with flying colors, I spoke softly to my senior, who was leaning back against the seat.

“… I’m really sorry for worrying you every time.”

“Uh… Keep talking~.”

“That… . I received proper treatment, and it’s a wound that would usually heal in under a minute for most people, right? It’s not festering and it’s just getting better, so I don’t think it’s necessary to tell you…”

“Ah~. Right~. I guess so… .”

My heart sank at those calm but poignant words.

I watched him intently.

I spoke haltingly, not knowing what to do, next to my senior, who was again looking boredly at the screen.

“Did you feel offended? I’m sorry.”

Ricardo didn’t respond, so I added, feeling even more guilty.

“But when I say I’ll come back, it’s true. Please believe me.”

Green Eyes rolled this way.

I looked at the expressionless senior and added with a little desperation.

“You’ll believe that, Rick?”

Taang!

“Oh, all passed without a single miss!”

“Hey, you’re a good shooter!”

“Take a test~… .”

Applause erupted in the media room.

At the same time, Ricardo indicated that he would pass, and I let out a small sigh of relief and turned my head to look at the screen.

The 63rd class, who were prohibited from talking to each other during the test, were celebrating passing the shooting test by lightly clapping their hands.

It looks like everyone passed the shooting with excellent grades.

I have seen the basic physical fitness section being prepared, from which no one has been eliminated so far.

“You have to act in a way that inspires trust in your daily life… .”

Ugh.

“But still… Since you say it like this, I’ll believe you just this once~.”

I quickly turned my head.

I smiled brightly at my senior who was staring blankly at the screen.

Ricardo raised an eyebrow, perhaps because he didn’t like the sight, and then tapped my left shoulder with his right hand.

“Oh, it hurts, Rick.”

“Are you okay~?”

… I have nothing to say.

I watched the new recruits take the basic physical test with my mouth shut and a reflective expression.

Everyone passed the basic physical fitness test smoothly, and the juniors slowly walked to the table to eat dinner.

At the same time, the media room became noisy.

People getting up to go out for dinner. People going to the media room to get dinner and then going on a delivery app. People even leaving to smoke a cigarette or think they’ve finished looking around.

I turned my head to ask Ricardo what he wanted for dinner.

At that moment, someone came up next to us and stopped.

“Mr. Taleb.”

He was a man I had just met.

I could tell right away where he was from.

The senior’s hand suddenly stopped as he was taking out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.

I slowly raised my head and smiled at the gray-haired man in a suit looking down at me.

“hello.”

“Nice to meet you. My name is Anthony Conway from CIS.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Conway.”

“Do you have a moment?”

I nodded and stood up in response to the polite question.

However, Ricardo was unable to get out because of the curb that blocked my way out into the hallway.

“Rick.”

“Why don’t we just talk here…?”

I don’t like it… .

If I say that in response, something big will happen, right?

I briefly considered expressing myself in another way, but it was a pointless thought, because Conway opened his mouth as soon as Ricardo finished speaking.

“Then I will convey the message quickly now.”

You have a quick temper.

“His word is.”

Who is he?

Don Child?

Colton Wiseman?

I was puzzled, but the answer came soon.

Conway spoke in an emotionless voice, like an artificial intelligence reading a sentence.

“This is my final offer. If you put down your raised sword and return to your daily life, I promise to guarantee you peace as I have done so far. Have I ever broken a promise I made to you before the war? Have I ever let you down? You may not believe it, but I truly consider you a friend.”

Someone in the back row snorted.

I just turned my eyes and saw Yoon sitting in the seat behind us.

The shooter, with his legs crossed and his eyes downcast, had a sneer hanging from his lips.

I looked at him quietly and then turned my head to Conway.

Conway continued nonchalantly.

“If not, why would I have brought you back to life?”

The corners of my mouth have become longer.

“Revenge will bring nothing. If you just put down your sword, things will be simple, and those who care about you will be happy. I will give you my full support so that you can win the fight against him. In the end, you will survive, and those who care about you will be happy and lead a normal life without any problems.”

“I guess that’s what he thought and saved me.”

That I will give up revenge.

Just as he had given up on Adam’s revenge, he thought he would choose to live peacefully under his protection at the top of the world this time. Because Colton had seen me as a realistic person up until now.

Why would you seek revenge? The dead are already dead, and the living are living in peace with Colton’s help.

Why not just enjoy it after clearing Kyle out in various ways?

If you spare Hildebert, he will be content with the peace his people have achieved, and live a quiet life under Colton’s reign, but if trouble arises, he will help Colton protect the throne…

I guess that’s what you were thinking.

“But if you refuse this time, I’ll make sure you know that the past two months have been just a taste.”

“haha.”

“I think it would be better to start with the humans you care about. Humans were not included in our agreement. I don’t need your support, so there’s no need to take them hostage. Just eliminate them one by one.”

A cold anger welled up inside me.

I saw Lee Ho, who had sensed an ominous atmosphere and was running towards me, flinch out of the corner of my eye.

But I didn’t pretend to know.

I looked at Anthony Conway quietly.

Then he answered.

“Is this all you have to say?”

“…Mr. Child said that he would make sure that he could watch the promotion test until the end.”

Conway nodded and took a step back.

“Enjoy your viewing.”

“Anthony!”

Lee Ho urgently called out to the agent who was turning around and walking towards the media room door.

“Anthony Conway! Wait!”

I didn’t follow him.

Instead, he sat down on the road and didn’t move for a while.

I stared at the edge of the giant screen for a while, and only came to my senses after Lee Ho returned panting.

My senior called me, ‘Hildebert?’

“What would you like to eat for dinner?”

I smiled at Ricardo and Yoon, who were looking at me with their mouths shut, and Lee Ho, who was blinking.

“I don’t care. I’m just hungry.”

We ate dinner inside.

I ate what Yoon ordered, but I don’t remember exactly what I ate.

***

Swimming in the sea.

Night sea swimming.

It started amidst the cheers of the big men.

“uh?”

And then not long after, someone said:

“What is that under the water?”