Infinite System Inheritor Return From The Abyss - Chapter 415

Chapter 415: Chapter 413: Again
Seojun stood still, his eyes calm and voice steady, as he watched Areum’s back. “The academy’s way,” he said, “is to help students grow in a slow pace, but in a stable and effective way. Not everyone can take shortcuts. Not everyone should.”

Areum didn’t stop walking. She passed by him, almost bumping into his shoulder, but at the last second, she turned her body to the side and dodged him smoothly, her steps sharp with emotion. “Slow pace is for the weak,” she said without looking at him.

Her voice was cold, not loud, but filled with something heavy. As she walked past, she looked at the broken sword handle still in her hand. She clicked her tongue in annoyance and threw it to the ground.

Seojun’s voice followed her. “Then come back with me.”

Areum’s feet stopped mid-step. She didn’t turn around right away. Her eyes stared at the path ahead, but her thoughts were filled with questions. ‘He’s strong… so strong, If it’s him.’ She bit her lip, then said aloud without turning, “I can’t leave right now.”

She walked off the path and headed to a spot where she had placed her things. She picked up a wooden bracelet, old and handmade. Each square block of the bracelet had one carved letter, and when put together, it spelled her name—A-R-E-U-M.

She stared at it for a moment, then quietly slipped it around her wrist. After that, she bent down and picked up some dry pieces of wood, tucking them under her arm like she had done it a hundred times before.

“How did you find me?” she asked, not looking at him.

“I went into your village,” Seojun answered honestly. “I met the village chief. He told me where to find you.”

Areum sighed, her voice turning into a low grumble. “Argh… Grandpa…”

She looked at him again, eyes narrowed. “Just leave this island. I said I can’t come back yet.”

Seojun didn’t argue. He simply said, “I’ll wait.”

Areum threw her hands up in frustration. “You’re stubborn, huh?! Do whatever you want. I don’t care. But don’t expect me to take care of you.” With that, she turned around and walked toward the village again, now with the firewood in her arms.

Seojun didn’t say anything more. He placed his hands in his pockets and followed quietly behind her, his steps slow and steady, keeping a small distance. They didn’t talk. Only the sounds of nature surrounded them—birds chirping, wind rustling through the trees, and the occasional snap of twigs beneath their feet.

At one point, Areum stopped walking. She reached up and pulled some fruit from a low branch. She added them to her bag, then kept walking again. After a few minutes, as the village came into view, she glanced behind her.

She looked at Seojun, walking silently as if he had nothing better to do.

She muttered under her breath, “He’s a professor? He looks the same age as me…Just what he did to get strong like that.”

Behind Areum, Seojun walked quietly, [You went easy on her, Host. You should’ve added more strength. That way, she wouldn’t be so stubborn. She’d want to train under you right away.]

Seojun’s face stayed calm, but he replied in a low voice. “The strength of my kick matched Kang Daewon’s level And she almost stopped it. I raised it more and She didn’t notice, but her mana increased for just one second… enough to match Daewon’s level.”

Then the system let out a shocked cry.

[She did?! Wait—wait, let me recheck that! Let me open my system playback. Ugh, this human brain thing of mine still needs more training…]

It paused, reviewing the moment like rewinding a tape. Then

[Oh! She really did! She really raised her mana that high! Just for one second, but that’s amazing! Host, you better take her in your class. She’s a monster!]

Seojun frowned slightly. “Why do you keep acting like a human instead of just being a normal system?”

[I told you, Host. It’s boring to know everything right away. It’s more fun to learn like a human. Don’t you think so? Heheee~]

Before Seojun could reply, they suddenly heard a thud—and Areum’s sharp voice cut through the air. She dropped the bag and the firewood from her arms without a second thought and bolted forward.

Seojun looked up ahead and saw what had caused her reaction. Just outside the village gate stood two men in black suits, standing stiff and quiet like shadows on a wall.

“You!! You’re here again!!” Areum shouted, her voice full of anger and pain.

She dashed forward, The dry leaves and dirt scattered beneath her steps, her body low and focused. As she got closer, she raised both hands, and blue sparks of mana burst out, flowing down to her palms and fingers.

She didn’t hesitate.

With her mana now gathered tightly in her hands, she struck first—her right hand like a blade, slicing through the air. It slammed against the first man’s chest, sending him flying back into a tree. He hit the trunk with a loud crash and didn’t move.

The second man raised a gun, but he was too slow.

Areum dropped low, spun on her heel, and kicked his wrist. The gun flew into the air, and before he could recover, she sent a punch into his gut, enhanced with mana. The man gasped, his body bending from the force before falling flat on the ground.

She stood over them, chest rising and falling, then turned her head quickly toward the village gate.

Her eyes widened. She whispered so softly only the wind could hear, “Please… no.”

And without wasting another second, she ran through the gate, leaving Seojun and the fallen men behind.

Seojun grabbed the man lying near him by the collar and lifted him up with one hand. His face was calm, but his eyes were cold.

“System,” he muttered.

[Alrighty~ Let’s see what this guy’s been up to, Host!]