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Author: Renegade

  • The Regressed Extra Becomes a Genius Chapter 5

    Three Days Later: Monday Morning

    I dressed in my uniform and headed down to the dormitory basement. The cafeteria, which opened at 7 a.m., was already bustling.

    Was I late?

    A long line of students waiting for breakfast stretched ahead. Reluctantly, I took my place at the back of the queue.

    “Yaaawn.”

    Even though I’d had plenty of sleep, a lingering drowsiness weighed on me. It was tough to wake up this morning.

    Just a few days ago, I was living freely, doing as I pleased. Now, trying to adapt to a disciplined lifestyle felt mentally exhausting.

    “Ugh, what are we going to do about the evaluation test today?”

    “Hey, at least you’ve got some skill. I’m totally screwed.”

    The hot topic this morning was undoubtedly the school-wide ranking evaluation test scheduled for 9 a.m. Judging by their chatter, most students seemed less worried about their rankings and more about embarrassing themselves in front of everyone.

    Adorable kids.

    As for me, I felt confident.

    In my previous life, I’d received several B-rank promotion offers. With my career as a professional mage, competing against these youngsters wasn’t going to be a challenge.

    My goal? To rank within the top 10 of the second-years.

    This time, I planned to leave a strong impression, boost my rank, and collect both achievement rewards and prestige points.

    Eventually, I reached the end of the line, filled my tray with food, and found an empty seat.

    As I looked around, most students were chatting and enjoying their meals with friends. Judging by the atmosphere, I seemed to be the only one eating alone.

    …Well, that’s kind of depressing.

    Wait. Nope.

    Upon closer inspection, I spotted someone else dining solo.

    Over in the corner, sitting with an air of quiet dignity, was Yoo Ara.

    For a moment, I felt a sense of camaraderie. Then, our eyes met.

    “…”

    Her expression instantly darkened, as if she’d seen something she wished she hadn’t.

    After breakfast, students began gathering in the auditorium, their nerves palpable. The atmosphere was tense, anticipation thick in the air as the evaluation test drew near.

    When the scheduled time arrived, the sound of a microphone echoed throughout the hall.

    [We will begin with the first-year evaluations. Second- and third-year students, please proceed to the second-floor spectator seats.]

    I joined the other upperclassmen as we moved to the second floor.

    “Oh man, I’m so nervous.”

    “Same here… How did the older students even manage this?”

    Snatches of conversation from anxious first-years floated up to us. For them, the test was more than just a ranking evaluation—it also doubled as a rite of passage to prove themselves to their seniors.

    [The first-year ranking evaluation test will now begin.]

    The names of participants were called, and the first to step up was none other than Choi Seo-yoon, the first-year ranked number one.

    As she ascended the stage with confidence, all eyes in the auditorium fixated on her.

    First-years had yet to specialize, so they were tested in all four branches of magic. The highest-scoring branch would determine their rank.

    “Choi Seo-yoon, are you ready to begin?”

    “Yes!”

    Her first test was in the Manifestation branch, her strongest field.

    A humanoid target, conjured through summoning magic, appeared before her.

    Seo-yoon extended her hands, and a gleaming white ice spear materialized above her.

    “Whoa, look at the size of that spear!”

    “No wonder she’s number one.”

    “That’s insane.”

    The audience murmured in awe, and even I couldn’t help but be impressed.

    Her mastery of the first stage of Manifestation magic, Materialization, was nearly flawless.

    The clarity and detail of her conjuration left nothing to be desired. Even among upperclassmen, only someone like Yoo Ara, another Manifestation mage, could rival her ability.

    “Hah!”

    With a sharp exhale, she launched the massive ice spear toward the target.

    Swish!

    The spear sliced through the air with a piercing sound, silencing the murmurs of the audience.

    The humanoid target tried to dodge but was no match for the spear’s speed.

    Crash!

    The target shattered spectacularly, drawing another round of cheers from the crowd.

    “She’s incredible.”

    “She could easily rank in the top 10 among second-years!”

    “Top 5, more like.”

    The test continued, and Seo-yoon showcased solid skills in the Enhancement, Summoning, and Support branches as well.

    [Choi Seo-yoon from Class 1-A has completed her evaluation.]

    Seo-yoon bowed politely to the instructor before turning to the audience. Flashing a calculated smile, she waved, earning wild cheers from the male students.

    She seemed genuinely happy by the attention.

    What a little show-off.

    Time passed, and the first-year evaluations concluded, making way for the second-year evaluations.

    [Yoo Ara from Class 2-A has completed her evaluation.]

    “Wow! That was insane. How is she only ranked second?”

    “This year’s second-years are on another level. Just unreal.”

    The spectators erupted in amazement. Yoo Ara’s overwhelming performance had stunned everyone, even though she wasn’t ranked first.

    Even I was impressed. The blazing fireball she conjured radiated such immense power that it was hard to believe it was the work of a teenager.

    Yoo Ara descended from the stage, her expression far from cheerful despite her flawless display.

    I could guess what she was thinking.

    She was likely frustrated at being outshone by Lee Seo-jun yet again.

    Despite her prodigious talent, Seo-jun’s performance earlier had been akin to watching a seasoned professional mage in action.

    If not for Seo-jun, Yoo Ara’s abilities would undoubtedly make her number one in any generation.

    [Next up: Shin Young-joon and Park Inhwan. Please prepare to take the stage.]

    “Inhwan, it’s your turn,” someone called out.

    “Ugh… this is so annoying,” grumbled Park Inhwan, seated a few rows ahead of me.

    “What’s wrong?”

    “Nothing.”

    Inhwan sighed and glanced at his group of followers before shaking his head.

    “It’s no big deal.”

    “Come on, just tell us.”

    He hesitated for a moment before muttering, “I got into a fight on the street yesterday. Beat the guy up pretty bad… and now the association’s involved.”

    “What? The association?”

    One of his lackeys looked shocked.

    “Yeah. Thanks to that, the school gave me a warning.”

    “Isn’t this your second warning?”

    “Yup. One more, and I’m suspended. So I need to be careful for a while.”

    “You’d better watch yourself, then.”

    Inhwan let out a heavy sigh and leaned back in his seat.

    But when his gaze met another student’s, he immediately snapped, “What are you looking at?”

    “Uh… sorry.”

    The other student quickly averted their eyes, leaving Inhwan to scoff in disdain.

    “Hey, stop picking on people,” Lee Seo-jun said, his tone sharp.

    Inhwan shot him a defiant glare but reluctantly backed off.

    “Yeah, yeah. If Mr. Perfect Seo-jun says so, I’ll stop.”

    Seo-jun’s cold stare didn’t waver.

    “Park Inhwan.”

    [Park In-hwan from Class 2-A, please come to the stage.]

    Saved by the announcement, Inhwan shrugged and made his way to the stage.

    The tension in the waiting area eased as the storm passed.

    The test continued, and as the turns of the skilled, high-ranking students concluded, the atmosphere grew increasingly dull.

    “Yawn…”

    As I let out a yawn, Park Inhwan, seated in front of me, turned around and shot me a sharp glare. His gaze was far from friendly.

    So touchy. It’s just a yawn.

    I considered saying something but decided against it. Picking a fight with him would just be a hassle.

    Park Inhwan was the guy who played the “psycho” role in the early chapters of the novel. Getting tangled up with him offered no benefits whatsoever.

    I pondered how to pass the remaining time. While lost in thought, curiosity got the better of me, and I opened the ability window to check my stats.

    ━━
    [Stats]
    Health: 42.02
    Strength: 34.01
    Mana: 21.91
    Speed: 30
    Agility: 32
    Dexterity: 28
    ━━

    There were minor changes to my stats.

    The most significant change was in mana.

    It had increased from 21 on the first day of my regression to 21.91 in just three days. This improvement was thanks to the hours I’d devoted to mana training over the weekend.

    While the increase wasn’t dramatic, gaining nearly 1 mana in such a short period was encouraging. If I continued training daily, perhaps one day, my mana would reach a truly usable level.

    As I planned my future, a voice over the microphone interrupted my thoughts.

    [Jo Min-young and Kim Sun-woo, please step up and prepare in advance.]

    Finally, my turn.

    In a teacher’s lounge tucked into a corner of the first floor, a group of twenty teachers had gathered. The room, stocked with snacks and tea, buzzed with their chatter about the test.

    “Second-years are incredible this time, don’t you think?”

    “Absolutely. They’re being called the best batch in years.”

    Lee Hee-young, the faculty member in charge of manifestation types, spoke with excitement.

    “Yoo Ara was impressive, but did you see Lee Seo-jun? That kid is something else!”

    “His swordsmanship is incredible. The mana flowing through his blade was mesmerizing.”

    “I’m worried other students specializing in enhancement will feel discouraged watching him.”

    The teachers chuckled.

    “He’s improved a lot over the break.”

    “Well, it’s the age where rapid progress is expected.”

    “Plus, he must’ve trained with Chairman Kim Jin-cheol over the break. It’s no surprise he’s gotten better.”

    A teacher who had been quietly sipping coffee suddenly asked, “By the way, what’s the deal with Seo-jun and Chairman Kim Jin-cheol? Are they related?”

    “He’s the third disciple, isn’t he?”

    “No, I mean beyond that. I heard rumors that Chairman Kim raised him from a young age. But you know how secretive he is.”

    Lee Hee-young chimed in as if a thought struck her.

    “Could Seo-jun be an illegitimate child of Chairman Kim? That would explain his talent.”

    “Oh, come on. Now you’re just writing a novel.”

    “Am I?”

    [Second-Year Class A, Kim Sun-woo.]

    The microphone announcement silenced the room.

    “That’s one of mine,” said Jang Ancheo, the homeroom teacher for Class A, breaking his silence.

    “Kim Sun-woo? Who’s that? I taught first-years last year, but I don’t remember him.”

    “He was in my class last year,” another teacher replied. “Sun-woo wasn’t particularly memorable, so it makes sense you don’t recall him.”

    “Still, I thought I’d memorized all my students’ faces.”

    As the teachers chatted, Kim Sun-woo stepped onto the testing platform. The teachers shared their observations.

    “He looks more composed than I expected.”

    “Indeed, he seems confident.”

    One teacher checked the student roster and remarked, “Last year, his records show talent in enhancement. Ranked 112th overall.”

    “Enhancement? But he’s unarmed,” another teacher noted.

    “Maybe he specializes in martial arts or body enhancement?”

    “The notes say he used a sword last year.”

    Just then, a doll appeared on the testing platform in front of Kim Sun-woo.

    The appearance of a doll signified a manifestation-type test.

    “Manifestation? Huh.”

    Another teacher chuckled. “Sometimes students pick specialties they like over ones they’re actually good at.”

    “It happens occasionally, but…”

    Before the teacher could finish, Sun-woo extended his hand, and a white, glowing orb formed above his palm.

    At first glance, it looked like an ordinary orb.

    But Lee Hee-young, watching intently, sensed something unusual.

    “That kid…”

    The orb emanated compressed mana.

    “Compression manifestation?”

    Compression manifestation was a technique where mana was condensed during the first stage of manifestation. This made the subsequent stages, emission and control, easier to execute.

    “Wow. A second-year using such a technique…”

    Even veteran mages found compression manifestation challenging. It wasn’t typically taught to young students, as their focus was often on emission and control rather than pure destructive power.

    Yet here was a student, ranked only 112th, mastering it with precision.

    “That student has talent,” one teacher remarked.

    Lee Hee-young nodded in agreement. Compressing mana this flawlessly wasn’t something even a B-rank mage could do easily.

    Suddenly, the orb emitted a dazzling light.

    The light signaled the beginning of the emission phase.

    As expected, the orb shot forward, leaving a trail of white light behind it.

    —Whoosh!

    Watching the display, Lee Hee-young thought to herself, This batch of second-years is full of talent beyond just Seo-joon and Ah-ra.

    But then, something unexpected happened.

    “…What?”

    The teachers noticed it too.

    Why was it so quiet?

    Sun-woo’s magic had been released, but something felt off.

    “What’s going on?”

    The teachers stood up, confused.

    Even Sun-woo appeared stunned, his expression frozen.

    “What happened?”

    “The magic orb vanished mid-flight.”

    “What? Why would it disappear?”

    The teachers were baffled.

    How could magic dissipate during emission?

    Then, from somewhere in the auditorium, a stifled laugh broke the silence.

    “Pfft.”

    It was contagious.

    Before long, the entire room erupted into laughter.

    “Pwahahaha!”

    “Oh my god, what was that?”

    “Did you see that? It just disappeared!”

    “I recorded the whole thing.”

    “Wow, he couldn’t even maintain a tiny magic orb. It just vanished!”

    The laughter filled the auditorium, and it took a long time for it to subside.

  • The Seventh Knight Chapter 13

    Two months later, Jiwoon was set to meet the Marquess of Wakefield, the ruler of a vast region encompassing the Frederick Barony and three other vassal families, under the guise of a high-ranking noble from the distant foreign land of Korea.

    Naturally, the Marquess hadn’t summoned Jiwoon directly.

    Instead, Jiwoon would accompany Frederick Barony’s delegation as an honored guest during the “Derrickfon Festival,” a semi-annual review where nobles and key figures from the Marquess’s domain paid their respects.

    When Jiwoon first heard about this, he was stunned.

    He had introduced himself as the heir of a prestigious foreign count family, but to be formally recognized with a title in the Marquess’s domain?

    The process wasn’t as difficult as it seemed.

    Jiwoon already met the two crucial conditions for a foreigner to be acknowledged with a title: a testimony from a noble of baron rank or higher to the king or feudal lord, and an oath from a bishop-level priest affirming the same to Reyes.

    In Jiwoon’s case, both Baron Frederick and Bishop Swendik, prominent local figures, favoured him greatly.

    Since learning about Jiwoon from Roselia and Einse, Baron Frederick was eager to attract a seemingly learned and capable foreign politician to his domain.

    Meanwhile, Bishop Swendik admired Jiwoon for his devoutness and humility.

    For these reasons, both were keen to secure Jiwoon’s recognition before any complications arose, especially given the rigid hierarchy and suspicions about foreigners.

    Without clear identification, any misstep could lead to severe consequences, including execution under fabricated charges.

    Thus, the two men planned to have Jiwoon’s title recognized during the upcoming “Derrickfon Festival.”

    For Jiwoon, the most attainable title was that of a baron, the lowest of the hereditary nobility but one with significant privileges, including immunity from certain punishments and the ability to purchase land to establish a domain, though the latter was not an option for a foreigner like Jiwoon.

    Being recognized as a baron would allow Jiwoon to reside in the Frederick Barony without fear of retaliation, offering counsel and support without issue.

    While he would remain slightly inferior in status to Baron Frederick, his noble title would afford him protection and respect from the local knights and retainers, solidifying his position in this new world and securing his survival—a dream come true for a reclusive writer from Korea.

    However, Jiwoon’s elation quickly soured.

    “Damn it! Why does the verification process have to be so tough?”

    Recognition required more than testimonies; Jiwoon needed to learn proper noble etiquette and even dance to earn points.

    Most daunting was mastering the language and performing a swordsmanship demonstration, a mandatory tradition for receiving a title in the Kingdom of Prim.

    Despite being academically underdeveloped compared to its neighbors, Prim was renowned as a “nation of knights” that valued martial prowess highly.

    Even hereditary nobles had to showcase their swordsmanship to be recognized.

    This tradition traced back to the founding king, Henry Fairland de Prim, a legendary knight whose vassals were mostly fellow knights, embedding martial arts deeply into the kingdom’s culture.

    Jiwoon’s lack of swordsmanship experience was now a significant hurdle.

    His prior attempts to evade this by explaining the lack of such customs in his homeland fell on deaf ears with Baron Frederick.

    The local customs were non-negotiable; Jiwoon had to comply.

    “Ugh…” Jiwoon sighed, dreading the challenge ahead.

    Jiwoon lowered his head in dismay as he recalled the events of the previous day when he heard about the swordsmanship demonstration.

    “Let’s begin training immediately. We don’t have much time, but two months should be sufficient,” said Lawrence.

    “Oh, that sounds great. What do you think, Sir Jiwoon?” the Baron asked, not as a question of whether he wanted to learn but as a directive that he should.

    Jiwoon knew he had no choice. Without a demonstration, his title and everything else would vanish like smoke.

    “I’ll learn,” Jiwoon replied, forcing a smile.

    Baron Frederick smiled contentedly. “Good. But who will teach him? Will you do it yourself, Sir Lawrence?”

    Both Jiwoon and the Baron turned their gazes to Lawrence. After a moment of contemplation, Lawrence shook his head.

    “I’m afraid I can’t. Although two months seem like a lot, to prepare Jiwoon for a demonstration, we’d need to train him for at least half a day daily, and as you know, I have many duties.”

    The Baron nodded thoughtfully. “That makes sense. Then, who?”

    The Baron’s gaze shifted to the opposite side, where Sir Halford, the strongest and most boisterous knight in the domain, stood grinning broadly.

    “Perhaps Sir Halford would be the best choice, given his strength.”

    Halford’s grin widened with the Baron’s praise. “Hahaha! Indeed! Though it’s not modest to say, I am the knight among knights, the strongest warrior on land! Hahaha! Entrust Sir Jiwoon to me, and I’ll make him the finest knight within two months!”

    Watching Halford pound his chest, Jiwoon’s face turned pale. He looked at Lawrence with pleading eyes, silently begging, ‘Are you trying to kill me, Sir Lawrence?’

    Lawrence, understanding Jiwoon’s silent plea, nodded slightly and addressed the Baron. “While Sir Halford is an excellent knight, I fear that Jiwoon’s tall and slender frame might not suit the heavy weapons Sir Halford uses, like broadswords and morning stars. Furthermore, Sir Halford excels more in direct combat than in teaching.”

    “Nonsense! I, the knight among knights, Halford, can turn even the weakest into a strong and splendid knight!” Halford protested loudly.

    “Enough! That’s a fair point,” the Baron interjected, silencing Halford. “Then, what would be best? What about Sir Einse? Although he might be busy as the captain of the guard.”

    The Baron’s interruption was enough to calm Halford, who, despite his loudly nature, wouldn’t openly defy his lord.

    “Other than Sir Einse, only Sir Roddick remains in the castle. But like Sir Einse, Sir Rodrick is heavily occupied with his duties. So, I have an idea…”

    Jiwoon focused on Lawrence’s words, his mind racing with thoughts of harsh training, akin to the grueling military drills he had once experienced. He swallowed nervously.

    “Jiwoon may be in good shape, but foundational strength is essential for learning swordsmanship. I suggest starting with basic strength training under Sir Halford, alongside the morning exercises of the shock troops.”

    “An excellent idea,” the Baron agreed.

    “Hahaha! Wonderful! With our shock troop training, Sir Jiwoon will soon gain muscle. Just like this!” Halford exclaimed, flexing his brawny arm.

    Staring at Halford’s bulging muscles, Jiwoon’s jaw dropped. Strength training…? His mind flashed back to the hellish endurance exercises from his military days.

    Oblivious to Jiwoon’s inner turmoil, Lawrence continued, “Sir Rodrick is expected to return soon. And Sir Alfonso, who left three months ago upon hearing of Viscount Triche Raul de Alfonso’s passing, should also be back shortly, barring any complications.”

    “Hmm… Sir Rodrick…” The Baron’s expression darkened slightly at the mention of Roddick, who had left for an honor duel on behalf of his family.

    “He will return. Few can match Sir Roddick’s sword,” Lawrence assured him.

    “My apologies. I meant no disrespect to our loyal and brave knight,” the Baron said regretfully.

    “No offense taken, my lord. Sir Rodrick will be pleased by your concern,” Lawrence replied, softening his stern demeanor with a smile.

    “That settles it then,” the Baron said. “Sir Jiwoon will begin strength training with the shock troops, and once Sir Rodrick returns, he will continue his swordsmanship training under him.

    Sir Jiwoon, is something wrong?”

    Caught off guard, Jiwoon quickly adjusted his expression. “No, nothing at all. I’m just grateful for your consideration.”

    “Haha! Think nothing of it. It’s your fortune. We’ll start the training the day after tomorrow, then.”

    “As you wish, my lord,” the others responded, bowing slightly, except Jiun, who remained silent, dreading the days ahead.

    (To be continued)

  • About a Dating Sim Where Dating Is Impossible Chapter 21

    Despite all my efforts to avoid scandal, rumors spread throughout the court.

    The love triangle between the two women captivated the curiosity of those who had been craving intriguing news.

    Why did the embarrassment have to fall on me? Several times, I had to explain my flushed cheeks as a result of a hangover. By the time I escaped the meaningful glances, hours had already passed.

    Just as I was about to return to my room and take a moment to rest, an unexpected visitor arrived.

    “So, you’re quite popular now, aren’t you?”

    Standing before me was my mother, Helena, still majestic and beautiful in her role as the Empress.

    Why did she choose to visit at such a moment? Her playful, teasing smile sent a wave of anxiety through me. Sure enough, as soon as she sat beside me, she spoke the words I had been dreading.

    “Considering how popular you are, it’s no wonder you haven’t sent a single letter to your mother in nearly ten years.”

    “I’ve been extremely busy.”

    “Too busy to write even one letter?”

    “Yes, that’s correct.”

    “No wonder they say raising children is pointless.”

    With those words, I felt a sharp sensation on my head. Reflexively, I rubbed my forehead while my mother blew on her fist. After a moment, she directed her slightly teary, dark eyes towards me and placed her more wrinkled hand on my knee.

    “You heartless one.”

    “…I’m sorry.”

    “If you return to the battlefield again, please write to me. Only then will my heart be at ease.”

    I nodded, unable to muster the words.

    What followed was light conversation, something we hadn’t shared in a long time. Mundane everyday topics we had been estranged from for so long.

    Speaking with such ease and comfort, free from the burdens of my duties, felt distant. But more than anything, I was reminded that this world wasn’t just a game—it was reality.

    Yes, reality.

    The people I wish to protect are living in this reality.

    “….It was good to see you, Constantine. You’ll return to Morea soon, won’t you?”

    Even long conversations must come to an end. As a mother, she could have stayed longer, but as the Empress, she stood up, prepared to return to the Emperor’s side. Her question carried a mix of regret, resignation, and faint hope.

    I would soon break my mother’s heart. The day when I could truly be a filial son would never come. As long as my siblings and I vied for the throne, a tragic fratricide was inevitable. I might even lose my life on the battlefield before then.

    I had distanced myself to avoid seeing my affectionate mother in sorrow.

    At least in this moment, I could bring her some joy.

    “Don’t worry, Mother. I will return to the capital.”

    “Don’t push yourself too hard. I understand how busy you are.”

    Though she politely declined, her face lit up with genuine happiness. Despite her age, she remained a beautiful woman in my eyes.

    “I’m just happy to hear those words. I’ll wait, so don’t keep me waiting too long.”

    “……Yes.”

    I wondered if my mother would welcome me as purely as she did now when I returned to the capital.

    The fleeting thought darkened my expression. How many people would still welcome me if my hands were stained with my siblings’ blood? Could a future patricide truly yearn for his mother’s embrace?

    In a brighter tone, my mother bid farewell.

    “You’ve enchanted quite a few young ladies. You’ve had a talent for that since you were little. Just don’t overdo it. One daughter-in-law is enough, understood?”

    “…Yes, of course.”

    I forced a smile to part on good terms. Fortunately, my mother left without a trace of worry on her face. Did she not notice, or was she pretending not to? I hoped for the former.

    As soon as she left, a wave of fatigue washed over me.

    I thought of resting. Too lazy to move to the bed, I propped my chin on my hand, lost in thought for a few minutes. Then, the door moved again. Was my mother returning? I quickly adjusted my posture, but the figure that appeared was someone entirely different.

    A boy with a sullen expression, his eyes filled with passion. The enmity in his blazing gaze was unmistakable. Had I done something to provoke such hostility? More importantly, who was this boy…?

    “Who are you…?”

    “Of course, Brother wouldn’t remember me. You’ve barely seen me.”

    Pouting, the boy began to wander around, his hands trembling as if suppressing an urge to release his pent-up frustration. Finally, he bit his lower lip and turned to me, shouting.

    “At least know whose rightful inheritance you’ve stolen!”

    “Rightful inheritance?”

    “Exactly! The fame you now enjoy rightfully belongs to me! It was the honor that should have been mine!”

    Who was this boy, calling me his elder brother yet accusing me of being a seizer of his rightful claim?

    The answer came swiftly as I recalled our family lineage, and my expression hardened. If my assumptions were correct, this boy was indeed my younger brother, Demetrios.

    He was also a potential source of further disputes. He was supposed to be the lord of one-third of Morea, which had originally been intended for a tripartite division.

    That was Demetrios’s rightful claim.

    “You’re mistaken, Demetrios.”

    “Mistaken? Those aren’t words that suit a pretender. You convinced Father to take away the land that should have been mine, and now you speak of mistakes?”

    “The mistake I’m referring to is in your assumption that I ever considered your words seriously.”

    The imperial throne of this fallen empire had many contenders: the powerful Ottomans, the young co-emperor John VIII, my second brother Theodore with whom I had formed a secret pact, and myself, the Prince of Morea.

    There had been no room for new competitors for a long time.

    I pointed directly at Demetrios’s heart with my index finger and declared:

    “Remember this, whether it’s years or decades from now.”

    “Are you flaunting your superiority after stealing what wasn’t yours?”

    “….What I’m saying is, I’ve already drawn my sword.”

    I needed to be ruthless.

    “You will receive nothing unless you submit.”

    Grinding his teeth audibly, Demetrios turned his back immediately. A royal with no value as an ally was a dangerous subject, especially one as impulsive and reckless as young Demetrios.

    Sigh… Dealing with family members always leaves a bitter taste.

    “I need to finalize the marriage proposal and return to Morea.”

    I muttered to myself, as if to reassure myself of the path ahead.

    However, the following day, a completely unexpected announcement shook me and all the officials of the empire.

    “Serbia has rejected His Highness Theodore as a suitor and instead selected His Highness Constantine!”

    …What was this about?

  • Hunter Watching a Movie Chapter 1

    Taewoon was a Hunter trainee.

    He had been one when he just came of age, and he still was now.

    For over five long years, he had failed to become an official Hunter, wasting each day in futility.

    “Hey, look over there. He’s here again today.”

    “Ugh, it’s kind of pitiful, but he really should know when to give up. What’s the point of clinging to something that’s never going to work?”

    “Heh, come on. You think that’s so easy? Deep down, he probably knows it too. Just ignore him and keep working on your equipment.”

    By now, Taewoon had become somewhat famous at Hongshimgwan.

    Of course, not in a good way, but a bad one. Anyone could tell from the murmurs he overheard during training.

    …

    How had it come to this? Once, Taewoon had been a promising rookie, well-known in the area.

    No, perhaps even more than that. He had received exceptional offers from various guilds and Hunter academies vying to sign him.

    Even Hongshimgwan, where he currently trained, had presented him with an unprecedented, almost shocking contract to secure him.

    But that…

    He could never have imagined that it would mark the beginning of a long, downward spiral.

    For five years, Taewoon had failed to obtain his official Hunter certification, endlessly scraping the bottom of the barrel. He had become a parasite at Hongshimgwan, drawing resentful stares from others.

    Living off the support funds stipulated in his contract without contributing anything was bound to draw such treatment.

    It’s all because of this cursed trait…

    Taewoon had once been called a prodigy because of one thing: the unique trait displayed in his status window.

    ▶【Universal Theater】

    In this world, every awakened human could summon a status window. Only those who manifested a unique trait could qualify as Hunters and begin their activities.

    A clearly defined trait meant the qualification was already granted.

    Moreover, the name of his trait was unprecedented, causing scouts to lose their minds over him back then.

    A rookie worth taking a gamble on—or even an absolute must-have.

    But what was the result now?

    Taewoon still didn’t understand how to use his trait, Universal Theater.

    During his initial training, Hongshimgwan had assigned numerous experts to help him figure it out, but to no avail.

    Eventually, they all gave up, saying it was hopeless.

    Every year, a new wave of promising rookies emerged. The fervent interest in Taewoon quickly turned into cold indifference and, eventually, faded away.

    That had been three years ago. It felt like an eternity.

    …

    Taewoon had grown up in an orphanage. When he should have been preparing for his future, he was swept into the Hunter world, hailed as talented.

    Even if he gave up being a Hunter, what else could he possibly do to survive?

    For now, he lived off the support funds guaranteed by his contract, but if he abandoned everything, only a bleak future awaited.

    Thunk!

    Tick, tack—!

    After an hour of swinging his spear at a training dummy, Taewoon turned his sweat-soaked head toward the sound of approaching footsteps.

    Sure enough, it was a group of familiar faces.

    “Tsk, at it again, huh? I swear, there’s no one as tenacious as this guy. Don’t you agree?”

    “…”

    “Hey, the boss asked you a question. Don’t just ignore him—answer properly, will you?”

    A towering, muscle-bound man and his lackeys.

    They were active Hunters who had been tailing and harassing Taewoon for months, taking every chance to pester him.

    “Listen, man. Contract or not, you’ve got to have some shame. Do you know how many people are sick of you leeching off the guild without a care?”

    Though their words weren’t entirely wrong, their mocking tone made their true intentions clear.

    They wanted to provoke Taewoon into voluntarily breaking his contract.

    …How did things get this bad?

    Hongshimgwan had bent over backward to secure Taewoon with an incredibly favorable contract.

    Unless he caused a major issue or broke the contract himself, there was no easy way to nullify it.

    Even as he faced this blatant hostility, Taewoon didn’t feel particularly angry.

    After all, he understood their perspective.

    Clinging to the guild, draining funds while failing to blossom into the talent they had hoped for—he couldn’t exactly call it honorable.

    There’s no room for pride left anymore.

    How could they possibly understand the feeling of once being praised as exceptional, only for those admiring gazes to gradually turn to disgust?

    Taewoon’s spirit had long since been crushed and ground down.

    He no longer felt insulted by their disdain or hurt by their crude words.

    And yet, for some reason, today, the man’s pointed remark struck him differently.

    Perhaps it was because even Taewoon himself was starting to run out of the stubbornness and lingering hopes that had kept him going.

    Maybe… it’s time to give up for real.

    Despite knowing it was a mistake, Taewoon couldn’t stop. He kept telling himself, “Just one more year, or maybe three more months,” refusing to abandon his lingering regrets and walking the same path over and over.

    Because all the time he had invested so far would feel wasted otherwise.

    Because it was the first and only goal he had pursued with true determination.

    Because even if he gave up, he had no idea what he could do next.

    But now, perhaps it was finally time to let go and accept the inevitable.

    “…Sigh.”

    Taewoon’s journey had ended long ago. There was no possibility left, none at all.

    And no one understood this bitter truth better than Taewoon himself.

    …It’s been a long road.

    Even though he could have stubbornly denied it one last time, strangely, he didn’t feel like doing so anymore.

    His lips, trembling with hesitation and regret, moved slightly before finally releasing words of resignation into the air.

    “…I’ll quit.”

    “What?”

    “You’re right. It’s time to stop. I can’t live like this forever, can I?”

    “What… What the hell? Did this guy eat something weird? Hey, you recorded that, right? Go report it to Sangeol-hyung right now.”

    The man was momentarily taken aback but quickly broke into a smug grin, leading his group out of the training hall to deliver the “good news.”

    Left alone, Taewoon began packing his belongings with a bitter smile.

    Will I regret this?

    Of course, he would. Again and again.

    But… it couldn’t be helped.

    What doesn’t work simply doesn’t work.

    Some people achieve everything without giving up, while others fail even after putting in the same effort.

    This time, Taewoon was part of the latter group.

    Step, step.

    Beep!

    [Identity verified.]

    After finishing his packing, Taewoon swiped his membership card to exit the building.

    As he did, a passing woman glanced at him and spoke.

    “…Are you done already for today?”

    “Oh, yeah. Well… I think I’m done for good this time.”

    At Taewoon’s heavy words, the woman looked visibly shaken before replying hesitantly.

    “You’re quitting…?”

    “Yeah. I’ve done all I can, and staying any longer would just be clinging to regrets.”

    Seoyoon.

    Currently one of the most celebrated rising stars in Korea and recently recognized as a Level 5 Hunter, she too had once been an apprentice at Hongshimgwan.

    Taewoon remembered advising her when she first joined, as she had reminded him of the younger children from his orphanage.

    Back then, Taewoon’s reputation hadn’t been so bad, so he had played the role of senior to some extent.

    But now, all of that felt meaningless.

    “There’s no need to overthink it. This is just the end of the first chapter of my life. I’ll start fresh from here.”

    “…I see.”

    Seoyoon’s face darkened as she sighed softly, but she eventually forced a faint smile and offered a parting word.

    “…I’m sure you’ll do well. Wherever you go, whatever you do.”

    It was little more than polite encouragement, but for some reason, it carried a surprising warmth for Taewoon.

    At the same time, though, it also brought a sharp sting of despair and inferiority as he compared himself—who had failed despite giving his all—to her, basking in the praise of everyone.

    Suppressing his emotions, Taewoon bowed slightly and left through the door.

    The chill of the evening wind greeted him, along with the metallic sounds of cars speeding by.

    “…Sigh.”

    He considered lighting a cigarette but decided against it and hailed a taxi instead.

    “Where to?”

    “Rodem ENC, please.”

    The taxi sped through the city and soon pulled into an alley, stopping in front of Taewoon’s home.

    “That’ll be 9,870 won.”

    “…Here you go.”

    Taewoon handed over his card reluctantly, lamenting his unchanged financial situation and the ever-rising costs.

    Creak.

    Thud.

    The sight awaiting him wasn’t much to behold—just a small, 6-pyeong studio apartment.

    Even calling it a home had cost him quite a bit of money.

    With his funding about to be cut off, he would soon have to vacate this place too.

    It was the right decision. Honestly, I should’ve quit a long time ago.

    Even so, the bitter feelings gnawing at his chest were impossible to suppress.

    “…Hah.”

    Thunk.

    Slide.

    Leaning against the wall, Taewoon let out a few hot tears for the first time in a long while. Resting his forehead against the mirror, he thought:

    If only I had more talent as a Hunter.

    If only I had been able to unlock whatever this “Universal Theater” ability was.

    It was a desperate wish, now an unattainable dream.

    But then, in that very moment, an unexpected change occurred.

    Ding!

    [You possess one Basic-Grade Ticket.]

    [Would you like to use the Basic-Grade Ticket to enter the Theater?]

  • The Congressman Bows Low Chapter 4

    Goo Young-jin continued his speech, undeterred by Cha Jaerim’s cynical expression.

    “Young people these days lack ambition. They think getting 1.5 million won a month and not getting fired is enough. Isn’t that a miserable outlook?”

    “……”

    “A man should have ambition. If you’ve entered the world, you should draw a big sword and climb the emperor’s staircase. Life is to be lived grandly, isn’t it?”

    As the subway reached Yaksu Station, Cha Jaerim stood up, ignoring Goo Young-jin’s lengthy speech. He walked ahead without reacting, exiting the subway and heading towards the bus stop. Goo Young-jin kept talking.

    “People don’t fail because they lack ability. They fail because they think the tree is too high to climb, so they don’t even try.”

    “Can’t you be quiet for a bit?” Jae-rim responded quietly, now free from the confines of the subway.

    But silencing Goo Young-jin proved impossible.

    “You need to go into politics. With my help, there’s nothing you can’t do. I will make you a great politician who leads South Korea into the 21st century.”

    “Ha…” Cha Jaerim sighed and shook his head.

    “Right now, you think politics is for old men, but it’s changing. Young people like you, with bright eyes, can certainly wear a badge and become lawmakers.”

    Goo Young-jin talked non-stop until the bus arrived. Once on the bus, Cha Jaerim took out a Walkman, blocking his ears. Goo Young-jin, unable to remove the earphones, waved his arms and shouted, but to no avail. Jaerim finally smiled peacefully as he returned home, his ears filled with the uplifting songs of Kang San-ae.

    Cha Jaerim’s house was among a cluster of red-brick houses. His home was the rooftop room, not the whole building. Once he reached the rooftop, he removed his earphones, and Goo Young-jin’s agitated voice immediately filled the air.

    “Is this a house?”

    “Why, would that be an insult?”

    “Are you joking? Did you put this much effort into playing a prank on me?”

    Annoyance crept into Cha Jaerim’s voice. “You’re quite loud.”

    “Tell me this is a joke!”

    “Sorry if my house looks like a joke.”

    Jaerim answered calmly, entering the rooftop room. The old fluorescent light flickered a few times before fully turning on. He removed his coat and sat in a chair with a sigh. Goo Young-jin still seemed disoriented by the shabby surroundings.

    Every item he saw was depressing. Jaerim, noticing Goo Young-jin’s visible discomfort, chuckled.

    “Do you still think politics is a good idea? Does any of this make you think about politics?”

    “…What about your family?”

    “I’ll tell you later. It’s not urgent.”

    “I see.” Goo Young-jin suspected Jae-rim might be an orphan.

    “Ghosts don’t care whether it’s a rooftop room or a hotel suite. Anyway, make yourself at home.”

    “How long do I have to live like this?”

    “You’re already dead.”

    “That’s not what I mean…!”

    “I don’t know much. But from what I’ve seen of other ghosts, one day, they just disappear, like smoke. Don’t worry about the gates of hell or anything. I was just saying stuff.”

    “Where do they go?”

    Jae-rim shrugged with a smile. “How would I know? I’m just a regular guy who occasionally sees ghosts.”

    “I see. One more thing…”

    Jaerim interrupted him. “Let’s continue tomorrow. I’m tired. I went out to meet a woman but came back with a ghost, so I’m extra tired.”

    “Alright. So, while you sleep, I just sit here?”

    Being unable to sleep as a ghost was a torment Goo Young-jin hadn’t anticipated. The solitude until dawn was unbearable.

    “Don’t worry. I can offer some minor benefits. I can make you sleep.”

    “Sleep? Really?”

    “Yes. If I couldn’t, I wouldn’t have brought you here. I have a personal life too.”

    “Right…”

    “Good night.”

    With a snap of his fingers, Goo Young-jin’s consciousness faded into darkness.

    He woke up the next morning to find Cha Jae-rim already dressed in a neat suit. His wardrobe was meager, with only one decent outfit. Jaerim smiled at Goo Young-jin.

    “Did you sleep well?”

    “Yes, good morning.”

    Sharing a morning with a stranger felt awkward to Goo Young-jin. Still, he was relieved that Jaerim had some basic manners. It would have been miserable if he hadn’t.

    “Why did you wear such shabby clothes yesterday if you have a decent suit?”

    “Wouldn’t it be strange to wear a suit for no reason? Did my clothes look that shabby?”

    As Jae-rim put on his shoes, he asked with a hint of hurt.

    “Given your height, it was passable. Otherwise, it would have been quite shabby.”

    “I can’t tell if that’s a compliment or an insult.”

    “Why are you dressed like that this morning?”

    “I’m going to work. I have to make a living.”

    “Of course.”

    Even if this guy is poor and lacks educational background, he might have a decent job. Seeing him dressed in a suit for work suggests he’s a white-collar worker. He might be doing better than expected.

    Goo Young-jin asked with a hint of expectation, “What’s your job?”

    “I’m a civil servant.”

    “Oh, a civil servant.”

    A rather uneventful profession. Being a civil servant isn’t a job to look down on, but Gu Young-jin wasn’t satisfied. He wanted to drag Cha Jae-rim into politics, using him to fulfill his unfinished business. However, being a civil servant could be a problem. The greatest advantage of a civil service job is its stability. Even though the salary is modest, the risk of losing the job is low if one doesn’t make major mistakes. For someone like Cha Jae-rim, who doesn’t have financial leeway, he would likely aim to hold out until retirement.

    While it was possible to enter the political arena through the administrative elite course by passing the civil service exam, if that were the case, he would likely be stationed in cities like Gwacheon or Daejeon where government offices are located. Still, there was a slim chance.

    “What grade are you, by any chance?”

    “I’m a level 9.”

    As expected.

    Goo Young-jin wasn’t particularly disappointed. Whether he was or not, Cha Jaerim paid no mind and hurried to work. Gu Young-jin managed to gather more details about Cha Jae-rim, thanks to his incessant questioning during their walk. Cha Jae-rim worked in the contract department of the Finance Bureau at Seongbuk District Office. He was born in 1974, making him 25 years old in 1998.

    “Young age is great. At 25, you can chew steel and wrestle tigers barehanded. At that age, politics should be a piece of cake.”

    “Oh, please.”

    Within a day of knowing Goo Young-jin, Cha Jae-rim had grown tired of his political ramblings.

    “You don’t understand because you don’t know who I was in life. If you did, you wouldn’t find my words boring. Let me tell you, I was…”

    “I’m here. Please don’t disturb me during work.”

    With a snap of his fingers, Cha Jaerim plunged Goo Young-jin into deep unconsciousness.

    Night fell quickly, and Goo Young-jin opened his eyes again, feeling dejected. The idea of being under the control of a young, inexperienced man was hard to shake off. Cha Jaerim had already returned home, now in casual clothes. He showed no sympathy for Goo Young-jin, who lay slumped. He was eating two rolls of gimbap he had bought on his way home, his gaze fixed on the old, fat tube TV in the corner of the room.

    It was already 9 PM, and the news was on.

    “Good evening, this is the 9 o’clock news for September 15th. Today, President Kim Dae-jin held a summit with German President Roman Herzog to discuss deepening economic cooperation between the two countries.”

    Goo Young-jin expressed his dissatisfaction toward Cha Jaerim, who wasn’t paying him any attention.

    “You’re really too much.”

    “You’re the one who’s too much.”

    “Me? What did I do?”

    “Why do you keep telling a second-year civil servant to get into politics? It’s unnecessary.”

    “It’s not unnecessary!”

    “I’m not interested, so please stop.”

    “Come on, let’s continue our morning conversation.”

    As they argued, the TV news continued.

    “The prolonged deadlock in the National Assembly due to the extreme standoff between the ruling and opposition parties shows no sign of abating. Both sides remain steadfast, unable to hide their complex internal calculations.”

    “You’re quite persistent.”

    “If you knew who I was, your attitude would change. I was…”

    Cha Jaerim’s eyes wavered briefly as he glanced between the TV and Goo Young-jin. He spoke up.

    “I think I know who you are.”

    “What?”

    “You’re Assemblyman Goo Young-jin, right?”

    “How did you know…?”

    Cha Jae-rim pointed his chopsticks at the TV screen. Following the direction, Goo Young-jin’s eyes landed on the screen.

    “The Secretary-General of the ruling party, Goo Young-jin, emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue and compromise while criticizing the opposition during the internal party discussions on normalizing the National Assembly.”

    The screen showed Goo Young-jin smiling confidently at fellow party members.

    Cha Jaerim alternated between looking at the 1998 version of Goo Young-jin on the TV and the Goo Young-jin who had taken his own life in 2008. Besides a few wrinkles and strands of gray hair, there wasn’t much difference.

    Cha Jaerim, licking his chopsticks, addressed Goo Young-jin.

    “It makes sense now why you kept talking about politics.”

    While knowing Goo Young-jin’s identity was somewhat surprising for Cha Jaerim, to Goo Young-jin, it was a profound shock.

    “This… can’t be…”

  • Gatekeeper Of The Boundless World Chapter 6

    Zhao Yibing’s eyes flickered slightly.

    It seemed like everyone was now standing on her side.

    But—

    This wasn’t right at all!

    She originally intended to publicly break up with Shen Ye, but now the situation had completely flipped.

    —Now it was Shen Ye publicly breaking up with her!

    I’m not his lapdog; how did things end up like this?!

    “Shen Ye, we haven’t finished talking!” Zhao Yibing called out urgently.

    “Stop right there!” A male voice shouted at the same time.

    On the staircase, a boy blocked Shen Ye’s way.

    “And you are?” Shen Ye asked.

    “Sun Ming,” the boy replied.

    Ah, third in the grade.

    “Classmate Sun, class is about to start. Please don’t block the way,” Shen Ye said.

    “Apologize to Zhao Yibing first,” Sun Ming demanded, crossing his arms and looking down at Shen Ye with an air of superiority.

    “Apologize?” Shen Ye glanced at him, then at Zhao Yibing, who looked aggrieved.

    “Classmate Sun, don’t get it twisted. Zhao Yibing called me over, not the other way around,” Shen Ye said, spreading his hands.

    “Apologize!” Sun Ming roared, slamming his fist into the wall with a loud thud.

    Shen Ye was startled.

    Whoa, the otherworld version of a hot-headed brute?

    Reluctantly, he turned back, walked up to Zhao Yibing, and spoke in a low, soft tone:

    “Alright, you win…”

    He seemed to have made up his mind. His eyes turned red, and he clenched his teeth.

    “Zhao Yibing, you can keep harassing me now. Satisfied?”

    “?” Zhao Yibing.

    “?” Sun Ming.

    Looking utterly aggrieved, Shen Ye ran up the stairs.

    Zhao Yibing couldn’t hold it in anymore and shouted, “Wait a second—I didn’t mean to force you—don’t listen to Sun Ming!”

    Ah, what was I thinking!

    Why did I say something like ‘I didn’t mean to force you’?!

    Sun Ming is such a mess-maker!

    Thinking of this, Zhao Yibing shot Sun Ming a fierce glare.

    Sun Ming panicked.

    I was clearly here to support Zhao Yibing and humiliate that guy who couldn’t even get into a key high school.

    How did things turn out like this?!

    No way.

    This needed to be fixed immediately!

    Just as Shen Ye brushed past him, Sun Ming tried to salvage the situation.

    “Hey, don’t leave! Stay here and explain yourself!”

    He threw a punch at Shen Ye.

    Shen Ye smirked lightly, unfazed.

    As the former top student in his grade, Shen Ye excelled in agility.

    His agility stat was at 2.

    —Twice that of an average adult male.

    Now, by adding his sole attribute point, his agility reached 3.

    This already surpassed the level of a middle schooler.

    With the battle experience of dodging bullets using the “Moonlit Deer Step” last night—

    In front of the crowd.

    Shen Ye suddenly sidestepped, dodging the punch with ease. Then, with a light leap, he pressed a hand on Sun Ming’s head, using the momentum to push off, ran a few steps along the wall, and gracefully bypassed the crowd, landing in the corridor.

    The onlookers gasped in unison with exclamations like “Wow,” “Ah,” and “What?!”

    His movements were so smooth and natural, as if running on flat ground, imbued with the innate elegance of an elven race.

    Unforgettable.

    Even Zhao Yibing was dumbfounded.

    Sun Ming, having been publicly used as a springboard, was too stunned to react. Fight him?

    Ridiculous!

    Such a level of agility deserved full marks, right?

    Everyone silently thought to themselves.

    But Shen Ye couldn’t care less about the onlookers. He returned to the classroom to continue working on his exercises.

    The bell rang—

    Class began.

    A female teacher holding a teacup and a stack of test papers ascended the stairs, only to find the stairwell completely packed. Annoyed, she scolded, “What are you all doing here? Don’t you know it’s time for class?!”

    The students dispersed quickly, returning to their classrooms.

    A few minutes later.

    Class 9-5.

    A short, chubby man entered the classroom, carrying a stack of papers, and announced directly:

    “Thirty points for this written test, followed by a simulation exam outside.”

    The test papers were distributed quickly.

    Shen Ye, having long since moved on from the earlier drama, picked up his pen and began reading through the questions.

    The paper consisted of relatively simple questions, such as:

    • Identify the most suitable technique for enhancing movement speed from the following options.
    • What is the primary role of agility in combat?
    • What is the most effective basic exercise for practicing footwork, and why?

    …

    Written knowledge accounted for 30% of the total score.

    The remaining 70% depended on the practical test.

    Shen Ye began answering without hesitation.

    As he worked through the paper, bits of forgotten knowledge resurfaced in his mind.

    Shen Ye nodded slightly to himself.

    —Looks like I’ll need to cram intensely before the next exam.

    Time passed.

    Once the test was over, the class gathered and headed to the field for the simulation exam.

    “Hey, Night Bro,”

    Chen Haoyu, trailing at the back of the group, tugged at Shen Ye’s sleeve.

    “What?” Shen Ye asked.

    “The tests take ages. They won’t call us for a while anyway, so why don’t we sneak off for a bit?” Chen Haoyu suggested.

    “Where to?” Shen Ye chuckled.

    “A manga café opened near the school’s back gate. They have a ton of new releases we haven’t read yet. Let’s climb over the wall and check it out.”

    This sparked an idea in Shen Ye’s mind.

    While everyone else was warming up on the field, waiting for their turn, he could use the time to work on today’s evaluation entries.

    “You go. I’m not in the mood today,” Shen Ye said.

    Chen Haoyu frowned slightly, disappointed.

    Shen Ye smirked, asking, “What’s your plan?”

    Chen Haoyu glanced in a certain direction and pouted. “I wasn’t going to show you because I thought it’d upset you.”

    Following his gaze, Shen Ye saw students from Classes 9-2 and 9-3 gathering on the field as well.

    Among them, a pretty girl from Class 9-2 was chatting with her friends.

    Then, a boy from Class 9-3 approached her, and they began talking and laughing together.

    Zhao Yibing.

    Hot-headed brute—no, Sun Ming.

    Shen Ye understood Chen Haoyu’s concern.

    —But he had no time to dwell on such trivial matters.

    “You should know, I don’t actually like her.”

    Shen Ye whispered.

    “Really?” Chen Haoyu asked.

    “Of course,” Shen Ye replied.

    “Hmph. She used to come looking for you all the time. After you missed that exam, she stopped coming to our class altogether,” Chen Haoyu pointed out.

    “We’ve cleared things up. She won’t be bothering me anymore,” Shen Ye said earnestly.

    Won’t be bothering me anymore…

    That sounded fine, yet something about it felt off.

    Regardless, Shen Ye had resolved the issue.

    “Alright, that’s for the best.”

    Chen Haoyu nodded.

    Shen Ye checked the line and calculated the time.

    Warming up, waiting, getting ready, and then the teacher saying “start” would take ages.

    He and Chen Haoyu were tall and would be among the last to go.

    That wouldn’t be until nearly noon.

    On the field, others were warming up or practicing test moves.

    There was no point in waiting here.

    “Haoyu, hold my spot. I need to use the restroom,” Shen Ye said.

    “Sure, I got you,” Chen Haoyu replied.

    “If I don’t make it back, just say I wasn’t feeling well and went to rest,” Shen Ye added.

    “Got it.”

    Nodding, Shen Ye turned and walked off the field.

    The campus was equipped with security cameras everywhere—except inside classrooms and restrooms.

    The restroom… might still have people around…

    The empty classrooms on the top floor are better.

    He quickly climbed to the top floor, pushed open the door to an unused classroom, and walked to the farthest corner.

    “Door.”

    Shen Ye muttered in his heart.

    On the wall, a classroom door quietly appeared.

    In an amusingly fitting manner, the parchment nailed to the door turned into a homework notebook.

    Shen Ye peered through the window into the room.

    The giant skeleton wasn’t there?

    Good opportunity.

    Shen Ye casually took out the Crown of Pale Shadows and put it on his face, instantly transforming into a handsome male elf.

    Then, he pinned a silver war medal to his chest before stepping into the Nightmare Door.

    Click.

    The door closed behind him.

    Chilling winds blew through the corridor, making even his bones shiver.

    At this moment, Shen Ye had two choices:

    1. Check whether the door at the end of the corridor was locked or open;
    2. Use the silver war medal to teleport directly to the elven territory.

    …Only kids make choices.

    To improve his evaluation, Shen Ye first crossed the corridor and reached out to check the lock on the door.

    It didn’t budge.

    The locked door ensured that other monsters couldn’t enter here.

    What exactly was that giant skeleton up to?

    Was it trying to monopolize me?

    After all, I represent resources from another world.

    Shen Ye didn’t kick the door open.

    After all, his relationship with the giant skeleton was merely an equal exchange. If it decided to eat him, this relationship wouldn’t be able to restrain it.

    Shen Ye was about to teleport away when he suddenly noticed something in the corner.

    He crouched down and shone his phone light on it.

    A black revolver lay there silently.

    A gun?

    He remembered—it must be the assassin’s gun!

    Picking up the gun, he found a few bullets still loaded.

    Good stuff!

    The giant skeleton didn’t care for it, but to me, this is a treasure.

    Getting a reward as soon as he entered—what a lucky start!

    Satisfied, Shen Ye stored the gun, stood up, and placed his hand on the silver war medal.

    The medal slowly emitted a pure white light.

    The surrounding space began to distort.

    Teleportation began!

    A dizzying sensation overwhelmed him.

    Solid ground materialized beneath his feet.

    Then, something cold and hard was thrust into his hand.

    “I truly lack the power to do more for you. Please take this; it’s a token of humanity.”

    A voice echoed in his ears.

    Around him were blue skies and white clouds.

    A lush forest.

    Streams, wildflowers, and leisurely wandering sika deer.

    Standing by the water’s edge, Shen Ye looked around but saw no one. There was no sign of who had given him the item.

    That voice sounded so familiar.

    It seemed—

    It was the same voice that had told him about the “Cursed Statue of the Fallen Demon King” when he awakened his “Door” ability.

    Was it helping him?

    Shen Ye looked down.

    In his hand was a black short sword.

    The blade’s spine was dull, and the hilt bore two connected heads—one human and one stag.

    A faint light leapt from the blade, manifesting glowing words in the air:

    “Nightshade.”

    “Short sword exclusive to human scouts.”

    “White rank.”

    “Trait: Sharpness (Basic).”

    “This is a short sword for assassination, imbued with the blessing of ‘Silent Sanctity’ by humans.”

    “Silent Sanctity: Only human scouts with unsullied souls may wield this blade.”

    “—The wielder of this sword is deemed trustworthy by humans and can be dedicated to intelligence transmission.”

    A token of humanity.

    Strange.

    Where did that being obtain such a sword?

    Why give it to me?

    The sound of running footsteps came from the forest.

    Shen Ye immediately hid the short sword in his coat and positioned himself advantageously, waiting silently.

    The next moment.

    Three elves appeared before him.

    “Feylen?”

    One elf called out.

    “Hmph, you’re finally here—what took you so long?” complained the second elf.

    “If you didn’t show up soon, we’d have declared the mission a failure and reported back,” said the third elf.

    Who?

    What?

    Shen Ye was momentarily confused but quickly responded, “Something unexpected came up, so I’m a bit late.”

    “Well, at least you’re here now.”

    The leading elf said in a low voice, “We’ve gained the trust of this elven tribe. They think we’re heroic soldiers wounded on the battlefield.”

    “Tonight, we act—kill their chieftain and seize their treasures.”

    “Feylen, are you ready?”

    Shen Ye glanced at the silver war medals on the chests of the three elves.

    Sure enough, they were all highly decorated elven soldiers.

    Shen Ye nodded. “My hands are already itching.”

    The three elves seemed satisfied with his response.

    Shen Ye suddenly touched his face.

    “Don’t move!” the three elves shouted in unison.

    Got it.

    “Relax. I’m just adjusting it—it felt uncomfortable earlier,” Shen Ye said.

    These three had the same medals and the same Crown of Pale Shadows as him.

    They were undead!

    —What a scam!

    Damn skeleton, you must be the Feylen they’re referring to.

    It was clearly your mission, and you dumped it on me?

    Recalling the skeleton’s crawling figure in the corridor, Shen Ye had a sudden realization.

    That thing was injured and couldn’t fight, so it resorted to this trick.

    The leading “elf” glared at Shen Ye.

    “When we enter the elven village, tread carefully. If you’re exposed, the elves will kill you on the spot.”

    “Don’t worry. When Feylen acts, nothing goes wrong,” Shen Ye replied.

    “It better not.”

  • Academy’s Genius Extra Chapter 6

    Somewhere in the Superhuman Academy.

    Inside a grand and imposing office.

    “What are you saying, brother? Necromancy and a new recruit—how does that even make sense?”

    Someone spoke, a badge on his lapel marking him as a faculty member.

    “What can we do? The dean insisted on assigning them to the Necromancy Department. His determination felt… unusual. I couldn’t oppose it.”

    “Damn it… That old octopus bastard…”

    Two faculty members were deep in conversation.

    Oddly enough, their topic was a new recruit from a different department.

    “What about the rights to the workshop, then?”

    “What else? The current members of the Necromancy Department still exist, don’t they?”

    “Wait, wait. Are you saying that a new recruit has taken the workshop rights?”

    “You already know the answer. Why even ask?”

    Sigh.

    The man hearing the bad news let out a heavy sigh.

    An old, rundown workshop.

    He had gone to great lengths—unscrupulous lengths—to secure it. And now, a new recruit?

    He had done everything possible to block any new students from joining. But that damned old dean…!

    “So what now?”

    “We stick to the plan.”

    “Ha. This just got serious.”

    The senior member raised his voice at those words.

    “Was it ever a joke? Did it seem like a joke when we put 11 cadets into comas?”

    “Well, no… But if accidents keep happening in a department with no people or resources, it’s going to look bad…”

    Indeed.

    Would the dean just sit back and watch?

    The man couldn’t help but worry about that.

    “Of course, it won’t look good. That’s why we need to make it seem like a real accident, right?”

    “Ah, I see.”

    “It’s just bad luck for that recruit. What was the point of having such a talent for necromancy, anyway? But hey, the timing is perfect.

    Today’s the day, after all.”

    “True. There’s no better day than this, with the campus in such disarray. Perfect for pulling something off.”

    “There’ll be all sorts of ‘accidents.’”

    The senior member declared it with certainty.

    Accidents.

    Today was the day when cadets scoured the Superhuman Academy in search of equipment.

    It was always a chaotic day, full of events and mishaps—sometimes even major incidents.

    “We’ve left it to that junkie. Let’s just wait and see.”

    “Yeah, fine. Let’s do that.”

    Though only two were speaking, over ten people silently rose from their seats in the office. They greeted the senior member and left the room.

    The senior member turned to gaze out the window.

    Click.

    I opened the door to the Necromancy Workshop.

    [Your spiritual energy is brimming.]

    [Progress toward unlocking a new ability: 95%.]

    The countdown to both ability awakening and system interface unlocking had begun.

    But since I spent all of yesterday in interviews, the remaining 5% hadn’t been filled.

    “Looks like I need something more stimulating.”

    I went straight to the sealing chamber. The weapons stored there all focused their attention on me.

    “Lu…!”
    “Lu~~~!”

    As usual, the first to speak was the revolver. Was it asking me to release it?

    Still hanging by ropes, it truly had the worst treatment in the sealing chamber.

    At the same time, there was no ominous aura emanating from the revolver. Unlike the fakes, it wasn’t hiding anything.

    What exactly was its identity?

    I had a vague suspicion, though.

    “Well, everyone…”

    Just as I was about to make an important announcement—

    [Visitor detected in the department domain.]

    [Administrator privileges activated automatically.]

    Zap!

    Suddenly, my mind connected to a perspective as if a CCTV had been installed in my head.

    The scene displayed was the entrance to the workshop.

    “Huh, I guess this comes with the key.”

    It seemed like a special effect granted to the keyholder.

    The visitor at the Necromancy Workshop entrance was peeking inside curiously, dressed rather peculiarly.

    A bulletproof vest and a gas mask.

    It was clear they weren’t here to ask for directions, sell newspapers, or recruit for a religious group.

    The visitor’s suspicious behavior escalated when they abruptly turned into smoke and infiltrated the workshop.

    “Mistification?”

    My mind raced.

    Mistification.

    A rare talent.

    At this point in time, only a handful of people at the Superhuman Academy could use it.

    And judging by that military outfit…

    “Is it that junkie?”

    But why?

    Does this have something to do with the Necromancy Department? This guy’s definitely bad news…

    “Kim Seungtae, what do we do now?”

    An intruder, out of the blue.

    I glanced around the hall filled with all sorts of weapons.

    Well, if it’s here…

    This might just work in my favor.

    I deliberately cleared my throat loudly.

    “Squeak! I heard that…!”

    The junkie, having undone his mistification, ran down the corridor. I didn’t even bother locking the door as I stepped back.

    Squeak! Squeak!

    The sound of rats echoed from the corridor. It was definitely him.

    Bang!

    The junkie, dressed like a soldier, burst through the door.

    “Squeak… Krrk, squeak?”

    A beastly noise came from behind the gas mask, but this guy wasn’t a beastman. He was 100% human.

    Ahn Eunho. Nicknamed The Junkie.

    A drug criminal hiding within the vast grounds of the Superhuman Academy.

    He wasn’t supposed to show up until much later—somewhere around the middle of the story.

    He would be uncovered after an investigation into a drug circulating among the cadets.

    “What brings you here?”

    Ahn Eunho was a slippery one.

    A man who managed to live and operate within the Superhuman Academy, manufacturing and even distributing drugs.

    “Squeak! It’s a job. Nothing personal, but you’re going to have to meet with an… accident. Squeak!”

    Ahn Eunho, looking frustrated, removed his gas mask. Though haggard, he was undeniably human.

    However, Ahn Eunho himself didn’t think so. He firmly believed he was a rat beastman.

    His brain was far from normal, thanks to drugs.

    How could such a fool survive in the academy, evade the professors’ watchful eyes, and keep making and selling drugs?

    Even in a place as vast as the Superhuman Academy, he must have had someone powerful backing him.

    But even I, who cleared hell-level difficulty, hadn’t been able to uncover his patron.

    Still, he had just revealed something. He’d come here on a job.

    “Well, Mr. Ahn Eunho.”

    I spoke calmly.

    “…I’ve been expecting you.”

    “Squeak?!!”

    Ahn Eunho squeaked in panic and began trembling.

    “I-I’m not Ahn Eunho! Who’s that…? Squeak squeak!”

    A paranoid drug addict.

    While Ahn Eunho was an annoying foe, he wasn’t an invincible one.

    A tricky opponent, but not a strong one.

    “Come on, Mr. Ahn Eunho. I know everything. You were hired to come here, weren’t you?”

    “Squeak?! No, I wasn’t! I wasn’t hired!”

    Ahn Eunho’s stats were unimpressive. He was just a petty criminal surviving off his broken ability, Mistification.

    Especially since his mental fortitude was the lowest of the low—so much so that he even misunderstood his own species.

    By numeric standards, his mental strength was below 0.4.

    For comparison, the average adult scored 1.0. That should tell you how severe it was.

    Prone to confusion, panic, and fear.

    Suffering from delusions, anxiety, and memory loss.

    Making even simple judgments was beyond him.

    These penalties were what came with a shattered mind. Manipulating him wasn’t difficult. The initiative was mine.

    “Mr. Ahn Eunho, who hired you?”

    This was a crisis, but also an opportunity. The elusive Ahn Eunho had walked straight into my hands.

    His throat bobbed nervously.

    Come on. Say it. Say it.

    Simple decisions always lead you astray—that’s your penalty, isn’t it?

    “Th-they’re scary! I’m scared! I can’t say! Squeak squeak! I have to finish my job!”

    Damn.

    “Mr. Ahn Eunho, you’re surprisingly tight-lipped. Well, then, would you mind looking inside that display case over there?”

    “All right… Wait, why would I?! I’m not Ahn Eunho….”

    “Hmm~ If you don’t look, you’ll miss out, Mr. Ahn Eunho~ But it’s up to you~”

    Ahn Eunho hesitantly turned his head toward the glass display case.

    Clatter.

    He dropped his tear gas and stun gun.

    “W-what is this?! Squeak! Squeak squeak!!”

    Ahn Eunho pressed his face against the glass display case, his bloodshot eyes flaring as he exhaled heavily.

    “Cheek! What’s this? Treasure? This too? And that? There’s so much treasure!?”

    “That’s all yours, Ahn Eunho.”

    For a moment, Ahn Eunho glared at me as if he wanted to kill me, his eyes filled with suspicion.

    It was understandable.

    The weapons displayed here appeared to be priceless treasures. At least on the surface.

    Even a fool would doubt it.

    “Cheek! All of this is mine? N-no way! Do I look like an idiot?”

    “If you don’t want them, leave then.”

    “!!!!!”

    “You were hired to take me out, weren’t you? Just close your eyes and tell me their name.”

    “Cheek! You’re serious?!”

    Ahn Eunho, hasty and miserly, made his decision faster than anyone else.

    “Their name is Triangle of Color! A terrrrrifying person, so be careful!”

    Triangle of Color.

    A name I’d never heard before. Was it a nickname or a trait?

    Crash!

    Ahn Eunho smashed the glass with his elbow and grabbed a long spear as if he’d been waiting for this moment.

    The spear unleashed a murky aura in all directions, which was then absorbed into Ahn Eunho’s body.

    “Kuha! Ahaha! Kuhahahaha!”

    Ahn Eunho laughed wickedly, holding the spear, as if possessed by something sinister.

    [Finally! Finally, I have a body! Like the heroes of chaotic times, it is time for the Long Spear to rise again!]

    “Ahahaha! This feeling…! It’s incredible!”

    Both the weapon and its wielder seemed elated.

    Well, as long as they’re having fun….

    Ahn Eunho, trembling with excitement, approached the next glass case.

    Crash!

    Onto the next.

    Crash!

    And another.

    [The Demon Sword Gram has arrived! No blade on this earth can stand against me!]

    [The unparalleled shield has descended! No spear can pierce me; my name is Shield of Purity!]

    One by one.

    Crash!

    Relentlessly.

    Crash!

    Ahn Eunho collected the weapons.

    And with each acquisition, the murky aura from the artifacts consumed him further. Soon, I couldn’t even see Ahn Eunho anymore.

    Through the shrouding smoke, only his eyes shone, gleaming like those of a nocturnal rodent.

    “Hehe… hihihihi!”

    [Intruder detected.]

    [Activating defense measures of .]

    [Security systems 1 through 6 are now operational.]

    [Draining intruder’s life force.]

    Evil Spirit Sealing Room.

    So that was the true name of this space, something the map hadn’t revealed. The dazzling treasures weren’t treasures at all—they were traps disguised as such.

    “If you’d seen Indiana Jones, Ahn Eunho, you wouldn’t have fallen for this.”

    Whenever something looks too good to be true, you should start doubting it.

    .
    .
    .
    <Leonidas’s Sandals>.
    .

    Each one screamed with delight.

    “Kiiiiaaaack!”

    Through Ahn Eunho’s mouth.

    The self-proclaimed genuine artifacts began absorbing his life force to become truly genuine.

    “They really went all out on this necromantic trap!”

    These were never meant to be traps. They were just fakes who mistakenly believed they were real.

    “Kraaaaahhh!”

    That’s why they sought human life force—to fully realize themselves as genuine artifacts. Ahn Eunho howled in agony.

    “It hurts! What’s happening?! It hurts!”

    “Ahn Eunho…. Great legacies often come with curses.”

    “Uuuhhh, it hurts! It really hurts!”

    Of course, it would be unbearable. Those weapons are deeply cursed.

    To become legendary, they must cut people down. The more they cut, the greater they become. They keep cutting to leave their name in history and establish their legacy.

    Eventually, all that’s left is the curse—an ominous shadow that betrays their former glory.

    “You’re not a beastman, Eunho. You’re human.”

    “Graaaahhh! No, I’m a rat beastman! It hurts! It really hurts!”

    Ahn Eunho was human.

    But he was the only one who didn’t know that.

    Just like these weapons.

    They didn’t realize they were fakes.

    Ignorant of their evil, they consumed Ahn Eunho.

    “You… you’re the target of my contract!” Ahn Eunho shouted, stepping closer.

    “Grrk… I don’t think I promised to let you live, though!”

    “Wait… now, of all times? Your work ethic is way too strong!”

    “Triangle of Color! They’re soooo terrifying!”

    Triangle of Color. That name again. I had to remember it.

    Ahn Eunho staggered forward.

    But his body was already at its limit.

    “We will shake the world once more!”

    “We will cut flesh, burn bones, and rise again!”

    No… this wasn’t even human anymore. Ahn Eunho had merged with the murky presence, becoming something else.

    “Hmph. Everything’s going according to plan so far.”

    The necromancers’ clever security measures were working perfectly.

    But… was I forgetting something?

    “Slash, conquer, triumph, dominate, ascend, become great….”

    A black message appeared before my eyes, dark as the color of ruin itself.

    [Destruction has descended.]

    [Ahn Eunho’s durability increases.]

    [Ahn Eunho’s life force surges.]

    [Ahn Eunho’s presence intensifies.]

    The message was simple yet horrifying.

    Destruction difficulty.

    This world was one of destruction difficulty.

    “Damn it… couldn’t they have told me sooner?”

    I looked up at the ceiling.

    There hung a revolver, swaying from a rope.

    “So this is the Evil Spirit Sealing Room.”

    The necromancers had a reason to install such a heavy-handed trap.

    Somewhere in here, an evil spirit was sealed.

    • Roooo!!!
    • Roo!

    Right there.

    The revolver called out to me. At the same time, Ahn Eunho charged at me.

    “Gyaaaaaaaahhh—!”

    Though Ahn Eunho’s body was breaking down, it hadn’t completely fallen apart.

    He survived curses that should have killed him several times over, buoyed by the destruction difficulty buff.

    Ahn Eunho swung the Long Spear and Gram wildly.

    “…How do I dodge this?”

    I retreated. The weapons’ swings were deadly.

    I had to evade Ahn Eunho’s relentless attacks at least once to free the revolver from its rope.

    At that moment—

    [You have witnessed the malice of fakes.]

    [Your spiritual foundation is now enriched. You are close to an epiphany.]

    [A new trait has awakened.]

    [You have gained the unique trait .]

    With a crackle, blue sparks burst from my eyes.

    “About time!”

    Ahn Eunho charged at me And so did I.

    Finally, a path forward had revealed itself.

    I could now see what had been hidden.

    (To be continued)

  • The Regressed Extra Becomes a Genius Chapter 4

    [Welcome! Special benefits for you, an outsider!]

    [In the Point Shop, you can obtain anything you desire!]

    The welcoming message appeared as soon as I entered the Point Shop.

    It felt oddly mocking, but I brushed it aside and dismissed the notification.

    The Point Shop offered several ways to increase mana. However, the efficiency varied widely depending on the cost, and some items were so inefficient that they felt borderline scammy. Careful research was essential.

    “Hm… What should I do?”

    I skimmed through the shop and first entered the basic stats purchase menu.

    [You can exchange points for basic stats!]

    [Basic Stats Shop]
    ▶ Health 0.1 – 100 points
    ▶ Strength 0.1 – 100 points
    ▶ Mana 0.1 – 100 points
    …

    Exchanging points for basic stats—this was a method I often used before my regression. It showed decent efficiency, especially at first.

    1,000 points could increase mana by 1, which wasn’t too hard to earn through achievements.

    But this method had a critical drawback.

    [Warning]

    [Basic stat prices increase by 10 points for every 10 purchases.]

    The more you purchased, the more expensive it became.

    At first, it might not seem like a big deal—just a 10-point increase—but over time, the costs became unmanageable.

    In my previous life, I overused this system to the point where buying just 0.1 mana cost 350 points.

    “This isn’t worth it.”

    To gain mana efficiently, traits or items were a better investment.

    Let’s see… I should start by searching for mana-related traits.

    [Using the search function.]

    [Searching for ‘Mana.’]

    Ding!

    ▶ [Trait] Gluttony’s Gift (B)
    ▶ [Trait] Energy Absorption Technique (S)
    ▶ [Trait] Dark Warlock’s Training Method (D)
    ▶ [Trait] Arcane Meditation of the Ancient Empire (C)
    ▶ [Item] Great Elixir (B)
    ▶ [Item] Necronomicon (SS)
    ▶ [Item] Meditation for Mana Efficiency Vol. 1–2 Set (D)
    ▶ [Item] Heart of the Elder Dragon, Kaisas (SSS)
    …

    A long, disorganized list of search results appeared.

    After some thought, I decided to check out the first option, Gluttony’s Gift.

    [Gluttony’s Gift (B)]

    Type: Trait

    Description: Gain mana by consuming food.

    [Passive Effect]

    ▶ Calorie Conversion

    Gain mana equal to 0.001% of consumed calories.

    Price: 20,000

    “Not bad, but…”

    It was expensive. And the efficiency wasn’t great either.

    At 0.001%, even if I consumed three 1,000-calorie meals daily, I’d only gain 0.03 mana per day.

    Sure, if I ate 3,000 calories daily, I could accumulate at least 10 mana over the course of a year.

    But for someone like me, just starting to build mana, 10 mana was nowhere near enough.

    …Not that I could afford it anyway.

    “Next.”

    I dismissed the option and thought about traits that were useful early on yet remained effective later.

    “Ah.”

    I searched for Nature’s Blessing.

    [Searching for ‘Nature’s Blessing.’]

    Ding!

    ▶ [Trait] Blessing of Nature (A)

    An A-rank trait… The price would be exorbitant.

    The B-rank Gluttony’s Gift cost 20,000 points. An A-rank trait would undoubtedly be far worse.

    “…Shame.”

    Blessing of Nature was a reward from a mid-story tower in the novel.

    Its ability was straightforward: absorb ambient mana during cultivation to gain additional mana.

    While it seemed ordinary at first glance, its true value lay in the unique skill unlocked as the trait’s proficiency increased.

    Even though I couldn’t afford it, I opened the detailed description out of curiosity.

    [Blessing of Nature (A)]

    Type: Trait
    Description: Absorbs mana from nature.

    [Passive Effects]

    ▶ Nature’s Grace
    Gain additional mana during cultivation, up to 150% depending on the environment.

    ▶ Nature’s Rest
    Mana recovery speed increases by 50%.

    [Active Effects]
    ▶ ???
    Locked. Unlocks as proficiency increases.

    Price: 50,000

    “Fifty thousand points…”

    The price difference between B-rank and A-rank traits was staggering—2.5 times higher.

    I only had 6,700 points, less than one-eighth of what was needed.

    “Ugh. What am I supposed to do with 6,700 points?”

    Frustrated, I flopped onto the bed.

    I was eager to act, but things weren’t going as planned, and it annoyed me.

    “…Am I being too greedy?”

    Thinking about it, maybe I was.

    This was just the first day of my regression. There were still plenty of scenarios and time ahead of me.

    In my previous life, I didn’t even have 6,700 points at this point.

    I was being ridiculously spoiled.

    Fine. If I looked hard enough, I was sure to find a low-tier yet useful trait.

    I got up and resumed browsing the shop.

    “…Wait.”

    A brilliant idea struck me like lightning.

    Why hadn’t I thought of it earlier?

    There was a way to earn over 20,000 points at once.

    I immediately used the search function and typed the name of the solution I had in mind.

    ‘Contract Cancellation Voucher.’

    [Searching for ‘Contract Cancellation Voucher.’]

    ▶ [Special] Administrator’s Contract Cancellation Voucher (???)]

    “Here it is.”

    ━━
    [Administrator’s Contract Termination Certificate (???)]
    Type: Special (Single-use consumable item)
    Description: Converts one owned trait into points. (Purchase limit: 5 times)
    Price: 6,000
    ━━

    As expected!

    The Administrator’s Contract Termination Certificate allowed me to convert one of my traits back into points. And I had just the right candidate—a useless trait that had grown to an A-rank after seven long years.

    If I exchanged that for points, I could easily gain at least 20,000 points. With that, my options for purchasing traits would expand significantly.

    Without hesitation, I purchased the item.

    [You have purchased the Administrator’s Contract Termination Certificate (???)!]
    [Please select the trait you wish to exchange for points.]

    The trait I decided to exchange was Master Chef.

    Master Chef was the first trait I bought after landing in the world of this novel. Originally an F-rank trait worth only 1,000 points, it had grown into a dependable A-rank trait over time—a testament to its growth potential.

    [Would you like to exchange Master Chef (A) for points?]

    I froze for a moment.

    Now that I was about to give it up, I felt conflicted.

    “…This feels strange.”

    It wasn’t a life-changing trait, but it had become a part of me over the years. Thanks to this trait, my quality of life during those seven years had improved significantly.

    Getting rid of it now felt like betraying an old companion.

    [Exchanging Master Chef (A) will grant you 30,000 points.]

    “Wait, 30,000?”

    Seeing that number, I accepted without a second thought. Seven years of sentiment couldn’t compete with 30,000 points.

    [You have exchanged Master Chef (A) for 30,000 points.]

    [You have gained 30,000 points.]

    “This is insane!”

    In an instant, I had 30,000 points. This opened up so many more options for purchasing traits.

    Ding!

    [Achievement Unlocked: Well-Invested Trait Sale.]

    [Reward: 10,000 points.]

    [Calculating trait growth stage…]

    [You have sold a high-rank trait.]

    [Bonus: 10,000 points.]

    “Huh? What?”

    Not only had I earned 30,000 points, but the achievement reward had added another 20,000 points on top of that.

    “This is nuts. Absolutely nuts.”

    In the blink of an eye, I had 50,000 points.

    Ecstatic, I immediately turned back to the search function.

    With 50,000 points in hand, there was only one trait worth considering:

    ━━
    [Blessing of Nature (A)]
    ━━

    [Would you like to purchase this item?]

    There was no reason not to. I selected “Purchase” without hesitation.

    [You have purchased Blessing of Nature (A).]

    “Done!”

    This trait gave me a strong foundation to build up my mana.

    In the short term, it might seem less efficient than simply buying stats with points, but in the long run, it was far more effective and economical for growing my mana reserves.

    The only downside was that, as a growth-type trait, it wouldn’t yield immediate, dramatic results. But that didn’t bother me much.

    What mattered was that I was starting this life with a better foundation than I ever had before.

    The next morning, Saturday.

    I headed to the mana training grounds bright and early.

    Despite being the weekend, the place was bustling with students. It was the first week after the semester began, so the training grounds were packed with students eager to make a fresh start—just like how gyms are full on New Year’s Day.

    I entered the mana training grounds, glancing around the crowd. Among the sea of faces, a few familiar ones stood out.

    On the right was Yoo Ara, her hair tied back and damp with sweat as she rested.

    On the left was Choi Seo-yoon, dressed to impress but sitting alone with a sulky expression.

    Yoo Ara’s presence was no surprise—she was a known hard worker. But Choi Seo-yoon?

    “Ah…”

    It was obvious. She must’ve been trying to impress Lee Seo-jun, only to fail.

    That reminded me—there was an episode about this right after the entrance ceremony.

    Choi Seo-yoon, desperately trying to win over Lee Seo-jun, while he treated her like a cute junior. The scene played out vividly in my mind, making me chuckle.

    She looked a little pitiful sitting there, but knowing her, she wouldn’t give up so easily.

    ‘Anyway, that’s not my problem.’

    I wasn’t here to people-watch. My goal was mana cultivation.

    I headed straight to one of the mana cultivation rooms tucked away in the corner of the training grounds.

    ―Beep!

    [Door Unlocked.]

    I tapped my student ID against the scanner, and the door to the mana cultivation room slid open.

    The room was small—barely three square meters—but it was outfitted with artificial grass and trees to mimic a natural environment.

    Mana was denser in natural settings, and this design aimed to optimize mana cultivation efficiency.

    As I stepped inside, I felt the concentrated mana in the air.

    Settling onto the floor, I took a deep breath and began sensing the mana around me.

    At that moment, faint white energy swirled around me.

    [The Blessing of Nature has been activated.]

    [Nature’s mana surrounds you.]

    Focusing my mind, I drew the mana toward my heart. The sensation was different from any mana cultivation I’d done before—undoubtedly due to the trait.

    “Inhale…”

    As I breathed in, the mana stirred within me.

    Because my body wasn’t naturally sensitive to mana, it instinctively tried to escape. I had to use mana control techniques to force it to stay.

    This was the crucial part.

    The amount of mana I could firmly bind to myself at this stage would determine the success of the cultivation.

    After grappling with the mana for about 30 minutes, a message popped up.

    [Mana has increased by 0.01.]

    [Due to the effect of the Blessing of Nature, you have gained an additional 0.015 mana.]

    [The mastery of the Blessing of Nature has increased by 4%.]

    “Phew.”

    It worked.

    While 0.01 might not seem like much, the additional 0.015 mana from the trait made it a decent outcome.

    “Not bad.”

    I steadied myself and prepared to continue.

    There was no time to rest yet.

    …How much time had passed?

    When I finally opened my eyes, the long, grueling mana cultivation session had come to an end.

    [Achievement unlocked: First Steps as a Mage.]

    [Reward: 1,000 points.]

    “Oh.”

    A message notifying me of the achievement popped up before my eyes.

    This was an achievement I had unlocked in my previous life as well.

    As expected, achievements I had already earned could still be unlocked again in this timeline.

    ‘I wonder how much my mana has increased.’

    ━━
    [Stats]
    Health: 42
    Strength: 34
    Mana: 21.2
    Speed: 30
    Agility: 32
    Dexterity: 28
    ━━

    “0.2, huh.”

    Four hours of meditation had resulted in a 0.2 increase in mana.

    While that might not seem like much, it was actually a decent result for the time spent.

    If I kept growing at this rate daily, I could theoretically achieve over 70 mana points within a year.

    Of course, it wasn’t that simple. As base stats increased, the growth rate would naturally slow down. Reaching 70 mana within a year was unrealistic, considering the diminishing returns.

    The higher the mana stat, the harder it would be to increase it further.

    “Ahhh!”

    Stretching as I stood up, I felt every muscle ache. Sitting still all day had left my body sore, and the constant focus had taken a toll on me mentally.

    Besides, there was a natural limit to how much mana one could cultivate in a single day. Pushing myself further would only be inefficient.

    Time to head back to the dorm.

     

  • The Rogue Chapter 6

    “Oh! This is the Windwalker! I… I can’t believe I’ve gotten my hands on the Adventure Journal of Heidelroc Windwalker! As expected, something like this wouldn’t have fallen into my hands by mere coincidence! This is fate. Yes, I can feel the strong pull of destiny. I knew it—I wasn’t meant to rot away in a rural village like this! Ah, this joy! This emotion! This wonder! This gratitude!”

    With tears of joy streaming down my face, I hugged the journal tightly to my chest. Of course, I made sure to pocket the necklace too. Now, if I just skip along back to base, today will truly be a lucky day. Sure, I’d sustained some injuries from the traps, but those were nothing serious, and what I’d gained far outweighed the pain.

    And that’s when it happened.

    Rumble… RUMBLE!

    Another earthquake. I thought it might just be an aftershock from earlier, but this time, the tremor was noticeably weaker. Still, isn’t it a classic for cave earthquakes to lead to collapses, trapping people inside?

    “Damn it! This is bad!”

    I turned to make my way out, but just as I did, the ceiling suddenly cracked open, and something thrust its head down from above. I raised my torch to get a better look and clicked my tongue in frustration. Its body was bright red, glistening with a leathery texture, and it oozed sticky mucus as it writhed. It was long and tubular, like a snake, but it looked more like an oversized worm.

    “A… Blood Worm?”

    I muttered, shaking my head. According to the 1500 edition of The Encyclopedia of Monsters I’d read as a child in the monastery, Blood Worms typically max out at 7–8 meters in length. But this one? It was easily over 10 meters long.

    This thing was like a monstrous overachiever of its species—so oversized it would’ve been a disappointment to its parents otherwise. Wait, are these guys oviparous? No, for it to grow that big, it must’ve been huge from birth. Definitely.

    Regardless, this thing had emerged exactly where I’d entered the cave, so there was no avoiding it—I’d have to take it down to get out.

    “Hmm…”

    I groaned, looking at my broken longsword and my blistered right hand. Damn it. A creature that size wouldn’t even flinch at a half-hearted attack.

    “This hand won’t cut it.”

    I muttered to myself. To fight something that enormous, no finesse or technique would suffice—I needed raw strength. But with my right hand out of commission, what was I supposed to do? Peaceful negotiation was out of the question too.

    HSSSS!

    While I hesitated, the thing noticed me and thrust its head toward me. Living off the bodily fluids of other creatures, it aimed its grotesque head my way, while its lower body remained embedded in the ceiling. Each movement sent dirt and rocks cascading down—extremely unsettling.

    Its head sported vicious jaws, designed to tear into flesh before it sucked out its prey’s blood. If a human bite could leave a bruise and break blood vessels, imagine what a 10-meter-long monster could do at full power. Any part of my body it latched onto would be irreparably destroyed.

    “So, the key is to take this thing down without getting hit even once, huh?”

    I slapped my cheeks to steel my nerves and drew my short sword in place of the broken longsword. As a Velkysus Ranger, I was trained in dual-wielding longswords and shortswords, so having a backup weapon was fortunate.

    “Cha-haat!”

    I charged at the creature, hurling my short sword like a spear. Instead of relying on brute force, I aimed for precision, throwing it in a straight line. The Blood Worm, as slimy and grotesque as it was, let the blade pierce through its head with surprising ease.

    “Strike!”

    Seizing the moment, I leapt forward and delivered a powerful kick to the pommel of the embedded sword. The blade sank entirely into its body, causing massive internal damage. For a creature like this, that had to hurt.

    But I wasn’t done. As the Blood Worm thrashed in pain, its upper body swung wildly toward me. I braced myself and delivered a crushing elbow blow to its head.

    THWACK!

    The force of the attack drove the sword deeper into its body, shredding it from the inside. The creature writhed in agony, chunks of its insides spilling out with each motion.

    “Urgh!”

    The counterattack was no joke. As its massive body swung like a pendulum, I was flung back by the sheer force of its movement, my own insides agitating from the impact. My head spun as if my brain had rattled loose.

    HSSSS!

    The Blood Worm continued to tremble, its movements becoming weaker and more erratic. Whether it felt pain or not, its body was clearly no longer responding properly.

    “It’s not over yet!”

    I kicked off the ground, dodging its flailing body, and launched a spinning kick directly at its head, right next to where the sword was lodged. The impact was solid, and a mix of blood, flesh, and viscous fluid gushed out. Though the creature probably didn’t have a brain in the traditional sense, the pale fluid spilling out looked suspiciously like brain matter. Its body was utterly mangled, barely holding together.

    “Hmm~ I don’t enjoy tormenting animals, so let’s end this quickly, shall we?”

    I finished off with a downward kick. Aiming for the handle of the sword, I struck down hard, and with a popping sound akin to opening a well-aged bottle of wine, the short sword came loose. The Blood Worm, unable to withstand such an attack, convulsed and expelled its innards before collapsing onto the ground.

    Adjusting the torch in my right hand, I used my left to pinch one nostril shut and blew hard to clear my nose. Blood splattered to the ground—probably from the impact when I delivered the elbow strike earlier.

    “Ah, damn it.”

    Still, considering that taking down a 10-meter-long monster cost me only this much, it wasn’t such a bad trade. As I pondered that, I started to step away from the still-twitching Blood Worm.

    Rrrrrrrrrr…

    Wait, what was that unsettling sound? This would be the time to flee without looking back, but curiosity got the better of me as always. Despite knowing I’d regret it, I turned around.

    “Huh?”

    Have you ever unearthed bugs while digging in winter? Some species huddle together to survive the cold. Apparently, Blood Worms share that sort of tight-knit camaraderie.

    “Looks like I’ve hit the jackpot today.”

    Clicking my tongue, I noticed something reflecting the torchlight faintly on the ceiling—writhing, slimy masses. Without hesitation, I picked up the short sword from the ground and moved forward, scraping it against the wall to clean off the blade dulled by the Blood Worm’s mucus and blood. A dull blade won’t do me any good now, and I’d like to think I’m faster than those things. Surely…

    “….”

    Then again, luck wasn’t on my side. I clicked my tongue at the sight of the collapsed path I had entered through. The aftershocks must’ve caused another cave-in, leaving half the way blocked with debris and dirt. That meant I’d have to go further inside and find the cave’s original entrance to escape.

    I paused mid-step. There had to be traps up ahead.

    “Sigh. This is just fantastic.”

    Today, patience was running thin. Loosening my belt, I wrapped it around my injured right hand—the one torn up from smashing into that metal door earlier. I scraped the short sword against the dirt a few more times before driving the torch into the mound and lighting a fresh one. Now the surroundings were properly illuminated.

    “If I’m risking this much for one of the Rogue Master’s seven legendary treasures, I wish it were something like the Sword Blaster instead.”

    Grumbling to myself, I tightened my grip on the short sword over the makeshift leather bandage. Even with this setup, using Death Bound would leave the blade in shreds. Ugh, no point in dwelling on the negatives. Time to focus on the positives!

    Oddly enough, my thoughts drifted to soft, pale skin and a delicate figure with… Why was this what came to mind?

    “Wow. So positive.”

    Too positive, in fact. Meanwhile, from the hallway ahead, they began to emerge—squirming and writhing. These creatures ignored the active traps, letting spears and blades impale them as they advanced, wounding themselves in the process. Typical lower creatures. Annelids like these wouldn’t go down unless you inflicted damage deep into their central body.

    Swish!

    One finally reached me, its head tilting as if sizing me up before lifting its upper body like a snake preparing to strike. This one was about 10 meters long with a diameter of 80 centimeters.

    “Take this!”

    With a shout, I unleashed my specialty—Death Bound: Passive. This technique, which counters an attack with a soft force before delivering a second blow with a stronger force, was said to be a signature move of Deckard, the creator of the Velkysus Ranger and the Dual Blade style.

    Though my body and hand were far from peak condition, the result was spectacular. With a single strike, the Blood Worm’s head—80 centimeters of muscle and flesh—was severed cleanly. Not bad for a mediocre blade.

    “Hah… ha!”

    Gritting my teeth against the overwhelming pain, I couldn’t help but laugh maniacally. Stars danced in my vision. Though I’d never passed out from pain, the poorly wrapped bandage on my torn hand was scraping against raw, exposed flesh, making the agony nearly unbearable. Damn that metal door! If my hand were in better shape, I could handle this much more easily. But as it stood…

    Roar!

    No time to rest. Another one let out a grotesque sound and charged straight at me. I tried to gather strength for another Death Bound, but my trembling hand betrayed me. Numbness crept up—a sign of exhaustion. Perhaps the technique should only be used once per day after all.

    “Damn it!”

    Clenching my teeth, I braced my short sword against its head, preventing the creature from sinking its fangs into me. However, the next moment, I felt my surroundings blur. The scream that escaped my lips sounded distant.

    The massive Blood Worm, with a single swing, flung me like a discarded pebble.

    “Ahhhhhh!”

  • The Apocalypse of the New Human Zombies Chapter 6

     

    Blink! Blink!

    Blinding sunlight streamed through the cracks of the bunker entrance. Seonwoo squinted, shading his eyes with his hand.

    “Where am I?”

    Crashed cars. Traces of blood scattered everywhere. The surroundings were in utter disarray.

    [14]

    “14?”

    The number 14 was clearly written on the crumpled iron door. Although his mind was still foggy, he could tell for sure that this was the entrance to the bunker. Seonwoo quickly opened his eyes wide and touched his face.

    “I’m alive. Just as I was.”

    It was unbelievable. He had been bitten by a zombie, so how was he still alive? But the reason behind this miracle didn’t matter.

    He was alive. He hadn’t turned into a zombie. That was all that mattered.

    Seonwoo, his face flushed, picked up the goggles that had been carelessly tossed beside him.

    Ding!

    <Sample Number: 27374
    Subject: Type C (Offspring of Experiment Subject)
    Gender: Male
    Age: 10
    Grade: 81
    Infectivity: Transmitted through wounds (Green Virus)
    Immunity: None
    Trait: Growth type (DNA modification detected through blood absorption)>
    Specialized DNA Detected: Cellular Regeneration DNA>


    <User permissions have increased to Level 5.>

    The discovery of specialized DNA, an increase in user grade, and the acquisition of a new X-ray function. While it should have been cause for celebration, Seonwoo couldn’t bring himself to be happy.

    “No way… I’m infected with the Green Virus…”

    A name he had seen countless times. The very name he encountered every time he searched for zombie statuses. His heart pounded as he stared at the words “Green Virus” clearly written on the status window.

    “I’m fine. This can’t be true. Haha, yeah. The goggles must be broken. That’s it.”

    Being infected with the Green Virus meant that Seonwoo had become a zombie. Seonwoo touched his face again.

    “See? I’m fine.”

    Shaking his head in denial, he knew deep down that he couldn’t dismiss the fact he was a zombie. Tears welled up in his eyes, unwilling to accept the truth.

    A zombie. But I’m perfectly normal.

    No matter how many times he checked, it was evident that he was still normal. It had to mean that the Cellular Regeneration DNA was suppressing his transformation into a zombie. There was no other explanation.

    “Green Virus? So what? Don’t dwell on it. What matters is that I haven’t changed.”

    Accepting that he had become a zombie was difficult for Seonwoo, but worrying wouldn’t change anything. Accepting the results was the best course of action.

    “Now, let’s think about what to do next.”

    Calming his mind, Seonwoo closed his eyes. In an inevitable situation, it was wiser to focus on finding solutions rather than worrying.

    “Hoo…”

    With his thoughts in order, he felt much lighter.

    “Am I missing anything?”

    For four days, Seonwoo scoured the central center thoroughly. Initially, he sought gloves to prevent harming others. But as he shopped, his list of necessities kept growing. Before he knew it, his backpack was overflowing.

    “This should be enough.”

    Nodding in satisfaction, Seonwoo donned his goggles, preparing for a final self-check before leaving the bunker.

     

    <Level 1: Basic Interface / User Information / Basic Information of Underground City Shilla
    Level 2: Scouter / Basic Mini-map (Location and Building Information within Underground City Shilla)
    Level 3: Expanded Mini-map (Map Search)
    Level 4: Basic Optical Camera (Zoom In-Out)
    Level 5: Expanded Optical Camera (X-ray)>

    Having surpassed grades 30, 50, and now 80, Seonwoo’s user permissions had increased. At Level 3, the Map Search feature opened, creating an automatic map of places he had visited—a handy tool outside the bunker.

    “Haha. The Optical Camera. This is the real deal.”

    Seonwoo chuckled, remembering how the Zoom In-Out function from Level 4 had enhanced his crossbow’s efficiency. It wasn’t a major feature, but it was effective.

    “X-ray, huh? How much can I see with this? X-ray.”

    Ding!

    Shhh!

    “Wow!”

    The X-ray function exceeded his expectations. Everything but metal was visible. While not completely transparent, the level of visibility was sufficient.

    “Alright. Time to set out.”

    With a backpack larger than himself, Seonwoo walked down the mountain path along the unpaved road. The road, unused for a long time, was overgrown with grass but still discernible.

    “Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way.”

    Humming his favorite Christmas carol, Seonwoo felt sheer joy. The path down the road was exhilarating. Every little thing was a new experience for him.

    Buzzing insects. Flowers blooming randomly. Rocks and dirt lying carelessly. Various scents carried by the wind.

    Seonwoo absorbed every sensation, not wanting to miss a single thing.

    “It’s amazing.”

    Among all the wonders, what excited Seonwoo the most was the endlessly high and blue sky. Looking at the sky made him feel as if his body was floating up. As he followed the sky and walked for a while, he saw the end of the mountain path. Although he felt a bit regretful that the delightful hike was coming to an end, the excitement of approaching the real world made his heart pound.

    “I must be almost there.”

    At the end of the mountain path, a large road emerged. However, the real world that Seonwoo encountered for the first time was far from what he had imagined. The road was a mess, torn up in places, and broken-down cars were scattered about, creating a grotesque scene.

    ‘What happened here? Is the real world intact?’

    A strange sense of worry weighed down on Seonwoo’s heart.

    Screeech! Screeech!

    The desolate wind swept across the road, rustling a rusty sign that stood alone by the roadside.

    [Cheonan Samgeori Rest Area 2Km]

    ‘A rest area?’

    Seeing the sign, Seonwoo’s worries faded away. Anticipation took over instead.

    ‘If it’s a rest area, there should be lots of people gathered there, right?’

    With that thought, Seonwoo’s steps became quicker and lighter, eager to meet the people of the real world.

    Tap! Tap! Tap! Tap!

    “Huff! Huff!”

    Thanks to his hurried pace, it didn’t take long to reach the rest area. He saw old, broken-down buildings clustered together.

    “Wow, buildings.”

    Eager to meet people, Seonwoo quickly entered the rest area. He ran around, looking at everything. There was a public restroom for multiple people, a snack shop, a store with various items piled up, and a large dining area that could accommodate a hundred people. Although everything had been abandoned for a long time and wasn’t in proper condition, the facilities were all there. However, there was one thing missing—there wasn’t a single person in sight.

    “Phew…”

    The disappointment matched his high expectations. The accumulated fatigue hit him all at once. Seonwoo sat on a bench and let out a long sigh.

    Puff! Puff!

    Kicking at the ground, he dug into the innocent soil with his foot, his mouth forming a pout. He looked as though he might cry any moment.

    “Ahhhh!”

    Just then, a scream came from behind the rest area.

    “A person.”

    Seonwoo instinctively stood up. The voice sounded urgent, as if someone was in danger. Strangely enough, Seonwoo felt grateful and excited for the voice. The thrill of meeting another person for the first time since entering the real world overshadowed any fear. He ran toward the back of the rest area without thinking twice.

    “Get away!”

    A sharp, high-pitched voice yelled. Seonwoo saw a small girl with long hair, wielding a club. It looked like a serious fight, though the reason was unclear. But upon closer inspection, he realized the girl’s opponent was familiar.

    “A zombie?”

    Seonwoo was shocked.

    ‘So there are zombies in the real world too?’

    It was a truth he didn’t want to believe. Everything became confusing.

    “Are you just going to watch? Help me or get lost, but decide quickly!”

    The girl’s shout snapped Seonwoo out of his daze.

    “Sorry. I’m coming now.”

    He closed the distance between himself and the zombie in an instant. The distance had seemed quite far, but he reached it in no time, surprising the girl. It was an unbelievable speed. She stared at Seonwoo in shock, unable to believe what she was seeing.

    Boom!

    With one punch, the zombie’s head burst. That made even less sense.

    ‘What is this kid?’

    The girl was puzzled. Seonwoo looked like he was around her age, but he had the strength to surpass an adult male. The girl’s mind was in turmoil.

    “Huh? Why are you looking at me like that?”

    Seonwoo couldn’t understand why the girl was staring at him. Judging by her frown, it didn’t seem like a good thing.

    ‘Did I do something wrong?’

    Seonwoo alternated between looking at the girl and himself, wondering what could be wrong. Then he noticed the blood splattered all over him.

    “Oh, sorry. I was trying to handle it quickly.”

    Seonwoo thought the girl was disgusted by the blood he was covered in. It was an understandable assumption, though it was a misunderstanding.

    ‘What should I do?’

    He scratched his head, unsure of what to do. But the girl’s response was unexpected.

    “You’re strong.”

    She smiled brightly like sunlight. Only then did Seonwoo feel relieved and smiled back at her.

    That was how Seonwoo and the girl met for the first time.