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Author: Renegade

  • Academy’s Genius Extra Chapter 9

    [All monsters have been eliminated.]

    [Training complete.]

    “Training’s over!”

    I shouted as I threw Lucy to the ground. Of course, she immediately came back….

    [Lucy… has returned!]
    [Lucy… evil spirit!]

    As if time had been cut away, she returned to my hand.

    As I slumped down, the AI provided an overall assessment of the training.

    [Total enemies defeated: 32.]
    [30 enemies: Headshot.]

    Except for two, all were taken down with headshots. As for the remaining two….

    [2 enemies: Core destruction.]

    They just didn’t have heads to shoot. Since they were squishy slimes, I aimed for the core instead—still a perfect score.

    The shooting accuracy was flawless.

    “Not a bad start.”

    I threw Lucy away. She came back.

    When I hold Lucy and aim, I feel at ease….

    Lucy’s Target not found! must be compensating for my shooting skills.

    “You’re quite the little monster.”

    I threw Lucy away. She came back.

    The assessment continued.

    [Total combat time: 31.8 seconds.]

    Combat time.

    How fast were the enemies taken down?

    Just as important as accuracy.

    32 kills.

    31.8 seconds.

    A bit slow. If it were Han Taepyeong, he’d have wiped them out in five seconds, tops.

    [Shooting time: 8.1 seconds.]
    [Reload time: 23.7 seconds.]

    A detailed breakdown followed.

    Only 8 seconds spent shooting.

    A staggering 24 seconds spent reloading….

    Extreme.

    It’s the nature of a revolver.

    Click!

    I opened Lucy’s cylinder.

    A revolver only holds six bullets.

    “Structurally inefficient.”

    Since it’s practically the great-grandfather of firearms, there’s no magazine system.

    “I’ll have to fix that later.”

    If I eliminate reload time, 32 seconds could become just 8.

    The assessment continued.

    [Average enemy HP: 40.]
    [Average damage dealt per enemy: 65.]
    [Overdamage: +25.]
    [Advice: Consider enemy max HP when dealing damage. Overdamage wastes stamina and mana.]

    The AI kindly explained.

    Fair point.

    But it’s not something I can—or need to—fix.

    “It’s not like I can shoot softly.”

    [Lucy… impossible!]
    [Lucy… too powerful!]

    With swords or spears, overdamage is wasteful.

    But firearms are different.

    Whether you fire lying down or gritting your teeth, the damage remains the same.

    “One cannot excel with firearms.”

    Instructor Kim Heum-heum pointed this out to me too.

    A gun’s strength and weakness:

    Fixed damage.

    It doesn’t benefit from a superhuman’s explosive strength or mana.

    “Long live fixed damage!”

    Not my problem.

    For someone like me, who’s only ever chopped vegetables with a knife, this is the best.

    The training assessment concluded.

    “…Should I do a bit more before leaving?”

    Honestly, training was just pulling the trigger, so I still had plenty of energy left.

    I grabbed a bunch of training rounds.

    [Lucy… demands early dismissal!]
    [Lucy… refuses training!]

    Lucy whined about going home, which only fuelled my motivation.

    A small green space at the center of the first-year dorms.

    EDM blasted from massive speakers, and loud chatter filled the air.

    A blatant rule violation, but for today, the instructors turned a blind eye.

    It was a party celebrating the entrance ceremony.

    “Haven’t I seen you at the Commune’s talent facility before?”

    “You’re from England? Are you some noble or something?”

    “If only there weren’t a written exam….”

    Perfect night weather.

    Colorful sodas.

    The atmosphere was pretty nice.

    Groups of guys and girls, all dressed up, discreetly checked each other out.

    “Hey, what’s your entrance ranking?”

    “Me…? Ahem. 350th.”

    “Wow. That’s pretty high? I thought you were just tall, but you’re actually impressive….”

    Naturally, the main topic was entrance rankings!

    A VIP lounge was even set up for the top scorers in the center of the party.

    Of course, at any party, there are always those who don’t quite fit in.

    “That would be me.”

    Cadet Kim Seungtae.

    “Hey there~! I’m Kim Minah! You’re…?”

    “1111th.”

    “…! Oh, I see! Have fun!”

    The girl flinched, then scurried back to her group.

    Apparently, the fact that someone ranked 1111th even showed up was shocking.

    “At least she didn’t go back and badmouth me! An angel?”

    That’s how it was.

    In the Superhuman Academy, the line between insiders and outsiders was drawn by entrance rankings.

    “This is my fate….”

    Everyone had shown up in fancy party dresses and tuxedos.

    The atmosphere was great.

    “…Too great, actually.”

    That was the problem.

    How long had it been since I last hit up a club?

    Before enlisting, I used to party a bit….

    [Lucy… pathetic!]
    [Lucy… disappointing!]

    “What?! Listen! I was too busy broadcasting to go clubbing! And do you have any idea how expensive the taxi fare is from my neighborhood to the nearest club? And my back hurts, so standing too long is a pain….”

    Amid the dazzling atmosphere, someone was stubbornly listing out 50 Reasons Not to Go to a Club and failing to catch the rhythm.

    “That’s me again, huh?”

    Talking so much made my throat dry, so I grabbed a drink.

    “Here you go!”

    The bartender handed me a drink with a bright smile.

    “…! Wait, this has alcohol?!”

    I had no idea.

    No wonder the mood was too good!

    The cadets didn’t seem to care that they were only 17—they were drinking like pros.

    As expected… from my 28-year-old perspective, I could already tell which ones were about to turn into animals, which were on the verge, and which wouldn’t even make it to roll call tomorrow.

    “Seungtae’s done all three. Impressive, huh?”

    I smugly bragged to Lucy,

    sipping my cocktail as I made my way to the VIP lounge.

    I had just finished physical training—now it was time for mental training.

    I activated <Spirit Eye>.

    [You have made contact with ‘Kim Minah’.]
    [Your understanding of this person is very low.]
    [Useless information has been updated.]

    [Kim Minah (Minor Character)]

    • Role: Healer
    • Traits: Broke up with her boyfriend a week ago and cut her hair short. Currently regretting it.

    I deactivated Spirit Eye.

    Seeing the unseen was the ability of Spirit Eye!

    But peeking into people’s love lives probably wasn’t its intended use.

    [Tutorial for Spirit Eye!]
    [Goal: Observe multiple strong souls using Spirit Eye.]
    [Reward: Unlock Spirit Eye Stage 1.]
    [Advice: The closer someone is to the main cast, the stronger their soul.]

    Convenient timing.

    A strong soul, huh….

    The main characters were probably all in the VIP lounge.

    “How do I get in?”

    My rank alone was enough to get me turned away, but my plain white shirt sealed my fate.

    Uuurgh!

    At that moment, a male student was throwing up vigorously on the lawn.

    Hmm. Let’s see.

    “Hey, maybe you should’ve paced yourself.” I approached and patted him on the back.

    He was wearing a rather expensive-looking tuxedo.

    “Hey, you okay?”

    “Uuuhhh… don’t care… don’t stop me… I’m drinking myself to death….”

    “Wow, what a champ.”

    “Uurrghhh… buaaarrghh….”

    Each time I patted his back, he spewed more cocktail, and I slowly slipped off his tuxedo piece by piece.

    A little while later.

    Once I put on the tux, it was a decent fit.

    The original owner?

    Clinging to a lamppost, sobbing.

    …What’s his deal?

    I peered into his soul.

    [Cha Insu (Minor Character)]

    • Role: Tanker
    • Traits: Broke up with his girlfriend a week ago and drowned himself in alcohol. Deeply regrets it.

    …What a pity!

    I couldn’t just ignore it, so I went to see Kim Minah.

    “Hey, Kim Minah.”

    “…? You were ranked 1111 earlier… More importantly, how do you know my name?”

    “Oh, never mind that. Insu is over there…”

    I pointed at Cha Insu, who was clinging to a streetlamp and sobbing. Kim Mina gasped.

    “Am I seeing things…? How much did he drink?”

    “About half of what’s on the floor here?”

    “…Seriously?! Why is he like this…?!”

    “He said he had something he wanted to tell you.”

    “Whaaat?”

    Kim Minah hesitated, then hurried over to Cha Insu. That should be enough to make my tuxedo worth the trouble, right?

    Leaving behind their tearful reunion—complete with the likelihood of vomiting—I grabbed a serving tray and a few drinks.

    A dazzling tuxedo.

    Arranging the drinks neatly on the tray, I looked every bit the diligent attendant.

    “Time to serve the nobles.”

    There were a few guys managing security in the VIP lounge—probably seventeen-year-olds—but my outfit got me past them easily.

    The atmosphere inside was noticeably different.

    Outside, everyone was busy sizing up each other’s rankings. But here…

    “It’s a bit more refined.”

    The top twenty special admissions students were leading the fun, with those ranked around the top 100 lingering as extras.

    Anyone with an awkward ranking was naturally filtered out, which made things easier for me. Most of the people here were familiar faces.

    “Let’s see… Where’s the main character…?”

    Han Taepyeong was nowhere to be seen.

    Instead, the center of attention was Shin Ohyul. Cadets were eagerly vying for his favour, treating him like royalty.

    “They’re all working hard, huh.”

    I moved swiftly around the lounge, holding my serving tray.

    “Would you like a drink?”

    “Oh~ Thanks~”

    The special admission students lounging on the sofas readily accepted my service. It made my job easier.

    Except for Han Taepyeong and Shin Ohyul.

    Ranks three through twenty.

    The spirits of these special admission students were clearly different from the minor characters outside.

    Each had their own unique presence and aura.

    “Hahaha! I’m telling you, those two have always had a terrible relationship. No, actually, it was one-sided—Shin Ohyul always pushed him away.”

    “So what happened?”

    “So Han Taepyeong ended up—”

    That was Yoo Eunha talking among the cadets. Had she been drinking? It was hard to tell since she was naturally like that.

    As the top healer student, she attracted a lot of attention.

    The extras were probably thinking about factions, but they should forget it. Yoo Eunha had zero interest in that kind of thing.

    “This is pretty fun to watch.”

    As I observed the students, someone suddenly grabbed my shoulder.

    I turned around, only to be met with a blindingly shiny bald head.

    “Ugh, so bright.”

    “What’s your deal?”

    Glint!

    That shining head… It was Jung Muok.

    His ranking hovered around 50th place. He was the type to bow to the strong and bully the weak—a classic cheap side character.

    What did he want?

    “Octo— I mean, Muok.”

    I almost called him by his nickname.

    “The hell? Do I know you?”

    “Yeah, of course. But can you let go of me?”

    My shoulder creaked under his grip.

    Jung Muok was in the martial arts department.

    I had no chance of resisting his brute strength.

    Squeeze!

    Argh…!

    I swear, he’s squeezing the juice out of me!

    “You better answer properly. What are you doing here?”

    “Isn’t it obvious? I’m serving drinks…”

    “What? I personally interviewed all the serving staff. You weren’t on the list!”

    “……!”

    What the hell?

    Did he take on the role of VIP lounge enforcer or something? Typical of him to suck up to those ranked above him.

    “You’re caught red-handed. Spill it. Why’d you sneak in here? Trying to cozy up to the special admission students?”

    …Please stop!

    This is too cringe!

    Jung Muok was way too into his self-appointed security role. What should I do?

    As I was thinking fast—

    Someone appeared before us.

    “You two.”

    Jung Muok and I both frowned.

    This was an unexpected person.

    “Uh… Um… Uh…”

    Jung Muok, who had been so confident a moment ago, suddenly couldn’t even speak properly.

    Well, of course.

    This was the 6th-ranked student.

    A genius raised by the prestigious Caulfield family.

    For someone like Jung Muok, who lived by the strong-weak dynamic, even addressing her was a challenge.

    I seized the opportunity.

    “Wow~ Miss Caulfield~ It’s been half a day since we last met! What brings you to the party?”

    I had a guess why she was here.

    And I had plenty of reason to be nervous.

    But I played it cool and greeted her cheerfully.

    Jung Muok’s eyes widened in shock.

    “Hah. You’ve got some nerve.”

    Marie Caulfield narrowed her eyes.

    I could feel her cold anger.

    “Aha~ We still have unfinished business, don’t we?”

    “You know it. Shut up and follow me.”

    “Shall I? But see, I’m kind of busy. I was just having a chat with Muok… Weren’t we, Muok?”

    The tentacle-like grip on my shoulder suddenly released.

    Despite acting like he’d never let go, it was like magic.

    “Well then, Muok. Keep up the good work with security.”

    I rolled my aching shoulder and followed Marie Caulfield.

    “Hey, Miss Caulfield.”

    “Kim Seungtae… You should’ve known when to stop. You’re screwed.”

    “I’m not Kim Seungtae, though…?”

    “What are you talking about? Are you denying it?”

    “Not exactly, but…”

    Great.

    I dodged the octopus, only to run into a lion.

    Since things had come to this, I decided to observe Marie Caulfield’s spirit.

    Her blue-coloured aura, embodying integrity, seemed slightly withered compared to others.

    [You have observed a powerful spirit.]

    [You have successfully observed multiple strong spirits.]

    [Spirit Eye tutorial complete!]

    [Spirit Eye Level 1 unlocked!]

    [Spirit Eye abilities enhanced!]

    Alright. Time to find a way out of this.

    I needed something—anything—to justify my trespassing before I got beaten to death.

    Around Marie Caulfield’s aura of integrity, floating words appeared.

    Were they key phrases?

    Was this the enhanced function?

    “……?”

    Reading those words, my jaw dropped.

    I was so shocked that I completely forgot about the trespassing issue.

    “Hey…”

    “Don’t talk. Just keep walking.”

    “Hey, Miss Caulfield.”

    I stopped walking.

    Marie Caulfield, who had been walking ahead, turned around.

    I asked—

    “How are you even alive?”

    This woman was a walking bomb.

    (Continued in the next chapter)

  • A doomsday-level returnee devours calamities Chapter 49

    It felt like he’d been awake for two nights straight—his mind hazy and unfocused.

    “…Captain.”

    A sharp ringing echoed in his head.

    Where… am I?

    “…Sir?”

    As his senses returned, he turned his head and saw a man in military uniform. Even through his gear, the man’s muscular build was striking—like a bear.

    This was Master Sergeant Choi Sang-hyuk, Deputy Commander of the HID Special Operations Counterterrorism Unit.

    As Taeseong finally remembered him, the ringing in his head vanished without a trace.

    “Yes, Sergeant Choi.”

    “What’s wrong all of a sudden? Are you feeling unwell?”

    Taeseong shook his head.

    “No.”

    Losing focus in the middle of a mission… It seemed the relentless operations had thrown off his condition. He resolved to return to base after this mission and re-discipline his mind, which had grown lax.

    As a commander, he had to set an example—this kind of carelessness was unacceptable.

    “Hah. Never thought I’d live to see this sight. The Captain, always on high alert, spacing out?”

    “I’ve shown a lapse as a commander. I’ll be more cautious next time.”

    Hearing Taeseong’s serious response, the deputy commander awkwardly scratched his head.

    “Ah, no, that’s not what I meant. It’s actually nice to see a more human side of you. The veterans like me know what kind of person you are, but for the rookies, you’re probably a bit intimidating.”

    “The new recruits find me intimidating? Why?”

    “…Are you seriously asking that, Captain?”

    “Yes. Did I make a mistake?”

    Choi let out a chuckle, as if dumbfounded.

    “Man… you’re as consistent as ever. Given what you’ve shown so far, how could the rookies not be scared of you? Even I thought you were some kind of monster at first. Hahaha.”

    “…”

    He didn’t fully understand, but from a rookie’s perspective, it made some sense.

    Just then, Staff Sergeant Yu Gi-jun, standing nearby, chimed in with a smirk.

    “Honestly, sir, both you and the deputy commander are monsters in my book. But when we’re in the field, I can’t tell you how reassuring it is to have you both. Not so much during training, though…”

    At that, Choi Sang-hyuk placed a hand as large as a pot lid on Yu’s shoulder and muttered in a low voice.

    “Hey, Yu Gi-jun. You think you’re ranked high enough to chime in like that?”

    “…I apologize.”

    “Haha. Relax, I’m just messing with you. Thought you’d toughened up a bit, but you still know when to be scared, huh?”

    “Sergeant, even in twenty years, I doubt anyone in our unit would have the guts to—”

    Bang!

    Before Yu Gi-jun could finish his sentence, Choi fired a shot, instantly blowing off the head of an enemy about 100 meters ahead. He then flashed a grin and asked,

    “What was that?”

    “…Nothing, sir.”

    Choi chuckled and ruffled Yus hair before turning to Tae-seong.

    “Captain, it looks like Second Squad, led by Lieutenant Hong, has already cleared Sector B.”

    Lieutenant Hong Si-jin.

    A prodigy who graduated at the top of his class from the military academy, excelling in multiple fields. He had an extremely aggressive disposition.

    In sparring drills, he often fought as if he intended to rip his opponent apart. On actual missions, he was notorious for brutally eliminating enemies. Normally, he was reserved, showing little emotion—except when killing or when speaking with Lee Taeseong.

    Because of his undeniable skill, the unit had secretly nicknamed him the “Muzzled Mad Dog.”

    And the one holding the leash was none other than Captain Lee Taeseong.

    Taeseong quickly visualized the battlefield in his mind before issuing an order.

    “We’ll push straight through to Point A. Yu Gi-jun, keep an eye on enemy movements from the rear. Sergeant Choi, provide cover.”

    “I’ve got your back, sir!”

    “Leave it to me.”

    The moment he gave the command, Taeseong charged toward the building ahead without hesitation.

    Bang! Bang! Bang!

    Three shots—three kills.

    Without stopping, he drew his knife and slit the throats of two sentries guarding the entrance.

    “…!”

    Slash!

    His movements were like a combat android executing a pre-programmed kill sequence, flawlessly matching the mental image he’d formed.

    “Moving in.”

    While Choi and Yu finished off the approaching enemies, Taeseong breached the building.

    His superhuman dynamic vision instantly assessed the positions of all hostiles inside. Without a moment’s delay, he pulled the trigger.

    Five shots rang out—five confirmed kills.

    Not a single bullet was wasted.

    Choi and Yu, watching from behind, couldn’t help but be impressed.

    “Damn. The Captain’s marksmanship really is on another level. Just look at that stance—pure artistry.”

    “Yu Gi-jun, be honest. Who do you think is the better shot? Me or the Captain?”

    “…Can I really answer that honestly?”

    “Of course.”

    “Obviously, it’s the Captain. The Deputy Commander still has some human qualities, but the Captain? He’s just a machine. We’re not even the same species. Different breeds, really.”

    “…You idiot. This is when you’re supposed to say both of us are amazing. No sense of tact, no tact at all.”

    Yu Gi-jun thought to himself, Then why even ask? But he wisely kept the thought to himself.

    Despite his huge, easy going appearance, Choi Sang-hyuk was surprisingly sensitive. Gi-jun had learned that lesson the hard way.

    Still, I guess I’m lucky. If I’d been assigned to Lieutenant Hong’s squad, I’d be getting my ass handed to me right about now. That psycho bastard.

    Their unit was the elite of the elite, a collection of monsters handpicked from those who had survived the military’s harshest training. Among them, the two most exceptional warriors were his allies.

    On the other side of the battlefield, an equally dangerous psychopath was rampaging.

    If I were the enemy, I’d have bitten my tongue and offed myself already. Fight against these monsters? No way. That’s just not fair.

    Taeseong, who had memorized the entire building layout, navigated the shortest route toward the interior.

    Their objective: eliminate Kadrik Alvarez, the leader of a terrorist organization composed of former military personnel, and rescue the hostages being held captive.

    Their intel indicated that about 50% of the enemy forces were stationed outside, making it the perfect time to strike. But now that they were deep in enemy territory, speed was everything.

    “Pick up the pace.”

    “Yes, sir.”

    They cleared out the ground floor at lightning speed. As Taeseong moved down the hallway, a sense of unease crept over him.

    …Something’s wrong. Even considering that some forces are stationed outside, there are too few enemies here. And it’s too quiet.

    He hoped it was just paranoia.

    But Taeseong knew better—his instincts had never been wrong.

    Proceed with the mission.

    They located a hidden staircase leading to the basement and silently descended the spiral steps. The dim lanterns on the walls provided just enough light to prevent total darkness, but their vision was still limited.

    The atmosphere was suffocatingly ominous.

    Because of the narrow passage, they moved in single file.

    Tae-seong led the way.
    Sergeant Choi took the center.
    Yu Gi-jun covered the rear.

    Years of rigorous training had heightened their senses to the extreme. Even the slightest movement could trigger a reaction.

    Among them, Taeseong had the sharpest instincts—his senses were said to surpass human limits, reaching the realm of beasts.

    “…”

    “…”

    Some jokingly called his awareness inhuman.

    Taeseong focused his hearing as they descended, and soon, his instincts told him—the stairs were about to end.

    The ground levelled out before him.

    But he knew…

    This is the most dangerous moment.

    From the shadows, within a blind spot, he detected the faintest sound.

    At the same time, he reflexively drew his knife.

    A movement ingrained into his body through endless repetition.

    “Ambush. Prepare for combat.”

    As expected, three blades shot toward his vital points from the darkness.

    …Gurkhas!

    He dodged the first two strikes by shifting his center of gravity to the right. The third, he deflected with his knife.

    Realizing they had encountered a highly skilled opponent, the three attackers didn’t immediately press forward. Instead, they adjusted their stances, preparing for a coordinated assault.

    “यो जनावर जस्तै आन्दोलन हो। उनी निकै प्रतिभाशाली छन.”
    (He moves like a beast. This one is highly skilled.)

    “मैले त्यो सानो चक्कुले गोर्खालाई लात हानेँ  सबैजना सचेत हुनुपर।”
    (He deflected a Gurkha blade with that tiny knife. Everyone, be careful.)

    “व्यक्तिगत रुपमा लड्नु भन्दा संयुक्त रुपमा अन्त्य गर्नु राम्रो हुन्छ भन्ने मलाई लाग्छ।”
    (It’s better to finish him together rather than fight separately.)

    Behind him, the sounds of combat erupted—Choi and Gi-jun had engaged their own opponents.

    Taeseong didn’t know their exact numbers, but he trusted Choi completely. Without needing to check, he knew the Sergeant would have Gi-jun’s back.

    Three enemies. Gurkha mercenaries from Nepal.

    ( TL : I am also from Nepal btw and yes Gurkhas are notoriously popular so much so that even British military have their own Gurkha forces)

    The Gurkha Unit, named after the traditional Kukri blade, was a world-renowned mercenary force with a history of exceptional battlefield performance.

    Born and raised in the highest mountain ranges, these warriors had extraordinary cardiovascular endurance and physical prowess. Given their daily survival in extreme conditions, it was only natural.

    One particularly famous story illustrated their combat prowess:

    A retired Gurkha soldier was traveling home by train when a gang of armed robbers attempted to assault a woman.

    Without hesitation, he drew his kukri—and single-handedly slaughtered all 40 of them.

    Initially, the media thought the story was exaggerated.

    It wasn’t.

    ( Although this story is true, In real life the robbers were trying to rape a women during a night train in India, the Gurkha soldier woke up and fought 40 of them killing 3, injuring 8 and receiving a fatal injury but managed to save the women )

    This was why Nepal’s three main sources of income were tourism, narcotics, and Gurkha mercenaries.

    But the world was full of untold stories.

    For instance—

    There was once a South Korean soldier who single-handedly wiped out 120 terrorists.

    All of them were former special forces.

    A story that only a handful of South Korea’s highest-ranking officials knew.

    “Looks like I finally get to stretch a little.”

  • The Regressed Extra Becomes a Genius Chapter 49

    A skyscraper in Seoul.

    In the pitch-black darkness, a figure emerged.

    It was the technique known as “Darkening,” primarily used by demons—an ability that only high-ranking demons could wield.

    The man who revealed himself bowed to another man gazing out at the city’s nightscape.

    “Lord Haryeong, I have discovered that Kim Jinwoo attended the ‘Night of the Pioneers’ last night.”

    Following Haryeong’s orders, the man had investigated Kim Jinwoo, who had suddenly drawn attention with his actions the day before.

    Tracking his movements had not been difficult. By tracing the movements of Jo Seong-hoon, the man Kim Jinwoo had confronted, Jinwoo’s whereabouts naturally became clear as well.

    “And I also checked the hotel’s CCTV footage. He wasn’t being obvious, but it was clear that he was keeping an eye on Jo Seong-hoon. Kim Jinwoo capturing Jo Seong-hoon wasn’t a mere coincidence—he must have approached him with a purpose.”

    Haryeong reached his hand back.

    The man stepped forward and placed a few documents and a video device into his hand.

    “And what about his movements after that?”

    “We couldn’t track them precisely. The alley where Jo Seong-hoon and Kim Jinwoo fought was a deserted area, with no CCTV coverage.”

    “…I see.”

    “Ah, and there’s another message to relay.”

    “What is it?”

    At Haryeong’s question, the man hesitated for a moment, as if reluctant to speak.

    “There has been a summons from the Ten Magi(demon) Council regarding the power of the Demon Slayer.”

    A fierce killing intent surged from Haryeong. The man trembled in fear.

    The Ten Magi Council.

    It was a gathering of ten S-rank demons, centered around the Second Demon King.

    As an S-rank demon himself, Haryeong was part of this group.

    “Understood. You may leave.”

    At Haryeong’s words, the man vanished into the darkness as if fleeing.

    Left alone, Haryeong fell into deep thought before eventually playing the video device in his hand.

    A bright light emitted from the device, projecting a hologram.

    It displayed a luxurious event hall.

    Haryeong fixed his gaze on a familiar face in the video.

    A man in an elegant suit—Kim Jinwoo.

    “…….”

    In the footage, Kim Jinwoo appeared to be enjoying the event, but he occasionally glanced at Jo Seong-hoon.

    Just as the subordinate had reported, Kim Jinwoo was keeping tabs on him.

    “Did he already know Jo Seong-hoon was going to cause trouble?”

    Then, the moment Jo Seong-hoon left the hall, Kim Jinwoo watched him go—before following after him.

    The news had reported that Kim Jinwoo had coincidentally encountered Jo Seong-hoon as the latter was committing a crime.

    But that was false.

    The footage made it clear—Kim Jinwoo had come to the event with Jo Seong-hoon as his target.

    “Hmm.”

    Kim Jinwoo… that man was certainly not ordinary. He was hiding something—of that, Haryeong was sure.

    And what could that secret be?

    Haryeong leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, recalling memories from a distant past.

    There had once been someone he had served.

    That person had possessed a truly special power.

    But the power was so immense that it came with severe restrictions.

    Though that person had vanished from this world, they had left behind a powerful curse upon the demons.

    And now… he had found someone who seemingly possessed the same power.

    Kim Jinwoo.

    Perhaps… he truly held the same prophetic abilities as that person.

    [I’ll ask one last time. Are you absolutely sure it’s going to fail?]

    [Geez, I told you already. Trust me.]

    [Really? I’m about to put the final stamp on this deal.]

    “Damn it.”

    [If you don’t want to believe me, then don’t.]

    Wednesday morning.

    Before class began, I was exchanging messages with Han Se-yeon, using my “Outsider’s Privilege.”

    It seemed she was struggling to abandon the business she had painstakingly built, even though she had been asking me the same thing over and over.

    [Stamp is done.]

    [Good job.]

    After that, no more messages came.

    I closed the chat as a man who looked to be in his 30s entered the classroom.

    “Good morning, everyone! I’m Jung Taemin, and I’ll be teaching you Magic Potion Studies.”

    Today’s morning class was a general education course.

    These courses rotated every three weeks, and this time, it was potion-making.

    “To introduce myself, I’m the chief researcher at Hanseong Pharmaceuticals. I also happen to be acquainted with Han Seyun, whom many of you may know.”Se-yeon

    “Ohhh!”

    Upon hearing Han Se-yeon’s name, some students gasped in admiration.

    In South Korea, she was a household name.

    Thanks to her striking beauty, she had even gained a massive fan following, comparable to that of top idols.

    “Alright, let’s get to work. Today, we’ll be making a very basic antidote potion. But first, let me ask you all a simple question. What is the most important aspect of potion-making?”

    I raised my hand without hesitation.

    By now, my habit of shooting my hand up had become such a regular occurrence that my classmates no longer even reacted.

    “Yes, you there—the student with the enthusiastic hand. What’s your answer?”

    “The most important aspect of potion-making is the ratio of ingredients. The effectiveness of a potion is heavily dependent on how precisely and carefully the ingredients are measured and mixed.”

    The instructor smiled, clearly satisfied with my response.

    “Excellent answer. What’s your name?”

    “Kim Sunwoo.”

    “Good. Kim Sunwoo, your enthusiasm will be reflected in your participation grade. I hope the rest of you will also engage actively. Now, follow the recipe and start brewing your potions in groups.”

    With that, students began preparing for the exercise.

    Our group consisted of five people, two of whom were major characters—Shin Young-joon and Yoo Ara.

    “Oh, Kim Sunwoo~.”

    Shin Young-joon greeted me cheerfully.

    I responded casually before getting ready for the potion-making process.

    Yoo Ara glanced at me and asked,

    “Are you good at making potions?”

    “No.”

    As I had just explained in class, potion-making required delicate hands.

    And unfortunately, that wasn’t exactly my strong suit.

    “Ugh, even reading this recipe makes no sense to me.”

    “What does it even say? Is this even written in Korean?”

    At that moment, the team members grumbled as they read the recipe.

    I approached them, snatched the recipe, and read it myself.

    At the same time, the “Outsider’s Privilege” activated, instantly embedding the contents into my mind.

    “The ratio should be 2:3:6. The green herb should be 2.”

    To quickly raise my grades, even these minor elective classes mattered.

    As my enthusiasm outpaced the rest of the group, they commented.

    “Just do it roughly. This isn’t worth many points.”

    “Hey, shut up, you guys.”

    Yoo Ara shot a sharp glare at the disgruntled teammate.

    Perhaps intimidated by Yoo Ara, who ranked second in the entire school, they clamped their mouths shut.

    She then turned her gaze toward me and asked,

    “Have you made potions before?”

    “No.”

    “Then how do you know all this so well?”

    “I studied it a little because I was interested.”

    “Potions, huh…?”

    Yoo Ara fell into thought at my words.

    Even a casual response wouldn’t be brushed aside so easily.

    “Looks like we just need to mix this now.”

    “Let’s do it now.”

    Shin Young-joon began mixing the ingredients I had prepared.

    After about three minutes, a message appeared before my eyes.

    [‘Beginner Potion Crafting’ achievement unlocked.]
    [Reward: 2,000 points earned.]

    “Oh, it’s done.”

    “Yeah. Wow, look at the blue glow in the potion. Kim Sunwoo, is there anything you can’t do?”

    As the potion was completed, Shin Young-joon reacted with excitement.

    I simply shrugged as if it were nothing.

    I glanced around.

    The other teams were still struggling, unable to even interpret the recipe properly.

    At this rate, first place was practically guaranteed.

    After all the classes ended, I headed toward the main building of the Mage Academy.

    It was to attend the first meeting of the Special Talent Class at 7 PM.

    Click.

    As I opened the classroom door and entered, a large number of students came into view.

    A quick scan revealed that nearly 60 students, including first-years and third-years, had gathered.

    Among them, there were quite a few familiar faces.

    With the top students of the school gathered in one place, a certain tension filled the air.

    “Kim Sunwoo!”

    From afar, Lee Seo-jun called out to me.

    At his words, the surrounding gazes shifted toward me.

    Many here probably considered Lee Seo-jun their rival.

    So naturally, his words drew a lot of attention.

    “Come over here!”

    I walked toward him.

    I didn’t particularly want to sit with strangers either.

    “Oh, Kim Sunwoo.”

    Shin Young-joon, seated next to Lee Seo-jun, acknowledged me.

    Nearby were Yoo Ara, Lee Hyun-joo, and Park Inhwan.

    It seemed like the entire 2nd-year Class A had grouped together.

    “Can I sit anywhere?”

    “Yeah, sit here.”

    Following Lee Seo-jun’s invitation, I took an open seat.

    At that moment, Shin Young-joon turned around and spoke to me.

    “So you made it into the Special Class too, huh? Well, I guess your ranking did jump a lot.”

    “It did go up quite a bit.”

    From 150th to 72nd—a huge leap.

    “I guess they selected based on potential. I heard some students from other years were chosen purely for their latent abilities too.”

    “Yeah, seems like it.”

    Shin Young-joon nodded at my reply.

    I took my time looking around, checking for familiar faces and any deviations from the original story.

    In the first year, there was Choi Seo-yoon, Song Seung-ah, and the second-ranked Jeon Mingi…

    For the third years, Kim Chang-Hyun, Jang Ye, Joo Isul, Cheon Wooyoung…

    “Hmm…”

    Scanning the room, I saw no major changes from the original plot.

    The only difference was that I had taken the place of some minor 2nd-year extra.

    Now, it finally felt like the story was truly beginning.

    At that moment, the front door of the classroom swung open.

    “Nice to meet you all. I am Park Jungwan, the instructor in charge of this Special Talent Class.”

    A calm, deep voice carried across the room.

    A towering man in his 40s, covered in scars, stepped forward.

    His appearance caused a stir among the students.

    “Whoa, it’s Park Jungwan the Mage.”

    “Isn’t he with the Mage Association? Why is he here?”

    Park Jungwan.

    A special operative of the Mage Association.

    Although his official rank was A-class, his combat prowess was nearly on par with S-class mages.

    The only reason he remained in A-class was due to his lack of outstanding achievements or utility in areas beyond combat.

    And his appointment as the Special Talent Class instructor was exactly as it happened in the original storyline.

    “I’m sure you have many questions about me. However, I will not engage in any discussions unrelated to this class.”

    The weight of his charisma silenced the students.

    “Special Talent Class will primarily focus on practical training to make up for your lack of real-world experience. Magic is not just about how powerful your abilities are—it’s about experience. Now, let’s form groups for the next six months.”

    Park Jungwan pulled out a small box from beneath the podium.

    “The process will be fair—drawing lots. One by one, come forward and pick your group.”

  • Struggle for Supremacy in the Demonic Path Chapter 7

    “Are you referring to the young lady?”

    “Young lady, my foot. Just call her Seol.”

    “I’ve seen her from a distance a few times… but I’ve never spoken to her directly.”

    “That’s only because you’ve been so busy.”

    Bi Unseong gave Sa Dobin a subtle glance.

    Sa Dobin caught on to his intent and spoke up.

    “Leader Yu.”

    “Yes.”

    “Why don’t you take the kids out for some fresh air for a moment?”

    Yuwol looked confused, unsure of his meaning.

    Sa Dobin, as if handling official business, got straight to the point.

    “We’re planning to send the young lady down from the mountain.”

    Only then did Yuwol understand what Sa Dobin had meant earlier.

    Sa Dobin continued,

    “She’s twenty now. It’s about time she learned about the world of martial arts. Things have been quiet in the martial world lately, so the timing seems right. It would be best to do it before the Seven-Year Pact ends.”

    Yuwol nodded silently.

    “So, we’re thinking of entrusting her with a small business in Gansu.”

    “A business?”

    “We haven’t decided yet. We may let her handle everything herself. And for that…”

    Sa Dobin took a breath, his expression turning slightly apologetic.

    “You’ll have to escort her.”

    Yuwol remained silent for a moment.

    Bi Unseong and Sa Dobin watched him carefully. Tasking the leader of the Black Wind Division with babysitting a sheltered young lady—it was a request that disregarded rank and command structure, making them feel apologetic.

    Yuwol responded calmly,

    “Understood. Leave it to me.”

    The moment Yuwol agreed without hesitation, Bi Unseong’s expression brightened.

    “Well, what can I say? Once you have children of your own, you’ll understand how I feel. I apologize.”

    Yuwol, having already accepted the task, replied with formality,

    “It’s only natural that I take on this duty.”

    He was the type of person who, once he made a decision, never looked back.

    “I appreciate that.”

    “When do we depart?”

    “It’ll take a few days to prepare everything.”

    “We have several ongoing matters.”

    “Hand them over to the Iron Cavalry Division. I’ll speak to their leader myself.”

    “Understood.”

    “And…”

    Sa Dobin’s tone turned serious.

    “Word will reach the Righteous Alliance and other people eventually, but try to keep a low profile.”

    Yuwol silently nodded.

    “Leader Yu.”

    Bi Unseong’s voice softened.

    “If she misbehaves, discipline her. Even if that means giving her a good spanking.”

    “Are you serious?”

    Yuwol asked earnestly, causing Bi Unseong’s voice to waver.

    “…Just not too harshly.”

    A faint smile played on Yuwol’s lips.

    “Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her.”

    The three of them continued discussing Bi Seol’s departure for a while.

    Eventually, Yuwol left the room first. As he stepped out, Bi Unseong called after him.

    “Leader Yu.”

    “Yes.”

    Bi Unseong’s gaze deepened as he looked at him.

    “…Bring her back alive.”

    —

    Passing through more than ten layers of strict security, Yuwol finally left the Heavenly Demon Palace and headed straight to his personal training hall.

    In the thirty-pyeong-wide hall, one corner was piled high with unsheathed blades. Next to them was another heap of broken swords.

    At the center of the training hall stood a single iron rod.

    The rod was horizontally placed at about half a handspan in height, its ends firmly secured by heavy iron blocks. It was about two feet long, resembling a short staff.

    A faint bluish hue shimmered on its surface, indicating that it was no ordinary iron.

    Yuwol extended his hand.

    Whoosh.

    One of the swords from the pile flew into his grasp.

    He stepped toward the iron rod.

    After silently gazing at it for a moment, he closed his eyes and steadied his breath.

    “If you can cut through this rod with an ordinary blade, without using internal energy, I will teach you the latter seven forms of the Nine Infernal Blade Techniques.”

    The voice echoing in his mind belonged to the Heavenly Demon, Bi Unseong.

    Three months ago, Bi Unseong had secretly given him this new challenge.

    Five years ago, Bi Unseong had taught him the Nine Infernal Blade Techniques, which were divided into the first seven forms and the latter seven forms. What he had learned was only the first half.

    Yuwol still did not fully understand why the Heavenly Demon had passed the technique onto him.

    Five years ago was the year the Seven-Year Pact had brought peace to the martial world, and the year he had become the youngest division leader in history. Rumors and criticisms had been rampant at the time. Perhaps this training was meant to silence the doubts. Or… was there another reason?

    He sometimes wondered if Bi Unseong was searching for a successor. Though that was the last thing Yuwol wanted.

    Regardless, the transmission of the Nine Infernal Blade Techniques had been conducted in absolute secrecy. No one knew about it except Sa Dobin.

    He had already mastered the first seven forms to perfection.

    Apart from the official techniques he had used to cut down the Wind Demon, most of the martial arts he employed were a modified version of the Infernal Blade Techniques, utilizing only about thirty percent of its potential.

    Even so, he was already known as the Seven Blades of Ruin.

    If he could fully master the latter seven forms, which were said to be far more refined and powerful, the results would be unimaginable.

    Yuwol, who had been steadying his breath with closed eyes, suddenly opened them.

    In that instant—

    Whoosh—

    A sharp gust of wind echoed through the hall.

    Yuwol appeared motionless.

    Then—

    Clang.

    The sword in his hand shattered belatedly. The strike had been so swift that the break occurred with a delay.

    Yuwol clenched his wrist, his expression tightening.

    He had failed to cut the rod once again. That was the fastest he could swing.

    Bi Unseong wouldn’t have given him an impossible task. But at this moment, that iron rod was a monster—one that refused to die, no matter how much he struck it.

    Frustrated, Yuwol threw the broken blade aside.

    The shattered weapon landed with a metallic clang, merging into the grave of discarded swords.

    Yuwol unfastened the front of his robe.

    On his chest, a crimson handprint was etched.

    The Five-Colored hand print.

    Like a brand, it was embedded into his skin, each of the five fingers glowing faintly in red, yellow, blue, purple, and black.

    The scar on his left cheek throbbed.

    He slowly touched it.

    —

    Memories are powerless against time.

    There was a time when he swung his sword only to survive, only to grow stronger.

    He had thought that the stronger he became, the greater his thirst for revenge would be.

    But the opposite was true.

    As time passed, his hatred faded.

    Even unforgettable events… eventually succumbed to time.

    —

    Yuwol’s eyes turned bloodshot.

    Even if he wanted to cry, he could no longer shed tears. He had already lost the most precious human ability—to cry when he needed to.

    A surge of dark energy erupted from his body. The entire training hall trembled under the invisible storm.

    Yuwol’s fist struck the air.

    Boom!

    A deafening explosion rang out as a hole burst open in the thick steel wall of the training hall.

    Dust rained down from the ceiling.

    “Hoo—”

    Yuwol exhaled, staring at the ceiling.

    As his breathing steadied, a face suddenly appeared in the hole he had just created.

    It was Jinpae, looking cautious.

    “There’s a problem.”

    Yuwol straightened his robe. His expression had already returned to calm.

    Jinpae hesitated before continuing.

    “Captain Bai Wei has been taken to the Command Hall.”

    “For what reason?”

    “They’re investigating internal corruption.”

    Yuwol’s expression turned slightly weary.

    Jinpae looked uneasy.

    “Tell them we have an important operation and need him released.”

    Jinpae hesitated before adding,

    “…I think you’ll need to handle this personally.”

    Before Yuwol could ask why, Jinpae explained,

    “The Command Hall’s chief won’t let him go easily. The way they’re handling this, it’s clear they want to meet you.”

    Yuwol nodded in understanding.

    “Let’s go.”

    With long steps, he left the training hall and headed toward the Command Hall.

    “Oh, Leader Yu. What brings you here?”

    Command Division Leader Gu Ho-yeol looked surprised by Yuwol’s visit.

    Gu Ho-yeol was a middle-aged man with a solid build and a strict demeanor. As the head of the Command Division, responsible for overseeing the unruly martial artists, he was known for his meticulous and unyielding nature.

    “Come, have a seat.”

    Yuwol sat across from Gu Ho-yeol at the table set in the middle of the office.

    “What kind of tea would you like?”

    “I’m fine.”

    Declining the tea, Yuwol got straight to the point.

    “I heard one of my subordinates has been captured.”

    Gu Ho-yeol poured tea into his own cup and replied.

    “Most people prefer Dragon Well or Tieguanyin, but I like this Biluochun. It’s a tea that only grows on the east and west hills of Dongting Lake.”

    Ignoring Yuwol’s words, he continued talking about tea as if he hadn’t heard him.

    “I’ll send you some later. Even Master Sword has taken a liking to it after I introduced it to him. Now he’s more obsessed with it than I am. Haha.”

    “Thank you.”

    Yuwol expressed his gratitude with a calm expression.

    Sipping his tea, Gu Ho-yeol eventually spoke.

    “The discipline within the cult has been slackening lately. Ever since the Seven-Year Pact, there’s been no real conflict with the Justice Alliance, so naturally…”

    Yuwol cut him off firmly.

    “I’d like you to delay the interrogation of my subordinate.”

    Gu Ho-yeol’s expression stiffened slightly, but Yuwol continued as if he hadn’t noticed.

    “Our main unit has an important operation coming up. I need him.”

    Gu Ho-yeol called for the warrior waiting outside. The Black Enforcer who had captured Baek Wi entered the room.

    “Bring me the Black Wind Squad case file.”

    “Yes. Here it is.”

    As if he had been expecting the order, the Black Enforcer immediately handed over the file.

    Flipping through the pages, Gu Ho-yeol read aloud.

    “Bai Wei, Fourth Squad Leader of the Black Wind Squad. Took a bribe of three thousand nyang from the Heungan Branch Leader.”

    After scanning the document for a moment, he shook his head.

    “This is troublesome… very troublesome.”

    Yuwol glanced at Gu Ho-yeol.

    Their gazes met midair, both unreadable.

    “I’ve already arrested the Heungan Branch Leader. If I go easy on your man while punishing the other, wouldn’t that be unfair?”

    Yuwol stared at him for a moment before standing up. He didn’t bother mentioning getting authorization from the cult leader to descend the mountain.

    Running to a stronger elder for help after getting beaten up was what children did. Adults had their own way of handling things.

    “I understand.”

    “Don’t take it too personally.”

    Without another word, Yuwol stepped out.

    As soon as he left, a cold sneer formed on Gu Ho-yeol’s lips.

    “Arrogant bastard.”

    Then, turning to the Black Enforcer beside him, he asked,

    “What about him?”

    “He’s a tough one. Still refusing to talk.”

    “Make sure he confesses.”

    “Yes. Mad Dog is handling the interrogation personally. He’ll break soon.”

    “We need justification. Once we prove his crimes, we’ll have a reason to investigate the Black Wind Squad Leader. And once that happens, he’s finished.”

    “But… aren’t we pushing too hard? If the cult leader gets involved, things could get complicated.”

    Unlike the cautious Black Enforcer, Gu Ho-yeol was resolute.

    “The cult leader won’t interfere. No, he can’t. That bastard, the Black Wind Squad Leader… He’s just that kind of person.”

    Looking out the window, Gu Ho-yeol spotted Yuwol leaving the building.

    Tapping his fingers against the window frame, he murmured,

    “He’s grown too much. Before he gets any bigger, he needs to be stepped on.”

    Meanwhile, Jinpae, who had been waiting outside, rushed over to Yuwol.

    “How did it go?”

    Yuwol glanced up at the building. Gu Ho-yeol was staring down at him from the window.

    Then, shifting his gaze back to Jinpae, he said,

    “He wants a fight.”

    Jinpae smirked.

    “Who’s out on missions right now?”

    “Second, Third, and Fifth squads are deployed.”

    Striding forward, Yuwol ordered,

    “Call all the squad leaders back by midnight.”

    As Yuwol walked away, Jinpae turned to look up at the Command Division building.

    Gu Ho-yeol was glaring down at them with a displeased expression.

    Grinning broadly, Jinpae met his gaze.

    With an irritated flick, the curtains were drawn shut.

  • Gatekeeper Of The Boundless World Chapter 42

    The roar of the motorcycle quickly faded into the distance.

    The district returned to its deathly silence.

    No one knew how long it would take before someone arrived to deal with the tens of thousands of corpses here.

    Those who perished would end up as nothing more than a long list of victims on the evening news—aside from their family and friends, no one would remember them.

    The sky had turned completely dark.

    Tomorrow, the sun would rise as usual.

    Yet, amid the silent night, someone had yet to leave.

    A thousand meters from the hotel, atop another skyscraper—

    A little girl, five or six years old, sat on the railing of the rooftop.

    Around her neck hung a pair of oversized red headphones, each earcup designed to look like a giant eyeball.

    Since the battle began, she had been resting her chin on her hands, watching the events unfold inside the hotel without blinking.

    It wasn’t until Xiao Mengyu was on the verge of defeat that she finally reached out and pressed down on the air.

    Boom—

    With a mere press, the hotel building was pierced straight through.

    Xiao Mengyu plummeted downward.

    Shen Ye caught her.

    The battle continued.

    Then, it all ended.

    Shen Ye rode away on his Ghostfire motorcycle.

    The little girl chewed on her gum and blew a large bubble.

    Pop.

    A voice quietly emerged from the empty space beside her:

    “Not going to meet him?”

    “It’s not the right time,” the little girl replied.

    “He just saved you, you know. Even went out of his way to give you a ride.” The voice teased.

    The little girl chuckled, sighed, and murmured with emotion:

    “Shen Ye-gege has grown up too.”

    “…Compared to when he was little, he’s even dumber now.”

    Though she said that, the sparkle in her eyes, the slight upward curve of her lips, and the way her little feet swayed betrayed her true feelings.

    The two eyeballs on her red headphones floated up, hovering midair as they spoke again:

    “All of this trouble was caused by your sister, yet she’s nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, you rushed over in such a hurry to help, almost exposing me in the process.”

    “Stop complaining. The fact that she didn’t kill everyone is already a blessing. Besides, didn’t I almost get exposed too?” the little girl said.

    “If you get exposed in broad daylight, I’d like to see how you clean up the mess,” the eyeballs grumbled.

    “Enough, I’ll treat you to beef noodles later,” the little girl soothed.

    “Wow, I want an egg with it! And a bowl of good wine—wait a minute, are you asking me for a favour? Spill it!” The eyeballs glowed red.

    The little girl stood up.

    Her body shifted and quickly grew taller, transforming into a teenage girl.

    The night wind blew through her hair.

    If there were a moon, if there were a river, then her figure leaning against the railing would be indistinguishable from the figure of Song Qingyun in the videos.

    Beep beep!

    Her phone rang.

    The caller ID showed “Song Qingyun.”

    She tapped the screen, and a melodious female voice came through:

    “Yinchen, where did you run off to? There’s a banquet tonight, and I can’t handle it alone. Get back here.”

    The girl’s gaze turned cold.

    She looked again at the haunted hotel.

    “Erase all traces of me. No one should know I was here. Don’t let my sister or her people find me.”

    “Understood. What about the situation here?” the eyeballs asked.

    “Erase all traces of Shen Ye-gege’s battle. No one must notice.”

    The eyeballs hesitated. “But there’s still a witness—the girl with the sword—”

    “She won’t tell anyone about Shen Ye-gege. Trust me,” the girl interrupted.

    “Alright, I’ll get to work—so, are we going to the banquet later, or eating noodles?”

    “Noodles.” The girl waved her hand in a downward chop, finalizing her decision.

    The eyeballs let out a cheer, but then hesitated.

    “You’re really not going to the banquet?”

    The girl pouted. “My sister thrives in those settings, but I’m nothing like her. Everyone knows I’m just a useless nobody.”

    The eyeballs spun in their sockets, then burst into shrill laughter:

    “You? Useless? Hahaha! That’s hilarious!”

    The girl only sighed.

    “I’m lucky to be alive… Who knows? Maybe tomorrow, I’ll be dead.”

    This time, the eyeballs fell silent.

    —

    Two hours later.

    On the other side of the city.

    A budget hotel.

    The man had washed away the blood and changed into clean clothes.

    He sat at the desk, poured himself a glass of liquor, and downed it in one gulp.

    The liquor was strong, so strong that he coughed violently.

    Only with the burn of alcohol did he feel his condition slightly improve.

    He lowered his head.

    His flesh was no longer flesh—it was something covered in dense, intricate runes. It felt like rubber, yet softer.

    His body twisted.

    It was hungry.

    A red gleam flickered in his eyes. His brows furrowed as if enduring indescribable torment.

    —This was a flesh-puppet body from another world.

    If he didn’t feed it in time, it would torment his soul with unbearable pain.

    But it was worth it.

    After all, through this flesh-puppet body, he had been reborn.

    A miracle.

    Only a god could perform such a feat!

    The man took a deep breath and began chanting a series of cryptic, inhuman incantations.

    As crimson light surrounded him, he knelt, speaking with utmost reverence:

    “Oh, unfathomable and great being.”

    “According to our agreement, I have paid the price. Yet, at the crucial moment, you could have descended—but why did you leave?”

    When he finished, he laid low on the floor, not daring to move.

    One breath.

    Two breaths.

    Three breaths.

    A strange, fragmented shadow silently emerged in the void before him.

    “Fool.”

    The shadow gazed down at him, showing no mercy as it swung a black whip, lashing him hard.

    The man trembled violently, as if enduring pain beyond human limits, yet he remained low on the ground, not daring to move an inch.

    The shadow struck again and again until the flesh puppet on the man’s back was completely shredded. The puppet let out wails of agony as tattered flesh and exposed white bones were revealed. Only then did the whip finally stop.

    A brief moment passed.

    The shadow spoke.

    “There’s an unknown presence lurking in the dark.”

    The man’s head shot up in shock.

    —He hadn’t sensed anything at all!

    “Your power is as feeble as a flickering ember, wholly insufficient to sustain my attacks. The moment I descend, that hidden presence will surely kill you.”

    “Do you understand?”

    “I understand,” the man replied respectfully.

    Knock, knock, knock!

    The sound of knocking echoed.

    “Come in,” the man said, his voice steady.

    The door opened.

    A bright and charming young girl stepped into the room, gently closing the door behind her.

    The man froze, unable to help but murmur, “She… I clearly already…”

    “You did well on this piece,” the black shadow said. “I just stitched her head back on.”

    With a light step backward, it merged into Zhao Yibing and vanished.

    Zhao Yibing blinked, her vacant expression gradually coming to life as she opened her mouth and spoke in a crisp female voice:

    “At first, I thought your world was weak and dull, not even worth mentioning.”

    “But then, the Cursed Sculpture of the King of Fallen Evil Spirits that I bestowed upon you was devoured—its power entirely seized.”

    “Immediately after, you were defeated as well.”

    “Only then did I realize—”

    “Your world is full of intrigue, even attracting the descent of other ‘existences’ who lurk in the shadows.”

    “My servant.”

    “Take me through your world.”

    “Let me see what secrets lie hidden within.”

    “And while we’re at it, I need to ask him—”

    “How did he break the Cursed Sculpture of the Ten Thousand Fallen Evil Ghosts?”

    “That sculpture contained power I had gathered for countless years.”

    “I will reclaim every last bit of it!”

    A look of joy spread across the man’s face.

    He crawled to Zhao Yibing’s feet, kissing her toes as he chanted:

    “O great and eternal deity, I low myself before you, devoutly heeding your teachings, serving at your side forever.”

    Zhao Yibing’s expression grew contemplative. Just then, she heard a clack clack clack sound—like teeth clicking together. She turned her head, snapping back to awareness.

    —It was the sound of the flesh puppet.

    It was wailing, pleading, suppressing its instincts.

    Zhao Yibing understood and finally spoke:

    “I have crossed an impossibly vast distance to descend here and revived you in the process… I must replenish what was consumed with souls.”

    “And you—having just been revived—if the flesh puppet grows too hungry, it will erode your soul.”

    She continued in a commanding tone:

    “Go hunt.”

    “Kill a thousand people. Bring their souls back to me—the flesh is yours.”

    “As you command!” the man responded, bowing low. Silent as a shadow, he crawled backward toward the door, opened it, and slipped out.

    A thousand people.

    How wonderful.

    Only a god would care for him so much.

    And only the flesh puppet bestowed by the god could consume that many.

    Under divine guidance, his life had already become grander than he had ever dreamed—more magnificent than even his wildest fantasies.

    Everything was simply perfect.

    Voices drifted from the surrounding rooms.

    His hunger only grew stronger.

    But no—

    The god had said hunt.

    How could he stoop to simply plucking from the nearest branch? That would lack refinement.

    …Only the finest souls. The highest-quality flesh.

    The moment that thought formed in his mind, the flesh puppet seemed to submit to him completely.

    —It could read his thoughts.

    Now, it no longer tormented him. Instead, it began assisting him with all its might.

    This was good.

    The man wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with a white handkerchief. At the far end of the corridor, he straightened his appearance in the mirror before stepping elegantly into the elevator.

    There was already a girl inside.

    “Hello,” the man greeted her with a smile.

    The girl glanced at him, and her eyes suddenly lit up.

    —This man was incredibly handsome, exuding a mature charm.

    “Hello,” she responded with a smile.

    “Going to a concert?” he asked, looking at the ticket in her hand.

    “Yes, I’m meeting some friends. Do you like this band too?” she asked.

    The man nodded. “Their performances are incredible. I love the live atmosphere.”

    “Oh? You enjoy that kind of energy? Looks like we’re kindred spirits.” The girl covered her mouth with a laugh.

    “Yes, the crowds, the excitement—it gives me a rush, a sense of freedom.”

    “Haha, I feel the same way. Maybe that’s the magic of concerts.”

    “Exactly.”

  • I Am the Only Tower Master Chapter 16

    “Waaaah!”

    At that moment, I actually brought Jin Bora to the Mage Tower.

    …Did she really just follow me?

    Is she fearless? Or does she just not think things through?

    If a guy you recently met suddenly tells you he’s taking you to a restricted area, shouldn’t you at least be a little cautious?

    As we headed toward the Mage Tower, I voiced my doubts, and she just grinned and replied:

    “Senior, you seem too clumsy to do anything weird.”

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

    Anyway, to enter the Mage Tower, one must have the tower’s emblem inscribed on their body. I explained the restrictions to Jin Bora in advance, and she agreed without hesitation.

    And so, I brought her inside. She excitedly looked around the golden lobby before abruptly turning her head.

    “Can I take a picture?”

    “No.”

    “Why noooot!”

    I can’t just say, “Because you’re addicted to social media,” right to her face.

    “You’re not officially affiliated yet.”

    “Then I will be! I’ll accept your proposal, Senior! I’ll work here!”

    Internally, I cheered.

    Recruitment successful. Honestly, I figured as long as I got her inside the Mage Tower, it was game over.

    “You mentioned potion crafting, right? Leave it to me! I’ll even enchant them and make them into perfect products!”

    She saluted, pressing her hand to her forehead, and winked.

    …Jeez, that was obvious, but I have to admit, it’s kind of cute.

    “A new guest has arrived.”

    At that moment, light gathered in midair, and Eia appeared.

    I had already mentioned her to Jin Bora, but I expected her to be surprised when she actually saw Eia. Instead, she beamed and ran over, clasping Eia’s hands.

    “Eia, right? I’m Jin Bora, and I’ll be working with you from now on! Looking forward to it!”

    “Yes. Likewise.”

    …She’s adapting way too fast.

    Compared to how flustered Seojin and I were, this is almost ridiculous.

    For some reason, I felt drained and collapsed onto the couch.

    “Jin Bora.”

    “Yes, Senior!”

    She snapped to attention.

    “Just so you know, for the time being, all information about the Mage Tower is strictly confidential. That includes the restrictions. Posting pictures on social media or anything like that would be a huge problem.”

    “Oh, of course. Do I look like someone who wouldn’t know how to handle myself?”

    Sorry, but yes.

    “But it’s not going to stay confidential forever, right?”

    That took all of a few seconds.

    “Not forever. Once we’ve built enough power to prevent other factions from taking over, we’ll reveal it.”

    By then, I should be able to adjust the restriction magic as well.

    “In that case, I’m totally on board! Timing is everything for things like this!”

    She left the subject vague, but I had a good idea of what she meant.

    The moment the Mage Tower’s existence is revealed and its reputation peaks, she’ll probably flood social media with selfies and hashtags like #WorkingAtTheMageTower!

    Still, as long as she’s motivated to hold back until then, I’ll take it as a positive.

    “Senior! Senior! Then I’m the first founding contributor, right?”

    “…Founding contributor?”

    “It’s just you, me, and Eia in the Mage Tower right now, right?”

    “Ah, actually, there’s one more person.”

    She pouted.

    “Aww, that’s disappointing. I thought I was enough on my own… Who’s the other person?”

    “I’m disappointed too.”

    Click.

    The door to the back room opened, and Jung Seojin walked out, yawning.

    “I heard that the Tower Master was bringing in a talented recruit for potion crafting, so I was looking forward to it, but hmm…”

    Why does he look so antagonistic already?

    With dark circles under his eyes, as if he pulled an all-nighter, Jung Seojin approached and muttered in a low voice:

    “Just my personal opinion, but isn’t she a bit too young for an important position? Shouldn’t we bring in someone more mature and experienced…?”

    “Excuse me!”

    Jin Bora snapped.

    “You don’t look much older than me, so what’s with the ageist remarks?”

    “I’m twenty-one.”

    “We’re the same age!”

    “I’m an early-year birth.”

    “Shut up!”

    …Why are they even fighting?

    I decided to explain things to Jung Seojin.

    “Jin Bora is an enchantment specialist. She can nearly double a potion’s effectiveness, which will be a huge advantage for our business.”

    “Ahem, did you hear that?”

    She crossed her arms smugly.

    Jung Seojin adjusted his glasses with a disapproving frown.

    “Ultimately, potion sales are a matter of volume. We can’t possibly enchant every single potion, so her ability will have limited impact.”

    “What are you even saying? We can just sell enchanted potions at a premium!”

    “It’s more efficient to spend that time producing an extra potion instead.”

    “Do you not understand the concept of scarcity? And you keep talking about mass production, but when it comes to high-end potions, the difference in value with and without enchantments is—”

    I gave up trying to stop them. Instead, I asked:

    “Do you two know each other?”

    “No.”

    “Not at all.”

    “Then why are you fighting?”

    They answered simultaneously.

    “Because they’re annoying!”

    …I give up trying to understand.

    —Humans of Earth are fascinating.

    Eia, now beside me, chimed in telepathically.

    Agreed.

    “Enough arguing, both of you. Come over here. I’m giving you administrator privileges.”

    Displayed in my estate window was the list of floors and their administrators.

    As the Tower Master, I had the authority to assign administrator roles to others.

    Administrators of a floor gained control over that floor and received three unique traits related to their role.

    Since both of them were, in a way, the tower’s founding members, I figured this was a good chance to test the feature.

    Besides, I could revoke the positions anytime if necessary, so there was no real risk.

    I called Jin Bora over first, as she would be managing the first floor.

    “Alright, here we go.”

    “Yes!”

    I opened my estate window.

    〈Erendel’s Mage Tower〉

    Lord: Kim Yushin
    Development Level: Low
    Total Population: 2
    Mana Reserves: 7,980,074

    1st Floor: Potion Brewing Department / [Potion Crafting Officer: None] – Assign a position.
    2nd Floor: Grand Archive / [Scribe: None] – Assign a position.
    3rd Floor: ???
    4th Floor: ???
    5th Floor: ???
    6th Floor: ???
    7th Floor: ???
    8th Floor: ???
    9th Floor: Tower Master’s Chamber / [Tower Master: Kim Yushin]

    〈Territory Unique Abilities〉

    • Mana Engine: The mana generator operates permanently, maintaining a constant supply of mana within the tower.
    • Shape Memory Alloy: The walls of the Mage Tower are made of a special alloy that restores itself over time after taking damage.
    • Natural Regeneration: Those affiliated with the Mage Tower recover stamina and mana faster while inside.

    I pressed the “Assign a position” button next to the first floor.

    [Select a candidate to appoint as Potion Brewing Officer.]
    [Privileges: Potion Brewing Officer Lv.10, Potion Crafting Lv.10, Potion Swing Lv.10]

    As soon as I lifted my hand from the inscription, a bluish emblem of the mage tower appeared on my fingertip like a stamp.

    It seemed that, just like when admitting students to the tower, I needed to imprint this emblem somewhere on the body. Its shape was different from the entry pass emblem.

    “You need to get a new emblem imprinted. Where do you want it?”

    “Hmm.”

    Jin Bora pondered seriously. No, was this really something to think about…?

    “Just put it on the back of your hand.”

    “Ehh, but that’s too boring.”

    She kept thinking, then suddenly flashed a meaningful smile.

    “Is it okay if it’s somewhere a little… indecent?”

    “……Hey.”

    “Oh-ho-ho! I’m joking. I’ll just put it here.”

    She rolled up her sleeve, revealing her arm.

    As I brought my finger to her skin, a blue light flashed, imprinting the emblem.

    “……!”

    I had only expected the emblem to be applied, but her reaction was unusual.

    Her eyes widened, and her shoulders trembled slightly before she suddenly collapsed onto the floor.

    It was similar to my own reaction when I first became the mage tower master.

    “Are you okay?”

    “…Ah, yes.”

    She was sweating, but she forced a smile.

    “I just suddenly felt a strange sensation… It startled me a little.”

    Jin Bora seemed to be checking her status window, staring into the air.

    A series of expressions crossed her face—surprise, confusion, doubt, and finally, pure joy.

    She suddenly let out a high-pitched squeal and started hopping around the lobby.

    “Wow! No way! I just got three Level 10 traits!”

    “That’s the benefit of becoming a mage tower administrator.”

    I immediately checked her status window.

    Name: Jin Bora
    Unique Ability: Enchant
    Personal Traits: [Structural Understanding Lv.4] [Sniper Lv.3] [Versatile Lv.3]
    Main Stats: [Agility 78] [Magic Power 45] [Stamina 24] [Strength 10]
    Special Stats: [Charm 20] [Adaptability 3] [Leadership 2]
    Total Stats: [185]
    New Traits: New! [Potion Brewer Lv.10] New! [Potion Making Lv.10] New! [Potion Swing Lv.10]

    Hmm, not bad at all.

    It wasn’t on the same level as the perks I received as the mage tower master, but all the new traits were perfectly suited for potion-making.

    With her unique ability Enchant and now her potion-related traits, she had become the perfect potion-focused player.

    As she squealed in delight over her status window, she suddenly approached me and placed a hand firmly on my forehead.

    “I pledge my loyalty! Mage Tower Master! This trait won’t disappear somewhere, right?”

    “Not unless I take it back.”

    “Yahoo!”

    Next to us, Jung Seojin silently watched the scene unfold.

    He wasn’t saying anything, but he looked quite envious.

    “Shall we head to the second floor now?”

    “What’s on the second floor?”

    “You’ll see when we get there.”

    We took the magic circle elevator and ascended to the second floor.

    “Whoa!”

    The entire floor was packed with books. No matter where you looked, there were books.

    Bookshelves were built into the recessed walls, filled to the brim. Books were even floating in the air, seemingly part of an organized system.

    This was the Grand Library, the second floor of the mage tower.

    If the first floor symbolized potions, the second floor symbolized information.

    Jin Bora carefully pulled a book from the shelf, blew off the dust, and checked the title.

    “Huh? All the books are written in some weird language.”

    “Looks like it.”

    Jung Seojin, who had been examining other books, adjusted his glasses with a troubled expression.

    “It looks like an otherworldly language. With this, even if we have all these books, we can’t read them…”

    “It says The Origin and Habits of Kobolds.”

    Both Jin Bora and Jung Seojin turned to stare at me in shock.

    …Hey, guys. I’m the mage tower master here.

    “Eia, you can read them too, right?”

    When I turned to ask, she nodded.

    “Affirmative. Language proficiency is a basic function.”

    “By the way, anyone who takes the scribe position should also gain the ability to read otherworldly languages.”

    At my words, Jung Seojin flinched but quickly regained his composure.

    “…Knowledge and data from another world… It’s fascinating, but now’s not the right time.”

    “Hmm?”

    “Unlike potions, which can only be made inside the mage tower, knowledge is different. Even with restricted magic, there’s a risk of information leaking outside. I understand my own position and background. If I can prove myself more trustworthy…”

    “What are you even saying at this point?”

    I opened the Territory Window and lifted my finger.

    “If I didn’t trust you, I wouldn’t have brought you here.”

    “…Yushin-hyung!”

    Jung Seojin trembled before suddenly shouting the exact same words as Jin Bora.

    “I pledge my loyalty!”

    …What’s with everyone today? This is embarrassing.

    Well, honestly, if I were in their shoes and someone gave me three Level 10 personal traits, I’d probably lick their boots out of gratitude.

    Traits were everything to a player.

    Managerial perks were like a Cinderella magic spell, turning an ordinary person into a master of a field in an instant.

    I imprinted the administrator emblem on Jung Seojin’s wrist.

    A moment later, he checked his status window, his eyes widening. A grin spread across his face—one he couldn’t hide.

    It had been a while since I last saw him smile like that.

    Name: Jung Seojin
    Unique Ability: Iron Man
    Personal Traits: [Excellent Businessman Lv.4] [Management & Administration Lv.3] [Perfectionist Lv.3]
    Main Stats: [Stamina 75] [Strength 46] [Magic Power 30] [Agility 27]
    Special Stats: [Intelligence 9] [Insight 2] [Swiftness 2]
    Total Stats: [191]
    New Traits: New! [Scribe Lv.10] New! [Bookmaster Lv.10] New! [Information Processing Lv.10]

    “Hmph, I’m a little jealous, but I still like managing the first floor more!”

    Jin Bora crossed her arms and continued.

    “Potion-making is directly tied to money! Compared to that, a bunch of books from another world…”

    “You don’t understand.”

    Jung Seojin pulled out a book.

    “This book is titled The Baphomet Incident of the Kingdom of Arland.”

    “So?”

    “Don’t you see? It’s the same as the Baphomet Incident that happened in Melbourne, Australia.”

    Jin Bora’s jaw dropped.

    “If this Overlay phenomenon is making the two worlds align, then these books might let us predict the future.”

    “…Oh.”

    “Not only that, but there’s information on unidentified monsters and magic knowledge that money can’t buy. This isn’t just any library.”

    “Ugh! Are you looking down on the first floor?”

    “I’m not dismissing the first floor—I’m dismissing your ignorance.”

    The two started bickering again. I just sighed and looked away.

    “By the way, Eia. What happened to the continent of Erendel, where the original mage tower was?”

    Everyone turned their attention to Eia. She closed her eyes for a moment.

    “There are no remaining records, but if I were to speculate… The Emergency Seal function activates only when the tower’s survival is impossible. However, there were no forces in Erendel strong enough to overthrow the mage tower.”

    “Which means?”

    “It suggests an unforeseen catastrophe. It’s possible that the world collapsed in a short period.”

    A heavy silence fell.

    If Erendel fell to ruin, wouldn’t Earth eventually meet the same fate?

    But worrying about it wouldn’t change anything now.

    If anything, we needed to grow stronger to prepare for that possibility.

    “Seojin, investigate Erendel’s history when you have time between managing potion distribution.”

    “Understood.”

    It was too soon to assume the two worlds were following identical paths. We needed more data.

    “And Bora, after finishing your academy work, stop by the mage tower to learn the potion recipes.”

    “Yes, senior!”

    Having more people really made things feel like they were finally running smoothly.

    I parted ways with them and returned to the top floor—my personal domain, the ninth floor.

    “Now, let’s get started.”

    I stretched, opening The Principles of Mage Towers.

    There were still many second-stage spells I hadn’t learned yet.

    It looked like I wouldn’t be getting much sleep tonight.

  • A Veteran Player Becomes a Troublemaker Chapter 23

    Ian thought that Sera was thanking him for keeping her mother’s identity as a mage a secret.

    In reality, she was also grateful for him keeping her parents’ relationship and true identities hidden, but Ian had no way of knowing that.

    Even though he had shed the “Troublemaker Tyrant” title, if it were discovered that Ian actually knew nothing, a drop in loyalty would be inevitable.

    But Ian played it cool.

    “Just like you, I accepted your mother as one of my people. It’s only natural.”

    He decided to take credit for protecting Rimil, even though he had no idea about her true identity.

    It seemed like there was some misunderstanding, but since it worked in his favor, there was no need to reveal his ignorance.

    Sera seemed satisfied with his answer.

    [Sera expresses gratitude for your generosity. Loyalty increased by 4.]

    ‘Phew!’

    Seeing the loyalty increase, Ian felt relieved, thinking he had successfully navigated the situation.

    He soon noticed Sera studying his expression.

    “Do you have anything else to say?”

    “Well… to be honest, I was worried you might forbid it.”

    “Forbid what? Magic?”

    Sera nodded.

    “You’ve been nurturing me to use my father’s knowledge, so it might seem like I’m straying from that path.”

    ‘Why would I forbid it? That would be a waste.’

    If she’s going to learn something, why not let her learn both?

    Especially since magic is one of her aptitudes, he actually wanted to encourage it.

    Of course, she shouldn’t neglect alchemy in the process.

    While learning magic was good, she needed to level up her alchemy skills to save Hugo.

    ‘I was planning to have her learn magic later anyway.’

    At higher levels of alchemy, combining it with magic becomes essential.

    Learning magic was absolutely necessary for her.

    ‘It’s a relief I don’t have to hire a mage.’

    He had even considered hiring a mage with his own funds to teach her.

    Now that money could be saved, which was a good thing.

    “Don’t worry about my opinion. Learn it in your spare time. It’ll be useful someday. Just remember, alchemy comes first for now.”

    “Thank you, young master.”

    Unlike Sera, who smiled and felt genuine gratitude,

    ‘Phew, that was close. I managed to dodge that one.’

    Ian sighed in relief internally.

    ‘But what exactly is she misunderstanding?’

    Without knowing the full story, Ian’s curiosity only grew.

    If he knew the details, he wouldn’t feel so anxious every time he talked to her.

    Of course, the day he would learn the truth never came.

    After returning from Vilcen to the Endran Ducal House, Viola relayed what she had heard from Ian to Duke Endran.

    “Hoh, so the story really came from the so-called ‘reckless young lord’?”

    “Yes, it definitely wasn’t someone else’s idea he borrowed.”

    “It’s strange that someone like him has nicknames like ‘Idiot Ian’ or ‘Reckless Ian.’”

    “The young lord of Schrantz I met was nothing like the rumors.”

    “Was he that different?”

    “Yes, very different. He didn’t seem stupid at all, and the locals spoke highly of him. Plus, he seemed to recognize me immediately and was on guard.”

    “Huh? Wasn’t this your first meeting?”

    “Yes, but he acted like he knew me. He seemed more wary than nervous.”

    “What? That arrogant brat. What does he think he’s doing, being wary of my daughter?!”

    Viola shook her head.

    “Do you want people to like me or dislike me?”

    If someone likes her, he complains; if someone dislikes her, he complains.

    She couldn’t figure out which side to take.

    Her father was truly a mystery.

    “Anyway, keeping him close doesn’t seem like a bad idea.”

    “This is the first time I’ve seen you praise someone so highly.”

    Viola nodded in agreement.

    Even she had to admit she had never acknowledged someone like this before.

    “If you’re praising him this much, he can’t possibly be like the rumors. Why do those rumors even exist?”

    “I think he might have spread those rumors intentionally.”

    “Why would he do that?”

    “I’m not sure about that part.”

    But she was certain there was a reason behind it.

    ‘It doesn’t make sense for someone to change so drastically overnight.’

    As a noble who lives and dies by honor, she couldn’t understand why he would willingly endure such humiliation.

    There must be some grand plan behind it.

    ‘Maybe… to lull hostile territories into complacency?’

    Could he have acted recklessly to make them lower their guard in preparation for his rise as lord?

    ‘Would that really make a difference?’

    She wasn’t sure, but since she didn’t know the internal affairs of Schranz well, she couldn’t uncover the truth.

    She simply believed he had some grand scheme in mind.

    What mattered was the future of her own family, not Schrantz.

    “So, did he say when he thinks the incident will happen?”

    “As long as His Majesty the Emperor is alive, it should be fine for now. But if his health worsens, he said something could happen within a year, or at most two years.”

    “I see. Then what should I prepare for?”

    “He said to side with someone who openly declares their convictions and embraces talent to the end.”

    “Did he explain why?”

    “Because we are the Endran Ducal House, not a family swayed by the outcome of power struggles. He said we should focus on the situation after the struggle, not the struggle itself.”

    “So, it’s important to side with someone who embraces their own talent to the end… I see.”

    And for Duke Endran, building achievements by approaching such a person wouldn’t be difficult.

    “Father.”

    “Yes, what is it?”

    “……”

    Viola gazed at him in silence for a moment. His face seemed tense, as if something was troubling him.

    “What’s wrong?”

    Viola cautiously asked, looking at the smiling face of Duke Endran.

    “Father, you already knew who was behind this series of schemes, didn’t you?”

    “……”

    It was absurd to act immediately based solely on the words of herself and the young master of the Schrantz family, without any evidence.

    If he hadn’t known who was behind it, he would have dismissed it as nonsense and not taken any action.

    If it were the father she knew, he would have done just that.

    Duke Endran smiled faintly.

    “That rascal from the Schrantz family seems more useful than I thought.”

    It was an unexpected response, but upon hearing it, Viola felt a chill run down her spine.

    ‘As I thought. He knew.’

    Yet, he had dismissed it as delusion, likely to hide the truth even from her.

    Unlike herself, who wanted to stop the conspiracy and somehow resolve the situation, Duke Endran had been hoping for something like this.

    ‘A man who would willingly leap into the fires of hell for what he desires.’

    Viola knew Duke Endran better than anyone.

    Her father was a man who wore a smiling mask even to his own family.

    Though he was her father, he was a deeply fearsome presence.

    “Hmm, there may not be an immediate problem, but if we make an enemy of him, it won’t end with just a sore back of the head.”

    “Do you think he will become an enemy?”

    “There are always variables. It would be better to improve our relationship for now.”

    How to improve the relationship?

    After a moment of contemplation, Duke Endran looked at Viola.

    “Still, giving my daughter to that scoundrel is too much!”

    Viola shook her head vigorously.

    She had thought that the easiest way to bring him to their side was to marry her off to Ian, but it seemed that sending Viola to a family with nothing to offer was still too much of a waste.

    —

    The day after being recognized as a member of the family.

    Out of the blue, Oswell summoned him to the training ground.

    “What brings you to call me to the training ground, Sir Oswell?”

    It was somewhat surprising that Oswell had called him, as no one usually bothered him.

    To Ian’s question, Oswell politely replied.

    “Now that you have officially become a member of the family, the lord has ordered that you begin training.”

    “Training? What kind of training?”

    “Until now, you have only learned enough swordsmanship to protect yourself. But now that you are a formal member of the Schrantz family, you will learn the family’s swordsmanship.”

    ‘There was such a thing?’

    Ian was unaware of this.

    Although he had played as the young master of the Schrantz family, he didn’t know everything, especially things he hadn’t experienced.

    Originally, playing as the Schrantz family’s rogue young master only became possible after the last DLC was released.

    It had only been out for about 1-2 years.

    Even though the game was over 10 years old, discovering new things was typical of Meta Pangaea.

    ‘Wait, has anyone ever received the title of a member of the Schrantz family before?’

    There might have been, but at the very least, Ian had never seen or heard of it in any broadcasts or communities.

    Originally, Ian had obtained the title by blocking a monster invasion targeting the Schrantz family, an event with an extremely low probability.

    ‘Even if others encountered it due to bad luck like me, most would have avoided it by save-scumming(saving and reloading).’

    Even if they didn’t avoid it, they likely failed or started over immediately.

    If the territory suffered significant damage, they would have lost the strength to fend off the Schrantz raid.

    A player who realized they had no chance of winning wouldn’t think of continuing further.

    Even Ian would have done the same.

    “First, I will show you. This is the first form of Schrantz swordsmanship. Please follow along slowly.”

    The training began immediately.

    Oswald demonstrated the Schrantz swordsmanship, and Ian followed his movements.

    At first, it was simple basic movements.

    But as he continued, the movements became increasingly difficult and complex.

    ‘It’s powerful.’

    Every time he swung his sword, the sword wind tousled Ian’s hair.

    He could feel the destructive power.

    A swordsmanship that strongly pressured the opponent and overwhelmed them with powerful strikes.

    ‘So this is why Hubert didn’t fall behind much when sparring with me, despite the difference in size.’

    Even with a head’s difference in height, he could fight on equal terms because he had been learning this swordsmanship.

    At the same time, his words came to mind.

    ‘So this is what he meant when he said I could never surpass him without being recognized as a member of the family.’

    To learn such a valuable technique alone and then say that.

    It was truly unfair.

    ‘Well, if things had gone on without me becoming a member of the family, it would have turned out as he said.’

    And if both Hugo and Hubert had died, this technique would have been lost forever.

    ‘If I posted this on the community, it would have caused an uproar.’

    It was the first time he felt the urge to post on the community, where he usually just lurked for information.

    A rogue young master with good initial stats and an extra point added to level-ups, with a way to become even stronger?

    Whether it was true or not, the thought of the chaos that would ensue if people tried to verify it was overwhelming.

  • A doomsday-level returnee devours calamities Chapter 48

    Lee Taeseong recalled two memories after devouring the Pure Flame, Ignost.

    One was of his childhood with Sooah, and the other was of the authority he had received from Taegorang (Primordial Wolf).

    The reason he was suddenly able to draw a sword from thin air was precisely because of this authority—a power that allowed him to freely manipulate a subspace connected to Taegorang’s stomach. In essence, it functioned as a kind of portable storage.

    It could be used anytime, anywhere, unrestricted by circumstances or location, making it a transcendent ability that effectively defied all physical laws.

    However, living beings could not be placed inside. Or rather, they could be placed inside, but they would be instantly “erased.”

    Whether that meant death, annihilation, or transfer to some unknown place, even Taeseong himself did not know.

    The sword Taeseong retrieved from the subspace was called Hoirang (Gray Wolf).

    A divine weapon forged from the fangs of a primordial wolf.

    It was crafted by a blacksmith at the world’s end and possessed the ability to cut through anything while being completely unbreakable.

    In other words…

    A sacred sword.

    “I won’t have to worry about weapons anymore.”

    That was Taeseong’s first thought upon drawing Hoirang from the subspace.

    To him, a sword was just a sword—a tool with no purpose other than cutting.

    As long as it had a sharp edge, didn’t chip, and remained sturdy, that was enough.

    But Hoirang was different.

    Its overwhelming performance was enough to make him understand why even the most skilled warriors were obsessed with superior weapons.

    A sword so remarkable that even the desireless Taeseong found himself captivated.

    That was Hoirang.

    While everyone remained frozen under Taeseong’s murderous intent, Beta-grade administrator Ashiya Doman stepped forward, looking at him with great interest.

    He asked, “What’s your grade?”

    “Delta.”

    “…Do modern administrators not know how to use honorifics? That one and this one, both so vulgar. Tsk tsk.”

    “Old man, have you lost your mind? If you show the proper attitude, I’ll gladly use honorifics a thousand times, even ten thousand times.”

    From Taeseong’s perspective, the most dangerous person here was undoubtedly Ashiya Doman.

    Even after hearing the warning, Doman approached him without hesitation.

    From his demeanor, Taeseong could sense blatant malice.

    ‘That bastard is just enjoying this situation. My warning means nothing to him—he’s only interested in engaging with me, an irregular being.’

    For all he knew, Doman was already contemplating how to turn him into a shikigami.

    Taeseong’s prediction was spot on.

    Doman had already gathered intelligence on him before arriving here.

    The more he observed this fascinating anomaly firsthand, the more he wanted to make Taeseong his own.

    If he could turn Taeseong into his shikigami, he would be unparalleled among Beta-grade administrators.

    “A monster like that is only classified as Delta? I don’t know what tricks the higher-ups are playing, but I have to take him for myself.”

    Doman spoke.

    “The rampage has stopped? Are you certain? The Tree has designated the Pure Flame as a Beta-grade entity. Are you saying a Delta-grade like you managed to subdue a Beta-grade entity?”

    “She’s not ‘the Pure Flame.’ She’s Lee Sooah, old man. I see you’ve grown senile—you don’t even understand words anymore.”

    “…I can’t believe it. She might just be pretending to be docile. I’ll confirm it myself.”

    “There it is, your true intentions. Go ahead, old man. Stop hiding behind corpses and come at me yourself.”

    Despite Taeseong’s provocation, Doman did not take a single step.

    He merely rang the bell in his hand.

    Ding-ling. Ding-ling.

    A shikigami at his side lunged at Taeseong.

    “I obey.”

    This shikigami was called Kidomaru, said to be the son of Shuten Doji, the king of Oni (Demons).

    Among Doman’s shikigami, he was one of the strongest.

    However—

    Before Kidomaru’s blade could even touch Taeseong, his body began to melt into a formless mass.

    “…!”

    Whoosh!

    The blue flames Taeseong had conjured consumed Kidomaru in an instant.

    “Is that all?”

    “…Impressive.”

    Doman spoke as if impressed, but inwardly, he was quite shaken.

    He had expected Taeseong to possess power beyond the Gamma grade, but not to this extent.

    That only made him want him more.

    Ding-ling. Ding-ling.

    As the spiritual energy-filled bell rang, blood dripped from Taeseong’s ears.

    At the same time, a female shikigami and a male shikigami charged toward him.

    Taeseong swung Hoirang twice in a diagonal arc.

    Slice!

    Before they could even get close, their bodies were diced into pieces.

    The blue flames erupted once again, consuming them completely.

    Taeseong turned his gaze to Doman and the administrators surrounding him.

    “I told you, stop hiding behind shikigami and come at me yourself.”

    “Heh… Where did such a monster crawl out from?”

    Above the heads of the administrators—aside from Doman—black, skull-shaped smoke began to rise.

    It was a warning.

    If Taeseong so desired, he could crush their skulls in an instant.

    “What are you all waiting for? Are you just going to stand there gawking?”

    Despite the Beta-grade administrator’s harsh command, the others hesitated.

    They couldn’t bring themselves to move, overwhelmed by Taeseong’s sheer presence.

    It was only natural.

    The strongest human desires weren’t hunger, sleep, or lust—

    But the will to survive.

    Unless someone had a death wish, no one would be foolish enough to throw their life away after witnessing this scene.

    Even administrators, with all their supernatural abilities, were still fundamentally human.

    “Pathetic worms. If you don’t move now, you’ll be guilty of insubordination for defying direct orders.”

    Forced into a corner, the administrators had no choice but to make a decision.

    If they did nothing, they would be executed by a Beta-grade administrator.

    If they fought, they would be slaughtered by the monster before them.

    “…D-Damn it!”

    “Attack all at once!”

    “Yeah. It’s just one guy. Besides, we have Lord Doman on our side!”

    When weighing the two men, they ultimately feared Doman more. Taeseong was an unfamiliar monster to them, but Doman was a monster they knew all too well.

    A Beta-ranked administrator inspired absolute terror in lower-ranked administrators. Being administrators themselves, they were well aware of how overwhelmingly powerful the Beta rank was.

    And yet, the fact that Taeseong’s prowess had made them hesitate, even momentarily, spoke volumes about how overwhelming his presence was.

    ‘That cunning old snake… he’s just sitting back and watching for now…’

    Just then—

    A man’s voice rang out from the speakers installed in the hallway.

    [Cease all movement.]

    The moment those words were spoken, every living being in the Japan branch came to a standstill. Even Taeseong was no exception.

    ‘…I can’t move.’

    He tried to resist this sudden and inexplicable phenomenon, but his entire body was frozen as if he’d lost control of it.

    ‘Magic? A curse? A supernatural ability?’

    He didn’t know what had caused his body to stop moving, but one thing was certain—

    This phenomenon was happening solely due to a single individual’s will.

    [Administrator Yukina, relay the upper command’s orders.]

    As everyone remained frozen, a woman with snow-white hair, resembling the legendary Yuki-onna(Snow Woman), walked forward. She then spoke in a firm, formal tone.

    “A new directive has just arrived from above. Effective immediately, Code Green is lifted. Delta-ranked Administrator Lee Taeseong, Delta-ranked Administrator Lee Sooah, Gamma-ranked Administrator Ito, and Beta-ranked Administrator Xiao Yun will be placed in temporary isolation in Blocks B and D until the Disciplinary Committee delivers a verdict.”

    Naturally, there was no response.

    Aside from Yukina, every other person was completely frozen, unable to so much as blink.

    It was an eerie scene, as if time itself had stopped in the area.

    Yukina approached Taeseong, leaned in close, and whispered in his ear.

    “Don’t worry. The deal with the higher-ups is already settled. Nothing will happen to Sooah.”

    With that, Yukina turned away.

    She gently took Sooah from Ito’s arms and disappeared down the hallway.

    [Resume movement.]

    As the voice rang out from the speakers again, Taeseong’s body, which had been stiff and unresponsive, regained its freedom.

    ‘I was so close… just a little more…’

    What no one here realized was that, just before the voice came through the speaker, Taeseong had managed to move a single finger through sheer willpower.

    Even he himself didn’t realize just how shocking that feat was.

    ‘So that woman must be Sooah’s mentor. The fact that she referred to Sooah as an administrator instead of a mere entity name means she has no intention of eliminating her.’

    Above all, Sooah’s safety was the priority.

    For now, he decided to take the Beta-ranked administrator at her word. But if Sooah was put in any danger, even for a moment…

    He was prepared to turn the entire organization into his enemy and take Sooah out of here by force.

    Shortly after—

    A group of figures dressed in black suits and white masks appeared. They were special enforcers under the jurisdiction of the Disciplinary Committee, and each exuded an eerie presence.

    “Administrator Lee Taeseong. Execution of orders will now commence.”

    “…”

    Taeseong calmly held out his hands, and the enforcers swiftly restrained his entire body with shackles.

    Xiao Yun and Ito were also bound in restraints and escorted alongside him.

    At first, they all seemed to be heading in the same direction.

    But suddenly, the enforcers escorting Taeseong changed course.

    The other enforcers continued on without reacting, as if this had been prearranged.

    Originally, Taeseong was supposed to be confined in Block B—yet he was being led toward a completely different building.

    A mechanical voice announced their entry as an enforcer’s iris scan unlocked the door.

    [Gate 1, Block A.]

    ‘…Not Block B or Block D, but Block A?’

    Questions formed in his mind, but with the restraints on, he was unable to voice them.

    After entering Block A, Taeseong walked for over an hour before finally being led into a confinement chamber.

    He didn’t know it, but the official designation of this room was the “Special Entity Confinement Chamber.”

    In the lowest level of the Japan branch, within a dimly lit conference room, the Disciplinary Committee meeting had just begun.

    “What do you think?”

    “Oh my, what is there to think about? My stance is obvious~.”

    …Something was off.

    There were clearly multiple voices in conversation—a man’s, an old man’s, and a woman’s.

    Yet, in reality, there was only one person in the room.

    “Twenty-seven Epsilon-ranked administrators seriously injured. Twenty-five Delta-ranked administrators seriously injured. Seven Gamma-ranked administrators seriously injured.

    All of this was caused by a single Delta-ranked administrator.”

    “…”

    “I propose designating Administrator Lee Taeseong as a Black-level hazardous entity and ordering his immediate elimination.”

    Alone in the dark room, a single man spoke as if carrying on a conversation with multiple people.

    “I second the motion.”

    TL : Everyone’s level so far

     

    Levels Administrators Entities
    Sigma level    Taeseong  (Mc true level )
    Alpha-level Ignost
    Beta-level Xiao Yun, Yukina, Ashiya Doman The Sleeping Monkey’s Paw,
    Wairang (questionable)
    Gamma-level Yato, Ito, Taesan Dueokshin, Orochi’s tail, Red Mask
    Delta-level Taeseong  (Mc’s level on Paper ),  Haeyoung,
    Eunha, Gi-jun, Sooah
    Epsilon-level Ho-jin Mangtae Harabeom

     

  • The Regressed Extra Becomes a Genius Chapter 48

    Monday’s Sparring Class

    In a private sparring room, Yoo Ara was engaged in a duel with her sparring partner, Lee Seo-jun.

    A loud crash echoed as fierce and seemingly dangerous attacks were exchanged between them.

    Though it was just a student sparring session, the level was exceptionally high, given that both of them were considered prodigies of their generation.

    “Huuh.”

    After fifteen minutes of intense sparring, a short break was called. Yoo Ara sat on a chair, wiping the sweat off her forehead with a towel as she drank some water.

    “You’re unusually intense today.”

    Lee Seo-jun glanced at her and spoke. She was always determined in training, but today was different—like she was being chased by something.

    “I’m planning to train even harder from now on.”

    “You could afford to take it a bit easier.”

    “Take it easy? No way…”

    Yoo Ara put down her water bottle and stood up again.

    “Let’s start right away.”

    Lee Seo-jun frowned.

    “Rest a bit more. You haven’t even rested for two minutes yet.”

    “…Fine, one more minute.”

    “Five minutes.”

    At his firm tone, Yoo Ara sighed and sat back down.

    Leaning her back against the wall, she stared at Lee Seo-jun, who was busy maintaining his training sword.

    She watched him intently, lost in thought.

    “Lee Seo-jun.”

    “Hm?”

    “When you spar with me, how much of your strength do you use?”

    At her sudden question, Lee Seo-jun blinked.

    “I’m not sure… maybe 30%? It’s just sparring, so I can’t go all out.”

    Thirty percent.

    Yoo Ara bit her lip at his response.

    She had been using nearly 70% of her strength just now, yet Lee Seo-jun had matched her effortlessly with only 30%.

    The gap between first and second place was far larger than she had imagined.

    She let out a deep sigh.

    “Haa…”

    Then, she suddenly thought of Kim Sunwoo.

    She recalled his skills from before.

    Kim Sunwoo was undoubtedly far beyond her level as well.

    With his talent and genius, he wouldn’t lose to Lee Seo-jun either.

    Curious, she asked, “What do you think of Kim Sunwoo?”

    “Hm? Kim Sunwoo?”

    Lee Seo-jun looked puzzled at the sudden mention of his name.

    “He’s kind of unusual, right? He was ranked dead last in the school, yet he has excellent class performance. Even in the recent basic midterm evaluation, he quickly defeated the Green Giant. And during magic defense class, his movements were impressive too.”

    “Ah.”

    Lee Seo-jun nodded in understanding.

    “He is unusual. His combat sense is oddly good, and it feels like he’s hiding his true abilities. I do get that impression.”

    “Right.”

    So it wasn’t just her imagination.

    Hearing that Lee Seo-jun felt the same way gave Yoo Ara a strange sense of relief.

    “But why are you asking?”

    “Just… seeing his recent achievements, I feel like he’s really skilled.”

    “Yeah, Kim Sun-woo has been standing out a lot lately.”

    Lee Seo-jun thought about his recent performances in class and exams.

    Yoo Ara watched him for a moment before asking another question.

    “You just said it seems like Kim Sunwoo is hiding his true strength. If he stopped holding back, how high do you think he could rank?”

    At her question, Lee Seo-jun folded his arms and thought deeply.

    “Maybe around 15th place? He should be able to reach that.”

    “…What?”

    Yoo Ara was visibly disappointed by his answer.

    Only 15th place?

    Kim Sunwoo’s abilities were far beyond that.

    At the very least, he was second place.

    At best, he could even be first.

    Admitting that he was above her was frustrating, but she had to acknowledge that she was lacking in comparison.

    She had expected Lee Seo-jun to recognize Kim Sunwoo’s true potential, but apparently, that wasn’t the case…

    Meanwhile, at the vice president’s office in Hanseong Group’s headquarters, Han Se-yeon sat anxiously.

    She nervously drank her tea, still unsure if this was the right move.

    Lowering her head, she let out a quiet groan.

    “Ugh…”

    Just then, the office door opened, and a man entered.

    It was her older brother, Han Se-jin, the vice president of Hanseong Group.

    “What’s this? You asked to meet me first?”

    Han Se-jin greeted her with a soft smile.

    “Oppa.”

    Han Se-yeon called out to him, and he tilted his head upon seeing her haggard face.

    “Something wrong? You don’t look well.”

    “Huh? No, I just have a bit of a cold.”

    “Really? Then you should rest.”

    “It’s fine. I still have work to do.”

    “Don’t push yourself too hard. So, what’s this about?”

    Han Se-jin exchanged pleasantries before taking a seat across from her.

    Han Se-yeon hesitated.

    She had something to say, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

    Could she really trust that man?

    Was she making a foolish decision?

    A whirlwind of doubts spun in her mind.

    “…I want to propose a deal.”

    “A deal?”

    “The dungeon business. If you’re interested, I’m thinking of transferring it to you.”

    For a brief moment, a glint of interest flashed in Han Se-jin’s eyes.

    “What? Are you giving up on it?”

    “I’m not giving up, just losing interest. I’ve found a new venture I’m more invested in.”

    “What kind of business?”

    Han Se-jin’s curiosity was piqued.

    For her to abandon the dungeon business for something else—it had to be significant.

    But Han Se-yeon shook her head.

    “Obviously, I can’t tell you that.”

    “Come on, tell me.”

    “No way. Anyway, are you interested in the dungeon business or not? If not, I’ll hand it off elsewhere.”

    Despite what she said, she had no intention of giving it to anyone else.

    It was a sinking ship.

    And if it sank in her brother’s hands, it would strengthen her position within Hanseong Group.

    Of course, if Kim Jinwoo’s claims were false, Han Se-jin’s position would grow instead.

    In the end, this was a gamble.

    She despised gambling, but when a legendary gambler—who had never lost a single bet—told her something, she couldn’t ignore it.

    So she decided to place her bet.

    She would trust Kim Jinwoo.

    Unaware of her thoughts, Han Se-jin smiled greedily.

    “I’m very interested. Hand it over. I’ll make sure you’re well compensated.”

    “…Alright.”

    The dice had been cast.

    What number would come up?

    The answer would be revealed in the near future.

    And if…

    If Kim Jin-woo’s words turned out to be true—

    Then she would do whatever it took to bring him over to her side.

    After regular classes ended, I was back at the dorm, browsing the Point Shop.

    “This is tough…”

    I currently had a whopping 63,500 points.

    With this many points, I could buy a decent A-rank trait.

    I could also save up for an S-rank trait, but instead of a single S-rank, it might be better to strengthen my foundation with two A-rank traits.

    Or I could buy multiple B-rank traits…

    “Hmm…”

    I needed something versatile with good growth potential…

    Ah, I remembered one.

    A trait that Jeon Mingi, the second-ranked first-year, acquired in the original story.

    [‘Evolution and Adaptation’ search in progress.]

    ━━

    [Secret of Evolution and Adaptation (A)]

    Category: Trait

    Description: Evolves and adapts upon meeting certain conditions.

    [Passive Effect]

    ▶ Evolution and Adaptation
    Gain adaptive traits by fulfilling specific conditions.
    Acquired adaptive traits can grow but will have reduced effects.

    Price: 50,000

    ━━

    The Secret of Evolution and Adaptation.

    As the name suggests, it is a trait that grants new traits through evolution or adaptation.

    Of course, evolution doesn’t mean any physical changes to the body. Rather, it allows one to acquire adaptive traits.

    For example, staying in a cold environment for an extended period might grant cold resistance.

    While it wouldn’t bring any immediate drastic changes, gaining new traits would also lead to increased stats over time. That’s why acquiring such a trait early on promised maximum efficiency.

    And this trait would surely be helpful in this week’s dungeon exploration.

    “50,000 points, huh…”

    That would leave me with only 13,500 points.

    I should save the remaining points for unexpected situations.

    [You have purchased ‘Secret of Evolution and Adaptation (A).’]

    [The Evolution and Adaptation effect is now active.]

    A bright white light burst before me and seeped into my body.

    As always, I didn’t feel anything particularly different.

    “…Alright, it’s done.”

    Now that I had the trait, it was time to test it.

    Just as I was about to head out, a message popped up on my smart student notebook.

    [Special Class for Talented Individuals – General Notice]

    [A brief introduction and meeting will take place this Wednesday at 7 PM. All students, please gather in Room 503 on the 5th floor of the main building.]

    The date for the Special Class was set.

    Just like in the original story—Wednesday at 7 PM.

    This was the day when key figures from all grade levels would gather.

    Among them were important protagonists like Lee Seo-jun and Yoo Ara, but also potential villains like Park Inhwan and Jang Ye.

    It was also an opportunity to interact with those I hadn’t had any significant exchanges with yet.

    “Hmm…”

    What worried me was the butterfly effect that could arise from my involvement in this meeting.

    I just hoped nothing troublesome would come of it.

    “Huff… Huff…!”

    Tuesday evening, training facility.

    For the past two days, I had been pushing myself hard to obtain a new trait from ‘Secret of Evolution and Adaptation.’

    Increasing weight loads, exhausting my stamina—constantly pushing my body to its limits.

    “…Wow. Look at his determination. That guy is insane.”

    “He’s always been like that, but lately, he’s gone even harder.”

    People whispered as they watched me.

    It was only natural. After all, there was a lunatic trembling with exhaustion, still forcing himself to train.

    But I paid no mind to their stares.

    When my upper body was drained of strength, I ran on the treadmill.

    Once my upper body recovered, I lifted weights again.

    When my stamina was restored, I ran again.

    Thanks to the stamina recovery effect on my Returner’s Wristwatch, such a grueling regimen was possible.

    But more than that, my sheer determination to make the most out of the 50,000 points I had spent played a big role.

    And then—

    A message popped up before my eyes.

    [Your body has adapted to extreme conditions!]

    [Adaptive Trait ‘Unyielding Endurance (D)’ has been acquired.]

    “Haaah…! Finally…!”

    At last, I had obtained the trait I had been aiming for.

    I staggered toward a bench and collapsed onto it, gasping for breath as I tried to stabilize my breathing.

    I could already feel my stamina recovering faster—likely due to the newly acquired trait’s effect.

    “…Damn, that was brutal.”

    After lying there for a while, I finally gathered the strength to check my new trait.

    ━━

    [Unyielding Endurance (D)]

    Category: Trait

    Description: Strengthens your ability to withstand extreme conditions.

    [Passive Effect]

    ▶ Endurance Spirit

    • Stamina +3
    • Stamina consumption reduced by 10%
    • Stamina recovery speed increased by 30%
    • Mental magic resistance increased by 20%
    • Pain tolerance increased by 10%

    ━━

    “…Oh.”

    For a D-rank trait, the stats were surprisingly decent.

    It didn’t provide a massive boost, but it enhanced essential attributes in a balanced way.

    The most notable part was the 20% increase in mental magic resistance.

    That was not an easy stat to acquire, making this a lucky draw.

    Those two days of suffering were worth it.

    I smiled in satisfaction and dismissed the status window.

    Then, I thought—

    What adaptive trait should I aim for next?

    After some deliberation, I reached a conclusion.

    I should acquire a magic-related trait.

    I stood up.

    My body felt heavy, and I could collapse at any moment.

    But the thought of making the most out of my 50,000 points pushed me forward.

    With trembling legs, I headed toward the magic training hall.

  • About a Dating Sim Where Dating Is Impossible Chapter 103

    “There is no longer any meaning in holding the fortress.”

    It was the first thing the prince said as soon as he gathered his ministers after barely regaining his composure. Even if they did not fully grasp his intentions, the fact remained—so long as the enemy had cannons, his words carried weight. The ministers nodded in agreement. The nature of warfare had changed, and fortress walls were no longer a reliable defense. Knowing this, a retreat to Corinth had to be executed.

    But before continuing, the prince turned his gaze toward a man standing in the corner.

    Adrianos.

    The longest-serving minister, who had followed him under the orders of Emperor Manuel II and handled countless affairs. If they were to retreat to Corinth, Adrianos had to die. And he surely knew that as well. Yet, Adrianos merely stared at the prince with a calm, unwavering gaze.

    In the end, the prince whispered, too softly for anyone else to hear—

    “I’m sorry.”

    Clenching his fists tightly, he turned back to the gathered ministers and continued.

    “Even as Murad bombards the walls with his cannons, he has yet to launch a full-scale assault for one reason alone.”

    “He’s trying to force a field battle.”

    Francisco had guessed correctly. Murad had an extreme distaste to prolonged sieges and attritional warfare. A more conventional commander would have reluctantly continued the blockade, but Murad was different. He would do whatever it took to draw the defenders out. Given the way he had been led by Murad’s strategy thus far, the prince had naturally recognized the enemy’s intent.

    “Once we step outside the walls, he will leave no room for retreat. He may have planted sympathizers inside Athens, or perhaps he plans to use his Sipahis to disrupt our rear.”

    “Which direction do you plan to retreat?”

    “The north.”

    “Why?”

    Francisco was not the only one seeking an explanation. Adrianos and Ivania remained silent, but their eyes were fixed on the prince, awaiting his answer. The prince slowly closed his eyes, envisioning Murad’s encirclement of Athens.

    Apart from the heavily fortified northern gate, the surrounding siege lines were alarmingly thin. Why had Murad formed such an unbalanced encirclement?

    A memory surfaced—the sight of Murad during a previous skirmish. The way he had met the sudden assault without a trace of panic, his cold, calculating resolve amidst the chaos. Many would have simply deemed him ruthless, but the prince had seen deeper—the restrained fury concealed within those eyes.

    That, at last, revealed the answer.

    What was there to hesitate over?

    The prince responded.

    “I must avoid Murad’s suspicion.”

    “What suspicion?”

    “Your Highness, why do you continue to keep your intentions hidden from us? Have our years of service still not earned your trust?”

    Ivania’s voice carried an unmistakable note of hurt, but the prince’s resolve did not waver.

    Who knew where Murad’s spies lurked? The Sultan had already detected Venetian intelligence efforts. If given even the slightest pretext, what was the worst that could happen?

    Caution was unavoidable.

    Yet deceiving those who had followed him loyally was not easy. After much deliberation, the prince chose to reveal only a fragment of the truth.

    “I need to reinforce Murad’s belief that Epirus will not intervene in this war.”

    “What do you mean…?”

    “I don’t know exactly what Epirus’s inaction will mean or how Murad will interpret it. But what matters is that Murad’s primary target must be us, not Epirus. To ensure that, he must be convinced that Epirus will remain uninvolved. If he saw them as a threat, he would have gone after them first.”

    Epirus had to serve as a bridgehead for an alliance with the West. If Murad’s invasion had become imminent before that, would Genoa have so readily formed an alliance? Perhaps, upon seeing Epirus in the midst of war preparations, they might have instead sought to eliminate the Empire’s influence there entirely. To counter such a move, a two-front strategy was essential. In the end, even if Morea was reluctant, it would have to march north to hold back Murad’s forces.

    At first glance, it seemed as though this strategy favoured the Empire. But there was a fatal flaw.

    To inflict real damage on Murad, Epirus would have to be sacrificed. They had to wait and observe until Murad advanced deep enough, as he might decide to turn back at any moment. However, if they rushed north too soon out of concern for Epirus, Murad would indeed retreat—just as he wanted.

    “What does that have to do with heading north?”

    “It will give Murad the impression that we are cornered and preparing for a final showdown.”

    “…Your Highness? You’re not planning to take the battlefield yourself again, are you?”

    “No.”

    The prince bit his lower lip hard. A little more pressure, and the fragile flesh would burst.

    Before stepping onto the battlefield in the past, he had reminded himself over and over—endure. He had even laughed. Smile while you can, because you won’t have the chance to later. It had been the right decision.

    “…Only by making it seem like we are preparing for a decisive battle will Murad refrain from attacking before we can form our lines. What Murad must achieve in this war is a victory that demonstrates an overwhelming difference in martial prowess. His authority has already been shaken considerably—his only way to restore it is through an absolute triumph in open battle.”

    Then, once more, the prince murmured to himself—

    I’m sorry.

    “—I will now explain the battle formation. Adrianos will command the center and the right flank. The rest will be positioned on the left flank. The right flank and center will each have 300 and 1,000 men, respectively. The left flank will place its cavalry forces at the forefront, forcing Murad to station infantry in anticipation of an assault on his right.”

    Endure.

    “The right flank has only one purpose—to hold back the Sipahis attempting to flank us. Their task is to tie down the charge that will inevitably target the center, even if only once.”

    I must endure.

    “In the meantime, the left flank will be divided into two units—one primarily infantry, the other cavalry. My cousin will lead the cavalry and attempt to maneuver around the enemy’s flank. Ivania, you will command the infantry. Pull back and maintain formation in the rear, making the enemy believe you are functioning as a reserve force while the cavalry, center, and right flank draw their attention.”

    I must endure.

    “And finally, when the center engages the enemy, Adrianos’ banner will fall. In case it is not clearly seen, a horn will also be sounded as a signal…”

    To protect, one must abandon.

    Feeling the weight of those words once again, the prince was forced to give the order he never wanted to utter.

    “…All forces except the center and right flank will commence retreat.”