Battle Preparation
“Ack!”
As I twisted her wrist, Kim Yun-ju dropped the butterfly knife. She's an info specialist who transferred into the second semester of first year last year, splitting classes by major. In other words, she's a rear-support type Shangju with barely any combat training. That gap she exploited to take me down was just a one-off lucky shot—she probably didn't even believe she could actually do anything to me.
“I get your pride as a senior, so just come down already.”
I let go of her wrist and reached for her slender waist to lift her up, but Kim Yun-ju hurriedly wrapped her uniform in texture mapping. The rough fiber texture was palpable. Touchable graphics. Experiencing it firsthand, it was a pretty amazing ability.
I lifted her feather-light body and set her down on the floor, then got up from the waterbed. I hoped she'd learned that charging at me in the domain of the blond tanned delinquent's waterbed wasn't the smartest move.
“Ha. As expected, you're no pushover.”
Thankfully, Kim Yun-ju hung her head obediently.
“Fighting isn't even your specialty—why go for something that doesn't suit you?”
“If some stranger comes at me out of nowhere, exposing my secrets and threatening me, wouldn't you get pissed too?”
I picked up the fallen “butterfly knife” from the floor and handed it to her. A bra pad overlaid with the graphics of a butterfly knife via mapping. It still held a bit of warmth from her grip moments ago.
“Hand it over.”
Kim Yun-ju snatched it and sprang to her feet, kicking off the floor. Was it the humiliation that flipped her switch? Her body trembled with it.
“Senior Yun-ju. High-leg suits you better than low-rise.”
The blond tanned delinquent's true nature slipped out of my mouth in a single line.
“What?”
Caught off guard by my nonsense, both she and I froze. How the hell do I salvage this mood? Even as I thought that, my tongue went rogue.
“Let's go pick some out together next time.”
Yeah, double collision.
“...Fine.”
“Pardon?”
Her unexpected reply threw me for a loop this time. Was she always like this?
“You got me curious now. About Argo.”
“Oh, that.”
“What'd you expect? You opened your mouth so confidently, so you must have some leads or at least know where to start.”
“You think I'd come to you without even that much?”
Kim Yun-ju eyed me like she was appraising an item's value. Argo was the one city she couldn't crack—its foundation board, teachers, and the inaccessible internal ship facilities all teased her curiosity endlessly.
I planned to use her help to uncover the hidden opportunities lurking in those gaps, getting us closer to a happier ending.
“Let me warn you upfront: forget about using me as your plaything.”
“Don't talk bullshit. When did I ever—”
“It's not scary 'cause you haven't tried it yet!”
“No, what haven't I tried, and why isn't it scary?”
“Dirty stuff!”
-Smack! A brutal backhand to my shoulder.
“Get out!”
Kim Yun-ju shoved a thick envelope of documents into my chest and issued her eviction order.
I stepped into the hallway and opened it to find a club activity guide for new members.
“So damn prickly.”
The process wasn't smooth, but it looked like I'd been accepted as a club member. She'd even hinted at cooperating for now, so dragging others in shouldn't be an issue. Her secret? I'd keep it safe, no sweat.
<Were you quick on the draw?>
I glanced toward the voice and saw Gemma smirking down at my waist.
“You saw? Huh?”
<Nah. It's been less than three minutes since I popped out... Pfft.>
I scowled at her nonsense and looked down—viscous fluid clung to my pant leg—no, fuck!
-Plop!
I brushed it off with my hand, and it turned to motes of light, scattering into the air.
“She got me good.”
Who'd have thought she'd use texture mapping like that. Was it my imagination, or did I hear stifled laughter from inside the clubroom?
Part of me wanted to fling her back onto the waterbed and spank that ass, but Gemma spotted it first and saved me the embarrassment, so I'd let it slide today...
“That thorny bitch, I'll—”
No way in hell. Even if it meant getting dirtied up, I'd grind my relationship rank with Jeong Da-un for sure. If I could snag a blessing of “impenetrable fortress” from Jeong Do-jeon, stripping off her texture mappings on a sunny day in the training field would be child's play.
Someday, I'd get revenge delinquent-style.
With that vow, I headed home.
Kim Yun-ju's impression of you has changed to 'Dangerous Man'.
Relationship Rank 1
Relationship Bonus: Conditional Cooperation
Can access Kim Yun-ju's Spirit Lord Transformation 'Dae Dong Yeo Ji Map' via Artificial Relic Contact Lenses. Level 1 Permission 'Real-Time Ancestor Power Communication' unlocked.
Time flew by to Friday, March 17th.
After joining the Map Club, Gemma and I had been pretty busy. I lured U Hyo-chung in with the excuse of a super-pretty senior who looks stunning without her glasses, and tossed a bait to the friendless Mun Hee-jeong who wanders alone.
Meanwhile, Gong In-myeong—that guy—asked me out of nowhere if I had any clubs I was interested in. No clue what his angle was, so I held off on answering.
Another notable thing: confirming Yeom Jin-gwan's second deal. I waited at the meetup spot again and overheard their talk. Unlike the first, he handed over extra cash and begged the Bastards operative for a third flowerpot sooner.
A slight deviation from the game flow. The terror timing seemed advanced.
In the game, if the Incense Soul passed through Baek Je-in to Baek Yu-min, he wouldn't run for class president. Him bribing friends to snag the role now? He couldn't blackmail Baek Je-in for the info he wanted: detailed faculty schedules shared only with class and student council officers. He stood out to get it, and I'd exploit that.
Sounds like I just poked around people instead of putting in real effort, but nah. These past few days, I'd diligently attended Jeong Da-un and Jang Han-nam's advanced classes, picking up new—
“Next. U Hyo-chung, Kim Taeyang. To your positions.”
Jang Han-nam's voice boomed from the spectator speakers.
“Why'd it have to be with bro...”
U Hyo-chung muttered with a tired face.
“Get up. Don't wanna get hit with the water ink brush again for being late.”
“This is the training ground; Instructor Tank probably won't bring chalk or water brushes here.”
“I'm just saying hurry up. Use your brain a bit.”
<What a clueless asshole. Being a dick again.>
Tell me about it. I wanted to beat his ass too.
“See you.”
I turned to see Mun Hee-jeong silently giving a small wave goodbye. I nodded back and headed into the training ground with U Hyo-chung.
<Sweet. Let's dust that birdbrain and old-timer good.>
Today's class was in Training Ground 3, mimicking a city street. Subject: interpersonal combat. Opponent: U Hyo-chung, as you can see.
Not as tough as Shin Sua maybe, but the guy's got stamina and tenacity for days.
“Go easy on me, bro.”
Bro my ass. I cracked my knuckles subtly and eyed him. Neither he nor the young-looking U Jeong-guk spirit beside him seemed fazed. He was just play-acting weakness—his face mixed tension and confidence half-half.
Truth is, in pure 1v1, U Hyo-chung's no slouch, and he knows it.
“Quit whining.”
-Clank!
U Hyo-chung pulled two pairs of handcuffs from his pocket, gripping them like knuckle dusters.
“Busted, huh?”
“If you wanted me off-guard, at least pretend to be scared.”
“Haha. Doesn't suit this build anyway.”
“Good, then I'll beat your ass now.”
The moment I drew the blade from my cane, the whistle blew, signaling the spar's start.
-Zzzt!
The cuffs glowed as U Hyo-chung charged like lightning. Footwork mixed with weaves.
-Whoosh! Whoosh!
Clean punches from the game rained down. Top-tier physique inherited from his Interpol ace grandpa and gym-owner dad, honed by his own grind.
<More solid than expected. Pull back distance first.>
“Got it.”
Xavier's upgraded British martial art Bartitsu shines more offensively than defensively, but to overcome physical gaps, you control distance and hunt openings.
“Not easy, huh.”
“You too.”
Dodging his fists took serious effort. Using Gemma's trait “Master Thief's Movement” for quick retreats, but the 190cm afro giant stepped in fast every time.
“Let's see how long you dodge.”
“Gotta run till you tire out, right?”
Not some horror flick.
“Who's Jason?”
“Don't you hear you look like hockey mask guy all the time?”
“You're done. Plastic surgery time today.”
“Says who.”
I was dodging and trash-talking lightly when Gemma signaled.
<Now! Up!>
As U Hyo-chung shoved me toward a building and went for a tackle, I leaped high, planted my foot on the wall. Converted Gemma's ancestor power to ectoplasm. Stuck to the wall, I defied gravity and ran upward.
“When did you—?!”
“You learned it sleeping in theory class.”
-Thud!
Released ectoplasm at good height, free-falling. Swordstick aimed at his crown.
<Hyat-fuuu!>
Gemma, pent-up from U Hyo-chung's antics since half a batch ago, let out a bloodthirsty cheer.
-Boom!
“Ngh!”
He crossed arms to block the blade.
-Spark!
Ancestor power sparks scattered. We both used advanced Spirit Descent apps from Jang Han-nam's class: Spirit Communion and Rigid Body Technique. Enhancing mediums and bodies.
“Heavy. Been pumping iron?”
One of the tricks I'd learned to repurpose the swordstick post-Passepartout—pretty confident strike, but he blocked easier than expected.
“You're hitting hard too.”
“Saw you beat Shin Sua—got me fired up!”
-Kwang!
His swing flung me back, but I twisted midair, landed, leaped again.
-Taat!
Quick thrust at his throat this time. Direct hit— or so I thought.
“Don't telegraph against a boxer.”
His reaction was faster than expected. Ducked low, planted firmly. His “Unwanted Luck” trait helping?
“Spirit Lord Transformation—”
On perfect concrete, he assumed pro-level stance and slammed an uppercut into my shoulder as I charged straight with blade raised.
“Lucky Strike...!”
-Thud!
Handcuffs on his fist connected, and massive cuffs erupted from the ground, locking my shoulder.
“One more!”
Before I hit pavement, a diet-video shout and second hit to my side.
“Guhk!”
Pain surged as bigger cuffs bound my waist. His Spirit Lord Transformation, Lucky Strike: chance to cuff and pin struck spots. Normally under 10%, but his luck nailed two in a row.
Forgot. Burned out from endless loops, I'd steamrolled with DPS, ignoring him—but U Hyo-chung was a top-tier tank at rooting foes.
<Don't just take it—do something!>
Gemma yelled mid-Spirit Descent, but—
“And... last!”
His fist was already at my nose. Split-second lapse + his luck = defeat.
Everyone'd think so.
But.
“Passepartout.”
-Click!
Unlocked the cuffs, his missed punch grazed my temple.
-Spurt!
Small cut, blood trickled. Ignored the warm trail down my cheek, sheathed the blade back into the cane. Gemma's power surged again.
-Zzzt!
A shotgun overlaid the cane in an instant. Heavy sheen contrasting silver Passepartout: double-barrel with bayonet. My new second Spirit Lord Transformation.
“...Joking, right?”
“Nope.”
Bro. Before he finished—
-Click -Bang!
Slug round of spirit and ancestor power blasted his forehead.
-Crack -Thud
Artificial relic shattered instead of fatal, afro hit pavement and smeared.
“Winner: Kim Taeyang.”
Jang Han-nam's voice over speakers ended the spar.
“Whoa, when'd you learn to use two?!”
U Hyo-chung, out cold for five minutes, woke up thrilled despite the loss, pounding my back excitedly.
“During Da-un's classes, my original Spirit Lord Transformation evolved with restrictions. Picked up another manifestation type.”
“Dude, that's not easy. Even for a special lineage holder, that power in days? Insane.”
I waved it off as luck to dodge more hassle. As Jeong Da-un said, adding one wasn't hard. Inspired by his fan-wind, I thought matching medium image boosts power—chose bayonet shotgun resembling the cane. Synced well for high output.
Trophy reward boosted the power itself—that, plus catching him open, downed him in one.
Still, just barely combat-viable. Stronger than day one, sure, but far to go. Real foes ahead won't all drop to one shotgun blast.
<Quit staring so obvious. He might notice.>
“Got it.”
Only then did I realize I'd been glaring at Yeom Jin-gwan. His opponent, wielding a spear with a huge flag: Mun Hee-jeong.
She'd housed ancestor spirit Mun Ik-jeom in her ever-present hedgehog keychain doll. The giant doll lacked lethality but was cute, stuffed with ancestor-power cotton that shielded her effectively from attacks.
<Weaker than expected?>
“Yeom Jin-gwan?”
<Yeah. Real terrorist? Not even hiding strength...>
As Gemma noted, their fight sucked. Mun Hee-jeong played defensive, unaware of her powers' depth; Yeom lacked the punch to break it. Sloppy spear swings, weak Spirit Descent output.
<Pathetic. All connections, no skill—scrambling for position.>
“Dunno if that's all.”
Gemma underestimated him, but I knew.
“Might not need to fight himself. Terrorism's never solo, any era.”
He had the chops to wreck Argo massively.
“Complacency's suicide. Finish all prep before he moves.”
So I'd go all-out, alone or with help, to crush his plan.