Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: This Isn't a Date
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What the hell is a rough sketch in drawing?
The roughest draft. Even cruder than a sketch—an underdrawing laid out in the barest basics.
So what's this supposed to be?
I could already draw and manifest basic stuff like fire or water just fine, but out of nowhere, a rough sketch?
It didn't seem like an attack skill, at least. I tried casting it while lounging on the sofa—
?
Nothing changed.
My mana drained away, but otherwise, it was shockingly unchanged.
Just to be sure, I tried swinging a brush through the air with Drawing, but as usual, only mana paint gathered—no trace of any image appearing.
What is this? No description either.
I was grunting and groaning, repeatedly casting Rough, when Dali flopped down in front of me, rolling onto his back to beg for pets.
That sneaky rub against me seemed like he wanted the magic stone I'd brought earlier, so I lightly tossed him the fist-sized one.
The magic stone arcing through the air.
And Dali, eyes gleaming, reaching for it.
That's when something odd happened in my vision.
Before Dali could even stretch upward, a faint-lined rough sketch of him reaching for the stone popped out ahead of him.
Then Dali followed that sketch exactly—stretching out to snag the stone in a perfect match.
'Precognition?'
It felt too sloppy for true foresight.
If it were precog, it should've shown Dali begging for pets too.
No other rough appeared as he chomped happily on the stone and patted his belly.
Hmm... Time for some tests.
Test subject: The white shadow looming over the magic stone.
Magic stone terrorizer. Magic stone slayer. White pig.
Various Rough reaction tests on Dali, bearer of those fearsome nicknames.
I peeled off an Antabol he loves and tossed it—same as before, a rough appeared, and he caught it. But no rough for licking his paws or rolling on the floor afterward.
Next: A fast surprise fastball!
The veteran outfielder Dali showed a rough of him leaning back, then smoothly caught it in his mouth.
A formidable foe.
To breach that ironclad defense, time for my ace move. Gripped the Antabol in both hands, quick right-hand feint!
The so-called fake toss—Dali's rough reached for empty air. He swiped at nothing too, shooting me a resentful glare.
Did it again the same way, and this time roughs showed both reaching out and wildly swinging his arm.
Followed the thicker-lined reaching rough for another swing and miss. Dali huffed, turning his back on me.
As an apology, I handed him a whole Antabol and compiled the data from the tests.
So, Rough is some kind of reaction prediction skill.
Not showing what a target will do like precog, but previewing what action it'll take in a given situation.
They sound similar, but the difference is clear when multiple actions overlap like that—it predicts different options based on the target's tendencies.
Probabilistic prediction. A skill that flashes for a split second.
'This is amazing.'
Not as good as true precog, but peeking at an opponent's moves even briefly is a huge advantage.
For example, against an orc great warrior.
If I saw it dodging under a pillar when I threw Flame, I could chain another Flame right there to cut off its escape.
No need to bother sending Dali to pin its feet or use a barrier to slam it with Crimson Flame Jewel.
Of course, seeing it doesn't mean I can always counter, but it's undeniably useful.
Leveled up again, huh.
Me, how strong am I gonna get?
Plus, hitting level 10 doubled all my existing stats outright.
This is why they say even one rank difference between B and A changes the power scale completely.
Tested it on the 5kg dumbbell I'd bought for exercise—
"Ugh, it's heavy..."
Just how low was this body's starting Strength?
I've steadily gained stats from levels, and now doubled on top, but still weaker than an average guy.
Feels like it started at 0, so no matter how much I pump, it won't hit double digits.
Frustration and lamentation seep out at my rock-bottom physical level.
Ah, even the strongest have their flaws?
A fatal weakness, maybe.
Separate from getting a great skill, it stung that my raw physical power was so lacking.
...Guess I have no choice but to use this.
With grim resolve, I bit my lip.
This one thing.
I swore I'd never pick it up.
I grabbed the 0.5kg pink dumbbell from the set.
Familiar nicks popped up, but the Trash Hunter I wanted never showed. Tch, that coward.
The guy couldn't even keep his own word. What a shame.
Before heading to the meeting spot Cheon I-ryeong texted, I quickly posted on Tower Gallery, then checked the mirror.
Light slacks, white short-sleeve tee, light sky-blue shirt. Even casual wear turned model-esque thanks to my looks.
The problem was the stares following me from home, onto the subway, and even now.
Bleached hair must be super trendy—mine's common on streets now—but eyes still grazed me.
My mugshot leak? Nah... Probably just 'cause I'm cute.
Even objectively, this face was cheat-level perfect. I'd stare too, thinking child actor or something.
But this every outing is a hassle.
Maybe get a license?
Searching car models online, I arrived at the spot where Cheon I-ryeong was waiting first.
"Iroha! Over here!"
"Guild Master...?"
Unexpected.
Cheon I-ryeong from Heavenly Flame Guild felt like a flashy red rose, but now she was tulip vibes.
Her neat outfit made her seem calmer, softer. She smiled brightly.
"Look different? I dress plain outside—fewer stares, more comfy... Not good?"
"No, it's elegant and pretty!"
"Elegant? Hehe, thanks."
Not flattery—this suited her better than the over-the-top glamour. She seemed relaxed too, her natural aura enhancing her looks.
"Shall we hit a cafe first?"
"Yeah, sounds good."
The place she led me to wasn't hunter-exclusive private, but spacious with tasteful partition sculptures here and there.
"Private spots draw more eyes, so I picked here. Hunter-only places... Might cause issues."
True—me, a silver-haired girl, walking into a hunter haunt screams "adult here!" ad.
"Thanks for considering. But are you okay? Shouldn't you rest more...?"
"All thanks to you, Iroha. Bored stiff lying around when I'm fine."
She shuddered like it still creeped her out, subtly leaning toward me while clinking her latte ice.
"Really grateful. You threw yourself into danger for me... No magi corrosion?"
Huh? Yeah, I went in to save her... But not just for her—circumstances aligned.
Whatever. Nodded with a smile, and roses bloomed on her face.
"No corrosion."
Probably the lung sting from first entering the gate—that Overpainting wiped quick.
"Good... Worried high-rank gate might corrode you. Chief Secretary said you're fine, but seeing confirms it."
"What's magi corrosion exactly?"
"Haven't had gate basics yet? Gates overflow with magi. Normals resist down a rank, but it builds up. You're special, though."
"Sounds bad if it builds."
Name alone ominous. Like cancer?
"Heavy buildup warps mind first—memory loss, impulse control gone, personality shifts. Hunters clear gates fast for cash and early retirement."
Sensitive issue.
Explains why hunters obsess over territories and gates.
"Anyway, Iroha. What'd you wanna say? I have a guess—"
"You... heard? About me..."
Here it comes.
Her mood wilted instantly.
Her prized recruit gone in a flash—no fault, but felt guilty anyway.
"Joining the Association... It's fine! Your choice matters."
Cheon I-ryeong brightened again.
"You saved our guild—what more could I want? Terms okay? Checked the contract fine print?"
"Yeah, more than fair. Thanks for understanding, Guild Master."
"Overkill for you. Could give half the country and it'd be short. But... Keep calling me Guild Master? Outside eyes—how 'bout sis?"
Huh? Sis? Tough ask. Switched topics quick.
"Oh, Minister Jin Tae-san wants a meet via me... Yeah, awkward. Sorry, ignore it."
Top guild master poached by Korea's power player. Greedy minister.
"Association head... might work..."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing! I'll handle the minister. Anyway... Shopping time."
"Huh?"
"Boys' clothes? What's that. Chief Secretary was right to worry. You said sorry, so join me as payback."
"Eek?"
Cheon I-ryeong's eyes gleamed oddly as she grabbed my wrist.