98
Ch.98 I Want to Try
"I’m looking forward to it… A combat guide from Quake."
"I even switched from being a villain to a hero because of this."
"Even if you’re not a student, as long as you’re a superpower human or a hero, you can attend the class. Kage really is something else."
"Strictly speaking, isn’t he more of Meister? The very necessity of such facilities…"
Amidst the murmuring crowd of superpower humans moving through the hallway—
A man with red-tinted hair, a body sporadically sparking with uncontrolled embers, hands encased in tough exoskeleton, about the same height as me.
Here, even I look like just another ordinary superpower human.
Yeo Woon-jae, who had stepped out into the hallway first, walked flanked by two A-rank heroes.
Bodyguards? The heroes maintained their vigilance toward ordinary superpower humans who weren’t heroes or students.
Shortly after, we arrived at a room labeled Combat Training, where Yeo Woon-jae placed a chair in a corner and sat down.
"Now, shall we take a look at everyone’s abilities first?"
"Please take care of us!"
The students stepped forward before the superpower humans, showcasing their abilities one by one in front of Yeo Woon-jae.
The older ones among them demonstrated abilities with power equivalent to C-rank—telekinesis targeting empty space, ice blades, branching lightning strikes, and simple punches.
"Hmm, well done. Next, shall we see what the heroes and superpower humans can show us?"
"Hehe, never thought I’d get to display my abilities in front of Quake."
This time, B-rank abilities—some teetering on the edge of A-rank.
Each ability resonated with intense shockwaves that shook the hall.
Among them, one who appeared to be just an ordinary superpower human pretended to make a mistake and let his ability slip toward Yeo Woon-jae.
"Ah, my apologies."
"...Please be more careful next time."
Ping! The wind blade that had flown stealthily was blocked—not by Yeo Woon-jae, but by the two A-rank heroes standing beside him.
The man who had fired the ability at Yeo Woon-jae chuckled as he returned to his seat.
"Guess the rumors are true—a wannabe is still a wannabe. Can’t even react."
The students frowned at the sight of the man mocking the aged Yeo Woon-jae, while the heroes watched with interest.
Despite clearly being an idol-like figure to these people, there was no particular hostility toward him.
Is this really okay?
"Next, A-rank superpower human, Park Deun-deun."
"Park Deun-deun…?"
"Is that really someone’s name?"
"An A-rank superpower human?"
When my name was called, I walked out from among the crowd into the hall.
The empty space. I locked eyes with Yeo Woon-jae for a moment before raising my fist to head height.
Then, a single light punch.
Bang! With the sound of air bursting, a shockwave flew forward.
"You bastard!"
"What the hell are you doing?!"
"It’s fine."
The A-rank heroes, slow to react, barely managed to block my shockwave right in front of Yeo Woon-jae.
Oddly, though they had merely frowned earlier, this time their anger flared to the extreme.
From among them, Yeo Woon-jae raised his prosthetic arm to calm them, then added commentary—something he hadn’t done for the other superpower humans.
"Pure physical strength… Interesting. Next."
As I returned to the group of superpower humans, I focused my senses on Yeo Woon-jae.
Just now, he had reacted to my attack.
His rapidly moving gaze, wide-open eyes, the faint ripple of his ability spreading.
He hadn’t dodged because he judged that the A-rank heroes could block it easily.
But if he had wanted to, he could have dodged.
"Now, I’ll pair you up with opponents of similar skill."
During the ensuing sparring session, the drones flying around all returned to their owners, guiding them to suitable matches.
"Then, let’s proceed with sparring in order. Remember, the goal is not to kill your opponent."
Following the drone’s guidance, the humans stepped forward and displayed their abilities in front of Yeo Woon-jae and the A-rank heroes.
Regardless of rank, all the superpower humans exchanged attacks capable of inflicting fatal wounds on each other.
The superpower humans here were at least Terror-class, equivalent to monsters.
Any misstep would mean instant death.
But just before the attacks landed, the heroes beside Yeo Woon-jae intervened, stopping the fights to prevent injuries.
"Your attack patterns are good. However, your footing lacks power."
"Try targeting blind spots more. Stealth is the strength of your ability."
"Compensating for your ability’s output is a good idea, but your attacks are too monotonous."
"Th-thank you!"
Yeo Woon-jae gave feedback to each student and hero, suggesting areas for improvement.
By the time I had yawned about eleven times out of boredom, it was the turn of the superpower human who had secretly fired an ability at Yeo Woon-jae earlier.
The B-rank superpower human, introducing himself as Kang Chi-soo, clad himself in armor of wind and pummeled the hero he was paired with.
"Hey, I came here because this class was supposed to be taught by Yeo Woon-jae, not for some joke of a lesson!"
"Kgh, ugh…"
"I heard rumors we could even fight Yeo Woon-jae himself. What, doesn’t he have the strength left? Washed-up old man."
Dodging attacks aimed at him while amplifying his own—a combat-focused ability utilization.
As the man’s wind-wreathed fists clashed with a loud pang! pang! Sounds, the heroes and students around me buzzed with murmurs.
"What’s his deal? Is he insane?"
"Ex-villain, after all. So rude."
"I heard there was someone like that last time, too."
"Even if they register as superpower humans, villains are still villains. Their mindset is just different from ours."
"Villains are predictable. They probably think if they take down old man Yeo Woon-jae now, the spotlight will shine on them as the superpower human who defeated Quake."
"Hah…"
Amidst the superpower humans’ whispers, Yeo Woon-jae smiled leisurely and signaled the A-rank hero beside him with a glance.
"Of course, if you wish, you may spar with me. However, you must first defeat my disciples."
"Disciples?"
"As you’ve pointed out, my body isn’t in the best condition, so I limit my sparring sessions… I only spar once a day, and only with those strong enough to defeat my disciples."
"Hah, so you’re just scared to fight me, huh? I get it, you’re old and weak. But don’t hide behind your disciples—fight me yourself."
"...A-rank hero, Vibe. Ability: Hyper Vibration."
A woman with tightly bound hair stepped in, ignoring the man’s disrespectful words.
From her practical-looking pants pocket, she drew a telescopic baton and swung it.
Chwak! The extended baton, infused with her ability, formed transparent blade-like projections along its length.
"Hey, wait. You’re making me fight an A-rank hero? Trying to kill me?"
"Mr. Kang Chi-soo, this is only a spar. No killing."
Faced with an A-rank hero, the man coated his arms with rapidly spinning wind blades and took a defensive stance.
The woman sighed, then slid across the ground, closing the distance and slashing the man’s arm with her baton.
Sshhk! A quiet slicing sound, followed by blood gushing from the deep wound in his arm, where his ability had been severed.
"Gaaah!"
"Mr. Kang Chi-soo, your ability’s output is lacking for your rank. Your control and stealth are excellent, but… In a direct confrontation, you’d lose to someone even a tier below you."
"Y-you call this a spar?! You cut me this deep!"
"Superpower humans don’t die from that. Here, try focusing your ability more to block the attack. If you can interfere properly, you can reduce the damage."
As the man, now drenched in blood, collapsed, medics rushed in from the corner.
Pouring treatment fluid on his wounds and loading him onto a stretcher, the medics quickly carried him away.
Once the man was gone, the superpower humans burst into applause.
The woman named Vibe bowed politely.
The superpower humans, seemingly accustomed to bloodshed, paid no attention to the black blood splattered on the floor.
"Now then… Next is A-rank superpower human, Mr. Park Deun-deun."
My turn. I stepped forward at the call.
"A-rank superpower human…?"
"If he’s a superpower human, that means he’s unaffiliated, right?"
"There’s an A-rank superpower human?"
"Is his name really Park Deun-deun?"
Amidst the murmurs of superpower humans, heroes, and students, one hero stepped forward and stood before me.
"B-rank hero, Gravity."
"Park Deun-deun."
The man gulped, then activated his ability, pressing down on the space around me.
Sensing the flavor of his ability, I realized what it was—
Weight Manipulation, a unique form of telekinesis specialized in one direction.
"Haap!"
Reducing his own weight momentarily, the man dashed across the ground, then increased his weight as he threw a punch at me.
A close-range attack leveraging the fact that ability output intensifies near the core.
Not a bad application. I raised one hand and caught his fist.
"Eh, wha— Agh, ah!"
Crunch. Gripping the telekinetic force enveloping his fist, I swung him lightly and slammed him into the floor.
Boom! The man, who had increased his weight, took the full brunt of the impact, convulsing.
Briefly stunned, he reflexively tried to throw another punch upon regaining consciousness, but another A-rank hero rushed in to block it.
"...Shifting weight instantaneously to amplify destructive power. The body is protected by telekinesis… Impressive. With proper timing, you could multiply speed and weight to deliver a devastating blow."
Yeo Woon-jae, halting the spar that had ended in an instant, offered advice to the man.
"However, if the power is insufficient like just now, or if the timing is read by the opponent, your ability becomes a weakness. Your ability seems better suited for defensive use. Consider ways to reduce the impact of your opponent’s attacks."
"Th-thank you…"
As the hero I had faced stood up and bowed, the heroes and students buzzed again.
"His ability usage was good, but he’s still A-rank after all."
"The output itself is on another level—makes the fight look dull."
"But… Why is he just standing there?"
Even after easily defeating one, I didn’t return to the group of superpower humans but remained standing still.
Yeo Woon-jae and the A-rank heroes focused their gazes on me, and Yeo Woon-jae shared his thoughts.
"Hmm… Mr. Park Deun-deun, that was quite impressive. You must possess a unique ability… Purely enhancing physical strength, it seems."
"Spare me the advice."
As I clenched my fist, the woman who had defeated the other superpower human earlier drew her telescopic baton again.
Her eyes said she had expected this. Yeo Woon-jae smiled faintly and spoke.
"So, Mr. Park Deun-deun, you also wish to spar with me."
"Correct."
"Still, much more polite than the earlier one… Very well. My disciples first."
"W-what?!"
"Wind?!"
Before Yeo Woon-jae could finish, Boom! I threw a proper punch into the air, and a fist-shaped shockwave flew clearly toward the woman.
Splitting the shockwave with her bladed baton, the woman charged at me.
I dodged her strike with light footwork, then grabbed her head as she crossed past me.
"Ghk— Kyaa!"
Slamming her head into the ground, Crunch! The floor cratered from the impact.
When I released her, she lay dazed, blood trickling from her nose.
The training hall fell silent in shock. Yeo Woon-jae burst into laughter and clapped.
"D-did you see that? He took down an A-rank hero in an instant."
"Park Deun-deun, was it? What the hell is that superpower human?"
"Magnificent. Raw power, speed, fearless resolve against blades. And turning the moment of attack into a counter—feral yet brilliant."
"Ugh…"
Staggering to her feet, the woman sheathed her baton and bowed her head.
Amidst the silent heroes, another hero beside Yeo Woon-jae stepped forward.
Short hair, small frame—I thought it was a man, but the scent told me it was another woman.
"Wave. Ability: Waveform."
"A woman."
"...Shut your mouth."
Does she hate being called a woman?
As the woman stomped the ground, Thud! A ripple of ability spread from her feet, creating a strange pressure.
Then, all sound vanished.
My vision distorted—not from brain interference, but from illusions manipulating light itself.
Silently, the woman closed in and thrust her palm toward my abdomen.
"Wha—?!"
Using a monster’s unique senses, I located her and met her palm with my own hand.
A shockwave erupted from her small hand, half the size of mine, sending vibrations through my body, making it ache deeply.
This… Feels refreshing.
An attack that would have been fatal to a human. Even for a monster, it would’ve been significant if it had landed properly.
I gripped her hand, about to swing her around—
"That’s enough."
Yeo Woon-jae clapped, stopping the fight.
I halted mid-swing, spinning her in the air instead.
As she landed in my arms, she slapped her palm against my chest and released her ability.
"Let— Let go!"
A considerable impact, but no damage to me.
I wanted to take a few more hits for that refreshing feeling, but reluctantly, I set her down.
Meanwhile, Yeo Woon-jae removed his upper garment, his prosthetic arm whirring as he stepped toward me.
Giiing— The wrist joint rotated once, then chik, chik, as each segment unlocked.
His steps were unsteady, but his demeanor relaxed as he took a stance before me—an unusual posture, unlike anything I’d seen from monster-fighting heroes.
"Perfect. This will make for a good teaching moment for the students as well."
Yeo Woon-jae, in the same stance I’d seen on TV as a child, drew upon his ability.