Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Demon Core
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The cadets watching the spar between Golden Taeyang and Sin Bihyeong couldn't hide their awe.
"Is that really a standard fireball?"
"He's got a bloodline ability. Probably something specialized in fire attributes. But more than that... the Chief Student is insane."
"How's his movement like that? Is he specialized in hand-to-hand combat?"
At first, they thought that when they saw him dodging Golden Taeyang's fireball and scatter shot.
But it didn't take long to realize that impression was short-lived.
"...Is that right?"
"That looks like the basic spell Earth Wall... but what's with that power?"
The cadets were stunned, and the professors were equally shocked deep down.
'Earth Wall. A spell that makes the ground rise up like a wall.'
'It rose to about the same height as a normal Earth Wall, but that's where the similarity ends.'
The thickness was on another level.
It blocked a direct hit from Golden Taeyang's fireball—a bloodline ability holder's attack—and held firm. The density of the earth had clearly exceeded normal limits.
'Power surpassing Hierarchy Rank 1. Hasn't quite reached Rank 2 yet.'
'The most surprising part is he's not using a terminal.'
Even Golden Taeyang was using the basic talismans on his phone to cast spells.
But the Chief Student? No phone in hand. Just stomping the ground made the arena floor erupt.
The professors knew exactly what this meant.
'Completely grasping the principle of the spell and manifesting it in your mind.'
'It means mastery has reached its peak. You can cast it just by visualizing the talisman in your head.'
'A basic spell, learned on the spot? What insane talent.'
That level of skill wouldn't pale in comparison to a seasoned first-class exorcist.
And here was a brand-new cadet pulling it off.
A chill ran down their spines!
'...Even without full training, he's already this strong. What will he be like after graduating the academy?'
They all thought the same thing.
They were witnessing the birth of a titan who would shake the world.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 'Whew.'
After the spar ended, Bihyeong looked around.
The cadets were silent.
They just stared blankly at him and Golden Taeyang in turns, some shrinking back like startled turtles in fear.
'Did I go overboard?'
The thought crossed his mind for a second, but Bihyeong shook his head right away.
'Not at all.'
No one was dying anyway.
So, let it escalate as it would.
He couldn't hear the professors' voices, but seeing the barrier-like space around them meant they were reviewing the spar's circumstances.
'Now Golden Taeyang's family won't touch me or Mina.'
The academy would step in to protect them.
'Even a prestigious house can't mess with the academy.'
Because they were under the Korean Exorcist Association too.
Try touching them if they dared fall out of the Chairman's favor.
Satisfied, Bihyeong returned to his seat.
Even his confident stride suited the Chief Student perfectly, and the cadets finally started talking about him.
"Anyway... at that level, he could beat second-years, right?"
"Are you an idiot? Advancing a year requires at least a hierarchy rank up... Even the bottom second-year would wipe us all here."
"So you think that spell just now was only Rank 1?"
The cadets debated whether Bihyeong matched second-years.
'Heh, really.'
He couldn't help but chuckle.
Did they think second-years were some neighborhood dogs?
He sat in the back row of the coliseum-like arena.
Though the event was for him and Golden Taeyang, the professors said they'd continue spars if anyone else wanted.
'Might as well watch.'
His body was fatigued and craving rest, but these were his future rivals. Good to gauge their strength now.
Then, a voice rang in Bihyeong's ear.
"Bihyeong!"
Mina came running over and sat beside him.
"That was amazing! How did you do it!?"
Her eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.
And who could blame her?
Golden Taeyang, who had clung to the Vice-Chief without letting go.
Yet Bihyeong had toyed with him.
She hadn't expected such a gap between Chief and Vice-Chief.
Bihyeong picked up on her inner thoughts.
'I'm grateful for the high praise, but it wasn't that big a deal.'
He could toy with Golden Taeyang thanks to three conditions.
First, Golden Taeyang's inexperience.
'Any exorcist with real combat experience wouldn't let an opponent activate the mutual generation principle.'
They'd counter immediately.
If Bihyeong used a wood spell, fire would burn him right away.
'For a clan heir, what has he even learned?'
He clicked his tongue at the fallen Golden Taeyang.
'Second, Path to the Apex.'
The Derived Story effect expanded all 'techniques' potential.
Basic spells capped at Rank 1 now reached Rank 2.
That tiny difference let him outpower identical spells.
But all that was possible thanks to the arena's properties and his half-demon race.
'Burning stamina to fuel spells.'
That's where the half-demon cheat shone.
Superior stamina produced power rivaling heavy energy use.
Those three factors secured his win.
'Can't explain this.'
Bihyeong just smiled to brush it off.
But then.
'Huh?'
His head spun, consciousness blurring.
He unwittingly leaned on Mina's shoulder.
"Bi... Bihyeong...?"
Mina's trembling voice reached him.
Not just her voice—her shoulder quivered faintly too.
'Ah.'
Bihyeong had no time to worry.
'Stamina drain from the spar.'
Even as a half-demon, boosting spells with energy like that took its toll.
Lesson learned.
'Bothering Mina like this.'
He struggled to sit up.
Noticing, Mina's trembling stopped. She gently held his hand and whispered.
"It's okay. Rest if you're tired."
"...Thanks."
"No. Thank you."
She knew why he'd sparred Golden Taeyang.
It was for her.
Lending a shoulder was the least she could do.
"Lean as long as you need."
Her warm voice let Bihyeong relax into a brief rest.
It wasn't a real weakness, so this much was fine.
After a short while, his breathing evened out.
Each breath brushing her shoulder sent tingles through Mina's heart.
'Seriously... why does my heart race every time Bihyeong gets close?'
Her face flushed.
A moment later, recovered Bihyeong sat up.
'Ah... darn!'
Mina startled at her surge of disappointment.
What's wrong with these feelings...?
"Thanks. I got some rest because of you."
"Y-Yeah..."
"Wasn't too heavy?"
"N-No! Not heavy at all! Did you rest well? You need to be in top shape for tomorrow's class."
Bihyeong nodded at her words.
"Yeah. Tomorrow's class is important."
Right on cue, the professors finished tending the injured and announced tomorrow's schedule as the spars wrapped.
"Tomorrow is 'Weapon Selection'."
Weapon Selection.
Lending academy-owned weapons to cadets.
"Enter a monster's domain, find the distributed weapons, and pass their trials. Prepare thoroughly."
The lead professor grinned, hefting the massive bamboo staff on his back.
"This might not look like much, but it's top-tier. I got mine there."
Bihyeong's lips twitched slyly.
'Weapon Selection. The weapons there are growth types.'
They gain effects as their owner grows.
Variability is high, and late-game efficiency drops, so exorcists switch eventually.
'But great up to mid-ranks.'
Ranks 4 to 6.
Usable until you're established enough.
'Plus, there's a Hidden Piece in the selection area.'
Grabbing it changes early-game difficulty.
'Next story hasn't unlocked yet.'
Even after clearing [First Steps], no new story.
How long until settlement?
'Whatever. I'm seeing the ending.'
For that, he eyed the professor intently.
The professor yawned widely, then remembered something.
"Complete academy missions, rack up merits, and ownership transfers to you. Pick something that suits your style. Dismissed."
Tomorrow was shaping up to be exciting.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After the spars, the professor dismissed everyone.
No regular classes until Weapon Selection was done.
Bihyeong headed to the dorm's top floor as guided, awed by the luxury.
"Whoa..."
Worlds apart from that rundown villa on day one.
The facilities were top-notch, evoking a penthouse.
High-end interior, vast terrace overlooking the academy.
The kitchen had a delivery array: write ingredients or dishes, fridge fills automatically.
...This is the life.
"Duplex with tons of rooms."
Each room uniquely equipped.
Bihyeong headed to the bath.
A hot spring labeled Vitality Bath.
It stabilized body and blood flow when soaked.
He washed up, soaked warmly.
Ahh. Perfect.
Body melting luxuriously.
Once fatigue melted away, he ordered food, ate.
Washed well, ate well.
Sleep well, and it'd be peak god-life.
"Ahh. Living the dream."
Lying in the bedroom, he reviewed the day.
From entrance ceremony to library ban, spar with Golden Taeyang, self-assessment.
A perilous day.
"Most important left."
Bihyeong gazed into space.
Derived Story, [Proper Discipline].
Time to check the reward.
"Wager expands, huh."
Not a rank up.
Already EX-grade; nothing higher.
'Expansion means broader usage scope.'
He eagerly anticipated his Wager's new potential.
And the result was.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Derived Story, [Proper Discipline] reward settled. Bloodline Ability, 'Wager''s spectrum expands. Expanded Spectrum: Limit. Limit is always-active type. "Hm?"
What? Limit?
"Does that mean... wagering against myself?"
Probably auto-activates at one's limit.
'Not bad. Now, refine plans based on this...'
Thoughts trailed off as overwhelming drowsiness hit.
Overdid it earlier?
Bihyeong let it take him, eyes closing.
No solid plans formed in his half-asleep haze anyway.
Even breathing filled the bedroom.
He'd have pleasant dreams.
So he thought.
Bihyeong's eyes snapped open.
"...Huh?"
Not his bedroom.
A dilapidated subway car.
Right.
He'd woken in the Subway Monster's domain—the one he'd defeated.
"What? Sleepwalking?"
But before that, wasn't the Subway Monster exorcised?
Puzzled, he scanned around.
Then, beyond the mist, something massive stirred.
Sitting boldly on the tracks, unafraid of trains.
Up close, a wrecked subway beside its huge bulk.
A conductor's severed head rolling before it.
It grabbed the body with giant hands, tore it, swallowed.
'...Eating a monster?'
Chill surged; Bihyeong instinctively backed away.
That instant.
Whoosh!
The massive thing turned.
Ghostly blue flames in its eyes met his.
"...!"
He stifled a gasp, gritting teeth.
Thrust into this mess, at least stay sharp.
Pure willpower glaring down the behemoth.
Then Bihyeong jolted awake.
'...A dream?'
Cold sweat drenched him.
Eyelids still twitching.
"Just a dream, right?"
Haha. What a nightmare.
Did slaying the Subway Monster linger that deep?
"...Can't say that."
He faced the reality he'd ignored.
Lower abdomen.
Where his dantian hadn't formed yet, something stirred.
Ding!
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Monster, 'Endless Death Line' fully digested. 'Demon Core' forged.
