Chapter 23
Chapter 23
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 23
Chapter Title: Mock Reverse World (2)
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Before heading to the training grounds.
Thankfully, a few people had left their gear back at the dorms, so we were told to wait in the classroom.
Kang Cheol-su then instructed everyone to check their equipment, announcing we'd depart in ten minutes.
Seizing the opportunity, I asked him if it was possible to get live ammo.
Unfortunately, his response was a troubled scratch at the scar on his forehead.
"Top rank, sorry, but the academy doesn't issue live rounds right now. Or more precisely, they don't handle them at all."
"Honestly, even the firearms in the training grounds were stocked back when the academy was first established. They're relics without a single magic engraving."
"The only reason they haven't rusted away is because a few production department members with an interest in guns have been maintaining them diligently."
"So if you want live ammo, go see the production department's instructor after training. She's one of the ones I mentioned who cares about those guns—she'll welcome you if you say it's about firearms."
"Just a heads up, unlike the rubber bullets that are mass-produced as supplies, live rounds require a custom order, so you'll need money."
……I'd only asked one simple question: 'Can I get live ammo?'
Yet Kang Cheol-su, as if he had nothing better to do for those ten minutes, suddenly turned into a chatterbox and unloaded a ton of info.
Still, it wasn't useless, so I listened quietly and walked away with the key intel: visit the production department's instructor for live ammo production.
'Got the info, that's good.'
But the bullets for the Backside World are still just rubber rounds, huh.
No matter that the mock Backside World monsters are made for training.
No matter that real Backside World monsters aren't that strong.
They're still monsters.
Rubber bullets won't kill them.
'No good.'
Since it's come to this.
'Time to ride the team bus.'
I'll be the passenger.
…That's the plan, anyway.
But I have zero intention of actually doing it.
'Better scout ahead.'
If I can't take them down, have the team do it.
With that in mind, I got permission from Kang Cheol-su and grabbed a bunch of training firearms, rubber bullets, and various consumables from the training grounds.
Or more accurately, I swept the place clean.
'Inventory looks nice now.'
Just a few days ago, it had been so empty.
Now it was so full, just looking at it made me grin.
'The top rank here took care of all the malignant stock, so rest easy.'
But for some reason.
I had a feeling someone was screaming in agony.
Like, say, the supply staff……?
'Nah, just my imagination.'
Yeah, definitely.
&
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"We're here."
We arrived at the training grounds under Instructor Kang Cheol-su's guidance.
Right now, we stood before a massive dome-shaped building plopped in the middle of a wide plain.
"Before entering the mock Backside World, we'll form groups."
Kang Cheol-su said that and started fiddling with the hologram on his smart watch.
"Groups will be three per team, with the highest-ranked member as leader."
"Then, Instructor, how are the groups assigned?"
Someone in the crowd shot up their hand with the question.
"I'll handle the assignments properly, so don't worry."
Kang Cheol-su added, It's not like I checked your skills for nothing.
The hand that asked slowly lowered.
"Ah, shoulda made the group list yesterday."
Kang Cheol-su grumbled about getting too caught up in workouts, then finally said,
"Making the group chart will take a bit, so rest up in the meantime."
He ordered a break disguised as waiting.
Thud.
Kang Cheol-su plopped down first, and the others followed suit—sitting where they stood, stretching out a bit away, loosening up however.
And among them, the most eye-catching one was.
Click.
Lee Seo-yeon, of course.
'……What the hell is she doing?'
She'd spread out some unknown leather on the ground and started disassembling a pistol.
Feeling a headache coming on, I approached her.
"…What're you doing?"
I knew what it looked like.
But… it was so absurd.
The words slipped out reflexively as I got close.
She glanced up at me briefly, then back down to keep disassembling, answering,
"…Disassembling gun."
"……Why?"
"…To understand."
Ah, to understand it, gotcha.
I looked down at Lee Seo-yeon, who was breaking it down and reassembling at lightning speed, with complicated eyes.
'What do I even do with her….'
Should I just tell her the truth?
You have the talent Sword Prodigy, so no guns—pick up a sword, no exceptions.
'But would she even believe me?'
And even if she did, she'd question how I knew the details of her talent.
This world has no system like mine to casually check stats, talents, skills, items.
People here can't see their own stats. They figure out talents and skills through self-realization or skills like Insight or magic like Appraisal.
But Insight and Appraisal only give vague effects, not names or full details.
For example.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
『Transfer (F)』 Transfers possessed items to a desired location. - Transfers possessed items to a location within 1m radius. - Cannot transfer into living organisms.
My system shows my skills in full detail like that.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Ability: Skill] Transfers items to a desired location.
But Insight or Appraisal only shows something vague like that.
Appraisal magic can check items too, so it's mainly used via scrolls or gear engraved with it to verify item effects.
Anyway, superhumans, villains, fallen—everyone only knows rough effects and counts of their talents and skills, never the names.
Well, they might guess roughly, but not precisely.
Honestly, I only know because I grinded Arena Academy like a vet. Otherwise, I'd be clueless about top students' stats, talent grades, skill effects.
System lets me see items, but not others' stats, talents, skills.
So I need to buy Insight.
Even as a game vet, I don't know every talent and skill.
Insight is essential, not optional.
'As I recall, Insight is B-grade.'
Yesterday, B-grades were 80,000 points in the shop.
Just 40,000 more and I can buy it.
Decision made.
'Alright, I'll tell her.'
Reveal her talent and its effects.
The complicated feeling vanished instantly.
Once she knows about Sword Prodigy, she'll get why no guns.
"Lee Seo-yeon."
"……?"
I called her seriously, and she paused assembly, looking up.
"You know how to put up a mana barrier?"
"…Mana barrier?"
"Yeah, that."
"…Yeah, I can."
"I've got something important to tell you, so could you put one up?"
"…Okay."
She tilted her head but complied.
She swung her mana-charged hand through the air, and the space around us shimmered like hot haze.
We were a bit away from the group, so unless someone used a talent or skill to peek, no one would overhear.
"…Did it."
Her eyes asked What's this important thing? as I sat on the leather she'd laid out and said what I'd planned.
"Remember what I said at the training grounds this morning?"
"……."
She nodded slightly, eyes flicking to the gun, like she guessed where this was going.
I pressed on.
"Good. What I want to say hasn't changed. You shouldn't use guns."
"……Why?"
Her calm, drawling voice sharpened a bit at the end, turning snappish.
She wasn't just confused—she was annoyed.
Sure, if the guy who beat you just says Don't use that weapon without explaining, it'd sound like bullshit.
So this time, I'd explain why.
"Your talent doesn't match guns at all."
"…My talent?"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Lee Seo-yeon's talent, 「Sword Prodigy (S)」, tilts its head.]
'……What the hell is this.'
Wait, system, now talents are emoting too?
I was baffled by the sudden message but kept my cool in front of her and continued.
"Yeah, your talent. You don't know its name, right?"
"…My talent's name? How do you know that?"
She stared, utterly lost.
Didn't matter.
I'd lay out the facts and convince her why no guns.
"Your talent is called Sword Prodigy. Effect: When wielding a sword, it massively boosts your actions, and you learn and refine opponents' sword techniques through combat and defeats. That's your talent."
"……."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Lee Seo-yeon's talent, 「Sword Prodigy (S)」, is shocked at hearing its name for the first time.]
…No, why are you surprised.
I nearly burst out laughing at the system's antics but held it together, waiting for her reaction.
"My talent's name… Sword Prodigy."
She mumbled it blankly, like she'd found her true self.
I let her be, not interrupting.
'Did that do it?'
Feels refreshing.
Headache gone—like I'd slept like a rock.
'Shoulda told her this morning.'
Why dodge with class excuses?
'Not really dodging. Class was legit coming up—what could I do?'
Ate, showered, patted Asuka's head, and time flew.
Anyway, her reaction said it was fixed.
'Yeah, Lee Seo-yeon. Swords suit you best.'
Picture you swinging Blood Demon Sword Dainsleif at fallen and aliens later—so badass.
You with a gun? Hell no.
And if the Sword Saint found out….
'Ugh, nightmare fuel!'
Won't die, but life'd suck hard.
"……Ah."
She'd been muttering her talent name nonstop, eyes glazed.
Now light returned.
"Lee Yoo-jin."
She met my eyes calling my name.
Enlightened vibe—her eyes gleamed.
But that gleam… felt off?
"Thanks."
"……Huh?"
Her sudden thanks threw me.
Specifically, her usual drawl turned crisp and sharp.
"…Thanks for what?"
"You helped me discover my identity."
"Glad to hear it. Really."
I congratulated her sincerely.
And thanked god no more guns in her hands.
"And I found what I truly want to do."
"…Huh?"
…What?
Truly want to do?
Her shifted tone made me uneasy.
Deeply uneasy.
"Swords were always the best till now."
"No, swords are still best for you. So……."
Don't say weird shit, please.
I tried cutting her off, almost begging.
But failed.
"Now guns feel just as good."
And worse.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Lee Seo-yeon's talent, 「Sword Prodigy (S)」, pioneers the path of firearms, acquiring a gun talent.]
"…N-No, don't—"
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Lee Seo-yeon's talent, 「Sword Prodigy (S)」, absorbs the gun talent.]
….
…….
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙
[Lee Seo-yeon's talent, 「Sword Prodigy (S)」, evolves to 「Gunblade Prodigy (S+)」.]
"…No—!"