Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Lee Seo-yeon (3)
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Sudden system maintenance.
I freaked out for a moment at the inspection notice, but I let out a sigh of relief when the message said basic functions were still usable.
Of course, I couldn't appraise items, check my status window, or view skills, but if I could still use my inventory and cheats... well...
I could hold out for a day.
But what kind of problem had cropped up to trigger a sudden system check?
No way they spilled tteokbokki on the server, right?
...Yeah, no chance.
This wasn't a game—it was reality. To my developer brother, this whole world was the server.
Which meant tteokbokki raining down from space.
The entire world sticky with red sauce, everyone choking on the spice...
I chuckled at the ridiculous image and shook my head.
Anyway, developer bro, can I keep using the system?
It won't just vanish on me, will it?
I've become the kind of guy who can't live without it.
But those worries didn't last long.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ The system is always by player Lee Yoo-jin's side. The system must have sensed my anxiety and sent a message. The reassurance that it would always be by my side eased my worries.
It never responded to my usual chit-chat, so this had to be genuine. I could trust it.
With a calmer mind, I sat on the training ground bench and fiddled with my smartwatch.
[Me]
- Lee Seo-yeon.
- Can you come to the training ground now?
[Lee Seo-yeon]
- On my way.
The reply came instantly after I sent the text.
I smirked at her sharp response and checked the time on my watch.
"Hmm... at this hour, she should be in class."
Unlike me and Lee Seo-yeon, who got to skip two days of classes thanks to our trip to the Ibem world, Shuhei Asuka still had to attend.
So I'd ask Asuka to spar tomorrow.
I pulled the two boxes I'd received from Baek Yu-hwa out of my inventory and opened them.
"Whoa..."
A fresh, invigorating scent hit me the moment I lifted the lid.
It was like standing in the heart of a forest. I let out an admiring breath.
But the awe was short-lived.
I frowned and picked up one of the white pills.
"I know these are Spirit Capacity Pills, but not being able to check the info makes it so annoying..."
They looked exactly like the ones from the game, so they had to be real.
But with the system down, I couldn't confirm the details. Were they really Spirit Capacity Pills?
I sighed deeply at the doubt.
"...I'm more dependent on the system than I thought."
Questioning my veteran gamer instincts just because I couldn't check item info?
You've been corrupted by its convenience, Lee Yoo-jin!
I scolded myself inwardly.
But when I glanced at the inventory output...
[42] [??? (A)] [9999+] [43] [??? (A)] [9999+] "......"
I wished the maintenance would end soon.
Veteran instincts, my ass.
System convenience is the best.
"I'll try taking a Spirit Capacity Pill before Lee Seo-yeon gets here."
I took one out of my inventory.
[(Replica) ??? (A)]
The replica prefix was there, but the scent and aura were indistinguishable from the real thing.
I popped it into my mouth without hesitation.
"Mm..."
It melted instantly on my tongue, filling my mouth with a refreshing aroma.
And the feeling of my vessel expanding... wasn't there?
"...What?"
I definitely ate the Spirit Capacity Pill.
Why no sensation at all?
In the game, characters said lines like:
'I can feel my soul growing stronger.'
'I can feel my soul's wounds healing.'
But nothing. Just a fresh mouth, like mouthwash.
"Is my soul too pathetic?"
...Well, nothing to be done about it.
Feeling a bit miffed, I grabbed the replica Spirit Capacity Pill and popped it in.
Mm, refreshing.
"This'll be my mouth freshener from now on."
Perfect for when my breath feels stale.
As I reached for another, I spotted Lee Seo-yeon entering the training ground.
"Lee Seo-yeon, over here!"
She hurried straight over at my call.
"...You already found a solution?"
Normally, calling someone so soon after saying you'd found a fix might make them anxious, wondering what was up.
But her faith in me was rock-solid—her face flushed with anticipation.
Time to reward that trust.
I pulled a Spirit Capacity Pill from my inventory and placed it in her hand.
"...What's this?"
"Spirit Capacity Pills."
"Spirit Capacity Pills? You mean the ones I know?"
Her face twisted in uncharacteristic shock as she stared at the pill in her palm.
I smirked and continued.
"Yeah, the ones you're thinking of. Just take it, and you'll gain control over your talent."
"...Can I really accept something this precious?"
She looked up at me with trembling eyes.
Her hand shook like she was afraid it'd shatter if she gripped it too hard.
Even as the daughter of the Sword Saint and guild master of Korea's top guild Mirinae, these weren't easy to come by.
"It's fine. Take it."
I said that and pulled out another pill to show her.
Then, like tossing peanuts, I flicked it into my mouth.
"......!"
Her eyes went wide as I munched the priceless elixir like a snack.
I pulled out yet another and said,
"I've got tons of these, so don't feel bad. Just eat it."
"......"
Even so, she just stared at the one in her hand, hesitating.
Still unsure if she could really take it.
So I decided to banish her doubts personally.
What I did?
Ruuuuumble...
I dumped a pile of Spirit Capacity Pills onto the ground.
"...Wh-what!"
She jumped in shock as they piled up like an open granary.
An expression I'd never seen on her before.
Even stuttering.
I felt immense satisfaction at her reaction.
Sure, I'd revealed my cheat ability, but it wasn't a big deal.
This modern fantasy world was full of all sorts of bizarre powers.
And even if she knew about the cheat, it was fine.
Lee Seo-yeon—no, the main cast—were trustworthy enough.
But I had no intention of telling her outright.
Not with villains and degenerates like Arthur who could read minds with 'Fairy Eye'.
"L-Lee Yoo-jin, put them away quick! Someone might see!"
She frantically scanned the surroundings.
Soon confirming we were alone, she sighed in relief.
I burst out laughing at her.
"Eek..."
Her face reddened as she averted her gaze.
Then, embarrassment peaking, she plopped down, hugged her knees, and buried her face.
Like hiding in a mouse hole.
Did she know?
That only made her cuter, making me laugh harder.
But I held it in, collected the spilled pills back into my inventory, and crouched in front of her.
"Lee Seo-yeon, you asleep?"
"......"
"Fall asleep here, and rumors will fly."
"......"
"Noble Ice Princess Lee Seo-yeon, dozing off in the training—"
"...Stop teasing."
She lifted her head, slightly pouting.
"You think?"
I flashed a grin, stood, and offered my hand.
"C'mon, up you go."
"......"
She stared at me with clear, unreadable eyes.
But only for a moment.
She took my hand, stood, and gave a soft smile.
"Thank you."
"......"
I couldn't respond to her thanks.
Couldn't even open my mouth.
She was too breathtakingly beautiful.
But 'Resilient Spirit's effect pulled me back just in time.
...Charm S-rank, as expected.
A simple smile that could captivate anyone.
"...No problem. Just helping out a friend."
Couldn't say it was for the ending quest, so I picked words she'd understand.
"Friend..."
She stared blankly.
Then nodded, as if resolving something, and popped the pill into her mouth.
Moments later.
Whooooosh!
Mana swirled wildly around her body.
Unlike me, who felt zero effect, it was clearly working on her.
I kicked off the ground to put distance before getting caught in it.
Or... tried to.
If her mana hadn't wrapped around me.
"...Huh?"
Visually and sensorily, her mana raged like a storm.
But what enveloped me was gentle, not fierce.
Like a soft mountain breeze.
...Smells amazing.
Thanks to the pill, her mana carried a fresh forest scent.
And a floral hint that matched her.
Hummmm...
The elixir digested, perhaps.
The mana storm began to die down.
Soon, it cut off abruptly, like a windless calm.
"Hoo..."
She exhaled a long breath.
A refreshing scent brushed my nose.
Flash.
She opened her eyes, bright light gleaming.
Her spirit vessel restored.
"Lee Seo-yeon, how do you feel?"
Having felt no effect, I had no idea what strengthening the soul felt like.
So I asked.
"......"
But she just stared silently.
Then strode forward and hugged me.
"Lee Yoo-jin, thank you so much."
"......"
Oh, damn.
Her warmth and scent messed with my head instantly.
Like my mind melting away...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 'Resilient Spirit (A)''s derived skill 'Composed Mind' activation conditions have been met. Would you like to activate 'Composed Mind'? ⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ 'Composed Mind' activated. "Whoa."
'Composed Mind' forced sage mode on me, freeing me from her Charm (S).
Wait, is it really just S-rank?
Getting enchanted this effortlessly felt like S+ or higher.
Thinking that, I hastily slipped from her embrace.
And put some real distance before the effect wore off.
"...Can you control your talent now?"
"Yeah."
She nodded, still beaming.
"Good. See you tomorrow then."
"Why? You have to spar with me."
"...Tomorrow. Tired today."
"You need to confirm I can control it. Where you going?"
What was she on about?
She just said she could.
For some reason, she kept trying to hold me back.
Staying longer felt dangerous.
So I backed toward the entrance.
The moment I reached it.
'Composed Mind' effect ends. My sage time ended.
I bolted from the training ground.
&
"See you tomorrow!!"
Lee Yoo-jin fled the training ground in a rush.
Left alone, Lee Seo-yeon sighed wistfully.
Then murmured softly.
⚔ TALENT MESSAGE ⚔ Talent 「Sword Arsenal Prodigy (S+)」 says it's truly a shame. "Yeah, what a shame."
Still.
"There'll be another chance next time, right?"
⚔ TALENT MESSAGE ⚔ Talent 「Sword Arsenal Prodigy (S+)」 says it agrees. ⚔ TALENT MESSAGE ⚔ Talent 「Sword Arsenal Prodigy (S+)」 says that's good. "Then shall we head back too?"
⚔ TALENT MESSAGE ⚔ Talent 「Sword Arsenal Prodigy (S+)」 says yes. With that, Lee Seo-yeon left the training ground.