Chapter 50
Chapter 50
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Lee Seo-yeon - Intermission
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The next morning.
The first thing I did after waking up was check the system.
But it was like the system had anticipated I'd do exactly that.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [System maintenance has been completed.] [You can now use 'Item Appraisal', 'Status Window', and 'Skill Check' again.] [We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience during system use. (_ _)] It was kindly notifying me that maintenance had ended.
But I couldn't just let it slide that easily.
"So, where's my compensation?"
The developers should know.
How sensitive players are to maintenance.
And this wasn't just any maintenance—it was emergency maintenance.
Without any prior notice, no less?
There's only one thing a developer has to do in that case.
An apology? No.
An update? No.
Compensation.
Sweet, juicy compensation that satisfies the players!
So hand it over—your compensation!
...
But the response I got was silence.
Well, then... what I have to do is...
Eh, what can I do?
I'm the only one who uses the system, so I'll just accept it and move on.
"If you don't wanna give it, fine..."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [As compensation for maintenance, you have received '(Non-Duplicable) Resolute Mind Pill (A)'.] In the end, they gave me compensation.
Non-duplicable, huh?
I whined for it, so beggars can't be choosers, I guess.
But if you're giving it anyway, make it duplicable.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Compensation canceled...] "No! This is fine!"
I'll gratefully accept it, Mr. Developer!
...
Seemingly satisfied with my overwhelming gratitude, the message faded away smoothly.
I let out a sigh of relief as I watched it go.
...Whew, almost lost the item I just got.
"Giving me a pill that boosts mental strength... so you saw what happened yesterday, huh."
Yeah, yesterday was dangerous.
After taking the Spirit Enhancement Pill, there was a shift in my mindset.
Lee Seo-yeon's talent, Charm (S), which had been dormant until then, suddenly activated.
But it was so overwhelming—not at all what I'd expect from an S-rank—that it pierced my mental defenses in an instant and enchanted me.
It was on par with one of the named Fallen, 'Enchantress'.
If I hadn't had the derived skill 'Resolute Mind' from the talent Resilient Mind (A), I would've lost something precious right there...
"...Now that I think about it, it might not have been so bad?"
Getting intimate with a nation-toppling beauty like Lee Seo-yeon?
And her initiating it...?
"...Maybe I should've just stayed under her spell."
But that thought didn't last long.
I shook my head with a wry smile.
We'd only just met—not enough time to enjoy a romance with her. And my feelings toward her were still just 'interest'.
Not romantic interest, but the kind you have when you see something pretty like a flower.
And crucially, the reason I feared skinship with her was... her doting, overprotective Sword Saint.
If Sword Saint Lee Jung-baek found out I'd done something like that with Lee Seo-yeon?
My head would go flying off a shotgun... no, his sword.
So to handle Lee Seo-yeon, I'd need at least 'Infinite Stamina'.
Or maybe 'Invincibility'?
'Infinite Stamina' means unlimited stamina, but it probably wouldn't save me from instant death...
Anyway, that's probably why the system gave me the Resolute Mind Pill.
To endure her charm after taking it.
And avoid a death flag from the Sword Saint.
Following the system's intent, I was about to pop the pill in my mouth... but first, I checked its info.
And the other elixirs in my inventory, too.
⚔ ITEM INFO ⚔ 【(Non-Duplicable) Resolute Mind Pill (A)】 An elixir that strengthens mental fortitude. Enhances the consumer's resistance to mental interference. - Consumption: +15 Mentality - Consumption: Creates special ability 'Mental Resistance'. ('Mental Resistance' increases the value when held.) ⚔ ITEM INFO ⚔ 【(Duplicable) Spirit Enhancement Pill (A)】 An elixir that strengthens the vessel of the spirit. Enhances the consumer's resistance to spirit damage. - Consumption: +10 Mentality - Consumption: Expands and repairs spirit vessel. - Consumption: Creates special ability 'Spirit Resistance'. ('Spirit Resistance' increases the value when held.) ⚔ ITEM INFO ⚔ 【(Duplicable) Body Enhancement Pill (A)】 An elixir that strengthens physical vitality. Enhances the consumer's resistance to disease and cold. - Consumption: +10 Stamina - Consumption: Creates special ability 'Disease Resistance'. - Consumption: Creates special ability 'Cold Resistance'. ('Disease and Cold Resistance' increase the value when held.) "Oh, a Body Enhancement Pill?"
As expected of the Chairman.
He knows exactly what I'm lacking.
I set the elixirs aside and started to bow toward the Academy main building where the Chairman was...
Then stopped.
For some reason, I could hear his voice in my ear: 'Now, now, no need for bows.'
So I just offered a silent 'I'll gratefully partake' before tossing the Resolute Mind Pill and Body Enhancement Pill into my mouth.
Like yesterday's Spirit Enhancement Pill, they melted smoothly.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [You have consumed (Non-Duplicable) Resolute Mind Pill (A).] [Resolute Mind Pill effect: Mentality +15.] [Resolute Mind Pill effect: Special ability 'Mental Resistance' created.] ⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [You have consumed (Duplicable) Body Enhancement Pill (A).] [Body Enhancement Pill effect: Stamina +10.] [Body Enhancement Pill effect: Special ability 'Disease Resistance' created.] [Body Enhancement Pill effect: Special ability 'Cold Resistance' created.] Messages filled my vision.
At the same time, I felt my body lighten and my mind clear.
I swept the messages aside and opened my status window to check my stats.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ 📛 Name: Lee Yoo-jin ⚡ Physical Abilities: 101 - 💪 Stamina: 28 - 💥 Strength: 23 - 💨 Agility: 50 🧠 Mental Abilities: 94 - ✨ Magic Power: 28 - 🧠 Mentality: 68 - 💖 Allure: -2 ⭐ Special Abilities: - 🛡️ Mental Resistance: 10 - 🩺 Disease Resistance: 10 - ❄️ Cold Resistance: 10 🎭 Talents: Sharpshooter's Acute Sense (A+), Demon Hunter's Secret Art (A), Resilient Mind (A), Alchemist's Advanced Alchemy (A), Swift Movements (B), Hero's Skill Management (B)
🌀 Skills: Transfer (D), Insight (B)
🔗 Derived Skills: - Resolute Mind (Resilient Mind (A)) - Demon Hunt (Passive / Demon Hunter's Secret Art (A)) - Live Focus (Sharpshooter's Acute Sense (A+)) + Dead Shot (Live Focus chain skill) "Whoa!"
I was impressed last time I checked the status window, too.
But this time, seeing the changes, I couldn't hold back my admiration.
No, it burst out even more intensely than before.
"Look at this packed status window!"
Is this really the same pathetic one I saw at first?
It really fills the chest with pride.
"Whew..."
I let out a long breath to calm my surging emotions.
If I get too worked up when checking stats...
But I couldn't finish the thought.
"Whoa! Finally!"
A cheer burst out the moment I saw the stats.
Physical abilities total: 101.
Mental abilities total: 94.
Grand total: 195.
Finally, my stats were on par with the main character types.
Of course, those protagonist-tier kids have been accelerating their stat growth since entering the Academy, so they're way ahead of me now.
But I didn't care—I was overflowing with emotion in this moment.
Especially high in Agility and Mentality.
The negative Allure was a slight blemish, but...
I'd escaped being the absolute weakest in the Academy.
"With stats like this, I should be mid-to-upper tier at least?"
Among my classmates, of course.
Anyway, with the stat check done, I closed the window.
Staring at it any longer, I'd skip the training grounds and be late for class.
I didn't head straight to the shower... Instead, I pulled the Spirit Enhancement Pill from my inventory and popped it in my mouth.
Not only did my stuffy mouth freshen up, but my face and body felt as crisp as after a shower.
"Man, this stuff's the real deal."
The Spirit Enhancement Pill had no effect on me otherwise.
So I'd been using it as a simple mouthwash.
Turns out it cleans the whole body, too.
A true portable full-body refresher.
"Thinking about it, I'm totally insane."
Using a precious elixir as a cleaner.
Who in their right mind would?
But with my infinite item cheat, I can pull off crazy stuff like this without hesitation.
Otherwise, I'd hoard it until it turned to crap.
With those thoughts, I changed from casual clothes to my uniform.
Then equipped the 'OPG' in the form of black gloves.
And pulled out my two Thunderbolt pistols—white and blue—and holstered them on my thighs.
"Still plenty of time before class... I could spar with Lee Seo-yeon first."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Ah, it's the top student!"
The moment I entered the training grounds, Asuka greeted me first, as usual.
She stopped her training and toddled over.
I smiled at her and gave a morning greeting.
"Good morning, Asuka."
"Yes! Good morning!"
Asuka stopped in front of me, looking up with sparkling eyes as she replied.
'Ugh!'
They say seeing something too cute hurts your heart.
Mine ached seeing Asuka, who looked ready to twitch bunny ears if she had them.
But I casually reached out to pat her head.
"Trying to pat my head again!"
Spotting my hand rising, Asuka puffed her cheeks and stepped back.
At that, I thought today's daily affection gain was ruined and lowered my hand.
Or was about to.
"...But I'll allow it today."
Asuka approached again, grabbed my hand, and placed it on her head.
I looked at her curiously.
"What brought this on?"
Of course, I petted her anyway.
Asuka, with twin tails instead of just pigtails today, twirled her hair around her finger as she spoke.
"Lee Seo-yeon told me everything yesterday. That you got precious elixirs for us."
Ah, that explains it.
Pat, pat.
"How'd you get them so fast?"
"I had my ways."
Pat, pat.
"You didn't do anything bad to get them, right?"
"No, nothing like that. Don't worry."
Pat, pat.
"Good, then."
She must've been worried I'd gone off to find a way and gotten the elixirs in just a day.
Asuka sighed in relief.
Meanwhile, I kept patting her round head.
'Today's affection gain is safe... but I can't stop.'
Is this the devilish hair that begs to be petted?
No sooner had I thought that.
"O-Okay, that's enough for today...!"
Asuka blushed and pulled my hand down.
"Ah."
Already?
What a shame...
But she said that's enough for today, so tomorrow it is.
Just then.
"Lee Yoo-jin."
"Eek!"
"Kyaa!"
The sudden voice from behind startled me and Asuka.
What, is she an assassin or something?
How does she move without any presence?
I calmed my pounding heart and turned to Lee Seo-yeon.
"...Seo-yeon, could you make a little noise when you approach?"
"Yeah, Lee Seo-yeon... you scared me."
"...Sorry."
Lee Seo-yeon apologized to Asuka with an awkward expression.
...What about me?
I got scared too.
"Not sorry to me."
"...Why?"
"You didn't even notice me coming."
"No, you had zero presence..."
"Not sorry."
"...Got it."
Her voice was as expressionless as ever, but it felt annoyed, so I grudgingly agreed.
But only for a moment.
"Then, time for that spar we agreed on yesterday?"
Like her annoyance had vanished, Lee Seo-yeon smiled and grabbed my hand.
She started dragging me to the sparring room, but I stopped her.
"Hold on."
I let go of her hand for a sec and whispered in Asuka's ear.
"I have something for you today, so meet me at the training grounds tonight."
"...T-Tonight?"
"Yeah, tonight. Just the two of us."
"...J-Just the two of us! Hic!"
Asuka blushed furiously and hiccuped.
"...?"
Why's she reacting like that?
I meant nighttime because people are around during the day and evening.
Was that so shocking?
'Ah, did she misinterpret "just the two of us at night" as something naughty?'
...Asuka, didn't peg you for the naughty type.
I gave an embarrassed chuckle, about to clear up the misunderstanding.
"...Lee Yoo-jin, let's go."
"Ah, Seo-yeon, wait..."
"No time."
"Hey, hey!"
What the—why so sudden!
But ignoring my protests, Lee Seo-yeon dragged me to the sparring room.
I tried to shake her hand off, but.
Crunch!
"Ow!"
She didn't just grab it—she twisted it hard.
"O-Okay! I'll come quietly, so ease up...!"
"No, like this."
"My hand's gonna break!"
As I protested,
"We're going like this. Got it?"
Lee Seo-yeon smiled sweetly at me.
But why did that smile feel so menacing?
What did I do?
"...Yes."
I behaved obediently.