Chapter 77
Chapter 77
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Vacation Ceremony
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[Master.]
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Terra's message window appeared in my field of vision. I glanced around and saw people nearby, so instead of speaking out loud, I thought..., wait a second.
'Hey, Terra.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Yes, Master.] 'You spent days agonizing over what to call me, and you settled on Master?'
A few days had passed since my face-to-face with the principal and returning to the dorms.
During that time, Terra had cycled through various titles every day: 'Master, Owner, Darling, User, Boss.'
Feeling burdened and embarrassed, I'd told her to just use my name.
But Terra had replied with a serious emoticon '(⩌_⩌)'.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ ['Gaia might have done that, but I don't want to.'] ['I want to call Player Lee Yoo-jin something special.'] ['So I can't settle on a simple name for Player Lee Yoo-jin. I'll deliberate carefully and decide.'] She insisted she was different from 'Gaia (clone)'.
As a lifelong comrade, she wanted to address me in a special way.
She'd firmly rejected my suggestion.
And her final decision was... Master?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Yes. After careful deliberation, I've decided on 'Master.'] '...Why?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [It was the most neutral among 'Master,' 'Darling,' and 'Boss.'] [And most importantly...] 'Most importantly?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [I like it. ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌ )] Ah, so you like it. Fair enough.
I nodded with a half-hearted expression and asked why she'd called me earlier.
Then, an audio file labeled 'Voice 1322' appeared in my vision.
At the same time, the '■' button changed to '▶' and playback began.
- Lee Yoo-jin, do me one favor.
Kang Cheol-su's voice rang out.
- Hold back until vacation starts. Just until vacation.
With that, the playback ended.
'...You can record audio too?'
I stared at Terra's message window in bewilderment.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [It's a basic system function.] I was about to ask why she hadn't told me sooner, but then I remembered that even genuine Terra had been restricted from sending messages.
'If audio recording is basic, video recording must be too, right?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Yes. Video recording is also a basic function.] A video appeared in my vision along with Terra's message.
And what it showed was none other than...
- Crunch! Crunch!
Me eating a golden apple.
'Wait, when did you record this?!'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [That's the wrong question.] [Not 'when,' but 'since when.'] '...What?'
Terra, what do you mean? Not when, but since when?
I stared blankly at the message.
Then Terra's message appeared with a proud-looking '(⩌ v ⩌)' emoticon.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [I've been recording Master since the beginning.] Below that message, a list of 'Video Recordings' scrolled down.
- The day I first met Master. - The day Master cleared his first quest. - The day Master got his first reward. - The day Master first cursed at me... - The first time for Master... '...Whoa.'
I could only stare blankly at the countless recordings.
Then, chuckling at the dizzying titles, I looked at Terra's message still displaying that proud emoticon.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [These are recordings I've collected since becoming Master's system.] Her message seemed to beg for praise, so I sighed and said,
'Hey, Terra.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Yes, Master.] 'Delete everything except combat footage.'
The messages paused for a moment.
Soon after...
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [...May I ask why?] A message tinged with doubt and sadness appeared.
...How can text alone convey emotion like that?
Scratching my head, I answered Terra's question.
'I didn't give you permission to film me.'
So these were basically illegal recordings.
As I explained, Terra's shocked emoticon appeared with a message.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Σ(⊙ㅁ⊙)] [Understood.] All non-combat recordings began to vanish.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Should I delete the audio files too?] 'Yeah, delete those too since I didn't permit them.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Yes, understood.] The 'Voice 1322' file in my vision disappeared.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [All deletions complete.] 'Good. From now on, only record or film with my permission.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Yes. I'll do so except in emergencies.] Except in emergencies?
Well, I don't need to meddle that far.
'Alright, do that.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Yes, understood.] The conversation ended there.
Tat-tat-tat-tat-tang—!
Only the gunfire from the 13 pistols I controlled with telekinesis and the sound of the long-range physical test machine's targets shattering filled the air.
'...But how did the conversation shift to recordings?'
I crossed my arms and pondered.
Soon, I recalled the audio file of Kang Cheol-su's voice.
'Hey, Terra.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Yes, Master.] 'Why did you play Instructor Kang Cheol-su's audio file earlier?'
An arrow appeared in my vision.
And what it pointed to was...
'Target sheet? Why the target sheet?'
It was the long-range physical test machine's target sheet.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Didn't you promise Instructor Kang Cheol-su to hold back until vacation?] 'Yeah...'
So why point at the target sheet with an arrow?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [This is why.] The arrow pointing at the target sheet shifted downward.
I leaned forward to peer inside the test machine.
And I understood what Terra meant.
'...When did it pile up this much?'
The test machine was filled to the brim with target sheets, like a landfill.
'This is weird.'
If memory served, the machine had a self-cleaning function.
So why weren't the shattered targets clearing?
As soon as I thought that, Terra explained.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [As Master thought, it has a cleaning function.] [But right now, Master has toggled 'Super Accuracy' to 'OFF.'] '...Don't tell me I broke the cleaning function?'
As I asked, Terra's arrow pointed somewhere.
I followed it with my eyes.
What I saw was...
Sizzle, crackle.
Something that looked like the cleaning mechanism, broken and sparking.
The moment I saw it, Kang Cheol-su's voice echoed in my ears.
'Hold back until vacation.'
"I said hold back until vacation."
"...Huh? That's not echoing in my mind?"
It sounded like it was coming directly to my ears?
As I thought that, a massive hand rose above my head.
"Ah."
It was direct, alright.
I stiffly turned my head.
And there he was.
Kang Cheol-su glaring at me like a wrathful demon.
"Ha, haha... Hello, Instructor."
I gave an awkward smile and greeting.
"Heh, can't say hi."
Kang Cheol-su grinned ferociously and pulled something from his pocket.
"Th-that's...!"
It was a green, shimmering antidote.
Pop.
He uncorked it.
I trembled and shouted,
"S-sorry! Instructor, my mistake! Please, not the antidote!"
"Lee Yoo-jin, no need to apologize. Seems like you did nothing wrong."
"...Then why's the antidote coming closer?!"
"Lee Yoo-jin, don't you know? You're under a curse right now."
"Pardon...?"
A curse on me? What?
'I ate a golden apple; I have curse resistance.'
And even if cursed, the system would notify me of buffs or debuffs.
I stared at Kang Cheol-su skeptically.
He forced the antidote into my mouth.
"The curse of not holding back. That's your curse."
Ah.
That curse.
I thought it was a real one.
With my doubts cleared, I watched the antidote tilt.
The liquid poured into my mouth.
Soon...
Gulp.
....
......
Ah, it was summer.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Ugh, so hot..."
The blazing sun beat down.
In the sweltering heat, I and the kids around me trudged wearily toward the auditorium.
"It's... still June..., why is it this hot?"
Someone muttered, but no one had the energy to reply.
They just nodded weakly in agreement.
I was the same.
'Hey, Terra.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Yes, Master.] 'Aren't I a superhuman?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Yes, you are.] 'Then why am I feeling the heat? Don't superhumans usually not feel hot or cold?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [That's incorrect knowledge.] [Even superhumans can't reject natural phenomena.] 'I didn't feel cold in winter.'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Precisely, since consuming the physical enhancement pill and gaining 'Cold Resistance.'] [Think back. You felt cold before.] 'Yeah..., I guess so?'
I definitely felt cold before the pill. After, the resistance kicked in.
'So if I get fire or heat resistance, I won't feel the heat?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Yes.] [Though as 'resistance,' extreme heat beyond it would still be felt.] 'Ah, where can a fire-related elixir drop?'
The heat was murderously intense.
"Hic... Hic... I'm... gonna die......"
Shuhei Asuka, walking beside me, sounded like she was dying.
I turned to look.
"I-I'm dying......"
Her face flushed, sweat pouring.
I quickly pulled cool water from my inventory and handed it over.
"Hey, Asuka, drink water!"
"W-wa-water...!"
She shrieked like someone spotting an oasis and gulped it down frantically.
Finishing the bottle in seconds, she looked at me teary-eyed.
"Top student... this is weird... no more water......"
You drank it all.
Chucking, I handed her another.
"Hiii... Thank you... I won't forget this kindness..."
"Yeah, remember the kindness well."
Asuka nodded vigorously, bottle in mouth.
I tried to pat her head...
'Whoa, steam rising from her head.'
Too hot. Gave up.
I glanced at Lee Seo-yeon on my left.
"...Seo-yeon, you okay? Not hot?"
She nodded.
"Yeah, not hot."
...Unlike Asuka, her face was fresh, no sweat.
I touched her hand lightly.
Soft skin and cool chill.
'Right...'
Lee Seo-yeon has heat resistance...
'So jealous.'
Suddenly...
Squeeze!
She grabbed my hand.
And linked fingers like a snake.
"...Wh-why suddenly?"
She tilted her head.
"You grabbed mine first."
...Did I?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [No. That's a lie. The black fox grabbed it.] "No, Lee Yoo-jin grabbed first."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [...Did the black fox just see my message?] Told Terra she does that sometimes.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Black fox... scary woman.] I nodded gravely in agreement.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The vacation ceremony was simple.
The principal teleported in, gave a short speech.
"Do well in your internships. Contact me if anything happens. Got it?"
"Yes!"
"Enjoy vacation, see you in three months."
Our instructor Kang Cheol-su announced vacation briefly and left the auditorium.
"Asuka, you're interning with Lee Seo-yeon's Mirinae Guild, right?"
"Yes! Seo-yeon recommended me!"
I patted her head as she beamed.
"Listen to Lee Seo-yeon. Contact the instructor or me if anything comes up, okay?"
"Yes! I will! Hehe."
Asuka basked in the head pat, grinning innocently.
Lee Seo-yeon sidled up beside her.
"Lee Yoo-jin, see you in three months."
She caressed my hand sadly.
I gave a wry smile.
"Yeah, three months."
"Okay..."
She nodded weakly.
I whispered encouragement.
"Call or text if you get bored."
"...!"
Her eyes widened.
But soon,
"Got it."
A small smile formed. Very satisfied.
Arthur and Noah approached behind her.
"Where are you interning?"
Arthur nodded at Noah.
He leaned in and whispered,
"We're going to the 9th Subjugation Unit."
"What? You two?"
"Yes. Technically, to assist Cardinal Remilia who went to support them."
"Guess I'll see your faces for three months then?"
Noah smiled and nodded.
"Yes. Please take care of us."
He stepped back.
Arthur leaned in next.
"Lee Yoo-jin, take care of me for three months."
"Yeah, you too."
...Arthur and Noah to the 9th Subjugation Unit.
Originally, Arthur to Britain's Round Table.
Noah to the Grand Temple's Judgment Squad.
Expecting the storyline now is foolish.
But regardless, one thing's certain.
Main characters gather where I am?
Location or group.
100% incident happens.
'Terra, what do you think? Bound to happen?'
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [100%.] Sighing deeply, I opened my inventory.
Pulled out four boxes of Pure Clarity Oil and golden apples.
"Kids, take these before you go."