Rival? (Part 2)
There’s no rule that says a healer has to look holy, but this? This is pushing it, isn’t it?
Every time he spoke, his muscles twitched, giving him the appearance of a being that had transcended humanity. But a healer in that kind of body? No trainee could believe it.
Even Ji Yu-chan, who had stayed calm at every moment, had his mouth hanging open in shock. Naturally, since even Do-hyeon, who could view Choi Pil’s status window through Analysis, couldn’t believe it.
In any case, the system message floating before Do-hyeon’s eyes came again. He had already expected it.
【Analysis of Choi Pil’s skills has been completed.】
【Target exceeds the standard threshold.】
【Consume AP to acquire the target’s skills.】
【Select from the list to acquire.】
【List】
▶ “Muscle Healing Technique [C]”: 300 AP
▶ “Boxing Technique [C]”: 300 AP
▶ “Intimidation [D]”: 200 AP
▶ “Vitality [D]”: 150 AP
▶ “Haste [E]”: 100 AP
……
There were quite a few skills, but after excluding the basics, only five seemed usable. Still, Do-hyeon focused more on the message than the skills themselves.
“Target exceeds the standard threshold?”
When he had first analyzed Jeong Min-woo, it had been below standard for skills, so acquisition had been straightforward. When he analyzed Ji Yu-chan, he had received Sword King’s Intuition, described as above-standard for skills. But this time, the message simply said “Target exceeds the standard threshold.” In other words, because Choi Pil was strong, Do-hyeon had to pay AP to obtain the skills. Extrapolating from that, he guessed…
“E-rank or D-rank might be acquirable without AP if the target is different.”
To be safe, he would exclude them. The basics were obvious exclusions. After that, only C-rank remained, and even that had just two skills, with choices already set.
“Muscle Healing Technique [C]”
▶ Consumes mana to heal muscles.
▶ Useful for growing physical-type abilities.
Analysis made the effect clearer. He wasn’t surprised. Martial arts skills could be obtained anytime, but healing-type skills? When would he get those again?
He combined the 150 AP he just got from analyzing Choi Pil with his existing 150 AP, but it felt far from wasteful. He just didn’t want to become a complete muscle monster. Using it moderately felt fine.
Thinking that, he immediately selected it.
Skill “Muscle Healing Technique [C] acquired.”
【Above-standard skill.】
【Physical stats rise slightly more than before.】
【Mana permanently increases by +4.】
【Cannot activate the skill at full power.】
Mana surged again, filling Do-hyeon with a strange sensation. A warm embrace and satisfaction wrapped around him simultaneously, but he couldn’t focus on that. His mind was elsewhere.
“6:00 AM! From now until 8:00 AM, run the training ground to the absolute limit! Begin!”
Choi Pil’s sudden shout froze everyone in place, but his ferocious expression and thunderous voice made them run outdoors without realizing it. Do-hyeon ran with the other trainees too. His boosted stats helped. At the start, he easily stayed in the lead group with Ji Yu-chan and Jeong Min-woo, the physically strongest. How long could he keep it up?
Ji Yu-chan and Do-hyeon kept the lead, but Jeong Min-woo started lagging, then Do-hyeon did too. If Choi Pil had used his healing skill, it would have been easy, but he didn’t. There were other ways. ‘I have one too!’
When Choi Pil didn’t help, Do-hyeon used his own skill. A faint mana loss filled his body with strange power, and the message appeared.
【Tired muscles healed.】
“Eh? Easier than I thought?”
He hadn’t expected the immediate effect, but fatigue truly vanished. When he felt like slowing down, he used the new skill again. How long passed?
“Oh.”
Just by running and using the skill, the effect appeared immediately. It felt like a game. Smiling, Do-hyeon ran harder. Soon another message popped up.
“Body growing.”
“Power permanently +1.”
Ji Yu-chan, who had always been confident in his running, found it hard to believe. The hunter association said there weren’t many trainees with better physical stats than him, yet he couldn’t understand. ‘Am I falling behind?’
They were still in the lead group, but Choi Pil kept his eyes only on Do-hyeon and ranked him higher. It felt obvious that he was being overtaken. Pride stung Ji Yu-chan, and he ran even harder. Do-hyeon noticed, side by side, Ji Yu-chan clenching his teeth with glaring eyes. ‘What’s with that glare?’
It didn’t matter. Unconcerned, Do-hyeon kept running. His steps grew lighter, and he pulled further ahead. ‘Impossible.’
Ji Yu-chan had run with his full speed, yet Do-hyeon was casually overtaking him. He would lose for sure. Fueled by that thought, Ji Yu-chan pushed harder, but his already exhausted body refused. Over-striding, he lost his rhythm and ended up chasing Do-hyeon. ‘I… I lost?’
As Ji Yu-chan sank into defeat, Do-hyeon kept smiling while running. ‘I didn’t expect running to be fun.’ It really was like a game. Smiling, he ran faster. Another message appeared.
“Body growing.”
“Power permanently +1.”
Addicted to growth, Do-hyeon laughed and kept running. * * * The hellish interval training had begun. How long passed? Everyone was growing tired, especially the female trainees. The males held on, but it wasn’t easy. They were city people after all. Sudden running wasn’t simple. “Hah… hah… What kind of morning is this… Hah… hah…” “M-Mana drains faster if you talk, Dong-wook oppa.” “Hah… hah…” “Haah… haah…”
Both men and women were exhausted in the same way, yet two managed to overtake them: Ji Yu-chan and Do-hyeon. “They’re not even tired?” “Already how many laps ahead?” “Min-woo tried to follow but failed?” “Amazing…” “Do-hyeon oppa looks so normal, yet he’s… incredible.”
Choi Pil watched them gossip and shouted, “No talking!” His sharp eyes scanned the trainees, then lingered strangely on the two in front: Ji Yu-chan and Do-hyeon. He knew Ji Yu-chan’s physical stats from the files, but Do-hyeon’s current form far exceeded expectations. Against Ji Yu-chan’s sturdy build, Do-hyeon looked weak, yet…
‘He exceeded my expectations.’
After an hour, he was still in the lead, not tired. Choi Pil narrowed his eyes at Do-hyeon and noticed the difference. Slowly but surely, he was pulling away from Ji Yu-chan. Do-hyeon wasn’t just maintaining pace anymore. His speed kept increasing. Ji Yu-chan’s stubborn chase had fooled him before, but Choi Pil saw the truth. And he couldn’t help gasping in admiration. ‘Terrific.’
Soon Ji Yu-chan fell behind. Do-hyeon kept running, smiling as if nothing happened. Choi Pil muttered to himself, “Looks like a person who wants to become a celestial hunter.”
He never lost his smile even while training. His body was monstrous, but the mental fortitude made Choi Pil’s mouth water. While other trainees were barely walking, Do-hyeon was accelerating. It was admirable. As Choi Pil thought that, some trainees reacted in surprise too. “Y-You mean Yu-chan lost? Impossible.” “Yu-chan oppa…?” “For real?” “What the heck…”
The trainees who entered with Ji Yu-chan were stunned. Those who entered with Do-hyeon muttered, “See? He’s no ordinary person?” “Oppa’s the best!” “Really, Do-hyeon is amazing!” “Hah… hah… I can’t keep up with Do-hyeon oppa at all.”
They shot each other sidelong glances, like they were talking to themselves. Especially Park Dong-wook among those who entered with Ji Yu-chan reacted the most. “Hey! What are you talking about? Yu-chan is better. Do-hyeon’s probably specialized in marathons. In other areas, Yu-chan would crush him, right?” “Yeah.” “We’ll see.” “Oppa’s still better, right? He has higher mana too?” “Exactly.” “Just running and it’s already amazing…” “In the end, stamina belongs to Do-hyeon oppa.” “Hah.”
The weird atmosphere made Choi Pil watch with interest. It was just mild nerves now, but the competitive structure would grow. He should have stopped it, yet instead he shouted loudly, “Lee Do-hyeon trainee! Well done! Keep it up like this!”
The trainers’ expressions shifted. Those who entered with Do-hyeon grinned broadly, while those with Ji Yu-chan frowned. Choi Pil smiled inwardly, thinking such competition would help growth, and encouraged them. All morning he subtly pushed them, and when the dawn session ended, everyone looked equally tired, yet their eyes toward each other carried a new spark of rivalry, though not genuine hatred, just sharp glares. Body exhausted, but eyes burning with light, Choi Pil laughed happily and said, “Hehehe! Everyone, great work this morning! I’ll heal you, so enjoy breakfast! Breakfast is from 8:00 to 9:00. From 9:00, head to lecture room 201 in the training center building without being late. That’s all!”
With his shout, he cast Muscle Healing Technique on all of them. Do-hyeon tilted his head curiously. ‘Hmm, it doesn’t feel like it’s healing much…’ The effect was weak, but he let it go. After Choi Pil granted permission to go to the cafeteria, the trainees, now with somewhat healed bodies, headed there. Do-hyeon, lined up without thought, received his tray and turned his head. Several people who had already sat waved and called him. “Do-hyeon oppa, come here~!” “Here, hyung.” “Over here!”
Without a second thought, Do-hyeon went to where he was called and sat, but soon he tilted his head in confusion. ‘Huh?’ The five who entered first, including himself, and the five who joined later, including Ji Yu-chan, had deliberately sat in different places. And the strange tension made him smirk. ‘What kind of team battle is this?’
He finished eating and headed to the lecture room, expecting nothing special. “Since there are many, we’ll divide into groups.” “Eh?”
Do-hyeon turned at the words and saw Ji Yu-chan, eyes burning with new intensity, staring straight at him.