Chapter 27

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Translator: MadScientist

Chapter: 27

Chapter Title: D-Class Training Platoon Assignment

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"..."

I'm happy.

Finding out that the person I've always admired likes me is something that should definitely make me thrilled.

However, no one knew better than I did that Instructor ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Cheon Da-eun had no reason to suddenly take a liking to me.

I'd built up some muscle, my equipment down there had grown impressively, and I'd even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠acquired a Charm skill, but let's be real—it was all six of one, half a dozen of the other.

There had to be some other reason.

And I had just one guess.

'Something... some kind of accumulation was building up.'

It probably started when I toyed with Instructor Cheon Da-eun's clone using the halt command.

From that moment, some invisible form of intercourse or sex experience had been stacking up for me, and if it was being distributed to her main body, the instructor herself?

If skills like that were piling up ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠on the original body?

I had a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ridiculous number of such skills stacking on me, so I couldn't shake the suspicion even if I tried.

"..."

Even a skill like this pops up.

Vital Energy Conversion. A skill that turns life force or sexual energy into mana, huh.

It was practically screaming that you could grow just by having sex.

'Yeah, that's basically confirmed.'

Normally, I should have felt a pang of guilt. After all, I was tainting the body and mind of a mentor I respected, twisting her to my desires with the power of skills.

But strangely, a sticky curiosity far stronger than any guilt bubbled up from a corner of my heart.

'It's not just the instructor. All those top-tier beauties in Dominant Evil... If I could make clones of them and toy with them like this...'

Gulp...

As a lone male—and the world's only player—that was a devilishly sweet temptation I couldn't ignore.

"Kang Ihyeon...? You bastard, I'm embarrassed, so say something...!"

My silence dragged on, and my sister—still burying her face in her knees—finally urged me in a muffled whine. Her ears were still beet red.

I couldn't bring myself to confess my suspicions and guesses to her. Even if I was right, explaining it to Da-eun sis, who was just a clone, would be cruel.

Her feelings—however they came about—were real to her.

'Same for me.'

I awkwardly moistened my dry lips and forced the softest smile I could manage.

"...Me too, sis."

"...?"

She slowly lifted her head. Anxiety and anticipation swirled in her still-flushed face and dewy eyes.

"I like you too, sis."

Her eyes widened like a rabbit's at my answer, then shifted into a complicated mix of relief and embarrassment. She ducked her head again, cupping her burning cheeks with both hands. The way she squirmed was straight out of a lovesick girl's playbook.

"Really... I mean... I still don't get how this happened, but..."

She fidgeted for a long while before mumbling in a voice as tiny as a mosquito's.

"Still, becoming your clone like this, being by your side to protect you... I guess I'm satisfied enough with that."

"I'm glad it's you, Instructor."

I stood, pulled the crouching her into a quick but heartfelt hug, then released the summon with my magic power.

With a flash of blue light, she vanished.

"Phew..."

Now what should I do?

Guilt and an unshakable curiosity tangled in my head, turning my thoughts to mush as two days slipped by unnoticed.

Regardless, the administrative process marched on like clockwork.

My transfer to D Platoon went through as scheduled, and the academy's admin system notification window now blandly listed my new direct instructor.

"..."

This inevitable emptiness.

But at the same time, a shady excitement flickered at stepping into the unknown.

Hey, I'd climbed at least one rung on the ladder.

Knock knock—

Phew.

I took a deep breath and rapped on Instructor Seraphina's office door right on time.

"Come in, dear."

Inside Seraphina's office was as spacious and lavishly decorated with artisanal luxuries as I'd imagined.

Red velvet curtains, a mahogany desk, intricate tapestries adorning the walls.

The air carried a subtle, dizzying fragrance—not just perfume, but something sweeter, more intoxicating.

And the room's owner, Seraphina, stood by the window, languidly swirling crimson liquid in an elegant crystal glass.

She turned slowly, spotting me, and a leisurely, satisfied smile—all-knowing—curved her lips.

"You're finally here. I've been waiting, my sweet Ihyeon student."

She set down the glass and sauntered right up to me. Thick perfume mixed with her natural scent overwhelmed my nose.

Her long, pale fingers playfully tugged my uniform tie as she leaned in close enough for her breath to brush my skin, whispering.

"Congratulations again. You did splendidly in the evaluation. Fate had you tumbling into my arms all along—why hesitate from the start?"

"..."

Before I could respond, her hot, wet tongue slid unannounced over my earlobe—slow, thick, deliberate.

Urk.

A weird shiver raced up my spine, stiffening my body. She chuckled low, savoring my reaction, then pressed her lips to my ear, her hot breath carrying a secretive whisper.

"And if you're from Paradise... you should have said so sooner. I'd have been this nice from the beginning. Right?"

"Th-that's..."

I tried to speak, but she ignored me, flicking her eyes seductively as she brushed past.

"Follow me. Time to introduce you to your new home—D Platoon."

Ugh, caught in her pace again. Totally toyed with.

But for now, no choice.

To handle her, I'd need to level up Clone Creation at least.

I'd mulled it over carefully up to today.

To learn the real reason for the instructor's change and make more clones, what to do?

Two conclusions.

One: Level up Clone Creation. Two: Boost clone combat power.

Meet either condition, and I'd grasp the skill's true mechanics.

'Gotta tough it out here, grow, build a rep as a solid hunter.'

The academy's formal training consisted of special classes, A-to-E training platoons, straggler programs, and personalized sects.

My destination: D-3 Platoon under Seraphina. Over half filled with her "type."

'Or in other words, a mountain of criminals with ashen futures.'

Not just talk—that was me too.

Scouted by Seraphina herself? To others, I'd look the same.

One wrong move here, and anything could happen.

"Everyone, a moment of attention, please?"

In D Platoon's classroom.

Seraphina stepped in, and noise died instantly. Dozens of eyes locked on me.

"Meet your new family member starting today in D-3 Platoon. Kang Ihyeon. Give him a warm welcome~"

Her intro barely ended when a front-row guy with crossed arms sneered.

"Heh, fresh meat, huh? Instructor, timing's awkward, no? Finals right around the corner—think this guy's keeping up?"

His words sparked stifled snickers and whispers of agreement. Mocking tone, but honestly, same worry on my mind.

Shit, right—exams.

Finals soon. What about me?

I glanced anxiously at Seraphina. She beamed with leisurely amusement.

"Hee hee, thanks for the concern. But naturally, Kang Ihyeon is exempt from this final exam. No worries."

"...Huh?"

"Oh? Not surprising, is it? As you said, late transfer means struggling to catch up. Basic consideration, right?"

Students' faces twisted.

Envy plain as day.

"And if he still can't keep up... I'll give him personal special tutoring. Right, Ihyeon?"

"P-pardon? Ah, yes... Of course..."

What kind of "special tutoring" that'd be.

Balls shrinking just hearing it.

"Now, Ihyeon, take that empty seat at the back center. No bullying, get along, okay? I have other business—see you~"

Seraphina tossed me a sultry wink and swept out. The second she left, murmurs erupted. I wordlessly headed to the back row she indicated.

As I went to pull out the chair, my eyes met the girl next to it dead-on.

'Huh?'

Familiar face.

Dazzling blonde hair, flawless porcelain skin, striking Western features—a glamorous beauty. Her figure was so voluptuous, the tight uniform strained against her ample chest.

Right—Lee Soo-yeon, academy classmate from that Swordsmanship Sect clash with Park Jinseong.

"Hi? You were in our class?"

She waved casually, mischievous smile blooming.

'Why act chummy?'

Even I found her reaction overwhelming.

Well, she did say "see you later" back then...

Her interest? Probably my freezing gloves that day.

To her, I suddenly looked like a useful Maker Hunter. Gear-makers, especially good ones, were always popular.

"Pfft, if you were joining our class, you should've said. Remember my name? Lee Soo-yeon."

She swiveled her chair toward me, leaning in so her arm brushed mine subtly. Sweet perfume wafted with the soft press of her generous chest against my arm.

'...Way too much.'

Lee Soo-yeon was the queen bee type—incredibly popular. Her attention on me drew every eye in the room, naturally.

Her curvaceous, sensual Western build magnetized the guys even more.

And sure enough, a couple of burly thugs with sour faces rose and lumbered over.

Skinhead material, all of them.

Seraphina's taste ran that way?

Cracking knuckles—they screamed "looking for trouble."

'What a pain.'

Soo-yeon had to know how this played out, but she lit up with amusement, hugging my arm tighter.

"Oh? My friends coming to say hi already? Ihyeon, you're popular~"

"Uh, wait, kinda..."

"Why? Sweating 'cause I'm stuck to you? Hee hee, can't help it. Totally fell for you."

She puffed hot breath in my ear, making it worse.

The thugs' eyes blazed with jealousy and hostility. Marked from day one. Great.

Just as things turned ugly—

"That's far enough."

A quiet voice echoed low from behind the thugs.

The aggressors turned with annoyed scowls. There stood a neatly uniformed boy.

Utterly indifferent to fights or fuss, eyes glued to his sleek tablet PC.

Flawless pale skin, long lashes, delicate and beautiful features. Androgynous looks clashing with his cool expression.

"Class rep? This ain't your business."

"Outta the way, Tool. Why's a soon-to-be C-Platoon guy bothering?"

The thugs snapped irritably, but class rep "Tool" didn't flinch at the insults.

Ignoring them, he turned to me.

"Kang Ihyeon, right?"

"...Yeah."

"Come with me a moment. Your gear's ready."

"Gear?"

Soo-yeon blinked curiously, still clinging to my arm.

"What gear? Why's he getting special treatment?"

At her childish question, Tool glanced up from his tablet, eyeing her annoyedly.

"C-Rank gear set. From the Straggler Reorganization Exam... mock rift eval. This student took overall 1st, so Instructor Seraphina awarded it as special reward. No room for complaints."

"What? Him?"

"C-Rank gear?"

C-Rank hunter gear.

I'd heard about it.

Wasn't it based on performance?

'No, they said 1st in exam gets it... must include that.'

Tool's words stunned Soo-yeon, the thugs, eavesdroppers—everyone.

A straggler fresh transfer scoring enough for a full C-Rank set? Unbelievable.

Atmosphere flipped. Hostility to bewilderment and wary caution.

Tool ignored them, jerking his chin at me.

"Let's go."

"Uh, okay..."

I confirmed Soo-yeon dazedly release my arm and quietly followed Tool out.

Eyeing his back in the empty hallway, I thought.

Tool. Flashy Eastern silk robes—battle-modified design. Long-hilted dagger on his back. No average student.

As if reading my mind, he halted and turned.

"Kang Ihyeon."

"Yeah?"

"From the Ashen... no, Instructor Seraphina has a message."

Ashen affiliation, as expected.

"This weekend evening. Welcome party prepared for you. Please attend."

"Party...?"

"Venue's familiar. Red-light district, Paradise."

Paradise? My hometown?

Chill hit me.

Using my origins to pressure me? So obvious, I wondered if it was even a trap.

'Such a hassle.'

But expected anyway.

No power or excuse to cut Ashen ties now.

To gain big, sometimes enter the tiger's den.

"...Got it. Tell them I'll attend."

"Wise choice."

Tool smiled faintly, satisfied. He resumed walking, casually explaining the gear storage like nothing happened.