Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Clubs Are Something You Fight for with Your Life On the Line
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"Kim Si-woo took on the Purity Faction? Come on, that doesn't make any sense. How could he even..."
Students from A-1 class throwing shade at the rumor that I'd handled twenty Purity Faction members all by myself.
"Hey! It's because you skipped Professor Kang Geom-seon's class! I saw it myself..."
"He beat Kim Si-woo and then spared Kang Hwa-yeon...? That can't be right!"
"Kang Hwa-yeon said it herself! You're just jealous because you didn't see the fight!"
"No way that's real...?"
"It is! Du-pal, you saw it too—back me up here."
At those words, Kwak Du-pal blinked back in shock, his face looking like he hadn't slept in days.
"What?"
"Kim Si-woo. Kim Si-woo. You saw it, right?"
Kwak Du-pal recoiled in terror at the mention.
"Pl-please, just leave me alone! Aaaah! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"
"What's wrong with you?"
The students in class with me—taking Professor Kang Geom-seon's lessons together—were all buying into the rumors getting blown out of proportion.
Why fan the flames like that? If Kang Hwa-yeon overheard, who knows what grudge she'd hold against me.
I glanced her way with that thought, and there she was, smirking faintly at the students' reactions.
Baek A-rin right beside her, doing the same.
'Everyone's having fun except me now, huh.'
Fine. I give up. If I can't avoid it, might as well enjoy it.
After the promotion ceremony anyway, I'd be drawing even bigger attention. Can't let this shake my nerves.
'Still, twenty? No way it was twenty.'
At most, four. And those were guys who'd already been worn down by Baek A-rin and Kang Hwa-yeon. How does that turn into twenty in the rumors?
This gossip better stay contained here.
I do have Baek A-rin as my sponsor, but the thought of it reaching Lee Seong-hyeon's ears sent a chill down my spine.
'Nah, it's probably unavoidable at this point.'
Lee Seong-hyeon. Kang Hwa-yeon.
No—the pinnacle of talent gathered here at the academy. I'd promised to stand at the top. That meant clashing head-on with Lee Seong-hyeon eventually.
'And it'll happen soon.'
The two exams that weigh heaviest in raising your rank at the academy.
Midterms and finals.
Midterms were coming up.
Written exams by grade level, and the practical combat evaluation that matters most for rankings. The Martial Tournament, they call it.
My goal: Earn at least the same evaluation as Lee Seong-hyeon in this tournament.
'And here's the problem.'
The new tutorial that popped up after that last dungeon incident.
Club Founding
A fresh tutorial after encountering the boss monster.
'No clue what it even means.'
How does the Empty Skillbook's tutorial system work? It doesn't seem to chase any clear goals or purposes.
Just academy-related tutorials popping up.
'Simple as that—tailored to my situation, I guess.'
Honestly, I doubt it's that convenient. No way to figure it out right now anyway.
'Clubs, though.'
The academy's packed with clubs. Hobby groups to hardcore combat training for skill development.
But at a place like Seoul Hunter Academy, clubs carry extra weight. Most have deep histories, and club activities can impact your hunter career post-graduation.
'They say club connections are the best networking you can build here.'
Some clubs even run legit economic operations, practically companies. Just participating counts as experience.
That's why most students at this ambition-fueled 'Seoul Hunter Academy' aim for established clubs with legacy. Nobody thinks of starting a new one.
'Haven't been any new clubs founded in years.'
The tutorial's about founding a club, but I was planning to do it eventually anyway.
Just a bit sooner than expected.
The killer perks clubs get. One big one: Legal solo hunter ops. Normally, subjugating without a clan is a bureaucratic nightmare, but clubs just apply in advance to the academy.
'Government-backed privilege for this combat-focused academy.'
Translation: Found a club, and monster subjugation chances skyrocket.
Naturally, skill acquisition opportunities too.
'And some'll be skills you can pass off as non-skills.'
Like 'Fate Intervention,' for example.
'Skillbook.'
- Poor Strike LV. 4 (E Rank)
- Dark Screen LV. 2 (D Rank)
- Bunny Hop LV. 3 (D Rank)
- Phantom Body LV. 1 (C Rank)
- Fate Intervention LV. 2 (B Rank)
Skill levels are decently up, and I've got five already.
If I snag 'that skill' I want on top, matching Lee Seong-hyeon in the tournament isn't impossible.
'First things first: Found the club.'
Time to go see Instructor Lee Dok-sa.
...
"Oh, Si-woo? What brings you here?"
"You look swamped."
Instructor Lee Dok-sa, buried in paperwork, barely able to meet my eyes as she powered through.
"From that dungeon mess you got dragged into, to now valuable materials vanishing in the terror attack—it's chaos. Third day without leaving the office."
"Ah... Sorry."
She blinked in surprise at my face and chuckled softly.
"Hey! Why are you apologizing, Si-woo? You did nothing wrong. Blame the academy for botching the cave survey, and Purity Faction for the theft."
Every innocent word stabbed at my conscience.
Sorry. Sorry.
From start to finish, 100% my fault.
I carefully handed over a box of Vita 600 I'd brought as a guilty peace offering.
"Oh, what's this?"
"Figured you were working hard lately, so I grabbed it on the way."
"Can't accept gifts from students..."
"Too heavy to take back."
It'll ease my mind.
Plus, I've got a favor to ask.
"Fine, I'll share with the other students who drop by. Thanks. Mind if I crack one open now?"
She grinned, pulling out two bottles and handing me one.
"You have one too, Si-woo."
Vita 600...
Holy water...
"Urk..."
"What's wrong?!"
"N-nothing."
Ever since Erina's 'that incident,' Vita 600 always conjures holy water vibes.
"So, you came with an agenda, right? Si-woo?"
"What? This is just gratitude for our hardworking instructor."
"Doesn't seem like you to buy this without reason."
"..."
What's wrong with my personality?
Everyone I meet thinks I'm a bit off. Just my imagination?
I am here to ask for a favor, though.
"I want to found a club."
"You? Starting a club?"
Lee Dok-sa finally looked up from her papers, eyes wide.
"Yeah. Doing it myself."
"Why? No one accepting you?!"
Academy clubs are selective. No surprise they'd hesitate over a one-skillbook guy like me.
Guess she's assuming that.
"No, it's not—"
"Someone like you? I'd vouch, or Professor Kang Geom-seon would. Inferno Clan or Snow Mountain direct clubs? Piece of cake. They'd see your skills and agree."
"No, I..."
"Not into clan ties? 'Ha-yeon' or Professor Kang's club if you want elite. No need to worry..."
I smiled and cut in as she rambled.
"No. I want to start my own."
"Why?! With your skills..."
"No clubs let first-years do hunter activities."
An unspoken tradition turned ironclad rule.
Trouble is, I can't wait. Need to subjugate now.
She shot back.
"That'll spark friction with upperclassmen clubs, you know."
How clubs snag clubrooms.
Vast campus, but prime spots? Battle the old clubs for them.
They won't yield without a huge stake, and incumbents have the edge.
Biggest reason no new clubs form.
Man, this academy's cutthroat. Was planning to beg upperclassmen for a corner spot anyway.
"No choice."
She nodded.
"Ah, so that's it."
"Y-yeah..."
What? Did she get it right?
"Panpagia right after enrolling. Solo boss subjugation next. Now picking a fight with upperclassmen clubs."
"Huh?"
"I'd talk you out of it personally, but if you've got a plan... can't stop you."
No, that's not—
"Best bet: Swipe a second-year club's room. A first-year smashing upperclassmen rules? Can't wait to see it."
I said no!