Chapter 66
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Incident at the Hospital (1)
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"Hah... huff."
I'd managed to calm down somehow... but an indescribable rage still boiled inside me.
Maybe because I'd yelled in a state where I hadn't fully recovered, my throat ached all over.
My fingertips trembled wildly.
But I couldn't tell if this was due to the aftereffects of my injuries or the lingering fury in the body of Kang Hyun-sol, the guy I'd possessed.
'... Damn it, what the hell is this.'
The me from my previous life and Kang Hyun-sol were definitely separate beings.
Yet in that moment just now, a rage so suffocating it felt like I'd truly lost my own parents had overtaken me.
My body wouldn't settle down easily.
I had no idea how much time had passed since I blacked out, or why the wounds from that attack by Arken Row still throbbed.
I didn't even know where I was.
"Hoo... Let's calm down first."
I took slow, deep breaths and looked around.
For starters, there were needles stuck in my right arm, connected to an IV and various medications, so it seemed I'd survived and been transported to a hospital.
On the patient shelf, there were fruit baskets, paper bags, and even potion bottles—probably left by visitors.
'Potion bottles... Did Yoo Ji-an stop by? She didn't feed me any weird drugs while I was out cold, did she?'
After a brief pointless thought that eased my tension a bit more, I tried to sit up very slowly.
Of course, the moment I moved even a step, excruciating pain shot through my entire body, and I flopped right back onto the bed in the same position.
So I gave up on moving and just stared at the hospital ceiling while lost in thought again.
'... Not all the weird past incidents have been resolved yet, but at least one thing is clear now.'
Lord-rank demon Rakmael.
I had no idea what the guy was up to.
All I knew from what I'd pieced together was that he was a lord-rank demon.
And that he was the enemy who'd killed the parents of Kang Hyun-sol, the original owner of this body.
But that was enough.
Enough to prove definitively that Kang Hyun-sol wasn't on the side of the demons.
"Haa... More importantly, exactly how many days has it been?"
It was break time, but only for a week.
Skipping a day or two of classes wouldn't hurt my grades much...
Still, I didn't want to stir up unnecessary trouble, so I sat up very slowly once more and checked the time on my phone next to me.
"Thursday, huh..."
I'd fought those damn demons in the dungeon on Saturday, so I'd been out cold for over five days.
After checking the time, I unlocked my phone to see how many messages had piled up.
The moment the screen lit up, message notifications poured in like crazy.
[Sophia Litwell: When will you be back at the dorm after finishing your morning schedule? Want to meet up this afternoon? (Saturday 11:34)]
[Sophia Litwell: Why aren't you replying? Is something wrong? I'm staying at the archive longer, so come find me as soon as you see this! (Saturday 14:11)]
[Sophia Litwell: Seriously, did something happen? You still haven't checked KakaoTalk? Or are you busy hanging out with other girls!? (Saturday 19:11)]
[Sophia Litwell: I heard from Yoon Seo-rin... Not sure if you're awake yet, but I'll visit the hospital today. (Sunday 08:13)]
[Yoon Seo-rin: Sophia Litwell keeps bothering me. Reply to her as soon as you see this. (Saturday 15:32)]
[Yoon Seo-rin: Sophia Litwell came all the way to the dorm looking for you. Please take her away soon. (Saturday 19:11)]
[Yoon Seo-rin: ...Just heard from the Association. Heading over right now. (Sunday 07:42)]
[Amelia de Ravillier: Hyun-sol! Who's the date with that's making Sophia so anxious? It's annoying! Tell her you're okay as soon as you check KakaoTalk! (Saturday 15:22)]
[Amelia de Ravillier: Hyun-sol! Who are you playing around so hard with? Sophia came to my dorm whining! (Saturday 20:12)]
[Amelia de Ravillier: I heard the news... I want to come heal you right away, but I had an early morning visit to my family home... I'll wrap up as fast as I can and come! (Sunday 10:11)]
[Student Council President Yoo Ji-an: Your condition doesn't look bad, so I snuck some recovery agents into the IV. (Attached photo: Bright red potion vial) Didn't use you as a test subject while you were out, so rest easy. (Sunday 13:51)]
"... I've worried everyone."
After checking every single KakaoTalk message, I leaned my head back and let out a long sigh.
Part of me wanted to reply to everyone right away and let them know I was awake, but that wasn't the top priority now. Neither was sorting contacts.
The most urgent thing right now was claiming my rewards.
Am I crazy? No, how could I hold back?
40,000 SP, plus skills and traits!
My whole body itched to open them right now!!
I tossed my smartphone carelessly into the corner of the bed and immediately summoned the system.
Main Story Chapter 4: The Star Seeking Light Once More has begun.
Defeat General-rank Demon Arken Row and Elite-rank Demon Gerwon, and prevent the descent of the fourth Apostle.
Rewards will be distributed.
Rewards (Upon Survival): 40,000 SP, Guaranteed B-Grade Item Draw Ticket, B~S+ Skill Draw Ticket x1, Guaranteed A-Grade Trait Draw Ticket x1.
"Kya~ Insane, absolutely insane~"
Just looking at it made a grin spread across my face involuntarily.
Every single one was perfect, exactly what I wanted.
After swallowing hard for a moment, I used the Guaranteed B-Grade Item Draw Ticket first.
Will you use the B-Grade Item Guaranteed Draw Ticket?
"Yeah."
As soon as I answered, the draw ticket floating in mid-air glowed and began forming the shape of an object.
And soon, with a silver effect, a small band-like item dropped onto the bed with a thud.
I immediately picked it up and checked the item info.
[Magic Caster Band]
Grade: B
A mage-exclusive auxiliary band crafted from light blue magical alloy.
Its surface is engraved with simplified rune circuits to straighten mana flow.
If the caster's mana fluctuates excessively or the flow tangles, it automatically aligns the mana in a consistent direction, securing casting stability.
To be precise, it's not equipment that 'amplifies' mana; it suppresses initial casting tremors and hand shakes, slightly improving spell casting speed and accuracy.
Effects are particularly noticeable with consecutive spells, low-speed sustained magic, and precision sensing magic.
However, it has no effect on excessive mana amplification or large-scale magic channeling.
"Oh..."
After reading all the item info, this was solidly B-grade.
No, more precisely, it was a B-grade item closer to C-grade.
In short, a dud.
"Tch."
I flipped off the air lightly, then used the B~S+ Skill Draw Ticket next.
Will you use the B~S+ Skill Draw Ticket?
"Sure."
[Severing Gale Blade ()]
Grade: A+
A technique that explodes kinetic energy and muscle compression from a kicking motion at the tip of the foot in a brief instant, converting mana into a single 'blade' and launching it.
No intricate magic or complex runes.
A pure strike-based airflow severance technique—the phrase 'cutting the air' describes it best.
The user focuses power at the tip of their foot and can fire a straight or curved slashing wave with a single snap from any stance—on the ground, in mid-air, or while spinning.
Effects:
• Generates air-cutting wave during kick
• Wave travels up to 12m forward
• Destroys non-physical barriers / flexible defenses / weak barriers in path
• Highly effective against physically defended lifeforms
• Activation is fast and hard to predict
Limitations:
• Heavy strain on foot muscles and knee joints
• Excessive spam reduces leg strength and mobility
"Wait... isn't this...?"
An A+ skill was surprising enough, but after reading the full description, I froze solid.
No matter how I looked at it, wasn't this the Lamgak from OneX?
System, is this okay copyright-wise?
It must be fine if the game company added it.
Various uneasy thoughts crossed my mind briefly, but trusting it was no big issue, I dismissed the skill window.
"Item's a total bust... Skill's super nice, so hopefully the trait is decent?"
Hoping for a solidly usable trait, I pulled out the Guaranteed A-Grade Trait Draw Ticket from my inventory.
Will you use the A-Grade Trait Guaranteed Draw Ticket?
"Yeah."
[Bones of Extreme Combat ()]
Grade: A
A trait optimized for musculoskeletal reactions that automatically adjusts the body's movements to the most advantageous state for combat.
No noticeable difference normally, but as danger approaches, the body lowers its center of gravity on its own and shifts joint trajectories and muscle usage to the most efficient state.
In other words, it's not about outputting more power—it's a trait that assists by preventing power waste.
"Ooh yeah, that's good."
I pulled up the acquired trait info again and let out a deep breath.
[Bones of Extreme Combat ()]
Better than expected... way better.
It's not flashy or granting some dramatic power.
But in the heat of battle, your body never twists up.
No motion goes astray, no step slips.
Honestly, perfect for my current situation.
If strength is lacking, make up for it with efficiency.
The bare minimum foundation for rapid growth.
"Perfect~"
With all the reward cracking done, I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling and catching my breath.
The lingering rage in my body like a ghost wouldn't fade.
Rakmael.
Just thinking the name made my throat feel chewed up inside.
'I'll kill him for sure. For real.'
As I reaffirmed my resolve and closed my eyes quietly—
Rattle—!
I heard someone quietly opening the hospital room door.
"Oh? Hyun-sol...?"
"...?"
At that voice, I reflexively turned my head.
And there at the door stood Amelia, her usual bright smile absent—her under-eyes slightly swollen, expression disheveled.
She must have cried while I was out.
"How could you? You're awake, so why didn't you contact anyone?"
Her tone was still gentle, but the atmosphere was icy.
'...Huh?'