Chapter 88
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Pie in the Sky
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Four hours later.
Yu Market, mid-levels, recovery room.
A round mana lamp floated on the ceiling.
It pulsed with a faint blue light in rhythm with the recovery formation spread across the room.
"Ugh... not as bad as I thought..."
I slowly raised my upper body from the bed and lightly rolled my shoulders.
The throbbing in my temples was gradually subsiding.
"Hm, it'd be a lie to say it didn't hurt, but it's bearable."
From someone who's survived several near-death experiences so far, the trait extraction process earlier wasn't exactly painful—it was just unpleasant.
The strange pulling sensation as something slowly extracted along my mana circuits, the emptiness inside my body, the occasional dizziness.
But compared to the agony of getting punched in the gut by Arkin Ro, it was a thousand—no, ten thousand times better. So, good is good.
"Hoo."
I let out a long breath, and the hospital room door slid open in response.
"Junior, you're awake?"
A familiar voice.
The hem of a bright mint lab coat appeared first, followed by Yoo Ji-an peeking her head into the room.
"You okay? No dizziness, no tingling in your limbs, no urge to vomit?"
"Those are awfully specific questions. But... yeah, I'm honestly better than expected."
"Ooh~ That's what I was waiting to hear after monitoring you for four hours."
She clapped her hands in satisfaction and flashed the crystal pad in her hand.
"Your readings look good too. Residual mana after extraction is above expectations, recovery speed is fast. Your constitution really is top-notch, Junior."
"Sounds like I was born and bred for lab rat duty in a past life."
"Oops, you heard that?"
"You said it loud on purpose."
I got off the bed and moved my body around some more.
There was still some muscle soreness, but not enough to prevent fighting.
"So, no more tests or anything here?"
"Right."
Yoo Ji-an nodded.
"It's all in Yu Family territory now. We just make the potion using the mana circuit data from you!"
She swiped the pad with her finger and grinned.
"Anyway, to celebrate finishing the extraction, how about a Yu Market tour?"
"...Not the lab again?"
"No, pure shopping today. We'll pick out traits or skills that suit you. It's the best collection from around the world—passing it up would be rude to the Yu Family, right?"
Her words sounded oddly convincing, so I nodded without much protest.
I'd been planning to ask for it anyway, even without her offer.
"Sure. Money's the issue, though."
"Pfft~ No charge! You gave me a trait, after all."
A dangerously gleeful glint flashed in her eyes.
"Just do me one little favor!"
"A favor?"
"Yep~ A simple one! Just visit me more, drink more of my potions, and occasionally help with experiments—"
"Pass. I'll just look."
"Tch."
With that cute click of her tongue, we slowly left the recovery room.
Yu Market, upper levels, VIP skill and trait exhibition hall.
The entire floor was enclosed in a mana barrier, with transparent panels floating in rows through each section.
Vials, crystals, scrolls, and equipment rotated slowly inside the panels, displaying their info.
"This is where we keep the top-tier skills and traits from the Yu Family's collection."
Yoo Ji-an placed her hands on her hips proudly.
"The really dangerous stuff is all off-limits, though."
"That sounds a bit scary."
We stopped in front of the nearest panel.
Semitransparent text floated naturally into view.
— [Mana Regeneration Circuit]
Basic Trait / Passive
Increases base mana recovery speed by 15%, efficiency rises in prolonged combat.
"First one that came to mind for you."
Yoo Ji-an tapped the screen.
"For mages, it's all about whether your mana runs out first, right? This alone will make a huge difference in long fights."
"Looks good, but... side effects?"
"Force the circuits in mana depletion, and you'll feel hangover-level fatigue all next day. Manage it well, no big issues."
"......"
"What good's just staring? Don't make that 'Eh, hangovers are familiar' face."
"Ahem."
I cleared my throat awkwardly and looked at another panel.
— [Neural Response Acceleration]
Support Trait / Passive
Slightly boosts visual/auditory processing speed and reflexes. Advantageous for high-speed combat and precise control.
"Oh... this looks pretty good too."
"It's pricey."
Yoo Ji-an cut in immediately.
"But it'd pair well with you. Real-time bullet trajectory calc and barrier inscription control would benefit a ton."
"...Side effects?"
"Overprocess high-difficulty info too long: nausea, headaches, rarely sensory overload."
"So, mess up and you're puking before the fight starts."
"Exactly. But if I teach you proper use..."
She sidled up closer.
'Why's she so aggressive today?'
I instinctively stepped back and pointed to another panel.
— [Emergency Mana Lock]
Active Skill.
Seals mana leakage briefly, boosts skill efficiency. No mana recovery for a time after use.
"Total gamble skill."
"Yep. Last-ditch 'end it here or die' move. Hence 'emergency'."
Yoo Ji-an added with a smile.
"Doesn't suit you, though. You'd seek the optimal solution even then."
"That's a pretty lousy assessment."
"It's a compliment. My favorite type."
"That phrasing sounds pretty dangerous."
We wandered between panels for a while.
Yoo Ji-an explained each one, slipping in shady lines like "How's this?", "Your constitution could handle it, right?", "For experimental purposes..."
But her explanations were spot-on.
No salesman exaggeration.
She covered real feel in use, expected synergies, compatibility with my current traits.
"In conclusion."
Back at the start after a lap, I glanced at her and spoke.
"Nothing here feels quite right to buy right now."
"Right?"
Yoo Ji-an nodded readily.
"Your fundamentals are still growing, so stacking these might halve efficiency. Best as market research for today."
"Hearing that actually reassures me. Thought you'd push regret-worthy ones harder than good fits."
"Pfft."
She placed a hand on her chest dramatically.
"Who do you think I am? I seriously treasure your body... er, growth curve."
"You paused that on purpose."
"Yes."
I sighed, and she giggled.
"Anyway, Yu Family schedule ends here! Extraction success, data solid, you're in good shape. 120 out of 100."
"Where'd the extra 20 come from?"
"My personal satisfaction."
"Ah, got it."
Somehow wrapping up the pre-Seolga schedule safely, I followed Yoo Ji-an's lead down to the lower levels.
Yu Market lobby.
Stepping out of the elevator, Seol Yu-bin was visible by the main entrance, arms crossed against the wall.
She waved and approached as we neared.
"Ooh~ Faces say no big issues?"
"Less pain than expected."
Yoo Ji-an answered first.
"Whether our Hyun-sol has amazing endurance or I did great work... Your cooperation sped it up."
"Our Hyun-sol... Ahem, glad it ended quick anyway."
Seol Yu-bin eyed Yoo Ji-an's enigmatic smile, then scanned my face with a mix of tease and relief.
"Was ready to freeze the whole place if your eyes went vacant."
"Don't even joke about that."
"Not a joke? Eh, whatever."
Seol Yu-bin dusted her hands lightly.
"Okay~ Yu Family stuff done. Time for Seolga proper. But first—"
She poked my shoulder.
"Hungry?"
"...A bit?"
The post-extraction "recovery diet" nutrition jelly was more industrial goo than food.
Yoo Ji-an shot her hand up quick.
"Me too! Monitoring four hours straight, starving..."
"You just sat pressing monitor buttons."
"That's the hardest. No eating, no drinking, constant focus?"
"Heard from Master Yoo Tae-min you eat fine during normal experiments."
"Ahem, Grandpa spills useless stuff... That's routine ones. Important ops like this? No food!"
As their brief spat continued, Seol Yu-bin smoothly wrapped it up.
"Anyway... Long drive to Seolga, so lunch nearby first."
"Sis buying?"
"Obviously. Main guinea—er, star's here today."
She grinned playfully and gave my back a light push.
"Hyun-sol, what do you want? Your pick today."
Sudden choice.
I pondered briefly, recalling the hectic day from morning.
Academy closing ceremony, front gate chaos, dozens of cameras, trait extraction.
"Nothing greasy. Too heavy and I'll crash before Seolga."
"Clean soup then?"
"Sounds good."
"Done."
Seol Yu-bin pulled out her smartphone, quick-searched local spots, and set direction.
"Decent place a short walk from Yu Market. Quiet, not crowded, and best—"
She winked.
"Structure won't draw eyes even with three celebs."
"...I'm one of those three, right?"
"Yep."
"Why me?"
I didn't wanna be included.
Moderate attention's best.
Seol Yu-bin smiled at my question and started walking, Yoo Ji-an following with a small shout.
"A bottom-of-the-barrel admit dragging all those incidents one semester—sure you don't know why you're famous?"
"...Sorry."
Speechless, I apologized softly and trailed behind.
Yu Market's automatic doors opened again.
Fresh outdoor air brushed my face instead of warm herbal scent.