Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Conditions for Establishing a Crime
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"Yawn."
A refreshing morning with the chirping of birds. I woke up with sleepy eyes. Of course, I woke up on the sofa.
As I clutched my aching back and sat up, the pain spread. Muscle soreness flared up all over my body, as if trying to stop me from moving. Even so, I let out a grandfatherly groan and got up.
Stretching roughly as I stood, I looked around. On the bed, a golden-haired beauty and a black cat were sleeping comfortably, legs spread wide.
Is this right? The homeowner sleeps on the sofa, while the squatter and her pet take the bed. Is this okay?
I sat back on the sofa with a bitter expression, preparing for the day ahead.
Today was the first day of practical training. An artificial instance dungeon created by Justitia. Training to clear it.
That's why I tamed Lachesis too. For reference, yesterday she rolled around on the floor for about three hours before finally calling me [Master]. I couldn't pamper her with just whips, so I toned it down and coaxed her with food.
Lachesis tamed, one thing left.
A weapon.
I don't know how to use any weapons. Can't shoot a gun, never done sports, nothing I can even handle a little.
"Should've learned swordsmanship or fencing."
At least if I'd gone to the military like most Korean guys. I could've at least shot a gun!
But just like there's always a way even if the sky falls, there's a solution. I opened [Menu] and tapped [Skills].
Two empty skill slots. Fill one with a weapon-related skill, and I'll have more weapons I can use!
This is humanity—adaptable animals that use brains and tools! I praised my brilliant mind and tapped the skill list.
[Enter search term.]
I typed in two simple letters: weapon. An enormous list of skills appeared.
"Whoa."
Way too many. Easily over ten thousand. I quickly changed the search.
[Mastery types]
Mastery skills boost weapon proficiency, letting you wield them like a craftsman just by having the skill. Someone in the story had one.
[Sword Mastery (A+) - 15,000,000P]
[Lance Mastery (A+) - 12,000,000P]
[Bow Mastery (A+) - 11,000,000P]
[Hammer Mastery (A+) - 5,500,000P]
………………………
………………
………
"........."
I was speechless. Why so expensive? Even combining all my points, I couldn't afford one.
Seems the more common the weapon, the pricier. Who even uses hammers that it's so costly?
What am I, a broke guy, supposed to do?
Current points: 99,500P left after buying 「Heaven's Blessing (EX)」, plus 100,000P from beating Isia, total 199,500P.
Is this the wall of reality? Scrolling down in despair, one skill caught my eye.
"Why's this so cheap?"
It was at the very bottom, the absolute end of the list. Probably because scythes are the least popular weapon class in this world. In reality, they're farming tools, not weapons.
The only users are like the Grim Reaper. I don't even remember any novel characters using one.
Fine, I'll bite. I tapped Scythe Mastery.
[「Scythe Mastery (A+)」: Increases understanding and proficiency with scythes. Handle them like limbs. Bonuses to specific actions.]
[Purchasing this skill leaves 49,500P.]
[Purchase?]
[Y/N]
Hmm. No one uses it. For some reason, I like that. My inner hipster is bubbling up, urging me to buy it.
But there's always a reason things aren't popular. Maybe it's ridiculously hard to use or has some fatal flaw.
Still, the price was too tempting. Should I? Yeah, I'll do it?
"I'm pressing it?!"
"Pressing what? You're so loud."
A sudden voice from behind startled me. I turned to see the golden-haired girl rubbing her messy bedhead, looking half-asleep. But that wasn't the point. My startled hand had trembled right onto...
The Y button.
No take-backs now.
"You're such a helpful existence."
"Huh? Geez, compliments this early? I know."
Yeah, she knows too well. Saying that even after seeing my tears—her tact must've been eaten with her breakfast.
Early morning.
I'm striding down a street with no students heading to school yet. A cute black cat rides on my shoulder, yawning lazily, and a blonde girl walks beside me on the right.
This peaceful commute gradually got weird. The neat asphalt vanished, replaced by dirt paths. Following the bumpy, unkempt road led to an empty construction site.
Justitia's always building new structures, so sites like this are common. Early morning meant no one around.
"Where's this?"
Raphael's question made me tilt my head.
"A construction site. Can't you tell? Are you dumb?"
"...I can see that. I'm asking why we're here. Can't read context? Korean lit major? Dumb? Idiot?"
[They're the same, nyang.]
Lachesis's jab left me speechless. I smacked my lips and headed into the site. Raphael followed, calling 'W-wait~!'
We reached a pile of construction materials. I stood there, scanning around.
"Any CCTV nearby?"
Raphael shook her head. Makes sense—no asphalt, no cameras. I reached out and opened [Inventory].
The rebar stacks vanished into it instantly. Raphael's eyes sparkled, Lachesis gaped in surprise.
"It all fits?"
"Apparently."
I didn't know either. Capacity unknown, but it sucked in at least 30 rebars. Not just those—
All nearby materials from the site. Wonder how much that is.
[Wh-what?! Master, you're a spatial mage, nyang?!]
As if. I shook my head and checked inventory.
Satisfying. I picked only the heavy stuff— this should be enough.
As I nodded, Raphael grabbed my arm.
"I-is this okay? This is a crime. Theft! What are you gonna do?!"
Typical angel. I shook my head and clicked my tongue.
"Raphael. There's one thing you don't know."
"????"
Raphael stared in disbelief, but I grinned confidently.
"A crime only counts if you get caught. Ever hear of a perfect crime?"
"..."
[...]
Why this reaction? Don't look at me like that. Come on, say something.
My prayer worked—Raphael covered her mouth, then shouted toward the distance—
"Thief here!! Construction workers!!!"
Luckily, we escaped the site before Raphael's fuss drew anyone.
Calming her ravings about turning myself in, we made it to school—only to be dragged by homeroom teacher Shin Ki-ha to the forest.
One of Justitia's vast plots: a forest with an artificial cave out front.
Shin Ki-ha stood there with two instructors, hands behind backs.
"Today's training is dungeon conquest, a hero's core duty. You'll clear this artificial instance dungeon in standard hero parties of four—"
I half-ignored Shin Ki-ha. I knew it already—not worth listening. What mattered was in my hand.
A fairly light weapon, unlike other metal ones. Similar length to a spear, but for slashing, not stabbing. Felt like an extension of my body despite first time holding it.
Aah, this is what [skill power] means...!
I swung the scythe around, feeling its balance. Like a comrade from long battles. For reference, I told Shin Ki-ha about it, got 'You use that?' and he said take it since no one else does.
Fine by me.
"So excited. Really excited."
I ignored the voice beside me. Of course I'm excited. New toy!
[Not a kid, why act like one, nyang.]
Shut up. What do you know? Guys are eternal kids till death.
As I swung the scythe and Raphael with Lachesis stared pitifully, Shin Ki-ha continued.
"Early semester, so form your own teams to bond. Class divides evenly into four teams—no stragglers—"
"Whoa? Seong-hoon. Teams are self-formed? We don't know anyone—how? That teacher's human? Can he humiliate students like this?"
Raphael grabbed my arm. I agreed—it reminded me of my school days. But not this time.
"It's fine. You and me first."
Plus one more. Just need one recruit.
Raphael tilted her head at my words. I waited for Shin Ki-ha to finish.
"Form teams now. Report complete ones to me."
With that, I clapped twice. Perks of top-caste school predator.
No reaction to my claps. Ignoring Raphael's confusion, I opened my mouth.
Clapped twice again—
"Maid~"
Huh? No answer?
"The maid who lost to my uppercut~"
Still no?
"Rank 12 who lost to Rank 1028 maid~"
Harsh. Real harsh. Next one should work?
"Magic Association heir who lost to me—"
"Aaaah!!! Why!!!"
Finally, a reaction.