Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 44
Chapter Title: Doomed but Genius, So It's Fine
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They say imitation is the mother of creation.
Humans fashioned blades after the teeth and claws of beasts, and airplanes after birds soaring through the sky.
In that sense, this wasn't mere replication of a movie scene—it was a new creation.
I manifested the 'Loyal Guard Warrior's Dagger' and linked it to my celestial threads.
To get a feel for it, I fired them off in all directions—front, back, left, right—then reeled them back in, over and over.
Once I was warmed up, I added one more thread and wrapped it around my left bracelet.
Now two celestial threads were in place, one on each arm.
I added a second straw dummy to match.
I positioned it about five meters behind the first one.
Staring down the two dummies in a line like a bird of prey, I casually extended my hand.
*Shwick*
The thread from my left hand coiled around the dummy and contracted. It wobbled once more before being yanked back in.
"Now!"
Just before impact, I released the coiled thread.
*Snap*
The dummy flipped over the first one in a somersault, hanging motionless in midair like an assassin leaping into the heart of enemy territory to take out the leader.
That was when I hurled the dagger at the second dummy.
*Thwack*
In a flash of light, the dagger embedded itself. Controlled by my will, its accuracy was 100%.
A crack formed at the center of the dummy's forehead where the dagger struck true, then it shattered with a *crack*...
"Eek!"
But I plummeted first.
Flailing my limbs, I crashed down and tumbled across the ground a few more times.
"Damn it."
I'd only just started walking with it—jumping was too greedy after all.
* * *
Four hours flew by.
My body reeked of sweat, and my mouth was parched with a foul breath.
This was the realm of embodiment.
Mastering the body truly wasn't easy. I'd practiced dozens of times, but progress was glacial.
Nine out of ten attempts ended in failed landings, and even when I succeeded, my stamina couldn't carry me to the next move.
That bastard Radeon.
I'd thought he just coasted on his traits and luck, but now in the same boat, he seemed different.
He must have poured blood and sweat into mastering those threads.
"Hmm."
Anyway, I'd gotten a taste, so I decided to call it a day.
I flopped down onto the floor.
With plenty to reflect on, I needed rest—and to ponder my next steps.
My combat style had changed, so the old mana-maxing build was no longer viable.
From handling it myself, I could see that strength, agility, stamina, senses—none could be neglected.
"I need at least averages."
Even Imperial Academy students averaged 6 in physical stats. I was at 4.
A long road ahead.
Mana would remain my core, but I'd need to bolster the rest as support.
Should I increase stamina training time?
Or invest more time?
[Remaining Time: 23 days, 12 hours, 45 minutes]
I glanced at the timer, then mulled it over some more.
Fortunately, there was plenty of leeway until the next episode.
Roughly two to three weeks.
The Demon Subjugation Society, nursing grudges from their failed terror attack, would bare its fangs in its first major incident.
The target: Joo Ah-rin, from the interview. Rescue handled by Cheon Seo-yoon and Baek Sa-young.
The foe: a powerhouse demon from the Society, one that could take on a hundred alone.
But the sequence was set—Baek Sa-young clears the path, Cheon Seo-yoon finishes it.
It dovetailed with Cheon Seo-yoon's growth arc amid Joo Ah-rin's crisis, awakening a new trait right on cue.
Anyway, the threads' debut was scheduled for then.
I had to get proficient beforehand.
I'd dedicate eight hours a day to Three Disasters Merit and basic stamina training, and soon master 2-star brewing too—but as they say, treat daily life like training.
Keep them close, and I'd adapt fast.
"Shall I try once more now?"
As the saying goes, pull the iron horn off while it's hot. I summoned two straw dummies.
About two meters apart.
I extended the threads, creating two long horizontal lines, then wove vertical ones tightly between them.
A makeshift hammock.
Meant to blend rest and practice—it turned out pretty decent.
To others, I'd look like I was floating midair, but I could see it fine.
Good enough.
I carefully lay down.
...
"Urgh..."
But soon, cold sweat beaded on my skin.
Maintaining the shape with a trickle of continuous mana wasn't easy.
Still, I gritted my teeth and pushed on.
[Trait: Sensitive Senses activated.]
With the trait's aid, I focused like a stone statue.
After thirty minutes, I had a feel for the intensity and amount of mana needed.
Basics down.
Now to try moving...
*Bzzzzt*
Right on cue, my phone vibrated.
Was there ever a better mission timing?
Slowly, carefully, I reached out and grabbed it.
...
But the content was too heavy to ignore.
[From: Joo Ah-rin]
[I'm not trying to pry into what happened. But you should know Seo-yoon's not doing well.]
"...She's really struggling?"
Lost in thought, I unwittingly released the threads.
I dropped with a *thud*, but it didn't hurt.
My gut feeling had been off.
Hmm.
I'd judge the details face-to-face.
* * *
Monday's first class: individual sparring.
With theory done, practicals began at Outdoor Training Ground 5.
Normally a thirty-minute walk, but that's for pedestrians—
Treat daily life like training.
*Whoosh*
True to yesterday's resolve, I swung between buildings.
Waiting for clear moments, firing threads, advancing bit by bit.
Easily clearing ten meters per leap, I moved swiftly.
After fifteen minutes, an open field came into view.
Followed by the clamor of students.
The usual hubbub, nothing odd—except today it was unusually intense, drawing my attention.
Peering over, Baek Sa-young's group was at the center.
The situation was clear from the snippets of conversation.
"No way—no casualties at all?"
"Man, incidents just won't stop."
The auction house.
Students who'd heard via news swarmed in.
I was an auction house member too, but whether due to my past or low profile, no one approached.
Expected, so no regrets.
But Cheon Seo-yoon?
Unlike me, her feats stood out. Even without showboating, she'd stick by the group.
My unease doubled when I spotted her slumped in a corner of the outdoor stands.
Cheon Seo-yoon sat as if lying down, blankly staring at drifting clouds.
Hmm.
As Joo Ah-rin's text suggested, she seemed seriously off.
I moved closer.
...
Our eyes met.
I held my breath without thinking.
...
But her gaze was lifeless, unblinking.
No emotion in those vacant eyes.
Cheon Seo-yoon turned away as if nothing happened.
"...What the hell."
She should've snapped at least.
I'd suspected, but this was worse—I clutched my head briefly.
Setting aside personal feelings, it was unsettling.
Per the original, she should've used the necklace loss as fuel for self-improvement by now.
Only then would she gain a new trait and emerge as savior in the upcoming episode.
But this listless state?
It was only day two—brushing it off as temporary wouldn't cut it.
She was deep in the mire.
"Should've been kinder?"
I considered alternatives but shook my head.
No, that had been best.
Prolonged excuses would've invited identity suspicions, and leaving loose ends or regrets gained nothing.
Inevitability.
Intervening in the original meant unavoidable outcomes.
"Gather over here, everyone."
Lost in thought, the instructor arrived.
Cheon Seo-yoon shuffled over like she'd been waiting.
Exchanged words with the professor about feeling unwell, then retreated to her corner.
"Something up with Cheon Seo-yoon? Why's she like that?"
"Dunno. Ignores you if you talk."
Students murmured; amid it, sharp eyes fixed on me.
...
Joo Ah-rin.
Her gaze mixed reproach, frustration, curiosity—staring me down.
* * *
Class began.
"For the next two weeks, formative evaluations. Aim for the Great Demon War, improve skills and..."
The stern-faced female professor outlined key points.
But it went in one ear and out the other.
"Victory yields 3 points, draw 1 point..."
My mind raced for solutions to the current mess.
As soon as possible...
Before Cheon Seo-yoon sank deeper.
I could guess her mindset.
Not just the necklace breaking—losing her long-pursued goal in an instant.
The void from everything past and future crumbling away.
Loss of drive...
Fixable with new motivation, but the problem was that new drive...
"Today's spars: pair up freely. Losers get no points, plus..."
Sparring?
A solid idea hit then.
That drive...
I could provide it.
Sparring often vented pent-up emotions.
"Yeah."
Since I'd taken the villain role...
Seeing it through to the end might salvage the derailed plot.
Our relationship would sour irreparably, I'd get an earful, but better than inaction.
"Sparring starts in 30 minutes. Warm up and gear up."
Seizing the professor's brief absence, I approached Cheon Seo-yoon.
The air grew heavier with proximity.
An awkward tension tugged at my ankles.
Still, I pressed on.
And faced her.
"What're you doing here?"
She looked up at my flat tone.
Her pupils flickered—better than apathy. I pressed on.
"Think that'll change anything?"
"..."
"Dunno the big backstory, but it's just an object."
The air shifted with those words.
But not enough to ignite her.
Needing stronger provocation, I swung the verbal blade again.
"You stopped it with minimal damage. Zero deaths. Good job, right?"
"You right now..."
"So quit obsessing over a broken trinket."
I provoked with my best shot.
Predictable result.
"...That's all you came to say?"
Cheon Seo-yoon bit her lip and stood.
Her vacant eyes now burned with fury toward me; the embers reignited, heat rising.
Mission accomplished, minimally.
Relationship wrecked beyond repair, but no longer listless...
Now, just vent that ignited heat in one big burst.
With some confidence, I beckoned her.
"Feeling pissed? Then spar me."
"What bullshit since earlier..."
"Quit moping and fight. I broke that necklace, right? You gotta resent me."
"..."
"Scared? Of losing to rank 700?"
I smirked, tossing out bait she couldn't ignore.
"No way you're chickening out?"
Originally, a nastier "Scared?" but I couldn't quite say it.
Anyway, she'd never let this slide.
Instant reaction.
"Ha. Fuck."
Cheon Seo-yoon clenched her fist with a *crack*, spitting each word.
"...You better own those words."
Her low, fierce voice chilled like a blade to the throat.
Whoa...
I flinched but played it cool.
"In your state, it'd be weirder if you lost."
"...Don't regret it."
With that, Cheon Seo-yoon trudged off.
An ominous heat swept the quiet training ground.