The Fifth Specialization (3)
"But Sung-hoon, are you really okay? That wound on your stomach looked pretty serious."
Seong Gyu-hyuk glanced down at my abdomen. I smirked and lifted my T-shirt to show him. Not a scratch—just my abs. A solid six-pack, looking pretty damn good.
"All good."
Seong Gyu-hyuk's eyebrows furrowed oddly, though he smiled as he spoke. "Sung-hoon. The more I learn about you, the more amazed I get—but you're surprising me again. I clearly saw your gut ripped open."
I shrugged with a grin. "Ripped? It was punched straight through. Didn't expect it'd heal this fast myself."
HP 100 achievement skill. Hell yeah.
Seong Gyu-hyuk chuckled and met my eyes. "...What can I even say? I'm envious of your abilities, but they're also reassuring. It's a bit late to say it now, but please take care of us going forward. I owe you big time from this morning's op." He extended his hand.
I nodded and shook it firmly. Seong Gyu-hyuk smiled. "Looks like you're heading out. Where to? Need any team members?"
I shook my head. "Nah, just gonna get some air around here. Nothing major. I'll go solo."
Seong Gyu-hyuk nodded, then gestured for me to hold on. What? He walked to the reception desk at the hospital entrance, reached under where a few nurses were sitting, and pulled out a box. Sticking out from the sides—my weapons.
Seong Gyu-hyuk grinned. "Your swords fell out when that boss bat was thrashing around. The team picked up your bow and Ingrams from wherever they landed."
My gear. Sweet. I took the box from him and strapped everything on one by one: the lifting belt with the dual swords, quiver, arrow case. Leather straps on both thighs for the Ingrams. Once I was fully loaded, Seong Gyu-hyuk said, "Saw a ton of spare mags in your duffel. Ga-yeon filled 'em all one by one. Told her the springs would wear out if she did, but she said you always keep 'em topped off."
...Huh?
I was kneeling to strap one on, but slowly looked up at him. Something off in his tone?
Seong Gyu-hyuk bit his lower lip with a smile, then glanced away and walked past me. As he did: "Ga-yeon's single right now, by the way."
Thud, thud...
...Why the hell would I need to know if that tall beauty has a boyfriend...?
...I've never looked at Seong Ga-yeon that way.
Whatever. I'm busy. I shook my head, tightened the thigh strap, and stood. The familiar heavy weight felt right.
Foreign civilians coming and going at the hospital entrance spotted me, smiling or nodding. Not soldiers—regular folks. Guess the morning fight made me kinda famous around here. I gave a quick nod back and headed out.
Midnight. Battery at 7% on my phone from my pocket. Need a charge bad.
Nearly midnight. The hospital had swarmed with sudden patients, but everywhere else was dead quiet. I crossed the road and strolled toward the runway. Collapsed barracks on both sides. US troops visible. They all looked beat. Faces and body language said no survivors in the rubble.
A few raised hands or chin tilts in greeting—I waved back casually and stepped onto the runway.
"Whew."
So still. A short walk in, barely any people. Lights and streetlamps lit the hangars and buildings to the right enough to see.
"...Alright, time to..."
Test Space Claw once...
...Oh. Forgot.
I said, "Achievement."
Hm. 15 and 16 popped up. Haven't hit 10,000 Evil Bodies yet, I guess. Was hoping for that achievement—kinda bummed. It rewards Soul Tattoos. Hated the tats for ages, but now that I've healed up... Tattoos, fuck yeah. Gimme more!
Can't without it, but oh well. Got the fifth specialization, so next one's soon. Started with 16—the Title achievement. Expands Inventory. Still no clue what it's for exactly, but it'll come in handy eventually. Confirmed Inventory bumped to 5 slots, then eyed the rest.
Honestly pumped. Specialization achievements always drop items. And they've all been stupidly useful.
...Wait.
Hold up. I'm not wearing gloves. Thinking about items made me notice. Quiver—no duplicate strap. Shit, didn't lose 'em, did I? Opened Inventory ASAP.
"Ha..." All here.
...Goes in automatically if it gets separated from me? Suck it up... Hope so. Otherwise, no way they'd be here without me putting 'em back. I chuckled, pulled out the gloves and band, and equipped them on my hands and quiver.
Back to achievements. Only 15 left.
"Whew."
C'mon, item. Item. Wonder what this time. Tapped 15—Fifth Specialization.
...?
...Whirlwind? The hell? Opened Inventory again.
...Whirlwind's in there? Just text—no clue what it is. Some wind-summoning thing? Tilted my head and tapped the slot.
Right then, a grayish whirlwind about a foot wide coiled around my hand. Small, but glowing faintly—clear even in the dark runway. Stared at the spinning vortex wrapping my palm and back of my hand.
...Seen a lot of weird shit since getting powers, but this is new. What the hell? Item? How?
Just stood there, waiting for something. Nothing happened. Just the soft-glowing gray wind circling steadily.
"...What the..."
The fuck is this? Punch with it? Air slash? Thrust my hand forward like firing a blast.
The vortex exploded outward from my palm. Glowing wind spun to the ground, taking shape fast—bottom up, top down. Before it finished, I knew what it was. Froze solid.
There it was. Wind coiling and stacking into sleek, sharp lines. Beautiful, battle-ready curves. Two wheels front and back—a pure white motorcycle.
Over two meters long. Chunky sides but sleek vibe. Two leather straps up front for mags.
"...Holy shit..."
A bike. A goddamn motorcycle!
Agility-linked spec, Space Explorer. Skill's mobility. Perk's a ride!
Fuck...! Heart pounding, I approached the bike—Whirlwind. Engine off. No key slot.
...How? Put my hand on the handlebar. Engine roared to life.
Grrruuuuurrr—like a lion's low growl.
"...Whew."
Touch to start. Probably only I can fire it up. Slid my hand slowly from handle to rear seat.
"...?"
Streamlined box on the back. Popped the handle—a small ring inside.
"...What's this?"
...No manual, as usual. Figure it out myself. Hooked my finger in the ring and pulled.
Snapped open—a black void. Suuuuck—sucking in air. What? No idea from looking.
...Looks like storage spa—
I paused. Glanced down. Ingram on my thigh. Held it to the slot.
Shook my head. Nah, Ingram's too bi—
Ingram vanished. Clean gone from my hand. Door clicked shut.
"Whoa."
Opened the box again, pulled the ring.
"Huh."
Ingram in my hand instead of the ring.
...Weapon storage. No way that tiny box fits an Ingram. But it did. Pulled the ring—right back in my hand.
...Means it stores weapons bigger than itself.
"Ha."
Standing with Ingram in hand, eyes on the hefty yet sleek Whirlwind. I smiled at its beautiful form.