Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Unbreakable Scales
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“Yes, please make the items later. Right now, I’m curious about something. How are this guy’s scales so tough? Even sloppy aura couldn’t cut them.”
“Let me take a look.”
Jaerin pulled out her monocle and examined the scales with her appraisal skill.
“Normal monsters have mana infused into their bodies, giving them strength and power beyond typical biological tissues. And the ratio of mana infusion varies slightly from monster to monster.”
Thanks to knowledge from my past life, I knew where this monster was strong, where its weaknesses were, and how to level up skills against it—but I didn’t know the fundamental theory behind it. Conversations with comrades in the heat of frontline battles weren’t exactly academic deep dives.
“Hmm… Is it something similar for why Hunters have tough bodies?”
“Exactly. In your case, Director, your body keeps evolving with those skill components and infused mana, making you far tougher than others at your level.”
I barely even used mana, so I’d wondered why it showed up in my status window. Turns out everything has meaning.
“But this drake seems way tougher than me.”
Internally, I might be tougher, but the scales were definitely harder than my skin.
“That’s right. It’s not just the composition—flexible tissues like skin can’t help but be less durable. Think of it like full plate armor versus chainmail. It’s about choice and focus. The drake has mana making its scales rock-hard while keeping its muscles elastic for even greater power. You can’t have a biological tissue that’s both rigid and flexible with perfect mobility.”
“Hmm…”
She was right. Up until now, I’d been trying to balance hardness and mobility. I’d achieved a certain level, but beyond that, it fell short. My Sturdy Body skill might change again if it hit S-rank, but according to her, my current direction was wrong.
I needed to rethink evolution in a new direction.
“Then I’ll head back, analyze the composition, and send you the data. The rest can go into items, right? If we leave it like this, the mana will dissipate and the hardness will gradually fade.”
Jaerin hurriedly operated the crane to load the drake onto the truck.
“Yes, go ahead and make them. Oh, and I don’t need any items for myself. Whatever you make and how you dispose of them is up to you, Jaerin.”
“Leave it to me!”
“It’s nothing fancy, but at least have a meal before you go.”
I pointed to the stew I’d been dumping extra mystery ingredients into for days, turning it unrecognizable.
“No, I need to get back and start dismantling and preserving this.”
Jaerin glanced at the bubbling pot, her eye twitching, then fled like her life depended on it. It looks like this, but it tastes good…
Training and subjugations continued the next day too.
While drilling the Oh brothers, I kept one ripped-off drake scale in my hand, fiddling with it nonstop.
Even channeling strength into it wouldn’t break the scale. Sure, there were gaps between scales as a weakness, but even my full power didn’t crack it, and the axe wielder’s aura couldn’t slice through easily either. A shell of pure toughness.
I’d considered skin like stone or steel before. But as my body grew less human, I’d consciously rejected evolving my appearance into something monstrous.
“Ugh! It’s so hot I’m dying.”
Sihwan finished training and chucked his armor aside. Summer had passed, but it was still September—spending all day in armor fighting was bound to be sweltering.
“Isn’t there any way to make this armor easier to put on and take off?”
Regen armor was relatively comfortable, but still more hassle than regular clothes.
“Right? It’d be nice if it transformed like my hand does—turns into armor when I need it, then folds up and stores away when I don’t.”
Minwoo chimed in agreement with Sihwan’s gripe.
Sitting there listening, a spark hit me.
What if it wasn’t permanent transformation, but temporary? Gigantification wasn’t permanent either—it just multiplied my body’s cells.
I could produce armor. Armor I absorb after battle and summon again when needed. Unlike gigantification, which just imagines enlarging what’s there, imagining something my body doesn’t have—like this—wouldn’t be easy, but worth trying.
I gripped the scale in my right hand and focused on the back of my left.
Not like dense snake scales covering my skin, but rigid armor plates forming on the back of my hand.
“…No dice.”
I concentrated hard, but nothing changed. Suddenly producing something my body didn’t have wasn’t easy. I’d tried making wings before and failed the same way. Probably a lack of detailed imagination.
“What’s up?”
Sangheon overheard my mutter and asked.
“Oh, just trying to awaken a new ability, but it’s not working.”
I told him about the drake scale.
“Hyung’s personality is straightforward, so maybe it’ll come naturally in battle?”
“To hear I’m straightforward from you…”
“Hyung, you overthink, but your core is super simple. Look at your skill names—Sturdy Body? What even is that? And they say status windows and abilities reflect personality.”
“It doesn’t reflect personality!”
Nayeong, listening from the side, shot back. Agree with that theory, and she’d be a witch who corrodes enemies and gives them nightmares.
I couldn’t say it to her face, but that theory was pretty spot-on. Intuitive Korean skill names and skills that evolve from getting hit. It clearly reflected my simple nature.
Nayeong wasn’t dark, but she had insane tenacity and no brakes once she started something. Her curse skills might be an expression of that stubborn, extreme personality.
Like Sangheon said, overthinking didn’t suit me. I’d practice imagery normally and fight strong foes—it’d come eventually. I shook off the worry.
* * *
After a week of nonstop forced marches, the Oh brothers’ eyes were unfocused.
Even Nayeong, who’d disliked them at first, pitied their state.
“Oppa, I never trained them like that.”
“You leveled up before that.”
“So if I hadn’t, you would’ve done it to me too?”
“No, not you.”
Wouldn’t want her going dark. She wasn’t now, but back then, Nayeong still scared me a lot.
She giggled, misinterpreting for some reason.
Of course, she’s my girlfriend now—no way I’d grind her like that. Besides, she grows steadily without me even trying.
Sangheon was worn out just watching their training.
“This is worse than what you put me through.”
“You slack off, and you’re next on that team. Train hard.”
“…Yes, sir.”
We were eating and resting when my senses picked up something in the distance.
“Everyone, quiet.”
I hushed them and expanded my senses, focusing.
It was faint, but there: ground vibrations, engine noise, gunfire.
“Someone’s being chased. I’ll check it out quick.”
Before anyone could respond, I bolted.
Not far. Within a few kilometers.
Minutes later, I found the source.
What used to be farmland was now overgrown with weeds and brush. A small military vehicle cut through it, men inside firing rifles at a lone man.
“Hunter?”
The vehicle couldn’t go fast here, but that guy was insanely quick. 40? 50 kph at least.
He might be a criminal Hunter, but he didn’t seem like it, so I jumped in front of the military vehicle.
Screeech!
“Get out of the way!”
The vehicle braked hard seeing me. The fleeing Hunter stopped too.
“Hold on. Who are you people? Why are you chasing him?”
I asked nicely since I’d jumped in suddenly.
“This isn’t for South Joseon scum to meddle in! Move!”
“Help! My little brother’s sick!”
The chased Hunter yelled from behind. His face was boyish, but his body was well-built and over 190 cm tall. Up close, he wore tattered rags scratched and torn everywhere.
“Lower your weapons and get out of the vehicle. I’m not moving until we talk this out.”
I’d tried being nice, but with their attitude, no need.
“Just shoot him!”
The driver yelled, and the soldier aiming at me pulled the trigger.
Bang bang bang!
No need to dodge.
Two of the three bullets hit my chest and cheekbone, then dropped to the ground.
“A Hunter…”
The two North Korean soldiers slowly lowered their guns.
“Lower yours. Bullets won’t work on a Hunter like that.”
A man from the vehicle’s back spoke to the soldiers, then leaped off and landed in front of me.
“You’d have been fine minding your business. Why interfere when you don’t even know what’s happening?”
“They shoot when I ask to talk? I get the gist.”
“Betting on that Reinforcement skill?”
He thought blocking bullets was a skill.
“Nosy bastards don’t live long!”
As he finished, he drew his sword from his waist with a foot skill and slashed at my neck. Pretty fast. C-rank? Maybe B with luck. Not fast enough I couldn’t react, and the sword path was obvious.
Perfect for live practice. I raised my arm, imagining armor forming on my hand.
Clang!
“Clang?”
Not the sound he expected—the swordsman grimaced.
“Damn. No good.”
The sword stopped on my hardened hand, but no scales appeared. The speed and power were predictable—no tension at all?
Hardening blocked this weak attack, but not aura. And hardening reduced flexibility in that spot. Harden the whole arm, and movement slows noticeably.
Lost in thought from no urgency, he withdrew his sword and thrust at my chest.
I took the incoming blade with my chest and front-kicked his gut.
Boom!
He flew back, crashing into the vehicle.
“He’s not dead, but his internals are messed up. Take him and treat him.”
The North Korean soldiers fled in terror.
“Mister! Please save my little brother!”
The fleeing man—no, boy—dropped to his knees and grabbed my pants. Mister? He didn’t look much younger…
“Calm down. Tell me slowly.”
“My brother’s sick! The adults won’t treat him and won’t let me take him!”
“Where’s your brother?”
“In New North Korea. Mister, please go save him. I heard the adults talking. A Hunter as strong as the Leader came from South Joseon. That’s you, right?”
“The Leader? The one with the twin axes?”
“Yeah!”
But… something’s off. Adults? Mister?
“How old are you?”
“Ten.”
I thought I misheard. He was so tall and well-built, no way I’d guess under twenty. Boyish face, sure—but ten?