Chapter 729
Chapter 729
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 729
Chapter Title: Academy's Savior
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In the hero industry, guns aren't popular. Or, to be more precise, they're less efficient than swords or spears and other such weapons.
'Monsters above a certain rank don't take damage from attacks without mana in them at all.'
Guns work on a different mechanism. Thermal weapons are more complex than cold ones. They won't fire without gunpowder, and loading gunpowder with mana requires a high degree of mana comprehension. What about making special bullets?
It's inefficient. Mana bullets require special materials or mana stones. And they're hard to produce without a special method. For all these reasons, a single mana bullet costs at least 300,000 won.
'It's cheaper and more powerful to just infuse arrows with mana and shoot them.'
A sword swung by a hero is faster than a bullet, and an arrow loosed by a hero hits harder than one. There's no reason to choose a gun.
Rocket launchers aren't much different. Considering the rockets they use, they're even less efficient.
'But I've got Machina.'
Using Machina's abilities solves most of those problems.
"Um, w-we do have a rocket launcher, but... are you really going to use it?"
The Hero Academy had every weapon except weapons of mass destruction. It was for show, to impress people outside the academy.
"Yes. Hand it over."
"...Understood. Please wait a moment. The rocket launchers are a bit old, but they should work fine. We have the M202 and the RPG-7—which one would you prefer?"
"The RPG-7."
"Well... it's not my place to say otherwise."
There was one reason I chose the RPG-7. With Machina, performance was about the same either way, but the RPG-7 was way more fun.
I took the rocket launcher from the staff member and slung it over my shoulder. It was heavy.
"Crazy bastard. He actually took a rocket launcher."
"What's that idiot doing? Here to mess around at the academy?"
"...Hey. That's rank 5. Probably has some special trait or skill, right?"
"Rank 5? Picking a rocket launcher?"
Ignoring the noisy crowd around me, I asked the staff member,
"No warhead?"
"You'll have to apply for the warhead at the admin office later. It's dangerous in a different way, so regulations prevent me from giving it now. Oh, and all academy weapons, including the rocket launchers, have special magic on them—you can't take them outside the academy, got it?"
"Yes. I know."
Back in the day, when corruption ran rampant at the academy, teachers and students sold academy weapons outside to line their pockets. Ever since, all academy weapons have magical tracking—if you take them out without permission, they track you down immediately.
"Please use it carefully. No need for a pistol or rifle?"
"I'm good."
With a rocket launcher, small arms were unnecessary.
I stepped back. Yoon Hee-jeong approached me with a slightly stiff expression.
"...Sung Yu-jin. As far as I know, you don't use a sword. You sure about that weapon? It's not too late to change. If you don't now, you can't for another three months."
"I'm fine. By the way, Teacher. No boyfriend?"
"...Sigh. I wash my hands of it. Can't force you... Just remember, no whining to me later—you won't be able to change it."
Yoon Hee-jeong shook her head. I subtly scanned her body. As a mage, she had a bit of padding.
G-cup breasts and a big ass. A plump, sexy figure.
"By the way, Yu-jin. You came last, right? Did you see Lee Kang-hoo?"
"Lee Kang-hoo? Who's that?"
"The kid with the scar on his face. Haven't seen him since earlier—did he cause trouble on the first day?"
Yoon Hee-jeong's face crumpled slightly. She stared silently at the entrance. Her worry, anxiety, and irritation soon vanished. Lee Kang-hoo appeared, limping with his hands shoved in his pants pockets. Yoon Hee-jeong hurried over to him.
"Lee Kang-hoo! Why are you so late all of a sudden?! What's wrong with your leg?!"
"......It's nothing. I was in the bathroom a bit long. My leg... I tripped on the way."
"Tripped? Pick your weapon later and go to the infirmary first. If it's hard to go alone, ask a staff member..."
"I'm fine. My trait is recovery-related, so it'll heal soon."
"......Alright? Tell me if it gets too bad."
His trait was definitely good. His knee was smashed, but he could already walk.
'Well, I took that into account when I smashed it. His elbow looks unnatural, and with his hands in his pockets, his fingers probably haven't fully healed either.'
Our eyes met.
I mimed slicing my throat with my thumb. Lee Kang-hoo's face hardened.
I ignored him and headed elsewhere. There was no rule saying only one weapon. Most students picked two: main and sub-weapon. Subs were daggers over 90% of the time. Mine was a rocket launcher for sub.
"Those spears over there. Nice. Give me twelve."
"Twelve? For javelin throws?"
"Yeah."
"These aren't javelins though..."
"Just give them."
I took the twelve spears. The staffer kindly tied them into a bundle for me. Heavy, but no issue for my strength.
'They're cumbersome—want to stick 'em in my inventory... but that'd cause a fuss.'
Twelve spears weren't enough. Next, swords.
"That straight sword over there. Looks good. I'll take it. No crossguard."
"Here you go! Name and number?"
"Number 17, Sung Yu-jin."
Got everything worth getting.
"Rocket launcher, twelve spears, one sword? Total show-off prick."
A loud jeer stood out among the murmurs about me. I turned my head.
A lanky beanpole was glaring at me with his chin raised.
"What're you looking at? Was I wrong?"
I glanced around. Staff were busy with students from other classes, and Yoon Hee-jeong was surrounded, advising on weapon choices.
Meaning, few students were paying attention here.
My palm moved. Smack. It struck the beanpole's temple. His eyes rolled back as he lost balance and hit the floor. Academy student or not, he didn't pass out. I planted my foot on him.
"I got good anger management. Can't stand punks like you picking fights."
I pressed down.
"Guh! Ack! Grk!"
The beanpole grabbed my calf with both hands, trying to push. Even used mana. No chance. Mana wasn't his exclusive. My mana control was superior.
"You're lucky you're an Awakened. Even if I shatter your jaw, you won't die easy."
As I tensed my leg, someone grabbed my shoulder.
"That's enough. He started it, but you went too far."
It was Kim Cheon-woo with a greatsword in one hand. His eyes were dead serious, like he'd swing any second.
"Fine."
I lifted my foot. Plenty of chances later.
"Hahk, heuk, heuk..."
The beanpole panted, sweat pouring. Psychological pressure affected his body too. He was filled with fear.
"Why's everyone gathered? What happened?"
Yoon Hee-jeong ran over. Nearby students shut their mouths, watching me. Kim Cheon-woo knew too. Bullied as a kid for being an orphan, he knew snitching meant little.
Well, this was the academy, so maybe different, but it'd end in a verbal warning. The beanpole's temple was red, but otherwise fine.
"Oh. Beanpole tripped."
"Don't call him that—names hurt, even classmates. Seung-jun, you okay?"
"...Yes. I'm fine."
Yoon Hee-jeong scanned the area. Sensing the odd vibe, she narrowed her eyes.
"...Yoo Seung-jun. You really just tripped?"
"Yes. Misstepped. I'm fine."
Yoo Seung-jun stood. Impressive. Expected him to wobble, but no. Tough guy.
'Yoo Seung-jun... Yoo Seung-jun... Fucking name makes me want to blast him with a K2 rifle. And it rings a bell from the original story...'
『Name: Yoo Seung-jun
Strength: D+ Stamina: D+ Agility: E+ Endurance: C- Mana: E+
Trait: Tengu Mask (A) Hamiel's Prank (C)
Skills: Spear Arts (C), Hellfire (B).
Affinity: 0』
One trait caught my eye: Hamiel's Prank (C). Hamiel was a demon in the 2nd legion.
'Ah, right. This bastard's a spy for Japan's Madojeong. Causes an incident around semester 2 of freshman year.'
Simple event that didn't trigger depending on choices, so it took a sec to remember. He's a demon contractor, a mage-turned-demon.
Yoo Seung-jun glared at me and walked off. Nearby students, including Kim Cheon-woo, dispersed.
"Sigh. First day and it's already not smooth..."
Yoon Hee-jeong sighed, then turned to me. I smiled at her.
"...Yu-jin. You're really going with those weapons?"
"Yeah. A bit cumbersome, but I'll use them all."
"You know weapon evaluations every three months are per weapon, right? Really okay?"
"No problem."
"If you say so, can't argue. It'll be good experience."
She figured I'd change in three months. I stared at her. Her info popped up.
"Why?"
"Nothing. Just remembered a rumor I heard before coming here."
"Rumor?"
"Some top enchantress near the academy. Don't know her name—'Back Alley Jewel.' Nickname 'cause her skills beat most pros."
"R-Really? First I've heard."
Her voice trembled slightly. Simple reason for her tension: she was the Back Alley Jewel.
Yoon Hee-jeong had massive debt even her 5-billion-plus teacher salary couldn't touch quick. She moonlighted as an enchantress nearby to pay it off.
Academy teachers and staff were banned from side gigs. Caught? Not just fired—worse.
"Teacher. You're sweating. You okay?"
"H-It's hot."
I put my hand on her shoulder.
"...Sung Yu-jin. Hand off?"
Her tone sharpened. I spoke quickly.
"About that enchantress's identity. I have a guess."
"......The enchantress?"
Mission accomplished. Her focus shifted from my hand to my words. I stroked her shoulder as I spoke. She was the perfect height—arm rested nicely.
"Probably academy staff."
"...Why think that? Just 'cause she's nearby doesn't mean academy. The area around Maruhan Academy is bustling. Anyone can come."
"True, but the Back Alley Jewel works nights. People are more active days. Why only nights?"
"M-Maybe she likes nights."
I chuckled. Stroked her forearm too. Warm and soft—nice feel. Too tense to notice the harassment, fixated on my words.
"Could be. But doesn't this make sense? Works academy days, enchants nights. Times match perfectly."
"...I-Illegal work, so nights? And not necessarily academy staff. Could be a student..."
"Not a student. If so, skill that good? She'd brag, pitch to clans."
"R-Right..."
"I think academy staff. What do you think, Teacher?"
"W-Well. Too many possibilities to be sure."
"Yeah. Could even be a teacher."
"Y-Yu-jin. I gotta check other students. Lots to do."
Yoon Hee-jeong slapped my hand away and bolted. So flustered her breasts bounced. I smacked my lips, watching her go.