Chapter 30
Chapter 30
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Leech Doctors
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"I'll handle those."
I approached the remaining two still pounding on the wall.
As I got right beneath them, they suddenly dropped down to attack.
I easily dodged and smashed their legs to pulp.
Without abilities like Roze's, this was the best I could do.
The three mangled leech doctors writhed on the floor.
Roze, now accustomed to the gruesomeness, poked at them with renewed curiosity, examining their anatomy.
"This structure makes sense. They must be excellent at survival."
"They have great self-regeneration too. Most wounds heal quickly."
Just in case, I asked Roze to finish them off.
She fetched something like an iron skewer from outside and pierced their wounds, skewering their entire bodies like kebabs.
"...Huh."
It was such a brutal method that there was no worry of them fighting back.
I grabbed one quickly and began accessing it.
Total data volume: 5,000.
1.5 times that of the blade bees.
Still, nearly twice the speed from before let me finish the analysis faster.
Maybe because of the high data volume, there were quite a few traits.
[Healing Fluid Secretion]
-Secretes a nutrient-rich healing fluid through salivary glands. The fluid detoxifies poisons, aids wound healing, and restores vitality.
[Camouflage]
-Changes skin pigments in response to the environment for camouflage.
[Vampiric Fangs]
-Sucks in a target's bodily fluids through fangs. The fangs' filter allows selective intake of desired fluid types.
Of these, I could take all three.
With three leech doctors here, I wouldn't even need to choose—I could take them all.
'Start with Healing Fluid Secretion.'
I extracted them one by one.
I also brought a data terminal for research and memorized it.
Since all three were in perfect condition, I extracted the traits intact in one go.
Healing Fluid Secretion [104]
Vampiric Fangs [17]
Camouflage [6]
The issue was that the Healing Fluid Secretion's data volume exceeded that of all the alien factors I'd applied so far combined.
Blindly applying it to my body could easily lead to the same incident as before.
Still, it wasn't all bad.
High data volume meant a high-level trait.
Once acquired, it would deliver reliable effects.
"Lemon, done?"
"Yeah. But unfortunately, nothing useful for Roze here."
"No worries. It was informative time anyway."
Roze's expression looked surprisingly confident.
I nodded and sent her out first.
Unlike before, she had nothing to help with this time, so she left willingly.
'But how do I make use of this?'
It was a good trait, but tricky to apply.
None could be used with hands—they all manifested through the mouth.
Using them casually might feel awkward.
'Maybe dab it on with my fingers...? Whatever, I'll figure it out when the time comes.'
I stopped the pointless worrying.
The combined data from the three traits was 127.
That meant at least 3-4 days locked in here starting today.
'Ah, need to tell the administrator first.'
I'd gotten the hang of it after a few times.
Dividing it into portions let me finish faster without passing out.
I'd test that this time.
Still, just in case, I explained the situation to the administrator beforehand.
The trait application began after a long while.
*
"Ugh...!"
I finally left the isolation zone.
It took a full four days to complete the application.
I'd worried about the backlog of work, but right now, nothing could dampen this satisfaction.
"Good work. Guarding the post for four days straight."
"No trouble. I had shift changes. More importantly, did Cadet Leonard accomplish what you wanted?"
"Yes. Beyond expectations."
"Glad to hear it."
After thorough decontamination, I headed to the dorm.
The dead leech doctors' bodies would be collected and sent to a military research lab.
Even accounting for four days of decay, their value was immense.
'Home sweet home.'
I arrived at the dorm and half-reclined on the genuine leather sofa.
Those four days had been brutal.
Feverish, sleepless, fully focused on the application process.
I was utterly exhausted even now.
'But gotta check this out.'
I spread my right hand.
Placed it on the sofa made of natural leather and activated Camouflage.
A brief fumble at the new sensation.
Then the change began.
"Whoa..."
It was like a drop of brown paint slowly spreading in a cup full of water.
A bit more waiting, and my hand matched the sofa's color.
'Not bad.'
The camouflage speed wasn't fast.
Not invisibility via light refraction—just basic color matching and partial temperature mimicry.
But fine for light use.
From a distance or casual glance, it would work well.
Especially in the dark, the effect would double.
I returned my hand to normal.
Next up: testing the healing fluid.
Couldn't test on others right away, so I'd use my own body.
I went to the kitchen, grabbed a chef's knife, and slashed my arm deeply lengthwise.
Blood spurted out, flowing steadily into the sink.
Thanks to the bloodworm trait 'Rapid Cell Division,' the bleeding slowed quickly.
"Ugh, shit...!"
Doing this alone felt a bit embarrassing.
But having seen the blood, I couldn't back out.
I secreted the healing fluid.
Another new sensation.
A slight emptiness, and the desired amount secreted.
I wet my tongue with it, stuck it out, and slowly licked the wound.
Ensuring the fluid soaked in evenly.
The wound visibly closed at an astonishing rate.
A fairly deep gash fully healed in just over a minute.
Even factoring in rapid cell division, an incredible speed.
'This is better than I thought?'
With this efficacy, I wouldn't need medical treatment for most trauma.
Self-treatment would be faster and simpler for moderate injuries.
I nodded and meticulously washed the bloodstains from my arm.
One trait left, but no way I was testing that.
'I'm no vampire.'
'Vampiric Fangs'
Honestly, doubtful I'd ever use it.
I'd taken it because it seemed a shame to discard.
With just the Healing Fluid Secretion, I'd gotten everything worthwhile from the leech doctors—no complaints.
After checking all the traits, I lay in the sleep capsule.
The bed right next to it hadn't been used in ages; the capsule felt more familiar now.
I reviewed the trait list as I drifted off.
Another fulfilling day gone.
'Ah, gotta wake up in two hours.'
Anyway, a fruitful day.
*
Finals loomed.
As the second semester neared its end, the cadets' vibe felt more seasoned.
Proof they'd all spent their time densely.
Especially RTA Tactics had been a hot topic all semester.
Command aptitude revealed through RTA varied wildly among cadets.
Still, everyone clearly faced the realities of battle, leaving a special mark.
"Second semester's ending already."
"Regrets?"
"Would be lying if I said no."
I answered Saheem calmly.
If I'd been more alert, maybe things could've been better.
Too much to do in the past 11 months, time flew too fast.
'Ah, actually eight months.'
Subtract the three months Lemon wasted at the semester's start.
Anyway, regrets were inevitable.
"And you?"
"Me?"
Saheem pondered my question before speaking.
"I always feel time is too short. But I've never regretted it."
"No regrets?"
"I always gave my best. Isn't that enough?"
Princely indeed.
His dignified response made me nod instinctively.
"Only, not learning about you sooner will remain a blemish. It showed my eye for people was lacking. Lately, I've made a habit of not judging hastily."
His laughing face shone brightly.
'I could never be like that.'
Saheem was the most admirable in our group personality-wise.
Also the most reliable.
"This place has so much to learn. Especially meeting all kinds of people. Lemon, I've learned a lot from you especially."
"Me? No way."
"Don't belittle yourself, friend. You're the brightest person I know."
That hit harder.
Feeling my face heat up, I glanced around, fearing others heard—and startled.
Merdi and Roze watched with amused expressions.
How did they always sneak up without presence?
"Hmm~. What're you two up to?"
"Hi Lemon! Hi Saheem!"
"Haha, hi..."
I greeted them in a shrinking voice.
Saheem, unfazed, replied smoothly.
"Studying for exams? Lemon and I were reflecting on this year."
"Yeah. Once these exams are done, the year's over. Best year ever!"
Roze said, looking around at us.
She seemed genuinely happy.
Merdi, irked by it, asked abruptly.
"How'd you do on the theory test?"
"...Hing. Failed."
Roze's second-semester theory score hit bottom like first semester.
But it was fine.
Cradle of Heroes Academy valued practical skills over theory for future superhumans on the front lines.
Minimum theory was enough.
"You can make it up in practicals. Don't worry."
"Right?"
"Heard anything about the practical test?"
Everyone shook their heads.
I didn't know either.
Not in the original—such details weren't described.
But I was confident I'd do better than first semester now.
"No soldiers around, so probably not command-related."
"RTA covers that—no need for more. Maybe more combat-focused this time?"
"I love a good hot fight!"
We shared hopes.
Unfortunately, the practical test was entirely different from what they wanted.
"Haa..."
Merdi sighed in irritation.
The theme: survival.
Endure a full week in the test zone.
'Dangerous creatures' would populate it.
Dangerous creatures referred to aggressive, hazardous species discovered during space pioneering, evolved in new environments, or born from genetic mutation experiments.
Couldn't dismiss them as non-aliens.
Many were stronger and larger than Earth's old carnivorous dinosaurs.
Especially elite dangerous creatures—hard even for reserve superhumans to handle.
With one per region in the zone, it tested adaptation in extreme conditions while avoiding risks.
"Might just smash them all."
Worse than the stressful three-day test from first semester for Merdi.
She spat it out in frustration.
Unlike before, no ability rampage from emotion.
Proof of much improved control.
Anyway, this exam would test her patience to the limit.