Instructor Lee So-ra! # 2
Instructor Lee So-ra! # 2
"Whoa, but after eating it for a while, it's actually good. Eating this makes me feel like I'm turning into a child. Little Geun-cheol."
"You're really just spouting nonsense like it's nothing... Sorry for messing around. Here's hoping you don't actually turn into a child."
I decided not to go so far as to pretend I was becoming a literal baby and start crying, because if I did, I was pretty sure she'd actually beat the crap out of me.
"Yes, ma'am."
Instructor Lee So-ra's defining trait:
Looks scary, but it's easy to joke around with her.
"Thank you for the meal, Instructor. It was really good. Heh-heh-heh, I can't believe I got a free meal out of this too. I'm really grateful."
"As long as you enjoyed it, that's all that matters."
And so, after finishing the meal, we got up. Now, the actual shopping is about to begin. I'm so pumped up I'm practically snorting with anticipation.
"Let's get the shopping started. Did you have anything in mind? I'll help you out, so pick whatever you want."
"I was waiting for you to say that!"
"Ho-oh, so you did come with a plan, huh?"
"Absolutely!"
Of course I scoped everything out!
"So. There's this thing called a Power Tank Top. That's what I'm planning to buy."
"A Power Tank Top?"
"Yes. Have you heard of it?"
"It's gear that hunters use more than heroes."
"Huh? Is there really a difference like that?"
Hunters use it more?
"Is it a major difference? Not really, it's not that important. If it's the Power Tank Top, it's a decent brand. The downside is low defense, but it's light and simple, so it'd be fine for casual wear."
"Low defense? It was blocking rifle rounds no problem."
"The fact that it stops at rifle rounds is the problem. Do you think heroes only fight enemies with guns? Usually, you're dealing with monsters far more often."
"Ah. Right, that's a good point."
Hearing that, I had to nod. As expected of the Instructor. She knows way better than a rookie like me.
"And the well-made ones can block grapeshot. But the most important feature is resistance to ability attacks. Unfortunately, the Power Tank Top doesn't have that kind of function."
"Ah, so that's how it is."
That makes sense.
I'd seen it stop rifle bullets and reinforce its defense when you infused it with mana, but there was never any mention of it being good at blocking ability attacks.
"Well, that's why heroes don't really use that brand. Not to mention, heroes who are serious about their training rarely use gear other than weapons."
"They don't use it? Does that make any sense?"
"Because they believe that relying on gear dulls your instincts. They say the younger heroes these days aren't like that, but all the older heroes are."
So what about you, Instructor?
If I ask her that, I'd probably get sent flying all the way home right now.
"They believe that relying on equipment numbs your senses and limits your growth... but it's not exactly a proven fact. As for you, Kim Geun-cheol, just make diligent use of your gear and such. Because in an emergency, there's nothing better."
"Yes, ma'am! I'll do that! Anyway, Instructor! Please recommend me a product! I'm giving up on the Power Tank Top!"
"Good thinking."
—Pat.
The Instructor, who let out a slight chuckle, placed a hand on my head while slipping her other hand into her pocket.
"Let's go up to the 3rd floor."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"Maximum Kraken. I hear that brand is good these days."
"What kind of stuff do they make?"
"Superhuman underarmor. Naturally, it has basic protective capabilities, and it's equipped with a function that, when you infuse it with magic power, can slightly exert resistance against ability attacks."
"Just hearing about it, it sounds amazing! Ahh! As expected of you, Instructor! You know your stuff way too well!"
"Study your equipment thoroughly. Kim Geun-cheol."
"I will!"
My loyalty is just boiling over. This must be what they call respect for a true teacher.
I rode the escalator up to the 3rd floor with Instructor Lee So-ra.
[Maximum Kraken]
The store is right there.
"Pick something out."
"Ahh, this place is heaven itself!"
Seeing all the gear laid out so neatly, it was nothing short of heaven. Plus, as expected of expensive superhuman-only equipment, the displays were beautifully arranged.
—Whirr.
Each black underarmor suit was stood upright vertically inside some kind of square machine.
"Customer? Are you looking for our brand's underarmor?"
"Yes. Can I try it on?"
"We'll take your measurements. Please come this way for a moment."
"Sure."
I immediately followed the clerk into the fitting room. The clerk quickly measured my body with a tape measure and then brought out a Kraken underarmor in my size.
"Please try it on."
Alright then, shall we start the fitting?
After sending the clerk out, I took off my clothes and put on the Kraken underarmor.
"Ooh."
This is an outfit that just perfectly shows off my physique. It's a long-sleeved top and long pants. It literally looks like standard underarmor.
"The fabric is thick."
Not quite as thick as winter long johns, but a bit thicker, and special patterns were regularly embedded into the fabric.
"It's cool."
But I didn't really feel stuffy. Is this what superhuman-exclusive gear is? When I moved around, there was absolutely no discomfort.
"Haap!"
And the moment I exerted my magic power.
—Zzzzt!
—Tzzt-pop!
I can feel something from the suit!
"Whoa!"
It felt like the mana that flowed out wasn't leaking outside but was being trapped within the underarmor and circulating internally. I can feel the mana coating my skin. At the same time, it also felt like the underarmor was being coated.
In addition to the increased defense, my resistance to ability attacks had slightly increased.
With this level of protection, I'd have no problem fighting a bit more recklessly. I'd already invested every single point I got from catching those villains and monsterkin into my magic power. Maintaining this combat state for a long time in a fight is no problem at all.
—Swiish!
"Instructor! I'll take this one!"
"At least put on some shorts. What are you doing parading around in your long johns."
"Well, I mean, with underarmor it's kind of an unspoken rule..."
"Of course, we'll provide the shorts as a complimentary gift."
The clerk said.
"Ooh, is that some kind of special item too?"
"It's a 50,000-won souvenir. Just regular clothes."
"Great! I'll put them on right away!"
Maybe it'd be fine to just walk around like this for today?
"Instructor. Is it okay if I go around like this today?"
"To think our Kim Geun-cheol would even say he's itching for a beating. In that case, I'll grant your wish."
"I'll put on my outer clothes."
Underarmor is literally, by definition, underwear. You're supposed to wear it underneath and put clothes on top. Regrettably, I put my clothes back on.
"Oh. It's not bad."
Even though I'm wearing this inner layer, I don't really feel it.
"Good. I recommend wearing it anytime you go somewhere from now on. Because if you get caught up in some other incident, it'll save your life."
"Heh-heh-heh, I will. Thank you so much for your help, Instructor. Ah, but how much stronger does wearing this make me, combat-wise?"
"If you're only fighting opponents with guns, you can consider yourself about twice as strong now."
"Whoa!"
"And also... even though these clothes have ability resistance, that doesn't mean they can nullify an enemy's ability attack. You'd better just assume it's at the level where, if you take a hit that would normally be fatal, you'll survive in a near-death state."
"I'll keep that in mind!"
The Instructor said it like it was no big deal, but this is huge. As long as I'm alive, I can recover somehow. That's just the nature of a superhuman's body.
And, I mean, if an attack from a boss that would normally kill me in one hit now takes two hits to kill me, isn't my HP effectively doubled?
"Ah, but Instructor. How much does this cost?"
"It's more than twice as expensive as the Power Tank Top. Agent Ham Woong-cheol is probably going to shed a few tears."
"I want to make a lake out of his tears."
"Shall we pick out shoes and gloves as well then?"
"Yahoo!"
A standing jump!
* * *
"New shoes on, let's jump—boing! My head's gonna touch the sky—yes!"
—Whoosh!
I landed with a loud shout.
"This definitely... seems like foot pain is a bit reduced. On top of that, my jumping power feels slightly higher too."
"That's because it's made with those kinds of materials. From C-rank monsters down to F-rank. This product contains a balanced mix of all those various materials."
These combat boots were an American-made product called [Footman Greave], a high-grade combat boot with not only defense but also a bunch of miscellaneous effects attached.
"But they are a little uncomfortable."
My physical abilities have improved since I became a superhuman, so I've grown tolerant of most things that aren't exceptionally heavy, but these combat boots had a slight alien feel to them that vividly reminded me of when I first put on army boots in basic training.
"You'll get used to them if you keep wearing them."
"True. Just like in the military, you get used to combat boots if you keep wearing them."
"What? You talk as if you've actually served?"
"Ah, I just saw it all on the internet. Everyone says that."
"Well... I suppose that's true."
Underarmor and combat boots.
My defense has been improved extremely, just absolutely, drastically. The best part, though, is that my kicking attack power has gone up because of the combat boots.
"Ah, but Instructor. By any chance, is there any equipment or clothing that increases strength itself?"
"There is, but it's expensive. And most of those things are powered suits. They're hard to wear in everyday life."
"Yeah, that's true."
There are many different types of powered suits.
From types with artificial muscles visible on the outside, to types resembling medieval armor. And from types with thick armor and weapons attached all over, to types that look like robots or StarCraft Marines.
Honestly, they're cool to look at, but I don't want to live wearing one of those.
"For the last item, let's get you some gloves."
"Gloves are important! Thank you, Instructor!"
"Either way, it's coming out of Agent Ham Woong-cheol's wallet. There's no need to thank me."
"I'm thanking you for helping me pick them out!"
"Hmph... Well, if you say so."
We finally bought the gloves.
Gloves.
Speaking of gloves, I just can't leave out my military stories, can I.
For work, cotton gloves. The 3M gloves. And in the winter, thermal gloves or waterproof gloves, etc. That was the period in my life where I intensively used the widest variety of gloves. There's not a type of glove I haven't worn.
Looking around, there were quite a few superhuman gloves categorized by that same kind of usage. Starting from things that looked like Iron Man robot arms, all the way to things that looked exactly like 3M gloves.
To sum it up, the heavier, more uncomfortable, and more stuff attached to it, the more expensive it was and the better the features it had, while the thin, light ones only had exactly the most basic functions.
"I'll go with these. I could just put them in my pocket and carry them around. And they won't be a big hassle either."
"A good choice."
What I chose was a type of black glove that provides protection exactly from the wrist to one hand-span below it. Its characteristics were a zipper on the wrist area and monster scales embedded into the back of the hand.
It's hard to expect any special features, but they say if you inject mana into it, it protects your hands well. I can just put these on right before a fight.
"How is it? The full Kim Geun-cheol set."
Having put on all the equipment, I struck a pose in front of the Instructor. The Instructor looked at me, smirked, and said.
"Hmph, just a rookie who looks like he stepped right out of a picture. The sight of you being so happy after getting your gear together... Haah. Well. There's definitely a certain fresh, youthful charm there."
"No, wait. I was kind of, you know... hoping to hear something like, 'That looks badass.' From you, Instructor."
"Quiet. Quiet."
Waving her hand dismissively, the Instructor continued.
"Anyway, just forget about the whole Agent Ham Woong-cheol business. No matter how much you dig into it, in the end he's a government agent, so it can't be helped, can it."
"Yes, ma'am. I'll do that."
Honestly, I'm in such a damn good mood right now that I'm not really thinking about Woong-cheol or whatever the hell else. If I run into him again, my rage will probably spike, but for now, it's subsided thanks to this financial therapy.
Let's see.
This much equipment is enough. My outer layer can just be my school uniform. The uniform is also superhuman equipment made of good material.
My physical defense is perfect.
So now, all I need is to protect my head, but honestly, walking around wearing something like a helmet would be way too much of a hassle, so I'll pass on that. Of course, they say there are heroes or hunters who do go around wearing headgear exactly like that, but I'm not interested.
"Head protection."
Training to create a helmet out of mana. I really, really need to practice that like crazy. If I ask Ryu, he might give me some help.
As it happens, I'm also getting dragged along on the Ryu Family's trip in a few days.
I'll ask him about it then.
"Heh-heh-heh, Ah. Instructor. I'm so happy right now. I seriously feel like when I was a kid and got a present from Santa Claus."
"A kid, huh... This time is more like compensation than a present, but I'm glad you like it. Make good use of it. So you won't have any regrets."
"Yes, ma'am! Instructor!"
—Firm pat!
When I gave a military-style salute, the Instructor placed her hand firmly on my head again.