Chapter 171
Chapter 171
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 171
Chapter Title: Illusion Adaptation Hell
-----------------------------------------------------------------
—Kieeeek!
“Ugh!”
I hurriedly covered my ears at the ear-splitting screech.
But blocking my ears with my hands wouldn't stop it.
Illusion magic shook a person's mana, sowing chaos in their mind. There was no way physical actions could block mental magic.
When the mental torment became unbearable, the next attack began.
Pew—!
Something sliced through the air from afar.
Puk!
Soon, a massive spear pierced straight through my gut.
“Kraaak!”
The agony of my flesh tearing made a scream burst from my lips.
But this pain wasn't real. And neither was the spear impaling my stomach.
All of it was fake.
The moment I believed any of this was real, it was over.
Pew!
Then, a volley of flame needles shot toward me from somewhere.
The needles pierced my shoulder, searing my skin.
“Kuuh!”
“...Hah!”
It had been a while since I'd acquired an adaptive trait.
Illusion Resistance.
It was low-rank, but better than nothing.
Even in my daze, I checked the trait.
It straightforwardly boosted resistance to illusions.
It wasn't a trait that could dispel illusions—that was a different realm from adaptive power.
Still, having it made the pain far more bearable than before.
“Hoo...”
At least five hours left.
My future looked bleak.
After the roughly six-hour illusion magic training finally ended,
I returned to the real world and collapsed to the floor.
“Hah... Hah...”
It was a horrific experience I never wanted to go through again.
Endless mental torment. And terror.
By focusing solely on enduring and adapting instead of trying to break free from the illusion magic, it had been pure hell.
Of course, I'd gained something from it.
The 'Illusion Resistance' trait I'd gotten today had risen from F to D-rank.
Its 10% reduction effect had doubled to 20%.
“Hah! Hah!”
Lee Seo-jun was beside me, face twisted in pain from the illusion adaptation training's aftereffects, gasping for breath.
Thanks to my 'Evolution and Adaptation' trait, I'd held out somewhat. He must have had it way worse.
“Good work, everyone. You did well enduring such intense adaptation training right from the start.”
Eun Hye-su looked us over and said. Then her gaze turned to me.
“Especially Kim Seon-woo. You seemed more composed than I expected. Impressive.”
“...No. I really thought I was gonna die.”
“You look surprisingly fine for someone who says that. Have you done training like this before?”
I shook my head.
“No. Who in their right mind would volunteer for this?”
“...First time? Your mental strength is remarkable. Real talent.”
Eun Hye-su said that, then opened her mouth again.
“Come to think of it, you dispelled an illusion spell pretty easily two days ago. Is support your main affinity?”
“No. Manifestation.”
“...Manifestation?”
Eun Hye-su stared at me in surprise. Soon, her eyes lit up with interest.
“Ever thought about officially joining the Silver Moon House? You seem talented.”
“No.”
At my curt reply, she looked regretful. But what could she do?
It wasn't my talent, after all.
“...I could train you into one of the world's top illusion barrier mages.”
“No need.”
She nodded slowly at my firm answer.
“Refusing so decisively leaves me speechless.”
Eun Hye-su checked her watch and said,
“Fine. It's late, so you can go. Come back next Friday for the Soul Stone trial.”
“Yes. Got it.”
Lee Seo-jun nodded and stood. I followed suit.
We quickly packed up and exited through the Silver Moon House's main gate.
It was already 7 p.m.
About two hours until my drinking plans with Han Se-yeon.
“See you next Friday, then.”
“Yeah. Until then.”
She said that, then turned to me.
“Thanks again. For curing Seol-ah.”
“...Thank you.”
Eun Seol-ah, standing beside Eun Hye-su, bowed politely.
I smirked and said,
“See you next week.”
“Yes!”
With that, Lee Seo-jun and I left the Silver Moon House and returned to Seoul via portal gate.
Lee Seo-jun turned to me.
“Heading straight back to the dorm?”
“No.”
He gave me a puzzled look at my answer.
“Huh? Not going to the dorm? Where then?”
“Got a meetup.”
“A meetup? This late?”
“Yeah.”
He eyed me questioningly.
“Who with?”
“Doesn't matter.”
“...You've always had a surprising number of plans.”
I shrugged instead of answering.
“A girl?”
A girl? Well, yeah.
“Yep.”
“...Huh?”
His eyes went wide at my reply.
“For real?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Uh, no, just... unexpected.”
Lee Seo-jun scratched the back of his neck.
“Kim Seon-woo. You quietly get it all done, huh.”
“...What're you on about? It's not like that.”
“Sure it isn't.”
“...Anyway, busy. See ya.”
“Yeah, yeah. Tomorrow.”
“Right.”
With that, I parted ways with Lee Seo-jun and walked through the night streets.
7:30 p.m.
About an hour and a half until my meetup with Han Se-yeon.
Wondering what to do with the time, I messaged her to see if we could meet earlier.
[Han Se-yeon-ssi. Can we meet now?]
Reply came in about ten seconds.
[Now? I have a meeting left today, sorry, but could you come to the company?]
“...Company?”
Isn't it Sunday?
Meetings even on Sunday evening? She really keeps busy.
Well, dealing with sorcerers, it made sense.
Lots of sorcerers worked weekends too.
[Sure, heading there.]
I sent the message, ducked into an empty storefront, shifted into Kim Jin-woo's appearance, and stepped back out.
“Hmm.”
This form felt unfamiliar lately too.
Kind of awkward.
I entered the Hanseong Pharmaceuticals building.
Sunday evening at 7 p.m., late, but the first-floor lobby buzzed with people.
I approached the desk.
“Hello. How can I help you?”
The desk staff smiled kindly.
“Here to see Executive Director Han Se-yeon.”
She stared blankly, then spoke.
“Uh... Executive Director Han Se-yeon? One moment.”
She hurriedly checked some documents. Then,
“Sorry, but...”
Before she finished, I pulled out the card from my pocket.
The Hanseong family mark Han Se-yeon had given me before.
She recognized it, eyes widening.
“...Oh? Ah! My apologies! I'll escort you right away!”
Her attitude flipped 180 degrees as she led me. We took the elevator to Han Se-yeon's office.
She said quietly,
“Executive Director Han Se-yeon is in a meeting. Please wait here.”
I nodded.
“Got it.”
I sat in a suitable spot and waited.
Voices leaked from the director's office, but indistinctly.
About ten minutes passed.
Creak.
The door opened, and someone emerged. Meeting over, I thought, standing to head in.
Then.
“Huh?”
I bumped into a familiar face at the director's door.
Striking red hair. White gloves covering both hands.
“...Kim Jin-woo?”
It was Elrin. She stared at me in shock.
I hadn't expected to see her here either, so I was a bit flustered.
“Why're you coming out of here?”
“...Had a consultation about meds.”
“Ah.”
I nodded.
I already knew she was on medication.
“And you?”
“Me? Just visiting.”
“I see.”
Elrin eyed me curiously, scanning me up and down, lost in thought.
“Hm. Still weirdly similar, though...”
“What is?”
“Huh? Oh, nothing. I'm off, then.”
She vanished in a flash.
Always popping up out of nowhere, startling me. Talented at it.
“Guess I'll head in.”
Creak.
I opened the director's office door.
Han Se-yeon, seated and reviewing documents, looked up.
“Jin-woo-ssi.”
She called my name warmly.
I smirked, entered, and sat across from her.
“Long time no see.”
“Yeah. We've both been swamped, huh?”
Han Se-yeon smiled brightly.
“You could've come after 9, but you're early?”
“Yeah. Work wrapped up sooner than expected.”
“Aha.”
She nodded.
“Shall we go now? I'm done too.”
“Sure.”
We both stood.
“Ah, hold on.”
Han Se-yeon stopped me, stepping close to touch my head.
“Got some dust.”
“Better now?”
Ring ring ring!
Then the room's phone rang. Ignoring it, Han Se-yeon kept fussing with my hair.