Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Indomitable Endurance
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I staggered on shaking legs to the bench and collapsed onto it. Panting heavily, I worked to steady my breathing.
Thanks to the effect of the newly acquired trait,
I could feel my stamina recovering at an accelerated rate.
"Wow... I really thought I was gonna die..."
After lying there suffering for a good while, once I'd calmed down somewhat, I checked the trait.
[Indomitable Endurance Spirit①]
Category: Trait
Description: Your body gains greater power to endure extreme situations.
[Continuous Effect]
►Grit Mentality
Stamina increases by 3.
Stamina consumption decreases by 10%.
Stamina recovery speed increases by 30%.
Mental magic resistance increases by 20%.
Pain tolerance increases by 10%.
"Ooh."
For a D-Rank trait, the composition was pretty solid.
It didn't provide any massive boosts, but it evenly improved all the necessary stats.
The most standout among them was the 20% mental magic resistance.
Considering that mental magic resistance wasn't something you could easily obtain, this was pure luck.
'Worth the two days of suffering.'
I smiled contentedly and closed the window in front of me. Then I started thinking.
What should the next hostility-type trait be?
After pondering for a bit, I reached a conclusion.
Acquire a mana-related trait.
I got up from my seat. My body felt heavy, like I could collapse at any moment, but thinking of the 50,000 points I'd spent made my body move on its own.
With trembling legs, I headed to the magic training grounds.
High Chung Building in Seoul.
In the pitch-black darkness where nothing was visible, a single person appeared.
It was 'Darkening,' a technique mainly used by demons—one that only high-ranking demons could employ.
The man who revealed himself bowed toward a man gazing at the city nightscape and spoke.
"Lord Ha Ryeong, we've confirmed that Kim Jinwoo participated in the 'Pioneer's Night' last night."
At Ha Ryeong's command, the man had investigated Kim Jinwoo, who had suddenly shone yesterday.
Tracking his movements hadn't been difficult.
By investigating the movements of Jo Sung-hoon, the man Kim Jinwoo had faced, Kim Jinwoo's path had naturally come to light.
"And we checked the hotel CCTV. He didn't make it obvious, but you could see he was aware of Jo Sung-hoon. Kim Jinwoo targeting Jo Sung-hoon wasn't mere coincidence. He clearly approached with some purpose."
Ha Ryeong extended his hand backward.
The man approached and placed several documents and a video device on Ha Ryeong's palm.
"What about his movements after that?"
"We couldn't pinpoint them for sure after that. The alley where Jo Sung-hoon and Kim Jinwoo fought was in a remote area with no CCTV."
"...Hmm, alright for now."
"Oh, and there's another message to relay."
"What is it?"
At Ha Ryeong's words, the man hesitated for a moment, reluctant to speak.
"The Ten Demon Society has summoned us regarding the Anti-Demon Power."
A sharp killing intent emanated from Ha Ryeong for a moment. The man trembled in terror.
Ten Demon Society.
An organization of ten S-Rank demons centered around the 'King' of the second-generation demons.
Ha Ryeong was also an S-Rank demon, so he belonged to this group.
"Yes, understood. You may go."
At Ha Ryeong's response, the man vanished into the darkness like he was fleeing.
Left alone, Ha Ryeong seemed lost in thought for a moment before playing the video device in his hand.
A bright light emanated from the device, projecting a hologram.
The scene of a lavish event hall appeared.
Ha Ryeong fixed his gaze on a familiar face there.
A man in a sharply tailored suit—Kim Jinwoo.
In the video, Kim Jinwoo pretended to enjoy the event but occasionally glanced at Jo Sung-hoon.
As his subordinate had said, Kim Jinwoo was conscious of Jo Sung-hoon.
"Did he know in advance that Jo Sung-hoon would make a move?"
Time passed, and Jo Sung-hoon stepped outside.
Kim Jinwoo watched his back and soon followed.
The article had claimed Kim Jinwoo had coincidentally run into Jo Sung-hoon committing the crime.
But that wasn't true. From the video, it was clear Kim Jinwoo had come to Pioneer's Night targeting Jo Sung-hoon from the start.
« Q »
Kim Jinwoo—truly, that man was no ordinary fellow. He was definitely hiding some secret. What could that secret be?
Ha Ryeong sat in a chair and closed his eyes. He recalled memories from a very long time ago.
In the past, he had served someone.
That person possessed a very special power. Of course, that power was so overwhelming it came with many restrictions.
Though that person had vanished from the world, he left a great curse upon the demons.
And now, they had found someone suspected of possessing the same power.
Kim Jinwoo.
Perhaps he truly wielded the same prophetic ability as that person.
[One last question. It's really gonna flop, right?]
[Come on, yes it is. Believe me.]
[For real? I'm right on the verge of stamping the final seal.]
"Ah, damn it."
[If you don't wanna believe, don't.]
Wednesday morning.
Before class started, I was exchanging messages with Han Se-yeon using Outsider's Privilege.
She'd been repeating the same thing over and over, unable to easily abandon the business she'd pushed so hard based on just my word alone.
[I stamped it.]
[Good job.]
No more messages came after that.
As I ended the chat, a man in his thirties entered the classroom.
"Everyone! Nice to meet you. I'm Jeong Tae-min, and I'll be teaching you magic potion crafting."
Today's morning class was a liberal arts elective.
The electives rotated every three weeks, and this time it was magic potion crafting.
"Let me introduce myself: I'm the chief researcher at Hanseong Pharmaceuticals, part of the Hanseong Group. You might know Han Se-yeon—we're somewhat acquainted."
"Ooh!"
A few students let out exclamations at Han Se-yeon's name.
In Korea, hardly anyone didn't know Han Se-yeon; she was that famous.
Especially among young fans, her stunning looks had built a fanbase rivaling top idols.
"Alright, enough chit-chat. Today, we'll make a very basic antidote potion. First, let's form groups."
Class began, and we formed groups of five.
My group included two major characters.
Shin Young-jun and Yoo Ah-ra.
"Oh, Kim Seonwoo~."
Shin Young-jun greeted me familiarly.
I responded appropriately and began preparations for potion crafting.
"Before we start crafting, one simple question: What's the most important thing in potion making?"
I shot my hand up.
Students no longer even reacted to my now-routine hand-raising skill.
"Yes, the one raising their hand so enthusiastically. Your answer?"
"The most important thing in potion crafting is the ratio of ingredients. How meticulously and perfectly you measure the proportions—that greatly affects the potion's efficacy."
The potion instructor smiled in satisfaction at my answer.
"Excellent. What's your name?"
"Kim Seonwoo."
"Good. Kim Seonwoo, that proactive attitude will factor into your participation score. I hope the other students follow suit. Now, craft the potion by group according to the recipe."
At the instructor's words, students busily began crafting. Our group did the same, each preparing.
Yoo Ah-ra glanced at me and said,
"You good at potion crafting?"
"Nope."
As I'd said earlier, potion crafting was a skill that demanded fine handiwork above all. But my dexterity wasn't that precise.
"Wow. Even looking at the recipe, I have no idea what it says."
"What does this even say? Is this really Korean?"
Then my groupmates grumbled while reading the recipe.
I approached them, snatched the recipe, and read it.
Outsider's Privilege activated simultaneously, imprinting the contents in my mind.
"The ratio should be 2:3:6. Green herb at 2."
To boost my grades quickly, every point from these minor electives mattered.
When the others couldn't keep up with my enthusiasm, they said,
"Just wing it. This isn't worth much."
"Hey, you guys be quiet."
Yoo Ah-ra glared at the other groupmates, who were voicing their dissatisfaction.
They clamped their mouths shut, unable to complain to Yoo Ah-ra, the school's second-ranked student.
Yoo Ah-ra turned to me and said,
"You've crafted potions before?"
"Nope."
"Then how do you know so well?"
"I studied up on it 'cause I'm interested."
"Hmm... Interested in potions..."
Yoo Ah-ra fell into thought at my words.
Even a casual remark like that never just passed by with her.
"Just mix it here."
"Let's mix now."
Shin Young-jun started mixing the ingredients I'd prepared. After about three minutes, a message appeared before my eyes.
[You've achieved the 'Basic Potion Crafting' accomplishment.]
[You've obtained 2,000 points as a reward.]
"Oh. Done."
"Yeah. Whoa, look at that blue tint in the potion. Kim Seonwoo, what *can't* you do?"
With the potion complete, Shin Young-jun made a fuss excitedly.
I shrugged like it was no big deal.
I glanced around subtly. The other groups were still fumbling, unable to even interpret the recipe.
This put us at a solid first place.
After all classes ended, I headed to the main building of the Wizard Academy.
To attend the first meeting of the Special Talent Class at 7 p.m.
Slide.
Opening the classroom door, I saw a crowd of students.
Scanning roughly, there were nearly 60, including first- and third-years.
Among them were quite a few familiar faces.
With the school's top students gathered, a tension hung in the air.
"Kim Seonwoo!"
Then Lee Seo-jun called me from afar.
At his voice, surrounding gazes turned my way.
There were probably plenty here who saw Lee Seo-jun as a rival.
So every word from him drew sharp attention.
"Come here!"
I walked over at Lee Seo-jun's call. I didn't want to sit with strangers anyway.
"Oh, Kim Seonwoo."
Shin Young-jun, seated next to Lee Seo-jun, greeted me.
Around them sat Yoo Ah-ra, Lee Hyun-joo, and Park In-hwan.
It looked like the 2nd Year Class A kids had banded together.
"Anywhere to sit?"
"Yeah. Sit here."
I took an empty seat at Lee Seo-jun's words. Then Shin Young-jun, seated in front of me, turned around and said,
"But you're in the special class too, huh. Makes sense—you shot up the rankings big time."
"Ran up a bit."
From 150th to 72nd in a leap.
"Figured they scouted based on potential. Saw a few from other years picked purely on potential."
"Yeah, seems like it."
Shin Young-jun nodded at my response.
I slowly scanned to see who else I recognized and if anything deviated from the original.
First-years: Choi Seo-yoon, Song Seung-ah, and second-place Jeon Min-gi... Third-years: Kim Chang-hyun, Jang Ye, Joo I-seul, Cheon Woo-young...
"Hmm..."
Scanning around, nothing seemed different from the original.
If anything had changed, it was me taking the spot of one 2nd-year extra.
Signs pointed to the story's main plot finally kicking off in earnest.
Then the front door of the classroom swung open.
"Nice to meet you all. I'm Park Jung-wan, in charge of this Special Talent Class."
A relaxed baritone voice.
A burly man in his forties, covered in scars, stepped forward.
His appearance caused a stir among the students.
"Whoa, it's Wizard Park Jung-wan."
"Isn't he with the Wizard Association? Why's he here?"
Park Jung-wan.
A wizard from the Wizard Association's Special Forces team.
Officially A-Rank, but in pure combat ability, he rivaled S-Rank wizards closely.
He lingered at A-Rank only because he fell short in achievements and utility compared to other S-Ranks.
And him leading the Special Talent Class matched the original flow.
"I imagine you have many questions about me. But I won't engage in any conversation unrelated to this class or your training."
The students fell silent under Park Jung-wan's overwhelming charisma.
"For reference, special class sessions will focus on building your lacking real combat experience. Magic is a field where experience matters more than raw magical prowess. Now, let's form the groups you'll be with for the next six months."
Park Jung-wan pulled a small box from under the podium.
"We'll do it fairly with a draw. Come up one by one and pick."
The special class operated in pairs on non-solo days.
In the original, Lee Seo-jun paired with Choi Seo-yoon that day, Yoo Ah-ra with Lee Hyun-joo, and Shin Young-jun with Jang Ye.
This draw was more important than it seemed.
It was the trigger for Choi Seo-yoon to grow closer to Lee Seo-jun, eventually becoming his powerful ally far in the future.
'But can Choi Seo-yoon even draw Lee Seo-jun now?'
With the massive butterflies from my story interventions already, the odds of her drawing him out of 60 people—one in 60...
This felt messed up already.
"Alright, one at a time up front."
Choi Seo-yoon, seated in the front row, stepped forward first.