Misunderstandings and Misconceptions
Five minutes before 6 p.m. I arrived at the portal station right on time. I reported back to the circle president Yoo I-min and waited for the rest of the group to gather. Feeling exhausted, I closed my eyes, and suddenly a shadow fell over me. I opened my eyes and looked up to see Mo Ye-ji staring at me intently.
"...Hey, Imir."
Where the hell did Yoo Seong-won go, leaving her alone? Oh, there he is behind her.
"...Casual speech?"
I was a bit surprised she was using banmal. Breaking her unchanging ice queen concept like that?
"You've always talked to me casually."
"Fine, I'll use polite speech too then."
"......"
"...Kidding. Why."
"Ha Yeon-si... is?"
She seemed curious why I'd returned alone.
"Her security team picked her up. They probably got back to the academy before us."
"As expected."
Mo Ye-ji suddenly made a sly face and whispered to me in a low voice.
"One favor."
"What."
"That Ha Yeon-si girl? She's no good. Two-faced or something. A total phony."
"...What."
"...Hang out with her and you'll just get hurt."
I knew that already. Ha Yeon-si wore masks around people. But Mo Ye-ji shouldn't be the one saying this. In the future, they'd team up and get close. This harsh judgment was off—darker than I'd expected.
"...Yeon-si isn't like that."
I tried to change her mind.
"Hunting with her today, I could tell. She's kind, considerate..."
"Ha."
The more I spoke, the more her face soured. That stunningly beautiful face turning into some third-rate thug's was shocking.
"......"
But others' faces soured even more. Yoo Seong-won and Pyo Hang-woo, standing far back behind her. Yoo Seong-won, who looked like a golden sun. Pyo Hang-woo, the bandit-lookalike. Why the hell did they look like that?
I realized soon enough. Ah, misunderstanding.
Yoo Seong-won had a crush on Mo Ye-ji but never won her over, even 15 years later. Same for Pyo Hang-woo. He wanted to be popular but ended up solo forever. Pitiful guys. No need to fuel needless rumors.
"Kinda disappointed, though."
"Ha Yeon-si is... What?"
"Didn't think you'd badmouth someone behind their back."
"Uh..."
Mo Ye-ji's face froze cold. Her wide eyes and small o-mouth showed she was shocked. First time getting called out like that? Even that dumbstruck look was pretty—totally unfair.
"No more to say? I'm out."
"......"
Right then, the rest of the circle arrived. I left her standing rigid and headed to the portal.
7 p.m. I grabbed cup ramen and a sandwich at the convenience store for a quick dinner, then got back to the dorm. After a dizzying shower, the clock read 8 p.m. Exhausted and wanting early sleep, but I had work left.
Consistent strikes on living targets with bare hands. Talent proficiency +0.3%.
Victory in combat against a high-combat-power foe. Talent proficiency +7%.
Victory against a formless enemy. Talent proficiency +3.5%.
Consecutive Criticals used. Critical proficiency +3%.
Critical used beyond limits. Critical proficiency +11%.
The Contribution window was flashy. Real combat definitely boosted talent proficiency faster than the training grounds.
+1,500 Points
+1,500 Points
+2,000 Points
+3,000 Points
+7,000 Points
Point gains weren't bad either. Probably from the first trial achievement and catching Ha Yeon-si's interest big time. At this rate, I'd snag Anti-Demon Body before the semester ended. Way faster than planned.
"Dunno if this growth stops the apocalypse, but..."
And finally, today's loot from the sub-space pouch.
Void Tentacle
Void Eye
The essences couldn't be eaten yet, so I stashed them. First, the Void Tentacle. The transparent snake-like thing wriggled like an earthworm.
"...Eugh."
...Fucking gross.
Next, the Void Eye. A fist-sized eyeball with bulging veins and a clear reptilian pupil rolling around.
Ha, shit. Both were way too creepy.
"......"
Without Anti-Demon Body, my body could probably handle just one sub-armament. Choice time: eye or tentacle? Tentacle or eye?
No info shown. Used Insight, and it appeared.
1. Sub-Armament | 2. Void | 3. Special | 4. Body Modification | 5. Growth-Type | 6. Ego-Type | 7. Proliferation-Type | 8. Fusion-Type
Tentacle dropped by the Void. Fragmented but still alive and breathing.
• Body becomes more agile.
• All general stats boosted by proficiency.
• All stats +10%.
• Proficiency gain for all talents, arts, skills +150% faster.
• Shape-shift to desired form by proficiency.
• Gain 'Digestion' that devours and assimilates anything.
1. Sub-Armament | 2. Void | 3. Special | 4. Body Modification | 5. Growth-Type | 6. Ego-Type | 7. Proliferation-Type | 8. Fusion-Type
Eyeball dropped by the Void. Fragmented but still alive and breathing.
• All general stats boosted by proficiency.
• All stats +15%.
• 'Clairvoyance' to see the unseen, by proficiency.
Tentacle looked better short-term. And its Digestion was probably what I thought. So...
"...Tentacle it is."
I stashed the eye separately and reached for the tentacle. A light message popped up.
This equipment is Fusion-Type. Cannot be unequipped after equipping.
Equip?
Void series had Demon gear traits: Body Modification and Fusion. It merges with the body. I hesitated, then laughed. Debating now was stupid. Per my 15 years' knowledge, for peak power without overlapping protagonists, Void was best now. And only I could read this—no Demon suspicions.
"...Do it."
Accepted. The transparent snake spiraled up my arm. Slimy feel made me grimace, then it burrowed in, fusing.
Void Tentacle equipped.
Mana incompatibility detected.
Body resistance reduces all effects by 50%.
Stats boosted—ecstatic rush. Always thrilling. Plus a third, alien sense. I focused and moved it.
Squelch.
Right hand elongated into a transparent tentacle. Released—five fingers stretched like sprouts, multiplied.
"......"
Up close, like octopus legs. This the tentacle? Fucking gross-looking.
Aimed at desk lamp, extended arm like taffy, whipped it like a lash.
"Oh..."
Body mod trait, probably. Not bad.
Next, focused image in mind, moved the sense. Tentacle roamed body, vanishing/reappearing, shifting to sword, shield, clothes, shoes, tail, tentacle per my will. But silhouettes vague, no fine details—not real gear.
Mimicry, I guess.
"Nerfed by my constitution..."
Last: Digestion. Thought of feeding essences but swapped—creepy. Had spares: two drained Vitality Bracelets. Mana stones' worth? Not a big loss.
Grabbed one in right hand, focused Digestion. Transparent mouth popped from palm, devoured it.
Void Tentacle proficiency +11%.
Health stat permanently +1.
"...Oh."
As expected. Permanent Health ups.
One more? Fed the second—unexpected.
Void Tentacle proficiency +11%.
Time to digestion complete: 96 hours...
Health stat permanently +1 upon completion.
Digestion had a satiety limit.
"...Can't spam infinitely."
Still good. Great, even. New stat growth method.
Reminded me of that manga: alien parasite in protagonist's right hand from the sky...
"...Bedtime."
Random thoughts meant sleepy. Surrendered to drowsiness, lay down. Just drifting off, smartwatch buzzed annoyingly.
Blearily checked: message from Ha Yeon-si, number swapped today.
Hey. You asleep?
Ignored. More came.
Just checked it... What the hell does this book mean?
Half-asleep, realized: the magic book. Ha Yeon-si, two-faced, typing like this? Opportunity maybe. Say what I shouldn't, but must.
...You're a mage.
...fits your aptitude. But sleepy, hit send midway. Ah, fuck. Fingers.
No reply. Waited 5 minutes, passed out.
"......"
Back at her dorm, Ha Yeon-si sat blankly by her bed. She was intrigued by Imir. Climbing ranks so fast—what was his deal? She'd approached, hunted together. He had above-average knowledge and combat skills. Probably trained hard.
Then he spouted something only she knew. Even yielded the trial reward.
—Suits you more than me.
Handing over hard-earned reward? Angel?
But the book he gave? Suspicious at first sight. Magic tome...?
Just identified it with her wealth—suspicions amplified.
"...A magic book suits me?"
Only one person she'd known boldly claimed that: Ha Pung-hwan, her father.
After agonizing, she messaged. Reply came.
...You're a mage.
"...Mage?"
No follow-up despite waiting.
"...What the. Tch."
But suspicions sprouted firm. Magic book and mage. Imir—he was linked to her father somehow.