Mock Battle (Part 2)
See Qi, gather Qi, emit Qi. That's the entirety of Qi manipulation. But if you can wield those three operations well, the possible actions won't be limited to just one or two. I know every single application introduced in the game through the original work—none missed. Of course, there's a vast gap between knowing those methods and executing them. But leveraging the memories etched into this body makes it absolutely possible. I've already shown the application of stealing the enemy's Qi to bolster defense, haven't I?
"Haaaaack!!"
I charge forward, roaring like I'm awakening dormant cells. I visually track the flow of Qi gathering toward the monster. To replenish Qi spent on attacks and defense, it has to keep circulating. Right there, in that incoming Qi, I siphon off my own and burn it away. Like slipping a virus into what looks like a flawless computer program. Master it, and it becomes a Trojan horse, wrecking things from the inside—a nasty trick. But at my level, that's out of reach. Still, it should at least scramble the enemy's overall Qi flow, weakening their offense-defense unity.
I don't miss the gap in that vulnerability. I rush in and swing the katana wide like a massive bell. Turns out, cleanly bisecting an enemy with a Japanese sword isn't easy. They say unless you're insanely skilled, slicing through flesh, muscle, and bone is impossible. To those people, I wanna say: Isn't it not skill you're lacking, but raw strength?
"Kraaaaaaargh!!!"
No blood spurted from the monster's severed front paw. Instead, it regenerated in seconds, lunging to kill me. But that regen wasn't perfect. I could see its total Qi volume had sharply dropped. Less enemy Qi means my hidden Qi's influence hits harder. HP down, debuff potency up—I've got zero chance of losing.
I parry the incoming paw and leap high. One clean bisect. Like splitting firewood, I cleave the monster in a single stroke and slam the katana into the ground. The blade's tip pierced not the gate anymore, but the training ground floor. Right before our eyes floated a full Qi overview panel—one you need Chalbeop to even see.
※ After the exam wrapped up, we were the first team to hit 100 points. It's tough for freshmen to max it out anyway—50's basically full marks, 100's bonus territory. In the original work, I think around team 3 got it.
"Hyowon was insane. We were pretty much just cheerleaders~ Whoa, knew she was strong, but a freshman's this level? Didn't see it comin'~"
Kiru grinning shamelessly like that. If you hadn't dumped extra Qi into the monster and powered it up, we could've crushed it way easier. ...No point calling her out now.
"With all that experience, losing here'd be embarrassing."
I brush it off and check the protagonist first... Dude's got this deep, brooding look, staring at the ground all unsatisfied. Again with the pointless worries?
"Hey, what's with the serious face? We aced it—100 points. Not good enough?"
"...Nah, just... Felt like I didn't contribute jack."
"Why? You pulled your weight fine."
Meant it as reassurance, but he's not buying. Fair enough—middle of the fight was iffy, but I soloed the boss in the end. Should've tossed him the baton more, let him feel useful... ......Wait, no.
"...Hey, you watched me close earlier, right? Whaddya think?"
"...Think? Just, damn, that's badass."
"Looked like I was manifesting my Unique Ability?"
Light sparks in Yujin's eyes. Kid picks up fast.
"Uh, no. Nada. No light, no darkness, no weird flows or anything."
"Exactly. Fought this whole thing pure basics—Three Laws only. Think I couldn't manifest?"
Of course I couldn't, actually.
"Meaning of fighting sans Unique Ability... You get it?"
"...No way..."
Yujin seems to grasp it, but too awkward to spit out. Finally musters courage:
"To pump me up... That it?"
I flash a grin. "Think whatever."
No lie there. Say "yep!" and it becomes one. But "whatever," and any convenient delusion's on him. Whew, I'm getting sly.
"Hmmm~"
Perfect mood, ruined by one voice.
"Dunno much, but... For you two, 'dating' the right word?"
"Nope?"
The hell's this kid on? Common sense lacking's one thing, but us as dating?
"Hey, Kiru! That's not 'dating'!"
A girl cadet—did her mock battle earlier, chilling now—corrects her. Nice, busybody's useful.
"That's 'flirting.' Pre-dating skirmish."
What the—?
"Not that! No plans to date this guy—or any dude! No misunderstandings!"
Nail it shut. Don't misread me and Yujin.
"Whoa, for real? Hyowon's a lez?"
New delusion blooms. Why leap there? Normal's "not into romance," right?
"Got it~ Flirting's this. OK, logged! So, me glomping Yujin? Zero issues?"
Issues or not, she'd bulldoze. I block her lewd vibes at Yujin early.
"Hey, me and Yujin? Nada. But he's got a separate flirt-girl. Not a schemer like you. Stay back."
"Eh? Me, flirting?"
Yujin gawking like it's news to him. Oblivious much?
"Ayumi. Hit me up recently. 'Let's hang.'"
Ayumi drops—Yujin's face sours instant. Why tho?
"Misunderstanding probs, but Ayumi and me? Nah. She's sis and lil sis vibe. No misreads, pls. Not one or two folks think wrong."
His excuse-face? Like walking sis, taiyaki boss goes "Girlfriend?"—bro's panic. For real? Zero dirty thoughts on Ayumi? Beyond shy...
......Nah. Hasn't bloomed to romance yet. Belly too full—can't see Ayumi's prime. I'll enlighten. But reaction screams loooong~ buildup...
"She says so? No issues then?"
"No! Issues! Steer clear of Yujin. Warned!"
"Why?"
"Just—!"
Real talk: Ayumi's kicking, I'm babysitting—even if Yujin buys Kiru's BS, no fall. Don't lowball him. But squash "ifs." Her bad juju rubbing off? Nightmare. Game kiddo, real goldie!? Happens.
"Hmm~ Why's third-wheel Hyowon calling shots? Yujin's call, no? Yujin? Hate me sticking?"
"...Kinda uncomfortable."
"Uncomfy ≠ hate? C'mon? Heard guys dig this?"
Kiru mashes her modest chest on his arm. Don't corrupt the kid, moron!
"Hey, Hwa Yujin! Man up—reject proper! She's gold-digger! Gold-digger! Capish!?"
"Harsh much?"
"Right~ Ow, wounded. Lonely-comfort me? Body?"
"Quit it!!"
"...Can't we just get along?"
"...What is Yujin, hogging all this?"
"Joo Hyowon, now Kiru."
"Ugh... Was gunning for Kiru. Seemed doable..."
"Heard girl's childhood friend too?"
"Ayumi, next class. Stunner... Nah, guy's charm?"
"That 'invisible somethin' insiders know."