Chapter 11
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Spreading Rumors (4)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Mountain Keeper Vault.
No one could enter without Kim Jang-seok's permission. It was known as the repository storing the Mountain Lords' power.
In my first playthrough, it was a place I could only dream of. Now that it loomed right in front of me, my body froze for a moment.
'Heh, to think I'm actually stepping into this place.'
Thanks to Kim Jang-seok clearing all the procedures, no one else was around the vault except for me.
I hadn't expected such considerate treatment—letting me browse freely—so I sent a quiet thanks in my heart as I approached the vault door.
Greetings. I am the Mountain Keeper guarding the Mountain Keeper Vault. Please follow the guidance procedures. Once complete, I will safely escort you inside.
The moment I approached the vault, a guidance voice flowed out as if it had been waiting.
First line of defense: human guards. Second: a thorough security system managing the vault. Just this showed how much effort the Mountain Lords put into securing it.
Even most people didn't know, but there was a third layer—the Mountain Lords' leader teleporting in instantly.
To breach the vault, you'd have to get past the Mountain Lord himself. It truly was the tiger's den.
In a fantasy novel, it'd be like a dragon's lair.
By permission of the Mountain Lord, all procedures are waived. Apologies for the wait. Welcome to the Mountain Keeper Vault.
Pssshhhhhhh.
The wary tone softened at the leader's permission, and the firmly shut door swung wide open as if it had never been closed.
The door alone looked at least 50cm thick. There were about three of them, each passage laced with deadly magic.
Step on one without clearance, and you'd die without a sound before you knew it.
Feeling the vault's importance anew, I slowly stepped inside.
'Whoa, even spatial expansion magic?'
The interior was larger than a school field, with items preserved in glass cases like a museum.
They were neatly organized—not just on the floor, but some floating in midair.
If an ignorant person walked in, they wouldn't know what was valuable or priceless.
'Ah, so that's why he didn't send anyone with me.'
Maybe that was Kim Jang-seok's intent.
When I, who had only heard the name and knew nothing, said I'd take two items—what would I pick without guidance?
He wanted to see my judgment alone, no outside help.
"Now, what to do."
The vault's treasures were all etched in my mind.
'Thief's Divine Punishment, Universal Key, 13th Trial, Unstoppable Top, Cat-Killing Box... and that's not even the end.'
But rarity didn't mean it was what I needed.
Like a castaway on a desert island needing a rescue boat, not gold—what mattered depended on the situation.
For me right now, I needed things to amplify Ferocious Tiger's power.
'Found them.'
Two items shattering the illusion that everything was in glass cases.
A bladeless dagger hilt rolling carelessly on the floor, and beside it, rusted knuckles.
These carriers of the power people despised before Kim Jang-seok were still treated like leftovers.
Swish.
"Mountain Keeper, you know my info's under independence rights now, right? Keep it airtight."
Affirmative. No one will know what Kim Geon-ho takes today.
Yeah, that's why info independence rights matter.
I pocketed the items and left the vault. All that remained was getting pummeled to death by the scarecrow in the Mental Realm.
'Ugh... I'm dying.'
The Mental Realm let you train anywhere conveniently, but mental shocks didn't fade right away—a drawback, or maybe just the natural muscle pain after a workout.
Either way, every step to school felt like death.
"Geon-ho~..."
As I trudged along, a familiar voice and scent approached from behind.
The academy didn't mandate uniforms, so Marren was dressed refreshingly today.
Like prepping for a spring picnic: floral skirt, lacy long-sleeved top fluttering in the breeze. She radiated celebrity aura—easy to mistake for someone heading to a shoot, not a cadet.
'That pink hair and absurd chest...'
Fashion's true finishers: face and figure.
Sensing that timeless truth, I nodded casually at Marren.
"Um... y'know..."
Normally, a half-hearted response signals "don't bother me," but she wasn't normal.
Marren leaned in close, eyes burning with intent—like she had business.
Despite our 10cm height gap, she went on tiptoes, her intensity borderline terrifying.
"Spit it out already."
"The thing I mentioned yesterday... d-did you bring it? You did, right? I've been waiting just for that—held back on masturbating... it's getting tough now..."
What fresh nonsense this early in the morning.
Marren wasn't just cute in outfit; her mind sparkled too.
"Bring what?"
"I asked for clothes... or anything used—a pillow, dress shirt... pen, recorder..."
"Fuck..."
She was serious yesterday? And believed I'd deliver, ambushing me on the way to school?
'If she's a protagonist, the novel's doomed.'
A girl begging a rumored wastrel for masturbation aids? No way she's the heroine.
Anyway, her face said she wouldn't back off without something.
"Hey, Marren."
"Yeah? You got it? I begged you—I just wanna see that one thing..."
"Today's basic fitness training, right? I'll wear my overcoat while running—take that. Hang in there."
"Oh... fresh daily production, thick and sticky...? Geon-ho's more considerate than I thought."
Would've been perfect without "than I thought."
She was a lunatic living freely behind an innocent face.
"Okay, I'll hold out till then! Praise me later!"
Praise for holding back on jerking off? I wanted to say it, but she was already beaming away.
Was her shyness all an act? Or did flashing my dick make us buddies?
Already aching, now mental assault too—head throbbed.
'Just ignore it all and behave in training today.'
Late on day one, bad impression stuck. Had to ace the rest.
Hide power, keep wastrel image—but no need to rebel.
Moderation avoids trouble.
"Hey, Kim Geon-ho. You sure talked big back then."
Some cross lines too far.
"...Lee Seung-jun?"
"Yeah, you little shit. It's me."
'Kids these days heal fast no matter how hard you beat 'em.'
I'd gone easy on Seok-ho, blood tie. But Seung-jun? Gave my all.
Poured first playthrough grudges into every punch. Yet two days later, he stood fine before me.
"Not quite—your nose looks higher."
"...Yeah, because of you..."
"Looks better. That low nose was an eyesore. Hard to grow one like that on purpose..."
"You fucker!"
Seung-jun boiled over like before. Difference: I quietly raised a fist, and his rage peaked instantly.
Even dogshit humans learn quick.
"I'm here to, uh? Challenge you to a formal duel."
"Oh... got it."
"Yeah, scary, huh? Formal duels are different from back then... w-what?"
He assumed I'd cower, rambling without listening—visibly flustered.
"I'll do it. Formal duel."
"Y-you know what that is and accept so easily?"
"I know. So let's go—I've dealt with some crazy chick already..."
No, shut up.
I brushed past him. Two incidents in five minutes to school? If small stuff's this tough, superstars must suffer.
Glancing back with a sly smile, worrying about the future.
'Perfect timing for a formal duel anyway.'
Formal duels: official academy challenges for fair fights.
"Fair" could be adjusted by mutual consent. Seung-jun probably had clan backing.
Trampled in secret, now he'd crush me publicly for revenge...
'Good.'
Hide power, but not seem weak. Time to shed the image cleanly, boost cute Seung-jun's ego higher.
PR for him, looks upgrade too—maybe I'm an angel. Whistling that thought.
First week of school: spectacular.