Chapter 25
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: BSS Golden Sun Position? (1)
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"See you tomorrow."
"Already leaving?"
"Yeah, I've got stuff to do from now on."
"Okay... Got it. You have to come tomorrow! If you can't, let me know!"
"Sure, sure."
We wrapped up the deal cleanly and headed out of the black market.
Marren clung to the hem of my clothes like she couldn't bear to let me go, repeating over and over that I had to stay in touch.
She started messaging right after we exchanged numbers—texts, video calls, phone calls, you name it.
She was so clingy, like she wanted to claim every first moment for herself. Playing along with her took longer than the actual trade.
'Well, this much service is no big deal.'
Thanks to the buff of being Marren's partner, the deal went smoothly, so this was nothing.
'Dealing directly with the family head really made it all clean-cut.'
Inside the packaged case were the Burning Hand and Parade's Honing Tool. No complicated procedures—just a word, and the trade was done.
I was shocked to learn the "guide" was just there to greet me, not for any contract paperwork.
Even if business runs on trust, this level was insane.
"Then it's a promise—we're meeting tomorrow!"
"I got it."
After the fifteenth goodbye—truly the last one this time—I walked toward the waiting Hobong and his car.
"A-Are you alright, sir?!"
"Huh? Oh, yeah."
Hobong freaked out like hot coals had dropped on his feet the moment he saw me.
Rumors must have already spread about the monster appearing inside the black market.
'Even if they suppressed it early, it's not something they can hide forever.'
People probably caused a commotion the second the market lockdown lifted.
'This might even reach Kim Jang-seok's ears.'
This wasn't a small issue I could brush off by hiding my involvement.
The Mayribels would try to cover up black market details as much as possible, but they couldn't silence everyone who saw me catch the Hungry Mouth.
I'd have to handle this part myself.
"If you're hurt anywhere, we should head straight to the hospital..."
"Nah, forget that. Take me right to the Mountain Lords' private training hall."
"Understood."
I could handle Marren's cuteness, but Hobong's fussing was too much, so I cut him off and got in the car.
Time to put my haul to good use.
Mountain Lords' private training hall.
In the Mountain Lords, "private" meant top-tier exclusive access—no riffraff allowed.
Especially the right to train without any disturbances, reserved for high-ranking executives and above.
'First time here for real.'
At a glance, it looked like a standard gym with mats, but it could alter terrain, gravity, and more as needed.
Twenty-four-hour on-call service meant anything you wanted was delivered anytime.
Info was protected independently—no records of what happened inside.
Yet despite multiple chances, I'd never used it.
Training in the Mental Realm became real experience, flesh and blood—why bother with this?
But now, with items in hand, things were different.
"Let's do this."
Click.
Hisssss...
The case's cooling unit spewed white vapor the second I opened it.
Two of them? The room temperature plummeted like I'd stepped into a freezer.
"First... this one."
You know those items? They scream expensive and luxurious, but no one knows how to use them, turning them into white elephants.
High potential value makes you hesitate to toss them, but maintenance costs a fortune.
That was the Burning Hand.
Whoosh!
The flames erupted like they'd been waiting, scorching the case the moment the cooling stopped.
The Burning Hand burned endlessly, shaped exactly like a human hand.
Up to the elbow. Blackened ash cracked its surface, yet the flames raged on.
And those flames thrashed hungrily, eager to consume everything around them.
"Yeah, eat up."
I tossed in the lighter I'd used on the Hungry Mouth.
When the spark of appetite that first grilled meat met the hand of Icarus, scorched by longing for the sun...
'A new blaze shall be born.'
The Burning Hand melted the lighter's surface, devouring the flame of appetite within. But the appetite flame fought back.
Flame met flame, consuming each other, forming a towering pillar that grew taller and wider.
Like starving beasts tearing into one another, realizing futility, then teaming up for fresh prey.
'Time for me to get serious.'
Even perfect knowledge meant nothing without execution.
Doubly so when execution meant shoving your hand into a roaring inferno.
"Here goes."
Whoosh!
I plunged my hand into the blaze, gripped the Burning Hand through the agony.
Bubble bubble boil!
The relentless flames boiled my skin, stripping flesh in seconds.
The smell of my own meat burning wasn't pleasant. Someone said protein smells like grilled squid—spot on.
"Nngh...!"
Grinding my teeth, I poured every ounce of raw physical strength into my grip. Key point: no qi, no techniques—just pure body power. No Mountain Lords strength, no Ferocious Tiger might.
Whoosh!
The Burning Hand didn't shatter easily. The pillar swelled, now reaching my shoulders, threatening to climb to my face.
"Just give in already!"
Crack!
With a shout, it crumbled to ash—not scattering like normal, but clinging tight to my hand.
The pillar shrank, the appetite flame wrapping around my hand too.
My ruined skin regenerated where the ash stuck, emerging even more vibrant than before.
[Information updated.]
[Owner of the Burning Left Hand confirmed: ??? → Kim Geon-ho.]
[Burning Left Hand :: Indistinguishable from a normal hand at rest, but ignites flames at will. Embodies the concept of 'burning,' making it impossible to extinguish by ordinary means.
Freely manipulate flames. Can seize control over lower-grade flames.]
"Done..."
If I'd been a second slower, half my face might've burned off. My legs buckled from the relief.
Regeneration stopped at my arm—way too close.
'Eh... good outcome, so I'm satisfied.'
With this flame power, I could hide Ferocious Tiger strength without issue.
Mountain Lords didn't use weapons anyway—flames only? Long-term win.
"And... this one's easy. Just leave it."
Parade's Honing Tool needed no input from me.
Lay them out in a line on the floor, place the bladeless dagger hilt and rusted knuckles in the center—done.
[Parade's Honing Tool :: Legendary blacksmith Parade's tools, infused with his will.
Perfectly restores broken items to original state, maximizing all performance.]
Clink clink tink!
These "honing" tools did more than sharpen—they rebuilt beyond repair.
'Been neglected a while; it'll take time.'
Sleep here tonight, head to the academy in the morning.
With that, I sprawled out starfish-style on the training floor and closed my eyes. What a hectic day.
"...Kim Geon-ho, I'll never forgive you."
"What?"
The next morning.
I'd barely sat at my desk when the sudden bullshit flew my way—I couldn't help but freeze.
'What the hell with these guys?'
Three or four boys swarming me at dawn, declaring unforgiveness? Unheard of.
First time in my life; never even seen it happen. Had to be stunned.
"Not only do you slack off at the academy, now you're a bad influence on Miss Marren! You're a disgrace to Hero Academy!"
They kept ranting regardless.
I might've brushed off the slacking part, but Marren's name made them look kinda cute.
'Well... Marren couldn't not be popular.'
Plus, she skipped with me yesterday. Nothing worse than your crush hanging with a delinquent.
To them, I was... like that S-rank city childhood friend girl you figured was destined to marry.
Then high school hits, and bam—she's dating a punk who smokes, drinks, rides bikes.
Just sitting there, suddenly I'm in the BSS Golden Sun position.
"So, what do you want?"
Seemed fitting for my wastrel son vibe, so I played along.
"We'll settle it in the group project. Loser grants the winner one wish! And mine? Obviously, switch seats!"
"Ah... Sure, whatever."
Sounded like a fun academy episode—right as I got hyped.
"Player."
Airi spat one word as she passed.
She was fucking adorable.