Chapter 55
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Dragon Knight (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The next day, Miss So-jeong was preparing breakfast, looking just a tad more tired than usual.
On the surface, she seemed the same as always, but it felt like she hadn't slept a wink and had exhausted her mental energy. It was a subtle difference that only I, who'd spent so much time with her, would notice.
'Did she have something busy going on?'
I figured I shouldn't bother her today. Not that I ever bothered her much anyway.
I ate the breakfast Miss So-jeong prepared, left the dishes to her, let her help Il-ho brush her teeth, had her assist Il-ho and me with getting dressed... It wasn't until we headed to the car she was driving that I sensed something off.
'Huh? Isn't Miss So-jeong doing everything?'
When I lived alone, I did my own laundry, my own dishes, and moved under my own power. I'd gotten way too used to relying on her.
Like a human domesticated by modern conveniences.
I needed to build up my independence. Not right now, but someday, eventually.
"Alright, Il-ho. Sit here."
Miss So-jeong had specially modified a car seat with space for a tail. I gave that spot to Il-ho.
I was older than Il-ho, taller, and sturdier. It was only right for her to take this seat.
I checked Il-ho's tail position and buckled her seatbelt. I sat on the opposite side, and the car set off.
Il-ho pressed her hand to the window, gazing in wonder at the scenery rushing past as the car sped along.
The car drove smoothly without any traffic and pulled up in front of the Azure Rose Guild building.
We got out, and I took Il-ho's hand. Had to hold on tight so she wouldn't get lost.
"Alright, let's go."
Nod.
As we entered the lobby, the front desk staffer's eyes widened. Oh, it was that employee who treated me like a kid last time.
"W-Welcome. Miss Lee Da-yoon. Allow me to guide you to the meeting spot."
This time, without any mix-ups, the staffer led us smoothly to the appointed place. It was the training ground for testing Il-ho's abilities.
Vice Guild Master Lee Ji-young hadn't arrived yet, so the staffer showed us to a bench and said she'd be here in a few minutes.
"Would you like any drinks, by chance?"
The staffer, who was already sweating a bit, asked. Her gaze turned to me first.
"Cola if you have it."
"Yes, cola it is."
Next, Miss So-jeong.
"I have my own water bottle."
Then, her eyes went to Il-ho.
"......"
Il-ho stayed silent. The staffer's gaze lingered on her.
"No drink needed?"
Shake, shake.
Il-ho shook her head to say she didn't want one, but the staffer just kept waiting for a verbal reply.
Hmm, looks like the staffer didn't know Il-ho couldn't speak. Guess I'd have to tell her.
"Excuse me."
"Yes?"
"My little sister can't talk."
"Oh? Oh... I'm sorry!"
The staffer, already sweating, was now drenched like it'd started raining. Maybe she wasn't feeling well. Better get our drinks and send her on her way quick.
"Il-ho, what drink do you want?"
Il-ho mouthed it toward me.
"......"
"The same one? Got it! Il-ho wants cola too!"
"Ah, yes. Understood."
The staffer practically ran off, returning with two bottles of cola. She was so worried about shaking them that her whole body was tense, hands trembling.
She handed us the colas and fled back to the front desk. No need to be that nervous.
"Here, Il-ho. Try it."
I twisted off the cap and passed it over. Il-ho carefully took the bottle and took a sip.
"...!"
Surprised by the fizzy carbonation, she widened her eyes and worked her mouth around. But she didn't hate it—she soon took another sip, which was pretty adorable.
Just then, quick heel clicks echoed from the training ground entrance.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Have you been here long?"
It was Vice Guild Master Lee Ji-young. I stood right up and approached her.
"Oh, long time no see!"
"Yes. Good to see you too."
She extended her hand, and I shook it.
Then her gaze shifted to Il-ho, filled with worried complexity.
"This must be... your little sister."
"Yes! This is my sister, Il-ho."
She must be worried because Il-ho looked so fragile. Guiding someone through a dungeon takes a lot of effort. She was probably calculating the costs in her head.
"Don't worry. I'll prepare compensation items that won't disappoint. A+-grade ones."
"No, it's not about the compensation..."
Lee Ji-young trailed off, looking troubled.
"Even so, sending a child this young into a dungeon goes against our guild policy, and above all, it's far too dangerous."
"Aw, it'll be fine. Il-ho has a hunter license!"
Il-ho proudly pulled her license from her pocket and showed it. Lee Ji-young hesitated at the sight, then let out a small sigh and nodded.
"Alright. Let's check her skills first, then."
We followed her deeper into the training ground. It was a massive dome-shaped space. Dozens of pitching machines lined the walls, with moving pillars and structures scattered everywhere.
Holes dotted the pillars, floor, and walls—spots that looked ready to pop out something at any moment. It was a full-on training facility.
"This is where we measure our guild members' potential and combat skills. Magic bullets or rubber balls shoot from the walls, and floor targets mimicking monsters pop up for you to handle. We rank based on how quickly and accurately you neutralize all threats."
I nodded at Lee Ji-young's explanation. Just like those training grounds in comics or anime!
"Let me show it in action. The patterns change every time, so you can't memorize them."
She pressed a button, and a digital clock inside started counting down. When it hit zero, balls flew and targets popped in and out in a chaotic frenzy.
Il-ho pressed her face to the reinforced glass wall, not wanting to miss a thing.
"That was level 3. Levels go from 1 to 5. Which level would you like to start with?"
Il-ho held up five fingers.
"...Understood. There might be minor injuries, but nothing fatal."
Lee Ji-young continued explaining the waiver with an uneasy look. Of course, only Miss So-jeong was listening here.
"...That's it. Ready?"
Il-ho nodded. Yeah, her confidence was a great sight. I whispered in her ear.
"Il-ho, dodge the flying stuff and slash the pop-ups. You got this, right?"
Nod.
Weapons weren't allowed to minimize damage to the facility, but worn gear was fine. Miss So-jeong set down the basket she'd brought, revealing black armor gleaming with gold.
Il-ho donned the armor, and I fitted her helmet.
No longer just a cute girl—a proper knight stood there. She held a training staff instead of her swordstaff, though.
Lee Ji-young's eyes narrowed at the gear. As a hunter herself, she could gauge its quality.
Il-ho walked with steady steps to the center of the training ground. Small as she was in the middle, she didn't look precarious or worrisome.
Lee Ji-young pressed the button on the control panel.
"Test commencing."
5, 4, 3, 2, 1, beep!
The moment the countdown ended, the entire training ground sprang to life.
Weeeeng-!
Dozens of holes opened simultaneously in the walls all around. Rubber balls and magic bullets fired toward Il-ho in erratic trajectories. Monster-shaped targets rose and vanished from the floor in repetition.
Pure chaos. Lee Ji-young, anticipating disaster, squeezed her eyes shut and hovered her hand over the stop button.
But there was no need.
Flash! Il-ho's body shot into the air. The effect of the [Golden Dragon Blood Set], 'Dragon Blood's Weightlessness.' She'd nullified her mass in an instant.
Il-ho kicked an incoming magic bullet midair to accelerate it.
"What...!"
Lee Ji-young gasped in shock.
Weeng- clunk!
Before the barrage ended, three circular targets rose from the floor.
Il-ho's body grew heavy again, channeling that force to shatter all three at once.
Next came wall-mounted targets. Il-ho lightened once more and kicked off the wall.
She batted forward-flying projectiles with her staff, dodging rear ones with animal instinct.
Crack, crack!
Targets shattered in succession. Even dragon dynamic vision would strain to track the speed.
Three targets left. Il-ho, having counted them all while moving, struck two simultaneously before they even appeared.
The last one rose behind her, far on the opposite wall—a perfect blind spot. Projectiles flew from three directions, sealing escape.
Different heights, speeds, properties—no way out.
"Danger...!"
As Lee Ji-young shouted, Il-ho spun.
Whoosh—slash!
Her armored tail whipped like a lash, slicing three projectiles at once. Using the spin's momentum, she hurled her staff.
Krunch!
The staff nailed the final target mid-flight as it popped up.
All targets cleared.
Beep-
Silence fell over the noisy training ground. Only target debris littered the floor.
In the center, Il-ho stood exactly as she'd started, exhaling as if meditating.
All eyes turned to the massive digital display on one side.
"Hehe, what do you think? Isn't my sister amazing?"
Born from me, a child who loved battle from instinct. This much was expected.
I shrugged proudly, but Lee Ji-young didn't reply. She just stared at the glowing red number with trembling eyes.
"Impossible..."