Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Irrational Adaptation Period (1)
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There was a home gym in the basement of Yuseong's house, built specifically for his training.
Though small in size, it was equipped with the latest gear that even national team athletes might envy—a dream setup any fitness buff or pro athlete would fall head over heels for.
One might think it was overly professional for personal use. But anything less than this wouldn't keep up with Yuseong's insane activity levels.
Kuwoong!
"Hoo-wook! Hoo-wook!"
Every time he pressed over 150kg on the bench like it was nothing, his pecs and delts flexed tight. The thick traps rippling across his shoulders kept twitching with each rep.
"Hup!!"
With a final grunt like he was powering through, he finished his tenth set. His whole body was drenched in sweat.
It looked like he'd been caught in a downpour. A flood of perspiration you'd expect only after two straight hours of cardio pooled on the floor like a spring.
"...Pushed it too hard."
Rubbing his aching shoulders and forearms, Yuseong stood up, his physique coming into sharp relief.
He looked lean at a glance. But the body he'd compressed to its absolute limits evoked rebar—solid, unyielding.
Not the typical gym-built or pure athletic muscle. It was jagged like weathered rock, a form you couldn't replicate no matter how hard you tried.
The kind that made you wonder how any human could even build something like that.
As Yuseong slipped into the oxygen capsule to recover his battered body and restore his condition, someone descended into the basement.
He figured it was the usual cleaning lady at this hour, but the footsteps were unusually heavy.
This was...
"Didn't know there was a space like this."
A hulking figure with bronzed skin.
Valian came down, eyeing the setup with childlike wonder.
Normally, Yuseong would've spat a venomous "Get lost." But whether from overtraining or the capsule's cozy embrace, his voice came out subdued.
"...What."
"Hm? Oh, Aram said you'd be down here, so I popped in. Neat facility."
"Why're you looking for me."
"Wanted to step out for a bit. Cabin fever's hitting hard."
"......"
"Ah... well, if that's not okay, I'll stay put, of course..."
Valian of all people, glancing nervously, treading carefully with his words.
But
"Eh, whatever. I'll give you a watch—wear it at all times."
"...Hm? R-Really?"
"I'm not your babysitter. Go if you want. Just don't wander far. And no trouble."
"Wouldn't dream of it. Thanks."
"Business done? Get upstairs. I need more rest."
"Got it."
Valian headed back up without hesitation once finished.
His steps somehow a bit lighter.
As Yuseong settled back into quiet contemplation and rest, a voice echoed directly in his mind, furrowing his brow.
"...And you—why."
"......"
That wasn't the question—he meant don't interrupt his rest. But this goddess had no tact.
Or rather, as a god, she didn't need to read anyone.
"Hoo...!"
Yuseong sighed, thinking he'd chase her off properly later, and indulged the nosy goddess's curiosity.
"Not leniency. I told him the same. I'm no babysitter or nanny. If he wants to go out, who am I to stop him? Besides, taking interest in the outside world on their own is a good sign. Worth encouraging."
"Either way, like it or not, those guys have to live in this world from now on. Better they adapt sooner. And nothing beats seeing the world with your own eyes for real adaptation."
Io got it.
Yuseong's promise to look after Leon's crew was exactly one year.
The moment it ended, he'd kick them out without a second thought.
Io murmured too softly for Yuseong to hear, content to watch him rest.
"What!? Valian's leaving already?"
"...Odd way to put it. Just scouting the area."
"Going out? ...Wonder if I could too."
The moment Valian mentioned heading out, the others perked up with interest.
They'd gleaned bits from books and videos, but it only piled on more curiosity.
Valian's bold move felt like a spark igniting them all.
Reading their vibe as he toweled off his hair, Yuseong growled.
"If you all go out and cause a scene, that's your funeral. Got it?"
"......"
"Behave."
"......Tch."
Someone clicked their tongue in frustration, but Yuseong ignored it and pulled out two smartwatches.
"Take these. Aram'll help with whatever. Don't forget 'em."
Aram's voice chimed from the watch, and Valian's eyes went wide in awe.
"This 'science' stuff too? Incredible."
Having learned about tech from Yuseong's lessons, Valian poked at the watch gingerly, amazed.
"Hm? Two?"
"Not just Valian going?"
They questioned the pair of watches, so Yuseong handed the spare to Leon.
"Send him alone, and he'll cause chaos. Two-man teams."
"M-Me?"
"Want me to go?"
"......"
"Or send someone else? You got a conscience? At least those guys could handle him if he snaps."
"...Guess it's just me."
Leon finally accepted it was him, looking dazed.
Suddenly, he was going out too.
'I wanted to... but...'
He'd be lying if he said he had no interest in this world's sights. But so abruptly—it threw him.
Still, as Yuseong said.
'If Valian goes berserk, I'm the only one who can rein him in.'
Yuseong wouldn't tag along.
Leon felt the weight of responsibility settle in his gut.
'Leon'll manage.'
Useless otherwise, but diligent with assigned tasks.
...Though diligence was his only virtue.
"Ugh... Even if it goes south, not my fault, right?"
"Hallucination. Avatar must be glitchy."
Yuseong brushed off the goddess.
She looked anxious, like a kid by the water's edge. But those ragtag bunch weren't kids.
Magicless or not, they were the Hero Party's main damage dealers.
Heroes who'd turned the tide, each felling dozens of demons on the front lines even when mana ran dry.
No pushovers.
Yuseong offered zero advice or attention.
No directions on where to go. Just a curt "Figure it out with maps and the internet," then off to his errands.
"He's actually going?"
"Too much."
"Cold bastard."
"......Gonna bite?"
"...You're more human than Luke, Aram. A real big-hearted one."
Brushing off the small stuff, preparations for Valian and Leon's outing were in full swing.
Leon, hesitant moments ago, now buzzed with excitement bordering on eagerness.
The moment to step into the unknown world on their own two feet, no help needed.
Tension, jitters, and massive anticipation welled up.
It felt just like prepping for a dungeon dive back in the day!
Valian muttered his desired destination.
"Wanna go to this place called America. See the world's strongest nation's power."
"America... I'd love to if we could. But how?"
"Take a boat."
"......Won't that take forever?"
"Boat partway, then swim."
"Ah! Right!"
"Are they serious...?"
Mirni muttered in disbelief, and Aram chimed in perfectly.
"...Not that."
"Then how?"
"Fly? Like that sky machine?"
"How do you ride one?"
"Guess so. Next time then."
"Bummer..."
It was a miracle Yuseong wasn't hearing this thick-skulled duo's chat.
He'd have raged himself sick.
Not a lack of common sense so much as brains pure as fresh snow. Sylvia, eavesdropping, broke into cold sweats.
'Is it really okay to let those two loose?'
Sylvia considered reining them in, but couldn't bring herself to crush their childlike, sparkling curiosity.
...
...
...
......Half a day later, Sylvia berated herself for not being cruel enough.
She should've swung her mace and knocked them out cold...!!
Pressing her throbbing temples, Sylvia asked again.
"C-Could you repeat that? Th-Those two did what?"
"......"
Sylvia wanted to faint.