Chapter 104: The Tournament of Rookies (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 104: The Tournament of Rookies (2)
"You're one of the most beloved heroes lately. Is there a particular reason you decided to join the program?"
I put on a gentle smile in response to the question from the flamboyant-looking host.
"Since Black Unicorn started, we've been turning down most broadcasts and interviews. People started scolding us, saying we were being too mysterious. They told me I should show my face once in a while, so I looked into it, and the offer for Survival Hero came in at just the right time."
Ugh, I hate this. I shouldn't have agreed to come.
I thought I’d just film for about three days while resting from mana pollution, but they keep calling me in for pre-interviews, recordings, and all sorts of things.
I only accepted because Han Byeong-sin provoked me, but if I’d known it would be this much trouble, I would have just ignored her.
I brushed off the host's question with a pleasant-sounding answer.
Looking at the internet, my anti-fans are surging now that it's been announced I'm appearing on TV.
Comments like, "So you're just another male hero taking the celebrity route," or "I knew it," have increased noticeably.
It’s not so much a surge as it is the haters who were hiding finally having their 'trigger' pressed.
If I don't show up, they call me an arrogant prick; if I do, they call me a male whore.
From an anti's perspective, they’re never going to like anything I do.
But are they going to be okay? The clan staff is busy collecting those comments right now. I wonder what they'll do later.
"I joined because I heard Hero Jeong Yeon-woo was participating!"
Why is she here?
The Magical Girl who boldly declared she would surpass Black Unicorn at the ship party mentioned me here as well.
The host, who had asked why she joined, tried his best to frame it in a positive light with a smile, but the Magical Girl shook her head.
"We're going to find out who the superior mage is!"
"Um... mana usage is prohibited in this program..."
"What? Really?"
She came here without even knowing that?
This isn't a battle royale where heroes beat each other up; it's a survival program.
What would be the point of watching heroes roam around using mana? If a wild beast appeared, it would just turn into a 'beast mukbang.'
The point of the program is to prohibit the use of mana so heroes can show how they overcome difficulties as ordinary people.
In the end, it's a variety show, so the heroes form teams, play games to win useful tools or food, and show conflict or harmony among teammates.
There are rumors that they have a big dinner party once the cameras are off, but I'll have to see for myself.
As the pre-interview drew to a close, the host smiled brightly at the camera.
"Now, we will reveal the hidden participant who has been shrouded in mystery."
Someone behind the camera signaled for us to look surprised.
Shrouded in mystery, my foot. I already saw the participant list before coming in.
The real reason I joined—the one I couldn't tell the host—was that very participant.
"She is a major prospect currently eyeing B-rank. Please welcome Hero Im Jin-ah."
"Whoo—!"
"Yeahhh—!"
Damn, I almost laughed.
I nearly burst out laughing at the soulless reactions of the heroes, whose acting was incredibly awkward.
Except for the passionate Magical Girl shouting "Down with Jeong Yeon-woo," everyone else was clearly forcing themselves to act surprised.
The stage at the back opened, and Im Jin-ah walked out with a confident stride and a smile on her face.
Im Jin-ah.
The person who had raped the body owner.
As expected of a world with a high average for looks, she was decent-looking, but her sharp eyes gave her a mean impression.
Well, her personality is actually trash, so it fits.
As she walked onto the stage, Im Jin-ah glanced at me and smirked.
What? Does it feel good to see the guy you once took advantage of now that he's famous?
Seeing as Hanseong Group—where Han Byeong-sin is—pushed for her and got her in, those two must still be thick as thieves.
They probably set the stage to devour me and are planning something big.
They won't do anything illegal while the cameras are rolling, so they're likely planning to publicly humiliate me.
It was disgusting to see her on stage, talking as if she were some honorable hero.
The host seemed to have a bit of a crush on her, so she must have managed her image well.
After finishing the recording, which was a complete waste of time, I was about to head back to the clan when Im Jin-ah approached me.
"Hey—long time no see."
"Yeah, long time."
"Hey, relax your face. I was young back then, just a kid. I'm sorry. I've reflected on it and I'm living a good life now."
She was acting like some cool, reformed person, but why is she the only one doing the 'reflecting'?
Do you think God forgives you just because you pray and reflect by yourself without ever seeking forgiveness from the victim?
Just looking at her attitude now, I could tell that her claim of "living a good life" was bullshit.
She spoke with a confident air, but the underlying premise was that she was still superior to me.
Even if it had been simple school bullying, she should have felt some remorse. To rape someone and then brush it off by saying she was "young" was... I didn't know whether to call it impressive or just plain shameless.
"It's not like we were close. Don't tell me to relax my face, and don't act like we're friends."
"... ..."
At my words, the people around us began to read the room.
Im Jin-ah, receiving their stares, looked at me with a stiff expression before letting out a smirk.
"Fine. Anyway, I said I'm sorry. I apologized, okay? I'm sorry."
Im Jin-ah acted magnanimous, patted me on the shoulder, and walked away first.
I stared at the shoulder she had touched.
So, it's over once you apologize.
I nodded.
Then I should crush her first and apologize later.
I headed back to the clan, nodding to myself at Im Jin-ah's attitude, which only served to fuel my fighting spirit.
To be honest, I didn't have much personal feeling toward them.
Although I inherited the body owner's memories, he and I are strictly different people.
I simply intended to repay my debt to the body owner by getting revenge on those who ruined his life.
But... I guess I'm starting to develop feelings of my own.
People really don't change.
Since they're the type of people who wouldn't feel a shred of guilt no matter how much I beat them down or kill them, I might as well go all out.
*
When I returned to the clan, all the party members were immersed in their individual training.
Seeing our girls after seeing someone like Im Jin-ah made them look incredibly lovely.
It was touching to see them gritting their teeth and training even though they were drenched in sweat and their eyes were exhausted.
I really picked the right people.
"Phew... huff... you're back?"
When Yoon A-young spotted me and spoke, the other party members glanced at me, finished their sets, and gathered around.
I liked that they ran to me like puppies, but I liked it even more that they finished what they were doing before coming over.
"How was the broadcast, Master?"
"It was mediocre. I think I'm better suited for hanging out with monsters in dungeons."
"Master, you're a social butterfly, but you have a surprisingly loner streak."
I don't really think of myself as a social butterfly.
I've just naturally learned how to deal with people as I've gotten older.
To be blunt, my energy was drained from constantly talking to strangers at the party; it was exhausting.
"This loser can't do anything without me."
Alice climbed onto my head and acted smug.
I guess she's finally over being sulky.
I couldn't take an Error to a place full of famous people, so I told her to watch the house, and she got incredibly upset. I was told that personally owned Errors need to be issued a registration card, but that process was a bit delayed.
"Take this."
"Oho~ A bracelet? Is this that registration thingy?"
"Yeah. With this, you're officially my pet."
"Are you crazy? I'm the master here, punk!"
Alice, who had been stomping on my head in anger, grumbled as she put on the bracelet.
"Can anyone see Alice?"
"... ..."
No one answered my question.
Since even Lee Yu-na could only feel her presence, there was no one here who could actually see Alice.
I pulled out my pad and transferred the training plans to each of their devices.
"Mana Detection?"
"Yes. We're going to train Mana Detection alongside Presence Detection. The goal is to be able to see Alice."
At the mention of Presence Detection, Anna blushed, still not quite used to the training that involved being completely exposed.
Lee Yu-na read the plan on her pad in detail and then asked me, "I have to learn magic?"
"That's right. You need to learn magic to support others. You're a Supporter, after all."
"I should inquire at the Magic Tower."
"No, there's no need for that. I'll teach you the spells I know."
Knowing my proficiency in magic, Lee Yu-na nodded.
I'll probably have to stop by the Magic Tower eventually.
The spells I know are all from the previous world, and the magic used by heroes here is something I'm just mimicking through Mana Detection.
It's grandly called 'magic,' but in reality, it's just imitating the skills heroes possess.
They analyze the mana flow and combinations that occur when a skill is activated and create a theory called magic based on that.
All magic is a downgraded version of hero skills, but if you put in the effort, you can learn a wide variety of them, which is great for covering weaknesses.
"I want to do individual training with Master too."
"Listen, if Yeon-woo writes it out so meticulously for you, at least read it."
Lee Yu-na scolded Kwon Ye-jin and swiped her pad to show her the content.
"Acceleration training?"
"Yes. From now on, everyone who fights in close quarters—which is everyone except Yu-na and me—will undergo Acceleration training."
"Do we have to learn magic too?"
"No, leave the support to me."
"Is that even possible?"
Unlike Kwon Ye-jin, Yoon A-young, who had read the training plan thoroughly, looked at me with doubt.
As expected, this was something they hadn't even considered here.
"Uh... Acceleration, continuous, dangerous?"
Anna, who was just starting to learn Korean, spoke haltingly.
"You can speak in English."
"Yes. Isn't supporting with Acceleration magic too dangerous for melee attackers?"
Buffing spells don't stack.
You can't overwrite the duration either; you have to either cancel the spell entirely or wait for it to end before casting it again.
Acceleration is particularly dangerous because if the spell wears off in the middle of a fight, there's a high chance the attacker won't be able to adapt to the sudden change in sensation and will get hit.
"That's why we have to practice."
When I spoke with a smile, Yoon A-young and Anna looked at each other with uneasy eyes.
"I don't know what it is, but if Master says so, it must be right."
Kwon Ye-jin spoke with confidence, trusting me completely.
Yeah... I think you need to develop a habit of thinking a bit more.
"Let's do a test first."
We entered the simulation training ground and started the program.
"From this moment on, I am the party leader. No honorifics, and all orders come from me."
"Got it."
"Okay, thank you."
"Understood."
"I'll do my best."
I flipped their 'switch' with my usual phrase, and everyone focused, drawing their weapons.
Before the monsters could be holographed, I cast Acceleration magic on them.
"This is a test, so no need to protect me. No formations either. Everyone just fight as chaotically as possible."
I even cast it on Lee Yu-na to show them how it's done and entered the fray.
The party members went wild, dealing with the endless waves of monsters.
Since they were holograms and they didn't have to worry about injury, they quickly adapted to the Acceleration as time passed.
Bang! Bang!
Dealing with the monsters lunging at me, I recast Acceleration magic on the party members one by one.
After about 15 minutes of fighting, the program ended, and Yoon A-young looked at me with an expression of disbelief.
"Are you... counting the time?"
"That's right. Master said he counts the seconds every time."
"Is that even possible for a human...?"
When Kwon Ye-jin, who had heard this from me before, spoke as if it were no big deal, Lee Yu-na looked at me with a shocked expression.
"You can do it all if you train."
"Is that so..."
Lee Yu-na gave a bitter smile.
It might be hard to believe, but you really can do it all if you train.
In the previous world, those who specialized only in support could count down to 0.1-second increments.
It was hard for me when I first learned it in the military, but as my stats increased, my senses as an Awakened became sharper, so it became possible.
I had cast Acceleration magic on the party members a total of five times, in 3-minute intervals.
"I'm not sure if my senses are right, but it felt like it took less than a second from the moment the duration ended until the new spell kicked in."
"The goal is to bring it down to under 0.3 seconds. It needs to be at that level to be safe even in close quarters with a monster."
"Is that even possible?"
"That's why we have to practice."
When I spoke nonchalantly, the party members, except for Kwon Ye-jin, looked at me with fed-up faces.
I'm telling you, it's possible.