Chapter 10
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: True Power (1)
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Um, Ancestor I, uh, Im really late arent I?
It was thirty minutes later when Shin Jia returned to the room.
Im sorry. My father called me all of a sudden
Shin Jia said with a sullen look. Seeing my grim expression, she must have thought I was upset with her.
Huh? No. Dont worry about it.
But for someone who doesnt mind, your expression is
I understood.
It wouldnt be an exaggeration to say my expression now was the polar opposite of what it was thirty minutes ago.
Im really not mad at you, Jia.
Really? Youre not disappointed in me?
Yeah. Not at all.
In fact, I was grateful it took her a full thirty minutes.
Thanks to that, I had plenty of time to sort out my thoughts.
Thats a relief.
Shin Jia let out a sigh of relief.
The brooch was just lying there on the bed, and you were standing next to it with such a terrifying look on your face. Do you have any idea how startled I was?
Sorry. My mind was a mess, I forgot to put the brooch away.
I had quickly removed the brooch, [Forest's Calm], which had sparked and caused me pain.
My dress shirt was slightly torn from pulling it off by force.
Really. Reeeally. Youre not disappointed in me, right?
Shin Jias eyes trembled faintly with anxiety.
I told you, Im not.
My reply was dry.
As Id said repeatedly, I wasnt disappointed in Shin Jia in the slightest.
In fact, what I was feeling right now wasnt disappointment, but rather despair and a sense of futility.
Haaah.
A sigh escaped me before I could stop it.
Um, Ancestor. You look really troubled Is there anything I can do to help?
No. Its fine.
The reason for my gloom was quite simple.
My ability.
I had learned the truth about the ability [Ignore Equipment Restriction], which stemmed from my lack of a Status Window.
Ah. F
I was on the verge of letting a string of curses fly if I let my guard down for even a moment.
It was just so absurd.
A moment ago, [Forest's Calm], just like [World Tree's Blessing], had overloaded, emitting intense sparks.
Everything, including the error message, was identical to what happened with the World Trees Blessing.
And this was just from wearing a brooch that simply maintained ones condition.
The meaning of this phenomenon was clear.
The World Trees Blessing hadnt overloaded.
Its [Time Limit] had simply run out.
Thats why an error message appeared. In place of a warning message.
I dont know why I couldnt figure out something so simple.
The Ignore Equipment Restriction ability, derived from my lack of a Status Window, was, in short, like a bug.
A critical error (bug) that violated the rules of this world.
Having used such an ability, how could it not trigger an error message?
Ah.
Thats why I was in despair.
Both when I wore [Forests Calm] a moment ago, and when I wore the World Trees Blessing.
The duration of use was roughly just over a minute.
In other words, the time I could freely use equipment was a mere one minute.
If that were all, I wouldnt have been so devastated.
If the usage time was one minute, I could just gather multiple pieces of equipment and swap them out every minute.
Considering the performance of items that would appear later in the story, I even thought it might be a reasonable penalty.
But my ability had one more fatal flaw.
Ancestor. Are you really okay? Your expression is getting darker and darker.
Is it?
The fatal flaw that an item, once worn, could never be worn again.
Sorry. Something troubling came up.
Ancestor
Of course, this wasnt confirmed yet.
It was just a guess, based on the fact that the brooch, after I took it off, continued to emit a rejection response,
making it impossible for me to ever hold it again.
But deep down, I was certain.
Ignore Equipment Restriction was definitely a one-time use ability.
By nature, a bug is something that gets patched the moment its discovered.
My ability was no different from a bug.
It was only natural for it to be patched the moment the system discovered it.
Perhaps I should even be grateful that the ability itself wasnt sealed away completely.
Fuck. Grateful, my ass.
I had been holding it in, but this time, the curse just slipped out.
A-Ancestor?
Hearing Shin Jias voice tremble with shock, I let out a sigh.
Sorry. Im going to head out for today.
The world looked so bleak.
With such a flawed abilityno, a bugcould I make it through the scenarios to come?
Could I survive?
I was filled with such worries.
* * *
After Kang Seoyul left.
Left alone, Shin Jia was lost in thought with a serious expression.
*What on earth could have happened?*
What kind of serious situation would make that noble elf curse without even realizing it?
*Could something have happened to the other elves?*
Shin Jias expression grew even more serious.
She had never heard Kang Seoyul talk about other elves.
But she was certain that other elves existed.
The reason was simple.
Kang Seoyuls past was too clean.
Kang Seoyul was clearly an elf.
But his past was 100% human. There was no room for doubt.
Which meant there had to be someone helping Kang Seoyul.
Shin Jia was convinced that this helper was another elf.
Otherwise, it would be impossible to fabricate information so flawlessly.
There must be some kind of secret elven society, plotting in the depths of society.
And perhaps something had gone wrong with that group.
There was no other reason for Kang Seoyul to make such an expression and let a curse slip out.
*Theres nothing I can do to help.*
Shin Jias brilliant blonde hair seemed to droop.
As the mere eldest daughter of a chaebol family, there was no way she could help a mysterious group of elves.
If anything, shed be lucky not to get in the way by trying to interfere.
Sigh.
Just as she was letting out a disappointed sigh.
Knock, knock
Miss Jia. I have something to report.
Along with the knock, the voice of a middle-aged man could be heard.
Come in.
Yes.
It was the middle-aged butler who had guided Kang Seoyul earlier. Han Taejin.
Weve gathered all the information on the two individuals you requested an investigation into, Young Miss.
Already?
The two muscle-bound pigs who had spouted nonsense at Kang Seoyul the other day.
The investigation into them was faster than shed expected.
Yes. Here is the report.
Shin Jia took the documents.
Her face contorted as she reviewed them.
From their immediate family to their relatives, on both sides. There wasnt a single one that didnt stink of corruption. It actually made the investigation quite easy.
The results were appalling.
Murder, blackmail, rape, tax evasion, and more.
The people around those two were committing all sorts of illegal acts as if it were perfectly normal.
I was just going to give them a light warning, but this wont do.
In the heat of the moment, she had requested a background check, but honestly, she had no intention of harming them.
She just wanted to teach them that there are some people in this world you shouldnt mess with.
But if the contents of the report were true, she couldnt just let them be.
What are your orders?
Noblesse oblige.
Those with high social standing must bear a corresponding duty.
Mister. These people. Make sure every single one of them faces the judgment of the law. Ill take full responsibility.
It was something Shin Jias father had always emphasized.
Yes. I will see to it as quickly as possible.
* * *
Sunday, which Id spent cooped up at home sighing, passed.
Monday mornings first class was practical combat.
Today, well be doing some light sparring.
Instructor Pi Jinho was in his combat uniform.
The matchups will be decided randomly. Dont complain about bad compatibility. Unless you plan on only ever fighting villains you have an advantage against, its good to get the experience.
Yes, sir!
The cadets answered energetically.
Everyone seemed excited for the first sparring session.
Haaah.
Except for me, of course.
Far from excited, I could only sigh.
Yesterday, I finally confirmed that my ability was a type of bug,
a one-time use ability with a time limit.
How did I confirm it?
Simple.
I went to the World Tree Park, which had reopened yesterday, and tested it myself.
I touched the World Tree to see if the World Trees Blessing would appear or not.
Just as I expected, the World Trees Blessing did not appear.
A startling whole lot of nothing happened.
Thanks to that, I knew for sure.
My ability was one-time-use trash.
Ah. This is so frustrating.
As a result, Ive been suffering from lethargy since yesterday.
The future looks so bleak.
I dont have a Status Window.
Because of that, my physical abilities are extremely low, and I have no potential for growth.
I dont even have mana.
Without skills or traits, the gap widens even further.
And yet, the price for losing all that was a mere [One-Minute Free Equipment Pass].
I just couldnt accept how I was supposed to survive in this harsh world with just one ability like this.
It felt like all my hope was shattering to pieces. It was only natural to feel lethargic.
Oho. The very first matchup is an interesting one.
Suddenly, I felt a strong gaze on me.
I looked up to see Pi Jinho staring at me with an amused expression.
It seemed I was in the first matchup.
Group 1. Kang Seoyul. Choi Jihoon.
What kind of cruel joke of fate was this?
To be pitted against Choi Jihoon, of all people.
Ooh!
A pride match!
This is gonna be good.
The crowd was already excited.
They say watching a fight is the most fun thing in the world, so I guess it makes sense.
Of course, I just felt twice as depressed.
Alright, both of you, grab your weapons and enter the mana field.
Yes, sir.
Choi Jihoon followed the instructor with a confident expression and gait.
I took out the bow slung over my back.
Zzzing
Along with the now somewhat familiar pain in my shoulder, I felt the World Tree tattoo activate.
Id figured out a few things about this tattoo.
It was probably a hidden ability of the World Trees Blessing.
If the tattoo had manifested because of my ability, then one should have appeared when I wore the brooch, too.
But no other tattoo appeared when I put on the brooch.
Therefore, this tattoo had to be a hidden effect of the World Trees Blessing.
Haaah.
Right.
At least Im good with a bow.
I tried to console myself with that thought.
Cadet Kang Seoyul. If youre ready, get in there.
Yes. Right away.
Everyone was looking at me with eyes full of anticipation.
Sorry, but there wont be the fierce battle youre all imagining.
With my current skills, theres no way I can beat Choi Jihoon.
Even if he doesnt measure up to geniuses like Shin Jia, Ha Siyeon, and Kim Cheoljin, Choi Jihoon is still one of the promising prospects.
At this point, Choi Jihoons stats are C- on average.
His endurance is close to a B.
With my pathetic strength, I couldnt inflict a fatal wound on him even if I shot hundreds, or thousands, of arrows.
The gap between us was that overwhelming.
Cadet. Take this with you.
An assistant instructor held out a dagger to me.
Why this?
Instructor Pi Jinhos orders. An archers weakness is close-quarters combat. He said you should always carry a small dagger like this, just in case.
It probably meant I should have a last resort prepared, just in case.
Of course, I doubted it would mean much for me right now.
Still, I should probably take it.
Yes. Thank you.
I attached the dagger to my waist. It felt just like when I first received my rifle in the military.
It was surprisingly heavy and got in the way of my movements, which was annoying.
I quickly moved into the mana field.
Then well begin the spar immediately. The mana fields safety settings are perfect, so you dont need to worry about injuries.
Fighting inside this field, there was no risk of physical injury.
That didnt mean it wouldnt hurt, though. The pain was real.
The reason was something about needing to get used to a certain level of pain.
So, Id like to decline being cut by a sword, if possible.
The best-case scenario would be to drag it out as long as possible and then forfeit.
3, 2, 1. Begin!
Taaat!
The moment the instructor shouted, I quickly created distance.
I drew the bowstring while backing away.
Choi Jihoon would definitely close in immediately.
If I aimed for his lower body then, I should be able to slow him down a bit.
As long as I could keep him from closing the distance, I had a chance.
Hmph.
But the difference in stats.
Too slow.
Was far more cruel and unforgiving than I had imagined.
!
Fwoosh!
In the blink of an eye, Choi Jihoon was in my face, swinging his sword.
I couldnt react.
I couldnt even see his movements.
I was sure I had lost.
Clang!
But Choi Jihoon hadnt aimed for me, but for the bow in my hands.
I see. That reaction just now. You really are an F-rank.
Choi Jihoon muttered under his breath as he watched my bow fly through the air.
In that case, Ive done you wrong. Pestering an F-rank about being an A-rank. How cruel of me.
Choi Jihoon sneered, looking down on me.
Hmm. On second thought, maybe you should be thanking me? When else would someone like you get treated like an A-rank? Am I wrong?
It was blatant mockery.
So. An archer whos lost his bow. What are you going to do now? Surrender? Or.
Choi Jihoon glanced at my waist.
Are you going to try and fight with that pathetic little dagger?
I gritted my teeth.
Rage boiled up inside me.
It was a cheap taunt that my usual self would have just scoffed at, but today, I wasnt in my right mind.
Fine. Lets do this.
A stubborn pride welled up within me.
Its not like I could die inside the mana field.
Chiiing
I drew the dagger from my waist.
It was then.
Fwoooosh!
Huh?
A wind began to blow.
A gentle.
And warm wind.
A refreshing wind, thick with the scent of the forest.
What is this?
It began to swirl around me, as if enveloping me.
Kuh!
At the same time, the pain in my right shoulder intensified.
The tattoo was glowing.
A red, color?
The tattoo, which should have been green.
Had at some point turned red and was now shining brightly.
Paaaang!
In that instant, my vision flipped 180 degrees.