Chapter 26
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 26
Chapter Title: The Second Relic Site (1)
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*Shunk-!*
The sound of my dagger, Horn of the Latent Dragon, piercing the carnivorous deers neck echoed through the air.
*Thud.*
Its breath cut short, the carnivorous deer collapsed to the ground.
Hah, hah.
I was completely out of breath.
Id underestimated it because it was just a deer.
Why was it so strong?
I barely managed to win.
I sprawled out on the ground myself.
Just then, Geumho, who had been watching from a distance, came over and licked my face.
Geumho. Your big brothers dying.
He was so cute that I decided to play weak.
Grrr!
At my words, Geumho began to fret. Even that was adorable. It was a deadly cuteness that didn't match his size.
Just kidding.
I sat up and stroked Geumhos head.
Why are you so damn cute?
I playfully squished his cheeks with both hands. He purred excitedly in response.
As I felt the texture of Geumhos fur, I fell into thought.
The carnivorous deer.
A monster that inhabited the Golden Sanctuary, its strengths being speed and fertility.
In short, it was a monster designed to be Geumhos prey.
And I almost lost a one-on-one fight against it.
Even while wielding an A-rank dagger.
Even after using the Path of the Wind.
Ugh. So pathetic.
Of course, I had an excuse.
I hadnt used Predators Killing Intent in this fight.
It wouldve been easy if I had.
I could have just waited for the deer to freeze and stabbed it with my dagger.
But I didnt, because that would have defeated the purpose of testing the dagger and my own physical abilities.
Still, a win is a win. Right, Geumho?
I decided to change my perspective.
One might think it was just a carnivorous deer, but considering where I was when I first possessed this body, this was a huge improvement. I had defeated a monster estimated to be D+ rank all by myself.
Grrr-rumble.
Geumho nodded.
Honestly, it didn't seem like he fully understood what I was saying, more like he was just agreeing because it was me.
Then again, to him, a carnivorous deer was just food. There was no way he could understand why I was so happy about beating one.
Alright, Geumho. Shall we move on to the next training session?
I climbed onto Geumhos back.
Lets head to the Guardians Room first.
Grrr.
A short while later.
We arrived at the Guardians Room.
It was the widest room in this relic site, with the highest ceiling.
This was where I planned to practice flying.
Geumho. If I fall, you have to catch me, okay?
Grrr!
Geumho replied as if to say, Leave it to me. He sounded reliable, but how could he agree without knowing what I was about to do?
*Fwoosh-*
I immediately unfurled my Angels Wings. Geumho stared at my wings with wide eyes, then back at my face, repeating the motion.
Im going to try flying now. So if I fall, Im counting on you, okay?
!
Geumho finally snapped out of it.
He nodded with a look that said, Oh, so thats what you meant!
I gave Geumhos head a light pat and focused all my attention on my wings.
I had a rough idea of how to move them. I also had a rough idea of how to take off.
I immediately flapped my wings.
*Whoosh-!*
Whoa!
I could feel my body slowly lifting into the air.
Looking down, I saw I was hovering about two meters off the ground.
Ooh.
It was both thrilling and terrifying.
I tried to gain more altitude.
The ceiling of this relic site was about eight meters high.
Lets go all the way up.
My body soared upward.
Flying wasnt as difficult as Id worried it would be.
Heh.
My chest swelled with emotion.
Was this what humanity felt when they first took to the skies?
My flight speed wasn't fast at all. The flight speed of the Angel race was said to vary greatly depending on ones stats, so there was no way mine would be fast.
Still, it felt amazing.
The feeling of flying freely through the sky by my own will was indescribable.
After flying for about five minutes.
My leisurely flight came to an end.
Moving the wings was ultimately a function of muscle, of strength.
In other words, my muscular endurance had reached its limit.
Wah!
It happened suddenly.
My wings stopped responding to my will and froze mid-air.
Naturally, my body went into a freefall toward the ground.
I wouldve been seriously injured if I hit the ground, but I wasnt too worried.
Grrrrowl!
Thankfully, my reliable guardian, Geumho, was waiting below.
*Thump!*
He leaped, catching my body in mid-air, and landed on the ground, absorbing as much of the impact as possible.
I didnt feel the slightest shock.
Whoa. Geumho, do you know the law of action and reaction?
Grr?
Geumho tilted his head.
He had a look that said, What nonsense are you spouting now?
It seemed hed just acted on instinct.
Never mind. I just mean you did a great job.
I leaned against Geumho as if hugging him and smiled.
The flight experiment was a success.
My flight time was limited to about five minutes, but being able to secure air superiority was a huge advantage.
I was very satisfied.
***
At a cafe near the academy.
Ha Siyeon, Kim Cheoljin, and Choi Jihoon were having a conversation.
Siyeon, you have a tendency to trust people too much. That Kang Seoyul guy is suspicious from top to bottom.
Choi Jihoon said coldly.
Seoyul isnt a suspicious person like you think.
Ha Siyeon said, sounding frustrated. She understood where Choi Jihoon was coming from. From the Black Iron Greatsword Incident to the recent demon appearance.
Kang Seoyuls actions were hard to see as normal.
Your evidence?
Thats
At Choi Jihoons question, Ha Siyeon fell silent. She knew Kang Seoyuls true identity was an angel.
But that was a secret between the two of them. She couldnt tell Choi Jihoon or Kim Cheoljin.
J-Just a hunch! Anyway, Seoyul is a really good person, Im telling you.
Thus, she could only trail off like that.
Besides, you two looked into Seoyuls past, didnt you? You said there was nothing wrong with it.
It was ordinary. Other than the fact that he came from an orphanage.
Kim Cheoljin, who had been enjoying the conversation, muttered while sipping his coffee.
Thats what makes it even more suspicious.
Choi Jihoon said.
I hate to admit it, but his archery and dagger skills are first-rate. And yet, theres no record of him ever learning archery or swordsmanship in his past.
That fact fueled Choi Jihoons suspicion.
Ah, I agree with that. It was strange.
At their words, Ha Siyeon inwardly grimaced.
If she didnt know Kang Seoyuls secret, she would have found him suspicious too.
But not anymore.
A-Anyway, Seoyul isnt a bad person!
And were back to square one.
Choi Jihoon let out a sigh.
This conversation was going nowhere.
It felt like talking to a stone statue.
No matter what evidence he presented, Ha Siyeon would always end up retorting, Seoyul isnt a bad person.
Kang Seoyul, just how did you manage to wrap Siyeon around your finger?
The more it went on, the deeper Choi Jihoons suspicion grew.
Oh, look at the time. I should get going.
Ha Siyeon abruptly stood up from her seat.
If youre heading home, I can walk you.
Huh? No, its fine. I have plans with a friend, so I have to go back to the academy.
Plans? At this hour?
Yeah. Anyway, lets just say we couldnt help it with the challenge ticket this time. But dont do it again. Seoyul is a really good guy.
With those words, Ha Siyeon darted out of the cafe.
I wonder if Siyeons fallen head over heels for Kang Seoyul.
Kim Cheoljin said with a sly grin.
Nonsense.
Why? I think its possible. Honestly, he was pretty cool during the demon incident. Leave this to me and go on ahead!
The demon incident.
At those two words, a shadow fell over Choi Jihoons face.
He recalled his own powerlessness, unable to stop Ha Siyeon from returning alone in the face of the demons terror, and he trembled with shame.
Kim Cheoljin. Do you really believe that demon just resealed itself and disappeared on its own?
I guess so. There was still one seal left when we were running away. The unsealing must not have been complete.
Kim Cheoljin answered nonchalantly. There was no other way to explain the demons disappearance.
You dont think Kang Seoyul had something to do with that demon, do you?
I do.
Hey, come on, thats going too far. They said it wouldve taken at least ten S-rank superhumans to deal with that demon. You think Kang Seoyul handled it by himself? Does that make any sense? Especially in such a short amount of time?
Dude, get a grip. I know your heads a mess because of Siyeon, but I think you need to be a bit more level-headed.
Listening to Kim Cheoljins cool-headed words, Choi Jihoon wondered.
Was that really it?
Was he trying to force himself to see Kang Seoyul in a bad light because of his feelings for Ha Siyeon? Honestly, he couldnt deny it. Thats how much Choi Jihoon liked her.
No.
Therefore, this could simply be stubbornness.
Theres definitely something about Kang Seoyul.
A strange light glinted in Choi Jihoons eyes.
***
After returning from the Golden Sanctuary, I went back to my dorm room.
I took a quick shower and then headed to the park where Ha Siyeon was waiting.
Seoyul!
From a distance, Ha Siyeon waved at me. The sight of her smiling under the soft moonlight was quite beautiful.
Youre early.
A disciple must always arrive earlier than their instructor, sir!
She snapped into a clumsy salute, something she must have seen somewhere.
A laugh escaped my lips.
I guess you never learned that a sloppy salute angers the instructor?
Ah. Ehehe.
Ha Siyeon hid her hands behind her back with an innocent smile.
The area was quiet again today.
Which was why we trained in this secluded park.
Whats the training for today?
Hm? Oh. Today, Im going to teach you a more practical application.
Practical!
Lately, Id been studying mana, all because of Ha Siyeon.
Studying mana without having any of my own felt like a pointless struggle, but I figured Id have to get it eventually, so it didnt matter if I studied now or later. I buckled down and did it.
Well, it was actually kind of fun.
There was a strange sense of catharsis whenever the half-baked knowledge from the novel overlapped with the specialized knowledge of this world.
Before that, a test. Make any five of the constructs youve created so far.
Thats a piece of cake!
Ha Siyeon grinned triumphantly and gathered her mana.
*Swoosh*
A chilly wind blew as the air around us began to freeze.
Shed become incredibly skilled in just one week.
Done!
In exactly three seconds, five different ice constructs materialized in the air.
Their forms are quite stable now.
Because I worked hard!
Ha Siyeon struck a pose as if to show off her biceps.
Her effort reminded me of something.
Im just asking to be sure. You havent been doing that long-range mana emission training again, have you?
N-No, I havent.
Her eyes twitched.
She was even avoiding my gaze.
I sighed.
You did, didnt you.
J-Just a little bit? When I had free time
I knew it.
I told you, your talent isnt for long-range attacks.
Ha Siyeons mana was special.
Not just special in the sense that she was born with elemental mana, a trait only one in a thousand possesses.
Ha Siyeon was overwhelmingly special even among those thousand.
No, perhaps unique was a better word.
I told you, right? Your mana only activates normally within a three-meter radius of you.
Yeah.
Ha Siyeons expression turned sullen.
I also told you that because of the strange combination of elemental mana and a close-range specialization, no one ever noticed the true nature of your mana.
Yeah.
Thanks to that, Ha Siyeon couldnt even control her mana without using a completely different activation formula from the standard one.
I looked down at Ha Siyeon, who was staring at the ground.
It wasnt that I didnt understand how she felt. She was anxious.
I was born with the makings of the greatest mage, but my range is only three meters? How is that fair? You were thinking something like that, werent you?
!
Ha Siyeons shoulders trembled.
I told you to trust me.
Ha Siyeons talent was unique.
And I meant that in a good way, not a bad one.
Yeah. I do trust you, but
*But Im still anxious.*
Her voice trailed off.
Alright. Since your basic training is done, today Ill show you just how overpowered your talent is.
Ha Siyeons mana had a dual nature: Ice and Close-Range Specialization.
When those two combined, they created an incredible synergy.
The current Ha Siyeon didnt know that yet.
I can assure you, as long as someone gets within three meters of you, theres no one you cant beat.
Thanks for saying that, even if you dont mean it.
You think I dont mean it?
She seemed to think I was just trying to flatter her. But I was being sincere.
The future Ha Siyeon, a future only I knew.
In that future, she would be called this:
The Ice Empress.
Oh, and after I teach you all this, there will be practical training tomorrow.
Practical training? Where?
Theres a suitable relic site.
A relic site?
Yeah.
The Ancient Relic.
The relic site where the [Whisper of the Fire Spirit] lay dormant.
With Ha Siyeon by my side, we could conquer it.