Chapter 27
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: The Second Ruin (2)
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Whoa! It manifested! My trait!
Watching Ha Siyeon jump up and down in the middle of a quiet park filled with chunks of ice, a thought crossed my mind.
Is this what they call a born genius?
Awesome! Awesome! In just a week! Ahaha!
She couldnt contain her joy.
Well, she had every reason to be happy.
Even I would be.
See? Wasn't I right?
Yeah! Close-quarters specialization! Ice attribute! You were right about everything!
In this world, there are a few rules governing the manifestation of traits and skills.
One of them is that to register a trait or skill, you must first become aware of your own power and master its use.
This registration period is known to take an average of one year. Ha Siyeon managed it in just a week.
If that's not a born genius, what is?
Now that you know, you should listen to me more carefully. No more doubting.
Yes, sir! Understood!
There's that clumsy salute again.
I thought it looked familiar. It's like the salutes girl groups give during military entertainment performances.
The only difference, I suppose, is that she's pretty enough to put any girl group member to shame.
If you don't mind, can I ask the name of your trait?
Sure. I'm sure you already know everything anyway, Seoyul.
Ha Siyeon's eyes scanned the empty air.
Then they stopped at one spot, and she smiled softly. That must be where her newly acquired trait was displayed.
Trait: Sanctuary of Ice.
It's the very trait I knew it would be.
Should I read you the detailed effects, too?
Hm? No, that would be rude. Just the name is fine.
I know all the details anyway. In fact, I know them better than Ha Siyeon does.
I even have a thorough understanding of how to apply that ability.
Alright, that's enough for today. Your mana is running low, isn't it?
Yeah.
She nodded, her face full of disappointment.
I'll teach you the detailed applications of that trait at the ruin tomorrow. So don't be too disappointed.
Really? You're even going to teach me how to use it?
Of course. I told you, didn't I? Just trust me.
Wow...
Ha Siyeon stared directly into my eyes, her own sparkling.
It's a bit much.
I can understand why, though.
Elemental magic is a rare attribute that only about a thousand people in the world possess.
Moreover, the academic consensus is that since the pros and cons differ for each individual, the only way to master it is through repeated trial and error on your own.
So for me to offer to teach her its applications, how could she not be happy?
Seoyul. You know what I'm thinking right now?
Beats me.
I know for a fact you're happy, though.
I'm grateful to Jihoon.
...Huh?
All of a sudden?
That day. If Jihoon hadn't thrown that Black Iron Greatsword at you, we wouldn't have this connection, would we?
...I almost died that day, you know?
Oh, come on. I know how skilled you are, Seoyul. Stop exaggerating.
...My skills?
Are you talking about the skills that would have gotten me killed if you hadn't yelled 'dodge'?
Anyway, Seoyul. Thank you, really.
Don't thank me. I'm helping you for my own reasons.
You'll be getting Ancient Artifacts for me, defeating villains for me, and taking down future demons for me.
If anything, I should be thanking you.
Anyway, training is over for today. Don't go doing extra training later, okay? And lay off the strength training for today, too.
Uh, yeah? O-Of course! I was planning to wash up and go straight to bed!
...
That's a lie.
If I hadn't said anything, she would've 100% headed to the training room to lift barbells.
Ha Siyeon is a serious, full-blown exercise addict. She says her whole body gets antsy if she misses even a single day of working out.
If you don't look well-rested tomorrow, I'm canceling our training.
An earthquake erupted in Ha Siyeon's pupils.
Ah, ugh. Then, can't I just do some light squats before bed?
Nope. You can't.
Then just push-ups! Bodyweight! Lightly! Just enough to break a sweat!
Nope, go home.
Jogging!
Just sleep.
A-A walk, at least.
You're just going to do CrossFit and call it a walk.
...Ugh. Really? My stamina is perfectly fine.
She's really something else.
No. Focus on recovering your mana today.
I said firmly.
Resting is part of training, but she doesn't get that. No, she knows, but she can't bring herself to do it.
...Fine.
She answered reluctantly, pouting her lips.
Well, this should be enough to stop her.
Alright, I'll see you at the school gate tomorrow at 10 AM.
I turned, waved my hand, and started walking away.
Aren't you going back to the dorms? Where are you going?
Me? I'm going to the training room to work out.
...Huh?
I said, I'm going to work out.
A moment of silence fell.
Wondering what was going on, I turned back to see Ha Siyeon staring at me with the expression of a heroine betrayed by the hero.
Traitor! How could you go by yourself!
Pfft.
The sight made me burst out laughing. I turned my head away again.
Traitor! Traitor! I hope only your biceps get huge!
What kind of curse is that?
Listening to Ha Siyeon's words, which could have been a compliment or a curse, I went on my way.
* * *
The next day.
As always, I woke up at 5 AM.
Thump, thump.
My heart pounded fiercely as blood circulated through my body.
Ever since gaining the blood of the Beastkin, I no longer needed an alarm.
I only get about five hours of sleep a day, but I never feel tired.
The Beastkin blood enhances recovery.
It's a great help in increasing muscle mass and even recovering from fatigue.
I could probably go about three days without sleep.
Of course, even if I don't sleep, I have to train twice a day without fail. Otherwise, I'll go berserk.
I got out of bed.
I have to clear a ruin today, so I should just have a light workout to break a sweat.
After a quick wash, I was drying my hair.
Vmm
My smartphone vibrated.
Who could it be this early?
Wondering if it was Ha Siyeon, I picked up my phone with my hair still damp.
...Yuhwa?
What's Yuhwa doing up at this hour?
I answered the call.
Hel
You don't have any plans today, do you?
Her voice sounded urgent.
You don't, right? Right? Please tell me you don't.
There was a hint of desperation.
But what could I do?
Unfortunately, I have an important prior engagement today.
Today's the day I clear the ruin.
Postpone it.
I can't.
Why not! I postponed a very important meeting for you last time!
...You said you didn't have any special plans.
She was talking about the day she suddenly summoned me to sell information.
Actually, I did. So you should postpone your plans today, too.
Something feels off.
What's going on?
For Yuhwa to act like this, it must be something serious.
What is it?
I asked, my own tone growing serious.
...I have a meeting with the Shinhwa Group at noon today.
Her tone was grave.
And?
But the representative for the negotiation is Shin Jia.
I tilted my head.
And?
If we fail to close this deal, the Bihon Guild will be in a pretty tough spot.
Then just close the deal. Even if you two don't get along, Jia isn't the type to mix personal feelings with professional matters.
Silence came from the other end of the line.
I could hear what sounded like grinding teeth.
...I got caught.
What?
A deep sigh.
I got caught by that Shin Jia while digging into your past!
...Excuse me?
I was momentarily stunned.
Like you said, she wasn't the type to bring personal feelings into professional matters... She definitely wasn't...
With that one sentence, I understood everything.
...Did she, by any chance, just stubbornly refuse to negotiate without any reason?
Yes. That's exactly right. Did you tell her to do that?
Of course not.
Still, I had a good grasp of the situation now.
Jia's personality is rational and cool-headed.
However, when I'm involved, her personality does a 180 and becomes fiery.
Personal feelings in a professional setting?
She'll mix them in freely.
She'll act based on 100% pure emotion.
If she determined that Yuhwa had harmed me, or could potentially harm me.
Even if Yuhwa's proposal was beneficial to both Shinhwa and Bihon, she would surely scoff and reject it.
In that case, why don't you just contact the chairman directly?
That doting father? He'd probably just ask why I'm bothering him when his daughter must have handled it herself.
...You're probably right.
My thinking was too shallow.
Yuhwa let out a deep sigh.
So please, help me. Right now, I think you're the only bargaining chip I have to persuade Shin Jia.
I scratched the back of my head.
I understand the situation, but it's an important appointment, so it's hard to cancel.
Clearing the ruin is important.
I need a power boost right now to win the ranking match against Choi Jihoon next week.
This ruin is my last chance.
...
I could hear her grumbling on the other end.
It seems she's sulking.
Fine! Hmph! Next time you want to schedule something, contact me a week in advance through my secretary! That's how I meet with other people...
Instead, I'll contact Jia right now. I'll tell her to go easy on you since you're an acquaintance of mine, Ms. Yuhwa.
...I do, but you're different from those common folk, Mr. Seoyul! Of course! Call me anytime!
Her change in attitude was faster than lightning.
Her rather cute demeanor made me chuckle.
So, we're good?
Yes! Of course! Sorry to bother you so early in the morning.
Her voice had a cheerful hum to it.
Is she really that happy?
If you're grateful, buy me another meal at Okhwadang next time.
Ever since that day, my body can no longer taste ordinary food.
Yes. I'll schedule a date.
Her voice was overflowing with joy.
Is she really that happy?
Well, I have my morning training. I'll talk to you later.
Okay, Mr. Seoyul. Have a great day~
With that, the call ended.
It felt like a storm had just passed.
* * *
9:50 AM.
I arrived at the school gate.
Seoyul~
In the distance, I saw Ha Siyeon, who, like me, was carrying a large suitcase.
The suitcase was likely filled with the combat gear Ha Siyeon uses.
You look well-rested from yesterday.
Yeah. A certain traitor gave me a stern warning. So I gritted my teeth and slept hard.
...What a colorful expression.
Gritted your teeth and slept hard.
What does that even mean?
So, where are we going?
Towards Uijeongbu.
Where in Uijeongbu?
The Land of Jade Flames.
...Where did you say?
Ha Siyeon's face stiffened.
The Land of Jade Flames.
Th-The place I'm thinking of?
Probably.
You're talking about the Forbidden Zone, right?
That's right. That's the place.
Ha Siyeon's eyes twitched.
...The two of us are going to clear a ruin there?
No.
I shook my head.
Ha Siyeon let out a sigh of relief.
R-Right? There are other people coming, right? There's no way the two of us could take on the Land of Jade Flames...
You're going to clear it alone.
...Excuse me?
I said confidently.
I'm just the guide.
Ha Siyeon will be the one clearing it.
You're going to clear it alone. Because this is your training.
Ha Siyeon stared at me with dazed, trembling eyes.
She looked like she'd misheard something.
Don't worry. You can definitely clear it on your own.
With Ha Siyeon's ability and my knowledge, we can clear it today and be back before midnight.
But still...
She still looked scared.
It's understandable.
She's probably been told time and time again how dangerous the Forbidden Zone is.
If she's this intimidated, she's liable to make unnecessary mistakes.
I have no choice.
Don't worry. If things get really bad, I'll just release my seal.
Ah!
The color returned to Ha Siyeon's face.
She looked instantly relieved at the mention of me releasing my seal.
But, sorry to disappoint.
I don't have any kind of seal.
If anything, this current state is me with my 'seal' released.
...Ah, I feel so pathetic.
Well then, let's get going.
At least Ha Siyeon has her confidence back. I guess that's good enough.
Ah, okay!
We set off towards Uijeongbu, towards the Forbidden Zone known as the 'Land of Jade Flames'.