Chapter 48
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: The 10-Year Void (1)
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Wednesday morning's class was specialized training by position.
You are the eyes of the party. While your party members are focused on the monster, you must see the bigger picture, as if looking down at the Earth from the moon. You must survey your surroundings objectively, without emotion.
Everyone nodded as if they agreed with the archery instructor's words.
This Friend-or-Foe Random Targeting Drill is designed to broaden that field of view.
We were standing in a state-of-the-art training facility for archers.
Targets would appear throughout the dome-shaped facility, which had a diameter of one kilometer.
The Friend-or-Foe Random Targeting Drill the instructor mentioned was one of the facility's curriculums.
Red and blue targets would appear at random, with red signifying an enemy and blue an ally.
The scoring was simple: hitting a red target increased your score, while hitting a blue one decreased it.
It consisted of ten levels in total, and as the levels increased, so did the speed and frequency of the targets' appearance.
The purpose of the training, as the instructor said, was to broaden our field of view.
Covering the entire one-kilometer-diameter dome by oneself and accurately identifying the targets was no easy task.
Now then, I need a volunteer to give a demonstration
The archery instructor looked around.
Cadet Shin Jia is too exceptional to serve as an example
Then, his eyes met mine.
Cadet Kang Seoyul. Step forward.
I had a feeling, and of course, it was me.
Yes, sir.
But it didn't really matter.
This was a drill that could only be done one person at a time anyway.
Whether I went first or last, it made no difference. All eyes would be on me regardless.
If anything, going first was more time-efficient.
Any questions?
No, sir.
Good. Then well begin immediately. Well start off easy with level four.
As I stood where the instructor pointed, the floor where the other cadets were sitting retracted smoothly into the ground.
Oh.
I had wondered how they would handle spectators in a place where the entire one-kilometer radius was a firing range. So, the floor just retracts.
This way, they certainly wouldn't be a distraction.
Cadet Kang Seoyul. If you are ready, we will begin immediately.
I gently gripped my bow and took my stance.
Im ready.
Good. Lets begin.
[10, 9, 8]
A holographic countdown began.
I took a short, deep breath.
[7, 6, 5]
A faint pain emanated from the World Tree tattoo. I could feel the Guardian of the Bow and the Wind's Edge activating.
Come to think of it, this pain.
This must also be because the trait hasn't fully adapted to my body, right?
The Boiling Blood of the Pure-blooded was a passive type, and it never caused any pain in the tattoo.
Thinking about it now, the pain was slightly different for each trait I used.
In that case, I could use the diminishing of this pain as a signal.
[4, 3, 2]
Ah.
The decreasing count snapped me out of my thoughts.
I can think about that later.
Right now, I need to focus solely on this drill.
I focused my mind once more.
[Start!]
The next moment.
*Whoosh!*
I was already firing an arrow.
***
[Announcement of Consolidated Scores by Position.]
[Archer Position]
[1st Place: Shin Jia - 4,395 points]
[2nd Place: Kang Seoyul - 2,000 points]
After all of Wednesday's classes had ended.
Jia and I were looking at the announcement.
Wow. I really cant beat you, Jia.
A double score.
Seon I mean, Seoyul, you got a perfect score up to level five. Thats more amazing.
I think she was about to call me *Seonjonim* before correcting herself.
Thats an uncharacteristic slip of the tongue for Jia.
Im truly honored to be praised by someone who scored nearly perfectly on level nine.
I replied with a playful smile.
This drill awarded bonus points for higher levels.
Naturally, Jia, who had completed level nine, was bound to have a much higher score.
Thats just a difference in stats.
Jia smiled wryly.
Hey. Wasnt Kang Seoyul a total thrill today?
What? Seoyul, a total thrill. Is that supposed to be a rhyme?
...You should probably avoid telling jokes in front of the instructors. Youll get disciplined.
As we walked down the hallway.
I overheard my name from the cadets passing by.
See? Theyre saying it too.
It wasnt the first or second time Id heard something like that today.
Even the schools social media was filled with posts praising me.
Of course, there were just as many hateful comments.
Seeing you today, it looks like your stats have surpassed E-rank. Is it all smooth sailing from here on out?
That would be nice.
Jia looked at me with a peculiar expression.
Normally, in a situation like this, shed be beaming, and Id almost see the phantom of a Golden Retriever behind her.
But today was different.
Is something wrong?
Come to think of it
We headed towards the school gate, making idle chit-chat.
*Seonjonim*.
As soon as she confirmed no one was around, her form of address changed.
Are you perhaps free today or tomorrow?
Her gaze was serious.
This must be about something important.
I have plans today. How about after class tomorrow?
Unfortunately, I had a prior engagement today. And it was an equally important one.
Okay. Then after class tomorrow Um. Where should we meet?
Meeting outside would be a problem, as scouts would likely flock to us.
Going to Jias house was too far on a weekday.
If anywhere is fine, lets just meet in my room. Its been kind of scary going out lately.
Looks like the scouts havent given up yet. Youd think theyd quit after being rejected so many times.
Tell me about it.
I sighed.
Then, should I go to your room around seven tomorrow after class?
Yeah. Ill be waiting at seven.
Okay.
When we arrived at the school gate, Jias secretary, Kim Taejin, was waiting as always.
See you tomorrow, Seoyul.
Its truly amazing how her form of address and tone shift so quickly.
Yeah. Get home safe.
I waved at the departing limousine.
At the same time, I let out a sigh.
Thats a relief. Their paths didnt cross.
It was a sigh of relief, thinking of the person who would be arriving soon.
Sure enough, as the limousine completely disappeared from view, a sports car glided up to me.
Nyaaa!
The door opened automatically, and a bundle of golden fur flew out and into my arms.
Whoa!
I caught the golden furball.
Geumho, and held him in my arms.
He really likes you.
Yuhwa, sitting in the driver's seat, slid her sunglasses down slightly and looked at me with narrowed eyes.
Just get in, quickly.
She looked a little sulky.
I got into the car, still holding Geumho.
Nyan, nyan.
Geumho tapped my chest with his two front paws. He was so cute.
...And after how well I treated him.
She pouted, looking at Geumho. Ah. Shes jealous of me. I chuckled playfully.
Hows it going? Is your plan to make Geumho like you more in a month working out?
...The owner and the pet are exactly alike. So annoying, really.
Muttering, Yuhwa suddenly stepped on the accelerator.
It seems our appointment arrived earlier than expected, so we need to hurry.
Ah. Theyre already here?
I thought we still had about an hour until the appointment.
But are you really going to register Geumho with the Tamer Association?
Yes. I am.
Today, I had an appointment with an executive from the Korean Tamer Association's Judgment Committee.
The purpose, of course, was to officially register Geumho.
Its surprising enough that Geumho is a monster but do you really need to register him as a Guardian Beast? He probably can't even fight well.
Yuhwa said, glancing at Geumho, who was rolling around on my lap.
Huh? Are you looking down on my Geumho? My Geumho is a great fighter.
To be precise, he was strong enough to knock out an A-rank superhuman's teeth with a single punch in a one-on-one fight.
Nyaang!
Geumho looked at Yuhwa and lifted his head arrogantly.
His cuteness was so lethal it could give you a heart attack.
...Well, I suppose he'd be invincible against certain superhumans. ...Like me.
Yuhwa stared at Geumho with an expression that said she could die from his cuteness.
She even took her hands off the steering wheel to pet him.
Focus on driving.
Its fine. It switches to self-driving mode when I take my hands off the wheel anyway.
...Ah.
This was a self-driving car?
Then what?
Why was she driving manually?
She could have just put it on autopilot.
Anyway, since youre registering him, you know you have to pass properly, right?
Of course.
If the association judged him as not properly tamed, Geumhos life would be in danger.
But then again, hes so well-behaved, what could possibly go wrong? Right, Geumho~?
Yuhwa made eye contact with Geumho and spoke softly.
I wasnt worried.
Geumho obeyed me perfectly, and he was even following my instruction to listen well to Yuhwa.
Passing was a sure thing.
But was it really necessary to set the meeting place as our guilds training room?
I thought we might need a spacious area.
...Really?
Theres a reason. Youll see.
Hmm.
There were two main reasons I had decided to officially register Geumho.
First.
To be able to move around freely with him.
If he wasn't registered, I couldn't take him anywhere people might see him.
This was a major strategic loss.
And second.
This was the main reason.
It was to fully adapt the Dragon race's trait, [Guardian], to my body.
To be honest, until yesterday, I had no intention of officially registering Geumho with the association.
The reason was simple.
I didn't want to attract any more attention.
The current perception of me was that of a [promising talent with low stats but unprecedented growth potential].
My free manipulation of elemental mana and Ganggi had created that image.
What would happen if I then registered a monster with power rivaling an A-rank superhuman as my [Guardian Beast]?
Needless to say.
Things would get incredibly complicated.
On top of my free control of elemental mana and Ganggi,
they would conclude that I also had the ability to tame monsters.
Thats why I had planned to register Geumho as a Guardian Beast much later.
But things changed slightly after I learned the truth about the tattoos engraved on my body.
To adapt the Dragon race's trait, [Guardian], to my body, my only option was to commune with Geumho as much as possible.
And for that communion, we needed to experience many things together.
Combat, hunting, everything would help our bond.
After all, Geumho is a beast of prey.
That's why I was trying to register him as a Guardian Beast.
Because if he wasn't registered, we couldn't go into the field.
Well, you must have your reasons for doing things.
Yuhwa, who had been playing with Geumho, said nonchalantly.
***
In a small, bleak room that perfectly fit the word.
Maestro was kneeling on one knee, his head bowed.
In the direction he faced, there was a man.
With an emotionless expression, he was crossing his legs and examining a carrier.
The carrier that contained the Root of the World.
The one Hermit had handed over to Maestro.
David.
Yes, Boss.
Codename Unknown.
The boss of the Seekers of Truth called out to Maestro.
Do you know of the 10-Year Void?
The 10-Year Void, you say? Im sorry. Ive never heard of it.
Yes. I suppose you wouldnt have.
Maestro suddenly burst into laughter. Seeing his boss smile for the first time in his life, Maestro's eyes widened.
It was an event that occurred about ten thousand years ago.
Ten thousand years ago
The time when it is presumed that the other races completely vanished from this world.
Unknowns smile grew wider.
Isnt it strange? Why would all those powerful races disappear from this world at the same time?
...That is.
Now that he mentioned it, it was true.
Dragons, angels, demons, and so on.
How could it be that such powerful races, far beyond human comprehension, had all vanished simultaneously?
David. I was so curious about the reason that I couldnt bear it.
A strange light gleamed in Unknowns eyes.
I scoured every text. I mobilized all of the organizations manpower and funds to gather information.
There was indeed a time when he had been engrossed in ancient texts.
And eventually, I found it. The 10-Year Void, unrecorded anywhere else.
Unknowns eyes were tinged with madness.
It was thrilling. The exhilaration of being the only one to have realized a truth of the world!
But his expression soon did a 180-degree turn, becoming chillingly cold.
However, at the same time, I despaired. Because I couldnt find anything more about the 10-Year Void anywhere.
Was it impossible to solve this mystery? Was it impossible to ascertain the truth?
But God did not forsake me.
It was just as he was about to give up.
The appearance of a demon after ten thousand years! That incident was a beacon of hope for me!
A clue had appeared.
The only clue that could shed light on the 10-Year Void.
...So thats why you were so focused on that incident.
And now, another clue has emerged.
Another one you say?
Unknown tapped the carrier with an agitated expression.
The mana in the Root of the World is completely empty.
...!
The mana that should have been steadily accumulating for ten thousand years. David. What do you think this means?
...That is.
Unknown let out a laugh, his expression one of utter amusement.
There is a living elf.
An elf?
Yes.
A red glint shone from Unknown's eyes.
A grateful being who will satisfy my curiosity still remains in this world.
Unknowns smile grew very wide.