Chapter 54
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Accelerated Growth (2)
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That night.
I was sitting at my desk, racking my brain over a new notebook.
[Regarding the race-specific effects of Complete Embodiment.]
I decided to call the phenomenon where racial traits fully assimilate or adapt to the body, causing the color to revert to its original state and inducing a change that feels like a full merge with that race, Complete Embodiment.
[The traits of the Beastkin are powerful physical abilities and agility.]
[Therefore, the effect of Beastkin Complete Embodiment is presumed to be an increase in physical stats.]
So far, so good.
[Then what about Elven Complete Embodiment?]
[Unknown. No discernible changes to the body.]
[The characteristics of the Elven race are too diverse to pinpoint anything specific.]
This was why I was agonizing over it.
Ugh! I have no idea!
I yelled, scratching my head in frustration.
This morning, I confirmed that the Complete Embodiment process had begun when the color of the Elven tattoo returned from black to red.
The problem was, I had no idea what had changed about my body.
It was definitely a Complete Embodiment, so there had to be some kind of change.
But I couldn't guess what it was.
My physical stats were the same.
My mana was the same.
Literally nothing had changed from head to toe.
It was so identical that it was almost eerie.
Could it be that the Elven Complete Embodiment has no effect?
Nah. No way.
That couldnt be it.
I let out a sigh.
It was times like these I really envied the Status Window.
Anything you get would pop up right on the screen.
I scribbled in my notebook.
[Elven Complete Embodiment! You have acquired the such-and-such of so-and-so!]
A system message like that would appear.
How convenient would that be?
Other people wouldnt have to go through the tedious process of minutely adjusting values just to see if their strength had increased, like I did.
They wouldnt spend ten hours sitting at a desk, wrestling with a notebook just to figure out a trait.
Im starting to feel depressed.
Of course, it wasn't that I disliked my ability.
It was a bug-like non-ability based on a system error, but it was still a cheat-level power.
But you know how it is.
The grass is always greener on the other side.
When I thought about the convenience of a Status Window, I sometimes found myself getting envious.
Sigh. Whats the point of envying what I dont have?
I slammed the notebook shut and got up from my chair.
It was getting late.
I figured I should just get some sleep.
I just need to figure it out before the practical exam week.
There was still plenty of time.
It wasn't a problem that could be solved by constantly worrying about it.
Rushing things like this would only lead to trouble.
I lay down on the bed.
* * *
Early the next morning.
I was on my way to the private training room where Pi Jinho was waiting for my morning workout.
Oh! Seoyul!
I happened to run into Ha Siyeon.
It looked like she was doing a light warm-up jog.
Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw me, and she walked over.
What was she so surprised about?
Hey! Are you on your way to see Instructor Pi Jinho?
Ha Siyeon approached me and greeted me with a bright smile.
Was it just me, or did she seem a bit less energetic than usual?
Warming up?
Yeah, that too. The training room is really crowded today. The weathers nice and cool, so Im just running outside.
The training room is crowded?
Its totally packed.
That huge training room was full of people? I couldnt imagine it.
Did everyone flock there to prepare for the exams?
I think so.
Ha Siyeon smiled wryly.
She looked as if she was carrying all the worries of the world on her shoulders.
I guess it wasnt just my imagination.
Is something bothering you?
I asked out of concern.
Ah, its nothing, really.
Ha Siyeon waved her hands dismissively.
But her expression was clearly not that of someone with nothing on her mind.
Your face is practically screaming, I have a lot of worries! Spit it out while Im asking nicely.
Is, is that so?
Ha Siyeon hesitated, averting her gaze.
Its really not a big deal.
If its not a big deal, you can just tell me. Go on.
I guess youre right.
Ha Siyeon fidgeted with her hair, hesitating.
After about ten seconds passed.
Well, its just that
She said, her eyes filled with determination.
Today is upper body day, and I was worried about what to do if I cant get a spot.
Excuse me?
What?
Ugh. Do you think a spot will open up if I wait? Its hard to work the upper body with just bodyweight exercises.
She chewed her nails anxiously.
For a moment, I had forgotten she was a workout addict.
My mind went blank.
Youre really something else.
I was so dumbfounded I was at a loss for words.
Huh? What?
Nothing. Never mind.
There was so much I wanted to say, but I wouldn't.
I spoke as if letting out a sigh.
If theres no room in the training room, you can just go to a nearby open space.
I told you, its hard with just bodyweight.
Ha Siyeons shoulders slumped in disappointment.
What, are you just going to let your Sanctuary of Ice gather dust?
Huh?
Ha Siyeon tilted her head.
Her expression seemed to ask what I was getting at.
If you dont have equipment, just make your own.
Ah, ah!
She could control not only the shape but also the strength and density if she took enough time. What was the problem?
There was a way like that!
This was, in fact, a method Ha Siyeon from the original novel used when she was isolated in a ruin with the protagonist.
Wow. Seoyul, youre a genius.
She looked at me with eyes full of admiration.
I wondered if Columbus had that same expression when he first discovered the New World.
Somehow I thought your face was shining today. It must have been because you were in Shining Seoyul mode.
What?
What kind of awful name was that?
Stop talking nonsense. Just go work out. What do you mean my face is shining?
Its true. It really surprised me.
Come to think of it, she did look surprised when our eyes first met.
Anyway, thank you. Im going to go work on my upper body before I cool down!
Oh? Uh, see you in class later.
Yeah, see you later~
With that, Ha Siyeon disappeared in a flash.
How can she love working out that much?
Still, what Ha Siyeon said a moment ago was bothering me.
Saying my face was shining today was the same as saying I looked handsome today.
I got more handsome?
And if the change in my appearance was so obvious that even Ha Siyeon noticed
My eyes slowly widened.
No way.
Could the effect of the Elven Complete Embodiment be an increase in charm?
If so, that would be amazing.
* * *
To get straight to the point.
My guess was correct.
Perhaps because elves are a race of beauty, the Elven Complete Embodiment was [Increased Charm].
Increased Charm.
At first glance, it might seem like a completely useless effect.
But in truth, a truly cheat-like effect was hidden within Charm.
Your bodys balance has become unbelievably good. Your flexibility, too. Your musculoskeletal structure is closer to the ideal form.
Instructor Pi Jinho said, examining various parts of my body.
Did you awaken a trait like Flawless or something?
That cheat-like effect was body correction.
Something similar to that.
I knew it.
Generally, Charm is considered the most useless non-combat stat for superhumans.
The common perception is that its a useless trait, good for nothing other than sculpting a handsome face.
However, if a certain condition is met, Charm transforms into a very attractive stat, just as its name implies.
That certain condition is none other than being handsome.
And not just handsome, but so handsome and beautiful that theres nothing to improve upon, like my face or Jias.
Once this condition is met, Charm begins to affect the entire body, not just the face.
Because the face is already so handsome and charming that it cant be improved, the effects of Charm spread throughout the entire body.
As a result, the body becomes very attractive and transforms into an ideal form.
An ideal form both aesthetically and practically.
Your bodys potential and growth rate have also risen sharply. Well need to significantly revise your training plan.
Revise the plan?
Yes. Well have to increase the intensity by at least 1.5 times.
1.5 times?
As a result, the body's innate potential increases.
And the growth rate of physical stats also rises dramatically.
It might be fine to even double it.
Whoa.
Whats with that face? The higher the intensity, the faster youll grow. Isnt this something to be happy about?
Wow. Im so thrilled.
The alteration of one's innate physical potential.
This was the true effect of Charm.
Of course, for anyone other than a special case like me, the return on investment is terrible.
Honestly, its a waste of Free Points.
Body balance be damned, its much better to invest in physical stats that can be used immediately.
I was worried because your physical growth rate was too slow. Now I can rest a little easier.
Was it that bad?
Was my body really that trash?
Yes. It was a hopeless body. I didnt say it, but I estimated your growth limit to be around C-rank.
C-rank.
Pi Jinhos eyes were accurate.
If nothing had changed, my growth would have likely stopped at exactly C-rank. For the rest of my life.
Its gotten a bit better now, right?
Needless to say.
But what about now, after Ive fully embodied the traits of the Beastkin and Elven races?
Pi Jinho smiled.
Your bodys current growth limit is A-rank. Congratulations on acquiring a decent body.
I smiled back.
Yes. Thank you.
All hail Charm.
All hail the Elven Complete Embodiment.
* * *
That night.
Near Yuhwas house.
Geumho. Im going to miss you.
Meow.
Yuhwa was hugging Geumho, putting on a melodrama.
Anyone watching would think they were being separated for life.
I decided to just watch and see how long it would last.
The scene continued for a full ten minutes.
Here you go. Please take good care of my Geumho.
Yuhwa handed Geumho to me with a look of utter disappointment.
Thank you for everything.
Today, his registration as a guardian beast was officially completed, and he was also registered with the school.
From today on, Geumho could live with me in the dormitory.
Dont mention it. I enjoyed it, too.
Thats a relief. Geumho, you should thank your big sister too.
At my words, Geumho cutely bowed his head.
How am I going to sleep at night now that Ill be so lonely?
Yuhwas expression grew even more sullen. It seemed she was depressed at the thought of sleeping alone from now on.
Oh, right.
Her expression then turned serious.
I think you might already know, but Ill tell you just in case you dont.
What is it?
Why was she suddenly making me nervous?
You know that an investigation team was formed for the recent Angel and Demon Advent case, right?
Yes, I know.
It was plastered all over the news and newspapers. How could I not know?
Then do you also know that the team was wiped out in a single day?
Wiped out?
Yes.
I heard it was an elite team formed under the governments lead, with even an S-rank superhuman on it.
Huh? Is this really the first youre hearing of it?
Yes. The first.
Really? Thats strange.
Yuhwa tilted her head with a peculiar expression.
She was probably finding it strange that I, who knew everything about the doppelgnger and Pyo Il-chan, was unaware of this information.
So what happened?
Ah.
Snapping out of her thoughts, Yuhwa cleared her throat and continued her explanation.
The investigation teams headquarters was attacked. The battle lasted around ten minutes. All thirteen members were killed in the attack.
Ten minutes?
An elite team of thirteen, including an S-rank superhuman, was wiped out in ten minutes?
How many attackers?
One person.
One person?
A villain who could wipe out thirteen people, including an S-rank superhuman, in ten minutes.
Could it be!
What about the attackers identity?
That hasnt been revealed either. They were completely covered in black cloth, so they couldnt be identified on the CCTV footage.
Fortunately, it seemed the CCTV footage survived.
Can I see that video?
What? Yes, I can show you.
Yuhwa pulled up a video on her smartphone and handed it to me.
A large man over 190cm tall. Weapon used is a spear. As you can see, his characteristics are incredible speed and combat power.
Every time the man in the video swung his spear, a superhuman lost their life.
Swift movements and a spear.
One person immediately came to mind.
Can you slow this down a bit?
Thats already at 0.1x speed.
Even slower. I think I might know something.
Hmm. Then just a moment.
Yuhwa took the phone back and fiddled with it.
Here. 0.01x speed.
Thank you.
I focused on the video again.
The video played at a speed ten times slower than before.
Its incredible even watching it again. I wonder where a villain like that just dropped from.
The man wielding the spear.
His movementsswinging, thrusting, strikingwere reminiscent of a ferocious beast.
Huh?
It was then that something caught my eye.
I quickly rewound the video and paused it.
This spear.
I had paused it at the exact moment the mans spear, which had been completely hidden by black cloth, was briefly revealed.
Ah, that? Its unusual, right? A rusty spear.
A worn-out spearhead that looked like it had rusted and corroded away. In contrast, the shaft was ornately decorated.
I was sure of it.
This is Vagabond.
There was no way someone with this level of combat power and a spear like that could be anyone but Vagabond.
Vagabond? Is that a villain name?
Yuhwa stared at me, her eyes wide with surprise.
Yes. A spearman mad for battle. Vagabond.
My head started to ache.
Why this guy, at this particular time?
Why did he attack the newly formed investigation team?
Hes one of the seven executives of the Seekers of Truth.
The Seekers of Truth?
Yuhwas pupils trembled as she looked me straight in the eye.
< Chapter 54 - Accelerated Growth (2) - End >