Chapter 69
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Its True Purpose (1)
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In the end, we never found the 'Treasure Where Nature Ascends'.
The two of them and I were disappointed to the very end. But what could we do? The sun had set, and we still hadn't found a single clue.
We could only hope for next time.
You know, Geumho, you're awfully tame, don't you think?
Nyaa?
Right now, I'm washing the dirt and dust off Geumho and drying his fur. I think I read somewhere that felines hate water. But this little guy absolutely loves baths.
Whenever I soak in the tub, he quietly joins me, rests his head on my shoulder, and lets his body go completely limp, letting out a soft 'Nyaaa...'
What part of him even looks like a tiger?
Do you like the water? Or do you just like being with your Hyeong?
Geumho's golden fur rippled in the gentle breeze.
Geumho tilted his head up slightly and let out a small cry.
His expression seemed to say, 'I like both!'
Aww, so cute.
I couldn't help but smile at the sight.
He really seems to understand everything I say now, 100 percent.
It feels like Geumho is getting smarter by the day.
No, his overall stats, including intelligence, are actually rising.
All thanks to [Guardian].
There. All dry.
I put down the dryer and headed to the bed, holding Geumho in my arms.
Then, I placed the drowsy-looking Geumho on my lap and picked up Shin Hyeong's gift from the shelf.
I opened the [Encyclopedia of Racial Traits].
*Fwip*
I quickly flipped through the pages, once again checking the section on the Dragon Tribe's traits.
After passing by traits with effects so amazing they made my eyes widen, I found the one I was looking for.
[Guardian's Contract]
This was the actual name of the skill that linked Geumho and me, which I had been calling [Guardian].
[A Guardian's Contract can be formed with mutual consent.]
[The contracted Guardian grows by absorbing residual mana lingering around its master. During this period, its sleep duration will be unusually long.]
[The direction of growth and special abilities vary from individual to individual.]
[Warning. Until the currently contracted Guardian has fully matured, a new contract cannot be formed.]
It matched the effects I had more or less expected.
The size-shifting must be one of Geumho's special abilities.
And it definitely solved the question I'd been pondering for a while: 'Doesn't Geumho sleep way too much?'
The part about not being able to form multiple contracts was something I had already tested several times.
The only thing I needed to pay close attention to here was the final warning sentence.
So, once his growth is complete, I can form another contract.
Now I finally understand why the dragons in the original story had so many Guardians with them.
Well, considering I have no idea when Geumho's growth will be complete, this warning is pretty meaningless for now.
Hm?
I heard a soft purring sound from below the book, and just as I expected, Geumho was sound asleep. So this is because he's growing.
I turned the page carefully, trying not to wake him.
*Rustle*
My goal was to review the skill effects of the racial traits I've acquired.
First, the Elf Tribe section.
[Guardian of the Bow]
[Path of the Wind]
[Wind Arrow (?)]
Of these, 'Guardian of the Bow' and 'Path of the Wind' were more than ninety percent consistent with the skill effects I knew.
[Guardian of the Bow]
[Increases bow proficiency]
[Silent steps]
[Enhanced vision]
[Path of the Wind]
[Presents a path for evasion and counterattack based on the opponent's actions]
[Has a slight effect on mana flow]
The problem was [Wind Arrow].
......It really was pearls before swine.
I've been using Wind Arrow completely wrong.
Imbuing a fired arrow with wind to increase its speed.
Being completely unaffected by the wind.
These were all just side effects.
[Wind Arrow (?)]
[Wind can be condensed and used as an 'arrow'.]
[The arrow's strength varies depending on the user's mana.]
This was the true effect of Wind Arrow.
Following Fire () and Lightning (), I could now wield the Wind () attribute as well.
Triple attributes.
Moreover, the synergy between the fire and wind attributes is immense.
The video of the high-ranking S-rank superhumans, the 'Witch of Flames' and the 'Wind Emperor (),' cooperating to take down a disaster-class monster in a single blow is still talked about to this day.
There's the penalty of only being able to create synergy with a bow, but even considering that, it's a huge advantage.
It could also be a trump card when I'm out of arrows.
The problem, as always, is mana.
Right now, I can't even properly handle one attribute, let alone two.
In the end, it all comes down to mana.
I sighed softly and turned the page.
The traits for the Beastkin, Celestial, and Spirit Tribes weren't much different from what I already knew.
The only peculiar thing was that the actual name of the fear-type trait I had arbitrarily named 'Predator's Killing Intent' was, in fact, 'Predator's Killing Intent'.
That was a little surprising.
Should I be impressed with my naming sense, or should I blame Shin Hyeong for naming the skill so carelessly?
......No, should I be despairing over the fact that my thought process is the same as his?
With such silly thoughts, I turned the page again.
[List of Giant Tribe Traits]
The last one.
This section detailed the Giant Tribe trait I had acquired most recently.
......So that's why.
It seemed to be a strength-enhancing trait, so I'd cheered when I got it. But it was a trait that had given me a headache because it wasn't applying properly.
I finally learned the trait's precise effect.
[Overwhelming Strength]
[A racial trait acquired by all members of the Giant Tribe during their coming-of-age ceremony.]
[Increases Strength by 1 rank.]
A 1-rank increase.
It was an absolutely broken effect.
It's like bonus points, but the fact that it has no limit is what makes it truly overpowered.
It means that if I raise my Strength to its growth limit of A-rank, I can reach S-rank without any other conditions.
The problem was the warning at the very bottom.
[Warning. The effect is negligible on Strength of C-rank or lower.]
[Those with Strength below B-rank are not considered 'Giants'.]
It was a trait that made the rich richer.
My Strength is E-rank at best.
No wonder the effect wasn't activating properly.
......When am I ever going to hit B-rank?
It's a full rank-up, so it's something to be happy about. But since it's not happening right now, it feels strangely unsatisfying.
No.
I should look on the bright side.
Once I hit B-rank, I'll have A-rank level strength.
Isn't that a huge gain for the late game?
......Ah. But the established theory is that if you focus too much on the late game, you'll ruin your early game.
A wave of anxiety washed over me for no reason.
Nah. There's still plenty of time.
I forced myself to shake off those negative thoughts.
I just have to get to B-rank. What's the big deal?
* * *
Monday's class was a series of mock battles in preparation for the tournament.
Next. Kang Seoyul. Kim Minsu.
Yes.
My opponent was the 178th-ranked swordsman.
He's a guy who uses a balanced fighting style, focusing on both offense and defense.
His stats are even, and he has an easygoing personality.
He's the kind of unremarkable swordsman who'd do at least an average job in any party.
Seoyul. Can't you just let me land one hit?
Yeah. No.
In short, his fighting style lacks any distinct features, making it easy to read.
He's perfect prey for my Path of the Wind.
Agh! Seriously! Come on!
For ten minutes now, I've been focusing solely on dodging his attacks.
How long are you going to keep dodging?
Until one of us collapses from exhaustion?
If I'd counterattacked, this fight would have been over long ago.
But I'm concentrating only on evasion. The reason is simple.
The Path of the Wind is becoming clearer.
The color has somehow deepened, and the characteristic headache from Path of the Wind has completely vanished.
Until now, my head would start throbbing after just five minutes, but now, even after ten, I feel fine.
There's almost no pain from the tattoo, either.
In other words, Path of the Wind is starting to reach full assimilation.
That's why I'm dragging out the fight for as long as possible.
Opportunities like this don't come often.
Do you hate me? Did I do something wrong to you?
He must have been exhausted from swinging his sword for over ten minutes. He asked, panting for breath.
Done something wrong? Nah. I just needed some evasion training. It's not often you get a chance to focus solely on attacking like this, right? Let's both enjoy it.
Even though my stamina is a good two ranks lower than his, I'm perfectly fine.
There's one reason for that.
My evasive movements aren't large. Smaller movements mean less stamina consumption.
......Fine. I'll make sure I land at least one blow!
I feel the opponent's sword, the red trajectory of its approach, and dodge it by a paper-thin margin.
No large movements are needed for the evasion. Half a step was enough.
Whew.
Grrr!
As expected, he must have gotten frustrated, because his sword strikes started to become erratic.
One strike.
Another.
They became somewhat unpredictable.
The fact that he was tired and losing strength in his body was likely another reason.
I continued to dodge the sword.
Wow. Look at how cool his movements are.
The epitome of simplicity.
Ooh. I like the sound of that.
The epitome of simplicity.
I heard those words from the other students watching.
I quite liked that phrase.
Whoa.
I let out a gasp as the sword grazed my hair.
That one was a little dangerous.
*Pant. Pant.*
Maybe it's because my opponent is exhausted.
The prediction from Path of the Wind was ever so slightly off.
It makes sense.
No matter how amazing Path of the Wind is, how could it possibly predict that his grip would loosen just before impact, distorting the sword's path?
......Interesting.
I smiled.
*Fwoosh!*
Right.
Path of the Wind isn't a perfect prediction.
It only presents a path that is *close* to perfect.
It's my role to see that prediction and act.
How exhausted the opponent is.
What mistakes might occur.
What variables might arise as a result.
The information that Path of the Wind doesn't show.
I reminded myself of that information once again.
Haaaaap!
The next moment.
A very thick trajectory was drawn.
A red wind filled with desperate resolve. But it was strangely sloppy.
*Fwoosh*
According to the path shown by Path of the Wind, it was a strike I could completely avoid just by taking half a step to the left.
But I moved my body in the opposite direction.
For some reason, it felt like the right thing to do.
It was probably an intuition-like sense from the trait, [Owner of the Weapon].
And so, exactly one step.
Just as I finished the evasion.
Ugh!
A weak sound escaped the male student's lips.
*Swish*
The strength drained from his sword hand, and the entire blade wavered.
*Stumble.*
At the same time, his supporting leg wobbled, and his body tilted to one side.
As a result.
The sword strike barely grazed the path suggested by Path of the Wind and...
*CRASH!*
...slammed into the floor.
If I had blindly trusted Path of the Wind, I would have taken a direct hit that time.
......
It was a moment of realization.
Path of the Wind isn't perfect.
It's an outstanding, prediction-like trait that presents a path assuming the opponent is at their best.
But if the opponent isn't at their best, flaws appear.
This means that even Path of the Wind cannot read unexpected variables, like the opponent losing strength in their hand as they swing their sword.
Path of the Wind is, in the end, just one option.
The one who makes the choice is none other than myself.
To think I'm only realizing something so obvious now.
I smiled bitterly.
Ah. I really can't go on. I surrender!
The male student collapsed to the ground. I sheathed my dagger, walked over, and offered him my hand.
Good work. Thanks to you, it was great training.
......What is this, breaking me down and then helping me up?
He took my hand and used it for support to get up from the floor.
When you swung with less force at the end, your technique was actually more powerful.
Even if you're just saying that, thanks.
It was a realization I wouldn't have had if this guy hadn't given his all in his attack.
* * *
After the morning training ended.
Kuhhh~
I was letting out a sigh of admiration in the private shower room. I couldn't help but admire my reflection in the mirror.
Nice, nice.
It wasn't for some narcissistic reason, like thinking I'd gained more muscle or that I could get drunk on my own reflection again today.
Path of the Wind has finally been fully assimilated.
The Segyesu tattoo on my right shoulder blade had returned from red to green.
How could I not be impressed?
My face doesn't seem to have changed.
My charm should have increased, but there's no noticeable change in my face.
Does this mean my face can't be improved any further?
Then that means the charm stat was entirely invested in transforming my physical structure.
I wonder if this means the growth limit for my physical stats has risen to S-rank.
And seeing as the pain from the Predator's Killing Intent tattoo is starting to fade, full assimilation for that one doesn't seem far off either.
Heh heh.
I desperately suppressed the laughter that kept bubbling up as I finished my shower.