Chapter 9
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: A Different Beginning (2)
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Todays class was just as dull as yesterdays.
A tedious lecture, droning on and on about theories I already knew inside and out.
Well start with the basics. First, lets talk about stat increases.
The formula for calculating stats in this world was exceedingly simple.
As you all know, the lowest rank for a stat is F-Rank.
All eyes fell on me.
I knew exactly what they were thinking.
Of course, there are out-of-rank exceptions, like in preschool children. But we wont cover those here. They all become bound by the ranking system as they grow anyway.
This was the same out-of-rank stat the two ladies had been arguing about, dissing each others kids for having an intelligence of 3 or 5.
Even within the same F-Rank, the detailed stats are divided from 1 to 99.
As Pi Jinho spoke, a holographic screen appeared above the lectern.
[F-Rank (1/99) ~ F-Rank (99/99)]
[F-Rank (99/99) E-Rank (1/99)]
In this way, once you reach 99 points, you advance to the next rank.
Isnt he only talking about the absolute basics?
I yawned internally.
You all look like youre wondering why Im only talking about such basic things.
I flinched for a moment.
The other cadets also looked like hed hit the nail on the head.
Then shall we move on to something a bit more advanced?
At Instructor Pi Jinhos words, the screen changed.
There are broadly three ways to raise your stats.
[1. Combat]
When you hunt monsters or fight villains to gain combat experience, your level rises. Youre then given Free Points that you can use to increase your stats.
I cant get them, and I cant raise them.
[2. Training]
Other than that, you can also raise your level and stats by doing things like strength training or running.
This was another method I couldnt use.
Well, I suppose doing strength training would increase my strength a little.
By a pittance, though.
[3. Rest]
The last one is rest. The human body grows continuously even while resting. Adequate rest aids in growth, so dont overdo it.
In short, other peoples stats went up just by breathing.
Of course, that had nothing to do with me.
The more I rested, the more my body fat would diligently grow.
Plumping up nicely.
Growing and growing.
Ah. Im starting to feel depressed.
I sighed inwardly.
Instructor! I have a question!
Suddenly, someone raised their hand and stood up.
You may speak.
What is the exact difference between F-Rank and S-Rank?
A good question.
The instructor gave a faint smile.
Excluding traits, talents, and skills, the difference between an F-Rank and an S-Rank is
Pi Jinho paused, scanning the room.
Statistically, its about 200 times.
T-Two hundred times?
Thats right. Compared to an A-Rank, its about 80 times.
Whoa I expected it to be big, but thats insane.
So, in summary, it would take at least 50 or 60 of me to overpower one Shin Jia in terms of strength.
Of course, by the time you reach the level of an S-Rank superhuman, the stat bonuses from skills and traits are enormous. The difference could be not just 200 times, but over 1000 times.
I was being forced to confront a reality I had been trying to avoid.
This is depressing.
Everyone, settle down.
The instructor cut through the buzz that had filled the room at the mention of a 1000-fold difference.
Of course, having high stats and rare skills and traits isnt everything. Theres one more important thing.
The holographic screen changed again.
[Items]
Thats right, items.
My eyes lit up.
Exactly!
What good are high stats and skills if you dont have the items to back them up? Its all for nothing.
The instructor knows whats up.
This is a sword used by the famous S-Rank superhuman, Kang Minsu, whom you all know.
[Key of Six Worlds / S-Rank]
Whoa.
Thats crazy.
Gasps of awe erupted from all around.
It has formidable options. Of course, the equipping restrictions are just as formidable.
It was a sword Id never seen before.
It hadnt appeared in the novel.
Heres a question. If a B-Rank superhuman equipped with this sword fought an S-Rank superhuman with a regular iron sword, who would win?
Oho.
That was a rather insightful question.
Its obvious. The S-Rank superhuman would win.
Choi Jihoon said arrogantly, his arms crossed.
And why is that?
Simply holding a good item isnt enough to overcome a two-rank difference in stats.
Hmm. Alright. Any other opinions?
This time, Shin Jia spoke up.
The B-Rank superhuman would win.
The reason?
As Cadet Choi Jihoon said, the S-Rank superhuman would have the advantage in terms of stats.
The teacher smiled as if he found this amusing.
Then why do you say the B-Rank superhuman would win?
Because the S-Rank superhumans sword is just a regular iron sword. It would shatter into pieces after a single clash with the Key of Six Worlds. Then the S-Rank superhuman would be defenseless. The B-Rank superhuman wins.
A chorus of Oohs! broke out around me.
Excellent.
At the instructors praise, Choi Jihoons face soured.
Of course, Cadet Choi Jihoons opinion is not wrong either. The difference in stats is not something that can be easily closed.
Only then did Choi Jihoons expression soften.
This has gone on long enough. The point I want to make is this: dont put too much faith in your stats.
The holographic screen changed again.
Skills, traits, talents, items. There are countless variables in a battle, and you must remember that these variables can instantly overturn any difference in stats.
He was right.
This world wasnt a game where victory and defeat were decided by a simple click.
In battle, always assume the worst. Even if your opponent is an F-Rank superhuman, never let your guard down. For all you know, that superhuman could be wearing something like Americas national treasure, the Heart of the Dragon Lord.
No way!
His joke drew laughter from the cadets.
Isnt that taking it a bit too far?
Bringing up an Ancient Relic seems like a stretch!
Ahem.
Pi Jinho cleared his throat, looking slightly embarrassed.
In any case, I want you all to remember that a superiority in stats does not necessarily mean a superiority in battle. That is all.
With those final words, the instructor left the classroom.
I mulled over his words.
A superiority in stats is not a superiority in battle
An image of my future self, decked out from head to toe in all sorts of [Ancient Relics], flashed through my mind.
Nice.
I felt a surge of fighting spirit.
***
That burning fighting spirit was completely incinerated within an hour.
Hah, haaah!
Cadet Kang Seoyul! No slacking!
I had forgotten.
I had forgotten that the training at this superhuman academy was Spartan-style.
This instructor does not give special treatment just because youre F-Rank. Get up!
The cap pulled low and that tone of voice.
It reminded me of a drill sergeant from boot camp.
Even if your stat growth potential is low, you can cover up to D-Rank with effort. The fact that Cadet Kang Seoyuls stats are F-Rank is simply because you lack effort.
Even the way he grated on my nerves was exactly the same.
I ground my teeth.
Grrrgh!
Fine. Lets see who wins.
Ill endure this, even if it kills me.
Just you watch.
Oooone! Twoooo!
One. Two. Good. If you keep trying like that, your rank will go up in no time.
I clenched my jaw and continued the physical training.
Your voice is too quiet! Cadet Kang Seoyul! Sound off!
Aaargh!
And then, five minutes later.
Medic! Bring a stretcher!
I passed out.
The will could not overcome the flesh.
Still, it was for the best.
Thanks to this, any suspicion that I was hiding my stats completely vanished.
[#Academy #Worst #Ever #StaminaGimp]
[Likes: 3028 / Dislikes: 128]
Instead, I earned the nickname of the worst stamina gimp in the academys history, but all things considered, it was a net gain.
Lets just go with that.
***
That evening.
[Ancestor, you could really be an actor! How were you so convincing?]
Et tu, Brute?
Shin Jias message made me feel miserable all over again.
[Haha. This much is basic.]
My heart ached.
It felt like my conscience was wailing.
[The peculiar walk you mentioned before seems to be gone too! Your acting is amazing! (Bear emoticon giving a thumbs up)]
Please, stop.
My chest hurts too much.
[Oh, right. The equipment you mentioned before. I think Ill have it in my hands tomorrow morning.]
Oh!
[Really? That was fast.]
[Of course! Its your request! I handled it at the speed of light! (Smug dog emoticon)]
I smiled wryly.
[Are you sure your butler wasnt just worked to the bone at the speed of light?]
[M-Mr. Taejin is me and I am Mr. Taejin!]
I could almost see a flustered Shin Jia on the other end.
[Anyway, thanks. It must have been quite expensive.]
[Not at all! It was an amount I could handle on my end!]
[I-Is that so?]
Ah. I see.
I had seriously underestimated a third-generation chaebol.
[So, where should we meet tomorrow?]
[Hmm. A quiet place would be best, if possible.]
I wanted to receive the equipment as discreetly as possible.
[Hmm. Well, since its our day off, why dont you come to my house? Itll be the quietest place.]
***
Saturday afternoon.
I stood inside a house so luxurious it was dumbfounding.
Welcome.
The butler I had seen once before greeted me.
This way, please. Lady Jia is waiting in her room.
Maybe it was my imagination, but I could feel a deep killing intent in the butlers eyes.
How dare a pale-faced weakling like him.
It seems it wasnt my imagination.
I moved along, trying my best to avoid eye contact with the butler.
We arrived in front of a door that seemed to proclaim, The master of this house lives here.
*Knock, knock*
You have a guest.
Let him in.
He opened the door with a dignified motion. His gaze, however, remained as vicious as ever.
Welcome.
As I stepped into the room, the butler quickly followed behind me and closed the door.
You can wait outside, Mister.
Pardon? But
Please wait outside.
Shin Jia placed a hand on her hip and offered a chilling smile.
Yes, maam.
The butler bit his lip with the expression of a hero who had failed to save the world and exited the room.
He just keeps getting more worrisome.
Shin Jia let out a faint sigh.
Ancestor! Welcome!
Then, her expression did a complete 180 as she approached me with a radiant smile.
Shin Jias room was large and immaculate. Just the room itself had to be over a thousand square feet.
Anyway, Ive gathered the equipment you mentioned over here.
Shin Jia pointed to a small carrier case in the corner of the room.
Except for the bow, none of them are very bulky, so you shouldnt have much trouble carrying them.
Oh. Thanks.
I opened the lid of the case to give the contents a quick look.
Lets see. Hmm.
I closed the case after just three seconds.
I couldnt tell what anything was.
What was I even trying to check without my Status Window?
Dont you need to check them?
Jia tilted her head.
Im sure you prepared everything perfectly, Jia. Hahaha.
I bluffed my way through it.
Ancestor
Dont look so touched.
Youre making me feel guilty.
It was as I turned my head to avoid her gaze that I saw it.
A wooden brooch?
My eyes fell upon a wooden brooch hanging on the wall.
Ah, of course youd notice it right away, Ancestor.
Jia beamed.
Its the elven Ancient Relic, [Calm of the Forest]. Unfortunately, I cant wear it because of the equipping restrictions.
Then she looked crestfallen.
I dont remember her being a character with such a wide range of expressions in the original story.
If I could, Id love to give it to you as a gift but my father would be furious if he found out.
Im not that shameless.
Would I really ask for a family heirloom?
Ah! Would you like to at least try it on?
Huh? Um.
I didnt think it was necessary, but I didnt know when Id get another chance to try on an artifact from another race.
It wouldnt be a bad idea to test my ability on this occasion.
Alright. Ill give it a try.
With a relaxed motion, I took the brooch and put it on.
Wow. It looks great on you.
I felt a surge of vitality coursing through my entire body.
Is this the effect of [Calm of the Forest]?
What exactly does it do?
They say it keeps the wearers condition at its peak at all times. Can you feel it?
Yeah. I feel somewhat refreshed.
Maintaining ones condition.
If it constantly keeps you in peak condition, you could call it a pretty overpowered item.
Of course, to me right now, it wasnt all that useful.
What good is maintaining peak condition when the original model is garbage?
I completely let go of any lingering desire for the item.
Oh! Where is my mind? Youre here, Ancestor, and I havent even offered you tea!
No, tea is fine
Just wait a moment!
Shin Jia dashed towards the door at the speed of light.
but.
She vanished from my sight before I could finish my sentence.
I was planning on leaving right away anyway.
If she brings tea, itll be awkward to leave immediately.
I was scratching the back of my head when it happened.
Keuk!
*Zzzzzzzzzzt!*
Sparks suddenly shot out from the brooch I was wearing.
Kua, gh!
The pain was quite intense, and a scream escaped me before I could stop it.
But this was Shin Jias room.
I couldnt cause a commotion.
I desperately tried to stifle my scream.
*Zzzzzzzzzzt!*
The sparks were growing stronger.
Proportionally, the heat was also rising rapidly.
This, feeling!
It was the same sensation I felt when the World Trees blessing overloaded!
I desperately tried to unfasten the brooch.
Gggh!
But it wasnt so easy to remove.
My fingers were too numb.
*Zzzzzzzzzzt!*
It was then.
[Error! Error! Unknown! !!]
The broken error message appeared on my retina again.