Chapter 128: Please Spare a Thought for My Image
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 128: Please Spare a Thought for My Image
"Is this... a gold bracelet?"
"Indeed. I had it made to look that way. The previous bracelets looked too much like condoms, didn't they? They lacked style. So, I tried to design this one to match the image of the cadet wearing it."
My image is a gold bracelet?
‘This makes me look like such a thug.’
With my tanned skin and white hair, I already look like a delinquent. Adding a gold bracelet to the mix?
I was fast becoming the type of person people would describe as, "He looks like a punk, but he’s actually a good kid."
In fact, if I hadn't achieved everything I have so far, rumors would probably already be circulating about how much of a troublemaker I am.
And now, they were giving me an item that practically amplified that "thug" aesthetic.
What made it even more absurd was the claim that it was custom-made for me.
If they knew what kind of image I had among the cadets, shouldn't they have prepared something else?
‘Why does it have to be so extreme?’
They should be thinking of ways to change my delinquent image, not lean into it.
"Judging by your expression, you must like it."
"Pardon?"
"No need to pretend. It’s written all over your face. And for the record, while it’s not one hundred percent gold due to durability issues, the entire surface is plated in gold."
"I even had it coated just in case, so you don't have to worry about the gold flaking off."
Cheon Hae-il spoke with a deeply satisfied smile.
‘Was he always this kind of character?’
According to public rumors, he was a superhuman, a legendary figure, a hero of the nation, and so on. I expected him to have a much more solemn image.
Even in the interview footage from his brief press conference a while back, he seemed incredibly serious when dealing with reporters.
"It’s... gold, alright."
Not knowing how else to react, I gave him the most pleasant smile I could muster and played along.
I figured I needed to exercise some social skills to get through this atmosphere as smoothly as possible.
"Exactly, gold. To be honest, the output you just used against us... by my judgment, it was over 30%. Yet the bracelet was supposed to limit you to 1%. This new bracelet will accurately catch those kinds of errors."
"We’ve concluded that there’s no real benefit to excessively suppressing Always-Active Main Skills. Especially not for our Victory Academy, which has six such holders: you, Kim Min-su, So Yu-min, Melanie... Ivan, and Kim Jun-sik."
Ivan and Kim Jun-sik?
‘Are those the other two?’
I’d heard that Victory Academy originally had five Always-Active Main Skill holders before I transferred in.
I had been curious about the two remaining members besides Yu-min, Melanie, and Kim Min-su.
‘I’ll probably meet them at the periodic inspection.’
I pushed the idle thoughts aside and focused on Jang Du-cheol as he continued.
Jang Du-cheol slowly took the gold bracelet out of the box.
"If utilized properly, these skills could prevent countless casualties... We decided it was no longer right to suppress these abilities based solely on the risks involved."
"That is why we actively proposed this change. With the recent surge in Gates and Dungeons, everyone agreed when we asked why we were voluntarily limiting our combat power."
So the result of that is a gold bracelet?
I desperately wanted to ask, but the heavy atmosphere kept my mouth shut.
"Therefore, after a rigorous evaluation and screening process... we have decided to issue dedicated bracelets only to those cadets judged capable of skillfully handling their Always-Active Main Skills."
"Ah, of course, the other cadets will have their bracelets changed too. Those condom-looking things are a bit much."
To summarize Jang Du-cheol and Cheon Hae-il’s words: "Why act like you don't have a nuke when you do?"
It wasn't about flaunting power; it was about handling situations in a more certain way with less risk.
While nukes carry the risk of radiation, Always-Active Main Skills carry far less risk.
Since only those with sufficient mastery use them in the first place, it was practically risk-free.
Thus, they were shifting from the old method of suppression to a policy of active utilization and better control.
"I see..."
I pulled off the "condom" wrapped around my arm to swap it for the new bracelet.
[Coercion activated! Target: Baek Tae-yang. Limiting output to minimum.]
Just in case, I restricted the target of Coercion to myself and activated it at minimum output.
It was much more stable than unconsciously letting Coercion leak into the surroundings.
"I actually gave it quite a bit of thought... whether a gold bracelet would be best, or perhaps a piercing... or a necklace... But in the end, a bracelet seemed the most sensible."
"Thank you."
I meant it.
A bracelet was far less conspicuous and less damaging to my image than a piercing or a necklace.
‘If it had been a piercing or a necklace...’
The mere thought was horrifying.
I absolutely refused to have a visual that looked like I should be shouting lines like, "Ooh-hyo! I’ve snatched Kim Min-su's girl!"
"I considered silver too... but I didn't think it would look cool enough. A successful man ought to wear gold, after all."
Cheon Hae-il continued excitedly, clearly in a good mood, while Jang Du-cheol silently fastened the gold bracelet onto my wrist.
Click.
Just like the previous one, it seemed to be self-adjusting; as soon as it touched my wrist, it resized itself for a perfect fit.
As I turned my wrist to inspect it, I noticed several more buttons had been added compared to the last model.
"The gear on the underside of the bracelet is for limiting output, as you know. However, the difference this time is that you can output up to 50% without any separate adjustments. Anything beyond that requires manual operation, and just like before, an alarm will sound at Victory Academy when you do. Keep in mind that we may be deployed in case of an emergency."
"Understood."
"And the small button next to that gear is the release button. This is the most important part. Since you can't control your output if your life is in danger, this is for instantly ramping it up to the max. Try to use it only when no one else is around... and only as a last resort."
A last resort.
My heart felt a bit heavy.
‘Will such a moment ever come?’
Whether in sparring, Gates, or Dungeons, I had only ever faced opponents weaker than myself.
I had crushed them with such an overwhelming difference in power that I’d never felt a sense of crisis, let alone a threat to my life.
But what if I met someone overwhelmingly stronger than me later? What if I truly ended up on the brink of death?
‘What would happen to me then?’
I felt a flicker of worry, but I didn't think I would lose.
I hadn't even used my full power yet; if an overwhelmingly strong opponent appeared, what then?
They would likely just become a scarecrow for me to test my strength on.
‘I have Chun-hyang, too.’
If things got dicey, I could make it a 2-on-1 and beat them down with numerical superiority.
Besides, the very idea of Baek Tae-yang losing was something I couldn't even imagine.
[Message from Seong Chun-hyang :: My Lord! To think you would rely on me so... this girl is overwhelmed with joy... If I could, I would appear by your side this instant... no, beneath you, and take your big, hard—]
‘Shut up.’
This was why I couldn't let my guard down.
The moment I had a brief thought, she’d infiltrate with a message.
If I hadn't laid down the law early on about her not coming out whenever she pleased, I shuddered to think how often she would have popped up.
"Lastly... this button is for when a Gate or Dungeon appears. It’s to notify us before you enter a suddenly generated Dungeon or Gate."
"That’s good."
Every single function was useful.
Especially the last one—in situations where evacuating people and clearing a Gate or Dungeon happened simultaneously.
It gave me a reliable way to move toward a clear without hesitation.
"For your information, the periodic meeting has been pushed back by a week. There are other cadets who need to receive their dedicated equipment like you... and we’ll need time for additional adjustments."
"Understood."
"Then, you may go."
"Thank you. I’ll take my leave now."
I gave a polite nod.
Being overly formal would be a burden, so I gave a light bow and stepped outside.
‘It’s lunchtime.’
Time to grab a bite.
*
"Is he gone?"
"Yes. I can't sense his presence anymore."
"Phew... I said the future was bright, but I didn't realize it was this bright."
"Indeed."
Not long after Baek Tae-yang had left.
Fine cracks were forming in the space that had looked perfectly fine just moments ago.
The fissures, starting from Jang Du-cheol and Cheon Hae-il, soon covered the entire room, reminiscent of prey caught in a spider's web.
"If he gave it his all, he’d easily reach 1st-Grade."
"That’s why I’m more worried. We have the joint training coming up soon, and if he goes too far then..."
"Yes, I agree with you there."
In a few days, they would be sharing information on Gates and Dungeons with other academies and conducting training that was close to actual combat.
It was obvious that Baek Tae-yang would be the representative for the first-years.
However, that wasn't necessarily a good thing.
"I wonder if Cadet Baek Tae-yang will even be able to 'train'."
"I’m also worried about Victory’s power becoming too asymmetrical."
In a training session among the same grade, a being like Baek Tae-yang was an anomaly—someone outside the standard.
His skills had already been proven by his victory at Gladire; training with other schools seemed redundant.
Far from training, it was more likely that Baek Tae-yang would have to go out of his way to hold back so no one got hurt.
"Well, it’ll work out somehow, won't it? We have you, after all."
"I will do my best to ensure nothing happens."
"Haha, as expected, you’re the most reliable one, Jang Du-cheol."
With those words, Cheon Hae-il and Jang Du-cheol contacted the instructor in charge of facility repairs.
The cleanup was not their responsibility.