“What is this?”
Due to unintentionally skipping my morning exercise for a few days, I came out earlier than usual today to increase my workout volume.
‘I’m not out of breath.’
Must be the effect of the Elixir.
Under normal circumstances, running at this intensity would have left me breathless and struggling, but now it feels light.
Or could it be…
I looked at the Vitality Boost Bracelet on my wrist. Though I hadn’t felt any effects until now, it’s possible they’re starting to kick in.
“Huuu…”
Behind me, Yoo Hana caught her breath and stopped.
Her breathing sounded strangely soft.
She usually maintains a composed appearance, but today she seemed a bit tense.
The heat radiating from her body after exercise contrasted nicely with the cool morning air, creating an intriguing warmth.
“Looking good today?”
I turned my head to look at her and replied.
“Yeah, I’m good.”
After catching my breath, I asked her.
“By the way, was there any important class while I was gone?”
She rested her index finger under her chin and thought for a moment.
“Hmm… Just theory class? Though you’re good at it, right?”
“…Yeah.”
How did she know that?
‘Don’t separate practice from theory.’
That was always the old man’s emphasis. I used to scoff at it inwardly.
‘These settings are all made by me?’
However, that thought didn’t last long.
‘Due to the Dungeon Break, high-density mana was released externally, causing spatial distortion. If civilians are isolated in the dimensional space, what is the minimum mana threshold required for rescue while preventing space collapse?’
“…What?”
Since that day, I’ve been studying the settings I created to death.
“It was grueling.”
Ah, right.
Speaking of settings, something comes to mind.
“Yoo Hana.”
“Yeah?”
It’s about time for Yoo Hana’s main storyline to unfold.
Premonitions could start showing now without being too late.
With our rapport built and the atmosphere not bad, now seemed like the right time. I lightly asked.
“Have you been having any worries or problems lately?”
“No, not at all… Oh.”
Yoo Hana firmly denied it, then suddenly stopped. She then wore a mischievous smile, which soon disappeared as a melancholy expression took over.
“Yeah… Actually, I’ve been feeling…”
Just as I expected. It seems to have started.
“My heart keeps racing and my face gets red. Do you know why?”
She took a step closer. The heat radiating from her body after exercise subtly reached me. As her face drew near, her breath tickled my ear.
‘Hmm?’
Don’t really know about that.
Yoo Hana is the daughter of a reputable martial artist lineage.
At this point, she should be entering a phase where she exchanges with strong students and feels new aspirations and challenges.
So I expected her worries would be related to swordsmanship somehow…
How should I respond to this?
While I hesitated over her words, Yoo Hana looked at my reaction and burst into playful laughter.
“Actually… not that, but I’ve been thinking a lot about my swordsmanship lately.”
Ah, there it is.
I sighed in relief inwardly and nodded.
“How about we switch from just running during morning exercise and do partner training instead?”
I immediately got to the point.
This is a common training method in this world. Two partners with different martial arts styles and weapons help each other improve by pointing out flaws they can’t see themselves.
With me using a spear and her a sword, it’s a perfect combination.
Also, the longer you train together, the better the results. The sooner we start, the more effective it will be, so this has to work out.
She knows my identity. I believe my nickname ‘Mook-Gui’ triggers her competitive spirit.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t be joining me for morning exercise every day.
‘Accept it.’
My inner voice cheered.
Yoo Hana seemed to ponder for a while after hearing my suggestion.
“I don’t like that.”
Unexpected rejection.
I started thinking I was too hasty when her lips curved upward.
“Mornings are for exercise. So…”
She tilted her head slightly and looked into my eyes. Clear pupils filled with intent. A smile playing on her lips.
“Just have separate, private sessions. Time…”
Her gaze intensified.
“Late evening would be best.”
After finishing my ablutions, I checked my watch. There was a message notification.
[Mr. Jung Hae-in, the item sent from Japan has arrived. Please visit whenever you’re available.]
“So soon?”
The processing was faster than expected. Perfect timing.
I already have a training plan with the person destined to wield the Dongsuk Sword.
The problem is how to transfer this priceless artifact of indeterminate value to Yoo Hana.
I’d like to just give it to her directly, but I question whether she’d accept it with her strong pride.
‘I’ll think about this some more.’
I sipped warm water while switching screens on my watch to check Glory’s stock price, which I hadn’t looked at for a few days.
– gulp
After seeing the screen, I couldn’t help but spill all the water I was drinking.
“What, what is this?”
[Mr. Jung Hae-in’s purchase amount]
[1,245,242,186 KRW]
My balance, which was around 1.2 billion,
[Mr. Jung Hae-in’s evaluation amount]
[2,132,143,167 KRW]
Had soared to over 2 billion.
I quickly checked what happened.
[Glory Hospital, forming cooperation with Arcadia Church… large-scale deployment of healing priests planned]
[Glory Pharmaceuticals, successful new drug development… high expectations]
Turns out, starting the day after I purchased the stocks, Glory kept announcing good news.
Each of these companies were part of the Kang Ah-rin conglomerate.
Kang Ah-rin’s abilities shine not only in combat but also in business.
Judging by the nature of these good announcements, her unique drive seems to be in full swing.
With the passing of her brother Kang Yu-seong, it looks like her management responsibilities have greatly expanded.
“Better than money is even more money.”
Good news. There’s no way for me to personally obtain all the elixirs and artifacts I need.
There will inevitably be situations that must be resolved with money.
In that respect, the current situation isn’t bad.
‘Time…’
Checking my watch, it was already approaching school time.
“Damn.”
This is hard to get used to.
There was a simple theory class in the morning.
I had planned to thoroughly question Cheon Yeoul. I was purely curious about her intentions.
However, she didn’t show up for class even until it ended.
Meanwhile, Johan, who had been beaten up by Kang Ah-rin, was already in the lecture room.
“The bones really are strong, huh.”
As expected, the hero recovers quickly.
This afternoon’s class will take place in the practice arena. It’s a joint class with another class.
By the time I snapped out of my thoughts, I had arrived at the practice arena.
Perhaps due to arriving rather late, all eyes were on me.
“Sion?”
Sion, sitting on the opposite bench, waved.
It seems today’s joint class is with Class A, where Sion belongs.
Sion patted the empty seat next to her, motioning for me to come over.
However, with so many people already gathered around the socially adept her, there was no way I was going over.
Shaking my head, I sat in the nearest available seat. Sion’s expression immediately turned glum.
Just then, the door opened and the instructor walked in. It was someone I hadn’t seen before.
“Hello. I’m the instructor for the simulated dungeon exploration class, Choi Eun-ha. Nice to meet you.”
With a small round of applause, she continued speaking.
“In the simulated dungeon classes, we’ll be conducting training you’ve never experienced before.”
At the mention of a ‘simulated dungeon’, murmurs rippled through the students.
Simulated dungeons are extremely inefficient to produce and only academies at the level of Glory can maintain and repair them.
Therefore, even the students here seldom get to experience them.
“Because of this, not everyone will participate in today’s session.”
“The eight top students selected based on their previous unit scores will form teams to carry out the dungeon exploration.”
“The rest of you will have the opportunity to observe and learn.”
It seems today’s class will center around eight outstanding students due to the high difficulty of the simulated dungeon.
“I will now call out the eight seeds. As a reference, Cheon Yeoul will be excluded as she is absent today.”
“First seed, Yoo Hana from Class B, ranked fifth.”
“Second seed, Johan from Class B, ranked second.”
Every time a name was called, the students’ attention shifted to the person mentioned.
“Third seed, Kang Ah-rin from Class B, ranked first.”
“Fourth seed, Han Iri from Class A, ranked thirteenth.”
More names were called.
All the selected seeds were well-known students with exceptional skills.
“Seventh seed, Ma Hae-jin from Class A, ranked twenty-ninth.”
Just before the last name was called, the practice arena fell silent.
“The final eighth seed. Jung Hae-in from Class B.”
A moment of silence enveloped the practice arena.
All eyes in the practice arena immediately focused on me.
“Ranking, none.”
In response to the instructor’s addition, some students looked puzzled, others smirked, and some openly displayed displeasure.
“Already tiring.”
And I quietly received all the attention directed at me.
