Han Min-ki was flustered and checked the device settings.
…
Everything was normal.
“Hm, this is strange. A-rank? Incredible.”
Shinnoda was equally baffled.
He had claimed to be controlling his strength, yet an A-rank appeared right away.
Considering that his pure ability was originally A-rank, the result was significantly high.
Without intending to, he had become a case where the measurement was higher than the actual.
“Guess I need to tone down my agility.”
He then calmly said what he had originally intended.
“A-rank is correct. I’ve consumed a lot of growth orbs for my strength.”
‘Growth orbs’ come in two types: one where abilities are specified and another where they are random.
Han Min-ki was still perplexed but accepted it, leaving him no choice but to adjust his thoughts.
“Hmph, I thought you were just showing off, but you’re for real, aren’t you?”
He prepared for the next test with polite composure.
“Agility, you can proceed to the spacious area over there!”
The space was divided, resembling an indoor skating rink.
The ceiling had many rods hanging like punching bags.
As Han Min-ki switched it on, an announcement came through.
【C-rank starting】
The rods began to move about.
“You go inside, and those rods will chase you. Just evade them.”
“Understood.”
Shinnoda entered and started evading the rods chasing him while inwardly contemplating.
“Since my strength was measured as A-rank, I should aim for a C-rank agility.”
He had initially aimed for a B-rank strength and agility balance but veered off slightly.
However, as long as the average was right, it wasn’t a significant issue.
【B-rank starting】
Swish. Swish.
The rods moved much faster, slicing through the air as they chased Shinnoda.
He panted, exaggerating his exertion.
“Pff…”
Han Min-ki was watching Shinnoda deliberately stumble and fall a few times.
Han Min-ki and Lee Sang-hyun noticed the clumsy act and felt something amiss.
“Feels like he fell on purpose…”
But logically dismissing it, the suspicion faded.
Tchk.
The test ended as Shinnoda was hit by a rod.
“C-rank. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“Would you like to test your intelligence as well?”
Shinnoda shook his head.
He didn’t see the necessity to test intelligence either.
The reason he was re-evaluated was to avoid suspicion like, “How can a D-rank show such performance? Are you hiding your capabilities? Why?”
“I also have skills. Magic Engraving and Scale Formation.”
“Magic… Engraving?”
“Yes.”
“I heard there are a few successful cases overseas, but I didn’t expect to see it here in Korea. There’s no need to demonstrate it, though. It’s a type of tattoo, so it’s not exactly a skill, but more like a weapon.”
It was registered as a skill for Shinnoda’s convenience by Laura, though it originally wasn’t one.
He nodded, produced some scales on his arm, and showed them to Han Min-ki.
“Wow. Could I have the components of these scales tested? They’re not simple scales; they’re large and beautiful.”
“Is it really necessary?”
“It’s optional…”
“In that case, no.”
Han Min-ki looked disappointed.
These unusual things, if collected, would constitute his achievements.
Shinnoda turned around and said,
“Please update my rank.”
“Yes, yes. Sorry for being presumptuous earlier. There were a few people like you, which led to my misunderstanding. Your certification will be sent by registered mail.”
“Thank you. Then, I’ll take my leave.”
Shinnoda left the office with Lee Sang-hyun.
Watching Shinnoda’s back as he walked ahead, Lee Sang-hyun thought,
“He’s skilled enough to already join the field…”
Being a self-proclaimed hero fan, Lee Sang-hyun knew the level required to carry out proper hero activities.
“Shinnoda is an outstanding talent. Could it be that I’m witnessing the early days of a hero who will attract everyone’s attention?”
Shinnoda’s talent was frightening.
Yet, he didn’t shy away from effort.
“Putting in this level of work without entering a dungeon…”
Lee Sang-hyun didn’t even want to imagine it.
Shinnoda surpassed him in leadership, even when they were clubmates, and his passion for being a hero (his level of expertise) was unmatched.
Not to mention his personal abilities.
He could sense a disparity in their levels.
If he were a simple soldier, Shinnoda was a general.
Unbidden admiration for Shinnoda grew within him.
Age and grade differences were irrelevant here.
*
A joyous holiday.
We boarded a bus heading towards a mountain in Gyeonggi Province.
All camping gear was purchased out of my own pocket.
In return, Lee Sang-hyun and Isiah prepared the food.
Clang clang clang.
As the bus jolted along, the swords strapped around the students’ waists rattled—none had forgotten their weapons, thanks to prior caution.
My weapon is a collapsible spear.
Though the durability is slightly lacking, its functionality and appearance match a regular spear.
Since carrying a full-length spear is inconvenient, most spear-wielding Awakened Ones carry the collapsible version.
I strongly suggested that Park Hayeon use a spear, but she refused, citing sentimental attachment to her sword.
“Truly, the spear is the strongest.”
I understood.
Her sword was a memento from the hero who saved her when she was young.
The story of how she came to possess it was deeply touching.
For a player focused only on efficiency, asking Hayeon Park to give up her sword would be inappropriate.
“By the way, I don’t think there’s actually a campsite on that mountain. Will it be okay?”
Lee Sang-hyun carefully asked.
“That’s the thrill of it. Besides, there’s a village not far down in case we run into trouble.”
I calmly replied.
There’s no need to worry.
We’re actually going inside a dungeon, anyway, and there are plenty of suitable spots within.
Also, there’s still some awkwardness between the club members and Park Hayeon.
Except for Laura, that is.
I broke the ice.
“What food did you seniors prepare?”
Lee Sang-hyun proudly responded,
“What else for camping but barbecue? Since you had the equipment, I bought plenty of meat. And…”
He pulled out a green glass bottle with a sly grin.
“I’ve also stocked up on booze!”
It was perfect.
If we weren’t heading into a dungeon, it would’ve been a great idea.
I held his hand in mock admiration.
“Senior! I trusted you! You know a thing or two!”
“Haha, it was hard work finding these.”
I brought Park Hayeon into the conversation.
“Hayeon! Meat!”
“What kind?”
“Pork belly!”
“I absolutely love pork belly too! Haha!”
“Nya~”
Isiah showed us her tablet.
<Me too! (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)و>
In no time, Park Hayeon joined the group conversation and quickly warmed up.
Before we knew it, we’d reached our destination.
We disembarked and headed for the trail entrance.
At the foot of the mountain,
the path was overgrown with weeds, likely long abandoned by human hands.
There was also an old sedan parked nearby.
Two burly men got out of the car.
They stopped us.
“Hold it. Who are you? Why do you have weapons?”
The one who spoke showed us his police badge.
‘It’s a random check, probably.’
We showed our student IDs to confirm our identities.
“We’re Academy students and all Awakened Ones.”
Academy, a place only elite Awakened Ones could enter.
The plainclothes policeman hesitated and stepped back.
“Ah, I see. What brings you here?”
“We’re going camping. It’s the holiday season.”
“Hmm… Do you know there was a murder case here about a week ago?”
Everyone except Laura was shocked.
I confidently tapped the spear at my waist.
“That’s not something we need to worry about.”
“Indeed, if you’re Academy students.”
The policeman seemed to understand.
This is the common perception of Academy students among regular folk.
They could easily beat a truckload of ordinary people and occasionally catch villains.
Most villains, after all, are those who couldn’t even enter the Academy.
It’s rare for someone with potential like Yoon Mi-so to reject the guaranteed path of success as a hero.
We headed into the mountain.
I claimed to know a good spot for camping and took the lead.
Inwardly, I asked Laura:
“Laura-sama, do you sense anyGate reactions nearby?”
[Yes. Isn’t that why you came here?]
“Please guide us that way.”
Laura walked ahead briskly.
“Huff… Huff.”
“Nyaa~”
“You’re not tired, Noda?”
Around the middle of the mountain, it was apparent everyone was fatigued because the path wasn’t a neatly paved hiking trail.
Soon, an ominous aura began to envelop us.
Breaking through the dense shrubs revealed the culprit.
A black hole-like opening.
A dungeon gate spewing black vapor.
Next to the gate were two figures in crimson robes.
They were placing their hands on the gate and injecting a strange energy.
One of them noticed us and clicked their tongue.
“Tsk. Heroes? A-rank. Let’s retreat.”
“How did they find us?”
They pulled out scrolls from their robes and tore them apart.
Bright light emanated from the scrolls.
Their bodies vanished like illusions.
‘Laura-sama, why didn’t you use Dispel…’
