I unintentionally acquired a new skill called “Over Clock.” It’s a skill that dramatically enhances the performance of a spoon.
It’s roughly similar to overclocking a computer.
“Still, it’s fortunate. It ended with just a mild burn.”
However, this Over Clock differs from other skills in that it has a critical flaw.
Namely, heat generation. The moment the skill was activated, the spoon’s temperature skyrocketed, eventually causing burns on my hands.
“Hold onto it tightly until your skin calms down.”
So, as soon as the evaluation ended, I immediately went to the teaching hospital. Right now, I’m receiving treatment in the treatment room.
Holding onto the ice pack for burn treatment given to me by Choi Soo-eun.
“What were you doing to get burns on your hands? Both of them?”
“It’s nothing serious. You could call these scars of glory exchanged for grades.”
As I said this, I gestured toward the lunchbox bag I had brought along.
“Thank you for everything during the evaluation period. I know you’ve been pretty busy yourself.”
Currently, the entire school is in exam session. Not just the Combat Division but the Medical Division is also taking final exams.
Plus, Choi Soo-eun has been managing her hospital schedule as well. And yet, she hasn’t forgotten to make lunch for me every day in the midst of all this.
She’s nothing like some entitled brat monster living somewhere else; she’s incredibly devoted.
“Maybe I could make you some more…”
Choi Soo-eun hugged her bag and whispered softly.
I shook my head.
“No. It’s fine. With finals almost over and deployment coming up, we won’t have much time to see each other anyway.”
“Ah… deployment… That’s right…”
Choi Soo-eun pouted her lips. She seemed somewhat regretful.
Then,
“How about staying for hospitalization for the burns?”
“Hospitalization?”
I was surprised. It was unexpected to hear Choi Soo-eun suggest hospitalization first. In the past, she would have complained about why I was coming to the hospital again.
“Yes. Wouldn’t that make the treatment easier? For both of us…”
If I were hospitalized, I wouldn’t have to keep going back and forth to the hospital every day, and Choi Soo-eun wouldn’t need to keep visiting the treatment room but could go directly to my ward.
However…
“Hospitalization is a bit extreme. I can’t sit in a hospital room just for burns like these.”
I extended both of my hands. The burns weren’t severe, just a slight reddening of the skin. There wasn’t a single blister.
It’s the kind of thing that will heal overnight.
“Hnnng…”
Choi Soo-eun made a disappointed noise at my refusal.
Was this really her usual character?
Has something changed?
And quite significantly at that.
The next day, I visited Yoo Ji-woo’s lab to consult about the spoon’s overheating problem.
Yoo Ji-woo must have some solution, right?
“I might need to attach a heat sink.”
“A heat sink?”
“It means a cooling panel.”
I have a general idea about cooling panels. They’re thermal emission devices installed in computer components, right?
Could that really be applied to a spoon?
“Is it feasible?”
“Who am I? Genius engineer Yoo Ji-woo, that’s who. Hey, rockhead.”
Yoo Ji-woo called out to Rashid, who was in the middle of doing squats.
“Give me your helmet for a sec.”
“Sure.”
Rashid handed over his only equipment, his helmet, to Yoo Ji-woo. Yoo Ji-woo then passed it to me.
“It’s a custom helmet made for rockhead. Try putting your hand inside.”
“Inside the helmet?”
I hesitated because I thought it might smell of sweat, but decided to try anyway.
Vvvvwooooom─
As soon as I put my hand in, the helmet started to circulate with wind. It wasn’t just warm wind; it was genuinely cool air flowing out.
“Could you have installed a cooling fan?”
“Haha. How’d it feel? Pretty cool, huh?”
“Pretty cool.”
Helmet coolers aren’t exactly unheard of, so it wasn’t a massive surprise. What shocked me was something else: I couldn’t see any fan inside the helmet.
Where exactly did he install the fan? From the outside, there was no indication of its presence. Furthermore, the helmet felt incredibly light, despite the addition of a cooling fan.
It almost felt like magic.
“Technology doesn’t always mean grand inventions. Making existing things better, lighter, and more convenient – that’s what true tech is all about.”
“Indeed…”
Even though I already knew his capabilities, this was another moment where I truly appreciated Yoo Ji-woo’s skills.
With him, I feel confident that he can fix the overheating issue of the spoon in no time.
“How long will it take to finish the heat sink?”
“I just finished my final project yesterday. Now that I have plenty of free time, maybe 2-3 days?”
“Not bad.”
“However…”
Yoo Ji-woo rubbed his hands together like a fly, an evil grin on his face.
“Uh-huh. As you know, technology requires a fair amount of money. You catch my drift?”
“Of course. Cost isn’t an issue. Just send the bill to Kang Tae-hoon’s account.”
“To Mr. Kang? Okay, no problem then! I’ll start right away!”
Incidentally, Kang Tae-hoon isn’t here.
But it doesn’t matter. When have we ever bothered with permission anyway?
He’ll understand, no doubt.
At least, I think he will.
“In the meantime, I might as well hit the gym.”
“Gym? Oh, by the way, they just opened a new fitness center on the fifth floor of the building. You should check it out.”
“A fitness center in the research building?”
“They’re testing newly developed gym equipment.”
Perfect. Given the summer heat, having a gym nearby, without trekking all the way to the Combat Division building, suits me just fine.
Just hop on the elevator, and you’re there.
“Rashid, are you coming?”
I called out to Rashid, who was doing push-ups alone. He shook his head.
“Nah. Don’t feel like it. Too crowded places.”
Apparently, Rashid prefers exercising alone in quiet places.
“Got it. Then I’ll go ahead and…”
Pft─!
Just as I was about to turn toward the gym,
a quest suddenly appeared.
─── Quest ───
The Humiliation of the Hero
Please grant Arna Kristin Dotir the greatest humiliation of her life.
Quest Completion Reward <2 SP Points>, <All of Arna's stats increase by 3>
───
A proper quest has finally come after such a long time, just as stress from exams has been piling up.
Arna.
You’re going down.
“Hmm… Clearly, your stress levels are quite high.”
“…”
This is the psychological counseling room operated by the administrative division. Arna came to seek advice from Professor Han Se-yeong regarding a recent psychological issue.
They started with a simple test, and now the conversation is flowing based on the test results.
“Is there anything specific that’s been stressing you out lately?”
Professor Han Se-yeong asked in a calming tone.
“That…”
Still unable to fully relax, Arna kept her eyes fixed on the table as she continued.
“Things haven’t been going well recently…”
“Specifically, what sorts of issues?”
“Eval…uation…”
In truth, Arna has been struggling significantly due to the individual tactical evaluations.
She already secured A+ grades, but Arna, wanting to prove herself as a true hero, is challenging an evaluation that’s a level higher in difficulty.
“Evaluations have been tougher than you expected, huh? Even for someone like you, Arna.”
“Y-yes…”
It’s indeed true that Arna has been struggling with the evaluations. Despite multiple and countless attempts, she has yet to clear them.
“Stress due to the evaluations… Do you have any other symptoms? For instance, feeling unusually fatigued or anything like that?”
“Uh… I’ve been having trouble sleeping often lately… And lately, I haven’t had much of an appetite…”
But Arna is lying.
The evaluations are just an excuse. What’s all this fuss about a virtual fight? Failing to clear it doesn’t cause her psychological pressure or make her care about others’ opinions.
She’s not affected by those at all. She continues challenging merely for her own satisfaction.
“…”
Then what’s the problem?
What is causing her sleepless nights, lack of appetite, and stress?
Arna came here to uncover the cause. To pinpoint this ailment.
And Professor Han Se-yeong began to speak.
“I also had a similar experience a long time ago. Insomnia, indigestion, and severe migraines. I suffered quite a bit back then.”
“Really? Even you, Professor…? Was it because of studies?”
“No, it was for a different reason. At that time, I had what’s called lovesickness. It was probably an intense unrequited love.”
“…”
Arna involuntarily gasped.
Lovesickness? Could someone go through all these symptoms merely due to unrequited love?
Could it be happening to me?
“No… No way…”
“Hmm? What’s wrong all of a sudden? Your hands are trembling…”
The word “unrequited love” had once seemed distant to her. After all, she’s never experienced love before.
But what if…
What if Arna is truly in love? What if she’s pining over someone?
Then who is that person?
Who is the man who confuses Arna’s heart like this?
“…”
The moment the man’s face appeared in her mind,
The face she never wanted to see was the first to pop up.
It was none other than Shin Yoon-seong’s face.
“That man… Even if I die and come back to life, I will never allow it…”
Arna fiercely denied it, clutching and tearing her own hair.
