NOVEL NEXT chapter 49
49 – Lee Seo-yeon – Interlude
The next morning.
The first thing I did after waking up was to check the system.
But it seemed the system had anticipated my actions.
There was a minimized alarm in one corner of my field of vision.
So, I pressed it to check.
[System check has been completed.]
“You can now use the ‘Item Appraisal’, ‘Status Window’, and ‘Skill Confirmation’ that were previously unavailable due to system maintenance.”
“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused during the use of the system. (_ _)”
In a kind manner, they were informing the end of the maintenance.
However, this couldn’t be easily brushed aside.
“So, what about compensation?”
As a developer, they would know.
How sensitive players are to maintenance.
But it’s not just any maintenance, but emergency maintenance?
And without any prior notice?
Then there’s only one thing the developer should do.
Apologize? No.
Update? No.
It’s compensation.
A satisfying, sweet compensation that the players would be pleased with!
So, bring it on, the compensation!
…
However, the response that came back was silence.
Then, the action I should take is…
Well, what can I do.
Since I’m the only one who can use the system, I’ll just have to accept it and live with it.
“If I don’t like it, there’s nothing I can do….”
But it seems like the developer can’t stand my whining.
Ding.
“[As a maintenance compensation, we will grant you ‘(Non-duplicable) Simplicity Stone (A)’]”
In the end, they provided compensation.
But it’s non-duplicable?
I obtained it through my effort, so it does have its merits.
But if they were going to give something, they should have given something duplicable.
“Cancel the compensation…”
“No! This is enough!”
I will gratefully use it, developer!
…
Whether it was satisfied with my overwhelming gratitude, the message disappeared smoothly.
I sighed with relief as I looked at it.
I almost had my hard-earned item stolen.
“By the way, I saw that you gave me a potion to boost my mental strength yesterday….”
Well, yesterday was indeed dangerous.
There seemed to be a change in my feelings while eating the Energy Pill.
The dormant charm (S) of Yi Seo-yeon suddenly became activated.
But it pierced through my mental defenses in an instant, so much so that it was hard to believe it was an S-grade.
It was on par with the seduction ability of one of the named fallen, ‘Hypnosis.’
If it weren’t for the derived skill ‘True Heart’ of the talent ‘Strong Mind (A),’ I would have lost something precious right there….
“…Now that I think about it, it might not have been so bad?”
Yi Seo-yeon, the beauty that could overthrow a nation, doing such things?
And on top of that, she initiated it…?
“…Maybe it would have been better if I had just stayed there.”
But such thoughts were fleeting.
I shook my head with a bitter smile.
It’s too early for Seo-yeon and me to enjoy romance, and my feelings towards her are still just ‘interest.’
Not the interest of reason but the kind you feel when you see something pretty like a flower.
And, crucially, the reason I fear physical contact with her is… because of the deadly Palbulchuk swordsmanship she possesses.
If it became known that Seo-yeon and I did such things to the Palbulchuk twins, then a shotgun… no, a sword would be aimed at us.
So, to handle Seo-yeon, it seems I should have at least ‘infinite stamina.’
No, maybe I should have ‘invincibility’…?
‘Infinite stamina’ means unlimited stamina, but it seems like I can’t avoid ‘instant death.’
Anyway, the system must have given me the True Heart Pill for roughly that reason.
To endure Seo-yeon’s charm after taking this potion.
To avoid the death flag from the swordsmanship.
I put the potion in my mouth according to the system’s intention… I had checked the information on the item before.
In addition, there were potions in the inventory.
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【(Non-replicable) Mental Fortitude Elixir (A)】
A potion that strengthens mental power.
Enhances resistance to mental interference in the consumer.
– When consumed, mental power increases by 15.
– When consumed, a special ability, ‘Mental Resistance,’ is activated.
(When possessing ‘Mental Resistance,’ the value increases)
────────────────────
────────────────────
【(Replicable) Spiritual Potency Elixir (A)】
A potion that reinforces the vessel of spirit.
Improves resistance to damage from spiritual sources in the consumer.
– When consumed, mental power increases by 10.
– When consumed, expands and restores the vessel of spirit.
– When consumed, a special ability, ‘Soul Resistance,’ is activated.
(When possessing ‘Soul Resistance,’ the value increases)
────────────────────
────────────────────
【(Replicable) Vitality Elixir (A)】
A potion that enhances physical strength.
Improves resistance to diseases and cold in the consumer.
– When consumed, stamina increases by 10.
– When consumed, a special ability, ‘Disease Resistance,’ is activated.
– When consumed, a special ability, ‘Cold Resistance,’ is activated.
(When possessing ‘Disease and Cold Resistance,’ the value increases)
────────────────────
“Oh, the Vitality Elixir?”
As expected, Chairman.
He knows what I lack.
I laid down the elixirs beside me and raised a bow towards the main building of the Academy where Director Lee was located… but stopped.
Somehow, it felt like Director Lee’s voice echoed in my ears, saying, “Ah, don’t bow.”
So, I simply said, “Thank you for your generosity,” and swallowed the elixirs of sincerity and vitality.
Then, like the day before, the two elixirs melted smoothly.
[(Non-replicable) Sincerity Elixir (A) consumed.]
[The effect of ‘Sincerity Elixir’ increased mental strength by 15.]
[The effect of ‘Sincerity Elixir’ created a special ability ‘Mental Resistance.’]
[(Replica) Vitality Elixir (A) consumed.]
[The effect of ‘Vitality Elixir’ increased stamina by 10.]
[The effect of ‘Vitality Elixir’ created a special ability ‘Disease Resistance.’]
[The effect of ‘Vitality Elixir’ created a special ability ‘Cold Resistance.’]
Messages that filled my vision.
At the same time, I felt my body becoming lighter and my mind clearer, as if a sensation of enhanced abilities was seeping in.
Thus, I pushed aside the abundant messages in front of me and opened the status window to check my stats.
────────────────────
[Name: Lee Yujin]
■ Physical Abilities: 101
– Stamina: 28 (+23)
– Strength: 23 (+18)
– Agility: 50 (+45)
■ Mental Abilities: 94
– Mana: 28 (+23)
– Psyche: 68 (+63)
– Charm: -2 (-2)
■ Special Abilities:
– Mental Resistance: 10
– Disease Resistance: 10
– Cold Resistance: 10
■ Talents:
– Sharp senses of a Sniper (A+), Secrets of a Demon Hunter (A), Strong Mental Fortitude (A), High-level Alchemy of an Alchemist (A), Swift Agility (B), Hero’s Skill Management (B)
■Skills
– Teleportation (D), Penetration (B)
■Derived Skills
– Strong Mind (A)
– Demon Hunting (Passive / Secrets of Demon Hunters) (A)
– Live Focus (Sharp Sensation of Snipers) (A+)
+Dead Shot (Chain Skill of Live Focus)
────────────────────
“Ka!”
I was amazed when I checked the status window last time.
And once again, admiration burst out when I saw the changed status window this time.
No, it was even more intense than before.
“Look at the packed status window!”
Is this really the weak status window I saw at first?
It truly fills my heart with grandeur.
“Phew….”
I took a deep breath, suppressing the overwhelming emotions.
If my emotions get too intense when I check my abilities….
But I couldn’t continue my thoughts.
“Wow! Finally!”
Because as soon as I checked my abilities, a cheer erupted from me.
Physical ability total: 101.
Mental ability total: 94.
Overall total: 195.
Finally, my abilities have become similar to those of leading actors.
Of course, since the leading actors accelerate their ability enhancement from the moment they enter the academy, they would have much higher abilities than me right now.
But regardless of that, this moment right now made me feel incredibly fulfilled.
Especially because agility and mental ability are high.
Although the s*xual prowess being in the negative is a slight drawback.
My abilities, which were the weakest among the people in the academy, have finally surpassed the weakest threshold.
“If I have this level of ability, I should at least be in the upper-middle ranks, right?”
Of course, it’s based on the standards of my peers.
Anyway, after checking my abilities, I simply turned off the status window.
If I kept staring at the status window like this, I wouldn’t even make it to the training ground, let alone be on time for class.
Instead of heading straight to the shower room…, I took out a ‘Vitality Pill’ from my inventory and popped it into my mouth.
As a result, my moist mouth not only felt refreshing, but my face and body also became pleasantly smooth, as if I had just taken a shower.
“Wow, this thing actually works.”
The ‘Vitality Pill’ that had oddly shown no effect on me before.
So, I had decided to use it as a simple oral hygiene product.
But as it turned out, it had effects beyond oral hygiene; it could clean the entire body as if it were a portable full-body cleanser.
“Come to think of it, I’m completely insane.”
Using a precious elixir as a substitute for a cleanser.
Who in their right mind would even consider such a thing?
However, because I have the cheat of unlimited items, I can do such crazy things without hesitation.
If it weren’t for that, would I use an elixir, even if it turned into a piece of crap while saving it?
I thought so while changing from my casual clothes to my school uniform.
Then, I put on the ‘OPG’ gloves, a black pair in the shape of gloves from my inventory.
I also took out two pistols, ‘Thunderbolt,’ a mixture of white and blue, and holstered them on each thigh.
“Since there’s still some time until class…, I guess I can spar with Lee Seo-yeon.”
&
&
&
“Oh, it’s Chief Seo!”
As soon as I entered the training ground, Asuka greeted me first as usual.
Then, she stopped her training and ran towards me with a playful smile.
I smiled back at Asuka and greeted her good morning.
“Good morning, Asuka.”
“Yes! Good morning!”
In front of me, Asuka stopped and greeted me with sparkling eyes.
*’Kuk!’*
It was said that the heart hurts when you see something too cute.
As I watched Asuka, who seemed like she would prick her rabbit ears if she ran, my heart ached.
But I casually reached out towards Asuka’s head, trying not to show any signs of distress.
“I’m going to pet your head again!”
Confirming that my hand was moving up, Asuka puffed up her cheeks and stepped back.
Observing Asuka’s reaction, I thought, *’Today’s likability might have dropped a bit,’* and withdrew my hand.
No, just as I was about to retract it.
“…But I’ll let it slide today.”
As Asuka approached again, she took my hand and placed it on top of her head.
I looked at her with a puzzled expression.
“Why all of a sudden?”
Of course, despite my confusion, I continued to gently stroke her head.
Today, Asuka, who had a double ponytail instead of the usual twin tails, twirled her hair with her finger and said,
“I heard it all from Ms. Seo Yeon yesterday. Mr. Suseok got a precious elixir for us.”
Ah, is it because of that?
Gently.
“How did you manage to get it so quickly?”
“There were various methods.”
Gently.
“You didn’t do something bad to get it, did you?”
“No, not at all. Don’t worry, I never did anything like that.”
Gently.
“Then I’m relieved.”
It was worrisome that she managed to get the elixir in just a day, saying she would find a way.
As Asuka let out a deep sigh of relief, I continued to gently stroke her round head.
*’Today’s small increase in likability has ended, but… I can’t seem to stop.’*
Is this the enchantment of the magical head that calls for petting?
I thought so fearfully.
“Oh, that’s enough for today…!”
As Asuka blushed, she grabbed my hand and let it go.
“Ah.”
Already the end?
It’s regrettable…
But since she said it’s over for today, we can do it again tomorrow.
At that moment when I thought so.
“Eujin.”
“Huh!”
“Eek!”
Suddenly, a voice from behind startled both me and Asuka.
No, not an assassin.
How can there be no trace of presence at all?
Calming my pounding heart, I spoke towards Isuyeon.
“Isuyeon, could you give us a heads up next time?”
“That’s right, Miss Isuyeon…, I was so surprised.”
“…Sorry.”
Isuyeon apologized to Asuka with a troubled expression.
…Me?
I was surprised too.
“Eujin, you don’t have to apologize.”
“…Why?”
“Because I didn’t even realize I was approaching.”
“No, your presence…”
“Don’t apologize.”
“…Alright.”
Though her voice seemed indifferent as usual, I reluctantly agreed with Isuyeon, sensing an underlying irritation.
But that was only for a moment.
“Then let’s spar as we promised yesterday, shall we?”
As if asking when I got angry, Lee Seo-yeon smiled and grabbed my hand.
Then, she momentarily halted our movement towards the training room.
“Just a moment.”
I released Seo-yeon’s hand for a moment and approached Aska, whispering in her ear.
“I have something to give you tonight. Let’s meet at the training ground.”
“…A-at night?”
“Yeah, at night. Just the two of us.”
“…J-just the two of us! H-hey!”
Blushing intensely, Aska let out a small squeak.
“…?”
Why is she reacting like that?
I meant to meet at night because the training ground would be occupied now and in the evening.
Was it that surprising?
“Oh, maybe she misunderstood because I said, ‘Let’s meet just the two of us’?”
…Aska, you’re quite mischievous.
Just as I was about to explain with a charming smile and dispel Aska’s misunderstanding.
“…Ilyujin, let’s go.”
“Oh, Seo-yeon, just a moment…”
“No time.”
“Hey, hey!”
Why is she suddenly acting like this?
But despite my protests, Seo-yeon held my hand and dragged me to the training room.
As I tried to release my hand from Seo-yeon’s grip.
Snap!
“Aah!”
Beyond just holding my hand, Seo-yeon pinched my fingertip.
And she did it forcefully.
“Okay, okay! I’ll go along willingly, so stop squeezing my hand so hard…!”
“No, let’s go like this.”
“My hand might break!”
As I shouted as if in defiance,
“Let’s go like this. Got it?”
Lee Seo-yeon looked at me with a playful smile.
But why is it?
There’s a sense of severity in that smile.
So, what I did was,
“…Yes.”
It was a quiet surrender.