Episode 193: You slept with me attached?
Dungeon-dong basement.
Which dungeon.
This is a dungeon with a [Su-seong-jeon] theme, with a towering wall. The goal is to join forces with the soldiers stationed at the fortress to block the incoming monsters.
But now everything was rotting away, submerged in black puddles.
“… … .”
A woman in a black robe stood on the wall, looking down at the scene.
It was a natural attitude, like looking out the window and thinking, ‘The weather is nice today.’
At that moment, someone’s thudding footsteps came up the castle walls.
Finally, when the footsteps stopped behind her, the robed woman opened her mouth.
“Elder.”
“Commander.”
The identity of the footsteps was a man in military uniform, an elder of the Blood Cult.
The robed woman spoke, her gaze fixed beyond the walls.
“If I remember correctly, you said that the midterm results had already been decided.”
“An unexpected variable has come into play. I didn’t know the kids would be that strong.”
If things had gone according to plan, there should have been a huge number of casualties from the rampaging ogres.
The intention was to trample on the budding heroes who would become future heroes and destroy the world’s trust in Yongsal Academy.
There were quite a few casualties, but no deaths.
Even the Alpha Ogre, who had been injected with two Blood Bombs, was subdued by the first-years.
It was a mystery how he managed to beat up a tough guy without causing any damage even after he was in his second year.
But can the mistake be covered up with just one phrase, ‘a variable was involved’?
The Robe women also took many risks to wrest control of the dungeon, but they gained nothing.
“I have many regrets. I think I may have to reconsider my connection with the Blood Cult.”
“I understand that the commander is upset. It was all due to my lack of preparation, so I apologize. However, isn’t it a shame to break the connection already?”
“That’s true.”
Naturally, what the two prepared included many other things besides the blood bomb.
It was a shame for both of them to throw everything away just because their initial plan went awry.
“So let’s put the responsibility aside for a moment and talk about our next plan. This time-”
“Unfortunately, I guess we’ll have to talk about that later.”
The robed woman interrupted.
The man in uniform also noticed something and turned his gaze beyond the wall.
Two people were walking as if they were taking a stroll between the black puddles.
One of them was a famous person who even a man in a military uniform could recognize at a glance.
“… … human butcher.”
Lee Soo-dok, with his sharp eyes sparkling,
Next to him was Seo Cheong-yong, who had a kind smile.
* * *
‘We’ll probably have a showdown.’
There was an incident where control of the midterm exam dungeon was taken over, but the academic side couldn’t just sit back and let it happen.
Among the many, many skills, there is one that tracks the previous owners of an item.
If you use that skill on the Blood Bomb Syringe, you’ll be able to pinpoint their location.
So I expect there will be a fairly large battle somewhere in the basement,
‘I’ll find a way to get out somehow.’
Because they are too strong to fall on the spot.
Still, it will be quite intimidating to taste the heat, so it will be quiet for a while at least.
In the meantime, I must continue to grow stronger and prepare for their next move.
So now was the time to build up my skills.
First, I checked the [Bonus] I got as a main quest reward.
[Give (F)]
▷Grants the target the skill/trait possessed by the caster.
▷Rank of the skill/trait granted -3
▷ Duration: 3 minutes
▷Reuse waiting time: 1 hour
It is a skill that has many limitations as it is powerful.
The skill held by the caster is transferred, but its power is greatly reduced in the process.
For example, when granting a C-rank skill, the target will receive an F-rank skill, which is three levels lower in rank.
Of course, as the rank of [Giveaway] itself increases, the degree of decline is also alleviated.
Short duration and long cooldown are similar to amplification, and this will also be alleviated as the rank increases.
And another thing, let’s point out a limitation that is not mentioned in the skill description.
‘To some extent, it has to be given according to the class.’
For example, giving magic-related skills to an unmanned Go Hyun-woo would be meaningless.
Even if you give Hong Yeon-hwa the musketeer skill, it’s better to just keep using the magic she’s been using.
Despite these limitations, having one additional skill/trait, even for a short time, is a huge advantage.
The next thing we’ll look at is the fixed pin.
The ones currently registered in the copy slot are as follows:
▷Copy – Skill [2/2]
1. Thief’s Step (B+)
2. Overheat (D)
▷Copy – Characteristics [2/2]
1. Elemental Resistance (S)
2. The Crown of the King
Which of these two makes it mine?
First of all, there was no need to worry about one thing.
[Use ‘Fixed Pins’.]
[Fixes ‘Elemental Resistance (S)’.]
[characteristic]
▷Elemental Resistance (S)
▷Copy-Characteristics[1/2]
1. (None)
2. The Crown of the King
[Elemental Resistance] is removed from the copied trait tab, leaving one copy slot empty.
This slot will now be filled with other traits.
Now [Elemental Resistance] is my full trait.
You can also increase its rank, and it can also be fused with other characteristics or skills.
Perhaps it will be the first trait to break through the S-rank wall and move to EX-rank?
Of course, we haven’t figured out how to do it yet, but just the fact that we’ve opened up a possibility that was previously closed is very meaningful.
But there was still one more pin left,
‘I should save this.’
Other things are a bit lacking when it comes to using your precious pins.
[Thief’s Step] is a high rank skill because it was copied from Dang Gyu-yeong, but it is only mid-to-upper level among the many movement skills.
Even the [feather walk] that the calligrapher has learned is one step ahead of that.
[Overheat] is also lacking in versatility, except for the point where it can be used in conjunction with Inferno Fist, and there was no need to fix it since there will come a day when Inferno Fist will be abandoned.
[The King’s Crown] is quite rare, but it is a trait without a rank, so it cannot be grown anyway.
So, I decided to put one fixed pin on hold for now.
Until you get a skill that is ‘rare enough’ and ‘can be grown’.
* * *
Hong Yeon-hwa headed to the store with Baek Jun-seok to buy snacks.
But even as she walked, only one thought was on her mind.
The thought was none other than Kim Ho.
When dealing with ogres, Hong Yeon-hwa took on the role of pouring out firepower from the rear.
So, we were able to observe the battle from a wider perspective, and Kim Ho’s role there was definitely prominent.
‘I learned something great again.’
Hong Yeon-hwa saw it.
A seemingly insignificant magic that gathers wind and explodes it, instantly tearing apart the ogre’s thick hide.
Thanks to this, other team members’ attacks could inflict greater damage.
I doubt they even noticed this fact.
Despite using such powerful magic, even close combat was not inferior to that of other battlegroups.
Hong Yeon-hwa looked at Baek Jun-seok for a moment.
‘I think it was better than this one… … .’
“?”
Baek Jun-seok was bewildered when Hong Yeon-hwa suddenly gave him a blank look.
But Hong Yeon-hwa took her eyes off him and fell into deep thought again.
Even when fighting the Alpha Ogre, I think I saw Kim Ho using a fire-type skill.
And later, Alpha’s legs became noticeably stiff, so I guess it was because he did something.
However, these are only conjectures.
‘If only the replay remained… … .’
You might be able to check your guess.
It was so frustrating that nothing was saved.
As various thoughts about Kim Ho continued to swirl around in her head, Hong Yeon-hwa suddenly felt her face turn hot.
Because I remembered the conversation between Seo Ye-in and Kim Ho on the second night of the midterm exam.
– Let’s sleep together.
– Come to think of it, we slept together yesterday too.
– Sleep well.
– Just this once. Don’t climb on top.
Hong Yeon-hwa, born and raised in Ruby Tower, has a secretly conservative way of thinking.
Their conversation was too much for her to follow.
‘You’re sleeping together? Because you can’t sleep?’
So close, so clingy?
Hong Yeon-hwa asked herself a question.
If you suffer from insomnia, can you sleep snuggled up to Baek Jun-seok?
“Ugh.”
As soon as I imagined it, goosebumps ran all over my body.
Hong Yeon-hwa frowned and doubled her distance from Baek Jun-seok.
“?? What is it again?”
Baek Jun-seok asked in confusion, but there was no answer.
Hong Yeon-hwa was troubled over and over again.
Soon a question arose in my mind.
Maybe my common sense is wrong?
If it’s a pair, can they sleep together?
But the water was not suitable for the opponent.
There was only one person in Yongsal Academy whom I could ask such a profound question to.
So, Hong Yeon-hwa took a cup of coffee to go from the store.
As always, with unlimited additional espresso shots and a flavored coffee with petroleum.
And when I arrived at the Ruby Tower club room, I handed the coffee I had packed to my older sister, Hong Ye-hwa.
“Sister, coffee.”
“What brings you here? Anyway, I’ll drink well.”
The two sisters had almost the same tastes, so they could drink kerosene-flavored coffee without any problem.
As Hong Ye-hwa was sipping her coffee, Hong Yeon-hwa, who had been hesitating, spoke up.
“Sister, I have a question… … .”
“What is it?”
“I know someone… … . There’s one?”
“I know you, huh? So?”
Hong Ye-hwa nodded slowly.
Of course, I was guessing that the ‘person I knew’ was Hong Yeon-hwa herself.
It’s quite common to cover up embarrassing stories by saying, “This is a story about my friend.”
“He… … made a pair with a man and a woman.”
“This midterm?”
“huh.”
“Keep talking.”
Hong Ye-hwa continued to sip her coffee and think about it.
I also went to an uninhabited island when I was in the first grade.
It was quite fun, and it also felt like camping.
Hong Yeon-hwa’s explanation continued.
“So, they’re on a deserted island… … and they’re sleeping at night… … .”
“Yeah, but?”
“That night… … the two of you slept together?”
– Kwaaaaah—!
The coffee burned and evaporated from the cup.
Soon, Hong Ye-hwa got up from her seat and approached her younger brother step by step.
Her palms held blazing flames.
Hong Ye-hwa asked with a stiff face.
“Hey, Hong Yeon-hwa.”
“Huh? Huh?”
“You speak clearly. Who are you?”
Hong Yeon-hwa blinked in bewilderment at her sister’s sudden change in attitude.
“Is that… … important?”
“It doesn’t matter! Why doesn’t it matter! Who are you, Baek Jun-seok?”
This time, Hong Yeon-hwa jumped up.
“Why is Baek Jun-seok there?”
“Then who are you? Tell me! Quickly!”
Hong Yeon-hwa couldn’t understand it at all.
Is this something to be so angry about?
It’s someone else’s story anyway?
Still, I felt I had to answer my sister’s chilling question.
“Kim Ho. Why is this really important?”
“seaweed……!”
Hong Ye-hwa felt dizzy for a moment and touched her forehead.
I told you to be friends with Kim Ho-rang, but are you dating him?
Did you two sleep together during the midterms?
Soon the dizziness turned into burning anger, and the flame back smash struck without mercy.
– Thud! Thud!
Hong Ye-hwa spits out a word every time she hits someone.
“This! Already! Come on! Get out of here!”
“Ouch! Why! What! Why are you hitting me!”
Hong Yeon-hwa was hit by a fire smash that set her back on fire without even knowing what was going on.
It was a long time before she had a chance to explain herself.
