[Trantor - Helga ]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]
Chapter 14
"Dragon Affinity, huh."
The next day, I found myself rereading the message over and over. It wasn''t because the message was long or difficult to understand.
It was because the ability I''d gained as a reward was so extraordinary.
"I had a hunch there might be a hidden quest, but I never thought this would be the reward."
Hidden quests in this game, unlike regr quests, don''t provide yers with explicit instructions. That''s why most yers miss them entirely.
"Which is why the rewards forpleting them are usually better."
When Arche first asked me not to tell anyone about the book theft, I had a vague feeling there was a hidden quest involved. I didn''t know what the reward would be, but I was satisfied as long as Arche didn''t join the rebellion because of it.
But Arche''s hidden quest gave me more than I could have imagined.
[Dragon Affinity 1: Dragons are extremely arrogant and disdain to speak with inferior species. Because of this, dragons have created their ownnguage to look down on all other races. Dragon Affinity will allow you tomunicate with them on a basic level.]
It was literally an ability to empathize with dragons.
In this game, every viin and human, in addition to their traits, has their own unique abilities.
While traits determine the characteristics of a character''s spells, abilities are like passive skills that automatically activate in specific situations for each character.
In my case, [Night n], which gives me a stat boost after dark, is a typical ability for a bloodsucker...
"Night n is a pretty rare ability too, but it''s nothingpared to Dragon Affinity."
It''s hard to find a creature as powerful as a dragon in this game.
Gianluca became one of the rebellion''s most powerful forces because she reached a level of mastery over dragons, thanks to her extremely rare Dragon Affinity.
This was an ultra-rare ability that I, despite having acquired countless abilities over the past 137 ythroughs, had never been able to obtain.
"I''ve stumbled upon an unexpected treasure."
At this rate, I should be thanking Seo Su-kyung. Thanks to avoiding the trap set by that audacious woman during the thief quest, I''ve earned this incredible reward...
"Well then, I should return the favor to that guy... Caesar."
As I called out his name, theptop screen turned on, and a familiar voice replied.
- Awaiting Professor Do Jin-hak''s instructions.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om
Caesar, the AI assistant of Professor D, was very useful. Especially while studying the Deconstructionist Department in theb, Caesar''s artificial intelligence was of great help to me.
I had figured out how to bring Caesar here, even when I was away from theb, by installing an application on myptop and phone.
"y Professor Do Jin-hak''s Deconstructionist Department Basics 1."
- ying Professor Do Jin-hak''s Deconstructionist Department Basics 1.
A hologram of Professor D projected from myptop, his voice filling the room. And then, in that tone of his that always seemed to suggest he thought everyone was beneath him, he began to speak.
"I don''t expect much from you lot, but I figured I''d prepared a lecture that even you could understand. Don''t worry, I''ve made it simple enough that anyone with a brain should be able to grasp it."
Despite those words, the lecture he''d created for the hologram was still incredibly difficult.
Even for someone who had inherited a bit of his essence, like me, it wasn''t easy to understand. I couldn''t fathom what he was thinking when he decided to make something thisplex for beginners...
"...It''s better than the first time I heard it, though."
While the content was still challenging, it was easier to follow than when I''d only studied the books and listened to the lectures in theb. Since leveling up my trait recently, I''d gained a deeper understanding of Do Jin-hak''s essence, which was proving to be quite helpful.
The fundamentals of the Deconstructionist Department.
The purpose of deconstruction.
The difference in perspective between the micro and macro worlds...
Beforeing to this academy, I''d watched these lectures over and over, but I couldn''t tell if they were in humannguage or alien. Now, little by little, the content was starting to sink in.
As I gradually understood the lecture, I found myself bing deeply focused without even realizing it.
And then, an rm went off in my head.
Ding-!
[You have begun to understand "Deconstructionist Department Basics 1."]
[Having understood a level "Intermediate" lecture, you sense a change in your intelligence.]
[Intelligence score has increased.]
[Due to the increased intelligence score, your understanding of the Deconstructionist Department has deepened.]
“Last week, I saw Chairman Okamoto at the corporate dinner. He was all smiles and brought up your ranking. He even pretended to be kind and rmended a specialist, saying that you might have a health problem.”
Seo Tae-hee recounted this, her voice calm, but her fists trembled involuntarily, as if she wanted to smash the wine ss she was holding.
Seo Su-kyung watched her mother silently, her lips pressed together.
“I don''t care about anything else, but don''t lose to Okamoto. Don''t let that old fox look down on our family. If you can do that, the family won''t be able to ignore you. Even if you can''t aim for the position of heir..."
"...What kind of nonsense is that?"
Seo Su-kyung interrupted her mother sharply at that point.
The position of heir to the International Group. It was an extremely sensitive topic, an Achilles'' heel for Seo Su-kyung.
She knew it. No matter how hard she tried, she had little chance of bing the heir to the International Group.
Seo Su-kyung had a w that was known only to a select few in her family, a w that set her apart from the other contenders.
A fatal w that could not be ovee by effort or talent.
That''s why Seo Su-kyung had to prove it.
That she was the heir, no matter what ws she had. That she was the heir they were all looking for.
"Just beat Okamoto? I have to bring everyone above him to his knees too. That''s the only way I can say I''m Seo Tae-hee''s daughter. In this great Seo family."
Seo Tae-hee stared at her daughter in surprise. A chilling coldness radiated from Seo Su-kyung''s eyes.
"Until then, just focus on supporting me, Mom. Spend money, use people, whatever it takes. Just like you''ve always done."
Having said that, Seo Su-kyung began to read the pages rapidly.
Seo Tae-hee could only watch, unable to say anything.
Seo Su-kyung''s intense focus as she devoured the theoretical texts left her mother breathless.
[You have reached Deconstructionist Department level 1.]
[You have learned a new spell.]
[You have acquired the Deconstructionist Department level 1 spell "X Scan"!]
I was a little startled as I reflexively read the message.
Achieving Deconstructionist Department level 1.
This meant I could officially start using the spells of the Deconstructionist Department.
I had thought it would take longer to reach level 1, given how difficult this department was...
"...This ythrough might be promising."
After Dragon Affinity, now this, reaching level 1 in the Deconstructionist Department.
Everything felt right. It was apletely different route from my previous ythroughs, but things were going smoothly.
"Still, I need to be cautious."
I''d learned that from my 137 deaths.
The smoother things went, the more unexpected variables tended to appear.
Especially here.
"The world of Military Chronicle is especially harsh on viins."
Suppressing my excitement, I closed the message window and quickly focused back on Do Jin-hak''s exnation.
Tomorrow, my first lecture in the Masterss would finally begin.
And Seo Su-kyung would be there.
I couldn''t afford to show any ws in front of her, who would be watching me with a hawk''s eye.
To perfectly y the role of Do Jin-hak, I concentrated all my attention on the lecture.
* * *
"Damn it, school starts tomorrow already."
Under the gloomy, overcast sky of March, Nam Kang-ik, a student of the Emission Department, spat out phlegm and said to the group of students gathered around the flower bed in front of the campus.
"How much longer do I have to endure this damn academy? A talent like me should be sent to the frontlines. That way, those viinous bastards won''t be able to cause any trouble."
Expressing his deep dissatisfaction, Nam Kang-ik began to pick and stomp on the flowers in the flower bed.
Desperate to be a soldier and make a name for himself on the frontlines, he found school to be nothing but boring.
"I''ve been through middle, upper, and primary school. Why the hell do I have to go to school for nearly 20 years? Isn''t life all about real-world experience? Huh? You bunch of idiots."
As he vented his frustrations, Nam Kang-ik''s hands grew rougher and rougher, and it seemed like he was about to destroy all the flowers in the flower bed.
When the surrounding area became dirty with trampled flowers, the other students of the Emission Department began to look around nervously and tried to stop him.
"Hey, don''t you know that''s the vice-principal''s favorite flower bed?"
"If he finds out, the vice-principal is going to go ballistic."
"Oh yeah? Then how about I stomp on your heads instead of the flowers?"
When Nam Kang-ik asked with a glint in his eye, the other students nced at each other and remained silent.
Due to the nature of the Emission Department, which taught only attack magic, many of the students had aggressive tendencies. But Nam Kang-ik was particrly vicious, even among them.
Known by the nickname "Iron Fist" for his extraordinary fighting skills since he was young, Nam Kang-ik was a man who believed that fists spoke louder than words.
There was only one student who could control Nam Kang-ik.
"Cut it out. What did the flowers ever do to you? It''s your fault for not being able to pass your graduation exam."
"What?"
Taken aback by the blunt and honest words, the Emission Department students nced nervously at Nam Kang-ik.
If anyone else, even a professor, had said such a thing to Nam Kang-ik, it would have resulted in a bloody incident.
However, Nam Kang-ik only red at the other person with fierce eyes, but he didn''t throw a punch. He couldn''t. Because the person who had spoken was none other than Seo Su-kyung, the Sword Saint.
Sitting among the students like a queen, Seo Su-kyung looked at Nam Kang-ik with a condescending expression.
"Isn''t that right? After attending the academy for three years, you still haven''t even reached level 4 in the Emission Department. How can you possibly graduate?"
"Hmph, just because you reached level 4 first, you think you''re so hot stuff!"
Although he was annoyed, Nam Kang-ik couldn''t deny Seo Su-kyung''s abilities. The genius she had shown since she was young had been a high wall for him, and a great motivator that he always wanted to surpass.
"Just wait. I''ll reach level 5 in one shot this semester."
"Good. Keep that attitude. That way, your father will have a little more face at corporate dinners."
"Damn it, why do you always bring up my dad?"
Nam Kang-ik frowned again.
Like Seo Su-kyung, he was a member of a wealthy family, and the topic of his family made his stress levels skyrocket.
Unlike the International Group, which had multiple heirs, Nam Kang-ik was the sole heir, and this weighed heavily on his shoulders.
"Tsk! This is ruining my mood. Let''s go get a drink. We won''t be able to drink as much starting tomorrow."
At Nam Kang-ik''s suggestion to go somewhere nice, the Emission Department students began to move as a group.
Only Seo Su-kyung remained indifferent.
"Count me out. I have a morning ss tomorrow."
"A morning ss? Our ss starts in the afternoon, right?"
"That''s the Emission Department. I have a Deconstructionist Department ss in the morning."
"Deconstructionist Department?"
Surprised by her unexpected response, Nam Kang-ik stared at Seo Su-kyung.
"What are you up to now? Taking sses in that crappy department?"
"What do you mean ''up to''? It sounds like you''re using me of doing something bad."
"Ha! Just ask any of the professors who were manipted by Seo Su-kyung and ended up leaving their teaching positions. They''ll tell you."
Nam Kang-ik clicked his tongue, already knowing about Seo Su-kyung''s past actions. He wondered what the new professor of the Deconstructionist Department would be like, but he was sure the professor would end up just like the others.
Vroom-
Just then, a sedan slowly pulled into the front gate.
Seo Su-kyung nced at the car and her expression suddenly changed.
"...Anyway, you guys go on ahead. I''m busy now."
Saying so, she left her ssmates behind and quickly disappeared.
"Tch... She always acts so high and mighty."
Nam Kang-ik watched Seo Su-kyung''s retreating figure with a mix of envy and disapproval before heading to a bar with his ssmates.
* * *
Once outside the campus, Seo Su-kyung walked along the road until the surroundings were quiet.
Vroom-
A sedan that had been following Seo Su-kyung from a distance was the only thing around.
After confirming that there was no one else nearby, Seo Su-kyung quickly walked towards the sedan.
Click-
The backseat door slid open as Seo Su-kyung approached.
As soon as she got into the car, it started to move. She didn''t know where they were going, but Seo Su-kyung wasn''t surprised at all.
Instead, she frowned at the woman sitting in the back seat.
"I told you not toe to the academy. I don''t want people gossiping."
The woman Seo Su-kyung was annoyed with was well over 40, but her posture was straight from head to toe.
She replied to Seo Su-kyung''s cold words with an even colder tone.
"Is that all you have to say to your mother after all this time?"
Seo Tae-hee, Seo Su-kyung''s mother and the owner of the International Group, red at her daughter with an imposing gaze.
The two of them stared at each other for a long time, their silent battle finally ending when Seo Su-kyung meekly leaned into her mother''s arms.
Seo Tae-hee patted her daughter''s back and said, "I saw you earlier, and it seemed like you were enjoying academy life. I thought you were the queen surrounded by her worker bees."
"They''re just ssmates. Are you here to nag me?"
"Am I that free? Of course, my daughter should have that kind of influence."
Seo Tae-hee pushed Seo Su-kyung away and took a document out of her bag.
Seo Su-kyung raised an eyebrow as she took the document and read the title.
- Core Theory Analysis of Deconstructionist Department Basics 1, 2, and 3.
"I heard you''re taking a minor in the Deconstructionist Department this semester. I heard that the new professor is a very entric person and that not many students are learning properly from him."
Seo Tae-hee exined calmly, saying that she had managed to find this material with great difficulty.
"I''ve never told you that you have to be the best or that you have to reach the pinnacle. You''ve always done well without me saying those trite things."
Although her tone was calm, Seo Su-kyung could tell that there was a hint of bitterness in her elegant voice.
"It''s okay that you''re only ranked 5th in your ss. I can understand that. But-"
Seo Tae-hee''s eyes suddenly changed, bing fierce.
"I can''t just let the fact that the Okamoto family''s child is above you slide. Not even for a moment."
The moment the name Okamoto was mentioned, the atmosphere in the car changed drastically. Seo Su-kyung closed her eyes tightly, knowing that this was inevitable.
"Our Seo family has been revered as the first founding hero since the Goryeo Dynasty. During the Joseon Dynasty, we led our soldiers in all the Japanese invasions, and during the Japanese colonial period, we helped Kim Gu achieve independence."
This again.
Seo Su-kyung was tired of hearing this. She had heard this family history countless times.
The centuries-old feud between the two families seemed like a fairy tale to Seo Su-kyung, who was born in the 2010s.
''How much longer do I have to listen to this?''
She hated being tied down to this outdated history. But what she hated even more was that she couldn''t simply ignore it.
No matter how hard she tried to act nonchnt, she couldn''t deny it. This boiling rage deep within her was the very force that had sustained the Seo family for generations.
“Last week, I saw Chairman Okamoto at the corporate dinner. He was all smiles and brought up your ranking. He even pretended to be kind and rmended a specialist, saying that you might have a health problem.”
Seo Tae-hee recounted this, her voice calm, but her fists trembled involuntarily, as if she wanted to smash the wine ss she was holding.
Seo Su-kyung watched her mother silently, her lips pressed together.
“I don''t care about anything else, but don''t lose to Okamoto. Don''t let that old fox look down on our family. If you can do that, the family won''t be able to ignore you. Even if you can''t aim for the position of heir..."
"...What kind of nonsense is that?"
Seo Su-kyung interrupted her mother sharply at that point.
The position of heir to the International Group. It was an extremely sensitive topic, an Achilles'' heel for Seo Su-kyung.
She knew it. No matter how hard she tried, she had little chance of bing the heir to the International Group.
Seo Su-kyung had a w that was known only to a select few in her family, a w that set her apart from the other contenders.
A fatal w that could not be ovee by effort or talent.
That''s why Seo Su-kyung had to prove it.
That she was the heir, no matter what ws she had. That she was the heir they were all looking for.
"Just beat Okamoto? I have to bring everyone above him to his knees too. That''s the only way I can say I''m Seo Tae-hee''s daughter. In this great Seo family."
Seo Tae-hee stared at her daughter in surprise. A chilling coldness radiated from Seo Su-kyung''s eyes.
"Until then, just focus on supporting me, Mom. Spend money, use people, whatever it takes. Just like you''ve always done."
Having said that, Seo Su-kyung began to read the pages rapidly.
Seo Tae-hee could only watch, unable to say anything.
Seo Su-kyung''s intense focus as she devoured the theoretical texts left her mother breathless.
[Trantor - Helga ]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]