NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23
“Hello.”
“Oh, you’ve come? First, sit on the sofa. You’re the student, Yilshin, right? Green tea? The cold one.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Kim Yilshin watched the adeptly brewed tea by Joo Chaerin with keen interest.
The energy she exuded was noticeably heightened compared to before.
It seemed she had made remarkable progress through the performance of the artifact she had obtained last time.
‘It’s not just thanks to the artifact.’
It’s not easy for someone of her caliber to grow at such a rapid rate.
It was likely the result of her rigorous efforts combined with the artifact’s assistance.
“What are you staring at so intently?”
“I’m sorry. I think you’ve changed a bit compared to before.”
“You have a good eye, Yilshin. I cut just a little off my bangs, but you noticed?”
“…Yes.”
That wasn’t what he meant, but he decided to let it slide.
“You said you had something for me, right? Here it is.”
Without wasting any time, Joo Chaerin got straight to the point.
The item she placed on the table was something totally unexpected, a remarkable object.
“From your reaction, I guess you know what it is?”
“This… is it the real deal?”
“Yep. It’s the real thing.”
Kim Yilshin looked at the artifact ‘Hourglass of Distortion’ on the table.
Using it allows one to enter their inner psychic realm for a week, but only for one use.
During that week, not even a second would pass in the outer world, and any recovery or growth achieved inside would apply once the process ends.
So, if used during combat when stamina or mana is depleted, one could rest for a whole week and then reengage in battle.
If used wisely, it could help escape a dire situation; a precious artifact indeed.
There were hardly a few in the entire world, and he had barely ever come across it even in games.
“Are you… giving this to me?”
“Right. But it’s not from me. The principal asked me to give this to you.”
“…The principal?”
“Yep.”
The principal of the academy, Pan Hae-yul.
One of the legendary heroes who operated during the time of Baekhosan and a world-renowned archmage.
And he was the only alchemist capable of creating this hourglass of distortion.
“When the principal came by, he inquired about you and asked me to pass this on. He mentioned it was nice to see something interesting after a long time.”
Interesting and fun to watch. He had no idea what that might entail, but it sounded related to the Baekhosan incident.
He remembered an article about the academy principal personally protesting about something that happened during the last dueling exam.
Since they were said to be close friends, maybe he had some teasing to do.
“Ah, don’t worry, I didn’t say anything bad. I just told him what I saw.”
Saying that, Joo Chaerin pushed the hourglass of distortion forward.
Kim Yilshin received it with both hands and immediately tucked it into his chest, thinking to himself.
‘I’ve struck it rich.’
An item worth at least several billion had entered into his possession.
He was genuinely grateful to Pan Hae-yul.
*
Clunk,
“Whoa.”
After finishing a set of bench presses, Kim Yilshin let out a deep breath.
The weighty grip had sent a thrilling sensation coursing through his hands.
‘It’s gotten heavier.’
The plates on the bar weighed 560kg, and combined with the bar’s weight, it came to 585kg.
The weight had significantly increased since he first started training using mana. Throughout the repetitions, his form had not faltered at all.
This meant he was steadily growing physically.
‘At this rate of training, it would be odd not to grow.’
Kim Yilshin glanced to the side. What he saw was akin to a scene from hell.
“Good! Good! One more!”
“Ugh….”
“Don’t give up! Crush your limits! Only then can you touch the pinnacle of muscles!”
“Ughhhhhh—!!”
With sweat pouring down, horrible groans echoed all around.
The muscle-bound figures were persistently squeezing out every last bit of strength from their bodies.
Other students seemed reluctant to even approach them, but for Kim Yilshin, it was no big deal.
Having trained among them daily had made such sights familiar.
“I can’t do any more….”
“Help me….”
There were still a couple of people who weren’t accustomed: Namgung Hyuk and Namgung Min.
They had come seeking strength, like Kim Yilshin, but now they were filled with regret.
However, this place was not one where you could just leave if you wanted.
Those two would have to endure the rigorous training under the watchful eye of Hercules, Duke Hwang, until they could finally be released.
He possessed a bizarre and extraordinary ability to accurately assess the state of their muscles, so no slacking off would be tolerated until it was time to finish.
‘Why did they even sign up for this?’
Kim Yilshin had warned them enough.
He had told them several times they would surely regret it, so the rest was their choice.
Once they set foot in this place, they would have to keep training with Hwang Hercules until they graduated from the academy.
“I will be on my way now.”
“Thanks for today as well!”
Having completed his quota, Kim Yilshin ignored the voice calling from behind and stepped out.
Next on his agenda was the training ground. Today, he intended to focus specifically on Seol Jongbo.
“Um, excuse me…!”
As he walked, a youthful female voice called out from the side.
When he turned, he saw a familiar face looking up at him with an expression of considerable nervousness.
“Are you Kim Yilshin…?”
“Yes, that’s right. Is there something you need?”
“Um, um, well….”
Fidgeting with her fingers, she appeared to be hesitating about something.
Kim Yilshin waited patiently without pushing her, trying to recall where he might have seen her before.
‘Wait, could it be…?’
Just then, Kim Yilshin caught sight of the name tag hanging on her chest and finally remembered who she was.
She was Lee Yeon-woo, the martial arts theory teacher currently teaching the fourth-year students. They hadn’t encountered each other, so he failed to recognize her immediately.
A genius who had become a teacher at the academy at a young age due to her remarkable analytical skills and numerous significant research achievements.
In the game, she was a character who assisted with data interpretation and other related fields.
However, based on his memories of her lifestyle, it was quite rare for Lee Yeon-woo to be out and about like this.
She had a reclusive personality, often spending her time locked away in her room conducting research outside of class.
That was likely the primary reason for not having crossed paths until now.
After a moment of mental preparation, Lee Yeon-woo finally spoke up in a small voice.
“Kim Yilshin… um, if it’s not too much trouble, could you please help me with my research? I’m not trying to burden you… I think it might help you too….”
Even if it was a personal request, the way she spoke made it sound so deferential for a teacher addressing a student.
It didn’t seem like much of an arduous favor, but probably stemmed from Lee Yeon-woo’s shy and overly cautious nature towards others.
‘I think I heard something about this while playing the game.’
She’d often say things like “I’m busy with research….” every time he paid her a visit in-game.
Though he wasn’t deeply versed in her research, he had known she had something captivating to focus on.
“First, I’d like to hear what you need help with.”
“Ah, um, this ancient ruin I’m researching. Could you take a look at this for a moment…?”
Pulling out her phone, Lee Yeon-woo found a picture in her gallery and held it out for Kim Yilshin to see.
‘It definitely looks like an ancient ruin.’
The photo depicted an ancient stone door covered with traces of time, such as ivy and moss.
It seemed to be the entrance to the ruin she described.
If that was the case, a question naturally arose.
“So, what kind of ruin is this?”
“It’s said to be a ruin where the Light Demon left treasures before its demise.”
“The Light Demon?”
“Yeah. You’re not seriously saying you don’t know about the Light Demon…?”
Lee Yeon-woo appeared astounded that he wouldn’t know, but the truth was, he had indeed never heard of it.
“I’ve never heard of it.”
“How is that even possible….”
Momentarily stunned, Lee Yeon-woo quickly snapped out of her daze and began passionately explaining.
“Are you serious? You’ve never heard of the Light Demon? The legendary being that traveled the world thousands of years ago, defeating all challengers, and ultimately ascended to battle the heavens…? It’s incredibly famous in archaeology…!”
From her explanation, it seemed like this Light Demon was just a mythical figure.
Sort of akin to Hercules from Greek mythology.
If that were the case, the likelihood of discovering anything extraordinary at that ruin seemed pretty slim. Suddenly, his interest dwindled.
“Hmm… I’m a bit busy right now. It might be better to find someone else.”
“Wait, please…! If you hear more, you might change your mind….”
Though he was about to refuse, Lee Yeon-woo was persistent.
When she said it was no burden, the tone didn’t match her desperate demeanor as she blocked his path.
Lee Yeon-woo, standing in front of him, began zooming in on the central part of the ruin’s entrance, saying,
“To open this door, you’ll need to use your ‘Yilshin Pa Cheon Gong.’ I really need your strength. Please help me….”
Yilshin Pa Cheon Gong. Now that name stirred his interest. He needed to listen in more detail.
“It sounds intriguing. How about we move to a quieter place to discuss this further?”
Suddenly, Lee Yeon-woo took a step back, wearing an expression of caution towards him.
“…You mean talking about my request, right?”
……What else would she be talking about?