Chapter 569: Curious Sho

▷ Rewards: Rank Up (B), Fixed Pin, Blank Trait Scroll

There were three rewards, even though normally you’d only get about one per week.

All the busy activity during the final exam had been worth it.

Two of them already had predetermined uses, so I decided to use them as soon as I obtained them.

[Activated ‘Rank Up (B)’.]

[The rank of ‘Enchantement’ increased. (B → A)]

▷Duration: 20 minutes → 30 minutes

▷Cooldown: 25 minutes → 20 minutes

[Activated ‘Fixed Pin’.]

[‘Vendetta (S)’ has been fixed.]

▷Copy – Skill [4/4]

1. Feather Step (B+)

2. Spatia Fold (D)

3. Ice Wall (B)

4. (None)

[Skill – General]

▷Vendetta (S)

I should leave a slot open on the skill side.

That way I can take back [Destruction Gale] from Seo Ye-in and copy other skills if necessary.

Now the only thing left is the long-awaited Blank Trait Scroll.

Simply put, it’s the trait version of a blank skill book, allowing me to create a trait that suits my preferences.

There are two main directions.

One is focusing on wind, freezing, or utility traits to strengthen my own specs.

The other is creating a highly versatile trait and sharing it through [Bond].

But the answer had already been decided from the start.

This time, it’s the former.

I only recently obtained and shared [Great Sage’s Ring].

Another big factor is that it will take quite a while before the next slot is added.

Of course, even just the traits I could use myself had several candidates.

One that isn’t very powerful but extremely infuriating,

One that is moderately strong and moderately infuriating,

One that’s relatively less infuriating but strong…

I’ll think about which one to choose later.

After the final exam ended.

As vacation or graduation drew closer, the students’ conversation topics had almost become fixed.

– What are you going to do this winter?

As mentioned several times before, Go Hyeon-woo and Han So-mi plan to go to the frontline fortress.

Recently, I also learned that Jo Byeok has the same plan, since not only the Sword Queen but also the Fist King is stationed there.

They hold back the incoming monster waves and occasionally deal with dragons that appear from time to time.

Since I had something in mind regarding this, I called Go Hyeon-woo over.

Then I handed him a small wooden box.

“Take it.”

“This is…!”

Perhaps recognizing the contents, his pupils widened.

The final gift left behind by Kim Gap-doo, the true man among men of this era, a genuine martial artist and great hero.

[Purple Essence Pill (B+)]

Soon, Go Hyeon-woo looked at me with serious eyes.

“It is true that I am always thirsty for martial arts, but this feels too generous for me. I must respectfully decline.”

“No. You’re the one who should use it.”

I shook my head and continued explaining.

“Seo Ye-in, Hong Yeon-hwa, and I have all already reached Core Rank A. Now it’s your turn, but the problem is that I can’t form a Bond with you yet.”

“Hmm…”

If we shared the [Great Sage’s Ring] through Bond, he would be able to accumulate mana at an incredible speed.

However, Go Hyeon-woo is bound by the long-standing duty of his sect.

Receiving a Bond will likely only happen after he inherits the Blood Wind Sword (or something like that).

The problem is that the minimum qualification to attempt the inheritance is Core Rank A.

In many ways, the situation is tangled.

“For now, I think using an elixir is the best option. It looked like you weren’t far off anyway, and if you add the Purple Essence Pill on top of that, it should happen quickly.”

“My estimation is similar.”

“You have to reach Rank A before entering second year. Our levels need to be similar so we can enter dungeons together. If you lag behind, that’ll just end up holding me back instead.”

“……”

After pondering for a while longer, Go Hyeon-woo finally sighed and reluctantly accepted the Purple Essence Pill.

“…If Kim-hyung says so, then I understand. I have not repaid much, yet what I receive keeps increasing. My sense of guilt only grows.”

“If that’s the case, then just grant me one favor.”

“Anything is fine, so long as I can be of help.”

Without even asking for details, Go Hyeon-woo immediately agreed.

I handed him a strategy guide.

“There’s a dungeon near that place.”

“So I just need to retrieve the reward?”

“Basically, yes. But it won’t be easy. It’s Rank A.”

“……!”

“You’ll probably need the help of the Sword Queen or the Fist King. It’d be even better if both of them helped.”

However, it was uncertain whether two S-Rank heroes would really roll up their sleeves just because a mere student asked.

Especially since, from the Sword Queen’s perspective, Go Hyeon-woo ranked third on her list of people she disliked.

After all, he was the scoundrel who had charmed away the disciple she cherished.

Even so, Go Hyeon-woo spoke with a determined expression.

“Leave it to me. I will obtain the help of both of them, no matter what it takes.”

“Right. Just in case, try saying this as well.”

Although I was currently competing with the principal for the number one and two spots on her dislike list, I had saved a trump card precisely for moments like this.

When I leaned over and whispered something into his ear, Go Hyeon-woo’s eyes widened.

“…! Understood. I shall give it a try.”

***

After assigning the mission,

I headed to my next destination when a message arrived.

[Dang Gyu-young: (yelp! fox emoji)]

[Dang Gyu-young: Where are you]

[Kim Ho: Going to the swordsmanship club]

[Dang Gyu-young: (confused fox emoji)]

[Dang Gyu-young: Why there]

[Kim Ho: (dunno fox emoji)]

[Kim Ho: Sho-sho noona called me]

[Dang Gyu-young: ??]

While replying to the messages here and there, I soon arrived at the swordsmanship club room.

I exchanged light greetings with the people I recognized and kept walking, eventually stopping in front of the vice-president’s office.

When I gave a light knock, Jegal So-so’s voice came from inside.

“Come in.”

The office looked a bit emptier than before.

With graduation not far off, she had already packed up quite a lot of furniture and personal belongings.

Still, there was nothing lacking for receiving a guest, and after seating me, Jegal So-so offered some snacks and tea.

The first topic of conversation was the final exams.

“I heard Jun got completely wrecked?”

“That’s exactly what happened.”

Even though it had happened to a junior she cared about, Jegal So-so actually looked pleased.

“I told him again and again. If he keeps insisting on defense, he’ll get badly burned someday.”

“He said the same thing.”

“Mhmm, it seems like he recognizes it and is trying in his own way, but until now he hadn’t really changed. Still, I think this will be quite a bit of motivation for him.”

“He’ll do well.”

If my understanding of Mo Yong-jun was correct, he would definitely grow even more from this failure.

Both as a leader and as a martial artist.

Perhaps thinking the same, Jegal So-so tilted her teacup with a satisfied expression.

Then she brought up the next topic.

“How have things been with Qyu lately?”

“We’re doing the same as always. Is something wrong?”

“I just have a strange feeling about it.”

Jegal So-so slightly furrowed her brows.

“You’re going to be separated after graduation, right? Normally she’d be sad about that. But she seems totally fine.”

“I don’t know if she told you, but she decided to join here as a guard.”

“I heard about that. But it’s still very different from when you were students, isn’t it?”

If anything, she would be busier, not more relaxed.

However, it seemed she still didn’t know about the re-enrollment, and it wasn’t my place to bring it up, so I decided to give a vague answer.

“She was sad at first. Now she’s more or less in the acceptance stage.”

“You’re not hiding anything, are you?”

As if her sharp intuition had kicked in again, Jegal So-so’s eyes shone with suspicion.

“If you think about it, it’s not really my place to meddle, but I’m genuinely curious. I can’t stand things like this.”

I could understand how she felt to some extent, but that didn’t mean I could tell her honestly.

So just as I was about to refuse politely—

—Knock knock knock knock knock!

– Sho! Open the door!”

A rapid knocking sound came from outside, along with Dang Gyu-young’s voice.

Jegal So-so looked at me.

“How did she know you were here?”

“I told her on the way.”

“I see.”

Even though it could be considered an awkward situation, she looked completely unconcerned.

It seemed she had already expected it halfway.

With a light wave of Jegal So-so’s hand toward the door, the latch came undone, and Dang Gyu-young burst in, flinging the door open.

“Sho!! What are you doing with my kid?!”

“Perfect timing, Qyu-Qyu. Come here and have a seat.”

“?”

Despite frowning at the overly natural attitude, Dang Gyu-young came over and sat down beside me.

Soon, Jegal So-so poured her a cup of tea and said,

“You tell me. You’ve been hiding something lately, haven’t you?”

“Hiding? What?”

“Denying it won’t help. Do you know how long we’ve known each other?”

“That’s ridiculous. You’re accusing me without any evidence?”

“Evidence? Of course there is.”

Jegal So-so fired off her words rapidly, as if she had been waiting for this.

“For the entire past year, every time you opened your mouth it was about Kim Ho. Kim Ho this, Kim Ho that. His eyes are cute, the things he does are cute, you want to do this with Kim Ho, you want to do that with Kim Ho.”

“…Honestly, it wasn’t that bad.”

“If anything, I’m understating it! But these days it’s suddenly gotten quiet. Either you’re hiding something, or your feelings cooled off. One of the two.”

“Cooled off?”

Dang Gyu-young’s eyes shot up, clearly unable to tolerate that statement.

She gently wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

“We’re just getting started.”

“Then that means you are hiding something?”

“…Was that a trap interrogation?”

“Yes! Got you, you idiot Qyu-Qyu! Now hurry up and confess!”

Jegal So-so slammed the table with a bang! and barked at her.

In response, Dang Gyu-young changed strategies and came out brazenly.

“But why should I tell you?”

“Ah, come on, tell me.”

“If I say it, you’ll 100% ask for a bite.”

“Well of course you should give me a bite. Considering our relationship.”

Faced with Jegal So-so’s shamelessness that was twice her own, Dang Gyu-young let out an exasperated sigh.

“What relationship do we have?”

“You’re drawing a line like that? I’m hurt, Qyu.”

“Whatever. Just pass me those snacks over there.”

Jegal So-so obediently handed over the snacks and even refilled the tea.

Then she continued pestering her.

“Tell me!”

“I said no!”

“Pleeease!”

After bickering like that for quite a while,

The one who raised the white flag first was Dang Gyu-young.

“Ah, damn it. Fine.”

“As expected of my friend, Qyu-Qyu. So what is it?”

“If you so much as mention this anywhere else.”

“Have I ever done that? You know I’m good at keeping secrets.”

It’s just that she can’t stand not knowing when she’s curious.

Dang Gyu-young seemed to agree with that part as well.

She hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Actually, I’m only putting my name on the Guard roster. I’m going back in as a first-year. Re-enrolling.”

“…What?”

Jegal So-so’s mouth fell slightly open in shock.

With a face like she’d just been smacked in the back of the head with a hammer, she muttered,

“…So that’s why you were acting like it was nothing? No, wait….this is even better. Next year you can call Kim Ho ‘oppa’.”

“I wasn’t planning to do that anyway. Well, maybe I was…”

Dang Gyu-young glanced off to the side.

Jegal So-so suddenly grabbed her hand.

“Hey, let me in on it too.”

“See! I told you you’d ask for a bite.”

“You think you’re the only one who gets to do something fun? Let me join too!”

“You’ve already got your whole career path planned out. Just graduate quietly.”

Dang Gyu-young ruthlessly shook her hand off.

Jegal So-so then made a betrayed expression and started spouting lines like a third-rate villain.

“This won’t be the end of it. Just you wait. I will return!”

“What are you even talking about now?”

“And during vacation I’m definitely going to your house!”

“Hey, don’t come!”