Chapter 6

Moreover, Yun Heejin is not just someone who has a diligent personality as her only strength.

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Name: Yun Heejin

Date of Birth: July 7, 2014 (Currently 17 years old)

Height: 158cm

Weight: 45kg

Blood Type: AB

Stats: Strength 220 / Stamina 220 / Magic Power 100 / Agility 170

Mana Attribute: Water

Skills: Rash Charge, Come Back!, Shield Technique, …

Talents: Blessed by Holy Water, Ten Taps and…

Traits: Holy Knight [More Details]

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Even if I were to free the Black Flame Dragon, it would still be weaker than this kid.

No, to be precise, it's that Yun Heejin is strong.

Despite her frail appearance, she is a top student who entered this school ranked 5th in her class, and I mustn't forget that.

I reminded myself of this fact once again and, slightly shrinking, I pointed at Yun Heejin's shield to break the silence.

"You use a shield, huh?"

"The hero I admire used a shield. So, since I decided to become a hero in elementary school, I've only used shields."

In this world, not many heroes choose a shield as their main weapon.

However, since the leader of the Eight Heroes, the 'Guardian,' became famous, the number of heroes choosing a shield as their main weapon has increased significantly.

And the hero Yun Heejin admires is that Guardian.

But the Guardian...

"That hero sacrificed his life to save this world. That's why I admired him more than anyone else and ended up wielding a shield, which is his symbol."

"..."

"Ah, sorry. I ended up telling you all sorts of things. I didn't mean to make you feel awkward..."

"It's okay. I admire the Guardian too."

Actually, I don't admire him to that extent, but I secretly think he's great.

Sacrificing one's life for someone else is not an easy thing to do.

Apart from that personal thought, I didn't have any particular feelings or emotions.

"Ooh..."

It wasn't a particularly emotional response, but Yun Heejin's eyes lit up at my answer.

...I made a mistake.

Yun Heejin had never even mentioned the Guardian's nickname, and this kid... was a huge Guardian fan.

"How did you know my hero is the Guardian?"

"Um... There are many famous heroes who use shields, but there's only one who's worth admiring."

Yeah, I should think of it as a good thing.

After all, I have a reason to get closer to her, and it wouldn't be bad to establish a relationship a bit faster.

"Do you know that the Guardian's main weapon wasn't originally a shield? He was originally an ordinary swordsman, but one day he awakened the power of a necklace passed down from his father...!"

And so, Yun Heejin continued to talk non-stop about the Guardian's life as we walked together.

***

"What? Why are you two coming together?"

Before I knew it, we had arrived at the training ground.

Despite it being quite early, there were already many cadets training, including Hwang Jaebeom and Choi Yuseong.

Choi Yuseong was doing squats next to Hwang Jaebeom, and the weight was a whopping 320kg.

I was surprised when I did 150kg yesterday, but this monster was doing more than twice that weight with ease and even greeted us.

"Hey, guys."

"Hey! Yuseong..."

The enthusiastic attitude she had just shown was gone, and Yun Heejin looked very shy.

She laughed foolishly, then regained her composure, shouted "Let's do our best today!" loudly, and ran into the training capsule.

Hwang Jaebeom, who had been watching her reaction with disapproval, clicked his tongue a few times and then said to Choi Yuseong as if scolding him.

"At this point, why don't you have a serious talk with her?"

"Ah, Hwang Jaebeom. You're saying weird things again. It's not like that."

"Tsk... You'll live your whole life like that. You brat."

Leaving the bickering duo behind, I moved to the capsule right next to where Yun Heejin had gone.

As I brought my smartwatch to the entrance, it opened automatically.

The interior was filled with white blocks on the ceiling, floor, and walls, creating a bizarre space.

As soon as I entered, I set the type of the doll through the monitor screen.

The one I summoned yesterday was level 1.

It was very easy, so I increased the level this time.

After setting it up, I took out the branded knuckles from my bag and held them in both hands.

Creak!

The small wooden doll was created with a grating, annoying sound.

Yesterday, it was a dandelion-like creature, but it seems the appearance changes as the level increases.

Well, it doesn't really matter.

Swish.

I moved my body freely, holding the knuckles.

I punched the doll with my right and left hands alternately.

Crack, the sound of the wood breaking was unique.

Of course, I didn't care and continued to hit and kick it.

Creak!

The wooden doll, seemingly excited, extended its branches to attack.

But it didn't even scratch me. Thanks to my talent and the fire attribute mana surrounding my body, it was a big help.

After about 3 minutes of hitting, I could see the doll's body parts scattered on the floor.

"Ah."

So, this is how my stats increase.

It's only by 1, but it's a good method if it's easy.

Ah, but that's not all.

I need to check the knuckles first.

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* It looks like a very ordinary knuckle, but it's actually a weapon made of branded iron.

Someone's experience is engraved on it.

* Maker: Master Kang Cheolmin

* Weapon Memory Absorption Progress: 1.5% (Unlock Skill Name at 10%)

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The absorption progress is better than I expected.

Considering I didn't hit it many times while wearing the knuckles yesterday, it's a really high number.

Good. I'll start with the branded iron again later, but let's get the most dreaded task out of the way first.

I took off the knuckles from my hands.

Next, I took off my shoes and socks.

"Damn."

The curse slipped out because I have to do this again.

But it's okay since this is a soundproof capsule.

Anyway, I'll have to shout it in front of others later, so I'll think of it as practice to reduce suicidal impulses.

"O mighty power of darkness... lend me your power!"

Enduring the wave of shame, I chanted the spell, and a rapid change occurred in my body.

My skin rippled, and hard scales sprouted, and my nails turned yellow and became abnormally sharp.

Eventually, my arms and legs turned into those of a black dragon, covered in black scales.

"Ugh."

The sight was so eerie that I started to have doubts.

"Am I really going to be mistaken for a half-demon?"

If I reveal this appearance at school, I don't think I'll get a good reaction.

No, this is an appearance that won't be welcomed anywhere outside of school. It looks too evil.

"I might get caught if I reveal this."

Very grateful, Schvartan.

Anyway, since the liberation timer has already started, let's have some fun.

I operated the monitor to create the humanoid and reptilian dolls that I couldn't defeat yesterday.

"Let's go..."

Immediately after, the humanoid doll lunged at me with agile movements.

Yesterday, I couldn't avoid it and had to endure the charge with my toughness. But today is different.

Swish.

Despite my heavy body, I easily dodged the attack thanks to my agility.

The doll, which looked like a mannequin, hit the wall comically. I ignored it and punched the reptilian doll.

Grrr!

The training doll, resembling an alligator, opened its large mouth and aimed for my arm.

I quickly retracted my right arm and activated the spicy punch with my left hand, striking the top of its head.

Bang!

With a powerful blow that shook the floor, the alligator died without even a scream.

Confirming that my strength had almost doubled, I felt that chanting the spell was worth it.

Meanwhile, the humanoid doll got up and charged at me again.

Of course, I easily dodged it this time by turning my head and landed a counterpunch.

Kaboom!

The doll, which didn't even flinch from a single punch yesterday, was sent flying into the wall.

It was quite satisfying, and my lips curled up on their own.

"I could probably increase the level again."

It's much stronger than I expected.

While indulging in self-satisfaction, I approached the limp doll.

What? Suddenly gaining a skill?

This novel really gives skills out of nowhere.

"Let's see the details of what I just got."

I immediately checked the new skill I had obtained.

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* Within 10 seconds of being hit by a fire attribute attack, if you are in contact with the target, you can cause a powerful fire attribute explosion.

* The more times you hit the target with a fire attribute attack, the more damage this skill will deal. The target may also suffer burns with a low probability. (This skill cannot be reused for 1 minute on a target you have damaged with it.)

* Trait: When Black Flame Dragon is liberated / Change to Black Flame – Causes a more powerful fire attribute explosion. The target is cursed with Attribute Loss for 30 seconds. (This skill requires a powerful spell to use. This skill cannot be reused for 1 minute on a target you have damaged with it.)

* Attribute Loss: During the duration of the curse, the target loses all mana attributes and takes double damage from all attacks.

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...I got a skill that seems like something a mage would use. It's not common for a martial artist.

But this is very good.

The Attribute Loss curse is a rare skill that can only be seen in the abilities of superpowered individuals with dark attributes.

But why.

Why do I have to chant another spell?

Is the novel I'm reading Harry Potter? I can't even say "Expecto Patronum."

"Ha."

But the Black Flame Dragon won't be satisfied with such a spell.

Deciding that, I took a deep breath and grabbed the doll's neck.

Damn Black Flame Dragon.

We'll see when I get out of this novel.

"Explosion is an art!"

Chanting the explosion spell that came to mind, the doll I was holding by the collar exploded in black flames.

To be continued

Episode 3: Variables and Accidents

The early morning training, where I gained much and lost much, ended exactly at 6 a.m.

For some reason, I ended up always tagging along with the so-called 'Choi Yuseong group,' a group of elites.

While Choi Yuseong's consideration helped, what made it possible for me to join the group was the much softer attitude of the group members towards me.

Not that I deliberately joined.

It just happened that I ended up hanging out with them because I tried to get closer to Choi Yuseong.

"Hey, what weapon did you choose yesterday?"

"I just picked something that looked comfortable."

"Hey, you can't get any stronger with that weak body anyway. It would be much more helpful to society if you provided information to me, who entered the school ranked first in the entire school."

"...I'll think about it."

Hwang Jaebeom, who used to ignore me, now treated me like a convenient shuttle.

While his tone still felt dismissive, at least he didn't push me around or insult me severely, so I decided to just respond.

"Daewon."

While listening to that arrogant kid's TMI speech, I was cleaning my ears when Yun Heejin called me in a relaxed tone.

"Look at this."

She shook the keychain decoration attached to her smartphone.

The shield-shaped decoration with a blue gem in the center looked like it was advertising the shield the Guardian used in his lifetime.

She even showed me the back of the decoration.

No.007.

A number that seemed to indicate a limited edition was engraved.

"Oh, that's the Guardian commemorative accessory that came out at the beginning of the year."

"Yeah! I bought it before entering the school. It was quite expensive, but it's definitely genuine."