Chapter 40

EP.40 Proposal (2)

One of the three major large clans in South Korea.

<Flame's Judgment>.

As befits a giant clan,

it is by no means easy to become an official clan member here.

One must possess sufficient abilities as a clan member, and have a good academic record from an academy and various other qualifications such as dungeon experience to be able to join.

This is also true for the intern clan members, who are a step before becoming an official member.

Getting accepted as an intern in a large clan was as difficult as picking stars from the sky.

Such an intern contract offer...

coming to me, a first-year student, was a big opportunity.

However, given the nature of the matter, it was not something to be decided lightly.

"How long would the term be?"

After taking a sip of kiwi smoothie, I asked Kang Juyeon.

The contract period for intern clan members varies.

It can be as short as three months, or as long as six months, a year.

Some clans even set it for two years.

While that might make one almost an official clan member...

quite a few unscrupulous clans abuse this system, not officially accepting members but only using them as interns.

"Probably three months. The summer break is roughly that long."

Three months as an intern clan member.

From the end of the semester to the start of the next one.

If I schedule my time tightly, it would roughly match the period.

However, using my first summer break after becoming a Holder entirely for intern activities was a bit burdensome for me in terms of time.

"Is it possible to make it two months?"

"...Two months?"

"Yes. Even though it's summer break, three months feels a bit too tight. I also have a few things I need to do before and after the break."

Is it right to negotiate with <Flame's Judgment>...?

But I have no choice.

It's not just talk; I really have things to do.

For example, after this semester ends,

the S-class monster, Swell Leviathan, will appear in front of the East Sea.

I need to go to Pohang to obtain its magic stone.

I have to travel to Pohang to participate in the hunt, then go to Daegu for the auction, and take some breaks in between... just the miscellaneous tasks will take about a week.

No matter how much of an intern, I can't just start personal activities right after joining the clan... so I need to shorten the contract period and delay my entry.

Fortunately, it wasn't such an unreasonable request.

Kang Juyeon slowly nodded.

"...It seems possible."

"Really?"

"Yes. Since hiring a first-year as an intern is already an exceptional special recruitment... this request should be fine."

Even though I got the permission, I still felt uneasy.

The clan is just too big for me to handle.

So, just in case, I asked again.

"Um... can you just decide like that on your own?"

"...I'm the daughter of the clan master."

With those words, I immediately understood.

Kang Juyeon can say things like that.

Moreover, she was the one who first suggested hiring me as an intern.

My performance in the dungeon must have impressed her quite a bit.

'This is too good.'

Anyway, if these conditions are met, it's a proposal that has nothing but benefits for me.

It's an opportunity to experience a clan before graduating from the academy, and I can live and train with <Flame's Judgment> clan members for two months to improve my skills.

The monthly salary from clan activities is a bonus.

"Then... are you in?"

"Yes. Let's do our best for the next two months, Kang Juyeon."

"...Yes."

I smiled and shook hands with Kang Juyeon lightly.

Starting from early July for two months,

I signed an intern contract with <Flame's Judgment>.

It was my first clan contract, albeit a temporary one.

* * *

[You can feel the energy of flowing waves more deeply. The subtleties of the flowing water become more intense in your gentle sword.]

[The level of the rune has increased.]

[Mana is everywhere and nowhere. The colors of mana felt from nature and weapons become more vivid.]

[The level of the rune has increased.]

[The rune's tendency grants 1 mana.]

The levels of [Flowing Water Sword Technique] and [Mana Control] have increased.

Speed values are hard to obtain after surpassing 30.

Even though the related rune [Flowing Water Sword Technique] reached level 5, there was no additional gain in speed.

However, mana is still at the initial stage.

With the level of [Mana Control] increasing, I could easily gain mana values.

It had been a while since I saw such effective training results.

'Now the levels are more balanced.'

In the last sparring with Kim Hyowon, [Combat] also reached level 5, and the levels of the runes I've been using have become more balanced.

The runes I had acquired haphazardly for stat increases

were growing quite evenly.

Additionally, I gained new runes from this evaluation.

[Steadfast Endurance] obtained after defeating Kim Hyowon and

[Relentless Charge] obtained after defeating Andoquan.

<Rune Information>

◎Name: Relentless Charge

◎Grade: Epic (Epic)

◎Level: 1

◎Engraved Part: Head

◎Special Effects:

- During a charge, all physical attacks not imbued with mana are ignored, and the opponent can be struck with a force nearly twice the strength value. This effect is only activated with the assistance of a movement-related rune, and ends when the charge ends.

- Speed +1

◎Derived Skills: -

◎Detailed Information:

- As the speed of a charging person accelerates, their nature becomes closer to anger. There is no mercy in the charge of someone who rushes forward without restraint.

Even though this is not a rune he possessed but one he temporarily gained through 'Berserk,' it was still available for selection.

Perhaps because it was the rune he used until the very end of the duel, just before his defeat.

For whatever reason, it was fortunate for me.

This is already my fourth 'Epic Rune.'

Moreover, [Relentless Charge] requires the assistance of a rune for charging.

Since the special effect applies only during a charge, it's perhaps natural.

Fortunately, I have the [Dash] rune, so I can easily meet this condition.

Indeed, runes are useful when you have them.

After confirming the satisfying training results,

I relaxed my posture and took a break.

Clap, clap, clap—

At that moment, applause was heard from somewhere.

It was Professor Kim Myunghyun, who had been watching my training from the side.

"Your movements have changed a bit. Did your rune level increase?"

He immediately noticed the change in my sword.

Today is a rare session of his exclusive lectures.

For a while, he was extremely busy with the Andoquan incident and other matters, so this is a precious time I managed to get by squeezing his schedule.

"Yes. Just now, the [Flowing Water Sword Technique] reached level 5 through training."

"Definitely faster. Holder Joonjae Doh seems to have one of the best sword talents I've seen recently."

"...No, that's not true."

Hearing Professor Kim Myunghyun's praise, I felt embarrassed.

It's not that I have exceptional talent, Professor.

It's because [Seeker's Sweat] is overpowered...

Still, it doesn't seem entirely wrong to say I have talent for the sword.

I've been able to keep up with the classes taught by two professors without any problems, and I obtained the [Combo] skill, which is supposed to be acquired at level 5, at level 3.

Especially, the time it took to learn the advanced sword techniques [Wave Breaking Sword Technique] and [Flowing Water Sword Technique] was much faster compared to others.

Through these experiences,

I realized one peculiar fact.

'The runes at awakening are not everything.'

While the runes a Holder gains at awakening do represent their talent, not having a rune at awakening doesn't mean they lack talent in that area.

My first rune was [Dagger],

but I also had talent for [Sword].

I just couldn't develop it because I didn't receive the rune.

Now, as a multi-Holder with various runes, I can experience and confirm these rune talents directly.

Although I haven't tried it due to the complexity of the process,

I might have talent for magic as well.

"I've heard all about the previous incident. You saved Chaein again this time."

Professor Kim Myunghyun suddenly brought up the previous incident.

When he first heard about the incident,

he had a cold, angry look in his eyes, like a yaksha.

I accidentally overheard the two professors talking in Professor Tak Wonho's office... I had never seen the usually calm Professor Kim Myunghyun so angry.

The fellow Holder who tried to kill his daughter,

and the <Villain> clan, a likely suspect behind the scenes.

As a father, he must have felt unbearable anger at the thought of Kim Chaein being used as a tool by such a criminal organization.

Although I didn't hear the entire conversation, it seemed that Professor Kim Myunghyun would actively participate in investigating this incident.

"Of course, I had to save her. Chaein is my first friend here."

At those words, Professor Kim Myunghyun's expression became strange.

"...Does Holder Joonjae Doh not have any friends?"

"Uh? No, no. I mean... since I came to Seoul."

Here comes the loner frame.

Indeed, he's a scary professor despite his appearance.

"Anyway, thank you very much. It seems I'm always saying thank you to Holder Joonjae Doh."

"I'm also glad Chaein is safe."

"Although it's not much of a trade, if you ever need to ask me for a favor, don't hesitate. I'll do anything I can. This is a promise as Chaein's father, not just as a teacher."

This is a pretty attractive promise.

The value of an A-class Holder is high.

Being able to receive help from such a high-level person at any time is a card that can be used in emergencies.

I bowed slightly and replied.

"Understood. Thank you, Professor."

"Compared to what Holder Joonjae Doh has done, it's nothing. Shall we continue training now?"

"...Yes."

The break seemed too long.

Professor Kim Myunghyun's training is generally not too difficult, but recently, influenced by Professor Tak Wonho, the intensity of the training has been increasing.

Professor Kim Myunghyun laughed at my weak voice.

"Don't look so dejected. Today, I'll teach you something more interesting."

"Something interesting?"

Is there anything interesting in the same daily training?

Professor Kim Myunghyun nodded and continued.

"Yes. I heard from Professor Tak that you used the ultimate skill, Wave Breaking Heaven Sword, in the dungeon."

The first successful use of [Wave Breaking Heaven Sword] in the dungeon.

However, due to the mismatched power, it was immediately restricted.

According to Professor Tak Wonho... I need to reach level 10 in [Wave Breaking Sword Technique] and have over 30 mana to use it again.

I scratched my head and replied.

"Ah, I did use it, but... it was immediately restricted because the conditions weren't met. I need to increase my rune level and mana value a bit more."

"Still, you've used it before."

Professor Kim Myunghyun slowly drew his sword from his waist.

"Today, I'll teach you the ultimate skill of the Flowing Water Sword Technique. The usage conditions are similar to those of the Wave Breaking Sword Technique, but... once you learn it, Holder Joonjae Doh will be able to use it someday."

What a pleasant surprise.

The ultimate skill of [Flowing Water Sword Technique], [Flowing Water Swift Sword].

It's finally time to learn Professor Kim Myunghyun's secret technique.