studiobondurri Chapter 60
Chapter 60
For the next week, I threw myself completely into training.
They say when you’re exhausted, you stop thinking, and that was exactly how it felt.
Thankfully, I had the stats forcibly set by the system, or I would have fainted several times by now.
This was my first time doing such intense physical activity since being reborn as Jeong Da-on, and when I got home, I just took a shower and went straight to bed.
Because of that, Leo, who was getting bored, followed Jeong Da-jeong around with a sulky expression every morning. It couldn't be helped.
But there was some reward for my focus. Despite being a last-minute cram, I could see the results of my training each day.
“You know, people who are smart pick up physical skills quickly.”
“That sounds like a provocation.”
“Kind of? Ah, you should jab a little faster and shorter there.”
Yoo Han-ul gave me advice as I swung my sword.
“Anyway, the goal is to create distance. Don’t go any deeper.”
Of course, I admit that it was easier with Yoo Han-ul’s help, coming every two days.
No matter how realistic the VR program is, there’s a clear difference between swinging a sword with advice from him and doing it by yourself.
‘If he’s willing to help, I might as well make the most of it.’
If it’s something I have to learn before going into a dungeon, it’s most efficient to learn from the best teacher available.
And, thanks to absorbing Yoo Han-ul's teachings, I was quickly getting used to swinging the rapier.
Why, out of all weapons, the rapier, you ask?
Well, if I were an ordinary swordsman, I’d naturally be better off with a longsword, something more universally used. But given my physical traits and tendencies, Yoo Han-ul had recommended the rapier.
It was clear he didn’t expect me to put much effort into increasing my physical strength.
As long as I could buy enough time to cast magic, that was enough for me, so I wasn’t unhappy with the choice.
“Alright, watch me. When you jab, don’t hesitate... Got it?”
It sounds so easy, but I feel like I should add that to my list of things to remember.
Even though Yoo Han-ul primarily uses a bastard sword, he seemed well-versed in rapier techniques too.
I took a moment to steady my breath and adjusted my stance, following Yoo Han-ul’s lead.
Doing this reminded me of when I practiced court fencing in my past life.
Although I have memories of it, since I’ve been so disconnected from physical exercise after being reborn as Jeong Da-on, it felt like I was learning from scratch.
“Like this?”
Swish!
The rapier hit the target spot on.
It was a bit shaky and slower compared to Yoo Han-ul’s movements, but that was to be expected.
After all, I probably wouldn’t need to move faster than this in a C-rank dungeon.
Yoo Han-ul nodded in satisfaction.
“Yep, that’s it. Accurate.”
“Alright, that’s enough for now.”
I said, then sat down on the floor.
Just a few days ago, I wouldn’t have collapsed in front of Yoo Han-ul due to pride, even after training, but after a few days of physical training, I quickly realized that it was too much of a luxury to hold onto.
The VR program allowed me to stop and take a break when I needed to, but there was no such pause with Yoo Han-ul.
He laughed as he watched me lie on the floor, then asked,
“Da-on, have you used a rapier before?”
“You just showed me how.”
“If you’re going to follow me after only that, maybe you should be a swordsman, not a mage.”
“Don’t say such terrible things.”
“Done resting?”
“No, not at all... Hey!”
Swish!
Suddenly, Yoo Han-ul brought down a blunt practice sword toward me, lying on the floor.
I barely managed to roll out of the way.
Even though it didn’t seem like he put much force into the practice sword, the floor underneath me was dented.
It wasn’t even wood; it was concrete.
Yoo Han-ul smiled, seemingly satisfied as he saw me avoid the surprise attack.
“The best thing about you is your excellent ability to sense killing intent. Honestly, that’s the most important ability in real combat.”
Of course, there are many sub-categories that are difficult to count.
For me, being a genius, I’m skilled in all magic types, but most mages specialize as they increase in rank.
“If he’s frequently involved in dungeon expeditions, he’s probably focusing on physical magic, right? He’ll be using attack magic most often.”
Given that he seemed more focused on reducing the complexity of spells and speeding up the casting time, it seemed like a group of combat mages focused on attack magic.
Yoo Han-ul gave a vague smile, as if my guess was right.
“You’ll find out when you see him in person. I can’t really say anything more. Revealing another hunter’s battle capabilities is a sensitive issue.”
S-rank hunter capabilities are national-level assets, so they’re not widely known.
Although hunters generally only deal with monsters...
‘Just like Iarin said, there’s a possibility that we’ll be facing human opponents in combat.’
Even Han Jae-young had considered that other countries’ guilds or governments might be targeting me.
A hunter strong enough to be rated S-rank could become a national weapon.
So, it makes sense that battle capabilities are kept confidential.
Of course, Yoo Han-ul, who had personally fought an S-rank monster with a sword in front of hundreds of cameras, was an exception.
Still, I didn’t give up and asked.
“So, is it really necessary to keep it secret? I’ll find out soon enough.”
“I’m not going to answer. Sorry, Da-on.”
...It doesn’t matter.
I’m not going to participate in that ‘Save the World’ quest, even if I die.
-The system analyzes the user, Jeong Da-on’s response as ‘immature.’
What’s immature about it?
After a quick shower in the guild's attached facilities, I visited the office where Han Jae-young was.
“What’s this, why are you both here together?”
“To be precise, he followed me.”
Yoo Han-ul casually spoke, though he probably could’ve gone back.
“I’m here because I couldn’t just leave without greeting Han Jae-young Hunter.”
“That’s very considerate. What, do you want to give me a warning before the dungeon expedition tomorrow?”
With that, Han Jae-young gave a playful smile, clearly aware of Yoo Han-ul’s intentions.
“Yes, yes. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of our new S-rank mage. You can leave now. Shoo~”
“Who’s taking care of whom? You’re being rude.”
“It’s just a figure of speech, Jeong Da-on Hunter. Oh, and congratulations on completing the VR program. You finished in record time.”
As it turns out, the VR program Han Jae-young had asked me to complete in one week was actually a three-week curriculum.
It required defeating five B-rank monsters in a row with an evasion rate of over 60% to pass, meaning three weeks wouldn’t even be enough.
Forcing me to complete it in a week was essentially giving me an impossible quest.
“Are you planning to go into the dungeon without me?”
“Ha, of course not. I knew I could do it, but I didn’t expect Yoo Han-ul Hunter to help.”
Han Jae-young rested his chin and alternately looked at Yoo Han-ul and me.
His gaze felt uncomfortable, as if I could tell what he was thinking.
“You’re making such a big deal out of a C-rank dungeon. Why is that?”
“Well, the fact that Han Jae-young Hunter is going on the C-rank expedition is already noteworthy.”
“I haven’t told anyone, except Yoo Han-ul Hunter, that I’ll be joining the expedition.”
“Well, I see.”
Yoo Han-ul then added briefly.
“I went to the Central Administrative Office today.”
“Right, right. You met the investigators and the victims. You told me on the phone earlier.”
“A hunter from the administrative office who knew me asked me in passing. Why was Han Jae-young Hunter going to a low-level dungeon?”
At those words, Han Jae-young, who had been playfully responding, momentarily widened his eyes before narrowing them.
“HP Guild or not, ‘Han Jae-young Hunter’?”
“Yeah, that’s what he said.”
“You haven’t even submitted the expedition roster to the government, and they heard about it? Who was it?”
“It’s probably not important who it was. What matters is something else.”
After saying that, Yoo Han-ul stood up.
“I don’t know what you two are up to, but the Central Administrative Office is watching. Keep that in mind.”