Beginning of Summer (2)
Originally, Shinyoung didn’t pay much mind to the World Rookies Creator Contest. It simply had nothing to do with Shinyoung, who didn’t focus on fostering superhumans in the production field. Lee Manwoo had handled things quietly, waiting, and watching with the feeling that something exciting would happen. And it did. There was a terrorist incident at the 5-star hotel in the Choin Shopping Center where the contest was held. Thanks to that, rumors that Kang Shin-hyuk and Lee Na-hee had participated in the contest and won the grand prize attracted a lot of attention.
“It’s scary. To think they’d be so bold to attack a place like that.”
“I heard Shinyoung participated in the contest this year. I’m glad everyone returned safely.”
“It was Lee Na-hee and Kang Shin-hyuk, right? It’s surprising that the Rookie King took part, but isn’t Lee Na-hee the granddaughter of Lee Manwoo?” It was Saturday in the faculty office for the Department of Magic. It was a busy day for the teachers despite it being a holiday due to the terrorist attack that had just occurred in the middle of Seoul yesterday. Most of the teachers had gathered as a result, watching the news of the event.
“Goodness.”
“Oh, Lee Manwoo!” Lee Manwoo had appeared before the morning check-up began. Even though he was a teacher at this school, the teachers had never seen him in the office before. They greeted him with amazement and joy as he entered.
“Congratulations on your granddaughter winning the grand prize!”
“I knew that kid was talented!” The reason Shinyoung didn’t pay attention to the contest was that they weren’t at a stage where they could play an active part, instead of focusing their resources on training the new generation of superhumans, not to disparage its value. All superhumans wanted to have good equipment, and they needed connections with craftsmen for that. The Alchemist Claire Boyle had become renowned through winning the contest, and those at Shinyoung were very excited to make a good impression with Lee Na-hee, who was in a similar position now.
“Well…” Lee Manwoo responded with scorn, seeing through their intentions. The long sword was a product completed by both students, and the article said as much. Nevertheless, Kang Shin-hyuk naturally took a lesser role to Lee Na-hee. Why did they ignore Kang Shin-hyuk? The reason was obvious. It had to do with how they had treated him originally when he was just a student who didn’t have mana.
“I’m here about the club.” Lee Manwoo intentionally didn’t say anything about it, however. He couldn’t hide Kang Shin-hyuk’s ability, so they would notice when the right time came, anyway. It would just be more troublesome to talk about it by himself.
“Oh, the Artifact Creation Club! Don’t worry, the club that took the grand prize cannot be destroyed!”
“No, I can’t ignore proper procedures. Who do I submit the form to?”
“Ah…” The teachers’ helped Lee Manwoo complete the forms to reinstate the club. With this, Kang Shin-hyuk would be able to practice metallurgy more freely. He had successfully cleared the condition he had set when he first joined the club.
“Mr. Lee Manwoo, are you sure you want to start your activities back up?” One of the teachers approached him. Everyone in the faculty office looked at him, eyes shining as if they all wanted to ask that. Most of the teachers at Shinyoung didn’t actually know why he was a teacher there. Everyone knew of his reputation as the legendary Great Chief, who was once the president of the Superhuman Association, but not why he had become a teacher.
“…No, I have no intention of holding the hammer myself.” It took him a moment to think about it, but he finally responded with conviction. They thought he only started the club back up because of his precious granddaughter.
“Is that so…”
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“But, Lee Manwoo, it may be presumptuous, but your talent is too much to be left behind…”
“Huh.” Lee Manwoo wanted to laugh. There was a time when he was convinced his talent was the best in the world.
‘Everyone will be surprised soon enough.’ After graduating from Shinyoung, Kang Shin-hyuk would be one of the best artifact creators in the world. The contest was just the start. Lee Manwoo was committed to ensuring his path forward was clear; the same path he had once walked. He no longer had confidence in himself being the best, but he could lead Kang Shin-hyuk to that peak. To add one more personal wish to that, he also wanted Lee Na-hee to stand next to him at that time.
‘It seems possible. After meeting him, she seemed a little despondent, but now…’ If only his granddaughter could act a little more honestly, their relationship would progress faster.
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***
-As today’s log in bonus, you’ve received a buff to status increases! For two days, the growth rate of all stats will increase by 50%!
[Lee Na-hee: Junior!]
On that same Saturday morning, Kang Shin-hyuk was working hard in the training room attached to his bedroom after receiving a buff to his growth rate. He was pushing his body hard to try and raise his status.
[Lee Na-hee: Let’s work together in the afternoon.]
However, a call from Lee Na-hee came in when he was about to take a break after three hours of training. He had been receiving messages all day since winning the grand prize the other day, so it was a nice change of pace.
[Feeling active today?]
[Lee Na-hee: You made an artifact without telling me. I want to make better artifacts too. We’ll make something even stronger, so cooperate with me.]
[I didn’t realize you were the type to work so hard.]
[Lee Na-hee: No, not really.]
[Lee Na-hee: Just…]
[Just?]
[Lee Na-hee: Anyway, let’s work later. Be prepared!]
[I have other things to do tonight.]
[Lee Na-hee: Going to see an alchemist?]
She hit the nail on the head. They didn’t have time to meet up yesterday, given all that had happened, but she promised to feed him if he won.
[Lee Na-hee: Then let me join too.]
[No, why?!]
[Lee Na-hee: I also want to meet the Alchemist.]
[There’s no way…]
There was a good chance Shin Eunah would be there as well, but he did owe Lee Na-hee. With a sigh, he made up his mind.
[Wait a second.]
He couldn’t refuse now that Lee Na-hee knew about his association activities. He expected Claire would refuse anyway, so he could tell her that.
[Bartender sister: Um, okay!]
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[Why?!]
Claire agreed without hesitation.
[Bartender sister: I’m curious about how you’re doing at school. Besides, it’s a chance to celebrate! Since she helped you make it, it’s not strange to invite her along.]
[If you’re curious about my school life, I can tell you!]
[Bartender sister: No, it’s completely different to hear about it from someone else. And…]
[And?]
[Bartender sister: Anyway, make sure to bring her! No, we’ll be gathering in your room, so bring her to your room.]
In the end, she asked him to bring Lee Na-hee. His only way of escape had vanished, so he replied to Lee Na-hee with a sigh.
[Lee Na-hee: Is that right? It must’ve been that woman.]
[What? What do you mean?]
[Lee Na-hee: You don’t need to know.]
[Isn’t that rude?]
[Lee Na-hee: Hm? What do you mean, Mr. Death Puppeteer?]
[Ah.]
After chatting a bit more, he agreed to meet with her in the club room and stood up. He would still have some time to spare even after washing up and eating lunch, but he had something he needed to do first.
“It’s time to check the loot.”
-Myu!
Onyx, who had been sitting in a corner while he trained, rushed over at the idea of food.
“Wait. We need to see if you can eat it first.” The Hero Universe’s automatic routing function had already collected and sorted the loot from yesterday, so he hadn’t actually looked at it yet.
“Let’s see…” He took out the stinger first. It was part of the ones left behind by the lesser wasps that were killed by the web.
“Can you eat this?”
-Myu…? Myu!
Onyx examined it only for a brief moment before rushing to devour it. He had no need to worry about poison; he was better at resisting it than Kang Shin-hyuk.
-Myuuuuu!
“Is it delicious?”
-Myuuuuu!
“I won’t give you the queen’s stinger though.”
-Myu…
Kang Shin-hyuk offered him a few lesser stingers before pulling out the three core items he had received. The skill stone, the stinger of the queen wasp, and the wing bracelet. He hoped to collect the wings that summoned that powerful wind, but instead, he had received an artifact.
“Wow, it’s crazy.”
-Myuuu…
The loot was good no matter what he looked at.
“Am I lucky?”
-People with natural production abilities tend to receive better loot. This is an unknown fact as those with production abilities tend not to fight.
“Long live metallurgy.” Kang Shin-hyuk reached out for the skill stone first. It emitted a brilliant green light and was undoubtedly worth a very pretty penny. He intended to learn it himself if possible, however.
Only
[Cruel Storm’s Skill Stone]
[Rareity: S-rank]
[A mana stone containing the ability to create a storm that tears up all enemies around you. There is a minor possibility that if you do not have strong durability, you will be torn apart.]
“That’s a fatal drawback!” Sometimes that would happen, however. Some skills weren’t suited for humans to learn. It would still sell for a lot, but he felt a bit let down.
“Well, it’s fine. I don’t need to use it right away.” He had the backing of his regeneration, so maybe he could use it someday. He crushed it in his hand, letting his spiritual power wrap around it as it splintered and was absorbed into him.
-You’ve absorbed the active skill [Cruel Storm (S-)]. The skill [Wind Mastery (A-)] has absorbed its power and evolved into [Wind Master (S)]! Spiritual power has grown to the S-rank!
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-You’ve realized the meaning behind using wind. Wind Mastery skill proficiency has grown to the B+ rank!
Kang Shin-hyuk sat down as the memories he had forgotten began to flood into him once more with his spiritual power increasing.