Chapter 9

< Chapter 9: A Different Start (2) >

Today’s class was as boring as yesterday’s.

A tedious lecture on theories that I already knew.

“Let’s start with the basics. First, let’s talk about the increase in stats.”

The formula for calculating stats in this world is very simple.

“You all know this, but the lowest rank of stats is F rank.”

All eyes were fixed on me.

I knew very well what they wanted to say.

“Of course, there is an exception called rank out for preschool children. But I won’t bother with that here. Anyway, they will be dependent on the rank as they grow up.”

The rank out was what the two old ladies were talking about when they were dissing each other’s children, saying they had intelligence 3 or 5.

“Even if it’s the same F rank, the detailed values are divided from 1 to 99.”

Along with the words of Pi Jin-ho, a hologram screen rose above the podium.

[F rank (1/99) ~ F rank (99/99)]

[F rank (99/99) → E rank (1/99)]

“This is how it works. When you reach 99 points, you move up to the next rank.”

Isn’t this too basic?

I yawned inwardly.

“You all look like you’re wondering why I’m only talking about such basic things.”

I flinched for a moment.

The other cadets also looked like they had hit the mark.

“Then let’s move on to something more advanced.”

The screen changed along with the instructor’s words.

“There are three main ways to increase your stats.”

[1. Combat]

“When you kill monsters or fight villains and gain combat experience, your level goes up and you get ‘free points’ that you can use to increase your stats.”

I can’t get them, I can’t raise them.

[2. Training]

“Besides that, you can also increase your level and stats by doing physical exercises, running, etc.”

This is also a method that I can’t use.

Well, maybe if I do strength training, I’ll gain a little bit of strength.

A tiny bit.

[3. Rest]

“The last one is rest. The human body grows constantly even when resting. Proper rest helps growth, so don’t overdo it.”

In summary, this means that other people can increase their stats just by breathing.

Of course, this has nothing to do with me.

The more I rest, the more fat I grow.

Vigorously.

Rapidly.

…Ah. I’m feeling depressed all of a sudden.

I sighed inwardly.

“Instructor! I have a question!”

Suddenly someone raised their hand and stood up from their seat.

“Go ahead.”

“What is the exact difference between F rank and S rank?”

“That’s a good question.”

The instructor smiled faintly.

“Excluding traits, talents, skills, and looking at it purely from a statistical point of view. The difference between F rank and S rank is…”

Pi Jin-ho glanced around and dragged his words.

“About 200 times according to statistics.”

“2, 200 times?”

“Yeah. Even compared to A rank, it’s about 80 times.”

“Wow… I expected it, but it’s really amazing.”

So, in summary, it means that I need at least 50 to 60 people to beat Shin jia with brute force.

“Of course, when you become an S rank superhuman or higher, the stat adjustment by skills or traits becomes enormous. It’s not 200 times, but more than 1000 times difference can occur.”

I was forced to face the reality that I had been avoiding.

It’s depressing.

“Everyone be quiet.”

The atmosphere in the hall became noisy with the talk of a 1000 times difference, and the instructor cut it off.

“Of course, having high stats and rare skills and traits doesn’t mean everything. There’s one more important thing.”

The hologram screen changed again.

[Item]

“That’s right. It’s an item.”

My eyes sparkled.

That’s right!

What good is having good stats and skills? If you don’t have an item, you’re nothing.

The instructor knows something.

“This is the sword used by Kang Min-soo, a famous S-rank superhuman.”

[Key of Six Worlds/S Rank]

“Wow.”

“That’s crazy.”

There were constant exclamations from around me.

“It has a terrifying option. Of course, the wearing restriction is also terrifying.”

It was the first time I saw this sword.

It wasn’t in the novel either.

“Here’s a question. If a B-rank superhuman wearing this sword fights an S-rank superhuman using a normal iron sword, who will win?”

Oh ho.

It was a rather profound question.

“There’s no need to say it. The S rank superhuman wins.”

Choi Ji-hoon spoke arrogantly with his arms crossed.

“Why is that?”

“Because you can’t reverse the 2 rank difference in stats just by having a good item.”

“Hmm. Good. Any other opinions?”

This time Shin Jia stepped forward.

“The B rank superhuman wins.”

“Why?”

“As Choi Ji-hoon cadet said, the S rank superhuman has an advantage in terms of stats.”

The teacher smiled as if he was enjoying it.

“Then why do you say the B-rank superhuman wins?”

“The S-rank superhuman’s sword is a normal iron sword. It will shatter as soon as it collides with the Key of Six Worlds. Then the S-rank superhuman is defenseless. The B rank superhuman wins.”

There were exclamations of Wow! from around me.

“Excellent.”

The instructor praised her, and Choi Ji-hoon’s face turned fierce.

“Of course, cadet Choi Ji-hoon’s opinion is not wrong either. The difference in stats is not something that can be easily narrowed down.”

At the instructor’s words, Choi Ji-hoon’s expression finally relaxed.

“I’ve talked too long. What I want to say is one thing. Don’t blindly trust your stats.”

The hologram screen changed again.

“Skills, traits, talents, items. There are many variables in combat, and those variables can turn the tide of stats in an instant. Remember that. That’s all.”

With that, the instructor left the classroom.

I mulled over the instructor’s words.

“The advantage of stats is not the advantage of combat…”

I imagined myself in the distant future, wearing all kinds of [Ancient Relics] items on my body.

“Good.”

I felt a surge of fighting spirit.

* * *

The fighting spirit that was burning fiercely was completely burned out in an hour.

“Hah, hah…”

“Cadet Kang Seo-yul! Don’t pretend to be sick!”

I forgot.

I forgot that the training of this superhuman academy was Spartan.

“I don’t care if you’re F-rank. Get up!”

The hat was pulled down and the tone of voice was…

It reminded me of the drill instructor at the training camp.

“Even if your potential for stat growth is low, you can cover it up with effort until D rank. The reason why your stats are F rank is because you’re not trying hard enough.”

It was exactly the same as the comment that scratched people’s nerves.

I gritted my teeth.

“Ugh!”

Yeah. Let’s see who wins.

I’ll hold on no matter what, even if I die.

Just watch.

“Oh, God! Help!”

“One. Two. Good. If you keep trying like that, your rank will go up soon.”

I clenched my teeth and continued the physical training.

“Your voice is too small! Cadet Kang Seo-yul! Put some spirit into it!”

“Aaah!”

And then, five minutes later.

“Assistant! Bring the stretcher!”

I passed out.

The will couldn’t beat the flesh.

But it was a good thing.

Thanks to that, the suspicion that I was hiding my stats was completely gone.

[#Academy#Worst#Physical#Premature]

[Likes: 3028 / Dislikes: 128]

Instead, I got the nickname of the worst physical premature in the history of the academy, but if you look at it from a result perspective, it’s a benefit.

…Anyway, let’s call it that.

* * *

That evening.

[You’re really good at acting, ancestor! How can you be so cunning?]

“…Brutus, you too.”

Shin Jia’s message made me feel miserable again.

[Ha ha. This is just the basics.]

My heart hurts.

It felt like my conscience was crying.

[The strange footsteps you mentioned last time are gone too! You’re really amazing at acting! (A bear emoticon with a thumbs up)]

Please stop.

It’s too painful.

[Oh, right. The equipment you asked for last time. I think I’ll have it in my hands tomorrow morning.]

“Oh!”

[Really? That’s fast, isn’t it?]

[Of course! Who did you ask? I handled it at the speed of light! (A smug dog emoticon)]

I smiled bitterly.

[Your butler didn’t go at the speed of light, did he?]

[I, I’m Mr. Tae-jin and Mr. Tae-jin is me!]

I could see Shin Jia’s flustered face in my mind.

[Anyway, thank you. It must have been pretty expensive.]

[No! It was an amount that I could handle within my line!]

[Is, is that so?]

Ah. I see.

I underestimated the third-generation chaebol too much.

[Then where should we meet tomorrow?]

[Hm. I’d prefer a quiet place if possible.]

I wanted to receive the equipment as quietly as possible.

[Hm. Well, since it’s a day off, do you want to come to my house? It would be the quietest place there.]

* * *

On Saturday afternoon.

I was standing in a house that was so luxurious that it was unbelievable.

“Welcome.”

The butler who I had seen once before greeted me.

“Please follow me. Jia is waiting for you in her room.”

I don’t know if it was a misunderstanding, but I felt a strong hostility from the butler’s eyes.

“…How dare you, a white-faced monkey.”

“…”

It seemed that it was not a misunderstanding.

I tried not to make eye contact with him as I followed him.

It was obvious that ‘the owner of this house lives here’ as we arrived at the door.

Knock knock-

“We have a guest.”

“Come in.”

He opened the door with a graceful gesture. His eyes were still fierce.

“Welcome.”

As I entered the room, the butler quickly followed me and closed the door.

“You can leave, sir.”

“Yes? But…”

“Please leave.”

Shin Jia put her hand on her side and smiled fiercely.

“…Yes.”

The butler left the room with a look of a warrior who failed to protect the earth, biting his lips.

“He’s really worrying about me.”

Shin Jia sighed lightly.

“Ancestor! Welcome!”

Then she changed 180 degrees and came to me with a bright smile.

Her room was large and tidy. It looked like it was more than 30 square meters.

“I’ve put the equipment you asked for over here.”

Shin Jia pointed to a small carrier in one corner of the room.

“Except for the bow, they’re not very bulky, so you won’t have any trouble taking them with you.”

“Oh. Thank you.”

I opened the lid of the box and briefly checked the inside.

“Let’s see. Hmm.”

I closed the box in three seconds.

I had no idea what was what.

I can’t see the status window, how can I check?

“Do you not need to check?”

jia tilted her head.

“You’ve prepared everything well, jia. Hahaha.”

I dodged it vaguely.

“Ancestor…”

Don’t look so touched.

It makes me feel guilty.

As I turned my head to avoid her gaze, I saw it.

“…A wooden brooch?”

A wooden brooch hanging on the wall caught my eye.

“Oh, as expected of the ancestor. You recognized it right away.”

jia smiled brightly.

“It’s an ancient relic of the elves [Tranquility of the Forest]. Unfortunately, I can’t wear it because of the wearing restriction.”

She soon became gloomy.

She wasn’t such a character who showed such diverse expressions in the original work.

“I wish I could give it to you as a gift… But my father would go crazy if he found out.”

“…I’m not that conscienceless.”

Even so, I wouldn’t ask for the family heirloom.

“Oh! I forgot. Do you want to try it on?”

“Huh? Um.”

I wondered if there was any need to do that, but. I might not get another chance to try on an item of another race.

This might be an opportunity to test my ability.

“Okay. Let’s try it on then.”

I casually took out the brooch and put it on.

“Wow. It suits you very well.”

I felt a vitality bubbling up from my whole body.

Is this the effect of [Tranquility of the Forest]?

What exactly is the effect?

“It keeps the wearer’s condition always at its best. Do you feel it?”

“Yeah. I feel refreshed.”

Keeping the condition at its best.

If it keeps you in your best condition all the time, it can be considered a cheat item.

Of course, it’s not that useful for me right now.

What’s the point of being in your best condition? The original is trash anyway.

I completely let go of any greed for the item.

“Ack! Look at me. You came and I didn’t even offer you tea!”

“No, tea is-”

“Just wait a minute!”

Shin Jia ran towards the door at the speed of light.

“-fine.”

She disappeared from my sight before I could finish my sentence.

“I was going to leave soon anyway.”

It would be awkward to leave right after she brought me tea.

As I scratched the back of my head, it happened.

“Creak!”

Zzzzzzzzzz!

Suddenly sparks flew out of the brooch I was wearing.

“Agh, ugh!”

The pain was so intense that I let out a scream without knowing it.

But this was Shin Jia’s room.

I couldn’t make a fuss for no reason.

I desperately held back my scream.

Zzzzzzzzzz!

The sparks were getting stronger and stronger.

The heat was also rising rapidly.

“…Th-this!”

It was the same sensation that I felt when [Protection of World Tree] overloaded!

I tried frantically to remove the brooch.

“Ugh!”

But it wasn’t easy to remove the brooch.

My fingers were too numb.

Zzzzzzzzzz!

That’s when it happened.

[Error! Error! Unknown! !!]

The broken error message flashed on my retina again.

Please motivate me!