Chapter 24 (1/2)

”An interesting information?” (Agnes)

”That man…. Most likely, he's not affiliated with Sinyoung.” (Cinzia)

Upon hearing Cinzia's straight-forward declaration, Agnes's slim, shapely eyebrows furrowed noticeably.

”But, that can't be. Kim Hahn-Nah definitely….” (Agnes)

”Sure, that crafty fox is affiliated with Sinyoung. However, what's more important is the fact that the gold stamp wasn't issued by them.” (Cinzia)

”Excuse me?” (Agnes)

”The investigation of his circ.u.mstances has revealed that the Temple of Gula had granted her the stamp, instead.” (Cinzia)

Agnes lowered her head and closed her eyes. She did this out of habit whenever she needed to reorganise her chaotic thought process.

”To have another Gold Mark appear, when Seong s.h.i.+-Hyun is still missing…. So? Don't you think it's all a bit fishy?” (Cinzia)

”Of course, nothing's certain. Oh, well. It really doesn't matter if that crafty fox guides the Gold Mark towards Sinyoung's direction or not. They and we, Sicilia, might not be in a cooperative relations.h.i.+p, but still, we are in an amiable position with them, so there's that.” (Cinzia)

Agnes raised her head. Unfitting for her usual taciturn expression, there was a glint of strange light in her eyes.

”In that case….” (Agnes)

”I'll pacify Maria for you. That girl isn't going to oppose this idea, anyways.” (Cinzia)

”Will it really be fine for me to get involved? My personality dictates that, once I start, I must dedicated myself completely to the task at hand.” (Agnes)

”Right back at you, Drill Sergeant Agnes. You'll have to give it your all, or else.” (Cinzia)

Cinzia's expression became somewhat sinister.

”Seong s.h.i.+-Hyun was an Irregular with a Gold Mark. And that man is also a Gold Mark Irregular. Conditions are seemingly the same. However, if there is one thing different compared to how things were two years ago, then it'd be the trainers involved, isn't it…. Ah, right. Since Seong s.h.i.+-Hyun was personally trained by the 'the one who leads', should I expect to see a marked difference, I wonder?” (Cinzia)

Cinzia didn't miss the too-brief flash of fury rising up on Agnes's face.

”If you think you can do it, then go for it. Show me what the Sicilia's infamous demonic instructor, who had conquered the South, has to offer.” (Cinzia)

”In case that man becomes a powerful enemy that stands in our way at a later juncture, please do not blame me.” (Agnes)

Agnes bowed her head in a respectful manner and quietly made her exit from the room.

”….Hmph. Did I push her a little too hard?” (Cinzia)

Cinzia exhaled the cigarette smoke and chuckled to herself.

[A foot race (Number of available attempts: ꝏ/ꝏ)]

Run around the track until you collapse from fatigue!

Difficulty: Basic

When successful: +10 SP

When unsuccessful: N/A

*Cooperation not allowed

Hoo-hoo, hahaa, hoo-hoo, hahaa…

Seol was running with a completely empty mind on the track while utilising the breathing method Yi Surl-Ah had taught him. He had long gotten rid of the habit of keeping count the number of laps by now. He simply did as the mission required from him - run until collapsing from the exhaustion.

From a certain point onwards, he couldn't even notice anymore that his body was gradually improving further and further. There was only one reason why he continued to train like a madman, though - and that was to win the compet.i.tion against himself. Like now.

He maintained as high a speed as he could and lapped the track dozens of times; yet, as if he was trying to run around the endless ocean, he saw no signs of the finish line.

It was quite obvious that Seol's stamina wouldn't be infinite. No matter how hard he struggled, he would eventually reach his limit.

When that happened, temptations would flood in, fast. They whispered, you've done enough, run after taking a small break, it'll be fine to walk for a bit, why don't you slow down for a while…

When he was so short of breaths that he felt like he'd die at any second, everything around him seemed to fade away. Even taking one step forward became excruciatingly difficult. It was as if a giant wall was blocking his progress. It was telling him that this was as far as he could go.

Suddenly, a drop of tear leaked out from the corner of his eye. He wanted to cry.

He wanted to cry because it was so hard. He knew it was pathetic, but he still wanted to collapse on the floor and cry his eyes out. Then, maybe, just maybe, he'd feel a lot better.

Other survivors were too busy completing various missions, yet why was he here, doing this thankless work all by himself? It wasn't as if anyone would acknowledge the hard work and sacrifice he had put in. No, he began to regret the fact that he entered this place in the first place.

”Kkheuck!”

Seol resolutely held back his tears. He gritted his teeth and endured. Whenever he was on the brink of falling to those whispers, he felt a certain sense of disgusting deja vu creep up on him.

Something told him that, if he couldn't 'win' here, then he'd fall into his bad old habit of gambling in the not so distant future. He'd rather die than fall back into that hateful state ever again. He thought that wis.h.i.+ng for a change when he couldn't even win against himself was an unfunny joke not worth repeating.

This desire, this drive to 'not admit defeat' became the motivating force that ensured he would never falter.

Just recalling the days when he was lost to the ecstasy of gambling boiled his blood and enraged him. Remembering back to how badly he ended up disappointing his family, and how he made Yu Seon-Hwah cry - all those things made him grit his teeth in anguish. He hated himself so much, he could even start harming his own body at this point.

His rage transformed into the whip of stubbornness that mercilessly pounded on his legs.

”Khuooowwaa!!”

He reached out with his hands; his feet powerfully kicked the ground.

As if he was trying to jump over a wall… in order to overcome this wall.

Unbelievably, his outstretched leg didn't falter, and it stepped on the ground with strength and stability.

Right in that moment, a strange feeling wrapped around Seol's senses. The wall that had been resolutely prohibiting his approach until now, became a trusty and secure foothold as he jumped over it and landed on top.

Seol moved his leg one last time, before finally faltering to the ground and rolled ungainly along the track's surface. Even then, he tried to run again and his arms and legs flailed about, only to feel vomit rus.h.i.+ng up his throat.

*SFX for vomit*

Seol continued to puke while tears fell down his face nonstop.

The retching eventually ended, and he powerlessly rolled onto his back. He closed his eyes, wanting to enjoy the remaining traces of ecstasy that overwhelmed his senses just now for a bit longer.

['Basic' difficulty mission has been successfully completed.] [10 Survival points have been accredited to you.] [Current SP: 2840 SP]

Meanwhile, Seol's energyless hands slowly but tightly clenched into fists.

[Your personality trait, 'Weak-willed' has been erased.] [Your stamina level has risen from 'Low - Low' to 'Low - Middle'.]

The track disappeared from his view and the familiar sight of the Neutral Zone's interior entered his view.

Seol was teleported back to the plaza while still on his back. He raised his head slightly when a shadow loomed over him.

His slowly rising eyes spotted someone's rather shapely legs first. Then, he even got to see the ends of the garter belt crossing her inner thighs, just hidden beneath her dress. And when his sights dug in just a little bit higher, a piece of frilly fabric with a cute teddy bear sewn in front that seemed to be protecting the most secretive and important area….

”….Lilac?” (Seol)

Flinch!

Her legs hurriedly backtracked.

Seol nodded his head, thinking that was one very cute bear. Then, after spotting Agnes's cold glare penetrating through her gla.s.ses, he began panicking. How was such a thing even possible, though? After all, she looked like one of those uber-strict head maids working for some historically-important household, so….

”I beg your pardon. I did not expect you to be teleported back while lying on the ground….” (Agnes)

Agnes coughed to clear her throat, and quite abruptly, presented him a cup with some kind of liquid in it. Seol was feeling really thirsty anyway, so he gladly but sloppily accepted it and smiled.

Soon, the cool and refres.h.i.+ng liquid slid down his throat. It felt as if a little bit of his energy had returned immediately. He pushed off the ground and stood up.

”Thank you. I was actually….” (Seol)

”It's 10 SP.” (Agnes)

It wasn't free?!

Seol was about to argue that he was being forced into buying something he didn't really need, but then, had to swallow his words right back down as soon as he felt the changes taking place within his body.

”Oh.” (Seol)

The cold liquid sliding down his throat suddenly felt warm and gentle once it arrived in his tummy. A truly refres.h.i.+ng sensation spread throughout every corner of his body and gently ma.s.saged all the acc.u.mulated fatigue away. Instead of topping up his spent energy, the liquid seemed to enhance his own surging vitality.

”This is….?” (Seol)

”It's nothing much. If you rest for a little longer, the range of your mobility should be, mostly, back to normal.” (Agnes)

Agnes stopped there for a second and stared at Seol.

”And also, although I fully understand your intentions, it'd be for the best that you no longer drink the stamina recovery potion for the time being.” (Agnes)

”Why?” (Seol)

Seol was surprised. Rather than 'How did you know', his surprise was more of 'Why shouldn't I?'

”But, if I want to increase my training time….” (Seol)

”Even I, ever since becoming a trainer, would've never imagined saying these words.” (Agnes)

Agnes fixed her gla.s.ses on her nose.

”You need to decrease the length of your training time.” (Agnes)

”You're telling me to…. train less?” (Seol)

”That is, more or less, correct.” (Agnes)

Agnes readily agreed with his answer as if she was waiting for it.

”It may sound presumptuous of me, but through my observation of the past two weeks, I have come to the conclusion that your training routine has gone beyond the realm of simple fitness training, and is now harming your body, instead. Your body needs time to cool down properly through regular scheduled breaks. However, you're punis.h.i.+ng it even before it can get adequately ready. It is almost to the point of cruelty.” (Agnes)

Her cold a.n.a.lysis left Seol speechless.

”You have been using recovery potions to forcibly regain your stamina…. Although using once or twice is fine, continuous intake over a prolonged period of time will no longer help you. Resting well also forms a part of a proper training routine. The more your fatigued body repeats recovering stamina through natural means, the faster your natural recovery rate will get. Thus, now is the time you let your body get used to recovering naturally.” (Agnes)

”I, uh…. guess so.” (Seol)

”From here onwards, rather than relying on recovery potions that instantly replenish your stamina, I strongly advise you to use various items that aid you in natural recovery, instead - things such as refreshments, special scented oils for bathing, plants or scented candles placed near your pillow, etc.” (Agnes)

Agnes also added that such items should also show minute but positive effects on not just his stamina, but also his endurance, strength, and agility as well.

Seol could only nod his head in a daze. He was currently lost among this influx of information, not knowing what to make of it. He knew she wanted to give him important advice, but right now, that dang teddy bear from before merrily danced inside his brain and he couldn't concentrate properly.

”If it's not too inconvenient for you….” (Agnes)

Completely unaware of what Seol was thinking at the moment, Agnes quietly continued on with her words.

”Pray tell, will you grant me the honour of guiding you?” (Agnes)

She said something very similar on the first day Seol arrived on the Neutral Zone. However, the nuance of her words was a little different this time.

”I'll be grateful.” (Seol)

Seol had no reason to refuse, so he didn't.

”There is one thing that I'm curious about.” (Agnes)

As they climbed up the staircase, Agnes asked him.

”Why do you not eat at the restaurants, and instead, choose the food items you found in the Tutorial's convenience store? You can utilise the services of the restaurants for free.” (Agnes)

Her voice sounded like she was admonis.h.i.+ng him somewhat. Seol sheepishly scratched his cheek.

”Well, uh…. I thought I didn't have a lot of time to waste, so….” (Seol)

”That will not do. Just as proper rest is important, so are your meals. Your body needs more nutrients as you train, yet you've been eating those unhealthy junk food….” (Agnes)