Chapter 27 (1/2)

Seol spent a bit of time explaining to Yi Surl-Ah that Competence wasn't a drug, that he wasn't doping or anything like that. After convincing her somehow, he headed to the gym on the third floor.

For some reason, Agnes hadn't show up for a while. But, he figured that it didn't really matter - even if she wasn't around to supervise the proceedings, Seol still faithfully stuck to the diet and training regime she laid out and soldiered on alone.

After ending the physical training, he returned to his quarters and practiced his Magic Power Application while taking a break at the same time. Seol was a human being just like everyone else, so he found it easier and several dozen times more enjoyable to sit and meditate than do squats with barbells resting on his shoulders for hours on end, which was something he still hadn't gotten used to.

As for Magic Power Application, the more he practiced, the faster the speed of the energy flow became. The sense of unfamiliarity also gradually lessened until it was gone for good. Since moving it from the get-go wasn't an issue, he instead focused on accepting this energy as a part of his own body as well as exerting finer control over its flow.

It'd be past midday when he finished with meditation. Seol would head back down to the first floor, this time for the Job-related trainings.

These training missions may bookend the day's proceedings for him, but actually, Seol looked forward to them the most. It helped that he liked doing them as well. Sometimes, when he swung and stabbed his spear, his mind became free from all distracting thoughts. He felt that the hours were figuratively flying away in a blink in this state.

He even went and bought a spear to use during the training missions. It cost him a grand total of 580 Survival points.

A short spear was already provided for the Job related training missions, but he found it a tad too short for his personal taste. Also, the fact that he couldn't bring it out of the missions played a key role in the decision to buy a spear of his own. If he were to continue using it at a later date, it seemed like a prudent thing to get used to the weapon as early as possible.

Seol focused on mastering three spear techniques - thrust, strike, and cut.

Although there were more techniques available, Seol chose to stick to these three only. Stabbing, swatting away, and slicing apart - he knew that the Seol of the dream managed to kill and destroy countless enemies with these three techniques alone.

While partaking in the training missions, Seol always adhered to four rules.

First, as Agnes told him to, he never used his Magic Power during training. Not even once.

Second, if his posture wasn't what he envisioned nor looking for, then that practice move didn't count, and he tried it again and again.

Three, he'd perform the same basic move at least 1250 times during the missions.

And finally, even if he was in the middle of hard training, he'd never neglect eating healthy food and proper rest.

He settled on the number 1250 simply because of the special Competence; since it gave 8 times the boost to the training's effects, wasn't it the same as him performing the move 10000 times in a single day?

By the time he was done with these training missions, his smartphone's clock would display past midnight. The end of the day's routine had come to an end at this point. He would return to his quarters completely drained, but his complexion remained bright. This continued on for several days and weeks. Of course, he had a good reason to smile all the time.

[Your Status Windows] [1. General Information]

Summoned date: March 16th, 2017

Marking Grade: Gold

s.e.x/Age: Male/26

Height/Weight: 180.5 cm/72.8 kg

Current Condition: Good

Job: LV. 1 (Warrior)

Nationality: The Republic of Korea (Area 1)

Affiliation: N/A

Alias: 'Top of the pile'

[2. Personality] Temperament:

- Short tempered.

- Patient. (Will endure and overcome pain and/or hards.h.i.+p)

Apt.i.tude:

- Average. (Normal in every way; possesses no particular talent or qualities)

[3. Physical Level]

Strength: Low - High ↑2

Endurance: Low - High ↑2

Agility: Medium - Low ↑2

Stamina: Low - High ↑2

Magic: Medium - High

Luck: Medium - Low

Remaining Ability points: 1

[4. Abilities] Innate abilities (2)

- Future Vision (Grade unknown)

- Nine Eyes (Grade unknown)

Job related abilities (2)

- Magic Power Application (Intermediate)

- Basic spearmans.h.i.+p: Thrust (Upper Intermediate), Strike (Intermediate), Cut (Intermediate)

Other abilities (0) [5. Level of Cognition]

Moderate (Actions and thoughts are sensible; hard-working)/Intense Yearning/Chaotic (Many things are jumbled up and is impossible to unravel)

Seol's mood as he checked his Status Windows was one of contentment. His Physical Stats had risen by nine times. Just by relying on physical exercises, he had achieved the exact same results as drinking 9 Elixirs. He'd need 270,000 Survival points if he wanted to match that.

”Ouch….” (Seol)

While he was happily checking out his Status, the stinging pain coming from his hands made him deeply frown. He didn't have to look to see why it hurt - his hands must've been bruised badly again.

He began was.h.i.+ng the aching hands with cold water, and his teeth began clattering all on their own.

'D*mn it, I thought my hands are calloused enough by now….' (Seol)

Although he was complaining inwardly, he still appreciated the progress he had made; the first day he practiced with a spear, the skin ruptured and he was bleeding all over the place. He was in so much pain that day, right up to the moment he hit the sack and pa.s.sed out.

'Should I take a shower, or just go to sleep as I am?' (Seol)

While Seol was wondering what to do next, he heard someone knock on his door.

”Who is it?” (Seol)

Seol opened the door, only for his eyes to open wide in surprise.

Past the doorway stood a woman wearing a French maid get-up, her hands demurely gathered in front; he could see her cold, strict eyes behind the pair of gla.s.ses and her slim, athletic figure as well her hair cleanly pulled up to a bun.

”Miss Agnes?” (Seol)

”It's been a while.” (Agnes)

”What brings you here at this late hour….?” (Seol)

”There is something I'd like to talk to you about.” (Agnes)

”Of course. Please come in.” (Seol)

”Thank you,” said Agnes in a polite manner and entered his room in a dignified stride.

”Ah, that's right. Agnes?” (Seol)

Seol was guiding her into the room, before turning towards her direction as if he had remembered something just now.

”Yes?” (Agnes)

”How is your little teddy bear doing nowadays?” (Seol)

Pow!

Her lightning-fast fist landed squarely in the pit of his stomach. Seol toppled over and began wheezing in pain.

”Ouuuuch….” (Seol)

”You and that stupid teddy bear!!!” (Agnes)