Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Kekei Style Mastery (2)
I carefully looked around the room, but there was no sign of Ren at all. It seemed like he had just disappeared. Even his backpack was still in the room.
'If he left purposely, he wouldn't have left all his stuff here. This means he's planning to come back'
Responding the Bam's question, I said.
"Well, he left all his stuff here, so he'll probably be back later today."
'if he's not here in tomorrow's class, I'll just use the Book of Truth to find his location. I swear if this guy makes me waste any more SP'
Bam and I carefully left the room, cleaned all signs of intrusion, and split up. I headed towards the training hall while Bam went to his dorm room. While walking to the training hall, a girl with jade-green hair, who I remembered was in my class, approached me.
'what does she want?'
"Hey, you checked out Ren's dorm, right? Was he there?"
"Nah, but his stuff was all there. He'll probably be back by tomorrow."
'why does this girl care so much about Ren? Is this...'
"By the way, are you by any chance Ren's girlfriend?"
"... fuck no"
'to be honest, I would probably respond the same way if I got asked that question'
The girl left, so I continued walking to the training hall. Approaching the training hall, I was about to enter when I realized had forgotten something really important. REALLY IMPORTANT
'SVEN, HE'S STILL A DJINN'
Immediately, I grabbed my smartwatch and Book of Truth.
[Hack into Chae Nayun's smartwatch]
[25 SP Required]
[Confirm]
I didn't care about morals at this point. If something happened to Chae Nayun, the plot would majorly change. I opened my smartwatch and immediately checked her messages.
[Sven: Hey, wanna partner up for the hunting club thing tomorrow?]
[Nayun: Sure]
I sighed in relief. Sven would make his move tomorrow, so I hadn't missed anything. After calming myself down, I decided on a plan in my head.
'since I'm part of the hunting club, I can go to the event. I just have to follow them from a distance and if Sven tries anything, I'll help'
I formulated the plan and headed into the training hall.
-*- (Still Hajin POV, just next day)
I woke up and headed to class. Unexpectedly, Ren still wasn't there, but right now, I had bigger things to worry about. I know it sounds mean that I'm prioritizing Chae Nayun's safety over Rens, but the plot could change a lot if I don't help Chae Nayun here. I'd already confirmed through the Book of Truth that Ren was alive, so I didn't worry much.
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A/N: I know I'm going a bit out of order by Hajin saving Chae Nayun from Sven before searching for Aether, but it's a bit late for me to change everything, so I'll just him go look for Aether before Yoo Yeonha's kidnapping.
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'as he said, he's 1 rank above me. Why should I worry about him'
The teacher asked us again about Ren, but while we still had no answers, I said he texted me that he had some trouble and would be back for tomorrow's class. I would make sure that guy is back before tomorrow's class, he made me suffer through 2 whole days of paying attention. I have to admit with him, class is pretty entertaining.
The teacher wouldn't punish him for missing two classes as after the Magma Megalith incident, he would assume he went to visit his parents. After classes ended, I got up and headed back to the dorm to change into some clothes for the hunting event. I headed to the meeting spot mentioned in the hunting club email.
When I arrived, I took a glance at Chae Nayun who was standing with Sven. Besides those two, I could not recognize anyone else. After it was 4, the president began explaining the hunting competition between students, and he also called me out for attending the orientation. I just made the excuse that I was busy though.
'little does he know, this is my last time coming to this club'
After the president finished his announcements, every split off, I walked in the opposite direction of Chae Nayun, so Sven wouldn't notice anything. It didn't matter as with my eyes, I could see them from over 1000 meters away even through the dense forest. After I was alone, I started walking towards Chae Nayun and Sven. They were not that far away, so after around 5 minutes, I was already there.
I watched the conversation from a distance. From what I heard, Chae Nayun and Sven agreed on a bet where the winner would be able to ask the loser to do something of their choice.
'this is an obvious confession of love. how the hell does Nayun not see it? She really is stupid'
After the two concluded the competition, Sven easily won with his djinn powers and he asked.
"Go out with me."
"No, sorry we've only known each other for a week, and I don't like dating people weaker than me"
'is this girl instigating? "I don't like dating people weaker than me" Just reject him like a normal person
After his rejection, Sven immediately unleashed a dark purple aura and flew into the air with some unknown tentacles holding him up in the air.
-*- (POV Change to Ren) (yes, I know finally)
"ahhhhhh"
I opened my eyes and immediately the lightness of the sun blinded me. I tried to move my body, but none of it was responding.
"well I did take like 6 painkillers and 5 potions in 10 minutes. This is completely my fault."
I used my last remaining strength to open my smartwatch and check the time, 8:30 A.M.
'ah thank god, I've only been out for like 8 hours'
Then I glanced at the date. I wasn't out for 8 hours, but an entire day and 8 hours. Worst of all when I checked my messages, I had 30 unreads from Kim Hajin and Bam. It seemed like my message to Bam with my alibi didn't go through. After lying down for another hour, I finally gained enough strength to sit up right.
'now's the moment of truth. Was almost killing myself worth it?'
I opened my status menu and checked my authorities immediately.
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[Authroitites]
--- Kekei Style [Minor Realm of Mastery 1/?? ] Horizontal Slash 0 / 100,000
--- [Minor Realm of Mastery] You can communicate with Wind Spirits and make a contract with one even though you are not an Elementalist. You can only make 1 contract.
[Variable Stats]
[Speed: 13]
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"holy fuck, that's insane"
You might not understand how powerful a contract with a spirit may be, but paired with Keiki Style, it would be overpowered. If I had a wind spirit that I had to command at will, I would no longer have to waste time gathering them as one wind spirit would already be next to me. I didn't know how this would affect my maximum damage output, but I knew my DPS would increase.
The next movement "Horizontal Slash" This movement is barely ever used in the Author's POV, so I don't think I'm gonna waste my time mastering it any time soon. Maybe after my 2nd year in the cube.
'if I even make it to my 2nd year'
I got up and made myself some food with the ingredients I had brought two days ago, however, they had all gone bad.
'well beggars can't be choosers'
After eating, it seemed my body had recovered a bit, but I was in no shape to make the trek back home. While eating, I realized something.
'oh fuck, what did I do to the forest'
Gathering some of my strength, I pushed myself up with my hands and staggered to the edge of the cave.
"..."
three-fourths of the entire forest and there was a gigantic crater left in the ground where I was training. I estimated that my last and most powerful flash had single-handedly destroyed one-fourth of the forest. I couldn't even imagine how much more powerful that quick flash would have been if I had a contract with Wind Elementals. I smirked just thinking about it.
I was now probably the most powerful first year in the cube. I didn't know about the 2nd and 3rd years, but I assumed there might be one or two people stronger than me as my swordplay was still quite bad and I lacked experience. I laid down to rest again, this time in my tent, and I remembered.
"oh Hajin should be saving Nayun from Sven in a bit"
'I should probably go there to make sure nothing changes. Even if I have the log, if something happens, I would be too far to do a thing'
I set an alarm for 12 and went back to rest.
*BEEP*
*BEEP*
I woke up and subconsciously shut off the alarm with my hand. I had done it without even intending to do it.
'wow, I'm natural at this. Can I go pro?'
At this point, my body was stable, but I definitely couldn't use any quick flashes or any inhumane speed. After thinking about it, I realized there was one problem. With the massive destruction of the forest, surely the hero association would come to investigate, so if I came back to the Cube on a mana train straight from that city, it would be very suspicious. I'm going to have to walk all the way, aren't I?
'why does this shit always happen to me'
After packing up everything, I discarded the tent as I couldn't leave behind any evidence, and I sure as hell couldn't carry a heavy tent with me on my walk. First, I walked nearer to the city until I got enough cell service to use my smartwatch. I then put the address of The Cube in my smartwatch. 8 hour walk. great. I'm gonna have to use my speed, aren't I?
I tightened my backpack around my waist and got ready to run.
'Even though, I know that I'm gonna hurt like hell after doing this, I'm still doing it. Am I a masochist?'
I ran at 10 speed, double the speed state of a normal hero, and quadrupled the speed state of a normal civilian. After about two hours, I was already halfway there. I grabbed my log to check on Hajin, and it seemed he was just messing around in class.
'oh, he's checking his smartwatch. Did this guy hack into Chae Nayun's smartwatch? This guy likes her'
I decided that once I was near the cube, I would use the log to find Hajin, and then return to my dorm with him, so I ran. And I ran. For two hours straight, I ran... And I finally reached the forest near the Cube. I grabbed a potion from my backpack and drank it. I was tempted to eat a painkiller, but I knew an addiction would be born if I did that, so I held back. I felt a bit better after drinking the potion, so I opened my smartwatch to check The Log.
'All alright Hajin's at the hunting club orientation, listening to the announcements of the instructor'
After getting a general idea of his location, I walked towards him, but before I could find him. I saw Chae Nayun and Sven hunting together. Trying to be as quiet as impossible, I immediately stepped back 20 steps to get caught. I followed them from a distance as I not only had to avoid Chae Nayun and Sven but also Kim Hajin, who was probably tracking them as well.
Then I saw the sign. A large amount of dark purple aura immediately burst into the air, and tentacles appeared in its place. I moved closer as Hajin and Chae Nayun were completely focused on the fight. I saw Hajin save Chae Nayun, and then Nayun grabbed a sword and killed Sven to save Hajin.
'why am I sad to see them being fine without me?'
Ten minutes after the fight, I stumbled out of the forest and into the clearing where Kim Hajin was. I was pretending to check my smartwatch and walk forward when I heard Hajin's voice.
"dude, what the hell happened to you?"
'oh, not again. my clothes were completely torn. Again!'
"dude I missed my mana train, so I walked here from nearby city, I was with my parents"
"ah, I see. You should know I covered for you and everything. I told the teacher that you were gonna come tomorrow"
"Thanks, but... What happened over here? Did you guys?" I said this while gesturing toward the exhausted Chae Nayun on the floor.
At the same time, Chae Nayun and Hajin said, "NO"
"my bad hahaha"
"..."
Both of them glared at me
"Anyways what are you doing way over here, let's head back. no?"
"I think she's suffering from mana exhausting, she can't really move."
"Then just carry her. Be a gentleman Hajin. let's go"
I started walking away and turned around to see Hajin picking up an immobile Chae Nayun. To think this girl hated him a month ago, and she's completely ok with being carried around on his back.
We walked in silence through the forest, until I broke the ice.
"so uhhh what happened to you guys?"
Hajin proudly said.
"We killed a djinn"
'this guy getting a bit too cocky. Time to humble him'
"hahaha, what do you mean we? she probably did all the work"
Chae Nayun, who was previously silent on his back, perked up and said.
"Yea this guy was flapping around in his octopus arms while I finished it off with one blow"
Kim Hajin, now completely humbled, said.
"why can't you let me have anything Ren?"
"You were just getting a bit too cocky for my taste. As your friend, it's my job to humble you"
"..."
Chae Nayun broke out into laughter
"HAHAHAHA"
We finally reached The Cube, so Hajin put Nayun down on a bench while I headed back to the boy's dormitory. I smelled horrendously and my clothes were all tattered, so I immediately went to the shower.
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[A/N]: Sorry for a mostly filler chapter. Don't worry the next chapters will be related to the main story line.
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