Chapter 82: 5th Week Mentoring and Duel Battles (5)

Chapter 82: 5th Week Mentoring and Duel Battles (5)

Hey, Kim Ho.

Yes, senior.

You crossed the line this time.

I apologize, senior.

You did that on purpose, didnt you?

Not at all, senior.

But why tear it off so forcefully?

The intensity of the fight made me exert more force, senior.

Dang Gyu-young narrowed her eyes and glared at me.

As if doing so would allow her to discern the truth from the lies in my words.

But its the truth.

The combination of the Thiefs Step and the amplified Overheat made it difficult for me to maintain perfect control.

Moreover, trying to peel off the sticker from Dang Gyu-young, who was exerting her full power, inevitably required more strength.

Still, other than accidentally tearing off the button, I was honest in my intention and I met Dang Gyu-youngs gaze without averting my gaze.

..

Dang Gyu-youngs eyebrows dramatically shifted in shape every few seconds.

They would knit into a V when she was angry, then relax into a gentle curve as if she was deep in thought, only to furrow again in renewed irritation.

If one were to guess Dang Gyu-youngs current state of mind, it might go something like this:

She certainly knew that the recent mishap was an unfortunate accident.

But even though she knew, she felt a little hurt.

Despite receiving several apologies, she hesitated to continue venting her frustration at me.

She didnt want to appear petty as a senior.

But her anger hadnt fully dissipated and she didnt want to just let it go.

Amidst this cycle of anger and reflection, Dang Gyu-young suddenly cast her gaze downward.

Still clutching the torn shirt,

She wanted to resolve this quickly and uttered a brief word.

The stickers.

Yes, senior.

When I took the three stickers back and held them out, shadow hands emerged and swiftly snatched them away.

Another shadow hand gestured in the opposite direction.

Look over there.

Yes, senior.

I turned my back completely and began to examine the walls of the round arena.

There was the sound of rustling behind me followed by a sigh.

I half-listened to these noises while checking the quest details.

[Side Quest: 5th Week Duel Battles]

Objective: Remove Stickers (3/3)

Reward: Enhanced Bonus from Mentoring Event (Large)

[Event: 1st Mentoring] (In progress)

[Remaining Duration: 27 Days]

Accelerate your growth with the help of a mentor.

Increased probability of acquiring skills/traits.

Increased skill/trait growth speed

Enhancement bonus (Large) currently applied.

The quest reward was an increase in the growth bonus from the mentoring event.

I succeeded on my very first attempt and was rewarded with an enhancement bonus (large).

Normally, one might expect a bonus of around 20%, but with this large bonus it exceeded 100%.

It meant my growth rate had more than doubled.

For someone like me who was eager to learn a few powerful skills and traits through this mentoring session, this reward was very good.

However, since this was a mentoring event, progress was impossible without the cooperation of Dang Gyu-yeong regardless of the bonus received.

I hoped her anger would subside soon.

Poke.

While I was lost in thought, I suddenly felt something poking my back.

It felt like a finger and it began to scratch back and forth across my skin.

It seemed as if someone was writing letters on my back.

Trying to guess what it was Id?

Then, something else was written beside it.

Senior?

As I glanced over my shoulder, I saw Dang Gyu-yeongs very upset face.

She poked my cheek with her index finger.

Who said you could turn around? Look in front of you; in front of you.

Her index finger seemed to urge me on as it pressed firmly into my cheek.

Since I felt guilty, I turned my head back to its original position and willingly offered my back as a canvas for her to scribble on.

Go ahead; write to your hearts content until youre no longer upset.

.

Dang Gyu-young finished writing idiot on my back, and then she continued to scribble down a series of trivial insults, including jerk and country bumpkin.

Earning 50 points in a duel battle equated to winning two matches against opponents of a similar score, or the points one might lose in defeat.

Even though failing wouldnt be a major setback, it was enough to instill a reasonable level of tension.

As for strategy battles honestly, theres a lot to discuss there too, but for now, were focusing solely on close combat. Figure out the rest on your own.

***

The schedule for the week could be summarized as follows:

Academic and personal training routines continued as usual.

Any spare time was devoted to mentoring sessions.

Given our groups proven weakness in close combat, we engaged in one-on-one sparring sessions with Dang Gyu-young to gain experience.

Each person sparred for about 30 minutes a day.

Why are you even receiving mentoring?

As soon as we were alone, Dang Gyu-young questioned me.

This weeks schedule was built under the assumption that we were all weak in close combat.

However, that assumption didnt apply to me.

I had already removed all my stickers long ago.

In the end, it seemed that Dang Gyu-young was at a loss about what specifically she could teach me since my training needed to be different from the rest.

I responded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Is there any other reason? Im here for mentoring because I want to learn as much as I can.

Do you think theres something you can learn from me? You seem to be doing just fine on your own.

Theres a lot I can learn. This time, especially, I need your help.

The notion that her help was needed made Dang Gyu-youngs eyes sparkle.

Is that so? What is it?

Im looking to master a new trait.

What kind of trait?

Its a long story, but for now, Ill just say its related to evasion.

Evasion, you say Then you do need my help.

Naturally, to learn a trait related to dodging, someone would have to attack me.

Moreover, there was another reason why Dang Gyu-young had to be my sparring partner:

[Event: 1st Mentoring] (In progress)

Enhancement bonus (Large) currently applied

Although my growth speed has been increased to more than double with the side quest reward, there was one condition.

I had to receive help from a mentor.

No matter what kind of training I did, the presence of a mentor was required to secure the bonus.

For one reason or another, Dang Gyu-young had to be my sparring partner.

Even though it was vague, Dang Gyu-young actually welcomed the direction I provided.

Alright, lets give it a try. Get ready.

Shadows began to flicker.

However, just as the battle was about to start, I raised my hand to stop Dang Gyu-young.

Senior.

What now?

Id prefer if you removed your bracelet.

?

Dang Gyu-young blinked her eyes and lifted her arm.

While showing the C-Rank restriction bracelet she wore for the duel battles.

This?

Yes, that.

You want to do this without any rank restrictions?

It would increase the chances of success.

What sort of trait requires that? Let me at least hear its name.

If the acquisition condition included evading a full-powered attack from a third-year, it couldnt be an ordinary trait.

It was just as Dang Gyu-young had guessed.

I remember that when I was playing <Dragon Slayer Academy>, only two or three people including me, were able to master this trait even among the top ten rankers.

It was known to very few due to the cumbersome conditions attached to its acquisition, and even once it became known, many gave up on learning it if the conditions didnt align.

However, the power it bestowed upon mastery was formidable, making it one of the most challenging defensive traits to contend with among countless others.

The name of this trait was;

[Distortion].

Thats another interesting thing you said. What does it do?

Ill show you after Ive mastered it.

Alright then.

Dang Gyu-young slipped her wrist out of the C-rank restriction bracelet.

As the shackles were released and her skills regained their original rank, the shadows at her feet became denser and darker.

Are you confident you can dodge?

Somewhat.

Hmm, fine. Give it your best.

The shadows then stirred violently,

And with the bracelet off, an immense torrent of shadows burst forth that far surpassed anything before.

Whoosh!