I Became the Academy’s Heroine Stalker – Chapter 91

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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“Phew, let’s camp here tonight and leave tomorrow.”

Two weeks had passed since we set out on our journey.

A lot had happened during that time.

First, I bought various rune crafting materials from alchemy workshops in different cities and villages.

I also farmed materials from field monsters, whose numbers increased the further we traveled from the capital.

Using these materials, I crafted dozens of runes.

From the high-grade runes mentioned above to more common ones, I crafted everything I could, which boosted my [Rune Master] trait level to 26.

Just 14 more levels, and I would unlock the incredibly powerful perk of multiple rune equip.

And,

I consistently hunted down villains hiding in cities and villages, steadily increasing my resistance effects.

Not to mention the growth of my other stats and skills.

Receiving 24/7 intensive training from Na-yeon, who specialized in monster combat, and Hye-seo, who specialized in villain combat, was like adding fuel to the fire of my growth.

“Join my team when you graduate. I’ll get you a spot on the Villain Investigation Team.”

“What are you talking about? Tae-jin is my apprentice. Respect the hierarchy.”

Well…

I felt like a shrimp caught between two whales, about to be crushed, but…

Anyway, thanks to their training, my status window now looked like this:

It was truly overwhelming.

My total stats were approaching 4,000, and my skill levels were nearing MAX.

While the intensive training from Na-yeon and Hye-seo contributed to my rapid growth, the high-rank monsters in the remote areas and the mid- to high-rank villains inhabiting the ruined cities also played a significant role.

The constant battles against villains and monsters had become the foundation of my accelerated growth.

Based on my stats alone, I was already nearing the top tier of S-rank Hunters.

My combat skills, which had been lacking, had also improved significantly thanks to two weeks of hardcore, real-world training.

Na-yeon, the S-rank Hunter, called me a “research subject.”

Hye-seo, the diamond-rank Holder, asked if I was “using cheats.”

And Su-ah, the cosmic being, expressed satisfaction, saying it was a “choice without regrets.”

Even I thought I was ridiculously overpowered.

I was a talent sponge, absorbing everything like a dry sponge soaking up water, and I possessed the explosive power befitting a former Dragon Slayer.

I was almost worried I might be consumed by my own growth rate.

And I hadn’t even inherited Han Chang-ho’s power yet.

‘I wonder if my body can handle it.’

[Level Up as a Harem!] was a percentage-based buff, meaning the higher my base stats, the greater the boost.

So, if I absorbed Han Chang-ho’s power and my base stats increased, the current 200% boost from the harem buff would amplify the effect even further.

Of course,

‘The key is how much of that power I can absorb.’

Since the power was transferred through a genetic link, there would be some loss, and I didn’t know what side effects might occur if I exceeded my mana capacity.

But there was no turning back now.

I needed that power to destroy Illusion.

Su-ah had told me that my current power level was comparable to a high-ranking executive.

But it wasn’t enough to defeat God R’hell.

Therefore, Han Chang-ho’s inheritance was essential to my mission.

Besides, how could I give up when I had comrades who had willingly embarked on this arduous journey with me?

Even if that inheritance brought danger, I had to keep moving forward.

But first,

“There are so many stars.”

I had to stand guard, accompanied by the beautiful starry night sky.

Purr~purr~

And Roque, who was no longer a black dagger, but a proper dragon was snoring softly beside me.

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‘This is so boring.’

Time seemed to slow down during the last 30 minutes of guard duty.

Especially when there wasn’t even an ant in sight.

I couldn’t stare at my phone all the time because of battery issues.

If Roque was awake, he could at least provide some distraction, but he was sound asleep.

I couldn’t hide Roque’s true form anymore.

There was no need to.

Especially since the food issue had become urgent.

Na-yeon and Renia already knew, and Su-ah would likely understand, so as long as I could convince Hye-seo, there wouldn’t be a problem.

So,

“Reina found an egg during her active days, and it hatched into him.”

I had coordinated this story with Na-yeon and Renia beforehand.

As expected, Su-ah didn’t question it, and Hye-seo was worried about the attention a giant Black Dragon would attract.

Of course, her worries quickly dissipated when Roque transformed into a black dagger.

She had initially said she couldn’t trust the black beast, but after seeing Roque act like a house cat(?) around Renia, she reluctantly agreed to let him join us.

On the condition that he remained in his Polymorphed form except for late at night and during meals.

Thus, Roque became an official member of our party and occasionally stood guard, since he didn’t need much sleep.

I leaned against Roque and looked around.

‘This world is truly fascinating.’

‘Hidden Piece Academy’ was a typical academy story.

The protagonist trains and grows within the academy until the latter half, where he confronts the villains.

It was a standard plot with a relatively limited setting.

However, the world-building was well-crafted, creating a strong post-apocalyptic atmosphere.

Ruined cities left abandoned for decades, vines climbing the walls of crumbling buildings, rusted cars littering deserted streets – a scene of utter desolation.

Fifty years ago, the appearance of dungeons and monsters led to the construction of “barrier cities,” and the survivors relocated to these fortified settlements.

Towns and villages outside the barriers were abandoned, and I was now witnessing the consequences.

It was a strange world.

Like a blend of medieval adventure and modern apocalypse.

Occasionally, the roars of monsters echoed from the distance, like the howls of wolves, adding a touch of zombie apocalypse to the mix.

It was a world with a diverse palette of atmospheres.

Anyway, we would arrive at Urban City—-a small barrier city, tomorrow.

It was the only barrier city near the Taebaek Mountains, known as the eastern edge.

We planned to stay there for a day to rest and make final preparations before entering the mountains.

We were probably just a day’s journey south of our target coordinates.

Where I would inherit Han Chang-ho’s power.

I hoped everything would go according to plan.

I turned my gaze towards the small campfire.

I could see the faces of the three women peeking out of their sleeping bags.

I looked at them with a pang of sympathy.

The distances between barrier cities were long, so we often had to camp outdoors.

If we had mana gliders, we wouldn’t have to sleep in abandoned buildings like this, but that wasn’t an option for us.

Thankfully, we had encountered a merchant caravan last night and bought some food supplies.

Renia always prepared a delicious dinner, so at least we weren’t going hungry.

‘Still…’

It was a shame that there weren’t any innovative camping products, even in this age of mana-powered technology.

Well…

‘I suppose it’s strange for trainee cadets to be traveling between cities on foot in this day and age.’

Even the tough mercenaries used mana gliders.

Rustle!

I looked at Renia’s sleeping face and gently pulled her sleeping bag up to her neck.

She had a difficult fate as well.

Summoned by an unusual master, she had to endure these hardships, even with her beautiful face.

She was the Queen of Succubi, after all.

A noble queen revered by her clan on her home planet, reduced to a homeless wanderer on Earth?

Sigh.

I wanted to end this journey quickly, if only for Renia’s sake.

But first,

“Reina, wake up.”

It was time to switch guard duty.

“Ugh… Hmm…”

Shake-shake—

“Wakey, wakey, Reina.”

“Mmm… Five more minutes…”

“Alright. You’ll get up in five minutes, right?”

“Okay… Thank you…”

‘Thank you, huh?’

I woke you up five minutes early precisely because I knew you’d say that.

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