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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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“Today’s weekend training will conclude in the morning. The afternoon is for independent practice.”
“Number 214, Night Owl Go Young-su! Permission to ask a question, sir!”
“Granted.”
“May I inquire about the possibility of receiving a tailored independent training curriculum, sir!”
“Hmm, a tailored independent training curriculum.”
Saturday, immediately following the Death Meteor incident.
I’d expected everyone to want to rest, but most of the students had gathered at the training grounds for weekend training.
Their enthusiasm was admirable, but the problem was I had weekend plans.
I was about to suggest some self-study and leave when they requested a curriculum.
‘This is too much trouble.’
I could just throw something together, but it would be better to provide a program based on proven methods, at least superficially.
“One hundred push-ups, one hundred squats, a ten-kilometer run. This constitutes one set. Rest periods are at your discretion. Repeat for a total of five sets.”
“But what if we still have time left, sir!”
There’s no way they’d have time left.
Fifty kilometers was further than a marathon.
‘Their enthusiasm is making them overestimate their capabilities.’
Of course, during independent training, passing Martial Arts instructors would offer guidance and correct their forms, but…
The students looked dissatisfied, as if that wasn’t enough.
“Independent training means just that—independent. If my recommended curriculum proves too strenuous, stop immediately. Your body comes first. Training is secondary! Everyone should train at their own pace. However, if you complete the entire curriculum and still feel you haven’t done enough, then…”
Gulp.
I paused for dramatic effect, drawing their attention, and every student focused on me, tense with anticipation.
I felt obligated to say something impactful, something almost profound, so I continued.
“…Rest. Muscle growth and stamina don’t increase from constant exertion. Proper rest is sometimes more effective than training. Therefore, rest.”
“Waaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!”
A roar of approval erupted as soon as I finished speaking.
Confused by their enthusiastic response, I tried to understand their reaction, and their subsequent conversations provided some clues.
“The instructor officially sanctioned rest!”
“So, does that mean we can enjoy our weekends after finishing the curriculum?”
“No way, does that mean we can have snacks?”
“I’m so glad I’m still alive!”
Had I been that harsh?
Their reaction was eerily similar to Ki Ju-seon’s research students, which made me feel somewhat uneasy.
‘They’re resting between reps, aren’t they? Extending their arms during push-ups and using their muscles when bending them back down…’
I thought I’d been more than generous with rest periods. To see them so overjoyed at the mere mention of rest…
It made me question my training methods.
But even thinking objectively, thirty minutes of training followed by a three-minute break seemed incredibly lenient.
Weren’t Mirinae Academy students supposed to handle more than that?
“Attention.”
“Sir!”
I quelled their excitement, gave one last warning against overexertion, and left.
‘Finally!’
After a week of waiting, the moment I’d been anticipating had arrived.
The headmaster’s reward.
The moment I received news that it had arrived in my dormitory room, my body felt as light as a feather, and I vanished from the training grounds in a flash.
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“This is insane…”
I entered my room, tore open the package, and couldn’t help but gasp.
I hadn’t expected much from a reward for a first-year student.
While I’d accomplished a great feat, they couldn’t be too generous with rewards—it could create other problems.
A suddenly empowered first-year causing chaos would only lead to more damage.
Therefore, I’d expected a moderate reward initially, with additional compensation later if things went well.
But this…
“This is… magnificent…”
Just look at the quality!
I’d requested a weapon to compensate for the damaged Arachne’s Breath Gloves, but this was more than compensation—it was an upgrade.
No, even “upgrade” didn’t fully capture its capabilities.
Torachne [Unique]
– Gloves crafted from hunting Torachne, a direct descendant of Arachne, the progenitor of all spiders.
Because Torachne was still living when the weaponization process began, there is potential for growth.
Control proficiency is determined by the user’s willpower.
Allows the user to generate an unlimited supply of spider silk from their fingertips, with cutting power capable of slicing through steel like tofu.
Torachne, Arachne’s most ferocious descendant, has imbued their spider silk with the property of “Sawtooth.”
In addition to increased cutting power, attacks with spider silk now inflict the status ailment “Bleeding.”
While the Torachne takes the form of gloves, it is a weapon that attaches to the body, allowing for additional glove layers to be worn on top.
“How could they… provide something like this?”
Was this favoritism? Was this really a reward for defeating a single Garan? Was this some kind of hidden camera prank?
The Torachne’s overwhelming power was almost unbelievable.
Cutting power capable of slicing through steel, the Sawtooth property, and even growth potential.
The most incredible feature was that it allowed for additional gloves to be worn on top, despite being gloves itself.
The main weakness of Arachne-type gloves, their low durability, was completely addressed.
And here, the headmaster’s foresight shone through.
Knowing that additional gloves could be worn, he’d included a pair designed specifically for layering.
The quality was clearly beyond anything ordinary. The rewards were beyond generous.
‘This is amazing too.’
While overshadowed by the Torachne’s impact, the included gloves were exceptional as well.
Resistant to most damage types, with high durability and flexibility…
Upon closer inspection, they were clearly Baktor’s handiwork.
‘Let’s try them on.’
As soon as I put on the Torachne, the darkened, dead skin on my hands instantly transformed, returning to a normal appearance.
Apparently, the Torachne possessed a built-in camouflage effect, making bandages unnecessary.
I then put on Baktor’s gloves over the Torachne.
A weapon capable of carrying me through the mid-game, perhaps even the late game, was now complete.
Moreover, the prospect of eventually equipping the Manaplate Armor over these filled me with a sense of anticipation.
‘At this rate, even if things get complicated, I might be able to graduate early.’
The fortunate reality that I had two more chances to receive this level of reward brought a smile to my face.
Before me lay another shining gem.
A spirit power enhancing elixir, a Spirit Stone.
“Pephais.”
[I’m watching. It looks delicious.]
“Eat it.”
[Understood.]
Crunch.
The method for using a Spirit Stone was simple.
The contracted spirit consumed it like a meal.
After a two-day assimilation process, the spirit’s power would increase.
‘Judging by the Spirit Stone’s purity, it should boost Pephais to at least mid-rank.’
As soon as Pephais consumed the Spirit Stone, it transformed into an egg-like form.
Its status indicated a three-day assimilation period, which wasn’t bad.
“And I even have Century Gold-Command Honey.”
Finally, the Century Gold-Command Honey, needed for the “Too Fond of Honey” penalty.
While honey is typically golden, this was platinum-colored.
Since its effects were cumulative with regular consumption, I took a small taste and immediately stored the rest in the refrigerator.
‘With the Manaplate Armor research support, my growth rate will accelerate even further.’
It was a system designed for constant improvement. I was starting to think the term “early-game trash character” no longer applied.
Perhaps it was a blessing that I was now experiencing the game firsthand, instead of through a keyboard and mouse.
Everything seemed to be working in my favor.
“Now, time to collect my compensation.”
With the Death Meteor incident resolved and external support secured…
It was time to demand restitution from the portal company that had taken my money and dumped me in the middle of a jungle.
Of course, there was a chance the portal employee had been bribed by demons, or was a demon themselves, but…
That was their problem. I had suffered damages and was entitled to compensation.
‘This time, I don’t even need a disguise.’
I’d already set up a bank account for money laundering during my previous outing.
I firmly believed that taking things one step at a time would lead to positive results.
It was the beginning of a pleasant outing.
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