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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: bchen3
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The next day, during the morning liberal arts class.
“…What is this?”
As usual, I started by checking the stats, video, status window, and so on.
While checking the changes caused by the ‘shadow,’ I couldn’t help but be surprised.
The cause was none other than the shadow in the video.
It was because of its behavior, which was different from usual.
‘It went to the desk…? Not the stat training room?’
The shadow had been blindly going to the stat training room all this time.
For some reason, instead of rushing out of the dormitory, it sat down at the desk.
I was wide-eyed at what the shadow did next.
‘…Is it looking at me?’
The shadow sitting at the desk.
It was staring intently at its smartwatch.
As if it knew it was being recorded, as if it was looking at me watching from the other side.
At that moment, goosebumps spread all over my body.
‘Could it be that it has self-awareness…?’
There was no way such behavior would emerge otherwise.
The action that proved this continued in the video.
It immediately picked up a pen and notebook from the desk and started writing something.
However, perhaps due to the camera angle, I couldn’t see the content.
‘I’ll have to check it right away during lunch.’
With that determination, I focused all my attention on the video.
Next, the shadow headed to the magic training room as usual.
But what it did inside was something different.
‘…What is this movement?’
I understood that it went to the magic training room to practice breathing techniques.
But along with magic training, the shadow showed movements that were incomprehensible.
Looking carefully, I realized that similar movements were being repeated.
‘One, two…, a total of four steps?’
Just four steps.
The shadow repeated them endlessly.
The movements were extremely bizarre and alien.
‘The stride is all over the place, and the position of the toes and heels seems twisted too.’
Moving like that, it would be difficult to even maintain balance, let alone walk.
Nevertheless.
‘…I can’t take my eyes off it.’
I was captivated.
I couldn’t look away at all.
My impression of increasing bizarreness gradually changed to the epitome of simplicity.
The alien feeling was replaced by subtlety.
As my thoughts reached that point, questions began to emerge.
‘What exactly is the shadow…?’
The sense and knowledge of mana breathing techniques, along with the walking that felt mysteriously profound.
While feeling a renewed sense of awe, I focused on the video again.
However, in the rest of the video, there was nothing particularly noteworthy besides the four steps.
I turned off the video and thought.
‘This is definitely a new effect.’
Writing, and the walking style.
I didn’t yet know what the writing meant or what was written.
But along with the walking style, it seemed to be part of a ‘new effect,’ just like the previous mana breathing technique training.
To confirm my hypothesis, I immediately pulled up the status window.
As a result.
[Characteristics]
-Shadow of ????
Synchronization Rate 10%
As expected, the synchronization rate that had been 9% had risen to 10%.
‘…Just as I thought!’
I internally rejoiced.
My thought that ‘as the synchronization rate increases, new effects appear’ had been confirmed.
With an excited heart, I organized my thoughts.
‘First, I’ll go back to the dormitory during lunch and check the notebook. And as for the walking style…’
I couldn’t come up with a clear answer.
I couldn’t even guess the meaning or identity.
Nevertheless, I unconsciously replayed the video.
‘For some reason, my eyes are drawn to it.’
The four steps that the shadow kept repeating.
I watched them endlessly until it was lunchtime.
…
…
…
The moment morning classes ended.
“Ilhan, where are you going? What about lunch?”
“Go ahead and eat first, I’ll stop by the dormitory.”
“Alright!”
Leaving Im Gangcheol sprinting towards the cafeteria behind, I returned to the dormitory.
It was to check what the shadow had written in the notebook the night before.
The moment I saw the notebook still strewn on the desk.
Gulp-
I unconsciously swallowed hard.
‘I wonder what’s written there.’
The notebook containing the shadow’s first expression of will and proof that it had self-awareness.
I opened it right away.
The moment I found the page that was presumably written by it.
“…?”
My head tilted involuntarily.
-Gauntlet
It wasn’t about its identity or the nature of the synchronization rate, or even the veiled walking style.
Instead, only the three characters for ‘Gauntlet,’ a type of weapon that Im Gangcheol had been shouting about, were clearly written.
*
7th period.
The weapon experience class began with the instructor’s lecture.
“Before we get into the experience, I’ll briefly explain the tips for selecting weapons according to characteristics that I mentioned yesterday. Pay attention.”
The instructor first opened the discussion with an explanation about characteristics.
“As you know, characteristics are divided into three forms. ‘Enhancement type,’ ‘Magic type,’ ‘Ability type’…”
I halfheartedly stored the lecture in my mind.
‘Anyway, I have an unimplemented characteristic.’
Advice on optimal weapon selection based on characteristic type had no meaning for me.
Moreover, although it wasn’t my intention, my weapon had been decided by chance.
None other than ‘Gauntlet,’ following what the shadow had written.
‘I was considering it anyway.’
Whether to choose a sword, or a firearm.
I had been considering the efficiency and advantages of each.
In the midst of that, the shadow had made the decision for me.
Of course, it was too meager to be called advice.
But.
‘It has never done anything that wasn’t helpful to me so far.’
The shadow’s actions that had been shown so far.
I trusted the actions of the one who had helped me grow and given me unexpected abilities.
Thinking that way, I could somehow convince myself.
‘Well, when you think about it, a gauntlet isn’t bad either.’
It has as many relics as swords and spears.
That means there are many related skills.
Moreover, although it’s dangerous to fight bare-handed, I’ve heard that skill acquisition is also relatively fast.
Setting aside Im Gangcheol’s nonsensical reasons, it seemed like it wouldn’t be a bad choice.
‘Now the only remaining question is the walking style.’
The shadow’s four steps that had been imprinted in my mind due to watching the video repeatedly all morning.
Regarding that, I was completely in the dark.
Although it was just a guess, I couldn’t help but think that it might have some connection to the gauntlet.
As I was organizing my thoughts to that extent.
“Now everyone move.”
Just then, the instructor’s explanation ended.
As I was about to move, Im Gangcheol inevitably clung to me.
“Let’s go, Ilhan!”
“Yeah.”
With that answer, I gathered the rest of the team members and headed to the armory.
While the three people each picked up the weapons they had mentioned yesterday.
As I alone stood still, Im Gangcheol asked me.
“Ilhan, have you still not decided on a weapon?”
“No.”
“Oh! What are you going to choose?”
“Gauntlet.”
“…Ilhan! I knew I could trust you-!”
As if overcome with emotion, his massive body rushed towards me.
As I frowned and braced for impact.
Swish-
My feet moved without my knowledge.
“…Huh?”
“Ilhan?”
Im Gangcheol tilted his head at my figure, which had disappeared from his sight in an instant.
Soon, Im Gangcheol found my position and spoke, showing considerable disappointment.
“That’s disappointing, Ilhan!”
I cleanly ignored this.
Instead, I reflected on the situation where I had unconsciously moved just now.
‘This is clearly the shadow’s…’
Just as I was about to sink into thought.
“Hey, aren’t you going to get out of the way?!”
A familiar, and therefore irritating voice erupted right behind me.
Kang Jinsol, the moment I recalled his name, I felt his presence getting closer.
He was charging at me with his shoulders tensed up.
“You should have not blocked the way!”
In common terms, a ‘shoulder bump’.
It was incredibly childish.
Thinking that, as I tried to move my body as much as possible.
Swish-
Once again, my body reacted on its own.
This time, my left foot slid between Kang Jinsol’s two legs.
“Uh, huh?”
At the moment when I raised my upper body with all my might to maintain balance that was leaning forward.
Thunk-!
My shoulder hit something hard.
It was none other than Kang Jinsol’s chin.
I had unwittingly struck his jaw with my shoulder.
“…Kheup!”
Kang Jinsol made a ridiculous sound and fell straight on his bottom.
There was a silence due to the situation that had unfolded in an instant.
Then Im Gangcheol grabbed his waist and.
“Puhib, puhahah! What a loser!”
He started laughing out loud as if he was convulsing.
On the other hand, I didn’t know whether I should laugh or be embarrassed.
‘But I still have to do what needs to be done.’
With that thought, I looked at Kang Jinsol who was grinding his teeth as if he was extremely upset.
I slightly raised the corners of my mouth towards him.
Snicker-
Seeing this, Kang Jinsol flared up as if it was only natural.
“You, you…!”
But he couldn’t utter the rest of his words.
The reason was none other than.
“What’s all this commotion?”
The instructor who had been touring the training room for guidance and advice after finishing the lecture.
He had approached the armory due to the commotion.
I immediately approached and spoke respectfully.
“I bumped into Cadet Kang Jinsol while trying to exit the armory. I will be more careful next time.”
At the same time, I extended my hand towards him.
Kang Jinsol had no choice but to reluctantly take my hand and stand up.
Seeing the heartwarming scene, the instructor nodded once.
“Hmm, be more careful next time.”
“Yes.”
As the instructor slowly withdrew.
Swish-!
Kang Jinsol brushed off my hand.
Then he quietly growled as if spitting the words out.
“You, just wait and see…!”
Kang Jinsol, leaving a line that sounded like a third-rate villain, quickly retreated.
Im Gangcheol snorted at his pathetic retreating figure.
“Hmph, saying ‘wait and see’ and all!”
“Is he talking about the practical combat practice at the end of the first semester?”
“A guy who can’t even deliver a proper shoulder bump, combat practice my ass.”
While snickering at Im Gangcheol’s incredibly scathing tone.
I recalled the situation from earlier.
‘…This, no matter how I look at it, seems like the shadow’s walking style?’
The steps I took not by my will, but by my body’s reaction.
From the timing of the steps to the stride, and the direction the toes were pointing.
It resembled what was in the video.
Maybe that’s why.
‘No matter how I look at it, it seems extraordinary, let’s test it out.’
I decided to test it out.
The shadow’s four steps.
Whether I could consciously perform them or not.
Since I had already decided on a weapon, it seemed like I could make good use of the remaining time with this.
‘Wait, maybe I could use it along with martial arts?’
Martial arts, which could be considered the combat style of the gauntlet.
What if I could add the walking style to it?
‘That seems pretty good.’
I raised the corners of my mouth at the new possibility.
…
…
…
Three hours later.
“That’s it for today’s class. Tomorrow during 7th period, we’ll select the main weapon…”
The last class ended.
Having been testing the walking style until then, I finally collapsed on the floor, exhausted.
‘It’s not working at all.’
It was because of the walking style’s recreation.
Far from adding it to martial arts, even just imitating the four steps was overwhelming.
I physically felt the difficulties I had sensed while watching the video.
‘I guess I need to practice more?’
I couldn’t expect to succeed on the first try.
Moreover, I had something to rely on to some extent.
None other than the shadow.
I believed in the shadow’s new behavior that had appeared with the achievement of 10% synchronization rate.
‘Tonight the shadow might write something again…, wait.’
Perhaps I was too immersed in the walking style the shadow had displayed.
I had been missing a simple and clear method.
‘If it truly has self-awareness, couldn’t I just ask it directly?’
It wasn’t just about the walking style.
If communication, if writing communication was possible with it, I might be able to resolve the mountain of questions that had piled up so far.
Of course, there was no guarantee that it would answer.
But it was worth a try.
‘Let’s ask, once.’
What exactly its identity was.
What it wanted from me.
How far it could help.
I needed to know now.
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