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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: bchen3
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While Jin Taejin and all the other cadets had their eyes fixed on the hologram screen.
The one who undoubtedly caught everyone’s attention was none other than the cadet named Ilhan.
However, the reactions varied from person to person.
“Tsk, it’s just a virtual duel, but he’s only running away!”
“Leave him be, maybe he’s forgotten how to use his fists!”
“Or perhaps he never learned in the first place! Hehe!”
The cadets mocked him for being busy merely avoiding his opponent’s attacks.
Such reactions came mostly from those with backgrounds as experienced fighters.
However, there were exceptions among them.
“That footwork seems somewhat mysterious…”
“Isn’t he from Team 14, the one who came first in the stat circuit training?”
“I heard he was inexperienced, but to think he mastered footwork. I should keep a proper eye on him.”
Some observant experienced cadets paid attention to Ilhan’s movements.
Some sensed something or speculated about his identity.
They deemed him a potential competitor and showed their wariness.
After sweeping through the overall reactions, Jin Taejin inwardly revised his evaluation of the cadets.
‘While the inexperienced ones can be excused, most of the experienced ones, except for a few, are blinded by their arrogance.’
Looking at the experienced cadets with a disapproving gaze, Jin Taejin slowly turned his head.
The moment his gaze reached the hologram screen.
‘Cadet Ilhan, as expected, he doesn’t disappoint.’
Once again, a gleam appeared in his eyes.
The reason was none other than Cadet Ilhan.
It was because of the content of the duel he was showing.
At a glance, it might appear that he was simply running away, but in reality, that wasn’t the case.
‘It’s precarious, but he’s avoiding attacks by the margin of a single sheet of paper.’
That situation kept repeating itself.
The meaning of this was clear.
‘He’s raising his proficiency in footwork.’
He was practicing his footwork.
Even though it was virtual, he was doing it during his first-ever duel.
Moreover, he was quickly adapting and even progressing.
‘Certainly, there’s clumsiness in his movements and timing, but considering he acquired this skill just two days ago…’
The clumsiness was merely a matter of proficiency due to lack of time.
In other words, it was a natural phenomenon rather than a flaw.
Furthermore, as long as the cadet was pursuing the right direction, improvement was only a matter of time.
‘Last time, he surprised me with his acquisition speed.’
Courage not to fear practical application, correct directionality, and so on.
This time, he pleased Jin Taejin’s eyes with yet another quality.
Just as he was about to shift his gaze with a sense of satisfaction.
“…!”
In an instant, Jin Taejin’s pupils dilated.
This was because Ilhan’s movements had just changed.
Unlike before, he didn’t wait for his opponent’s attack.
Instead.
Tadat-
As if cutting off his opponent’s rhythm, he narrowed the stride in an instant and moved half a beat ahead.
As a result, the flow of the dummy data’s offensive was abruptly cut off.
‘That’s definitely the third step. Which means…’
Having watched the entire skill acquisition process from right beside him, Jin Taejin could understand.
The footwork the cadet demonstrated at the right moment and the meaning it contained.
‘Has he already figured out the utility of each form?’
No sooner had he contemplated the possibility than the cadet’s movements changed once more.
Tat-
Beyond merely cutting off the opponent’s rhythm, he infiltrated.
Like a shadow, he stuck close to the opponent with flickering eyes.
Krrk-
For the dummy data acting according to programmed movements, there was no way to counter the cadet’s footwork.
Finally, when the dummy’s posture was disrupted due to an attempted reckless attack.
Whishh-!
The cadet threw a punch.
The first effective hit was delivered.
A blow too simple compared to his footwork.
But the meaning embedded in it was by no means simple.
‘…To think he would have insight into the utility of the fourth form already.’
When Jin Taejin had overseen the cadet’s skill.
As a superhuman with years of experience, he had immediately penetrated the utility and true meaning of the skill.
Moreover, he also recognized that it would be difficult to grasp the utility through solo practice alone.
But he deliberately didn’t explain it to the cadet.
‘Only after going through the process of sufficient pondering and contemplation will it truly become one’s own.’
The cadet had just accomplished that right before his eyes.
He had intuitively learned during the duel and even put it to use.
Thus, the cadet accumulated meaningful hits gradually, slowly, using the fourth form.
As a result.
“…Cadet Ilhan, C rank.”
He produced a result higher than expected.
He not only surpassed the inexperienced cadets but also showed the potential to surpass the experienced ones in the future.
The corners of Ilhan’s mouth slightly turned up as he confirmed the result.
Seeing that, Jin Taejin also smiled faintly.
‘If he’s already this good with just footwork.’
The advanced course of weaponless martial arts that would begin from the first semester’s final process.
He unconsciously wondered what kind of performance the cadet would show once he learned [Martial Arts].
It was truly something to look forward to.
…
…
…
A few hours later.
“The virtual duel ends here. As you’ve all experienced, even though it’s virtual, it’s by no means easy. The virtual dueling room, like other training rooms, operates 24/7, so at your discretion…”
When about 10 minutes remained until the end of the 9th period, all virtual duels had ended.
While the instructor was giving various explanations, I inwardly reflected on the outcomes of the virtual duel.
‘I think I’ve roughly grasped the utility of each form.’
The hypothesis I had established after acquiring the skill, devoting myself to practice and experimentation.
I proved it by directly applying it during the duel.
‘As I thought, it was related to the verbal formula.’
None other than the verbal formula of the Black Shadow Step.
The content, which was like a Zen riddle, was directly connected to the utility and pulse of each step.
‘Especially understanding the fourth step was a significant gain.’
The last form was completely baffling when practicing alone.
However, I realized this only after facing an opponent to perform the footwork.
‘Originally, since the purpose itself is to disrupt the opponent’s rhythm and strike at their blind spot, it’s natural it wouldn’t be visible during practice.’
In other words, it had a utility that could only be understood with an opponent from the start.
Though I realized it late, I reaped the benefits thoroughly in the end.
The result was beyond expectation.
That wasn’t the only achievement.
‘The Black Shadow Step can still develop further.’
It didn’t simply end with four steps.
Especially the movements I had performed in a trance-like state when I first acquired the Black Shadow Step.
The movement that penetrated all forms of the Black Shadow Step was still far from practical application.
This meant that there was still room for improvement in the future.
‘Moreover, it seems like the shadow has been doing something new lately.’
I could tell from the footage.
However, it was hard to distinguish with the naked eye, and without any specific message, detailed confirmation was impossible.
‘Well, it’s not one to engage in meaningless actions.’
From stat training to mana breathing techniques, and now the Black Shadow Step.
Every action the shadow had shown so far was solely beneficial to me.
So, this time would be the same.
‘There’s a little less than a month left until the midterm exams.’
There was plenty of time.
Therefore, I would be able to become even stronger in the future.
By the time I finished my thoughts, the instructor’s advice was also coming to an end.
It seemed like the class would end right there, but the instructor added one more comment.
“By the way, next Monday, there will be a parent observation class, and notifications have already been sent out.”
None other than a parent observation class.
Most stirred at this sudden announcement.
The instructor explained the meaning of the observation class to them.
“Since cadets are taking somewhat aggressive classes for combat-oriented superhumans, there are quite a few who worry. This class is for them.”
In other words, they wanted to show the parents that the classes were being conducted safely.
The reason was sufficiently understandable.
‘By the way, I wonder if father will be able to come.’
While I was thinking absent-mindedly.
“…!”
Suddenly, I felt a presence from the side.
“Hmm?”
When I slightly turned my head, I saw Yoon Seolha, who for some reason had turned pale blue.
‘Is something wrong?’
I thought she had been doing well lately.
Her complexion was pale, and she seemed to be in poor condition.
Just as I was about to say something to her.
“That’s it for today’s class. You all worked hard. Dismissed.”
Yoon Seolha hurriedly left the training room.
As I tilted my head watching her back.
“Ilhan, let’s have dinner together! Cha Eunwol, over here!”
“O-Okay!”
Along with Lim Gangcheol, Cha Eunwol joined my side.
Then, looking around, he asked me.
“Where’s Yoon Seolha?”
“She seemed to be in a bad physical condition.”
“Can’t be helped! Then let’s eat just the three of us!”
So, the three of us headed to the cafeteria.
Afterwards, I diligently spent the evening routine with Lim Gangcheol.
-Confirming the subject’s unconscious state.
-The subject’s control is being transferred to [????’s Shadow]!
…
…
…
I transferred my consciousness to the shadow.
*
Late at night.
“…Haah, haah, haah.”
Yoon Seolha, who had just woken up, exhaled rough breaths.
The moment she raised her upper body to regulate her breathing.
“…Ugh.”
She couldn’t help but groan as her temples throbbed.
Moreover, cold sweat soaked her top shirt without a break.
As she shivered slightly and weakly hugged her arms.
-What do you even know…!
A memory like a nightmare played arbitrarily in her head.
-Yes, so you’ve awakened a proper trait, is that it?!
-So even you’re looking down on me, your parent!?
A face twisted like a demon, the temple veins protruding roughly, even the shout that stabbed her heart like a dagger.
‘…I just didn’t want to see the writhing in pain anymore.’
It had already been 5 years since then.
Nevertheless, it remained deep in her heart like a brand, constantly repeating in her mind.
Unable to bear it any longer, she burst out of the dormitory.
The place she reached after moving forward.
“…Yoon Seolha?”
It was the stat training room.
Lim Gangcheol tilted his head in puzzlement.
Leaving him behind, Yoon Seolha staggered towards the mana training room.
The moment she entered, a familiar figure came into view.
“…”
A young man who turned around with an unchanged expressionless face.
A fellow cadet in the same class, and one of the friends with whom she could share her heart.
And, a possessor of the same unimplemented trait as that person.
‘…Ilhan.’
It was Ilhan.
The moment she saw him, her headache intensified.
‘I thought it would be fine like last time.’
She felt as if the nightmare was becoming even more vivid.
In her dazed consciousness, she unconsciously asked.
“…How can you put in so much effort?”
A question that seemed wrung out.
However, no answer came.
Nevertheless, she continued in a trembling voice.
“…Do you know that for an unimplemented trait, neither the condition nor the timing for implementation is known?”
“…”
“No matter how much effort and time you invest, do you know that what returns is only a painful outcome…?”
“…”
“I actually saw it. A person who didn’t receive any reward despite being constantly dedicated to it.”
“…”
“I saw someone who was ostracized from the superhuman society and eventually lost their family.”
It was none other than her father who had done so.
Therefore, Yoon Seolha couldn’t help but know better than anyone else.
“…That’s the outcome for a superhuman with an unimplemented trait.”
The pain of the process her friend in front of her would go through and the devastation of the outcome he would eventually face.
But Ilhan didn’t answer.
Only his pitch-black eyes were rippling like shadows.
Seeing this, Yoon Seolha bit her lip tightly.
‘Ilhan, why of all people, you…’
Additionally, she thought.
If only he had been a stranger.
No, if she hadn’t given her heart in the first place.
There would have been no need to watch the suffering from beside him.
And there would have been no pain in her heart because of it.
“So, so in the end, that effort…”
The rest of the words didn’t follow.
No, she couldn’t bring herself to utter the words that had risen to her throat.
It was because of those words that her relationship with her father had crumbled.
‘…It would be meaningless, she couldn’t say. Absolutely not.’
It was something she shouldn’t and couldn’t say.
Because the choice is always up to each individual, and accepting the result is also an individual’s responsibility.
After standing blankly for a long time, she turned around.
“…Sorry for the interruption, just pretend you didn’t hear.”
Just as she was about to leave as if escaping.
“Such an outcome.”
A monotone voice flowed from Ilhan’s mouth.
“It won’t happen to me.”
“…!”
What did he mean, it won’t happen?
Without even a moment to sense the strangeness in his tone, she turned around as if enchanted.
“…How can you be so certain?”
“Do you want to know?”
She nodded unconsciously.
Then, once again, a monotone voice flowed from him.
“I’ll show you directly, so make a bet with me.”
At the sudden proposal, Yoon Seolha’s pupils trembled violently.
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