IGOS 05

Chapter: 05

 Rival? (1)

While Ji Yuchan was flustered by Hwang Hana’s indifferent gaze and expression, and even Do Hyun’s peculiar reaction, it seemed the evaluation had already been completed as Hwang Hana looked at the newly admitted trainees and spoke.

“New trainees, you’ll receive guidance from those who joined before you. From today, all facilities are available. However, rigorous training will begin tomorrow, so I recommend resting as much as possible. That’s all.”

It was already late, nearly 9 PM, so she spoke briefly, but in a situation where everyone was gathered, who could just sleep? Even normally, it wasn’t yet a proper time for rest, so the other trainees stepped up, offering to show the new arrivals around the building.

At first, the new trainees thought there might be competition, but they were moved by the welcoming attitude of the existing trainees. Being roughly the same age also helped them bond quickly.

Everyone except Park Dongwook was in their twenties.

Even Park Dongwook, being in his early thirties, wasn’t that far off, so everyone quickly became friendly with each other.

They gathered in the lounge, chatting while enjoying drinks and snacks purchased from the convenience store in the Hunter training facility.

Although they wanted to drink alcohol, there was none available, and with training starting tomorrow, they decided to substitute drinks for alcohol.

As they chatted:

“Yuchan oppa seems kind of quiet, doesn’t he?”
“He’s probably just feeling awkward.”
“That’s true, that’s true.”

Although Ji Yuchan was receiving the attention of many women, his expression wasn’t exactly happy. He had experienced humiliation ever since entering the Seoul Hunter Training Center.

Hwang Hana’s mana pressure had bruised his pride.

There were people in the Hunter Association who boasted that they were on par with Hwang Hana, so he had expected to match her, but now that he was crushed under her presence, his pride had naturally suffered.

Perhaps because of that atmosphere:

“Hm hm. Yuchan-dongsaeng, seems like you’re in a bad mood~.”

The older Park Dongwook diverted the topic, speaking vaguely.

“Ah, but didn’t Instructor Hwang Hana’s thing just blow your mind?”
“Yeah, I thought I couldn’t even breathe.”
“Exactly! I felt my breath just stop. Did it feel the same for those who came earlier?”

The newly arrived trainees’ comments made the existing trainees nod and answer.

“Ah, we got completely overwhelmed too.”
“Ugh, now I totally understand what they mean by ‘can’t breathe’.”
“Exactly.”

During this conversation, the existing trainee Park Yesul clapped her hands and said:

“Right! But Do Hyun oppa was fine even under that pressure!?”

Recalling Do Hyun, the only one unaffected by Hwang Hana’s mana pressure, Park Yesul said this, and Ji Yuchan immediately turned his gaze toward Do Hyun and asked:

“…Really?”

Although Park Yesul had spoken, Ji Yuchan’s focus was on Do Hyun, who awkwardly scratched his head. Perhaps a little uncomfortable with the attention, he answered briefly.

“I wasn’t really fine, I just pretended to be.”
“Wow. I couldn’t even fake it, Do Hyun-dongsaeng, amazing!”
“Exactly, I almost passed out…”
“Yuchan hyung seemed a little unsteady too…”

Speaking cautiously around Ji Yuchan, he didn’t say much, but his gaze at Do Hyun showed a hint of competitive spirit. If he could pretend to be fine under the mana pressure that had shaken him, was Do Hyun showing off because he arrived earlier? Perhaps. But Ji Yuchan didn’t act rashly and stood up.

“I’ll get up first.”
“Oh! It’s already 11 PM. Let’s get up too. With training starting tomorrow, a good rest will help our condition, right?”
“Alright, let’s wrap it up then.”

When Ji Yuchan got up, everyone began tidying up. Helping each other, they quickly organized and returned to their dorms.

Throughout this, Ji Yuchan watched Do Hyun enter and felt a burning determination.

Others might not have noticed, but Do Hyun’s aura was different.

Everyone else spoke while slightly tense, but Do Hyun showed no signs of tension—not pretending, but genuinely calm. Ji Yuchan realized he might be a true rival and returned to his dorm.

Meanwhile, Do Hyun, after receiving Ji Yuchan’s heated attention, recalled the message window he had checked earlier.

Unfortunately, the other four had F-rank traits, but one was a major opportunity—Ji Yuchan’s status.

『Ji Yuchan』
『Trait: Platinum Sword King [S]』
『Skills』
▶「Swordsmanship [A]」
▶「Sword King’s Instinct [A]」
『Stats』
▶「Strength: 7」
▶「Agility: 6」
▶「Endurance: 7」
▶「Mana: 10」

‘I didn’t think I’d be able to see this.’

Hwang Hana, though S-rank, had failed to analyze traits before. But this time, Do Hyun succeeded.

Hwang Hana had failed because the difference in rank was too great, but with Ji Yuchan, the gap was small enough for Do Hyun to succeed.

Thus, he could clearly see the features of an S-rank trait.

An S-rank trait with two A-rank skills—definitely different from the others.

‘This is serious.’

Since E-rank Jung Minwoo had an F-rank skill in daggersmanship, it made sense that Ji Yuchan as S-rank would have A-rank skills—but two?

Well.

‘Being S-rank, having two is possible.’

Do Hyun smiled slightly, seeing the rewards from this discovery. He reopened the message window:

[『Analysis』 successful.]
[Target’s rank is still weak.]
[You acquire less AP than the target’s original rank.]
[500 AP acquired.]
[『Ji Yuchan』’s skills 「Swordsmanship [A]」 and 「Sword King’s Instinct [A]」 have been analyzed.]
[Skills exceed standard threshold.]
[You can acquire skills using 『AP』.]
[Target’s rank is weak.]
[You can acquire a skill at half the 『AP』 cost.]
[『1000 AP』▶『500 AP』 for one skill. Do you wish to acquire?]
[Will you choose to acquire?]

Though long, Do Hyun had already read it.

He could successfully analyze Ji Yuchan due to his still-weak rank, earning 500 AP, and use it to acquire one skill—a clear dilemma.

A-rank Swordsmanship and A-rank Sword King’s Instinct.

Do Hyun read the descriptions carefully:

『Swordsmanship [A]』
▶ Infuse slight mana into the sword during attacks.
▶ Makes learning sword techniques easier.

『Sword King’s Instinct [A]』
▶ Enhances all instincts.
▶ Especially improves all senses related to sword and body.

‘Swordsmanship is a combat skill, Sword King’s Instinct is passive.’

It was an easy choice for Do Hyun, a veteran gamer.

He selected:

[Acquired skill 「Sword King’s Instinct [A]」.]
[Skill exceeds current stats.]
[Stats slightly increased.]
[Strength, Agility, Endurance permanently +2 each.]
[Cannot use skill at full potential yet.]

‘Wow.’

Could he really get such a windfall? But he already had it, and no harm came to Ji Yuchan—mutually beneficial, then.

He opened his status window:

『Lee Do Hyun』
『Trait: Analysis [Ex]』
『Skills』
▶「Sword King’s Instinct [A]」
▶「Intimidation [B]」
▶「Fire [F]」
▶「Mana Management [F]」
▶「Daggersmanship F」
『Stats』
▶「Strength: 5」
▶「Agility: 7」
▶「Endurance: 5」
▶「Mana: 8」
『Points』
▶「P: 100」
▶「AP (Analysis Points): 150」

‘Wow.’

Half a day and his stats and skills had drastically changed.

Physical stats improved significantly. Compared to Ji Yuchan, his Mana, Strength, and Endurance were lower, but among the rest, he was top-tier.

Even after just a day, such growth amazed him.

‘I’m even afraid of my own growth. Thanks, Yuchan.’

Do Hyun felt gratitude toward his same-age rival Ji Yuchan for this unexpected advantage.

‘Though Yuchan doesn’t seem to like me much… it doesn’t matter.’

Satisfied, Do Hyun lay on his dorm bed, anticipating tomorrow’s training, thinking new instructors would make him stronger, and fell asleep with a contented expression.

At 5:30 AM, normally everyone would still be asleep—but not at Seoul Hunter Training Center.

Weeeeee—

The siren blared throughout the dorm, startling trainees awake.

If a siren sounded suddenly, anyone would be shocked. Soon, a familiar voice came through.

Huff huff—

“Everyone, wake up. Gather at the outdoor training ground within 30 minutes.”

The microphone cut, the siren continued, and trainees realized where they were.

Most modern trainees had never imagined waking at 5:30 AM, so they moved sluggishly. Do Hyun, however, quickly showered, changed into the training uniform received yesterday, and headed outside.

Not because of military experience—otherwise most of the men would be out too. He was simply quick.

Ji Yuchan emerged a little later. Seeing Do Hyun first, his brows furrowed—but Do Hyun didn’t care.

‘He’s competitive,’ he thought.

Once Do Hyun and Ji Yuchan were at the outdoor training ground, Hwang Hana stood on the command platform as usual.

At exactly 6:00 AM, all trainees had arrived. Hwang Hana smiled slightly.

“Good, no one’s late.”

She shouted:

“If you’re late often, I’ll introduce you to an instructor you won’t forget!”

Another instructor appeared on the platform. The trainees’ faces turned pale.

The man, with exaggerated muscles that seemed almost unreal, shouted:

“Greetings, trainees! I am Instructor Choi Pil, in charge of physical training. From now on, I will reforge your minds and bodies!”

Intimidated, everyone shivered. Do Hyun swallowed hard.

『Choi Pil』
『Trait: Muscle Artist [C]』
『Skills』
▶「Muscle Healing [C]」
▶「Boxing Technique [C]」
▶「Intimidation [D]」
▶「Vitality [D]」
▶「Mana Management [D]」
▶「Haste [E]」
『Stats』
▶「Strength: 65」
▶「Agility: 43」
▶「Endurance: 59」
▶「Mana: 61」
[Analysis successful on 「Sword King’s Instinct [A]」.]
[150 AP acquired.]

‘Muscle Healing? No way…’

Choi Pil added:

“As you can see, I am one of the few healers affiliated with the Hunter Association, so don’t worry.”

Do Hyun realized his suspicion was correct.

‘That really is a healer…?’