Chapter 23: Enhancement (2)

Saturday morning.

A time when no one would come.

Only silence flowed in the empty dormitory bathhouse.

This kind of common culture fascinated her.

Bubble bubble.

She carefully dipped her feet into the warm bath.

Instantly, hot heat spread from her toes.

Just right.

A small moan escaped her lips.

“Ah, so refreshing.”

Loran Esperance.

Deep green eyes, features as sharply defined as a sculpture.

Clearly a Westerner.

And yet, a fluent and folksy Korean flowed out.

Her body submerged in water was small and slender.

But she didn’t care.

Positive thinking.

It’s needlessly difficult to scrub when you’re big.

Whether it’s her back or front.

There’s almost no difference in slope, so there’s nowhere she can’t reach.

She gripped the scrubbing towel tightly.

Scrub, scrub.

Even if her skin turned red, she didn’t care.

Her entire body, vigorously.

The area to be cleaned was small, so it was fast and neat.

This is a sacred scrubbing.

Cleansing the body.

An act of emptying the mind.

There’s only one reason for putting in this much effort.

You have to do everything.

To apply it well.

After finishing her bath, she gathered her toiletries.

The floor is slippery.

Careful, careful steps.

She pushed open the steamy glass door of the bath.

Perhaps that’s why.

The reason she didn’t see the other side.

Thump!

She bumped into someone.

Instantly, a soft, substantial sensation was felt.

Soft and heavy.

I don’t know what it is.

But otherworldly elasticity.

Thud.

Because of that.

Loran lost her balance and fell.

In a moment.

The personality of a fourth-generation chaebol leaked out.

“What the?! Watch where you’re going!”

The anger in her eyes was truly sharp.

A look that completely looked down on the other person.

“Ah, I’m sorry…!”

The person she bumped into was so flustered that they couldn’t even open their eyes properly.

Loran got up and looked up.

And.

She realized the truth.

The other person kept their eyes closed.

They were visually impaired.

‘Oh. Was I a little harsh?’

She felt ashamed of her earlier rage.

But then.

Loran’s gaze naturally flowed.

‘There was someone like this among the commoners? She’s pretty enough to be a celebrity?’

Balanced beauty is common.

But harmony created in imbalance, that is not easily forgotten.

Soft and vivid blonde hair, like a wheat field reflected in the setting sun.

The bone structure is delicate.

Her waist is a handful, and her wrists are so thin they seem like they could break.

But—

Below those slender shoulders, proof of a robust life was nestled.

Is it okay for something so ample to be contained within this small frame?

There was nothing to criticize.

Truly, a sculpture crafted by God.

On the other hand.

Loran looked down at her own body.

It was small. Meager.

Her fingers automatically curled up.

…Why?

Why more than me?

I’m older, too?

She felt sad.

She bit her lip and looked at the girl again.

She seemed unaware.

Of the prying gaze.

Of the face distorted by envy.

Then.

The girl quietly moved her lips.

“I’m sorry. I was looking at a system message and didn’t see you properly.”

A polite bow.

She deeply bows her waist.

Kind.

Her heart is too kind.

Her heart.

“I succeeded in enhancing a skill…. Three options appeared. I was worry about which one to choose.”

“…What?”

Loran’s eyes widened.

She succeeded in enhancing?

Three options?

Warning lights went off in her head.

Normally, there are two options for a successful enhancement.

But three appeared?

That is—

“Transcendent Enhancement…!”

Does that make sense?

Transcendent Enhancement is an extremely rare phenomenon.

It grants a crazy effect that transcends the skill’s grade.

Something only people from chaebol families know about.

A hidden piece that ordinary commoner hunters don’t even know exists.

This girl?

While walking?

In a bathhouse?

Loran moved her lips.

As if she couldn’t believe it, no, as if she was envious.

“Oh? Do you know something about it?”

“…Congratulations. You should choose that.”

“What is it?”

“It’s called Transcendent Enhancement. It’s an option that grants a much better enhancement effect with extremely low probability.”

“I see. Thank you for telling me.”

And then she moved her fingertips in the air.

She must have pressed select.

Casually.

Easily.

‘Easily…?’

Loran’s insides boiled.

How difficult is this.

How much money has been wasted.

How many nights have been stayed up.

Isn’t scrubbing this much all because of enhancement?

Her whole body was warm.

It wasn’t because of the heat of the bath.

‘Her physique is similar to mine……. She’s lucky. She has a big heart. She has everything.’

Envy.

No, jealousy.

No, it’s driving me crazy.

Loran silently stared at the scene.

Then, suddenly, she looked down at the small piece of paper she was holding.

Something she had a subordinate get for her through a second-hand transaction a while ago.

Every night.

She kept it under her pillow and cherished it.

“Just now, I encountered a Transcendent Enhancement.”

And.

It’s not just encountering it.

Snuggling together softly.

Didn’t our hearts completely connect?

‘I can still feel the sensation vividly.’

This is a divine revelation.

A moment to defy fate.

Loran inhaled.

A chaebol doesn’t need scrolls lower than 10%.

Building up the low points?

That’s something commoners do.

It’s a chaebol’s duty to always move towards the high points.

If it succeeds this time, the number of upgrades will become 0.

But she didn’t hesitate.

“If not now, then when.”

And I’ve just scrubbed vigorously.

Loran gritted her teeth.

A single chance.

With this… With this, I’ll change my life!

Applied the scroll to the skill.

The confirm button—

She pressed it.

Crash.

Instantly, the screen turned red.

“……”

The silence of the bathhouse deepened.

Loran’s eyes wandered in the air.

Her lips trembled.

Her fingers twitched, then slowly clenched into a fist.

Again.

Again.

Again…!

It failed again…!!!

Her vision went dark.

Enhancement successful.

This is natural.

Because it was written that it would succeed.

The problem is.

The multiple-choice that appeared.

‘There are two options. I still can’t read them.’

It’s tricky.

The back of the cards is still tightly hidden.

If it were a skill pack, I could see the aura based on the grade.

But this is a C-grade skill, so it’s all blue.

It looks the same no matter what I choose.

Just in case, I opened my eyes and used insight.

Surprisingly.

One more option was added.

Two choices became three.

‘…It just made me more indecisive.’

My head became complicated.

What should I choose?

I even felt like I wanted someone to choose for me.

But.

I encountered unexpected luck in the bathhouse.

“Transcendent Enhancement, huh.”

There’s a system like that too.

“Ah, it’s so warm.”

Bubble bubble.

While putting my body in the bath.

I checked the newly added option.

“Wow. Crazy.”

I obtained a skill beyond C-grade.

This is.

It’s like having an extra life.

The moment I reach death.

Even if a blade pierces my body.

Even if there’s an impact that could stop my heart.

Even if poison engulfs my whole body.

I’m still alive.

For 5 seconds, though.

‘I can create a variable during that short time.’

As expected.

Snipers are all about clicking.

The corners of my mouth rose to the sky.

A hidden piece hidden on Creation Sunday.

While using the secret art of creation to make the ‘Elixir of Seven Days’, the Sunday dungeon completely closed.

The law that maintained the dungeon collapsed.

As if the heavens had finished their work, this place was no longer open to me.

“It’s a shame. I liked being able to choose a dungeon I wanted to enter.”

[You shouldn’t try to get things too easily by just clicking. It’s good to seize the opportunities the world gives you, but if you rely only on that, you won’t last long.]

He’s a hero, I guess.

He always says the right things.

Still, his advice is always invaluable.

I didn’t think of it as nagging.

I slowly walked through the campus.

The leaves rustled, and students sat in groups of three or five on the lawn.

Some held coffee in their hands, and some were writing reports on their tablets.

Hayang also seems to be familiar with the path now.

His small tail wagged gently.

Then.

“Excuse me, do you have a moment?”

A neat dress shirt, tidy hair, a confident expression.

Clearly a senior from some club.

Other freshmen were already caught nearby.

From afar, promotional events were in full swing at each club booth.

“Why?”

I kind of know what this is about.

But I asked indifferently.

He quickly spoke as if reciting a prepared line.

“We are the ‘Theoretical Martial Arts Research Society’, IGRA for short. We don’t just fight, we take an academic approach. We analyze the principles and philosophy of modern martial arts, various fighting styles, and apply them together with martial arts. If you’re interested, would you like to come by?”

I glanced sideways.

The club name itself sounds like a complete practical fighting fanatic.

I briefly scanned the pamphlet he handed me.

Martial arts research and practice (365 times a year).

Practical mock battles (365 times a year).

Martial arts theory seminars (365 times a year).

Operation of domestic and international martial arts exchange programs.

What is this.

Isn’t this just a place to get beaten up every day instead of theoretical research?

As expected, hunters are a warrior race.

They casually suggest strenuous exercise to a girl.

I smiled in refusal and shook my head.

“Ah, I’m fine.”

“Why? Are you not confident in your stamina? Or are you not interested in fighting?”

“Both.”

He’s subtly trying to provoke me?

I refused flatly, but the senior didn’t give up.

Why is he so persistent.

“It’s a good opportunity to gain combat experience, so think about it again. Honestly, building practical skills is important while living in the academy. You can learn that systematically in our club.”

Well, he’s not wrong.

But is there a need to unnecessarily overwork my body?

Training? I don’t need it.

The Cheonmagong (Heavenly Demon Arts) takes care of it.

Most importantly.

I’m a sniper.

But, someone else is approaching from that side.

“Oh? It’s the first place winner, isn’t it?”

I turned my head.

This time, a calm-looking female senior wearing glasses.

“Are you interested in research activities? We are the ‘Awakening Studies Society’.”

Awakening studies.

A discipline that studies the system that suddenly appeared on Earth.

It seems much less tiring than martial arts research—

But still, not really.

But.

This isn’t the end.

A huge muscle approaching from afar.

“Are you interested in strength training?”

His voice was low.

I instinctively took a step back.

“…….”

“Strengthening physical abilities is an essential element for hunters. Our club researches the best training methods every day.”

Is that all?

There’s no end.

One person. Two people. Three people.

Crowd.

Shadows poured onto the lawn.

Their faces were full of passion.

Burning eyes. A confident attitude. And persistence.

“Ah, there’s a freshman passing by!”

“Where?”

“Wait, that child?”

“It’s Ernian Ludwig, who defeated Arkeus!”

“Just a moment, just 10 minutes of your time…”

“No, 5 minutes! 5 minutes is enough!”

That’s right.

I’ve become a celebrity since Cancellation.

‘It’s only been the weekend, and this is happening already.’

The most popular freshman during club recruitment season.

That was me.

Before I knew it, I was surrounded on all sides.

Magic department.

Martial arts department.

Physical training enthusiasts.

Even cultural and arts clubs.

They all shouted in unison.

“Just give us one chance!”

“Just try it out…”

“We have plenty of research funding! We even support thesis papers!”

“You may be small in stature, but you can build strength!”

“It’s an opportunity to test your tactics in the Miles War!”

“Just invest 3 hours a day!”

“We are not just theoretical research! We aim for practical application! For example, the ‘Cancellation’ you recently used, just analyzing that…”

“Our society has a tradition! 44 years of history and…”

I couldn’t help but sigh.

“Not buying.”