Chapter 110
Chapter 110. Elixir
It had been several days since the new training had started at Cheongyeongsa.
The instructors in charge of the training taught the heroes in their own unique ways.
It was a somewhat unfamiliar education compared to what they received during their student days at Hero Academy.
The instructors called it practical training.
‘Ugh, what is this?’
‘I expected famous heroes to be here…’
‘This is just nonsense.’
Among the new entrants of Cheongyeongsa’s third batch, there were those who were dissatisfied and struggling to keep up with the new training.
Still, most of them followed the instructors’ directives fairly well.
This was because their attitude and performance in training also reflected on Cheongyeongsa’s scores.
The training schedule for the first week was packed tightly throughout the weekdays.
Once training began, it lasted at least 3 to 4 hours, leaving most students no time to go hunting.
And now, at 8 PM, after everyone’s training had finished.
Outside, darkness had already fallen, and Yoo Ji-han’s party gathered in the guild office.
“How’s the training, Yu-ri?”
“I didn’t know what we’d do on the first day… but now it’s manageable.”
Min Yu-ri was being trained under the Rank 2 Hero Lee Soo-ji.
On the first day, they just kept hitting targets until they were exhausted, so she didn’t grasp the purpose of the training well.
But from the second day, Lee Soo-ji taught how to excel as a ranged dealer based on various knowledge she acquired from real-life experience.
——A ranged dealer shouldn’t just stay as a support-type hero. You have to be ready to be the core of the party beyond just being a mage.
Usually, ranged dealers stayed at the very back of the party.
However, Lee Soo-ji instructed the trainees that they must do their part even if the enemy is right next to them.
In light of the opinion that some close combat training was also necessary, Min Yu-ri was spending part of her personal time honing her melee skills.
“What about Si-hoo?”
“It’s pretty fun. There are a lot of trainings I didn’t know about.”
Likewise, Kim Si-hoo was receiving training from the Rank 2 Mages.
Every time he faced training he had never experienced before, his heart raced.
However, there was one problem with the training…
When a task was given, the training focused on solving it, and he solved the tasks so much faster than others that the instructors found themselves in quite the pickle.
——Wait, Kim Si-hoo? Are you really a Rank 4?
In terms of magic control, he reached such a level that the instructors began to doubt his rank.
Fortunately, since tasks involving magic could be altered in various ways, the instructors would give additional tasks to those who finished quickly.
From there, Kim Si-hoo could solve up to five tasks a day.
This led to the instructors wracking their brains trying to continuously create altered tasks on the spot.
“What about you, Hyung?”
“I heard Ji-han is being trained by Yoon Do-ha?”
Kim Si-hoo and Min Yu-ri looked at Yoo Ji-han with curious expressions.
Yoo Ji-han was receiving personal training from Yoon Do-ha, the guild master of the Dice Guild, outside Cheongyeongsa.
Very few people knew he was receiving such special training, even among his party members.
“Well… I’m having fun, too.”
“What kind of training do higher-level Spirit Masters do? I’d really like to see it later.”
“Nothing special.”
Unlike the expectations of Kim Si-hoo, the first day of training with Yoon Do-ha consisted of a discussion while eating pizza, and that took longer than actual training.
Of course, he gained useful knowledge, but Spirit Masters didn’t necessarily undergo very special training.
‘I was told to keep summoning the spirits for a while.’
Now, he simply followed Yoon Do-ha’s instruction to keep the Sylph summoned in reality.
Whether he was going to work, using the bathroom, even when falling asleep or waking up.
Yoo Ji-han kept the Sylph by his side, even in situations where he didn’t really need the help of a Sylph.
Yoon Do-ha termed this the process of increasing intimacy with the spirit.
Along with the contractor’s actions, the spirit also experiences the emotions felt by the contractor as if it were by their side.
As this is repeated, the synchronization between the contractor and the spirit increases, ultimately benefiting the Spirit Master.
‘Though I’m a bit worried if others can see it.’
While Yoo Ji-han kept the Sylph in the real world for nearly 24 hours, he made sure to hide its presence in his clothes or pocket as much as possible.
It was a somewhat bothersome process, but it was the path he chose.
Until he got caught, he intended to maintain the current state.
“Let’s just do a simple check and head home.”
“I’ll pull up the documents.”
Kim Si-hoo opened his laptop.
Then, he displayed the document summarizing the status of Yoo Ji-han’s party and the Sweet Fun Guild on the screen.
It was a confidential document containing not only the guild’s financial condition but a variety of important information.
After skimming a part of the document, Min Yu-ri spoke with a slightly worried expression.
“Is it okay for me to see this?”
“Of course.”
Kim Si-hoo and Yoo Ji-han shared all the guild information with Min Yu-ri.
Usually, they wouldn’t share such important information with an ordinary guild member.
However, they deemed it worthwhile to share such information with a hero like Min Yu-ri.
And these little decisions could lead to a deeper trust among guild members.
“The current funds are… about 500 million.”
“The amount that came in after taking down the Barbarian was quite significant.”
Not long after Yang Ji-cheol had visited the office.
Exactly 200 million came into the guild’s account as a reward.
After deducting all taxes, it was 200 million net.
Combining it with the existing amount earned, it totaled a little over 500 million.
“Everyone’s equipment is fine, right?”
“It’s in good condition since the last fix.”
After facing the Barbarian at the department store, Yoo Ji-han’s party had to repair their damaged equipment.
Even Chilla’s shield, which had just been fitted, had sustained enough damage to become dented.
“Why don’t we replace the equipment?”
“Well… that’s a tough decision.”
Yoo Ji-han had only bought his current equipment from Nam Ho-yeol less than two months ago.
Looking purely at the rank, it was reasonable to think the current equipment was still sufficient.
‘But things keep happening.’
However, as encounters with mutations and intruders increased, Yoo Ji-han found himself in a dilemma.
If they were to face another intruder next time, it would be wise to have good equipment ready.
‘It would be nice to procure a useful artifact, too.’
There were many ways to spend the money.
Determining how to utilize limited resources could also be considered a skill.
‘Good evaluations can flip anytime.’
Cheongyeongsa can select dropouts among the new entrants.
They can disqualify parties with low scores from support projects.
Yoo Ji-han’s party had shown a decent performance so far at Cheongyeongsa.
However, if they were too complacent, they might get pushed out by the parties of large guilds receiving substantial support from behind.
“Hyung, what about the Gwaesam?”
“I happened to bring it from home before returning to the building.”
Yoo Ji-han pulled a bottle containing Gwaechukgwaesamjeong out of his bag.
It looked like the deep reddish dye of the Gwaesam had soaked into the honey.
A properly aged elixir.
Bang!
As he twisted the tightly closed lid with his hand, it opened with a cheerful sound.
“Wow…!”
“The scent is really strong.”
The rich aroma of the mixed Gwaesam and Gwaechuk spread around them.
Kim Si-hoo and Min Yu-ri could not hide their astonishment at the scent that kept stimulating their noses.
“I just finished brewing it this afternoon.”
“Is it okay to drink it now?”
“I’ll pour it for you.”
Yoo Ji-han took out a thermos filled with warm water and poured it into cups.
Then, he took a large spoonful of the sticky Gwaechukgwaesamjeong and placed it into the cup of water, stirring it well.
As the water mixed with the dark red honey, the perfect Gwaechukgwaesam tea was created.
In appearance, it looked as if squid ink had been dropped into the water.
“Done.”
Four cups of steaming Gwaechukgwaesam tea were placed on the table.
As commonly known, the first cup is said to have the strongest effect.
“Chilla, here you go.”
“Ding!”
Chilla, who was next to him, took the cup as well.
It was said that even monsters receive the effects of elixirs.
Everyone raised their cups, feeling a bit nervous.
“…Should I drink it?”
The first to step forward was Kim Si-hoo.
He stood up from his seat and downed the cup in one go without leaving a single drop.
Gulp—
The warm tea slid down his tongue and throat.
Kim Si-hoo closed his eyes, quietly feeling the Gwaechukgwaesam tea passing through his esophagus into his stomach.
Accompanied by the intense scent of the Gwaesam swirling in his nostrils, his cold body was engulfed in warmth in an instant.
The remaining members watching also gulped down the tea in one go.
“…?”
However, about 10 seconds later…
The warm water, which should have arrived in their stomachs by now, felt as though it had suddenly lost all its heat.
Just as the three began to question this phenomenon occurring in their stomachs.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Suddenly, everyone who took the elixir felt their hearts racing faster.
Not just beating quickly, but also shaking the whole body with a loud vibration, as if pounding a drum.
Chiiing—
Their skin, which had been flesh-toned, turned red as if heated.
Black vapor rose from everyone’s skin.
“Jiji, jiji?!”
Chilla, who had taken the elixir with them, was no exception.
‘What the hell is happening right now…?!’
Their body was shaking like water reaching boiling point with the magic within.
The three sensed the phenomenon happening in their bodies but had no means to deal with it for the moment.
They simply clenched their teeth and remained alert to the changes in their bodies.
After about a minute passed…
When the strange phenomenon occurring in their bodies came to a halt.
Everyone’s expressions were not bright.
The aroma of Gwaesam that filled the office had completely vanished, replaced by a foul odor.
“Hyung…”
“Let’s open the window.”
Creak—
With the wide-open window, the smell that filled the office began to slowly dissipate.
Only then could they breathe comfortably.
“What was that just now?”
Kim Si-hoo rubbed his cheek with his hand.
Something black and sticky was smeared on his fingers.
When he brought his fingers close to his nose, he wrinkled his face.
It was because it smelled the same as what had filled the room moments ago.
“I get it.”
Kim Si-hoo took out a wet wipe and said while wiping his face.
“It seems the waste products were expelled from our bodies.”
“Really?”
“I’m sure. I heard that one of Gwaesam’s effects is the removal of waste products.”
“I didn’t expect the effect to be this strong….”
Min Yu-ri was creeped out by chills running down her entire body.
Just by taking a sip, this much waste was expelled!
She had only heard that elixirs were good for the body, but it was her first time experiencing it directly.
“I might as well take a shower when I get back.”
“Yu-ri? Your hair looks a bit weird, though?”
“Yeah?”
“It seems to have grown longer.”
“…!”
Upon Yoo Ji-han’s words, Min Yu-ri’s gaze fell to her right shoulder.
Her bobbed hair, which had been above her shoulder just minutes ago, had grown to the point of brushing against her shoulder.
“Oh my god…”
Chilla’s fur next to her sparkled as if coated with oil.
He was also affected by the elixir.
And Yoo Ji-han felt the changes himself as well.
While observing his body here and there, he examined his arm’s muscles.
‘They’ve gotten firmer.’
While there was almost no change in the size of his muscles, they had certainly become denser.
The grip strength felt different than usual.
If he had to guess, his physical strength had likely increased, too.
Kim Si-hoo, fascinated, kept touching his body.
‘Famous elixirs are indeed something else.’
When he took Lucky Whisker and White Umbrella, it wasn’t like this either.
He never expected that just one elixir could cause such a huge change!
Yoo Ji-han’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the remaining Gwaechukgwaesamjeong in the bottle.
‘They lived with such good things like this.’
It was a moment that gave him a reason to work harder to earn more money.
