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Chapter 89

After returning to the dorm and finishing my shower, I came out to find Shar looking at me with a smartphone in hand, shouting for me to take it.

“Who’s that?”

“It’s In-hwa unnie. Should I say she’s not here?”

“Left her smartphone behind and went out? Why suggest such a political choice?”

I took the smartphone from Shar and connected the call.

“Hello?”

– Hello. Choi Yeon-woo.

“Uh, what’s up? Need something?”

– Yeah. Dad sent a reward for you.

Now that I think about it, I was expecting something like that. Time slipped from my mind, but considering the distance to the Ice Palace, it wasn’t surprising it took this long.

“Really? Should I head over?”

– No, I’ll go. The dorm supervisor won’t be too pleased.

“Okay, sounds good.”

– Got it. I’m leaving now.

Looks like today’s content will be an unboxing from the Ice Palace. Thinking that, I handed the smartphone back to Shar. While Shar and Tae-oh had similar tastes, they differed in small details, so Shar would borrow my smartphone to watch something different.

Wondering what Shar could possibly be watching that made him borrow my phone, I looked over and saw him intensely watching… some sort of factory machine moving with sparkling eyes.

…It does give a strange thrill to watch complex machinery operate seamlessly. Like finding the perfect piece that fits into a jagged hole.

But it seemed Shar didn’t share that feeling, as he was watching dog videos on YouTube instead. It wasn’t that their relationship had soured; Shar was just being considerate towards Tae-oh.

“Well, I’m off to see Dad for a bit.”

“Have a nice trip~”

“See you…!”

With the two kids seeing me off, I stepped out of the room. Just delivering an item, but it felt odd to have to go all the way up to the dorm. I wanted to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.

I bought a cool drink at the convenience store on the first floor of the dorm. While it was just for delivering an item, this kind of small gesture can be the spice of human relationships. In-hwa liked slightly sour drinks like lemonade, so I opted for that.

I sat on a bench in front of the dorm and popped open my can of drink, letting the fizzy sweetness and just the right hint of tartness dance on my tongue.

“Ahh, refreshing.”

I could say my academy life had steadily reached a reasonable orbit. Aside from the major events of the first year, there was hardly anything left but team competitions. I hadn’t felt any causality adjustment regarding In-hwa yet… in fact, it was more like it was deflating.

As for how strong I had become…

I decided to activate the information ring that I only used during personal training.

The mechanical interface appeared before my eyes, and letters and numbers scrolled upward. With a bit of tweaking, the contents changed slightly.

※ Current Hunter and 1st Year Standards ※

Name: Choi Yeon-woo

Grade: 1st Year

–

Strength: 4

Agility: 4

Endurance: 6

Mana (Quantity): 4

Mana (Quality): 9

Swordsmanship: 4

Magic: 2

Hmm, satisfying.

Ultimately, the numbers from the information ring are relative evaluations. In other words, if the lowest is considered to be 1, then 5 would be the average.

Thinking of it that way, I could say I had raised my level to slightly below the grade average. The purity of my mana had always been top-class, but the fact that my endurance had surpassed the average was particularly impressive.

‘There’s no doubt I’ve gotten stronger compared to the beginning.’

My combat skills may have dropped compared to before my regression, but overall, I must have grown stronger. I had a lot more means to use now, and even though my combat techniques had deteriorated, the physical enhancement from aura made that a zero-sum game.

If there was one concern, it was the Aura Blade that I still hadn’t perfected. Despite having devoted my free time over the last month to completing the Aura Blade, I still felt it wasn’t perfect.

‘The control feels perfect, though….’

Even if it wasn’t as good as Yuri’s, the Aura Blade sticking to the sword’s surface still gave me the feeling that something was lacking. I wondered if that was a result of not having enough mana…

As I pondered, a familiar In-young appeared from afar.

Baek In-hwa, annoyed by the blowing wind, swept her silvery hair back and was wearing black dolphin shorts and a crop top that seemed barely long enough to cover her stomach.

Women adept in martial arts often preferred modesty regarding their appearance, but judging by Baek In-hwa’s attire, it seemed the early summer heat in Korea was too much for her.

“Hey.”

“Hey, what’s with that outfit? What would Dad think if he saw you?”

“He should come here and live a bit to understand.”

Baek In-hwa’s expression was icy as she spoke, clearly meaning it. It makes sense that someone living in the cold North Sea would feel differently when coming to hot Korea.

I stood up to accept the luxurious box she was holding with one arm and handed her the lemonade I had set down next to the bench. Once I sat back down, Baek In-hwa joined me.

“Thank you.”

“It must’ve been annoying to carry that. This is no trouble at all.”

There’s quite a gap between first class and normal class. That’s likely why Baek In-hwa offered to bring it.

Unlike me, who would have to run purely to reach first class due to my limited martial skills effective around trees, Baek In-hwa’s prowess allowed her to shine even in complicated environments.

“But what’s inside that’s wrapped so elaborately? Sending money alone would have sufficed…”

“Don’t know. I’m curious too.”

“Oh, you don’t know?”

“They didn’t tell me.”

Baek In-hwa nodded nonchalantly while sipping her lemonade. I see, that’s probably why she came by. Worried about what Dad might have sent to give to her friend…

‘Since I don’t have a dad, I wouldn’t know.’

Of course, I didn’t voice that thought.

Though Baek In-hwa appeared cold and apathetic, I sensed a richness of emotion beneath her exterior, which has been my recent impression.

If I made a joke about that, she’d probably stiffen up, feeling guilty.

As I sat there, it looked like I had upset her, but I was getting better at reading her expressions lately.

Still, receiving something more than just money was genuinely appreciated.

Sure, there might also be a political calculation at play regarding my saving that cow of a friend, ensuring the cost wasn’t solely in money.

“Shall we open it then?”

Baek In-hwa nodded. North Sea box unboxing content! What could the outcome be…!!

With a glimmer of anticipation, I lifted the wasp that sealed the box…!!

“…Dad, please.”

As soon as the lid opened, a radiant light burst forth from the box. The light reflected and changed its appearance every time I glanced at it.

On the blue cushion lay a delicate piece of ice, no bigger than a fingernail.

Was this elaborate packaging just for such a small piece of ice? At first glance, that seemed to be the case, but knowing the reality made it quite different.

The inside of the box appeared to have been worked on tirelessly to keep it warm.

A soft, warm cushion, and a magic stone inscribed with a heating spell were hidden beneath that, using materials with high thermal conductivity to maintain warmth.

Yet, as soon as the box opened, an explosion of cold air spilled out. The moment it opened, my breath turned white enough to be visible due to the frost.

Baek In-hwa clasped her hands over her face. Her expression conveyed multiple emotions—a tone that seemed to ask why this was sent, along with a shy demeanor in my presence.

I hesitated for a moment.

“…Is this… what I think it is?”

“…Yeah, it’s the Ice Spirit.”

Baek In-hwa, having bowed her head slightly earlier, quietly confirmed. Not noticing the awkwardness in her response, I rubbed my eyes in disbelief.

The Ice Spirit. A crystallization of the purest ice.

Not just any chill from nature can be collected; it’s one of the rare treasures that can only be obtained after being filtered into an ice crystal for a prolonged time.

Naturally, given its properties, what one gains from consuming it is only the attribute mana of ice… I was almost disappointed… but,

‘Wait, I already have it, don’t I?’

Baek In-hwa was thinking that Dad likely had made a mistake again.

Of course, everyone is born with a bit of both yin and yang energy. However, unless one has an unusual constitution, boys accumulate a lot of yang energy during puberty, while girls tend to accumulate more yin energy instead.

That fact has remained unchanged even after coming to this world.

However, consuming an item almost identical to a crystallization of yin energy like the Ice Spirit might cause some side effects in a man who hasn’t practiced techniques to control yin. It’s fortunate that it doesn’t usually result in death, but…

Some of the side effects that people dread as much as dying exist too.

For example, one might have issues with their sexual functions.

For example, their personality might become overly feminine.

Of course, these side effects were well-known in the North Sea region, so whenever a boy around my age made a friend, Dad would send gifts with a serious face.

Gifts of the Ice Spirit.

Naturally, since they were residents of the North Sea, they understood the implications better than anyone. Either give up being a man or don’t bother In-hwa.

It could be seen as a symbol of paternal rivalry.

‘…Sigh, Dad…’

I really don’t get why this keeps happening despite my insistence that it’s not that way. Feeling genuinely headachy, Baek In-hwa raised her head.

“Can I eat it now?”

I made eye contact with Choi Yeon-woo throwing the Ice Spirit straight into his mouth.

“W-Wait…!!”

“Ugh!”

With a scream that was almost similar to a shriek, Baek In-hwa lunged at Yeon-woo.

What do I do? Can I use my inner power to pull it out? It’s yin energy, so wouldn’t it be unresponsive?

As I thought that, I pumped inner power into him, but there was no reaction. It was already melting and spreading through his body.

“You idiot!! You can’t just gobble it down without knowing anything!!”

“No way, a friend’s dad wouldn’t send me poison…”

He saved that little friend’s life, after all. Choi Yeon-woo muttered softly, sounding reasonable, but Baek In-hwa was pounding her chest in frustration.

“Did you think good elixirs don’t tend to have some side effects!?”

“Hey, don’t yell like that next to my ear. It’s ringing now.”

What do I do? What should I do? If it stays like this…

“You won’t be a man anymore…!!”

“Hey, what a horrific thing to say??”

It was the first time I’d heard such a terrible thing in my life…!!

Screaming like I was getting murdered, Yeon-woo wrapped his arms around his shoulders.

(To be continued in the next part.)

 

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