Ch.8989. The Twisted Ones

I don’t understand why Deokmin is acting this way. He’s going crazy on Gangsu?

“Hey! What are you doing there!”

Juhwan Oh quickly noticed and stepped between us.

If I made a clumsy excuse now, I’d immediately get a lecture from Juhwan.

“Instructor. I lost my temper. I apologize.”

Deokmin was smart in handling situations like this.

Instead of foolishly resisting, he admitted his fault and apologized quickly.

“Control your temper. You weren’t like this in the first semester. I’ve been hearing that you’re getting aggressive with the other students in the second semester.”

“Yes. I guess I’ve been that way lately.”

Deokmin scratched his head and managed to defuse the situation.

Nothing else happened during the sparring class after that, but it was shocking to see Deokmin act this way.

This is so different from the person I know.

Even with regression and changes in history, the basic framework usually stays the same, but Deokmin has changed drastically.

However, as class ended and I was about to leave, Deokmin blocked my path.

“…”

“…”

Neither of us said anything.

No, I knew what he meant. I was just curious about the reason.

“Why are you suddenly acting like this?”

“If you don’t like it, let’s fight. Got a problem?”

“If you tell me the reason.”

“Because you act all high and mighty, and I don’t like it.”

We got along fine in the first semester, but he changed during the second semester.

Deokmin stood his ground and clicked his tongue.

“Are you going to report me? I’ll back off if you do. Coward.”

“I’ll accept a sparring match.”

“That’s more like it. Since first year, you’ve been acting like you’re some class president or something.”

I don’t know why he’s suddenly acting this way, but I guess I’ll be fighting twice today.

Since it was after school, there was no reason for instructors to intervene.

So an unexpected sparring match was set up. We faced each other in the sparring arena.

“Aren’t you going with Instructor Serin from the advanced class today?”

“I asked her to postpone it by 30 minutes.”

“You talk like you’re going to walk out of here.”

“Will that D-rank enhancement suit be enough?”

Deokmin didn’t immediately answer my question. Instead, he made a face like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Hey, what are you saying? Looks like you’re underestimating me like you did in the first semester. Right?”

“For the lower class average, D-rank is pretty strong.”

For first-years in the lower class, F to E rank is normal. Considering that most third-years in the lower class graduate with D to C ranks, it would be too much for a first-year.

“Lower class… You’re in the lower class too. It’s weird that you’re talking big just because of your enhancement suit.”

“You’re right. That’s why I’m trying to match your level. If you don’t need it, fine. Or are you saying you’ve already reached D-rank?”

Deokmin doesn’t answer.

Since he took down Gangsu, he must be above E-rank, right?

Now we begin the sparring. I know Deokmin’s style from watching him all this time.

But Deokmin is a sidekick, and his ability is a 2-star summoning spirit specialized in reconnaissance. Coming at me head-on?

His magical power could have gotten stronger, but…

I was clearly underestimating Deokmin at this point.

While I was lost in thought, the match had already begun.

And Deokmin approached me with unexpected speed.

The moment a large fist flashed before my eyes, I rolled backward.

The impact was stronger than I imagined, and I couldn’t move my body for a moment.

This isn’t E-rank level!

As another shadow loomed over me, I raised both hands to defend.

The heavy impact of the enhancement suit transferred to me as Deokmin’s kick forced me up.

As I was staggering, trying to regain balance, he was approaching again.

Faster than I thought and stronger than I expected.

Deokmin is this good?

The performance of the enhancement suit was almost overwhelming.

I suddenly realized Deokmin was moving to my side.

Another hit. My side was throbbing.

“Damn it!”

I swung in anger, but he dodged nimbly.

How did he just attack?

I was calculating Deokmin’s movements in my head.

How he approaches and what his habits are.

I hadn’t analyzed Deokmin like I had Gangsu, so my judgment was slowing down.

But at some point, Deokmin started standing his ground and trading blows rather than hit-and-run tactics.

He was breathing heavily, as if excited.

At times like this, I had one option.

To accept taking hits and switch to a big attack. It’s hard to dodge when we’re both hitting each other.

Deokmin typically comes in throwing consecutive hooks.

The moment the first calculation was made, what I needed to do was weave.

As I lowered my stance, Deokmin’s fist passed by my face.

My fist successfully connected with Deokmin’s face.

‘Got it.’

But Deokmin’s punch hit my face again.

In this slugfest, I could feel my strength fading, probably because I’d taken more hits.

Eventually, his knee kick landed on my chin, and for a moment, my consciousness wavered.

I fell on my backside and somehow managed to roll away, but Deokmin was watching me.

He’s strong. Now I understand why Gangsu was easily defeated.

Deokmin is this good?

But I don’t understand why his personality has become so violent.

I try to take a defensive stance, but my body staggers.

Deokmin was glaring at me while catching his breath.

“That’s enough. We’ll stop here. It’s meaningless.”

With those words, he ended the sparring match.

*

The lower class was in shock.

“Deokmin won, right?”

“Even if he walked out in the middle, at that point, he basically won.”

Everyone watching couldn’t close their mouths.

Deokmin had just overwhelmed Jonghyun Do.

“That Jonghyun Do lost?”

“Jonghyun?”

The dormitory members, including Gangsu, were all surprised.

Ironically, the one implicitly recognized as the strongest in the lower class was Jonghyun Do, who didn’t have a summoning spirit.

Despite not having a summoning spirit, the enhancement suit allowed him to cover up to D-rank, and no one in the lower class exceeded D-rank.

Combined with his knowledge and judgment, he was respected by everyone.

The implicit strongest in the lower class had just been pushed back by Deokmin.

It was shocking enough to stun the others. But Deokmin felt differently.

“Deokmin, that’s amazing. You beat Jonghyun.”

“…”

“Deokmin?”

But Deokmin didn’t say anything. Then he suddenly rushed off somewhere.

“Where are you going?”

“I have somewhere I need to be quickly.”

Despite being called out to, Deokmin gave a hasty reply and left. His breathing had become even more labored.

‘Shit! Of all times… I could have beaten him to a pulp.’

He couldn’t continue his attack. Not that he didn’t want to.

Back at the dormitory, he used a burner phone instead of his smartwatch.

[Why is the effect wearing off so quickly?]

[Your body’s getting used to it, isn’t it? You’re developing resistance. It’s common.]

[No, you’re charging me all that money for this? This means I have to buy more! And the drug is expensive!]

Deokmin was agitated, but soon a menacing voice came through.

[Hey, hey! HEY! HEY! HEY!]

“!”

Deokmin’s heart sank.

[Are you crazy? You’re a Jaeger Academy student, right? Want me to spread word about you benefiting from this powder? Who do you think you’re complaining to? Are you insane? Want me to cut off our deal?]

[I-I’m sorry. I got excited…]

[Enough. If you want forgiveness, bring 500 with compensation for damages. From today, I’ll charge you more. Got it?]

Deokmin’s expression was on the verge of tears.

[I’m sorry. Just once… just once… please let it go.]

[Hmm. You should have said that from the start. Well, I can understand the impatience of kids. Instead, I need to expand my market. Bring one more trustworthy person who can keep their mouth shut. Then I’ll return the price to normal.]

[O-okay. One more person?]

[Yeah. But make sure you take care of your debt from today. Don’t forget the 500 for damages.]

Deokmin barely finished the call and glared at his phone.

Then his body trembled.

“You bastard! You’re really screwing me over! Who do you think you are! So annoying.”

Suddenly, cracks appeared on the phone screen.

Deokmin hastily let go.

“Shit, 500 is no joke.”

Bringing one person is easy. Besides, he’s already identified a target.

‘Thanks to those damn senior jerks.’

He found Gangsu’s name on the cracked screen.

‘This guy will…’

After today’s incident, he’ll want power. It’s easy to persuade him, but the problem is the 500 in damages.

‘Where can I get that?’

Deokmin then recalled what his parents were discussing at night.

[Deokmin has changed so much, it’s difficult. Honey, we need to move from this house too. He keeps breaking things.]

[Sigh… Why did our Deokmin suddenly…]

[Let’s withdraw our savings and insurance and move to a new house.]

Deokmin suddenly took a sharp breath at the wicked thought.

‘What… what am I thinking?’

How could he have such an unfilial thought? Deokmin clutched his head.

‘No. Aren’t parents supposed to sacrifice for their children’s success? They should be willing to make such sacrifices for their child. With that powder, I could even join one of the top three guilds!’

The sense of guilt was disappearing from Deokmin’s mind.

*

I never expected Deokmin to get so strong. I definitely need to reflect on this.

I should use the phrase “remarkable improvement” for Deokmin.

It would be nice if he used that state to stop the hazing, but I don’t think he will.

I really couldn’t predict that Deokmin would change like this.

Anyway, the last weekend before the first week of October is approaching.

The third-years’ employment paths and training will briefly return to school around the final exams in late November.

They continue training and become interns during the vacation period, with formal recruitment upon graduation.

‘This must be a crucial moment for the third-year seniors.’

Us? We go on a first-year field trip in the third week of October.

Nominally, we’re sightseeing beautiful mountains and other Jaeger activity bases, but it’s mostly just for fun.

It’s a kind of reward after the stressful practical training of the third-years.

Gate practical training is next Thursday and Friday.

Unlike other times when it’s done all at once, we’re divided into groups over two days.

Since the training itself is something instructors are sensitive about.

So what I need to do this week is experiment.

It’s an experiment on physical recovery after full transformation.

I don’t need to go to high-grade gates; hunting in a B-grade gate area is enough. I can tell the security team to wait outside as usual.

What’s the point of talking about it? I headed straight to the gate on Saturday.

Telling the security team to wait as always.

This time, the security guard brought new information.

“Be careful though. There’s a warning at the guild that resonance phenomena are appearing unpredictably even in low-grade gates these days. Your school will get the notice next week.”

“Really? Isn’t resonance phenomenon extremely rare?”

“But recently the probability has doubled. From 1% to 2%. Anyway, be careful. It’s dangerous even if it seems small. Should I come in with you?”

“No. If it resonates, I’ll run away with all my might. I don’t have the skills to fight anyway.”

No, if you come in, I’m doomed.

I desperately refused and went inside. A D-rank gate is enough for sub-form, but the stamina test is important.

Clutching a Jaeger energy bar, I slowly transformed into full form.

This time I’ll transform into Insect Sura. The field is desert terrain, so visibility is clear.

But since I can’t have other people around, I looked for a place to hide and started transforming.

My targets are B-rank and mechanical parts. And so I began hunting.

Nothing could stop me. With accumulated combat experience and using sub-cards, monsters were cut down just by me passing by.

I don’t stay for a short time like before. I have time now.

Thanks to that, my points, which were around 4,000, soared to 14,000 by the time I left.

However, there’s one more thing to check here.

[Absorption]

I want to see if absorption, which enables evolution, helps when in human form.

After absorbing the last four kills and releasing the transformation, surprisingly, my body wasn’t as painful as before… at least I could walk.

Finishing with absorption can reduce the body’s burden.

[Evolution]

-Full form not possible

-Sub-form not possible

But unlike when I transformed from full form to full form against the invader, I can’t transform into either.

That’s probably because I’ve been transformed for too long? It depends on transformation time.

So… I chewed on the energy bar.

Instantly feeling replenished, I managed to walk back for the first time in a long while.

How long has it been since I actually walked in?

On Sunday, I checked the evolution card again, and indeed, I could transform up to sub-form.

In other words, replenishing the body’s energy can significantly reduce fatigue the next day.

I’ve successfully obtained a very important proposition. Now I don’t have to skip classes so much.

“Just do well in the practical training. Just the training!”

The only thing left is the gate practical training.

I just hope there won’t be any accidents.

But whenever I desperately wish for this, accidents tend to happen. Nothing will go wrong, right?

It was a day that made me unnecessarily anxious.