Chapter 34: A Weak Mind Resides in a Weak Body

“Fight Hilde-ssi? What does that mean?”

“Rather than a fight, it’s about training through sparring.”

I pointed at the Wolf’s tracks and continued speaking.

“We don’t know when monsters like these will attack. I think having at least one means to protect oneself is necessary.”

It’s an excuse for my plan, but it’s not entirely untrue.

At least, with combat power that loses to Horned Rabbits, it’s no help.

“If it were the former Team Leader, it wouldn’t be a problem. But here, you don’t have abilities.”

“Hmm, that’s true.”

Shin Seom-hwa seemed quite convinced by my words.

Because the content itself is plausible.

Though its intent can’t be seen as plausible.

‘Still, the reason she’s hesitating is probably because of Hilde.’

After all, if they spar directly, the difference in skill will be clearly revealed.

Of course, that’s also what I’m aiming for.

“Of course, Hilde and I will continue to protect you, so it should be fine.”

“No. I can’t be protected by you guys forever.”

As expected, I knew she’d react like that.

The prideful Shin Seom-hwa would find the situation of being ‘protected’ by someone unbearable.

“Then let’s spar lightly with Hilde and get used to close-quarters combat. Hilde, can I ask you?”

“I’m perfectly fine with it.”

Hilde’s agreement was obtained.

I took out a wooden staff I had made beforehand from my inventory.

“What’s that?”

“It’s just an ordinary staff.”

▶Wooden Staff

Grade: F+

Description: An ordinary staff made of wood. Made from light wood, it has good elasticity and is easy to use. With careful craftsmanship, it possesses balance and sturdiness, making it a decent weapon. While lacking lethality, it’s sufficient for self-defense.

I spun the wooden staff I took out around once on the spot.

It was light, so it wasn’t that difficult.

“Hilde’s specialty is the spear, and they say the spear is also the easiest for beginners to use.”

To be precise, Hilde can use spears ‘as well’.

Shin Seom-hwa thought that the only proper weapon was the ‘Valkyrie’s Spear’.

“Since using real weapons would be dangerous, I prepared this.”

“Did you make that yourself?”

“It wasn’t particularly difficult.”

Moving wood by increasing strength through the status window is now child’s play.

More importantly, I have the ‘Tool Crafting’ trait.

“When you’re on the island, you have to make anything you need yourself. It feels like going back to the Stone Age.”

Of course, thanks to the gacha, I’m living much more comfortably.

That’s still a secret from Shin Seom-hwa.

“I have other weapons too, but please practice with this for now.”

“Uh, yeah. Thanks.”

Shin Seom-hwa received the staff with a slightly touched expression.

She seemed to think I was looking out for her.

‘That will also be psychological pressure for her, though.’

I don’t think Shin Seom-hwa will get used to close-quarters combat quickly.

I wasn’t hoping for that in the first place.

What I want is the situation of competing with Hilde itself.

.

.

.

‘…Well, this is how it’ll go.’

Returning to the hideout, I quietly watched the two spar.

Naturally, the difference in their capabilities was stark.

“Haa, Hwa!”

Shin Seom-hwa, sweating profusely, dropped the staff onto the floor.

Meanwhile, Hilde was even wearing a relaxed smile.

This was even though Hilde was going easy on her.

No, perhaps ‘playing with her’ would be a more fitting expression.

‘I told Hilde not to hold back and to show the difference in power.’

What is the distance between herself and Hilde?

How powerless is she, without abilities?

This sparring is meant to make her realize that.

So that she craves abilities even more.

“Shall we take a short break?”

“Ah, no… still… I’m okay….”

Shin Seom-hwa picked up the staff with trembling hands.

Her cheeks were flushed red, and her legs trembled like a sick deer.

Both were wearing white short-sleeved t-shirts and black leggings for the sparring.

Perhaps thanks to that, their firm bodies and sweat-drenched skin were clearly visible.

‘Haa, I want to rip those leggings and fuck her wet vagina right away.’

Not to mention Hilde, but Shin Seom-hwa’s figure is also considerable.

Her collarbones and navel glistening with sweat, and even her hips and chest that weren’t fully covered.

If this were a gym, it would be a fantastic figure that the owner would pay to keep coming.

I think I heard she did Pilates and workouts on weekends.

“Shin Seom-hwa was the type who relied heavily on abilities. Looks like she trained a bit.”

Even so, she’s no match for Hilde.

“Seom-hwa-ssi, put more strength into your thighs and waist when you extend.”

“Eugh, Keuk!”

Shin Seom-hwa is probably already at her physical limit.

It wouldn’t be strange for an ordinary person to collapse right now.

She’s enduring it solely on pride.

“Haaht!”

Hilde’s staff shot out like a snake.

Shin Seom-hwa reflexively stepped back, but before she knew it, the staff had tripped her leg.

In the instant of ‘Ah!’, her body tilted.

Shin Seom-hwa, who always stood haughtily at the company, rolled onto the ground.

‘Is this the 20th time she’s fallen?’

It was truly an overwhelming difference in skill.

The result was so obvious that even a child could tell.

“Is this it for now?”

“Ah, still… I can… do more.”

Even so, the reason she gets up is probably because she can’t stand to lose out of sheer stubbornness.

A desperate look, her pride thoroughly crushed, something unseen at the company.

That sight fuels my sadism.

‘I want to see that haughty face contorted with excitement and pleasure.’

Is this feeling because my heart changed after coming to the uninhabited island?

Or is it because the opponent is Shin Seom-hwa, who was always above me at the company?

‘Anyway, this scene is quite killer.’

Every time the two moved vigorously, their large breasts swayed.

Their clothes were soaked with sweat, revealing their private areas, but neither paid it any mind.

Two beauties rivaling celebrities, dressed in leggings, sweating profusely while holding staffs.

If I uploaded it to YouTube, wouldn’t 1 million views be easy?

【Pleasure Quest Cleared!】

【You obtain 100P as a reward!】

Perhaps the system acknowledged my lust, as the Pleasure Quest was cleared.

‘Speaking of which, it’s been a while since I last spun the gacha.’

I’m half-waiting because I don’t know when another pickup quest will appear.

Shin Seom-hwa appeared in the meantime, and I had forgotten about it.

‘Should I spin it soon?’

Three times… no, five times… no, since it’s a rare occasion, just 10 times.

Yielding to temptation in real-time, I spun the regular gacha.

As expected, nothing particularly useful came out this time either.

Well, it’s hard to draw good items unless they’re exceptional.

As I was checking the item screen with slight disappointment.

Suddenly, an item I’d never seen before appeared with a flash of light.

▶Incubus’s Yin-Moon Seal

Grade: B+

Description: A seal said to have been used by an Incubus famous as a Casanova even in the demon world. It allows one to leave a Yin-Moon mark on a desired body part of a woman who has fallen for them. Until the seal is left, it’s possible to check the target’s affection level. A woman bearing this tattoo feels greater attraction towards the man, and the man can check the woman’s status window. Where to leave the tattoo, and its shape and color, are up to the man’s discretion. It disappears upon use on one woman.

(Current women nearby: Shin Seom-hwa – Affection Level 60%)

“Oh, this?”

An item of B+ grade, appearing after a long time.

Reading the lengthy description attached to it, I let out a light whistle.

Because it was an item that both Shin Seom-hwa and I needed right now.

---

Shin Seom-hwa barely managed her rising breath.

Quite some time had already passed since she started sparring with Hilde.

But she didn’t feel like she was a match for her at all.

“That last attack was good. You’re certainly learning quickly.”

“I still can’t even graze Hilde-ssi.”

Sweat reached her cleavage, and her head felt dizzy.

Even when I was in society, I had never been pushed this hard.

On the other hand, Hilde was still brimming with composure.

“Sit down and rest for a bit. I’ll bring you some water.”

In the past, or even just a few days ago, she would have insisted on going herself.

But her exhausted body refused even that.

That fact crushed her pride.

“Hoo… Damn it.”

Hilde.

The first woman she considered superior to herself.

Her beauty, intellect, abilities, even her personality.

Shin Seom-hwa had always been ahead of others, and that was natural.

But Hilde was different.

At least here, she was falling behind her in every aspect.

‘I know intellectually that it can’t be helped…’

Her pride prevented her from admitting it.

The turmoil in her heart kept growing.

Had she ever thought of surpassing someone like this when she was in society?

No, she had never even competed with others.

‘Because no one ever tried to follow me.’

Wherever she went, everyone treated her specially.

No one tried to stand as an equal to her.

‘Except for Kim Jinwoo.’

Jinwoo was someone who, even amidst that, tried his best to follow her.

His abilities and career were no match.

Knowing that, he still ran with all his might, looking at her back.

Only Kim Jinwoo never gave up on following her.

She even felt grateful for that.

“But now, it’s the opposite.”

She tightly gripped the wooden staff Jinwoo had made.

She knew she was being cared for.

And simultaneously, that she was expected to do well.

That’s probably because Jinwoo knew her from society.

‘But how can I become helpful like this?’

Inferiority complex and helplessness.

Feelings she never experienced in society.

Shin Seom-hwa had no idea how to accept them.

‘If only I had abilities… if only I had abilities, I wouldn’t be like this.’

Outside the island, she was always strong.

That was due to her long-established status, but also thanks to her A-class abilities.

If she had abilities, she wouldn’t be feeling this way now.

Instead of receiving help, she would have been the one protecting others.

‘…..Perhaps abilities are really necessary.’

If there were no way, she would have given up long ago.

But a path opened up.

The massage Kim Jinwoo offered her.

That kept bothering her mind.

‘Still, how could I do something so embarrassing…’

Her pride in wanting to rise somehow, and her pride as a woman.

The two conflicted, constantly confusing her mind.

And she felt the former growing stronger.

“Shin Seom-hwa-ssi, I brought water.”

“Ah, thank you.”

While she was lost in thought, Hilde returned.

Are we about to start sparring again soon?

Even while thinking she shouldn’t, she felt a slight aversion.

‘It’s all because my body has weakened.’

If it were her past self, she wouldn’t have had such worries.

It was when she tried to lift her weary body with such regret.

“Huh?”

For a moment, the world spun.

Her vision blurred, and she couldn’t keep her balance.

She felt like she was going to throw up from the nausea.

‘This is dangerous…’

Her body, unresponsive to commands, collapsed.

Hilde’s voice reached her ears, but she couldn’t answer.

Even in that state, she felt tears welling up at her situation of needing help again.

‘Damn it…’