I Became an Academy Overpowered Growth Genius

I Became an Academy Overpowered Growth Genius – 4

EP.4 Time for a Counterattack (1)

“Test-taker Park Shin-Hoo, return to your seat under the control of the assistant.”

The instructor intervened as Park Shin-Hoo seemed to be drawn towards Kang Seo-Jun.

“……”

Only then did Park Shin-Hoo realize he had been approaching Kang Seo-Jun.

Although he finished the test in a much better condition compared to other examinees, he too seemed partly absent-minded.

If the instructor hadn’t intervened, Park Shin-Hoo might have been questioned about what he intended to do with Kang Seo-Jun, pulling him out of the glass enclosure.

‘Losing to that guy….’

Park Shin-Hoo returned to his seat without looking at Kang Seo-Jun.

He kept Kang Seo-Jun’s face in his memory.

The intensity of the artifact had already reached the mid-range of A-Grade.

“Ugh..!”

Even with a willpower of 30, Kang Seo-Jun at this stage couldn’t help but show signs of struggle.

Pain that felt like squeezing the Six Bowels.

Breath stifled as if choked by a rope.

The stench like rotting flesh entering the nostrils.

Noise drilling into the eardrums.

The images flashing before his eyes now depicted not the past lives but the bleak future of the present life, dying slowly on the street, burdened only with debuff characteristics, unable to acquire the Fruit of the Holy Tree or awaken the scars.

“Sob..!”

Yet, Kang Seo-Jun endured it all with just a groan.

‘Such images strangely serve as motivation. To avoid that fate, I must endure more.’

The Kang Seo-Jun from before the possession would have long given up facing such torment, which made even himself surprised by how smoothly he was enduring it now.

However, despite his determination, his body was reaching its limits.

His fists trembled involuntarily, his lips and forehead quivered.

Intermittent tremors across his body made it seem like he might go into shock at any moment, yet his resolute expression kept the instructor from halting the test.

“Assistant, be ready to stop the artifact at the lever upon my command.”

The instructor, with a stern expression, instructed the assistant, then looked at Kang Seo-Jun with a hint of anticipation.

‘An unexpected gem has appeared.’

What if the other abilities are at F-grade?

Given determination, other abilities could grow depending on the effort made.

The artifact intensity had now reached the mid-range of A-Grade. Everyone held their breath.

The only sounds heard were Kang Seo-Jun’s groans and onlookers swallowing their saliva and breath.

And as the mana output increased, the artifact cooler started overloading gradually.

‘It’s becoming more brutal.’

The mid-range of A-Grade was truly hell.

Not only physical pain but a vivid external and internal reflection was unfolding before his eyes.

Mixing various traumas, it relentlessly exploited the mind’s vulnerabilities, urging an immediate desire to give up.

Even with a willpower reaching 30, now he couldn’t avoid being tested.

[Willpower is under pressure. Mental breakdown may occur.]

The system warned in a dry voice as if acknowledging this.

“Heheh…!”

However, what Kang Seo-Jun spat out wasn’t a groan of pain but a refreshing smile.

[An inspiring stroke of luck is imbued in the mind. ‘Extreme Resilience’ is displayed.]

For the past self, enduring such pain for even 3 seconds would have been impossible. Just changing one number in the system had provided Kang Seo-Jun with tremendous anticipation.

Moving forward, not just willpower but other stats, starting from 30, could reach 40, 50 with effort.

Since characterizing with various debuff characteristics, Kang Seo-Jun’s goal had been set.

All-stats SSS-grade.

Kang Seo-Jun was a veteran in this world. He firmly believed he could achieve that goal.

How liberating and fantastic his life would unfold at that moment.

Due to that anticipation, Kang Seo-Jun couldn’t help but smile.

“Sir, sir! This examinee… he’s smiling!”

“What?”

The instructor, checking the overloaded cooler, hurriedly approached Kang Seo-Jun.

Despite trembling all over as if having a fit, his lips were drawing a clear arc.

“Perhaps more than a gem… even beyond that….”

The instructor couldn’t hide his astonishment.

“How could he…?”

Even Jin Se-rin murmured unknowingly.

Was that truly an area where one could endure so persistently?

She hadn’t even reached the B-Grade area herself.

‘I felt like my whole body would explode if I endured a little longer.’

But how could that man endure the latter half of A-Grade as if it were a pleasant dream?

Just as everyone marveled at Kang Seo-Jun’s willpower,

– Crack! –

– Boom! –

The artifact reached its magical output limit, splitting in half as bright mana light covered the area.

“Ugh!”

“What’s happening!”

The examinees shielded their eyes in confusion,

“Cough!”

“Ugh..!”

Park Shin-Hoo and Jin Se-rin watched the spectacle until the end,

“Instructor! Lower the lever!”

“Yes!”

The instructor and the assistant quickly regained control of the situation.

– Shoooo.

–

The light that enveloped the area gradually subsided, swiftly dissipating the excruciating pain and illusions that had engulfed their bodies.

‘It’s over.’

Kang Seo-Jun, as if coming out of a restroom, opened the glass chamber door and stepped out.

“Wow, amazing.”

After a brief silence, the atmosphere erupted into noise.

“The artifact broke first.”

“Wow, this is A+ grade. Is this the highest score?”

“An F-grade overall, with only willpower at A+ grade? Does that even make sense? Wow.”

“Is there some characteristic that concentrates all stats into willpower?”

“What a useless characteristic.”

“But seriously, apart from that, the balance doesn’t make sense.”

Park Shin-Hoo and Jin Se-rin quietly stared at Kang Seo-Jun.

‘How did he do that…!’

‘How on earth…’

Even with systematic training from top trainers, raising willpower to C or B grade was the limit. How did he elevate his willpower, using that body, to an A+ grade?

“It was impressive.”

The instructor approached Kang Seo-Jun and spoke.

“Your willpower is at an A+ grade. You’ve passed. Congratulations.”

As Kang Seo-Jun didn’t react, the instructor added,

“Having an A+ grade willpower is an outstanding record, not only in the country but globally. You can be proud. With that level of willpower, you could accomplish anything, even if your natural environment isn’t favorable. I’ll be watching. Kang Seo-Jun.”

The instructor patted Kang Seo-Jun’s shoulder.

“Thank you.”

Kang Seo-Jun dryly replied and returned to his place. In fact, he had no intention of being aware of the reactions around him.

[Quest ‘Pass the Academy Entrance Exam’ complete!]

[Quest success reward! Health attribute +1!]

[The Thrones admire your performance.]

[The Thrones are proud of your attention-grabbing feats.]

[Throne ‘Compassionate Hermit’ sponsors you with dimensional currency.]

[Throne ‘Guardian with Scales’ sponsors you with dimensional currency.]

Really crucial reactions were being displayed before his eyes in real-time.

Among them, one stood out prominently.

[Throne ‘Wise Old Serpent’ sponsors you with the skill ‘Counter Time’.]

The skill ‘Counter Time’.

《Skill》

▶Name:

Counter Time

◆Grade:

[Epic]

◆Description:

When used, it will dodge all melee attacks below epic grade for 10 minutes, and retaliate with 1.2 times the enemy’s attack power. It can only be used once a day, and the cooldown is reset at midnight.

‘Lucky.’

It was a skill Kang Seo-Jun needed right away.

====

***

====

The entire process of the entrance exam had concluded.

The examinees dispersed to their respective destinations.

“Hey.”

Someone called out to Kang Seo-Jun as he passed by the school gate.

When he turned, he recognized the face familiar to him.

It was the familiar face of a notorious and vile extra character.

Park Shin-Hoo’s lackey.

“There is someone who wants a moment of your time. Come along quietly.”

Park Shin-Hoo’s lackey seemed to brace himself as if Kang Seo-Jun might try to escape.

Kang Seo-Jun silently followed them.

‘As expected, an event is unfolding.’

This was a situation Kang Seo-Jun had already anticipated. The Park Shin-Hoo event that occurs when excelling academically something unprecedented in previous entrance exams due to these peculiar abilities. But this time, excelling in one attribute likely triggered the event sooner.

They arrived at a secluded alley, devoid of people. Despite the early hour, little light penetrated this dark place. Several cigarette glows shimmered amidst the smoke.

“I brought him.”

The thug pushed Kang Seo-Jun into the alley.

“Ugh…”

He nearly stumbled awkwardly.

“Phew…”

Park Shin-Hoo sat comfortably, puffing smoke, and gestured toward Kang Seo-Jun with a flick of his fingers, unlike the thugs on either side.

“…….”

“What are you doing? Come closer.”

When Kang Seo-Jun hesitated, the thug behind him shoved him again.

After staggering a few steps, Park Shin-Hoo’s cigarette smoke almost reached Kang Seo-Jun’s face.

Despite sitting outdoors, Park Shin-Hoo appeared almost as tall as Kang Seo-Jun. Park Shin-Hoo’s height exceeding 190cm and Kang Seo-Jun’s slightly hunched posture due to the ’rounded shoulders’ trait contributed to this appearance.

“How did you do it?”

Park Shin-Hoo asked Kang Seo-Jun while blowing cigarette smoke.

“What?”

“The last test. You bastard.”

As Kang Seo-Jun remained silent, the thug behind him spoke up.

“Quiet.”

Park Shin-Hoo silenced the thug, who retreated as if trained, moving back against the wall.

With an authoritative gaze, Park Shin-Hoo looked down at Kang Seo-Jun and repeated his question.

“How did you do it?”

The tone was unchanged from his previous demeanor.

“What?”

Kang Seo-Jun responded in the same tone.

“This bastard…”

As the thug was about to intervene,

– Thud! –

Park Shin-Hoo swiftly rose and kicked Kang Seo-Jun.

“As expected.”

It was the reaction Kang Seo-Jun anticipated. When the other party seeks something, Park Shin-Hoo’s preference leans toward intimidation rather than negotiation. Hence, this event is limited to three possible outcomes:

One, endure a severe beating from Park Shin-Hoo’s lackeys to acquire injury penalties.

Two, submit and comply by lowering one’s head before Park Shin-Hoo.

And lastly, engage in a fight with Park Shin-Hoo’s lackeys, resulting in an antagonistic relationship.

From the beginning, there’s no route to end this event amicably. Thus, without hesitation:

[Activating the skill ‘Counter Time’.]

The moment Park Shin-Hoo moved, Kang Seo-Jun activated the Counter Time.

“Wha…?”

Park Shin-Hoo’s forceful kick landed on a flimsy trash bag,

– Thud! –

As Kang Seo-Jun’s backspin blow struck Park Shin-Hoo’s jaw, a satisfying sound reverberated.