No Lies, Just Extra

Main Quest is a BS #8

“You all are doing quite well. It’s important to practice meditation every day. As you continue, your sense of manipulating mana will improve. Eventually, the quality and quantity of your mana will increase.”

Instructor Lee Sora’s explanations were ringing in my ears.

“Once you become a bit more skilled, you can meditate while doing physical training or combat training. How efficient would it be to meditate while hitting the gym? Let’s all aim for that level.”

“Yes!”

“Understood!”

“Okay!”

Anyway, that’s how I came to learn mana meditation. Just like Instructor Lee Sora said, if I can do mana meditation while tearing up the gym, that would be really efficient.

Not just that, I might be able to do it during class too.

Then I’ll become strong in no time!

“Hehehe.”

I closed my eyes and immediately began meditating on the spot. It’s really damn fun feeling the mana moving. How can studying be this fun?

Is this the sensation that top students in school were studying with all along?

I feel like they were such cunning bastards. But now, that ‘cunningness’ is mine. It feels so reassuring to become cunning.

“Hehehe, oh man, this is just too good.”

“Geun-chul, you really like it that much?”

“Of course, it’s great. I’ve become such a ‘strong’ superhuman already.”

“How can someone be so full of confidence, Geun-chul.”

“You would know if you tried it. Anyway, don’t bother me, I need to meditate.”

Just as I was about to go back to meditating.

“Sigh.”

An annoying voice came from behind me.

“Just with that level and you’re getting cocky. Truly the son of a Talib.”

“This bastard? You don’t see how great I am?”

“Pathetic just like you are, with poor judgment. You’re not impressive at all. Why can’t you see that?”

Ryu Cheon-hwi was looking at me with a disdainful face.

“I’m wondering how such an absurd fool could dare to act so smug in front of me. Is it because the skill gap is too wide for you to feel… it’s ludicrous.”

“No, hey. Then how good are you?”

“Hah! Your question isn’t even worth answering! My level is on a different dimension from you!”

Look at the airs this rich boy puts on!

This bastard must have been groomed by his family from a young age. That’s why he can look down on his friends like that.

“Hey. Ryu Cheon-hwi. You might have learned it at home, but I’m just starting to learn now. Can’t you see the difference?”

“From the moment I began learning mana, I was on a different level from you.”

“Then show me! Your skill!”

“Just watch and be amazed!”

In an instant.

—Gwoooh!

A powerful aura began to emanate from Ryu Cheon-hwi!

“Uh…?!”

Is his energy so strong that I can feel it?! Why is this bastard so strong? Wait! Does that mean Lee Sihu also has the same level of skill!

“Hmph.”

While I was admiring it, the guy let out a smirk.

“Even a fool like you can feel it. This is the difference between you and me, you Talib bastard.”

“Tch… it’s infuriating, but I have to admit it.”

Admitting what must be admitted.

“Hmph.”

Pleased with confirming the difference between us, he gave a sly smile and carried himself with an air of satisfaction. I can’t ignore it, a surge of determination to break his arrogant nose washes over me!

“But at the end of the day, you’re still the guy who can’t even properly drink a soda.”

“What…! Shut up, you pathetic garbage!”

After yelling that, Ryu Cheon-hwi turned and headed towards the back of the classroom.

Dismissed.

“Mana Master Geun-chul. You seem to get along quite well with Cheon-hwi?”

“He’s not as bad as I thought. There’s a certain enjoyment in teasing him.”

“Hehehe. But still, I suppose you’re the only one who can be so straightforward with someone from the Ryu Corporation.”

I really don’t care much about which family or whatever. I’ve heard they’re something great, but I can’t say I really feel it… I’ll just treat him like any other person.

“Considering that, you even stepped in to stop a fight between friends.”

“That’s the right thing to do. You mustn’t waver on what’s right.”

Lee Sihu truly has a somewhat meticulous yet righteous personality.

“Right. That’s exactly it. If you think about it, treating everyone normally regardless of their background is also the right thing to do, isn’t it?”

“Oh.”

Lee Sihu paused for a moment after hearing what I said.

“Yeah. That’s true.”

He smiled and nodded.

“Definitely. Friends shouldn’t care about things like background, or, well, even gender…”

“What an obvious thing to say. Anyway, let’s get back to meditating, Sihu.”

“Yeah.”

Continuing with mana meditation, I honed my inner senses.

Let my skill level rise.

*

*

*

I quickly grabbed a snack at the cafeteria for lunch.

I did receive a stack of meal tickets from Ryu Cheon-hwi, but if I splurged, I’d burn through them quickly. So, I decided to only use one or two a week.

“Hehehe, you didn’t have to follow me to the cafeteria. I feel sorry.”

“The cafeteria food’s not bad once you get used to it.”

“Don’t bullshit me. How can cafeteria food taste better than a buffet?”

“It’s not bullshit.”

Unfortunately, Sihu followed me and even enjoyed a bakery snack from the cafeteria with me. What a kind guy, really.

After spending time like that, we returned to the classroom.

“But then, I wonder if Lady Leona’s going to inspect us again today.”

“Kim Geun-chul! Where have you been not eating your meal!”

“Eek! Hey! Class has started! Class started! Go sit down!”

“I’ll remember this!”

Anyway.

I could feel the drowsiness unique to lunchtime when class started. It’s Instructor Mykes’ theoretical lesson time. It’s an easy lesson to sit and take notes for.

“Did everyone have a good lunch? Feeling sleepy because you’re full? But you have to focus on your studies to become a great hero. Open your books, everyone.”

“Okay.”

I opened my book right away.

“Today’s lesson… That’s right. It’s about monsters. Before we start the lesson, let’s check out the grades of the monsters, shall we?”

Grades of the monsters?

Looking forward with interest, Instructor Mykes began to write on the blackboard. Although I’ve read a bit of this on the wiki, obviously, the instructor’s lesson will be more accurate.

“First off, monsters below F-rank. These are essentially unranked since they’re so harmless. They’re so safe that there are maniacs who illegally capture and keep them. Some have even been domesticated with government permission. There’s no need for heroes or hunters to pay them any mind… F rank. Even civilians with a stick can handle them.”

— Swoosh swoosh swoosh.

Instructor Mykes continued explaining and writing on the board.

___________________________

F-rank: Can be subdued by civilians.
E-rank: Can be subdued with rifle bullets.

___________________________

“To be frank, there’s no need for heroes or hunters to deal with F-rank or E-rank monsters. Local defense forces can subdue them. Just a platoon’s worth of firepower can melt them down.”

That’s what I heard.

The majority of monsters, these low-ranking ones, can be subdued with modern weaponry. Just shooting them with rifles is enough to take them down.

“But from D-rank, things are different. They are surrounded by something called a Dimension Shield. A sort of dimensional barrier that gives them powerful resistance to modern weapons.”

Resistance.

“To subdue a D-rank monster, you need cannon fire from a tank or anti-tank weaponry. So, despite their size, they are very difficult to subdue. That’s why heroes and hunters are needed. The Dimension Shield is very vulnerable to mana.”

From D-rank monsters, it’s recommended for heroes and hunters to take them out. Imagine a D-rank monster appearing in an apartment complex.

If you try to deal with it by firing tank shells or anti-tank weaponry, it would destroy precious real estate. This is particularly fatal in Korea.

Hence, you need heroes who can quickly jump over apartment walls and move swiftly. They can track down the monster and slay it with a sword without much trouble.

There’s no property damage.

___________________________

D-rank: Tank cannon or anti-tank weaponry level of firepower needed.

___________________________

“Next is C-rank monsters. To defeat them… you need missiles. However, if a hero is skilled enough, they can defeat one with a mere sword. Of course, C-rank monsters are that much stronger. If you’re going solo, you have to be very skilled indeed. Usually, only through cooperative attacks can they be brought down. Typically, when a C-rank monster appears, there’s an emergency call-up for local heroes and hunters.”

Even C-rank monsters require missiles to deal with.

I can only wonder how strong the monsters ranked S, A, and B above them must be.

“Hmm.”

Listening intently to the explanation, I looked at the textbook. The characteristics and weaknesses of monsters. Their habits and unique frequencies. And also their global appearance rate.

I took notes of all that while listening to the instructor’s lesson.

*

*

*

After school.

“Argh! Finally, school’s over! Sihu, going to the gym today?”

I casually asked, and Sihu:

“Hehehe.”
Smiled and replied.

“I’ll go today.”

“What? Really? Wow, what’s gotten into you? Deciding to go to the gym?”

“Well, if Geun-chul is going to work hard, I can’t miss it every day, can I? I’m coming with you today. I’ve got to check Geun-chul’s gym skills.”

“Are we going for a bath after it’s over?”

“Please stop being so interested in my naked body! People might start getting the wrong ideas!”

“Man, you’re nuts! It’s not about that at all! I’m just saying friends can hit the bathhouse together, what’s with you making a fuss about nakedness!”

“Fine, Geun-chul. Just hit the gym. You gym pervert, Geun-chul.”

Sihu turned his head and walked ahead, leading the way.

“This kid’s totally been influenced by Leona.”

But does Sihu actually have bathhouse phobia?

What’s the deal?

“…”

A thought crossed my mind. Perhaps… Sihu has a somewhat androgynous appearance that might be mistaken for a girl’s.

Maybe his complex about showing his body to others comes from there.

If that’s really the case, it’s better not to bring up the topic. Honestly, as a friend, I don’t give a damn and just want to go together.

Friends should have no concern for such things.

“Geun-chul? Let’s go in.”

“Yeah, okay.”

As I walked with that in mind, I soon arrived in front of the changing room. I quickly took my workout clothes and went inside to the lockers.

—Swoosh.

Sihu came up next to me and began undressing.

But suddenly.

A shocking scene unfolded before my eyes.

“Uh, what? Hey! Lee Sihu, you…!”

“Huh? What?”

Incredibly!

“This dude was wearing gym clothes under his uniform?!”

Lee Sihu had come in his gym clothes under his uniform!

“Well, you see, I’m not too comfortable with wearing the communal clothes, so I wore mine in advance. Hahaha.”

Sihu scratched the back of his head and explained.

“Let’s go then, Geun-chul! We start with running, right?”

“Yeah… That’s right. Let’s do some light running first.”

As expected.

It’s clear he doesn’t want to show his body.

“…Complex.”

Now I feel a far stronger resolve.

I’ll shatter that complex Sihu holds. What’s the issue with looking a bit feminine? In friendship, none of that matters.

I’m definitely going to drag him to the bathhouse.

We’re supposed to hang out together tomorrow, so I’ll have to persuade him.