abcnovels
Chapter 253: 60 days (4)
Chapter 253: 60 days (4)
Chapter 253 60 days (4)
Was it mentally exhausting? Lee Su-yeon, who completed her abs training (?) after six days, slept through the next. And as soon as she woke up, she said goodbye to Yoon-seok.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going for an exploration trial.”
“You don’t want to rest some more…?”
“It’s now or never.”
Yoon-seok couldn’t accompany her to the exploration trial due to the penalty, but Lee Su-yeon wasn’t worried.
“I want to feel it properly as soon as possible. This feeling of becoming strong.”
He wanted her to rest a little more because of the pain she suffered, but… Yoon-seok had no right to stop her. Rather than stopping her, he was also glad.
“You know, no matter how strong you become, don’t let your guard down.”
“Of course.”
“Okay, have a safe trip.”
Was this how Cheon-ma felt when she looked at him? It felt very rewarding to train somebody. After sending Lee Su-yeon off, Yoon-seok confirmed the date, feeling strange.
’There are only 53 days left now….’
What should he do for the time being? At first, he thought about meeting each candidate Lee Su-yeon selected, but…
’I can do that next time.’
Except for the King of Steel, he wasn’t sure about most of their current whereabouts. Originally he had no choice but to do it because he had time left due to the penalty, but the original plan was to start recruiting colleagues after ascending to the 24th floor. After seeing Lee Su-yeon, however, he changed his mind. He could spend his time on something more valuable.
“Yoon-seok, can you do what you did to Su-yeon to other challengers?”
Perhaps Ashton thought the same thing as he made a careful request. Yoon-seok laid down one condition.
“Only if they want to.”
It wasn’t a process anyone could go through. To wash away their weakness by accepting pain and realizing what it was like to be strong would be impossible for anyone normal.
“I don’t want someone who might give up halfway.”
Ashton smiled at Yoon-seok’s warning. Even though he watched how Lee Su-yeon suffered, he seemed confident.
“Will you follow me?”
Rather than explaining, Ashton had something to show him. Yoon-seok followed without hesitation.
“This is…”
Yoon-seok was brought to a mock duel relay room with hundreds of screens installed. The broadcasting room was empty, but people crowded on the screens. Every one of them was doing the same thing.
“…So they’re exercising.”
Yoon-seok felt like a current was buzzing through his blood.
“You may think that even one stat increase is valuable to low-level challengers, but that’s not true.”
“…?”
“Most of them are 15th-floor challengers or higher, and some of them are mission rankers.”
When he looked around the screens closely, he could see familiar faces. They were all those who helped Yoon-seok train in the past.
“If they were people like that, it would be more efficient to leave the training to others and receive trials from the Tower.”
“Of course, we know that.”
“Then why…?”
Ashton changed topics.
“Since there was no spacecraft to defend us due to your absence, many high-ranking challengers were filling in.”
Yoon-seok felt it was a random topic. However, it didn’t take long to realize why he suddenly brought this up.
“All the challengers here are on standby to be dispatched. Normally, they’re supposed to take personal breaks during these times, but…”
“Are you saying that’s changed?”
“Yes. Even though no one ordered them to do it, everyone still came if they had even a little time left.”
Overcoming their weak desire to rest and enduring pain all for a very simple reason. They wanted to be strong. As soon as possible, even a little more.
“What do you think?”
Yoon-seok didn’t answer for the same reason he didn’t answer Lee Su-yeon’s question yesterday. He didn’t have to.
‘They’re ready to grow stronger.’
“I’m going downstairs to warm up, so could you please explain and call out the ones who want it?”
“How many will be enough?”
‘Ashton has changed a lot, too.’
It was safe to say that Ashton was a completely different person from when they first met. Maybe it was inevitable because he was a Guwon-gyo believer like no other.
“All of them.”
“What?”
Yoon-seok smiled.
“If anyone wants it, please call all of them. The number doesn’t matter.”
Those who wish to be strong will become strong.
Yoon-seok looked around with a knowing smile.
’Was there this many…?’
Injection Muscle was triggered under three conditions. Strength below Rank SS considers Yoon-seok a friend and has durability above Rank A. If all these conditions were met, their strength could increase with a one-millionth chance.
However, Yoon-seok added one more condition. After telling them how terrible and harsh this process would be, only those who wouldn’t give up could come forward. Nevertheless, about 1,500 people gathered.
‘It’s a lot more than expected.’
Of course, there was no way to check whether their resolve was real right away, and there was no penalty if they gave up midway. Some people came with a light heart, or even if they were serious now, some might be discouraged once they saw what would happen.
‘How many of them will remain?’
Yoon-seok closed his eyes and thought. To be honest, he couldn’t even guess. However, one thing was certain. Those who remained would be strong.
‘It’s sort of fascinating.’
Yoon-seok smiled. He received help training with a similar number of people in the past, but now the position has switched. However, the training method hadn’t.
“Let’s get started.”
The challengers gulped. They all knew because they were notified that there were only two things to do from now on. Rushing to Yoon-seok in the center and attempting to throw him down, then enduring the pain and trying again.
“…”
It wasn’t complicated, but it was hard to put into action.
“Let’s goooooooooooo…!”
For a normal person.
Dashhhhhhhhh.
Regardless of who moved first, they rushed Yoon-seok from all sides.
Punch-! Punch-! Punch-! Punch-!
Yoon-seok hit each of them in the stomach like he was playing a rhythm game. But was it a much greater pain than they expected?
“Ughhh…”
Their bodies were healed with the help of the medical challengers at the sidelines, but some of the fallen challengers couldn’t easily stand back up. No matter how they tried, they couldn’t run toward Yoon-seok as before.
It was a matter of course. The more they knew pain, the scarier it became. But that was what gave their training meaning.
“I-I have to repeat this 10,000 times…?”
“If you’re going to stay like that, you’ll remain that way for the rest of your life. I’ll do it… eiyaaaaaaaaaa!”
To face the pain clearly and rush in, overcoming that fear. With this, they grew.
Punch-! Punch-! Punch-! Punch-!
‘So there’s no one who’s given up yet…’
Even though some hesitated, none surrendered.
Punch-! Punch-! Punch-! Punch-!
Even if their bodies went stiff from shock, they knew they had to keep standing up.
“Damn it. Move! I said move!”
With an earnest will, they still bent their legs and advanced. As expected, it was nothing other than a strong mind that forged a strong body.
‘These people, they’re going to be strong.’
No one knew because of the mask covering his face, but Yoon-seok wore a satisfied smile.
Not everyone could achieve the ideal. Over time, as the number of times Yoon-seok swung his fist increased, there were dropouts.
“I-I’m sorry. I-I’m going to…”
“Stop, no one is blaming you. Good work. You don’t have to go out today, so go home and rest well.”
“…”
A total of 79 dropouts were on the first day. There were 89 on the second, but it suddenly decreased to 14 on the third. And on the fourth day, there were zero, and the first graduate appeared.
Jovan Trosian. He was one of the seven highest-ranking individuals on Earth.
“Thanks to you, I learned a lot this time as well. Because of the large gate that just appeared in New York, I’ll have to thank you properly next time.”
His strength stat was already high, and he rushed to Yoon-seok more passionately than any other challengers, so he was the first to graduate after reaching Rank SS strength. Was this how teachers felt when they saw their old students on Teacher’s Day? Yoon-seok felt somewhat overwhelmed.
“Forget about the thanks. You must be busy because the spacecraft isn’t here, so go ahead.”
“…You never change.”
Perhaps he had adapted to Korean customs. Jovan smirked and bowed low, leaving the mock duel to head straight to New York. He must’ve wanted to take some rest after going through so much, but he still did his best like it was no big deal.
Punch-! Punch-! Punch-! Punch-!
Yoon-seok also faithfully carried out his duties.
The fifth day and the sixth day passed without dropouts and even a few graduates. However, on the seventh day, there were several more dropouts. This was due to new challengers filling up the vacant spots.
’If this continues, I don’t think this will end by the time of the duel?’
Yoon-seok was willing to help them grow. Just as they were willing to help out when he needed them, he would return the favor. However, no matter how long the penalty was, he couldn’t dedicate all his time here.
“I’ll be here for just one more month.”
Yoon-seok said so, and his words had an unexpected effect. The passionate challengers’ eyes began to burn even more.
Punch-! Punch-! Punch-! Punch-!
Time flowed like water.
How much sweat had soaked the arena since they started? The last day of training finally arrived.
’I didn’t know I would do so much.’
Hearing the final report from Ashton, Yoon-seok couldn’t help but be amazed. 2890 participants, 317 dropouts, and 1,739 graduates. Many of the remaining 834 students would have graduated if they hadn’t stopped soon as well.
“…”
Yoon-seok looked around quietly. It was difficult to find a single person who looked even a little decent. However, the spirit emanating from their eyes wasn’t to be underestimated.
“…”
Since the promised deadline was here, they didn’t have to suffer anymore. Nevertheless, their eyes said that this wasn’t enough. They felt deprived instead of liberated and were disappointed that time had run out. However, no one asked him to stay.
“…”
They looked at Yoon-seok, who made them change so much, and waited for him to speak. Looking at them made him feel an indescribable sense of accomplishment, but… he never intended to say something cool at a time like this.
Yoon-seok smiled, took out an item from his subspace bag, and glanced around.
“I think…”
Again, he checked every one of their faces. Perhaps because it was the last day, all those who had already graduated were gathered in one place. Looking at them, he was convinced. They would become stronger in the future. So…
“I think you need this more than I do.”
Booooooooom-!
As he let go, the object created a crater on the floor. It was a dumbbell with a twelve times increase in fatigue option.
“…One Muscle.”
The man standing closest to Yoon-seok quietly murmured. Yoon-seok thought while looking at him, ‘what’s running down his cheeks now is sweat, not tears.’
Ten days after the graduation ceremony (?) concluded.
An Orc that was walking through the Azrak Crystal Cave, the background of the 21st-floor exploration trial, huffed.
“Chikkkk!”
His hand naturally headed to the ax on its back. Suddenly, his eyes shone.
“A human. A feeble human from Earth.”
The human being in front of him now was from Earth.
“I’ll kill her and take her crystal.”
The human felt his murderous intent and came to a stop.
“Is it an Orc this time…?”
Provoking humans of different races or dimensions to fight in exploration trials. As such, there was a bad perception of Earth humans. Most of them formed teams and used their numbers as a weapon, so it was annoying when many of them…
But they become the easiest prey when they’re alone.
“This is why it’s annoying to go around alone.”
However, this prey’s condition was a little strange. She didn’t run away when she saw him but instead approached with bare hands.
“Chikkk! Raise your weapon, human!”
The Orc shouted, but the human didn’t even pretend to hear it. They continued forward like they were suicidal.
“Chik! Chik! Are you a coward who doesn’t even have the will to fight?”
Disappointment lit the Orc’s eyes.
“If you want to die, die!”
Quickly pumping his muscles with his Protection of the God of War, the Orc swung down. But…
“Ch, ik…?”
It couldn’t feel what came next. But his ax was suddenly stopped.
Is this all you can do…?”
By the hands of this human.
“C-Chik!”
He quickly clenched and pulled back, but the ax was completely stuck. He couldn’t understand.
What was this strength? The humans on Earth only focused on teamwork and ability, so their skills should be terrible.
“Do you want to know why this happened?”
An indifferent voice hit the Orc. The Orc nodded without realizing it, and at that moment-
Cla-cla-cla-clang.
The double-edged ax he bought for a large number of points shattered.
“Listen carefully, Orc.”
The human who smashed his weapon reached out and grabbed his head.
“You are weak.”
His eyes turned hazy under the pressure that threatened to crack his skull.
“I am strong.”
Nevertheless, the human’s voice remained clear.
“That’s all.”
“Keurghhhhhhhh…!”
When he screamed at the unbearable pain, the human clicked their tongue.
“…You can’t even live your next life if you can’t laugh over this pain.”
He couldn’t even scream anymore after a few seconds. His consciousness scattered, and darkness came.
“Realize what strength is.”
’C-Crazy human…!’
Pwooooooosh-!
The Orc might not know, but…
The same thing was happening in various other places.