Chapter 311 - Exhibits (2)
Thanks to Kang Shin-hyuk’s dedication to intensively training Shinyoung’s members, the number of gates they attacked increased by 20%, despite the high proportion of training. As a bonus, a knight and student who had an A-rank trait in the third year evolved his trait into the S-rank while assaulting a gate. It was the moment that Shinyoung turned over. This was because the S-rank was a level that became possible for those aiming at the high ranks, assuming they put in the effort.
“I thought that one of them would burst.”
He thought the first would be Baek In-ha. That was because, among those who hadn’t experienced trait evolution yet, he had spent the most time with him. However, whether it was because originally his trait was S-rank, or the growth had been concentrated on his status, there was no news of a trait evolution yet.
‘Well, that guy will figure it out.’
Meanwhile, with Elma’s recruitment, they were picking up speed in the creation of armaments. Elma and Lee Na-hee were similar in age and skill level, so they fit well together working. Moreover, since Kang Shin-hyuk’s metallurgy enhances everything he made, it was important to have two who could create intermediate artifacts in large quantities. These days, Kang Shin-hyuk was vaguely annoyed with himself, who couldn’t even control the quality of his work.
-It’s because the standards of your abilities are aligned with the Hero Universe. Even if the members of the Hero Universe moved slightly, it would be like a major earthquake occurred to the humans on Earth.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’ll keep it in mind.”
If the collaboration between Elma and Lee Na-hee worked well, Kang Na-hee seemed always to want to run a store with him, but considering the path he would take in the future, it was unreasonable.
-That’s right. It’s 10 million years too soon for a young fox who doesn’t even satisfy the Hero Universe’s membership conditions to dare spit on your daily life.
‘Saying that, it seems like she will soon join the Hero Universe.’
-The administrator disagrees! I would have to think of a new name again!
‘Now, I think it’s better to give up.’
Anyway, with a stable composition established in the field of battle and production, Kang Shin-hyuk had unexpectedly reduced everything he was in charge of to a minimum at Shinyoung. As the students attacked the gates in earnest, there were almost no classes. As long as he imbued the students with his power every day or two, his job as an instructor was complete. In the case of armament production, he was done as long as he made a large number of magic alloys for Na-hee and Elma. He got away from his student status and became an office worker, but how much more relaxing had it been as a student!
“For the time being, be aware we plan to reduce our activities as Masked Bacchus.”
“Uh, why?”
That night, Kang Shin-hyuk made a firm declaration as the members met up.
“I have something to study. Still, there won’t be much of a problem with power. I’ll send these out.”
Kang Shin-hyuk called out dozens of the guardians of Ra. He was able to manipulate the other aircraft from a distance using the original X-rank entity, and he had already been making more of them in his free time. Since he already confirmed he was able to manipulate them beyond dimensions, he was able to use them at will and play on Earth where he was!
“No, with this, I would conquer a country...”
Lee Na-hee muttered contemplatively as she had already seen their capabilities in England. However, Kang Shin-hyuk just laughed.
“No matter how many I make, the mass production type is the same. Even if I collect so many, I can’t go crazy with Astrafe or Fragarach yet. Not yet.”
“That’s when that... No, it’s nothing.”
Astrafe was an item that easily exceeded the current limit to reach the X-rank, and Fragarach had yet to reveal all of its abilities, so it was probably a higher-level item. In Shin Eunah’s hand, it was a novelty that let her fight Janus on equal footing. However, Kang Shin-hyuk was convinced that it couldn’t exceed Janus at the time, and he wasn’t even shaken by an X-rank item. Didn’t he talk about rank X2 with Halo one day? Of course, Halo was more than that, and maybe Janus too.
‘If I combine Abyssus and Despair into a proper product... Maybe with that...’
Kang Shin-hyuk had always felt the necessity of training. Not only in terms of strength but also as a blacksmith. He had been busy working on Earth for the last few weeks to strengthen the people there and lay down a foundation. Strictly speaking, he wasn’t sharpening himself. The administrator also said as much, but he clearly realized it this time. He had exceeded the level of comparison with earthlings, and the area he looked at couldn’t be reached from Earth.
‘Even with Chiral in hand, it doesn’t mean I can run right to Eunah. Just getting there isn’t enough to ensure her safety.’
He had to be strong for that. Shouldn’t he be at least stronger than Eunah? He couldn’t afford to waste any more time. He had to be strong.
“Well, I thought we could move together, but this is it?”
“Please, Bridget. It’s also because of you joining here that this won’t fall apart.”
“I guess it’s not allowed to kiss me while you say that!”
“I can’t do it because I have a lover, yes.”
“Yes!”
“Huh?!”
Kang Shin-hyuk looked back at Baek In-ha as if to offer him up instead. Bridget, frightened, kicked him as if she had been waiting. Baek avoided it at an alarming rate but couldn’t avoid Eleanor flying in from behind him.
“Shinyuk, why... I am... doesn’t this seem weird...”
“That’s all because you don’t have a girlfriend. Make it right.”
“Is that really so...”
“...Oppa, is there anyone who can do that?”
Oh Hye-na made an expression that she might kill. Whether Baek didn’t notice or deliberately ignored it, he began to list the names of women who recently expressed interest in him. Kang Shin-hyuk stood up, hoping desperately that no serial murder cases would occur in Shinyoung.
“Then, I’ll leave early today. I might not be able to contact you for a few days. Don’t worry; I’ll send drones when I leave.”
“Oh, then me too.”
Claire nodded and stood up with him as she noticed he would be out of contact for several days. Lee Na-hee pouted at the sight of them.
“Unnie, can’t you stop that?”
“Yes~ If you’re uncomfortable, find a boyfriend too~.”
Although it had changed a lot, the relationship between the members of Masked Bacchus was stable. Of course, some complicated politics were going on underneath the surface, but for now, he decided to ignore that. Kang Shin-hyuk left with Claire and headed to his dorm.
“Shin-hyuk, are you thinking of going to another world?”
“Yes, I’ll need time now.”
He needed time to study chiral and elevate his own abilities, to train as a blacksmith and create a sword made from Abyssus and Despair. Now that Earth had some time to survive against Jormungand, he had to make time for himself.
“I’ll go with you.”
“Of course.”
“Woohoo!”
Claire hugged his arm and rubbed her cheek on his shoulder to show she was satisfied with that answer. When she acted like this, she seemed like a cat. Since Kang Shin-hyuk was solidly a cat person, he had no complaints.
“I’m sorry to Vita, but I’m going to have to ask her to take on my role now.”
“Because you brought her to Shinyoung with that intention.”
“She’ll be sad.”
“I’ll buy her a present.”
Vita, who waited for them in their room, was sad that the two were leaving but was soon convinced it was very important. But instead, she detonated a big bomb.
“Are you going to make it with him?”
“...I’ll try!”
Claire, having thought it over for a beat, nodded with determination, and Kang Shin-hyuk stiffened. But the next moment, he regained his senses and shouted.
“You’re trying what?!”
“Won’t it be okay? You’re no longer a student too!”
“Isn’t it still an issue?! I’m still underage!”
“Think about it, we’re trying to get her back, but she doesn’t know. So, for a small surprise project...”
“Let’s not...”
He decided to keep in mind that Claire was thinking of making a child. Kang Shin-hyuk, who had Anvil’s memories, knew that it would come someday.
“Child, you mean...”
However, the word child was also synonymous with loss for him, so it reminded him of an unbearable fear that he couldn’t face. Now that his synchronization rate was nearing 100%, any word or event that reminded him of his previous life was never light. As he closed his eyes to clear up those revived memories, Claire spoke up anxiously.
“That, don’t bother too much. I’m kidding...”
“No, it’s not like that. I’ve no intention of passing over it as a joke.”
Realizing that she was worried, Kang Shin-hyuk smiled and gently took her hand. Now, Claire sometimes felt like a cute younger girl and sometimes like that strong adult. And now, maybe the latter. His mature expression made her chest pound, but at the same time, she felt somewhat anxious. She put strength into her hand, holding his, feeling that if she didn’t, he might disappear. As if her heart was conveyed, Kang Shin-hyuk began to look determined.
“But now, I want a little time.”
“Yes. I’m okay anytime.”
“But certainly, Na-hee and Eli would be very surprised to see our child.”
“Yes...”
Kang Shin-hyuk received a new dimensional quest with Claire and began his activities as a VIP member in earnest.
Half a year passed as such.
A member of the Hero Universe had been added from the district.
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