Chapter 29 : Main Quest Madness #8 - No Kidding, I’m an Extra

"Everyone is doing quite well. The key to meditation is daily practice. As you continue, you'll start to feel your ability to handle mana improve. Over time, the quality and quantity of your mana will also increase." Lee So Ra's explanation rang clear in my ears. "Once you become a bit more proficient, you can meditate while engaging in physical training or combat training. Wouldn't it be efficient to combine meditation with your workouts? Aim to reach that level, everyone." "Yes!" "Understood!" "Okay!" With this, I’ve learned the method of mana meditation. If I can manage to meditate while working out, as Instructor Lee So Ra suggested, it would be incredibly efficient. Moreover, I might even be able to do it during classes. Then I'll become stronger in no time! "Hehehe." I closed my eyes at my desk and began to meditate immediately. Feeling the mana flowing is genuinely fascinating. Who knew studying could be this enjoyable? Were all those top students at school studying with this sense of excitement? They seem like sneaky little cheats, in retrospect. Yet now, that so-called "sneakiness" is mine. Being sneaky feels oddly reassuring. "Hehehe, this is simply too good." "Geun Cheol, enjoying yourself?" "Of course. I've already become such a 'strong' superhuman." "How can someone be so bursting with confidence, Geun Cheol?" "Try it yourself and you'll see. Anyway, don't interrupt; I need to meditate." Just as I was about to resume meditating... "Ha." A voice I didn’t want to hear came from behind. "To be so boastful at such a pathetic level, typical of a Taliban offspring." "What the hell? Can’t you see how impressive I am right now?" "It’s a miserable perspective befitting a pitiful individual like you. You’re not at all remarkable. Why don't you see that?" Ryu Cheon Hwi looked at me with utter disdain. "I'm baffled how someone like you thought of defying me. Is it because the skill gap is too big for you to recognize? It's absurd." "No, hey. How skilled are you, then?" "Ha! A question unworthy of a response! My level is beyond comparison with yours!" Listen to this rich boy boast! This guy probably trained in such things since he was a child at his family estate. That's why he can look down on others so easily. "Hey, Ryu Cheon Hwi. You may have learned this at home, but I'm just starting. Can't you see the difference?" "I was on a different level than you from the moment I first wielded mana." "Then show us! Your prowess!" "Try not to be too amazed!" Suddenly. ㅡWhoosh! A strong aura began to emanate from Ryu Cheon Hwi! "Huh...?!" I mean, even I could feel this kind of aura?! Why is he so strong? Wait! Does this mean Si Hoo is just as skilled? "Hmph." Seeing me in awe, he smirked. "Even the dullest can sense some things. This is the difference between us, you Taliban kid." "Ugh... As much as it pains me, I've got to admit it." One must admit what must be admitted. "Hmph." Satisfied with the visible difference between us, Ryu Cheon Hwi sported a self-satisfied smile. I can't just let that go! The urge to knock him down a peg flares up within me! "But at the end of the day, you're just a guy who can't even enjoy a simple soda." "What...! Shut up, you good-for-nothing punk!" Shouted Ryu Cheon Hwi as he turned and went back to his seat at the back. Mission accomplished. "Mana Master Geun Cheol, looks like you've become quite chummy with Cheon Hwi?" "Seems like it. He's not as bad as I thought. It's fun to tease him." "Hehehe. Only you, Geun Cheol, would dare to be so casual with someone from the Ryuseong Group." Frankly, I don't care much about families or whatever status they have. People say it's significant, but I just can't feel it... It's just treating people as people. "Still, didn’t you step in and stop us, saying friends shouldn’t fight?" "That's because it was the right thing to do. One shouldn't compromise when it comes to doing what's right." Si Hoo is certainly rigidly righteous. "Exactly. That's the point. Isn't it the right thing to treat people normally without worrying about their backgrounds?" "Ah." Si Hoo paused for a moment at my words. "Yeah, you’re right. That's what it is." He nodded with a grin. "Indeed. Among friends, backgrounds shouldn't matter. Nor should, um, gender..." "Of course, that’s obvious. Anyway, let's get back to meditation, Si Hoo." "Yeah." With that, we continued our mana meditation, honing our inner senses. Let's hope for a skill boost. --- For lunch, we just grabbed something quick from the school store. I did receive a bunch of meal tickets from Ryu Cheon Hwi, but if I waste them, they’ll run out pretty fast. So, I decided to use them sparingly, maybe one or two each week. "Hehehe, you didn’t have to follow me to the cafeteria, you know? Makes me feel guilty." "Once you get used to it, cafeteria food is pretty good." "Stop exaggerating. Don’t kid yourself. How can cafeteria food be better than a buffet?" "Not kidding, for real." Si Hoo, bless him, skipped the fancy buffet to join me for a simple cafeteria meal. Such a nice guy. After a bit of time spent like this, we headed back to class. "Wonder if Leona will come for another inspection?" "Geun Cheol Kim! Where’ve you wandered off to without eating lunch properly!" "Whoa! It’s class time! Everyone, take your seats!" "We’ll see about this!" Anyway. As the post-lunch drowsiness kicked in, the next class started. It was time for Instructor Mykes' theory lesson. It's a session where you just need to take notes and memorize, making it quite relaxing. "Did everyone have a good lunch? Feeling sleepy with a full stomach, aren't you? But you must persevere and study to become excellent heroes. Now, open your books, everyone." "Yes." I immediately opened my book. "Today's lesson… Ah yes, it's about monsters. Before we begin, shall we review the ranks of monsters?" Ranks of monsters, huh? Intrigued, I watched as Instructor Mykes began writing on the board. Sure, it's something I've read a bit about online, but the instructor’s lesson would undoubtedly be more accurate. "First, monsters below F rank. They are essentially unrated because they're so safe that even enthusiasts might illegally capture and keep them." That's just insane. "There are also those that are domesticated with government approval. Being entirely harmless, heroes or hunters don't need to worry about them... F rank, the most common among monsters. They're a bit dangerous but still manageable by an ordinary person with a stick." ㅡScribble scribble. As Instructor Mykes explained, he wrote more details on the board. ___________________________ F Rank: Can be subdued by ordinary people. E Rank: Can be subdued with rifle bullets. ___________________________ "Honestly, heroes or hunters don't need to get involved with F or E rank monsters. The local defense forces are more than enough to subdue them. A single platoon can take them out with firepower alone." I've heard as much. These lower-ranked monsters, which constitute the majority of them, can undeniably be handled with modern weaponry. Even a rifle would easily take them down. "But D rank monsters are a different story. They possess what we call a ‘Dimension Shield’—a kind of spatial barrier that makes them highly resistant to modern weaponry." Resistance. "To subdue a D rank monster, you'd need the main gun of a tank or anti-tank weaponry. They're quite tricky to deal with despite their size, hence the need for heroes and hunters, as dimension shields are very susceptible to mana." Starting from D rank, it's recommended that heroes and hunters manage them. Imagine a D rank monster appearing in an apartment complex. Firing tank shells or anti-tank weapons to deal with it would leave people's precious real estate in ruins. In Korea, that would be disastrously costly. That's why heroes who can swiftly navigate over buildings and move quickly are essential. They can track the monster and dispatch it with a blade without much trouble. The result? No collateral damage. ___________________________ D Rank: Requires firepower from tank main guns or anti-tank weaponry. ___________________________ "Next, C rank monsters. To eliminate them, you’d need missiles. However, skilled heroes can take them down with just a sword. Granted, C rank monsters are that formidable. To face one alone, one must possess extraordinary skills. Typically, coalition attacks are necessary to bring them down. Usually, when a C rank monster appears, it triggers an emergency call-out for local heroes and hunters." Even C rank monsters require missiles. One can only imagine how powerful the monsters ranked S, A, or B must be. "Hm." With that in mind, I attentively followed the lesson while reviewing the textbook. It covered monster traits, weaknesses, behaviors, unique vibrations, and global frequency occurrences. I diligently took notes during the instructor's lesson. --- After school. "Aah! Finally, school's out! Si Hoo! Are you hitting the gym today?" I casually inquired. "Heh." Si Hoo responded with a smile. "I'm going today." "What? Seriously? Wow, what's the occasion? You're actually going to the gym?" "Well, I can't skip out every day when Geun Cheol is working hard, can I? Today, I'm thinking I should join and check out your gym prowess." "So, hit the bathhouse afterward?" "Please stop taking such an interest in my bare body! Who knows what weird things you might think!" "Hey! Crazy fool! It's not like that! I'm just saying let's hit the bathhouse together as friends. Why does it have to be about being naked?" "I don't know, Geun Cheol. Anyway, let's just hit the gym, you bath-obsessed maniac." Si Hoo turned his head and began walking ahead. "This guy is totally influenced by Leona too." But seriously, does Si Hoo have some kind of aversion to bathhouses? I wonder why… "..." Suddenly, a thought flashed through my head. Perhaps... Si Hoo, being somewhat androgynous and at times having a feminine appearance, might find it a complex and thus be reluctant to show his body to others. If that's the case, it might be best to avoid bringing up this topic, but honestly, as a friend, I couldn't care less. I just want to hang out, nothing more. Among friends, there's no need to stress about such things. "Geun Cheol? Let's go in." "Yeah. Let's." With these thoughts, we soon found ourselves in front of the changing room. I grabbed my workout clothes and walked inside, stopping in front of my locker. ㅡSwipe. Si Hoo, who had come alongside me, started undressing. At that moment, I was struck by an unexpected sight. "Hey... Whoa? Lee Si Hoo, you...!" "Hmm? What?" Incredibly! "This guy was wearing gym clothes under his uniform all along?!" Si Hoo was indeed wearing gym clothes underneath his uniform! "Well, you see, I find it a bit uncomfortable to wear the common clothes, so I thought I'd just use my own and wore them beforehand. Haha." He scratched the back of his head as he spoke. "Let's go, Geun Cheol! Starting with a run, right?" "Uh... yeah. We should start light with a jog." As expected, he really doesn't like showing his body. "A... complex, huh?" This realization only strengthens my resolve. I’m going to shatter Si Hoo's complex. What's wrong with looking like a girl? Among friends, there's no need to pay attention to such things. I'm definitely dragging him to the bathhouse. We're going out together tomorrow anyway, so I'll try to persuade him.