I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 26 : Cockatrice (1)

The development of science and industry relegated artisans to products of the past.

There was once a time when a craftsman's name was honorably attached to famous swords and armor made by pounding iron while sweating profusely day and night.

But in a world where a kitchen knife made by stamping out high-quality industrial steel is stronger and sharper than a sword forged with the soul of a master craftsman on an auspicious day.

Eventually, the term artisan became a name attached to old eccentrics who merely protected and preserved old things that should be cherished.

'Yes. That's how it was until the Gate Era began.'

A change that could be called a new birth in some sense came to surviving artisans, though it was a tragedy for humanity.

Magic stones containing the unknown power called mana.

And by-products such as demonic beast leather, exoskeletons, horns and bones, teeth and claws, tendons—all so durable that they were difficult to damage even with modern weapons.

To create good equipment using materials that were not only expensive and rare but also superior in performance to substances produced by modern science, the craftsmanship of artisans was needed once again.

'We can borrow science to research, explore, and analyze them, but we can't reproduce them.'

The demand was also sufficient.

Unlike C-rank or lower Hunters who used mostly standard equipment due to financial issues, B-rank or higher Hunters and Execution Force members spared no expense on good equipment for their lives.

With supply and demand matched, it was natural for a market to form.

Thus, the demand for artisans who make custom equipment for individual clients and their value greatly increased, entering a new boom.

"Ugh, this is driving me crazy."

Lim Eun-seo, walking across the academy campus in work clothes, was a talented individual dreaming of becoming such an artisan.

A genius born with naturally skilled hands in addition to having awakened with the characteristic "Discerning Eye" that could identify the structure and quality of objects.

A promising student who proudly pushed open the narrow doors of EFAC's Supporter Department.

All these descriptions pointed to this small-built second-year cadet.

'So what? I'm dying of exhaustion. I just want to drop out.'

The supporter category, which admits a certain percentage of students each year, includes areas such as healers, special abilities, and manufacturing.

In particular, cadets admitted for manufacturing aimed to become support personnel who would create, repair, and modify equipment for members within the Execution Force after graduation.

But she had enrolled in EFAC simply because she wanted to obtain many good materials and freely create weapons.

She didn't particularly have a sense of justice about joining the Execution Force to contribute to something.

"Sigh."

But she had to graduate anyway, and the process was incredibly difficult.

'Graduation project assignment.'

Every semester, it was the duty of manufacturing-related cadets like her to create equipment "recognized for performance and value" and receive a passing grade.

"Where am I going to find this?"

Her worries deepened with each step.

'I need mud armor made from cockatrice petrification.'

Cockatrice.

A demonic beast with the body of a bird and the tail of a snake.

The most distinctive feature of this demonic beast was its ability to petrify those it looked at.

Thanks to this, it was difficult to deal with even for skilled Hunters, but it was also a demonic beast rarely found in an era where Gates and dungeons were drying up.

'It's because of the rumors.'

Cockatrices had a habit of protecting themselves by coating their bodies with mud and then looking at their reflection in water to harden the mud like armor.

'Armor made that way is hard enough to scoff at minerals like granite or diamond, yet has a beautiful color and good elasticity.'

In other words, it was treated as a high-rank material.

'To implement my design, I need that and nothing else.'

The problem was that this material was difficult to obtain even with money.

'The items themselves are so rare they don't appear just anytime.'

Lim Eun-seo heaved another deep sigh.

"If money were the problem, there would be an answer."

The academy was already allocating a budget for her and supporting production costs, and she was also earning income by selling equipment she made to Hunters, so expensive materials weren't much of an issue.

The problem was that cockatrices themselves were such rare demonic beasts, and most average Hunters couldn't hunt them alone, so there was no guarantee she could obtain the materials within the deadline.

"Hmmmmmm."

Thus, Lim Eun-seo was sitting on a bench, forgetting about meals, staring at the sunset and lost in thought.

Tada-da-da-da!

One sound grated on her ears.

'Why has that guy been running around like a colt since earlier?'

Lim Eun-seo felt spiteful as she watched the male cadet who was intensely focused on running training, exhaling rough breaths.

'Well, judging by the looks of it, he can probably fight.'

Her discerning eye easily detected Su-hyeon's skill level.

'Hmm.'

Perhaps it was because she felt like borrowing even a cat's paw.

Lim Eun-seo soon negated the thought that had occurred to her.

'How could he catch something when we don't even know where it is?'

Going outside the academy without approval was strictly restricted for cadets during the semester.

If she snuck out and got hurt, dealing with the aftermath would be a headache.

'Maybe I should talk to Hae-na. Someone of her level could talk to the principal and......'

Su-hyeon was also watching her constantly.

[A quest has appeared!]

[Sub-quest: Material Procurement]

[Lim Eun-seo wants to obtain cockatrice mud armor within the deadline.]

[Tip: If you search the mountain range surrounding the academy carefully, you can find cockatrices.]

'It's an event.'

Su-hyeon's eyes lit up at the appearance of an event where he could obtain a hidden piece.

'I'm lucky.'

Moreover, Lim Eun-seo was a named character who would be helpful in the long run if he built up a relationship.

'She'll discount production costs on her own if I just bring her good materials.'

She was in a position similar to dwarves in fantasy.

'I want to approach her quickly.'

Impatience crept into Su-hyeon's expression.

But his routine wasn't over yet.

'Damn it.'

Event and routine.

At the crossroad where neither could be easily chosen, Su-hyeon's choice was simply to finish his routine quickly.

❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀

After finishing my exercise routine for now, I approached Lim Eun-seo, who was still just sighing on the bench.

"Senior."

"Huh?"

Lim Eun-seo turned her head toward me.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Jeong Su-hyeon. I just enrolled this year."

"Oh, a freshman. I thought I hadn't seen you before. So, what's up?"

"You seem to be troubled about something."

"......What?"

'That did sound a bit like a snake oil salesman's line.'

But Lim Eun-seo's sensitive expression softened a bit, as if she had found some hope in that question.

"Do you know me?"

"I do."

I answered.

"If one mentions Senior Lim Eun-seo of the second year, there are widespread rumors about a person with the qualities to become the greatest meister in the future."

I didn't miss the slight twitch at the corner of her mouth.

'How simple.'

"Ahem. Am I that famous?"

"Perhaps."

"Hmph. So? What will you do if I have a problem?"

"I think I might be able to help you."

"Hmmmm."

Lim Eun-seo's gaze scanned me as if examining my entire body.

"When did you see me to be meddling like this?"

'Honesty is helpful with this type.'

She has a very practical personality.

"Wouldn't it be beneficial for me too if I make a strong impression as a fellow cadet?"

"I like your honesty."

Lim Eun-seo, accustomed to this kind of self-interested goodwill, nodded as if she had expected it.

"But getting me indebted to you won't be that easy."

"Let me use my imagination a bit."

"Huh?"

"For someone like you to be racking your brains over a problem, I'm guessing it might be related to material procurement."

"......And what if it is?"

Lim Eun-seo snorted.

"If I need something, can you get it? A mere first-year kid?"

"I used to transport and handle demonic beast carcass by-products before I enrolled."

At those words, Lim Eun-seo's expression changed for the first time.

"......At your age?"

"It's complicated. I've done many different things."

"Hmm."

Maybe it was just an impression, but her ears seemed to perk up a bit.

"Having a lot of contact with Hunters, I've also heard many experiences and knowledge related to demonic beast hunting."

"Hmmmm."

Her ears were perking up enough to be visible to the naked eye.

'She's like a were-rabbit.'

"Among the demonic beasts whose hunting methods I've heard about are hippogriffs, cambions, cockatrices......"

Whoosh!

Lim Eun-seo stood up abruptly from the bench as if she had springs attached to her entire body.

"You know how to hunt cockatrices?!"

"Yes. I also know some of their habits. For instance, after they smear mud all over their bodies......"

"That's it!"

It was as refreshing a reaction as someone who had fasted for five days drinking a cola.

"You! What's your name?"

'Got it.'

I answered with a smile that welled up from within.

"Jeong Su-hyeon."

❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀

After convincing Lim Eun-seo, who had been wondering if it was right to assign such a task to a first-year who wasn't even a skilled Hunter, and completing the deal, I continued my personal training as usual.

"Good work today! Get home safely!"

Kwon Seung-yeon, who had worked out together with me for the first time, waved her hand with an exhausted face.

"Right. Go home and rest well."

"You're really amazing. You still have energy left after pushing your body so hard?"

"I have good recovery."

"Whoa, you're like a zombie."

Leaving Kwon Seung-yeon sticking out her tongue behind me, I moved to another building.

"Have you been waiting?"

Lee Yu-jin, who was waiting at the entrance, turned her head sharply.

"No. I just got here too."

'It doesn't look like you just got here.'

My thoughts and words came out differently.

"That's a relief."

"Yeah."

Two messages came from Lee Yu-jin last night.

Of course, it was to propose that I be her sparring partner.

'Her grandfather Lee Un-hak probably recommended it.'

The old man is the very embodiment of the old school, believing swords grow sharper by drinking black blood and swordsmen become stronger by cutting down opponents.

'But he himself rose to the realm of the so-called Unity of Sword and Person and Sword God in his own way.'

It was a belief difficult to criticize since it came from someone successful.

'Of course, I have no reason to refuse.'

The level of swordsmanship properly taught by the Sword God.

Mana Penetration, a characteristic that exerts cheat-level power in close combat.

There were hardly any better sparring partners than Lee Yu-jin, a named character with potential ranked as Tier 1 among gamers.

Moreover, I also wanted something from Lee Yu-jin.

'She's surprisingly talented at teaching.'

If Sword God Lee Un-hak could be called a born genius swordsman receiving the love of the sword.

Lee Yu-jin was the type of swordsman who advanced by ceaselessly honing herself through endless effort.

Just as a genius player may not become a good coach.

Perhaps Lee Yu-jin taught better because she herself wasn't a sword genius.

"I'll hone my swordsmanship, and you'll develop your practical sense—it would be beneficial for both of us."

At my words, Lee Yu-jin nodded repeatedly with a happy face.

She seemed pleased that she could repay some of her perceived debt.

"I look forward to working with you."

"Yeah. I look forward to working with you too."

"Let's go in now."

When I placed my bracelet against the entrance, the heavy door opened by itself.

What unfolded inside was a super-massive dome-shaped training center.

Characteristic training rooms with options for simulation, dummy opponents, and gravity settings, individual training rooms, and sparring rooms were spaciously scattered about.

'This is actually the crown jewel of EFAC.'

The strength training room is only the main stage for some physical types who focus on close combat.

In the end, most cadets had to train here.

"This way."

Lee Yu-jin led me to the sparring room she had reserved in advance.

"Ah."

On the way, we happened to run into Seo Jun-seong and Hwang Ji-su.

"......I think this is the first time seeing you here."

Seo Jun-seong said.

"We're going for a sparring session."

"Ah, I see. Well, sparring between you two would be helpful."

"Yeah."

"Were you two in the middle of characteristic training?"

"Something like that."

Seo Jun-seong answered.

Psychokinesis and Ice Manipulation.

Unlike types like me, Kwon Seung-yeon, Lee Yu-jin, or Go Do-il who needed to create synergy by utilizing characteristics, physical abilities, and martial arts broadly.

These types of emission characteristics inevitably had to rely on the ability itself as the main weapon.

'Meaning if you use your ability well, that's all you need.'

It's that much harder to master and increase output, but if done properly, the destructive power was tremendous.

'In Hwang Ji-su's case, she's an all-rounder who can also engage in close combat.'

But when all you need to do is touch and freeze, is there really a need to be exceptionally good at fighting?

'It's a cheat ability.'

I passed by Hwang Ji-su, who was just standing there with her arms folded, silently looking dissatisfied.

"Let's go in."

"Yeah."

Behind our backs as we entered the sparring room, we heard the sound of someone clicking their tongue.

"Tch."

'What's her problem now?'

She had an unpredictable personality, as always.