novelraw Chapter 88 : Reputation (1)
Chapter 88 : Reputation (1)
The top physical awakened one among the third-years, and the previous year's EFAC Physique Competition Champion (prize: 10 boxes of protein).
The academy's greatest gym rat and healer, Instructor Jang Jin-won's favorite disciple (though his guidance instructor is someone else).
The fixture (resident ghost) of the strength training room.
All these were epithets referring to this man, Park Gangjeong.
"Gangjeong! Good work today as well!"
A burly were-wolf patted the rock-like trapezius of Park Gangjeong, who was half a head taller than himself.
"Yes! Deputy Leader!"
He was the deputy leader of the Execution Force branch where Park Gangjeong was doing his internship.
"Hmm. These robust trapezius muscles always satisfy me. A friend who truly lives up to his name."
"Thank you. My grandfather wished for me to grow up strong and upright like himself."
"A beautiful story no matter how many times I hear it! You've grown up splendidly, just as your grandfather wished."
"I'm still far from my grandfather. He's still quite healthy, isn't he?"
"Hahaha, anyway, from our unit's perspective, having Gangjeong with us is really reassuring."
There was a separate reason why the deputy leader said this.
"Many units wanted Gangjeong, you know. And our branch isn't particularly popular."
"Haha. I'm quite satisfied."
Park Gangjeong's Adam's apple, full of male hormones, bobbed every time he smiled good-naturedly.
"Above all, being close to the academy so I can commute is the biggest merit for me."
Unlike most third-year cadets who enjoyed being dispatched and working outside, he continued to commute, solely for the purpose of going to the strength training room every day to exercise.
"There are few friends as diligent as you. Diligence builds muscles, you know."
"Haha. Thank you for the compliment, but that's not always the case."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Yes, there's a really persistent friend among the new freshmen."
"For Gangjeong to say that, I'm extremely curious. Who might that be?"
"A guy called Jeong Su-hyeon."
"Wait, I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before."
Seeing the were-wolf's reaction, Park Gangjeong said with a satisfied face.
"You probably have. He's the one who took first place in the midterm exams, overtaking Seo Jun-seong."
"Goodness!"
Only then did he realize Su-hyeon's identity and expressed his surprise.
"Right, that dark horse! I've heard this batch has an unusually high number of outstanding talents, but there was one unknown talent standing out even among them. Was that the cadet who also performed remarkably when the Sword of Belphegor attacked?"
"That's right."
"Isn't he the one Team Leader Song Young-hwan wrote a recommendation letter for?"
"You know about that."
"Team Leader Song is a senior I greatly respect. His judgment has never been wrong."
"It seems that way."
"A cadet highly evaluated by both the person I respect and the Gangjeong I cherish dearly. What kind of person is this Su-hyeon?"
To the deputy leader's curious question, Park Gangjeong smiled contentedly.
"Since you ask, I'll tell you about Su-hyeon from my perspective."
"Oh, please do."
"First, his combat ability is extraordinary. Especially his technique and ability to fight strategically, which are hard to believe for his age. You know well how our academy's midterm exams are conducted, don't you?"
"Of course. One-on-one sparring with an instructor, right? A particularly harsh test, especially for freshmen."
"Su-hyeon's opponent was Instructor Lim Jeong-tae."
"Instructor Lim!"
The deputy leader's mouth fell open.
"His martial arts were very, very famous even during his active duty days. I've seen him fight during a joint operation once, and it was truly a divine level."
"Su-hyeon fought equally against that Instructor Lim and eventually stole his marker. I don't think I need to say anything more about his combat power."
"Hmm."
"Of course, he controlled his strength, but that was the same for other cadets too. What's clear is that Su-hyeon caught him off guard after fighting admirably against his numerous weapon techniques and combat tactics."
"An amazing story."
"And from my perspective, Su-hyeon's body was born for exercise. I pride myself on having inherited a fairly robust body from my grandfather, but that guy is on a different level."
"Wow. That much?"
"Muscle mass, definition, athletic ability, performance ability, recovery ability. He truly has talent as if blessed by the stars."
"It's the first time I've seen Gangjeong praise someone to this extent. Even Dongju in the second year wasn't at this level, was he?"
"Dongju is quite promising, but Su-hyeon is on a different level. At first, we were worried about his workout style that defied common sense, but it turned out to be a program that squeezed him to the limit, accurately understanding his physical characteristics."
"In other words, he knows himself, his opponent, and so can win."
"Exactly that. For example, Su-hyeon performs all sorts of exercises for various body parts every day with no split."
"Hmm?"
"Why do we run 2-split, 3-split programs?"
"That's similar to a farmer practicing triple cropping, isn't it?"
"Yes. It's a method used to give maximum load to each part, ensure 48 hours of rest for each part, and pursue more effective growth and rest."
"Are you saying Su-hyeon does no-split despite knowing this?"
"The secret lies in the superhuman recovery ability and durability of his characteristic, 'Unlimited.' He performs high-intensity exercises every day that make him breathless and tear his muscle tissues, but by the next day, he's already completely recovered and can lift the same weight."
"But isn't repeating such intensity daily something not just anyone can do? Even before the physical aspect, mentally."
"That's exactly why I cherish Su-hyeon. Even the day after finishing the midterm exams in first place, he ran the same routine. That's how diligent and consistent he is."
The deputy leader burst into laughter seeing Park Gangjeong praising his junior at a level almost like a faith confession.
"Wow, I've never seen Gangjeong like this before. At this rate, the next face of the strength training room could be given to that friend."
"I'm already constantly trying to recruit him. So many places want him..."
"Being too good also has its troubles."
"That's really true. Oh, and one time..."
Once started, Park Gangjeong's junior boasting showed no signs of stopping.
'...My ears are starting to hurt.'
The deputy leader's expression gradually lost its vitality.
Meanwhile, at that time.
[Park Gangjeong is spreading your reputation throughout the Execution Force organization!]
[Achievement points 30 awarded!]
'Again?'
Su-hyeon sighed with a slightly tired expression at his unexpectedly rising reputation.
Since climbing to first place in the midterm exams, surpassing Seo Jun-seong.
Occasionally, his achievement points would increase like this even while just breathing.
'That person's share is quite high.'
Besides him, Instructor Lee Ho-seung's share was also considerable.
'Understandably so.'
Beating 'the' Seo Jun-seong had such significance.
Anyway.
'The pace is really good.'
Thanks to the "purchasing agency" business conducted in partnership with Park Min-cheol, money was also coming in well.
At this rate, it seemed possible to smoothly complete the power-up for another important scenario that would come later.
'The pace is good.'
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"Muscle Creed!"
"Our determination!"
Under Instructor Jang Jin-won's command, the strength training room was peaceful today as well.
"You there, your core has collapsed!"
"I'm sorryyyy!"
"Who told you to lie down completely when doing lat pulldowns! Fix your scapula firmly! Pull with your back!"
"I understanddd!"
Next to the gym rats who were mercilessly abusing their muscles.
"Huff huff huff!"
"Good, three more sets."
"You're crazy!"
As promised, Su-hyeon was supervising Kwon Seung-yeon's program, which had increased in volume.
"Hey, huff! Can't we, hack! Rest a bit? Huff huff!"
"After this one more."
"Uuugh."
Su-hyeon prepared to hand a towel to Kwon Seung-yeon, whose workout clothes were soaked and whose hair was sticking to her face from sweat.
"Man, those kids are always so diligent whenever we see them."
"Su-hyeon is amazing, but Seung-yeon, who keeps up with his intense pace, is no ordinary person either."
"True. Seung-yeon also runs programs like that every day. And she's not even a lycanthrope."
"That's why they're both labeled as monsters."
The senior gym rats who were whispering while watching the two approached slowly as Kwon Seung-yeon, who had finished her last set, collapsed on the floor.
"Hey juniors."
"Working hard today too?"
"It's really good to see. The future of our strength training room is bright."
"Right. Many of the other freshmen couldn't keep up and ran away."
A second-year cadet pointed at other first-years who were quietly exercising in the corner, pushed away by the seniors' muscle pressure.
"More first-years will probably come by the second semester, won't they? The importance of physicality will become more apparent as time passes."
The cadet gave a thumbs up with a pleased face at Su-hyeon's response.
"Hehehe. Of course they should!"
"By the way, Seung-yeon has good stamina, and her flexibility and elasticity are so good. Her core is incredibly strong too?"
At the female senior's admiration, Kwon Seung-yeon scratched her head shyly.
"Ah, not as much as the seniors."
"No. Seung-yeon is truly naturally gifted."
"Hehe. I think it's so cool when you do deadlifts, senior."
While Seung-yeon was already chatting amicably with the seniors.
"Ahem, junior."
"Yes."
Su-hyeon was having a slightly different conversation.
"Um, I haven't been able to increase my weight lately. How do you manage to increase it every time?"
"How could I give advice to a senior..."
"Come now, even Confucius said that when three people walk together, there's definitely a teacher among them..."
"Hmm. If you insist."
"Oh, please!"
"Actually, there's definitely a limit to the weight based on one's body weight and skeletal structure. Because of that..."
Now it was rather Su-hyeon who was guiding the seniors.
"Su-hyeon is really amazing, isn't he?"
"The kid has everything. What doesn't he have?"
The female seniors watching this scene gave Kwon Seung-yeon mischievous looks.
"By the way, Seung-yeon."
"Yes?"
"Are you two dating or something?"
"Cough cough!"
Kwon Seung-yeon was startled and waved both hands.
"Wh-what? No way!"
"But you two are always together."
"That's right."
"Well, that's just because we exercise together. By that logic, Yu-jin spends more time with him."
"Still, I've often seen you two together in the café too."
"Ah."
Indeed, lately she, Su-hyeon, and Nam Tae-hoon were often seen together.
'That's because he said we should meet somewhere quiet.'
Important discussions should be held in noisy places, or something like that.
Grumbling inwardly, Kwon Seung-yeon tried to explain.
"Tae-hoon is with us too."
"With Tae-hoon, it just feels like friends, but with Su-hyeon, it's like something..."
"No. That's not it."
Newly awkward, she glanced at Su-hyeon and then needlessly turned her gaze away.
'Damn, now I'm being conscious of it.'
Meanwhile, there was one man watching this scene from afar with an unpleasant face.
"That bastard."
Yang Dongju.
The second-year ace who received Park Gangjeong's affection.
He was not at all pleased with the freshman who had taken all the spotlight that used to be on him.
'Arrogant bastard, I'll have to teach him a lesson someday.'
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"Oh, you're back?"
Nam Tae-hoon waved at me as I returned just before roll call after finishing sparring with Lee Yu-jin.
"Our boss is living quite intensely today as well."
"Aren't you living too leisurely?"
"Hmm? I don't know what you mean."
Nam Tae-hoon played dumb and waved his phone.
"By the way, we have some new orders that came in."
"Choi Mina?"
"Yeah. But this time she wants something unusual."
"What's unusual?"
"She wants about 5 packs of dried moss slime."
"Hmm. That's definitely hard to get. It's not something that comes on the market often."
"So I told her I'd check and let her know."
"Okay."
I texted Park Min-cheol and prepared for roll call.
[Roll call is now concluded. All personnel may retire.]
By the end of roll call, there was still no contact from Park Min-cheol.
"Why isn't he responding?"
He was usually quick to respond at this hour.
Since it was the time for daily settlement, he would have cleared his schedule in advance.
"Maybe he's busy with something?"
"...I don't know."
Somehow, I had an unsettling feeling.