novelraw Chapter 74 : Chapter 74
Chapter 74 : Chapter 74
Chapter 74 : Relief
Sal walked across the dormitory tower lobby and looked around.
Several students were talking with excited faces.
Everyone was chatting about the competition to be held tomorrow, appearing to have no worries or concerns.
Sal was actually a little envious of them.
None of them had experienced the anxiety and tension he had gone through with Divinity and Barry.
Just a few hours ago, Sal was convinced that some students would definitely die due to the dungeon collapse.
He shook his head to shake off those terrible thoughts and headed straight for the elevator.
Just then, an elevator opened right in front of him, and seeing it was empty, Sal thought inwardly that it was fortunate.
In his current state, he wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone.
He just wanted to collapse onto his bed.
Even the temptation of the Workshop couldn't turn his steps around.
A voice in a corner of his head told him to check his gear one more time before the competition, but that was already an obsession bordering on compulsion.
All equipment was already registered and authenticated.
There was nothing to worry about.
While the elevator went up toward his floor, Sal leaned his body against the wall and closed his eyes.
He hoped to arrive at his room quietly like this, but that wish was shattered before he went up even a few floors.
As the door opened, a group of excited students swarmed in, and buttons for numerous other floors were pressed until the floor Sal wanted.
He wanted to escape this commotion, but inside the narrow space, that was impossible.
Sal let out a quiet sigh with his eyes closed.
"Wait, what floor is the party? Casey, didn't you say the 40th floor earlier?"
The urgent voice of a female student filled the elevator, and one additional button was pressed.
"Yeah, but I need to change clothes! I can't go wearing my school uniform!"
The voice came from the opposite side of the elevator, and the students gathered in the center chattered individually at the same time, bombarding Sal's ears.
To think they planned to drink and throw a party with the competition ahead tomorrow; Sal couldn't understand it at all.
Was that because they were overflowing with confidence, or did they just not care at all?
Sal opened his eyes and looked around again.
Most students were engrossed in their own stories, but a single pair of eyes was observing Sal closely.
The moment he tried to avoid that gaze, the male student took a step closer to Sal.
"Hey, you're that kid taking the Administration class, right? The guy who earned a ton of Q-Credits!"
The male student was smiling as he spoke, but that smile didn't reach his eyes.
Sal nodded slowly, unable to hide his wariness.
Checking out of the corner of his eye, there were still five floors left until his floor.
The male student glanced at Sal, then turned his head to the group that had gone quiet and spoke.
"Let's invite him to the party too. The more, the merrier!"
Sal shook his head and forced a smile.
"Sorry, I'm a bit exhausted today so.... I'm just going to rest. Thanks for the invite."
However, the male student didn't act as if he heard Sal's words.
Rather, he put his hand on Sal's shoulder and smiled.
"What Cohort are you?"
Sal looked at his hand and forced himself to maintain his smile.
Then, twisting his body slightly to correct his posture, he removed the guy's hand from his shoulder.
"I'm Silver."
But the male student, lacking any tact, came even closer instead.
"Really? Then what's your rank?"
At that moment, the female student who had been called Casey earlier intervened from behind Sal.
Casey poked the male student's shoulder with an expression full of annoyance.
"Cut it out!"
And she spoke while making an apologetic expression toward Sal.
"Don't mind him. He's crazy about competition."
At those words, the male student frowned briefly but soon put on a fake smile again and backed off.
He raised both hands and spoke.
"Hey, I just chatted a bit. Right?"
When Sal turned his head to check, there were only three floors left until his floor.
He didn't say anything, and at that silence, the male student let out a scoff.
"Hey, Silver. Let's make a bet. If you win, I'll introduce you to my friends behind me. If I win, share just a little bit of the Q-Credits you've piled up. How about it?"
He pointed to the female students behind him.
Some were looking at Sal with curious eyes.
However, only Casey was glaring at the male student with a look of blatant disgust.
Perhaps it was because of the fatigue.
Sal, who would have maintained his composure normally, couldn't hold back the laughter bursting out at that moment.
Without hesitation, Sal looked at the female students behind the male student's shoulder and smiled brightly.
"Hello, I'm Salvatore. Nice to meet you."
And he looked at that intimidating male student again and smiled slyly.
"Introductions are done. Then the bet isn't needed, right? Have a good night."
Sal shook his head, moved toward the elevator door, and waited to arrive at the next floor.
The sound of Casey's stifled exhale was the only signal indicating something was wrong.
BANG!
Sal reflexively twisted his body quickly to the side, and a fist lodged into the elevator door right where his head had been.
Sal felt his heart pounding and tried to lower his stance to prepare for a fight, but at that moment, the male student collapsed onto the floor just like that.
Behind him stood Casey.
In her hand, the trace of the strike she just delivered was glowing faintly.
The female students burst into laughter all at once, and Casey soon deactivated her ability.
When Sal looked at her with surprised eyes, Casey frowned and shook her head.
"Sorry about this Sleeping Beauty. He's our team captain tomorrow."
She nudged the side of the male student collapsed on the floor with the tip of her toe and added in an annoyed tone.
Then she looked at the other female students and raised her eyebrows.
"Want to vote on leaving him here?"
Sal burst into laughter at the sight of hands raised unanimously.
Finally, as the elevator door opened and the hallway of Sal's floor unfolded before his eyes, he let out a sigh of relief.
He expressed his thanks to Casey before the door closed, but he stepped out into the hallway without hearing her answer.
Sal walked toward his room, clutching his Q-Card in his right hand.
In his head, he was counting, 'How many seconds left until I collapse on the bed?'
And just as he was about to open the door, a vibration buzzed in his pocket.
BUZZ- BUZZ-
Someone was calling.
His body wanted to ignore it, but since Sal didn't usually get calls often, he became curious.
When he took out his tablet and checked the screen, the caller was his parents.
Sal answered the phone without hesitation.
"Hello, is something wrong?"
Laughter was heard first from the other end, and soon Pietro's clear voice flowed out.
"Called to ask how our son is doing! Is it okay to talk now? If you're busy, I'll call back."
Sal smiled as he entered the room. Closing the door and taking off his shoes, he sat on the desk chair.
"Now is perfect. Don't worry. I just got into my room and was about to sleep, but a moment is fine. Are you two doing well? How is the auction house?"
"Ah, the auction house is running well. Nothing special happening, just peaceful. Your mother and I are doing well too. It's a really amazing thing. We just talked to your Headmaster, and he told us all about you."
The moment Sal tried to say something, his words stopped as if stuck in his throat.
'Quest Headmaster called my parents.'
Sal was afraid of the fact that his parents had learned how recklessly he had used his abilities.
It was obvious it would only cause them worry.
Complex calculations began in his head on how to continue the conversation, but his father's next words instantly relieved all that burden.
"Now, before you rack your brain with complications again, I'll tell you first. The Headmaster said you played a key role in stopping the monster attack. Ah, wait a second... Mom is asking something. Yeah, okay. I'll tell him again. Sorry, Sal. Mom is curious about that kid named Divinity you're with. She's asking if we can meet him later too."
Sal burst into laughter at that reaction.
The image of his mom giving instructions behind Pietro seemed to be drawn before his eyes.
The anxiety and tension that had weighed down his chest disappeared the moment he heard his parents' voices.
"Tell Mom that Divinity is just a friend. And tell her not to expect too much since I won't be bringing anyone home for the time being."
"Mom says to be careful with everything, but you don't necessarily have to tell us everything you do at school. Anyway, the reason we called is because of one thing the Headmaster told us."
Pietro's voice became serious for a moment.
"I mean your ability, Skill Master. He said you combined Restoration, Appraisal, and Upgrade abilities to create a new ability. You said the name was Mythos Crafter, right? Plus, you're already in the top ranks in Crafting and Administration classes. You can probably guess what I'm going to ask, but before you worry, let me tell you this first. Your mom and I are truly proud of what you've achieved right now. We believed from the start you'd do well in Administration, but we didn't know Crafting would turn out like this. But you know... why didn't you say a single word to us about that new ability?"
Sal bit his lip and fell into thought.
His mother's disappointed face was drawn in his mind, and eventually, he decided to tell the truth.
Starting from when he registered the skill, he told his parents one by one about Divinity having the ability to see the future, and the series of events that happened over the past few weeks, meaning the time in the Workshop, the Credit Floor, and all interactions with the Reavers Guild.
It was an explanation started in panic at first, but it gradually changed into a story boasting of his achievements.
And Sal began to feel at ease at the sounds of admiration mixed with surprise that his parents burst out at every important moment.
"Salvatore, it's Mom. You know how worried Mom is about you using other people's abilities, right? And I know very well how dangerous it can be. But hearing that you used that ability to help others, Mom and Dad are really proud."
"Mother...."
"You are learning this ability called Skill Master properly at that Academy right now. So learn more, and master more. However, always be careful, and take care of your body first. Got it?"
"Yes...."
"That ability called Mythos Crafter... hearing about it, it sounds like our retirement plan, so should we start looking for a vacation home now? Or should we wait a bit more? Here, I'll put Dad back on."
His mother's laughter was heard as the call was passed to Pietro.
Sal felt an indescribable sense of relief.
It felt like the weight he had been carrying, fearing his parents would be disappointed in the choices he had made, disappeared in an instant.
The times he had been weighed down by the thought that he was actually lying while repeating 'I'm fine, nothing much is happening' on calls with his parents were over.
He could finally be honest.
He became able to willingly talk about things that would happen in the future.
"So about that, the Legend rank sniper rifle you made for the Reavers Guild. I heard it has an Evolution attribute attached? I definitely want to see it in person someday! What else did you make? Next time you come home, I'll prepare a space where you can work perfectly. I want to see with my own eyes what the works made by your hands are like."
Pietro continued in a happy voice.
"And one more thing before you sleep. I talked with Mom before calling. We always knew you were special, and we're really happy that you're finding your path like this. Don't think you must work at the Argento Auction House. Go toward what you really want to do. Whatever it is, if you are happy, we are always on your side. Whatever choice you make, we will be proud of you."
Sal felt his throat choking up and his eyes becoming hot.
He shook his head, laughing at himself for becoming emotional like this.
"It's only been a month. I really don't know what will be in the future.... Still, my goal right now is to become a Guild Master. We'll have to see how long I hold onto that goal though!"
"You can definitely do it! We'll contact you again sometime this week. Do well in the Combat class, and even if it doesn't work out well, don't be too discouraged. This is what Mom said. I just want to say, smash it! Sleep well, Sal. Love you."
"I love you too."
Sal smiled and hung up the phone.
After putting the tablet down on the desk, he turned his body toward the glass window covering the entire wall.
He stood in front of the window for a while without a word, organizing his thoughts.
And slowly, a smile spread across his lips.
His parents' words came to mind.
Now, without hiding anything from them, he was receiving their support fully.
There would be no more monster attacks this weekend.
Now, the only thing he had to care about was one thing.
It was just doing well in the Combat class.