novelraw Chapter 74 : Chapter 74
Chapter 74 : Chapter 74
Chapter 74: Son of the Sword Emperor (2)
Thick steam filled my vision.
Inside the bath, where people soaked their bodies leisurely with their guards down, it was peaceful, but amidst that, only the expression of Lee Junhyeok sitting next to me looked somewhat bitter.
It was after I had just brought up the story about weapons.
‘It is a bit early for the worrying to start.’
Based on the game, Lee Junhyeok feeling the limits of the sword path happens around the end of the first year.
Showing these signs from now was earlier than expected.
It wasn't a random worry.
Since there were subtle hints from the beginning.
Like sword skill proficiency not rising above a certain level, or weapon stat corrections being lower compared to true sword-specialized characters.
In the case of users playing Lee Junhyeok, they initially thought it was a bug and repeated this and that attempt.
Finally, they discovered it was an Easter egg, not a bug.
[Lee Junhyeok, this punk isn't a sword-wielder? He's a gun-wielder…….]
One community post that came up randomly one day.
The content was shocking.
The information that Lee Junhyeok, the son of the Sword Emperor who possesses numerous sword skill sets, is actually not sword-specialized, but gun-specialized.
‘I didn't believe it at first either. I only realized it was real after raising him with a rifle equipped myself.’
It is an ironic matter.
That the true talent the Sword Emperor's son possesses lies in guns, not swords.
Of course, this didn't mean this guy had no talent for the sword.
Right now, Lee Junhyeok takes first place in specialty training (swordsmanship) as easily as eating meals.
If he has no talent, then what does that make the rest?
However, Lee Junhyeok absolutely cannot reach the realm of the ‘Sword Emperor’ with a sword.
Even if he reaches the upper ranks, he eventually cannot reach that territory his father stepped into.
The route where Lee Junhyeok collapses later was also connected to that thirst.
Struggling before a wall that cannot be crossed, and eventually crumbling.
‘If by any chance Lee Junhyeok's collapse scenario occurs, I must stop it no matter what.’
I don't want to see an upright guy becoming a murderer swinging a greatsword around, and it would be a direct hit to my safety too.
Since I've built a friendship with Lee Junhyeok, I think I should watch over him step by step.
At least now he looks fine, but who knows when the kid might suddenly snap.
‘It would be strange to suddenly tell him to change weapons too.’
It was just today that we started talking openly.
Even if I offer advice in such a situation, it would only be unsightly.
I broke the hanging silence and opened my mouth.
“Swords are the coolest, but I did want to try handling other weapons too.”
“Oh, are you interested in other weapons too? For example?”
“Like spears or large hammers, or, you know, things like that. Rifles.”
I made a gesture as if holding a super-giant rifle.
A super-heavy weapon with the potential to blow away even any giant monster in one shot.
It was also the weapon Lee Junhyeok handles properly for real.
“Isn't it stylish? If you blast a hole right through a Balrog's belly with just a single shot, it's totally dope.”
“A rifle, huh. I can't imagine it well.”
Lee Junhyeok seems to be imagining himself holding a rifle for a moment.
Yeah, let's start from the stage of getting to know it for now.
‘If he gets really frustrated, he'll try using it once. And the moment he holds the rifle, he will know immediately. Ah, this is it.’
Of course, it won't be that simple a problem.
In the game, changing weapons freely was no problem.
Since you just open the inventory and double-click the weapon you want to change to, and that's it.
However, now that it has become reality, changing weapons was on a different level starting from its weight.
The path built up until now, the expectations of surroundings, and even one's own pride involved in the matter.
Changing weapons meant willingly giving up all of that.
So, what decision he makes, what path he chooses, is not something I can decide.
It means I have no choice but to leave that part to Lee Junhyeok.
So what the current me can do is exactly this much.
Just simply introducing things like, how about this, to him.
For me, it is better if he gives up the desire for the Sword Emperor or blooms his talent with a new weapon.
That way he avoids the collapse.
If this bastard collapses, he truly becomes a disaster itself.
“I heard from a senior that there's a time when we can freely experience other weapons. Try using it then.”
“Haha, shall I? Let's go around together.”
“If we go, I'm going to shoot a rifle first.”
“That is also good.”
I planted about a seed.
I just hope it grows correctly someday.
First of all, in a direction good for me.
Please don't think it's selfish.
Since it will be a good path for both me and Lee Junhyeok.
Like that, miscellaneous conversation continued naturally.
“How about we go to other places soon? It's a shame to just soak in the hot bath and leave.”
Lee Junhyeok suggested while swinging his shoulders largely.
A much lighter expression, he seemed to have put aside the worry from just before for a moment.
“Here, just the types of baths and saunas number over a dozen. Hot spring bath, medicinal herb bath, extreme cold bath……. And there is one sauna I guarantee.”
He pointed to the surroundings as if I wouldn't be disappointed no matter how much I expected.
Actually, the sauna here wasn't at the level of simply soaking the body in hot water.
Several rooms were connected centering on a huge circular hall, and baths and facilities with completely different themes were placed in each room.
The scale was at a level where it would be fine to set aside a day to explore.
As I moved my steps, scenery that was familiar yet strange continued.
A bath filled with water red as blood, a strange room where rough waterfalls poured down from the entire ceiling.
Among them, the most impressive one was the ‘Electric Bath’.
Electricity is flowing openly in the water.
They call it an electric bath, but isn't it practically torture?
People were enduring the current with frowning faces while making expressions mixed with euphoria.
I think I can somewhat empathize.
I wondered if my converting Pain into electric shock felt like that.
The appearances of customers seen here and there were also distinct.
There was someone floating a liquor cup on the water using magic power and sipping it.
There was also an oddball trying to maximize the steaming effect with a strange breathing technique.
Steam spewed out from his body like a steamboat.
I didn't go near because it seemed like it would smell of concentrated sweat.
‘It seems similar but is too different. From reality.’
While walking and watching like that, Lee Junhyeok stopped his steps.
My gaze also naturally headed that way.
As we entered a room on one side, there was a space like the entrance of a giant blast furnace.
Red lighting as if flames were alive and breathing, heat that seemed to distort the air between the steel frames was conveyed.
The thick door looked to be easily 1m.
It seemed they installed maximum devices to block the heat bursting out from inside.
Bold letters were floating on the electronic display board located above that door.
[Super-High Heat Kiln Sauna]
[Recovers damaged tissues with extreme healing power.]
“It's here.”
Lee Junhyeok spoke as if proud.
“They say there is no place like this for healing. It is also counted as the best attraction of this sauna. They say if you don't stop by here, it's the same as not coming.”
……Why are you speaking with such pride? Are you an ambassador?
My expression crumpled automatically at the atrocious design of the super-high heat sauna.
No matter how I look at it, it seems I will cook just like meat cooks if I go in.
As if reading my expression, Lee Junhyeok immediately added.
“Ah, don't worry. It's not that hot compared to how it looks. Your skin won't cook or burn to death.”
“…….”
Even so, isn't this too much like buying suffering?
Just then, as I was contemplating if I should turn back.
‘Wait, if it's super-high heat…….’
Suddenly, one thought grazed by.
Super-high heat, and the sauna enduring inside it.
‘……Passive.’
If my memory is correct, there was one acquired passive related to that.
Ding-!
[Tactical Manual]
[You can proceed with training to adapt to extreme environments.]
As if reconfirming my thoughts, the Tactical Manual's message came up.
It didn't mention the reward directly, but now I can know.
That ‘adaptation’ is an implication that I will obtain a related passive.
‘Then well, I'll go in, what the heck.’
Like that, I followed Lee Junhyeok into that place, and completed my regret in less than 1 second.
“Ugh-.”
The moment I entered inside, my breath was choked off.
The hot air that smacked my face as soon as I took a step.
Even the wind brushing my skin was like an iron plate heated by fire.
My throat tightened dryly, and the breath entering my lungs was stinging like an awl.
In short, the feeling of burning to death rushed in.
‘Damn it, you said it wasn't hot.’
Did you trick me?
I inhaled once, and immediately popped out.
“What happened?”
Lee Junhyeok, who followed behind, opened his eyes wide.
“I thought I was dying. You said it wasn't that hot?”
“Huh? Is it very hot?”
And only then did it come into view.
The blue light leaking faintly from around Lee Junhyeok's body.
“You, did you wrap yourself in magic power?”
“Right. If I do that, I can resist the heat to some extent while receiving the efficacy of the super-high heat to the max…….”
Lee Junhyeok, who was continuing his speech, paused and opened his eyes wide as if clapping his hands.
“Ah, right, you don't have magic power!”
An exclamation as if he realized.
“Are you kidding me?”
This is why class conflict happens.
Are you Marie Antoinette? You can't understand people without magic power?
Of course, even if the Antoinette thing is a rumor, it seems this guy had genuinely forgotten.
“Sorry. I absolutely didn't have thoughts like ignoring you or anything. Still, I forget sometimes. That you are a Non-Awakened.”
Lee Junhyeok stroked his chin as if troubled, then moved his steps as if he thought of something.
“Wait a moment.”
When the guy who emptied his spot to go somewhere returned, what was placed in my hand was a pack of gum.
‘……Gum?’
On the wrapper, ‘Protector Bubble’ was written.
“It's an item that protects the skin while chewing. It's for emergency use. Field heroes often keep it in stock too.”
I looked down at the gum blankly.
It's not a mission site, but using this for a sauna experience?
“If you chew this, it will be bearable.”
“……Is this a place we have to enter to this extent?”
“Of course! Because it's a famous attraction!”
Seeing the guy speaking confidently without a speck of malice, I naturally lost my words.
Like that, I started chewing the gum.
The moment I chewed, a mint scent spread inside my mouth.
Some soft sensation spread out.
As I blew it big once according to Lee Junhyeok's explanation.
Pop-!
At the same time the bubble gum popped, a translucent membrane began to wrap around my entire body.
When I pressed the back of my hand, I felt a slight repulsive force pushing back.
Usually, they say it's used by overlaying it on a suit, but wearing it on a bare body felt somewhat strange.
“Then, shall we go in again!”
With Lee Junhyeok's shout, the second expedition began.
Looking at it now, there were hardly any people inside.
It's understandable. How many people would be able to endure this?
Lee Junhyeok said this place is a famous attraction, but.
Famous attraction my foot. It's fortunate if it doesn't become a famous grave site.
Sweat drops were flowing down like rain over the serious faces of every person sitting in such a place.
The air in the room distorted like heat haze rising, and swallowing a breath was hot like swallowing charcoal fire as is.
As I took a seat and sat down, sweat flowed down from my forehead.
However, because the membrane was wrapping the body, there was no feeling of immediately burning up like when I came in with bare skin.
It's bearable. Definitely.
‘Well, result-wise, it means I received help in acquiring the passive.’
Just then, when I was about to have a time of perseverance with reasonable satisfaction.
“Who is this. It's been a while?”
A voice heard suddenly.
But is there anyone who would see me after a while?
As I lifted my head to look, a man flashing sharp eyes under dark blue long hair was standing there.
A familiar face.
“Oh, someone you know?”
Lee Junhyeok sitting next to me asked.
Of course I know. It's a face I know.
“I know. That who was it, that…….”
I definitely know.
Because the mimic isn't looking at him, the Eye of Deception isn't activating.
If I look, the name pops up immediately.
“It's Sonic Park! Are you planning to say you forgot!”
“Ah, right. Park Sonic.”
“I said Sonic Park!!”
That's right. The guy I encountered after a truly long time, Sonic Park.
He was a guy who acted annoyingly by picking fights or starting bets recklessly, but it was comfortable since he wasn't seen for a while; to think I'd see him again here.
‘Don't tell me he's going to say let's bet or have a match again.’
That thought was brief.
“You seem to have been living with a mind at ease.”
Sonic Park's gaze pierced sharply as ever.
“I haven't forgotten the disgrace of falling to a lower rank than you bastard for a single day. Let's settle the score here again.”
It's starting without fail.
It would feel rather empty if the guy didn't do this, but do we really have to argue about matches and bets even here?
“……You want to fight here?”
“Hmph, are you stupid? If we fight as we please in a public place, we get caught by the law.”
The guy clicked his tongue and pointed to the surroundings with his finger.
“The event is an endurance test. The person who endures longer here is the winner. There's no need to explain, right?”
Grin- His lips curved fishily.
In that expression, half seriousness and half nutjob temperament were mixed.
‘……Crazy fucking psycho.’
Anyway, I got involved properly wrong since the entrance exam.