Episode 13
Taehyun left the main auditorium and headed to the central library.
Unlike other high schools, Konkuk High School operates a total of three libraries.
And among those libraries, the one that contained the materials Taehyun wanted was the Central Library.
"hello."
Taehyun greeted the librarian who was organizing books alone in a quiet library.
"Oh my, Taehyun. "What are you doing at this hour?"
A middle-aged woman in her 40s who was busy organizing her books welcomed Taehyeon.
Perhaps because all the students and faculty were gathered in the main auditorium, the already quiet library felt empty.
"It's been a while since I thought I'd read a book."
The librarian gave an understanding look at the meaningless words.
This is because I usually spend time here as a resting place.
Kim Tae-hyun, the only non-awakened student at Konkuk High School, reads books at the library whenever he has time.
This was already known to everyone.
"Player corner again?"
"Yeah, whatever."
"I hope Taehyun wakes up quickly too."
"Iknow, right."
After receiving sincere words from the librarian, I handed over my student ID and went inside.
A space that remains vivid in my memory even though 15 years have passed.
It wasn't difficult to find the players' corner there.
'After all, it's Konkuk High School.'
A bookshelf that was well over my height stretched out on both sides.
All the books listed there were related to players.
Taehyun, who was walking among them, picked out three books.
The titles were 'Awakened Skill Distribution Status', 'Unrevealed Mystery of the Abyss', and 'Rulers of the Abyss', respectively.
Taehyun sat down and quickly started flipping through the papers.
Since I had already read most of the books here at least once, I had no hesitation in turning the pages.
[The monsters that exist in the Abyss are basically divided into grades E through SS… … . The objects currently discovered with the naked eye are… … The SS-rank Kraken lives in the Sea of Demons and has driven countless players to death... .]
'As expected, it hasn't been discovered yet.'
Taehyun, who was quickly reading a thick book, frowned.
There was no mention of Asmodeus in this revised edition of the book.
As expected, Asmodeus will be discovered 10 years from now and will be the first to be given an SSS rating.
It was not something that could be discovered at a time when SS-rank players did not appear.
Afterwards, Taehyun looked through a few more books.
And the conclusion is.
'doesn't exist. nothing.'
I've stopped looking for information about Asmodeus.
He will be discovered naturally over time anyway, and he is not someone who has any influence on Taehyun right now.
but.
'We have to figure out this guy's identity somehow.'
A 'king' who despises Asmodeus and regresses himself.
Now I am accepting the fact that I have returned to the past.
However, I had no intention of leaving it like this.
'If there was a regression, there must be a reason.'
I am living a new life based on my awakened power.
I decided to become the best in this life.
I will not be swayed by anyone and I will not kneel to anyone.
'so.'
I needed information about the mysterious power the king used.
Of course, nothing came out.
'As expected, general information has its limits.'
The library of Konkuk High School, which has Taesan Electronics as its foundation, boasts a scale that goes beyond imagination.
But that's it.
That said, it was great from an ordinary person's perspective, but there were clear limits to knowledge and information about players.
A place naturally came to Taehyun's mind.
'Players' Association.'
A place that boasts the best information about the Abyss and skills as well as general books.
Among them, if it is confidential information that is only available to top players.
I didn't know there might be a way to find out about the king.
As soon as I thought about it, my body started to heat up.
To be at the top as a player.
Taehyun had one more reason to achieve his goal.
'I have to get revenge on Asmodeus.'
I still can't bear the expression on the face of the guy who was playing with me.
at that time.
The librarian's urgent voice rang out in the quiet room.
"Now, wait… Student Myeong-gyun… Leave your student ID... ."
"It will only take a moment."
Soon, a man stopped in front of the table where Taehyun was sitting.
"As expected, you were here. Taehyun Kim."
He was a man with a distinctive height who wore sharp glasses.
One of Lee Jeong-jae's henchmen. Kim Myeong-gyun.
If Hyuksu Bae is the right arm, would this guy be the left arm?
"What's going on?"
Taehyun looked up at him and asked earnestly.
The reason was fully predictable.
Because I deliberately induced it that way.
"Follow me. "Unless you want to make a fuss."
Myunggyun Kim pointed to the entrance with his chin. In front of him, the librarian was looking worriedly.
"Goo Beom-mo, you didn't even pay attention when you were fighting with Jo Tae-sik."
"what?"
"If you look at his movements, Lee Jeong-jae seems to be quite upset."
"This bastard… ."
Taehyun got up from his seat, looking at Kim Myeong-gyun who was excited.
If you have to do it anyway.
"good. "The rooftop would be a good place, right?"
It was better to finish quickly and enjoy the fun.
"It makes sense now."
Taehyun grinned behind Kim Myeong-gyun, who raised the corner of his mouth sarcastically.
* * *
Konkuk High School rooftop.
Taehyun whistled as he entered the smoking zone.
The places that were damaged in the battle with Bae Hyuk-su had been neatly repaired.
'And yet there's nothing said.'
Taehyun looked at Kim Myeong-gyun, who was looking at him.
Even though there was no evidence through CCTV, Bae Hyuk-soo's condition was not so light that it could be ignored.
According to common sense, it is a situation where it is appropriate for the school and the teacher to question Taehyun.
Yet, there is nothing much to say.
'Lee Jeong-jae had a hand in it.'
It was not difficult to identify the picture drawn by Jeongjae Lee.
If he is a guy who carries the halo of Taesan Electronics, and if he has that shady personality, he will be able to get away with it.
Everyone would be in the main auditorium by now, so the rooftop would be quiet for a while.
"Bae Hyuk-su. "You made it like that, right?"
Kim Myeong-gyun asked after confirming that there was no one on the rooftop.
"I guess you're already convinced?"
Kim Myeong-gyun swore at Tae-hyeon's taunt.
"You loser can't understand the topic."
Although Kim Myeong-gyun is looking at me growling.
Taehyun felt no threat.
"Whew. Well, okay. There's something Jeongjae told me to do, so I'll have to talk about it first. "Have you awakened?"
"then?"
"What level did you awaken to?"
Eat.
I laugh without realizing it.
'After all, a child is a child.'
As adults, awakened people work in a variety of places, making full use of their skills and grades.
Physical stats, skills, effort, growth rate, etc.
This is an era where the diverse aspects of awakened people are recognized as abilities.
Some companies used to sell awakened information at high prices.
Night Walker, one of the four major guilds, was a representative example.
so.
It's ridiculous to think that he would blurt out this information out of his own mouth.
"Are you wearing that head as a decoration? "It's not for nothing that people with awakened measurement skills are treated well, right?"
As Taehyun chuckled, Kim Myeong-gyun clicked his tongue.
"Tsk tsk. It's better not to show unnecessary bravado. "You probably know about my skills, right?"
Kim Myeong-gyun. Even in Konkuk High School, which is full of awakened people, there are only a few C-grade awakened people. That's also a double skill.
In particular, among the two skills, 'Psychometry' is the ability to peek into the memories of the person you come into contact with.
The higher the level, the higher treatment these mental skills receive. Lee Jeong-jae didn't keep him by his side for no reason.
However, the conditions for activating such a skill are not easy.
"Psychometry. "You need B-level magical power to use that skill, right?"
While Kim Myeong-gyun's awakening grade is C grade, psychometrics is treated as a B grade skill.
This is because the magic power is not at a level that a single C-rank awakened person can handle.
Maybe that's why Taehyun had never heard of him using psychometrics until he graduated from high school.
'Of course, I would be an exception.'
The corners of his mouth rose when he remembered how special he was.
It wasn't strange that Kim Myung-gyun took the sight as a provocation.
"young. I'm bragging because I picked it up somewhere. But there is one thing I overlooked."
Kim Myung-gyun took something out of his pocket.
A stone with a subtle purple color that radiates power.
Magic amplification stone.
An item that no high school student should have was held in Kim Myeong-gyun's hands.
"If you use this, there will be no problem using skills. Well, it would be a waste to just throw it away for something like this."
"I do it in a variety of ways."
A magic stone, the heart of a monster.
Magic power amplification stones are made by processing such magic stones.
Although there may be differences depending on the magic stone, it would be enough to temporarily change Kim Myeong-gyun's magical power to B grade.
'I guess I'm quite curious as to whether I've awakened.'
Lee Jeong-jae has always been greedy for talented people.
Even when he became the head of the Taesan Guild, which was later established, he was able to surpass the Big 5 by aggressively recruiting talent.
One would have been curious about what level Taehyun was after defeating Jo Tae-sik, Koo Beom-mo, and Bae Hyuk-soo.
He completely forgot what he said and did.
"Hey Taehyun Kim. Don't make us use these expensive things for no reason, let's go easily right now. "Contrary to what Jeongjae says, I have high expectations for you."
Taehyun shook his head at the incoherent attitude.
"Don't talk nonsense and try it."
"what?"
"Try to activate the skill. "Fuck Lee Jeong-jae."
"This bastard… Geez… !!"
Quaaaaaaa.
Magical power bloomed from Kim Myeong-gyun's body after using the skill.
B-grade magical power attacked Taehyun.
Tiring.
[Skill use has been detected. I am paralyzed (D). It resists with mysterious power. Resistance was successful.]
[Skill use has been detected. I got psychometric (B). It resists with mysterious power. Resistance was successful.]
Taehyun shrugged his shoulders after checking the message in front of him.
There was nothing surprising, as it had already been confirmed that it could block A-grade skills as well.
"W-what… Why nothing… ."
Even though I used the skill, nothing changed.
Kim Myung-gyun began to be visibly embarrassed.
This is because I realized that not only paralysis but also psychometry did not work at all.
"Uh, how can I move…" You can't believe it... ."
"It would be embarrassing."
I checked the status window and checked the cooldown time of the skill.
A kind smile appeared.
"Did you ask Bae Hyuk-soo what he did?"
He extended his hand towards Kim Myeong-gyun, who was shaking.
"Experience it yourself."
Taehyun's eyes looking at Kim Myeong-gyun changed to those of a wild beast with its prey in front of it.
After a while.
Kim Myeong-gyun's screams echoed from the rooftop.