…Minori Nii POV…
I stared blankly ahead as I sat on a park bench.
Wednesday morning, just after morning training. It's been around three weeks since Cube began. My training was going well, the information I was taking in was helpful and the difficulty of the work was below my level.
So all in all, I'm doing all right.
But something is bugging me. I've only had one person that I could call a friend. Everyone else seems to have… how should I say this… a sort of distance that limits me from getting too close.
Demian is too sensitive to my sense of humour (insults), Rosen practically disappears as soon as class ends (I'm face blind), Chae Nayun has been really pissy recently (not my problem), Yi Yeonghan… (I've only talked to him once.) and Kim Hajin who has this creepy glare about him (probably just my imagination)!
"Haa, and it's already been." I leaned back.
"Is something troubling you, junior?" A kind voice came from behind me.
Tilting my head I saw a tall girl with long brown hair and squinted eyes, smiling from cheek to cheek as per usual.
She was dressed in Cube's training clothes and had a bottle of water(?) strapped to her thigh.
Yoo Ah-Ra, the president of the Medical Practice Club.
"Oh, Yoo Ah-Ra-ssi. It's nothing at all." I shook my head.
"Well that's good to hear from one of my members! You know, it's not good to be down in the dumps for a young guy like you!" She smiled and leaned against the bench I sat on.
"You say that as if you aren't two years older than us-." I joked to which she giggled and did not respond.
I was about to ask if she was secretly a djinn or a spy but my instincts told me not to. Could I have been in danger if I said that?!
"Well then, I've had enough of a break, little junior. I've got to deliver this to the lab. Stop by if you ever want some help with medical practice." She pet me on the head, leaving a suffocating aura and jogged off.
I looked at her departing figure as I felt a shiver go down my spine.
Should I report this to Cube- Nope, I absolutely can't and I have no clue why!
I panicked a little and prayed that my gift wouldn't let me die just because I was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
I shouldn't lament about having no friends anymore, it might've been a sign.
…
At 3 PM it was Anti-Personnel training.
Today, I had a simple plan. Unlike before where I just waited for someone to go without a partner, today I wanted to challenge someone who wasn't… how do I say this… someone who wasn't weak.
Ever since enlightenment, my rate of growth has increased exponentially, not because I could see my stats or anything but because I've begun drinking Nytol.
Yes, that's right, Insomnia medicine. I've been drinking enough of it to overdose every night, but instead of falling asleep forever, I've become more awake. I only need around two hours of sleep per four days but it seems to be stopping off around there (thankfully).
There was also another factor that I've made for my reasoning. Yoo Ah-Ra, she's dangerous, I can't report her (for some reason) but for now, it seems I won't die for no reason.
Which is why (while I can) I need to increase my importance to the point she can't kill me off without incurring attention.
How will I do that? Well I'll start a friendly rivalry with the princess of England. For this, I've determined that it's best if I find a way to become a challenge.
"Umm excuse me Rachel-ssi?" I got her attention.
She was a girl with luscious blonde hair, clear blue eyes and a cute face, not too mature with a bit of baby fat still on her cheeks. She nodded elegantly and tilted her head without much expression.
"My name is Minori Nii, I'd like to spar with you if that's okay." I attempted a smile but only managed a strange sympathetic look.
"...Alright." She stood off from the benches and hooked her rapier back on her belt.
"Let's have a good fight, Minori-ssi."
We both stepped into the ring and readied ourselves, I could already feel the burning gazes as my rank was read out.
[Rank 150 Cadet Minori Nii]
Rachel widened her eyes as she looked at me.
"... I commend your bravery." I felt irked by her words so I gained a serious look.
[Rank 3 Cadet Rachel Elizabeth Louise]
"I plan to win. You'll lose if you don't take me seriously." The moment I spoke, I felt even more gazes land on me.
Spread the word, start some rumors for me~
[Begin.]
The moment the text was displayed the two of us rushed forward. She thrusted her blade at my face but I swung my short sword and caught the rapier, forcing it up.
Not waiting for her to recover, I pulled to her side and went for her neck.
She avoided it by rolling back, only to find the sword coming at her again.
She blocked it with her rapier, forcing it against my short sword. Her eyes were wide with surprise as she grit her teeth, clearly not expecting overwhelming aggression.
When I felt her mana bubble I pretended not to notice but stepped back at the last second, watching her swing at air.
She rolled away and bounced to her feet. Her rapier raised up as her eyes revealed her triumph… only to be greeted by me, standing in a casual stance.
"Are you ready now?" I taunted and watched her face go red. Once she got it back under control, her eyes sharpened.
"Apologies for underestimating you. I'm ready."
I lazily re-gripped my short sword and tapped my smartwatch.
Her eye twitched as she ran forward, overextending as I stepped aside and elbowed her in the back.
Or, I should've but only swung at air as she backed away.
She's faster when I'm not pressuring her…
I dashed at her and swung at her horizontally, with the speed it was going she'd be forced to block.
So she did, pushing her rapier and blocking with both hands.
But it was a feint as I pivoted and slammed into the unprotected ribs on the other side.
She let out a gasp as the wind was knocked out of her.
"Keuk"
[Score]
[Rachel - 0][Minori - 1]
"Good fight Rachel-ssi." I held a hand out to her with my best smile (not a very good one).
She grabbed it and stood up, dusting herself off.
"Yes… good fight. Shall we continue?"
Yes! It worked, I can see the fire in her eyes! You are the pride of a country you better not back down, not to rank 150!
"I don't mind, just make sure to put up a good fight this time." I taunted again and watched her grip on the blade tighten.
…
By the end of it Rachel was sitting on the side bench, drinking from a water bottle. Meanwhile I was sitting on the bench, staring at the ceiling in pain.
I need to do something about [Stamina 4.1], it's killing me to keep up with her.
[Score]
[Rachel 3][Minori 12]
Feeling someone staring, I looked over and saw an average looking boy, his eyes were wide and he had a shocked expression
Gunman Kim Hajin
I recognised him.
"Minori-ssi. Spar with me next time too." I turned my gaze to Rachel and nodded.
"Sure. But make sure to try a little harder next time, I've got quadruple your score this time."
I saw her lips twitch slightly as if she held back a scoff.
But before she could respond, the bell rang to signify the two hour classes end.
"Well, I'll see you later Rachel, it's been good fighting you." I bowed and walked off to enjoy my break somewhere I can quietly throw up.
Interacting with royalty so politely hurts my stomach more than poison, especially with so many spectators. At least it'll buy me some time to negotiate with Senior Yoo Ah-Ra (Who I don't even know how dangerous is.).
…
Thursday.
Once again I visited the martial arts club.
And once again, it was only me.
I'm starting to suspect if there even is a martial arts club. In a school full of fighters yearning to be heroes, you'd think they'd focus on technique.
The reason I came to the club again today was not only to confirm if there were any members but also if I could use the space to train Heavenly Berserker Arts.
Despite fully comprehending the text, my mastery of it only slightly improved.
So today, I'd use a quiet space to practice the art, unarmed.
Finding a clearing in the library I stood in the middle and took out the old unbranded book.
The first page was detailed on how to throw a punch, nothing about a proper stance or where to use it. It was actually rather strange.
Simply just punch. Well, it wasn't that simple, for a berserker art, it emphasises fluidity, chaining and reactions on the page.
'A simple jab can be used to throw your opponents off balance. Use the surroundings to your advantage and shred them apart.'
Raising my hand as shown by the diagram, I noted how it wasn't a full fist and more like a claw.
When I punched with my whole body, it felt as though I was overextending.
Wait… is this a combo starter?
I threw another punch and twisted my body, palms to the floor as I used the momentum to kick upwards.
Yeah… that feels a lot better than when it's on its own.
I continued to practice the punch until I threw one that satisfied me.
It doesn't snap like when Kim Horak punches. It's more like I'm trying to tear them apart.
…Kim Hajin…
[Problem: Scrapped character, Minori Nii, played too strong of a part to be fully wiped out when scrapped, leaving some plot holes.]
I looked at the text with my palms sweating.
Minori, originally designed to be a close rival to Kim Suho, would become one of the nine evils after killing one of them.
The most important part about that story was… after killing them he would either become a Djinn or come into close contact with a devil, Bayle, the ancestor of drakes and the enemy of ancient dragons.
The reason I scrapped him was because I couldn't write him without killing at least 10 of the weaker cast.
[Solution: Minori Nii has been reinstated as an end level antagonist that will follow no predetermined path.]
[A change in the setting has been detected]
[Character Minori Nii has interacted with a Djinn of Lilith.]
[A change in the setting has been detected]
[Character Minori Nii has gained some notoriety for winning against Rachel. Rachel has developed a rivalry with Minori.]
[A change in the setting has been detected.]
[Character Minori Nii has become weary of character: Kim Hajin.]
I read the notifications one by one, my stress increasing over and over again.
Closing my laptop and sitting in a cafe, I looked to the Desert Eagle I had just received.
I remembered the previous setting change, about how even if it gets chaotic… antagonists will become stronger.
"Huuuu… I have to stop him before he comes into contact with Bayle." I clenched my fist, and let out a shaky breath.
But how?