Chapter 98
『The “Body Strengthening Procedure” has been completed.』
『Stamina has increased.』
『Stamina recovery rate permanently increases by 32%.』
With that message, the tension eased. He felt a searing heat on his back, like being branded with hot iron. The formation etched into his back and the condensed elixirs used instead of ink invigorated his body.
Though weary from the over-two-day procedure, he paradoxically felt a surge of energy. This was the result of his body being strengthened through the procedure.
『Status Window』
『Name: Lee Suhyuk』
『Affiliation: Earth』
『Level: 40』
『Strength: 52』
『Agility: 50』
『Stamina: 70』+2
『Focus: 49』
『Magic: 57』
『Fatigue: 75』
Suhyuk’s lips curled into a smile as he checked his stats. The increase in stamina was particularly noticeable.
70.
Combined with the stats earned from the fourth-floor trial, the procedure had almost added 20 points to his stamina.
Additionally,
’32 percent increase in stamina recovery.’
The value of the recovery rate brought about by the formation engraved like a tattoo on his back was immense. Recovering drained stamina and shortening wound healing times meant he could fight for longer periods.
Moreover, this procedure wasn’t even perfect yet.
‘If this is what 200,000 points get me, I can only imagine what a 1,000,000-point procedure would….’
Suhyuk marveled at Jinwoon’s skills.
‘You’ve improved even more.’
“Do you like it?”
Jinwoon asked knowingly from behind him. Suhyuk nodded. Of course he liked it. Despite the high fatigue, he could distinctly feel the benefits of the increased stamina. He was eager to fully recover and test out his enhanced body.
At this level,
‘I might even be able to use the Lightning Lord, if only for a short while.’
The procedure had achieved the physical enhancement he aimed for. If Jung Yuhan came back to life, he would no longer need Un Hyang’s help to deal with him.
*
After that, Suhyuk slept for more than half a day. Eating, sleeping. Then waking up to eat again. There was nothing better for recovery.
Clatter—
Finishing his meal in silence, Suhyuk set his chopsticks down. A simple, clean meal without any meat. He rose from the table having eaten neatly.
“Thank you for the hospitality.”
“Is your fatigue all gone?”
“Yes, completely.”
His body felt light, as though he could fly. The increased stamina brought vigor to his frame, and the enhanced recovery rate from the procedure further amplified his vitality.
He was ready.
He could tackle the trial at any moment.
“Alright. Next time, make sure to come back with a heftier payment. As it is now, there’s nothing left over for me….”
Jinwoon grumbled intentionally loud enough for Suhyuk to hear. To Suhyuk, Jinwoon’s words sounded like an invitation to return.
“Yes. I understand.”
Eight-hundred thousand points remained to be paid. Returning with those would ensure a more thorough procedure.
*
In the aftermath of streamer Lee Suhyuk’s departure, Jinwoon stood with his hands behind his back, staring at the door.
“That kid left in such a hurry.”
He thought Suhyuk might stay for another day. It seemed that rushing nature was something Suhyuk had in common with the Lee Suhyuk he knew.
“What a peculiar kid.”
Barely three days. They’d spent only a few hours actually talking. Most of their time together had been silent, focused on the procedure, leaving little time to build any sort of rapport.
Yet, why did it feel like they’d grown strangely close as if they had an unspoken understanding?
“Did I smile?”
He had smiled without realizing it, and the following question had been even more bewildering.
“…Do you miss him a lot?”
What kind of question was that?
He wasn’t the real Lee Suhyuk. So, he had responded accordingly. That brat wasn’t the kid he knew. He was merely a streamer impersonating that kid.
But still, he couldn’t shake off the words and expression on the kid’s face when he asked if he missed Lee Suhyuk.
“That makes me happy.”
“Really, now.”
Happy?
“He said he was looking for Lee Suhyuk, so why was he happy about it?”
Mumbling to himself, Jinwoon chuckled. A laugh born out of absurdity. But oddly enough, he didn’t feel bad.
In fact, it felt as if a long-held ache of longing had slightly eased, and a subtle warmth filled his heart.
Maybe that’s why?
After standing for a while, watching the spot where Suhyuk had departed, Jinwoon finally turned back and muttered, “I should start preparing.”
Jinwoon walked back to his workshop. Eight-hundred thousand points. Though not a small amount, he knew the kid would soon gather the points and return.
When that time came, he would engrain the highest quality procedure fit for the kid, just as promised.
*
Donning his mask, Suhyuk returned to the dormitory and, as usual, found Un Hyang waiting for him on the first floor. He considered going straight to take the trial but remembered that she was his working partner.
It was only right to explain where he had been and why he hadn’t been reachable.
“A procedure?”
Un Hyang tilted her head, clearly surprised by Suhyuk’s explanation.
“Something like that exists….”
“Not many people know about it. That man doesn’t accept just anyone as a client in the first place.”
“And who exactly is this ‘man’?”
It was difficult to answer. Jinwoon didn’t appreciate having his whereabouts or activities widely known. Even though Un Hyang was Suhyuk’s manager, it was hard to casually mention Jinwoon’s name after he had gone to such lengths to perform the procedure.
So, Suhyuk revealed Jinwoon’s other name instead.
“Myung-in…?”
“Myung-in?”
Un Hyang’s reaction was just as astonished. Cheon Ryang, caught off-guard, blurted out a curse, then smacked her own mouth with her palm.
“Wow, that’s crazy. Ah, sorry. I was just really surprised.”
Suhyuk understood the reaction. Even as a player from Earth, he was aware of how significant the name “Myung-in” was to those from Murim.
“A reclusive master reputed to be in the top three in the field of formations? And highly respected in the field of magic circles as well.”
Myung-in.
That was another name Jinwoon used.
However, Jinwoon didn’t coin it himself. It was an identity constructed from his various small, humble efforts to make ends meet, gradually building up over time.
To recruit Myung-in, a hundred rankers once sought him out, only to end up trapped in his formations—a well-known legend.
“How did you manage to…?”
“I was lucky. Turns out Myung-in had some connection with Lee Suhyuk.”
“Myung-in had a connection with Lee Suhyuk?”
Un Hyang’s astonished expression showed as she covered her mouth. She was an ardent fan of Suhyuk. Although she now worked as manager for streamer Lee Suhyuk, she had originally been a fan of Blue Eyes’ Lee Suhyuk.
Hearing new information about Lee Suhyuk from his namesake’s mouth, Un Hyang’s eyes sparkled.
“How was the procedure? Are you satisfied?”
“It exceeded expectations. Though it was quite pricey.”
Naturally, Suhyuk shifted the topic towards the revenue.
“Speaking of which, how much did the video revenue come to? I need to prepare for the next procedure.”
“I was just about to give you a rundown now that you’re back.”
Un Hyang extended her hand. The joyful moment of accounting ensued. Suhyuk grasped her hand.
Immediately,
『You have acquired 114,000 points.』
He received a much larger sum than expected.
“This is the first round of revenue. Another video went up yesterday, so that’ll be included in the next payout in a few days.”
“It’s larger than I thought.”
“Your video views are doing really well right now. There’s a lot of chatter in the community too.”
This was welcome news. With many points still needed, Suhyuk would have to tighten his belt and continue earning diligently for now.
“That’s great news.”
“Isn’t it?”
“Did anything unusual happen while I was gone? This is your hometown, after all.”
Remembering that Un Hyang and Cheon Ryang were from Murim, he posed the question. However, his question caused Un Hyang and Cheon Ryang to exchange glances.
An awkward silence followed. The brightness on Un Hyang’s face gave way to a familiar expression. There it was again. The face he had seen before.
For a moment, it was as if she had lost all vitality; her face was drained of life.
“For us, nothing out of the ordinary happened.”
The answer came from Cheon Ryang.
“By the way, are you starting right away? No rest?”
His blatant attempt to change the subject was obvious. Suhyuk glanced between the two. Had something happened as soon as they returned to their hometown?
Both seemed to be concealing something they couldn’t speak about. One thing was clear. Un Hyang had something related to her hometown that she didn’t want to reveal.
Suhyuk figured that pressing further would likely yield no answers. More importantly, he thought practically. Right now, he wasn’t stronger than Un Hyang. Therefore, most issues that she couldn’t resolve were likely beyond his capabilities too.
Building his strength was essential. That was the entire reason he had sought out Jinwoon for the procedure. And the task at hand was obvious.
“Yes. I’ve rested enough over there.”
He needed to take the trial and continue climbing the tower.
*
Falcon Eye scoured various streams for his next content. Streamers and rankers. Even recently highlighted viral moments. But nothing seemed to catch his eye.
‘I had high hopes…’
He stared at the screen of his kit with a disinterested gaze. The video of Golden Lion, Reinhardt. His recent exploits against the demons had been a significant topic on streams.
However, ‘He should be able to do at least this much.’
Reinhardt was a high ranker. A ranker of considerable stature, renowned enough to earn the moniker Golden Lion. His battles primarily involved overwhelming opponents with powerful magic.
Strong.
But there was little else to say. It wasn’t a video worth reviewing as content.
“Meh.”
Making a dissatisfied noise, Falcon Eye revisited Lee Suhyuk’s videos.
“Is there really no one like Lee Suhyuk?”
He had been holding back on reviewing his videos too frequently. But his streams always provided ample material for review. It wasn’t just the uniqueness of Lightning.
He continually performed astonishing feats. His excellent control, relentless pursuit of difficult challenges, and the star quality of eventually succeeding in those endeavors.
He had the makings of a star. The more Falcon Eye watched his streams over time, the more certain he became. Although the recent fourth-floor trial had been quiet due to repetitive challenges, he was already excited about what Suhyuk would show in the next trial.
But for three days now, Lee Suhyuk hadn’t gone live.
“Meh.”
No content. Or rather, no player compelling enough to generate content. Reviewing just any popular player didn’t satisfy him.
“It’d be perfect if Lee Suhyuk started his stream now.”
It was just then.
Bzzzt—
An alarm went off on his kit.
It was as if his words had conjured it.
『’Lee Suhyuk’ has started streaming.』
Lee Suhyuk’s stream had just gone live.
TL’s Corner:
Ask and you shall be given.
Also, Myung-in means master of art, Virtuoso could have been used, but it’s not murim like, so I left it as Myung-in.