Nourish Your Mind (2)

Cha Si-eun peeked up at Seo Jun-ho from over her novel, perhaps wanting him to leave. She stared at him intensely, narrowing her eyes.

I wont leave even if you look at me like that.

Haa She resigned herself and lowered the book that was blocking her face. Seeing as how her cheeks were slightly red, she was probably embarrassed. She started to make excuses as if she was caught doing something wrong.

Im 23 years old. I dont think its strange for a grown adult to be reading novels. This new side of her was refreshing, Seo Jun-ho thought.

I didnt say its strange. I just He shrugged, dont think the secrets of the world our ancestors mentioned are hidden in that book youre reading, he teased.

(PR: Referring to what Cha Si-eun said in Chapter 21: The old scholars would say that books hold the secrets of the world.)

<The SSS-rank Munchkin Who Trained for 990 Million Years>

(TN: Munchkin is a gaming term for an OP player.)

Just by looking at the title, it was easy to predict the contents of at least the first two books.

Th-this This is Cha Si-eun started to fumble, blushing all the way to her ears. Wh-what amazing book is Jun-ho-nim reading, then?

I, of course Seo Jun-hos face fell. He quickly covered the book.

Its evenly matched.

Hed been enjoying the story of a priest who went around in a game with a sword. But the title was cliche and he didnt want to show her.

Cant we call it a tie?

If you show me the title, sure.

He showed her with a resigned look on his face, and she burst out in laughter. Her voice was silvery and pleasant.

Its not that different from mine, she muttered.

Seo Jun-ho had nothing left to say and took a seat in the chair across from her. Theyd both taken critical hits and spent the rest of their time quietly reading their books. The only sounds were the flipping of pages and the ticking of the clock.

Phew That was good. Seo Jun-ho finished his novel and rolled his stiff neck. Cha Si-eun seemed to have finished at the same time and closed her book with a bright, satisfied look on her face. Did you finish it too?

Yes. It was very good.

Seo Jun-ho looked around the shabby manhwa bang. To be honest, I was a little surprised.

To see me in a place like this?

Yes. I heard you were an elite. I thought you were far above places like this.

Most people think that. She stretched and pulled out her hair roller. But I like this place. I can read books comfortably without being bothered by anyone.

Thats why manhwa bangs are the best.

E-books on Vita are popular these days, but I like the feeling of flipping pages.

Ah, and the smell of books is nice.

Exactly! And old books have an elegant scent like the passage of time itself. They ended up talking for half an hour more, fueled by their mutual love of books. Their short conversation was richer than everything else theyd talked about combined.

Ah, its already this late It was past eight oclock. Cha Si-eun stood up. Im gonna get going.

Do you want me to call a taxi for you?

Thats ok. I live right next to here. She looked down at her three-stripe slippers and nodded. Ill see you tomorrow morning.

Have a safe trip home.

(TN: Its a common farewell/sendoff even though she lives close.)

Seo Jun-ho watched her leave and smiled dimly.

She must have a hard time. It was a shame that she couldnt enjoy herself often because she was living the elite life everyone expected her to. But that was the life she had chosen.

Well, Im not one to judge. She was still a great secretary. In fact, he had a newfound respect for her.

Ill do my best too.

Seo Jun-ho got up from his seat. Hed been able to recharge in multiple ways.

What? America? Shim Deok-gu blinked. Youre not thinking of going to the Shadow Brothers funeral, are you?

Why would I? The act hed put on for the interview was more than enough. He didnt want to fake it again at some fiends funeral. My tears are expensive, you know?

Of course. Of course you wouldnt Why do you want to go, then?

I found out one of the Fiend Associations meeting places thanks to the Shadow guys.

What?! Really? Where? Seo Jun-ho shook his head. Shim Deok-gu probably wanted to send players right away.

Ill be going myself.

Hmph, Im worried

About me?

No, the fiends. We need to get information from them, but Im worried that youll kill them all.

Ill get the information. Dont worry. The laundromat hed seen in the Shadow Brothers memories wasnt a dangerous place. There were only two small-fry fiends there.

If I cant extract anything useful from them the trail will go cold. He prayed that theyd have useful information.

Well, since you say that, Ill stop worrying. Just let me know if you ever need help. He sure was reliable. Shim Deok-gu changed the subject. Did you hear? There was a civilian petition on the Blue House* homepage to give you a medal.

(TN: Korean equivalent of the White House.)

Medal? Why?

Korea became the first special safe zone thanks to you.

Geez Seo Jun-ho sulked.

The Association can help you get it if you want What do you think?

Deok-gu, do you know how many medals Korea has? Deok-gu was snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head.

Nope. Its not like its common knowledge.

There are 56 in total. How do I know? I received all of them.

When he was Specter, he had been showered with medals. Hed received the famous Grand Order of Mugunghwa*, and the insignificant Saemaeul Merit* because it was forbidden by law to receive two of the same medal.

(TN: The mugunghwa/rose of Sharon is the national flower of Korea. This medal is only given to Presidents and their spouses. Saemaeul Merit is given to those who make social contributions.)

The highest I can get is probably the 3rd-grade Order of Diplomatic Service Merit*. I dont need it. I already have it.

(TN: Second-highest medal after the mugunghwa, one of the highest civilian awards. It has 5 grades with 1 being the highest.)

Most people would tremble at the thought of getting the 5th-grade Order.

You try getting 50 medals. The ceremonys hella annoying. And Seo Jun-ho took out 10 kg of dragon bones from his inventory. Shim Deok-gu stared, dumbfounded.

Bones?

Dragon bones.

It depended on the individual grades, but 10 kg of dragon bones could easily sell for hundreds of millions of won.

So you got it from killing the Nameless Dragon. But why did you take them out?

This is 10 kilograms. Ill take half. Give the rest to Kwon Noya and commission him for a sword.

Wait. Deok-gu turned on his Vita and opened a memo. You dont have any other specifications? The weight, the length?

Just tell him to make the one I always use. Hell know.

The old mans turning 100 tomorrow. Are you sure he will? Seo Jun-ho grinned.

Then tell him this: if he cant remember that much, he should put down his hammer and start a gamgyul* orchard in the countryside.

(TN: A type of Korean mandarin orange.)

Its not my fault if he adds a suicide bomb to the sword, okay?

Kek.

Anyways, thanks for the dragon bones.

Yeah, he replied coolly.

Seo Jun-ho went back to his room and flopped onto his bed. He tapped on his Vita and sent a message to Secretary Cha.

Secretary Cha, please get me a ticket to Las Vegas for tomorrow.

(An emoticon of a saluting cat.)

She never used emoticons before. He felt like it was a sign that theyd gotten closer after yesterday.

Now, then

Seo Jun-hos eyes sparkled as he rifled through his inventory. A moment later, he pulled out a refined bamboo flute.

The Flute of Tidal Breath. It was the ritual flute that rid the whole world of hardships and brought peace. Depending on how it was used, you could have the whole world in your hands. It was such a treasure. He admired the flute with a new glint in his eyes.

It looks cool. Though I wont know the extent of its abilities until I use it. He checked the item info.

Flute of Tidal Breath

Grade: Unique

Playing the flute will grant one of the following abilities:

Kings army Kings expanse Kings purity

This item will break after three uses. (0/3)

Use Requirements: Level 20, Possession of title Helper of Ascension.

Its grade is Unique. A corner of his lip curled up. The item grades that had been discovered so far were Normal, Magic, Rare, Unique, and Legendary.*

(TN: Item grade is not the same as skill or power/energy grade.)

Its the highest-grade item Ive received since returning. Its abilities werent normal either.

Theyre probably strong enough to completely turn the tide in a major battle or even a war.

But hed saved the best for last. Seo Jun-ho looked at the title hed received from the Nameless Dragon.

[Seo Jun-ho]

Level: 20

Titles: The One Who Opens Spring, Helper of Ascension

Strength: 59 Stamina: 58

Speed: 64 Magic: 82

Kya~ Seo Jun-ho started clapping, overwhelmed with emotion. This is the first time that my Magic stat is higher than all the others. It was something hed never imagined when he was a magic idiot.

But its not like my other stats are low. With these stats, he would have no problems hunting on the 2nd floor. Sandalwood is fragrant even as a seed leaf*. He was starting to wonder about his future.

(TN: Proverb that means genius/talent displays itself at an early age.)

At this rate, even the 3rd floor

Wouldnt he get stronger than the top players, the Nine Heavens?

I want to meet them sometime. It had been 25 years since his prime, and he was curious as to what the strongest players looked like in this era. Seo Jun-ho eagerly checked his new title.

Helper of Ascension

Rank: B

Description: The title of the one who helped the Forgotten Dragon ascend and remember its original name.

Effect: +3 to all stats.

He clapped again from his bed.

It would be stupid to expect effects of the same level as The One Who Opens Spring. This ones B-rank and that ones S-rank. Im still very thankful for this much.

At the rate that he was growing, the day he could use sword aura wasnt far off. Sword aura didnt simply require a high Magic stat but also required an understanding for it. In the past, his Magic stat had been 115 when hed received an understanding and started to use sword aura.

I might be able to get it faster than in the past.

Only

Seo Jun-ho had been planning to rest all day, but he suddenly sat up.

I cant just lay around after seeing this. He needed to fine-tune his body with his new stats.

A drop of sweat spilled in training is a drop of blood saved on the battlefield.

That was one of his favorite mottos.