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Taehyun gazed up at the giant boy standing in front of him. Taehyun’s height was around the upper 170cm range, but facing this giant mass over 10cm taller than himself, he felt like a little kid.

Hyuksoo Bae, the head hall monitor. ‘He’s working under Jungjae Lee, and is the one managing the delinquents in Gungook High School.’ It was irritating to see a mere thug like him work under Jungjae Lee, a third-generation chaebol, as an enforcer just because he had awakened a C-Rank skill.

‘Though he’s just a normal thug teenager right now…’ After graduating from high school, he joined an infamous guild. But as the lowest rank, of course.

“Good seeing you, Taehyun Kim, you fucking loser. You get hit too hard on the head or something?” Hyuksoo Bae growled with annoyance.

In the past, he had suffered many times at the hands of the boy because of their difference in power. ‘There was, after all, an impassible wall between an unawakened and a C-Rank Awakened.’

He used to shudder just from hearing the boy’s name, but things are different now. He came all the way here to volunteer as a test subject for his skill, so of course he was welcome with open arms. Not to mention, the Smoking Zone was a blind spot from the security cameras; many things were bound to happen here.

“What brings you here?”

“Hah. Taesik Jo, Bummo Koo. I heard those idiots got done over, but you’re looking fine over here.”

Crack. Cra-ack. When Hyuksoo Bae cracked his neck from side to side, a chilling sound snapped out from it. Taehyun used to be terrified when the boy intimidated him, but not anymore.

Though he was still lacking in physical power, his fifteen years of experience in the Abyss had steeled his heart. “Still threatening people as always, I see.”

His skill was Stone Skin, the perfect skill for a simple-minded and violent person like Hyuksoo Bae.

“Fucking loser. You still got some screws loose in there, huh?”

When Taehyun showed no reaction to his threat, Hyuksoo Bae stomped forward and swung his fist. Vwoosh. Hyuksoo Bae's estimated 190cm height and 100kg weight propelled his fist, causing a strong wind to blow. A normal teenager might have collapsed out of fear on the spot.

‘Too simple.’ Taehyun effortlessly dodged the boy's punch by bending his knee, which could have appeared as pure luck to Hyuksoo Bae.

“Oh?”

Vwoosh. Vwoosh. Vwoosh. Vwoosh. Vwooosh. He swung his fists five more times, but the results were the same.

Taehyun swiftly escaped the trajectory by stepping back. He held up his index finger and flicked it back at Hyuksoo Bae, who seemed flustered. Taehyun had judged that enough of a taunt to anger him and make him use Stone Skin.

And as expected, Hyuksoo Bae’s body turned a deep red. “You motherfucker…” He took a step forward, massaging his fist. “Hah... Just what skill did you get that made you go insane?”

“Are you curious?”

Hyuksoo Bae exploded when he saw Taehyun's leisurely expression. “Oh yeah, I’m curious, you fucker! It looks like you’ve completely lost it. Do you need a broken back to snap back into reality?” The deadly aura that the boy emitted was so dense and violent that it made Taehyun's skin prickle.

‘Why is a high school boy’s aura so murderous?’ But only a moment was left for Taehyun to click his tongue.

“I’ll crush you into a pile of dust!” Gr-r-r-r-umble. A thick, grey stone emerged from Hyuksoo Bae’s body.

‘You can’t call that thing stone.’ Its hardness was strong enough that an average adult’s punch wouldn’t even tickle the boy.

“I’ll make sure you won’t be looking at me like that ever again, you fucking loser,” Hyuksoo Bae growled, sharp rocks sticking out all over his face.

“I don’t know about that.” Without a moment of hesitation, Taehyun used Devour.

Ding. With the bright sound, a message popped up.

[Unique Skill Devour has been used. The target is determined by the user’s judgment.]

Whooosh. A black and red light emitted from Taehyun’s body. He felt strength leaving his body; his mana was being used.

‘What happens now?’ Seeing that nothing had happened to his body, Taehyun glanced at Hyuksoo Bae. There was a massive circle drawn under the boy’s feet. More precisely, it was Taehyun’s mana, looking like a shadow spread out in a circle.

“Bastard. You really did awaken your powers.” Looking at the mana spread out under his feet, Hyuksoo Bae frowned.

Taehyun stretched his hand out towards Hyuksoo Bae.

[Select an area to devour.] 

Another message appeared, and Taehyun’s lips curled into a smile. Hyuksoo Bae’s massive body, hidden under his school uniform, was divided into sections and glowed a bright red in his eyes.

‘Where should I devour?’ He could feel that the tip of his hand and the mana under the boy’s feet were connected.

Though it was growth-type, Taehyun’s mana was E-Rank. On the other hand, Hyuksoo Bae was a C-Rank Awakened. Normally, it would have been an impossible difference in power to cover unless he had awakened a top-tier skill. But for some reason, he didn’t feel like he was going to lose.

“You little shit!” Thump, thump, thump, thump. Hyuksoo Bae charged towards him in outrage with a body that had grown even larger.

Crashh! He had merely collided with his target, but just from that, the structure behind where Taehyun had been standing was destroyed. Barely managing to dodge the attack, Taehyun was a little impressed. ‘He is a C-Rank, after all.’ 

Thinking it was fortunate that Hyuksoo Bae hadn’t been a speed-type awakened, Taehyun hastened his pace.

“All you can do is run, isn’t it?!”

As he dodged Hyuksoo Bae’s attacks without much difficulty, Taehyun continued to taunt the boy. There wasn’t much for it to be called a psychological battle, but Hyuksoo Bae easily fell for his calls.

“Bastard! It doesn’t matter if I just kill the caster!” Feeling the pressure from his continually missed attacks, Hyuksoo Bae shouted as he charged forward. Vwoom. Vwoom. Vwoom. 

Despite being a C-Rank Awakened, Hyuksoo Bae was still a 19-year-old boy. And though Taehyun had lost the muscles he gained as a porter, he hadn’t lost his eyes that could track the opponent’s movement.

In Taehyun’s perspective, the attacks were not at all difficult to dodge. And while he did so, the black-red mana under Hyuksoo Bae’s feet followed its target persistently. It was as if the mana itself was sentient.

‘Is this how I attack?’ Clench. Taehyun squeezed one of his hands into a tight fist while concentrating his gaze on Hyuksoo Bae’s right leg.

[Target has been selected. Devouring will begin.]

Cruunch. 

“Aaagh!” Hyuksoo Bae suddenly stopped his attacks and cried out his pain. One of his knees buckled.

Crunch. Cruunch. Cruuunch. With a shocked expression, Hyuksoo Bae looked down at the mana that was consuming his leg.

But even as he did so, Taehyun’s mana continued to climb up Hyuksoo Bae’s leg like a beast feasting on its prey. ‘It’s actually chewing through that hunk of rock?’

While Taehyun stood there, bewildered by the unexpected power of the skill, another message appeared.

[Insufficient mana. Skill will deactivate in 5 seconds. 5... 4...]

He didn’t have much time left, but that didn’t matter. Hyuksoo Bae had lost all will to fight after that single attack. He was screaming from the pain of his leg being devoured.

Cruunch. Cruuuuunch. Eventually, Stone Skin had completely broken down, and the black-red mana was chewing up the bone. If the sound of bone being chewed to pieces was not a pleasant one, how would it feel if it were own their leg being chewed?

Hyuksoo Bae was screaming loud enough that the air around the area began to ring. Five full seconds later, the skill had stopped.

Thud. Once the mana disappeared, Hyuksoo Bae lost his balance and collapsed to the floor. His right leg didn’t seem to have any physical injuries. However, unlike the other parts of his body that were trembling, it showed no sign of movement.

Ding. [Devouring complete. A new skill has been added.]

“What?” Seeing an unexpected message, Taehyun opened his status page again.

How many times had he been this surprised in his past life? He didn’t think he had been this shocked even when the first SS-Rank Awakened appeared.

Hyuksoo Bae’s Stone Skin skill was listed on his status page.

[Name]: Taehyun Kim

[Age]: 19

[Rank]: E 

[Skills]

– Devour (1%)

– Stone Skin

And Devour’s percentage, which had been at zero, increased to 1%. He had never heard of a growth-type skill user being able to absorb their opponent’s skill. Not to mention, his mana was currently E-Rank, but it had consumed the skill of a C-Rank Awakened.

‘If I continue to grow from here?’ Then perhaps, with this skill, it would be possible to become the first SSS-Rank Player.

‘I could monopolize everything.’ Future information of countless events and top-class items that named Players discovered was still recorded inside of Taehyun’s mind. Not only had he awakened a skill with incredible potential, but he was also rich in information.

‘This changes everything.’ His past life as a loser, his unachievable dream of becoming a top-class Player… He had struggled so hard, and his previous life ended while running from Asmodeus, but with this power, he could prove himself.

Taehyun gazed down at the collapsed Hyuksoo Bae. The massive body that had been towering over him with intimidation just a moment ago was now trembling pitifully. It reminded him of his past self, moaning painfully from his injuries.

This life will be different.

Grin. ‘Thanks, Hyuksoo.’ Slinging one arm over his shoulder, Taehyun descended the stairs. He was sweating from the aftermath of using his skill and his lack of physical strength, but he was still smiling.

***

“Are you alright?’ Once Hyuksoo Bae’s breathing returned to normal, the woman sighed with relief and asked him. She was Gungook High’s school nurse, Nayeong Choi.

“I’m all right. All I did was bring him here after he rolled down the stairs.” Brushing away the question lightly, Taehyun stood up from his seat. Since he confirmed that there was nothing wrong with Hyuksoo Bae’s body, his business here was done.

‘I won’t need to return to class.’ He was planning to go back home and learn more about his skill. But Naeyong Choi seemed to have different plans. “Come over here. I’ll give you some light healing just in case.”

‘She doesn’t believe what I said. Nayeong-noona’s the same as always.’ Seeing her watch him with worried eyes, Taehyun smiled at her.

Naeyong Choi was 26 years old. Compared to Taehyun, who had lived to the age of 35 in his past life, she was far younger. However, she was a talented individual with an A-Rank healing skill.

It wouldn’t be strange for her to be scouted by the Player Association or a large guild right this moment. Though Gungook High School was a prestigious school, it remained a mystery to many why an A-Rank Awakened was working there as a school nurse.

‘That is understandable since they don’t know the reason.’ Taehyun was the only student who knew Nayeong Choi’s backstory, and the true reason: he looked like her younger brother, whom Nayeong Choi told him had died a tragic death to a monster attack.

Perhaps that was why whenever he came to the nurse’s office after a fight, she genuinely worried for Taehyun. It was thanks to her healing that he was able to graduate from high school with an able body. She was one of the few saviors in Taehyun’s life.

‘I cried a lot when I heard the news that she died.’ Recalling the incident in the past where she met her death, he sighed deeply.

Suddenly, a thought shot into his mind. “Ms. Choi, what day is it today?”

“Today? It’s April 1st.”

“April... 1st?” A list of several different incidents arranged themselves inside his head.

April 4th. An A-Rank gate break that caused a large number of casualties… The expensive mana stones that came from killing the monsters… Devour, which stole the opponent’s skill… An astronomical amount of money no ordinary high schooler could make…

Finishing his calculations, his heart began to race. ‘If this works out…’ Taehyun looked at Nayeong Choi, who was oblivious to what was happening in his mind, and smiled kindly.

Notes:

1. Noona (literal meaning: “older sister”) is a Korean term used by a younger male to call an older female or sister.