IGXOS 09

Chapter 9

Backseat Coaching? (1)

Although Do-hyun had defeated Ji Yu-chan, the trainees still stared blankly at the spot where the sparring had taken place.

It was understandable. They had blinked once—and somehow Ji Yu-chan was already on the ground.

No one had even seen exactly what Do-hyun had done.

“W-What just passed by?”
“D-Did little Yu-chan lose?”
“N-No, how?”
“D-Do-hyun won, right?”
“I-I think so?”
“This is insane—I didn’t even see anything…?”

Out of the eight trainees besides Do-hyun and Ji Yu-chan, not a single one had seen it properly.

That was how unimaginably fast Do-hyun had moved.

At first, they couldn’t even process what had happened. But Ji Yu-chan was down, and Do-hyun was still standing. The outcome was obvious.

Only then did it click.

The members of Team 1—excluding Do-hyun—burst into cheers.

“Wooooaaah!”
“Oppa Do-hyun is the best!”
“That was insanely fast! I didn’t see anything!”
“Hyung, you’re amazing!”

They cheered at Do-hyun, but unfortunately, he was looking at Kang Ji-hoon with a slightly wronged expression instead.

Thanks to Kang Ji-hoon using a skill on him, Do-hyun had analyzed it and gained Surprise Attack for free without consuming AP. You could say he got lucky.

[Analyzed Kang Ji-hoon’s skill “Surprise Attack [D]”.]
[Acquired 100 AP.]
[Successfully analyzed a skill from a higher-tier opponent.]
[Acquired an additional 100 AP.]
[Skill exceeds baseline threshold.]
[Successfully predicted and evaded the attack path.]
[Learned the skill without consuming AP (Analysis Points).]
[Learned skill “Surprise Attack [D]”.]
[Agility permanently increases by +3 due to acquired skill.]

Getting a skill for free was undeniably great.

But having learned Surprise Attack, Do-hyun couldn’t help feeling a bit wronged by what Kang Ji-hoon had said earlier.

Even if it’s not exactly Surprise Attack, wouldn’t most people be able to imitate something similar if they learned mana control…?

After all, Surprise Attack was simply a skill that pushed the body to its physical limits in speed. With proper mana application, it wasn’t impossibly difficult to replicate something close.

Calling him a “crazy monster” for that felt excessive.

Well, whatever. More importantly—what other skill should I pick?

He wasn’t about to correct Kang Ji-hoon. Instead, he focused on the opportunity to gain another skill.

He had earned Surprise Attack by barely dodging an incoming attack. This time, he would gain one by successfully analyzing the status window.

After briefly checking Kang Ji-hoon’s status, Do-hyun made his choice.

[Analyzed Kang Ji-hoon’s skill “Stealth [E]”.]
[Skill below baseline threshold.]
[Learned skill without consuming AP.]
[Learned skill “Stealth [E]”.]
[Agility permanently increases by +2 due to acquired skill.]

Nice.

He had considered choosing Dagger Mastery, but it was already close to advancing from F-rank to E-rank. Rather than raising an already soon-to-be-upgraded skill, it was better to gain something new.

That was why he chose Stealth.

But then an unexpected message appeared.

[Analyzing Kang Ji-hoon’s skill “Dagger Mastery [D]”.]

Huh?

Was this some kind of bonus?

More messages followed.

[Higher-rank version of a skill you already possess.]
[Skill proficiency for “Dagger Mastery [F]” increases.]
[Skill proficiency for “Dagger Mastery [F]” is full.]
[Rank increases.]
[“Dagger Mastery [F]” → “Dagger Mastery [E]”]
[Agility permanently increases by +2 due to rank-up.]

What the hell?

That works too?

Just by observing a higher-tier skill, his proficiency increased automatically?

This game truly had every feature a god-tier game should have.

Do-hyun blinked as his increased Agility made the world feel slower. His body felt more responsive, more detailed in its movements.

No wonder.

He had just gained a total of +7 Agility.

That was as much as he originally possessed—effectively doubling it. Of course the difference was noticeable.

This is insane.

He had felt a bit wronged when Kang Ji-hoon called him a crazy monster.

Now?

He had no choice but to admit it.

I am a crazy monster.

His mood flipped in an instant.

Well, wouldn’t anyone feel the same in his position?

Maybe not.

Do-hyun simply grinned.

Meanwhile, Kang Ji-hoon stood apart, wearing a grave expression as he fell deep into thought.

Hwang Hana and Choi Pil had said Do-hyun was impressive, but he hadn’t imagined this extent.

There was no other explanation.

He was beyond extraordinary.

This wasn’t about being a genius anymore.

I saw it with my own eyes, and I still can’t believe it.

Was there truly anyone in the hunter world—no, among all races—who could replicate a technique after seeing it just once, without even consulting a manual?

A genius beyond comprehension.

Shaking his head, Kang Ji-hoon glanced at the fallen Ji Yu-chan.

Truthfully, Ji Yu-chan also seemed talented.

He had instinctively tried to dodge Do-hyun’s Surprise Attack. That alone was proof of tremendous ability. Perhaps another genius rivaling Hwang Hana had appeared.

But what did it matter?

He had become classmates with a monster who surpassed even such geniuses.

Could he even grow properly under that shadow?

Poor kid.

After silently sympathizing with Ji Yu-chan, Kang Ji-hoon checked him over and confirmed there were no serious injuries before laying him to the side.

Team 2 members rushed over.

“Instructor, Y-Yu-chan oppa is okay, right?”
“He really lost?”
“He didn’t just collapse randomly, right?”
“That Lee Do-hyun guy won?”

Rather than worrying about Ji Yu-chan’s condition, they seemed more unable to accept his defeat.

Kang Ji-hoon glared at them coldly. They immediately shut their mouths.

Instead of worrying that their leader collapsed, they’re fixated on the loss first. What rotten luck with teammates.

He pitied Ji Yu-chan even more.

But class wasn’t over yet.

“The spar isn’t over. We move to the next match. I didn’t mention it earlier, but you may choose your preferred weapon over there. Specializations aren’t divided yet, so choose freely.”

He hadn’t let Do-hyun and Ji Yu-chan pick weapons since their level already seemed above the others. But the rest were different.

Even observing how they handled weapons would barely give him an idea of their level.

At his words, the trainees swallowed nervously.

The weapons were wooden, not steel—but getting hit still seemed painful.

A natural reaction for modern civilians.

An inappropriate one for hunters.

Just as Kang Ji-hoon frowned—

“I-I’ll take this…”
“Men use spears!”
“I’ll take a longsword.”
“Uh… one-handed sword and shield?”

Team 1, Do-hyun’s team, began picking weapons first.

Seeing Do-hyun win had clearly stirred something inside them.

Kang Ji-hoon nodded unconsciously.

It had an effect, I see.

Their leader had won confidently. They couldn’t exactly cower now.

Plus, Ji Yu-chan—who had seemed so impressive—had fallen pathetically. Even if they fell too, it wouldn’t be so humiliating.

Team 2 followed soon after.

But Do-hyun frowned.

…Why are they choosing those weapons with those traits?

From someone with Analysis, it was frustrating beyond belief.

Without the system, they were simply picking what they liked.

• Park Ye-seul, F-rank Warrior, chose a longsword instead of a mace, shield, or spear.

• Kim Yong-chan, F-rank Swordsman, chose a spear instead of a sword.

• Gu Min-ah, a Mage who hadn’t learned magic yet, chose sword and shield—actually not bad.

• Jung Min-woo, E-rank Assassin, grabbed a longsword instead of daggers.

Except for Min-ah, it was a mess.

Still, better than the other team.

At least they have a buffer and a mage…

Without the system, trial and error was inevitable. That was how all hunters learned.

Still—

It was unbearable to watch.

Should I tell them?

He didn’t want to show off, especially since his teammates were already over-praising him.

But this?

They were blatantly wrong.

How could he not backseat coach?

“Wait a second.”

“…What is it?”

Kang Ji-hoon asked cautiously.

“Can I give my teammates some tips?”

“Tips?”

“Yes.”

“Hm.”

Kang Ji-hoon was skeptical.

Geniuses weren’t necessarily good teachers.

Still—

“Do as you like.”

He had no real expectations.

“Yong-chan hyung, you’re better off with a sword than a spear. Spears are easy to use, yes—but your arms are longer than average. For balance, a sword suits you better.
Min-ah, good choice. Focus on shield-based defense and counterattacks.
Ye-seul, since you’re shorter, a longsword that relies on reach isn’t ideal. It may look crude, but a short blunt weapon with a shield would suit you better. Block and endure, then strike heavily.
Min-woo, drop the longsword. Take a dagger. You’re fast—an out-boxer style suits you more.”

“…?”

Kang Ji-hoon stared in disbelief.

The reasoning was somewhat rough.

But when he looked closely—

Do-hyun wasn’t wrong.

Not once.

It was as if he had seen the answer sheet.

Can a beginner give advice like that?

Even with sharp instincts, how could he speak so decisively?

What kind of monster was this?

“…How did you—no, never mind.”

He stopped himself.

It felt like Do-hyun would simply say, “I just said what I saw.”

The sparring resumed.

Just as Kang Ji-hoon expected.

The results flowed exactly as predicted.

Team 1 achieved a complete victory.

“Holy crap! Switching weapons like Do-hyun said—it feels like part of my body!”
“Right?! I thought a blunt weapon was weird at first, but it fits perfectly!”
“Glad we all won.”
“…Hyung, you’re seriously the best. I’ll follow you for life.”
“…Haha.”

Team 1 was in a festive mood.

Team 2 lay defeated and gloomy.

But their misfortune didn’t end there.