Chapter 60

Deep into the evening hours.

“Pant, pant!”

“Ugh, haah!”

The grounds for practicing were still filled with the echoes of heavy, exhausted breathing.

The determination of the four students was truly striking.

Arguing that their physical conditioning was still lacking, and since Baek Jinwoo refused to advance them to the next phase, they had taken it upon themselves to head out at daybreak to push through additional repetitions.

All of this was to reach the baseline targets that Baek Jinwoo required.

“Seriously, oh my god! What makes endurance so incredibly vital?! Pant, pant!”

Hong Ari tumbled flat onto the dirt after completing thirty circuits around the courtyard, muttering complaints under her breath.

With the running portion finished, she intended to rest for a brief moment before shifting to weight and core training.

In all honesty.

She felt as though her life was slipping away.

“Even so, don’t you feel like our condition has shifted slightly?”

Gulp, gulp!

Oh Seonyeong, resting right next to her, snatched up the canteen and emptied the entire thing in one go.

She drank with such urgency that a good portion of the liquid spilled down her throat and neck.

Still, she wasn’t wrong.

The training regimen of their strict instructor was remarkably potent.

“It is quite incredible. Despite getting so little sleep, my body bounces back from exhaustion incredibly fast, and my concentration is far more acute than it used to be.”

The specific stances they maintained during their physical workouts bore no resemblance to typical fitness routines.

It felt as though they were drawing in the raw vitality of the environment and circulating it throughout their forms.

That wasn’t the only benefit either.

Her vision had grown sharper.

Their recovery rates, their immune systems—everything felt as though it had undergone a massive upgrade.

“That is precisely the reason we are out here in the middle of the night, Noona.”

Ki Jaehyeok let out a bright smile.

To be absolutely clear, this was entirely by choice.

No one had commanded them to do this extra labor.

Even Hong Ari, who was complaining over there, was fully aware of the reality.

That despite all the agony the physical conditioning caused, the advancements were impossible to deny.

“Hyungnim wouldn’t place such importance on physical conditioning without an excellent reason. Alright, up next is the strength portion. Let’s move, Noonas! Let’s get it done, let’s go!”

“Ugh, fine. I’m moving, okay.”

Hong Ari pulled herself off the ground, her features twisted in an expression of annoyance.

A fortnight later.

“Very well, you have cleared it.”

The words of confirmation finally spilled from Baek Jinwoo’s mouth.

“You have all done quite well.”

He was genuinely struck by their progress.

Their velocity, stamina, rapid responses, and muscular power.

In a remarkably brief window, they had ascended to a tier far exceeding normal individuals.

They still fell short of Baek Jinwoo’s own pace, but at the very least, it demonstrated that his students placed full faith in his guidance and executed it to completion.

“I believe we can now transition to the subsequent phase.”

“Me!”

Right then, Hong Ari shot her arm into the air.

“I’ve got a query!”

Somewhere along the line, she had subtly transitioned into using informal language with him.

A person might wonder how a student dared to drop respectful speech, but Baek Jinwoo paid it no mind.

They shared the same age, after all.

Provided she executed his directives, it didn’t bother him.

“Speak.”

“The physical conditioning is fine. The repetitions are fine. Everything is fine. But if we properly execute your methods, how far can we realistically advance in the World League?”

The World League…

Baek Jinwoo gave a slight shake of his head.

The truth of the matter was, he hadn’t the faintest idea.

He had been far too occupied to review the previous year’s World League or look into similar events.

Therefore, he provided a blunt, uncomplicated reply.

“I have no idea. The logic is straightforward—if you possess power, you triumph. If you are inadequate, you fall.”

“……”

What sort of explanation is that.

Hong Ari was left speechless.

That was not the kind of glaringly obvious statement she had been looking for when she posed the question.

“However, one detail is certain. If you execute my regimen correctly, every single one of you will become vastly more powerful.”

“……Just how much more powerful?”

“It is difficult to quantify.”

Claiming they could match the level of seasoned, Five Emperors-tier competitors would be an outright fabrication.

Yet, standing their ground against standard international competitors? That appeared to be a realistic target.

Naturally, power was a relative metric, so he couldn’t offer a definitive promise.

“If you wish to discover the answer, you can test it yourselves starting this very day. Let us check. Who stands as the least capable among the four of you?”

Precisely like their sessions during the national team consulting period.

The four students would periodically engage in practice bouts against one another within the Arena to hone their combat reflexes.

Owing to that practice, they understood one another’s capabilities more precisely than anyone else.

In silence, Kang Jiho raised his hand.

“I am the least capable, Hyungnim.”

This was the ironical part.

Oh Seonyeong hadn’t even secured a spot on the national team, yet her capabilities outmatched Kang Jiho’s.

For him, it must have been quite frustrating.

His sole misfortune had been crossing paths with Baek Jinwoo during a collaborative engagement.

“Is that so?”

The edge of Baek Jinwoo’s mouth twisted into a faint smirk.

“In that case, let me demonstrate something to you. Jiho, yield control of all the creatures you utilize.”

…Yield control of his creatures?

The eyes of all four students expanded in shock.

Kang Jiho followed the instruction without raising a single objection, relinquishing his entire roster of creatures.

This was the primary lineup he deployed during Player vs Player engagements.

This gesture required an immense amount of confidence.

The growth stages he had achieved for them, the magical runes he had slotted into them, the abilities he had trained them in—every single aspect.

The absolute mastery was shifted entirely to Baek Jinwoo.

Even with the student agreement and their shared vow of allegiance, handing over full mastery required incredible internal strength.

“What are your respective records when facing Jiho?”

“125 engagements, 123 victories, 2 defeats.”

Ki Jaehyeok spoke up before the rest.

Belonging to the identical association, they had clashed against one another numerous times.

“5 victories, 0 defeats,” Hong Ari stated.

“7 victories, 1 defeat,” Oh Seonyeong added next.

There was zero room for skepticism.

Kang Jiho’s roster of creatures was fundamentally inferior to theirs.

Lower growth tiers, completely unexceptional rune combinations.

“Kang Jiho.”

“Yes, Hyungnim!”

“You harbor the belief that your defeats stem entirely from your creatures being inadequate, correct?”

“That is essentially the core of it, yes.”

He had received evaluations during the national team consulting phase as well, and the impression had remained identical back then.

That his losses occurred because his creatures were drastically outmatched.

He was partially correct, yet partially mistaken.

The competence of the controller carried far greater weight than the vast majority of individuals comprehended.

“Then what do you suppose will occur if I command your identical roster and overcome all three of them?”

“……That is.”

Kang Jiho found himself unable to formulate words.

Such an outcome was an impossibility.

Regardless of how crucial a controller’s perception and management might be, inferior creatures simply could not overcome superior forces when everything was said and done.

“From this moment forward, I shall demonstrate to you—and not merely to you, but to every ranked competitor across the nation—precisely how deficient you have all been regarding the core fundamentals.”

Baek Jinwoo let out a sharp chuckle, then shifted his attention toward Hong Ari.

“Hong Ari.”

“Yes?”

“You shall be the first. Launch an attack against me.”

“…What? Not inside the Arena? Right here in this spot?”

“Correct. An actual physical engagement.”

Provided no individual’s health pool dropped entirely to zero, there would be no permanent harm.

A restoration expert could simply patch them up and they could persist with their training.

“Are you prepared for this?”

Hong Ari had gone up against that exact creature roster five times in the past.

Because of that, she was entirely certain.

There was absolutely no scenario in which she could suffer a defeat.

“Fine. Let’s do it.”

With that decided.

Ten distinct creatures collided in a frenzy of combat.

Player vs Player engagements operated exactly in that fashion.

On the surface, it appeared deceptively basic, yet it held limitless depth.

Fundamental positioning, the exact moment of ability execution, the seamless cooperation among creatures, the overall flow—every single variable altered the equilibrium of battle.

To state it plainly, the outcome rested entirely upon the manual dexterity of the controller.

“Wh—what on earth is this.”

Hong Ari found herself incapable of processing the reality unfolding before her eyes.

The identical creatures that had been utterly trivial to manage when Kang Jiho was directing them were now delivering blows that felt like shattering impacts, down to the very last one.

The damage dealer, the frontline defender, the restoration specialist, the enhancement caster.

And the precision of timing.

Every single component operated in a flawless, living symmetry—Baek Jinwoo’s micromanagement was nothing short of miraculous.

“Why are these strikes landing with such force? Are we truly dealing with the identical runes here?”

Assaults that she previously would have brushed off with minimal effort were now bearing down upon her like crushing weights.

Observing her health pool get whittled down portion by portion caused her internal panic to rise.

Yet, the individual who stood frozen in the deepest state of shock was none other than Kang Jiho.

This couldn’t be real.

Just look at the expressions on those creatures’ faces!

They were executing actions with absolute exhilaration, as though they had finally encountered their rightful commander.

Five minutes.

Within a mere five minutes, Hong Ari’s defensive stability collapsed entirely, and the remainder of the bout was academic.

Sustaining his own tactical positions while steadily grinding down Hong Ari’s health pool, piece by piece.

And finally.

“……I concede.”

Hong Ari offered her formal submission.

“……!”

Ki Jaehyeok, Kang Jiho, and Oh Seonyeong all remained frozen where they stood, their expressions locked in complete disbelief.

Indeed.

This represented an entirely unfamiliar realm of capability.

In the exact manner that within strategy arena-style titles, two distinct individuals could deploy the identical character and achieve drastically opposing outcomes based entirely on who handled the controls, Battle of Summoners operated on the identical principle.

The issue wasn’t that the creatures lacked strength—it was that I myself lacked strength?

The rationale behind his instruction for us to develop our core perceptions through physical conditioning. This is precisely what he intended?

This is an aspect that we—no… an aspect that EVERY single ranked competitor has completely overlooked!

In truth, a few of them had harbored similar thoughts previously.

That Baek Jinwoo only possessed such dominance because he commanded overpowered, rule-breaking creatures.

How could they think otherwise?

Drill Sarge, Ramba, Burst Dragon.

Every single creature he was known to command belonged to the Unique category and displayed terrifying power.

However.

That had been a complete misinterpretation.

Baek Jinwoo.

No—JinuGod was a seasoned master among seasoned masters. An absolute relic of the competitive scene.

A novice could command any elite creature they desired and still fail to possess a ghost of a chance against an authentic master.

That was the structural chasm in pure competence.

The total lack of core fundamentals.

“Next up, Oh Seonyeong.”

“Yes!”

“Launch your assault.”

The final outcome mirrored the previous match precisely.

Ki Jaehyeok, Oh Seonyeong.

Every one of them was forced to taste the bitterness of complete subjugation.

“Do you comprehend the reality now?”

Baek Jinwoo spoke in a level tone.

“You are all still nothing more than unhatched chicks. Simply because the public praises you as high-tier competitors does not mean you possess the right to grow arrogant. From my perspective, it is not merely you—every international ranker currently active is at the level of a mere chick.”

If there existed any anomalies to this rule, perhaps it would be the Five Emperors?

Along with the veteran competitors who had been grinding within the system for seven years or longer.

Those were the individuals who had fully absorbed the core engagement dynamics through sheer, unadulterated trial and error.

“Your roster of creatures is not the primary concern. First, transform yourselves into full-grown chickens.”

The four students experienced a profound realization through the course of this practical exercise.

A sensation of pieces fitting together perfectly. A moment of true clarity.

I will remain by his side regardless of what happens.

I will bind myself to his path and elevate my skills by any path required.

…This alters everything.

Every single hesitation that had lingered within their minds dissolved into nothingness.

Baek Jinwoo stood at the absolute pinnacle.

Not merely the pinnacle—he was an international titan.

A solitary firmament dominating all else!

Ilcheon!

The gaze of the four students shone with absolute, unwavering faith directed toward him.

The former schoolmate of Hwang Myeonghui, named Jeonghye, was consumed by intrigue.

She was so intensely inquisitive she could scarcely contain herself.

How on earth did Myeonghui, who had been raised in absolute destitution, come into possession of a Rainbow Snail?

Her male child had presented it to her?

What sort of individual was her male child anyway?

Or perhaps some ignorant youngster had surrendered it as a token of appreciation without comprehending its true worth?

That was entirely plausible.

Myeonghui had stated as much with her own lips during their gathering.

• Oh, drop it, an acquaintance merely provided it to me as a token. I am completely unaware of its financial worth. It is highly likely not even a costly object?

She remained ignorant of its true market worth.

She had explicitly stated those exact words.

Hmm.

Long after the social gathering concluded, that specific snail remained the sole topic occupying her thoughts.

At that moment, an idea flashed through her mind.

If she truly lacks any comprehension of its market worth, could I not offer a ridiculously low price and acquire it from her?

Within elite social hierarchies, the Rainbow Snail represented an absolute pinnacle of prestige.

With that solitary creature in her possession, she could render every wealthy housewife across Gangnam sick with jealousy.

Jeonghye weighed her options carefully.

Following a lengthy period of deliberation, she placed a call to her male child.

“My precious, spectacular son~ Are you occupied at the moment?”

• Yes, Mom, what’s going on? I can spare a brief moment to chat.

The detached response from her son came through the line.

His tone conveyed that he was buried under an immense workload.

Well.

That was to be expected.

Baekho was far from a commonplace association.

He had just recently secured a position within South Korea’s absolute top-tier primary guild as a brand-new employee. The mere fact that he answered her call at all was quite remarkable.

“You are familiar with Mom’s social circle, correct? It appears that the male child of one of my acquaintances is performing quite exceptionally for himself.”

• Uh-huh, and what about it?

“Her name is Hwang Myeonghui. Word is she received a Rainbow Snail as a token of appreciation?”

• ……What are you talking about. Mom, just cut to the chase.

This ungrateful little—

A blood vessel throbbed visibly on Jeonghye’s brow, yet she maintained a voice coated in thick sweetness.

“Of course, of course. It is nothing of great consequence. When your schedule clears up down the line, could you perhaps make an appearance at a social gathering with Mom’s companions?”

• Mom, my schedule is completely packed.

“You miserable child! Allow your mother the opportunity to boast a little bit! Do you possess even the slightest inkling of the hardships I endured to rear—”

• Alright! Fine, I get it!

Her son cut her sentence short.

• But I am staying for a single hour at most. Inform me once you establish a specific date. I will request a half-day of leave.

“That is my wonderful boy~!”

Click!

Tone… Tone…

“Little rascal.”

Grit.

Jeonghye ground her molars together tightly.

Were it not for his affiliation with Baekho, she would have wrung his neck right then and there…

Even so, at least she had secured that much.

He had committed to carving out a window of time.

Jeonghye retrieved her mobile device.

“Phew.”

She exhaled a long breath, then transmitted a text message.

[Park Jeonghye: Myeonghui, how have things been treating you?]

[Park Jeonghye: You appeared to be prospering wonderfully when we last crossed paths. It brought joy to my heart to see you.]

[Park Jeonghye: Let us arrange a gathering in the near future. I understand your male child is a active competitor as well? My own son might be in a position to offer some guidance, and we mothers of competitors surely have an abundance of topics to discuss, wouldn’t you agree? Drop me a line~]