I Became an Academy Overpowered Growth Genius

I Became an Academy Overpowered Growth Genius – 10

EP.10 – Parasitic Growth (4)

In the middle of a mountain, where the essence of nature is thickly layered, stands Park Shin-hoo’s private training ground.

He fiercely thrusts his fists and kicks into the sandbag with intense vigor.

– Thud! Thwack! Pak! –

It was a striking practice to enhance his abilities as much as possible before entering the academy.

Due to this stance, those around him were the ones suffering.

After experiencing his first defeat to a peer in a fight with Kang Seo-jun, Park Shin-hoo dedicated himself to training whenever he could, as if someone were chasing him from behind.

“Oop! Oop! Ugh!”

The thug holding the sandbag, making sure it doesn’t shake, makes a sound every time Park Shin-hoo’s fist or kick hits.

“Hold it tight.”

As Park Shin-hoo clenches his fist, the muscles in his right arm swell, and a blue energy ripple.

-Thwack!! –

“Ugh!”

With mana-infused power, the sandbag and the thug spew sand like a rocket, flying backward and crashing.

“Kwee…”

“Next.”

Without caring about the thug groaning in pain, Park Shin-hoo casually beckons to another thug waiting on the side.

In response to his gesture, the contemplative thug waiting brings the sandbag and stands in front of Park Shin-hoo.

Just as the striking practice was about to resume,

“Young master.”

A low-toned man who was silently standing beside him called Park Shin-hoo.

He lowers his fist, wiping the sweat off his neck with a towel, and turns to him.

“What’s up? When did you arrive?”

“I came just now because I have something to report.”

“The recent task I assigned?”

The recent task Park Shin-hoo assigned was an investigation about Kang Seo-jun.

“Yes. Detectives assigned to the case came to report that they have finished investigating the matter.”

“Detectives?”

Park Shin-hoo furrows his brow, tilting his head.

“They finished so quickly when I assigned it a few days ago?”

“That seems to be a slightly different story.”

Park Shin-hoo’s expression wrinkled.

Judging by the nuance of his subordinate Kim Joon-pyo, it didn’t seem like the detectives brought a particularly pleasant story.

“Anyway, hey you.”

Park Shin-hoo called the maid who was standing near the entrance.

“Water.”

“Oh, yes.”

The maid quietly filled a glass with water from the kettle and presented it to Park Shin-hoo.

“It’s a tea made with 4-year mountain ginseng in mana-filtered water.”

A liquid that emitted a green light, a mixture of the yellow light of mountain ginseng and the blue light of mana-filtered water.

The price of just a sip of this potion, akin to a pure elixir, easily exceeded several million won.

The thugs standing awkwardly in a corner of the training ground looked at Park Shin-hoo with envious eyes.

Park Shin-hoo downed it in one gulp and put on a proud look.

“What is this?”

Unlike what he usually consumed, it felt unusually prickly in his throat.

“Is this what I usually have?”

“Yes?”

The maid looked puzzled, not understanding what just happened.

– Cough! Cough! –

A cough that was rarely heard came out.

“Chew….”

After coughing, there was a sensation of something stuck in his throat, and a faint taste of blood in his mouth.

“What the hell did you bring? Just throw away whatever is left of that.”

At his words, the expressions of the thugs were filled with shock.

If you’re going to throw it away, at least give it to us!

“And call the head maid while you’re at it. That damn girl can’t even manage the elixirs properly.”

At his words, the maid contemplated and bowed deeply.

“Let’s go.”

Park Shin-hoo, rubbing his warm throat, headed to the reception room where the police officers were waiting, accompanied by Kim Joon-pyo.

As Park Shin-hoo entered the reception room, the two detectives sitting stood up, bowing their heads in greeting.

“Have you come, young master.”

Park Shin-hoo arrogantly leaned on the armrest as he sat.

“So, what’s the matter.”

The detectives exchanged glances at Park Shin-hoo’s question. His expression hardened at their gestures.

“Why are you hesitating like this?”

“Sorry, young master. This case seems to be beyond our capabilities.”

“What did you say?”

Park Shin-hoo’s eyes sharpened.

“No, it’s not even three days since you took the case. Why? Did you just take it and come here to negotiate again?”

The detectives looked awkward at Park Shin-hoo’s disdain.

“It’s not that… First, take a look at this.”

The detectives handed two sheets of white paper to Park Shin-hoo. Apart from the word “STOP” written on both sheets of sturdy paper, there was nothing else.

“What is this?”

“These are anonymous letters that arrived at Detective Kim’s house and mine. We consider this a warning.”

“A warning?”

“Yes. It’s about the man you assigned us to investigate, Kang Seo-jun.”

The detective spoke with an expression that indicated the real matter was about to be discussed.

“All the information was locked at VVVIP security level.”

“… What?”

Park Shin-hoo gave a skeptical look, as if wondering what nonsense was being said. However, the detective continued without paying attention to his expression.

“If it’s VVVIP level, even the President of our country can’t access it. Only top executives of the World Hunter Federation Union could possibly have clearance to access such security levels.”

“What?”

A reflexive chuckle escaped from Park Shin-hoo’s mouth.

“Are you writing a novel? Do you expect me to believe that?”

“We’re confused too. Still, as per your request, we tried to convey the man’s information, even by using unconventional means. But somehow, they found out and sent an anonymous warning.”

“It’s better to stop here. We don’t know the man’s affiliation, but at least…”

“Wait. Shut up.”

“…?”

A sudden dizziness overwhelmed him at the unexpected turn of events. He closed his eyes tightly, massaging his temples.

“Anyway, these are useless. You came here just to mumble about how you can’t do it in the end. Get lost.”

“… Excuse us.”

The detectives uncomfortably left the reception room first.

“Damn…”

For a moment, the words his sister had said flashed in his mind.

‘Please, for once. Act after knowing your subject. Just because you’re better among peers, do you think you’re a king? There are many organizations much larger than us, idiot. Even those with much greater influence. Gauge the opponent’s size and act with some sense and discretion.’

Park Shin-hoo, despite being the heir to a conglomerate competing for the top position in the hunter-dominated hierarchy of Korea, was essentially nothing more than a wealthy merchant or a well-paid mercenary, like a local lord.

His status couldn’t match up to a whole country, let alone the World Hunter Federation Union, which held the most potent power globally.

Yet, it was said that a man who was almost like a half-dead corpse was being protected at such a world-class security level.

– Clang! –

Park Shin-hoo threw the water glass on the table roughly.

What could be the reason for someone with such a background to come to a Korean Hunter Academy?

What exactly is it for?

Park Shin-hoo’s mind became complicated.

If by any chance, the guy is aiming for the Fruit of the Sun?

Then, could he compete and win against him…?

“Cough! Cough…”

Suddenly, spasmodic coughs burst out, a sound like a lung disease patient with a lot of phlegm.

“Young master, are you okay?”

Kim Joon-pyo, was concerned when he saw Park Shin-hoo in an unexpected state. He who had never experienced a cold in his lifetime.

“I’m going back to the training ground. Tonight is an all-nighter.”

Park Shin-hoo, with determined eyes, stood up from his seat.

However, he had no idea that such passion was only accelerating his own defeat.

====

***

====

Songnisan Mountain.

A cliff path leading to the training ground where Kang Seo-jun and Jin Se-rin’s group were moving.

While being carried on the back of his bodyguard, Kang Seo-jun manipulated the status window.

As soon as the special effect of the skill ‘Parasitic Growth’ was activated, he unhesitatingly transferred the trait to Park Shin-hoo.

[You have chosen the trait 《Terminal Cancer Lv. Lowest》to be transferred to the host.]

[The trait 《Terminal Cancer Lv. Lowest》 lowered into the trait 《Cancer Stage 4 Lv. Lowest》.]

[The host, Park Shin-hoo, gains the trait 《Cancer Stage 1 Lv. Lowest》.]

– Ssssu! –

With each step of the cancer descending, Kang Seo-jun felt a release in his constricted breathing and veins.

《Status Window》

▶Name:

Kang Seo-jun

◆Stats:

[Strength: 1], [Agility: 1]

[Endurance: 1], [Resistance: 1]

[Health: 3], [Mana: 1]

[Sense: 1], [Intelligence: 8]

[Willpower: 30], [Luck: 50]

◆Trait

[Eye of Providence Lv. Transcendent], [Dimensional Store Lv. Transcendent], [Favored One Lv. Transcendent], [Severe Obesity Lv. Lowest], [Necrotic Dermatitis Lv. Lowest], [Scoliosis Lv. Lowest], [Reverse Joints Lv. Lowest], [Twisted Arm Lv. Lowest], [Frail Constitution Lv. Lowest], [Mana Insensitivity Lv. Lowest], [Carnivorous Parasite Lv. Lowest], [Cancer 4th Stage Lv. Lowest]…

◆Skills

[Counter Time Lv. Epic], [Parasitic Growth Lv. Epic]”

Though his specs were still far from sufficient, the speed of progression suggested that he could clean up debuff traits neatly in no time.

[Stealing host’s experience points, increasing health experience points!]

[Stealing host’s experience points, increasing strength experience points!]

[Stealing host’s experience points, increasing health experience points!]

However, traits like ‘ Scoliosis’, ‘Reverse Joints’, and ‘Necrotic Dermatitis’ that were visibly apparent would be challenging to transfer openly.

The day Park Shin-hoo’s back stooped, if Kang Seo-jun’s back straightened, people will definitely suspect that there is some kind of connection.

Solving visible debuff traits required alternative methods, or creating a situation where openly transferring traits wouldn’t pose any problems.

After cleaning up debuff traits to a certain extent, he would have to steal buff traits Park Shin-hoo possessed.

‘Sword Talent Lv. High’, ‘Martial Art Talent Lv. High’, ‘Innate Martial Spirit Lv. Rare’…

As a character designed as a rival, various buff traits, including growth correction traits, were evenly distributed.

Among them, the most enticing was the trait ‘Heir of Taesan’.

A trait that could receive full support and sponsorship from the Taesan Group. However, to steal this trait, additional conditions had to be met.

He had to further degrade Park Shin-hoo, and the relationship with the Taesan Group needed to be heightened.

Of course, neither of these tasks would be too difficult for Kang Seo-jun.

By using the Parasitic Growth skill to devour Park Shin-hoo’s, he would naturally degrade.

As for enhancing the relationship with the Taesan Group, selling special information to Park Seo-yoon would be an excellent method.

‘Essentially, it’s a matter of time.’

As time passes, Park Shin-hoo would inevitably have more of his abilities and background taken away by Kang Seo-jun.

Until the moment he loses everything, he probably won’t have a clue about what’s happening.

While there’s no personal animosity towards Park Shin-hoo, planning a happy life by filtering out arrogant and selfish villains gave Kang Seo-jun a strange sense of enthusiasm.

‘On the contrary, I need to raise the honourable ones diligently.’

Considering the difficulty of the latter part of the scenario, the roles of comrades are crucial. Unless Kang Seo-jun’s body multiplies, he can’t handle simultaneously erupting legendary-level or higher gates worldwide alone.

At that moment, the bodyguard who had been carrying Kang Seo-jun and diligently walking ahead asked.

“How much farther do we need to go?”

“We’re almost there now.”

A peculiar pattern moved across Kang Seo-jun’s pupils.

[The Eye of Providence guides you to your destination. Proceed straight for 150 meters. The navigation will soon end.]

The place he was heading to was a hidden dungeon that only Kang Seo-jun knew about. Originally, with Kang Seo-jun’s current specs, the difficulty was such that he would die a hundred times even if he tried a hundred times, but it didn’t matter.

He only needed to guide the way.

After all, the strategy would be handled by Jin Se-rin’s bodyguards.

It was truly a parasitic growth.