Instructor Ryu, That's Not a Stick
As soon as I stepped into the armory, I was met with an array of cold weapons. Starting with swords sorted by length, the selection extended to spears, axes, and beyond. Calling this place an armory felt like an understatement; it was more akin to a department store.
"They even stock chain weapons What's this? A halberd?"
Various blunt instruments and knuckle dusters were displayed, each with its unique design.
"The greatsword does catch the eye"
I aimed to avoid choosing a weapon that Minsoo might go for. Sharing a weapon type with the protagonist would reduce my chances of securing a quality piece when one becomes available. Plus, the greatsword didn't seem like Minsoo's cup of teait actually reminded me of a manga I'd read.
"But it's not as large as I thought."
There were also street-style weapons like hammers and tridents, which, despite their rugged appearance, boasted top-notch quality. Even without expertise, it was evident these were exceptional pieces.
This so-called "supply room" confirmed that Victory Academy's armory offerings were in a league of their own.
"Where's Instructor Ryu, though?"
I had come seeking advice, but she was nowhere in sight. Not that it mattered much; choosing a weapon seemed straightforward enough. I planned to swing a few options and go with what felt right.
"Not bad"
There's an undeniable allure to wielding a larger weapon. It reminded me of my childhood days, browsing the toy section with no intention to buy.
"The place is more spacious than it appears."
The seemingly compact armory seemed to stretch endlessly as I ventured further in, revealing more intricate and exotic weapons. From chakrams and throwing knives to even large crosses, the variety was astounding.
At some juncture, guns made their appearance, albeit less diverse than the cold weapons. Perhaps there were constraints on using firearms within the gates. After all, awakened individuals with extreme physical prowess could outpace bullets and deliver devastating blows. It made sense why bows were favored over guns for long-range combat.
I was taken aback to find a wand, the kind often referred to as a "magic wand" online.
"Enjoying the browsing?"
"Oh, Instructor, you're here."
"Sorry for the wait; I had paperwork to sort out."
"No worries. I got lost in the collection myself."
It's the truth. What was supposed to be a time-killing stroll turned into an unexpectedly enjoyable experience. I almost regretted that Ryu Hyemi eventually showed up.
"Have you spotted something you like?"
"There are so many choices, it's overwhelming."
"How about taking a proficiency test, then?"
While Victory Academy usually lets students choose their weapons, instructors sometimes offer recommendations based on aptitude tests.
"Please stand still over here."
In the location Ryu Hyemi directed me to, there stood a large cylindrical chamber. At first glance, it seemed perfectly reasonable for someone to step inside.
"Understood."
Despite my lack of enthusiasm, Instructor Ryu Hyemi offered a slight smile.
"It may look a bit odd, but it's state-of-the-art technology. It can analyze everything from muscle development to your range of motion."
In essence, it tailors a weapon based on a detailed assessment of a student's physique. Even if I have a physique that's significantly better than average, specialized characteristics can differ.
"Just wait there for a moment."
The moment I entered the cylinder, a mechanical hum filled the air. Machines that seemed plucked from a sci-fi film appeared, emitting beams of light. The brightness was manageable, and to be honest, it was somewhat entertaining.
I feel like I'm in an amusement park.
It was akin to a cinematic experience, exploring various props and occasionally acting out scenes.
"Hmm?"
Since it didn't seem like a lengthy process, I was scanning the surroundings when something felt amiss. I anticipated a top-to-bottom scan followed by displayed results.
Why is it just spinning in one spot? And why is it fixated there?
A quick glance confirmed it was incessantly scanning my dick. Initially, only one machine was active, but soon others joined. Eventually, all were concentrated there, leaving me to look back at Ryu Hyemi in disbelief.
"Um, what's happening here? Hold on a sec!"
I was hoping for a quick fix, but to no avail. Even as she attempted to intervene, nothing changed.
"I'm operating it now, but are you currently activating a skill?"
"A skill?"
"Yes, this machine not only evaluates physical capabilities but can also detect specific skills. It appears to be malfunctioning due to that" She spoke rapidly, almost losing me.
Skills?
It wasn't entirely out of the blue. I had two skills from quest rewards marked with question marks, and there had been no prior way to identify them.
But perhaps now there is. The Witch's Blessing mentions clear observation.' Maybe it can reveal these unknown skills.
With nothing to lose, I promptly opened the skill window.
Thanks to the Witch's Blessing, unclear things become clear.
Skills [???] and [???] are now correctly identified.
[???] > Magnetic Pole (F~S) :: The bigger, the longer, and the thicker a weapon you wield, the stronger you become. The weapon itself also gets enhanced. (Always active)
[???] > Level Up! (!_!) :: Increases the rank of a subskill. Use with caution!
Are all the skill ranks too weird, preventing me from reading them? This is not your typical skill ranking.
The F~S ranking indicates that the performance varies depending on the weapon I wield. And the Level Up is straightforward.
But then, why there? What could possibly be the reason for the machines to scan my dick? Even if it's a passive skill, it requires holding a weapon to activate. And I'm currently unarmed.
Could it be?
An absurd possibility crossed my mind. The skill didn't specify the type of weapon, and the machine supposedly could identify a skill. As the pieces of the puzzle started fitting together, an unsettling conclusion emerged.
"Baek Taeyang, is there any trigger for activating a skill tied to that particular, uh, movement in that area?"
There is. And it's an incredibly hard and thick one, at least three times as sturdy as the average person's. It's a weapon with contours that even pants can't conceal.
"Based on what's come up so far, it seems like it recognizes something akin to a stick. This is fascinating; I've never seen a case like this before!"
Of course, what skill could possibly interpret a dick as a weapon?
That explained why there was light emanating from my groin in the department store combat footage. It was acting as a weapon, hence the glow.
Is it like a dick stick? There's no one to ask. Even this researcher couldn't identify such a skill. If I pulled down my pants and said, "Here's the culprit," would she buy it?
"The machine seems unable to detect anything further. May I take a closer look?"
"Um Uh"
It's hard to decline, yet difficult to agree. Why does this situation with Ryu Hyemi feel like dj vu with Soojin? The parallels are too uncanny.
"It won't take long!!" Ryu Hyemi confidently approached me, taking quick steps.
Quick as a flash, she crouched down in front of me. How embarrassing to have her so intensely focused on the very spot the machine honed in on.
"Um This is really odd Everything seems normal, but the spot that glowed before is also Could there be some secret in the groin area?"
Enduring Ryu Hyemi's murmurs was its own form of torture. Is she playing dumb while knowing exactly what she's up to?
"Um, may I touch it?"
"What?"
"Um, your groin area"
Her voice wavered but carried. Clearly, she was eager to conduct some research' on the so-called stick.' The red flush on her face was a dead giveaway.
"It could definitely be a unique skill! I must examine and confirm it with my own eyes. This could even lead to a paper under your name!"
Ryu Hyemi was ready to reach out as soon as she got permission. Her face showed determination to set aside any embarrassment for the sake of research.
"Instructor Ryu."
"Yes! Baek Taeyang! Are you granting me your permission?!"
"It's not a stick."
"It's not? Then"
Flustered yet unable to avert her gaze from my nether regions, I was about to lay down the unvarnished truth.
"You already knowit's my dick."
"But is that a skill?"
"Yes"
I'd have bet she'd have thrown in the towel by now. But ah, the lengths to which curiosity will drive a person.
"I I want to see it Can I?"
She looked earnestly, wanting to see a student's dick.
""
Without saying a word, I unzipped. For an average-sized one, simply unzipping would be enough. But for a titan among titans, even the buckle had to be undone.
"Ah!"
She was so close that she got slapped by the erect penis. Her blend of shock and composure was a sight to behold.
"C-Can I touch it? Is thatokay?"
I thought there would be no progress today. But now? An unexpected opportunity has presented itself.