Chương 65: INSIGHTS

Jimin somehow contained his excitement. Just when I needed this. Seong-ho said in an authoritative tone, "Calm down, everyone. We are finishing it early. So of course, the training will start early. But before that you need some training and mentoring for preparation. That's why we told you to come prepared. Don't expect to go home early." A wave of whispers spread across the hall.

"Ahh…"

"Seriously?" The energy that had just surged from excitement instantly dropped. Jimin scoffed slightly.

"Tch…" Can't go for Appraisals today I guess. But before the dissatisfaction could settle, Seong-ho said, "If you finish your training today, tomorrow will be a day off." Then with a slight pause, he said, "Or…" The students froze. Their tone shifted instantly.

"Let's do it!"

"No problem!"

"Easy!" The motivation had worked. Seong-ho nodded slightly.

"Okay then. Let's start things off with some short sparrings. That way, I can monitor you and give you some tips." His gaze swept across the students.

"So, who wants to take part in sparring? Raise your hand." A few hands went up immediately.

"Good… quite a few," said Seong-ho as he counted quietly. Jimin watched for a second. Then, he raised his hand as well. Seong-ho's eyes immediately locked onto him.

"Let's choose the sparring pairs now." He pointed toward Jimin and continued, "Let's start with student Sam Jimin." The atmosphere changed instantly. The students immediately turned their heads and stared at him. But Jimin kept his expression neutral.

"Now, who would like to be his opponent?" Absolute silence. Everyone immediately lowered their hands. Students started whispering among themselves.

"I'm good."

"I'm not taking any risk." An awkward expression appeared on Jimin's face, as he looked around. A few students avoided eye contact. Some scratched their heads. Others looked away completely. I guess nobody wants to end up like Dae-ho. Then, he slowly lowered his own hand as well. Seong-ho observed the scene calmly. Then asked, "No one?" There was no response.

"Alright," he said.

"I'll arrange the pairs for the rest." The tension broke. Students exhaled.

"Those who are not sparring," Seong-ho continued, "will start their training." Seong-ho quickly finished arranging the pairs. Then, the students went to the arsenal, while the arena was being prepared. Jimin followed casually. Picked up his standard training weapons. After a few minutes, everyone returned. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. The arena was still being prepared. Seong-ho gestured, "Start training."

The hall split into multiple sections. Sparring groups moved to the arena side. Others spread out across training zones. Jimin was also on his way but suddenly-.

"Student Sam." He turned. Seong-ho was looking directly at him.

"I can sense that you've grown a bit stronger," he said.

"And you've been training diligently." Jimin blinked once. What is this old man on to? Seong-ho stepped forward slightly.

"There's a little time before the arena is prepared," he continued.

"So, let's see how much you have progressed." Jimin's expression relaxed slightly. Oh… So that's the case. Works for me. I had some questions as well.

"Of course, Sir." They walked toward the dummy practice area. Rows of reinforced dummies stood ahead.

"Go ahead." Jimin nodded. Then, he unleashed his telekinetic dagger and chakram attacks on the dummy. Needless to say, he didn't use his full power. Seong-ho observed quietly. He was impressed as. He said, "Your attacks have become way faster and stronger than before. It's also a lot more stable. Good job."

"Thank you, Sir." But then, Seong-ho suddenly started rubbing his chin, as if he was thinking about something. Jimin noticed immediately. Seong-ho's gaze sharpened slightly. He said, "But there are still some flaws. Isn't your fighting style a bit too weapon dependent?" Jimin stayed silent for a moment; his expression didn't change. Can't really tell him about my other skills. But… He is right.

"You're right, Sir," Jimin said calmly.

"But I'm still working on it." Seong-ho nodded.

"Keep it up. But let me give you some advice regarding that." Jimin's gaze sharpened.

"Try to use your surroundings smartly," Seong-ho said.

"And if your power grows stronger… Maybe you can also use it directly on your target." Jimin's eyes flickered. Now's the chance.

"I had a question regarding that, Sir."

"What is it?"

"If my telekinesis becomes strong enough… can I directly control the insides of a monster?" Seong-ho's gaze sharpened instantly.

"No. Every being of mana has a certain level of resistance to foreign energy. But that resistance becomes exponentially higher inside the body." Jimin listened carefully.

"The mana density inside acts as a protective layer," Seong-ho added.

"So while you can lift, drop, or restrain a target… It's extremely difficult to twist the target's body… And even more so, if it's the inner organs and bones." Jimin took a moment to process it and said, "So you mean… it's not possible?" Seong-ho shook his head slightly.

"I mean yes… it's impossible if the target is of the same rank. It's just not efficient." Jimin's brows furrowed slightly. Seong-ho continued, "The output of telekinesis is similar to physical force. So the target can simply resist it with sheer brute force. The difference in power has to be exceptionally huge for it to work. He raised a finger and said, "I mean C-Rank to E-Rank gap for external control." Then another.

"And S-Rank to D-Rank gap… for internal." Jimin's eyes widened slightly. That much! He exhaled slowly. Then, he asked again, "Then what about psychic attacks?" Seong-ho tilted his head slightly.

"Hmm… Psychic attacks?" He thought for a moment.

"That's a different case." Jimin's gaze sharpened again.

"It completely depends on the target's mental resistance," Seong-ho said.

"But most people don't have enough stats, skills, or artifacts to defend against these attacks. So these types of users have an edge… even against targets of the same rank." Jimin's eyes flickered.

"That's why they are considered dangerous," Seong-ho added.

"And highly sought after… But they are extremely rare. So don't worry too much... But be careful, if you ever encounter one." Jimin nodded.

"Thanks for the advice, Sir. I'll remember that." Seong-ho looked back and said, "Alright. The arena is ready, so I'll go now. Continue your training." Then, he walked away. Jimin sighed. It's even more difficult than I thought. But I at least got something useful. A faint smirk appeared on his face.

"Thanks, old man," he murmured.

The training continued till evening. But Seong-ho managed to mentor every student. Everyone was exhausted. Seong-ho gathered them one last time.

"You did well," he said simply. So, tomorrow is a day off." A wave of relief spread instantly.

"Finally…"

"Thank god…" Jimin stretched his arms slightly.

"That felt like forever," he muttered.

Jimin exited the campus. The sky had already dimmed. Streetlights flickered on. He walked along the street quietly. Don't have any time for appraisals. He stretched his back.

"I'll just call it a day after selling the loot and the gear," he murmured. Jimin then headed for the 'Golden Scale Hall of Commerce'.

In the meantime, at the hideout of the Umbral Shadow's South Korean Branch- The Cardinal Jin Mu-ak, was sitting on a chair. He was talking over his unusual-looking phone.

"Is the subject recruitment going well?" he asked calmly. A voice responded from the other side.

"Yes. My men are handling that well for now." It was Baek Sang-hoon.

"They have been under the radar till now. But remember this," Sang-hoon continued.

"I am out the moment something goes wrong." Mu-ak smirked faintly.

"You've been doing this for years," he said.

"But still haven't grown the balls for this. You're quite the chicken for an S-Rank."

"What?" Sang-hoon's voice sharpened.

"Says the one who hides like a turtle in a basement and just orders around. Unlike you," Sang-hoon continued, "I have an image to maintain." Mu-ak's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Hide… Won't have to do that for long," he murmured softly.

"What?"

"Nothing. I was just joking," said Mu-ak. Then, his tone turned cold.

"Do what you want. But meet the quota." He cut the call abruptly.

"Hello? Hello?" said Sang-hoon. A frustrated voice escaped faintly.

"Fucker…" Mu-ak leaned back. Everything seems to be going well. We are about to reach the next stage. A faint grin appeared on his face.

"Things are really looking interesting," Mu-ak murmured as he let out a sinister chuckle.

Meanwhile- Sang-hoon was already on another call.

"How is the recruitment going?" he asked. Another voice responded immediately.

"There has been no issue, Boss. We brought two brats today. Their recruitment process will take an hour at most. They will be released after that."

"Good," Sang-hoon said.

"Just don't get into any mess."

"Don't worry, Boss. We won't." The call ended. The person lowered his phone. His expression shifted instantly. He clicked his tongue.

"Tch… How long do I have to keep busting my ass for this nutcase."

"Gorilla bitch," he murmured as he stood in front of a large glass window. Hands in his pockets. Looking down.

Park Ho-jung Baek Sang-hoon's Henchman Leader of the 'Black Dogs' Gang Rank: A-12 The place below looked like a shady lab. Dimly lit. Cold. Machines lined the walls. And at the center, two almost naked young boys were tied to two of the few slabs. Ho-jung watched quietly as their bodies convulsed.