I Became an Academy Overpowered Growth Genius

I Became an Academy Overpowered Growth Genius – 114

EP.114 Meeting the In-Laws (5)

[Your mana grows as a result of stealing the host’s efforts! mana ability +1!]

[Skill 《Parasitic Growth》 special effect activated!!! Choose a trait to steal from the host or transfer to the host.]

Thanks to Park Shin-hye diligently practicing mana cultivation during the afternoon self-training, Kang Seo-jun was able to obtain a ‘Trait Exchange Ticket’ from 《Parasitic Growth》. As soon as he got the ‘Trait Exchange Ticket,’ he took Park Shin-hye’s trait 《Heir of Taesan》.

[You have chosen to steal the trait 《Heir of Taesan Lv. Epic+》 from the host.]

[You have acquired the trait 《Heir of Taesan Lv. Epic+》!]

[The host 《Park Shin-hye》 loses the trait 《Heir of Taesan Lv. Epic+》!]

‘With this, I’ve seen all there is to see from 《Parasitic Growth》.’

There was nothing more to extract from Park Shin-hye using 《Parasitic Growth》. While there were still buff traits like 《Sword Talent Lv. Advanced》 and 《Martial Arts Talent Lv. Advanced》 left, it was much easier and more economical to buy such traits from the Dimensional Shop rather than extracting them with 《Parasitic Growth》.

‘Still, it’s better to maintain the host-parasite relationship.’

Since the Red Cross Society was still targeting Park Shin-hye, he needed to keep the host-parasite relationship to mark her with 《Eye of Providence》 while using her as bait. Severing this sticky bond and becoming strangers would mean consuming much more magic power each time he spied on Park Shin-hye with 《Eye of Providence》.

‘Besides, there’s no one else suitable to be a host right now.’

It would have been great to implant 《Parasitic Growth》 in a stronger villain than Park Shin-hye to siphon off experience points, but most villains at [B]~[A] rank had already reached their growth potential. Those at [S] rank had strong resistance, making it difficult to apply a [Epic] grade curse like 《Parasitic Growth》.

In fact, this was why 《Parasitic Growth》 was useful only in the early stages. As his specs advanced to the mid-game, the skill became less practical.

‘Moreover, there are now plenty of faster ways to increase my stats. There’s no need to keep relying on 《Parasitic Growth》.’

So, rather than feeling regret, he felt liberated. Until now, he hadn’t been able to raise his stats properly due to the conditions for acquiring ‘Trait Exchange Tickets’ from 《Parasitic Growth》.

▶Parasitic Growth

※Special Effect 1: Each time an attribute grows by 1 point through ‘Parasitic Growth,’ you can exchange one desired trait with the host.

As his stats increased, the experience required for leveling up also grew, making it increasingly difficult to obtain ‘Trait Exchange Tickets’ through 《Parasitic Growth》.

‘But from now on, there’s no need to cling to the ‘Trait Exchange Ticket.’ Now I can freely increase my stats.’

The 《Parasitic Growth》 that had been hindering Kang Seo-jun’s stat growth was no longer an obstacle. This was the moment when the controlled growth of Kang Seo-jun’s stats could finally accelerate.

‘I can’t wait to hit ’35’ in all stats and reach [S+] rank, then crush the villains.’

By then, he could easily raid three vaults a day at the level of Omen’s secret stash. Whether it was [Epic] grade items or [Legendary] grade items, they would pile up rapidly.

The stronger he became, the steeper his growth curve would rise.

‘I need to diligently grow my skills and traits too.’

This afternoon’s sparring session with Jin Se-rin made him realize something crucial. High stats were important, but even more important was the ability to properly wield that powerful strength through skill.

‘Se, Seo-jun…. Heh…. Heh…. I can’t…. do this anymore…. Heh….’

‘Already?’

Having learned [Epic] grade martial arts, Kang Seo-jun overwhelmed Jin Se-rin, who had higher stats than him. Jin Se-rin also had a good combat skill called 《Seongjin Martial Arts》, but it was only at the [Rare] grade level. It was a notch below Kang Seo-jun’s [Epic] grade martial art, 《Shadowless Black Wind Technique 1 Star》.

Of course, in terms of physical prowess, Jin Se-rin was a step above Kang Seo-jun, so the reason he could overwhelm her was more due to the ‘difference in skill level’ and the influence of 《Eye of Providence》. Without 《Eye of Providence》, it would have been much harder to react to Jin Se-rin’s attacks in real-time, making it a more evenly matched sparring session rather than an overwhelming victory.

‘Still, the sense of using martial arts was quite impressive.’

In the game [Grand Hunter Academy], learning a new skill only changed the attack motion, so he was curious about how it would apply in reality. This time, he understood it well. It felt like the experience and insights of a student who had been practicing 《Shadowless Black Wind Technique》 for a long time were directly downloaded into his brain.

‘I could even teach it to someone else.’

He knew exactly how to move his legs when throwing a punch, how to control his muscles, how to counter when the opponent threw a kick, and so on. Insights that an ordinary person would take years to grasp were obtained by Kang Seo-jun just by purchasing martial arts from the Dimensional Shop.

‘Of course, there are still some rough parts that even I can see.’

Although 《Shadowless Black Wind Technique》 was a high-level martial art that reached [Epic] grade, it was still only at the 1-star level, so it didn’t contain any extraordinary insights. Surely, some of the knowledge in his head was incorrect.

‘I need to quickly grow it to the highest level and make it fully functional.’

It wasn’t just martial arts. There were mana circles and magic, aura stages and physical traits, spirit sensitivity and spirit arts, elemental magic and mana cultivation techniques, and so on. There were numerous traits and skills that needed to be improved.

‘But everything is going smoothly.’

The fact that there were many traits and skills to grow meant that the pieces needed for his ultimate return were coming together smoothly.

‘Now, I just need to keep running.’

Someday, he would reach the pinnacle of martial arts with Heavenly Martial Body and Heavenly Demon Divine Art…. He would reach the pinnacle of magic with Mana’s Blessing and 10 Circles…. Until he dominated all attributes with EX rank in all stats and transcendent attributes….

Kang Seo-jun’s race towards growth would not stop.

‘Let’s see…. The next task for my ultimate return is….’

Dinner with the Taesan family. It was time to meet Park Tae-ho, the patriarch of the Taesan Group, and make him his sponsor.

‘It shouldn’t be too difficult.’

───────《Trait》───────

▶Heir of Taesan

◆Grade

[Epic+]

◆Description

[Kang Seo-jun] is the heir to Taesan Group, one of the top-ranking conglomerates in South Korea. Even if the succession rights are not officially recognized, the world’s coercive force will make him the owner of Taesan Group.

Receives high favorability bonuses from NPCs of the Taesan family.

Receives high loyalty bonuses from NPCs affiliated with Taesan Group.

──────────────────

Without the trait 《Heir of Taesan》, it might have been different, but now that he had it, the likelihood of the Taesan family harboring hostility towards him was significantly reduced.

‘Then, let’s get going.’

It was already approaching 6 PM. Kang Seo-jun called Park Shin-hye to arrange a pickup. It was time to head to the Taesan nest and make them his sponsors.

====

***

====

About 2 hours earlier.

“Sniff…. Ugh….”

Park Seo-yoon was still sobbing in her office.

“Gasp…!!!”

Suddenly, a flash of realization struck her mind.

Come to think of it, she had already met Kang Seo-jun. And it was just about a month ago.

“Oh, my god….”

Park Seo-yoon recalled Kang Seo-jun’s appearance from that time.

“Sniff….”

Although his appearance was unforgettable, she couldn’t clearly remember it just by thinking, so she hurriedly rummaged through her drawer.

“Found it.”

Soon, she held the personal file of Kang Seo-jun, which she had investigated about a month ago.

“Oh….”

Park Seo-yoon caressed Kang Seo-jun’s photo with a sorrowful face. His face was so disfigured and swollen that it was unrecognizable. Yet, faint traces of his former self were buried within.

“How did it come to this….”

How many regressions had he gone through, and how many curses had he borne to end up in such a state?

“Even so….”

Despite everything, Kang Seo-jun seemed to have not given up on ‘saving the world and himself.’ She could tell because the first place she met him was at the academy entrance exam site. If he had intended to give up, he wouldn’t have taken the academy entrance exam in such a condition. He would have just sat down and accepted the endlessly repeating deaths.

“Oh…. Poor man….”

Park Seo-yoon wept as she continuously caressed Kang Seo-jun’s photo. Even after crying for a long time, there was no sign of her tears stopping. She was a woman with a lot of tears.

“Oh….”

How was he doing now? Since the day they first met, she had been so busy that she hadn’t investigated further. She vaguely remembered hearing that Kang Seo-jun’s name was frequently mentioned in the talent acquisition department….

“Sniff…!”

This was no time to be crying. It was already getting late. She needed to prepare to meet Kang Seo-jun again.

“First, I need to wipe away these tear stains….”

She couldn’t meet him looking so disheveled. She wanted to greet him in a beautiful appearance that could make Kang Seo-jun’s heart, worn down by countless long years, beat again.

“Sniff….”

Park Seo-yoon quickly washed her face, tidied her clothes, and contacted her secretary. Then, she called in makeup experts, hair stylists, and dress specialists.

– Swish! Swish! –

– Tap, tap, tap, tap! –

– Swoosh! –

After about three hours of complete makeover, her already beautiful face became so stunning that even legendary beauties from history would lower their heads in admiration.

“Mr. Kang Seo-jun will be arriving soon.”

Having finished her makeover, Park Seo-yoon stood in front of the mansion with her family, waiting for Kang Seo-jun. Park Tae-ho looked at the front gate with a pleased expression, while her younger sister, Park Shin-hye, fidgeted uncomfortably in her unfamiliar dress.

Soon, a black sedan passed through the long garden and stopped in front of the mansion. It was surely the vehicle that had picked up Kang Seo-jun.

“Sniff….”

She felt tears welling up again at the thought of this long-awaited reunion, but Park Seo-yoon forced herself to swallow them, not wanting to ruin her makeup. Soon, through her blurry vision, she faintly saw Kang Seo-jun getting out of the car.

Park Seo-yoon was just moments away from reuniting with Kang Seo-jun, her destined lover who had become an S-class alpha male in the city.