I Became an Academy Overpowered Growth Genius

I Became an Academy Overpowered Growth Genius – 124

EP.124 The Heart of the Red Cross Society (2)

– Squeeze! –

Park Tae-ho’s embrace around Kang Seo-jun tightened even more.

“Ugh, ugh…!”

It felt like his tongue was about to pop out of his mouth.

“Kang Seo-jun is the treasure of our family!! A treasure!!!”

– Rub, rub, rub, rub…. –

“…Ugh.”

…Ugh.

With the furry old man hugging him and rubbing his cheek against his, it felt like being held by a muscular furry.

“Grandfather… it’s ticklish.”

‘Please stop now….’

“Hahaha! I got carried away because I was so happy. Sorry about that!”

Park Tae-ho released Kang Seo-jun and patted his shoulder cheerfully.

“Thanks to you dealing with that troublesome cursed sword… Tirving, I feel great today. I feel like I’ve become 20 years younger! It’s like my prime has returned in my later years!”

“Hahaha!”

Park Tae-ho laughed heartily, shaking Kang Seo-jun’s shoulder. Kang Seo-jun, swaying under Park Tae-ho’s touch, responded.

“That’s good to hear.”

It wasn’t just a hollow remark. The upcoming week-long farming trip would be a grueling journey not only for Kang Seo-jun but also for Park Tae-ho.

‘To destroy the Red Cross Society and sweep through the hidden dungeons as a bonus within a week, we’ll have to move non-stop.’

If Park Tae-ho’s condition had improved, they could set an even tighter schedule.

“Shall we head out right away?”

Even while they were sharing this comedic moment, time was ticking. Park Tae-ho had only allotted a week for Kang Seo-jun. To make the most of this week, they needed to move as quickly as possible.

“Okay. I’m ready. But… are you planning to go dressed like that…?”

Currently, Park Tae-ho was fully armed in plate armor. In contrast, Kang Seo-jun was dressed in a white shirt and black slacks. He didn’t look like he was about to head into battle.

“At least wear some light armor.”

Kang Seo-jun shook his head.

“I’m fine like this. I need to keep my body as light as possible.”

“Hmm. Is that so? Well, since it’s you, Kang Seo-jun, I’m sure you have a plan. How do you intend to travel? Helicopter? Or a light aircraft? Just say the word, and I’ll arrange anything.”

While it was reassuring to hear Park Tae-ho offer even an expensive light aircraft without hesitation, such extravagant means weren’t necessary.

“A helicopter or light aircraft won’t be needed. I plan to fly there myself.”

“Fly yourself? Huh…! Are you saying you can fly with just your body?”

Park Tae-ho’s eyes widened in surprise. Despite being a returnee, Kang Seo-jun was still an academy student. Could he really fly long distances with just his body?

“Yes. However, I’m not sure how fast I’ll be able to go. Please bear with me if my speed is a bit slow.”

“Huh. Is speed even an issue? This is unbelievable.”

Park Tae-ho couldn’t hide his amazement as he stroked his beard.

“Where are you flying to?”

“I’m heading to Gangwon Province.”

“Huh…. That’s not a short distance.”

Admiration deepened on Park Tae-ho’s face.

“An academy student flying from Seoul to Gangwon Province with just his body… you must be the only one in history.”

“Haha….”

Kang Seo-jun couldn’t help but laugh at the truth of the statement. The average specs of an academy student were around [D] grade, regardless of the era. Even globally recognized geniuses like Kenji Kuyamoto only reached [B+] grade.

In contrast, Kang Seo-jun’s pure specs were currently at [A] grade, and with all his traits and skill enhancements, his effective specs were at [S-] grade.

At [S-] grade, he was far beyond the level of an academy student and even most instructors. His specs were sufficient to hold his own in the tower filled with all sorts of monsters.

‘An academy student with [S-] grade specs… this is unprecedented in world history. But this is just the beginning.’

Kang Seo-jun’s goal was to transcend even the gods and become the ultimate king. Achieving such a goal required continuously accomplishing extraordinary feats that were unparalleled in history.

That was what it meant to create a myth.

“You know, I’m just a student in name only.”

“Hahaha! Of course. But officially, you’re still a student. And my grandson-in-law.”

– Pat, pat! –

Park Tae-ho proudly patted Kang Seo-jun on the back. He was quite a hands-on grandfather.

“Then let’s get going! I want to see you fly! Lead the way!”

“Yes. Let’s depart.”

Kang Seo-jun and Park Tae-ho walked through the lounge and corridors of the mansion, eventually stepping out into the garden. Kang Seo-jun stood in the wide open space of the garden and took a deep breath.

“I’ll lead the way to the location.”

“Alright. Just don’t fly too fast. It’s hard for the person following.”

“Haha….”

Although he said that, it was clear he didn’t expect much in terms of speed. No matter how much of a returnee Kang Seo-jun was, his current body hadn’t consumed the ‘Fruit of the Star’ or the ‘Fruit of the Sun,’ making him a half-awakened individual. The fact that he could even manage long-distance flight with the body of an academy student who hadn’t fully awakened was already historical. Flying faster than [S+] grade Park Tae-ho would be akin to defying the laws of the universe.

‘Let’s see if this works as planned.’

Kang Seo-jun didn’t expect to fly faster than Park Tae-ho. In the game [Grand Hunter Academy], he had flown countless times, but now that the game had become reality, this was his first time attempting actual flight.

‘In theory, it’s not impossible to fly faster than Grandfather Park Tae-ho.’

Combining his current abilities, breaking the sound barrier and flying faster than Park Tae-ho wasn’t out of the question. But whether it would work as planned remained to be seen.

Kang Seo-jun slowly reviewed the process needed for flight.

‘First, let’s lift off.’

The first crucial ability for flight was 《Spirit Resonance (Wind) Lv. Epic》.

– Whoooosh!!! –

As Kang Seo-jun moved the minor spirits of the wind, a fierce gust swept through the area.

– Whoosh! –

Simultaneously, Kang Seo-jun’s body began to slowly rise.

“Oh!”

Park Tae-ho watched with eyes full of anticipation and admiration. For an ordinary student, this alone would be an astonishing feat. But for Kang Seo-jun, this was just the beginning.

‘Stay calm. As long as I envelop my body with the minor spirits of the wind, I won’t fall as long as my mana doesn’t deplete.’

The second crucial ability for flight was 《Shadowless Black Wind Technique (2-star) Lv. Epic》.

Kang Seo-jun utilized the Shadowless Black Wind Technique to infuse his body with the energy of wind and darkness.

– Saaa…. –

Soon, black mist began to emanate from Kang Seo-jun’s body, and he felt himself becoming lighter. It wasn’t that his weight had decreased, but rather that he felt less affected by gravity.

Using the power of the Shadowless Black Wind Technique, which harnessed the mysteries of wind and shadow, Kang Seo-jun transformed his body into a mist-like state, allowing for freer flight.

– Whoooosh…. –

Freed from the constraints of gravity, Kang Seo-jun’s body rose even higher, carried by the wind.

‘Oh….’

He had ascended so high that the horizon appeared curved. It was his first time flying so high with just his body.

– Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! –

Yet, there was no fear or anxiety in Kang Seo-jun’s heart.

‘Amazing!’

Quite the opposite. At this moment, the sense of accomplishment and exhilaration from transcending the limits of a wingless human made his heart pound with excitement.

‘Now for the final step.’

The third crucial ability for flight was 《Fire Attribute Mana Lv. Rare》.

‘If I use fire to propel myself from below…’

– Fwoosh…! –

– Whoosh!!! –

“Whoa!!!”

With a sound that tore through the air, Kang Seo-jun’s body shot across the sky like a bullet.

– Frrrrrr!! –

The sudden immense air pressure pressed against his face, making it feel like his lips and eyelids were being turned inside out. Kang Seo-jun quickly moved the minor wind spirits to create an air barrier to protect his face.

– Swoooosh…! –

“Phew….”

The transparent barrier in front of his face sliced through the air, making it easier to breathe.

‘Not bad.’

Even though it was his first time flying, the traits and skills felt so natural to him that the flight wasn’t difficult at all.

‘I can increase my speed even more.’

– Swoooosh!!! –

Kang Seo-jun drew even more power from the wind spirits and fire attribute mana.

– Fwoosh! Kwoooosh!!! –

His mist-like body, now as light as a feather, rocketed through the air, spewing fire like a rocket.

– Whoooosh!!! –

At the same time, he created a horizontal jet stream with the wind, steadily increasing his acceleration.

– Swoooosh…. –

As the speed increased, the sound of the air being torn apart gradually faded away. And soon.

– BOOM!!!! –

The shockwave of a sonic boom hit his legs, and the sounds of the world disappeared.

“Oh, ohhhh!!!”

The scenery around him changed at an indescribable speed. It felt as if the entire Earth had become a gigantic treadmill.

‘Damn! This is the otherworldly life!!!’

The exhilaration of a human who had transcended the crawling primates and achieved flight for the first time. Dopamine was flowing through Kang Seo-jun’s brain like a waterfall.

“Let’s gooooooo!!!”

Even his excited shout was buried in the supersonic speed and disappeared instantly. The heart of the Red Cross Society, the Gangwon Province hideout, was approaching rapidly.

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– Whoooosh…!!! –

‘Huh….’

Park Tae-ho let out a chuckle as he followed Kang Seo-jun at supersonic speed.

‘It’s tough just keeping up with him….’

The maximum speed that Park Tae-ho’s armor, 《Comet Plate Armor Lv. Legendary》, could achieve was Mach 1.5. However, this was only possible when the armor’s output was maximized.

‘Maintaining that speed continuously would make the armor unbearably hot.’

At around Mach 1, his [S+] grade physique could withstand the armor’s temperature to some extent, but any faster, and even his [S+] grade body wouldn’t be able to avoid burns.

‘Making this old man work hard….’

Though he said that inwardly, Park Tae-ho’s lips curled up in a pleased smile. Despite being a returnee, achieving such a level at such a young age was remarkable. He couldn’t help but look forward to how much more his grandson-in-law would grow in the future.

‘Kang Seo-jun…! To think you’re my grandson-in-law! Since yesterday, I’ve felt as if I’ve gained the whole world!’

The truth hidden beneath happiness wasn’t always beautiful, but at least at this moment, Park Tae-ho was happier than anyone. The joy of having the strongest grandson-in-law added five more years to Park Tae-ho’s healthy lifespan.