NOVEL WEB
Chapter 54
The training for the Iron Body Technique was hell on earth.
“Eleven! Twelve!”
“Ugh!”
Suho’s muscles began to tear after twenty push-ups.
“Twenty-five! Twenty-six!”
His tendons were practically mush after thirty.
“Thirty-eight! Thirty-nine...!”
His arm snapped on the fortieth.
“Look how weak you are! Where is your willpower? Show some perseverance!” But Ammut had no intention of showing mercy. Instead, the crocodile ridiculed Suho’s weak physique.
The crocor’s methods were extremely spartan. Many students in the past had dropped out, unable to endure the rigorous training.
Grand Spellcaster Kandiaru had specifically constructed this pyramid as the perfect training ground for Ammut’s Iron Body Technique.
“The training will continue even if all your bones break!”
White bandages flew in from all directions and wrapped around Suho’s arms and legs. His broken bones were forcibly set, causing tremendous pain.
“With that taken care of, let us continue training! You have sixty repetitions left!”
The bandages seemed to be the same kind covering the mummies. The same magic that allowed the dead to move was now making his broken arms and legs continue. But excruciating pain persisted since it wasn’t a proper form of healing. Being forced to move, his limbs experienced even greater agony than before.
Sweat poured down Suho’s entire body, and the sight of his new student gritting his teeth drew a sly smile out of Ammut.
“What’s wrong? Are you starting to regret your decision? It’s too late now. Great power comes with an equal amount of pain! You only have two choices: Either relish the pain or perish in torment.”
But unknown to the crocor, Suho had another option. Is this how you want to play? Suho forced a smile and opened the shop window.
[Item: “Low Grade Healing Potion” has been purchased.]
Using telekinesis, Suho snatched the healing potion and gulped it down.
The healing potion spread throughout his tattered body, fixing his broken bones and regenerating the torn muscles.
“Huh?” Ammut’s eyes widened in surprise.
Suho, now more composed, met his gaze and asked, “So, how many repetitions are left now?”
Ammut recalled the many students it had driven to their deaths just to create another Tarnak. They all eventually screamed in agony and perished, but his new student seemed different.
This time, perhaps... Ammut chuckled sardonically and said, “That’s a peculiar power you’ve got there! In that case, I can raise the intensity without worry!”
“No, wait...” That’s not what I wanted!
Ammut’s increased weight pressed down on Suho.
“You have a long way to go! Let’s continue with the training!”
Suho’s arm broke repeatedly, and he had to drink several more potions to complete the required push-ups. But even more pain awaited him as the sit-ups from hell were up next.
“One! Two! Two! Two! Hey, do it properly!” Ammut shouted.
This can’t be real. Sit-ups aren’t meant to be a dangerous exercise! Suho felt like his abs were about to tear apart, but his concern was deepened when his back eventually snapped. This is a new level of pain... It’s so painful that I can’t even speak.
Right on cue, bandages immediately flew in and wrapped around Suho’s waist. He was forcibly made to move again with the pain intact. He was on the brink of fainting, but he endured the excruciating pain with sheer will as he opened the shop window.
[Item: “Low Grade Healing Potion” has been purchased.]
He used the healing potion to mend his spine and resumed training.
“This is fantastic!” Ammut was pleased with Suho.
Suho was able to heal himself with potions whenever his body was torn apart. His spine snapped two more times before he completed one hundred sit-ups. Suho’s entire body was tightly wrapped in bandages.
Wait a minute... A realization suddenly dawned on him. “H-hold on. Are all these mummies here—”
“Bingo! All the mummies in this pyramid are my former students!”
“This is insane...”
“If you don’t want to die and become a mummy, you better make it to the end! A bright future awaits those who endure! Now it’s time for squats! One! Two!”
The squats mercilessly tore apart Suho’s thighs until both legs ended up breaking simultaneously due to the increased gravity. Once again, bandages flew in and wrapped around Suho’s legs.
“Store...”
[Item: “Low Grade Healing Potion” has been purchased.]
Suho kept chugging healing potions as he continued the grind.
[Skill: The level of “Pain Tolerance” has increased!]
[Physical Defense +40% → +60%]
Suho stared blankly at the sudden notification. This doesn’t make any sense... Pain Tolerance increased with just exercise.
Pain Tolerance had gone up but not his Strength, meaning that training was still as grueling as ever. But fortunately, the pain from his injuries was somewhat alleviated. The hellish training was now a daily quest, so he figured the improved skill would be a significant long-term benefit.
This is good news... But why am I crying?
“Great! Now it’s time to run! Run at full speed!”
Running 10 km was certainly no easy task. Standing still was an ordeal itself under the tremendous gravitational pressure. The moment his legs gave in, his ankles twisted. Then, the immense pressure of the gravitational field crushed his ankles and severed his ligaments.
The sound of ligaments snapping one by one was chilling beyond words. As if they had been waiting for this very moment, the bandages flew in again and wrapped around his ankles.
These damn bandages! Suho had turned into a full-fledged mummy, his eyes burning with fury. Since I’m being made to run, I should run faster! That way, this hellish exercise would end more quickly! “Gray, it’s time for Divine Possession!”
[The spiritual body of “Pet: Gray” is bound to the Shaman.]
Whoosh!
Suho’s hair turned silver, and an untamed energy coursed throughout his body.
[Skill: “Meadow Wind” has activated.]
[Movement speed is temporarily increased by 30%.]
[Attack speed is temporarily increased by 30%.]
Seeing Suho’s speed increase, Ammut burst into a satisfied laugh. “Excellent! You are proving yourself to be quite a talented student! That’s the spirit! Use every means you can to continue running!”
“This is ridiculous. How can this be considered training? This is torture,” Esil said, bewildered, as she watched everything unfold from a distance.
However, Beru’s reaction was different. “Hardly. Oh, how I miss the good old days!” The ant seemed to be lost in nostalgia. “The Monarch of Shadows once underwent such rigorous training, but the difficulty was a tad different...”
“Sir Jinwoo also went through something like this? Oh, now that you mention it...”
Memories flooded back to Esil. She remembered her time as Jinwoo’s guide and how he’d often stop and do light exercise. But such memories soon made her face stiffen. Sir Jinwoo used to exercise but they were just simple push-ups and sit-ups.
Esil and Beru’s eyes locked for a moment, and they both promptly nodded silently.
Sir Jinwoo lucked out.
The Monarch of Shadows may have had it a bit easier...
They decided that the past should remain a secret for the sake of Suho’s mental well-being. Thus, an unspoken agreement was made between the two.
***
[Daily Quest: “Iron Body Technique Training” has been completed.]
[100 push-ups: Complete (100/100)
100 sit-ups: Complete (100/100)
100 squats: Complete (100/100)
Run 10 km: Complete (10/10)
All tasks require you to carry Ammut.]
“It’s finally over!” Wrapped entirely in bandages, Suho collapsed to the ground.
Ammut, showing no sympathy for Suho’s condition, muttered, “Huh, this really is possible.”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing, ahem. I knew it was possible! But the only one to succeed until now was the Monarch of Iron Body. That’s the truth!” Ammut shifted its eyes subtly, avoiding Suho’s gaze.
Just then, a message arrived, causing Suho to shift his attention away from the crocor.
[Completion rewards have arrived.]
[Would you like to accept the rewards?] (Y/N)
[The following reward will be given.
Reward 1. Health Restoration
Reward 2. Attribute Points +3
Reward 3. 1 Random Box]
The system offered the same rewards as the time he had defeated one hundred goblins.
Rewards are great, but why do feel like I’m getting the short end of the stick? “Accept everything.”
Being on the verge of collapse, Suho used his first reward to recover instantly. He leaped up, feeling lighter and fresh.
Ammut’s eyes gleamed with apparent interest. “Impressive. You’re more durable than I thought.”
Suho then invested all his ability points into Strength—the most essential stat for the daily quests ahead. He saved the best for last, and he opened the much-anticipated random box.
[Item : “Mummy’s Bandages” has been acquired.]
“You’ve got to be kidding me!”
Suho couldn’t hold back his disappointment. But having experienced the item’s effectiveness firsthand, he knew that the bandages were indeed excellent.
[Item : Mummy’s Bandages
Acquisition Difficulty : C
Type : Consumable
The magical bandages created by Grand Spellcaster Kandiaru.
The item helps forcibly move the body, even in a critical condition.
(Selling this item via the store means it will be available to purchase.)]
Suho sold the bandages at the store without hesitation.
[Item : “Mummy’s Bandages” has been added to the purchase list.]
[In the future, you can buy “Item : Mummy’s Bandages” at the store.]
The bandages had no healing effect, but it was highly effective when used in combination with potions. Above all, the self-wrapping spell on the bandages was most convenient.
But I still feel like I was cheated... Suho thought.
Ammut dispelled its spirit form and reverted to its daunting physical form.
“Job well done. This marks the end of today’s training. Why don’t try using your skill from earlier?”
“What? Are you talking about Smash?”
“Yes, the inferior skill with the lame name.”
The insult didn’t feel great, but Suho cast Ruler’s Authority, imbueing its power on his fist.
[Skill: “Smash” has activated.]
The gauntlet-like shadow wrapped around Suho’s fist and extended beyond his elbow, covering his shoulder.
[Skill: “Smash” will be upgraded to Skill: “Iron Body Technique”.]