Not long after the midterm exams ended.
Cheonma contacted me.
Cheonma: Send me a photo.
Me: Gifts first!
Cheonma: You little sht, talking back again!*
Me: Taking Hyeji with you?
Cheonma: Sorry, but I can talk casually with you.
The gift was ready, so we decided to go to the Martial Artist Concept Guild this weekend.
Hyeji didn’t tag along.
There was a heartfelt request from Cheonma, and he mentioned he had to go somewhere else briefly this weekend.
So this time, it was just me, Jeong Ahyeon, and Elcia traveling together.
As soon as I entered, I was met with a plethora of weapons and fierce glares.
It felt like they were threatening me, ready to pounce if I even slightly misbehaved.
But it was no problem at all.
Get lost, you little sht!*
If you touch my husband, you won’t get off easy!
I had my signature move, Cheonma Repulsor.
This time, Elcia stood in for Hyeji.
At Elcia’s icy voice, the Martial Artists started putting away their weapons one by one, and just then, Cheonma appeared through the wall.
As expected, Jeong Ahyeon seamlessly joined the Martial Artists to fix the wall.
Cheonma approached us with more confidence than ever.
With Hyeji absent, it made sense he would be so bold.
You’re here!
Gift.
Just wait a bit. I’ll show you around here—
Gift!
You sht!*
Cheonma sighed deeply, then started leading us somewhere.
The destination was an old door deep inside the guild.
Cheonma was about to explain something to us in front of the door.
This is…
Forget it, gift!
Listen to what I have to say!!!!
I’m busy, fck.*
At that moment, a growl echoed from Elcia’s stomach.
I couldn’t help but get a little playful.
Elcia, your husband is going in, so you should come with!
Thank you! It’s my role as a wife to guard the place where my husband will return!
Where do you think you’re going, you married woman?
Despite saying that, she looked like she was about to follow me.
I sighed and then spoke.
Go to the lounge and grab something to eat.
I was waiting for those words! I’ll be back!
Hey, wait! Just leave some snacks for me!
Elcia started staring at me intently.
As if demanding an answer.
Ah, I permit it. Eat it all.
Yes!!!!
[…That’s just a pink grasshopper. She’ll eat it all without a trace.]
‘Anyway, since there are no people around, someone has to survive, right?’
Elcia promptly left her seat.
Probably heading to the pantry or break room.
Then Cheonma, unable to hold back his frustration, grabbed me by the collar.
You little sht!!!*
Hehehe. Your snacks? If you’re late, they’ll all be gone.
Grrr! Hurry up and follow me!!!
Despite roughly dropping my collar, Cheonma cautiously opened the door in front of us.
As we entered, Cheonma began explaining.
This is the secret meeting place of this guild.
You preparing for a surprise gift?
Just follow me, please shut your mouth.
The open door didn’t lead straight into a room, but into a dark passage.
How long had we been walking behind Cheonma?
A solid steel door came into view.
As I grabbed the doorknob, Cheonma suddenly spoke up.
You can’t open it with normal methods.
Is that so?
He seemed supremely confident.
Almost taunting me to try.
So I grabbed the doorknob.
Then pushed to the side and opened the door.
Ah, no way! How did you know this?!
Because idiots think just the same way.
The door resembled a sliding door fitted with a long handle, like the ones in the Chief’s secret space.
[…Both the Chief and these idiots stick to such approaches.]
‘I figured something might work since there were no humans around, and it worked!’
The view inside was bizarre.
Under the dim light, there was one chair and numerous ominous-looking tools around it.
Drills. Saws. Awls. Machetes. Clubs. Knives. Pincers, and the like.
No matter how you looked at it, it was more like a torture chamber than a secret meeting place.
And standing confidently in that eerie space was a woman.
Her hair hastily tied up. Deep dark circles under her eyes.
Contrasting starkly with her pale skin, almost sickly white.
Wearing shabby jeans and a t-shirt, with a yellowing white gown over it.
Her expression was blank, her eyes deadpan.
She didn’t even change her expression upon seeing Cheonma.
An appearance that looked far from normal.
The woman briefly glanced at me before turning back to Cheonma.
Is this the guy?
Yeah, is everything you prepared as I requested?
Of course.
Then she looked back at me.
So, are you the one getting the modification operation this time?
…What?
I thought I misheard.
I said modification operation.
…
I definitely heard right.
‘Am I in a Space Marine modification place? Did I mistakenly come to the Warhammer universe?’
[Unfortunately, it’s still the Academy universe.]
‘…Still?’
At that moment, the woman suddenly pointed to a chair in the middle of the room.
Sit down.
…It’s okay, right?
You’ll find out once you sit. We’re short on time, so hurry.
Shinwoo, sit quickly. It’s a gift.
Cheonma clung to my shoulder as if he wouldn’t let me go until I received the gift.
In the end, there was only one option.
I obediently went to the chair and sat down.
The chair resembled a dental chair, having a long backrest where I could lay down.
However, there was one clear difference.
And that was.
Click.
Fck?*
As soon as I sat, the chair suddenly clamped down on my body.
Neck. Waist. Arms. Wrists. Thighs. Ankles.
It felt like I wouldn’t be allowed any movement at all.
In the moment I couldn’t budge, the woman began to develop a sinister smile.
A drastic change from her earlier blank expression.
A chill ran down my spine.
So, this guy is the one getting the magical power tattoo?
Wait! Fck! I never said I would do this!*
Right. I have a request for you.
No, you crazy bastards! I never said I would do this!
Got it. I’ll get ready soon.
Magical Power Tattoo.
Adding a pathway for magical flow in the desired area to ease its use.
Depending on the existence of the tattoo, the degree of magical operation can change drastically.
However, since it’s not a naturally formed pathway, side effects are definitely involved.
Getting a magical power tattoo is akin to forcing a permanent waterway into a spring of magical power.
Since it’s an artificially added pathway, it would cause magical power to constantly flow towards the tattoo.
Meaning, it’s an extension of constant physical enhancement.
If you’re used to physical enhancement, there’d be no side effects, but if you’re not, the side effects could be severe.
Blood could burst around the tattoo, or the tattoo area could rupture.
In severe cases, that area might necrose, or the entire pathway could explode.
So it’s not very recommended in the Academy.
It’s hard to find a qualified operator, and very few can physically enhance enough to even get a magical power tattoo.
If you’re going to spend time on physical enhancement, it’s much more efficient to boost ability usage.
[You wouldn’t be free from side effects, would you? And as introduced by Cheonma, she seems like a trustworthy operator.]
‘F*ck, that’s not the point.’
Certainly, as Piece said, getting a magical power tattoo offers only benefits.
Being constantly physically enhanced means I could better withstand the recoil of the Cheonma Repulsor, and using it would become easier.
However, I didn’t want this at all.
For good reason, since forcing the magical pathway would incur excruciating pain.
No, pain so severe that dying would be better.
There have even been cases of death before.
But at this point, it was already too late.
I was going to receive this gift against my will.
At that moment, the woman approached me, bound to the chair, and began to speak.
First, put this in your mouth. It’ll alleviate some pain.
Is it a painkiller?
No, it’s a mouthpiece.
Immediately, the woman shoved a mouthpiece into my mouth.
Since it’ll hurt anyway, it’s a consideration to tell me to bite down.
While the woman left briefly, I started interrogating Cheonma.
Hey, what the fck is this gift you little sht!
If you’ve reached that level in physical enhancement, then you won’t lose by accepting it. Just shut up and die… I mean, let’s get the surgery done.
Fck! You just said I might die, right? Speak properly! You bald-headed little sht!!
[My dear…]
‘Piece, what is it?’
[Farewell. I’ll look for another protagonist.]
‘Don’t give up! I’m not dead yet!’
Before long, the woman returned.
Carrying a glowing branding iron that shone bright red in the darkness.
…Why did you bring the branding iron?
A magical power tattoo requires slightly breaking the existing pathway and creating a new one.
What does that have to do with torture, you fcking btch!
This is a branding iron that only touches the magical circuit. The pain remains, but externally, there won’t be severe damage. Don’t worry, it’s similar to a burn injection.
Then the woman started pressing the branding iron to the back of my right hand.
Sizzle.
Ahhhhh!!! A burn injection? You’re burning me!!!!
Just hold on. Three more spots left.
Come on! Isn’t this pushing it too far?!
At that moment, Cheonma shot a menacing glance at the woman.
The woman, still keeping the iron pinned to my hand, merely turned her head to look at Cheonma.
What?
Why are you having all the fun by yourself? Let me have a turn!
Then you do the left one.
Thanks.
Thanks for what, you little sht! Aaaahhh!*
Cheonma wasted no time and started pressing the branding iron against my left hand.
The nauseating smell of burning flesh and the metallic scent of blood threatened to overwhelm my senses.
There was no way to flail around.
The chains binding my limbs rejected any movement.
In the end, the only things I could express were screams and gasps.
Huff… huff… Is it over yet?
No, you still have the tops of your feet left.
Stop you bastards!!!
Shinwoo, I’m a bit hard of hearing, so you’ll have to say that louder.
Cheonma grinned and demanded I speak louder, as if challenging me.
Even a bald-headed sht thinks he can grow hair for eternity!*
I’ll do the left foot too.
Fine.
Stop it!!!
Immediately, both Cheonma and the woman started pressing the branding iron against the tops of my feet.
I thrashed so hard it felt like the chair might rip off, but it was useless.
Finally, after a prolonged scream, the torture-like time came to an end.
The woman wiped the sweat from her face and removed the branding iron, looking relieved.
Alright, now I will start tattooing.
At that moment, the woman suddenly froze.
A number appeared above her head, and she started sweating profusely.
Seeing this, Cheonma suddenly showed concern.
What’s going on?
Ah… that, can you bring over some potions?
The woman started scratching her face, wearing a troubled expression.
I accidentally burned her with the real branding iron.
Hey, you btch!!!!!!!!!!!!*
I shouted at the top of my lungs while cursing her out.
But the woman shrugged, acting as if she couldn’t help it.
I genuinely felt like killing her.
Now that I checked, it should be okay.
That should’ve been checked from the start!!!
No, it’s been a while since I’ve had such a lively test subject.
Just then, Cheonma came back with several red potions and poured them on my hands and feet.
A fleeting warmth.
Then the skin gradually began to heal.
[You’re still alive, huh?]
‘You fcking btch.’
Once all my wounds healed, the woman brought out another branding iron.
I’ll start from the top again.
Just kill me! You old maid!
I’m anti-marriage!!!!!
The woman started pressing my hand again.
With a hint of emotion in her movements.
Cheonma, too, said nothing and joined her in pressing down my hand.
By the time I finally left that torture chamber,
About two hours had passed.
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