Rookie of the Year 2nd Semester (3)

[Thyrsus No.4: Zephyrus]

[SS+ Rank]

[Special Abilities: Supply Ammunition, Windshot, Acceleration, Protection]

*Supply Ammunition: As long as you have the ammunition, the ammo is automatically loaded into the magazine. Increases the destructive power of bullets by 30%.

*Windshot: Fires a bullet of the wind. The power and speed of the bullet are reinforced with the power of the wind, and a strong shock wave is generated around the impact by the power of vibration.

*Acceleration: Accelerates the user with the power of the wind. Bullet speed is also accelerated.

*Protection: The blessing of strong winds protects the user and strengthens their ability to handle the wind.

[The fourth in a series of pistols, it is an artifact containing the power of strong winds and vibration, and it cannot be used by anyone else other than the owner. Its power increases when it is held by the owner.]

“…” After school on Tuesday, Baek In-ha stood blankly holding the pistol he had received from Kang Shin-hyuk.

“What is this?”

“Thyrsus is the pine cone staff that lord Bacchus carries. Zephyr is the god of the west wind, so it is an artifact that faithfully embodies the power of the wind.”

“No! Why am I holding a treasure that only a high-ranker would have?!”

“That’s a good question. Welcome to Masked Bacchus.” Along with that, Kang Shin-hyuk handed him a half-face mask that he had purchased from the Hero Universe. It was the same artifact he used when he worked, which cost a whopping 12 million HP (bought at 7.5 million HP at the special VIP price).

“What, what do I have to do to receive this? What is Masked Bacchus? Are there any beauties?”

“We’re a group that aims for mankind’s peace and Claire’s self-satisfaction, transcending the interests of each country. We mainly engage in dressing up and dealing with illegal gates.”

“Are you trying to match your girlfriend?”

“This kid is smart..?” However, while Baek grumbled, he accepted the two items offered. Kang Shin-hyuk’s proposal wasn’t so bad. The fashion sense was off, but if he could build a close relationship with them, he wouldn’t lose out. Besides, it meant getting some very useful artifacts.

“More importantly, Algiers and Na-hee are pretty. I can’t help but accept it!”

“You really said it out loud.” Kang Shin-hyuk shook his head, but Baek was shameless.

“Aren’t you with Claire? Why do you care?”

“Apart from what they think of you… do you really have any intention of getting involved in the first place?” The idea that this guy was quite sleazy couldn’t be erased. Baek looked at him seriously, stopping his thoughts.

“Look at my eyes burning with passion for my noona.”

“Yes, go away.” He gave him what he wanted to, so he didn’t need to hang out with Baek anymore. Kang Shin-hyuk sent a text to Claire, letting her know he secured a new member, then headed off to the training center in Blackwood. He had delivered Lee Na-hee her pistol directly when they worked together yesterday, so that only left Eleanor.

“Oh, Shin-hyuk’s here!”

“Catch him!”

“Uh, huh? What?!” The members who had been training outside threw their weapons down and rushed him. While he was caught off guard in embarrassment, they picked him up and carried him. He made sure to remember the face of one who touched his ass amid the confusion.

“We should celebrate you clearing the S-class gate!”

“Why didn’t you come sooner? We’ve been preparing since yesterday!”

“Our Rookie King has completely turned Shinyoung upside down!” They brought him to the same yard they had the barbecue party before. Do Woojin was stoking the flames waiting for them.

“Our Woojin cooks pretty well.”

“He’s a good boy.”

“Let’s have a barbecue!” Shin-hyuk’s seniors in the Wyvern Knights were quick to find reasons to celebrate and party. His resistance was meaningless, however, as the seniors sat him down next to Eleanor and withdrew.

“Why am I here…?”

“You are the vice-captain.”

“Oh, right. That did happen…” Eleanor smiled at him.

“Even if everyone is tired these days, you appearing on the news has made the Wyvern Knights lively.”

“That… they certainly are.” Just half a year ago, Shinyoung’s students had only focused on studying and training. But after the occurrence of the fourth countercurrent in Korea and Jormungand’s raid on Paris, as well as the gate incidence rate increasing, the students had been recruited to the field. Just one week had passed, but the students’ stress was no joke. But Kang Shin-hyuk and Baek In-ha’s performance at the gate seemed to have alleviated their moods just a bit.

“It’s become so bothersome lately.”

“Does it suit your taste better to hide and move around?” Kang Shin-hyuk shrugged at Eleanor’s mischievous expression.

“The high-rankers are being dragged around and given a hard time too.”

“I’m used to it now. I’ll be at the center of the world someday.” Eleanor could say such a thing with confidence. Karen intervened before he could respond, however, pushing cooked meat in front of him.

“Now, eat a lot! You can’t leave until you eat all of it!”

“Wow?!”

“Look at you, taking care of Shin-hyuk.”

“Huh, what?”

“It’s not like that!” Karen shouted at her seniors as Kang Shin-hyuk quietly munched on the food given to him.

“Karen also wore a mask before… no, let’s not make her one.’ Kang Shin-hyuk secretly delivered Eleanor her pistol after the seniors calmed down and left them be.

“What is this?”

“It’s a weapon for when we work as Masked Bacchus. I made sure it can use your trait.”

“My trait with a gun…?” Eleanor tilted her head, but her eyes widened when she read the artifact’s information. It was an SS+ rank artifact, just like each one of the Thyrsus series. All of them had different abilities, but none were lacking. The only exception was Kang Shin-hyuk’s.

“I can’t accept this.”

“What if you agree to give me the monster parts obtained when you work as, and with Masked Bacchus in the future?”

“Even then, it’s still too much.”

“Take it, everyone’s got one.”

“…Na-hee too?” When Kang Shin-hyuk nodded, she quieted down and picked it up.

“I will reward you by killing a lot of strong enemies with this. I’ll kill a lot of them.” For some reason, her attitude appeared to change instantly.

“There’ll probably be a call for the team members sooner or later.”

“Ah…” Shin Eun-hyuk was officially recognized as fifth place in the international rankings. If he continued to do nothing, it wouldn’t look good. So, yesterday after the party, Claire, Shin Eunah, and he accepted a request from the association under the name of Masked Bacchus to proceed with work. The identities of Claire and Shin Eunah would be known to the association even if they wore masks, so it would prove they were working hard at the same time.

“In that case, you’ll be able to play more freely. You’re too strong to be trapped in the framework of the school.”

“Yes…” Eleanor had hidden too much until now. She needed to be free of the burden of the royal family. In that sense, she needed the mask the most.

“Thanks. Well… can you help me practice with the gun?”

“If it’s at a basic level, sure.” She was a training enthusiast second to none, so she could learn how to use it in no time. Eleanor nodded with a shy smile.

“Let’s go see the wyvern after we eat.”

“Yeah.”

“A mask for the wyvern too…”

“No, that’s impossible.” The other members had no idea what sort of conversation they were having.

“Karen’s pretty too, but after all…”

“Eleanor wins out.” The seniors were bluntly discussing their own matters while Karen stuffed her face with food.

“The captain is skilled.”

Only

“Will there be a public wedding with the former wyvern knights, you think?”

“Stop it, former captain Douglas Payne will come after you.” Thus, the seniors chatted as they ate, some of whom were once in the previous captain’s faction exchanged uneasy glances.

“I heard Lee Na-hee said she was going for Shin-hyuk.”

“Eh, the number one in last year’s popularity vote?”

“This year, the students had to secretly vote since the festival was canceled, but Lee Na-hee will probably win it again.”

“No, I believe our captain will do well this year.”

Kang Shin-hyuk decided to ignore the rumors circulating around him.

And so, the second semester began in earnest.