Volume 6 Chapter 31-2 There's This Convenient Power-Up Method Called Rune, Right
Cory tilted his head, asking Randy about the progress of his lecture.
"Well, I think I've been able to share with you all about the beasts in the shallow to mid-levels of the Beast Forest. Today I was thinking about the Grim Bear I encountered yesterday..."
Cory showed him part of the Beast Guide he was supervising.
The well-drawn giant and fierce-looking bear was undoubtedly that of the Grim Bear.
"Green bear, huh..."
Randy muttered, and from the back of the auditorium, Harrison's exasperated voice reached him, "It's a Grim Bear, you know."
"Doesn't matter as long as you understand."
Snorting, Randy turned to Cory.
"From shallow to mid-layers... well, you explained the beasts in the area where adventurers dive, right?"
"Yes. I thought an explanation was unnecessary for everyone, but the weaknesses and taboos differ for each beast."
Since there are beasts that appear to complement those weaknesses, you can't let your guard down, even in the shallow layers of Beast Forest.
The earlier Grim Bear is a rare case, but basically, various beasts sometimes cooperate and sometimes fight against each other.
The phenomenon of different beasts appearing together, often seen in games, is a natural occurrence in reality.
Yet, even such beasts can significantly reduce damage if they can accurately target each other's weaknesses or negate each other's strengths.
Hearing Cory's 'perfectly tailored' explanation, Randy nodded appreciatively, "As expected."
"Alright, everyone needs to hammer in the weaknesses and fighting styles of the beasts."
Satisfied, Randy turned to the Knights.
"From now on, we have a gift for all of you."
At Randy's words, the Knights showed clear signs of discontent.
"Don't look so happy. It's a rune-embroidered cloak."
Beside Randy, Liz pulled out a beautifully folded mantle from thin air.
It was a cloak called Tabarka, which the Knights wear over their armor when they operate outside, resembling a vest.
The sleeveless coat, divided into left and right, has a simple structure secured by a waist cord.
Unlike the coat Harrison wore in Waldner, it still has the brigade flag of the Victor Knight Brigade painted on the back.
"Borrowing a spare coat... Liz wove runes for me. Well, about the runes..."
Randy borrowed a sword from a nearby Knight and took out a chunk of mithril from his magic bag.
"This is a chunk of mithril, and this steel sword..."
Turning to Liz, Randy, who had the runes that enhance sharpness and cutting edge applied, lightly pressed the sword against the mithril chunk.
The phenomenon of the mithril chunk being cut without resistance elicited an involuntary exclamation of "oh!" from the Knights.
"So, this is how runes give power..."
Turning to Liz again, Randy, who removed the runes from the sword, returned the sword to the Knight.
"Now, gentlemen. Here is such a dreamy mantle... what would you do with it?"
Randy smiled smugly, and the Knights tightened their expressions in unison.
"Well, it's a very kind offer..."
"We have confidence in our bodies and skills that we have honed daily."
"That's right, that's right..."
Facing the Knights who refused one after another, Randy nodded satisfactorily, "Mm-hmm," while Liz looked surprised, comparing Randy and the Knights.
"See? I told you. Our Knights are excellent."
Smiling smugly, Randy tossed the mantle to the nearest Knight, saying, "Well, put it on."
"But..."
"It's not what you think."
As the young Knight reluctantly put on the coat as Randy said, at that moment...
"My body... feels heavy?"
The Knight's muttered words caused the others to start buzzing.
"I'm not going to make items that let you power up without training, right?"
Randy, with a bad expression, began distributing the coats, saying, "Everyone, put these on."
"The trained body and skills are everything. Then I'll make it easier for you to train. This is what you might call a Victor cultivation mantle."
Everyone doesn't understand what's going on, but the only thing they know is that this coat hinders their movements and prevents them from using their abilities as usual.
It's a shackle.
"You heard Cory, right? How to defeat the beast. And... what would make the *other party angry*?"
At Randy's smile, Cory pulled a strained smile, "You're serious..."
"That's serious. For those without confidence, find their weakness. For those with confidence, those who seek higher heights... understand?"
Randy flashed a mischievous grin, the kind that sent a chill down the spines of the Knights—even as they forced smiles of their own.
Making beasts go berserk, forcing them into a heightened state of aggression, then having to take them down while wearing restraints—what kind of training was this?
Of course, if it was Randy's training, it could only be this insane.
"Young Lord never fails to be..."
"...utterly ridiculous."
"Hah... but I can't lie. This is exciting. You're telling me I can get even stronger than this?"
The Knights trembled—not from fear, but from pure, unfiltered thrill. Seeing their reaction, Randy smirked.
"We're doing practical training this afternoon, right?"
His voice was casual, but his expression made it clear—he was planning something.
"Today, we'll keep it simple—sparring at the training grounds. Get used to moving with those restraints."
At his command, a wave of eager voices echoed throughout the room.
"And starting tomorrow... you'll be pushing your limits."
Then, with an exaggerated motion, Randy pulled up his shirt, revealing the runes marked onto his skin.
"Just so you know—I've had mine on 24 hours straight."
A ripple of shock ran through the Knights. First whispers, then full-blown murmurs, and finally an electrified roar of determination. The sheer hype in the air was almost suffocating.
Cory, on the other hand, looked completely overwhelmed.
His eyes darted around, taking in the Knights' feverish excitement, before Randy's voice cut through the noise.
"What about you? You in?"
Cory froze. Then, with a wry smile, he looked down.
"Someone like me...?"
"What are you talking about? The best time to start training is the moment you want to."
Something shifted in Cory's expression. He raised his head, hesitation fading.
"Do you think... I can get stronger?"
"Of course you can. You've got the guts for it."
Cory clenched his fists, his voice firm.
"Then—please!"
"That's the spirit. You're a real man now."
Randy grinned, then glanced toward Liz.
"You heard him."
Liz let out a dramatic sigh, but there was amusement in her eyes as she traced runes onto Cory's clothes—'Suppression' and 'Weight Increase.'
"You know... I'm pretty sure this isn't how runes are meant to be used."
Still, despite her complaints, she couldn't help but smile at the sight of Cory's excitement.
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