Dawn Infiltration
4:50 AM. Min-woo opened his eyes before his alarm could ring. The steady breathing of his roommates filled the dormitory room, but his heart was beating loudly like a drum.
'Finally, the first operation.'
The conversation he had with Ji-eun last night came vividly to mind. She also knew about White Lotus Root and even had experience harvesting it. The information that "it's only effective when harvested at dawn with dew present" was also provided by her.
[Daily Quest Activated]
Objective: Harvest 3 White Lotus Roots
Time Limit: Dawn 5-7 AM (2 hours)
Current Time: 04:52
Risk Level: Medium (penalty points if caught trespassing)
Reward: Material acquisition + Adventure Experience +15
Min-woo carefully got out of bed and put on the dark-colored athletic wear he had prepared in advance. His pockets contained a small shovel, a cloth bag, and a flashlight for unexpected situations.
The dormitory corridor was quiet. The security guard's patrol time was 5:30 AM, so everything had to be finished before then. Min-woo quietly went down to the first floor using the emergency stairs.
At the meeting place behind the Central Library, Ji-eun was already waiting. She was also wearing black athletic wear, which made her look completely different from her usual neat appearance. She looked like a real infiltration agent.
"You're early?" Min-woo said in a small voice.
"I couldn't sleep, so I've been here since 4 o'clock." Ji-eun smiled. "I'm nervous because it's my first time doing something like this."
Min-woo looked at her face carefully. He could feel both excitement and nervousness simultaneously in her slightly flushed cheeks and sparkling eyes. Her appearance seemed somehow more attractive than usual.
"But will it really be okay? We'll get penalty points if we're caught." Ji-eun asked worriedly.
"If we just harvest 3 White Lotus Roots, we can save 2,400 nyang. With that money, we can buy other safety devices too." Min-woo answered with a confident voice. "Besides, it'll be safer since we're doing it together."
[Companion System Activated]
Party Formation: Kang Min-woo + Choi Ji-eun
Complementary Effects: Risk detection +30%, Work efficiency +25%
Special Effect: Cooperation bonus (mutual support in emergencies)
Ji-eun nodded. "Right, it was something I was going to try alone anyway. It feels more reassuring doing it together."
The two headed toward the back garden. Crescent Moon Martial University's back garden was a place where student access was normally restricted. It was to prevent unauthorized harvesting of rare herbs and special plants needed for cultivation.
The low stone wall surrounding the back garden wasn't very high, but there were 'No Entry' signs posted everywhere. Min-woo and Ji-eun found the most secluded spot and climbed over the wall.
"Wow..." Ji-eun let out a small exclamation.
The back garden shrouded in dawn mist was like a mysterious other world. Various herbs were carefully cultivated around the pond, and dew-covered leaves sparkled like jewels under the faint dawn light.
[Special Environment Detected]
Area: Back garden herb field
Time Zone: Dawn (optimal harvesting conditions)
Humidity: 90% (maximum dew effect)
Martial Arts Aura: Faintly detected (influence of herbs)
"Over there!" Min-woo pointed near the pond. "The ones with white flowers are White Lotus Root."
Thanks to the system's detection function, he could accurately locate the White Lotus Root. 3-4 plants of White Lotus Root were growing along the pond's edge, covered with dew.
"It's really amazing. Seeing it at dawn like this makes it look even more beautiful." Ji-eun gazed in fascination.
The two carefully approached the pond's edge. The soil underfoot was moist, so they had to be careful not to leave footprints. Min-woo took out his small shovel and began digging up the first White Lotus Root.
"You can't damage the roots. That's how the effects are maintained." Ji-eun advised from beside him.
"How do you know all that?" Min-woo wondered.
"My mother used to be a traditional Korean medicine doctor. I heard a lot about herbs from childhood." Ji-eun smiled gently. "That's how I became interested in defective martial arts too. Martial arts are ultimately about the harmony of body and qi."
Min-woo felt like he was learning a new side of her. She wasn't just a student interested in martial arts theory, but someone with deeper background and knowledge.
When they successfully harvested the first White Lotus Root, the sky began to brighten little by little.
"We need to hurry. It'll be 6 o'clock soon." Ji-eun said, checking her watch.
They were harvesting the second White Lotus Root when it happened. Suddenly, rustling sounds came from the opposite side of the pond.
Min-woo and Ji-eun simultaneously crouched down and looked at each other. Someone else had entered the back garden.
"Could it be a security guard?" Ji-eun mouthed.
But they were even more surprised when they saw who appeared. It wasn't a security guard but a student. And not just any student, but Kim Chul-su, a 4th-year from the Martial Arts Department.
Kim Chul-su was famous as the president of the Defective Martial Arts Research Club. He was usually known as an eccentric, but his passion for martial arts was second to none. Even now, he was earnestly harvesting something on the opposite side of the pond.
[Character Analysis Executing]
Target: Kim Chul-su (Martial Arts Department, 4th Year)
Current Action: Harvesting herbs
Danger Level: Low (not hostile)
Expected Reaction: Curiosity, camaraderie
Recommended Response: Cautious contact
"What, we're not the only ones doing this kind of thing." Min-woo muttered in a small voice.
But at that moment, Kim Chul-su raised his head and looked this way. The moment their eyes met, time seemed to stop.
"Hey? Who's there?" Kim Chul-su shouted loudly.
Min-woo instantly panicked. Should he run away? Or just be honest? But Ji-eun quickly grabbed his hand.
"Let's run!" Ji-eun whispered.
The two simultaneously stood up and began running toward the garden exit. Kim Chul-su's voice could be heard from behind.
"Hey! Wait! Aren't you from the Martial Arts Department?"
But it was already too late. Min-woo and Ji-eun were desperately running away. The problem was that Kim Chul-su was also chasing them. His lightness skill was considerable, befitting a 4th-year student.
"This is bad... if we get caught, it'll really be trouble." Ji-eun said while running.
Right then, the system sent an alert in Min-woo's mind.
[Emergency Situation Detected!]
-- Phantom Step Method usage recommended --
Current Conditions: Emergency situation, practical application possible
Success Rate: 78% (first practical use)
Side Effects: Minor (increased qi consumption)
'Now's the time!'
Min-woo tightly grasped Ji-eun's hand and activated the Phantom Step Method. Suddenly his body became light as a feather and his speed increased dramatically. Ji-eun let out a small scream in surprise.
"How... what is this?"
"I'll explain later!"
With the effect of the Phantom Step Method, their figures began to blur faintly. Combined with the dawn mist, they looked like ghosts. Kim Chul-su was bewildered seeing the two people whose speed had suddenly increased.
"Huh? Wait... could that be...?"
[Phantom Step Method First Practical Use Success!]
Experience Gained: +20 EXP
Proficiency Increased: Phantom Step Method practical adaptation +15%
Special Effect: Successful synchronization with companion
Side Effect: Qi consumption 30% higher than expected
Min-woo and Ji-eun were able to escape over the garden wall to a safe place. However, due to the side effects of using the Phantom Step Method, Min-woo was severely out of breath.
"Are you okay?" Ji-eun asked worriedly.
"I'm fine... just a moment..." Min-woo was catching his breath with his hands on his knees.
Ji-eun looked at Min-woo with a complicated expression. What had just happened was too surreal. Min-woo suddenly achieving tremendous speed, and both their figures becoming blurred—it was all inexplicable.
"Min-woo... what was that just now?" Ji-eun asked carefully.
Min-woo looked into Ji-eun's eyes and felt conflicted. He couldn't tell her about the system, but he had to explain something about what had just happened.
"Well... actually..." Min-woo was about to speak when another voice came from behind.
"Stop right there!"
It was Kim Chul-su. He had climbed over the wall and chased them this far. But strangely, his expression showed no hostility. Rather, it was full of curiosity and interest.
"Wait, you don't need to run away. I was doing the same thing." Kim Chul-su said, showing his hands. His hands held the same herbs as Min-woo and Ji-eun.
Min-woo and Ji-eun looked at each other. If Kim Chul-su's words were true, they weren't the only ones secretly harvesting herbs.
"Were you also harvesting White Lotus Root, senior?" Ji-eun asked carefully.
"That's right. For martial arts research, just like you." Kim Chul-su smiled brightly. "But that technique you just used... is it the Phantom Step Method?"
Min-woo was shocked. Kim Chul-su had recognized the Phantom Step Method.
"How did you...?" Min-woo asked in confusion.
"I'm also someone who researches defective martial arts. The Phantom Step Method is one of the famous defective martial arts. But can you actually use it?" Kim Chul-su's eyes sparkled.
Ji-eun looked at Min-woo. Now everything was beginning to make sense. Min-woo's special analysis ability, and the amazing movement technique he had just shown. Everything was related to defective martial arts.
"Senior, are you from the Defective Martial Arts Research Club..." Min-woo asked carefully.
"That's right! So you're also interested in defective martial arts?" Kim Chul-su said joyfully. "Actually, our research club has been really short on members. Especially people who can actually handle defective martial arts."
[Important Choice Occurred]
A) Partially reveal abilities to Kim Chul-su
B) Decline for now and judge with time
C) Decide after consulting with Ji-eun
Min-woo looked at Ji-eun. She was also looking at Min-woo the same way. Silent communication passed between them.
"Senior," Ji-eun spoke up. "We're also interested in defective martial arts research. But we're still beginners..."
"Beginners? I just saw you use the Phantom Step Method in actual combat!" Kim Chul-su said in amazement. "With that kind of skill, you'd be ace-level in our research club!"
Min-woo could feel Kim Chul-su's sincere proposal. And more than anything, he realized there were limits to handling everything alone.
"Senior, actually..." Min-woo made up his mind and spoke. "I know some methods for analyzing and improving defective martial arts."
Kim Chul-su's eyes grew even bigger. "Really? How?"
"I'll explain the details... later. For now, shall we finish harvesting the White Lotus Root? We don't have much time left." Ji-eun showed her wit.
Kim Chul-su nodded. "Good idea. It'll be faster with three of us."
The three returned to the back garden and harvested the remaining White Lotus Root. With Kim Chul-su's help, they were able to obtain much more material than expected. He also knew the locations of other useful herbs.
"Take this too. It's an herb that helps with qi stabilization." Kim Chul-su handed over several additional materials.
[Unexpected Harvest!]
White Lotus Root: 5 pieces (2 more than target)
Additional Herbs: 3 qi-stabilizing herbs, 2 calming effect herbs
Total Cost Savings: Worth 4,000 nyang
Bonus: Network formation with Kim Chul-su
"Senior, thank you so much." Min-woo expressed his sincere gratitude.
"Don't mention it. But there's a condition." Kim Chul-su smiled playfully. "You both have to join our Defective Martial Arts Research Club."
Ji-eun looked at Min-woo. Min-woo thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright. But we're still beginners, so we might not be much help."
"What are you talking about! Just having someone who can actually use defective martial arts in our research club is tremendous help." Kim Chul-su said excitedly.
"But how did you come to start the Defective Martial Arts Research Club, senior?" Ji-eun asked curiously.
Kim Chul-su's expression became serious for a moment. "Actually... my father was also someone who researched defective martial arts. But he had an accident during research a few years ago. Since then, finding safe utilization methods for defective martial arts has become my goal."
Min-woo and Ji-eun could understand his motivation seeing Kim Chul-su's serious expression. It wasn't simple curiosity but a deeper reason.
"That's why I need people like you even more. Theory alone has its limits. The experience of people who can actually use them is important." Kim Chul-su explained.
The sky began to brighten completely. 7 o'clock was approaching.
"We really have to go now. I have my first class at 8 o'clock." Ji-eun said, checking her watch.
"Right, let's stop here for today. Instead, come to our research club room at 3 PM today. I'll introduce you to the other members and we can talk about serious research." Kim Chul-su suggested.
"Where is the research club room?" Min-woo asked.
"It's a basement storage room. It's nothing special, but it's quiet and good for research." Kim Chul-su smiled. "Building 3, basement level 1, room B-12."
The three headed toward the dormitory and campus via different routes. Min-woo and Ji-eun walked together, organizing what had happened today.
"It was really like an adventure." Ji-eun smiled brightly. "I was scared at first, but it was actually fun once we did it."
"Me too. But... about that technique I showed earlier..." Min-woo carefully brought up the topic.
"Don't worry. I already knew you had special abilities. Ever since I saw that analysis in the library." Ji-eun smiled warmly. "Tell me whenever you want to. I'll wait until then."
Min-woo was moved by Ji-eun's consideration. She was truly an understanding person.
[Companion Relationship Development!]
Trust Level with Choi Ji-eun: 87% → 94%
New Companion Added: Kim Chul-su (Trust Level: 73%)
Defective Martial Arts Research Club Membership Confirmed
Next Stage: Full-scale research club activities begin
"But when we go to the research club this afternoon... what will we be doing?" Ji-eun wondered.
"Probably meeting other members and talking about research directions. And..." Min-woo paused for a moment and said, "I need to decide how much of my abilities to reveal."
"Don't feel too pressured. We're in this together." Ji-eun lightly patted Min-woo's shoulder.
When they arrived at the dormitory, Min-woo realized how many things had happened in just one day. The successful dawn operation, the first practical use of the Phantom Step Method, meeting senior Kim Chul-su, and joining the Defective Martial Arts Research Club.
Experience Settlement: +35 EXP (operation success +15, Phantom Step Method practical use +20)
Current Level: 2 (23/150) - Level Up Achieved!
New Functions Unlocked: Simultaneous analysis of 2 targets, analysis speed 20% improvement
Next Chapter Preview: The secret world of the Defective Martial Arts Research Club...