The Diamond Extra

Today's combat training and theory classes ended, but I still had to attend the academic club in exhaustion. After that, I also had my daily workout. The agony of the future I got from the laptop system is changing made me depressed.

I headed to the academic club and spotted Mira Roodes stepping out of a building. Perhaps this was her usual route or we just had similar preferences.

Mira Roodes didn't see me and continued walking. She took out a hand mirror and lightly checked her appearance in front of the clubroom. Then we suddenly made eye contact.

"What a coincidence, right?"

Mira Roodes didn't notice me and walked on without pause. Just outside the clubroom, she pulled out a sleek hand mirror and gave her reflection a light once-over, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Then, without warning, our eyes met.

Not long afterward, 43 first years arrived along with 20 upperclassmen. At 8 on the dot, Drake Bowman began the first lecture.

"Good evening, everyone. The weather's starting to get…"

Any useless talk went through one ear and left the other.

"Today, we will discuss the vital points of monsters. As I'm sure you all know, finding vital points is essential to defeating monsters. Senior Julia Seo is an excellent example of this skill.

A hologram of Julia Seo's stats projected on the screen. A hero's stats could be summarized into strength, dexterity, endurance, constitution, and magic power. Julia Seo's stats were all under C+ and B rank except for dexterity, which was at SS rank. She is among one of the top hero's in the world

"Senior Julia Seo even hunted a high rank monster by herself."

As he said, Julia Seo was a well-known hero in Belester and around the world. Although she had an introverted personality, I was sure we would meet since she is a powerful person.

"But don't think a monster's vital points are the same as a human's. Our eyes, heart, and head serve as vital points, but that isn't always the case for monsters."

The higher a monster's rank, the more obscure its vital points.

"Now, let's take a look at an example."

A hologram of a monster appeared on the screen. It looked similar to a mountain tyrant, but its giant body, bloodshot eyes, and ferocious teeth indicated it wasn't a normal.

"This monster is called the tiger tyrant. It can be classified anywhere from C+ to B/A rank. It has been known for 50 years as one of the first monsters to appear during Outburst, but its vital point still hasn't been discovered."

With that, Drake Bowman paused and smiled.

"At least, that's how it is publicly. In reality, an individual or guild wouldn't reveal it even if they knew. They likely wouldn't be allowed to either."

He was right. Information was an industry in this world. Some large corporations solely focused on researching monsters. Private detectives and agencies also gathered and sold this information on a smaller scale. All of them would heavily penalize leaking such information.

Of course, publicly releasing this information would greatly benefit humanity, but the power of capitalism prevailed.

"Now, where do you think is the mountain tyrant's vital point?"

Drake Bowman gave Mira Roodes a meaningful look. She likely had no clue. I saw it but as the world setting is changing I kept quiet.

"…"

As I thought, she didn't know. She fiddled with her hair and looked around, ashamed of not knowing.

"Would anyone like to guess?"

Of course, I knew the answer. It was a good opportunity to stand out, but I refrained. Drake Bowman acted like he knew with a pretentious face, which irritated me. I wanted to see what he was scheming.

"I…"

A girl suddenly raised her hand. I was surprised. Who the heck was that?

"Is it his nose?"

She guessed with a flushed face. She was just an extra who fell for Drake Bowman.

***

The academic club continued for one and half hours. Unexpectedly, there was a lot to learn like the vital points of certain monsters, compatibility between attributes, and the difference between monsters.I learned the details of things I had never heard before.

"We have an after-party at a nearby restaurant! It'll be great if you can come!"

Drake Bowman announced as the club ended. Mira Roodes seemed interested for some reason. I felt a bit worried and followed her. I knew she wasn't the type to participate in things like this.

"Hey, you going?"

I casually approached her and asked. She didn't respond. Maybe because of how I said it, so I asked again.

"Are you going?"

She continued to ignore me. I asked even more politely this time.

"Are you also going to the after-party, Mira?"

Only then did she respond with a faint nod.

"Why? Aren't you busy?"

"Tsk." This fool. That was what her eyes were saying.

"Why are you going?"

I wanted to know.

"Aren't you curious about the tiger tyrant's vital point?"

"Huh?"

Oh, I get it now.

Public information on the tiger tyrant was scarce, to say the least. Not only did its strength vary greatly from individual to individual, but it also lived in an extremely remote location. Although the tiger tyrant's body is sold for a hefty price, it was hard to plan a hunt without knowing for sure how many people to bring.

Mira Roodes was the successor of a major guild, so Drake Bowman acted like he knew to approach her. I don't know how Drake Bowman managed coax Mira Roodes. It seemed her guild was the key to luring her. Mira Roodes's clan had risen to power during Outburst 50 years ago thanks to the massive success of her family's first head. Her family was still a successful hero clan, but Mira Roodes had a bit of an inferiority complex. She felt her family was lacking compared to a true noble clan. This was why she favored Louis Hall

"The tiger tyrant's vital point?"

Was this a good chance to invest? I could gain a lot from a cordial relationship with Mira Roodes. She would become the future ruler of Caelus with her outstanding proficiency in business.

"I'm not curious. I already know."

"What?"

Mira Roodes asked again as she furrowed her brows. She looked thoroughly annoyed on top of disbelief. I made my decision. Using this information, which would eventually become public, I would draw Mira Roodes's interest and instill a sense of mystery into her. It was an acceptable trade considering the SP and additional benefits I would gain. I whispered the information to her in a serious tone.

"The tiger tyrant's vital point is the blue star on his leg.

"What nonsense are you…"

"There's a blue star on the back of its leg, but its DNA determines whether it's the right or left hind leg. That's probably why its vital point hasn't been discovered yet."

"The tiger tyrant's body is tough, but the blue star on its leg is the only place that's soft. That's the tiger tyrant's vital point. It should be easy to attack the legs if you strategize around this."

The value of this information had to be tens of millions, but it likely wouldn't be over 100 considering my current credibility.

"Nuthead."

As expected, Mira Roodes looked at me disdainfully like an insect. She walked away as I followed.

"It's true. Believe me."

"Would you believe me if our positions were switched?"

"…"

Of course, I wouldn't believe her either.

"It's your choice whether to believe me or not."

I hoped she would.

"Hey!"

Drake Bowman suddenly cut in between us. He slightly shoved me back. Which I found annoying.

"Don't you think you're being too pushy?"

I had to look up to this cheesy son of a bitch's height, so I turned to Mira Roodes

"Am I bothering you?"

"Yes."

She coldly replied.

"Heh."

Drake Bowman's mocking laughter angered me.

"By the way, are you also coming to the after-party?"

He spoke condescendingly. I shook my head.

"I'm not."

"Then don't bother other people too much. Um, Mira?"

However, Mira Roodes had already walked away.

"Heh."

I returned what I received. Drake Bowman chased after her with a distorted face. I simply watched them leave.

I gave Mira Roodes a valuable information, but I didn't know whether she would use it or not. If she did, I would gain a profitable ally. If not… nothing would happen.

I didn't need her trust. Not yet. But I needed her to grow. Because if she didn't…"

Well i had nothing to lose.

***

On a dark cold night, Mira Roodes deeply contemplated as she tapped her pen on the desk.

Tomorrow, Starlight Guide's elite raid team would hunt a tiger tyrant. They had secretly purchased information about a lone tiger tyrant in Managa Mountain and already confirmed its size with a scout.

It was estimated to be a B rank, grade S monster. The strength of its pelt reached Mountain, a tough monster that came with the Outburst. As such, the guild would gain an astronomical income if they succeeded.

Mira Roodes was worried about one thing. It wasn't the safety of the elite hunting team, but the current vice-leader of Starlight Guide who held too much power. She felt that threatened her seat as the guild's successor. She had to start contributing to inherit the guild without any issues.

Mira Roodes turned on her smartwatch and made a phone call. Soon, the receiver picked up and a hologram appeared.

"Um, sir?"

— Yes, Young Lady.

Sunny Sung appeared on the screen. He was a veteran in his forties, her father's trusted right hand. Mira Roodes treated him like her real uncle ever since she was a child.

— What's wrong?

She made the call, but was too embarrassed to say anything.

A blue star on its leg? You can disable both of its legs by attacking it? Just what was I doing, fooled by that nuthead's nonsense?

"Um, I'm saying this just in case…"

The possibility wasn't zero and it wouldn't hurt to try. It came from that nutjob, but he had to have a reason for being so confident. Mira Roodes justified it to herself and caught her breath.

— Yes, Young Lady?

"Um, I know i sounds crazy, but…"

She closed her eyes and clenched her fists.

"If things are looking rough, try looking at the blue stars on it's legs."

— black stars?

Sunny Sung furrowed his brows. Mira Roodes knew what that meant, but if she could be of use and this information was real…

"Yes, the blue Star on the legs'… heels. Either on its left or right heel, there should be… Well, I'm not sure if it's true, but…"

Mira Roodes continued while risking embarrassment.

"If there is a blue Star there, try aiming for that place."