Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Power Deployment #2

As the proficiency of the Forgery skill went over 20, it became impossible to increase the skill any further just by watching Big Mama work .

Tae-hyuk was distressed .

‘I think I have reached 100 proficiency…’

It seemed like he now had to practice directly . The necessary tools were purchased, so the problem now was the location .

‘Isn’t it hard to do it in Big Mama’s store?’

He didn’t want to show his skill to Big Mama .

However, he couldn’t do it at home . A bunch of chemicals were needed, and he couldn’t risk the health of his family .

‘Where is a suitable space? Preferably a well-ventilated space… It is better if I have some artwork to copy . ’

The best option was to have his own studio, but that required time and money . He might have a chance to get another skill . He wanted to progress at a rapid pace .

‘The right space… ah!’

He knew a great place .

‘Why didn’t I think of the art room?’

It was equipped with everything Tae-hyuk needed .

The only problem was that he was currently suspended .

‘Well, it isn’t a problem if I obtain a school uniform and pretend to be a transfer student . ’

B High School was near Big Mama’s store . It was a big school with over 1,000 students . They were the optimal conditions for hiding .

Tae-hyuk made sure he had money in his wallet and rushed to the clothing store . He could buy a used uniform, but if he wanted to pretend to be a transfer student, it was better to get a new one . It was expensive, but he still had some money left over from catching Park Sung-kwang .

‘Think of it as an investment . ’

As he opened the door, he saw a man reading a newspaper .

Tae-hyuk looked around the store where various uniforms were hanging and said .

“I’m here to buy a uniform . ”

The owner took a look at Tae-hyuk and replied .

“Female uniforms aren’t for sale . ”

“… I’m going to wear it . ”

“You’re going to wear a female school uniform?”

In the end, he introduced himself as a transfer student, and was finally able to receive a proper response .

‘Why is it so hard to buy a uniform! Treating somebody like a criminal!’

Well, technically, he was a criminal .

After purchasing the uniform, Tae-hyuk went to buy the other tools . It didn’t matter what type of artwork it was, the rise in proficiency was similar . He had to decide on something that was easier than forging sculptures or ceramics .

Eventually, Tae-hyuk decided on painting .

‘My training will begin earnestly tomorrow!’

Tae-hyuk’s eyes burned with the fires of enthusiasm .

* * *

Since a few days ago, Tae-hyuk started having dinner at home .

It seemed like his body would be unable to hold on if he continued to eat Eun-young’s food . An Eun-young was disappointed when she found out that Tae-hyuk had already eaten . Why?

When Tae-hyuk arrived home, an unexpected guest greeted him .

“Tae-hyuk is home . ”

“Kang-suk hyung!”

Cho Kang-suk was setting out the meal on the table . He recently became quite close to Ha-ran, and thus came here to eat .

Tae-hyuk asked when he saw Kang-suk’s pale complexion .

“What’s going on? You look pretty tired . ”

Kang-suk sighed .

“It’s been pretty busy lately . I couldn’t eat rice, so I came over when Ha-ran invited me to dinner . ”

“I see . Did a case happen nearby?”

“Well, there is something like that . It is something that isn’t very good . At any rate, be careful when you walk around at night . ”

“Then I should go pick up Noona when you go home from work . ”

“T-That isn’t necessary!”

“Then why did you say to be careful?”

“I’ll go pick her up!”

“……”

Tae-hyuk was at a loss for words .

Well, it was difficult for passion to heat up .

Kang-suk scratched his head and blushed as he spoke .

“But, I heard you were suspended?”

“Yes . How did you know?”

“Haha! Don’t be too embarrassed . It isn’t a big deal . I’m also…”

Kang-suk started to talk about his school days .

Tae-hyuk’s hands clenched into a fist as he heard about the part where Kang-suk fought 17:1 .

Originally, these type of stories were exaggerated . However, it was really possible if it was Kang-suk . It wouldn’t be strange for people to fall down when hit by a thick forearm . Above all, the description was very real .

‘I wished I had a combat skill rather than something strange like Robbery . However, why is there no combat skill?’

He was going to try out the Forgery skill .

With that in mind, he started eating the dinner that Ha-ran had prepared .

Suddenly, he had an ominous feeling .

Kang-suk was really busy .

He didn’t respond when asked for the reason .

Maybe…

It couldn’t be?

* * *

‘I think it is the perfect plan!’

Tae-hyuk made a satisfied expression as he stared at the tools that he had prepared on the desk in the art room .

He had passed a considerable number of people on the way here . However, no one noticed that Tae-hyuk wasn’t a student of B High School . He only occasionally heard ‘was there such a thug in this school?’ as people walked past . It felt a bit unpleasant, but it wasn’t too big of a big problem .

“Hah… There seems to be self-study in this school at night . ”

So there was no one in the art room . He could work here for two hours .

After that, he had to go to An Eun-young’s house .

“Then, shall I begin?”

He shone the Demon Revealing Mirror on a landscape painting in the art room .

[Forgery has been used . ]

-Analyzing the specified artwork .

[Practice Landscape Painting]

-A landscape painted to improve the painting skill .

-The detailed information is hidden because the rating is too low .

-Tools needed: Paper, pigment, color, soluble oil…

‘The rating?’

At first, he thought it was a painting that wasn’t too big of a big deal . However, there were restrictions due to the rating .

‘If I want to use the skill properly, then I’ll have to raise the rating . ’

In order to do that, he had to learn the Forgery skill quickly . After analyzing and collecting the items specified by the skill, he moved his body .

“Uh, uh!”

The brush in his right hand started to move over the canvas .

It was like it was possessed!

He received a notification on the Demon Revealing Mirror .

[The quality of the artwork is lower than your dexterity . ]

[You have perfectly copied the painting!]

[Proficiency will rise rapidly!]

Tae-hyuk could perfectly paint the landscape, despite his dexterity only being 30 points .

Tae-hyuk admired the finished painting .

“Wah… Isn’t it really the same thing?”

The performance of the Forgery skill was amazing . If the original wasn’t framed, then it was impossible to tell which one was genuine .

There was one big difference . The landscape painting was displayed in the art room . Since it was a space used by many people, there were traces of the hands that touched it . He moved it until it was the same . Now, no one would notice if he walked out with the original .

“… I need to learn it as soon as possible . ”

He checked and his proficiency increased by one . At this speed, he would be able to raise it by 2~3 more points today .

Tae-hyuk made a satisfied face as he looked for the next piece to be copied .

It was at that moment .

Rustle!

Tae-hyuk heard a strange sound and looked around .

“… What?”

Tae-hyuk swallowed his saliva . Someone was watching .

He had memorized the structure of the school since he was sneaking in .

The art room was located in the special activities building, and students studying in the main building wouldn’t come here .

Who…?

Tae-hyuk felt sweat flowing down .

“What, the window is open?”

He had confirmed that they were all closed when entering the art room . However, now one was open .

It meant one thing .

‘Someone was watching me work!’

Tae-hyuk wasn’t the only uninvited guest in B High School .

There was one more…

* * *

Kang-suk heard the call through his walkie-talkie and exclaimed .

“W-h-a-t! A second body was found?!”

–Yes, that’s right . Please contact Inspector-nim . Come to the incident site!

The state of the corpse was the same as the first incident . It was an act by the same person .

In the end, the thing he was concerned about happened .

Kang-suk bit his lip, causing blood to flow into his mouth . However, he couldn’t care about it right now .

Kang-suk punched the wall .

There was a loud bang sound, and it seemed like he wouldn’t be able to endure .

The ‘watering hippo’ murderer had occurred again .

Kang-suk started the car and asked .

“Where? I’ll go right now . Seal the area so that not even one ant can escape!”

The answer was heard on the walkie-talkie .

-A warehouse not far from B High School .

“There again?”

The first body was discovered in a place not far from there .

“Send me the exact location . ”

-Understood .

“I will catch that hippo . Just wait, Kang-suk hyung is coming . ”

Kang-suk slammed on the car’s accelerator .