Chapter 18: The Human Lie Detector

[Imperial Spearmanship Form 4 Proficiency: Average]

[Imperial Spearmanship Form 5 Proficiency: Average]

[Imperial Spearmanship Form 6 Proficiency: Average]

The proficiency for Imperial Spearmanship Forms 4, 5, and 6 didn't just rise by one level—they rose by two.

And it only took seven days.

"When I trained Forms 1 through 3, it took me twelve days..."

Back then, I even cut down on sleep to focus on training.

But now? Even though I reduced my training hours compared to that time, my proficiency in spearmanship rose much more quickly.

It's probably thanks to my basic spearmanship trait being enhanced to an intermediate trait.

"I can feel the difference, too."

Imperial Spearmanship, which expands based on Lannachal, is quite difficult to grasp at first.

You have to be able to freely wield the spear shaft—the so-called body of the spear—so it's only natural that it's hard.

A thrusting spear that extends downward.

A rising spear, spun upward.

A drawing spear, spun downward and pulled in.

To sum it up simply, that's the gist of it.

"When I was practicing Forms 4 through 6, the holograms would rush at me, weapon in hand."

At first, I was taken down over and over again, just like before.

But this time, the holograms' movements were much sharper than when I trained Forms 1 through 3.

But the difference was, I adapted to the situation much more quickly than before.

"It used to be hard to spin the spear shaft this way and that, but now it feels easier, too."

It was another moment when I realized just how important traits are.

As usual, when I finished training and came out, I saw the soldiers running around busily.

They all looked a little urgent.

Did something happen?

When I returned to the barracks, I saw the seniors grumbling about an unannounced inspection.

"Damn it. Why a surprise inspection on a Saturday?"

"They said they're here from Brigade HQ. Did someone hide a mana round or something? I heard you can sell just one of those for a lot."

"Who in their right mind would stash a mana round? If you get caught, it's not just the guardhouse for you."

"Or maybe they're here to inspect us directly."

An unannounced inspection.

It's something you go through a few times during your service.

Sometimes it's to check for contraband, but sometimes it's to assess the soldiers' abilities.

The assessment starts with a person's level and stats, and goes all the way up to combat ability and traits.

Checking if you've got the right level, stats, and skills for your rank—that's another kind of unannounced inspection for the Hunter Corps.

– There will be a measurement today, so change into your combat uniform and assemble in front of the drill ground.

A broadcast soon confirmed that the soldiers would be measured.

‘We’re all suffering because of that one guy who tried to cheat before.’

In the past, there were soldiers who lied about their level and stats and tried to enter higher-grade dungeons.

They were after more experience, higher performance scores, and dungeon rewards.

A few of them thought, ‘It’ll be fine if it’s just me,’ and their entire squad ended up suffering major losses.

After that, random inspections of soldiers were introduced—to make sure nothing like that ever happened again.

There are official assessments, but they’re not perfect.

When you try to check too many soldiers at once, some things inevitably slip through the cracks.

‘Before I regressed, there was never a surprise inspection at this time of year.’

Kim Hyun-joon found it odd that this didn’t match his memories from before his regression, but it wasn’t a big deal.

Unannounced inspections could happen at any time, after all.

"Isn’t this unannounced inspection happening because of Kim Hyun-joon?"

As I was changing into my combat uniform, Corporal Kang Chul-soo spoke up—loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Isn’t it strange? Awakening your mana in a day, getting promoted so fast..."

Everyone looked at Kim Hyun-joon, expressions saying ‘surely not?’ But they knew it made sense.

"He probably used an illegal item, or maybe took some kind of drug."

His tone suggested he’d already decided I was that kind of person.

Kim Hyun-joon was about to respond, but another squadmate spoke first.

"Chul-soo, do you know you sound like a conspiracy nut?"

It was Corporal Han Ji-han.

"Hyun-joon practically lives in the training room even on his days off. No matter how jealous you are, don’t downplay his effort."

"Jealous? What are you talking about? Anyone would be suspicious in this situation!"

Kang Chul-soo’s answer sounded aggrieved, but Han Ji-han walked over to Kim Hyun-joon.

Then, as if to show everyone, he opened his palm.

His hand was covered in blisters and calluses.

"Does that look like someone who hasn’t worked hard?"

"Hey, he’s right. Hyun-joon puts in a ton of effort."

"He’s a maniac, always training even on rest days."

"Damn, for a second I almost believed Chul-soo."

The mood in the barracks shifted instantly.

Kang Chul-soo’s face twisted, surprised that Han Ji-han would step in.

"I’m innocent. If there’s a problem, it’ll come out in the inspection, right?"

With Kim Hyun-joon’s relaxed words, Kang Chul-soo’s conspiracy theory fizzled out.

‘Chul-soo, so you know how to scheme after all?’

Kim Hyun-joon was mildly impressed by his attempt at manipulation.

Trying to stir up the seniors in the barracks—he hadn’t expected that.

Not that it mattered; it was a meaningless ploy.

‘It’s also the first time I’ve seen Han Ji-han defend me.’

Whether during training or now, he hadn’t expected him to step up.

Maybe it was because Kang Chul-soo had been especially obnoxious lately.

Either way, thanks to that, things settled down easily.

---

Unannounced inspections for soldiers are done by squad.

"If you’re carrying unauthorized items, entered false level, stats, or trait information in previous assessments, or took illegal substances, speak up now. I’ll take it into consideration."

Captain Park Ho-seok of the Special Support Brigade gave a stern warning as he explained the inspection.

When the soldiers gathered in front of the drill ground, officers from the Special Support Brigade would give them a scare.

Then they’d put each soldier one by one into a mobile measuring device to check their level and stats.

Finally, an officer with the Observation trait would check their traits.

Only the Hunter himself can see their own status window, after all.

It might look like the Hunter Corps is ignoring the soldiers' rights, but it’s not quite like that.

All they check is your level, basic stats, and traits.

Nothing beyond that.

They don’t ask, and they don’t try to find out.

‘If someone else could peek into my status window whenever they wanted... Ugh. That would be a nightmare.’

Kim Hyun-joon shook his head.

He was intentionally hiding his Hidden Trait, but he didn’t need to worry about it being discovered in this inspection.

Even with an advanced Observation trait, Hidden Traits can’t be detected.

That’s how secure Hidden Traits are.

‘Nothing should go wrong.’

While waiting at the drill ground, the unannounced inspection went smoothly.

Nothing happened in 1st or 2nd squad.

"This bastard. You don’t have an authorization sticker!"

The problem started with 3rd squad.

A sergeant from 1st platoon, 3rd squad, was caught with an unauthorized item.

It wasn’t a serious item, but once caught, he’d be sent to disciplinary training as a matter of course.

That’s the scary thing about military regulations.

"Ah...damn it. Why’d they have to do the inspection on a weekend?"

The sergeant quietly cursed as he returned to his place.

"Next!"

The inspection continued, and soon it was Kim Hyun-joon’s turn.

‘No matter how many times I see it, it’s amazing how they set this up.’

Heading to the small auditorium, Kim Hyun-joon was impressed by the portable measuring device already set up.

They say it’s mobile and can be installed or taken down, but how did they set it up so quickly?

It was several meters tall at a glance.

It looked heavy, too.

‘The military really has a lot of talented people.’

Thinking that, he stepped inside the measuring device.

Beep. Beep.

The large, glass-like measuring chamber converted the soldier’s level and stats into numbers.

Of course, since the accuracy isn’t 100%, an officer with the Observation trait always double-checks.

"Private Kim Hyun-joon."

"Private Kim Hyun-joon!"

Captain Park Ho-seok, after seeing the result, glared at Kim Hyun-joon.

"Why did you lie?"

He immediately suspected Kim Hyun-joon had lied about his level and stats.

At first, I wondered why, but seeing the numbers from when I first transferred in, I could understand.

‘Hmm. I guess it does look suspicious.’

When Kim Hyun-joon first transferred to the Flying Dragon Unit, his level was 1.

He had no mana, and his stats were low.

The average stat was 4.

But now?

[Awakened]

Name: Kim Hyun-joon

Level: 3

Trait: Intermediate Spearmanship, Nurturing Spearman (Hidden)

Stats: Strength [12] Stamina [11] Agility [10] Mana [6] Spearmanship [10]

Skills: Mana Circulation of the Spear Master, Vital Point Thrust, Spiral Slash

Only a few months had passed, but his average stat had risen to 9.8.

That’s almost double.

Partly from dungeon raids, but the steady training through his Hidden Trait also paid off.

‘Once I got the Intermediate Spearmanship trait, my spearmanship stat shot up.’

His level jumped from 1 to 3.

That’s not something even drugs could do, so no wonder the captain was suspicious.

"Sir! I have a brief report to make!"

As the tension mounted, an officer from the brigade came in and handed Captain Park Ho-seok a document.

It was signed by the battalion commander of the Flying Dragon Unit.

Captain Park Ho-seok flipped through it, then nodded and dropped his suspicions.

"Private Kim Hyun-joon. Sorry for doubting you."

"Private Kim Hyun-joon! It’s nothing, sir!"

"We need more soldiers like you if we want the army to improve."

I don’t know what was written there, but as long as I was cleared, that was enough.

"You have the Intermediate Spearmanship trait. Did that change recently too?"

"Yes! I trained every day after work, and one day, it just changed!"

"Is that so?"

After using his Observation trait, Captain Park Ho-seok ended the inspection.

Just as expected, he had no idea about the Hidden Trait.

‘Whew. I got a bit nervous during the illegal substance check.’

I once drank a Mighty Elixir I bought from the Hidden Trait Shop, and for a second, I worried it might show up as an illegal substance.

Thankfully, nothing happened.

"Hyun-joon. I heard you’re level 3 now?"

When I returned to my place, word had already spread and the 3rd squad soldiers started talking to me.

"He’s level 3, but his average stat is over 9."

"Over 9? Isn’t that about corporal level?"

"If he’s a corporal about to get his sergeant stripes, sure."

"He even awakened his mana when he was a private. Isn’t he just an ace at this point?"

I’d just come back from the inspection—how did they know already?

I just brushed it off, saying it was all thanks to hard work.

And, as if for certain people to hear, I raised my voice.

"I came up clean in the illegal substance test."

Immediately, Corporal Kang Chul-soo’s face twisted.

The 3rd squad members shook their heads. ‘I knew it.’ ‘How can you be jealous of your own junior?’ They all criticized Kang Chul-soo.

"Shut up."

"Why are you angry? Hyun-joon’s the one who should be upset."

With even the seniors openly siding with me, Kang Chul-soo didn’t say anything more.

He just glared at Kim Hyun-joon, his face still angry.

‘You really aren’t scary at all, Chul-soo.’

Kim Hyun-joon just laughed inside.

"Attention, everyone."

"Attention!"

Time passed, and the first stage of the inspection was over.

Captain Park Ho-seok told the soldiers to get ready, since there would be a combat skill assessment next.

"From this year, the assessment standards have changed."

Captain Park Ho-seok explained the new assessment method.

‘Seriously?’

Kim Hyun-joon’s eyes lit up.