Chapter 13 – The Main Episode Practical Assessment Begins (2)
The last match of the top 16.
"Team 15, Team 16, move to your respective positions."
Upon Hong Daye's call, Lee Jinhyuk suddenly turned his head.
Outside the duel arena, numerous students were spectating. Some were leisurely cooling down with sports drinks, while others were carefully observing Yoo Seolhyun.
Yoo Seolhyun, being the descendant of the Spear Phantom and ranked seventh among the newcomers, was a figure of special attention. Even Lee Siwoon and Kang Daehan, who had shown little interest in other matches, were quietly watching.
Lee Jinhyuk casually scanned the stands, and then, as he was gulping down water, his gaze met Jin Soyeon's. In the midst of thinking how even her drinking water seemed graceful, she blinked her large eyes, pulled her lips from the bottle, and cheered for him with a broad smile, shouting words of encouragement.
"You're not planning to embarrass yourself in the first match, are you? Show them what you promised! Lee Jinhyuk, fighting!"
"Ah, right."
Had he ever received such enthusiastic support from a beauty in his past school days?
As a man, it wasn't a bad feeling, but Lee Jinhyuk could only respond with a slightly awkward smile.
After all, continued displays of overly familiar behavior would be perfect fodder for rumors.
…Of course, Lee Jinhyuk had offered his support as well.
"Was Lee Jinhyuk acting like that just now? Are they really broken up?"
"They claim to be childhood friends. Doesn't seem like a bad breakup."
"Even so, that level of closeness… Aren't they practically dating?"
"Gasp! Could it be Jin Soyeon is stringing along both Lee Siwoon and Lee Jinhyuk?"
"Does her face justify that?" Ah, as expected.
The girls were buzzing with curiosity, jealousy, envy, and dissatisfaction. They couldn't help but dislike seeing Jin Soyeon, freshly single, seemingly cozying up to the wealthy young master Lee Siwoon. Of course, Jin Soyeon probably didn't care at all.
"Hey, Lee Jinhyuk."
As the members of Teams 15 and 16 began moving toward the duel arena,
"Weren't you nearly last in the qualifying ranks?"
Han Dongwon, the leader of Team 15, prodded Lee Jinhyuk with a snide tone.
"Why did Yoo Seolhyun and Sunari even choose you as a teammate?"
"Who knows?"
"I'm envious, Jinhyuk. You're going to mooch off easy wins."
"Would be nice if it actually were a cinch."
Chortling, Han Dongwon suddenly revealed a smug, mocking smile.
"Anyway, thanks. Because of you, it seems we'll win." He patted Lee Jinhyuk on the shoulder.
"Without a weak link like you, it would have been a challenge against the formidable Yoo Seolhyun and Sunari."
The cheap provocation didn't suit Lee Jinhyuk's temperament; he also let out a sardonic laugh.
"I'm thankful, too." "Huh?"
"Because your Team 15 is 'again' a team."
Sincerely, it was fortunate.
Han Dongwon, Oh Seongwoon, Ko Mirae – that the three of you are on the same team. Just like in the game.
"Hey, Han Dongwon. Zip it."
Suddenly, Sunari, with her pigtails fluttering, glared fiercely at Han Dongwon.
"It's really annoying how much you're whining when you're barely ranked in the 90s."
"What?"
Startled, Han Dongwon quivered at Sunari's sharp retort.
"You and him are cut from the same cloth, pretending to be tough is just pathetic."
"Did well on the entrance exam and think the world revolves around you?"
"If you're jealous, you should've done better, Mr. Rank 90." "That's the real deal."
As the tension escalated, Hong Daye, who had been yawning lazily, waved her hand dismissively.
"Enough with the useless banter. Move to your positions already."
Quelled by Hong Daye's intervention, Han Dongwon and Sunari glared at each other before abruptly turning away and heading toward the arena.
Thus, Teams 15 and 16 moved to opposite ends of the duel arena.
"Don't worry about his taunts." "Huh?"
Lee Jinhyuk was caught off guard by Sunari's unexpected comment and scratched his chin.
"I'd be more worried about you." "What?"
Sunari, shooting an annoyed glance that seemed childish, received a nonchalant response from Lee Jinhyuk.
"Anyway, thanks for caring. Normally you're just grumbling."
"Pfft. As if I'm worried. The exams are right around the corner. I don't want your focus going off and messing things up!"
Sunari wasn't inherently mean-spirited, though her constant grumbling was an issue.
"Anyway, Han Dongwon's provocation saying you're the weak link of Team 16 was deliberate, so don't stress it."
"Huh?"
"It helped me be more certain of their tactics. Thanks to that, our match will be a bit easier."
Both teams arrived at their respective ends of the arena. "Are you all ready?"
Hong Daye looked back and forth between the teams, then suddenly deployed a circular protective barrier around the arena with her remote.
"Let's stick to the plan, just like we discussed."
"Heh, I'll be looking forward to your strategy."
"If it fails, Lee Jinhyuk, you know, you're dead meat."
Yoo Seolhyun gripped her spear tightly with a smirk, while Sunari, ever grumbling, assumed her combat stance.
Team 15, likewise prepared for battle, glared menacingly at us.
"Both teams, ready."
At the signal from Hong Daye, "3, 2, 1… Begin!"
Our first match commenced.
***
Han Dongwon was ranked 91st among the Union Academy newcomers, a prodigy who had been famous since middle school.
His supernatural ability was acceleration and deceleration: the power to control the speed of objects.
Suddenly, he could adjust them from 1 to 100 or from 100 to 1. This peculiarity made it easy to combine with other abilities, yielding unexpected synergy.
For example…
"Are you ready? Firing now."
"Go ahead, fire!"
Ko Mirae pulled back the bowstring with all her might. When released, the arrow flew like a beam of light.
Whoosh!
The arrow approached in a blink of an eye. As it launched, Yoo Seolhyun dashed toward the center. Then the arrow, wrapped in a bluish magic, skimmed past Yoo Seolhyun, baring its icy fangs toward Lee Jinhyuk.
'Targeting the weakest is the basic rule of mercenaries.'
Lee Jinhyuk seemed to have anticipated this, having prepared a shield in advance and crouched down, but it was futile.
Because the true target of the arrow was never him to begin with.
'…Or so they wanted to make Jinhyuk think as they grazed him. The real target is Yoo Seolhyun.'
The arrow, which almost reached Jinhyuk, made a sudden U- turn and surged towards Yoo Seolhyun's back.
Thanks to Ko Mirae's ability.
She had the supernatural ability to control the trajectory of projectiles.
"Yoo Seolhyun!"
"…!"
At Lee Jinhyuk's shout, Yoo Seolhyun glanced back. But even if she noticed, what could she do?
"Now, Oh Seongwoon."
"Okay."
Oh, Seongwoon activated his ability, and the single arrow split into several.
His supernatural power, Illusion Multiplication, allowed him to apply illusions to objects, creating several duplicates. The duplicates couldn't cause damage, but it was difficult for the opponent to distinguish between the real and the illusionary, creating a dilemma.
Several arrows converged on Yoo Seolhyun, who quickly adjusted her spear to defend. It was impossible to tell which arrow was real among them.
Yoo Seolhyun had to choose.
Which of the several arrows would she defend against?
'Where will Yoo Seolhyun focus her defense?'
Arrows aimed at the head, neck, chest, abdomen, legs.
Humans trained for a long time instinctively protect vital points in sudden situations.
Hence, the head, neck, chest, and abdomen were feints.
Team 15 had been aiming for Yoo Seolhyun's legs from the start.
Her mobility was the target.
With the main goal of the test being flag capture, if the melee dealer Yoo Seolhyun injured her leg, she would pose less of a threat.
'Even if you're lucky and try to protect your legs, it's no use, Yoo Seolhyun.'
Han Dongwon had imbued the arrow with his supernatural ability.
Acceleration and deceleration.
'If I suddenly slow down the fast-moving arrow with my ability… No matter how physically adept she is, she'll miss it due to the surprise. The power will be reduced, but…'
This is a common tactic in baseball.
Throw a series of fastballs at 140 km/h and then suddenly switch to 110 km/h, and the batter's timing is off.
A sudden change in speed allowed for an offbeat attack. Speed shift, Illusion Multiplication, Trajectory Adjustment.
The first strike, combining these three supernatural abilities, could arguably catch even active heroes off guard.
In fact, when Han Dongwon tested it with a hero he knew, they were hit without being able to react.
Yoo Seolhyun, no matter how gifted, was just a student like the rest.
Unaware of the upcoming strike, she was bound to get hit…?
"Ah. That startled me."
As if slightly surprised, Yoo Seolhyun swung her spear and deftly struck down the arrow targeting her right leg. The arrow spun aimlessly in mid-air before falling to the ground. The illusionary arrows faded.
"How… how did she block that?!"
They had never seen this combination before, yet she stopped it?
A technique that worked even on active heroes? Is she even human?
"…It really went just like Lee Jinhyuk said."
Yoo Seolhyun, the one who blocked it, appeared dumbfounded.
She had been skeptical, after all. Who would have thought?
"Darn it, guys! I'll keep Yoo Seolhyun in check, Oh Seongwoon, you take on Sunari. Ko Mirae, take down Lee Jinhyuk quickly!"
"Got it!"
"Ah, they blocked it."
Yoo Seolhyun glanced at Lee Jinhyuk and Sunari before stepping forward to engage Han Dongwon, and Sunari raised her fists slowly, charging towards Oh Seongwoon. Though Seongwoon's combat ability paled in comparison to Sunari's, he could keep her at bay for a while with his illusions.
Then, Ko Mirae approached Lee Jinhyuk.
She was an archer, skilled at curved shots with Trajectory Adjustment.
Lee Jinhyuk, also an archer, stood little chance against her. It's difficult to dodge arrows coming from various trajectories.
Therefore…
"Wow, what's with you, man?" "Why? Never seen a shield before?"
"No, you idiot! Why the hell are you carrying two shields? You think you're a turtle?"
"Are you disrespecting the dual-shield style?"
Like a hardcore action game called ElO Ring, I wielded two shields to block Ko Mirae's arrows.
Two shields mean double the defense? Well, that's a joke, but still.
"You're really something else!" Ko Mirae fired arrows rapidly.
Despite the beautiful arch they made, they were futile against the massive dual shields. As Jinhyuk slowly advanced, protected by the shields, Ko Mirae frowned.
"Keep it up and see how long you last!"
"Yeah, it's starting to get tough."
No matter the dual shields, blocking all the arrows was impossible.
Furthermore, the impact from the arrows coated in magic was tremendous, as they pounded on the shields like blunt weapons.
"Clearly, I can't win one-on-one. Didn't realize it'd be this tough to defend."
"Hey, are you about to break?" Cracks began to form on the shields.
Ko Mirae imbued a heavy dose of magic into the bowstring.
If she could just break that guy's shields, she'd soon take him down. Then, while the rest distracted Yoo Seolhyun and Sunari, she could snatch the flag.
"But this is a team battle, a team battle." "So, what?"
"Check your back."
"Don't think I'll fall for that…"
Suddenly, Ko Mirae sensed movement behind her. "Hey, Lee Jinhyuk. Why are you telling her that?" "What?!"
She reflexively looked behind her, only to see Sunari with her fist raised high.
No way.
Did she already take down Oh Seongwoon?
Taking down Seongwoon, with his Illusion Multiplication, so quickly was practically impossible!
Yet there he was, foaming at the mouth, completely down for the count.
"Wait a sec!"
"Ignoring you, bye."
Ignoring the desperate shout, Sunari swung her petite fist.
It was like a little middle school kid throwing a tantrum punch at his older sister.
However, Ko Mirae, feeling a threat to her life like a high school girl in danger, hastily raised her bow to defend, but with a thunderous crash, the bow shattered.
"You're insane! You Godzilla woman!" "Really want to die, huh?"
Then, as Sunari delivered a follow-up blow not quite calibrated, Ko Mirae, struck in the ribs, rolled several meters before clutching her side gasping.
"Ugh, ugh…!"
"Oops, my bad. Who told you to spout nonsense?" It seemed like her ribs might be cracked.
Thanks to the armor, the damage was limited, but without it, several ribs might have snapped like twigs.
'Seriously, her ability is brutal every time I see it.'
Sunari's physical enhancement ability was simple but highly effective, as seen. The power was formidable and threatening, making her excellent as a tank and a dealer.
"Argh!"
Clang! A sword spun in the air before falling.
Following the sound, there stood Yoo Seolhyun, calmly, and Han Dongwon, gasping and collapsed, having lost his sword.
Han Dongwon panted heavily, muttering in disbelief. "All this difference between you and me?"
"Well~"
With a seductive voice and a slight grin, Yoo Seolhyun gently bit her lip.
"You know you have a habit of rolling your right foot or clutching your left hand when retaliating or using big moves?"
"What?"
"That made it easy to predict your attacks." "How did you know?"
A quick glance from Lee Jinhyuk, and Yoo Seolhyun kindly responded.
"We have a pretty decent supporter on our team."
"Lee Jinhyuk? He's the reason? But how did he know…?"
"He must've been analyzing the training videos closely, huh?"
"No matter how much… how did he…?"
Han Dongwon murmured hopelessly as Yoo Seolhyun edged closer with her spear, asking casually with a smile.
"Are you going to keep going or surrender?" "…"
Han Dongwon bit his lower lip.
His teammates were already wiped out.
He himself was disarmed and incapacitated. There was virtually no chance for a comeback. "…I surrender."
"What? Can't hear you. What did you say?" "I said I surrender!"
With a huff, Han Dongwon shouted, and upon hearing his words, Hong Daye blew the whistle.
Peep!
"Team 15 has expressed their intent to surrender… Team 16 wins!"
Victory was declared without capturing a flag.
The first match concluded just as Lee Jinhyuk had anticipated.
"Wow… it actually worked?"
Lee Jinhyuk was left admiring the results in solitude. Memories of a past life… absolutely golden.
Chapter 14 – The Main Episode Practical Assessment Begins (3)
The buzz of conversation among the students who had been watching Teams 15 and 16 filled the air. The scenes unfolding were more intriguing than many had expected.
Especially the first arrow attack was quite impressive.
Though it was unlikely that such a combined supernatural ability attack could be used in rapid succession, it was enough to pique the interest of the students.
Trajectory adjustment, illusion multiplication, speed control. An attack that mixed these three abilities was more threatening than anticipated. The trajectory of the arrow was twisted, multiplied into several, and the timing of impact was thrown off by speed control.
Had it been anyone else, they likely wouldn't have been able to respond.
But Yoo Seolhyun had cleanly swung her spear, seemingly already aware, deflecting the real arrow amidst the illusions, hadn't she?
Was it because she was a descendant of Yoo Gamyeong, the Spear Phantom? The students looked at Yoo Seolhyun with admiration in their eyes. They had slightly underestimated
her, ranking just below Lee Siwoon and Kang Daehan, but now it seemed they needed to reassess.
Yoo Seolhyun's performance this time truly stood out.
"Yoo Seolhyun was amazing! She practically won the match by herself."
"Wow~ How did she block that?"
Yoo Seolhyun's group of students were busy singing her praises, all gathered together chattering away. To the students, Yoo Seolhyun was unequivocally the star of this episode.
"Hey, Lee Siwoon."
Watching the scene from a distance, Kang Daehan shifted his gaze and looked over at Lee Siwoon. At his voice, Lee Siwoon turned his head and looked up at the red-haired male student with a calm face. Kang Daehan, with a sly smile, posed a question.
"Could you have blocked that first arrow?" "I'm not sure."
Lee Siwoon pondered for a moment, then replied with a hint of skepticism.
"Knowing in advance how the attack would come… maybe. But without any knowledge, it would have been tough."
He was confident he could block it half the time, but even mentioning probability was nonsensical.
"I thought so."
Kang Daehan smacked his lips and muttered.
"Well, I'm not sure I could've blocked it either."
Unlike his usual arrogant demeanor, Kang Daehan honestly expressed his feelings and cast another look at Yoo Seolhyun as if seeing her anew.
"Yoo Seolhyun, huh. I didn't pay much attention before, but now I want to try fighting her myself."
The spear technique taught by the Spear Phantom himself…
It had not piqued his interest until now, but it certainly seemed intriguing.
Kang Daehan clenched his fist with a spirited smile. As a fellow spear-wielder, his competitive spirit was ignited.
"Hmm."
Meanwhile, Hong Daye, who had been evaluating the clash between Teams 15 and 16, tilted her head curiously. There was a gleam of interest in her shadowed eyes. Yoo Seolhyun's fight had raised many questions for her.
The reflexes she had observed in Yoo Seolhyun over the past month weren't enough to block such an attack. Even an active hero would have found it challenging to respond. And though the students might not have noticed, even Yoo Seolhyun looked somewhat bewildered to have blocked the arrow.
'It wasn't mere luck.'
After all, she had precisely defended the impact point even before the arrow arrived. It certainly wasn't a fluke. It was more like someone had given her a hint on what to do but she hadn't completely trusted it.
'There's also the question of her fight with Han Dongwon.'
Ranked 7th, Yoo Seolhyun would naturally be expected to win against the 91st-ranked Han Dongwon. But a conclusive victory within one or two minutes hadn't been anticipated.
Considering both their training, physical abilities, one-on- one records, and middle school data, she expected the fight to last five to ten minutes.
Yet, when the time came, Yoo Seolhyun won with startling ease.
She dominated Han Dongwon throughout the fight. Every time he prepared a counterattack or a big move, she countered as if she knew in advance. It was as if she was aware of Han Dongwon's every move.
It meant she wasn't simply relying on her physicality, but rather she was probably familiar with Han Dongwon's techniques, habits, and tendencies in advance.
'The duel between Sunari and Oh Seongwoon was also quite interesting.'
Sunari's physical enhancement ability versus Oh Seongwoon's illusion multiplication.
Oh Seongwoon's illusions were so refined that they could easily confuse his opponent, but somehow, Sunari managed to quickly spot the real body among the duplicates and took Oh Seongwoon down without delay.
How did she distinguish the real from the illusions so accurately?
As far as Hong Daye knew, Sunari shouldn't have been able to see through Oh Seongwoon's illusions so easily.
'And lastly, Lee Jinhyuk…'
Honestly, Lee Jinhyuk hadn't done much in this match.
Compared to Yoo Seolhyun and Sunari, his contributions were minimal.
It was almost comical that he defended against Ko Mirae's barrage of arrows with two shields.
But why had he prepared two shields from the beginning? It was as if he had anticipated Ko Mirae's arrow attack.
'There was something the Team 16 kids said before the test started.'
– Let's just do as we planned.
– Heh, I'm looking forward to your strategy.
– If it doesn't work, you're dead, Lee Jinhyuk.
A plan…
Could it be that Lee Jinhyuk devised the entire strategy?
Then the evaluation changes.
Gathering information in advance about the opposing team to devise such a precise strategy is worthy of high marks.
But for someone who was only known for his academic excellence, could he really have the capability to make such
accurate plans?
No matter how much information was gathered and analyzed, the flow of events was too smoothly executed.
As if he already knew what was going to happen.
***
In Yoo Seolhyun's room.
"…It's better than I expected."
Lying in the darkness of her bedroom, Yoo Seolhyun thought back to the practical assessments she had faced over the past few weeks.
The round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals…
Surprisingly, thanks to Lee Jinhyuk's strategy, they smoothly made it to the finals, the last two teams standing.
Especially in the semi-finals, the opposing team was tough, but Lee Jinhyuk's plan fit perfectly, and they won more easily than anticipated.
Frankly, she hadn't had high expectations for Lee Jinhyuk…
But his ability to devise strategies and execute plans was beyond imagination.
Several times she was astonished by his ability to analyze the opposing team members' habits, weaknesses, compatibility, and come up with accurate countermeasures.
Especially how he had tipped them off in advance about the enemy's secret weapons, she couldn't fathom.
Jokingly, could he be reading the future, perhaps?
'Future sight ability…'
Such a power would be coveted by many.
It's not unheard of in this world. There were oracles, after all.
'But that's impossible.'
Yoo Seolhyun smirked at the thought.
'After all, Lee Jinhyuk doesn't have any supernatural abilities.'
A non-ability user.
So far, Lee Jinhyuk hadn't awakened any supernatural abilities.
'Unless he's been hiding it on purpose.'
Yoo Seolhyun shook her head, casting away the frivolous thought.
She didn't want to waste more time on fanciful imaginings. Better to focus on productive ideas.
'Well… whether Lee Jinhyuk has a future-sight ability or not, his tactical skill is admirable.'
Having observed many heroes over the years, she could say that his tactical abilities were superior to many active ones.
He had breezed through the round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals, thanks to his strategic acumen.
She had initially thought of him as a liability.
But as a tactical advisor, he was quite remarkable. 'Hmm, interesting.'
Lee Jinhyuk.
His combat abilities were lackluster, but his tactical and strategy planning skills were excellent.
Whether he was a talent worthy of Gaon Nuri Clan's interest remained to be seen, but he was worth keeping an eye on for a bit longer.
Heroes rarely operate alone.
To adeptly handle numerous situations, they form teams.
As they work in units, they need talents that can compensate for each other's weaknesses.
Someone like Lee Jinhyuk, specialized in support, could be valuable.
'…Of course, priority still goes to recruiting powerful hero candidates like Lee Siwoon.'
Yoo Seolhyun chuckled and turned off the light.
Tomorrow was the final match.
The last day of the practical assessment.
She was a bit excited to see how far Lee Jinhyuk's strategies would go against Lee Siwoon's team.
Honestly, with Yoo Seolhyun's team's current strength, they had no chance against Lee Siwoon's team.
A brilliant strategy was the only thing that could turn the tides in such an unfavorable situation.
If tomorrow's match also goes according to Lee Jinhyuk's plans…
'What will happen, I wonder?'
Yoo Seolhyun was genuinely curious about the outcome.
***
"…Even though I gave Yoo Seolhyun and Sunari a plausible strategy, we'd get completely trashed within 10 minutes if we actually fought."
I chuckled to myself at the thought.
How could we possibly beat those male and female leads brimming with talent?
"There's no need to win anyway." Because tomorrow that incident will occur.
The special event that takes place in the finals.
Chapter 15 – The Main Episode Practical Assessment Begins (4)
The final day of the practical assessment had dawned, and the morning of the finals arrived. All the students from Class 1-1 made their way to the training ground. Their footsteps seemed heavier than usual. It wasn't just a feeling—their steps were truly leaden with the weight of the impending 'real battle' they had to face today.
"Wow, I never thought we'd make it to the finals."
Jin Soyeon's familiar voice brushed softly against my ears, and soon she approached with her hair reminiscent of the night sky fluttering behind her.
I slowly turned my head to look at her. Jin Soyeon smiled confidently.
"But!"
With a flick of her finger, she pointed—
"Your luck ends here!" "…"
"The final match will be against me!"
"…"
Standing tall with an air of triumph, I glanced at Jin Soyeon dismissively.
"Oh, is that so?"
"…What's with that lackluster response?"
Her energy deflated at my tepid reply, and she twirled the ends of her hair in frustration. What's she doing, making a scene in front of everyone? Isn't she embarrassed?
"…Lately, you're just not playing along. It's no fun."
Jin Soyeon grumbled with her lips puckered. Normally reserved around others, she acted like a petulant seven- year-old with me.
We must be pretty close for her to be like this with me.
"Jinhyuk, Jinhyuk. Anyway, do you feel confident about today's game?"
"I guess."
"Again with the vague answer."
"Honestly, I'm not confident about this match. It's not just Lee Siwoon, but Yuliya Troyanova too."
Yuliya Troyanova.
A traditional mage from Russia.
Her ranking among the newcomers is 14th. Excluding single-digit ranks like Lee Siwoon, Kang Daehan, and Yoo Seolhyun, she has the highest rank in our class.
Not yet comfortable with the Korean language, she uses formal speech with everyone. A so-called honorifics character.
"What about you? You don't seem to be wary of me?"
"Wary of you…? Why would I need to be on guard against rank 257?"
"Ha. Ridiculous. The bottom-ranker has confidence? I'll have to show you what a spicy punch feels like, it's been a while since you've experienced it."
Jin Soyeon, posturing like a boxer with her fists, made me look at her for a moment before I let out a laugh.
"It seems you're in good condition. That's fortunate. Today will be quite a struggle."
"Oh, feeling confident?"
"Not because of me, it's just… uh, never mind." "What? Why stop mid-sentence?"
What will happen when that event occurs soon? I certainly hope Jin Soyeon doesn't get hurt, but who knows how it'll turn out?
Honestly, I don't have a clear conviction right now. All I can do is my best.
"By the way, Jinhyuk, after this assessment is over, how about we—"
"Lee Jinhyuk. May I have a moment?"
Yoo Seolhyun's voice sharply cut off Jin Soyeon's hesitant words. I turned slightly to identify the source. Yoo Seolhyun was there.
"Oh, sorry. Were you two in the middle of a conversation?"
With a light apology and a smile, Yoo Seolhyun approached, though it was clear her politeness was just for show; she didn't look sorry at all.
She then approached us with a confident stride, as if she were a noble's daughter.
Jin Soyeon's face turned sour with the unwanted interruption, but Yoo Seolhyun, indifferent to her reaction, continued speaking.
"If it's not urgent, may I borrow Lee Jinhyuk for a moment? There's something I need to discuss before the match."
As if to show familiarity, she placed her hand on my shoulder, seeking permission to take me away. Jin Soyeon's brows furrowed slightly, evidently displeased with Yoo Seolhyun's friendly gesture toward me.
"You two have gotten quite close, I see?" "Uh, well…"
At Jin Soyeon's brusque question, Yoo Seolhyun feigned ignorance before flashing a broad smile.
"We've been working together for a few weeks, so… perhaps?"
"Is that so?"
She kept needling Jin Soyeon, first by intentionally interrupting her and now by touching my shoulder to show closeness.
'I should probably step in before the mood gets any worse… huh?'
"That's good to hear. It looks like Jinhyuk has taken an interest in you."
"Oh, really?"
Jin Soyeon's out-of-the-blue comment made me blink in confusion. What is she talking about now?
With a proud laugh, Yoo Seolhyun glanced at me. "Sorry, you're not my type."
Me, Lee Jinhyuk.
Zero confessions today. Somehow, it's a bit sad.
"Chuckle. Perhaps your face is just not quite right?"
"Sure, it's not bad. But it's just… on the borderline."
Despite my character setting as the heroine's childhood friend, my appearance was decent, but compared to the
other male leads, I inevitably fall short.
But why are you two suddenly evaluating my appearance? "I think I'm fairly good-looking."
"Sure, sure~ Let's say that. Wow~ Our Jinhyuk is so handsome~."
"No, really, isn't it decent enough…?"
Compared to my previous life, I'm much… not exactly more handsome, but I certainly look better.
I was quite satisfied with my current self. "Enough of that. Anyway, Yoo Seolhyun." "Hmm?"
"You said you had something to tell me before the match, right? What is it?"
"Oh, it's kind of inappropriate to talk about it here."
She glanced at Jin Soyeon. It wouldn't do to discuss it with the opposing team present. We needed to move somewhere else.
"Soyeon."
At that moment.
A crisp male voice rang out. "What are you doing here?"
Lee Siwoon approached, scanning us all.
"Oh, just… well…"
"The match is soon. Let's go discuss things and get ready."
After a brief look at me, Lee Siwoon gestured to Jin Soyeon, who nodded in agreement.
"Okay, I'll go ahead then, Jinhyuk. See you at the match." "Alright."
Jin Soyeon and Lee Siwoon walked away together.
I watched their retreating figures for a moment, pondering. Wariness.
I could feel a slight sense of caution from Lee Siwoon. It wasn't jealousy or envy yet, but perhaps I should be more careful. I wouldn't want to inadvertently intensify his possessiveness.
"Lee Siwoon really seems to care about Soyeon." Yoo Seolhyun dropped a casual comment.
"He does seem quite concerned." I nodded slightly.
"I wonder if Soyeon realizes it, or is she pretending not to know?"
Yoo Seolhyun looked at me suddenly. "What do you think, as her ex-boyfriend?"
Faced with a question that could be sensitive for some, I just shrugged.
"She seems clueless about romance. She wouldn't notice."
"Really?"
Yoo Seolhyun asked back, probing.
"Is Soyeon really unaware?" "What are you trying to say?" "I heard a rumor."
Yoo Seolhyun spoke with a sly smile.
"That she broke up with you on purpose to date Lee Siwoon."
It's not like she believes that absurd rumor. Yoo Seolhyun was trying to rattle me. To sow seeds of doubt in my own heart. Classic gaslighting. She's probably planning to slowly, gradually lead me astray. To deteriorate our relationship even slightly.
"Do you believe such nonsense?"
"Well, who knows? People say you can't know someone's heart, right? Only the people involved would really know."
But you just said the people involved don't know.
"You say you broke up amicably… but who knows? Maybe Soyeon had other thoughts?"
Oh, really?
Her voice was like a whisper from a devious serpent, and inside, I sighed deeply.
I just can't with this, really.
"If you've been dumped for a transfer breakup, that would be quite pitiful…"
"Are you bothered by Soyeon?" "What?"
"Is it because Lee Siwoon only has eyes for Soyeon, and that's frustrating for you?"
"You."
Yoo Seolhyun's eyebrows quivered ever so slightly at my pointed words. What, did I hit a nerve?
"Let's stop here. The match will start soon." "Alright, I get it."
Yoo Seolhyun seemed to have more to say, but she closed her mouth. Thankfully, she ended the conversation before I could make her any more uncomfortable.
'So much to worry about besides the match… Sigh.' I have to be concerned about not just the heroine Jin
Soyeon, but also the relationships of the male lead and the
villainess.
'After this practical assessment episode, I'll have to pay more attention.'
With that thought, I simply shifted my gaze toward the training facilities that we would soon reach.
***
"Both teams, take your positions."
Entering the training arena, we moved to the far ends.
Both teams gripped their weapons tightly, facing each other from a distance.
Alright, is it time to start? "If everyone is ready…" Beep.
The sound of the remote was followed by the arena being enclosed in a circular barrier.
Now, this place became a sealed chamber.
Without using that remote or external interference, we couldn't escape.
"If all preparations are complete, let's start the finals. 3, 2, 1… Begin!"
– Whirring!
Just then—
– Emergency alert issued. "What?"
"Huh?"
The barrier was supposed to protect the audience and prevent facility destruction, but not today.
Today, it merely turned us into mice trapped in a box.
– Spatial vibrations detected nearby! All students and instructors, stop what you're doing and evacuate to safety areas…
Because.
"Damn it. The match is on hold. Everyone, stop and follow the security staff to…"
Right now, the expected arrival was imminent. "Huh?"
Crack. Crick-Crick.
The sound of the universe splitting.
Space split like a web, shattering into pieces. "Wait, isn't that…?"
A breach between spaces.
Beyond it lay something indescribable. "A rift phenomenon…?"
"You all! Quickly, this way!"
Hong Daye yelled at Teams 1 and 16, still in a daze, but it was too late.
"Kekeek? Keeeeek!"
Arms, long like a monkey's and thick like a bear's, tore through the rift like a curtain, revealing an indescribable entity.
"Keeeeeek, eeeek. Keeek."
Monstrous creatures, spreading unknown hatred from beyond the rift, licked their tongues as they stared at the students.
"Monster, it's a monster!" Yes a monster.
Monsters had appeared in the testing ground. "Keeeeeek, eeeek, eek."
"Growwwwl, growl." "Chirp, chirp."
And not just one, but several monsters.
Chapter 16 – The Main Episode Practical Assessment Begins (5)
Monsters. Enemies of humanity. Creatures from the rift revealed themselves, showering endless hostility upon mankind.
To current humanity, monsters represent an indescribable nightmare.
And now, that nightmare had flung wide its grotesque maw within the Academy's training grounds.
"Kekeek! Keeeeek!" "Growwwwl, growl."
In the fourth training ground, two formidable monsters had emerged: A Minotaur and a Dark Hand Long-Armed Ape— mighty creatures well-known in tales of terror.
The Minotaur, boasting a 2.5-meter frame, had the appearance of a fusion between a bull and a human. With a grip strong enough to crush iron and durability to deflect bullets, it was virtually impossible to take down with personal firearms.
Not even Hong Daye, now retired due to injury, could easily defeat such a formidable monster. And there wasn't just one creature to contend with.
"Kekeek, eek, eeeek."
Next to it, a sizable ape with long, dangling arms licked its lips as it watched the children. The Dark Hand Long-Armed Ape, though not as threatening as the Minotaur, could not be underestimated.
If attacked in tandem with the Minotaur, even Hong Daye alone would find it difficult to manage. Moreover, Hong Daye was responsible for protecting the students behind her. The situation was disadvantageous in several ways.
"Uh… hmm."
And those monsters… they looked even more terrifyingly brutal than they did in games and videos. I had done quite a bit of online research to prepare my mind, but how could they be so ferociously menacing?
'I trained hard for major monster combat back in middle school… but reality is definitely different.' The feeling of oppression from these real-life monsters was on a completely different level.
Had I not been prepared, I might have been seriously scared. Of course, I'm still quite frightened now.
I steadied my heart and surveyed outside the training area.
Several monsters had appeared near the spectator stands, causing chaos. There were about a dozen creatures, but none as intimidating as the Minotaur or the Dark Hand Long- Armed Ape.
That's why the security personnel, who had been on standby for emergencies, were now handling the monsters and hurriedly evacuating the students.
Hong Daye, after assessing the situation, said softly,
"I'll disable the barrier, so hurry to the security personnel. I'll draw the monsters' attention."
If it had been the Hong Daye from her prime, perhaps it would be different. As she was now, she couldn't handle all the monsters. Even fully armed with specialized equipment, it would be suicidal to fight without proper gear, yet Hong Daye had made her decision. Before she was an instructor, she was a hero.
"I'll now release the barrier… wait, what?" But.
"Why does it have to malfunction now?"
Despite numerous attempts to operate the remote control, the protective barrier encircling the training ground did not vanish.
…Of course, it wasn't a malfunction at this critical moment
—it was the doing of that 'villain' who had joined the Academy.
I knew who it was and why they were doing this, but I hadn't stopped them in advance.
For now, it wasn't something I could rashly interfere with, and the future I knew might change because of it.
I also wanted to give Jin Soyeon a taste of this experience beforehand.
The despair of facing a powerful monster… But I seem to be the more frightened one right now. This is not just a test for
Soyeon but also mental training for me. "Damn it."
Hong Daye cursed quietly under her breath. If the barrier isn't disabled, we're as good as trapped inside with the two monsters.
"You all stay put behind me."
Hong Daye stepped forward, intending to protect the students of Teams 1 and 16, and activated her supernatural ability.
Her power was psychokinesis.
With the capability to manipulate objects, be they inanimate or living, her power had been strong enough to bring down buildings during her peak days. But now…
"Growwwl? Mmmm!"
Just stopping the movements of the Minotaur seemed a struggle for her. If the Dark Hand Long-Armed Ape began its attack, Hong Daye wouldn't last long.
'…Maybe Hong Daye can't do this alone.'
It couldn't be helped. The event was designed with defeat in mind.
The Unwinnable Battle Event. A narrative device commonly used in many games.
It mainly serves as a cliché to show the protagonist's despair and powerlessness and to display the enemy's strength and dignity. This event was designed to instill fear
in the protagonists and to retire Hong Daye for the first encounter with a monster.
The clear objective of this event is survival.
If we can last 10 minutes until the security team arrives, the event will end, but Hong Daye will be severely injured and hospitalized for some time.
This would mean we can't rely on Hong Daye's help in the upcoming joint training episodes.
'I can't let Hong Daye retire here.'
I need her help in the episodes to come. Therefore, we can't afford to lose Hong Daye here.
Of course, acting rashly in this situation is extremely dangerous.
Lee Siwoon and Yoo Seolhyun's teams wouldn't stand a chance on their own; they could lose their lives. The level difference between the monsters and the protagonists' party was significant.
'But that doesn't mean there's no good way to handle this.'
An event predetermined for defeat. But not necessarily an event that must end in defeat.
It would be more accurate to call it an 'event that usually ends in defeat'. Of course, fighting them head-on wouldn't work, but with a little trick, they could easily be defeated.
It's unbelievably simple. After all, would I have boldly stood before such monsters if there weren't a way to handle
them? Remember, I was an ordinary person in my former life. Just an ordinary person.
Okay, then maybe it's time to talk to the kids about what to do next.
"Guys, I have something to tell you…?"
Suddenly, I turned to the students, and what do I see? "Pant, pant, pant."
"Gulp, ugh."
"Whoo, whoo."
Everyone was sweating profusely and staggering as if burdened by heavy shoulders.
Lee Siwoon, Yoo Seolhyun, Sunari, and Yuliya Troyanova looked like they were struggling to breathe, their chests heaving intermittently.
Especially Jin Soyeon, who was in the worst state.
Her face had turned ashen, and she was shivering uncontrollably.
Oh, no. Why is she like this?
Hey, you're the female protagonist. What are you doing?
Even I, who was just an ordinary person in my previous life, am holding on.
Sure, those monsters look scary, but isn't this reaction a bit much?
'…Ah. Could it be this?'
A sudden realization came to me.
'The murder intent?'
A murderous intent that only I cannot feel.
This world has such a messed-up setting as "murderous intent" that crossed my mind. No, wait a minute. Surely not to this extent?
'But, damn. It wasn't like this in the game?' In the game, she was quite composed.
Despite the differences between reality and games, this level of disparity is too extreme, isn't it?
'I believed in you, Soyeon!'
It seems like we're doomed. No, no. To put it more bluntly…
…I am screwed.
***
Monsters! Monsters had appeared in the examination grounds.
The sight of them lunging their tongues, exuding sticky murderous intent, was the embodiment of fear.
Thump, thump.
My body was shaking uncontrollably. I can't calm down. Is it because of the murderous intent? Like a trembling aspen, I can't steady myself. I need to calm down…
'Ugh, it's hard to breathe…'
It feels like hyperventilation. Breathe slowly, breathe slowly.
Exposed to the invisible murderous intent from the monsters, I could only bite down hard on my lower lip as I swallowed my dry saliva, doing the best I could under the circumstances.
Such a sinister and overt murderous intent…
It felt similar to the murderous intent Hong Daye had displayed on the first day, but now, in a real situation, the thought that a wrong move could actually kill me sent my mind reeling, and I felt myself sinking deeper and deeper into dark, murky emotions.
'Hong Daye…'
Even though Hong Daye was fighting hard, I instinctively knew she was being overpowered. The Minotaur was a notoriously powerful monster, capable of overpowering dozens of heroes alone.
Could Hong Daye handle the Minotaur by herself, not to mention that ape-like monster?
'I should help. I need to help…' But my body won't respond.
I'm rooted to the spot, or rather, stiff as old tree bark.
I don't believe I can survive entering that stormy battle. I am weak. Just a mere student. If even the high-ranked Hong Daye is struggling, I could die if I act rashly.
So what do I do?
I kept asking questions in my mind. I can't just stand here. I need to help the instructor. But is it okay? Am I not just foolishly hindering her? Maybe staying still is the real help? But it seems like the instructor won't last much longer…
In a whirlwind of internal questioning, I bit my lower lip so hard, it might have bled.
They're all excuses. Just excuses.
I'm just too scared to muster courage.
Don't lie to yourself to find comfort. I kept looking for reasons not to move, like a coward. I was disappointed in myself. Aspiring to be a hero, is this how I react when the real challenge comes?
Move, start moving.
If you're going to be a hero, stop deceiving yourself.
It's easy to rationalize and find excuses, but a hero shouldn't compromise with their current situation. No.
"Pant, pant, pant…" I took a deep breath.
I tried to brace myself, but my body, trembling with fear, refused to obey as if it wasn't my own.
To take that final step, I needed a tiny bit of courage. A small, yet significant courage.
The courage that assures me that moving now is the right thing to do.
But at the last moment, I could not find that courage, that assurance.
Unable to go any further, like a pitiful girl… "Soyeon, are you okay?"
That moment.
"Snap out of it, and take a breath."
A clear voice brought me back from the brink, as if pulling me from a deep, dark sea into a ray of light.
My chaotic thoughts cleared suddenly. "…Huh?"
Right before me, Lee Jinhyuk was looking at me with concern, gently gripping my shoulder.
The soft touch and warmth from his hand gradually dissolved the clammy darkness, and I felt a sense of relief.
"Are you back with us?" "Uh, yeah."
Eyes.
His eyes were right in front of me.
Through his gaze, I could see a reflection of myself.
The image of the girl glimpsed in his eyes reminded me of myself from the past.
That day, that moment would never be forgotten.
Trembling with fear, I had pleaded for someone to help me, and a boy had come to my aid.
"Are you okay?"
"Are you really alright?"
That day, I had thought that the boy who saved me was my very own hero. At the same time, I had dreamed of becoming a hero like him.
"I'm fine, really fine."
Lee Jinhyuk took a deep sigh of relief and then looked around. The other students, somewhat composed now, were looking at us. It was a bit overwhelming to be the center of attention.
"Okay, then. Listen to me, everyone. We can't just stand here. We need to help the instructor."
"How?"
Yoo Seolhyun asked.
"These monsters are not something students can handle. And we might just get in the instructor's way, right?"
"Don't worry."
Lee Jinhyuk nodded seriously.
"I have a good plan."
It wasn't that he was certain it would work, but he couldn't show any hesitation in the current situation. After all… if anything goes wrong, 'that' can be used.
Having that surefire backup gave him a slight confidence and a sense of security.
"So, can you help me out? Soyeon?" "Ah."
Confidence was evident in his eyes.
In this chaotic mess, his unwavering gaze and voice kindled a flame in my stalled heart.
A small, yet significant, flame of courage. "Yes… of course."
A hero is one who spreads hope amidst despair. "Just tell me what to do."
From the past until now, he had always been there to help when I needed it.
"I trust you."
So, this time, it's my turn to help. "If it's your plan."
Finally, I was able to take a step forward.
I could have the assurance I couldn't find on my own because he was the light that illuminated my path.
***
'Eh, what's this? Soyeon seems to be holding up better than I thought?'
Her face was deathly pale, and she was shivering, making me think she was completely mentally broken.
But a few words from me, and she comes back to her senses.
Well, anyway. That's a relief, a real relief.
Chapter 17 – The Main Episode Practical Assessment Begins (6)
Bang, Bang, Bang! "Growwwl!"
With immense psychokinetic power, Hong Daye struck the Minotaur repeatedly.
The Minotaur roared as the training ground's floor cracked, kicking up dirt and stone debris.
In a moment, she focused her intangible power to restrain the Minotaur's limbs tightly, then mustered all her strength to swing her sword.
However, from a distance, a black hand streaked like an arrow towards Hong Daye's back.
"Ki-ki-ki-ki!" "That damn ape."
The sharp claws of the ape, larger than a grown man by two heads, narrowly grazed Hong Daye's cheek.
Drip, drip.
Drops of blood trailed down her cheek. "Kekekeke!"
Excited by the sight of blood, the ape, with hair thick as bristles, stretched its arms like rubber bands, lashing them like whips.
Whoosh, whoosh.
Its movements, too fast for the eyes, pressed on Hong Daye, but such attacks were easily blocked with her psychokinesis.
Yet, every time she used her power, the Minotaur, as if sensing it ghostly, interfered.
With both creatures attacking together, she couldn't fight properly.
And her supernatural powers were also acting up.
Little by little, very gradually, her psychokinesis became unstable.
Her broken body could no longer withstand the use of her psychokinetic abilities.
Perhaps her body couldn't keep up after all.
"Ugh, ugh!"
Seizing a slight lapse in her concentration, the Minotaur's punch broke through and hit her abdomen. Damn it.
Thud!
It felt like being hit by a truck.
She defended herself in the nick of time using psychokinesis, avoiding a fatal injury, but it seemed she had cracked a rib.
"Cough, cough… phew."
Damn. In the past, she would have taken them down without much difficulty.
To struggle against a mere bull calf, how cruel the passage of time can be.
'If only that damn ape wasn't there, it would have been manageable.'
The Dark Hand Long-Armed Ape, consistently nagging and constraining Hong Daye from behind the Minotaur, was particularly troublesome.
Every time she tried to bind the Minotaur with psychokinesis, the ape interrupted her.
'At this rate, I might not last until the security team arrives.'
Hong Daye wiped away the blood trickling from her lips and summoned her psychokinetic energy again.
She couldn't show weakness in front of the students. After all, Hong Daye was a hero.
She had to protect those students at all costs.
"As you can see, the instructor won't be able to hold out much longer."
"…"
The students from Teams 1 and 16 remained silent.
They couldn't just stand by and leave Hong Daye injured.
Yet, if they carelessly jumped in, they would undoubtedly end up as mere lumps of flesh, tumbling across the dirty ground.
"Our task is simple. We need to take on one of the monsters so that the instructor can focus better."
"Which one, the bull or the ape?"
At Yuliya's question, Lee Jinhyuk pointed towards the Dark Hand Long-Armed Ape.
"Obviously, the ape." It was a clear choice.
The Minotaur was on another level.
"But don't get me wrong, the ape isn't easy. It's just weaker than the Minotaur, not something students can bring down."
Sure, that seemed plausible.
Yuliya nodded in agreement to his words.
She might not know exactly how powerful the ape was, but just by watching it move a few times, she could tell it was not something the students could handle.
"We don't have to defeat the Dark Hand Long-Armed Ape; we just need to draw its aggro until the security team arrives."
"That doesn't sound easy."
Draw the aggro of the ape? Easy to say.
But for these students, who had never faced a monster of this level, it was no easy task.
Unlike the practice at the Academy, a slight mistake in real combat could lead to irreparable consequences.
Moreover, their bodies were still stiffened by the murderous aura emanating from the monsters.
Under such circumstances, could they perform well against the monster?
"Like it or not, we have to do it."
Lee Jinhyuk looked firmly at the students. They silently met his eyes.
"After all, if the instructor goes down, we're as good as dead."
"Ha. Well, that's true."
Sunari exhaled deeply, nodding. Though she wanted to deny it, the truth was undeniable. When will the security team ever arrive?
"So, what's the plan?"
"Do you have a sharp strategy?" "Hey, we don't have time, so spill it."
Understandably, Jin Soyeon, Yoo Seolhyun, and Sunari bombarded him with questions.
Lee Siwoon and Yuliya also focused their attention on Lee Jinhyuk.
Everyone was aware of the tactical capabilities Lee Jinhyuk had demonstrated, as well as his achievements in the round of 16, 8, and 4.
It was only natural to listen to him in this situation.
After all, Lee Jinhyuk was the most suitable as an operator here.
It would be better to trust him with the strategy than any of the others.
"Alright. Instead of a grand plan, I'll assign positions. As I said earlier, we just need to buy time."
In a situation where every second counted, Lee Jinhyuk quickly outlined the plan and shared a few characteristics of the Dark Hand Long-Armed Ape with the students.
They all assumed their roles, nodding at his words.
Despite some uncertainty, Lee Jinhyuk's proven track record throughout the practical assessment had provided them with a semblance of trust.
'Alright, then.'
Lee Jinhyuk slowly nocked an arrow onto his bowstring. He was, after all, an archer.
For Lee Jinhyuk, who lacked the talent to be a hero, using a bow as his main weapon was the most sensible choice.
"Let's go. Everyone, get ready." "Okay."
"Got it." Thwack!
A magic-infused arrow flew towards the temple of the Long- Armed Ape.
But…
"Kiik? Kekekeke?"
As if it had eyes on its back, the ape caught the arrow far too easily. A direct shot won't hit.
Perhaps it's time to move the ape into phase two? "The aggro's been taken."
"Keek? Keek… Keek…"
The Dark Hand Long-Armed Ape's gaze locked onto Lee Jinhyuk.
Uh… making eye contact suddenly makes me regret my actions a bit, doesn't it? Lee Jinhyuk surreptitiously swallowed his saliva. Whew. Alright then, let's do this.
The ape, seemingly amused, snapped the arrow shaft and slowly licked its chops.
At this sight, Hong Daye frowned and shouted. What are those kids doing? Despite her efforts to keep the aggro from shifting!
"What are you kids doing?! I told you not to interfere…"
"Instructor, you can't handle this alone! It's all over if you go down!"
Jin Soyeon shouted back.
"We'll handle the ape, so please quickly take down the bull and help us!"
"…"
Hong Daye bit her lip slightly.
As Jin Soyeon said, it was difficult for Hong Daye to face the two monsters alone.
If she were to suffer a severe injury and collapse, she couldn't guarantee the students' lives.
Their actions were, in a way, a rational choice.
But was it the right decision to entrust one of these powerful
monsters to students who were merely Academy trainees?
If something went wrong…
"We're hero candidates, too! So, don't worry too much, teach!"
Suddenly.
-The trainees are not just kids; they're hero candidates. You can't treat them as children forever.
A past conversation surfaced in her mind.
-As hero apprentices, you will bear various responsibilities. In case of an emergency declaration, trainees are mobilized without exception to protect civilians from perpetrators.
These weren't just students; they were hero candidates.
-Legally, you're halfway treated as adults. Until now, you've been students receiving help, but now it's different. You're not the ones receiving help; you're the ones providing it.
She had said it herself: they aren't just recipients of help but providers of it.
Yet, was she still going to treat them as mere students? Even those who had earned their provisional hero licenses?
"Don't overdo it. The security team will be here soon. No, wait. I'll make sure to quickly take down this bull and come to your aid."
For now, Hong Daye decided to relent.
She was worried, but she had to trust the students.
"Yes, teach…! Ah, oh, it's coming! Jinhyuk, it's coming!"
The Long-Armed Ape, which had been fixedly staring at Lee Jinhyuk's party, leaped towards the children in a blink.
As the ape jumped several meters and stretched its arm like a rubber band to aim at Lee Jinhyuk…
"What are you staring at?"
Unbothered by the ape's murderous aura, Sunari forcefully raised her fist and deflected the ape's lurching arm.
With a resonant boom, the ape's hand soared to the ceiling, its arm stretching meters long.
"…"
Lee Siwoon didn't miss the opportunity, took a deep breath, and slashed horizontally at the ape's arm, covering his blade with magic.
Slash!
"Kiik! Kekekeke!"
The monster's flesh split with a crack, and dark red blood sprayed forth.
"…It's tough."
The skin was tougher than expected. The blade hadn't cut properly.
Even though it was a training sword, he had poured his magic into it and swung with all his might; was it still not enough?
Lee Siwoon bit his lower lip slightly. "Fall back! Yoo Seolhyun, cover!" "Already on it!"
As the ape tried to press down on Lee Siwoon with its left hand, Yoo Seolhyun sprang into action to disrupt the attack.
Twang, twang! Ting!
Sharp claws and the sound of practice lance blades echoed around them.
While Yoo Seolhyun kept the ape's attention, Yuliya finished her incantation in sync with their timing.
"Thunder Spear!"
Yuliya's electrified spear struck the Long-Armed Ape. "Kiik! Kekeke!"
A strong electric shock caused the ape's muscles to seize briefly, giving Lee Siwoon, Yoo Seolhyun, and Sunari an opening to attack together.
Yet, the Dark Hand Long-Armed Ape seemed unbothered by their combined assault and stretched out its long arms, deciding to deal with the annoying mage first.
Swoosh!
The black hand streaked with lightning speed.
Aiming forcefully at the defenseless Yuliya's abdomen, but Jin Soyeon, prepared in advance, used a shield parry to deflect the ape's reach.
"Ki-ki-ki-ki!"
Frustrated, the ape withdrew its arm.
The sight of it being consistently nagged by one of them was clearly annoying it.
"Ha, ha… What's up? That ape wasn't such a big deal after all."
"Don't let your guard down. That thing barely took any damage."
Lee Jinhyuk sharply corrected Sunari's assumption.
The six of them had combined forces, but they hadn't managed to inflict any significant damage. Yet, Lee Jinhyuk thought the flow was better than expected.
For a first-time collaboration with Team 16, they coordinated quite well, and since the priority was simply to buy time, it was working out.
'Good.'
In the front, Lee Siwoon and Sunari, both with good defense. In the middle, Yoo Seolhyun, with her speed and range. In the back, Lee Jinhyuk as the operator and Yuliya as the mage. And Jin Soyeon, balanced, took on the role of keeper.
'Not bad at all.'
The capabilities and positions were enough to handle almost any opponent.
The students' skills were exceptional.
It's no wonder they are the female protagonist, the male lead, and the young villainess of the story.
***
"Uggh, ugh, damn it…"
"Je-, jeez… cough… cough." "Haak, ha, hack."
Just a few minutes. That's all it had been.
All we had managed was a few minutes, and now we were coughing up blood and rolling on the filthy ground.
Lee Siwoon, Yoo Seolhyun, Sunari, Jin Soyeon, all without exception.
Chapter 18 – The Main Episode Practical Assessment Begins (7)
"Ahh, ugh, uuugh." "Pant, pant…"
"Damn it, that monkey… uggh."
It was a predictable outcome, really.
After all, the Long-Armed Ape was a monster too formidable to merely be described as 'any ordinary opponent.'
'Ah, I guess a head-on approach isn't going to work.'
Tactics, strategy? They seemed laughable now. Those only work when levels are somewhat comparable. In an RPG, how could level 5 NPCs hope to take down a level 35 monster?
'Everyone's in bad shape.'
The students had been hit by the ape's attacks more than just a few times.
Their clothes were half torn, shields cracked and nearly shattered, and they all gasped for breath with various injuries.
All of this happened within mere minutes.
The until now leisurely Long-Armed Ape suddenly steamed up like a locomotive, turning a fiery red, and it didn't take long for the children to collapse.
Yes, the ape had entered a new phase.
The second phase. Now in the state of the Crimson Rage Ape.
"In that state, its stats shoot up."
Its physical attack power, physical defense, and magical defense all increased by two levels, and its temperament turned savage. Not to mention, it developed a habit of playing with its prey slowly before killing.
Just like that.
"Ugh, ughhhhh…"
The ape reached out with its massive hand, firmly grasped Yoo Seolhyun's neck, and then began to gape its filthy maw wide open.
"Keeeee, eeeeek!"
Its jaw split four ways, revealing countless, densely-packed teeth sharp as a shark's, slowly approaching Yoo Seolhyun.
It was a 'trap and eat' pattern. "Ugh, uuugh! Let, let me go, aah!"
Yoo Seolhyun's face turned deathly pale as she flailed her arms and legs, but it was as futile as a butterfly caught in a
spider's web. "Kiiii, kiiii."
Instead, the Crimson Ape seemed to savor the terror on her face, slowly, very slowly, extending its jaws towards her.
"Is Hong Daye… in any position to help?"
Engaged in a fierce battle with the Minotaur, Hong Daye
could hardly spare the effort to help anyone else.
Her supernatural abilities nearly depleted, it seemed she was relying solely on her swordsmanship.
It appeared she was so focused on her fight with the Minotaur that she might not even be aware of the crisis unfolding on this side.
"Cough, cough. Seolhyun… Seolhyun…!" "Ha, ha, ugh, phew…"
Wiping the blood away, Sunari and Jin Soyeon, gasping for breath, summoned all their strength for another attack.
"Kiriri? Kiiii."
Mocking the children's struggles, the ape swung one arm loosely, fending off both their attacks while simultaneously landing a blow on their shoulders and sides.
Thump! "Ugh, ack."
"Ugh."
With short groans, they tumbled pathetically across the training ground floor.
Once the ape turned into the Crimson Ape, almost all the attacks seemed ineffective. The ape cackled mockingly. As if taunting them to try and save her, the Crimson Ape leisurely flicked its tongue while observing the children's reactions.
'So, this is it.' Yes, this was it.
The children had fought valiantly and given their all.
But it wasn't a monster that could be taken down conventionally, and enduring this much was commendable.
It was supposed to be an unwinnable battle event, after all. Dragging it out further would surely result in casualties.
Under no circumstances should there be any sacrifices, so it seemed like it was time to finish this.
"…"
I unscrewed the lid of the water bottle I had brought before the match started and poured its contents onto the arrowhead.
The sticky liquid coated the arrowhead thoroughly. There was also a sweet scent.
"Alright. That should do it."
What was this liquid I had just poured on the arrowhead?
It was neither a dangerous chemical nor a deadly poison but rather something easily obtainable anywhere—pure apple juice with a 99% concentration rate.
No joke. Seriously. It's really apple juice.
If it had been a dangerous substance, it couldn't have been brought into the Academy, and it wouldn't have been available in stores.
"Looking back at it now, it's quite absurd."
I hadn't smeared apple juice on the arrowhead in this critical situation just for kicks.
No joke, this apple juice was the key to taking down that monster.
"What kind of setting is this, seriously."
Are you familiar with the game called StarCraft?
It was one of the massive strategy simulation games that swept across South Korea at one time.
In the hugely popular esports game StarCraft, there was a terrifying monster known as the 'Zergling.'
A ruthless creature that could tear through thick steel as if it were paper, yet the Zergling had a ridiculously simple weakness.
What was the weakness? Lemon juice.
No joke or prank, it was genuinely susceptible to lemon juice
—a setting that the Zerglings had a genetic aversion to lemons, dubbed lemon juice allergy.
It was a situation you'd expect from secondary creations or parodies, but it was an actual official setting.
…And then.
Romance Hero Academy, feeling intrigued by this absurd setting, committed the outrageous act of paying homage to it.
They even went a step further.
They gave the Dark Hand Long-Armed Ape a fatal weakness to apple juice—not just that, but if apple components entered its system, it would suffer continuous damage, and all its stats would plummet dramatically.
To put it in game terms, an ape 'intoxicated' (?) with apple juice would suffer a significant reduction in attack and defense capabilities, in addition to continuous damage over time.
In other words, to that ape, apple juice was as deadly as poison.
"Of course, in the game, you couldn't find apples…" But this isn't the game, it's reality, right?
Apples can be brought in without any issue. "Phew… So now…"
I cocked my arrow and aimed at the ape.
The ape, confident that my arrow was not worth its concern, cackled with ease.
I could see Yoo Seolhyun, who was being strangled by the ape, had clenched her eyes shut.
Looking at her, I felt a pang of guilt.
'Feels bad for the kids who suffered for nothing.'
As I mentioned before, if I had used the apple juice earlier, I could have brought down the ape more quickly and easily.
Then the children wouldn't have had to endure so much pain and injury.
But I had deliberately delayed using the apple juice.
Because I wanted the children to experience a fight with a powerful monster firsthand.
Some might have felt helpless, others despairing. Yet, they wouldn't be broken.
Rather, this fight would have shown them the necessity to become stronger.
Children like that.
The female protagonist, the male lead, the villainess, the named NPCs, and so on.
They would inevitably get entangled in various dangerous incidents as they continue their studies at Union Academy, willingly or not.
Experiencing various things in advance to survive the many hardships and challenges they would face and fulfill their
roles was beneficial.
'Considering what's going to happen, it wouldn't hurt to give Soyeon and the others a bit of an experience boost too.'
Because I am weak… I would need their help a lot in the future.
With that thought, I released the bowstring.
The arrow soared at high speed and finally struck the gaping maw of the ape.
Thud!
***
Yoo Seolhyun bit her lower lip in frustration. "Ugh. Ugh!"
Initially, she had been able to fight the ape monster fairly well, but at some point, its body reddened, and it knocked down the children with unbelievable strength and speed.
The children, including Yoo Seolhyun, simply weren't at a level to even contend with it.
"Kiiii, Kiik." That ape.
It was toying with us.
Was its arrogance of the strong or just confidence? The Long- Armed Ape held Yoo Seolhyun's neck and dangled her helplessly in the air as if it could devour her at any moment.
"Kii, Kii."
It seemed to say, "Come and save her if you can," while half the kids lay collapsed, chuckling and looking at them. Its intelligence brought out a particularly nasty temperament.
The children tried somehow to save Yoo Seolhyun, but it was to no avail.
With their sparring equipment, landing an effective blow was nearly impossible.
"Ugh, ugh, damn it."
Yoo Seolhyun gasped for breath and cursed roughly.
Her breath was getting shorter and shorter. The ape's sharp claws dug lightly into Yoo Seolhyun's delicate skin. Breath… I can't…!
"Ugh, ugh! Ugh!"
She struggled desperately.
She tried pulling the ape's wrist away and pounded on its chest with her fists. It only hurt her hands. The flesh was too hard. Yoo Seolhyun's face turned bluish-purple. There wasn't enough oxygen reaching her brain. The ape sneered at her.
Laughing at her futile struggle, the ape gradually tightened its grip around Yoo Seolhyun's neck.
Was it planning to kill her now? Time's up?
"…Am I really going to die like this?" There was still so much left undone.
She hadn't even earned her grandfather's recognition, nor proven herself to her siblings.
With a mountain of things, she wanted and needed to do, was this the end of Yoo Seolhyun's life?
Even though she knew that living as a hero meant keeping death nearby, she hadn't even achieved hero status yet.
To die like this… without accomplishing anything…? Me?
"…Ah."
Her strength then ebbed away.
Her flailing arms and legs lost power and slowly sank.
Her bright eyes slowly dimmed, and her heavy eyelids began to close gradually.
"…Save me." Someone, please. "…Save… me."
Yoo Seolhyun prayed desperately in her heart. Whoosh.
And was that when?
Thud.
An arrow planted itself into the gaping mouth of the ape. "Kiik? Kikik."
'…Lee Jinhyuk?' But it was futile.
Such an arrow couldn't possibly harm the ridiculously strong ape…
"Kiik? Kikik?! Kieeeeeeeeek!"
The always composed Crimson Ape suddenly let out a tremendous roar and began to vomit blood.
What's going on?
Why was the monster… "Kie?! Keek! Keek!"
In apparent agony, it spat out blood and suddenly flung Yoo Seolhyun far away. Ah!
"…!"
Yoo Seolhyun soared meters into the air, but the lack of oxygen supply to her brain meant she couldn't even prepare to fall properly, and she began to plummet toward the ground…
"Ugh!"
"Phew… are you alright, Yoo Seolhyun?"
"Cough, cough, cough… ha… Lee… Jinhyuk?"
…due to Lee Jinhyuk's quick dash to catch her, she narrowly escaped death.
"Come to your senses, Yoo Seolhyun!" "Ha, ha, ugh."
Taking deep breaths and slowly focusing her blurred vision, she looked towards the ape monster still screaming in the distance.
For some unknown reason, it was thrashing about as if poisoned.
"…Awake, now… I'm okay, cough, cough. I'm okay."
Gaining a clearer consciousness, Yoo Seolhyun stood up firmly, clenching her fists.
"Kieeeeeek!" "Ha, ha!"
Lee Siwoon and the ape monster were still fighting in the distance.
Different from before, the monster seemed significantly slowed down, making it more manageable to deal with.
Had Lee Jinhyuk's arrow hit a vital spot?
She couldn't be sure of the exact reasons, but if this was an opportunity, she had to seize it. No more needless thoughts
—focus on the present.
"Hup!"
"Kiiiiik?!" Thud.
A blade infused with magic embedded itself into the ape's jaw, which had been wildly flailing.
Great! Lee Siwoon cheered inwardly.
The previously tough hide seemed to have softened, allowing the blade to penetrate more easily. Its durability seemed reduced, too? In an inexplicable situation, Lee Siwoon suddenly discovered hope. Alright, this seems doable. Lee Siwoon shouted out.
"…Yoo Seolhyun!" "Got it, go!"
Responding to Lee Siwoon's call, Yoo Seolhyun gritted her teeth and tightly clutched her lance, which had been rolling around, and hurled it with all her might.
Magic Spear Throw.
The blue-tinted lance, filled with magic, burrowed into the ape's abdomen. It didn't penetrate completely, but unlike before, it seemed to deal considerable damage.
"Ugh, ahhhh! Die, you damn ape!"
Staggering, the ape was the target of Sunari's loud shouting as she charged at it.
One arm wasn't moving well, but she couldn't miss this chance.
"Just die! Die, I tell you!" "Kiik, Kiik?! Kieeeeeeeek?!"
Thump! Thump! Thumpity, thump!
With all her strength, she pummeled the ape. Flesh splattered, blood gushed.
But she didn't stop.
She couldn't afford to give the ape any chance to regroup. "Ha!"
"Ugh, ugh, huk."
"Ha, ha. Ha."
Soon, not only Sunari, but all the children who could move joined in attacking the ape.
The Long-Armed Ape could offer no resistance, only vomiting blood.
"This thing's so damn tough… really…" "Phew."
How much time had passed? "Is that… is it dead?" "…Probably."
Suddenly, the ape lay battered, meeting its end. "Ugh, ugh. Ha. Are you kids still alive?" "Instructor…"
Thump! The Minotaur's massive body kicked up dust as it collapsed.
A sword was deeply embedded in the Minotaur's chest.
Hong Daye, barely catching her breath, surveyed the children. Surely there were no deaths, right? Although wounded, fortunately, it seemed no one had died. Truly fortunate.
"…You guys took down that ape?" "Ha, ha… We got lucky."
Luck had nothing to do with it, considering the monster wasn't easy to defeat.
Honestly, even active heroes might not have taken it down. "…How on earth?"
As she pondered this.
"2nd Security Team! Over there! Save the students! Call the emergency team!"
"Leave those monsters to Team 1!"
"Is that a Minotaur? Did Hong Daye take it down?"
In the distance… the security team appeared in the children's view.
They were professional monster hunters composed of numerous heroes.
"…They really got here fast, wow."
Thump! Jin Soyeon sat down and smirked wryly.
It's not like this is some movie with cops.
Why do they always arrive after everything is over?