< Chapter 125: A Brief Peace (3) >
In an old ruin.
Lust sat atop a collapsed structure, crossing her legs.
“I thought executives monitoring each other was prohibited.”
Lust’s face was full of annoyance as he looked at Hermit.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Hermit shrugged his shoulders.
“Stop bullshitting. Unless you’ve been tailing me, you have no reason to talk about Seo-yul.”
Lust chuckled.
Hermit’s statement could only be made by someone who knew about her relationship with Seo-yul.
“So, did you, stay true to your name as a Hermit andlearn how to conceal your aura?”
“Maybe.”
At Hermit’s nonchalant response, Lust’s expression turned even more hostile.
“So, you have no intention of telling me?”
“Why should I reveal my cards?”
“Always cautious, aren’t you?”
Lust clicked her tongue.
“Does Maestro know?”
“Know what?”
“About my relationship with Seo-yul. Does Maestro know about it?”
“He doesn’t. Only I do.”
“Is that so? That’s a relief amidst the misfortune.”
Lust seemed relieved.
“If you’ve resolved all your curiosities, shall we get to the main point?”
“Go ahead. I’m curious what the ‘lone wolf’ has to say to me.”
Lust’s eyes glinted sharply.
“Let me say this upfront; if you have any thoughts of making a threat…”
“Seo-yul’s goal is to erase the villain organization known as ‘Saviors of Truth’ from this world.”
“…What?”
Lust’s pupils dilated.
She was at a loss for words at the unexpected revelation.
“…Why?”
“For revenge.”
“Revenge…?”
“Yes.”
Hermit continued in a deadpan manner.
“Seo-yul’s life was ruined by the organization known as ‘Saviors of Truth’. Wouldn’t it be natural for him to want revenge?”
“Ruined…?”
Lust’s pupils trembled with anxiety. If Hermit’s words were true, then she and Seo-yul would become mortal enemies.
‘This is absurd.’
This isn’t just a matter of successfully completing a contract and regaining freedom.
The moment her identity as an executive in the ‘Saviors of Truth’ is exposed, her doom is sealed.
Any chance of getting closer to Seo-yul would vanish forever.
“…What’s the proof?”
However, there was no guarantee that Hermit’s words were true.
“I have it securely stored as data. It’s classified information I siphoned from the organization’s database, so I couldn’t bring it here. If needed, I can send it to you later.”
Lust stood up from her seat and got close to Hermit’s face.
“I can’t trust ‘later’. I need the data right now…”
“Calm down. It won’t be too late to discuss the data after you hear what I have to say.”
In contrast to Lust’s impatience, Hermit remained very calm.
Lust bit her lip.
Hermit wasn’t wrong.
“…Fine. Tell me what happened between Seo-yul and the organization.”
“Before that, there’s something I need to entrust to you.”
“What now?”
Lust’s eyes narrowed.
She hated beating around the bush when important matters were at hand.
“When you hear what I have to say, you will have to make one of two choices.”
“A choice?”
“Yes. Whether to continue standing with the organization or…”
Hermit’s eyes sharpened.
“To help Seo-yul in his revenge by joining hands with me and betraying the organization.”
Lust’s pupils quivered wildly.
* * *
“Found it…!”
2:30 a.m.
With wide eyes, I was cheering.
After a grueling 14-hour grind, I had finally figured out the effects of full assimilation of angelic traits.
The results were surprisingly good, overturning my initial expectations that it wouldn’t be anything special.
Who wouldn’t be happy about that?
“Never thought it would be resistance to mental attacks.”
I found out through the mental resistance training curriculum.
While regular people might be overwhelmed by such training, I was completely fine.
Even when I pushed it up two more levels, a mild headache was all I felt.
“Impressive, isn’t it?”
At first glance, it seemed like a trivial effect, but resistance to mental attacks is an essential ability.
What’s the point of being strong and having extraordinary abilities?
With just one mind control attack, you’re down.
I’m down.
Everyone’s down equally.
This increased mental attack resistance is a perfect counter to such terrible villains.
‘This will make it much easier to face ‘Saint’.’
She is one of the seven executives of the ‘Saviors of Truth,’ owner of a heretical group called ‘Eden,’ and possesses a terrifying ability called ‘Psychological Manipulation’ that breaks down people’s personalities and reshapes them as her followers.
Numbers mean nothing when facing that woman.
No matter how many allies you bring, there’s a chance they could turn against you in an instant.
That’s how powerful Saint’s ‘Psychological Manipulation’ is.
“It was worth the grind.”
Having gained a means to resist that skill is a huge win.
* * *
Monday.
It feels strange coming to school after such a long time off.
It was nice resting at home for a while.
“Ah, I’m already tired.”
“I know, right? It was nice when we were resting.”
Voices like these can be heard around the classroom. It seems like everyone is thinking the same thing as me.
“Seo-yul, hello.”
Si-yeon, who just arrived at school, approaches me with a smile.
“Good morning.”
“Yep. The weather is really nice today~”
She seems more spirited than usual.
“You look really happy. Did something good happen?”
“Yeah, a little? Hehe.”
She really does look happy.
“What happened?”
“Well…”
Si-yeon’s eyes sparkle.
“I got the Black Iron Edition Barbell!”
“…Huh?”
What edition?
“You know how black iron has the property of magic severance? Using that property, it’s an amazing exercise equipment that solely focuses on physical training while completely eliminating magic!”
“…”
I see.
Truly sensational.
“And the weight can be adjusted freely for superhumans, and it even comes with safety features? Isn’t it really awesome?”
“…”
I’m at a loss for words.
“And as if that wasn’t enough, they even gave me Black Iron Edition dumbbells as a gift!”
No, I really don’t know what to say.
“I received it last night, and I was so excited I couldn’t sleep. Ah, I wish it would get dark soon~ I wonder how it’ll feel?”
“…”
That’s scary.
Seriously.
… She’s not really collecting exercise equipment by brand for her home, is she?
“Oh! I have to pre-order the new Light Magic Stone Edition series that’s coming out. I almost forgot.”
“…”
Please, let it not be that.
I prayed earnestly.
* * *
The first class was an indoor lesson led by Instructor Pi Jin Ho.
“As you all may know, we’ll be having our final exams soon.”
Groans erupted from various corners of the room at his words.
“Ah~”
“Seriously.”
“We just took the midterms, and now we already have finals?”
This was due to the midterm exams being postponed twice, making the gap between the midterms and the finals unusually short.
“For the written tests, each instructor will announce their respective test scope. Well, we’ve had a lot of days off this year, so the scope won’t be that big.”
There have been so many incidents and accidents that, honestly, we haven’t learned much in school.
“We’re planning to make the practical test a bit simpler, too.”
The murmurs grew louder.
It seems that the situation has changed, affecting the exams as well.
“What does ‘simpler’ mean?”
“…They’re not going to make us do another survival test, are they?”
“If that’s the case, I’m definitely teaming up with Seo-yul.”
“Is there a way?”
“Whatever it takes! Absolutely!”
In the original story, the final exam was a team battle, but given they’re saying it will be ‘simpler,’ it probably won’t be that.
…There’s no way the scenario would proceed as in the original, given how messed up the situation has become.
I was sure of it. It wouldn’t be a team battle.
I was certain of it.
“The date for the practical test is June 28th. The format of the exam will be…”
Instructor Pi Jin Ho grinned.
Needless to say, it was a devilish smile.
“It will be a team battle, where teams of up to 5 people will compete in a tournament. We’ll announce details about team formation later.”
“…”
…Are they really going to proceed with the exam as in the original story?
Nah.
They’ll surely change the exam content again.
It’s not like I’ve only experienced this butterfly effect for a day or two.
Could it really be a team battle?
* * *
But then it actually happened.
“Jia, do you have anyone to team up with?”
“Si-yeon, do you want to join us?”
Voices seeking team members echoed all around.
I can’t believe it’s really a team battle.
“Seo-yul, have you put your team together yet?”
A male student approached me.
“Me? Still thinking.”
“How about me? I’m not bad at being in the front lines.”
Kang Jung-hoo, a cadet.
He’s a pure tank, wielding a shield and a short sword. Having someone like him on the team would definitely be a big help.
…And he would be easy for me to manage.
But there’s a problem.
“Uh… You were ranked 138th, right?”
“Huh? Oh, yes.”
He looks surprised.
The expression on his face shifts from ‘How did he remember my rank?’ to ‘Did he consider me as a team member?’
“Sorry, it’s going to be a bit difficult.”
Sorry, but I never considered it.
I haven’t even reviewed anyone ranked between 100th and 200th.
“Ah… Is it because you’re aiming for someone in a similar rank?”
“Something like that.”
For this team battle, cadets can freely choose their team members.
Of course, there are rules to prevent top rankers from grouping together.
One person from ranks 1~100.
One person 101~200.
One person 201~300.
One person 301~400.
One person 401~487.
Roughly speaking, this is how teams are recommended to be formed.
But it’s only a recommendation, not a requirement.
Even a team made of ranks 1~5 is allowed.
As long as they are willing to accept the penalty for concentrating on top ranks.
…But I wouldn’t do that.
The penalty is too harsh.
If ranks 1~5 team up, the overall team ability penalty would be over 60%. How could we manage that?
“Looks like you’ve got something in mind.”
“A little?”
I do have something in mind, but I’m still reviewing the rulebook for team battles to figure out how to get the most benefit.
“Is that so? Can’t be helped then.”
The cadet smiled reluctantly and walked away.
After that, a few more people approached me with team proposals, but I declined all of them.
And then, after meticulously going through the rulebook from start to finish, I reached a conclusion.
“…This will work.”
But now I have to choose between Si-yeon and Jia.
What should I do?
“Seo-yul! Have you put your team together yet?”
Si-yeon approached me.
“Not yet. What about you, Si-yeon?”
“I told you to wait, so I’m obviously undecided. But…”
Si-yeon smiled faintly and pointed at the four people behind her.
“Chul-jin made this team for me… What should I do?”
Ah. This makes the situation difficult.
I looked behind Jia.
“Hmm. Well-organized, isn’t it?”
“Yep. Chul-jin is quick to think when it comes to things like this.”
It’s really well-organized.
1st place Ha Si-yeon.
9th place Kim Chul-jin.
197th place Choi Jihun.
The other two are ranked outside the top 450.
“The penalty caused by you and Chul-jin is covered by the two lowest-ranking members, right?”
“Yep. This way, he said there’s almost no penalty.”
It’s a good method.
Choosing the two lowest-ranking members as the tank and the supporter is a stroke of genius.
“What should we do?”
Si-yeon is restless.
I chuckled.
“What to do? Just go.”
It worked out well.
I only needed one of them anyway.
“Is it really okay?”
“Of course. The choice of the team is up to you.”
And if they’ve prepared this much, you have to accept it.
“Really?”
“Really, why would I be lying?”
“…”
Si-yeon still looked indecisive. What’s there to worry about?
I got up from my seat and called out for Kim Chul-jin.
“Hey, Kim Chul-jin~ Take Si-yeon with you.”
“Oh, cool.”
Kim Chul-jin laughed out loud as he approached us.
“I know it’s awkward to say this, but is it okay? Seo-yul, weren’t you also planning to form a team with Si-yeon?”
“I was, but it’s fine. I have another way.”
“Another way?”
“To team up with Jia.”
Jia, who had been eavesdropping from a distance, flinched.
“Oh-ho, so you’re ditching Si-yeon to team up with Shin Jia?”
Chul-jin joked and laughed.
I laughed along.
“You should put it correctly. Si-yeon was the one who ditched me first.”
This time Si-yeon’s shoulders flinched. A quick glance revealed that she looked upset.
“It’s not like that…”
Watching Si-yeon’s vivid reaction, both Chul-jin and I laughed at the same time.
The smug expression on Jia’s face was the finishing blow.
“But if you team up with Jia, the penalty points will be considerably high. What about the other kids? Are there any left among the low-ranking ones?”
Chul-jin stroked his chin.
It seems he is thinking on my behalf.
“I don’t need it.”
But that’s needless worrying.
“Huh? What?”
“Other team members. I said I don’t need them.”
Everyone who had been listening simultaneously tilted their heads.
“I’m planning to form a 2-person team with Jia.”
“A 2-person team? Really?”
“Why? There are 4-person teams and 3-person teams. What’s wrong with a 2-person team?”
There are not just penalty points in this test.
“Ah, you’re aiming for the advantage points.”
There are advantage points that increase the stats with the number of low-ranking members or smaller team size.
“Correct.”
I plan to actively utilize that rule.
< Chapter 125: A Brief Peace (3) > End
