episode_0008

Yujin stared blankly at the flying ogre.

Chulsoo and Yeonghee were equally astonished.

But Yujin wasn’t as dumbfounded.

“When did I become this strong?”

She had simply put all her strength into that punch.

No special skills or martial arts.

Yet, this level of power.

It was definitely not ordinary strength.

“Did… Did I really kill it?”

Maybe it’s a trick to make the opponent lower their guard?

Trembling, Yujin approached the ogre.

Honestly, it took immense courage even for that.

Compared to earlier, Yujin was a coward.

“Hmm.”

Just in case, she shot herself in the head a few times.

Surprisingly, the bullets bounced off.

The gun couldn’t pierce the skin.

“Wait, does this make sense?”

How bad must the gun be if it can’t kill a beast?

Does that mean my fist is stronger than a gun?

That in itself feels strange.

“Well, it seems like it’s dead anyway.”

She cautiously tapped the ogre’s head.

It didn’t flinch.

Its tongue hung out, motionless.

“Seeing it like this makes me feel somewhat sorry.”

Monsters are part of nature after all.

But saying I killed it with my own hands feels odd.

Still, it attacked first.

This is clearly self-defense.

No, at this point, it could be considered natural selection.

Honestly, if it hadn’t attacked, I would have run away in fear.

“Ugh, just thinking about it still gives me chills.”

When Chulsoo fell, I thought he was really dead.

My legs are still trembling.

Damn it, I want to go home.

Why do I have to fight these monsters?

I just want to make friends at school, enjoy my student life.

“Hmm, but I haven’t done my homework yet. Will I get scolded if I don’t do it? But since I defeated this huge monster, maybe I can get away with it?”

Honestly, it looks much scarier than a goblin horde.

This deserves recognition.

The question is, will this logic work on the teacher too?

As she pondered, a notification popped up.

【You have defeated a higher-tier monster!】

【You gain additional stats for achievement!】

【Overall skill efficiency increases!】

Stats!

She suddenly remembered diligently increasing her strength.

She had invested all her stats in strength.

“Oh, so it collapsed in one hit because I went all-in on strength.”

At that time, it was just something she did without much thought.

Now, she felt it was a good decision.

“Heh, I was right after all.”

Yujin glanced at her status window.

【Name】

Kim Yujin

【Height/Weight】

184cm/71kg

【Stats】

Strength: 50 ↑↓

Endurance: 10 ↑↓

Agility: 10 ↑↓

Magic Power: 0 ↑↓

Luck: 0 ↑↓

【Unique Traits】

– Charisma of Malice

– Iron Body

– Intimidation

– Crowd Control

– Politics of Fear

【Acquired Traits】

– Communication Disorder

– Optimistic Thinking

– Weapon imbued with the Spirit of Yeoui

– Ruthless Hunter (NEW!)

【Possessed Skills】

– None

– Remaining Points: 5

“Oh, something new has been added?”

The trait ‘Ruthless Hunter’ appeared in acquired traits.

Though she didn’t know what it meant, she felt slightly unjust.

“I’m not someone who recklessly uses violence.”

Could it be because she defeated the ogre once?

If so, the judgment seemed a bit harsh.

As mentioned before, the initial attack came from the other side.

The creator of this must be a clear monster enthusiast.

“But having something is better than nothing.”

Seeing the new addition was oddly exciting.

It felt like raising an avatar.

At least it was better than having something like ‘Communication Disorder.’

But shouldn’t this disappear now?

“Now I have friends!”

Might as well invest all additional stats in strength.

With this level of power, I can face monsters without worry!

School life will surely become much easier.

“I felt bad for Chulsoo on the bus earlier, but now I can fight too. Hehe.”

Of course, fighting monsters is still scary.

But with this power, there was no need to run away.

Goblins wouldn’t even be a match for a single punch.

Anyway, a shrug of the shoulders.

In any case, one thing at a time.

Yujin turned her head towards Cheolsu.

“Are you okay?”

Cheolsu’s condition had improved thanks to Yeonghee’s treatment.

He, who had leaned against a tree before anyone knew it, furrowed his brow.

“Why did you do that?”

“What?”

“A chance like this doesn’t come easy….”

The situation of practicing together and suddenly encountering a high-level monster.

It’s a perfect opportunity to kill it under the guise of an accident.

To just blow it away like that.

The Yujin Cheolsu knew wasn’t someone who would make such a choice.

However, the opponent was the stubborn Yujin of the world.

‘…What’s this all about.’

Yujin slightly narrowed her eyes.

She didn’t understand what he meant.

‘Oh, maybe we’re not supposed to catch that monster?’

Is there a penalty for catching it? Is it a very expensive creature? Or is it a natural monument with that size?

No, but someone almost died; there was no other choice!

Whether it’s against the rules or not, you have to survive first and foremost!

Life isn’t just about grades, man.

“You can’t learn everything from school studies.”

“What do you mean….”

“You couldn’t let yourself be killed by a monster.”

A smirk played on Cheolsu’s lips.

Is he saying he won’t let them fail in a situation like this?

Because he’ll defeat it with his own strength?

‘But there’s really no need for that.’

Cheolsu looked at the fallen ogre again.

Even in perfect condition, could he defeat that monster?

No, it’s clearly impossible.

Let alone killing it in one blow.

How many active heroes could do that?

‘Am I supposed to surpass this guy?’

Far. Too far.

But that doesn’t mean he can give up.

Because he has something to protect.

“……”

He reached out and stroked Yeonghee’s head.

Tears still welled up in her eyes.

At the moment when the ogre appeared and they were in danger of dying.

They risked their lives for each other without hesitation.

Yujin forcibly separated them.

But their affection only grew stronger.

‘I have to protect.’

But that path is too long and treacherous.

Cheolsu unconsciously gripped his sword tightly.

“Heheh, my strength just went up by 5 again. Can I lift 55 beds now?”

Although Yujin, the person involved, wasn’t thinking like that at all.

****

“I, I can’t believe it.”

1st year, Class 2.

The homeroom teacher of Yujin’s class was speechless as she watched the video.

Just because it’s a Hero Academy doesn’t mean they neglect safety.

Even during practical training, current heroes are on standby nearby.

Teachers monitor round the clock.

If there’s an accident, they can be rescued immediately.

Of course, this is kept strictly confidential.

It was a lesson to cultivate students’ practical sense.

In any case, it means they prioritize safety to that extent.

Usually, nothing serious happens.

But this time, something unusual happened.

The issue was with the team including Cheolsu, Yujin, and Yeonghee.

Honestly, there was some unease.

Even the teachers vaguely noticed their relationship.

But once Yujin decided to do it, they couldn’t stop her.

Cheolsu and Yeonghee agreed as well.

It’s amusing for the teachers to say anything about it.

But the unease remained.

So they were watching more attentively.

‘I thought it was strange that he started wandering off track.’

Leading the way, Cheolsu walked in a strange direction.

A mistake he would never make under normal circumstances.

Of course, that much is within the acceptable range.

In fact, there are several teams that got lost.

The problem is the monster they faced.

The high-level monster, the ogre.

Tremendous strength, tireless stamina, and above all, thick skin.

Ordinary weapons wouldn’t easily penetrate it.

Accompanied by an A-class hero, a B-class party is at an appropriate level to handle monsters stably.

That’s the level of monster that can be handled without much difficulty.

Unexpectedly, Cheolsu collapsed with a single blow.

The homeroom teacher quickly sent out a distress signal.

Even for a current hero, Ogre poses a danger,

but right now, the safety of the students comes first.

The change occurred at that moment.

“To think a student could bring down that creature with just one blow.”

Yujin stepped forward.

And with his fist unleashed.

With that single blow, Ogre’s massive body flew.

“I’ve never seen such power even among current heroes.”

I know Yujin’s skills are exceptional.

The largest mafia organization in Korea, Heukcheon.

Its sole legitimate successor.

Yujin has never fully revealed his power.

There’s no need to.

Most opponents are no match for him.

“But to think it’s at this level.”

It seems nothing short of madness.

At this level, he could easily surpass an S-class hero.

But why does that student have to be from Heukcheon!

It’s like Captain America fighting Hydra.

“But… there’s still potential for change in Yujin.”

Not long ago, Yujin used honorifics with himself.

Something unimaginable for his usual self.

And similarly, he felt uncomfortable using honorifics with himself.

He even asked to be spoken to informally.

Above all, this recent action.

“That was clearly a move to protect Cheolsu.”

People save people.

At first, it might seem obvious.

But not for Yujin.

Heukcheon is a ruthless and cruel organization.

Yujin, who received successor education there all his life, tried to save someone else.

Whatever the reason, that can surely be seen as ‘justice.’

“If things go well, he might truly become a hero…”

Honestly, even I am afraid of Yujin.

I don’t want to get too close if possible.

But I also don’t want to miss out on such exceptional talent.

That immense power!

If it can be guided towards the path of justice!

The homeroom teacher’s eyes slowly began to show determination.

Within them was a resolve to somehow turn Yujin into a hero.