Ch.1111. Showing Off My Skills!

“Damn it. I couldn’t collect M-points yesterday.”

As a side effect of my astral body evolution, I failed to properly gather M-points yesterday.

But it’s only the third day. I can go practice anytime. Now I just need to complete 10 training sessions to build up my strength at the Gate.

My whole body feels stiff after the astral body evolution.

Is it because of the large mana consumption? There are no external injuries though.

When I entered the lower-class classroom, I felt unpleasant gazes directed at me.

Min Kangsu seemed to be at the center of it.

“Hey, were you the one who showed attitude to Ariel yesterday? The rumors are spreading like wildfire.”

“I don’t particularly need to bow my head to her.”

“Are you stupid? Ariel is top-tier in the advanced class. You should be grateful for her help, not treat her like that.”

“You do what you want. I won’t.”

When I responded like that, Min Kangsu jumped to his feet.

“Acting tough because you trust the instructor? You’ll regret it later. Don’t feel safe just because we can’t touch you now.”

“Whatever you say.”

As I remained indifferent, Min Kangsu gritted his teeth. As expected, he’s quite emotional given his age.

I’m the same age, but at least I’ve lived a few more years than these guys before regressing.

We took our seats in the classroom, and the lesson was about to begin on the prompter.

But I was ignoring the class and organizing my thoughts.

What thoughts? The events that will happen in the future.

Didn’t I mention before that there would be an incident three months later where Seol Yuhwa would play a major role?

Like that, I need to organize events that might have an impact.

You might wonder if I’m not studying, but for your information, I’m an exceptional student when it comes to ‘regular theory.’

In other words, I’m confident in exams even with last-minute cramming.

That’s why I’m doing something else right now.

So let me organize again. Seol Yuhwa incident in three months. Then what happens before that?

In a week, there will be a monster attack during an outdoor class.

They’re B-rank monsters, with just one A-rank monster mixed in.

Obviously, at the current student level, no one could catch them.

If I remember correctly, Ariel was pulled back due to an attack on her side, and Seol Yuhwa bought time.

Gu Sangheon, Geum Dohyun, and others stayed behind to fight and gained a lot of popularity.

In my opinion, Han Minwoo, who protected the injured and stragglers while fighting, seemed more impressive, but anyway.

This is the big event coming up soon.

The next is Seol Yuhwa, and after that, the ‘Aberrant’ group attacking the academy.

Aberrants are cases where humans have monsterized, unlike regular monsters.

The worst beings with monster bodies and human intelligence.

Those who follow monsters made significant contributions to the extinction of humanity.

In short, they’re like Trojan horses. Beings that undermine humanity by working from within.

They finally come to the forefront one month after the Seol Yuhwa incident.

During final exams, they kill several students and declare war.

It becomes the catalyst for announcing their existence on a large scale and gathering followers worldwide.

These are the major events until the vacation.

After that, I face expulsion and get called to the department head for help—that’s roughly the schedule until the vacation.

I won’t bother talking about the midterms and finals.

But more important than this is relationships.

I must prevent Seol Yuhwa from falling into Geum Dohyun’s hands. Yes, that’s the biggest issue.

Geum Dohyun will start causing trouble in earnest after the vacation, but Seol Yuhwa makes contact with him before that.

The problem is that I don’t know what that contact point is. How would I, a lower-class student, know about upper-class affairs?

I remember that Geum Dohyun was already hanging around with Seol Yuhwa before the attack incident, when they became completely attached.

But I can’t go to the advanced class and can’t stop it.

Damn it. Is there no way to stop Geum Dohyun before he spreads his evil?

I can somehow save Gu Sangheon after graduation. Since it was such a high-profile incident, I know the exact location and time.

“Do Jonghyun.”

Just then, Oh Juhwan was calling me from beside me.

“Yes? Yes?”

I hurriedly stood up.

“Sit down. I didn’t tell you to stand.”

Oh Juhwan pointed his baton at me with anger etched on his forehead.

“Is our cadet Do Jonghyun doing something else during my class because he’s learned so much?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Good, I’ll give you a chance before giving you penalty points. What was I just explaining?”

Oh Juhwan was already writing my name on the penalty list on his smartwatch.

Think. What did Oh Juhwan teach us on the third day? So…

“Ah!”

I remembered. And I also saw a light on how to stop Seol Yuhwa and Geum Dohyun.

“Clubs! In this Yeager Academy, clubs are supported and given various benefits.”

“What kind of benefits?”

“Subsidies and favorable internal evaluations for external scout assessments based on activities. And depending on the scale, they actively support schedule adjustments and so on.”

“When does it start?”

“Applications are accepted starting today, and new clubs can be established from next week.”

After I answered without hesitation, Oh Juhwan’s expression changed.

“You weren’t just half-listening. Good, I’ll let it slide.”

Oh Juhwan fortunately moved on. But something really important came to my mind.

Clubs. Seol Yuhwa definitely joins a club. I should join the same one. At least I can check on her after school.

What club did Seol Yuhwa join? Let me recall more. There was definitely an interview with Seol Yuhwa in her second year.

[My club is the Film Appreciation Club. You might find it surprising, but I’ve really gotten into movies.]

Right, the Film Appreciation Club. Seol Yuhwa is a poor dirt spoon. She also takes care of supporting her family.

Additionally, watching movies almost always requires going out.

It’s also optimal for covering up what she hates most—’the fact that her family is poor.’

If she just goes out frequently, people might wonder, but if it’s for film appreciation, no one would question her even if she comes back a bit later.

That’s how Seol Yuhwa visits her siblings to give them allowance and gifts.

This information came from an interview with her siblings after Seol Yuhwa’s death.

It might seem like a waste of time, but I need to save powerful resources for the future.

Especially considering how much human forces were reduced because of the Aberrants.

When lunchtime came, I submitted an application to the Film Appreciation Club.

*

“We’re free here. Feel comfortable. Just watch a movie and submit a review next week. First-years enter separately from us. You’ll only mix with us after six months. We only convey the basics in club activities.”

Senior Seok Dujun, wearing glasses, instructed us.

The Film Appreciation Club had few members. While it would be the most normal club in a university, other clubs in the academy were tailored for combat or learning, so there were few members.

Even Gu Sangheon, the best among the men, joined the Monster Countermeasure Research Department.

Therefore, there were only two new first-year students: me and Seol Yuhwa.

The seniors told us the location of the movie theater.

“There are several places, but academy students get discounts. Anyway, enjoy the movie. That’s all there is to the Film Appreciation Club. We have a discussion about the movies we’ve watched once a month, but you can’t contact us until you’re released. So just watch freely and come back.”

“We can’t interfere with you until six months later except for this explanation time. Just remember our faces.”

After seeing about ten seniors, I bowed my head.

“Yes, I understand.”

Seol Yuhwa also followed suit and greeted them, and then the seniors withdrew.

Seol Yuhwa and I were awkwardly standing there.

“You were Do Jonghyun, right? We meet again?”

“Yeah.”

“You didn’t practice simulation yesterday?”

We awkwardly left the classroom.

“I was busy with special training. I’m weak, so I have a lot to do.”

“I see. You’re working hard.”

Seol Yuhwa nodded with a calm face.

We headed towards the maglev train. A symbol of human development that can traverse most cities within an hour.

If you pay a bit more, you can even use warp trains in this era. However, destinations are limited.

Because of monsters, some cities have been wiped out, so they only go to safe places.

But Seol Yuhwa was lagging behind me, following me hesitantly.

“…”

For some reason, I passed through the ticket gate with my smartwatch.

Seol Yuhwa was standing behind, unable to follow, just staring at her smartwatch.

“I haven’t used this in a while, so I can’t remember…”

Seol Yuhwa says to me with a reddened face. More precisely, she’s probably never used it before. Coming from a dirt spoon family, she probably couldn’t afford maglev trains. While the subway works with just a card, the maglev train requires smartwatch recognition and self-authentication.

Seol Yuhwa doesn’t know that. She probably just received her smartwatch for the first time.

“You need to go into the authentication information on your smartwatch.”

“Authentication information…?”

I could see sweat forming on Seol Yuhwa’s forehead. If I hastily try to help here, it would lead to the situation Seol Yuhwa hates most.

Realizing her poverty. Seol Yuhwa is very proud in this regard.

Even before her suicide, she caused a huge incident because of this.

After flipping through several pages in vain, Seol Yuhwa finally managed to enter the authentication information at the gate.

“Sorry…”

“It’s okay. Even my younger sibling who came up from the countryside forgets how to ride the subway.”

I smiled while trying to comfort her as much as possible. Seol Yuhwa barely nodded.

After that, things went smoothly. We wouldn’t talk in the movie theater anyway, and we finished our schedule after watching a light comedy movie.

Now it’s time to part ways, but according to my expectations, Seol Yuhwa will go to her siblings.

“I enjoyed the movie today. Comedy movies are always… no, comedy movies are always fun.”

Seol Yuhwa wants to hide herself as much as possible. I should pretend not to notice.

But Seol Yuhwa’s gaze was fixed on a bakery.

Seeing that she’s not moving hastily, does she not have money? Well, the salary only comes in next month.

In this case, I should make an effort.

“I’m definitely feeling hungry.”

“Really?”

Seol Yuhwa opens her eyes wide. But soon her expression hardens as if she’s worried about something.

It must be a pride issue.

I should just casually brush it off…

I received plenty of allowance, so I can afford to buy lots of bread.

I’ll buy cream puffs that Seol Yuhwa liked and soboro bread that her siblings often ate. And also a cream cheese cake.

After finishing the payment, I approached Seol Yuhwa with bread bags in both hands.

“It feels weird to just leave, so have some.”

I handed over one entire bread bag to Seol Yuhwa.

Seol Yuhwa had a cold face.

“Why should I accept this? What’s this suddenly?”

“I’m just giving it to you as a commemoration. Is that not okay?”

“It’s strange to give it like this. Maybe…”

I can see Seol Yuhwa’s pride crumbling. As expected, she’s very sensitive about this.

“No, you just looked like you wanted some.”

“Then I’ll buy it myself. Am I a beggar?”

Eventually, Seol Yuhwa’s voice rose and then quickly subsided again.

She probably knows what she’s done.

“Forget it. That kind of look is unnecessary. You don’t have to. I’ll go first.”

“Okay. I didn’t mean anything by it. Don’t misunderstand.”

Seol Yuhwa hurriedly turns away.

“But you’re still taking the bread bag?”

Yes, she can at least feed her siblings. Probably.

*

She had always been a haughty princess. Seol Yuhwa hated her home, or rather, her poverty.

From kindergarten to elementary school, her trauma of being mocked for her poverty created her current situation.

“Seol Yuhwa really seems like a noble’s child.”

“Is she really so haughty? Her behavior is full of dignity.”

She maintained a thorough mystique to the point where people viewed her with wonder.

She never let anyone know about her family. She had to portray herself as noble and dignified.

With that mindset, she was always regarded as a daughter from a noble family.

But today, that almost cracked.

“I even chose a club with few people.”

Do Jonghyun. He had partially exposed her vulnerability.

That hurt her pride.

‘But I still took the bread bag. I’m going crazy. How will I face him tomorrow?’

Was it survival instinct? She took the bread bag that resulted from Do Jonghyun’s unpleasant gesture.

‘It’s awkward to return it too.’

“Sigh…”

After a pathetic sigh, she regained her energy.

Because now her home was coming into view.

A basement in a decades-old house that should be redeveloped.

Not a semi-basement, but a truly underground home.

A space with a musty smell that looks like it might collapse at any moment.

Seol Yuhwa was an alien presence here. Like a queen visiting a beggar’s house.

Looking around cautiously, she quickly entered.

When Seol Yuhwa entered, four children greeted her.

“It’s big sister!”

“Sister!”

Seol Yuhwa embraced her siblings with joy.

“I just came out briefly, so I have to go back.”

She handed over the bread bag.

“Someone gave this to me. Eat as much as you want.”

“Bread!”

“Wow! Bread!”

The children rushed over with joy. Apart from delivered meals and school lunches, they probably struggled to have proper meals.

There’s rice, but these children don’t know how to cook, so it’s essentially useless.

Seeing the children, Seol Yuhwa strengthened her resolve even more.

‘I have to take care of everything.’

She cooked rice again and looked at the refrigerator. Empty except for kimchi.

‘Just endure this month. Just this month.’

Seol Yuhwa had a sad face.

It was fortunate that they could at least eat bread like that. At the same time, she couldn’t help but think of Do Jonghyun.

‘Thankfully, we’re not in the same class. It would be hard to face him…’

Although he scratched her pride, it might have been pure goodwill.

Seol Yuhwa sighed. But it didn’t take long for her to see Do Jonghyun’s face.

The next day, during team assignments for outdoor classes.

“Today’s grouping is free, so as long as you maintain a 2:2 ratio, it doesn’t matter if you’re from the advanced class.”

Following the instructor’s words, Seol Yuhwa looked around to see who she could pair with.

Ariel looked at her with a subtle smile.

‘Not her.’

Ariel is emotionally disliked. Then who would be better?

“How about me?”

Just then, Geum Dohyun approached.

‘Geum Dohyun has Ifrit as a summoning spirit…’

He’s from a rich family and skilled. A perfect choice except for the lustful look in his eyes.

Just as she was about to go with him casually:

“Wait! Can you include me?”

A familiar voice came from somewhere. When Seol Yuhwa turned her head, there was Do Jonghyun.

“Do Jonghyun?”

“Are you crazy? Why would we include you? Is there any reason to be last place?”

Geum Dohyun’s incredulous curse was heard, and whispers spread around.

Getting on the bus is one thing, but applying for a combat team when Geum Dohyun is there? And as the officially recognized weakest?

It was unthinkable.

Do Jonghyun approached, ignoring the dismissive voices around him.

“Don’t you want to take first place once?”

“…”

Seol Yuhwa looked at Do Jonghyun intently. At the same time, yesterday’s events came to mind. It’s a complex feeling.

But somehow, Seol Yuhwa’s heart moved at the mention of first place.

“Can you make that happen?”

“Yeah.”

At this point, Geum Dohyun intervened again.

“Seol Yuhwa. Surely you’re not believing this crazy guy. I…”

“Okay. If we don’t get first place, I really won’t let you off.”

“Seol Yuhwa!”

Geum Dohyun’s scream echoed, and shockingly, Do Jonghyun became Seol Yuhwa’s partner.

*

Geum Dohyun was busy building his own family.

He had successfully recruited about 10 students from the lower and middle classes.

‘I’ll become a powerhouse like Dokgo Jun of the White Dragon Guild or Lee Seohyun of the Western Guild. Being strong alone isn’t enough. I need to build power.’

Famous geniuses in the Yeager world had already distinguished themselves from a young age and built their forces.

Even Dokgo Jun had his own guild when he started activities 20 years ago.

He showed charisma and overwhelming power, eliminated political opponents, and rose to the top.

Lee Seohyun was the same. In his 30s, he suppressed the southern region, merged guilds, and solidified his position.

What couldn’t Geum Dohyun do?

With a 5-star hero, outstanding aptitude, and his family background, he lacked nothing.

The treatment an aptitude holder receives is beyond that of a sports star.

They’re literally risking their lives to fight.

However, the problem was the top-tier powerhouses. Geum Dohyun had observed the class atmosphere for several days and identified the characteristic powerhouses.

‘Gu Sangheon, this guy is the most troublesome.’

The first to catch his eye was Gu Sangheon, another man chosen by a 5-star hero. He had already shown strength comparable to his own in several practices.

‘Ariel is tricky. And she’s more ambitious than me.’

While her face and figure were excellent, her personality was the issue.

Then Seol Yuhwa caught his eye.

Always quiet yet consistently at the top. Her dignified and quiet movements stimulated Geum Dohyun’s appetite.

‘She’ll do. I’ll get her in my grasp.’

And finally, an opportunity came during team assignments.

Geum Dohyun confidently proposed to Seol Yuhwa. He was sure she would accept him.

But the result was the worst.

“You, you’re rejecting me?”

Geum Dohyun experienced a shocking fact that had rarely occurred in his life.

He confronted Seol Yuhwa again, but the more he did, the further this cold beauty distanced herself.

‘I’m being pushed aside by that lower-class bastard? Does this make any sense?’

When he had nowhere to vent his anger, Ariel approached him.

Somehow, Ariel also seemed a bit angry.

“Want to team up with me? Let’s make her regret recruiting that lowest-tier guy.”

“We think alike.”

Geum Dohyun gritted his teeth and joined forces with Ariel.

*

At first, it was nothing. I was just waiting for team assignments.

As the lowest-ranked, I would end up with whoever was left.

I was just waiting for other team formations to finish, but coincidentally, Geum Dohyun was approaching Seol Yuhwa.

From my perspective, knowing the future, I absolutely had to prevent Seol Yuhwa from falling into Geum Dohyun’s grasp.

But Geum Dohyun versus me? It was too ridiculous. A normal person would reject me and choose that blonde-tanned thug.

So my remaining advantage: I need to use the point that I already know all the class content. But I can’t reveal the future, so I had to appeal with something else.

I said I would help her get first place in this practice.

“Why is he acting like that?”

“Is he an attention seeker?”

“He can’t even compare to Geum Dohyun…”

All kinds of insults reach my ears. Indeed, it was a risky move. From the opposite perspective, it’s like the lowest-tier asking the highest-tier for a carry.

Grounds? None. Just saying I’ll help get first place.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure if this would work. But Seol Yuhwa raised my hand.

“Really?”

“Why are you reacting like that?”

Seol Yuhwa maintained a calm attitude while including me in her team.

But it’s surprising. She really included me.

“Why would Seol Yuhwa do that?”

“Are they dating?”

“Why is she suddenly doing this? Is it just charity? Helping a pitiful guy?”

“Seol Yuhwa is kind. Teaming up with someone like him.”

Despite such extreme reactions from people, Seol Yuhwa remained calm.

“So, how do you plan to get first place? I’d like to hear.”

“I’m weak, so I’ve studied a lot about monsters. I know the monsters that will appear in this outdoor practice. Isn’t that enough?”

“Isn’t it random?”

“The monsters that must appear in the early learning curriculum are limited. This is mentioned in various accounts. If my prediction is correct, the monsters appearing this time will be Long-Armed Gorillas, Killer Bees, and Tunnel Worms.”

Seol Yuhwa’s eyelashes trembled.

“Is that true?”

“Yes. And I know their weaknesses. With your Brisingamen, you can prevent them from attacking and create an opening.”

Confidence grows on Seol Yuhwa’s half-believing face.

“Okay, I’ll trust you.”

“Good, then we need sidekicks. The best would be someone who can buff us. Double buffs would be even better.”

“What about debuffs?”

“If we know the weaknesses, you can deliver a one-hit kill with your ability. Then there’s no need to weaken the enemy.”

Seol Yuhwa nodded and took me somewhere.

Then, she brought back two sidekicks. As expected of the advanced class, she found members quickly.

“I brought them on the condition of getting first place. If we can’t find them, it’s your responsibility.”

“What?”

“Show me your skills, not just your mouth. With at least double buffs, you might be somewhat helpful. If not, you can at least serve as bait to draw attention.”

Seol Yuhwa was ruthless. Well, if I want to score even a little, being used as bait might be better.

And I knew what I had to do.

The first to appear would be Tunnel Worms. Their positions would already be fixed.

This is a fact only I know from direct experience. However, since they’re underground, they only appear when enemies come out.

I need to draw them out as bait.

When the four of us gathered, cheers erupted from somewhere.

“It’s Ariel and Geum Dohyun.”

There, the best powerhouse combination in the academy was visible.

Ariel and Geum Dohyun. A combination that would be strange if they weren’t first.

Wait, Ariel with Geum Dohyun? Surely he hasn’t reached out to Ariel too?

Geum Dohyun naturally gets close to Ariel.

“We’ll be first.”

“Hey, don’t come close.”

When Ariel responded irritably, Geum Dohyun stepped back in surprise.

“Just so you know, I chose you because I want to be first! Don’t focus on anything else! Just think about doing well.”

“O-okay…”

With a personality that even makes Geum Dohyun struggle, there’s no need to worry about Ariel.

Then Ariel and I made eye contact. She was approaching me with a mocking smile.

“Why are you staring at me? Do you think being with me would be better for first place?”

“No way. I just looked because it was noisy.”

“…You’re quite cheeky. You won’t get first place, you know? What can you possibly do?”

Ariel glared at me with fierce eyes.

“You’re a burden to your team, so just ride the bus. It’ll be fun to see you feel your powerlessness.”

“Don’t say that.”

At that moment, Seol Yuhwa stepped forward.

“Is it good to dismiss someone like that without even trying?”

“Hmm? You’re quite kind. Yes, kind. I don’t want to interfere, but how about being ambitious about grades?”

Ariel’s eyes became half-closed. Seol Yuhwa pointed at me.

“Absolutely not. I brought him because we’ll get first place.”

“Is that really possible? It looks like empty boasting to me.”

“Well, that’s Do Jonghyun’s responsibility now. If it’s just boasting, I won’t even treat him like a person from now on.”

Seol Yuhwa was looking at me with blazing eyes.

I need to be tense too.

Now the outdoor practice was about to begin.

*

Tunnel Worms use vibrations to hunt their prey. What I experienced in my first outdoor training was that they surround their prey from three directions in the center.

Conversely, if you don’t go into that center, the enemies can’t hunt easily.

Divided into 10 teams, we choose courses in the vast outdoor training ground. We’re the last, K. The two sidekicks cast buffs on me and Seol Yuhwa.

“Let’s see what you can do.”

Seol Yuhwa is testing me. For me, I’ve already succeeded by preventing her from making contact with Geum Dohyun, but given the situation, I need to show something.

“The weakness of Tunnel Worms is when they re-enter. Their attacks are sharp, but they’re defenseless when going back in.”

“But they enter quickly.”

“It’s after they attack. But what if there’s no target in the target area? They’ll briefly search for vibrations and then attack again. When I stop, the enemies will briefly stop to find me. That’s the timing.”

Seol Yuhwa doesn’t say anything else. Finally, the test time has come. I ran at once.

Give one vibration, and when the enemy moves, escape again.

Then stay still.

A method I memorized like a formula in my head. I definitely put this knowledge in before regressing.

Now, it’s time to show it.

At least I can run.

I trace my memory to confirm the positions of the creatures.

Then I ran with all my might. Instead of the enemies’ encirclement, I give attention with loud, thumping vibrations from the start.

And before going to the encirclement point, I pull my foot back and stop.

The ground rumbles and the whole area vibrates.

Three Tunnel Worms shoot up. As I stay still, they swing their bodies around, sizing up the situation.

Yes, right now.

I saw Seol Yuhwa’s uniform. Her necklace emitted light, and all the monsters couldn’t move, as if they were idiots.

This powerful ability user’s hand became light and moved, and the Tunnel Worms were dealt with instantly.

Seol Yuhwa immediately lifted me up.

“Next.”

“Long-Armed Gorillas. They’re tough, but they have just one weak point. It’s on their back, but grabbing it is…”

“Just knowing the weak point’s location is enough. Go.”

Seol Yuhwa suddenly throws me.

I hear the gorillas’ cheers and just run as my body leads me.

Where? Naturally showing their backs, but can Seol Yuhwa take down all seven of them?

I was worried, but it was unfounded. Somehow, masses of magical power intercepted all seven.

The gorillas collapsing in an instant. As expected, a skilled person is different in every way.

Seol Yuhwa approached me with the sidekicks. There’s joy on her face.

“We can get first place. Killer Bees, right?”

“They’re creatures that attack in groups, focusing on one tree. There might be over 12 of them. Most teams get stuck here time-wise. But they move in shifts, so you need to track the timing of their shifts. If they don’t shift, they don’t come out. We can win without taking a single hit.”

I use all the knowledge I know. We successfully completed the outdoor simulation with overwhelming momentum.

The record?

[1st Year New Record]

-Seol Yuhwa, Do Jonghyun, Park Seonwoo, Nathan 12 minutes 20 seconds

We were able to take first place by breaking the academy’s all-time record.

And shortly after, Ariel’s team came out. They seemed shocked after checking the results.

I feel a sense of triumph inside. We beat that powerful combo.

“Do Jonghyun.”

Seol Yuhwa calls me. When I turned my head, Seol Yuhwa was smiling at me.

“Thanks to you, we got first place. Thank you.”

Seeing this beauty’s smile, my heart raced.

Me receiving a thank you from Seol Yuhwa? It was like a dream.

“It’s fine if you trust me, right?”

“Yes.”

Our record was historic. And I was part of that record.