Ch.115Weekend is Far and Treacherous – 1

“…so, Soohyun. I want you to join the Magic Tower Clan.”

The day after discussing clan recruitment with Inbeom Kang.

As soon as I met Soohyun, I brought up that topic.

“The Magic Tower Clan… you say.”

Was it too sudden? Soohyun looks a bit uncomfortable.

That’s understandable. Suddenly asking someone from the Weaponry Class to join the Magic Tower Clan.

Even someone as reserved as her would naturally be confused.

But there’s a good reason behind my suggestion.

If I remember correctly, Soohyun will eventually use both Weaponry Class and Magic Class abilities.

It’s not for nothing that she gets the name “The Crimson Witch.”

The Magic Tower Clan gathers the most elite Magic Class users in South Korea.

She can receive help with swordsmanship from the Kang family, and with magic from the Magic Tower.

This way, Soohyun’s growth will gain even more momentum.

“I’m not saying you need to settle permanently in the Magic Tower Clan. Just stay there for a while, experience more things with the team members, and learn from them. It will probably be very helpful for you.”

“Hmm…”

“Don’t worry about the team members. Hana Kang, Dasom Yoo, and Hyunwoo Lee. They’re all people you’re already acquainted with, so there’s no need to feel burdened. What do you think?”

She already knows Hana Kang, and she’s become close enough with Hyunwoo Lee to spar with him.

Dasom Yoo might be a slight concern, but given her good personality, they should become friends quickly.

Excluding the one person who will join in the second semester, Soohyun won’t need much time to adjust.

“Will you be on that team too, Examiner?”

That seems to be the more important point for Soohyun.

“Yes. Since I’m the one suggesting the team, of course I’ll be there.”

“Then I’d like that. I’ll speak with my grandfather to arrange for me to join right away.”

I thought she might ask what benefits there would be in joining the Magic Tower Clan, or what exactly I wanted from her.

But as if she didn’t care about such things at all, she accepted my proposal very coolly.

I think it’s a good outcome, but then a worry crosses my mind.

Is this really okay? Soohyun seems to be relying on me more and more.

“Have you already spoken with the others?”

“Dasom Yoo will be convinced by Hana Kang, she said. I still need to talk to Hyunwoo Lee.”

“So… you came to me first.”

Is that how it looks? I just spoke to her first because I saw her first.

But there’s no need to tell Soohyun that.

Seeing her smile happily, I think it’s better to keep the truth hidden.

I chatted with Soohyun about various things as we moved to the examination site.

By now, that Hyunwoo kid is probably already there waiting, as usual.

“Oh! Examiner! You’re here!”

Sure enough. As soon as we turned the corner, we ran into Hyunwoo.

Whatever examination he’s planning to take today, he’s holding a staff instead of a wooden sword.

I get it. Today he wants to fight with a spear instead of a sword.

“You see, I wanted to try using a different weapon besides the sword. Is that okay?”

“Of course. The more weapons you can handle, the more situations you can deal with.”

There’s a saying, isn’t there? Those who have eaten meat know how to eat it better.

It’s not a bad idea to try everything once like this.

It will be a good reference when facing a villain who wields a spear someday.

For both me and Hyunwoo.

“Thank you! Now then, for today’s examination…”

EEEEEEEEE—!

“Huh.”

Suddenly, a loud siren blares throughout the Academy.

Soohyun and Hyunwoo are startled and quickly look around.

Could villains have entered the Academy again like last time?

[Code Red. Code Red. Repeat. Code Red. Code Red.]

At least it’s not Code Black, which would indicate “villain infiltration in the Academy.”

The announcement is saying “Code Red.”

And the emergency situation that Code Red indicates is… let’s see. What was it…

‘Wait, what the hell? How is this possible? The Academy has suppressors!’

“Examiner? Code Red means…”

“Monster appearance inside the Academy! Gate manifestation!”

“What? How is that possible? There are suppressors!”

That’s exactly why I’m dumbfounded too, Hyunwoo!

With suppressors clearly installed, how could gates suddenly appear?

BOOM—!

A faint but distinct vibration comes from the direction of the main building.

As soon as he hears it, Hyunwoo immediately starts running toward the main building.

Like a true protagonist, he makes his decision without a moment’s hesitation.

“Student Lee! Hyunwoo! Hey!”

Even so, he shouldn’t just rush in alone like that.

I hurriedly try to follow him but then remember Soohyun and stop in my tracks.

Despite all the preparation, I can’t help but feel anxious.

If something were to affect Soohyun’s mental state…

“Let’s go, Examiner. I’ll come with you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. You’ve been encouraging me all this time for moments like this, haven’t you? I can do this.”

She’s saying she’s fine now. Really, completely fine.

Thanks to Soohyun’s bright smile, I could finally let go of all my worries.

*

“The Magic Tower Clan?”

“Yes, Dasom. What do you think?”

“Um… you know this is a bit sudden, right?”

Dasom Yoo tilts her head as if she doesn’t quite understand.

If she were in the Magic Class it would make sense, but she’s only in the Support Class.

“You see, yesterday the Examiner met with my father about clan recruitment.”

Hana Kang quickly explained what had happened the day before.

Instead of joining the Magic Tower, he wanted to form his own team.

And for that team, he specifically named her, Hyunwoo, Kim Soohyun, and you, Dasom.

“He’s not asking you to fully commit to the Magic Tower Clan. If you try it and don’t like it, you can leave. But the Examiner really wants you on the team.”

“Hmm…”

Seeming quite troubled by the decision, Dasom bites her lip slightly.

She does feel good that Seojin Baek thinks highly of her.

In fact, she would like to work with Seojin Baek as part of a team.

Being a student would provide some cover for clan activities.

The problem is that her grandfather had already decided which clan she should join.

Her grandfather told her to join a clan sponsored by Future Corporation.

Dasom had agreed without giving it much thought, since it was a clan under a parent company.

‘What should I do?’

It’s inevitably a conflict. Accepting Seojin Baek’s offer would break her promise to her grandfather.

But refusing feels like missing a good opportunity.

She couldn’t give an immediate answer and was struggling with the decision.

‘Looks like there’s some issue.’

Just as Hana Kang noticed Dasom’s concern and was about to ask what was wrong…

EEEEEEEEE—!

Suddenly, a siren blared and an urgent announcement began.

[Code Red! Code Red!]

[Attention! Multiple gates have simultaneously appeared inside the Academy!]

“…Huh? Dasom, did I just hear that wrong?”

“I heard the same thing… Gates inside the Academy? Is that even possible?!”

It would have been more believable if it were Code Black, indicating villain infiltration.

Villains are just people, unaffected by suppressors.

But this is different. Suppressors are a kind of lock, created through years of research and experimentation.

While not 100% effective, gates almost never form where suppressors are installed.

And of all places, at the Academy—which has the newest, best-maintained suppressors and is considered one of the nation’s most important security priorities—gates suddenly appear?

BOOM!

A loud sound and strong vibration come from the nearby main building.

As if on cue, Hana Kang and Dasom Yoo rush toward it.

“Dasom, please help evacuate students who aren’t suited for combat!”

“Yes, unnie! I’ll join you right after!”

Although this is the first time gates have appeared inside the Academy…

Hana Kang and Dasom Yoo have worked together many times before.

Without panicking, they quickly found their respective roles.

Grooowl…

Before long, Hana Kang encountered the monsters.

And the moment she saw what they were, she couldn’t help but sigh.

‘Ghouls! Of all things, why undead monsters!’

They’re not particularly fast, nor do they have extremely tough exteriors.

But they have surprisingly tenacious vitality and lack even the instincts of living beings.

Plus, they have a horrific appearance that could give you nightmares.

Because of this, the undead are particularly challenging opponents for ability users with little experience.

“Eek!”

Indeed, some students were visibly shaken by the unexpected gate appearance and the emergence of undead monsters.

Hana Kang clicked her tongue lightly and immediately moved between the students.

“Don’t panic! Despite their appearance, they’re just like the monsters we’ve faced before! Magic Class users, prepare fire-based spells if possible! Weaponry and Martial Arts Class users, focus on finishing them off completely rather than speed! The concept of injury doesn’t apply to the undead!”

Fortunately, the remaining students quickly found their positions.

Surprisingly, even the Bronze and Silver rank students were standing their ground.

It was remarkable that those with the least practical experience weren’t retreating.

Of course, they hadn’t completely overcome their fear of monsters.

Their expressions revealed varying degrees of tension and fear.

But the reason they could hold their positions despite this was…

They had confidence in their own efforts up until now.

Looking at these students, Hana Kang immediately began her magic incantation.

Shaaaa—

‘Ice magic may not deliver fatal blows to these creatures, but restricting their movement should be enough.’

With that thought, Hana Kang tried to create a favorable environment before the monsters could approach further.

That is, until a male student suddenly jumped past the defense line and rushed into the monster horde.

“Hey, wait! What are you doing?!”

Ignoring the urgent call, the male student plunged into the midst of the monsters.

And simultaneously, the surrounding undead monsters began to be cut in half.

‘Not a single wasted movement—clean and fierce attacks.’

Hana Kang has seen many Weaponry Class ability users.

But few made swordplay look beautiful.

Minseong Kang, Hakjun Ma, their disciples. And this male student fighting before her eyes.

And…

“Hyunwoo, you crazy bastard! What are you thinking, rushing in alone!”

Examiner Seojin Baek, running up from behind.