Ch.117117. Surprise Attack

In that moment, the atmosphere here froze.

It was because Kim Dohyun had stepped forward with a provocative attitude in front of the increasingly violent second-year students.

Second-year Baek Dongguk became angry at his junior’s defiant behavior.

“What?”

“The special classes are just supposed to be supplementary, right? We’re coming out almost every day, but all I see are punishments and drills. The kids are struggling, so can’t we skip just one day?”

“Hey. When a senior speaks…”

Baek Dongguk looked at Kim Dohyun in disbelief, then glanced toward the instructor and lowered his voice.

“What are you thinking?”

“Nothing special. If we’re going to come out without proper rest anyway, why not just take a break?”

Of course, Baek Dongguk wasn’t asking because he didn’t know. The same went for Kim Dohyun.

They both knew what was happening but were twisting their responses.

Kim Dohyun, in particular, was on the verge of exploding.

‘I just want to beat him up. But that would make it mutual fault. I’ll hold back.’

Do Jonghyun wanted a greater victory here. In other words, he needed to endure for a one-sided win.

But from the lower class to the upper class, Kim Dohyun showed himself without reservation to those in ambiguous positions.

He was saying that he would do as he pleased, regardless of what the second-years said.

Baek Dongguk had to let it slide for now. The longer this dragged on, the more disadvantageous it would be for them.

And Kim Dohyun actually made the upper class and his obedient middle class students skip the special classes.

No wonder the second-years were flustered.

That wasn’t all. Do Jonghyun also encouraged his friends in the lower class to skip.

“Everyone should just not go as a group.”

Do Jonghyun, who had only been observing until now, finally made his move.

The place was falling into chaos due to their sudden actions.

Bang Seokcheon also noticed this strange atmosphere.

“Are those bastards plotting something? Skipping as a group?”

“What are you going to do?”

In response to Shin Minjeong’s question, Bang Seokcheon gritted his teeth.

“This kind of deviation needs to be severely punished. Ariel, that arrogant girl ignored me, and now this happens?”

Bang Seokcheon was already agitated about the Ariel incident. Now with Kim Dohyun acting up too, he forgot his usual coolheadedness.

“Gather all the kids. Discipline them. Put pressure on them, saying it’s because of that guy. We need to re-educate them from the basics.”

They weren’t going to sit idle either. They planned to apply all possible pressure to tighten discipline again.

But Kim Dohyun’s influence was greater than expected.

He was the one who tried to build a power base as soon as he entered first year.

Although he stopped after getting involved with Do Jonghyun, he could easily become the center again. He began to block their efforts.

As special class attendance started to decrease, the second-years applied pressure on campus.

By Wednesday, the situation had been rolling on for three whole days without stopping.

“Call Yu Deokmin!”

Bang Seokcheon first sought out Yu Deokmin and Min Gangsu, who had been controlling the lower class.

“You two need to manage the kids tightly. Understand?”

“Yes.”

For the middle class, Baek Dongguk and Shin Minjeong were trying to persuade them somehow.

“Did they really team up?”

Bang Seokcheon grew anxious.

Especially since two-thirds of the upper class were absent, essentially declaring their distance.

“Why are they suddenly acting like this? Uniting as one.”

At this point, Yu Deokmin brought shocking news.

“Do Jonghyun is instigating the lower class kids not to go?”

Even Do Jonghyun, who had only been on the receiving end until now, was persuading the lower class students.

At this rate, the upper, middle, and lower classes would all deviate from the disciplined academy they wanted.

“These guys. Getting bolder because we let them be. Do Jonghyun. That bastard reported us with lies and still has the nerve!”

He was becoming a particular target of anger.

Now in the second week of November, the conflict was intensifying.

“So the ringleaders are Kim Dohyun and Do Jonghyun? I need to deal with those two.”

Nothing establishes authority like violence. Bang Seokcheon was looking for a way to crush his opponents.

*

I spent the whole week persuading the lower class. There’s no need to stay suppressed anymore.

“What do we get from the special classes besides being scolded every time? Is this even a class? Just getting punished based on the seniors’ moods?”

I boldly called for everyone to skip the special classes.

“Don’t fear retaliation. If they want to retaliate, let them strike. That’s better.”

I was in the process of persuading everyone.

And my targets included Sucheon and Huimin.

Sucheon and Huimin had clearly gone over to the enemy. But they must know the situation is changing.

“What are you going to do? Just continue with your betrayal until the end?”

“…”

“You’re different from the others. If you want to join our side, apologize. And you need to testify clearly again. If you can’t promise that, I can’t forgive your backstabbing.”

I clearly stated my conditions—accepting them without conditions would make me a pushover.

These conditions applied to Cheongi too, but I hadn’t approached him yet.

The emotional rift had deepened since then. I’m only human, so my feelings couldn’t be good.

Sucheon and Huimin had switched sides before, but Cheongi pretended to be on my side before backstabbing me.

Even among betrayals, there are levels.

Anyway, in this situation, Yu Deokmin tried to stop me.

“You’ve lost it, Do Jonghyun. After what you did to the seniors.”

“Shut up.”

But unlike before, I had no intention of stopping.

“What did you just say?”

“I said shut up, Yu Deokmin. Either get lost or keep being the second-years’ errand boy.”

Now that I’ve seen enough and am capable of facing them, I have no reason to hold back.

“You got a problem?”

“Do Jonghyun…”

Yu Deokmin looked flustered, not knowing what to do.

“If you want to be an errand boy, you and Min Gangsu can do it yourselves. Don’t drag others into it.”

“…Suddenly acting up.”

“I’ve always been like this. You’re the one who suddenly changed. I wonder why the coward changed? I’m curious about the reason.”

Maybe because I had won, but Yu Deokmin was just breathing heavily with a rapidly reddening face.

“You don’t even have a summoning spirit!”

But this guy gets excited again. He throws me toward the blackboard.

“Whoa!”

“You’re nothing without your enhancement suit!”

The impact was sharp enough to feel it in my spine.

“Yu Deokmin! No!”

Min Gangsu tries to stop Yu Deokmin in front of me, but he shakes him off and charges straight at me.

He’s really excited like he wants to kill me—this is dangerous.

But his kick suddenly stops.

“Huh? What’s happening to my foot…”

“Yu Deokmin! What are you doing!”

The security guard who was watching me stepped in to stop him.

“Do Jonghyun doesn’t have a summoning spirit, so attacking him with a Jaeger’s power would be dangerous! You just attacked using mana!”

“Shit!”

“Yu Deokmin! What did you just say?”

Yu Deokmin, unable to control his anger, cursed at the instructor and was immediately grabbed by the collar and thrown aside like me.

“Follow me!”

He was dragged away.

It was truly a dynamic day. But this dynamism wasn’t the end.

Because finally, the evidence of the second-years’ misconduct had arrived in my hands.

“At least 5 instances. This is no joke.”

Security guard Juchul handed me the materials.

“It really was the second-years. You were truly set up.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying! Anyway, with this evidence, it’s better to report them, right?”

“Should we deliver it for you?”

“No. We’ll do it ourselves. Besides, there’s someone who wants to see this.”

I finally met with Seol Yuhwa. She had asked to see it.

After borrowing the audio-visual room and playing the video, we saw explicit faces and drills different from before.

“It’s severe. This place wasn’t like this originally.”

Seol Yuhwa was furious.

“Such people conspired and made you out to be a liar? Unforgivable.”

“With this much, we just need to report them. But before that, Kim Dohyun and I want to humiliate them a bit.”

“Can you give me these materials until then?”

“Materials?”

I have copies anyway… Wait, am I doubting Seol Yuhwa? She’s completely different from Sucheon and Huimin.

I found myself amusing.

Anyway, I handed the materials to Seol Yuhwa, and practice time approached.

However, the atmosphere was drastically different from usual. Ariel, Yu Jia, and Kim Dohyun were in conflict with the second-years.

Well, good. As long as our side doesn’t do anything to become the aggressor… but I underestimated their personalities.

A fight broke out as Kim Dohyun and Ariel both started openly confronting the seniors.

They were directly challenging the authority of the respected second-years.

I tried to stop the two for now. I made one suggestion to the second-years.

“It’s tough for us if you fight privately. How about a one-on-one match to test your skills? If you have complaints, it might be better to resolve them through combat.”

“What?”

I naturally guided them toward a one-on-one fight.

This fight is about pride, and they’re both probably eager for it.

Kim Dohyun confidently agreed.

“Yes, let’s have a satisfying one-on-one match, senior.”

Kim Dohyun was feeling absolute confidence. Bang Seokcheon wouldn’t back down as a talented individual either.

“Do as you please. I’ll teach you some manners.”

We need to fight legally like this. Won’t get caught later.

Then I looked at Ariel. How should I stop her?

“Do Jonghyun. Remember what I told you before?”

“I know.”

I have more to show Ariel.

“You can just beat Yu Deokmin in a match. Seriously. I’ll show you.”

“Are you confident, Do Jonghyun? You’ve always been behind in the records.”

“I’m going to advance everything.”

“Good, that’s the confidence you need.”

Ariel retreated with a satisfied face.

But the question is when the red powder incident will explode. I need to guide Yu Deokmin with the monster detector…

“Ariel. I have a favor to ask.”

“How dare you again?”

“I’d like you to guide Yu Deokmin somewhere.”

“…This is annoying.”

Ariel’s expression twisted. But I didn’t back down at all.

“You asked me to show you, right? In exchange for showing you, I’m asking for a favor. Only you can do it.”

“No.”

“Then I’ll take that as a yes and go.”

“What? Do Jonghyun! You…”

I walked this way toward Yu Deokmin.

“Hey, Yu Deokmin. Shall we do a solo record test?”

I proposed the solo record test that I had done with Min Gangsu before.

In other words, I was declaring a direct confrontation.

“It’ll be different from a duel.”

Yu Deokmin jumped out as if he had been waiting. Now that we’ve agreed, we just need the instructor’s permission.

Now two competitions will begin simultaneously.

*

Yu Deokmin was captivated by the blue enhancement suit.

He was clearly in the middle of a test.

A test conducted under the same conditions. Although he was different, Do Jonghyun was in front of him.

‘What kind of prediction device is that?’

Do Jonghyun’s enhancement suit was beyond anything he had seen before.

It was producing power close to his own level.

‘Where did he get such an enhancement suit? And if it’s that good, it must be expensive. Who is it from? Did he get it from Ariel?’

[Solo Record]

-Zone 1 Traversal Speed: Currently 15 seconds ahead of previous subject (Yu Deokmin)

-Zone 1 Point Processing: Striking monster weak points 30% more accurately than previous subject

-Route Breakthrough: Recording a much more efficient route compared to previous subject

The figures were being displayed now.

He had certainly set a record.

But now Do Jonghyun was updating it again.

‘Why? You’re the same as me. Why only you?’

He lost.

It was only Zone 1, but Yu Deokmin already sensed defeat.

Do Jonghyun chose a different route from the one he took.

Deliberately heading toward where the monsters were.

At first, he thought Do Jonghyun was being greedy, but he broke through by precisely targeting and striking the monsters’ weak points.

‘How?’

Yu Deokmin had no way of knowing that Do Jonghyun had already been sparring enthusiastically with C-rank monsters.

With Do Jonghyun’s current knowledge, he could easily analyze multiple D-rank monsters.

In other words, he was moving more efficiently by trusting his own strength and knowledge.

In contrast, Yu Deokmin was more forceful than before.

Since he could now face up to C-rank monsters, his precision had decreased.

‘Why? Just that bastard? Just that bastard…’

His jealousy was exploding.

“Fucking hell! Fucking hell! That bastard! I worked hard too!”

Do Jonghyun was above him.

“I awakened my talent too! So!”

He ran as if squeezing out all the strength in his body.

In the following Zone 2, Yu Deokmin managed to surpass Do Jonghyun in traversal speed.

But his other records fell short.

In the mission to catch the key monster.

Yu Deokmin was chasing but gradually slowing down.

“Huff… huff… what’s this… why suddenly…”

His strength was running out.

His heart started beating wildly. At the same time, his body’s energy was draining away.

‘Is it because of the drug? No. Today’s dose was enough.’

Recovery wasn’t coming easily. Yu Deokmin stopped in surprise.

[Reaching your limit already? The struggles of the weak are amusing.]

At that moment, his vision momentarily went black.

Within that darkness, a black energy began to coalesce.