Ch.130130. Geum Do-hyun’s Suggestion

Seol Yuhwa invites me to the White Dragon Guild’s year-end ceremony. Though Siwujin and Dokgojun are difficult people, without Yuhwa, things wouldn’t have been resolved so perfectly.

Naturally, I should attend as a matter of courtesy.

The Academy in December was stretching itself awake after various shocks.

The expulsion of second-year students, the deaths of Yu Deokmin, Min Gangsu, and Cheongi.

Incidents unfolded like a panorama. The dark atmosphere was gradually lifting, and classrooms were returning to normal.

Everyone was mainly sharing funny stories rather than sad ones.

Reflecting this mood, the suspended exams were being held again.

“We’re finishing the final exams?”

It was my voice, not anyone else’s. Wait, instead of canceling them, we’re taking exams again?

Oh Juhwan nodded calmly.

“It’s just the final exams. In exchange, we’ve reduced other classes, so it’s a trade-off. You guys like finishing early, don’t you?”

“But practical classes don’t end early, do they?”

“Never mind that. Everyone should prepare thoroughly. Finishing well is important. Winter break starts the second week of December, so you only need to endure one more week.”

And so, we ended up taking the final exams again.

It doesn’t really matter. There are no more obstacles to my school life anyway.

Around the latter half of our first year, we mostly ran gate practice simulations day and night.

Only second-year students get to train underwater or in actual urban areas. First-years focus on mastering gate operations.

In other words, it was repetition for me.

The only issue was the team composition. I got stuck with an awkward combination.

“Let’s see, I’m with Senior Ju Ara.”

Although Senior Ara is known as a talented sidekick, she wasn’t that great during this period.

“Sister, please strengthen my power and reduce the enemy’s strength!”

“Huh? Got it!”

But my body suddenly went limp. And Jeong Hyun, my combat teammate, went flying.

“The opposite! The opposite! Ju Ara! Do it right!”

“Ah, sorry.”

I could see Senior Ju Ara flustering. This team has no advanced class students, just two intermediate class students and two lower class students.

The reason there’s no advanced class student is partly because the second-year ratio is off, but also because Instructor Oh Juhwan evaluated me as equivalent to an advanced class student.

So there were many variables.

And once one mistake happened, others followed in succession from all directions.

My job was damage control.

“I’ll face it!”

With the power of my new reinforced suit, I could handle C-class monsters, so I blocked them physically first.

“Senior Ju Ara. Just apply strength enhancement for now! Only to us!”

“Ah, got it!”

“Take a deep breath! Seonghyun, cover the rear! Let’s deal with this one first? Dongsu! You just keep the others from coming!”

I struggled through the final exam.

My final grades ended up slightly above mid-range for practical skills and first place for written exams.

“It’s tough. So tough.”

Just one more week to endure before winter break finally arrives. Yeager Academy’s break starts about a week earlier than other schools.

Then I can go home and rest comfortably… or maybe not.

[Do Jonghyun. It seems we’ll maintain security until the end of the break.]

[We need to keep first-years safe.]

Because of the kidnapping incident, the security team decided to protect me throughout the break.

It’s really annoying, but the Academy doesn’t want any more incidents.

Anyway, what remains for me is the upcoming Seoul Offensive Operation.

And on December 30th, Busan… Wait? The Busan Containment Battle is on December 30th, and the year-end ceremony with Seol Yuhwa is on the 31st. That’s tight. If I knew the Busan battle would involve hostages and last over a day, I wouldn’t even get proper rest.

It’s fine. I’ll just help finish it quickly. At that time, all sorts of things happen underwater, so I’ll transform into a whale.

I know what monsters will appear too. SS-class Mega Dunkleosteus, Armored Crab, S-class Box Crocodile, Death Jellyfish, Tyrant Seahorse, and other powerful creatures.

Since it’s underwater, I’ll need to gather points for full-body evolution again.

But as always, they don’t let me rest easy.

[Monster Report]

“Ah, right. I was wondering when they’d give me one this month.”

At least it doesn’t overlap with other events.

Let’s see what new monster will appear around this time.

[Monster Report]

-Fully Armored Knight

-Time: This Sunday, 5 PM, Palgongsan Mountain, Gwangju

-Monster Points: 4

“Fully Armored Knight?”

It reminds me of when I faced that Cyborg Armor creature before.

This is like an upgraded version of that. Of course, it’s rude to compare SS-class monsters with C to B-class creatures.

Anyway, it’s incredibly strong.

It’s different in how it analyzes movements for defense and is essentially a computer itself.

Plus, the sword it carries is a weapon that sells for an exorbitant price in the corpse processing sector.

“I should face it at least in adult form…”

Looking at the time, it’s this Sunday. Good that it’s on the weekend.

The problem is what excuse to use to go all the way to Gwangju.

Just in case, I called my mom.

“Mom. All our relatives live in Gyeonggi Province and Daejeon, right?”

“That’s right.”

“What about your side of the family?”

“My side? Your maternal uncle lives in Busan, doesn’t he?”

An uncle in Busan? Great. That’s my excuse for the 30th. But what about Gwangju, which is what matters now?

“Mom, do we have anyone in Gwangju?”

“I think I heard your mother’s cousin lives there, but we haven’t been in touch for 10 years after a fight, so I’m not sure exactly.”

“Really?”

This makes it difficult. Excuses need to be clear. Plus, since incidents tend to happen wherever I go, I need to find a solid alibi.

“What should I do?”

I had no choice but to keep pondering.

But then, someone entered the hallway energetically.

“Is everyone doing well? I’m here to share good news before the break.”

Geum Dohyun. This “Golden Sun” was distributing something to us.

“You all know Cheonji Guild, right?”

Of course. That’s where Park Taesang is. But why is this guy mentioning that name?

“They’ll be conducting classes during winter. Anyone interested can apply.”

It’s not an internship but education for our academy students or those from other minor guilds.

It’s expensive, but you can learn how top guilds operate and understand their training methods. Some smaller guilds that stand out today, like “Platinum” Guild, learned by benchmarking from these programs.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re in the lower class or whatever. Think of it as getting private tutoring.”

“But don’t all three major guilds do this? Why are you specifically announcing this?”

Someone asked a precise question.

That’s exactly right. It seems unnecessary to announce this.

But Geum Dohyun had brought an unexpected gift.

“Tsk. You fools. Who would do something you could just find on the internet? This is a free training session, you idiots. You can receive special training for free for a week.”

“Really?”

Wait, that condition is really attractive. It usually costs over 10 million won per session, and for two weeks? Getting 140 million won worth of training for free?

I instinctively raised my hand.

But other students were also standing up in droves.

“Give me an application form!”

“Me too! Me too!”

Naturally, our lower class was in an uproar. Huh? But if the conditions are this good… something seems off.

I asked Geum Dohyun:

“Geum Dohyun, this all sounds good, but is this only for our lower class? What about intermediate and advanced classes?”

“Ah, Do Jonghyun. Good point. Each class will be ‘selected separately.'”

“Separately?”

Geum Dohyun climbed onto the podium and hit the desk.

“Right, not everyone can go! Five students from each class will be selected through a test. If you’re chosen, it’s free!”

“Wow, that’s amazing!”

“Alright, check the schedule.”

Since the conditions seemed good, I looked at the note Geum Dohyun gave me.

And something caught my eye.

[Test Locations]

-Time: This Sunday, tests will be held in the following 4 cities

-Seoul

-Busan

-Gwangju

-Daejeon

Gwangju. This Sunday.

At that moment, all my senses were telling me.

I had to go there.

“Geum Dohyun. Will only students from our school be taking the test?”

“Usually, yes. It would be unfair to have us compete with other professionals coming for training.”

“So it’s just for us students, separately.”

I was about to move on satisfied, but why is Geum Dohyun advertising this?

He’s not even connected to Cheonji Guild?

But who cares about that. What matters is having an excuse to go to Gwangju.

“Senior Hwibin. I’ve got plans for this Sunday. I’m going to Gwangju to take a test at Cheonji Guild.”

I smiled contentedly.

*

One week earlier, Park Taesang was deep in thought.

“Chief, why are you so serious?”

Beside him, Jung Haru, the vice guild master, tilted her head.

Her well-groomed bob cut contrasted with her vacant eyes.

But contrary to that vacant impression, her hands were rapidly stamping approval on piles of documents.

“You see, did you notice the recent incident?”

“Incident? Ah… that love triangle? Wow, kids these days are really scary.”

“No, not that! Who cares about some snot-nosed kids’ love stories? This incident. The incident.”

Jung Haru tilted her head with a calm face.

“You mean the incident where an angry kid in a love triangle took illegal drugs and turned into a monster? What’s so special about that? Though how they transformed into a Mahana needs investigation by the association. Is that what you wanted to talk about?”

“No! You idiot! Really, why can’t I have someone more perceptive?”

“What? Didn’t you get rejected by your wife dozens of times because you lack perception?”

“Will you shut up?”

“Wow~ So scary.”

Jung Haru pretended to be surprised, draining Park Taesang’s energy.

“Fine, fine. The important thing is that this incident brought attention to a girl named Erial.”

“Ah, the red-haired one? You’ve got your eye on her?”

“Of course. To be honest, we absolutely need to have her.”

“Wow, didn’t you get scolded badly by Sister Seong-hee for coveting women? A married man wanting another woman… Ouch!”

A knuckle rap landed squarely on her vacant eyes.

“Stop saying stupid things! I’m talking about talent! Talent! Why do you keep bringing up women?”

“Ah! That’s what you meant. Certainly, anyone would covet her… but she’s practically half in Jo Seong-hee’s guild.”

“White Dragon Guild belongs to Seol Yuhwa.”

“Ah!”

Finally, Jung Haru understood Park Taesang’s point.

“So White Dragon Guild essentially has Seol Yuhwa, and Magician Guild essentially has Erial.”

“Yes, contracts are prohibited until graduation, but with those two guilds backing them, who would dare make an offer? So I want to nurture someone in advance too. The other two guilds did it! Recruiting talented kids early!”

“Those three boys who came last summer were quite talented.”

“Exactly! I’d like to recruit all of them, but by unwritten rule, I can only take one. And they’re all so talented that it’s a shame to let others have them.”

Like members of other top three guilds, Park Taesang wanted to cultivate geniuses through early education.

But he could only choose one.

“Who have you decided on?”

“Therefore, I choose Gu Sangheon.”

“That boy Geum Dohyun was impressive too. He’s quite ambitious.”

“Your preferences don’t matter!”

Park Taesang shouted.

“Ouch. Stop yelling. Your personality is the opposite of your size.”

“Geum Dohyun plans to create his own guild. Do you know what this means? It’s a loophole, but as long as they’re not guild members…”

Jung Haru’s expression changed.

“So if we take Gu Sangheon and Geum Dohyun creates his own guild and establishes a cooperative system…”

“We can effectively have the other two under our guild’s control. Plus, Geum Dohyun’s own guild wouldn’t violate any unwritten rules. And if he takes Han Minwoo with him? No problem at all.”

“My goodness, you’re using your brain in a way that doesn’t suit you, Guild Master.”

“Haha, I’m in a good mood, so I’ll let that slide. Keep your mouth shut. And that’s not all! Having excellent combat personnel and sidekicks is important. When Geum Dohyun forms his subsidiary guild, we’ll support him while pre-selecting talented kids!”

“Wooow!”

At Jung Haru’s lackluster cheer, Park Taesang sighed.

“So we’re sending our scouts and people to thoroughly assess them! We’ll win their favor with free training and put them in our debt. The debt of getting something for free.”

“I see. Then I should prepare.”

“Quickly! Classes during the break, and tests anytime this month before the break. As soon as possible.”

Jung Haru covered her ears at the guild master’s urging.

“Okay. I’ll schedule it for next Sunday.”

“That’s quick, but we need to do it.”

“Of course. Should I do it this week instead?”

“Don’t! I have a family outing this week!”

Park Taesang broke into a cold sweat thinking of his wife.

“I see. Your expression clearly shows fear. I was trying to rescue you…”

“Get lost!”

“What a strange person.”

Jung Haru grumbled.