Ch.176176. Dangerous Infiltration

Dokgo Jun was diligently examining various areas through his drones.

Beside him, Lee Chaerin brought coffee.

“Don’t you think these kids are generally too bold? Aerial, with that attitude of hers, was like this last year too. She’s the same this year. I can understand that’s just how she is, but that other kid asking to change members…”

“They’re still young. Besides, that one seems to have some obsessive tendencies. Kids like that need to be nurtured from multiple angles.”

“Was there a reason you changed things? The Guild Master I know would have scolded them harshly.”

“Strong determination is a shortcut to skill improvement. We just need to guide that determination properly. I grew stronger through my own determination too.”

“I heard you had a huge fight with Park Taesang?”

“Both he and I were more aggressive back then. Just youthful passion.”

The reason for this man’s sudden inspection was, as mentioned before, to cultivate new talent.

Beyond just selecting talented individuals, he planned to establish a camp like Park Taesang’s.

“Apart from the training, we’ll select a few third-years and provide periodic education for the second-years. I’ve told the scouts to check everything.”

“That’s quite ambitious. Teaching these kids like this.”

“The overall level needs to rise beyond just my own strength. Having only a few strong individuals is meaningless.”

Chaerin gazed lovingly at her man.

“You’ve changed since fighting that monster. You’re seeing things more broadly than before.”

“…I’ve realized the reality. That creature was as strong as me, yet the monsters around the world remain. This isn’t something one or two people can handle. As our enemies grow stronger, we must do everything we can. That’s the current policy.”

“That’s my Guild Master!”

Chaerin happily embraced Dokgo Jun.

“Ah, but we should probably not get too caught up in the mood here. So you’re letting those arrogant kids grow instead of scolding them? How exactly do you plan to do that?”

“That monster boy.”

“Do Jonghyun? But it’s not even confirmed he’s a monster. Keeping calling him that is dangerous.”

As Chaerin cautioned him, Dokgo Jun switched the drone screen.

“Hmph. I’ll call him whatever I want, don’t worry about it. He needs to learn. What was his name… Seo Jinwon? The third-year who asked for a change was treated like trash. But what if that trash was actually a rare treasure? He’s the sidekick I wanted. I missed him last year because of Seol Yuhwa, but he definitely has good talent.”

“You’ve had your eye on him since last year? And a second-year wanted to replace someone like that?”

“That monster boy will probably change him now. He’s good at bringing out the best in people around him. And then he’ll realize.”

The screen showed Do Jonghyun.

“Let’s see if that idiot can teach him well. That a sidekick’s value depends on how you use them.”

Around this time, Do Jonghyun’s team began to surge ahead in the scores, taking the lead.

*

I had planned to work hard helping Noona Ju Ara, but I never expected we’d actually take first place.

“First place, would you look at that.”

“You did well for being Do Jonghyun. Though it’s all thanks to me. All of it.”

Aerial was smiling brightly too. Well, she couldn’t help but be happy since she’d rarely gotten first place because of Seol Yuhwa.

“Again, you can’t be hone—”

As soon as Yu Jia approached to tease her, Aerial covered her mouth.

“Is our Aeri embarrassed?”

“Jia, shut your mouth.”

“Why? You were the one who wanted to bring Jonghyun along.”

“Hey!”

Oh dear, Aerial was shouting in excitement, but Jia quickly hid behind me.

“Calm her down, Jonghyun! You’re the only one who can stop Aerial.”

“Haha… that’s all well and good, but we worked well together as a team. Especially Noona Ju Ara’s ability was particularly helpful, right?”

I turned my gaze toward Noona Ju Ara.

Yu Jia subtly moved right next to her, escaping Aerial’s clutches.

“Jonghyun’s right. It’s not just simple power enhancement but also includes debuffs. Once you master controlling it freely, it becomes a huge help. Right, unnie?”

Ju Ara’s expression looked much better than before.

I hope this helped her.

“You’re so good, why do you hesitate? Be bold. Someone like you, noona, we’ll support you all the way.”

“Thank you… um…”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Nothing. I’ll repay you later.”

Noona smiled shyly. It might not be completely resolved, but she seemed somewhat relieved.

The test originally takes all day. It was past 5 o’clock when all the tests finally ended. This was only possible because more than half of the current third-years had been eliminated and first-years weren’t participating.

Considering that tests used to take at least three days, finishing everything in one day was remarkable.

Dokgo Jun had us all stand before him.

“Whether you’re a sidekick or combat team, if you’ve done your part, you have nothing to worry about. I came here today to give you some tension and to see what changes have occurred over the past year.”

Just get this over with, old man.

“There have been many changes in a year. Overall, you’ve all improved. Especially those in the upper ranks. I’ll give out rewards according to your excellent performances.”

At the mention of rewards, deep breaths could be heard from all around.

Everyone wanted the White Dragon Guild’s attention.

Except for me, I suppose. I’m too scared to be near him, not knowing when he might kill me.

“You’ve already checked your scores, right? You can collect your rewards at the administration office later. First, those ranking from 1st to 10th will have the right to participate in a special training camp conducted by our White Dragon Guild.”

“Really?”

“Oh my…”

Voices of joy erupted from everywhere. It’s similar to what happened with the Cheonji Guild.

Just that the White Dragon Guild has never done this before.

Despite its fame, the White Dragon Guild rarely socializes with other guilds and almost never holds training sessions.

They’re the type to thoroughly cultivate elites and hone them to the extreme.

But now they’ve opened their doors.

That means Dokgo Jun has changed, even if just a little.

Perhaps it’s because he’s reached the realm of Avatar as rumored, giving him this composure.

Come to think of it, could Siwujin really cause that much damage even with a surprise attack?

No. Don’t let your guard down. Surprise attacks are always effective. Even with Avatar powers, he still needs to “transform,” and if struck before that…

I still need to deal with him as soon as possible. I can’t leave any openings.

Dokgo Jun was now wrapping up his speech.

“And as you can see from the team that took first place, it’s because they constantly communicated and helped each other. In real combat, this kind of communication will be a great help. However.”

Dokgo Jun’s gaze shifted.

“Acting selfishly and causing short-term ‘nuisances’ for the sake of immediate results is a minus. You might do well on tests, but as a Jaeger, you fail. Remember, fighting monsters is never a test—it’s real combat. Keep that in mind.”

Dokgo Jun left those words aimed at Seo Jinwon.

While it seemed like a message for everyone, in reality, only one Jaeger had refused to communicate.

Looking toward Seo Jinwon, his expression was incredibly dark.

Well, he should reflect on his own.

In the end, Jaegers are all about how you utilize each other. I utilized Ju Ara well, while Seo Jinwon didn’t.

When class ended and I was about to leave, Aerial grabbed me by the collar.

“Where are you going, Do Jonghyun?”

“Back to the dorm to rest.”

“Jia said she’d treat us since we got first place. Just come along.”

“Is there such a thing as choice here?”

“Nope.”

Behind Aerial’s nonchalant face, Yu Jia was gesturing with both hands for me to come.

She’s really working hard to convince me.

Well, since we got first place, celebrating isn’t bad… it’s just that being the only guy might be a bit awkward.

No, looking at Jia’s personality, she probably doesn’t just want to hang out?

My intuition wasn’t wrong. As the three of us were walking, Jia suddenly disappeared.

“Sorry. I suddenly have something to do first, so you two enjoy yourselves.”

And she said this right in front of a coin karaoke place.

Just Aerial and me. We naturally became conscious of each other. But has Aerial ever been to a karaoke place?

It’s somewhere we’ve never been even on dates.

“It’s dark in here.”

“Do you know what karaoke is?”

“I just know of it.”

I’m actually quite curious about what songs Aerial would sing.

“Do Jonghyun, are we really going in? I don’t really like places like this.”

“Really?”

Aerial doesn’t like it? Then we should definitely go.

“Let’s go!”

“Hey, listen to me!”

“I want to hear you sing too.”

How rare would it be to hear Aerial sing? And her expression change was worth seeing.

She’s definitely embarrassed. We’re definitely going in.

“Just follow me. I’ll show you something.”

“Don’t treat me like an idiot, Do Jonghyun. Acting like you can’t sing well.”

And so we entered the karaoke place.

*

One hour. Exactly one hour was spent. Aerial, with a bright red face, grabbed my waist.

“…I was nervous.”

“You couldn’t sing well?”

“I said I was nervous.”

“You couldn’t sing well because you were nervous.”

I learned the fresh information that Aerial was terrible at singing.

No wonder she didn’t want to go in.

Just seeing Aerial unusually shy and clingy was a big harvest.

“Still, it’s interesting to see a different side of you. You were cute.”

“Cute…?”

Aerial just lowered her head without answering.

“That’s enough, Do Jonghyun. I’m hungry.”

“Hmm, since we finished late today…”

It’s dinner time. Aerial then picked up her phone.

“Are you done with your urgent business? Come over here. I knew what you were up to when you deliberately guided us to the karaoke place.”

She’s calling Jia back? So she didn’t just leave?

A good place to eat with two girls… Since Jaegers eat well regardless of gender, should we go to a buffet?

No, Aerial hates cheap places.

While I was planning the next date course in my head, it happened.

A scream rang out.

A scream coming from Aerial’s phone. It was Jia.

In that moment, Aerial’s and my eyes met.

“Let’s split up and search! Jia was playing around nearby.”

“Huh? Okay…”

She was nearby? Deliberately? No, this isn’t the time to question that.

First, I need to focus on the surrounding noise.

A scream means there’s a commotion. But scanning the area, everything seemed peaceful.

What’s going on?

I don’t know exactly where Jia might have gone.

In times like this…!

Just as I was reaching for my evolution card, a loud noise erupted from a nearby arcade.

Realizing this, a gust of wind blew through.

Jia appeared before me, carrying a blood-covered person.

“Jonghyun! Please, get back!”

“What happened?”

“It’s strange! There was no monster alert, but a larva-type monster entered someone’s body and started rampaging!”

Larva? Not again?

“Got it!”

In this urgent situation, I informed Aerial of our location.

And just as I was moving my phone to call 119, it happened.

Splat.

An unpleasant sensation wrapped around my arm.

“Huh?”

A green larva was suddenly attached to my arm. At the same time, this larva’s slimy, string-like substance was connected to the injured person.

“Ugh!”

It bit into my arm and tried to enter my body.

“What…”

In that moment, with a sharp pain, my consciousness briefly cut off.

When my consciousness returned, what I saw was a collapsing building and Aerial, covered in blood, trying to protect me.