Ch.1818. School Life

Every day, monster breaks appear randomly across the country, which is good for business but exhausts the guilds.

Jaegers are limited, while monsters keep coming endlessly.

Therefore, the defense priority is naturally human settlements first, followed by mountainous areas.

If they can’t stop everything at once, they establish priorities and handle things step by step.

That’s why mountain and river areas without villages are always dealt with last.

Do Jong-hyun didn’t hunt monsters in the mountains for no reason.

He predicted all this. And it’s the same now.

After Do Jong-hyun disappeared, seven people arrived at this place littered with corpses.

“This is the third time already.”

A man with long hair put away his spear and looked around.

“We came early because they were supposed to be strong monsters. But they’re already dead. And it’s the third time. Should we report this to headquarters?”

The Imugi Guild, a branch under the White Dragon Guild, was expressing doubts about the scene they encountered yet again.

All the monsters were already dead.

“It’s not unheard of, Captain.”

Park Sung-joon, the leader of the Imugi Guild, examined the shattered monsters.

Certainly, if an area is one that guilds can’t handle or haven’t managed to process yet, there’s no problem if another aptitude holder takes care of it.

But the issue is that whoever did this deliberately abandoned the monster corpses.

“Why? They could earn points and get good evaluations in promotion reviews. They could make money by processing the corpses. But they just kill the monsters and leave.”

“Looking at how they were killed, it seems rather brutal. They weren’t simply beheaded but chopped into pieces.”

They had no idea who could be doing this.

“Let’s post a notice, and if no one comes forward within a week, we’ll claim them ourselves.”

“Don’t get too excited about freebies. To build skills, you need to keep fighting.”

They looked completely baffled by the situation.

This wasn’t just a one-time occurrence—it had happened three times. The same pattern kept repeating.

Park Sung-joon pondered for a moment.

“Just to be safe, let’s report this to the Guild Master. Once is coincidence, twice is suspicious, but three times in a row is definitely strange.”

And so, this mysterious situation began making its way back to the White Dragon Guild.

*

Aerial was in high spirits right now. So soon after enrollment, the world’s strongest guild was already showing interest in her.

“You have a good eye.”

She maintained her composure while inwardly feeling surprised.

‘See? I’m exceptional after all. The White Dragon Guild is already interested in me.’

She would probably call her mother to share the happy news as soon as she got back to her dormitory.

Jeon Se-jin, a scout from the White Dragon Guild in his mid-40s, asked Aerial several questions.

“Our White Dragon Guild supports talented individuals like you from their first year. We provide various sponsorships, including commercial opportunities. We’ll support any equipment or expenses you need—whatever it takes.”

“On the condition that I join the White Dragon Guild after graduation, right?”

“Exactly. It’s a kind of reciprocation.”

The White Dragon Guild managed and recruited outstanding talents from the very beginning. With its prestige, it had always scooped up the top graduates from the Academy.

Aerial was no exception.

“I understand business. So you want to make a contract this quickly? You’re quite fast. Usually, you’d come at least after the final exams.”

“You’ve already proven yourself during the previous attack incident, Aerial.”

“Is that so?”

Aerial was trying hard to contain her excitement.

“However, Guild Master Dokgo Jun specifically asked me to ask you this question.”

“He mentioned there’s a vulnerability in your attack stance.”

“I’m working on fixing that.”

“Yes, the Guild Master said the same thing. Did you realize it yourself?”

His tone was testing her. Aerial was about to answer immediately when Do Jong-hyun’s face flashed in her mind.

‘…Should I just ignore that and say I figured it out myself? I am talented, after all. But I shouldn’t lie. I could lose credibility.’

She recalled Do Jong-hyun’s advice, though she didn’t particularly want to think about him.

‘Why do I have to worry about this? It’s the truth, but…’

In the end, Aerial honestly admitted that she fixed her stance with a friend’s help.

“To spot the flaw in your stance, that friend must be quite remarkable.”

“Not really. He’s in the lower class.”

“Hmm. His summoned spirit must have good eyes.”

“He doesn’t even have a contract with a spirit. I’m curious how he noticed it myself. He’s quite peculiar.”

She blurted this out because she didn’t want to lie. This statement would later spark strong interest not only from the scout but also from Dokgo Jun when he heard about it.

The scout asked one final question.

“About the Minotaur incident—who killed it?”

Aerial flinched at this question.

In truth, she herself couldn’t understand what had happened.

A monster killing another monster—who could make sense of that?

‘But there’s no reason to lie, and it won’t lower my evaluation.’

Aerial didn’t want to complicate the situation with lies, so she answered truthfully.

“I’m not sure. I couldn’t grasp the situation clearly. Suddenly, another monster appeared.”

“Another monster?”

“Yes. It was a peculiar monster—like a carnivorous dinosaur that had bulked up, with long human-like arms. It wore something like a white bone mask on its face. That monster fought with the Minotaur.”

“That’s certainly unusual. Monsters fighting each other—why would that happen?”

“I don’t know. What’s certain is that the monster killed the Minotaur. Then it disappeared.”

“Disappeared? A monster that normally attacks humans on sight?”

“I couldn’t understand it either. I thought it was definitely a dangerous situation. But it just vanished.”

The scout seemed inwardly satisfied with Aerial’s honest answer.

Having already heard about the situation from Dokgo Jun, he was prepared to withdraw the contract offer if Aerial had shown unnecessary bravado.

But Aerial spoke honestly.

“We should examine the monster corpses. If it’s still alive, we need to find and kill it somehow. Monsters are humanity’s hateful enemies, after all.”

“Yes, of course.”

Aerial was completely sincere at this moment. This was exactly how monsters should be treated—as entities that must be eliminated.

The scout’s sharp eyes scrutinized Aerial. She met his gaze steadily without wavering.

Seemingly satisfied, the scout handed her some documents.

“Please read through the terms and contact me.”

“I will.”

Aerial smiled as she fingered the business card she had received.

*

“Do Jong-hyun! Focus! Focus!”

Oh Ju-hwan’s voice was ringing in my head. The backlash following the Asung-che evolution was, as expected, fatigue.

Sleep kept coming over me during class, making it difficult.

Oh Ju-hwan ended up giving me penalty points.

“Idiot. The lowest-ranked student doesn’t even pay attention in class.”

Min Gang-su keeps picking fights with me during breaks. But I don’t care at all.

I have the power of a monster, and after about seven more practical sessions, I’ll qualify to enter the gates.

As I said before, to prevent the apocalypse, I need to gain access somehow, but the method is the problem.

I’m contemplating how to get closer, but I’m not about to go as far as those followers who would offer their livers or gallbladders.

Like in the previous practical session.

This level is just right. Being too conspicuous is also dangerous.

Anyway, ignoring Min Gang-su’s antics, Oh Ju-hwan re-entered the classroom.

“Everyone, quiet! As you know, there will be midterm exams at the end of June. You’ll need to thoroughly prepare for the theoretical classes as well.”

“Midterm exams?”

“We have those here too?”

Oh Ju-hwan’s expression soured at the students’ incredulous reactions. Yes, it’s exactly like before.

While practical training is emphasized for aptitude holders, theoretical classes are also an important task.

How monsters move, their characteristics, numbers, appearances, and so on.

There’s an enormous amount of information that Jaegers need to know.

It’s a matter of life and death. Monsters aren’t neighborhood toys—they can kill people with a single gesture.

That’s why information about monsters is extremely valuable. For new species, major guilds will approach those who have fought or encountered them to extract information.

Anyway, I felt comfortable in the class where we applied the theories we’ve been learning recently.

I’ve already experienced this, and my theoretical grades are among the top in the school.

Since I didn’t have a summoned spirit, I had worked hard to master the theory, and this was the result.

For me, this quiz was just reviewing the process.

The results of the simple quiz came out.

1st place: Do Jong-hyun

2nd place: Yu Deok-min

As expected, I was first. I studied the ecology and habits of monsters more diligently than I did for the college entrance exam, so this was natural.

Oh Ju-hwan praised me.

“Do Jong-hyun. Your grades are better than your attitude. As a small reward, I’ll remove your penalty points.”

“I’ve been working hard where it doesn’t show.”

“Please show that effort during my class too. You always look like you’re thinking about something else.”

I had nothing to say since it was true. Oh Ju-hwan addressed everyone while looking at me.

“While practical experience is important, knowledge is equally crucial. With the right approach and targeting weaknesses, you can achieve miraculous victories against monsters that exceed your grade. Remember that. Understood?”

When lunchtime came and I was heading to the cafeteria, I ran into Aerial.

Since class distinctions don’t matter during meals, we could meet.

As soon as she saw me, she gave me a meaningful smile.

“Do Jong-hyun. Guess who came to see me today?”

“Who?”

“The White Dragon Guild.”

“The one with Dokgo Jun?”

Seeing my surprised expression, Aerial looked thoroughly satisfied.

“It’s because I have talent. It’s only natural.”

“…”

That was fast. As far as I know, scout offers usually come after Seol Yu-hwa makes her mark, but it’s only been a week? The scout offer came early.

“What about you, Do Jong-hyun?”

“Nothing. Satisfied?”

“How pitiful.”

Aerial, who would normally just mock me and leave, suddenly extended her hand to me.

But with her palm facing upward, like when asking a dog to give its paw.

“I’m in a good mood right now.”

“So?”

“I can take you on not just a bus but a plane ride. Actually, though you probably didn’t intend to, you were helpful. So I want to help you in return. What do you think?”

Aerial wants to help me? I could take advantage of this.

In my past memories, Aerial always treated me like a bug and looked at me with disdain, but things seem to have definitely changed this time.

There’s nothing bad about getting something for free.

“Sounds good.”

“Right? Of course. But…”

Aerial looks at the hand she extended. What does she want me to do?

“Your education is lacking. You don’t seem to have enough respect for me.”

“Do I just need to lie down?”

“No!”

Aerial’s voice rises. Then she grabs my shoulders.

“Like that time! Like with Seol Yu-hwa, support me with everything you’ve got! And I’ll reclaim the first-place record! You have to do this! Then I’ll reward you. I’m rich, after all.”

“Fine, if that’s what you want…”

As Aerial and I teamed up and waited for preparations, I could feel someone watching us.

I knew immediately who it was. It was Seol Yu-hwa, who had tied for first place with me last time, glaring at me.