Ch.2626. Special Trial

[Team Han Min-woo]

-Currently in 1st place, 20 points!

We’re in the lead. Right before my eyes, a red moth was being smashed against Min-woo’s shield.

His shield spun around, paralyzing the orcs.

He was essentially using the red moth’s paralyzing powder against them.

Things are going smoothly. At this rate, we might even take first place in the entire advanced class.

The four of us were running through this virtual city together when another group of monsters appeared. Red moths and orcs.

“I’ll be the bait. I’m counting on you.”

“Okay!”

According to our plan, I lure the moths while Min-woo intercepts them, affecting the orcs in the process.

We secure efficiency through meticulously calculated plays. Just as an easy victory seemed within reach—

“Move aside! Doo Jong-hyun!”

Suddenly, a high-pitched voice rang out. I saw a school uniform skirt fluttering, proudly displaying black spats underneath. Aerial was flying over me with her sword drawn.

And Seol Yu-hwa was following right behind her.

“What are you doing being so slow? Seol Yu-hwa!”

“You should match your movements to mine! It’s pathetic you can’t even think of that.”

The two of them faced the monsters while bickering. Their teamwork was a complete mess, but… they were frighteningly strong.

Despite attacking without any coordination, they were powerful. Yu-hwa used Brisingamen to control the red moths and make them fight the orcs while Aerial swooped in.

It was efficient, but these two weren’t actually working together.

“Aerial. Sorry, but please don’t use me for your own gain. It lacks class.”

“Then just handle it faster, miss. Don’t you know that whoever deals with it first claims it? Did you come in not knowing that?”

They had no intention of teaming up, yet somehow they naturally acted as if they were a team.

No, perhaps it’s because they’re geniuses that they instinctively act efficiently, even if they themselves hate it.

Min-woo came up behind me.

“This is an extremely dangerous combination being born, isn’t it?”

“To think they’re ahead of us while fighting like that.”

[Team Aerial, Seol Yu-hwa]

[Team Seol Yu-hwa, Aerial]

-Currently in 1st place, 30 points!

And just like that, we lost first place. But wait, they just announced the team name twice with the order of names switched.

“Don’t tell me they’re having a pride battle over whose name should be listed first?”

“Such children.”

Min-woo turns his head with a smile.

But when it comes to systematic play, we’re better. As we entered the next zone, a wasteland appeared.

When the advanced class is the focus, the city is followed by a wasteland field. For the intermediate class, it’s just the city, and when the beginner class gathers, it’s similar to a simple monster simulation.

Old memories are coming back. The instructor used to send us to different areas based on our levels.

Just like now, when it was the entire advanced class, the same rules applied to everyone.

So in my previous life, there wasn’t this competition to claim monsters first.

This is a unique case.

The monster that appears in the wasteland field is the Desert Scorpion, an upper C-rank monster. It’s somewhat strong, but Min-woo can handle it.

It’s actually more convenient that the field is limited to just one type of monster.

The Desert Scorpion is manageable. It has a poisonous stinger in its tail and hard armor, but conversely, if you neutralize the tail, its attack power drops dramatically.

“Let’s take first place for good.”

I can lure the tail’s movement while Min-woo crushes it from the front, or I can draw its attention from the front while Min-woo attacks just the tail.

I added the Desert Scorpion’s movement patterns to my knowledge.

Perhaps due to my ability, my eyes can fully grasp the enemy’s movements.

Focusing on the tail, I identified the attack points even within its irregular movements.

“Han Min-woo!”

As soon as I shouted, Min-woo positioned his shield at the front.

He deflected the scorpion’s pincers with his shield, dealing damage through reflection, and then immediately smashed its head with the shield.

The scorpion flipped over from telekinetic force, and Min-woo’s barrage quickly subdued it.

“Well done!”

“Does this put us back in first place?”

Of course, the announcement immediately revealed that Gu Sang-heon and Geum Do-hyun’s team was in first place.

Still, in terms of overall points, we should be leading.

[Special point monsters will now be deployed.]

The gleeful voice of the psycho instructor from Class B rang out.

“This is a first.”

A situation that didn’t exist in the future. And in the distance, a sandstorm began to rise.

***

Dok Go-jun was comfortably watching the gate practice training on screen.

“Since it’s just the advanced class, the schedule is fine. Let’s just watch them and then go get something to eat.”

“But Guild Master, couldn’t there be hidden gems in the intermediate and beginner classes too?”

Lee Chae-rin waited calmly beside him.

“No. At least not now.”

Dok Go-jun was adamant.

“If they were geniuses, they would have already shown their talent and entered the advanced class. Hidden talent? It’s hard to discover in less than a month. It’s better to wait until the final exams and make judgments from the second semester. That’s why we’re only watching the advanced class.”

“I see.”

Dok Go-jun’s gaze first went to the combination of Gu Sang-heon and Geum Do-hyun.

“They’re awkward. They’re trying to match each other, but they’d be better off just going with the flow. That’s why they’re stumbling. They’d actually score better if they just went with their instincts.”

Detecting some discord, Dok Go-jun expressed disappointment.

Then, watching Aerial and Seol Yu-hwa’s team, he clapped his hands.

“Yes! This is it! They’re not even paying attention to each other, yet they mesh perfectly. They’re doing this instinctively. Aerial and Seol Yu-hwa. They’re definitely worth watching. Gu Sang-heon and Geum Do-hyun should learn from this!”

Like an adventurer before a treasure, Dok Go-jun licked his lips.

As his greedy gaze continued, the first scores were announced.

[Team Han Min-woo]

-Currently in 1st place, 10 points!

“Han Min-woo? He was on the scouting list, right?”

Dok Go-jun’s interest grew as he observed the man who took first place among such formidable competitors.

“This team is… strange.”

Dok Go-jun licked his lips again.

“What do you mean?”

“The only useful one is Han Min-woo. But they’re utilizing each situation with machine-like precision. Unlike teams that simply overpower their opponents, they’re strategic. With this kind of insight, one could become a team leader rather than just a combat unit.”

After closely observing Han Min-woo, Dok Go-jun snapped his fingers. Chae-rin knew this gesture indicated his puzzlement.

“It’s not Han Min-woo. The one giving instructions and implementing them is this… who is it?”

“It’s Doo Jong-hyun from the beginner class, whom you mentioned before.”

“The one who supposedly doesn’t have a summoning spirit? I wonder how he got into the advanced class. But he’s giving commands. And as if he naturally knows everything.”

After carefully watching their progress into the wasteland zone, Dok Go-jun continued snapping his fingers.

“It doesn’t make sense. This is different from improvisation or response tactics. It’s closer to prediction. How could a beginner class student have such ability?”

It didn’t take long to realize that Doo Jong-hyun was the one giving instructions and forming strategies.

The monster attack incident flashed through Dok Go-jun’s mind.

Simultaneously, he recalled a puzzling monster. The two had no connection or match.

They were completely unrelated.

Yet Dok Go-jun thought of it. Unconsciously.

‘I don’t understand.’

By now, everyone seemed accustomed to the situation as they entered the wasteland zone, all jockeying for position.

“Gu Sang-heon and Geum Do-hyun’s team is in first place this time. They’re continuously adjusting their coordination and experimenting. Aerial and Seol Yu-hwa have explosive movements, while Han Min-woo’s team is stable and systematic.”

Overall, Han Min-woo’s team was leading. As they approached the final stage, it seemed the outcome would be decided smoothly.

Dok Go-jun momentarily locked eyes with the psycho instructor.

Bowl-cut hair, glasses, and a thin frame—but this was just a superficial appearance.

In reality, he was one of the most notorious monster slayers. It was surprising that such a figure had become an instructor.

“Is what I asked for ready?”

“Of course. I love this kind of thing. Unpredictability. The kids need to struggle to grow.”

“You’re still as rough as ever. Are you really qualified to be an instructor?”

“In a world where strength is truth, it’s normal for the unqualified to fall behind.”

“You haven’t changed.”

Dok Go-jun chuckled.

“Giant Living Armor, an upper B-rank entity. Let’s see how they handle this one.”

Dok Go-jun watched with anticipation as the Giant Living Armor stirred up a sandstorm.

*

Giant Living Armor. A higher form of the common Living Armor.

It’s immune to physical attacks, and mental attacks don’t work since it has no mind.

A monster that can only be defeated by meeting specific conditions. Plus, as its name suggests, its massive body creates an overwhelming presence.

Each one has a special ability, and unfortunately, this one controls sandstorms.

“Min-woo! Block it with your shield for now!”

As the sandstorm hit, our team at the front immediately took defensive positions.

The armor, with only its upper body visible, moved its arms, creating fierce sandstorms.

I can see it.

It’s generating a blade of wind and sending it our way.

“Ugh!”

As we were blown away by the wind, I could see the other teams.

Geum Do-hyun and Gu Sang-heon’s team was coming to our side.

Rolling backward, I looked up to see a torso with a face that was hard to make out.

“Serves you right, Doo Jong-hyun. But what’s that armor with just the upper body?”

Aerial was looking down at me along with Seol Yu-hwa.

“It’s called Giant Living Armor, one of the stronger B-rank monsters. It’s a relatively newly discovered entity. How about we all team up to attack it?”

“No.”

Aerial immediately refused.

“Why? Are you trying to take it down alone?”

“I don’t want to work with you. Besides, I was doing fine on my own.”

Aerial huffed and walked past me.

But this opponent blocks both physical and mental attacks.

[Living Armor can seem impossible to defeat. Without knowing its weakness, it can be more terrifying than an A-rank monster. You must target its weakness. One weakness, and the creature falls.]

Recalling my training, I remembered that Living Armor always has a weakness, though it varies depending on the caster.

Finding that weakness is the key to defeating Living Armor.

“This is perfect for educational purposes.”

This will be an excellent experience for Academy students who’ve only relied on brute force until now.

It’s a challenge presented by Dok Go-jun.

A battle that can be won decisively if you know the strategy.

As I was getting up, Aerial came flying back, caught in the sandstorm.

“…”

“…”

We stared at each other for a moment.

“I was right, wasn’t I?”

“Shut up, Doo Jong-hyun!”

As Aerial tried to stand, another person flew to her side.

Seol Yu-hwa.

She collided with Aerial, and they both fell again.

“Tough, isn’t it?”

“Brisingamen isn’t working well. It was fine until now.”

Seol Yu-hwa’s face reddened.

That’s to be expected. Living Armor is typically introduced after the mid-term exams in the first semester (late June to early July). Considering it’s May now, this was deliberately introduced. They want to see how we tackle something we don’t know.

I approached Han Min-woo again.

“It’s a type of Living Armor. I heard about a guild that defeated one before. It has a weakness. We need to target that.”

“A weakness?”

“Despite appearing slow, no regular attack works against it. We need to provoke its attacks.”

Just then, Gu Sang-heon and Geum Do-hyun flew towards us.

“Wow! Attacks just don’t work! It doesn’t even feel like they’re connecting!”

Gu Sang-heon got up, clutching his head, while Geum Do-hyun expressed his frustration.

“This is insane! How is this even possible? Does it have resistances like an S-rank Ultra? Was there something like this in B-rank?”

They were agitated but didn’t rush in. Of course not. This isn’t something one can handle alone.

The sidekicks approached from a distance, and we naturally gathered as one group.

My task here is simple: use everyone effectively to defeat this monster.

[While Giant Living Armor’s weaknesses vary, after facing them multiple times, one can roughly predict their locations. The reason they’re not treated as A-rank despite being A-rank level is clear.]

Living Armor’s weakness is typically in one of five locations:

The neck, inside the armor, the sword it holds, its back, or its shadow on the ground.

It’s one of these five.

Currently, there are 16 of us here, including the sidekicks.

We can definitely defeat a monster with a weakness if we work together.

“Listen up! Let’s have a quick meeting away from that Living Armor and its sandstorm.”

“No.”

Aerial immediately objected. Geum Do-hyun agreed with her.

“Fine, then you two can sit out. We need a plan to defeat that monster.”

“Let’s just work with those who want to.”

Han Min-woo supported my suggestion. Then Gu Sang-heon stepped forward.

“You have a plan, right?”

“Of course. Monsters like this have weaknesses if you analyze them. Even if they seem perfect, there’s always a weak point somewhere. That’s what we’ll target.”

“A weakness?”

At that moment, Aerial got up and urged her sidekicks to charge at the Living Armor.

The agile genius girl moved nimbly in all directions, swinging her sword, only to be blown back by the sandstorm.

“Are you stupid?”

“Shut up, Doo Jong-hyun!”

Aerial said with a half-tearful face. And now I was about to do something I couldn’t have imagined in my previous life.

I was going to lead a meeting in front of these advanced class monsters. Everyone was waiting for my instructions.

“This is a first.”

I felt nervous yet increasingly excited.