Ch.4747. Do Jonghyun’s Instructions

Submitting a report is a different realm from theory. It’s practical, but with theory integrated into it.

It’s about analyzing monsters you’ve directly fought in the Gates on the spot.

Naturally, since we’re not professional researchers, we end up investigating using all sorts of imagination and random knowledge.

This amateur research is essential, as it’s one of the assignments that makes baby Jaegers learn about monsters in detail and make their own judgments.

It’ll come up frequently in the future.

Why did Koo Sangheon bring me along? He wants to get good report scores to boost his academic record.

“To be honest, D-rank is too easy. I wish a king phenomenon would appear.”

Koo Sangheon yawned.

Well, even if a C-rank king appeared in a D-rank gate, with Sangheon’s skills, he’d handle it quickly anyway.

Only those with special gimmicks, like the Giant Living Armor, are troublesome. Their skill level is actually capable of handling B-rank.

“Sangheon is really strong. There’s no need to even write that down.”

Seol Yuhwa was fiddling with Brisingamen beside me.

Where did the other three go?

“Yoo Deokmin! Stop dawdling!”

Ariel’s shout came from the opposite side.

[We’re six people, and Yoo Deokmin and Do Jonghyun have the same job anyway. Rather than all of us moving together in just a D-rank, it would be more efficient to split up.]

This suggestion came from Ariel. There was no need for all six of us to move together when our roles overlapped.

Certainly, splitting up would give us a chance to clear things faster.

“Yoo Deokmin! Hurry up! Why are you so slow!”

I could hear Ariel’s anger. Han Minwoo and Ariel were at the front handling the monsters, while Yoo Deokmin was probably analyzing and writing the report.

Yoo Deokmin was sweating profusely. You’d probably be overwhelmed too if it was your first time.

Still, the monsters appearing here are all ones we’ve studied. He’s second only to me in theory, so he’ll do fine if no one pressures him.

On our side, we were also busy analyzing the monsters we’d caught.

The first way to get a good score on a report is rarity.

Monsters that others don’t catch, or rare species like kings.

The accuracy of the report comes second. Why? Because, as explained above, creating a sophisticated report at the student level is considered unrealistic.

Just catching something rare and writing about it normally gets you the highest score.

In that sense, it’s easier when you’re with strong people like these.

The stronger the creature you report on, the better score you can get.

There’s no danger of them dying in a D-rank, and they do take the lead in combat…

But the one-sided massacre scene was bothering me.

I felt something was missing.

Just mindlessly killing and writing reports about it?

I spoke to these two people.

“About the Orc Warrior. When catching it, could you attack the left arm first?”

“I could, but why?”

“Orc Warriors often hold weapons with their right arm, making their left arm relatively vulnerable to defense. Wouldn’t that be better?”

“That’s true, but I can catch them without doing that?”

The perception is the same. They think it doesn’t matter as long as they can catch it, but I believe we should target weaknesses directly.

“Anyone strong can catch them any way they want. But targeting weaknesses precisely during combat isn’t something easily thought of. Which do you think would be rated higher?”

Koo Sangheon’s expression changes. Seol Yuhwa also chimes in.

“I agree. When submitting the report, Jonghyun’s method will get a better evaluation. It’s better to write in the report about thoroughly exploiting weaknesses rather than just killing randomly.”

“If you put it that way. True, thinking before cutting is definitely better than mindlessly slashing. Good judgment. Bringing you along was worth it.”

Koo Sangheon smiled readily and drew out his weapon, Yongyeon.

Its purple radiance shone brilliantly as he aimed it at the Orcs.

That’s the weapon with Xiang Yu as its summoned spirit. It increases the user’s aura when it glows.

And before my eyes, the number of corpses that had been cleanly attacked from the left arm first increased.

“Well done.”

Writing based on this is my job. As we progressed, we hit the jackpot.

“It’s a king! A king!”

Koo Sangheon had discovered the rare king phenomenon.

And in an instant, I noticed it was holding a weapon in its left hand.

“Sangheon, Yuhwa! Left hand!”

“I know. I’m being careful.”

The opponent had changed colors and reversed the hand position, but we just needed to do the opposite. It’s just C-rank strength, so we attack from the right arm.

It’s the same. Only the direction has changed, and it’s just a bit tougher.

As Seol Yuhwa showed an amazing technique of bursting the arm with Brisingamen, the king was easily defeated.

More than that, I was curious about Yuhwa’s new technique.

“How did you just do that?”

“With Brisingamen, it’s hard to simply control monsters, so seniors told me to target ‘parts’ specifically.”

“By seniors, you mean…”

Probably people from the White Dragon Guild. Certainly, controlling monsters becomes harder with higher-ranked beings.

“If I use Brisingamen to reverse the movement of not the monster but just a part like an arm or leg, it breaks. Bursting it is a more advanced technique, but I tried it since it’s a weak monster.”

“Is it okay to reveal such trade secrets?”

“You gave me attack strategies for free too. I’m just returning the favor. So why did you tell me about things like Lyke and such information?”

“That’s…”

To keep you from dying, because you’re a valuable asset for the future.

Now that I’m trying to say it, I can’t get the words out.

“You’re a talented individual who will excel at the academy. My eyes are better than they look. I saw your potential and told you.”

“Are you a scout or something? Is that the only reason?”

Seol Yuhwa asks again with a slight smile.

“It wouldn’t hurt to become friends, right?”

“So we are friends, right?”

An unexpected question. Seol Yuhwa is asking if we’re friends?

“Yes. We’re friends.”

As we looked at each other, Koo Sangheon interrupted.

“Friends? It’s good that you’re trying to go beyond friendship, but look around.”

“Huh?”

Looking around, I saw Ariel approaching with an angry expression.

“What are you doing, celebrating over just a C-rank? Hurry up and move on. Yuhwa, you joined the White Dragon Guild but you’re praising a lower-class student…”

“That’s rich coming from someone who clung to him for help.”

At this moment, the usually gentle Yuhwa unusually counterattacks aggressively.

“What?”

“I saw the school newspaper. They say you’re doing everything to raise your grades these days? Sucking up to Jonghyun? Shouldn’t you at least feel grateful?”

“Are you crazy? Talking to me like that?”

As the atmosphere turned icy, Koo Sangheon tactfully intervened.

“Friends? Aren’t we here to write reports? If you don’t get along, just go back down. That would be better. Only those who can do it properly should stay.”

I joined in as well.

“There’s no need to fight. Our goal is the report, and it would be troublesome if we got caught by monsters because we don’t get along.”

“Do you think I would let that happen?”

Ariel responded irritably while Seol Yuhwa looked at her with a contemptuous face, which I could see.

Then something happened. Ariel, who was looking at Seol Yuhwa, suddenly pointed Gram at her.

“What did you just say? Do you think I can’t understand if you don’t speak up?”

Just as Ariel was about to swing her sword like lightning, there was a cracking sound from her arm.

“It’s something I just learned, but it works. Sorry, but I don’t think I’m weaker than you anymore. This is why I like the White Dragon Guild. You get stronger quickly.”

“Ugh…”

Ariel was groaning, clutching her arm. What’s going on?

Koo Sangheon was surprised and confronted Seol Yuhwa, but she turned away.

“Ariel was the one who tried to attack first. I was just defending myself. I don’t think we can continue.”

“Yuhwa…”

I hurriedly took out a first aid kit.

“I brought magic recovery medicine and external wound treatment. Take these first.”

The Irish girl took them with a resentful expression.

Then she looked at Yoo Deokmin.

“Have you finished writing the report?”

“Yes. Everything up to now.”

“I’m going down.”

Ariel was turning away with her pride hurt.

It would be difficult to continue writing reports in this state anyway.

We’ve experienced the king phenomenon, so adding that should be fine.

As we were about to return in a more somber mood than when we arrived, suddenly a massive tremor was felt around us.

“Huh?”

“What’s that?”

“An earthquake?”

While everyone was confused, one phenomenon came to my mind.

Earthquakes in Gates are extremely rare. They happen when either a giant monster appears or there’s a resonance phenomenon.

Space was distorting before our eyes.

“It’s a resonance phenomenon!”

“What?”

As everyone was shocked, Gates were overlapping and creating a new terrain around us.

“It’s a phenomenon where Gates from higher ranks merge, but it’s invading a D-rank Gate?”

I know Gates become chaotic as they approach destruction, but there’s still plenty of time left, isn’t there?

And for this to happen right in front of us?

It’s suspicious. Really suspicious.

“Jonghyun!”

At this moment, Koo Sangheon urgently called me.

“From what rank does resonance phenomenon usually occur?”

“A-rank.”

With this one statement, the atmosphere changed.

My eyes were also fixed on the resonance phenomenon.

Jungle-like vegetation and trees were encroaching on the space where we were.

I hope whatever comes out is common. Unlike the previous Minotaur incident, the kids have grown, so they should be able to counter an A-rank.

But at this moment, Yoo Deokmin started panicking.

“Aaaah!”

“Deokmin! Calm down!”

Ariel slapped the panicking Yoo Deokmin.

“If you freak out one more time, I’ll hit you again!”

It’s absurd that she’s saying this after already hitting him, but anyway, Yoo Deokmin came to his senses.

Meanwhile, as the Gate was being encroached upon, A-rank monsters began to appear around us one by one.

“Don’t move! Yuhwa! Can you divert their attention with Brisingamen?”

“Yes.”

Seol Yuhwa concentrated at my words.

Stay calm. Even if you’re dragged into a tiger’s den, you can survive if you keep your wits about you.

The creatures from this A-rank Gate included swamp crocodiles, hallucination butterflies, and minotaurs.

“Listen carefully, everyone. First priority is the hallucination butterfly. It’s weak in terms of durability and technique for an A-rank. So it doesn’t engage in direct combat much, but rather interferes when other monsters are fighting. We need to eliminate it first to prevent complications.”

“It’s still an A-rank.”

“The hallucination butterfly is weak in direct combat and tends to circle around. Its habit is the same. While Yuhwa is diverting attention with Brisingamen, we should ambush it first.”

Koo Sangheon stared at me. Why?

“Why?”

“Somehow, you seem to know more about Brisingamen than I do?”

“It’s famous, so it’s a subject of analysis. If it has detection abilities and can control monsters, it should be able to block vision or even hide our presence, right?”

Koo Sangheon nodded at my words.

“This is just like with the Giant Living Armor. Alright! Commander, I’m counting on you.”

“The hallucination butterfly is weak to light. It moves quickly, but a technique that emits light…”

My gaze went to Koo Sangheon’s sword, Yongyeon.

“Didn’t it emit purple light earlier?”

“No problem. I’m going now.”

Before I could say anything else, Koo Sangheon dashed forward.

Not recklessly. He used his purple-glowing sword to strike from the side, just as I had briefly explained.

I already knew this, but to execute it immediately after being told once?

A purple flash streaked through the air, and the hallucination butterfly began to fall.

“He’s a genius. A real genius.”

I’m truly amazed. Is it really that easy just by explaining? Even I was nervous when facing C-ranks.

The real deal is different. Next is Ariel.

“Ariel, can you move?”

“I was just hurt for a moment, I’m fine.”

“Please take care of the swamp crocodile. They wait and aim for counterattacks, but if you attack from the head first, you can handle them. However, if you can’t kill them quickly, it’s better to retreat.”

“What do you take me for?”

While the hallucination butterfly might not even reach B-rank in terms of durability, the swamp crocodile is different.

Its skin is optimized to deflect or absorb slashes and cuts.

You need either extremely sharp attacks or blunt weapons with a wide attack area.

Gram has both these characteristics. But most importantly, heat.

Gram begins to burn with magical power. The most optimized attack method for dealing with swamp crocodiles that slickly evade attacks.

Ariel’s burning magical power struck the swamp crocodile’s head.

“Got it!”

“Jonghyun… my strength…”

At this moment, Seol Yuhwa, who had been diverting attention with Brisingamen, was getting tired.

“You did great. Minwoo! I’m counting on you.”

“Of course.”

Han Minwoo, with his reliable Perseus shield, now steps forward.

“Minotaurs are simple but strong in physical combat. Conversely, they’re vulnerable to special techniques.”

Perseus’s shield isn’t just for defense. It steals a portion of the opponent’s stats that it reflects.

“You want me to wait between enemies in such a dangerous situation?”

Han Minwoo was surprised by my strategy but followed it anyway.

Using the shield to draw attention and fighting other minotaurs.

“Fighting physically strong minotaurs directly is disadvantageous. The goal is to reduce their numbers as much as possible. It’s better for Minwoo, with his good defense, to take the lead.”

In this jungle-like place, we were quickly catching enemies and retreating.

Yoo Deokmin was in a daze, so I shook this classmate.

“Snap out of it! This is our chance to get the highest score on the report!”

“What are you talking about?”

“We’re taking these as evidence. Then we’ll definitely be number one.”

“Eek…”

I instructed the bewildered Yoo Deokmin to collect evidence while watching the surroundings being handled smoothly.

Even though it’s encroaching, we just need to clean up this area and get out.

After collecting the evidence, I called for retreat.

“Now! Everyone, let’s get out!”

At my command, everyone retreated at once. If we could just escape like this, everything would be over.

But then the ground in front of us collapsed, and a strange creature appeared.