Ch.6969. I’ll Show You Once!

As the point where all classes—upper, middle, and lower—began to mix together, Bang Seokcheun was scanning the middle and lower classes.

He wasn’t the type to just beat up and bully kids indiscriminately like some thug.

If he was going to do something, he’d do it with everyone. His plan was to control the “atmosphere.” For that, observation was necessary when everyone mingled like this.

‘I’ve seen enough of Geum Dohyun. Given his tendencies, if we can pull him to our side, we can control the first-years.’

Gu Sangheon, who was similar to or even stronger than Geum Dohyun, was the type who got along with everyone without forming specific groups. That type was advantageous to bring into a faction.

Plus, once they had support from second-years like themselves, they could easily break him down.

‘…I can’t figure out what Han Minwoo is thinking. He just seems quiet.’

However, Han Minwoo, whom he considered quite skilled, was a complete mystery since he hardly spoke.

‘He barely says a word. It was frustrating being in the same group with him, but his skills are definitely real.’

Anyway, he had finished analyzing the upper class. This was roughly what he had found.

[People Not to Touch]

-Aerial (unpredictable personality and powerful family background), Seol Yuhwa (White Dragon Guild)

[People to Recruit]

-Geum Dohyun (top priority)

-Necessary personnel from middle and lower classes

The problem was that he didn’t know many students in the middle and lower classes.

He needed information here.

As a second-year, he had friends from his first year who shared his views.

Shin Minjung and Baek Dongguk from the middle class.

Before class started, they gathered together and began talking.

Baek Dongguk, with his small frame, glared at the middle class students.

“The middle class is easy. We intimidated them a bit while working together, and they just folded.”

“There are about four foreigners in the middle class who are a bit tricky. The class president, Lee Hanseong or something? He’s the only one who seems rebellious.”

Shin Minjung, with her short hair, provided details from beside him.

“Hey, how does that make me look, Shin Minjung?”

Baek Dongguk snapped at Shin Minjung.

“You need to understand things thoroughly if you want to do this. You always try to gloss over everything, don’t you?”

Shin Minjung shot back, and the two began a staring contest.

Bang Seokcheun stepped in to stop them.

“Hey, enough. We’re just gathering information right now. But I see you guys also want to control the first-years?”

“To be honest, they’re too free-spirited. It’s the same abroad. Prestigious universities maintain strict discipline. Look at incidents in France or America—it’s all similar. Only here is strangely lacking in that.”

The group around Shin Minjung nodded in unison at her words.

“We’re going to change that. The academy should be a more tense and intimidating place.”

Bang Seokcheun saw Gu Jeongyul approaching him now.

“Hey, Gu Jeongyul. I heard you caused trouble right away. Why did you move so hastily?”

“Just one guy. Because of that fucking bastard.”

Gu Jeongyul shifted his gaze toward Do Jonghyun.

“If we deal with that guy, the lower class won’t be a problem. Let’s teach him a lesson.”

“What nonsense are you talking about, idiot?”

“Huh?”

Gu Jeongyul looked at Bang Seokcheun’s angry face.

“You need to control yourself when doing that stuff. You crossed the line and got caught by Oh Juhwan, and now the whole school knows. And in this situation, you want to mess with Do Jonghyun? Are you trying to ruin us?”

“S-sorry.”

Gu Jeongyul apologized hastily. In truth, it was obvious what would happen if they messed with Do Jonghyun again.

But Gu Jeongyul had stupidly gotten caught by the school, so if he did it again, he’d have to worry about expulsion.

Bang Seokcheun sighed.

“Physical threats are a last resort. We need to control them through intimidation and atmosphere. The key is being able to switch to physical means at any time. But that option is gone with him now. Who could physically threaten him? We need to pressure him through atmosphere and momentum, but that’s ruined now.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Whatever. What could I expect from you anyway? That’s why you’re in the lower class.”

“…”

“Don’t even look angry. Our plans got messed up because of you. If you did something wrong, admit it and stay low.”

Under the harsh criticism, Gu Jeongyul lowered his head.

It wasn’t wrong. As explained earlier, the advantage of being second-years—stronger than typical first-years—with the ability to control the atmosphere, apply pressure, and even resort to violence if needed, had completely disappeared.

If Do Jonghyun decided to ignore them, there was nothing they could do.

“But I really don’t like someone who immediately reports second-years to the school.”

“I’ve already made him look bad in the lower class. Everyone’s annoyed because the second-years are divided and uncomfortable because of him.”

“Really?”

“Plus, that guy was disrespectful to the second-years.”

Bang Seokcheun’s eyes lit up.

“The second-year dinner? You mean your lower class dinner, right?”

“Yeah. I gathered everyone for socializing, but he didn’t come. Said he had a cold or something.”

“A junior refusing a senior’s invitation already? He’s gotten so cocky. I didn’t expect him to score an own goal like this.”

They had found something to use against Do Jonghyun, the obstacle in the lower class who was interfering with their control of the atmosphere.

“But this alone isn’t enough. We need someone in the lower class who can communicate with us. We need to recruit someone good, is there anyone suitable?”

“There is one.”

Gu Jeongyul’s gaze shifted toward Yu Deokmin.

“There’s a first-year in the lower class named Yu Deokmin. When I was badmouthing Do Jonghyun, he was quietly smiling? I thought there might be something there, so I called him aside to talk, and it turns out he doesn’t get along with Do Jonghyun.”

“Oh, nice. Keep working on him. He’ll be useful in the lower class.”

“There’s also someone named Min Gangsu, but I’m not sure about him since he fought with both Do Jonghyun and Yu Deokmin.”

“Find out more. And don’t touch Do Jonghyun anymore. Controlling the atmosphere—that’s where we start.”

With all this information in his head, Bang Seokcheun headed into the practical training.

*

I’ve probably mentioned before how I came to team up with Aerial frequently.

Since I received the lowest evaluation, they paired me with those who received the highest.

In today’s joint class with third-years, specifically the upper class, I met Goh Jiyun.

In short, she’s considered one of the strongest among the third-years along with In Yeseul. However, she wasn’t selected by any of the three major guilds.

“A combat team? With enhancement suits… I’m aiming for C-rank, will that be okay?”

Goh Jiyun hadn’t really considered me from the start.

The difference between third-years and first-years is reflected in the level of monsters they face.

Going straight for C-rank?

Goh Jiyun didn’t particularly criticize me. She wasn’t the confrontational type, just asking if I could keep up with her.

“I can definitely do it.”

“Alright. Then let’s start with the basics. The record doesn’t matter.”

“Let’s try for first place.”

“Different monsters have different ranks. Catching a good monster with a good record is nice, but honestly, I don’t think you’ll be much help. That’s an expensive enhancement suit. Did that Aerial kid give it to you?”

That’s right. The enhancement suit’s limit is D-rank. After that, it’s essentially useless.

In a simulation against C-rank monsters, skilled fighters like Goh Jiyun should be facing B-rank monsters.

But she chose C-rank, obviously to accommodate me.

‘I absolutely can’t be a burden here.’

The atmosphere here was already suspicious. My reputation among the second-years didn’t seem good.

I can’t show off my knowledge with seniors watching me like this. I can’t act out of turn, and I can’t even position myself as a supporter.

What should I do?

No one is constraining me, but I feel psychologically shackled.

In the practical exercise that began, the second-year sidekicks weren’t supporting me.

If I had some buffs, I could at least manage the attack power. But naturally, they’re focusing more on Goh Jiyun than on me, who they expect little from.

Even if Goh Jiyun clears the mission, my score will be low if I don’t contribute in this team.

Maybe this is better? If I don’t do anything, I’ll just blend into the background anyway.

As my vision blurred, I saw a carnivorous pig, a C-rank monster, targeting me with its huge snout.

“Ugh!”

In that moment of mistake, Goh Jiyun blocked it for me.

Then she coldly said:

“It seems a bit too much for you to work with third-years, but I can’t go easy on you either.”

Neither Goh Jiyun nor the sidekicks pay any attention to me.

There’s nothing I can do.

In the midst of confusion, a C-rank monster, a Water Slime, appeared as our opponent.

Goh Jiyun will handle this anyway.

If I just stay still like this…

“What good will that do?”

Right, this isn’t the way. There are many choices, and the future is unknown.

Rather than taking the easy path of doing nothing, trying something isn’t so bad.

Just as Goh Jiyun was about to step forward.

“Senior Goh Jiyun.”

I called out to her.

“What?”

“Can I try to catch it?”

“Can you do it?”

“Yes.”

Even if I can’t, I have to try. I stepped forward before even hearing her answer.

“Honestly, if things continue like this, I’ll be a burden and get a poor evaluation overall. While we still have time, please let me try once. If I fail, I’ll step back.”

Senior Goh Jiyun stared at me with her thick eyebrows furrowed.

I thought she might refuse, but surprisingly, she nodded.

“Fine. That much is possible. Hyunju and Minjun, provide support.”

“Seems pointless to me.”

The other two grumbled but followed Goh Jiyun’s instructions and stood behind me.

“Hey, don’t mess around and let’s finish this quickly.”

“Take it easy. Easy.”

The two expect me to fail since I don’t even have a summoned spirit.

Well, fine. I’ll show them properly.

All I can rely on is my physical ability from the enhancement suit and my ability to deal with enemies.

Water Slimes might sound completely immune to physical attacks by name, but they’re not. Only B-rank Living Armors are completely immune.

C-rank Water Slimes have some resistance, but they’re certainly not physically invincible.

Let’s see, how does this thing move…

It often uses a sticky body to pounce on its target, and I can intercept it at that moment.

After attacking and immediately after an attack, its body’s resistance is extremely weakened for a brief moment.

I need to subdue it in that short window, which would normally be impossible with this body.

But with sidekick support?

“Senior Hyunju. Could you apply a debuff right after it attacks? Senior Minjun, please buff me now.”

“I can do that. But will it work against a Water Slime? Want me to attack too?”

“That’s okay.”

I responded with a smile, and the two sidekicks just tilted their heads.

“I see what you’re aiming for. The Water Slime’s weakness, right? But that’s just for a moment?”

“I can’t do it alone. That’s why I’m asking for your help. Just slow it down briefly. Then I can finish it in one go.”

“But even if the weakness is exposed, you don’t know exactly where it will appear. You should be prepared for some flailing around.”

As expected, their knowledge is superior to first-years.

Water Slimes have no fixed form, so their weakness appears randomly.

Generally speaking.

But here, I knew something more detailed.

“Senior Hyunju. Please provoke its back.”

“Got it.”

Now the game begins.

As Senior Goh Jiyun watches, I finally feel energy coursing through my body.

With the buff applied, I walked steadily toward the Water Slime.

The Water Slime has two main attack patterns: countering a charging opponent or attacking on its own.

I’m aiming for the latter.

I pretended to charge forward but then stopped in place.

Then I struck the ground with all my might.

Sand and dust flew up, covering the Water Slime.

The Water Slime shuddered at this unexpected move, then pulled its body back. What signal is that?

It’s about to attack.

Timing it perfectly, I dodged to the side, and the Water Slime’s attack barely grazed past me.

At that exact moment, Sister Hyunju’s debuff hit, and the creature froze momentarily.

I could see its weakness trembling among the sand-covered parts.

“There!”

As I sprinted with all my might, a white crystal—its weakness—protruded.

My kick was already in motion.

As my leaping body and kick struck the weakness directly, the Water Slime began to dissolve.

This is it.

I managed to catch it, but how would they evaluate me? With a fearful heart, I turned my head.

I heard a sound.

In my field of vision, I saw Senior Goh Jiyun clapping.

“Well, that was better than I expected.”

“R-really?”

“How did you catch a Water Slime like that? It’s not easy even for a first-year. Come here and tell me exactly how you did it.”

It was a first. The seniors acknowledging me, I mean.

Senior Minjun and Senior Hyunju approached as well.

“There was a reason for your confidence. You’re pretty good, huh?”

“I’d only heard rumors, but you deserve them. You didn’t just charge in recklessly—you analyzed everything before going in. At this level, you’re fine regardless of whether you have a summoned spirit or not.”

Even compliments I’d never heard before.

The school life that had seemed somewhat blocked now felt a little more open.