Ch.8686. Invaders of the Void

After the Void Invader disappeared, the chaotic scene was being quickly cleaned up.

Aerial gritted her teeth as she looked at the dead.

‘Still not enough.’

Her opponent was an SS-rank monster. It was only natural that she would be pushed back like this.

Aerial’s Gram was crying in response to her magical energy.

[Are you stupid?]

“Huff.”

Aerial recalled Do Jonghyun’s words. It was when she had been thrown back helplessly before the Giant Living Armor.

‘According to simulation training, this is a monster I shouldn’t engage with.’

But reality was different. She had people to protect, and even if she didn’t want to fight, she had to.

‘If it weren’t for the dinosaur, we would have been in danger.’

It was clearly a crisis of that magnitude. But then the dinosaur appeared and blocked it.

‘If it weren’t for Seol Yuhwa, I could have sent it away with one shot from that strange mechanical hand.’

However, judging by the fact that it didn’t fire immediately after changing position, it must have either caused radial damage or had quite a large range.

‘Dinosaur. Dinosaur… How many times is this now? Why does that dinosaur help me? Clearly behind me… Do Jonghyun?’

The one person she suspected came to mind.

“Right. Where’s Do Jonghyun?”

Aerial searched for Do Jonghyun with suspicion.

She passed through other guilds busily moving the injured and the bodies of the deceased.

“Do Jonghyun!”

She checked the original building, but there was nothing.

“Seol Yuhwa!”

She urgently called for Seol Yuhwa.

Just then, Seol Yuhwa was moving toward Aerial, adjusting her Brisingamen.

Aerial followed her, and the place they found through Brisingamen was outside this building. Do Jonghyun was lying there, unable to move, in a place where smoke residue still remained.

“Do Jonghyun. What’s wrong with you suddenly?”

“No, I was attacked by a monster outside…”

“You look fine for someone who was attacked.”

“I won a splendid victory.”

Aerial immediately grabbed Do Jonghyun by the collar.

“Liar.”

“Actually, I almost died while running away, but I survived thanks to another Jaeger.”

“Which Jaeger?”

“I don’t know either.”

Aerial wanted to press the smooth-talking Do Jonghyun further, but was stopped by Seol Yuhwa.

“Stop it. Since he can’t move, let’s get him to the hospital first.”

“…You’re taking good care of him.”

“That’s only natural. You’re the strange one for questioning it.”

A vein popped on Aerial’s forehead.

‘Acting all nice! But why can’t Do Jonghyun move when he doesn’t even have external injuries? Besides, the direction the dinosaur appeared from is where Do Jonghyun was anyway.’

If a 9-meter dinosaur had come from outside, there should have been a commotion beforehand.

But was there any sign of it entering from outside? When Aerial handed Do Jonghyun over to another Jaeger and looked around, there was indeed no sign of anything breaking in from outside.

That means it appeared from inside.

‘Do Jonghyun, is it you? Is it really you?’

Aerial’s suspicions, which she had harbored for some time, grew stronger.

‘The way it protected me and everything else… you.’

Even if she asked, he clearly wouldn’t answer. But her suspicions were growing stronger by the day.

‘But then what was that insect? Is it a specimen that doesn’t attack humans?’

She didn’t know the details since it had only appeared as a blurry image in information distributed by the guild earlier.

‘There’s a high probability the dinosaur is Do Jonghyun, but then what about that stag beetle?’

It was becoming increasingly ironic. And she wasn’t the only one thinking this.

Seol Yuhwa was thinking the same.

[The insect could be Do Jonghyun. It’s suspicious. But what on earth is that dinosaur? Does it know Aerial?]

Both of them were letting their imaginations run wild, like blind people touching an elephant.

*

I never thought a lack of information would create a situation like this.

“How did it end up like this?”

I sighed as I went to school.

This incident was literally a series of difficulties.

Of course, I’m not sure if attacking directly would have killed it, but I could have at least inflicted significant damage to gain an advantage.

So what happened to it?

The Void Invader appeared proudly on Saturday. It destroyed the next building and then fled after being hit by Park Taesang’s horn flute’s wave attack.

Fortunately, the news reported that the three major guilds were on standby since its appearance rank had already been confirmed as SS-class.

It had taken effective damage from the powerful waves that even affected space itself.

However, since being repelled on Saturday, there’s been no news. It’s fortunate that there are no more casualties, but everything will only end when we catch that thing.

Unfortunately, it seems I won’t have much free time today either.

It’s Monday, and the last week of September has begun.

From this week, gate simulations with increased difficulty will likely start.

Because in the first week of October, the true evaluation, the gate “practice,” will finally begin.

This first week is essentially the final exam and the lifeline before going on training.

With everything being decided at this moment, cursing parades have naturally started everywhere.

“You bastards! Do it properly!”

“What the hell have you been learning all this time!”

“Hey, start the sequence from the beginning! You need to memorize it!”

Busy shouts could be heard everywhere, and even the second-year students were in chaos.

The sensitivity of the third-years had struck the second-years as well.

So the second-years were getting scolded, and they in turn were getting angry at the first-years.

It was a beautiful scene of cascading reprimands.

However, the aces were relaxed.

In Yeseul, who’s working with me now, doesn’t shout or get angry.

Needless to say, Aerial, Seol Yuhwa, Geum Dohyun, Gu Sangheon, and Han Minwoo, along with the top 10 from the advanced class, 5 from the intermediate class, and just Yoo Deokmin and me from the lower class, don’t get scolded. Those at the top of the advanced class even exchange opinions equally with the seniors.

Among them, Aerial stands out the most. She’s actually teaching the seniors.

I aimed to do my minimum part here. Do my job and give appropriate advice.

“Senior! The Predator Worm is a recently added monster. It’s similar to other worm types. Since it attacks with vibrations, we throw bait.”

“Senior?”

And I made a mistake.

I should have called her “senior,” but I called her “noona” (older sister).

“Hmm? Noona?”

In response to In Yeseul’s reaction, I hastily shook my head.

“No, I misspoke. Senior.”

“Well, I am a noona. But I was surprised. I’m so used to being called senior. This is refreshing?”

“Hahaha.”

Fortunately, she took it well. Well, Senior In Yeseul is kind.

Anyway, I need to be careful. The term “noona” has stuck in my mouth because of Eun Serin.

After Monday ended, I was summoned by Eun Serin as always.

“Shouldn’t you be resting more?”

“I’ve had enough. Besides, we have a contract to fulfill.”

“Ah…”

That reinforced suit contract. Last week, I didn’t fulfill the contract days.

Eun Serin touched her report and tablet.

“So this week, Monday through Thursday. We’ll conduct tests every day. Remember that.”

“Yes. That’s tight.”

“It might be tough with classes, but we need to test under the same conditions repeatedly to compare.”

“Hahaha.”

Wait, but what about the Void Invader? I need to catch it!

It usually takes about a month, but history has changed, so I’m not sure what will happen.

The problem is that I don’t know when and where it will appear.

But I have no choice but to thoroughly test what’s given to me now.

“Oh my. Look at this. They’re saying Goegyeopdan brainwashes people. The prosecution is investigating Goegyeopdan?”

During break time, she tells me about the news. Wait, I know you’re from Goegyeopdan, so why?

Why are you broadcasting that Goegyeopdan is in crisis?

Are you suspecting me? Are you trying to show that you’re not involved?

It’s still suspicious.

After the test, Eun Serin gave me free time.

“I said I’d take care of the security team’s surveillance. So go freely.”

“Really?”

An opportunity to earn points, but it’s suspicious again.

“Then I’ll go and come back.”

“Okay. But our Jonghyun doesn’t seem scared even after being attacked?”

“….”

Her tone sounds like she’s testing me.

“Attack? Haha, I’ve been attacked so many times. Incidents seem to happen wherever I go?”

I forced a laugh, but my heart was pounding.

“I checked with the security team, and you went to Sindorim, right?”

My heart started racing violently. Why Sindorim all of a sudden?

“Why, why do you ask?”

“No, it just seems like you’re always at places where accidents happen. Are you unlucky?”

“Haha, I really want to be comfortable too.”

Strictly speaking, I went looking for trouble, but I sense it. Eun Serin is suspecting me now.

After last time, the misunderstanding wasn’t cleared up but became stronger? She didn’t secretly see me fighting that Yoho, did she?

At this moment, Eun Serin reached out her hand toward me.

“Why are you sweating so much? Are you tired?”

“Ah… Ah! I just came from fighting, so I’d like to rest a bit.”

“Hmm~ Really? Don’t push yourself too hard today. Just rest.”

Eun Serin’s hand was reaching for my forehead. She had taken out a handkerchief and was wiping my sweat.

“How about it, want to use my lap as a pillow?”

“Yes.”

“…You’re more shameless than I thought. I was just joking.”

Why would I refuse when a beautiful woman offers? Fortunately, the suspicion ended there.

I naturally lay down on Eun Serin’s lap. And I could feel the pleasant sensation of her thighs.

What is this cozy feeling? An adult’s embrace different from Aerial or Seol Yuhwa? That’s what it feels like.

It might seem a bit perverse to feel this from thighs rather than breasts, but anyway, it feels good.

Eun Serin wiped my forehead with her handkerchief.

“Jonghyun, what’s your goal as a Jaeger? To join one of the three major guilds and make a name for yourself? To become famous?”

“To end this situation.”

“This situation? That’s quite a big dream.”

“I must achieve it. Wouldn’t that be better for you too, teacher?”

At this point, I made direct eye contact with Eun Serin. She didn’t answer.

“It’s surprising to be asked so suddenly.”

“Why? Would you like this situation to continue?”

“Of course not. This is… tiresome.”

Am I imagining that her tone turned cynical?

It felt like I glimpsed genuine sincerity from the usually gentle Eun Serin.

“So how do you plan to end it? Do you have a method?”

“By becoming stronger. That’s the only way, right?”

“But don’t throw everything away just to become stronger. It’s dangerous.”

“…Don’t worry. I told you before. I’ll help you too, noona.”

“My, my? Don’t try to flirt, you’re still young.”

Eun Serin lightly tapped my forehead with her finger.

“But it’s amazing you survived in Sindorim. I heard that monster was unusual?”

“Yes. I heard its attacks pass through things.”

“Penetration? Is there a condition?”

The Void Invader blocks all normal attacks. Attacks that affect space are needed.

“Rather than conditions, it just feels like things pass through. But seeing how it was hurt by Park Taesang’s attack, it seems like you need to impact space itself.”

“There are monsters like that in Crevasse too. The mechanical dragon Antau, the armored butterfly, and Ultra Clops all attack by manipulating space.”

“But that’s how they attack. This one defends that way.”

“I’m saying we could try pitting these monsters against the Void Invader. I’d like to experiment.”

“Haha, it can’t be that easy.”

With the monsters I currently have, it’s disadvantageous to catch something that keeps running away.

Even with the Insect Sura, it was an ambush, and I don’t know if it will fall for the same trick again.

If only I had something that could ignore the enemy’s characteristics from the start.

Should I try a new evolution?

Since I need to target its characteristics, it definitely needs to have mechanical properties, and should it be human-sized?

While I was pondering this, Eun Serin was smiling at me.

“You seem to be thinking hard. Teacher’s knees are getting sore, so could you get up? Enjoyed it enough?”

“Yes. I enjoyed it a lot. Thank you.”

With that, I got up quickly, and Eun Serin declared the end of work.

“Let’s stop here for today. You seem tired, so just rest today. And about Sindorim…”

Is she still suspicious? Just let it go already.

But what she said was different from my expectation.

“I heard everything. You went on a date with Aerial and Seol Yuhwa in Sindorim?”

“!?”

How did she know that? Eun Serin smiled, waved her hand, and walked away.

“Enjoy moderately. Two-timing already? You’ve become quite bold.”

“What? No, no. It’s not two-timing.”

“Then why meet with both of them?”

“It was a coincidence…”

Even I think my excuse sounds implausible. But it’s not two-timing! Due to Aerial’s personality and Seol Yuhwa’s family circumstances… how do I explain this?

“A coincidence? Trying to include me in this coincidence too?”

“No! It’s a misunderstanding!”

“I’m joking. See you tomorrow. Oh, and I’ll contact the security team again.”

Eun Serin was waving goodbye as she left. Still, after spending time with her, she seems like a decent person. I don’t understand why she was like that before the regression.

“So it’s time to make a choice? This is really difficult.”

-Remaining DNA Points: 17,100

On my way home, I fell into contemplation. I wondered what I should transform into, not knowing when the Void Invader would appear. And I resolved to capture the Void Invader with that transformation.