Ch.99. F-Grade of the Storm

Basically, group projects or joint missions are missions where 4 or more people team up.

These missions proceed regardless of rank, whether upper or lower class.

Remember when I mentioned before about dividing into combat teams and sidekicks?

In these missions, teams are formed with 2 combat members and 2 sidekicks.

Aerial forming a team with me was inevitable. It’s common to pair the best with the worst. The other two are mid-tier.

The instructors assign our mission through smart watches.

[The field will be basic flat terrain, and you may decide the monster rank after discussion. Note that the key observation point following the monster rank setting will be situational response ability.]

After this order came through, Aerial declared:

“We’re going straight for C-rank.”

An announcement that left no room for discussion. Park Daemun and Kang Seoha protested.

“C-rank is too much for our skill level. E-rank would be more appropriate.”

“I can handle it.”

I remember this conversation too. Only the timing has changed; whenever forming teams with others, Aerial always aimed higher than everyone else.

It’s the same now.

“You’ll just have to deal with it. I’ll handle everything anyway.”

She’s self-centered, but Aerial is already different from people like us. Even before the regression, she succeeded in clearing a C-rank in her first real combat.

Aerial now led us.

“Having a C-rank clearance record would look good for you too, wouldn’t it? What are you going to do?”

The answer was obvious. Park Daemun and Kang Seoha stopped protesting at the mention of good evaluations.

“What about you, Du Jonghyun?”

“It’s Do Jonghyun. I don’t care. You’ll do whatever you want anyway.”

Aerial haughtily turned her head.

“Sidekicks, what are your abilities?”

“I can hinder the opponent’s movements.”

“I can increase movement speed. And if I add magical power, strength…”

“That’s enough. Let’s begin then.”

Aerial seemed to barely listen. So arrogant.

This arrogance, stemming from confidence in her abilities, became clearly evident in the simulation.

From C-rank, mechanical types occasionally appear.

A salamander with a mechanical body appears before us.

Yes, I know how to deal with this one well. The Armored Salamander, C-rank, with a tough body and a long tongue boasting a wide attack range—a formidable opponent.

It has a wide attack range and is tough, but the top of its head, or rather the center of its long body, is completely defenseless.

The moment you climb up there, the salamander flips its body, exposing its unprotected lower abdomen.

If you attack then, you can take it down.

With enough skill, that is. It sounds easy when I explain it, but in actual combat, it requires tremendous courage. Above all, that salamander won’t allow easy approach.

“It’s an Armored Salamander!”

“What should we do?”

To face that, you need at least a B-rank aptitude holder.

[The higher the rank of monsters, the greater their power compared to aptitude holders.]

I recalled what the instructor would tell us during theory class “two days later.”

The higher you go, the more disadvantaged humans are in battles against monsters of the same rank.

Forming teams like this is meant to offset that disadvantage.

“First, let’s stop and—”

While the rest of us except Aerial stopped in our tracks, Aerial drew out the weapon from her summoned spirit.

Gram.

The double-edged blade, like a Viking sword, began to blaze with magical power. Aerial gripped the sword with both hands and charged forward.

At that moment, I recalled the future Aerial. During the academy’s final graduation exam, she once suffered a major injury.

The reason was simple. When she runs with a sword in hand, her peripheral vision becomes extremely narrow. Her sides, in particular, are often exposed.

[I get excited easily, and when I hold this Gram, I can’t see my surroundings well. Especially my sides get hit a lot. I got hit by an Armored Salamander the first time, because I just charged in recklessly. I had the skill for it. But during the graduation exam, I got seriously injured, so I’m trying to fix that habit. But it’s become too ingrained.]

That’s what she said in an interview after graduation. In other words, throughout her academy life, Aerial clearly carried this one weakness.

Yet she still graduated as the top student overall, which shows what a monster she is.

I already knew this. This test is different from the future.

Just in case, I shouted:

“Watch your sides!”

“Mind your own business.”

Aerial sweetly ignored my words as she faced the opponent’s attack head-on.

No, it was more like she was baiting it. The moment she saw the long tongue extending, Aerial leaped up.

She even subtly pressed her arm against her side while doing so.

The monster moves. Its tongue swings widely from side to side. It’s incredibly fast, just like before the regression. But I can see it?

The monster’s movements are clearly visible. And so is Aerial.

What’s going on? I shouldn’t be able to even track these movements at my current level.

Sand and brick fragments swirl around, and somehow Aerial has climbed onto the salamander’s back.

The standard approach would be to wait until it rolls, but Aerial seemed unaware of that.

She just plunged her sword straight in.

Soon, magical power exploded from the sword. The Armored Salamander? Its toughness shattered in an instant as if it had turned to water.

“Impressive.”

This is a C-rank monster. Something I couldn’t even face at my current level, and she handled it with ease.

Aerial looked at us as we stood there dumbfounded.

“What are you doing? Let’s all move!”

Since this was a basic route, there were about 4 monsters. But the sight of her single-handedly taking down a C-rank monster was truly overwhelming.

There was nothing I could do. After the test, Aerial received praise in front of everyone.

Kang Juo, the instructor from the upper class, praised Aerial.

“Overwhelming, Aerial. Even considering the sidekicks’ support, that’s a new record!”

From what I saw, the sidekicks didn’t do much, but they seemed happy since they benefited from it.

Kang Juo’s gaze turned to me.

“Hmm. You were on the combat team, right?”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t do much. Why did you apply for the combat team? I could understand if you were a sidekick.”

I have nothing to say. If I transformed into a monster right here, my head would be cut off on the spot.

But this is what I had prepared for. Without a summoned spirit, I’m not much help in combat.

But I have to be on the combat team. Sidekicks can only enter gates as part of a party.

Combat team members can go alone.

To grow stronger, I need access to gates.

For the future, I had to be on the combat team.

“I’m sorry.”

Whatever I said here wouldn’t change my evaluation anyway. Go ahead and treat me however you want. I’ll get stronger on my own.

As long as I avoid expulsion and get my graduation certificate, I can make money at the gates with that qualification.

And save some people to prevent humanity’s downfall.

Just as they were about to dismiss us, Aerial stepped forward.

“Oh, but having him around was still helpful. Just cheering is enough.”

Aerial suddenly defended me. No, this isn’t defense. She’s just mocking me.

Because I couldn’t do anything.

I felt like I was choking on a sweet potato, so I couldn’t just let this slide.

“I didn’t cheer. I never cheered, so who are you saying received cheers?”

When I spoke up boldly, the place fell silent instantly.

At the same time, I felt killing intent from Aerial. She glared at me before quickly smiling again.

“I was just trying to make you look better. Didn’t you like that?”

“You don’t need to do that for me. I just watched, that’s the truth. What’s the problem?”

Aerial’s eyebrow twitched. This must be a first for her too. The queen isn’t used to someone from the lower class not letting things go her way.

The atmosphere grew colder than a winter wind.

A tension like a single bullet could start a war hung in the air as everyone watched.

Sensing the dangerous atmosphere, Oh Juhwan stepped in.

“If we’re done, let’s dismiss.”

And so ended my first team simulation.

*

Aerial expressed her displeasure at the simulation class that she had completed excellently.

“That child who should just be treated like a toy…”

While she often teases others, she never says anything untrue.

That’s why everyone holds back their anger and retreats. Seeing those expressions was part of Aerial’s enjoyment, but Do Jonghyun had pushed back.

‘Not fun. Really.’

The other person’s uninteresting reaction ruined it. If Aerial had been in her dormitory, she would have climbed onto her bed and kicked her feet as if swimming.

But being in the classroom, she couldn’t do that and had to suppress her anger.

‘How impudent. And telling me to watch my sides? When no one else was even paying attention…’

Aerial certainly hadn’t thought about her sides. She had been excited and just planned to charge in.

She had dismissed it as unnecessary meddling, but unconsciously, she had touched her sides.

Then she watched the combat footage saved on her smart watch.

Her talent quickly made her realize her weakness.

“It’s true?”

She noticed that in the video, she had clearly exposed her sides while charging in.

And after that advice, she had kept her arms closer more carefully.

“…”

This is definitely something she needs to fix. Aerial puffed her cheeks.

‘I don’t like it. I really don’t like it.’

Do Jonghyun isn’t in the upper class. If he were, she would have glared at him all she wanted.

‘How did someone from the lower class notice my movements? He shouldn’t even be able to see them. So impudent.’

With her pride hurt, she couldn’t focus on her textbook.

“I’m upset.”

She bit her lip with her head down, making sure no one noticed.

After class ended, she immediately called her mother and started complaining.

*

After being on Aerial’s team, I was branded as a weirdo.

“What an idiot, you could have just sucked up to Aerial, but you had to talk back.”

“If it were me, I’d be her servant just to get in her good graces.”

“Even if Aerial has that personality, she’s good at missions. You threw away a chance to coast by.”

Those trying to curry favor looked at me strangely, but what I want isn’t favor-currying.

I just want to save talented individuals. There’s no reason to grovel under anyone.

Whether Aerial likes me or not, I’ll do what I need to do.

What matters to me is going out to hunt.

During class time, instructors were explaining theory.

“It’s been 30 years since the first gate appeared. Humanity has developed various forms to combat monsters. Organizations like associations and guilds are examples. You’ll also make choices when you graduate from this academy.”

Yes, they’re explaining basics like guilds.

I already know all this. The strongest guild in Korea is Baekryong, where Dokgo Jun is. They’re the most respected and powerful.

Next are the Magician Guild and Cheonji Guild. They send scouts to recruit students from the academy days.

Talents like Aerial, Seol Yuhwa, Gu Sangheon, Geum Dohyun, and Han Minwoo have likely already caught their attention.

I’m obviously not of interest to them.

Anyway, I just need to get stronger on my own.

[Those who can go to gates must receive at least 10 training sessions.]

I can’t go to gates right now, but I can hunt monsters of appropriate ranks that appear.

As soon as class ended, I returned to my dormitory and prepared to go out.

[Monster Daily]

“Last time I came too early, so I need to handle it faster.”

This time, I’m heading for the stronger end of E-rank monsters.

But my mind was filled with the scene of Aerial taking down a C-rank monster.

If I transformed into a monster, couldn’t I perform at that level too?

I was able to knock out a C-rank Jaeger. Killing would actually be easier, wouldn’t it?

I know the weaknesses, and a monster’s body is strong.

I’ll try challenging a C-rank. Recalling my fight with the Jaeger, I gained confidence that I could do it.

Past 8 PM, rifts began to appear.

The location was near the mountains again. A suitable place to hide.

I created a card in my hand and held it against the flickering light in my other hand.

[Transform]

-Half-Dragon Asura

My entire body began to change. My vision shifted, and a wild desire to kill enemies enveloped my body.

“Kuooo!”

“Kyaaak!”

C-rank monsters began to emerge through the rift one by one. The Armored Salamander, of course, along with the Red Triceratops and Evil Bat.

Various C-rank monsters started roaming around.

Can I win? If I attack, they’ll all come at me.

At my current level, I can only handle 1-on-1. To overcome this, I need to lure them.

Now an equipment space appeared in my field of vision.

Sub-cards unfold in the equipment section visible only in my status window.

[Smoke Screen]

[Breath]

The moment I selected these two cards, a holographic band appeared on my hand as the sub-cards were equipped in my status window.

Skills: Claws, Tail Strike, Bite, Breath (3 uses), Smoke Screen (3 uses)

I can now use these two functions as my skills.

The first one I see is, of course, the Armored Salamander. I moved while recalling how Aerial handled it.

[Smoke Screen]

At that moment, my instinct told me to open my mouth. As I did, smoke poured out. Instantly, a smoke screen thick enough to obscure vision spread.

As the Armored Salamander began to react, my body moved accordingly.

Just as it should.

When I leaped up, I easily cleared a streetlight. Incredible elasticity and strength.

That’s the power of my transformed body.

I felt a dull sensation in both my legs. Yes, that’s the Armored Salamander’s back. From that position, I attacked its back with my claws.

Another dull sound, and my hand tingles.

Unlike Aerial, I couldn’t pierce through in one hit.

“Gieeee!”

The moment I heard the salamander’s rage from below, I jumped.

The Armored Salamander had rolled its body. In my landing view, I could see the salamander’s thin belly skin.

That’s it.

I used Breath here. I felt intense magical energy in my mouth.

An attack where I open my mouth and spew forth to annihilate the opponent.

That attack was now fired right in front of me.

The moment I saw a hole being blown in the Armored Salamander’s body, its tail struck me hard.

“Kugh!”

But I can endure it. My whole body trembles, but the Armored Salamander is just painfully screaming.

Looking at its wounded belly, I opened my mouth. I leaped in and bit into it, tearing with my claws.

Blood sprayed everywhere, and I could feel the intestines.

But it’s not disgusting.

I’m just doing what needs to be done. Strangely, I feel perfectly fine and even have an instinct to hunt more prey.

As the Armored Salamander collapsed and the smoke screen began to thin,

[Absorbing DNA.]

-Beast

[DNA Points Acquired]

-400

[Component Acquired]

-Can be made into a sub-card with m-points.

-Do you want to use m-points?

“So m-points can be used for this too?”

Then I should try it right away.

[Mechanical Component Sub-card]

-100 points will be consumed.

A new sub-card appeared before my eyes.

[Component]

-Biology and machinery may not mix well, but with special power, they might connect.

“I’ll add this to my card deck for now.”

Suddenly, including the previous ones, I’ve accumulated 550 points.

If I catch two more, wouldn’t evolution be possible?

Just as evolution seemed within reach, my senses detected danger.

“…”

Somehow, three C-rank monsters, Red Triceratops, were waiting around me.