Chapter 23: Barrier Armament – 2

“The morning of the second week has dawned. Has everyone adjusted well to life at Eden over the past week?”

A pleasant morning with the bright sunlight warmly illuminating the classroom.

Professor Karia, standing at the lectern, started the Monday morning assembly of the second week.

“Since you first-year students at Eden are part of the free major system, I believe each of you has chosen various lectures to attend.”

Looking around at the students’ faces, there were those smiling and those with slightly crumpled expressions.

The ones not looking too happy were probably those who failed their course registration or, if successful, ended up with a messy schedule.

“As you all probably know from the academic calendar, but just in case, I’ll announce it again.”

Professor Karia clapped her hands to capture the students’ attention.

A few dozing students jolted awake and looked at the lectern with drowsy eyes.

“Next week, from Monday to Friday, we will have the regular dungeon raid practice.”

Dungeon raiding.

Since the core of the Hunter profession involves conquering dungeons beyond the gates to contribute to world peace, it’s a regular part of the curriculum at Eden.

Eden’s purpose is to nurture excellent Hunters.

Therefore, the academic schedule at Eden is mostly filled with practical curriculum designed to help students grow into capable Hunters.

“There are several goals, but primarily, it’s to clear a 4th-grade dungeon and defeat the dungeon boss inside. Raid teams have been organized considering your entrance grades and specialties, with each team comprising four or five students.”

A 4th-grade dungeon is one that professional Hunters often tackle solo.

In other words, given the dungeon’s difficulty, it’s feasible for Eden’s students to clear it through party play.

Imagining a standard five-person party setup in my head, I thought.

‘One tank at the front, two damage dealers, and about two supporters?’

Depending on the dungeon structure and monsters, the balance might differ, but usually, a balance of tank, damage dealers, and supporters is necessary.

Since the faculty assigned the teams, there’s no need to worry about the team’s balance.

Moreover, most information about 4th-grade dungeons has long been public.

Eden’s students, being geniuses from around the world, must already be well-educated about it, and as a former ranker, I knew the information too.

The dungeons that once drove humanity to the brink of extinction during the Great Change have lost much of their menace.

Terms like ‘Farm’ and ‘Farming,’ once only used in games, are now openly used in the Hunter industry.

The meanings are the same: ‘farming’ refers to repeatedly clearing a dungeon to obtain monster materials and various benefits, and ‘farm’ refers to a dungeon where this is done.

Instead of completely closing a cleared dungeon, it’s left open to function as a kind of breeding ground.

“Raid team assignments will be announced this Friday. Until then, work hard and hone your skills for the sake of your future teammates.”

With that, the morning assembly ended.

The morning lectures that followed were all mandatory subjects.

Naturally, the third week’s dungeon raid is practical, not just a field trip.

During the raid practice, students must tackle a real dungeon in the Australian continent.

Various problems might arise, and there’s always the possibility of emergencies during the raid.

Therefore, many essential lectures are included in the curriculum.

Among them, Monster Structure Studies and Basic Medical Studies were important.

The Monster Structure Studies lecture allows students to acquire the passive skill [Monster Expertise], which provides various advantages when fighting monsters.

Basic Medical Studies enables students to learn [Medical Magic], a skill useful in various situations.

Of course, attending lectures doesn’t mean you automatically learn the skills.

In the game, it was like that, but reality isn’t so easy.

Skills are akin to a bundle of knowledge and experience, a standardized form of a person’s learned techniques and knowledge.

It’s like creating a complete recipe for tomato spaghetti by combining the methods of making tomato sauce and boiling pasta.

So, I racked my brain, studying so hard I thought my head might burst.

Monster Structure Studies was a biology-related lecture, and Basic Medical Studies was, as the name suggests, a medical-related lecture, both of which were extremely challenging for someone like me, whose high school GPA was only 3.4 on average.

I didn’t just use my brain, though.

They say to balance your exercise.

Although the meaning might differ a bit, I spent my time similarly.

In the mornings, I attended lectures, using my brain, and in the afternoons, I sparred with Professor Karia, using my body.

Professor Karia even handed me various weapons while teaching me spear techniques: swords, sabers, daggers, hammers, axes, whips, bows, and maces.

What did she say again?

That I might not be able to master all weapons, but I should at least know how to block and counter each type.

So, on Mondays, I learned bladed weapons and blunt weapons, and on Tuesdays, ranged and throwing weapons.

Although I didn’t show remarkable talent with any particular weapon, the training was effective.

I understood why Professor Karia was called the Weapon Master.

And then, Thursday came.

“Monsters are essentially wild beasts enhanced by magic.”

***

The compulsory subject ‘Monster Structure Studies,’ attended by all students from the first to fourth years.

It’s a lecture diligently attended to acquire the [Monster Expertise] skill.

Perhaps because the dungeon raid was scheduled for the following week, the students’ concentration was extraordinarily high.

“To hunt monsters more safely and efficiently, you must know their weaknesses.”

Professor Roman Kelia, who continued the lecture as if giving a speech from the lectern.

A tragic professor who graduated from Eden and became a Hunter but lost a close comrade in a dungeon filled with unidentified monsters.

After his comrade’s death, Professor Roman thought the lack of information on unidentified monsters was the cause of the accident and chose to become a researcher rather than a Hunter.

He researched various monsters, sometimes entering dungeons himself as a qualified Hunter to collect specimens, and ultimately analysed all the weaknesses of the monster that had taken his comrade.

A mad researcher who single-handedly analysed and systematized 11% of the world’s discovered monsters.

“The weaknesses of monsters can be broadly divided into four categories.”

Roman, the professor, wrote these four types of weaknesses on the blackboard and began explaining each one.

“Positional weaknesses are the most common type found in living beings. These include soft spots in the hide, structural weaknesses in the skeleton and joints.”

I diligently took notes on my tablet using a smart pen, recording the lecture so I could review it later.

This was a habit I developed during my university days before being transported to this world.

“Magical weaknesses are vulnerabilities to certain types of magic or effects. Environmental weaknesses are related to factors like temperature and food sources.”

Professor Roman continued, conjuring a small fireball and sparks with his hand to illustrate his points.

This part was a realistic explanation of the affinity system often referred to as a rock-paper-scissors mechanic.

As I was halfway through my notes, Professor Roman moved on to his next explanation.

“Ecological weaknesses are deeply connected to the biological structure of the monster. Think of cold-blooded versus warm-blooded animals. Sometimes, social aspects like the bonds in a monster pack can be considered weaknesses.”

There was a slight chill in his voice as he continued his rapid-fire explanation.

Perhaps this was because the monster that killed his colleague moved in packs.

I vividly remembered the side quest where Professor Roman hunted the pack monster, Indigno, which had killed his colleague.

He was a genius, but also a researcher who turned his vengeance into obsession.

Roman painstakingly studied the monster’s ecology and habits, eventually producing what could be called a “strategy guide.”

Being Spanish, he named the monster Indigno, meaning worthless or vile in his native language, which showed the depth of his hatred and dedication to his research.

“…These are the typical behaviours of monsters found in 4th-tier dungeons.”

“That concludes today’s lecture.”

While I was momentarily lost in thought, the lecture had ended.

I broke out in a cold sweat but was relieved to find my tablet had recorded everything correctly.

With the morning lecture on ‘Monster Structure Studies’ finished, it was time to have lunch and prepare for the afternoon major lectures.

I turned off the recording function on my tablet and stood up.

“Wait a moment!”

Just as I stood, a student’s loud voice drew everyone’s attention.

Those about to leave the lecture hall and those still taking notes all turned to look, including Professor Roman, who had just stepped away from the lectern.

I was no exception.

“Professor, please permit me to use the second training hall.”

“Is it for personal training?”

Professor Roman asked with a disapproving look.

But seeing the student’s face made my expression harden.

“No.”

A sense of unease washed over me.

My intuition screamed that this student was about to cause a major incident.

“To challenge the top student to a duel!”

The student’s striking blue hair and venomous green eyes were unmistakable to anyone who played World Saviour Online.

‘No way, this guy?’

Hermod Beowulf.

A character who frequently appeared in the main story and various side stories, always acting for his own amusement and causing numerous incidents.

He’s notorious for causing trouble for not just players, but also the main and supporting characters in the scenario.

Someone once said that true superstars drive both fans and critics crazy.

Perhaps that phrase was made for Hermod.

Whenever he appeared, fans of every character would go wild.

I’ve never seen a more perfect superstar.

“The top student, huh? It’s only the second week, and you’ve already figured it out?”

Professor Roman, now more intrigued than displeased, asked Hermod.

And undoubtedly, he would respond.

Hermod would give the answer that all the students eagerly watching him would want to hear.

“Yes. I, Hermod Beowulf, challenge top student Seong Yujin to a duel!”

The greatest troublemaker in Eden.

As his nickname resurfaced in my mind, I also let a sly smile creep onto my face upon hearing his challenge.

Declining the duel would only arouse more suspicion.

So, I would face him.

I had no choice but to play along with this troublemaker’s game while achieving my own goal.

“I accept.”

Perhaps this is how professors feel when a graduate student submits their thesis for approval.

A test subject had come willingly; I would make the most of this opportunity.

My barrier armament was designed but had yet to undergo practical testing.

“I accept Student Hermod’s challenge.”

Poor troublemaker had no idea he had just walked into my trap.