Episode 57. Dungeon Practice Training

Thursday’s first class is the awaited Dungeon Practice.

Victoria Academy’s motto is always training that’s like the real thing.

Because if you only do safety-guaranteed training, you won’t be able to perform the same movements in real combat.

That’s why they conducted many practice sessions in real locations, not virtual ones, and Dungeon Practice Training was one of them.

Last time’s first practice session was just a taste, so starting from this one, it could be called real Dungeon Practice Training.

This time too, the form was a cave-type dungeon.

Of course, the difficulty itself is different from last time.

The passages are smaller and more winding, the paths are difficult, the number of monsters appearing is greater, and each individual monster will be trickier.

Therefore, all the teams were devising strategies with each other and boosting morale.

Except for our team.

“….”

“….”

“….”

‘Fuck.’

It’s a familiar silence.

Lee Byung-hoon, the guy in our team. This bastard is still unwelcome even after seeing him after so long.

Nam Daeun was quietly looking at her smart watch, and Lumi was looking at me.

Lumi and I made eye contact and started communicating with our eyes.

‘What should we do now?’

‘Let’s just wait. It doesn’t seem like we can come up with a strategy anyway.’

‘Understood.’

Having devised a strategy with Lumi using our eyes, I closed my eyes and went into meditation.

We were waiting at the assembly point.

As we wait, the professor will come and earnestly talk about the dangers of Dungeon Practice Training, and the cadets will diligently pretend not to listen.

Today, since a real accident is going to happen, I should listen carefully.

Swish.

Suddenly, Nam Daeun quietly got up from her seat and went out of the waiting area.

“I’ll be back. I’m going to the restroom for a moment.”

“Okay.”

I stealthily followed her, using the restroom as an excuse.

This time too, Nam Daeun headed towards the secluded spot where she was on the phone last time.

Seems like she’s talking to her younger sister again.

Her love for her sister is truly profound.

Last time, I luckily even overheard parts of the conversation, but unlike then, today she hadn’t started the call yet. According to neurology, since she hasn’t used her nerves for the call yet, I might get caught if I follow her further now.

I didn’t follow further and returned to my original spot.

*

In a secluded corner of the academy, a girl was having a video call.

• Unnie! What are you doing today?!

“Today, I’m going into a dungeon. I heard it’s a more dangerous dungeon than last time.”

• Huh?! Are you really okay, Unnie???

“Of course. You know I’m super strong.”

Nam Daeun smiled and struck a pose emphasizing her muscles.

• Right! Mr. Min-gyu also said you’re the strongest at the academy! You really are amazing!

Mr. Min-gyu.

Hearing that name, Nam Daeun’s feelings turned grim.

Mr. Min-gyu, the representative of the Buyer Guild, who had looked after her sister and herself since they were young.

Nam Daeun had spent incredibly happy days. With the kind guild members and fun school life. And her sister, who was sickly but tried hard to live.

Her sister’s hospital bills were beyond what a student could afford.

Yet, she always felt grateful to Mr. Min-gyu and the guild members who readily offered to cover them.

She had thought she would definitely repay her debt to the people she was grateful to… but even that dutiful Nam Daeun could never have imagined that she would receive a slave contract as soon as she became a high school student.

The upbringing costs since childhood and her sister’s hospital bills. Their sum was about 2 billion won. And steadily over 20 years, without Nam Daeun’s knowledge, interest accrued, ballooning the total repayment amount to 50 billion won.

She naturally protested the unfair contract, but it was already too late.

Nam Daeun’s sister was hospitalized in a hospital affiliated with the guild run by Mr. Min-gyu, and she didn’t know what they might do to her sister.

She couldn’t go through the procedures to try and get her sister out, and reporting it to the police was also complicated because of her sister.

These scumbags had targeted Nam Daeun’s body from the beginning.

The ringleader was Mr. Min-gyu, whom she had trusted.

Since he was the one who always looked after the Nam sisters, the shock was even greater.

But perhaps fortunately amidst misfortune, Nam Daeun, who was being demanded physically, discovered her talent as an Awakener during the aptitude test.

Upon entering high school, those whose Awakener talents were discovered were obligated to receive Awakener training.

The Buyer Guild sent Nam Daeun to the training center, thinking the contract was merely postponed, but Nam Daeun’s talent was far beyond that.

Starting from the training center, she achieved first place in her cohort, stood out, and gained an opportunity for recommended admission to Victoria Academy.

And because of her beauty and skill, she even became famous.

When things got complicated, the Buyer Guild changed their approach.

They took the sister of a future S-Class Hunter hostage.

The Buyer Guild had two conditions.

First, the promising Nam Daeun, contracted with the Buyer Guild, must take first place in all practical exams, thereby raising the Buyer Guild’s status, and graduate.

Second, after graduation, sign a lifelong contract with the Buyer Guild.

That was the condition for repaying the debt.

She had talent, but no connections, and feared that asking for help would lead to her sister being harmed, so the fearful Nam Daeun had no choice but to comply.

Acting as rudely as possible, damaging the image of the person known as Nam Daeun, was Nam Daeun’s only form of rebellion.

• Unnie?

“Yeah, about Mr. Min-gyu. That’s right. I’m incredibly strong, so don’t worry.”

• Yep, yep! I love you, Unnie! When can I see you next time? Mr. Min-gyu said you were too busy with academy classes so you couldn’t come.

“… I’ll come in a month. I’m sorry. I have a lot of classes….”

This too was a ploy to minimize contact with her sister.

But she couldn’t show it.

She didn’t want sadness to appear on her innocent sister’s face.

“Unnie has to go now, really. I’ll call again next time.”

• Hmph. Okay. Call me again tomorrow. There’s nothing to do here, so I’m so bored.

“… Yeah. I’ll definitely call.”

The time she could talk to her sister per day was also limited.

Nam Daeun gritted her teeth and ended the hologram call.

“Haaah….”

BANG!

Nam Daeun’s fist embedded itself in the hallway wall.

“I’ll save you. I promise. I’ll save you….”

Nam Daeun quietly repeated the words ‘I’ll save you,’ but no one was there to hear her voice.

*

When I returned to my spot, the professor was standing in the center of the waiting area.

“Alright, everyone gather around.”

I quickly returned to our team.

“Today, unlike the last training session, all personnel will enter at once. The primary objective is escape, but the team that catches the most monsters or discovers the most artifacts will be awarded bonus points.”

Because of the professor’s single mention of bonus points, more teams started acting alone, and the number of cadets suffering from attacks increased.

In this Dungeon Practice session, acting alone was absolutely forbidden.

“The dungeon we’re entering today contains quite strong monsters too. Inside the dungeon, you can’t let your guard down for even a second. However, since it’s training, your backs will be backed up by healer teams. Your lives won’t be in danger, but receiving a lot of healing will result in point deductions.”

While the professor continued speaking, Nam Daeun returned to our team.

“Alright, now prepare to enter. Entry will proceed in reverse order, starting from Team 20.”

Since we were Team 13, we needed to start getting ready.

“Guys, let’s get ready.”

At my words as team leader, I expected everyone to get up and start preparing, but… everyone except me had already finished preparing.

Actually, there wasn’t much to prepare anyway. Hmm.

“Next! Team 13, enter!”

“Yes, sir!”

As the honorary team leader, I led the team from the very front.

As we entered through the portal, I saw several teams who had already entered.

Since we were starting all at once in this dungeon, everyone was waiting.

“Hoyeon-ssi. Are you going to follow Nam Daeun-yang this time too…?”

“Hmm, well.”

To be honest, I need to stick with Baek Ahyoung, so I don’t care how we strategize at all.

Still, I have to keep Lumi as close to Nam Daeun as possible. That way, she’ll be safe even in a rampaging dungeon.

She’s not inherently bad, so if she gets isolated in the dungeon with Lumi, I won’t abandon them.

“For now, stay as close to Nam Daeun as possible. This time, catching lots of treasure and monsters is more important than a quick escape, so Nam Daeun won’t just rush ahead like last time.”

“Yes. Understood!”

Seeing Lumi reply with a bright smile, my conscience ached, even if just a little.

‘I’m sorry. But it can’t be helped.’

Besides, with the number of girls I need to charm ahead, is it even funny to feel sorry over something like this?

I approached the healer team, who had entered the dungeon beforehand and were waiting.

“Hello. Is the Saintess here?”

“Oh my, what a cute kid. I’m sorry, but the Saintess isn’t someone you can just meet whenever you want. Please come again.”

I asked the closest, clueless-looking healer about Baek Ahyoung, but I was politely dismissed.

“Wait a moment, I know her.”

“Ah, Senior. Is that so?”

Luckily, Baek Ahyoung, who was talking to someone else, heard my voice and approached.

“Hello. Ahyoung-ssi.”

“Yeah, nice to see you. I always feel like Hoyeon, you feel different when I see you at the orphanage and here, which is fascinating.”

“Ahyoung-ssi, you seem like a professional when you’re working, which is cool.”

“Thanks. Heh heh.”

“Speaking of which, Ahyoung-ssi, which passage are you in charge of?”

To Baek Ahyoung, who was giggling at my compliment, I asked the question I wanted.

“Hmm? I’m going to be in charge of the largest passage. That place might have more than one team entering it.”

“Ah, I see. Understood. Good luck!”

“Yeah, yeah, you train hard too!”

Waving goodbye to Baek Ahyoung, I returned to my spot.

“As of this moment, all teams have entered! From now on, start exploring within your teams! If, by any chance, there’s friction between cadets, you will be disqualified immediately regardless of the reason, so make sure that never happens!”

Just then, it seemed all the teams had entered.

It’s finally starting.

Dungeon rampages occur about 30 minutes after training begins.

The dungeon’s form was the same cave-type as the last practice session. Luckily, since I proved my navigation skills last time, I felt hopeful they would follow my instructions.

“Hey, let’s go check out that narrowest passage over there. Places like that are usually where treasure is hidden.”

“Shall we decide where we should go and then head out?”

Other teams were discussing which path would be best.

“Guys. This test isn’t about being first just by rushing out. We need to find as much treasure and catch as many monsters as possible. For now, let’s head towards the widest passage.”

I guided our team towards the widest passage without delay.

The reason is obviously because it’s the passage Baek Ahyoung is in charge of.

‘Awakening’

To avoid suspicion, activating my Awakening skill, I walked ahead, exploring.

Grrr-

Before long, we encountered monsters.

They were Orcs, the elves’ main enemy, with humanoid green bodies.

“What? Orcs don’t growl ‘Grrr’; they shriek.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Orcs go ‘Chweeeek’!”

“… Huh?”

Lumi was pondering deeply what my nonsensical remark meant. It should just be dismissed as nonsense, but is she trying to accept my nonsense because it was me who said it?

Grrr-

The two Orcs, oblivious to my thoughts, crept closer.

Our team was already conditioned to Nam Daeun’s hunting style.

The three of them were blankly staring only at Nam Daeun, but Nam Daeun didn’t draw her sword, lost in thought.

Finally, the Orc at the front came within 3 meters of me and approached.

“Nam Daeun? Hey, what are you doing?”

“H-Hoyeon-ssi. Just kill it!”

“Huh? Oh, right. Isn’t it okay for me to kill it?”

Lumi awakened my hunting instinct, which had been tamed by Nam Daeun.

As expected, smart Lumi.

Grrr-

Beneath the fangs protruding from its mouth, drool dripped down.

Quickly, I manifested a magic circle.

I set it ablaze onto the dirty Orc bastard’s body.

FWOOSH!

CHWEEEEK-!

Only then did the Orc start making its proper shrieking sound!

“As expected, whether it’s home appliances or Orcs, they only come to their senses after getting hit.”

“… Huh?”

“It’s nothing.”

CHWEEEK-! CHWEEEK-!

The burning Orc, thrashing its body, asked the Orc standing behind it for help.

Grrr!

The Orc came running with a strange sound, and I threw a fireball into its open mouth.

CHWEEEK-! CHWEEEK-!

The two burning Orcs, shrieking like Orcs, made a final charge at me, but KWA-GWA-GONG! A pillar of fire erupted from the floor, turning them into ash.

“Still, I learned something good. Orcs only cry when they’re hit.”

“Oh, yeah!”

Lumi too had now given up and started accepting it.

Rumble-

DRRRRR-

“W-What is this!”

Suddenly, the dungeon floor began to rumble, and Lee Byung-hoon, who had been watching the situation quietly, shouted in surprise.

‘It’s here.’

The sign of a dungeon rampage.

Within a minute after the rumbling starts, the dungeon goes berserk, and due to the rapidly increasing mana, people are forcibly teleported one by one and scattered.

At that time, if you’re physically connected to someone, you can move together.

“Lumi! Grab Nam Daeun’s left arm and wait patiently! I’ll go report to the Hunters!”

“Yes, yes! I’ll wait!”

“Hey, hey! Take me with you!”

Lee Byung-hoon shouted in panic.

Whether you come or not, you bastard.

Luckily, Nam Daeun didn’t particularly resist Lumi grabbing her left arm.

After confirming that, I ran towards Baek Ahyoung, who was watching us from behind.

“Ahyoung-ssi! Something’s wrong with the dungeon!”

“Yeah, I know. This might be… the precursor to a dungeon rampage. For now, we should withdraw, prepare countermeasures, and then re-enter….”

RUMBLE-RUMBLE!

The dungeon shook violently, and the mana density in the air began to increase.

There was no more time to waste.

I wanted to hold her hand naturally, but there was no time.

So, I just quickly grabbed Baek Ahyoung’s hand.

“H-Hoyeon?!”

Baek Ahyoung tried to pull her hand away in surprise, but luckily, just in time, I felt my body teleporting.

And then, my vision went black.