episode_0015

Thunk-! Thud!

“Kkeueeeeek····.”

“Eww··· My muscles are completely twisted···.”

As I entered a state of pretentiousness, I lay sprawled on the ground, writhing in pain.

Tremble-tremble-

“·····.”

Poke-

“Kkeug?!”

“Heeey··!! Sorry.. I’m sorry!!”

When Baek Chaerin poked my back, I felt a sharp pain.

Why should I be startled when it hurts…?

“By the way, what was that te-tech-nique just now?”

Baek Chaerin, who was gently placing her hand on my back for healing, asked.

Hmm… What should I say?

“Um… Just know it as the technique of the foolish uncle who reached the peak with only one sword without relying on anything else.”

“Foolish uncl…Huff··! Wh-what is that···.”

“Seriously.”

Can’t believe it.

The foolish uncle who chose to focus solely on one dream and run without looking back. That’s the narrative of a swordsman.

But maybe I’m not much different.

“Kkeung··· Where am I… I’m sure I entered the boss room… Huh?

Among the neatly arranged trio of inspectors, Kim Hyun Sung was the first to get up.

Finally paying attention to this side?

“When did you guys follow us here!”

“What.”

“You guys delivered the final blow to the boss we had captured! Isn’t that right?!”

“W-what.”

Saved them, and now they’re reporting me and even taking my belongings.

Wait, Kim Hyun Sung, how did the boss die? Can’t you see it?

Oh, you two over there, you’ve gotten up.

You guys are good at assessing situations, so hurry up and stop this guy. Explain on behalf of him.

Hey, don’t turn your head away. I’m not scared. Smile, guys, smile.

“Is everyone okay!!”

“Huh, Professor?”

Professor Pang Da-yoon appeared in the boss room with a sound splitting the air.

He rushed here less than 2 minutes after the battle ended.

Knowing how the artificial dungeon’s mechanisms work, I realize how skilled the professor, the creator of this dungeon, is.

It takes at least 5 minutes to fix the coordinates and part of the mechanism after a traitor’s betrayal.

To arrive in the boss room almost exactly at the 5-minute mark.

If the boss subjugation had been delayed a bit longer, the professor would have come and swiftly taken care of it…

“As you can see, the situation has ended. There is only one injured person here.”

“T-the injuries aren’t from the boss but from Han Gyeol himself…”

“Sigh.”

“···Haha.”

Except for the inspectors’ fainting, they only have minor injuries, while I am suffering from full-body muscle pain.

In reality, there are no significant damages.

“So, it was Han Gyeol who subjugated the boss, right?”

“Um…”

“I object, Professor Pang Da-yoon!”

“Hmm? Go ahead. What’s the matter?”

At the question of whether I subjugated the boss, I briefly closed my mouth and looked behind me.

Kim Hyun Sung raised his hand as if waiting to speak, ready to answer.

Hey, that’s not it. Are you really going to do it? Hey, stop him. Don’t look away. He’s up to something weird…!

“While we were facing the boss in the boss room, although I was hit by an unexpected attack, seeing that this grade B fellow died, it’s evident that the boss was already exhausted!

I, an A-grade, fell, and there’s no way this B-grade could defeat the boss in perfect condition!”

I want to slap my forehead in frustration, but my body can’t move except for my neck…!

I’m sorry I couldn’t cover your mouth!!!

“Is that so?”

“Yes!”

“Are you sure? Really?”

“···Yes!”

After a series of pressing questions, Kim Hyun Sung hesitated slightly before giving a positive answer again.

May the deceased rest in peace. Press Y to show your respects…

“Sigh… Kim Hyun Sung, you go out and confirm it yourself. For now, let’s escape from the dungeon.”

Professor Pang Da-yoon took out an emergency escape badge received from Professor Jung Eun-hye and activated it.

White particles enveloped everyone one by one, rising up to their heads before disappearing.

We could see ourselves positioned in the training ground.

Oh… My stupid brain didn’t work, so I couldn’t prepare in advance, and now my body is in this state…

Indeed, they say a good mind prevents the body from suffering.

I learned a valuable lesson.

The professors were gathered, probably discussing the figures dressed in black robes.

The group they belong to is the Salvation of White Blood.

A group of psychopaths gathered together.

A crazy group willing to sacrifice themselves to achieve success at any cost for their goals.

Even traitors are among them, but the traitors simply think of this organization as a group seeking revenge on the world, not imagining that they aim to destroy the world.

Individuals completely twisted inside and out.

While internally devising hundreds of ways to kill the person in front of them,

Externally, they send smiles full of kindness, sending shivers down my spine. Ugh.

“Gyeol-ah!”

Thud. Swish!

“Kkuk!”

Tap!! Tap!! Hwayoung, tap!!!! Tap tap!!!!!!!!

Kyaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!

“Are you okay? Are you hurt? Where does it hurt? Is there any discomfort? Can’t move your hands or feet, feeling like half of your body is paralyzed?”

“Umm… H-han Gyeol is right now…”

“Right now what?”

“Ack! Ah, ah, ah, it hurts…”

“Hurts? ···· Hot!? Sorry!!!”

Criminal… Offender…, this… Hwayoung…

Anyway, we were the first to come out,

Followed by Hwayoung’s party.

Just step aside for a moment, Hwayoung. Don’t cling to me like a beloved doll.

While receiving Baek Chaerin’s healing, I observe Kim Hyunseong’s expression as he watches the recording ahead.

Oh, his expression changes in various ways.

Surprise, disappointment, jealousy, next is… challenge? What’s this?

“I won’t stop until you turn around and acknowledge me!!!! I will defeat you, Han Gyeol!!!!!”

??? Why. Why suddenly target me.

What a strange fellow. Still, it’s good that his inferiority complex and jealousy didn’t explode; he seems like a proper aspiring hero. Fighting!

Later, I heard from Professor Pang Dayoon that he entrusted the punishment of Kim Hyunseong to me, but I advised against it.

“Hey, Han Gyeol…”

“Yeah? Are you the duo of inspectors?”

“Inspectors duo… Oh, no, sorry! We misunderstood you. We judged you based on your B-rank being 22nd. Thank you for helping us.”

The duo of inspectors hesitated, then approached me simultaneously with courage.

Then, they apologized to me and asked for forgiveness.

Well, I don’t particularly hold any grudges, so I might as well forgive them.

“It’s okay. We’re here to help each other. If you ever need help in the future, just step up and help others.”

“Thank you. We’ll train hard and help people in the future!”

“Yeah. Fight on.”

They smile back at me with renewed enthusiasm.

Interesting fellows.

Meanwhile, the parties to which the remaining characters belonged all returned.

Oh, looks like they fought fiercely.

Their equipment was all messed up, and their faces were filled with fatigue.

“Oh, Han Gyeol?”

As Han Seyoung spotted me, the gazes of the other characters turned towards me.

“Hello, long time no see.”

“We parted only 3 hours ago. What are you doing lying down here?”

Han Seyoung approached me first and asked about my well-being.

“The boss materialized, I fought and won against him.”

“Haha! I knew it was you, I believed in you!”

Perhaps recalling my duel with the professor, Kang Jinhyuk confidently remarked as if it were obvious.

“Kang Jinhyuk, it seems like you also fought the boss who materialized. Who were you in a party with?”

“Me? I was in a party with this guy here. He was a reliable tanker! Haha!”

“Ugh… My hands are itching…”

Kang Jin-hyuk and Lee Yoo-sung were in a party.

Judging by the atmosphere, it seems they succeeded in subjugating the boss.

“Oh, Hanyul, I knew you were amazing from the start!! Let’s party next time, shall we? Leave the long-range to me!”

“I’ll look forward to the next time. Shin Se-rin, who did you party with?”

“I partied with Eugene here! The combination of archery and magic is the best in the world!”

“Let go···.”

Grabbing Eugene’s arms, he spins around and says.

Likewise, it seems they succeeded in subjugation.

“Well, Han Seyoung, what about you?”

“It’s my turn! I formed a party with Ms. Jung Yuna here and successfully subjugated the boss!”

Jung Yuna. She was a character he briefly saw during the weapon skill evaluation test.

Finally, he could exchange greetings.

“My current physical condition is like this, so please overlook how I greet you. I’m Hanyul. Nice to meet you.”

“Jung Yuna. Nice to meet you. My main position is assault and infiltration. I’m quite confident in combat too.”

“Yeah. I’ll do my best.”

Thus, he exchanged greetings with all the characters···.

While leaning his face on Lee Hwayoung’s shoulder, receiving healing,

The professor’s voice announcing that all novices had safely returned was heard.

The subsequent words were thanking everyone for their hard work and declaring the end of the class.

Another day has come to an end.

“By the way, Hwayoung.”

“Yeah.”

“When are you going to drop off?”

Still hanging on my arm, there’s no sign of her letting go.

“My energy is low, so I’m recharging.”

“Oh, I see. Okay then.”

Sigh- Hoo- Sigh-

She occasionally does these strange actions, nothing out of the ordinary.

When she can move her body a bit, Baek Chaerin said to him,

“You should be able to move somewhat now.”

“Where… Oh! It feels much lighter. Thank you for healing me.”

“No problem… By the way, will you continue to use that skill in the future?”

“Huh? Why do you ask?”

For a moment, Baek Chaerin’s eyes became serious.

“That skill. If you keep using it, Hanyul won’t be able to handle it. Right now, it’s just stretched tight, but it will snap before you know it.”

“Thank you for the advice.”

“Indeed, it would be better to increase your stats to reduce the strain on your body.”

Certainly, he pushed himself a bit too hard this time.

Even though I tried to use a little more power, it’s not easy to control.

This is clearly Bumjae’s technique. A genius technique indeed.

At least all stats need to be at 30 to exert about 20% of its full power.

“Well then, see you next time. Thanks for today, I’ll repay you next time.”

“Yes, yes! Thank you for your hard work today!”

Standing up with Hwayoung’s support, he headed home.

On the way, Han Seyoung also joined him and they walked together.

·····

――Beep beep.

[Leader of the Vanguard. Highest danger rating determined.]

·

·

·

·

·

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[Hanyul. Observation needed as danger level rises from C to A.]

[Hwayoung. 1st place in the freshman novice ranking. Unknown. Additional observation required.]

-Beep beep.

-Thud.