episode_0018

019

“Ah, uh, ugh.”

“Haah, haah….”

“Darn it, you monkey… ugh.”

It was a very natural result, if you think about it.

The long-armed monkey was such a powerful monster that it couldn’t be described as just an ‘ordinary opponent.’

“Ah, as expected, a direct confrontation won’t work.”

Tactics, strategies?

Just laughable.

It doesn’t matter if the levels are similar or not.

In an RPG game, can level 5 NPCs defeat a level 35 monster?

“Everyone’s not in good shape.”

The children who had been hit by the monkey’s attacks multiple times were not in good condition.

Their clothes were torn, shields were shattered, and they all had various injuries, gasping for breath.

All of this happened in just a few minutes.

The black-handed long-armed monkey, who had been moving lazily until now, emitted a white steam-like substance from its body, darkening its fur color, causing the children to fall one by one.

Yes.

The black-handed long-armed monkey had entered a new phase.

The second phase.

The so-called crimson rage monkey state.

“During this state, most of its stats increase.”

Physical attack power, physical defense, and magical defense increase by two levels, and its temperament becomes more ferocious.

It also develops a habit of playing with its prey slowly instead of killing it quickly.

Just like that.

“Krrrk, krrr….”

The long-armed monkey reached out its large hand, tightly gripping Yoo Seol-hyun’s neck and slowly opening its filthy mouth.

“Kiiii, kiiii, kiiii.”

Its jaw split into four parts, revealing countless sharp teeth that slowly approached Yoo Seol-hyun.

It was a pattern of immobilization followed by consumption.

“Ugh, ugh! Let go of me!”

Yoo Seol-hyun struggled with a pale face, flailing her legs and arms, but it was futile, like a butterfly caught in a spider’s web.

“Kiiii, kiiii, kiiii.”

Instead, the crimson monkey savored her terrified face, slowly extending its mouth.

“Hong Da-ye… doesn’t seem to be in a position to help.”

Engaged in a battle with the Minotaur and Ilgi-to, Hong Da-ye had no room to help anyone.

With his psychic abilities almost depleted, he seemed to be focusing solely on the fight with the Minotaur.

“Krrk, krrk. Seol-hyun… Seol-hyun!”

“Haah, haah, ugh, hoo….”

Wiping away the blood, Seonari and Jin So-yeon raised their swords and attacked with all their might.

“Krrri? Kiiii.”

Mocking the children’s struggles, the monkey blocked their attacks with one hand and simultaneously struck their shoulders and sides.

Thud!

“Ugh, ow.”

With a short groan, the two of them tumbled helplessly on the training ground.

Once the monkey turned into its crimson state, almost all attacks were ineffective. It chuckled mockingly.

As if to say, “Try to save them now,” the crimson monkey leisurely licked its lips, observing the children’s reactions.

“This is it.”

The children had fought hard and done their best.

It was not an ordinary monster they were facing, and just holding out this long was commendable.

Winning was almost impossible in this defeat battle event.

If we continued to delay any longer, there would definitely be casualties.

We couldn’t afford to have any casualties, so it seemed like it was time to finish it.

‘….’

I opened the cap of the water bottle I had brought before the match started and poured the liquid inside onto the arrowhead.

The sticky liquid covered the arrowhead.

It even had a sweet scent.

“Alright. It’s done.”

What could this liquid that I sprinkled on the arrowhead be?

It wasn’t a dangerous chemical substance or a lethal poison.

In fact, it was pure apple juice with over 99% content, easily available anywhere.

…No. Really.

It was indeed apple juice.

If it had been a dangerous substance, there would have been no way I could bring it into the academy, let alone find it in stores.

“Thinking back now, it’s ridiculous.”

I wasn’t crazy enough to sprinkle apple juice on the arrowhead in this urgent situation. The apple juice was the key to bringing down that monster.

“What kind of setting is this, really.”

Do you happen to know the game called StarCraft?

It was once one of the large-scale strategy simulation games that swept through South Korea.

In StarCraft, a game that gained popularity as an e-sport, there was a terrifying monster known as the ‘Zergling.’

A ferocious creature that could tear through thick steel like paper. But the Zergling had a ridiculous weakness.

What was the weakness?

It was none other than… lemon juice.

It wasn’t a joke or a prank; it was an actual setting that they were weak against lemon juice.

In the game’s lore, the Zergling had a genetic combination with lemons or something like that. It was called the Lemon Juice Allergy.

It was a simulation that seemed more fitting for second-hand creation or parody, but it was no joke; it was an official setting.

…And.

The Romance Hero Academy took an interest in this absurd setting and went as far as to parody it.

No, they even took it a step further.

Not only did they give the black-handed long-armed monkey a deadly combination with apple juice, but if the apple juice entered their body, their stats would drastically decrease, and they would suffer continuous damage.

To put it simply, apple juice was as lethal to that monkey as poison.

“Of course, you can’t get apples in the game, but…”

But this isn’t a game; it’s reality, right?

You can import apples anytime.

“…Phew. Now then.”

I aimed the arrow at the monkey, hanging loosely as if it didn’t need to care about my arrow.

Yuseolhyun, with her neck caught by the monkey, her eyes tightly closed, appeared.

Seeing that sight, a slight feeling of guilt welled up in me.

“I feel sorry for those who suffered for nothing.”

As I mentioned earlier, if I had only used the apple juice, I could have brought down the monkey faster and easier.

Then the kids wouldn’t have been hurt or suffered like this.

But I pushed back using the apple juice as much as possible.

Because I wanted those kids to experience a direct fight with a powerful monster.

Some may have felt powerless, and some may have felt despair. But those kids wouldn’t be broken.

Instead, they would need to become stronger through this fight.

That’s why they are like that.

The female lead, male lead, villain Yeong-ae, named NPCs, and so on.

They were bound to get involved in various dangerous incidents while attending Union Academy in the future.

To survive in numerous trials and tribulations, and to fulfill their roles, it was good to let them experience various things in advance.

“Thinking about what will happen in the future, it wouldn’t hurt to give Soyeon and these guys some experience points.”

I’m weak… I’ll have to rely on them a lot in the future.

With that thought in mind, I released the bowstring.

Soon enough, the arrows swooped down at a rapid speed and hit the split jaw of the monkey.

Thunk!

***

Yoo Seol-hyun bit her lower lip tightly, looking angry.

“Ugh, ugh.”

At first, she managed to fight against the monkey monster, but at some point, her body turned red and she knocked down the kids with unbelievable strength and speed.

Originally, Yoo Seol-hyun and the kids were not at a level where they could compete.

“Kee, kee.”

“Ugh.”

That monkey.

Playing with us.

Was it arrogance as a strong being, or was it confidence? The long-armed monkey grabbed Yoo Seol-hyun’s neck and dangled her in the air, ready to devour her at any moment.

“Kee, kee.”

As if saying, “Hurry up and save her.”

Laughing mockingly at the kids who were half-collapsed, the monkey had a nasty temper due to its high intelligence.

The kids tried their best to save Yoo Seol-hyun, but it was in vain.

With this training equipment, it was almost impossible to deliver a proper blow.

“Ugh, ugh, ugh. Darn it.”

Yoo Seol-hyun gasped for breath and muttered roughly.

Gradually. Gradually, she was running out of breath. The monkey’s sharp claws gently pierced Yoo Seol-hyun’s pale and slender skin. Breath… I can’t breathe…!

“Ugh, ugh!”

Struggling.

Yoo Seol-hyun kicked with all her might.

She tried to break free from the monkey’s grip on her wrist and punched the monkey’s chest with her fist. It only hurt her hand. It was too hard. Yoo Seol-hyun’s face turned pale. Oxygen wasn’t being supplied properly to her brain. The monkey mocked Yoo Seol-hyun.

Watching her futile struggles, the monkey gradually tightened its grip on Yoo Seol-hyun’s neck.

Huh?! Are you going to kill me now? Is it game over?

‘…Ah. Is this how I die?’

There are still so many things I haven’t done.

I haven’t gained recognition from my grandfather or proven myself to my siblings.

Tasks and things I wanted to do were piling up like a mountain, but was this the end of Yoo Seol-hyun’s life?

Living as a hero means keeping death close, I knew that, but I haven’t even become a hero yet.

Like this… Like this… Dying without achieving anything…?

Me?

“…Ah.”

Eventually, her strength left her.

Her limp arms and legs slowly sank as they lost strength.

Her sharp eyes gradually lost their light, and her heavy eyelids began to close slowly.

“…S-save.”

Someone, please.

“…Me, please.”

Save me, please.

Yoo Seol-hyun desperately begged in her mind.

Swish.

And was it at that moment?

With a thud.

An arrow pierced into the monkey’s large mouth.

“Kee? Kikik.”

‘…Is that Jinhyuk?’

But it was futile.

With such a strong monkey, even an arrow like that couldn’t cause any harm…?

“Kee? Kik! Kieeeeeeeek!”

The crimson long-armed monkey, which had always appeared relaxed, suddenly let out a roar in the midst of battle and started vomiting blood.

What’s happening?

Why is that monster…?

“Kie?! Keeeek! Keeeek!”

After spewing blood as if in agony, it suddenly swung Yuseolhyun far away. Ah!

“….!”

Yuseolhyun, who was floating in the air for more than a few meters, was unable to even brace for impact as she started falling to the ground without even losing consciousness due to lack of oxygen supply to her brain…

“Ugh!”

“Hoo… Yuseolhyun, are you okay?”

“Cough, cough, cough… Ha… Jin… Hyuk?”

…Thanks to the quick arrival of Hyuk Jin, she was able to barely survive by holding her in his arms.

“Snap out of it, Yuseolhyun!”

“Ha, ha, ugh.”

Taking a deep breath one after another, Yuseolhyun gradually regained her blurry vision and looked at the monkey monster roaring in the distance.

I don’t know what’s going on, but it was thrashing around like someone addicted to venom.

“…Now that you’ve come to your senses. It’s okay now, cough, cough. You’re okay.”

With a clearer mind, Yuseolhyun slowly stood up, clenching her fists tightly.

“Kieeeek!”

“Ha, ha!”

In the distance, Isiwoon and the monkey monster were fighting.

Unlike before, the monster’s movements seemed sluggish, making it a bit more manageable.

Did Hyuk Jin’s arrow hit a vital spot?

I couldn’t exactly figure out what was going on, but now was the chance. Let’s focus on the present and discard unnecessary thoughts.

“Attack!”

“Kieeeek?!”

Thud.

A blade infused with magic pierced under the monkey’s jaw as it started rampaging.

Alright! Isiwoon let out a battle cry in his mind.

The tough skin seemed to have softened a bit as the blade easily penetrated the flesh. Has its durability decreased? In this incomprehensible situation, Isiwoon unexpectedly found hope. Alright, this should do it. Isiwoon shouted.

“….Yuseolhyun!”

“Got it, huh!”

In response to Isiwoon’s call, Yuseolhyun, clenching the blade she had been holding tightly, threw it with all her might.

Magic spear.

The spear infused with a deep blue magic penetrated the monkey’s abdomen. It didn’t penetrate properly, but it seemed to have caused quite a bit of damage compared to before.

“Ugh, aah! Die, you monkey bastard!”

Charging towards the staggering monkey, Senari shouted loudly.

Although one arm was not moving well, she couldn’t miss this opportunity.

“Die! Die!”

“Kieek, kieek?! Kieeeeeeek?!”

Thud! Thud! Thud, thud!

With all her strength and the power she had accumulated, Senari struck the monkey fiercely. Flesh splattered and blood gushed out.

But she didn’t stop.

She couldn’t give the monkey bastard time to regroup.

“Ha!”

“Ugh, ugh, huk.”

“Ha, ha. Ha.”

Before she knew it, not only Senari but all the able-bodied individuals were attacking the monkey.

The long-armed monkey could only vomit blood without putting up any resistance.

“It’s so tough, really…!”

“Phew.”

How much time had passed?

“Is it dead?”

“….Probably.”

Suddenly, the monkey met its end in a crumpled heap.

“Ugh, ugh. Ha. Are you guys alive?”

“Instructor…”

Thud! The giant body of the Minotaur raised a cloud of dust.

A blade was deeply embedded in the Minotaur’s chest.

Hong Daye couldn’t even catch her breath properly as she scanned the faces of the children. Hopefully, there were no casualties, right? Although there were quite a few injuries, fortunately, it seemed like no one had died. She was truly relieved.

“…You guys took down that monkey by yourselves?”

“Haah, haah… We were lucky.”

Even if they said they were lucky, the monster wasn’t easy enough to take down like that.

Honestly, even active heroes wouldn’t be able to take it down.

‘…How on earth.’

As she pondered this,

“Second security team! Over there! Save the students! Medical team!”

“Leave those monsters to the first team!”

“Isn’t that a Minotaur? Did Hong Daye instructor take it down?”

In the distance… the security team running towards them caught the children’s eyes.

They were specialized monster hunters made up of numerous heroes.

“…They really came quickly, wow.”

Sitting down with a thud, Jin Soyeon let out a bitter smile.

It’s not like they’re police officers in some movie.

Why do they always show up after everything’s over?