episode_0049

Early moning. I was just about to leave the dormitory for class, but my steps were blocked by someone with an unhappy expression blocking the second floor hallway.

“… ?”

Yang Yeon-ha, with her arms crossed, glares at me with a venomous look in her eyes. She was wearing silk pajamas and a shawl wrapped tightly as if it were armor.

Although only three nights had passed since the blockade was launched, she was now full of vitality that had never been seen before. Her face was smooth, and her long, flowing hair was also full of shine.

However, if there is one thing that is disappointing, it is that the sky-high arrogance and arrogance have also become more abundant. The unique gaze that looks down on people still remains.

Now that his physical condition has improved, does he think it’s worth giving it a try?

Her ingratitude was outrageous, but I wondered how she would know of my help.

It is much better than being questioned because of unnecessary suspicion.

“What is it?”

“You, you… Hehe.”

As he continued to stare at me in silence, I asked him about his business. I have to leave to take class right away, so if you have anything to do, you better get it done quickly.

But lo and behold. An irreverent attitude that melts in an instant with just a single word.

The words I was trying to say were scattered into the air as I bit my tongue in embarrassment.

Her white skin was covered in a bright red blush due to the shame that covered up the dignity she had put so much effort into.

Perhaps because he was angry at himself, his whole body was shaking slightly the whole time.

It is not that easy to overcome fear once it is imprinted on you.

“Dae, how long are you going to be here… If you were planning on humiliating me… That’s enough… !”

Yan Yang-ha, who had finally calmed down, began to argue in a desperate manner.

“This… Stop at this point… You said you would send it to me without any questions… Wow, why are you doing that… ”

“I plan to stay for a while. And that’s enough. Who gets to decide that? And I think it’s still not enough?”

“Hi… Hehe.”

With a strange groan as she swallowed her saliva, her face turned pale.

I only took one step towards the stairs, but in a moment of pity, I took two or three steps back and was pushed into the wall.

I left her alone and went down the stairs to leave the dormitory.

Unless I had something special to do, I couldn’t afford to spend any more time.

“Sniff… Pervert bastard… Crazy guy… Sigh, you psychopath… ”

Behind me, the sound of her cursing echoed softly like white noise.

***

“Even now, big and small problems are scattered throughout our country. Appearance of mutants, warlocks, reports of suspected demons, presence of demonic beasts with a level 2 or higher risk classification, etc. And most of them are problems that ordinary people who cannot use magic cannot handle at all.”

The two-week external request period has just begun. The main lecture room was crowded with first-year students who had gathered to listen to the dictionary explanation.

” Fundamentally, only wizards can solve this. However, compared to the events that occur, the reality is that the number of wizards is always insufficient. The area around the capital may seem peaceful at first glance, but you will find out later if you go to the outskirts or near the northern wall at least once. In fact, what a precarious crossroads this country is in right now.”

On the podium, a young professor wearing horn-rimmed glasses and a dark beard continued his explanation with a projector.

“When the 10th Republic system was launched 32 years ago, various measures were introduced to solve the chronic manpower shortage. The current national policy is to use it as efficiently as possible where even inexperienced people can use it. The adult age has been lowered to 17, the military service period has been extended up to 5 years, and the external requests you will now be receiving are all happening in that context.”

When Professor Kwon Chan-yeol pressed the button on the device in his hand, the projector made a spinning sound and immediately projected the next picture.

A level:

-2nd year students ranked 30th or higher can receive orders alone

-Eradication of medium-sized or smaller groups of second-class demonic beasts

-Arrest and kill wanted criminals below yellow level

– Reserve personnel of the pioneering team in unrecovered areas

-Regular or emergency request

B level:

-Orders available for mentoring groups that include 1st graders ranked 30th or higher, 2nd graders, or 1st graders led by a 2nd grader.

-Eradication of single individuals of grade 2 or lower magical beast species or large groups of grade 3 magical beast species

-Arrest and kill criminals below the wanted level.

-Escort outside the city center during corporate requests

-Regular or emergency request

C level:

-Available for orders of 1st grade or above

-Exterminate individual or small groups of level 3 or lower demonic beasts, arrest and kill mutants

-Escort in the city center or nearby during corporate requests

-Trade request

“These are requests that were received from the Special Crimes Intensive Investigation Bureau and the Department of Homeland Security, and then classified and graded according to the level by Cradle’s Academic Affairs Office. You will first experience C-level requests, and then sequentially perform B-level requests with a mentoring group. And if you receive a passing decision in both requests, you can later obtain the authority to carry out requests that meet your qualifications at any time at your own discretion.”

“I’m sorry if I keep repeating what I said, but it can be said that taking the first step well is more important than anything else. If you are judged to have failed in this external request period, you will have no choice but to wait for the next period, which is several months away. While you are stuck in the cradle sucking your fingers, your motive is to be free to roam around at any time and increase your performance by accepting requests. This will affect everything, including immediate rankings, contract renewals with sponsors, and even a place to work after graduation.”

Professor Kwon shut down the projector and looked around at the students in the classroom.

“Of course, C-level requests are requests that can never be said to be of high quality. They were categorized based on your level in the first place, and the average passing rate is over 70%. However, if you don’t want to be in the 30%, wouldn’t it be better to change your mind right away rather than stepping forward lightly?”

Then he glanced at his watch and checked the time.

“The composition of the team can be changed freely, but this is not possible once the list is written in the request form. Also, keep in mind that students who ranked in the top 10 in the last practice must participate in different groups. Well then, I wish you all good luck.”

As soon as he yawned and went out the door, the classroom was noisy like a market.

“Here, come this way!”

“Hey, it’s all about emissions! Circulation system, only 1 person majoring in circulatory system… !”

Originally, C-level requests could be accepted by first-year students alone, but considering that this was their first external request, a group of four people was forced to do so.

“Hyuna, I saw you last time… ? These are my friends… ”

I ended up being in a group with Jena again this time. Since the team chemistry was good last time, I didn’t really feel the need to change.

Yena sat down at the table and introduced the two female students she had brought. The impression was somehow familiar, and when I searched my memories, I was able to quickly recall its identity.

This is a two-member group that we encountered while escaping from an attack by Akrates during our last training session at the Sky Basin. One was screaming when he saw me, and the other was on his back with serious injuries.

“Hello. My name is Sarah. Sarah Yoo.”

The girl who had screamed grinned, looked at me, and held out her hand. She had a bleached ponytail and a school uniform jacket tied tightly around her waist. The length of the school uniform skirt is almost half of Yena’s.

The outfit is so impressive that one might worry about violating the school rules. No matter how you look at it, it seems like the exact opposite type of Yena. How on earth did these two become friends?

“I… Hyun doesn’t like that kind of thing… Just say hello… ”

Yena looked at me and said to the female student. I thought I was holding it in well, but I guess he was aware of my reaction, flinching every time he touched an area like my arm. I feel like I feel a little sorry.

“Hmm… ?”

“What, what… ”

Yena frowned slightly but continued to argue. The female student smiled mischievously but withdrew her outstretched hand.

“Hehe, no. Then just say hello. Anyway, I’ll ask you to be nice this time? And I was really thankful last time. I think I was able to escape thanks to you stepping in in the middle.”

“That’s right. Thanks to you, I was able to receive treatment quickly. I’m in the summer Just call it summer.”

Next to him, a female student with medium-short hair bowed her head.

“… it’s okay. I wasn’t really trying to help.”

“Huh, let’s put it that way, okay? But you’re actually a more sane person than you think. Is this why rumors can’t be trusted?”

“That’s right… I told you… !”

In response to the female student’s words, Yena repeatedly nodded with a happy expression.

Sarah is from the third city in the Masada metropolitan area, and her parents are civil servants working at the Mid- to Long-Term Strategy Bureau. Summer was the granddaughter of the founder of a famous logistics chain in the capital.

They were both first-generation naturally blooming magicians whose parents were ordinary people, but they were said to be able to enter the cradle because their talents were so outstanding.

“So… Last time Yenna… ”

“Ha, don’t do it… !”

It’s a bit surprising to see people from all different backgrounds gathered together.

Leaving behind the female students who were having a friendly conversation among themselves, I suddenly turned my head and checked my surroundings.

Before long, I was able to find Muyoung talking with the group members far away. What was so funny? He was bursting out laughing before he spoke.

Since I didn’t have any bad memories from the last practice, I wanted to be in a group with him this time too. Above all, he is one of the few people I can talk to comfortably.

But I ended up giving up due to the polite and apologetic rejection.

Muyoung’s group was all men. And he took off the mask he always wore and looked very refreshed. Even slaves who were freed from oppression would not be able to be that happy.

No matter how you look at it, I don’t think he’s a bad person. He is a truly unique friend…

“Now, shall we talk a little?”

Sarah, who was fondling Yena’s cheek, opened the conversation.

“That… uh… ”

“Just call me Hyeon.”

“Hmm, I understand. As far as I know, Hyun said you majored in circulatory system, right? And all three of us are discharged.”

Before she knew it, she had lined up the request cards she had drawn on the table.

“The balance may be a little off, but your skills are overwhelmingly good, so I don’t think it will be a big deal. And speaking of missions… ”

Unusually for a first-year student, she knew a lot of various facts.

“The only quests that 1st graders can receive are C level, but even for the same level, the actual difficulty level can vary greatly depending on the distance and mission location. For example, for something as easy as the mission to kill Novecus in the Masada Underground Capital, sharp-witted kids would have already stamped the request,”

“Nobecus… ?”

“That, a gutter rat… More on that later… ”

When Yena tilted her head in confusion, Yeoreum, who was sitting next to her, spread her arms like balloons and described the size of the monster. Yena’s face instantly turned pale at the sight of its gigantic size.

“Hiik… no… ”

“Ugh, when will things get better? ”

Sera shook her head. I’ve seen Novekus a few times. It was a magical beast that had mutated from a rodent, and was almost as big as a small colt. Their reproductive power was so great that they often gnawed at sewers here and there and their corpses often clogged waterholes.

“And it would have already been finished anyway? This is what we’re aiming for. Fighting mutants.”

Sera held out the request card she had chosen.

“Recently, reports of mutant sightings have been increasing rapidly in the B-143 district of the capital. Let’s get this. How about it?”

Those who did not become wizards, but whose minds were grotesquely distorted due to the negative influence of particles, were called mutants. It is said that statistics show that when those who sneak into the back alleys of the city and commit various crimes are arrested, more than 80% of them are mutants.

“I asked my senior last time, and he said that depending on the situation, it might be easier to deal with mutants than demonic beasts. It is said that people often develop an excessive obsession with a specific target, so as long as you set a bait and set a trap well, you will easily get caught.”

“Overdeveloped… Obsession… ?”

“For example… A bald mutant who only drinks virgin blood?”

“Hiik… scared… ”

“It’s okay. This guy has better skills than me, but I don’t know why he’s so scared.”

Yena shivered and clung to Yeoreum sitting next to her. Sarah saw that and shook her head.

After a brief conversation, we decided to accept the quest to kill mutants suggested by Sarah. Although it was a bit more difficult than other C-level quests, it had a great advantage in that the time required was much shorter than other quests that required going to the outskirts.

But it’s area B-143. I feel like I heard it somewhere.

I’m sure I’ve seen that name in Yeongyangha’s report. I think they said that a research center belonging to a company owned by Mr. Jeokhwa Yeon was located in that area.

Then isn’t it a wealthy village? It’s a bit surprising that a mutant was seen near such a place.

“You have all your luggage ready, right? Then, let’s get the request signed and leave immediately. I need to finish it quickly so I can feel better.”

Sarah said, getting up from the chair. We each packed our bags and decided to join each other at the campus and leave right away.

Naturally, my thoughts turned to compassion. I briefly ran into him on my way out this morning.

I am now in a situation where I have to leave the dormitory for at least a day. There is no option not to carry out the request.

External requests are a factor that has a huge impact on grades. And I promised the director that I would graduate from Cradle with excellent grades.

But if that were the case, I would be exposed again to my old, pitiful surroundings while I was gone.

… Well, he is someone who has lived like that for over 10 years. Even if I go back to the way things were for a day or two, I don’t think it will have that big of an impact.

In any case, the fire was urgently extinguished. The rest can be done gradually.

After thinking that, I immediately got up from my seat and left the classroom, following the others.