episode_0071

The last day of the second week of training.

Unlike the first week, it was a day without any special tests or training.

Originally, it was a day for the students to rest and recruit teams for the upcoming inter-island competition starting from the third week.

So, I thought about taking our angelic Meonyangi out to the city for a walk.

I wanted to put some snacks in her cute, fluffy mouth.

But such thoughts were interrupted by Moonbora, who hurriedly came in the middle of the night.

“Yuseha, I’m sorry for coming so late.”

“…Moonbora? Oh, Meonyangi too?”

“Meow. Hello, Seha.”

Meonyangi also came in a hurry when called by Moonbora.

Moonbora briefly explained the situation while catching her breath.

“…Sigh.”

I couldn’t help but let out a sigh.

Me and Meonyangi weren’t really surprised.

In fact, we had a feeling about this.

“The Garden of the Heavenly Trials.”

A precious resource called “Trials” that is rare in the country.

Now discovered and conquered by rookie hunters who are barely D-rank.

Thanks to them, the Association was in a tough spot.

I expected some unsavory characters to show up.

“…So, we quietly sold it…”

I didn’t expect such a dirty fight to happen in another guild branch.

Even the guild leader Su Okbin was taken aback by this.

– I’m sorry, Yuseha, Mahana. I didn’t know that old geezer would pull such a stunt. But don’t worry. Once this farce is over, I’ll take care of it.

Hmm, to be honest, it was a bit scary.

The word “old geezer” made me shudder…

I could feel the chill even through the phone.

Anyway, it’s time to wrap up this train of thought.

I should start getting ready.

A faint magic emanated from the training room, all set up.

“…Yuseha.”

“Yeah?”

Next to me, Junayong approached with a hesitant expression.

“Why are you making that face? You’re trying to help, right?”

“…I think… it’s partly because of me.”

What is this kid talking about?

“…? Why apologize? If anyone sees you, they might think you’re trying to impress that old man.”

“…Yuseha, do you not know about me?”

“…What?”

As I tilted my head, Junayong mumbled, “Oh, it’s nothing…”

Strange kid, but I appreciated her help.

It had nothing to do with her, but she still lent a hand.

“Stir up the pot…”

Moonbora’s words were grand in scale yet effective.

In essence, it went like this.

– Let’s have a 4v4 duel against virtual enemies?

– Yes, that’s what Nogyungwan said. Let’s summon a Sacred class and have her fight. She probably said it without much thought, but it allowed us to catch the tail. If we also get a thorough examination at the end, we can send them to their doom. At the same time, no one will suspect the two of you.

In essence, it was about dragging them in as much as possible and making sure this kind of talk never happens again.

Me and Meonyangi agreed on the spot.

Whether it was Guild Leader Nogyungwan or whoever, it didn’t really matter, but…

“…Dare to doubt our Meonyangi?”

I don’t care what happens to me.

I’ll repay if I can.

If I have the strength, I’ll run away.

If I end up dying in the process, it’s the law of nature.

But our Meonyangi is off-limits.

“…Touching my favorite character?”

No, that’s unforgivable.

As I looked up, there were several adults standing behind the opaque glass installed in the training room.

They could be broadly classified into three categories.

The first was a woman who seemed to be Nogyungwan and her entourage.

The second group consisted of individuals dispatched from one of the “Four Great Clans,” . Among them was a short-haired woman who appeared to be the leader, with her arms crossed.

“So, the team leader is Juna Yong’s sister…”

Honestly, I don’t know why they are here.

Neither Moon Bora nor Juna Yong explained anything.

But I heard that if things go well, will support us in the future…

Well, since it’s what those two are saying.

It was easier to just think of them as allies.

And lastly, the third person was none other than Su Okbin… no, the guild leader.

Confidently making her entrance, she had a cold gaze as if frost was falling in Onuwal.

Just silent…

She stared at No Kyungwan as if she were going to devour him.

“…!”

At that moment, our eyes met.

As if to say, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll definitely protect you,’ she smiled brightly and raised her hand. Her lips silently conveyed the message.

I bowed my head in gratitude.

No Kyungwan was arguing with the short-haired woman who had been called the team leader and Su Okbin.

Though I couldn’t hear well, it seemed like she was saying something like, ‘Come on, I was just kidding, why are you taking it so seriously!’

‘I don’t know.’

There was no need to pay attention to such a woman.

I focused on the task at hand and put all my effort into ending this dog-like situation quickly.

“Mnyang.”

“Mnyaa!”

Beside me stood Mnyangi, nodding her head resolutely.

I stroked her head.

“Let’s win confidently, get tested, and finish this so that this kind of thing never happens again.”

“Mnyaa… Okay!”

Anyway, it would be good to start soon.

“…Professor Paeng Jina?”

“……”

Paeng Jina, who was supposed to announce the start of the match, had not been in a good state since earlier.

Covering her face with both hands, she trembled on the ground.

It seemed like she couldn’t bear the shame and was shaking.

And for some reason, Moon Bora was patting her back.

‘…What’s going on?’

*

A moment later, Paeng Jina coughed.

Without meeting my gaze, she explained the rules and raised the signal in her arms.

“-…Then let’s begin.”

Just as she finished speaking.

As if waiting, a blue light spread in all directions and flickered.

Soon, as explained beforehand, four Awakened Ones materialized with virtual data.

One frontline with a dual sword that seemed to be a DPS class.

One masked figure with two katars, likely the main dealer.

One masked figure with dual swords, likely the sub-dealer.

And finally, a cloaked woman who seemed to be a support and rear guard.

From the symbols on their shoulders, it could be seen that they were once part of the ‘Sanctuary.’

‘…All C-rank.’

All of them were in a state where their stats and skills were adjusted.

But we shouldn’t let our guard down.

Fighting monsters and fighting ‘people’ are completely different levels.

It’s not only difficult, but the resistance to fighting one’s own kind subtly hinders a Hunter’s true abilities.

‘And here…’

The power of the ‘Sacred’ lineage, which becomes stronger the more numbers there are, was also a force that could not be ignored.

“Mnyaa!”

Following the plan, Mnyangi rushed forward first.

Raising her shield, she prepared to use [Battle Cry].

Clang-!

“Mnyaa?!”

But she was quickly overwhelmed by the attacks of the dual-sword woman who charged even faster.

Twirling her two swords, she unleashed four blade strikes towards Mnyangi.

[Quadruple Strike].

It was a perfect upgraded version of the [Edge Strike] that the green-haired girl had used.

‘…This.’

The plan to rush in and use ‘Area Provocation’ was distorted from the beginning.

As expected, even though it’s a virtual world, common tactics don’t work on humans.

Continuing, a female knight wielding a greatsword rushes towards me as if she’s been waiting.

“Se, Sehaya!”

“It’s okay. Meow! Focus on dealing with that guy!”

I quickly make a decision.

I draw the sword at my waist and respond to the knight’s attack.

Clang!

A sharp and piercing sword strike echoes out.

I put strength into the [Zara’s Longsword] in my hand.

My current strength is 22.

Among my peers, I had thought I could push through with significantly higher strength…

‘…Not even a flinch?!’

It ended in failure.

I had a hunch.

The knight in front of me.

At least a strength stat of 25 or higher.

‘A guy who focuses on strength at the expense of speed.’

With a combat rating of C or higher.

It was highly likely that these pure stats were not natural.

In other words, this is…

‘A buff.’

[“Blessing” is cast on all members of the ‘Yudizoa Holy Knights’.]

[All members’ stats increase.]

‘Blessing.’

The simplest yet most effective stat-boosting skill.

Even if they were rated as C-level threats, facing the four of us was still a daunting task.

‘That’s why it’s even better.’

I will defeat these guys and make sure they never speak again.

* * *

Boom, crackle!

Explosions erupting everywhere.

The clashing of weapons reverberates like chaos spreading.

Junayong dodges the incoming ‘Katar’ aimed at her head without even looking and strikes at the opponent’s abdomen with a knee strike, using the rotational momentum and putting strength into her knees.

Thunk! A woman, presumably a member of the class, is revealed.

With a moment of respite, Junayong quickly surveys her surroundings.

Mahana and Moonbora.

And finally, the leader, presumed to be the Holy Knight with a greatsword, clashing with Yuseha.

Everyone was fighting better than expected.

With a sly smile, Junayong raises her head as if to say, “When did this happen?”

Whoosh!

When her eyes meet through the glass, she sees an old woman staggering backward.

‘Nogyeongwan…’

Junayong, who dislikes using the power of her family recklessly, grits her teeth and extends a hand to the woman who somehow made it here.

Nogoe, who made it here somehow.

Junayong looks at her with a distant gaze.

How dare you doubt my friends?

‘Look closely.’

Do you know how foolish your thoughts are?

*

The fight proceeded smoothly and calmly.

Junayong noticed Nogyeongwan becoming paler by the minute.

Yuseha and Mahana, despite being hit directly by [Holy Magic], showed no particular reaction.

Of course, most experienced hunters know.

That [Holy Magic] truly unleashes its power when used by a fully awakened mage or a demon made entirely of magic power.

If you endure and resist, you can resist to some extent.

But Nogyeongwan, the guild leader, is not an awakened being.

She is just an ordinary civilian who has risen to her position through connections and aggressive policies.

It was natural for her not to know information that can only be learned through firsthand experience.

‘Thanks to her, I was able to expand my influence.’

All of this combat was being clearly recorded on video.

After the match, it will fall into the hands of the chairman of .

And it will be handed over to the ‘Clan Master’ of , the mother of the ‘Clan Master’.

‘And finally, to the guild leader, Su Okbin.’

It will reach her, who is glaring at Nogyeongwan with a murderous expression.

And ultimately, it will end up in the hands of the chairman of .

After that, there is no need to think about it.

* * *

20 minutes later.

As all the enemies fall, inspectors approach Yuseha and Mahana as if they’ve been waiting.

With a respectful bow, he requested to undergo inspection.

The two looked at each other and immediately agreed to go in.

And high above, watching over this entire process, was Noh Kyung-wan.

He once again faced the fact that the current situation was escalating uncontrollably.

‘…I have to run away.’

Noh Kyung-wan regretted his hasty words.

He had thought that these two younglings wouldn’t even put up a fight if he touched them.

He had just told them to try following that filthy mixed-blood girl, Su Ok-bin, just to see if they could catch up.

But he never dreamed that these two would be close friends with the successor of , Ju Na-yong, and that things would escalate to this extent.

“K-Kim Secretary. Is the limousine ready?”

“Yes, Guild Leader… We can escape right now.”

First, he needed to get out of here.

If he could just escape from this place, he could somehow cover up the results of those two.

Noh Kyung-wan slowly slipped away.

At the moment he tried to run away before the results were out.

Whoosh!

“Ah!”

As if a giant force was pressing down on him, he fell to the ground.

Noh Kyung-wan was an ordinary civilian who hadn’t even awakened his or any training.

He wouldn’t be able to withstand even a simple attack.

But what was inflicted on him now was not a simple attack.

A giant hand.

A huge crimson hand big enough to easily crush an adult male, grabbed Noh Kyung-wan and his group.

Strangely, the hand was made entirely of ‘blood’.

And not just one, but over ten of them.

Even the onlookers beside him were surprised by this sight.

“…Disgusting.”

With a low voice, the owner of the hand walked out.

Dressed in white, with hair as white as snow.

A beautiful woman with pale skin.

Su Ok-bin smiled brightly, as radiant as her beautiful appearance.

But her eyes were colder than anything else.

“S-Su Ok-bin, G-Guild Leader… Even if I competed with you, this kind of treatment…”

Thud!

Su Ok-bin approached slowly, silencing his nonsense and bowing her body.

“Listen well, Mr. Noh Kyung-wan. Is this what you’re thinking? That you only conspired against a mere academy student. That as a Guild Leader, you will not fall. But you’re wrong. You’re finished.”

All this information has already been relayed to the ‘Chairman’.

“He will know how hard you tried to side with to gain favor.”

But oh my?

You’ve ruined it now, haven’t you?

“Will the Chairman choose to side with you to protect you from ?”

“S-Su Ok-bin. You filthy mixed-blood!”

Thwack!

She grabbed his head and lightly slammed it on the ground.

Seeing him faint with foam at his mouth, she got up and made a short call to the ‘Association’.

This would clean up the aftermath neatly.

“…You’ve racked up a big debt again.”

Su Ok-bin thought.

Just like during the .

Thanks to this, she unintentionally became the biggest beneficiary.

With Noh Kyung-wan, her enemy, gone, Su Ok-bin believed she could rise even higher than she is now.

She was certain.

Before long, the core of the ‘Association’ would fall into her hands.

She glanced at the silent Yoo Se-ha receiving the inspection.

With a blush on her cheeks, she smiled as if she had seen something lovely.

‘…Soon.’

She would have to prepare a gift that Yoo Se-ha would like very soon.