Chapter 25

〈 Chapter 25 〉 Chapter 25. Dungeon Practice (2)

Baeg Ah-yeong gave me a sly smile and approached me.

"Surprised? It's a surprise~."

Her face, beaming with a bright smile as she spoke, was quite adorable.

A different kind of charm from the sexy and provocative allure of women. She has a charm that makes you want to protect and take care of her.

"Wow, really surprised. Meeting Ah-yeong here feels strange."

"It's a bit different from when we meet outside, isn't it? This is the feeling of being an adult."

She looked pleased to show me her adult side.

I just want to protect her even more.

Hunters affiliated with the association must wear neat suits provided by the association.

Of course, these are not ordinary suits; they are versatile, easy to move in, and enchanted with various spells.

Even though she was wearing an office lady-like suit, the thought of wanting to protect her is truly a matter of talent.

"Definitely... Seeing Ah-yeong in a suit makes you look like a real adult. When I met you at the orphanage, you seemed like an older sister, so it wasn't awkward to call you Ah-yeong. Now I'm not sure what to call you."

I went along with the atmosphere, thinking she would like being treated as an adult.

"Oh, what are you talking about? Just do as you usually do. It's more comfortable for me that way."

On the left side of Baeg Ah-yeong's chest was the association's emblem, a dragon ascending, and the color of the pearl the dragon held was yellow.

The color of the pearl indicates one's position within the association.

Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet.

Yellow is the third color.

To be precise, red is for the association president, and orange is for the executives.

In simpler terms, the CEO of a large company would be red, and the executives would be orange.

This gives an idea of Baeg Ah-yeong's position.

Her healing magic attribute is rare, and her abilities are exceptional.

They say she can save someone as long as they are still breathing.

"Got it. Last weekend, I went to the orphanage, and they said you had been there. Are you going this weekend?"

"Ah, I won't be able to visit for a while. I have to apply for a dungeon strategy helper that I must participate in."

"Ah... I see."

Just like she is currently dispatched to the academy, Baeg Ah-yeong is also dispatched as a helper to other guilds.

"Is this your first dungeon practice, Ho-yeon? They say there's an exam after three dungeon practices, so we'll see each other three more times."

She smiled brightly.

She really is a woman who smiles a lot. It's hard to believe that such a woman has a perverted wall.

"That's right. Please take care of me for the next three times. I'm weak, so I'll probably see you often."

"Oh, if you come too often, you'll end up on the blacklist."

While engaging in conversation, I thought to myself.

'Ah-yeong, at the next class, I'll go berserk in the dungeon, so we'll only see each other once more...'

And that will be the time to start pursuing Baeg Ah-yeong.

*

The first to tenth groups entered the first dungeon.

I was in the thirteenth group, so we were the second group to be deployed. I gathered with my group members to watch the previous groups.

However, Nam Da-eun and the guy were nowhere to be seen, so I watched with Lumi alone.

Looking up at the sky, a large holographic screen was showing the first deployed groups.

"Wow, it's amazing. They say there are invisible eyes following each participant."

"Yeah. When we go in, will they follow us too?"

"Probably."

It's some kind of artifact used by mages, but I don't know the exact principle.

Lumi, who seemed more comfortable when we were alone, approached me.

"Wow, Group 7 really stands out."

"Well, there's Ellis."

Ten groups are dropped into one dungeon. The drop locations are all different, and there is only one exit.

However, the locations are selected with precise calculations, so finding the exit is said to be of similar difficulty for everyone.

Group 7, led by Ellis, was showing incredible breakthrough speed.

Ellis ran at high speed, swinging her sword horizontally.

Kyarlek!

The goblins, who played the role of minions in the dungeon, were easily cut down.

Goblin blood splattered, and their bodies were split in two, ending their lives.

Sss-

Where Ellis's sword passed, the goblin's flesh burned and smoked.

"Wow. This is the first time I've seen it properly. That's the famous magus, isn't it?"

"...Yeah."

The term 'magus' is really cringeworthy.

In the game, depending on whether the protagonist becomes a mage or a warrior, the focus on Ellis changes.

If the protagonist focuses on magic, Ellis is called a 'battle mage,' a cool name.

Since this is reality, that doesn't happen.

Even though I'm a mage, Ellis is just a magus. 'Battle mage' sounds better, but it's a bit disappointing.

Definitely, 'magus' is the right word to describe Ellis.

If you use both magic and sword skills, you're a magus. What else?

Maguses are typically ambiguous hunters who are neither one thing nor the other.

At first, it might not be noticeable, but later, they fail to reach a certain level in both areas, making them ambiguous.

However, Ellis is different.

Her destructive talent in both sword skills and magic.

If she had been born with just one of these talents, she would have been considered a genius of the century, but she was born with both, a selfish gene.

Currently, she uses a method of embedding magic into her sword and delivering it with physical force, which is inefficient but amplifies destruction when it hits.

Later, as she grows, she shows a balance-breaking performance by swinging her sword and unleashing magic through a shadow blade.

"That was really cool..."

"What was?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing."

Group 7, where Ellis is, was overwhelming. The speed was so overwhelming that they would likely escape without encountering other teams.

Group 8, led by Lucy, wasn't bad either.

Lucy was dealing damage and controlling the rear with fire arrows from the back.

Group 7 was overwhelmingly ahead, and Group 8 was leading compared to the other groups.

"Still, Lucy is in second place."

"Lucy's group has a good atmosphere. The space where Lucy is has always been warm and friendly since she was young. Not me, though. Hehe."

"People just don't recognize your charm. I find your type more comfortable and like it."

I turned a negative self-reflection into a positive comment.

"Yes, yes? Ah, me too! I really like Ho-yeon."

"Huh?"

"Ah, no, nothing. Nooo..."

Lumi, who suddenly made a non-declaration, fiddled with her hair tied with a red ribbon and pretended to be distracted.

I don't know how to describe it, but Lumi has a charm that makes you want to embrace her, different from Baeg Ah-yeong.

★ Heroine Status Window

– [Affection: 66]

– [Lust: 60]

– [Hunger: 10]

– [Fatigue: 25]

Her affection and lust skyrocketed after we drank together.

I didn't expect Lumi to be the first heroine to pursue, not Moon Su-rin.

With an affection level of 66, she likes me enough to accept a confession, but there's no sign of progress. When I woke up after drinking, we were in a motel, so I feel a bit awkward suggesting we drink again.

Lumi, being a loner, would never confess first.

"Wow! Group 7 is already done."

Hearing Lumi's words, I looked at the screen, and Ellis's group had finished.

Ellis was fixing her disheveled clothes with a blank expression while receiving a medical check, and the other group members looked like they were thinking, "It's good to be on the bus, but I hope the score is good."

Soon, Lucy's Group 8 also finished, and the other groups started to complete one by one.

Nam Da-eun and Yi Byung-hun also gathered at our group's spot.

"Where is Nam Da-eun? We should start preparing soon."

"I'll go look for her."

"Hmm, I didn't see her when I was walking around. Maybe she's resting in a corner somewhere?"

Following Yi Byung-hun's advice, I left the student waiting room and wandered around where no one would be.

Then, I heard Nam Da-eun's voice from behind a corner.

"Don't worry. Have you ever seen me lose? I'll be first today too. I have to go soon, so I'll contact you later."

"Right! Big sister. I love you!"

"...Yeah. I really love you too."

A tender voice I had never heard from the usual Nam Da-eun. It was filled with warmth, as if speaking to someone very precious.

I peeked around the corner, showing only half my face.

Nam Da-eun was looking at a hologram with tears in her eyes.

A girl's face was floating in front of her, and it seemed to be a video call.

Nam Da-eun smiled every time the girl spoke, showing a different, emotion-filled expression from her usual blank face.

While she has a sculpted charm even when expressionless, Nam Da-eun's beauty shines even more when she smiles.

"..."

That girl is Nam Da-eun's younger sister.

★ Heroine Status Window

– [Affection: 11]

– [Lust: 10]

– [Hunger: 30]

– [Fatigue: 83]

Her abnormally high fatigue level seems to be telling me how difficult her situation is.

I quietly returned the way I came, careful not to be caught spying.

I was at a loss about how to pursue Nam Da-eun.

*

I returned to my seat. Lumi and Yi Byung-hun asked where Nam Da-eun was, and I replied that I couldn't find her.

Soon, Nam Da-eun arrived. While others didn't pay much attention, I noticed the slight moisture in the corners of her eyes.

The first deployment group's strategy was completely finished, and we were given a break before the second deployment group entered.

In front of me, I saw the first deployment group's students returning from their dungeon practice.

The injured students were going to Baeg Ah-yeong. With only 40 students in 10 groups, Baeg Ah-yeong could handle the injured alone.

"It's okay. Take it slow, close your eyes, and take deep breaths. It'll be over soon."

"Ugh, haa, haa, haa..."

Some students had severe injuries.

It's a real 'practical' dungeon training. While the eyes watching the students' backs try to prevent the worst-case scenarios, accidents can still happen.

"Groups 11 to 20, prepare quickly!"

"Let's start preparing now."

"Okay!"

"Okay."

"..."

The students in Groups 11 to 20 went to their respective group professors.

Our group's professor was Kim Jin-hyuk, the A-class homeroom teacher.

Kim Jin-hyuk led us to the basement of the building.

"Do not talk while following. We'll arrive soon, so don't be anxious."

After a short walk, we entered a room in the basement where a portal with a magic circle was drawn.

From here, I know the setting. Entering the teleportation portal prepared by the academy, we will be transported to a dungeon managed for the exam.

"This is the portal to the coordinates assigned to your group. You can go in now."

I was honestly scared and looking around. Lumi was the same.

"Once you go in, you'll understand, but you have to judge where you are and how to move. No information is provided in advance."

They don't tell you what kind of dungeon it is, what monsters exist, or how to escape. All of these abilities and judgment are part of the evaluation.

Kim Jin-hyuk finished his final instructions and stepped aside from the portal.

Without a moment's hesitation, Nam Da-eun entered the portal, and Yi Byung-hun followed.

"Let's go quickly. Lumi."

"Yes, yes. I'm a bit nervous."

Lumi and I cautiously stepped into the portal. A bright light enveloped us, and after a moment of dizziness, I opened my eyes to see a completely different space.

A magic-rich atmosphere and a damp dirt floor. Water was dripping from the ceiling.

It was a cave-like dungeon. Nam Da-eun and Yi Byung-hun were already there, looking around.

Finding the way in such a cave-like dungeon is relatively easy for training. Just keep going forward, and you'll eventually find the exit.

Of course, if you do that, your score will be a mess.

I feel like the leader of our group. Since no one else is stepping up, I have to take charge.

"Guys, let's go forward. To explore the exit..."

Bang!

Before I could finish, the air exploded, and Nam Da-eun ran forward.

"..."

"Hey! We need to follow quickly!"

Yi Byung-hun also started running after her.

"Ho-yeon, let's go quickly!"

"Ah, yeah. Let's go."

That's strange. Wasn't I the leader?

*

"Damn, she's so fast! Really."

The three of us were struggling to keep up with Nam Da-eun's rear.

Even when monsters appeared, her speed didn't slow down.

Kraaaah!

Krombats, which mainly inhabit cave dungeons.

They usually live in groups of more than 10, threaten enemies with their large wings, and then approach at high speed to strike with their steel-hard wings.

Typically, 15 krombats would keep 4 students busy for about 5 minutes.

They're not strong enemies but are annoying due to their speed.

But we had Nam Da-eun in front of us.

Nam Da-eun stopped for a moment and drew her sword.

Sss! Chacha-

Nam Da-eun disappeared from my sight for a moment, then reappeared in her original position, sword lowered, as if nothing had happened.

Thud

The brutally mutilated krombat corpses fell to the ground.

"Wow, that's Nam Da-eun's acceleration..."

Lumi muttered, her soul seemingly leaving her body.

No, I didn't see anything at all. Is this real?

Nam Da-eun, without any emotion, wiped the blood off her sword, sheathed it, and started running forward again.

It's an unbalanced situation, but there's no time to complain, so I quickly followed.

After about 5 minutes of running, I started to have some concerns.

"Well, the bus is smooth