Chapter 57

### Chapter 57: Dungeon Practical Training

The first class on Thursday is the long-awaited dungeon practical training.

Victoria Academy's motto is always to conduct training as realistic as possible.

If we only do training in a safe environment, we won't be able to show the same movements in real combat.

That's why we often conduct practical training in actual locations, and the dungeon practical training is one of them.

The first practical training was just a taste, so from this time on, it can be considered the real dungeon practical training.

This time, the form is also a cave-type dungeon.

Of course, the difficulty level is different from last time.

The passages are narrower and more winding, the paths are more difficult, and there will be more monsters, each of which will be more challenging.

That's why all the groups were strategizing and boosting morale.

Except for ours.

“...”

“...”

“...”

‘Damn it.’

It's the familiar silence.

Lee Byung-hoon, the guy in our group. I'm not happy to see him even after a long time.

Nam Da-eun was quietly looking at her smartwatch, and Lumi was looking at me.

Lumi and I made eye contact and started a conversation with our eyes.

‘What should we do now?’

‘Just wait. We probably can't come up with a strategy anyway.’

‘Got it.’

After strategizing with Lumi through eye contact, I closed my eyes and meditated.

We were waiting at the assembly point.

If we wait, the professor will come and earnestly talk about the dangers of the dungeon practical training, and the students will probably be distracted.

Today, a real accident might happen, so I need to pay attention.

Swish.

Suddenly, Nam Da-eun quietly got up from her seat and went outside the assembly area.

“I'll be back after going to the bathroom.”

“Okay.”

I followed her discreetly, using the bathroom as an excuse.

Nam Da-eun headed to the same secluded spot where she had a call last time.

She must be talking to her sister again.

She loves her sister so much.

Last time, I was lucky enough to overhear the conversation, but today, the call hasn't started yet. According to the theory of attention, she hasn't used her attention for the call yet, so if I get any closer, I might be caught.

I didn't follow any further and returned to my original seat.

*

In a secluded corner of the academy, a girl was on a video call.

– Sister! What are you doing today?!

“Today, I'm going into the dungeon. They say this one is more dangerous than last time.”

– Oh no! Is everything okay with you???

“Of course. You know how strong I am.”

Nam Da-eun smiled and struck a pose to emphasize her muscles.

– That's right! Uncle Min-gyu said you're the strongest in the academy! You're amazing!

Uncle Min-gyu.

Hearing that name, Nam Da-eun felt a deep sense of despair.

Uncle Min-gyu, the representative of the Buyer Guild who had taken care of her and her sister since they were young.

Nam Da-eun had a very happy life. She enjoyed the kindness of the guild members and the fun school life. Her sister, though frail, was trying her best to live.

The medical expenses for her sister were beyond what a student could afford, but Uncle Min-gyu and the guild members always willingly covered them, and she was always grateful.

She had always thought she would repay the kindness of these wonderful people, but even the diligent Nam Da-eun never imagined that she would receive a slave contract as soon as she became a high school student.

The cost of raising her and her sister since childhood and her sister's medical expenses totaled about 20 billion. With interest accumulating over 20 years without her knowledge, the total repayment amount ballooned to 500 billion.

She naturally protested against the unfair contract, but it was already too late.

Her sister was hospitalized in a guild-affiliated hospital run by Uncle Min-gyu, and she didn't know what they might do to her.

She couldn't go through the procedures to take her sister out, and if she reported it to the police, her sister would be in trouble.

These scumbags had always been after her body.

The main culprit was the trusted Uncle Min-gyu.

The shock was even greater because he had always taken care of the Nam sisters.

But perhaps it was a stroke of luck that Nam Da-eun, who was being pressured for her body, discovered a talent for abilities in her aptitude test.

Those who discovered a talent for abilities when entering high school were required to receive mandatory ability training.

The Buyer Guild thought the contract would be temporarily delayed and sent Nam Da-eun to the training facility, but her talent was exceptional.

She achieved first place in her training class and was recommended for admission to Victoria Academy.

She even became famous for her beauty and skills.

When things got complicated, the Buyer Guild changed their approach.

They took her sister, a future S-rank hunter, as a hostage.

The Buyer Guild had two conditions:

First, Nam Da-eun, a promising student contracted to the Buyer Guild, must graduate by ranking first in all practical exams and enhancing the guild's reputation.

Second, she must sign a lifetime contract with the Buyer Guild after graduation.

That was the condition for repaying the debt.

Despite her talent, Nam Da-eun had no connections and was afraid to ask for help, fearing her sister would be harmed. She had no choice but to comply.

The only act of rebellion she could manage was to act as rudely as possible and tarnish her image.

– Sister?

“Mm, Uncle Min-gyu. Yes, I'm incredibly strong, so don't worry.”

– Okay! I love you, sister! When can I see you next? Uncle Min-gyu said you're too busy with your academy classes.

“... I'll come in a month. Sorry. I have a lot of classes...”

This was also a tactic to minimize contact with her sister.

But I couldn't show it.

I didn't want to see sadness in her innocent face.

“Sister, I really have to go now. I'll call you again next time.”

– Sniff. Okay. Call me again tomorrow. I'm so bored here with nothing to do.

“... Okay. I'll definitely call you.”

There was a set time for how long she could talk to her sister each day.

Nam Da-eun clenched her teeth and ended the holographic call.

“Sigh...”

Bang!

Nam Da-eun's fist hit the wall of the corridor.

“I'll save you. I will. I'll save you...”

Whispering the words to save her, but no one was listening to her.

*

When I returned to my seat, the professor was standing in the center of the assembly area.

“Alright, everyone, gather around.”

I quickly rejoined our group.

“Today, unlike last time, all members will enter at once. The first goal is to escape, but I will give additional points to the group that kills the most monsters or finds the most artifacts.”

The professor's mention of additional points led to more groups acting independently, and the number of students harmed by this increased.

In this dungeon practical training, acting independently is absolutely not allowed.

“Today's dungeon contains quite strong monsters. In the dungeon, you can't let your guard down for a second. However, since this is training, healer teams will back you up. There will be no danger to your lives, but receiving too much healing will result in a penalty.”

While the professor was speaking, Nam Da-eun returned to our group.

“Alright, get ready to enter. Entry will start from Group 20 and proceed in reverse order.”

We were Group 13, so we needed to start preparing.

“Everyone, let's get ready.”

I expected everyone to stand up and start preparing when I, the group leader, said this, but...

Everyone except me was already prepared.

Well, there wasn't much to prepare, really.

“Next! Group 13, come in!”

“Yes!”

As the honorary group leader, I led the group from the front.

When we entered through the portal, we saw the other groups already waiting.

This time, everyone starts at once, so they were all waiting.

“Mr. Ho-yeon. Are you going to follow Nam Da-eun again...?”

“Hmm, I'm not sure.”

To be honest, I need to stick with Baek Ah-young, so I don't really care about the strategy.

Still, Lumi should stay as close to Nam Da-eun as possible.

That way, she'll be safer even in a chaotic dungeon.

She's not a bad person, so she won't abandon Lumi if they get isolated in the dungeon.

“Stay as close to Nam Da-eun as possible. This time, it's more important to find treasures and kill monsters than to escape quickly, so Nam Da-eun won't rush like last time.”

“Got it. I understand!”

Seeing Lumi's bright smile, I felt a twinge of guilt.

‘Sorry. But there's nothing I can do.’

I mean, I have a few more girls to charm in the future, so feeling guilty about this is kind of ridiculous, right?

I approached the healer team that had already entered the dungeon and was waiting.

“Hello. Is the Holy Maiden here?”

“Oh, you're a cute one. I'm sorry, but the Holy Maiden isn't someone you can just meet when you want to. Come back next time.”

I asked the healer who looked the most approachable about Baek Ah-young, but I was politely turned away.

“Wait, she's a friend of mine.”

“Oh, senior. Is that so?”

Fortunately, Baek Ah-young, who was talking to someone else, heard my voice and came over.

“Hello. Ah-young.”

“Yeah, nice to see you. I always find it interesting how different you seem from the orphanage to here.”

“You look professional when you work, which is cool.”

“Thanks. Hehe.”

“By the way, which corridor are you in charge of?”

I asked the question I wanted to know while Baek Ah-young was smiling at my compliment.

“Hmm? I'm in charge of the largest corridor. That area might have more than one team entering.”

“I see. Got it. Good luck!”

“Yeah, you too! Work hard in the training!”

I waved to Baek Ah-young and returned to my spot.

“All groups have entered! Now, start exploring! If there are any conflicts between students, you will be immediately disqualified regardless of the reason, so make sure that doesn't happen!”

It seems all the groups have entered.

Finally, it's starting.

The dungeon surge will occur about 30 minutes after the training starts.

The dungeon is the same cave type as last time. Fortunately, since I proved my pathfinding ability last time, I expect them to follow my instructions.

“Hey, let's go to the narrowest path. That's usually where treasures are hidden.”

“Where should we go?”

Other groups were discussing which path to take.

“Everyone, this test isn't about who gets out the fastest. We need to find as many treasures and kill as many monsters as possible. Let's start with the widest corridor.”

I led our group to the widest corridor without hesitation.

The reason, of course, is that it's the corridor Baek Ah-young is in charge of.

‘Third Eye’

To avoid suspicion, I activated my Third Eye and led the way, exploring.

Rumble-

We soon encountered monsters.

The green-skinned humanoids, the elves' archenemies. Orcs.

“Wait, do orcs really make a rumbling sound?”

“Why do you say that?”

“Orcs go 'chirp'!”

“...What?”

Lumi was deeply thinking about the meaning of my animal sounds.

Just let it go, but she's trying to understand my animal sounds.

Rumble-

The two orcs ignored my feelings and crept closer.

Our group was already accustomed to Nam Da-eun's hunting.

The three of us were staring blankly at Nam Da-eun, who, for some reason, wasn't drawing her sword.

Eventually, the orc in front of me was three meters away.

“Nam Da-eun? Hey, what are you doing?”

“Mr. Ho-yeon, just kill it!”

“Oh, right. I can kill it, can't I?”

Lumi reminded me of my hunting instincts, which had been dulled by Nam Da-eun. She's smart, as always.

Rumble-

Saliva dripped from the orc's fangs.

I quickly cast a magic circle and set the dirty orc on fire.

Whoosh!

Chirp! Chirp!

Only then did the orc start making the proper sound!

“Indeed, whether it's an appliance or an orc, they need a good beating to come to their senses.”

“...What?”

“Nothing.”

Chirp! Chirp!

The burning orc thrashed and called for help from the orc behind it.

Rumble!

The orc made a strange sound and charged, and I threw a fireball into its open mouth.

Chirp! Chirp!

The two orcs, screaming and burning, made a final charge at me but were reduced to ashes by a pillar of fire that erupted from the ground.

“I learned something good. Orcs only make sounds when they're hit.”

“Yeah, that's right!”

Lumi finally gave up and accepted it.

Rumble-

Thud, thud, thud, thud-

“What, what's this?!”

Suddenly, the dungeon floor started shaking, and Lee Byung-hoon, who had been watching the situation, shouted in surprise.

‘Here it comes.’

The sign of a dungeon surge.

Within one minute after the ground starts shaking, the dungeon surges, and the rapidly increasing mana density causes people to be forcibly teleported and scattered.

If you're touching someone, you can move together.

“Lumi! Hold Nam Da-eun's left arm and wait! I'll report to the hunters!”

“Yes, yes! I'll wait!”

“Hey, hey! I'll go with you!”

Lee Byung-hoon shouted, panicking. You can either come or not, kid.

Fortunately, Nam Da-eun didn't object to Lumi holding her left arm. Confirming this, I ran to Baek Ah-young, who was watching us from behind.

“Ah-young! The dungeon is acting strange!”

“Yeah, I noticed. This might be a sign of a dungeon surge. We should retreat and come up with a plan before re-entering...”

Rumble!

The dungeon shook violently, and the mana density in the air started to increase.

There was no time to waste. I wanted to hold hands naturally, but there was no time.

I quickly grabbed Baek Ah-young's hand.

“Ho-yeon?!”

Baek Ah-young was startled and tried to pull her hand away, but fortunately, the teleportation kicked in at the right moment.

And my vision went black.