Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: Chapter 43
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Me.
That's right, Anis Harper. Superstar.
The top prospect already rated at pro level.
Heaven above all, unrivaled under the heavens.
All phenomena, all beings, divine realm of myriad forms.
All phenomena as one, the weak fall away.
That's my motto. Just made it up.
I have no idea what it really means. I just strung together some words that sounded cool.
I pictured a lofty superstar standing alone atop the heavens. Even without knowing the exact meaning, it felt about right, and damn if it didn't look pretty badass. Objectively and subjectively.
And that haughty superstar was currently,
"I'm disappointed! Anis Harper!!"
getting chewed out by the bald guy.
This bald guy? The kind of squad leader type who always starts his sentences with "excellent" or "disappointing."
In other words, everything he did was either praising you with "excellent" or scolding you with "disappointing." That's why I couldn't stand Rockbell, this bald bastard.
But what could I do? It was clearly my fault for staring at my phone reading comments the whole time.
"Sorry..."
"Hm."
I bowed my head and apologized, and he nodded. He looked pretty satisfied, having successfully completed one of his daily duties: "being disappointed" and "hearing reflections."
"Attention!"
The bald guy drew all the students' eyes.
"You all know about the new policy from the Association, right? You heard it during morning assembly."
The students nodded at his words.
"You're not hero trainees anymore. From now on, think of yourselves as real 'heroes' who'll deploy to emergencies when they happen."
Rockbell's words made the students' faces stiffen. They were realizing they might have to fight magic beasts any day now.
"For the next week, you'll train for that. Once training's done, you'll be assigned to sectors alongside active heroes."
He started forming groups of four as he spoke: two melee types, one heavy firepower ranged, and one ranged with some support capability.
If it were just practice, he'd balance by grades, but this was real combat prep, so he grouped top scorers who also had enough familiarity to mesh well.
And that's how Group A formed: me, Reisi, Yoon Na-rin, and Han U-sol. The birth of a super dream team.
We'd train like this for a week, then split into pairs for sector assignments, teaming up with two active heroes in the center.
Hearing that, I thought,
'...This group as-is seems better.'
Academy grads start as rookies in the center. Lately magic beasts had shown up there, but normally it was peaceful—just petty thieves now and then.
After gaining experience, they slowly move outward. The outskirts have bad security in spots, crawling with villains.
After busting a few villains there and building a record, they hunt magic beasts near the city. That's when they can call themselves pro heroes.
That was the standard hero world structure.
But what?
Split into pairs after a week to team with central heroes?
Heroes in name only—they're fresh Academy grads like us, no real difference.
Wouldn't it be better to keep syncing as four?
Not trying to downplay them with bias.
Objectively, Group A is a super dream team. Top ranks in practicals—easier to count from the top.
We know each other's styles from hanging out, so meshing's a breeze.
So why split us in half after a week?
No, it's not fear of strangers. Really. No.
Yeah. Just, why break this perfectly balanced golden combo— that's all.
But whatever.
"Alright, training for emergency response starts now with your assigned groups."
If he says split, we split.
Emergency training? Nothing special.
Just like usual magic beast combat drills, but more beasts, and we handle them as a team.
Of course, not just a dozen goblins—they mixed in plenty of orcs and ogres.
But our super dream team Group A got special treatment: no goblins, all orcs and ogres. Even a few trolls mixed in.
About thirty magic beasts charging at us. Tamed ones, so no real intelligence—just mindless rushes.
Squeeze—
Blood boiled. I gripped my weapon handle tighter. Wonder what it'd feel like smashing those hulks with a hammer. I spun the massive hammer, settling into stance. Yoon Na-rin shot me a slightly disgusted look.
Reisi seemed to feel the same, lowering the spear slung over her shoulder, ready to leap.
The beasts closed in,
Whoosh—!
Yoon Na-rin unleashed her power, incinerating them all.
"Huh."
"Ah."
The beasts thrashed in agony, flames clinging to their bodies. Trolls screamed loudest—fire's their weakness.
Reisi and I exchanged glances.
Hm. Got it.
Flames slowed them, but not dead yet. Yoon Na-rin seasoned 'em; we finish.
As we shook off surprise and prepared to charge,
Bang—!
"Huh."
"Ah."
Han U-sol fired projectiles from his back-mounted weapon, finishing them off. Orcs and ogres headless, trolls pierced through the heart—their weak spot.
No chance for us; beasts collapsed before we moved.
Once down, the bald guy clapped.
"Hm. Excellent. Your group wiped them perfectly—no melee action needed. Maybe the beasts were too weak."
He kept clapping, praising "excellent." Han U-sol grinned sheepishly; Yoon Na-rin beamed proudly.
Hm. Hmm. What to call this weird feeling.
Won but lost. Hollow victory. Something like that.
"......"
Reisi and I locked eyes. Same emotions passing between us.
Cowardly ranged bastards. Free ride.
Combat training over. All groups beat the beasts no problem.
The fragile kids who got scratches from goblins recently now handled orcs and ogres with ease.
"Excellent!!"
The bald guy bellowed again.
Next: rescue training. Same as usual practicals—nothing new.
Come to think of it, post-chimera incident, they'd built shelters in the center tough enough for high-rank beasts.
Usually only in deep outskirts, but recent central appearances prompted it. Ability users in construction and tamed ogres worked nonstop for three days straight, building multiples.
Fantasy society full of superpowers, but cranking out shelters in days? No easy feat.
'Betty's making everyone suffer.'
Combat and rescue. That's all we repeated till end of Academy day.
No theory classes was nice, but all-day physical? Tiring in its own way. Still, hundred times better than lectures.
Three days passed.
Central zones: A to D. Academy's in E—pretty central-adjacent.
Before, folks griped deployment from Academy meant arriving too late, but news of students stationed centrally quieted that quick. Public opinion flips fast.
Some doubted amateurs, but whole class going—numbers make it workable, majority said.
Plus, central beasts so far mostly low-rank. Even surprise high-rank? Overwhelm with bodies.
Four days left.
Post-that, assigned to sectors.
Mine's B Zone.
'...Fuck.'
Don't wanna go.
Slightly different vibe, but like four days to enlistment.
Flash of arriving at boot camp via rickety bus.
Others with family, lovers, friends chatting. Probably grabbed emotional lunch at some barbecue joint.
Not me. My lunch: 1500-won kimbap from convenience store. Sat alone till 2 PM amid the warm farewells.
That me and now-me? Different. But it popped up anyway.
'Don't wanna go.'
No, not shirking hero duty to protect people. Just... y'know.
Leaving comfy nest for new place sucks. More if current spot's cozy.
"Haa..."
I sighed, shook my head.
Looks peaceful, but beasts could pop anytime. Can't just whine.
At least Yoon Na-rin's with me. Her help'll speed adjustment.
"Next! Group A!"
Bald guy's call—we stepped up. Combat training again today.
Beast numbers up, and ranged holding back so not to sweep solo—me and Reisi got some action.
More numbers? No sweat. Super team.
"Excellent!!"
Beasts down, praise as expected.
Training intensity ramping. Tougher beasts, more random ass-kickings.
Why? Can't train like this post-central deployment.
So grind hard these seven days to level up, bald guy said.
Students' eyes flashed: 'Stop the grind, assign us already.'
Watching other groups fight, I mused.
'...Seven days.'
Once over and deployed? Beasts incoming. Obvious cliché.
Won't hit during training. Cliché—villains give protags prep time.
So safe bet: no beasts next four days.
Don't know plot, but novel bingeing lets me predict this much.
What happens? See in B Zone after four days.
As I muttered inwardly,
Wheeeeeeen—
Alarm blared.
The magic beast alert.
No.
Fuck. What the hell.