Episode 49: Practical Exam (2)
Episode 49: Practical Exam (2)
"This is the break room. We always keep snacks here, so help yourself if you need anything."
Isia opened the refrigerator door.
The fridge was packed with various colorful drinks.
I'd arrived 30 minutes early to show new employee enthusiasm, but Isia had already beaten me to the office.
Judging by her state, she seemed to have pulled an all-nighter working late rather than going home.
The drowsy woman perked up when she saw Seol-hwa's early arrival and immediately started giving a guild tour.
The 10-minute tour concluded at the break room.
She pulled two drinks from the refrigerator.
"Here. Everyone else won't arrive for a while yet. Let's chat in the meantime."
She kept one drink for herself and handed the other to Seol-hwa.
Isia popped open her can and asked:
"How did you become friends with Seo-ah?"
"We're the same age and share common interests."
Seol-hwa lied smoothly.
She avoided eye contact while speaking calmly - a completely different personality from when she was with Seo-ah.
I couldn't tell if this was an act or if she genuinely had a dual personality.
"That's a relief. I was worried because her strange personality left her with no friends."
Isia smiled brightly.
She looked like any caring older sister worried about her sibling. Unfortunately, contrary to her expectations, Seol-hwa and Seo-ah's relationship wasn't friendship.
It was a clear superior-subordinate relationship with defined hierarchy.
The oblivious Isia simply smiled in relief.
"What? You're already here?"
Someone made a fuss as they entered the guild office.
"Isia, don't tell me you pulled another all-nighter?"
The voice's owner entered the break room.
A beautiful woman with intelligent features that matched her long straight hair.
"Aren't you overdoing it right before we enter the Dimensional Gate?"
She asked worriedly.
"Eh, it's just a low-grade gate. This level of fatigue is nothing."
Isia waved her hand dismissively.
An obvious lie - dark circles had taken permanent residence under her eyes.
"This is Yuna-young. Our team's mage and strategic commander."
Isia introduced the woman.
"Nice to meet you. You must be the person Isia praised so much."
Yuna-young extended her hand.
Seol-hwa shook it while introducing herself. Just as the brief introductions concluded:
"Hello... Am I very late?"
People began trickling in.
Commute hour had arrived.
The previously quiet guild building suddenly filled with people.
"Why are there only women?"
For some reason, there were no male guild members.
Only women.
While I was bewildered, Seol-hwa finished her introductions.
Seol-hwa sat down to applause.
"We'll be entering the gate three days from now. Keep that in mind."
Isia suddenly declared.
The gate - a space incomparably more dangerous than the Hazard Control Zone.
In the past two weeks, I'd never once heard about entering a gate.
Seol-hwa startled.
"Don't tense up. It's a low-grade, easy gate. With your skills, you'll clear it no problem."
Isia guaranteed.
True to her word, it was indeed a low-grade gate.
She seemed intent on giving the new recruit Seol-hwa a gate orientation.
"Great! Then let's use the remaining time to practice teamwork."
Mission accomplished.
Watching Isia's enthusiastic declaration, I left Seol-hwa's body.
I transferred into Lee Seo-ah's body.
"Huh?!"
She jumped in surprise.
"At least warn me before... coming in..."
Seo-ah complained irritably.
How insolent.
I disliked this rebellious behavior toward her master.
"How cheeky. Seems you've forgotten your place."
I swirled a tentacle.
The probing appendage rubbed against her cervix.
"Ngh... You'd better... prove your usefulness... If you're useless... I'll tell my mother immediately..."
I expected immediate surrender, but Seo-ah responded defiantly.
"Oh really?"
"Yes...!"
But when I pressed further,
Her voice lacked conviction.
It was reflexive rebellion.
"Hmm? Is that so? Then I suppose I should demonstrate my abilities."
The previous "medicine" was wearing off anyway.
Time for a proper dose during today's practical.
Bzzzt.
Seo-ah's phone alarm sounded.
A call from a classmate.
"Time's up? Let's go."
The message was predictable.
Break time over - return immediately.
Seo-ah rose from her seat.
Headed toward the auditorium.
"Ah, you're here."
Teammates who'd arrived earlier greeted Seo-ah.
"Feeling okay today?"
"...I think so."
Seo-ah acted cautious.
She couldn't predict what I might do.
Lick.
"Hiiik!"
I playfully licked her nipple.
Seo-ah jolted in surprise.
"Are you really okay?"
"Really... fine..."
She kept insisting while blushing furiously.
I wanted to push her to the limit but stopped here.
"Time's up. Beginning practicals. Group 1 please rise."
The TA called out.
The named students stood.
"We'll now begin the practical."
The TA blew a starting whistle.
Students exited the auditorium.
The door at the back connected to the school's rear mountain - an entire dungeon.
The giant TV in the auditorium powered on.
CCTVs installed throughout the artificial dungeon allowed observation of the practical.
Magically created dolls appeared before the smoothly advancing students.
Exquisitely crafted lifelike dolls.
Their appearance perfectly resembled orcs I'd never actually seen.
Combat began.
Progressed smoothly.
The tank blocked attacks.
Damage dealers struck from the sides.
The rear mage prepared a powerful spell.
The healer provided support from the very back.
A textbook strategy - no major dangers but time-consuming.
The mage's lightning spell struck a doll.
The electrified Orc Doll transferred the magic to nearby dolls.
All Orc Dolls fell.
Group 1 stepped over the wreckage.
A second wave charged in.
Larger numbers than before.
Though taking longer, they succeeded against the orc army.
But the Orc Dolls kept coming relentlessly.
Wave after wave of Orc Dolls.
Over a hundred rushed in at once - impossible to handle.
Group 1 changed strategy.
Switched from confrontation to evasion.
Advancing with minimal combat, Group 1 reached the mountaintop destination while preserving stamina.
"Wow, this is fun. Right, Seo-ah?"
I honestly shared my thoughts.
More thrilling than any war movie I'd seen.
"Huh... hah..."
Seo-ah couldn't reply.
She wasn't in a state to answer.
Head bowed deeply, pouring all concentration into suppressing moans.
"Your friends are focused on studying... while you're just playing alone? Shouldn't you feel some urgency?"
"St...op..."
Classmates were engrossed in note-taking.
Apparently much to learn from observing peers' combat.
Though teammates subtly signaled her, Seo-ah had no capacity to notice.
"Group 2 please prepare."
Group 1 returned.
The TA called Group 2.
Group 2 members stood.
Same progression as before.
"Still plenty of time left. Seven groups remaining."
"Hnngg!"
No response from Seo-ah.
I continued my activities.
Time passed.
"Group 10 please prepare."
Finally, Seo-ah's group was called.
Members stood.
Only Seo-ah remained seated.
"Hah... hah... hah... Hngk!"
Her condition wasn't normal.
Half-conscious.
"Ms. Seo-ah?"
The group leader called her.
A signal to rise quickly.
No choice.
I possessed Seo-ah's body to stand her up.
"You know what to do without being told, right?"
We'd practiced teamwork yesterday after leaving early.
Though we'd never actually coordinated, the members looked calm.
Their trust in the Daughter of the Sword Empress to handle things.
I drew the sword.
Nodded instead of speaking.
Decided I'd take this practical exam myself.
"Great. Let's aim for top evaluation marks."
Full of motivation.
The leader took out a shield.
Took point leading the way.
"What kind of monsters appear here?"
"No idea. It's not in any guidebook."
Hah-yul swept the ground.
Identifying the monsters was step one for high scores.
But none present knew about this location.
The leader halted.
Hesitated rather than advancing.
This wouldn't do.
As I heightened senses to identify the monsters:
'Huh? What's this?'
The ground vibrated faintly.
"Huh? What is it?"
I looked at the leader.
They hadn't noticed at all.
No choice but to show them directly.
Raised the sword and advanced.
Then struck the vibrating ground.
Clang!
Bzzzzt...
A metallic shattering sound echoed.
"Mole Ants..."
The leader recognized the monster.
Mole Ants.
Monsters that tunnel underground for ambushes.
"I understand this exam's theme now. I'll devise a strategy. Please wait a moment."
The leader fell into deep thought, apparently struck by inspiration.
"Amazing. I couldn't sense anything."
Hah-yul approached warmly.
I shrugged.
This was nothing special.
"I've got a great idea!"
The leader shouted.