Chapter 52
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Come to Our Group (2)
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Yoo Han-seong was waiting for us in front of the classroom door.
Behind him, I could see Seo Yun and Yoo Hee as well.
They were all already geared up.
These were kids whose habits of preparing ahead were ingrained in their bodies.
"We're heading straight to the training grounds now."
Yoo Han-seong said.
"Pre-adaptation is crucial for the final dungeon exam."
"Me too?"
His eyes narrowed ever so slightly as I spoke quietly.
"You'll have plenty to check out in advance too."
"Yeah... you're right."
I had no idea what I was supposed to check, but I just nodded.
Denying it further would only raise more suspicion.
'He seems more comfortable revealing his regression around me. He's definitely misunderstanding something.'
If I agreed, maybe it'd quietly blow over.
We moved together.
Sunlight streamed down through the hallway windows, heralding the afternoon.
There was a scent of the seasons slowly shifting.
The scenery was peaceful, but my heart wasn't.
Tension gradually filled my body.
A sharp chill hit us as we arrived at the training grounds.
This place was always heavy with atmosphere since it was used for training monsters and testing gear.
But today, it felt even weightier.
As the door opened, students from other classes were already warming up inside.
"Over here."
Yoo Han-seong led the way in.
I quietly followed behind.
At that moment, I felt a gaze pierce me from somewhere.
I ignored it since turning around would make it obvious.
They were probably just staring because an F-class healer had joined a strong group.
Worried that one weak link might drag down the whole team's score.
To me, that was actually convenient.
If they insulted me, it was easy. If they ignored me, even better.
Just keep it that way.
'As long as I can avoid the worst-case scenario of being bait in the cataclysm dungeon.'
Yoo Han-seong beckoned me.
"Jin Hari, come here."
I walked over quietly.
My body felt a bit stiff.
"You'll stay behind us and move. Like I said earlier, don't push yourself."
"Got it. I can't overdo it anyway."
Before I could finish, Lee Hae-sol handed me a small bag.
"Here. Use it if you need it."
"Thanks."
Inside were emergency bandages and energy bars.
It was rare for an F-class like me to get this kind of care.
I bowed my head and said it again.
"Thank you. I'll keep up."
Yoo Hee smiled and flicked my shoulder with her finger.
"Hari, it's fine. We'll protect you."
I blankly looked at her face again.
An angelic smile.
That tone of voice.
Was she really from an assassin family?
I gave a small smile.
"Yeah. Thanks."
Did Yoo Hee get badly hurt in the final dungeon last time?
Final dungeon prep.
Every step from now on would be dangerous.
Still, I had to do what I could.
That was all I was capable of.
The air inside the training grounds was starting to heat up.
The final dungeon adaptation training was more intense than usual.
Most students were checking their gear or repeating basic movements.
'My stats are too low, so even equipping gear is tough.'
I stood quietly in the corner, syncing my breathing.
I tried to act calm, but my fingertips tensed a little.
As expected, Yoo Han-seong had already mapped out a plan for the final dungeon.
"Jin Hari."
I looked up when he called.
"Yes."
"Let's get you practicing basic evasion moves."
It was worlds apart from Lee Seo's training, honing her S-class skill on the side.
I nodded.
"Okay."
It was necessary. Evasion was essential for healers.
Especially F-class ones.
One hit could lead straight to a dire situation.
I moved to a corner of the training grounds and got ready.
I loosened up lightly and repeated small movements.
Next to me, Yoo Hee drew her sword.
Even that motion was crisp.
"Hari, be careful. If you trip, I'll catch you right away."
"I'm good. I'll try alone."
"I'll still watch."
Yoo Hee stood there smiling.
A bit further away, Lee Seo moved mechanically.
She'd finished her skill training and was now adapting to situations with pure stats.
She had plenty of stamina but always conserved energy with efficient paths.
That style was actually an advantage in dungeons like this.
'But her expression's as gloomy as ever?'
Even after becoming S-class.
Well, Lee Seo didn't realize yet just how strong she really was.
'She'll figure it out eventually.'
Hae-sol was already sparring one-on-one with Yoo Han-seong, matching his movements.
Hae-sol's moves were light but packed power.
Ice attribute, but his fundamentals were solid, making his speed and precision stable.
Since the Moonlit Dew Dungeon, even his expressions had calmed a lot.
His heart wasn't fully settled, but he wasn't breaking anymore.
'He stayed composed through the Blue Dragon Dungeon too.'
That was a relief.
I quietly kept practicing.
A few evasion moves.
Lowering my center of gravity.
Twisting to slip away.
Short, split steps.
These little routines could save me.
And maybe save someone else.
The training grounds grew busier.
Supervising teachers entered by class, lining everyone up.
Our group naturally gathered in one spot.
The homeroom teacher declared with his clipboard in hand.
"Today is final dungeon environment adaptation training. Zones A through S have mixed difficulties. Your group, prioritize checking B and C zones. Jin Hari especially, stay at the back and stick behind the frontliners."
"Yes."
I answered quietly.
Whispers swept through the other class students.
"That F-class healer's tagging along again."
"Why's she always in the top groups?"
"Something was off last time too."
"Must've been lucky with potions."
"Nah... this time it feels kinda..."
I just listened.
Most of it was familiar.
The problem was the faint undercurrent of something different mixed in.
Of course, I had no desire to probe deeper.
No need either.
Yoo Han-seong glanced my way.
His eyes held a firm resolve, if only for a moment.
"Let's move out."
Simple and concise words.
But they carried the force to lead the whole group.
As our group advanced first, a few from the next class stepped aside slightly.
It was just making way, but the vibe felt subtly different.
There was an aura when a strong group passed.
'The kids' reactions feel almost like instant noodles.'
I ducked my head a bit to hide my near-burst of laughter and quietly followed behind.
Staying at the back was familiar.
It was the easiest and safest.
When the time came, I'd quietly pull something out and hand it over.
That was how I survived—and how I saved others.
At the far end of the training grounds, the supervising teacher opened the door.
Inside was a simulation room.
Modeled after the real final dungeon terrain, it required environmental adaptation.
Yoo Hee whispered to me.
"Hari, you okay?"
I gave a small smile.
"Yeah. I know. I trust you."
The simulation dungeon entrance opened, light spilling out.
At the same time, cold, heavy air flowed from within.
And then, footage began broadcasting.
The simulation room was structured almost identically to a real dungeon.
With terrain, temperature, and even sounds recreated, anyone stepped in hesitantly at first.
I inhaled slowly, scanning the surroundings.
The floor was uneven, thinly covered in gravel-like dust.
The walls had a bit of moisture, and the lighting flickered faintly.
Unsettling yet realistic enough.
It resembled a dungeon.
Yoo Han-seong took the lead.
Lee Hae-sol and Yoo Hee followed a short distance behind.
Lee Seo was on alert beside them.
And me at the very back.
A familiar position.
"Hari."
Yoo Hee glanced back as she spoke.
"Don't lag too far behind. It's dangerous."
I shook my head.
"Going up front's even more dangerous."
"True."
Yoo Hee nodded right away.
The first terrain was a simple maze layout.
B-zone basics.
No issues if we kept good paths.
I quietly followed, eyes on the walls and floor.
Footstep echoes, dust flows, wall grains.
These little things signaled danger.
Missing even the smallest sign spelled trouble.
Yoo Han-seong raised his hand.
Everyone stopped.
I held my breath.
Something was there.
"Ahead. Three of them."
Yoo Han-seong said.
No tremor in his voice.
He spoke like he'd already analyzed their patterns.
Hae-sol replied.
"Need cold induction."
"Do it."
Before Yoo Han-seong finished, cold air flowed from Lee Hae-sol's fingertips.
A subtle aura spread along the walls.
My body shivered faintly.