Preparing for the Finals

The gacha results appeared in the status window, sparkling one after another.

'Skills pop up too?'

A skill that lets me see erogenous zones—definitely useful for conquering women. Where were Kang Minji's? I'd only properly touched her pussy.

"Gotta try it later."

I hoped for another skill, but nothing came.

The ancient coin and mana elixir looked somewhat valuable.

"Does drinking that boost mana?"

Stuff like this needs to be used right away. I opened the elixir and chugged it. It tasted like a cool sports drink.

'Stat screen.'

Mana stat only went up by 2. Being low-grade, the effect was minor.

It was old and didn't seem particularly valuable, but being gold, I could sell it at a gold shop for cash.

"Does it go into inventory?"

I checked the inventory unlocked after clearing the tutorial. All the gacha items were there. Clicking the straw and scrap can made them pop out into the air. I fumbled and dropped the can, which rolled across the floor.

"Just like in games."

It worked like game inventories. Hunters must store gear here—reduces weight for easier movement and less clutter in fights. Definitely a handy ability the more I thought about it.

*

In the afternoon, Kang Minji came to visit. She'd had classes at the academy today and wore her uniform: an A-line skirt reaching her knees, black stockings, and a top straining against her huge breasts. She always looked sexy in uniform. Fiddling with her tie to loosen it, she'd still brought fruit juice for the visit.

"You feeling better? Bought some stuff to drink."

"Minji, what's this? Bringing me stuff like this?"

"W-what... idiot."

Even after the cave incident, she glared sharply. But her tone had softened noticeably. Her cheeks were a bit flushed—remembering that time?

Saving her at the end by throwing myself in the way had worked—favorability up by 5. 75 seemed pretty high. She looked a bit out of it, unadjusted herself.

"So... everything okay?"

"Worried about me?"

"W-what if I am, idiot.."

Pretending otherwise but taking care of me—it felt rewarding. Not just me feeling this way.

"You... couldn't even spar before. How'd you do that in the cave?"

Fair question. The guy who could barely hold a sword dueled a skeleton knight. Couldn't say I looped loads, so I brushed it off vaguely.

"...You expect me to believe that?"

"Ahem.."

Her eyes were scary, but she didn't press. Favorability boost?

"You... if you tell anyone weird stuff, you're dead.."

"Like what?"

"The... cave... what happened.."

The cave thing? I made a hole with thumb and index, poked a finger in and out.

"Idiot! Stop! I said stop!"

She swung the pillow wildly with whooshing sounds, but weaker than usual. Minji had definitely changed.

"Okay, I won't! Stop! Stop!"

"If you tell anyone weird, I'll kill you!"

Normally scary, now her anger looked cute. Cheeks flushed—recalling that time? Unforgettable experience anyway.

"..."

Kang Minji turned away without a word. Favorability hadn't dropped, so no big worry.

Then I remembered the skill from yesterday. Incubus Eye—see erogenous zones. Suddenly curious. Tried on Minji, but hard to check before.

"Minji, can you stand for a sec?"

"Huh? Why suddenly?"

Questioning but stood as asked. As she rose, pink glow appeared.

"Can you turn around slowly?"

"Why make me do that suddenly?"

"Just once, please!"

As she rotated slowly, erogenous zones glowed pink. Working properly.

"Thanks."

Her face full of questions, but she sat on the small chair beside without a word. Handed me the orange juice she'd brought, even opened it for easy drinking. Grumbles but does everything.

"Shut up... and drink."

"Thanks."

Silence passed, then she spoke first.

"But really... when'd you learn swordsmanship? You sucked in spars."

"Huh? Just practiced alone."

Died so many times, it'd be weirder if I couldn't.

"You know finals are soon?"

"Wait, how long left? What day is it?"

"Two weeks."

Evaluation day approaching. Forgot amid Machina system chaos. This exam was crucial.

Hunter shortage means entry just needs potential threshold. But hunting's dangerous—throwing in weaklings is suicide. Hence auxiliary hunter class. First semester eval sorts underperformers for separate training. "Auxiliary" means porter for real hunters. Some climb back via later evals, but most become aux or drop out.

"Not the time to be here."

"You... flunk this, auxiliary confirmed."

Auxiliaries needed but poorly treated. No need for academy. Top guilds prefer fit porters over civilians, but still porters.

"This time's different."

I'd awakened Deus Ex Machina System. Stats boosted too.

"Different... haa."

She sighed deeply.

"Midterms and finals averaged, right?"

My midterm practical: bottom tier. Averaged, doomed.

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"You really can do well?"

Worried look. Flunk means separated from Minji. Avoiding that?

"Why wanna keep partnering with me?"

She flinched like hit spot-on, yelled.

"Not that! Quit yapping and pass the damn exam!"

Couldn't lie here. Half-given up assuming failure. Time to prep now.

'Quest too? Scenario Quest what?'

'Didn't expect much. Anyway, just score well?'

I sat up. Painful but movable.

"Wh-what? You cleared to get up?"

"Hurts a bit, but fine."

"Shouldn't rest more?"

"Gotta prep for finals."

*

Before tomorrow's classes, wanted to check my condition. Old ignored Kim Siu gone. Best way: spar. Headed to private training room with Minji.

Limited space means time-limited use. Today: 1 hour. Enough.

"Shield breaks = loss, right?"

We had shields from a shield user.

"Hey Kim Siu, not fully healed—sure?"

Only Minji worries. Grateful, but can't lounge. No time.

"Nurse said okay."

Private room blocks external view. Minji donned gloves, I raised wooden sword. Fought skull knight—leveled up plenty. Stronger than her now?

"Loser grants winner one wish."

"What? No such rule."

Normally cocky, now tense after cave.

"Begin!"

"W-wait..!"