Insanely Strong Demonic Beast Assault (1)
He stopped in his tracks. Between the corridors, he spotted a head of hair perking up eagerly. It bobbed in perfect sync with his footsteps, as if it had been lying in wait.
Tsk. He clicked his tongue, and the figure rushed toward him. A notebook and recorder clutched in her hands caught his eye. And finally, pinned to her shoulder, the goddamn name of her circle: "Hide the Truth and Make Shit Up!"
"Excuse me! I'm Miregi, a first-year from the 'Hide the Truth and Make Shit Up!' circle!"
"Fuck off."
"Y-Yes? W-Wait just a sec! Don't be like that—give me something, anything! What's your deal with the Saintess? And how did her pocket feel..."
"I said FUCK OFF!!"
"H-Hoek! S-Sorry!"
As he infused his words with killing intent, the girl teared up and bolted. Whispers rippled through the onlookers around him.
"Whoa, he's really going all out..."
"Trash..."
"Such a real man."
"I kinda like it... Wish he'd use me and toss me aside..."
"... ? You okay in the head?"
You are receiving attention from multiple people.
You are receiving attention from multiple people.
A portion of fans captivated by your charisma has formed a fan club.
Fucking annoying. Seriously.
Two weeks had passed since he'd cussed out Yurika. In that time, his notoriety had spiraled completely out of control. At this point, it didn't even matter what was true or false anymore.
▶ A perfectly natural outcome, Master. You're the first person ever to speak to the Saintess like that.
No, fuck. She grabbed my hand first and shoved it into her creepy pocket—felt the whole damn thing!
▶ To other men, that's a reward. Measurements confirm Yurika's holy pocket is a whopping G-cup...
Ah, don't care. Just a lump of fat.
Anyway, it was a headache. Rumors were one thing, but now assholes were approaching him directly, like just now. Two days ago, the president of the "Hot Bonds of Male Friendship" circle had shown up yelling "Assé!" bullshit. Yesterday, some creepy glasses girl handed him a weird bundle titled "Scenarios I'd Like You to Do," which he'd torn up on the spot. And now this reporter bitch...
The community boards were blowing up too, with posts speculating on his connection to the Saintess racking up the most upvotes.
Not the first time, fucking hell...
No joke—he was starting to worry it'd interfere with his training.
He flung open the door to B-Class. The moment he stepped in, every eye in the room locked onto him. Ignoring the murmurs, he took his seat.
"YO! Choi Siwoo! Good morning~!"
Ohana, already seated, waved both hands in greeting. Her bright face was a bit soothing.
"Yeah. Morning."
"Whoa~ Mr. Popular first thing in the morning. Everyone's only talking about you."
Ohana chuckled, nudging his shoulder. "Bad boys are popular, huh?"
"Oh yeah, our star. You apply for this yet?"
"What?"
"Circle applications! You know, Prunel Academy rules."
"Ah."
Right. Circles. Everyone knew, but basically, they were like clubs. Groups of cadets with similar interests hanging out, training, whatever. But they were way bigger than casual meetups—highly specific, professional, with massive funding. Like anywhere, they shaped factions and connections. Elite ones treated like nobility had tough entry requirements: interviews, reviews.
So what does that have to do with you? Nothing direct.
I'm not trying to impress anyone to join their underlings.
If anything, they were trophies. Decent points to earn, but honestly? A hassle. Better to spend that time beating on Song Junho to get stronger.
▶ You still have to do it, right?
Yeah, hate it or not.
Academy trope: incident at a circle. Worked in this world too. Blame the author's lack of imagination. Fucking always—step outside, and shit hits right on cue. Protagonist and key players at the center.
Yurika's a lock... Seol Garam and Erina too?
Or everyone? Couldn't recall details—skimmed the original, no direct experience.
Anyway, apply to as many as possible. Couldn't risk a key player dying or getting crippled. Anyone who might fight the Demon God later had to be preserved. Even if they died, it had to be in battle.
"So where you applying, Siwoo? I'm thinking gourmet exploration circle first... and that, uh, shooting circle."
Ohana scratched her cheek, looking sheepish. Her eyes pleaded for him to join hers.
"Hmm..."
"If nothing set, how about swordsmanship circle?"
He turned. Song Junho had slid into a seat, filling out an application casually.
"...Why you acting like it's given?"
"Don't be hurt—we're always together. Anyway, swordsmanship. Student council president teaches personally, they say."
"Swordsmanship, huh."
Student council president—that woman? Supposedly better than most active heroes... but by his standards, unsatisfying. Plus, she'd be one he'd kill in the future. Awkward to meet.
First, travel circle—Yurika's plump, clumsy Saintess does pilgrimages regularly. Then underground tomb exploration.
Seol Garam's must-join dessert exploration last, plus midnight stargazing. Picked essentials—still over five.
"Huh, unexpected. You're serious, Siwoo? Thought you'd hate the hassle."
"Agreed. Figured you'd do the minimum one and call it."
He wanted to, but no choice. Amid their expectant stares, he added "shooting" and "swordsmanship."
"Siwoo!"
"Yes...!"
He smirked at their joy, handing the forms to the class rep. The morning bell rang just then.
Footsteps approached the classroom. Morning class was Kang Hanseong—probably his usual... Huh?
Different person?
Stride, vibration intensity—not Kang Hanseong. More like... familiar.
Why her?
The front door opened as he puzzled. The woman entering glanced around cautiously.
"H-Hello, everyone."
A face he'd seen a few times: Yoon Jiye.
"Huh? Instructor? This is Kang Hanseong's slot."
"Jiye-sensei~ Something wrong?"
Front-row kids voiced the questions.
"Oh, um... Instructor Kang had urgent business, so I'm covering today. Ishin Instructor for afternoon."
Urgent business? For that ironclad Kang Hanseong to skip class? Academy trouble?
He rummaged through past events. Something tickled his memory, but fog shrouded it—only hazy fragments.
Something's bugging me... Definitely an incident.
Arms crossed, brow furrowed, debating his future-event notebook—
"Hm?"
"-Hic."
Eyes met Yoon Jiye's. She jerked away, shuffling to the podium like a broken machine. A bead of cold sweat trailed her slender jaw.
Still?
▶ Yes, she still seems terrified.
Ridiculous. What the hell did he even do?
"A-Anyway, roll call. Inabi... Hong Ja-in..."
Yoon Jiye called attendance calmly. But suddenly, she faltered. A vibration hit—strong enough for the whole class to notice.
Not huge. A faint hum, almost ignorable. But persistent.
Soon it grew. Desks rattled; debris fell from walls, rolling across the floor.
"What the...?"
"Construction nearby?"
"During class? They'd send notice."
It boomed again—strong enough to stiffen spines. But that wasn't it. Everyone heard it clearly.
"That just now... sounded like 'Help me'?"
Screams erupted from the next classroom—indiscriminate chaos, flesh tearing, bones crunching.
"Wh-What!?!?"
"This real danger!?!"
"I-I gotta check—"
Panic spread like plague. Yoon Jiye finally snapped to, clapping sharply.
"Everyone calm down! I'll check outside—stay quiet here—"
-BOOM!
Instant. B-Class's vaunted walls shredded like paper; steel beams and rubble flew. From the smoke burst a massive pincer, flashing razor-sharp.
"!! Instructor!"
"Jiye-sensei!!"
Kids screamed. Yoon Jiye dangled in midair. A pincer pierced her gut.
Blank, she murmured "Eh...?" staring down. Blood poured, soaking the floor.
"Kishiruk..."
Dust cleared to reveal a colossal beast. Eight spindly legs, armored exoskeleton gleaming black—like polished metal. Scorpion-like, three pairs of red eyes scanned the kids.
The mental fog lifted.
Demonic beast assault.
In the original, glossed over with "many sacrifices, much mourning." Over 50 kids dead, yet no break—story marched on. Showcasing extras' worthlessness.
That event now unfolded before his eyes.