Chapter 42
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: One-on-One Sparring
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1 to 0. Just a single digit's difference, but the momentum was worlds apart. Class A had some breathing room, while Class C was starting to panic.
One-on-one spars weren't just simple practice for the girls. They were battles with grades on the line. They had to win, no matter what.
'And pride, too.'
In this world, there existed tangible powers called superabilities. Forces that could be outwardly manifested had bloated the students' egos.
Even if it was just a spar, nobody wanted to lose lying down. It didn't sit right with their tempers.
"Good work."
"Of all people, Jeong Sua had to be first. Talk about bad luck."
"Now that Jeong Sua's out, we just need to win number thirteen."
The Class C girls welcomed Lee Jihyun back. They comforted her as she slumped in defeat. She'd essentially sacrificed herself to block Jeong Sua, so they could at least offer some lip service.
Thanks to that, Lee Jihyun's score took a hit. As the loser, she hadn't earned any points either.
"Next."
The one-on-one spars continued without pause. The second match began, fierce and intense. The numbers etched into the crystals dwindled in real time as the girls hammered each other like they meant to kill.
"When two enhancers go at it, it just turns into straight-up MMA."
If neither side had the edge and they were evenly matched, it devolved into a messy brawl. Once they realized they were on par, neither backed off.
They clung so tenaciously, swinging fists, you half-expected them to start grinding against each other.
"Next."
The two enhancer girls returned covered in blood. The crystals offset lethal damage, but they didn't block the impacts themselves.
Non-lethal damage accumulated straight into their bodies. The girls who'd traded blows looked wrecked.
Third, fourth, fifth. The one-on-ones progressed slowly. The girls watched the screen with tense faces.
Some warmed up while waiting for their turn; others rested, relieved to have shed a heavy burden.
The boys stood dumbly, staring blankly at the screen. They hoped their classmates would win, at least.
They didn't want to feel guilty after even providing semen. They wanted some reward for their courage. Victory. If possible, victory.
Whether they sensed those feelings or not, the Class A and C girls traded points back and forth. They alternated wins. When Class A pulled ahead, Class C chased right after.
"Reverse! We reversed it!"
"Okay! We can win this!"
After the eleventh match, Class C finally overtook Class A for the first time. Class A at 5 points, Class C at 6. They'd claimed one victory.
Class A's mood tanked hard. They unloaded veiled resentment on the loser.
"Sorry."
Jo Hyeji apologized coolly. One-on-ones were a terrible matchup for her. Knowing that, the Class A girls held their tongues.
She had the special ability Healing (B), but asking her to spar was unreasonable from the start.
"Jo Hyeji, build up your stamina. You never know what'll happen in real combat. Situations don't care who you are—remember that."
"...Yes. Got it."
"You need to be able to protect your captain at least."
Lim Sarang gave Jo Hyeji the best advice she could. Just basic hero etiquette. A goal that felt impossible right now.
In this world, men were beings to be protected. Sure, men's physical stats were superior without superabilities, but with male numbers far lower than females', all the dirty work fell to women.
And among them, captains were especially precious. Monsters might not target them, but villains always prioritized captains first. On-site, heroes had to protect their captains by any means necessary.
"Next."
After the eleventh match ended, the twelfth began. Heuk Seolha, who'd been hanging back, stepped forward. Even in her baggy gym uniform two sizes too big, the outline of her chest was unmistakable. No hiding those monstrous breasts.
Heuk Seolha strode haughtily onto the teleporter. Her opponent sneered at her. Delusion (SS) was undoubtedly a strong superability, but Heuk Seolha's state made it laughable. Especially against a formidable ability—
'S-rank, huh.'
Class C's sole S-rank superability holder. Third in entrance scores overall. Top of Class C. Kim Sojin.
Now I got why Class C brimmed with confidence. From their view, this was an unwinnable matchup for Class A—how could they not grin?
Win this, and they'd lead Class A by two points. In a back-and-forth like this, a two-point gap was huge.
'...Key spot.'
Class A girls scowled. Class C's swagger soured their mood, and that frustration poured onto Heuk Seolha. Just try losing, their glares said. We won't let you off easy.
Heuk Seolha felt those stares. She flinched, glancing nervously at the crowd. Confidence drained from her face. Seeing Heuk Seolha's meek reaction, Kim Sojin giggled, exuding leisure.
The teleporter activated. The two girls warped to different locations. The map showed their positions—not far apart. This one would end quick.
Kim Sojin moved fast. Ecstasy lit her face. Catch Heuk Seolha quick and take a break, her mindset screamed. No intention of dragging it out.
Heuk Seolha, by contrast, dawdled. She scanned the streets with tense eyes, stepping cautiously. The distance closed. Kim Sojin's approach outpaced Heuk Seolha's retreat.
They met soon enough. Kim Sojin planted herself boldly before Heuk Seolha.
"Ah, Heuk Seolha. What're you doing way over there—"
"Kill her! Sojin, kill her!"
"Watch your mouth. Telling a friend to kill someone? Come on."
"Sorry!"
Madness gripped them. Class C girls howled. Beat Heuk Seolha to death.
Lim Sarang briefly cooled the escalating vibe. But it didn't last. Heat flared right back, violence bubbling over. They were that hyped.
Kim Sojin was no different. Face flushed with excitement, she swung at Heuk Seolha. Splat splat—puddles formed. Water clumps on the ground stretched like streams and shot out.
—Eek!
Heuk Seolha rolled desperately away. Her clumsy tumble offered no protection. No way her body emerged unscathed. Grimacing in pain, she bolted.
"What the hell is she doing?"
She had Delusion (SS). SS-rank superability, no matter how you sliced it. Fewer than 1% of heroes possessed one. An elite rarity.
I'd even fed her plenty of semen just in case. She had fuel to burn. So why the hell was she flailing? Activation issues? Nah, that didn't fit.
If Delusion was hard to trigger, it wouldn't explain her brazen stunt last night.
—Just gonna keep running? Fine, I'll crank it up.
Kim Sojin summoned a wave. Water gushed from nowhere. She flew freely, pursuing Heuk Seolha.
"Pulling off water control like that with no nearby source...!"
"?"
Someone muttered beside me. Kim Taehyung, Class A's burliest. Among captains, he had that wide, sturdy build. Surprisingly, plenty of hero candidates dug that type.
Kim Taehyung mumbled oddly, commentating the one-on-one like a pro. The boys listened intently. Without the girls around, they were just normal guys. An odd mix, but whatever.
Kim Sojin engulfed Heuk Seolha in a spray, trapping her in water droplets. She looked genuinely miserable. Wince-worthy agony.
I glanced at Lim Sarang and Lee Minji. No need to intervene? They watched impassively.
Heuk Seolha's crystal count plummeted. Already low at 250, it neared zero fast. 10, 9, 8, 7...
Kim Sojin yawned hugely and released her. Down to 1 crystal. No comeback possible now, her face said.
—SS-rank? Big whoop.
She smirked down at Heuk Seolha. Cocky as hell. Nothing like Jeong Sua's poise. Zero class.
—...
Heuk Seolha panted, soaked to the bone. Her massive breasts heaved wildly. Tempting enough to grab right then.
The gym uniform was water-resistant, but not her hair. Wet strands splayed like seaweed.
—Time to end it. Last one won't hurt...
Kim Sojin shaped the spray into a bat. A rippling water club. Insanely cool. piqued my interest in manifestation types.
She gripped the non-fiery bat, assumed stance. Practiced swings at Heuk Seolha's crystal. Putting real effort into a perfect hit.
—Here goes, Seolha.
Then she whipped her arm. The water bat zeroed in on target. Heuk Seolha's lone crystal. About to smash it.
Crack.
—...?
The instant it connected, the bat burst. Kim Sojin blinked at her palm, baffled. Not self-canceled.
"Delusion! It's Delusion!"
Kim Taehyung yelled. Face alight with energy, like a kid nailing a trivia question.
"Delusion?"
"Yeah."
I sidled up to Kim Taehyung and asked what he meant.
"Delusion hit SS-rank not 'cause it's OP overall. It's 'cause in specific situations, it can guarantee 'invincibility'-level outcomes."
"...What?"
"Hyunwoo, you fed her semen this morning, right? Fuel's topped off."
Delusion was manipulation-type. Most manipulation abilities were risky. Homeroom teachers watched those candidates extra close.
"Key now's what delusion Heuk Seolha cooked up. Whatever she truly wants? It'll happen."
The water bat exploded; Kim Sojin recoiled. Panicking, she activated again. Waves surged behind her. Useless. They split before hitting Heuk Seolha.
—What the—?
Kim Sojin's spray backfired, caging her. A water prison clamped tight. She fought for control, but it ignored her.
—Delusion! Fuck, doesn't that need tons of semen? Dick Water couldn't fuel a delusion this strong...!
—...
Heuk Seolha smirked. Awkward, not natural like Kim Sojin's—forced mockery. How to describe it?
"...Loser...?"
As she muttered, the water prison sealed Kim Sojin. Air cut off; crystal life drained. Only then did Lim Sarang and Lee Minji stir.
The teleporter hummed. Heuk Seolha and Kim Sojin returned.
"Gahk—cough! Cough!"
Kim Sojin gulped air desperately. Heuk Seolha...
"...Posing."
Jeong Sua grumbled.