Survival or Camping?
“Saw that? Totally wrecked him, right?”
“You crazy fuck. Getting your ass handed to you by a girl? What a goddamn psycho.”
Park Jisu grumbled anyway, her lips curling up like she was enjoying something.
I was bullshitting with Park Jisu about my exploits when some moronic voice slithered into my ear.
“Jisu, wanna team up with me?”
Cha Eun-woo, grinning stickily at her without so much as glancing my way. That slimy prick couldn't be anything else—top dog trying to drag in the side bitch for some points. Obviously planning to use Park Jisu, who's shit in team games, as window dressing. She's the only notable one in his eyes.
Even after seeing my performance, he's thinking that shit? Impressive arrogance.
Classic case of a guy pickled in hubris for years.
“Already teaming with Kang San. Find someone else.”
Cha Eun-woo's face twitched at Park Jisu's instant shutdown.
“Kang San, huh? Mind letting her go? As you know, she's the only one who looks like she can support me.”
My name apparently didn't register much in that thick skull of his. Straight-up picking a fight.
“Nah. Fuck off.”
After seeing his skills today, I knew this punk wasn't my match. How many times had I witnessed and clashed with peak masters back at the Mudang Sect? Sword talent? That's just basic passive in the murim world. So what if you've got talent? No worthy sword arts to learn it from.
Is a grandmaster called the neighbor's dog or something? Just watch out for his sword aura, I guess.
His swordplay was mercenary-style, fueled by superior physique and talent. Primitive as hell to someone like me who's tangled with true experts.
“You just awakened not long ago and seem full of yourself. Still, better watch your mouth.”
His fake-ass act reminded me of my freshman self. What a shitty bastard. Was this kin slaying?
“Piss off if it bugs you.”
I dug at my ear, baiting him, and sure enough, he bit—annoyed as fuck that some unwashed punk like me was provoking him like this.
“Hah... Seems like the power high from your fresh awakening. If you want it that bad, guess I'll humor you.”
“Why's your tongue so long?”
As I moved to head straight to the field, he tacked on some bullshit.
“But you just awakened too, and causing a fuss early in the semester's no good. Let's make it official at midterms.”
Simulation arena spars are official matches—what nonsense? He wasn't totally dismissing my skills, at least.
Gonna do some background check?
Iron Man was all he'd find anyway. What an idiot.
“Fine. Don't chicken out then.”
Cha Eun-woo kept smiling till the end as he walked off. But he'd throw a bitch fit at home, no doubt. Petty little shit.
“Asshole okay? I kinda get what that fucker's scheming, pisses me off. You sure about this?”
“No! President Park, how're we supposed to do business without trust between companies?”
Park Jisu relaxed seeing me unfazed by the spat, grinning back at her.
“That prick definitely wanted to screw me over by teaming up. Corn him good.”
“Figured it out? How's a person that fake? Shady bastard.”
Park Jisu's face shifted subtly at my words, glancing at me before changing the subject.
“Anyway, what's with the gloves? First time seeing 'em... Must be something special if you're wearing them around.”
My hook landed—she was asking about the gauntlets.
“Heh. Got 'em by chance, perfect fit. Even named 'em.”
“Name?”
“Big Smack.”
“What kinda dumbass name is that?”
“Means 'massive beatdown.' Wanna try 'em on?”
Thousand Spider Silks' best trait is elasticity. Park Jisu was amazed when Big Smack fit her hand perfectly.
“Whoa~ What's the material? I want one too.”
Gloves were essential for Park Jisu handling guns. Unless you're picky about hand feel, anyone would covet them.
I ruffled her jabbering head roughly with Big Smack on. Seeing her hand them back sparked my own greed for gear.
+++
Time flew, and midterms were upon us.
I'd spent it with Park Jisu: sim room virtual combats at the Academy, C- and B-rank Gate clears otherwise.
The golem raid vid was still hot news. People were hyped over the supernova I'd become out of nowhere.
Hunters are basically celebs.
Now walking streets got me athlete-star reactions over looks—kinda fresh.
“Midterms already.”
“Scared?”
“Fuck off, asshole.”
Park Jisu shot back flatly as we walked.
Midterms were 3rd/4th-year survival in a massive Gate. Some 3rd-years whined it was unfair, but hunter power gaps were huge based on awakenings. Those types couldn't score high anyway.
Probably endgame for our duel.
As I pondered Cha Eun-woo, Park Jisu asked.
“Anything to watch out for?”
“Hm... Academy-prepped Gate or not, watch for monster packs. And high-rank surprises?”
“Other cadets?”
Park Jisu fretted over hostile cadets. Such a worrier.
“You or Cha Eun-woo level? Even 4th-years won't fuck with us lightly. Low chance of attacks. He's gunning for me, so won't rush. We'll camp and chill.”
“Asshole, cocky as fuck now.”
She snorted, picking up pace. Gate runs had loosened her up—climbing me anytime, begging for a lesson.
I mulled it over, hurrying after her.
Auditorium was packed with 3rd/4th-years sizing each other up.
“President Park, you know?”
“Highest spot in the Gate. If can't claim, signal with gunfire. Got it.”
“Good boy.”
I scratched her chin in praise; she ignored my teasing.
“They eval 3rd/4th together to test alliances/group fights too. But need we clump up? We hunt monsters, mop up survivors—profit.”
Noticing our huddle, 4th-years glared. Wary of my rise and Park Jisu's sniping in survival.
Classmates groveled for her favor meanwhile. Instructors herded us to the Gate.
+++
Through the Gate: hellish snow flurries in forest midsts.
Flood terrain, winter climate? Picked a shit spot.
Normal floods had fruits/animals for food—preferred. But snowy winter? Survival risk skyrockets. Hunt-only food, monsters ambushing from snow.
Water's no issue, at least.
I climbed a tree, scouting. Massive snow mountain in view. Head there as planned.
Eyed sky drones per point, started moving.
Park Jisu, gear-heavy, was exposed till base secured. Hurrying from paranoia, reached mountain base. She'd broken branches for a snow hut, hiding.
Spotting me, her face lit up.
“Asshole!”
I smirked, approaching her wagging-tail joy.
“Other cadets?”
“Dunno. Terrain's got 'em prepping survival—no sign.”
Makes sense. Awakened bodies or not, Gate world's harsh. Hiding/prepping first.
“Stick to plan—up the mountain.”
“Yeah.”
Avalanches/worsening weather risks, but position perks outweighed. I'd tank survival with my durability.
Halfway up, spotted a cave.
Lucky.
Slipped in stealthily: massive bear inside, hibernating stock-still.
Park Jisu's eyes gleamed, nodding at me.
Base and food secured. I rushed the bear.
Crunch!
No messing guts. Pure muscle power shattered its skull.
Sweet dreams.
“Heehee. Jackpot.”
Amid her giggling, skinned/butchered by part—piles of bear meat now. Weather preserved it fine.
“Eat, rest, then?”
“Yeah. Wait. I'll show off Association staff tricks.”
“I'll grab firewood.”
Shivering at her gleaming hatchet and grin, I headed to cave mouth.
Scout outside, barricade entrance. Our base now.
Surveyed snow-veiled woods: sporadic blasts. Drones buzzing.
Three-way split?
Drones scattered suddenly; I eyed nearby one, camouflaged entrance with wood/rocks. Snow buildup? Invisible.
Armful of wood back in: Park Jisu done prepping, waiting.
“Something up?”
“Nah, some cadets clashing outside already. Scoped while masking entrance.”
“Good boy.”
“Fuck off.”
Wet wood resisted fire, but strength/mana crushed that. Bonfire lit, grilled meat.
Monitor from cave for now, bide time.
Feels like early apocalypse.