037. Results
037. Results
Lee Yu-ri's Taunt skill.
《Shield's Echo》
An ability that forcibly draws the enemy's attacks through the motion of striking her shield.
Facing it firsthand as an enemy, it was undeniably annoying.
'Seriously, it's a disgustingly broken skill.'
Even among boss characters, only a handful can move freely without being affected by this Taunt skill of hers.
Of course, if you're a chapter boss, the taunt wears off quickly.
But still, when you consider that a single Tank can solo-tank a boss's area attack, which could wipe the entire party,
there's no need to explain further how insane its performance is.
So, taking advice from Baek Seol-hee, I meticulously formulated a strategy to take down Lee Yu-ri in this group sparring.
—An ability that mixes Mana into the shield's sound to draw your gaze... In that case, physically blocking your ears would help.
As a result, I completely abandoned real-time command this time and had all party members wear earplugs that block hearing.
Instead, through repetitive training, I made sure they could move according to plan without my commands.
—If it's an ability that draws your gaze, then attacking with your eyes closed would be ideal. But the only one who can do that is...
—I can do it.
Thus, Kang Do-hee fought while handling an enemy Damage Dealer with her eyes completely closed.
—Shin Se-hee, the intel you gave me. Is it reliable?
—Oh, the one I threw away... You saw that?
—Yeah, is this reliable?
—Of course. Please don't underestimate my information network.
—Then don't use magic this time.
—Yes... What!?
Shin Se-hee's magic efficiency drops drastically against Gukbap anyway.
On top of that, she was wearing a Mana Restraint Bangle, making it worse than useless.
'The characters I recommended to Lee Yu-ri were early-game flash-in-the-pan types, so I'd forgotten all the detailed info, but the intel Shin Se-hee provided was highly effective.'
After looking over the information she handed me,
I calculated that Shin Se-hee could sufficiently handle the enemy Healer and Support with her physical abilities alone.
'After all, she's a 4-Star character no matter what.'
If she can overwhelm them physically when her magic efficiency is already shot because of Gukbap, isn't that the correct move?
This was the polar opposite strategy of the earlier group match where I took out the enemies while Kang Do-hee drew their attention.
A strategy where I draw their attention, Kang Do-hee handles the Damage Dealer, and Shin Se-hee takes out the enemy Support and Healer!
Lee Yu-ri looked back with a dismayed face and bit her lip.
The Healer and Support who were assisting her were brawling bare-knuckled with Shin Se-hee, so they were in no position to use skills on her.
The Damage Dealer who could turn the tables was also being handled by Kang Do-hee.
And in the meantime, she must know she can't face me alone.
'So, how are you going to come at me now?'
I stared intently at Lee Yu-ri.
"Ha, so this was your plan? As expected, you're amazing, Jin Yu-ha."
Realizing the situation, she burst out laughing as if dumbfounded.
"So, are you giving up?"
"No way. I still have to struggle a bit."
Clang—!
Lee Yu-ri knocked my sword aside with her shield, then put strength into her eyes and readjusted her grip.
Whooosh—
Mana surged around her, forming a deep blue aura.
In the rising wind, her black hair began to whip around.
I couldn't help but widen my eyes at the sight.
'Huh, this effect...?'
The waves of Mana surging around her.
Flash—
A strange light bloomed in her eyes.
She lowered her stance and solidified a defensive posture with her shield pointed toward me.
Then, with a pale blue face, she bit her lip.
The fist gripping the shield trembled faintly.
"...Nggh—!"
Lee Yu-ri let out a pained groan.
'A new skill...?'
I know this skill.
《Sacrificial Shield》
A skill that lets you take the damage for your party members for a certain period.
In PVP, Lee Yu-ri, who learned this skill, was so notorious that she was treated like a cockroach.
'She learned it just now...?'
Shiver—
A shudder ran down my spine.
I couldn't help but stare at her with a surprised expression.
I just couldn't help it.
To learn this skill, Lee Yu-ri's Shield Specialization had to go up at least one more rank from its initial grade.
She didn't invest growth materials to raise her Specialization like I did.
In other words, she raised her Specialization one rank purely through training!
And even before enrollment.
'You're really insane, aren't you?'
How difficult that was,
I knew well.
Even in my original world, there were more than a few veterans in Velvetsra who challenged themselves to reach the ending without using fortunate encounters or items.
But the result...
They all failed.
'So, I thought I, the only one in this world who had invested growth materials into my body, would have to somehow scrape and claw my way through...'
Hope.
I could see hope in Lee Yu-ri.
If she could grow this fast through training alone without investing materials...
Just thinking about the future made the corners of my mouth rise on their own.
'Ha, she's seriously reliable. This kid.'
The time I happened to find Gukbap on a hunter site and followed her into a dungeon.
Maybe that was my best decision.
Of course,
that didn't turn the tables.
Cough—!
Lee Yu-ri dropped to one knee, coughing and spitting blood from her mouth.
Because right now, Lee Yu-ri didn't have high enough HP to absorb all the damage from every party member alone.
"Tch, it didn't work after all..."
She lifted her head, met my eyes, and gave a grin.
"Still, seeing your face, the training was worth it."
She continued with difficulty.
"Hey, Jin Yu-ha."
"..."
"What do you think? Am I someone your party needs?"
Someone I needed?
A hollow laugh escaped me.
I nodded to her and replied in a confident voice.
"...You always were. And now, you definitely are."
Ahaha—!
Lee Yu-ri laughed with a relieved look.
"Good. I'll join your party. I'll become your party's Tank. I'll be the shield that protects you."
Hummm—
With those words, Lee Yu-ri was transported out of the training ground.
"...Oh my, this won't do. I should've listened well when the captain told us to be careful of men. I surrender!"
"Me too... Cheonhwa throwing punches? Isn't this too unfair?"
"M-Me too... Haah, haah—."
And the opponents, with Lee Yu-ri eliminated, immediately declared surrender.
Then the referee's voice announced.
"With Lee Yu-ri's party's surrender, the public sparring is a victory for Jin Yu-ha's party."
*
Waaaaaaaaaaah—!!!
Clap clap clap clap clap—!!!!
Although the people remaining in the grand hall were only a third of all the prospective cadets,
when they all rose from their seats, applauding like thunder and roaring with cheers,
the massive grand hall echoed resoundingly without a single empty space.
I turned my head around with a bewildered face.
'Uh...'
I was so focused on the match with Lee Yu-ri that I hadn't even thought about other people's reactions.
"AAAAAAH!"
As I shifted my gaze to the audience seats, I heard earsplitting screams.
"So cool!"
"He's so handsome!!!"
"Jin Yu-ha! Jin Yu-ha! Jin Yu-ha!"
"Oppaaaaa!!! Take me!!!!!"
Recognition directed at me, not Cheonhwa or Fighting Dog.
All this time, I had been disregarded because of the Quota System.
But it seemed what I showed today had changed their perception, even if just a little.
I had been telling myself it was fine, convincing myself that the disregard was aimed at Jin Yu-ha, but I guess it wasn't.
A kind of stirring, ticklish feeling in my chest.
Feeling a bit bashful, I scratched my cheek.
"Dick on the Cliff!"
'What bastard said that?'
I think I heard something weird mixed in just now.
Just as I turned my head to find the owner of that voice,
Step.
Baek Seol-hee stepped up onto the sparring stage with a proud face.
"Cadet Jin Yu-ha."
"Ah, yes."
"You've grown."
She was probably talking about my skills, since I had a small realization during the match.
"Thanks to you, Instructor, I was able to win this match. Thanks for the realization, too."
I nodded and replied.
"No, this time it's thanks to that girl. Is she the one you had your eye on?"
Baek Seol-hee glanced over at the opposing side.
There, Lee Yu-ri was slumped on the floor, surrounded by her party members.
"Yes, she's my party's Tank."
I said with a smirk.
"Good, she's a fine Tank. I look forward to her performance."
"Yes."
Baek Seol-hee nodded, then spoke to the party members and me.
"Now then, Party Leader Jin Yu-ha and the party members, follow me now."
"...Excuse me?"
The match is over, where to?
"You've won the group sparring, so you must receive your reward for it."
Ah. It seemed the winner of this sparring got something as well.
But don't they usually hand it out right there on the spot?
Baek Seol-hee spoke as if reading the question in my eyes.
"We're going to the Chairwoman's Office."
Huh?
The Chairwoman's Office?
'So, am I meeting that person before even enrolling?'
* * *
We followed Baek Seol-hee to the main building's clock tower.
The tallest building within the academy.
A surreal space where long windows filled the walls, and dense Mana floated in the air as if visible to the eye.
The Chairwoman's Office.
We could meet her there.
The living legend who made Velvet Academy known as the world's best hunter training facility.
Magic Emperor, Rina.
"Welcome, prospective cadets. I am the Chairwoman of Velvet Academy. Rina."
She spoke with a solemn expression before us, but.
I couldn't help but recall her nickname inwardly.
'Brat...'
