Chapter 48
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Negotiation (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Today's class is interpersonal combat."
Instructor Kang Ju-young of the practical combat class announced that today's lesson would be mock battles against opponents.
However, all the cadets, including me, weren't looking at Instructor Kang Ju-young but at the dozens of people standing behind her.
"As you all know, there are no heroes who only fight monsters. If you're active as a hero, you'll inevitably clash with others, regardless of numbers. Villains are a prime example."
Instructor Kang Ju-young, mentioning villains, continued her explanation.
"Like the Destroyer who's appeared recently. If you grow in the future, you might end up facing villains like him."
I felt a bit awkward at the sudden mention of my own exploits.
Of course, given what I'd done, it wasn't all that surprising.
"With that in mind, today's class will be interpersonal combat. The people behind me are C-rank heroes from the Blue Moon, Red Wind, and Magic Seekers guilds."
Having faced even S-rank heroes myself, C-rank ones didn't impress me much, but the other cadets were different.
Everyone seemed to have guessed why these heroes were here, whispering to the people around them with thoughtful expressions.
"Looks like you've figured it out. These heroes will be playing the role of villains."
Honestly, boss monsters had felt easier to me before.
'Still, they're C-rank, so they'll put up some fight.'
While I was thinking that, Instructor Kang Ju-young finished her explanation.
"These heroes are numbered from 1 to 60. You'll draw numbers from the box here and do your best to hold out against the corresponding hero."
And from the sound of it, it wasn't about winning—just surviving.
At that moment, Instructor Kang Ju-young suddenly met my eyes and mentioned another possibility.
"But of course, the best outcome would be subduing the villain. Teams that manage to subdue their villain will get 30 points."
At the cadets' level, few could actually beat a C-rank hero.
'Probably just Cheon Seo-yun at best.'
So Instructor Kang Ju-young's words were likely aimed at me and Cheon Seo-yun.
-Lee Seongmin, if you win overwhelmingly again, rumors might spread to every guild out there.
Rumors?
Sure, an overwhelming win like Lee Seojun said would spread rumors, but I didn't care.
Being openly active at the Hero Officer Academy like this, rumors were bound to spread eventually anyway.
"30 points for a win."
So I focused more on the 30 points than rumors.
'With 30 points, Park So-yul might be able to form her club sooner.'
It seemed plenty possible.
"Alright, as usual, Teams 1 through 4, come forward."
"Always us first."
When Instructor Kang Ju-young called Teams 1 to 4 next, Oh Ye-rin, my teammate, muttered like she'd given up on it.
"More importantly, Lee Seongmin. You confident?"
"Yeah, confident."
In fact, I figured Cheon Seo-yun could handle it solo.
Anyway, we stepped forward, and Teams 1 through 3 took turns drawing numbers from the box.
"24, 51, and 10."
Instructor Kang Ju-young called out the numbers, and the corresponding heroes stepped forward.
They were smirking, clearly thinking the cadets would be easy opponents.
'Fair enough.'
Even Oh Ye-rin, ranked 121st, had barely taken down three goblins.
From what I could guess, anyone ranked 50th or lower probably wouldn't contribute much firepower.
"Team 4 next. Draw your number."
"Yes, ma'am."
I reached into the box and drew as instructed.
[40].
"Number 40."
I naturally turned toward the heroes, spotting the one labeled 40 walking forward.
"Ah, tough luck for you guys. Drawing me of all people."
Who was this guy?
He was a hero in his late twenties, strutting with a smug face and attitude.
His confidence made me wonder if he was famous, but when I glanced at Lee Seojun, he shook his head.
-No idea who he is.
Not famous, then.
'Maybe well-known among C-ranks.'
Even so, just a C-rank.
My team and I entered the arena and slowly prepared.
"Start whenever you're ready."
The C-rank hero, whose name I still didn't know, said that, and Cheon Seo-yun beside me looked at me.
"Cheon Seo-yun, what?"
"I want to try alone."
"Alone?"
Logically, for a team battle, I should object, but did I really need to?
'Instructor Kang Ju-young said 30 points for subduing, after all.'
And if Cheon Seo-yun beat a C-rank solo, no rumors about me would spread.
All in all, nothing bad for me, so after a moment's thought, I nodded.
"Okay. Go for it solo."
"Got it."
Cheon Seo-yun gave a short reply and strode forward confidently.
Oh Ye-rin watched her with worry and spoke to me.
"You sure that's okay? Seems dangerous for Cheon Seo-yun alone."
"Gotta trust her."
Conversely, the waiting C-rank hero widened his eyes when only Cheon Seo-yun stepped up.
"What? You seriously planning to fight me alone?"
Cheon Seo-yun nodded, adjusting her grip on her sword, and the hero let out a hollow laugh.
"Wow. Still cadets who can't tell their limits."
With that, the hero nodded like he got it.
"Fine. Guess it's not bad to teach you how terrifying overconfidence can be."
But watching him go on, the guy sure loved to talk.
Cheon Seo-yun seemed to sense it too, slowly advancing with her sword pointed at him.
As she closed the distance, the hero reluctantly readied his weapon.
'Sword and shield.'
Pretty standard gear.
"Let's see what a cadet like you can do."
With that, the C-rank hero charged straight at Cheon Seo-yun.
She blocked his swinging sword without a hint of agitation—or so it seemed.
Whoosh—
Before their blades even clashed, Cheon Seo-yun smoothly deflected his sword and pressed hers to his throat in an instant.
"Huh?"
The C-rank hero blinked, unable to believe he'd been done in so quickly.
"Ah, no way. Wow, I let my guard down. Sure, a win's a win even if I slipped, but that feels unsatisfying. One more round?"
"......"
"You know villains use their innate abilities and skill stones, right? And artifacts too."
In other words, next round, he'd go all out with abilities and artifacts.
Cheon Seo-yun stared blankly at him for a moment before nodding and agreeing to another bout.
'Not even a challenge.'
Lee Seojun, watching the fight, chimed in admiringly.
-She's way stronger than the Cheon Seo-yun I knew at this point.
Probably from falling into that trance during our spar before.
Anyway, even with his body-enhancement ability and artifact activated, the C-rank hero...
"Wh-what the hell?! This is cheating!"
...still couldn't match Cheon Seo-yun.
He only lasted a few more seconds thanks to his powers.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Points: 250 (+30)
In the end, with no surprises beyond Cheon Seo-yun's performance, I pocketed the 30 points and went looking for Joo Ha-yeon.
I planned to contract the spirit with her once her team's match ended, so I needed to find her.
'Hm?'
Then I sensed someone approaching one of my other bodies.
"......"
For reference, "the other body" meant the Destroyer.
Seemed like my position was compromised, so I stood up and headed to the bathroom.
-Huh? Lee Seongmin, where you going?
Once in the bathroom, I immediately told Lee Seojun about it.
"Someone's approaching the other body."
-The other one? Not the warehouse... the Destroyer?
I nodded, and Lee Seojun speculated.
-Then your location's blown. The Hero Association has a specialist in tracking people down. Must be them.
"Anyway, I'll move you."
-Okay.
I shifted Lee Seojun to the Destroyer's location, then focused on the Destroyer myself.
As Lee Seojun arrived where the Destroyer was, he looked around with slight admiration.
-Living in a place like this?
"Just shaped it like a house."
What Lee Seojun was eyeing was a hut made from nearby wood, rocks, and mud.
Given the Destroyer's massive size, it was big enough for three or four adults—pretty spacious.
-No furniture, tools, or food, though.
"Don't need 'em. How long you planning to sightsee?"
-Oh, right. Who's coming?
"You'll see soon."
I stepped outside and stared in one direction.
A few minutes later, I spotted about three people arriving.
-Hero Association President. Jeon Il-seop.
Association President?
-A pretty righteous guy, actually. That's why he snagged the president spot despite being just A-rank. Decent head on his shoulders too.
"So here you are."
Just as Lee Seojun finished, the presumed Jeon Il-seop called out to me.
I sat on a nearby tree stump like a chair to match his eye level, since he was craning his neck up at me.
'Let's talk first.'
Honestly, these three probably weren't here to capture me.
Thinking I'd hear them out, I spoke to Jeon Il-seop.
"Hero Association goons. Here to drag me in?"
"Would you come quietly if we were?"
"If you offer a good deal, sure."
Though I'd break out whenever I wanted, of course.
Jeon Il-seop nodded calmly at my response, expression unchanging.
"A deal... Maybe we can talk this out after all."
"Talk?"
"Yeah. Something you'll like."