Dungeon Practical Training - 4
"Uh..."
The mere appearance of the Blue Bird that Calls the End was enough to put everyone here on edge. That's why we were all gritting our teeth, staring up at the sky.
What should we do? How should we handle this?
No one could react. That's when someone stepped forward boldly.
"Everyone, battle stations! If we all combine our strength, we can take on that monster! We're heroes! We must never give up the fight, no matter the moment!"
Even in a situation like this, it was our Elizabeth who charged ahead!
"...It's just leaving?"
But the Blue Bird that Calls the End brushed off her courage lightly and simply soared back into the sky. It shrank to a dot in an instant and vanished completely, the blackened heavens returning to their blue hue.
"...Oh. That... nice speech."
She'd mustered tremendous courage, shouted at the top of her lungs, and geared up for battle—only for nothing to happen. It was a good outcome, of course, but for such a dramatic entrance, the anticlimax left Elizabeth's face flushing redder by the second.
"Right! If we all unite, there's nothing to fear!"
"Yeah, yeah."
"As expected of the top student! Amazing!"
"Elizabeth! Elizabeth!"
"S-stop it..."
How heartwarming. Was it all the warm gazes? Elizabeth's cheeks burned even brighter.
She sure had a lot to be embarrassed about.
"Phew... Anyway, what the heck was that...?"
One of the cadets who'd emerged before us muttered, and soon everyone was buzzing about the bird. No need for me to explain.
Someone would know.
"The Blue Bird that Calls the End."
"...Pardon? What's that?"
As expected. Kim Yeonha looked around at everyone and calmly opened her mouth, just like in the game.
"The Blue Bird that Calls the End. It appeared as a harbinger back in 1999. And it shows up every time something huge happens..."
1999. The prophecy of the King of Terror descending from the sky. Most cadets, save a few, tilted their heads at the tale of the bird tied to that prophecy.
"Those in the know get it. Anyway, its appearance might mean something big is about to go down soon."
No one responded to her quiet murmur. Just like in the game.
The Blue Bird that Calls the End. In the community, it was called the Twitter Bird, but nothing special changed just because it showed up. Besides, we were still cadets with barely any real combat experience.
The world was already full of Awakeners and top-tier heroes wielding their power. What difference would we make stepping up? We'd get stronger first, then act.
"Here."
What mattered now was the reward for this dungeon practical!
Whoa! Bonus pay! Crisp cash!
"Take this too."
Archery thumb ring! Let's see...
Combat archery thumb ring produced by the Hero Association's research lab. Infused with mana for stable arrow firing.
Dexterity +0.02
Slight increase in accuracy
I'd trained under Ryu Sena and practiced on my own, but my aptitude and low dexterity made mobile shooting a miss most times. Would this help me hit more?
"That's good stuff."
"Looks great."
"Yeah. Normally, you'd get special items or cash for collapsing a dungeon, but you can't expect that from an artificial one. Still, we can't send you empty-handed, so this is from the Academy. I pushed for something better than planned, so be grateful."
"Ooooh... Thank you! Overwhelming gratitude! Heavenly disaster! A-rank! Mighty mage! Ahh, that cherished name—our instructor! Ahh, how it shines. Heavenly disaster Kim Yeonha!"
"...Am I getting roasted here?"
"I was thanking you sincerely, so why?!"
"Whatever. Fine."
The thumb ring was nice, but this crisp cash in my hand? Pure bliss. Dinner at the cadet cafeteria tonight?!
My sudden greed made my hands tremble. I gritted my teeth. No dungeon practicals for a while, and I couldn't solo one yet. No splurging. Ramen first. Stock up on ramen.
"Anyway, off you go."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Sudden windfall—what to do? My first serious dilemma since "Mom or Dad?"
A message from the cathedral on my smartwatch. No way I'd volunteer on such a joyful day. Too bad, but today...
I'm going! How could I resist double?!
Was it because of the Blue Bird that Calls the End? The Academy was in chaos. Regular volunteers skipped out, delaying Lent prep, so they called me.
Definitely fewer people than last time.
"We're so glad Cadet Kim Yohan could make it."
"Haha, of course I'd come if you need hands. But today..."
"Warehouse sorting again, please."
Solo again? Not bad. Monopolizing double points? Even better. Might snag a holy relic before Lent ends.
"You'll be alone again today... but please."
They'd send more if they came, but two hours in, no one. Basically mine.
"Have a snack break."
"Aigoo, no need for this."
This a snack?! More noodles than usual, plus three extra buns. Snack of kings. My heart swells.
"Fewer volunteers today..."
"Haha, makes sense."
With the chaos, everyone's gossiping about the anomaly instead of volunteering.
"What happened today?"
"Ask the administrative office for details..."
"Right..."
The nun sighed glumly and left. I slurped the noodles.
Man, these noodles are top-tier. Thick broth, tons of toppings...
"Huh?"
I set down the bowl after inhaling what felt like two servings. A gaze from afar.
Deep orange long hair, green eyes. Bright, cute face. White-and-blue cadet uniform suited her perfectly—Hero Academia's heroine, Yoo Choa.
"Ahaha! Why so surprised?"
In the game, male lead Yoo Jinhyuk was serious, female lead Yoo Choa bright and bubbly regardless of backstory. Super friendly to strangers, total people-person. No wonder they called her the human capybara.
"You're... Kim Yohan, right? Nice to meet you! Yoo Choa from Class Seonghwi."
They say don't bother folks eating—not her. I glanced, slurped the rest, and set the bowl down.
"So? What's up here?"
"Oh, had business at the cathedral, took a stroll, spotted you."
"Hey, if you're free, volunteer? Double points today, short-staffed."
"Eh~ Wanna rest today. You saw it too, right?"
"Can't tell lamb from beef without the tail."
"Sigh. The Blue Bird that Calls the End."
"Ah, that."
Only top cadets who'd cleared early, instructors on standby—maybe twenty of us. Including heroine Yoo Choa, key characters, some side ones. And me.
"Saw it. So?"
"You seemed unfazed..."
Oh, she noticed? Heroine's got the overview eye. Relieved—her skills exceed expectations. True ending route easier.
"Why freak over one bird?"
"C'mon~ Instructors, seniors, strong cadets all tensed up in shock... You looked chill."
"For someone saying that, you didn't panic like the others."
Right. Facing the blue bird, she showed no fear—just hatred.
"Uh... you saw me?"
"Eyes work fine."
"Hm. Fair enough?"
Her grinning narrowed eyes widened. Green, clear pupils reflected me.
"So, what're you getting at...?"
"Just... you're way better than rumors say."
Than rumors. Higher than public opinion, sure. No hiding it—word spreads anyway.
"Hehe. Sharp one. Yeah! I've been holding back my power!"
"Eek?! Admitting it that easily?!"
"Gonna come out eventually."
"Ahaha, true? Maybe we'll fight together someday? Count on you then."
She turned slowly, glanced back with a grin.
"We'll meet again soon. Smiling next time?"
"Aren't we now?"
"Just a figure of speech. Hehe. See ya~ Bye!"
Soon, huh. Looking forward to it.
Ten minutes after she left, I saw the nun and her tagalong at the warehouse.
"...Faster than expected."
"...Y-yeah? Ahaha..."
Hoped, but not this soon. Yoo Choa returned shortly after—dragged back, super embarrassed.
"Luckily met Sister Yoo Choa. So devout, strong too—perfect for warehouse help."
"...Ah. Yes."
Thought she'd bail clean. Heart swelled at her skills, now deflated. True ending viable?
"Anyway, big points for both today. And Cadet Kim Yohan, extras for starting solo."
"Extras...?"
"Double your last score."
Last time? Solo smash success.
"If you do as well. Can you?"
Whoa. Obviously. With Yoo Choa, cakewalk. Satisfied, nun bowed lightly and left. I eyed Yoo Choa.
After her dramatic exit and quick return, she shut up briefly, then declared boldly.
"Hmph. In for it now—what can ya do? Alright, I'll hustle too! Let's do this! Azarazar!"
Yeah. Let's hustle. Rare chance.