Chapter 161: The Last Nemesis Before Summer Vacation (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 161: The Last Nemesis Before Summer Vacation (3)
“Ugh, seriously. My mood is totally ruined.”
“Do you really dislike her that much?”
As soon as we took our seats at the cafe—where we’d gathered to officially start planning our summer vacation—Ha-ni let out a burst of frustration.
“Well, do you like her? She’s got such a shitty attitude.”
Normally, she would have just let it go, but seeing how she kept bringing it up, she must have been truly incensed.
“Still, wasn’t that last part kind of funny? She turned bright red and ran away,” I said.
“That’s true. Pfft, now that I think about it, it is funny. Ah, she came all fired up like that, but she didn’t even get to meet the person herself.”
On the other hand, unlike Ha-ni, Ga-eul was acting as if something was weighing on her mind.
“…At first, she was hostile, then she immediately switched to another guy, and she even tried to trigger his sympathy? But unlike me, she has drill hair, a weird way of speaking, and she’s even a platinum blonde. Isn’t she like… a strictly superior version of me…?”
…What kind of bizarre thing is she worried about?
It’s okay, Ga-eul. At least she didn’t sit on a desk. Your ‘Butt’ image is safe; there’s no overlap there.
“Anyway, I hate her so damn much,” Ha-ni grumbled.
“I agree, she is a bit unpleasant. It’s unsightly how she switched targets the moment she lost to me,” Lee Yu-na added.
At Yu-na’s words, both Lilac and I flinched.
To everyone else, it certainly looked that way, but Lilac and I suspected the reason she suddenly changed her target was far from that.
“You, too—don’t go giving a flighty girl like that any attention.”
Suddenly, the arrow was pointed at me.
“I wasn’t even thinking about it, okay?”
“But it is a bit strange. If she’s just looking at faces, why didn’t she cling to Yu-hak?” Ju Ri-ra murmured, tilting her head in confusion.
Well, the cause was likely that I had suppressed the demonic energy that was about to go berserk when she couldn’t overcome her old feelings that day. But even considering that, her reaction seemed a bit extreme.
Come to think of it, the fact that she skipped Cheon Yu-hak and went straight for Lilac proved she wasn’t choosing based on looks alone.
While Lilac had a warm, handsome vibe, Cheon Yu-hak was the type of sculpted beauty with delicate lines but a masculine edge. If she were falling for someone purely based on their face, she should have made a move on Cheon Yu-hak too.
Even if she were judging competence based on grades, Cheon Yu-hak didn’t particularly feel inferior to Lilac.
That meant Lilac had something Cheon Yu-hak didn’t.
…The Holy Sword?
Lilac’s talent. And demonic energy.
The pieces in my head were starting to click together one by one.
I could see the rough outline, but because of small gaps in information, I couldn’t derive the exact answer yet. In the first place, when I met her before my regression, she was already a considerably twisted woman.
There was definitely something there.
— Captain, you’re an idiot. An idiot who’s the only one who doesn’t know what everyone else already knows.
…If she was going to be hateful, she should have just stayed hateful. Why did she have to go and make me feel attached to her?
“Ah, let’s stop talking about this! I said let’s finish making summer plans instead of being gloomy!”
It was nice to see everyone agreeing with Ga-eul, but had they forgotten there was still one event left before summer vacation?
“Guys, I hate to pour cold water on the mood when things are heating up, but aren’t you going to prepare for the final exams?”
“Hmm? Is there anything special to prepare? Won’t it be similar to the midterms?”
Lilac spoke for the group, and everyone seemed to be in agreement.
“Hey, unlike the midterms, we have to take the comprehensive evaluation. Aren’t you guys going to get ready for that?”
“Ah, I wondered what you were talking about. That’s ultimately decided by how well we’ve done on a regular basis anyway.”
“The type of exam changes every year anyway, so does it really matter if we start worrying about it now?”
“Hehe, as long as I don’t fail the exam, it’s fine. So-hyun, you’re acting like a loser for the first time in a while!”
“It’ll probably be a solo play exam anyway, so what’s the point in putting in effort from now?”
It was Lilac, Cheon Yu-hak, Ga-eul, and Lee Yu-na in that order. As expected, they all had the confidence of top-tier students—except for Ga-eul.
But if you guys stay this careless, you’re going to get burned. Even before my regression, the professors prepared the final exams quite rigorously, saying this year’s freshmen were high-level.
Perhaps because the incidents this time around were resolved more easily, the exams might be a bit milder, but it certainly won’t be a total playground.
It served as a way to tighten the discipline of the freshmen who were starting to slack off with vacation around the corner, and it was also the point where training to truly become heroes began in earnest.
In the original story, and in my life before regression, the final comprehensive evaluation was always the same.
A fluid exam that pretends to be an individual match at the start but actually requires team play.
“Still, you’re right. It might be a good idea to decide once and for all who’s on top this time.”
“Should the winner buy drinks?”
“Ayy, Lilac. If we’re going to bet, why just drinks? Let’s bet something big.”
It was good that they were fired up with competitive spirit, but they’d better be prepared to cooperate, or they’d be in for a rough time.
The event that immediately comes to mind when you think of academy-themed final exams.
Deserted Island Survival.
Ah, of course, it wasn’t actually a deserted island, but a survival match set on a pseudo-deserted island was waiting for them.
Except this time, it came with a side of villains hunting heroes.
Memories from before my regression suddenly surfaced.
The professors, acting out the roles of ruthless villains, had hunted the cadets. I had tried to finish it quickly because it was a hassle, but I got caught by Lilac and was dragged around against my will.
Thinking back, it was all a memory.
But I didn’t want to experience it again.
It was terrifying as hell.
With summer vacation right around the corner, it looked like I’d be able to spend the little bit of the first semester that remained without a single moment of boredom.
* * *
“No, this makes no sense! It’s unfair! Why can’t I go?!”
On the sky island of Arcadia.
A man was clinging desperately as if he couldn’t believe this was happening.
War Demon Seo Tae-ho.
He was deeply dissatisfied with being the only one excluded from this mission.
“…And whose fault is it for proudly showing your face while committing a terrorist act? There was a witness, so it can’t be helped.”
“That’s right, dummy. This time, the mission was received from the hero side, not the villain side, so you can’t participate.”
The reason he couldn’t participate in this mission was simple.
Because he had exposed his face and left a witness alive during the last operation, he could no longer use a disguised identity.
Well, if they were determined to change his face, it wasn’t impossible, but creating a disguised identity wasn’t something that could be done instantly. Kalia decided to exclude him from this mission, thinking it would be a good punishment for someone who usually refused to cover his face, claiming it was a hassle.
“Captain. Please, think about it one more time. No, please, I beg of you. Ah, if it’s the Academy, think of how many interesting guys there will be! They even said we can go all out for the exam this time?!”
Kalia looked at him, swallowing the words, ‘That’s exactly why I don’t want to take you,’ in her heart.
“That’s why I told you to use a perception-blocking artifact or a mask properly. There’s no taking it back; consider this a lesson to be careful in the future.”
“It was never a problem before!”
“It was a problem, but the other members worked hard to clean up after you. And usually, the witnesses were all villains, so you just slaughtered them all before leaving.”
“Ah, jeez. Just listen to the Captain! You’re house-sitting this time! The Captain and I are going on a date, just the two of us!”
“…Cho-hong, I don’t think that’s quite right either. We’re going there to work.”
“This is un-fair!”
“Ugh, shut up…!”
…Is this place actually an orphanage? Had I actually become an orphanage director instead of the boss of a Villain Alliance?
Kalia felt a mix of longing and resentment toward the ‘Mister’ who had dumped the responsibility on her and vanished, claiming she was the only one he could trust with this place.
“The Academy.”
Kalia thought of the boy who possessed a Fragment of Omnipotence that resonated with her own talent.
He was an interesting boy in many ways.
The way he acted and bluffed while wearing a mask was impressive, and the proposal he made about collaborating was also quite intriguing.
It was also surprising that he had been acknowledged by Tae-ho—whether he had been hiding his strength or had truly grown that much in that short span of time.
The mission they received this time.
In this dull mission to participate in the Academy’s final comprehensive evaluation as external personnel, she thought he might provide some good stimulation.
“I! WANT! TO! GO! TOO!”
“…Seriously, please just be quiet.”
* * *
Time flies when there are no incidents.
Morning training with the Professor, spending daily life at the Academy, and sending a clone whenever the kids asked to hang out.
As I spent my days as usual, the day of the comprehensive evaluation finally arrived.
It would have been nice if there was the romance of traveling by boat, but unfortunately, in a world with portals, romance is a luxury. It seemed we were moving via portal.
The professor in charge was explaining things quite diligently, but honestly, no one was really listening, which was a bit pitiful.
I should at least listen properly.
“You’ve likely heard the basic explanation already, but for the sake of safety, I will explain it once more.”
…Wow, but his voice is so sleep-inducing it’s almost criminal. Why did this person have to be the one making the announcement? Even if the kids fall asleep, they should be found innocent.
“As previously announced, the exam will take place over a total of three days. You will see ten portals in front of you. Using these portals will transport you to a random location within the exam area. Afterward, you can earn points by competing with other cadets or completing the missions found in the bags we’ve distributed.”
Come to think of it, what was I doing instead of listening to this before I regressed?
“To take another cadet’s points, you simply need to take the bracelet they are currently wearing and bring it close to your own. Also, be aware that there are special NPC-like individuals on the island besides the cadets. If you get lost or lose consciousness, removing your bracelet will immediately signal for rescue, so there is no need to worry.”
Ah, right. I remember now. I had dozed off, grumbling about how it was all stuff I already knew and how much of a hassle it was.
But looking at it now, the explanation is truly malicious. I mean, if he says it like that, the kids will obviously think the NPCs are friendly entities.
Who would ever imagine that when they say they’ll rescue you, they’d also personally create the targets that need rescuing?
“Alright, then. It seems the basic explanation is over, so we will begin the exam! Please enter the portals in the order your names are called!”
Some entered with confident faces, while others hesitated, but those who hesitated weren’t delayed for long as the professors kindly pushed them in by force.
“Next!”
Ah, it’s my turn.
I didn’t want to be a hassle, and since it was a place I roughly knew, I stepped through the portal lightly.
Before my regression, I had dropped into the middle of a forest, which was a bit inconvenient.
The sensation of my vision inverting and my position shifting was slightly unpleasant.
“Oh.”
The first thing that caught my eye was an endless forest.
“Of course…”
Well, let’s just think of it as a good thing.
Rather than being marked as a target in an open area, it might be better to just chill and watch the show at first.
First, let’s just take a quick look at the backpack and try to set up a base camp.
With that thought, I opened the bag.
Inside were emergency rations—far too few to be considered enough for three days—and a note with a mission written on it.
And an emergency flare and a lighter, I guess?
Just as I was about to check the mission, I heard a rustling sound. I quickly packed the bag and turned toward the source of the noise.
“Oh!?”
I hoped it would be one of my friends, but unfortunately, seeing as they were faces I’d never seen before, it seemed they were ‘cadets’ from another class.
Probably guys who had entered through the portals before me?
“Um, hello friends? The exam just started, so how about we give each other a cheer and then part ways? I think it’s a great idea. Go, go! Fighting!”
Because I have a kind personality, I tried to give those friends a chance.
I didn’t plan on hunting from the first day either; in fact, earning too many points on the first day is actually dangerous.
However, as always, they ignored my goodwill.
“Whoa, did you guys plan this? How are three of you already teamed up?”
Their balance was even good.
One swordsman, one archer, and the last one was keeping their distance, likely a rear-support type.
“The three of us happened to drop nearby and decided to form an alliance.”
“…Hey, then instead of being hostile, you should have proposed an alliance to me too. Why am I the only one being left out?”
“If we’re a team of four, when are we ever going to earn points by hunting people one by one?”
Actually? Even four won’t be enough. Everyone cooperating is the most ideal form.
Well, I suppose there’s no way you guys would know that.
Since I’m generous, I’m going to try to persuade them one more time.
“Let’s not do thi—”
With a ping sound, an arrow grazed past me.
“Ah! I missed!”
…I dodged it, you bastard. You aimed for my head without even hesitating?
The safety devices were likely active, but it still felt like shit.
“Right, what’s the point of persuading? Anyway, by tomorrow, the survivors will all be laying low on their own.”
Let’s see.
I transformed Ruyi into a short sword and gripped it in my hand.
It wasn’t that I couldn’t finish this in one go, but saying ‘Grow’ would be too conspicuous, wouldn’t it?
“If he’s a close-range swordsman, we can easily suppress him as long as we maintain our distance! Everyone, maintain formation!”
Yeah, not a bad judgment.
If your opponent’s level is similar to yours, that is.
“Huh?”
I didn’t need to go as far as using Reinforcement, but to finish it surely without letting my guard down, I cut off a piece of Innate True Qi and wrapped it around my body.
The sword swung, and a Black Flower bloomed.
I’m not at the level where I have to grovel to the likes of you anymore.
It was a start to the exam that was quite flashy, if I do say so myself.