Chapter 2: A Turbulent Entrance Ceremony (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 2: A Turbulent Entrance Ceremony (2)
How should I describe Cheon Yu-hak?
He was a character who was selfish by nature and lived entirely for his own ego.
Perhaps it was because he had a prestigious family background, innate talent, and handsome looks to boot. While his self-esteem literally pierced the heavens, I recall that surprisingly few readers actually hated him.
Well, things change a bit in the latter half due to certain circumstances, but for now, the important thing was that he was a guy who lived for his own vanity.
That’s why, when this incident originally broke out, Cheon Yu-hak chose to remain a bystander, claiming there was no need for someone like him to step forward just to catch mere Orcs. He even went as far as mocking the protagonist, saying that cleaning up low-tier species suited him perfectly.
The early development of the novel involved him getting into an argument with the protagonist’s party after the incident was resolved, precisely because he hadn’t stepped in despite having the ability to do so.
Yet, he had ignored the original plot and attacked the Orc that was pressing the protagonist.
Why on earth?
“A mutated monster is not a bad choice for this body’s first hunt at the Academy.”
Ah, I see. He just wanted to strike a pose by beating down a unique monster that appeared at the entrance ceremony.
I suppose that personality of his, loving to show off, wasn’t going anywhere.
Hmm, anyway, I acted on impulse, but the plot has diverged significantly more than I expected.
The two Orcs are being handled by the instructor and the protagonists respectively, so they’ll likely be defeated without issue. The cadets who were supposed to die in the explosion have all survived safely.
Furthermore, the other cadets—who should have been in a state of pandemonium, shocked by the deaths and the sight of their first real monster—were maintaining a strange sense of calm. Some were even openly cheering for the protagonist or the teacher.
In other words, the villains’ terror attack had essentially become a failure.
Of course, their original goal was to prove that the Academy was not an impregnable fortress, so in a way, they had succeeded. But considering the nature of the organization that caused this incident, they were bound to grind their teeth, calling it nothing short of a failure.
“If you’re hurt, don’t push yourself and stay back!”
Cheon Yu-hak overtook Lilac and drove a spear, longer than his own height, into the Orc’s skull.
“Hmph. I thought it would be at least a mid-tier species, but it’s nothing special.”
Trampling the corpse of the Orc that had died instantly, Cheon Yu-hak looked toward the crowd, flaunting himself with an arrogant attitude.
For the record, a human capable of hunting the monster Cheon Yu-hak just easily defeated could make a living as a private hunter or adventurer right now. To put it another way, it wasn’t a monster just anyone could take down so simply.
Then again, Cheon Yu-hak wasn’t just “anyone.” He was a natural-born warrior with the talent Unrivaled, and one of the two protagonists of this novel.
Unrivaled.
An A-rank talent that showed genius in all kinds of weaponry and martial arts. It was an insane ability where the more he fought and the more enemies he faced, the stronger he became.
The description might make it seem unimpressive, but in this world where mana actually exists, perfected martial arts were never something to be ignored.
Almost simultaneously, the remaining Orc fell at the hands of the professor, who had regained his composure.
Lilac was smiling, seemingly relieved that no one was hurt, and Cheon Yu-hak was also smiling, clearly pleased with his own performance.
Did the sight of the fallen monsters and the smiling protagonists finally make the reality of their survival sink in?
Suddenly, even though it was a failed novel, the fact that I had twisted the world my friend had painstakingly conceived and created right from the start weighed strangely on my mind.
It really had zero popularity, but knowing better than anyone how hard he worked to design this world, I felt a bit… bittersweet, I suppose.
“Is it over?”
But then, I don’t know which bastard it was, but one of the onlookers began chanting a magic spell.
[The Creator is displeased with the world’s alteration.]
What did you say, you prick?
[Commencing intervention and correction for the twisted event.]
Wait, does that mean I was supposed to die…?
The atmosphere was harmonious.
Seeing as no one else expressed any unease, it seemed this annoying voice was only audible to me.
Suddenly, the word “Creator” brought my friend’s face to mind.
If I were to give her unsolicited advice on her novel and try to change it as I pleased, how would she react?
If she’s the person I know, she would try to force the novel back onto its original track by any means necessary. Or she might stubbornly write in an even greater disaster and mock me. As if to claim that my useless meddling caused even greater sacrifices.
Specifically, that meant there was a possibility she might kill even more students out of spite than originally intended.
[Correction complete. Authority exceeded. The Creator can no longer intervene in this episode.]
Through the outer wall torn open by the explosion, I saw another figure entering.
The faculty, who were now almost finished undoing their seals, and the two protagonists, who had defeated the monsters at the very front, all turned their gaze toward that individual.
“Haha.”
He scanned the crowd as if enjoying the attention, but soon showed a hint of displeasure.
“I didn’t expect that not a single person would die. I suppose I should expect no less from Leilan Academy, the so-called best in the world?”
Wow, look at that cringey dialogue…
Despite the cheesiness of his words, everyone in the room was focused on the man who had appeared. I suppose when you think it’s all over and the person who looks like the mastermind suddenly walks out, you’re bound to be interested.
But now is not the time for that, okay?
Kongjwi, we’re screwed.
No, Yu-hak, Lilac, we’re screwed…!
Although I couldn’t see the face of the bastard who spat out that cringey line because he was hiding behind a playful rabbit mask and wearing a robe, I knew his identity.
According to my database—as one of the few readers who read this godforsaken novel to the latest chapter and mastered the entire Setting Book with the authority of the author’s friend—there was only one person in this novel who wore such a shitty rabbit mask.
The mastermind behind the current terror attack and the psychopathic thrill-killer who could be called the main villain of the early part of this novel.
It was undoubtedly Choi In-ho.
“Are you the culprit?”
“Does it look that way?”
“Cadet Cheon Yu-hak. Cadet Lilac. I am grateful for your efforts in suppressing the situation to prevent it from escalating, but it is dangerous, so please step back.”
“Hmm, nice. Talented children are always dazzling. If you have the talent to defeat a variant monster at such a young age, how much stronger will you become as time passes? How much more will you be able to do?”
“Stop talking nonsense. If you surrender now, although your crime is grave for targeting students, I will show leniency so that you may avoid the death penalty, considering there were no casualties.”
“Oh, that sounds quite tempting.”
The bastard was probably laughing his head off behind that ridiculous rabbit mask right now.
“I don’t need it, so stop bullshitting.”
The moment he extended his staff from within his robe, a pre-prepared spell erupted.
Perhaps it was partly due to the surprise attack, but the instructor’s body was engulfed in flames by a magic spell of even greater power than expected.
“…!?”
…Wait, what kind of professor gets caught by a surprise attack like that?
“Haha, well, my talent isn’t exactly grand, so I didn’t expect this to kill you, but it’s going to hurt quite a bit, isn’t it? At the very least, you won’t be able to interfere with me for a while.”
As he said, his talent wasn’t particularly impressive.
A low-ranking black mage born with the common talent of Black Magic, and even then, at a low C-rank. While Black Magic is a combat-oriented talent in its own right, it isn’t particularly rare, nor does it have anything exceptional compared to other talents. It’s a truly common, dime-a-dozen talent.
So, it was true that he was unremarkable compared to those born with A-rank talents, like Lilac or Cheon Yu-hak standing before him.
“Now then, shall we… oh.”
Just as he was about to face Cheon Yu-hak and Lilac with a smirk, he lost his composure in surprise.
The momentum of the spear Cheon Yu-hak thrust was somewhat fiercer than he had anticipated.
“It seems my evaluation will rise quite a bit if I catch you.”
“Heh, well now… ugh…!?”
Before he could even steady himself, he had to roll across the floor to dodge a slash from Lilac that flew in from the side.
“If you value your life, put out those flames and surrender now.”
“My, my. Truly, my, my.”
The man groaned, facing the two geniuses.
The people around them were cheering as the two geniuses cornered the villain, but I was the only one among them who knew how dangerous the current situation was.
In terms of pure innate talent, the man was naturally no match for the two protagonists.
However, there was one thing he had that the protagonists lacked.
In the later stages—no, even by the middle of the story—it wouldn’t mean a thing, but for now, it was something that allowed even someone without talent to overwhelm the two protagonists.
That was real combat experience.
What Choi In-ho hated most was strong talent.
He harbored an inferiority complex because it was something he didn’t possess, and he believed the cause of all his failures was his lack of talent, so it was only natural.
In fact, the reason he committed this terror attack was also to trample upon young talents.
If I said he committed such an incident just to satisfy his own base sense of gratification, how many people would actually believe it?
That was when the man’s aura changed.
“My, my…”
“Stop repeating the same thing!”
“Wait…!”
As expected of the main protagonist, Lilac seemed to have sensed something strange, but Cheon Yu-hak, thinking it was just a stalling tactic, thrust his spear without hesitation.
And that was his downfall.
“This feels like shit.”
The moment a second magic tool emerged from within his robe, a spike made of lightning pierced Cheon Yu-hak’s shoulder.
“An Orb…!”
An Orb.
It was a treasure coveted by anyone with a magic-related talent. It could store a few pre-designated spells, and although the power was slightly reduced, the ability to use magic instantly without any calculation made its value in actual combat beyond description.
“Ha, fuck. I was aiming for the heart, but you twisted your body to dodge it? Every time I see these talented brats, it makes me want to puke.”
Although he avoided a fatal wound, since the lightning strike had pierced his body, Cheon Yu-hak wouldn’t be in a state to move for a while. No, a normal person would have died the moment they were pierced; it was more accurate to say he was holding on because he was Cheon Yu-hak.
As the man raised his Orb, seemingly intending to finish off the fallen Cheon Yu-hak, someone blocked his path.
Lilac.
The first protagonist of this novel and a character of the absolute good alignment.
The name of his talent was The Most Upright Holy Sword, an A-rank talent just like Cheon Yu-hak’s Unrivaled.
Unlike Cheon Yu-hak’s simple but powerful Unrivaled, Lilac’s was a rather unique talent. It provided additional corrections to every action performed with a sword, and any object he recognized and gripped as a sword could be used as a weapon possessing both Sword and Holy attributes.
“So, are you stronger than your friend rolling around on the floor?”
Lilac did not answer. He was likely wary that even an answer might trigger a spell.
“When an adult asks a question, you should answer, you brat!”
“Hup…!”
A holy aura wrapped around the sword in his hand, and the incoming fire magic was cleaved in two.
“No, what kind of monsters are these two? One gets hit by lightning and stays alive to glare at me, and the other cuts magic with a sword? Are these kids insane?”
Actually, I didn’t like the character Lilac very much.
An incarnation of self-sacrifice that couldn’t possibly exist in reality. A hero who never breaks even when facing hardships, who stands up even after failing and being criticized, and eventually defeats the enemy.
But at the same time, due to his Creator, he was a character who couldn’t properly save anyone and despaired until the very end, blaming himself.
I didn’t like that side of him.
It was the same now.
Facing an enemy he couldn’t yet defeat, he was struggling to save his rival, but he would never be able to save Cheon Yu-hak. Even if he somehow did, he wouldn’t hear anything good for it.
Because this novel was originally structured that way.
It was too early for one of the two protagonists to be retired, but if left alone, wouldn’t a large scar be left on that handsome face?
He was holding his own and defending against the magic, but that was as far as it went.
Because right now, Choi In-ho still had his trump card left.
Inside the man’s robe was a second hidden Orb.
The magic contained within it was Hellfire, which belonged to the 5th tier of fire magic.
Normally, Orbs wear down with use and break quickly when powerful magic is sealed within them, so anyone sane would refrain from sealing such magic. But Choi In-ho was a madman who committed terror attacks just to relieve his own stress.
In other words, he was the kind of guy who would do such crazy things without a second thought.
The problem was that Hellfire was a level of magic that the current protagonist could not block. At best, he might barely survive himself.
Choi In-ho widened the distance.
“You held out quite well, but it’s time to end this!”
Lilac’s face crumpled as he saw the second Orb in the man’s hand. It was likely because the aura he felt was ominous.
If Lilac dodged now, not only the injured Cheon Yu-hak and the teacher, but depending on the power of the magic, the auditorium would burn, and other students would also be harmed.
Is that why? Even though Lilac instinctively realized he couldn’t block that magic on his own, he gripped his sword even tighter.
I’ll say it again: I don’t like the character Lilac very much.
A good person who doesn’t expect a reward, a hot-blooded young man who doesn’t tolerate injustice even if his abilities are lacking. He’s not exactly the kind of character who would be popular these days, is he?
That’s why I remember often giving my friend advice about Lilac when she was writing the novel.
Nevertheless, my friend never changed the concept of absolute good that formed the foundation of Lilac’s character.
So.
That was reason enough for me to step in.
Kang So-hyun.
The character I possessed, and the character modeled after me.
A person like a white elephant, possessing an A-rank ability like the protagonist, but with such severe penalties that it couldn’t be used often.
However, the fact that it couldn’t be used often also meant it could be used at least once.
I don’t know what my friend would actually think, but I didn’t want to see a character she had painstakingly created despairing and being resented right before my eyes.
In the first place.
“I told you half-baked misery porn isn’t popular.”
Is it childish? So what if it is? Childish clichés always work better than mediocre misery porn.
“It’s too late! All of you, burn and die…!”
An unstoppable attack.
“You can block it, so don’t be scared.”
It was a bit blunt for words spoken to a protagonist about to close his eyes in anticipation of defeat, but since I didn’t say it for him to hear, it was enough. Besides, there was a distance between us, so he wouldn’t hear it anyway.
For a brief moment, a doubt flashed through my mind as to whether I could use the power of a character in a novel, but talent was talent because it could be instinctively understood and used.
Perceived time slowed down, and the blood in my body began to circulate rapidly.
A sensation of cutting away a portion of the vast energy inherent in the deepest part of my body.
A fatigue akin to pain washed over me, but the power gained in exchange was never something to be ignored.
Reinforcement.
An otherworldly power close to omnipotence, allowing one to draw out a higher level of strength from any target, dwelled within The Most Upright Holy Sword.
Perhaps because he felt that sensation.
Even facing the flames said to burn even the soul, the hero did not falter.
The light dwelling in the Holy Sword became a slash that cleaved through the fires of hell.
And with that sight as the last thing I saw, the world spun and gradually turned dark.
It was because I had consumed my Innate True Qi—my life force—as the price for using my talent…
‘Ah, fuck. Seriously. It hurts so damn much…’
This was way more agonizingly painful than I had expected.