Chapter 24
Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: Dungeon Practice
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Time flew by, and Friday arrived.
After classes ended.
I was chatting with Lucy and Lumi in the classroom.
"Ho-yeon... We can really make our club, right?"
"Don't worry. I'll handle it."
"If Ho-yeon says not to worry, then it'll be fine, Lucy."
"Yeah, I'll trust you...!"
The twins' sparkling eyes were a bit overwhelming.
Once today passed, no new clubs could be established this semester.
Of course, there hadn't been a single update from the club department.
It was almost certain now. There was only one possible source of trouble.
The Mana Research Club. They'd made the first move.
They'd declared war first, so I had no choice but to counter.
Preparations were already complete, so I headed confidently to the club department.
Lucy and Lumi trailed close behind me like little ducklings.
I told them both to stay out and not get involved.
"Why? Let me go in and ask too. Wouldn't it be better with more people?"
"Sure, but I'm going as a student council executive."
"Oh, got it! I don't know what's up, but okay!"
Mentioning student council got them to agree quietly. Power really was nice.
I checked the new club registration desk. Instead of the male student from before, a girl I'd never seen was manning it today.
Her face was the type where you could slap the word "diligent" on it instead of features and it wouldn't look out of place.
"Hello. I'm here for new club registration."
"Yes. Do you have all the paperwork ready?"
"I submitted it last time, but it got delayed due to a system error. Has it been processed?"
"Oh, let me check."
"The club president is Lucy, three members. Club name is [Let's Play Club]."
The girl typed enthusiastically on the computer, then gave a puzzled look.
"Sorry, but there's no record of that club at all..."
"Oh, junior. Back again?"
That's when an annoying face blocked my view.
The club president cut her off and jumped in.
"President..."
"Looks like the newbie made a mistake since it's her first day. Ho-yeon's club had tons of issues on paper. The sub-room's already taken by another club, and the advisor prof rejected it."
They'd dragged it out for days, so of course they'd rigged it all. His snickering pissed me off.
"Ah, so that's why it didn't go through?"
"Yes. Too bad. Why not scout a new room and advisor now? You've got until this afternoon—plenty of time if you hustle."
Now he was openly mocking me. He knew it was impossible no matter what.
Indeed, when I'd checked personally, every room was full. Every prof had refused.
But the club president probably didn't know.
That I had the connections to handle it all.
"Aha. So if I bring a club room and advisor, it's good?"
"Yes. You've got until 6 p.m., so about two hours lef—"
"No problem. I got them already."
"Hm?"
Before the club president could question it, I handed over new paperwork.
Everything was perfectly prepared beforehand—no hesitation.
"Pfft, what a joke. Advisor is Professor Im Sol, and room is student council promo sub-department? Even if you're council juniors, there's a limit to favoritism. Junior Ho-yeon."
"Cut the crap and process it."
"...What did you say?"
"I got all the approvals. Just enter it in the system. President."
"...Jeez. Think you're tight with the president just 'cause promo scouted you? She's nice to everyone. You're seriously deluded."
Then he called someone on his smartwatch.
"Yes, Student Council President. This is head club president Park Min-kang. One of the new promo recruits is demanding a sub-room for his personal club. Ridiculous."
Park Min-kang. A name I had zero interest in remembering. I'd just call him club president.
He smirked smugly at me. I wondered how long that face would last.
"Yes, and he wants Professor Im Sol as advisor, but as his senior here, I'll guide him myse—...Yes? What?"
The guy's eyes widened as he stared at his smartwatch.
"Yes, yes. Sorry. I'll confirm properly next time. Yes. Thank you for your hard work."
He bowed repeatedly to thin air and hung up.
Click.
"Hurry and update the system. I'm short on time."
"No way... The rumors about you being close to Professor Im Sol are true...? But how even the president...?"
His extra-like reaction was draining my energy. Feels like a waste tussling with an extra.
"Whatever. Do it in front of me. I want to confirm no errors."
"...I'll reject this on my own judgment as club president. Too many issues with the paperwork. Don't want needless drama."
"Ah, what a pain."
"W-what?"
"Screw it, asshole. Too annoying to play along anymore."
I was done pandering to this prick. I could tolerate for heroines or girls, but a guy demanding respect? No way.
Lucy and Lumi were waiting outside, and he'd sent the girl away, so no witnesses.
I pulled out my smartwatch and called.
"Hey, Soo-rin noona. I'm on the 16th floor, new club dept. Can you come for a sec? Trouble."
"S-Soo-rin noona? What are you...?"
I'd tried handling it solo, but with his antics, no choice.
Time to fight dirty.
Bam!
Less than a minute later, Moon Soo-rin burst through the door.
Even sprinting from the 17th floor, not a hair out of place.
Our cool noona! Give this guy hell!
"President. Keeps being trouble with new club registration. Club president rejecting without reason—looks like foul play."
"W-what are you saying! President, nothing like that!"
"Hm, we'll see."
"President! You're believing this guy who joined a week ago over me? I've been club president since the council started, giving my all!"
"I know, I know. Just checking. Why so defensive? Guilty conscience?"
"No, not that, but..."
His shrinking face in real-time was hilarious.
Too easy. Should've called Soo-rin noona sooner instead of dragging it out.
After watching him get verbally shredded, I thanked her and left.
Club establishment: success.
No matter the Mana Research Club pressure, council president stepping in was unbeatable.
I approached Lucy and Lumi waiting outside.
"Ho-yeon! How'd it go?!"
"The student council president ran in earlier... D-did something happen?"
"All good. Handled it. Here's the club paperwork."
"Whoa! But the sub-room's student council promo...? Isn't that wrong?"
"Just registered that way. We'll switch to 205 later. No worries."
He'd filled the rest with fake clubs. They'd vanish after today anyway. Perfect timing.
"Advisor's Professor Im Sol?"
"Yeah, pulled strings. She's just lending the name. Relax."
"Phew, glad it's done. Thanks so much today! Making a club with Lumi was my dream! See you in the club room next time!"
"Thank you, Ho-yeon."
Twins, but such different vibes.
Still, accomplished something—feels good.
Next time trouble hits, call Soo-rin noona right away.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ ⚙ QUEST COMPLETED! ⚙ ★ Heroine Status Window ⚔ STATUS ⚔ [Lucy] Favorability: 33 Lust: 15 Appetite: 30 Fatigue: 30 Completing the quest raised Lucy's favorability.
💬 Chat — Me Thanks for today, Soo-rin noona. I'll buy you a meal later. — Soo-rin noona No biggie. Mana Research Club seems connected to the head club dept. I'll handle this and report back. Sorry as council rep. — Me It's not your fault, noona. The underlings ignoring you are the problem. — Soo-rin noona Lol. Thanks! But I'll take that meal. Looking forward to it? (Rabbit lighting fireworks emoji) With so many heroines, managing them all at once is tough.
I won't really get stabbed on the boat and die, right?
Weekend's Baek A-young's volunteer spot, plus my training and studies—no slacking.
Gotta do what must be done, even if annoying. Saturday: Sunlight Orphanage then training. Sunday: training then studying.
"Sigh. If you wear the crown, bear the weight."
To be harem king, endure the weight.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The weekend ended, and Monday dawned.
Somehow, the weekend felt harder than weekdays.
Too much to do.
Plus, at the orphanage Saturday, our times didn't align, so I missed Baek A-young.
Still, consistent visits build a record—no suspicions. Not pointless.
Sunday, meditated in the meditation room, raised Magic Power stat by 1.
After days investing there for +1 stat, felt a bit hollow.
Clear a few quests and stats copy over!
Today was finally dungeon practice day.
In front of the classroom, homeroom prof Kim Jin-hyuk was briefing the cadets earnestly.
"Safety first. Safety second. Dungeon practice has the most accidents."
The cadets listened with bright eyes, no boredom.
Dungeon practice felt like real fieldwork—everyone excited.
"Enter in groups. Same groups from semester start. By now, you should trust each other with your backs."
Surprisingly, since grouping day, no chats with group except Lumi.
Nam Da-eun vanishes without a word; the guy's indifferent.
"Final personal checks, then deploy. Practice starts in 30 minutes."
Nothing to prep, so found my group.
Lumi trotted over after eye contact; found the guy and Da-eun soon after.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Haa..."
Comrades who should have each other's backs—zero rapport.
The guy Lee Byung-hoon who'd chased Da-eun relentlessly now sat silent after her stonewall.
I just worried about the practice.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Don't like it."
"Huh? What's up, Jin-hyuk?"
"That Lee Ho-yeon punk. Face makes my blood boil every time."
Do Jin-hyuk was chatting with his posse from the back seat.
As Lee Ho-yeon and Lumi passed, Do Jin-hyuk's face hardened.
"Yeah! Same, annoys me every time!"
"R-right. Switched from swordsman to mage showboating, cozying up to council president, rumors of trouble with Prof Im Sol—total attention whore, right?"
"Sounds like it. That's why he bugs you, Jin-hyuk?"
"..."
Do Jin-hyuk found this sensation odd.
Those reasons were part, but mere annoyances.
Deep instinctive disgust welled from his chest.
Like engraved in his heart from birth.
"Yeah. Seems so."
But he accepted the emotion.
He could question or suppress it, but chose to embrace and express.
Such choices fit his destined villain role.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Dungeon practice training began.
Drew lots for entry order. Our group 13th.
Ten groups per first dungeon. As 13th, second wave.
Waiting groups watched prior waves on giant hologram screens.
Different dungeons per wave—fair.
"..."
"..."
Unlike chattering groups bonding and relaxing, ours sat silently like a heavy stew. Feeling stuffy, I got up for the bathroom.
Heading there, a gang "accidentally" bumped my shoulder—clear intent.
"Oops, sorry. My bad."
"Kukuku, why apologize to an attention whore? He'd love the attention."
Turned: Do Jin-hyuk and lackeys.
What the hell did I do to them?
No offenses, barely interacted—why?
Being protagonist the crime?
Bullying starts over nothing, but this was too much.
"Watch out in the dungeon. Might mistake you for a monster and stab. Heh."
A scrawny lackey sneered.
"I'll blast you with magic on sight, so dodge."
"What? This fucker..."
Dog-like talk got dog-like reply.
Again: no courtesy or concessions to guys.
Lackey drew sword in bruised ego; I raised mana.
Not to fight—minimal defense.
"Cut it out. Eyes everywhere."
Do Jin-hyuk intervened from behind.
Lackey retreated reluctantly.
"Tch. Lucky."
Third-rate villain lines from where?
Do Jin-hyuk eyed me, then turned away.
Some cadets glanced over. I left to avoid more eyes.
'In the dungeon, "accidentally" blast him with magic.'
Returned to seat.
They were introducing association-dispatched hunters for the practice.
"Hello. I'm Baek A-young."
Of course, dispatched Baek A-young stood mid-lineup.
"Whoa, it's the Saintess! Saintess!"
"Wanna protect her so bad... Gotta join the association."
"Was all 'gonna join council after seeing president,' now association?"
Called "Saintess" partly for that looks.
Black straight hair to waist, snow-white skin, blue eyes. Pure, unadorned face stirred protective instincts.
Everyone who'd talked to her looked awestruck—her popularity obvious even to newbies.
She got shy about the "Saintess" title, though.
Scanning around, she spotted me, gave a small wave.
'Seeing a pretty girl dials down the hate.'
That's why pretty girls exist.
Fighting weirdos, then her face—anger gone.
Hunter intros ended; she smirked at me, approached.
"Ta-da. Surprised? Surprise~."
Her beaming smile was pretty cute.