Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Dungeon Practical Training (2)
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Baek A-young gave me a sly grin as she looked my way, then approached.
"Ta-da. Surprised, right? It's a surprise~."
Her face lit up with a bright smile as she said that, and it was pretty cute.
It was a different charm from a woman's sexy, seductive allure. She had this appeal that made you want to protect her and keep her safe.
"Whoa, I really am surprised. To run into you here, A-young. It feels kinda weird."
"It's different from meeting outside, right? This is the adult vibe."
She looked pleased to be showing her grown-up side to someone younger like me.
If anything, it makes me want to protect her even more.
Hunters affiliated with the Association had to wear the neat suits provided by them.
Of course, unlike regular suits, these were versatile outfits designed for mobility and enchanted with all sorts of enhancements.
Even in that office lady look, she still gave off vibes that made you want to protect her. That was pure talent.
"Definitely... Seeing you in a suit makes you look like a real adult. At the orphanage, you felt more like a big sister, so calling you A-young didn't feel awkward. Now I'm not sure what to call you."
I played along with the atmosphere, figuring she'd like being treated like an adult.
"Oh, come on. Just keep calling me like you have been. That's what makes me comfortable."
On the left side of Baek A-young's chest was the Association's emblem: a dragon ascending to the heavens.
The color of the yeouiju orb it held was yellow.
The color of the yeouiju indicated your rank in the Association.
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, navy, purple.
Yellow was third.
But third place meant something big—red was for the Chairman, orange for the executives right below.
Simply put, red for the CEO of a massive corporation, orange for the top execs.
That gave you a sense of Baek A-young's position.
Her healing magic attribute was rare, and her skills were top-notch.
If you're still breathing, she'll save you—that said it all.
"Got it. I stopped by the orphanage last weekend, and they said you'd come and gone. You heading there this weekend too?"
"Ah, probably not for a bit. I've got a helper request for a dungeon raid I have to join."
"I see..."
Just like she was dispatched to the academy now, Baek A-young got sent out as a helper to various guilds too.
"This is your first dungeon practical for you, right, Ho-yeon? They say you take the exam after three sessions, so we'll see each other three more times."
She flashed a bright smile.
She sure smiles a lot. Hard to believe a girl like this has such perverse tastes.
"Yeah. Take good care of me those three times. I'm weak, so I'll probably need you a lot."
"Oh dear, come too often and you're on the blacklist."
As we chatted, I thought to myself,
A-young, next class, the dungeon will overrun, so this is the only time we'll meet...
And that would be the moment to conquer her.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Groups 1 through 10 had entered the first dungeon.
I was in Group 13, so second wave. Our group hung back, watching the front groups.
Nam Da-eun and the guy were MIA, so Lumi and I watched alone.
I looked up at the sky, where a massive hologram screen showed the first wave in action.
"Whoa, that's cool. Invisible eyes follow every single participant."
"Yeah. They'll follow us too once we're in?"
"Probably."
Some artifact used by mages, but I didn't know the details.
Lumi was clearly more relaxed with just us two and struck up conversation.
"Whoa, Group 7 really stands out."
"Well, they've got Elise."
Ten groups dropped into one dungeon, each at different spots, but one exit.
Positions were calculated precisely, so exit difficulty was similar for all.
Group 7, led by Elise, was breaking through at insane speed.
Elise dashed forward, slashing her sword sideways.
Kyarruk!
The goblin mobs of the dungeon got sliced apart effortlessly.
Their blood splattered, bodies bisected, lives snuffed out.
Sizzle—
Where her sword passed, goblin flesh burned and smoked.
"Whoa, first time seeing it up close. That's the famous magic swordsman."
"...Yeah."
Magic swordsman? Cringe as hell.
In the game, depending on whether the protagonist went mage or swordsman, Elise leaned one way or the other.
If magic focus, she was called a cool "battle mage."
But this was reality—no such flair.
Even with me as a mage, she was just a magic swordsman. Battle mage sounded better, what a shame.
Magic swordsman fit her perfectly, though.
Using both magic and swordplay—what else you gonna call it?
Most magic swordsmen ended up mediocre jacks-of-all-trades.
Early promise faded; neither reached true heights.
But Elise was different.
Destructive talent in sword and magic.
One alone would've made her a generational genius. She had both—selfish genes.
Right now, she infused magic into her blade for physical magic blasts: inefficient, but amplified impact on hit.
Later, she'd swing swords while chantless-spamming spells—balance-breaking power.
"That was seriously cool..."
"What was?"
"Huh? Nothing. Never mind."
Group 7 with Elise was overwhelming. Their speed meant no clashes with others; straight to exit.
Lucy's Group 8 wasn't bad either.
Lucy kept up constant fire arrows from the rear, dealing damage and controlling foes.
Group 7 dominated; Group 8 led the pack otherwise.
"Still, Lucy's in second."
"Her group vibes well. Wherever Lucy's been since childhood, it's always been cheerful. Not for me, though. Hehe."
"People just don't see your charm. I like your type better; more comfortable."
She was self-reflecting mid-chat, so I gave her a nice spin.
"Y-Yeah? Oh, me too! I really like you too, Ho-yeon."
"Huh?"
"N-No, nothing. I mean it... isn't..."
Lumi suddenly half-confessed, then fiddled with her red ribbon hair tie, pretending otherwise.
I didn't know how to put it, but Lumi had this urge-to-comfort charm, different from Baek A-young's.
💖 Heroine Status Window 💖 ❤️ Favorability: 66 💋 Lust: 60 🍽️ Appetite: 10 😴 Fatigue: 25 [Lumi] After drinking together, her favorability and lust shot up big time.
Never thought Lumi, not Moon Soo-rin, would be first to conquer.
At 66 favorability, she'd accept a confession, but things weren't progressing. Woke up in a motel after drinks last time—awkward for me to suggest more booze.
No way otaku Lumi confesses first.
"Oh! Group 7 already cleared."
I checked the screen at Lumi's words—Elise's group was done.
Elise impassively straightened her disheveled clothes for medical check; her teammates looked like, "Bus ride's nice, but scores...?"
Soon Lucy's Group 8 finished, others following one by one.
Lee Byung-hoon drifted back to our spot.
"Where's Miss Nam Da-eun? We should prep soon."
"I'll go look."
"Hm, wasn't around when I searched. Maybe resting in a corner?"
I followed his advice, left the student lounge, checked quiet spots.
Then heard Nam Da-eun's voice around a corner.
"Don't worry. Has sis ever lost? We'll take first today too. Gotta go soon—talk later."
"Yeah! Love you, sis!"
"...Yeah. Love you too. So much."
A gentle tone unlike her usual. Warmth for someone precious.
I peeked half my face out.
Nam Da-eun teary-eyed, staring at a hologram.
Video call—a little girl's face floated before her.
The girl spoke; Nam Da-eun smiled.
Expression full of emotion, unlike her stoic norm.
Stoic had sculpted beauty, but smiling made her shine brighter.
"..."
That girl's her little sister.
💖 Heroine Status Window 💖 ❤️ Favorability: 11 💋 Lust: 10 🍽️ Appetite: 30 😴 Fatigue: 83 [Nam Da-eun] Her abnormally high fatigue screamed how tough her situation was.
I slipped away quietly without being spotted.
Head hurt thinking how to approach Nam Da-eun.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Back at our spot. Lumi and Lee Byung-hoon asked about Nam Da-eun; said I couldn't find her.
She arrived soon. Others didn't notice, but I spotted the faint moisture around her eyes.
First wave fully cleared; rest time before second wave.
Before me, first-wave cadets returned from the practical.
Injured headed to Baek A-young. Only 40 total (10 groups of 4), so she handled them solo.
"It's okay. Slowly now, close your eyes, deep breaths. It'll be over soon."
"Urk, haa, haa, haa..."
Some had severe wounds.
This was real dungeon combat training. Oversight eyes prevented worst cases, but accidents happened.
"Groups 11 to 20, prep now!"
"Time to get ready."
"Yes!"
"Okay."
"..."
Groups 11-20 went to their assigned professors.
Ours was A-Class homeroom prof Kim Jin-hyuk.
He led us to the building basement.
"No talking on the way. Don't panic; we're almost there."
Soon, a door opened to a room with a magic circle portal.
From here, academy teleporter to the managed test dungeon.
"Portal to your group's assigned coords. Step right in."
Honestly scared, I hesitated. Lumi too, glancing over.
"You'll figure it out inside—where you are, how to move. No prior info given."
No hints on dungeon type, monsters, escape route. Judgment and discovery skills evaluated.
Kim Jin-hyuk finished briefing, stepped aside from the portal.
Nam Da-eun plunged in without a second thought; Lee Byung-hoon followed.
"Let's go quick, Lumi."
"Y-Yeah. Kinda tense."
Stepped in cautiously with Lumi. Bright light enveloped us, brief dizziness—opened eyes to a totally different space.
Mana-thick air, damp dirt floor. Water dripped from the ceiling.
Cave-type dungeon. Nam Da-eun and Lee Byung-hoon already scouting.
Cave layouts were easier for pathfinding in training. Straight ahead eventually hit exit.
But scores would suck that way.
I felt like group leader. No one stepping up, so I had to.
"Guys, head forward first. To scout the exit..."
Bam—!
Before I finished, air burst—Nam Da-eun bolted ahead.
"..."
"Hey! Catch up quick!"
Lee Byung-hoon dashed after.
"Ho-yeon, hurry!"
"Uh, yeah. Let's go."
Weird. Wasn't I leader?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Damn, she's fast! Seriously."
We three scrambled to keep up with Nam Da-eun's tail.
Monsters appeared; her speed never dropped.
Kraaaaaah!
Chrome bats, common in cave dungeons.
They swarmed 10+, threatened with huge wings, then zipped in with steel-hard wing strikes.
Normally, 15 bats tied down 4 cadets for 5 minutes.
Not strong, but fast and annoying.
But Nam Da-eun led us.
She paused, drew sword.
Shing—! Slash-crackle—
She vanished from sight, reappeared in iaido stance, casual.
Thud thud.
Mangled chrome bat corpses rained down.
"Whoa, that's Nam Da-eun's acceleration..."
Lumi muttered soul-lessly.
Didn't see a thing. For real?
Nam Da-eun emotionlessly shook blood off her blade, sheathed it, resumed sprint.
Ridiculous imbalance, but no time to complain—we hurried after.
Five minutes in, doubts crept.
"Mm, bus is rolling smooth, but..."
She shredded sporadic mobs; path straight and easy.
This was Nam Da-eun's express bus.
Loved the bus, but...
"Yeah, true..."
"Hey, at this rate, we get zero points!"
Lee Byung-hoon was right—we'd score nothing.
Pitted Elise's teammates earlier; now it was us.
Nam Da-eun figured solo-max other scores despite team score zero.
"Haa, catch up first."
"Yes, got it!"
Fortunately, she stopped in a clearing.
We rushed in—10 branching paths.
She pondered quickest route.
Mana surged in her again.
Gonna pick random on luck.
I spoke fast before she bolted.
"I think I know which way."
She glanced back at me.
Finally, the bus passenger's turn.