Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Practical Exam
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Beep beep beeeep beep beep beep beep beeep beep beep beeeep beep beep beep beep beeep beep beep-
"Agh..."
What the hell kind of alarm is this?
I'd downloaded a collection of the most obnoxious morning alarms from Everyday, and sure enough, it ruined my mood every single day.
Or maybe not—it did get me up, so it was pretty effective.
Lilia was sleeping beside me again today, but Pella... well, she still preferred her main body.
There was just no mimicking a succubus's tongue work.
Today was Thursday.
Morning brought the group boss monster hunting exam. That meant rejoining the silent crew with Nam Da-eun, Lumi, and this guy named Lee Byung-hoon.
I wasn't thrilled about it, but what could I do? I'd revealed a decent chunk of my power already, so this time, I'd have a shot at carrying the team.
The afternoon practical monster training would be the same. Last time, when I was weaker, I'd barely scraped by at A-Class average. Now that I was stronger, I could aim higher.
"Today really feels like Lee Ho-yeon's day."
It was the day I'd show my true strength to everyone.
*
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "The morning group boss monster hunting exam will take place in the same testing ground as the first dungeon practical training last time. Just like before, you'll be able to watch the other groups."
During morning assembly, Instructor Kim Jin-hyuk relayed the details on today's exams.
"The afternoon practical monster training will also proceed based on your level assessment results. This one will be held in the practical arena."
It was all stuff we already knew, so I zoned out and killed time with my own thoughts.
"Don't waste time regretting your written exam scores. Focus on managing your condition and ace the practical. That's all."
With that, Kim Jin-hyuk finished up and left the classroom. The cadets started gathering in their groups one by one.
"Lucy, good luck. Lumi and I are heading out."
"Yeah. You guys too. You'll probably take first anyway, but we're giving it our all."
"Your group's got good synergy, though? Ours is basically a one-woman show with Nam Da-eun."
"True enough. Anyway, fighting!"
Lucy waved goodbye to us and went off to join her group.
"Where's our group...?"
"Beats me... We never actually assemble properly... Oh? Isn't that Lee Byung-hoon coming over?"
"Huh? Yeah, it is."
For a group that never even met up properly, having three of us together was a miracle. Midterms really did make a difference.
"Good morning, Ho-yeon. Nice to see you."
"...What?"
Lee Byung-hoon, the extra guy number one, was greeting me like we were buddies.
"I realized I never properly introduced myself even though we're in the same group. I'm Lee Byung-hoon, eldest son of the prestigious Tusar Guild."
"..."
This pattern. It was exactly like when he first approached Nam Da-eun.
Now that I'd gotten famous, he was crawling out of the woodwork to say hi?
What a guy. His consistency was almost funny.
Couldn't beat him up since we were teammates, so I'd let it slide with a smile.
"Sure. Looking forward to working with you. I'm Lee Ho-yeon."
"Yes, sir. Mind if I get your contact info?"
"Nope."
"...Understood."
"Kidding. Carry the boss hunt this time, and I'll give it to you."
"I'll do my best!"
As if. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't outdo me or Nam Da-eun.
*
The three of us headed to the boss monster hunting exam site.
Cadets were swarming the place, making it noisy as hell.
Lee Byung-hoon wouldn't shut up, so I ditched him with an excuse about hitting the bathroom.
His chatter was giving me a headache. Was that why Nam Da-eun always showed up late?
I stepped out of the stuffy exam building.
Didn't actually need the bathroom—just needed some air.
There was a nearby walking path, so I headed that way.
"Yeah, no. I love you more."
That's when I heard a woman's voice from behind the exam building, near the emergency stairs.
I muffled the sound with a rune barrier and glanced over.
It was Nam Da-eun.
She's always on the phone with her sister.
This midterm was huge for her too.
In the original game, the protagonist overtook her for first place in the second semester of freshman year or the first of sophomore year.
Taking first by the end of freshman year meant the protagonist hadn't built up enough to take on her guild alone, locking out her route.
The ending where she massacred her guild to protect her purity, killed her sister, and then herself... it was terrifying.
But taking first in the first semester of sophomore year? By then, the protagonist had a solid foundation and could fight the guild to save her.
My plan was to solidify my base by the end of freshman year and rescue her sooner.
No need to drag it out to sophomore year—better to wrap it up quick.
"Gotta go now. Yeah."
Hearing Nam Da-eun's voice, I dropped the rune barrier naturally and headed to the main entrance.
She finished her call and approached, so I greeted her.
"Hey?"
"...Yeah."
She flicked her eyes to mine, muttered a short reply, and hurried inside.
"Let's go in together. Same group."
"..."
Nam Da-eun bolted into the exam hall without a word.
Prickly as ever.
Next exam, I'd have to start working on her route, but how the hell was I supposed to break the ice?
I rejoined our group.
"You're here...!"
Lumi beamed at me, clearly hating the awkward vibe.
"Yeah, sorry. Looks like it's about to start?"
"Yep. Seems so."
The cadets' murmurs grew louder, and professors took their seats—exam time was near.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Testing, testing. Attention. Group representatives, please come forward to draw your sequence number tickets. Rebroadcasting. Group representatives, please come forward to draw your sequence number tickets.] "..."
"..."
"..."
"Sh-should I go...?!"
"I'll handle it..."
Sending Lumi into that lion's den? I wasn't sure she'd snag a ticket properly.
Lee Byung-hoon had been chatty earlier—why go quiet now?
I drew a number from the bin at the front of the exam hall.
"Number three. Write your name and group members here."
"Got it."
Third. Pointless anyway—we'd take first regardless.
Going early might tank the other groups' morale, but oh well.
I returned to our spot with the ticket.
"Guys. Third up. Let's get it done quick."
"Yes, sir!"
"Early slot's not bad. Lady Luck's on our side."
"..."
Lee Byung-hoon was reacting a lot now. Better to show it with skill than words.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [All groups have drawn numbers. Group 1, begin the exam. Group 2, move to the front for standby.] "Here we go!"
"Whoa, I'm nervous. We're Group 11—our turn's soon!"
"We're Group 2... Up next, but we're missing one. What do we do?!"
Cadet chatter ramped up as our group relaxed and watched the feed.
Group 1 faced a Cyclops.
About as strong as an ogre, maybe a bit more.
"A Cyclops?! Can Group 1 even win?"
"Dunno. Good comp, but... maybe?"
Monsters varied per group. They'd balanced teams at first based on averages, but growth rates diverged over time, wrecking balance by midterms.
Hence the different difficulties.
"Argh!"
Group 1 lost to the Cyclops.
But losing didn't mean automatic fail.
Process mattered, and their handling of the patterns earned solid points.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Next, Group 2. Enter. Group 3, move to the front for standby.] Our turn was closing in fast.
"Let's move."
*
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Next, Group 3. Enter. Group 4, move to the front for standby.] A portal for the exam sat at the front of the hall.
"This portal takes you to a virtual space with your boss monster. No real damage even if you get hurt or 'die' since it's simulated. But the pain's real, and there could be mental trauma, so be careful."
We got our final warnings and jumped into the portal.
A wave of nausea washed over me briefly.
When I opened my eyes, we were in a cave.
"Caves sure pop up a lot."
Group 1 had plains, Group 2 the sea—us, another cave.
"Gather here. Let's scout the monster first, then move."
Process was key, so prep mattered.
Lumi and Lee Byung-hoon listened, but Nam Da-eun ignored me and charged ahead.
"Nam Da-eun! Listen to me this time. Boss hunts aren't solo plays—you could get your teammates hurt. This exam grades the process."
I yelled at her as she tried to walk off.
Bosses weren't regular mobs. Exams demanded using the whole team's skills safely. That was the point.
"...I clear it fastest alone."
Nam Da-eun ignored me and bolted forward.
"Ah, that lunatic... Follow her."
No choice—we chased after.
While running, I scanned walls and ceiling for clues.
No marks on the walls, but tiny claw scratches on the ceiling. Cave boss with small ceiling claws...
We hit a cavern.
I pieced it together and instinctively looked up—meeting hundreds of glowing eyes.
"Night Queen! Everyone, cover your ears with mana!"
I shouted so all could hear.
They quickly mana-sealed their ears just as the pupils pulsed.
-KYAAAAAAAAAA-!
Flap flap flap flap
The Night Queen's signature ultrasonic attack.
Disrupt foes right at the start, then swarm with bat minions—that was her basic tactic.
Luckily, block the opener, and she wasn't too bad.
Just too many bats.
But bats were cowards.
Use that: light 'em up slow and steady in bright light, pick off one by one, no casualties.
I conjured a fireball my size in the cavern's center.
KYAAAK!
Groooowl!
The bats panicked at the blaze, plastering themselves to the ceiling.
One by one now—done.
But then Nam Da-eun dashed again.
"Nam Da-eun!!!"
Hundreds meant some still flew mid-air.
She parkoured up them like stairs, closing on the Night Queen.
"Damn it. Lumi! Shield Nam Da-eun. Byung-hoon, protect Lumi. I'll back her up."
I assigned roles and leaped after.
Night Queen grows stronger with more bats.
Even if Nam Da-eun soloed, she'd take hits in the process.
Pointless clear. Safety first in raids.
Better safe retreat than sacrificing one member.
I followed, stepping on bats to climb.
Using bursts to catch up, I reached her...
And saw her sheathing her sword—Night Queen bisected in one strike, body split clean.
Kweeek!
The virtual Night Queen's halves dissolved into mana.
"...Huh?"
First-semester freshman Nam Da-eun was way stronger than I'd imagined.
*
The Night Queen vanished, clear complete—portal spat us out automatically.
Outside was dead silent from Nam Da-eun's superplay.
Good result. But I couldn't let this slide.
"Nam Da-eun. Sigh. Why so reckless? Lucky you were right, but fail that one-shot, and we'd tank massive points. I told you—process matters."
This wasn't for the group.
For her.
In the original, that'd hold first place. Overwhelming dominance.
But now? I existed.
I didn't want to lose on purpose—my power was half-out already.
To romance heroines, stronger was better. Had to show it in practicals too.
If she kept this up, I might snatch first sooner than planned.
"...Sorry. But my rank's everything. I have to be first."
Nam Da-eun dodged away, like she had somewhere to be.
No, that's why you won't stay first, you blockhead.
Did she think her looks let her off the hook?
She seemed sorry for hogging points, but at least hear people out fully.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Uh, Gr-Group 4... enter please. Group 5, prepare—no, come forward.] The announcer was stumbling, rattled by our clear.
"Still, we succeeded, right?"
Lumi was just happy we passed.
"Not all successes are equal..."
This exam hinged on situational awareness.
I'd score high spotting the Night Queen fast and averting wipe.
Lumi only shielded, so meh points.
"Impressive as always, Ho-yeon. That insight spotting her quick... Teach me? ...Mind sharing your contact?"
He'd get zero, probably.