Chapter 91
Chapter 91
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Practical Monster Training
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"A-young, I'm heading out now."
Fortunately, Baek A-young seemed to understand my situation and didn't give me any more looks demanding sex.
We finished with just a cleanup blowjob, and I had a simple lunch from my bento box.
"Yeah... Ho, if your lust suddenly boils over, you can come find me..."
"Sure. Thanks. I feel refreshed now."
"U-uh-huh."
She wasn't even pretending anymore, just saying it outright like that.
But whenever we actually got down to it, she demanded blackmail material. I had no idea what to do with her.
I checked the time after leaving the infirmary. It was 12:50.
I had to get to the exam hall by 1, so exactly ten minutes left.
Walking would get me there with time to spare, so I took it slow to help digestion.
"Oh, right. I need to message Soo-rin noona."
Lunch was done, time to handle business.
- Me: Soo-rin noona, sorry to bother you when you're busy. The infirmary's overrun with malingerers. We need a firm punishment plan.
The reply came right away.
- Soo-rin noona: Got it. I'll bring it up with the chairman.
- Me: Yep. Thanks. Take care!
Moon Soo-rin must be swamped, since the messages stopped there.
She had so much on her plate, I got it.
Of course, I'd just added a spoonful to her troubles, but I couldn't stand by and let Baek A-young become a spectacle.
I'd have to treat Soo-rin noona to a meal later. That Korean restaurant was amazing. Tsk.
I arrived at the exam hall and looked around.
Several large arenas were set up, and A-Class was gathered in the corner over there.
I headed that way and joined the group.
"We've done this training before, so I won't explain in detail. Line up one by one, get your combat power measured on the magic circle, then enter the arena. That's it."
Instructor Kim Jin-hyuk gave the instructions and headed to another arena.
He was probably judging other classes too.
If the homeroom instructor judged, there could be even a hint of bias, so they used instructors from other classes.
They swore mana oaths anyway, so it should be fine, but better safe than sorry.
A-Class lined up single file in front of the measurement magic circle, waiting for their combat power checks.
With the whole first-year class here, it took a while.
I spotted Lucy and Lumi and stuck right behind them.
"Ho-yeon... what'd you have for lunch?"
"Huh? Oh, just grabbed something at the student cafeteria."
"We ate there too, but we didn't see you?"
"... Yeah, I ate alone in the corner."
If you're going to the cafeteria anyway, take me with you next time.
Not that I regretted my time with Baek A-young. It felt great.
The cadets ahead of us went up one by one.
"Wonder what score she'll get this time. Think she can break stage 8?"
"She was stage 7 last time... maybe 8 this round, Lucy."
"I think so too. You've gotten so strong, Lucy."
"You think? Hehe."
Lucy twirled her blue hair, beaming at the praise.
The main characters in the game power up dramatically as the story progresses.
Lucy was the same. She'd clear stage 8 easily.
Last time, I got a stage 5 rating but cleared up to 7.
I was way stronger now. How far could I go?
"I'm going first!"
Lucy dashed up onto the measurement magic circle.
An 8 floated above her head.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 8 "Yay! Stage 8!"
"Congrats, Lucy...!"
Lucy bounced excitedly on the circle, while Lumi whispered her congratulations just loud enough to hear, too shy to shout.
"Pfft."
"W-why are you laughing...!"
"Just congratulate her normally. Why whisper?"
"Ughhh..."
I teased the embarrassed Lumi and stepped up onto the circle.
"State your name... Ah, Cadet Lee Ho-yeon. Place your hand on the orb."
"Yes, sir."
It felt weirdly good that even this unfamiliar professor recognized me.
I placed my hand on the blue magic orb in the center.
Wooong—
Mana flowed from the device, scanned my body a few times, then returned.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Measuring combat power. Please wait a moment.] Last time it was stage 5. What would it be now?
An 8 appeared above my head.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ 8 "A-Class, Lee Ho-yeon. 8 points. Oh, up three stages from last time? As expected from a promising talent."
"Yeah. Thank you."
Last time you questioned if I even belonged in A-Class, and now you're praising me. Feels good.
"Whoa, Lee Ho-yeon's up three stages from last measurement. Isn't that insane?"
"His growth is fast, sure... but stage 8's kinda meh? I'm stage 8 too."
"Nam Da-eun hit 10, so shouldn't he be around there? Two stages is a world of difference..."
The other cadets who'd finished were buzzing about my score.
8 was a bit above average.
But expectations for me were already beyond that.
Slaying the ogre, that public magic video—everyone expected me to be beyond cadet level.
Why only 8? The measurement circle couldn't detect my perks.
[Combat Sense] and [Mana Sensitivity] made up most of my power, so without them, it came out low.
Last time, stage 5 rating but cleared 7.
Stage 8 now? Stage 10 was in reach.
'Flame Chains.'
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Flame Chains Chaaaain—!
Grrraaah!
A dozen flame chains burst from the floor in an instant, binding the last of the moon moths.
"Ugh, these damn moth bastards."
Palm-sized moths swarming was grotesque as hell.
Dozens at the start, finally all bound.
They flew overhead, sprinkling paralyzing powder or whatever. I barely blocked it with a rune barrier around me.
I poured mana into the chains holding the moths, ramping up the heat.
They turned to ash in the blaze, the powder dispersed, and I dropped the barrier.
"Hoo..."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [The exam has ended.] The mana barrier around the arena lifted, and outside noise filtered in.
"Lee Ho-yeon, nice!!! Go for it!!!"
"Ho-yeon... you can do it...!"
I smiled at Lucy and Lumi up front.
Lucy cleared to 8, Lumi to 7.
For reference, those moths were stage 9.
Practical monster training let you challenge up to two stages above your rating, with professor approval.
"Professor. I'll challenge stage 10."
"Cadet Lee Ho-yeon, stage 10 challenge approved."
"No break. Straight in."
Moon moths sounded lame, but my heart raced from [Combat Sense].
The powder that paralyzed on a whiff, plus their tough bodies slamming at high speed—it was worse than expected.
I wanted to fight while keeping this battle sense sharp.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Summoning suitable opponent. Stage 10. Nightmare of Hamel Dungeon appears.] Mana churned across the arena.
- Kugrrruk
A bizarre noise echoed as clotted darkness filled the opposite side.
"No luck. Nightmare of all things."
"What's a nightmare? First I've heard."
"You don't know the Nightmare of Hamel Dungeon? Half the raid party went insane and brain-dead from one of those."
"Why even include that crap in the curriculum?"
Cadets outside who knew the creature chattered.
I remembered reading about it in papers.
A raid that cleared Hamel Dungeon without casualties, all harmonious—until the boss nightmare's mental attack shattered them into infighting.
Weak physically, all-in on mental attacks.
"Cadet Lee Ho-yeon. The Nightmare of Hamel Dungeon can leave lasting mental damage even after the exam. Still challenging?"
If the observing professor warns directly, it's legit dangerous.
"No chance to switch?"
"No."
"... I'm in."
If mental damage scares you, don't include it... Academy logic baffles me.
Anyway, I planned to challenge it.
Thump thump.
My boiling [Combat Sense] told me.
I could beat that freak easy.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [The exam begins.] The arena sealed with mana, cutting off the outside. Pitch-black darkness engulfed me from across the field, primitive fear surging.
- Keeekeeekeeekeeekeeekee!
- Kuhehehe? Kuhehehe?
- Grraaah—? Grraaahuk—!
- "Save me! Save me! You there, save me!"
Eerie noises and screams assaulted my ears, souring my mood just to hear.
Ahead stood a scarecrow.
Thin body, bird-claw hands and feet, bloodstained cloth over its face.
Rusty scythe in one hand, flailing wildly. The grotesque sight made me cast on reflex.
'Flame Burst.'
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Flame Burst Kraaaah—!
The scarecrow thrashed then turned to ash.
"Definitely creepy."
The 'Nightmare' really showed all kinds of nightmares.
Painful pasts, loved ones dying, betrayal—anything.
That scarecrow wasn't the end.
Its weird look pissed me off right from the start.
"...Hoo."
I deep-breathed, bracing for mental attacks.
Mental attacks were ultimately mana-based.
[Mana Sensitivity] should counter them.
Not sure if it'd block fully, but rune barrier as backup.
I drew up mana to erect the barrier.
Then, suddenly, my combat sense vanished.
Thump.
"...!"
It's messing with my senses too?
How strong is this nightmare monster...!
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [The exam has ended.] "Huh?"
My dumb utterance echoed as the darkness faded, meeting the stares of onlookers.
"C-Cadet Lee Ho-yeon. Stage 10 cleared."
The stopwatch on the arena read 9 seconds.
"9, 9 seconds?! That guy's nuts!"
"New record. 9 seconds on stage 10—that's academy record!"
"You recording? Dude! Everyday rec post incoming again!"
"What kind of mental fortitude beats a nightmare..."
Cadets and professors stared, buzzing excitedly.
One professor's words clued me in.
"[Clear Mentality]...!"
Had to be it.
The perk I got coming to this world: [Clear Mentality].
It included... mental attack immunity.
Slash!
Nam Da-eun cleaved the stage 10 cyclops solo.
The beast couldn't withstand the slashes across its belly and closed its single eye.
Thud!
It crashed, shaking the ground.
Nam Da-eun calmly sheathed her sword.
"Cadet Nam Da-eun. Congratulations. Stage 10 cleared."
"...Thank you."
She gave a curt thanks—couldn't ignore the prof outright—and left the arena.
Time: 30 seconds.
Stalled a bit before finishing.
No suspicions.
'Practical monster training's locked for first place too.'
Just the 1v1 duels left.
Exams over, some pressure off.
As she turned to leave, cadet chatter stopped her.
"Yo, insane! Lee Ho-yeon cleared stage 10 in 9 seconds!"
"What? Let's go watch!"
'9 seconds...?'
Stage 10 wasn't meant to be cleared.
The boss-level cyclops from monster hunts being stage 10 proved it.
Impossible for one cadet.
Yet 9 seconds?
'Won't believe it till I see it myself.'
Nam Da-eun bolted to Lee Ho-yeon's arena.