Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: The Relentless Wheel of Education
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The wheel of education never stops.
That holds true even in this world where the novel has become reality.
“Lunch break could’ve been a bit longer.”
Sticking out my tongue at the packed schedule, I climbed Achasan behind the dorms.
The afternoon lecture was Practical Training II.
Like Monster Studies, it’s a second-year required course, tough as nails with real combat and training side by side.
Teams carry out missions, get evaluated, and aim to conquer monster nests.
We’re storming right into their home base.
Students doing this—you might ask if that’s okay?
Well...
Of course it’s not.
They select based on skill levels, but facing real monsters means plenty of accidents and mishaps.
That’s why I expect a Main Quest to drop.
The nest assault starting today leads to next week’s deepest level—the finale.
That’s where an unexpected incident ties into the boss-grade monster guarding the core.
The novel *Epic of Salvation*.
Its long, grueling epic is about to truly stir.
“Huff, huff.”
But before I even get there, I’m gonna die right now.
Just twenty minutes of climbing, and I’m gasping for air, sweat pouring like rain.
“This is brutal.”
All because of this pathetic body.
Park Hayul isn’t just mana-deficient; his strength, agility, stamina—all hover around average human levels.
Compared to his original body that could bench 400, not quite a 500kg monster but close, this is a downgrade.
“Sigh, aside from manifestation, nothing here works right.”
I seriously considered borrowing sorcery power but held back.
Gritting my teeth, I climbed more and soon reached the midway plaza—our gathering spot.
“I’m dying. For real.”
As I flapped my sweat-soaked shirt to cool off, a familiar voice rang out.
“Tch, looks like everyone’s finally here.”
The professor in charge of Practical Training—and someone with a complicated relationship.
Professor Lee Taek-jin.
For some reason, he’d arrived early.
“...Let’s get started. Listen to the TA’s briefing.”
He glanced at me with a subtle look, then beckoned. Kim Mi-young stepped forward.
“Class A will conquer G-17 nest. It has ten outposts and one finale, shaped like an inverted triangle. Enter through different entrances to reach the end. Today’s the outposts. Next week, the finale. Teams are already set. Top ranks, upper—”
I knew all this, so I didn’t pay close attention.
Top, upper, mid, lower, bottom—five groups, one from each.
With fifty in Class A, that makes ten teams.
I’m 700th, so probably lower tier.
“We’ve considered majors’ specialties. Drew lots via program—fair and—”
Knew that too.
They’ve accounted for everything, so complaining about teams won’t fly.
Just deal with it.
My attention drifted elsewhere.
Who’s on my team?
Doesn’t matter which—everyone hits the finale and gets caught in the incident.
But teams facing it up close—like Baek Sa-young, Cheon Seo-yun, Joo A-rin, Seol Yun-gi’s group—
Would be easier to handle.
If the quest triggers and goals align.
“Teams confirmed. Check your phones.”
Cheers and groans erupted around me as Kim Mi-young finished.
Baek Sa-young’s team the best?
He shines in this incident, so I checked notifications hoping.
But my assignment...
“Team 4?”
As I confirmed, a voice called.
“Team 4, over here.”
The haughty tone sounded familiar.
* * *
If picking team leaders to avoid, two names.
Cheon Seo-yun and Joo A-rin.
One’s uncomfortable, the other awkward.
And I ended up with one.
“...I’m team leader Joo A-rin.”
“I’m Park Hayul. Let’s do well.”
That was our whole conversation.
An awkward silence hung heavy.
“......”
“......”
Felt like the vague vibe from GripTalk carried over...
Uncomfortable, but satisfying enough.
Keep distance, just do the task.
How professional and cool is that?
No need to waste energy on fake bonding—my vitality...
“Kyaah, A-rin! I’m Team 4 too!”
...was recovering.
Until some girl screeched and joined.
Panting dolphin—
No, the twin-tailed girl was so thrilled she grabbed Joo A-rin’s hand and jumped.
“Eek!”
Then she locked eyes with me and jolted in shock.
“How how how—”
Fidgeting like disaster struck, she swept her hair back and shyly greeted.
“Ahem, I’m Lee Min-ha. Nice to meet you.”
Ah... I know her.
Lee Min-ha. Joo A-rin’s friend, always sketched in the background.
Main major magic, right?
Even roughly drawn eyes, nose, mouth—but IRL, she’s pretty cute.
“I’m Park Hayul. Let’s do well.”
“Mm. I wanna do well too. With you...”
But she’s weird.
Face red like she’s sick, fidgeting nonstop.
“...Min-ha. You didn’t forget what I said, right?”
“Ah, of course I know. But...”
“But what? Gonna pull yourself together?”
Joo A-rin poked her side, threatening. Same suspicion as me.
Did she swallow money or something?
Hoping it resolves, I wished for a solid, steady guy next.
“Team 4 here?”
A short-sporty-haired guy approached.
Already acquainted? Lee Min-ha yelled.
“Whoa, Kang Cheol-min, you too?”
“Yeah, looks that way.”
“Wow, our team’s stacked. You’re team leader level.”
“Think so? Heh. Surprised myself. Thought I’d be leader.”
Kang Cheol-min.
Sturdy build matches the straightforward name.
But his actions? Opposite.
“Joo A-rin, nice working with you. Us two? Gotta take first. Trust me.”
Approached her first, buddy-buddy, then spotted me and grinned.
“Park Hayul? Whoa, meeting the diagnostic dark horse here?”
Tone with girls versus me—night and day.
“...Didn’t expect to meet so soon. Happy?”
Sounded like he hit jackpot.
Why?
No memory of him—definite extra...
Rank’s decent, but sorry, don’t know you.
Unlike other academy stories, *Epic of Salvation* has no extras-turned-geniuses.
So I asked.
“You know me?”
“Me? Nah, why would I? We run in different circles.”
Kang Cheol-min chuckled to himself.
...This one’s off too.
No clue why he’s laughing.
“But why halfies on first meet... Tch. Whatever. Call me casual.”
Almost snapped but dropped it.
Don’t rise to low-level bait.
No interest in bickering with an extra barely scraping a 2.
“Quick on uptake. Knows to bow. No hard feelings, so don’t freeze up.”
Kang Cheol-min chuckled alone again.
At this point, suspecting Professor Lee rigged it.
This team balanced?
Not one normal person.
Can’t complain, so last teammate crucial.
Man or woman, just normal.
“...Um, hey everyone.”
But that timid voice—instinct said no.
“Bad as the others.”
“I-I’m Min Young-ji. I’ll work hard so I don’t hold you back.”
The blunt bangs from first meeting, that weird spark.
The reporter Go Se-gun who accidentally gifted me time with her article.
“Whoa, diagnostic frauds all here. What a joke?”
Kang Cheol-min—rooster?
Pecking at everything in sight, flooring it from start.
“This conquest’s fucked.”
“Omg, why?”
“She’s dead last school-wide. No wonder I’m not leader. Balance patch.”
“I-I’ll work hard.”
“Work hard? Last year, how many teams tanked cuz of you?”
“Last year?”
“Yeah. Same class. Finds paths okay, but combat? Trash.”
Min Young-ji’s slumped shoulders now aimed at the ground.
“Cut it, Kang Cheol-min. We’re teamed up—no need to start red-faced.”
Irritation rising, but leader Joo A-rin stepped in.
“Ugh, how frustrating would I have to be?”
“Got the situation. Stop. And Young-ji? Don’t wilt. Just guide well, we’ll handle rest.”
“...Yes.”
“Min-ha, no tinted glasses.”
“O-Of course, she’s... I’m not like that?”
“I know. So treat her right. How to ace team tasks without teamwork?”
Leader skills undeniable.
Cool demeanor becomes charisma.
Easily nipped the discord bud, then left for outpost draw.
“Tch, they mesh well. Greet at least.”
Kang Cheol-min tongued at me and Min Young-ji, then spun to Lee Min-ha.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to with the article...”
She mumbled cautiously.
Guessed she saw comments.
“It’s fine. Wasn’t intentional.”
I waved it off casually.
Scored fat rewards thanks to it.
Article itself was pretty positive, right?
Twisted readers the problem.
“Th-Thank you.”
“But warn me next time.”
To judge if achievements drop.
“...Yes. I’ll work hard on team task, won’t be burden.”
“Burden?”
“No. My combat’s—”
Huh?
“W-Wait!”
Smooth chat halted by sudden event.
System message—exactly the kind I wanted.
───────────────
[Main Quest #2]
[Goal: Rank top 3 in outpost conquest]
[Reward: 10 days, 15 SP]
───────────────
Not even finale, just outpost—for 10 days?
Insane...
“Min Young-ji. Said you’d do your best?”
“Yes?”
“Not enough. Let’s go all in.”
“...?”
“Human life’s tougher than you think. Won’t die from a scratch. Lose an arm even... Nah, anyway, let’s nail it.”
“...Yes!”
Unmissable chance, so earnestly asked.
Meanwhile, Joo A-rin returned from brief meeting.
“Focus, everyone. Draw’s 9. Monster info sends on entry.”
9?
Tilted head—misheard?
Still odd, so blurted.
“Wait. Sure about that?”
“...?”
“Our outpost number’s 9?”
“Yes. You heard. Why ask again?”
Joo A-rin narrowed eyes, clueless. Had to ask.
Didn’t match what I knew.
In original, Team Lee Dae-ho took 9.
Worst difficulty—tons injured, ranked dead last in outpost eval.
So why’d that cursed number come from Joo A-rin’s mouth...?