Chapter 731
Chapter 731
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 731
Chapter Title: Academy's Savior
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After having sex until morning, I dragged myself to the academy and dozed off in my chair. I could feel gazes and killing intent from two directions.
One was from Lee Kang-hu. Last night, I'd planned to go out and slit his throat, but I ended up staying in to fuck Sung Ha-ri.
'Can't be helped. I have to stay away from Ha-ri for a while anyway. No time to waste on a punk like Lee Kang-hu.'
The other gaze was from Yoo Seung-jun. He was clearly furious about yesterday's events. He'd probably strike without mercy at the first opportunity.
Drag.
The classroom door slid open, and Yoon Hee-jeong, our Class 1 homeroom teacher, walked in. Standing at the podium, she opened the attendance book and said,
"It's quieter than usual for the start of the semester. I'll take roll first, then give a quick rundown of today's schedule."
She called out attendance in a calm voice. No one was late on the first day, of course.
"Today's schedule is sparring matches. The academy knows all about you, but since we haven't seen it with our own eyes, you might not accept your entrance rankings. The goal of these matches is to make you accept them through actual combat before any trouble starts."
Not a single student looked surprised. This post-entrance sparring session was infamous.
"These matches won't affect your grades. You can refuse or hold back if you want. But you'll have to deal with the consequences afterward."
It was basically to show the dissatisfied students reality. The academy also aimed to boost motivation by highlighting the gaps between students. Though that intent could backfire.
"The sparring will take place in front of all first-years. Matches are randomly assigned between students of similar rankings. If you want a specific opponent, tell me 30 minutes before it starts."
No sooner had she finished than Kim Cheon-woo raised his hand. Yoon Hee-jeong looked at him.
"Got a question?"
"Not a question. I'm nominating my sparring opponent."
"You don't have to say it now... Who's the nominee?"
"Yoo Seung-jun."
"Uh... Seung-jun?"
Yoon Hee-jeong looked flustered. Yoo Seung-jun wasn't a fitting opponent for the top-ranked Kim Cheon-woo. I glanced at Yoo Seung-jun. His face was twisted unpleasantly.
"Seung-jun, what do you say? You can refuse."
Yoo Seung-jun rubbed his nose and replied,
"Perfect timing. I've been curious about how amazing the top ranks really are."
He finished and shot me a sidelong glance. If it weren't for Kim Cheon-woo, he'd probably have nominated me.
'Stupid bastard. He can't even guess Kim Cheon-woo nominated him to protect him.'
I knew Kim Cheon-woo's personality from playing the original game. Unlike others, he nominated Yoo Seung-jun to prevent a match between me and him.
"Teacher. I want to nominate an opponent too."
"Kang-hu, you too? Who's yours?"
"Sung Yu-jin."
He spat it out like venom, glaring at me with murder in his eyes while suppressing his rage. Sensing the dangerous atmosphere, Yoon Hee-jeong turned to me in a panic.
"Yu-jin, will you accept?"
"Huh? Why would I fight a loser like that? I'd just lose out. I'll go random."
"Hmm... Got it. Watch your language. Kang-hu, you heard? Yu-jin refused, so no match."
"......"
Lee Kang-hu sat down with a dissatisfied scowl.
After first period, Yoon Hee-jeong approached me.
"Yu-jin. Ryu Ha-na from Class 3 nominated you. What do you say?"
I thought for a moment before answering.
"Pass. No interest in fighting her."
I couldn't indulge Ryu Ha-na too much. Better to keep some distance for now.
"Okay. It's rare for other classes to nominate someone... You know each other?"
"Just met during the entrance exam. Nothing more. Oh, is the matchup board up?"
"It's posted on the board. Go check."
I headed to the board.
The top ranks were clustered in the afternoon slots toward the back.
Ryu Ha-na's opponent was An Ki-san, rank 3. Since Kim Cheon-woo was fighting Yoo Seung-jun, An Ki-san got matched with her.
'Ryu Ha-na wins, obviously.'
She could handle Kim Cheon-woo, but An Ki-san stood no chance against her.
'My opponent... Heh. Just as expected, Choi Da-yeon.'
Choi Da-yeon, rank 4.
Time to crush that arrogant chaebol heiress's pride.
The sparring began.
Students took it seriously. Most fought the academy-assigned opponents rather than nominating their own. They'd just had the entrance ceremony yesterday and barely knew each other's names.
'Better this way. Matching similar skill levels.'
Some students cheered in victory, others burst into tears in defeat. Many felt the wall watching the top ranks.
I looked up at the massive monitors on the ceiling. They broadcast live from the Aurora Simulator, highlighting the fiercest, highest-level matches. It was meh to me.
Searching for Lee Si-eun, I spotted Kim Cheon-woo talking to another guy.
Short sporty hair, muscular build.
A playable character.
Class 1, number 11. Ma Jin-bae.
As I approached Kim Cheon-woo, Ma Jin-bae clicked his tongue openly.
"What do you want, Sung Yu-jin."
"Nothing from you, so shut your trap, muscle pig."
"Ha, beating around the bush to say you want a go? Arena. I'll smash you."
Ma Jin-bae raised his massive fist. Calluses covered his hand, with small scars on the back.
I clenched my own fist. One good smack to the head would quiet him. As I stepped toward him, Kim Cheon-woo blocked my path.
"Calm down, Sung Yu-jin. You're here to talk to me, right?"
"Yeah. Just us."
"Jin-bae, give me a sec. Wait a bit."
Ma Jin-bae grimaced like he hated it but nodded.
"...Fine. If that punk tries anything, yell. I'll come running."
Kim Cheon-woo and I headed to an empty corner. He followed calmly, but I could tell he was tense.
"Not here to fight, so relax. You're not looking for one either, right?"
"After seeing you yesterday, how can I trust that easily?"
"Suit yourself."
Kim Cheon-woo sighed and relaxed his shoulders.
"......What is it? Doesn't seem like you want to fight."
"Got good info on Yoo Seung-jun."
"Don't need it. You're just using me to screw him over... I'll fight him fair and square."
Kim Cheon-woo turned away without hesitation. If he hadn't, I'd have been surprised. Before he could leave, I spoke up.
"Yoo Seung-jun is a demon contractor."
He froze.
Turning back, his face was dead serious.
"......Take that back if you're joking. This is Maruhan Academy. You know how serious that accusation is?"
"Of course. I'm not that stupid. That's why I'm telling only you."
"I said I don't trust you. If he's a contractor, report it to the teachers or association."
"The association would just execute or imprison him. Too easy. I want him to suffer, like you said. Don't you?"
"......"
Kim Cheon-woo fell silent. He wasn't always an orphan. At age 5, his parents were killed by demons and contractors. Ever since, he hated them.
In the original story, the memory of watching them die was seared into his brain. He still had nightmares about it.
Nice guy otherwise, but demons and contractors were the exception.
"...Proof? Evidence he's a contractor? Accusing without it..."
"No physical proof yet. If it were that easy, the association wouldn't struggle. But I have info. He's a spy from Japan's Madō Court. You know what that is?"
"I do. Japan's contractor alliance. Sounds plausible, but no reason to trust you."
I smirked. For someone who didn't trust me, his eyes burned with intent to kill.
Didn't trust me? Bullshit. He'd already started suspecting Yoo Seung-jun.
"Kim Cheon-woo. Give me your number."
"Why?"
"Sending you what I dug up on him."
"......"
He hesitated, then gave it. I sent the info on Yoo Seung-jun—scraped from hacks, padded with original game details.
His eyes widened at the details: birthplace, family, favorite foods, hated music. Game profile stuff, really.
"...Nakashima Yuuji?"
"His real name."
Yoo Seung-jun held dual Japanese-Korean citizenship.
"Contracted with Hamiel? How do you even know that?"
"Not telling you the source. Don't know Hamiel?"
"I do. Demon Baron of the 2nd Legion, Hamiel."
"Oh. You know your demons."
"If he's a Madō Court contractor like you say, why Maruhan Academy? Japan has its own."
"Madō Court wants into Korea. Spy in the Hero Association helps. Even better if it's an executive."
"...This real too?"
"What?"
"Murders. 24 total. Three family massacres... Too extreme."
"Madō Court's a crime syndicate, fingers in Japanese politics. Yakuzas under them too."
"Under them..."
"They don't waste useful contractors. He's trash among trash. Make him suffer in your match."
"......"
"If you don't buy it all, whatever."
I'd said my piece. I brushed past him.
"Wait. Why are you doing this? Hate him that much?"
"Yeah. More precisely, I hate demons. And anyone tied to them. Especially... Never mind."
I walked past Kim Cheon-woo and out.
"Kim Cheon-woo, Yoo Seung-jun. Enter Simulator Room 5."
A man with a red armband on his bicep said curtly.
Red armbands marked academy staff—more like assistants than teachers. They helped out variously.
"Yes."
Kim Cheon-woo grabbed his issued greatsword and entered Room 5.
Yoo Seung-jun followed, spear in hand.
The electronic door to Simulator Room 5 sealed shut.
-Aurora Simulator activated.
Kim Cheon-woo felt space warp for a moment.
Virtual layered over reality.
Now, even lethal wounds hurt but wouldn't kill.
Kim Cheon-woo and Yoo Seung-jun stared silently. Irritated by the calm gaze, Yoo Seung-jun clicked his tongue and leveled his spear. Kim Cheon-woo gripped his greatsword two-handed.
A hologram number appeared between them, starting the countdown.
『10』