Chapter 106
Chapter 106
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Blonde Delinquent Calls Childhood Friend to Club Room (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Each manga came with its own personality tweaks. The core stayed the same, but the behavioral patterns shifted in subtle ways.
'Gotta nail the direction.'
I had to follow the manga's plotline. Otherwise, I'd lose control of my body and be forced to act it out.
That wasn't the worst outcome, but I wanted to enjoy it on my own terms.
"......"
When dealing with Juyeon-hee, I'd taken the older brother role, showing my mature side.
That had worked fine.
But with Geum Tae-yeon? No way. In front of her, I was purely the submissive one. The heroine who flinched at her every word.
That was me.
Geum Tae-yeon grabbed my hand and started running. Han-seol got dragged along too, so she didn't seem too suspicious.
Juyeon-hee hurriedly followed behind me. She seemed wary of Geum Tae-yeon.
The twins were both helpless against her.
The academy's main gate came into view. Cadets were streaming in.
"Come on, hurry up! Not much time left!"
The duty officer was about to close the gate. The stragglers picked up the pace.
We had plenty of time. Our early wake-up was paying off now.
Geum Tae-yeon led us leisurely through the gate. All that training had paid off— a light jog didn't even wind me.
"Hey, Yeon-woo."
I waved and greeted Class President Mi, who was on student council duty. Gave her a casual acknowledgment.
Then headed straight to C Class.
We split up right away. Han-seol and Juyeon-hee headed to their classes when Geum Tae-yeon suddenly reached out. She groped my ass like it was hers.
Other cadets could see.
My body reacted first. It smacked her hand away in exaggerated surprise, sparing me from standing there like an idiot.
Smack-!
The force was insane. Anyone watching would've thought I'd slapped her face.
"Ow, ow."
Geum Tae-yeon giggled and pulled her hand back. I was the only one fuming.
"So prickly. The academy vibe getting to you?"
"...Don't cross the line, Senior."
"Haven't even toed it yet. This crossing it?"
Geum Tae-yeon pulled out her smartphone. She didn't even show a photo or video, but my body twitched anyway.
Like Pavlov's dog. Just seeing her phone made me drool.
"Yeon-woo, don't piss off your big sis too much."
Geum Tae-yeon flashed a grin and headed upstairs. Amid the bustling cadets, I stood there dazed, alone.
I snapped out of it. Three seconds of shock filled the scene nicely.
There was a bit like this in the NTR manga, after all.
I entered the C Class room through the back door. A dozen pairs of eyes turned to me at once.
"Whoa."
Wasn't this an NTR manga world? Did it mix in horror too?
That'd be nightmare fuel.
Luckily, they'd just glanced back at the door sound. No big reason.
The C Class kids went back to chatting. Then one approached me.
A familiar face. Most C Class faces were familiar, but this one especially.
"Yeon-woo, got a sec to talk?"
Park A-young. Same kendo club as Han-seol. We'd teamed up in practical class before.
From what I'd heard, she mostly hung back in fights.
"Yeah, sure."
I didn't know what it was about, but I could spare some time.
After chatting with her, I'd head to Eum Ji-hye.
Park A-young glanced around C Class nervously and led me outside. What was so secretive?
'Why's everyone staring at me?'
My neck prickled. More attention than after the Hero Tournament.
This kind of spotlight? Pass.
Out in the hall, Park A-young checked her surroundings and asked,
"...You find a team yet?"
"Team?"
What team?
I looked puzzled, and she continued.
"...You can be honest."
"What team are you even talking about?"
"Finals prep time, right?"
"Already?"
Finals were forever away.
"...It's getting tight. Only a month left."
"A whole month left."
"......"
Park A-young stared at me like What the hell are you saying? Then sighed deeply.
"Classic Yeon-woo. So chill."
"That's overhyping it."
I cut to the chase while she admired me on her own.
"You mean the finals practical team?"
"Yeah."
Infinite Hero Cultivation Academy finals split into theory and practical. Ours stood out especially.
For good reason.
The practical was on a deserted island.
'Feels familiar.'
Familiar to the point of nausea.
Survive a few days on the island. Never done it, but it rang a bell. No clue why.
"But isn't the practical a team thing? What kind?"
She explained further.
"Finals practical at Infinite. Second-years join us first-years."
"Oh?"
"Gap between years is big, so first-years can team up. Max three."
Deserted island was right. But the format differed.
Second-years solo, first-years up to trio. Attack each other for survival points.
"Points calculated by year separate. First-year trio doesn't hurt second-years much. Some second-years get hunted by us... but that's skill gap."
Grades grouped by year. But in the test zone, everyone was competition.
'Could ally with second-years?'
Seemed possible from the rules. Unless specified otherwise.
I looked at Park A-young.
"So you're recruiting?"
"...Yeah."
She dreamed of being a hero too. Not as hardcore as Han-seol, maybe...
But enrolled here, so she gave her all to the tasks at hand.
'Thinks teaming with me is safest?'
Or just the closest friendly face.
I eyed Park A-young. Her huge tits caught my eye first.
She looked clumsy in a different way from Eum Ji-hye. But her figure covered for her plain face.
'One area rivals Geum Tae-yeon.'
High praise. The best I could muster.
"Well..."
"I asked Seol too, y'know?"
"Seol?"
I hesitated, and she quickly name-dropped Han-seol.
Why bring her up? I glared seriously.
'Overreacting a bit?'
My face crumpled on its own. Body interfering.
Over-the-top rejection at Han-seol's name.
'Denying we're dating.'
Forgot, but academy banned romance.
"Ah."
Park A-young waved her hands frantically.
"...I won't tell anyone."
"Tell what?"
"...You two dating."
"What're you talking about."
We're not. No dating here.
Deny first.
She didn't buy it. Smiled awkwardly like she saw through my lie.
"Seol talks about you all day. Anyone'd think you're a couple."
"......"
"Just to me, though. Hehe, me and Seol are closer than you'd think."
Already burned by Geum Tae-yeon. Body on guard was natural.
'Or her manga?'
I recalled Park A-young had her own manga too.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Personality settings for Juyeon-woo, male protagonist of the manga you possessed, 『The Loser Friend I Thought Took My Childhood Friend』 ─ Passive, strong empathy, strong paternal instincts, extremely vulnerable to blackmail, world's top pussy, etc...] It hit me. Heroine personalities didn't vary much.
Empathy, paternal love. Super vulnerable to threats—common traits, skip.
'...Not forced, but ends up happening accidentally?'
Nuance-wise, similar flow to Juyeon-hee. Based on personality alone.
"What'd Seol say?"
"Seol? She wants to go solo. Survive alone regardless of grades... train to endure."
Practical exam. Everyone goes all out.
Closest to real combat in the curriculum. For dream-hero Han-seol, a field experience chance.
"Sounds like Seol."
"Totally. So you? What're you doing, Yeon-woo?"
"Me... Eh, I'll find a team."
I wasn't going full throttle like Han-seol. Wanted the easiest finals possible.
Meant teaming up.
'Weird looks from C Class... all about this?'
A month left, and they were scrambling already.
Bit self-conscious embarrassing, but fair. No one in C Class as reliable as me.
"Cool. Team with me."
"...Huh? For real?"
"Better with friends. We've teamed once before."
Up to three. Needed one more spot filled...
"What're you two doing out here?"
A girl approached. C Class reliable staple No. 2. Class President Mi.
"Yeon-woo, Teacher's calling."
"You're in, Class President Mi."
"Huh? For what?"