A New Class #2

They said that by next week at the earliest, we'd be crossing into the Otherworld through the gate on the parade ground. Anyway, with that news out, the cadets gathered in the auditorium were talking among themselves and trading opinions.

"Well, it's something we've been mentally prepared for from the start. They did say that once you become an upperclassman, you'd be tagging along on missions like this as a trainee. All that's happened is that it's been moved up a little. There isn't any problem at all."

Leona clenched her fist and spoke with a resolute face.

"This will surely be another chance to build our skills and for me to be reborn as a stronger existence. I can already feel my fighting spirit surging. The Otherworld, is it. Heh heh heh. I am feeling an overwhelming urge to subjugate it in the name of Leona Kainus."

—Whoosh.

I could practically feel a certain fighting spirit radiating from Leona as she said that. A woman who's a warrior through and through... her eyes were even flashing yellow.

"Heh heh heh, Leona. You're totally a warrior, aren't you?"

"To be of noble blood is to be a warrior. A being who fights. In fact, are there many other beings in this world who enjoy combat as much as I do?"

"Nah, I can't just let that one slide."

"Oh my, does that mean what I think it means?"

Leona grinned and stepped next to me.

"Is Kim Geun-cheol also that sort of 'warrior'? One fit to stand beside me?"

"A warrior who might just pull ahead of even you, Leona."

"I look forward to seeing that!"

Leona's a friend, but also a rival.

As a superhuman, I am absolutely going to surpass Leona!

"You two, just be mother and son. Mother and son. You get more alike by the day."

"Woo Yu-ri, what kind of thing is that to say!"

Yu-ri's reckless mouth strikes again!

"Hoo. Anyway, don't worry. I've got plenty of dungeon experience myself. So if anything happens, you can count on me."

"Now that you mention it, guys like you, Leona, already have a lot of dungeon experience. You would've been trained by your family."

"That's right. I imagine Woo Yu-ri and Ryu Cheon-hwi do as ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠well?"

I already knew that from what I'd heard.

"Well, I've been in a few dungeons too. No big deal. You're just fighting inside a dungeon instead of on Earth. Barring the difference in environment... there ain't shit to it."

Yu-ri nodded coolly. Someone who's never been in a dungeon might not get it, but veterans don't make much of it.

Plus, they said there'd be an army unit there, so yeah.

"Still, let's stay a little tense. I don't think this is your run-of-the-mill dungeon."

But something that felt like it should've surfaced in my mind—that place was definitely not normal. I can't quite recall, but I think it was dangerous... Or wait. Is it dangerous only under specific circumstances?

I don't know.

Still, it's worth staying alert.

"Of course I am on edge. Even I have fears. But that won't break my will. Even when you're afraid—to stand at the very front and be the sword and shield for those behind you. That is what it means to be a superhuman and a noble."

"Oh, Leona...! That is noblesse oblige in the truest sense!"

"That's our Leona."

Si-hoo and I applauded Leona together.

"...Yeah, that's exactly how a superhuman should be."

Yu-ri nodded as well. This is why superhumans are a privileged class. We are warriors who have to fight beings from other worlds. Leona's mindset is truly admirable.

"Oh, Madam President! I want to hear about the dungeon!"

"Me too!"

"Would you share some stories?"

As we were talking, the other students crowded around and started asking Leona questions.

"Very well. Then I'll teach you things I've learned from experience—things that are different from the academy lessons. As your Student Council President!"

"Waaaaah!"

An impromptu Leona pro-tip sharing session began.

"When a dungeon appears, the first thing that happens is a reconnaissance team is dispatched!"

Leona was clearly enjoying herself as she explained.

"Because you have to know what you're dealing with! They never just leave it be!"

If you leave a dungeon alone, it can literally cause a massive explosion, overflow with monsters, or turn the surrounding area into another world.

So you have to eliminate it fast.

But in remote places like the jungles of South America, dungeons are hard to manage. As a result, those places have become completely otherworldized. Same goes for China and Russia. Neglected dungeons piled up and piled up until those places became a world of monsters.

Even in Korea, the Northern Region has been fully otherworldized by now. And the northernmost parts of Gangwon-do—Yanggu, Goseong, Seoraksan—those have all become war zones where reclamation campaigns are underway.

"The energy source that forms the basis of a dungeon isn't usually very far in. If you reconnoiter quickly, kill the monsters, and search, you can find it pretty fast. It depends on the type, but if you destroy that energy source or carry it out, the dungeon collapses right away."

The dungeon cores brought out this way are used in all kinds of industries. A core is the energy of another world and dimension condensed by some force. The cause of their formation is unknown, but their uniqueness makes them incredibly valuable.

Anyway, both the Warrior Class and Mage Class kids had gathered in one spot and were listening to Leona's explanation.

Everyone seemed motivated, but... yeah.

You'll always find timid ones anywhere.

—Tremble, tremble.

I spotted Ha-yul shivering in a corner. Oh, for goodness' sake. It looked like the talk of going to the Otherworld had her shaking in fear.

As the Vice President and a squad leader, I can't just stand by and watch.

"Ha-yul. What're you doing over there?"

"Ah, ah... un...? Geun-cheol...?"

Ha-yul recognized me and raised her head.

"Why are you shaking?"

"Well... I'm scared because they said we're going to the Otherworld..."

"Figured it was that. Hey. Don't worry. What's there to worry about?"

—Pat.

I grabbed Ha-yul's shoulder and spoke.

"We've been taking combined classes and doing training, getting our teamwork down, right? A combination of Warriors and Mages. That alone increases our stability by a ton. We're the ones going in, so what are you worried about?"

"That's... true, but..."

"We built up our proficiency with the VR training too. Ha-yul, you do a damn good job covering me and Ma O-hun, so why are you shaking?"

Park Ha-yul's defense is actually excellent. As I reminded her of that and encouraged her, the trembling stopped.

"Thanks... for saying that..."

"On top of that, there's an army unit going. When soldiers and superhumans join forces, that place basically becomes a fortress."

"Okay..."

"Yeah."

Satisfying.

It looked like Ha-yul got her nerve back.

Right then.

"That's right, that's right!"

Instructor Kawar abruptly cut in and threw her arms around our shoulders!

"Hurk!"

"Now, both ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the Warrior Class and the Mage Class have learned to work together to a certain degree! And you've fostered a spirit of helping each other and cooperating!"

"Instructor Kawar! What is this sudden arm-around-the-shoulder thing!"

"A shoulder-hug of unity. Thanks to working with kids from the other class who have a completely different type of power, your cooperative ability has vastly improved. There's nothing to worry about. Isn't that right, Park Ha-yul?"

"Yes, ma'am..."

"Good. We're getting better and better. A mage's ability is also tied to their personal confidence. Park Ha-yul. You have a very promising future."

"Thank you..."

After rattling all that off, Instructor Kawar went back to where she'd been standing.

"Now, everyone, pay attention! Next week, you'll be going there for field training, and it would be troublesome to go without any information, wouldn't it? Starting right now, Instructor Kawar's theory class begins! Take your seats!"

—Rumble.

The gathered students immediately dragged over chairs and sat down.

"First off. Rather than thinking of it as a dungeon, it's more accurate to think of that place ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠as literally somewhere on some planet in another dimension."

Literally an alien world.

"A dungeon has a limited range, but that place is very vast. We can't get a perfect read on it because of all the otherworldly phenomena, but we believe it to be a fairly large planet."

We focused on Instructor Kawar's explanation.

Looks like the afternoon classes are all going to be like this from here on out.

* * *

After school.

Before heading to training, we gathered in the Student Council Room to quickly organize the instructors' directives and watch the installed TV.

[Villain arrest rates are currently rising. These are superhuman criminals spreading a new-type drug with high lethality and dependency... Citizens are urged not to consume any suspicious substances... If you happen to witness any individuals connected to villains or drugs, please report it immediately...]

A whole slew of drug-related news was coming out.

I see. So this is what Ryuna was talking about. Can't understand why people who've actually become superhumans would be peddling drugs to make money, but according to Ryuna, these bastards apparently belong to some kind of cultist group.

"It seems like drug-related problems are erupting all over. From what I've heard, that highly addictive substance is quite peculiar. I mean, would you believe it—the rumor is that if you take that drug, you can gain superhuman strength. So I gather there are quite a few users."

What the hell.

"You become a superhuman by taking drugs? Does that make any sense?"

"That is just a rumor going around. The specifics are unknown."

Even as Leona said that, the news kept pumping out drug-related stories. Apparently, the ordinary citizen drug offenders who had been arrested were going to face public trials.

"Tch."

Yu-ri scowled as she watched the news. A completely pissed-off expression. And she seemed edgy too.

"Motherfucking bastards. Whether they're selling that shit or buying it, you ought to round up every last one of them and beat them to death."

"Ah."

Her tone was dripping with irritation.

Yu-ri's older brother died in the line of duty during the Drug War... Of course she'd be furious. Every time she sees news like this, it's bound to ruin her mood.

Seems like she's falling into some gloomy thoughts. I'd better give her a little comfort here.

"Damn right. The sellers are the problem, but so are the buyers. They're both guilty. Both guilty."

"Exactly. Do those shitheads not get that?"

"You have buyers because there are sellers. And you have sellers because there are ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠buyers."

"That's what I'm saying! Round them all up and beat them to death! That's the only way they won't dare try it again!"

Maybe venting together cheered her up, because Yu-ri yelled loudly and then flopped forward, pressing her cheek to the desk.

"Ahaha. Still, Yu-ri, rumor has it that they round up criminals of that sort and put them into forced labor."

At that point, Si-hoo spoke up.

"I know that much. If their crimes are bad enough, I heard they even use them for dungeon recon. But hey—is it really okay for just us superhumans to know this through word of mouth? Shit, they ought to make it all public so ordinary people don't dare try it either."

Personally, I don't think the Sovereign Commander—who poses as the champion of a rule-of-law state—is about to announce that kind of truth.

The ordinary citizen drug offenders will be in prison, on paper and officially. Forced labor, dungeon reconnaissance... none of that officially exists.

"Anyway, seeking solace in drugs... It is nothing short of utter foolishness. Someone that foolish would naturally believe absurd stories about a drug that turns you into a superhuman upon consumption."

Leona walked over next to Yu-ri and rubbed her back as she spoke.

"No kidding. Isn't that too far-fetched even for a bullshit rumor? If you could become a superhuman by popping a pill, everyone in the world would be one."

"Well... I don't give it any credit to begin with. But seeing as that story is going around, maybe it temporarily boosts your muscle strength or something? People can get effects like that if you inject them with adrenaline. It's probably a drug that causes a similar effect and makes people misunderstand."

"Hm."

Leona's take was plausible.

"If they let you taste that briefly enhanced power, dependency would immediately set in. A future where you fall into a delusional dream, hand over all your money, and ruin your body... It's truly lamentable."

"What's lamentable about it? They reap what they sow."

"That's true too."

Listening to Yu-ri and Leona talk, I was feeling a bit odd.

Like a thought was on the tip of my tongue.

The kind of feeling where about a minute ago you were determined to search for something, then you got sidetracked for a second and completely forgot, and now you're racking your brain going, "What the hell was it?"

And then.

—Spark.

It suddenly hit me.

"Ah."

A huge drug-related incident is going to blow up at some point... A drug that makes you feel superhuman strength, even if only temporarily. It injects a kind of corrupted mana, so for a short while you can genuinely feel like a real superhuman.

Naturally, it's highly addictive.

The people distributing it tell you that as long as you keep taking it, you can awaken as a superhuman with a high probability—even if there are some side effects.

But what the drug actually turns you into... is a monster. The corrupted mana destroys your body and reason, and you become a single hideous creature.

As I recalled all that, I felt a surge of fury.

At the same time, I was puzzled.

This thing.

In terms of the timeline, isn't this supposed to happen later?

—Ding.

Just as I was thinking that, a notification sound rang in my ear. A sound that acts like a kind of mana. A moment later, I could see the window floating in front of my eyes.

[Main Quest - Villain Attack]