If We've Come to the Island, We Should at Least Take Down the Boss
Clang.
Lee Younghee dropped the kitchen knife she'd been gripping in her hand. She had no idea why she was even holding it. All she'd done was wake up suddenly from sleep.
And yet, for some reason, there was a kitchen knife clutched in her fist.
"Ah, n-no! It's a misunderstanding!"
Younghee hurriedly made excuses. What exactly was the misunderstanding? She didn't even know what she was defending herself against.
But somehow, it felt like that's what she had to do.
"It's not... that kind of... it's not..."
Kim Yujin silently picked up the fallen kitchen knife. He brushed off the dirt clinging to it with a few pats, then placed a hand on Younghee's shoulder.
"It's okay. I get it."
"......Huh?"
Younghee blinked in confusion. He knew what had happened? No, he understood and forgave her? She didn't even understand herself why she was acting like this.
"H-how...?"
"I know all about your circumstances. I get that it's hard to talk about. But this seems pretty serious."
Yujin glanced down at the kitchen knife once more. He pondered for a moment before speaking.
"If you're okay with it, how about we call it quits on the test here? I'll tell the others too."
"N-no, you can't!"
Younghee dropped to her knees in a rush. She crawled forward and clung desperately to Yujin's pant leg.
"Please, please just let me keep taking the test!"
She had a job to do. She didn't know what it was. She didn't know why she had to do it.
But she absolutely had to complete that mission. The feeling burned strong inside her.
"I'll do anything! I won't get in the way! So please, just let me continue the test!"
Yujin stared down at Younghee without a word. Unthinkingly, she let go of his pants. Only then did she realize she'd just opposed someone else's opinion.
After a moment's thought, Yujin finally nodded.
"Got it."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. But in exchange, I'll be keeping a close eye on you from now on. Understand?"
"Y-yes!"
Younghee nodded vigorously, not even grasping the meaning of his words. As long as she could do her "job," nothing else mattered.
"Go back inside and get some more sleep for now. You'll have night watch duty too. And no funny business."
Younghee nodded happily and scurried back into the tent. As she slipped inside, she caught sight of Kim Cheolsu sleeping peacefully.
The moment she saw his face, her expression turned ice-cold, and her heart chilled.
'......I hate it.'
For reasons she couldn't fathom, that's what she thought. Younghee lay back down in her sleeping bag.
But her eyes held none of the spark they'd had before.
...
Survival test, day three.
Seo Yura glanced back with a hint of dissatisfaction.
'Aren't they sticking a little too close?'
Younghee and Yujin had been glued to each other's sides the entire march. They were so inseparable it almost looked like they were a real couple.
'......But I can't exactly suggest switching positions.'
The current B-rank group's formation had Cheolsu at the front, followed by Yura, Younghee, and Yujin at the rear.
Prioritizing the healer's safety was basic party protocol. And everyone knew the front and back were the most dangerous spots when advancing.
That was why vanguards usually took point and rear guard, with mages and healers sandwiched safely in between, front to back.
In that sense, Cheolsu up front and Yujin in the back was textbook perfect.
But whether that sat well with her was another matter entirely.
'I never really thought much about Younghee and Yujin's relationship before......'
She stole another glance back. Younghee was fawning over Yujin just like always.
Until yesterday, Yujin had brushed it off without a second thought. But today, he was clearly paying attention to her—way more than usual.
It grated on Yura so much she could barely stand it. Probably didn't help that Yujin had said those words yesterday.
-Yeah, class prez... no, Younghee's a big help to the team.
She knew it didn't mean much. He'd just misspoke and corrected himself.
But when it came to someone you liked, even little slips like that stung. That was just how a girl's heart worked.
'......Doesn't Cheolsu mind seeing that?'
Of course, she knew Younghee's behavior was all an act.
Still, it bothered her this much, so Cheolsu putting up with it impassively suddenly seemed impressive.
"......Class prez, you've got a bug on your shoulder. It's poisonous—I'll get it."
"Ah, yeah. Thanks."
Even amid all this, he was faithfully fulfilling his vanguard role. It even made her wonder if she was just being petty.
'Am I......jealous of Younghee?'
She didn't know the full details of what went down between the three of them. But she had the general gist.
Yujin took a liking to Younghee and used all sorts of threats to steal her from Cheolsu. Cheolsu was still trying to win her back.
'......Why did it have to be Younghee?'
Of course, Yura knew full well how exceptional Younghee was.
For starters, Younghee was one of the top beauties at the academy. Delicate yet refined, with a lovable fragility that made you want to protect her. Her shy smiles could melt even another girl.
Yura had been shocked when she cut her long hair short, but even the bob suited her perfectly, like it was made for her.
And it wasn't just her looks. Her support abilities were top-tier at the academy. Her buffs held up against anyone else's. Her personality was kind too, making her popular with everyone. Orphan or not, she never let her hardships show and always put others first.
Even with Cheolsu around, she'd gotten confessions at least once a week before Yujin showed up.
A true flower. Like a shojo manga heroine brought to life.
'......No wonder she's so popular.'
Thinking that way suddenly made Yura feel small and insignificant.
Sure, she could match Younghee academically. Her style was......pretty good, if she said so herself. Younghee had even said she envied her mature, glamorous figure.
But Yura had been born into comfort as the daughter of a hero, and her one pride—her dungeon-growth ability—was dismissed as useless by Yujin.
'Well, he did say there were replacements, so maybe not entirely useless.'
Either way, she wasn't needed by Yujin right now. That fact filled her with dissatisfaction and fear.
Once they graduated the academy, she might never see him again. Hell, even if the class split beforehand, the odds plummeted.
She had to prove her worth while they were still in the same class. Less than a year left, even counting vacation.
If she couldn't earn his approval by then? The chance would be gone forever.
She felt anxious. Impatient.
'......If I were in Younghee's shoes, I'd be thrilled.'
The sudden thought made Yura shake her head fiercely. She'd almost let self-loathing creep in again.
She knew all about Younghee and Cheolsu's situation. Feeling envious was shameless. There were limits to conscience.
"Class prez, you okay? You've looked worried since earlier."
"Ah, yeah! I'm fine! Must be the forest path throwing me off."
"Got it. There's a rest spot coming up soon—just hang in there till then."
Yura forced a smile and nodded. Yeah, she couldn't have thoughts like that about a friend who looked out for her like this.
No matter if romance made her betray a friend, there were lines you didn't cross.
'Whew, right. At least make sure Cheolsu and Younghee get good scores. Time to reflect.'
Yura nodded firmly, resolved.
'Yeah, focus on the test. If I get distracted by weird stuff, I won't notice monsters even if they pop out.'
As if summoned by the thought, a monster burst from the underbrush.
But something was off about it. Or rather, not off so much as—
"That snake's got two heads?"
Yujin's words rang clear. The island's boss monster, the Twin-Headed Serpent.
The damn thing had actually appeared.
'I got careless!'
Was it because the party's skills were too overwhelming? She'd never anticipated this level of danger.
And that complacency had created this opening.
'Of all things, a boss monster......'
The Twin-Headed Serpent was a boss-grade monster. A large one, at that.
Bosses were always tougher to take down than regulars. And for a large specimen, bump that up another notch.
It was the strongest thing on this island, and no guarantee they could beat it.
Even a decent guild might struggle. And it wasn't something you ran into easily.
Honestly, she'd only known it existed here. Never dreamed they'd cross paths.
There were limits to bad luck. This survival test was cursed or something.
"Everyone, battle stations—"
Before Cheolsu at the front could finish, both snake heads gaped wide.
Did it think it was a dragon? Flames flickered in its maw.
Soon, an enormous blaze erupted from both heads.