Following the Perilla Leaf Debate, the Fire-Breathing Snake Head Debate
The first to react was the class president. Or rather, she had no choice but to be.
She was the only one among the four with the means to protect the majority.
Mid-level Magic: Mana Force Field
*Boom!* The barrier shattered and scattered upon taking the flames head-on. Stray flames splashed around, ones that hadn't been fully blocked. The shockwave sent Younghee and the class president stumbling back.
But that was enough. They'd avoided a direct hit, and no one had suffered major injuries.
Bad matchup against giant monsters.
Cheolsu grumbled inwardly as he drew his sword. The team's main firepower—Yujin and himself—lacked any real area-of-effect skills. The martial arts they used, Cheon-gong Shin-gwon and Cheon-gong Geom, were top-tier techniques, but ultimately suited for one-on-one combat. Specialists in single-target duels, you could say. They had unavoidable limitations against massive beasts like this.
Against giant monsters, the standard was having over ten mages pour ranged firepower from afar.
Well, complaining won't change anything.
At least there was some good news. He and Yujin were top-class in combat. Younghee and the class president weren't slouches either. It was doable. That's what Cheolsu judged.
Mid-level Blessing: Earth's Guardianship
Low-level Blessing: Angel's Whisper
Right on cue, Younghee's buffs landed. Not many buffers could apply two buffs at once. Even searching the entire academy, you'd find fewer than ten.
Strength surged into his sword-gripping hand, and his mind sharpened. Fixing his gaze on the twin-headed serpent, Cheolsu shouted.
"Kim Yujin! Got any brilliant strategies popping into that head of yours?"
"Yeah."
An immediate reply came, surprisingly. No student could handle this easily. Had he really anticipated even this?
"What is it?"
"I'll smash the left head, you slice the right!"
Cheolsu stared at Yujin like he was an idiot. Was this guy seriously joking right now?
......No. This bastard was dead serious.
"......Even in a situation like this, you're messing with me?"
"Huh? You prefer left too? I'm left-handed, so that might be..."
"Forget it."
Cheolsu shook his head side to side. He hadn't expected cooperation from Kim Yujin anyway. If the guy handled one head, that'd be plenty.
Actually, it wasn't a bad call. No matter how big it is, sever the head and it dies.
As they took position, the twin-headed serpent finished its attack prep. Snake heads big enough to chew through a car came charging, fangs gleaming.
"Kiyaaaaah!"
The boss monster's unique pressure pierced like static. His old self might've lost fighting spirit. But now? Nothing.
Yujin's killing intent was way scarier.
He hated to admit it—even if he died—but fighting Yujin had improved his skills. He really didn't want to acknowledge it.
Cheon-gong Geom: Dragon Surge
The swift sword strike coiled around the snake's head. Countless wounds etched into it. But they meant little. The minor cuts healed with a sizzle in moments—less than a minute total.
Insane regeneration.
Whatever. It was just a taunt to keep it off Younghee and the president anyway. Aggro secured—now for the real assault.
Cheon-gong Geom: Cheolsu Original - Blue Lightning
Pure mana in the air responded to Cheolsu's call, forming lightning that wrapped his blade. The sword resonated in response. Other swordsmen would've said: Beyond sword aura, the primary goal of every swordsman.
I prepared this to take down Kim Yujin.
His old sword wouldn't have handled it— it'd shatter under the mana. But this B-rank gear? Different story.
Gotta thank the president properly later.
Cheolsu still mistook Yujin's gift for the president's. Anyway, the blue sword aura slashed the air. As he swung, the snake gaped wide.
"Kiyaaaaah!"
Its massive fang charged like a stake spear. Cheolsu didn't dodge—he smashed it with his sword.
*Crack!!*
"Groooar!"
The fang snapped clean off—a perfect strike worthy of art. The snake reeled in agony. Cheolsu got pushed back a bit but took no real damage. Arm fine, sword still responsive.
Thanks to Younghee's buffs?
Way different from solo fights. No burden of protecting her. A top-notch mage like the president guarded the rear solidly. Yujin... was handling the other head reliably, whatever.
What'd be impossible alone became feasible. Never thought I'd fight a boss monster on equal footing like this.
How many pro heroes could pull this off? Cheolsu felt anew his own skill and his friends' capabilities.
We can do this.
They could really take down this behemoth. Scores would be irrelevant—such a feat was unprecedented in academy history.
"Kiyaaaaah!"
The snake charged again. Not relying on fire this time—it swung its long neck to smash them flat. Cheolsu dodged nimbly like a flying squirrel.
Even if attacks land, that bulk is still a threat.
But it also meant more openings. Cheolsu swung wide. Fluids sprayed from the gash.
"Kiyaaaaah!"
Truly enraged now, it lost reason and barreled in. Fire gathered in its maw again—scorching heat over 100°C.
But Cheolsu was ready this time.
Won't fall for it twice!
No more surprise. As the head spewed flames, Cheolsu swung, blue mana surging. He hurled it sharp as a blade.
Cheon-gong Geom: Moonlit Sky Thrust
The flying slash clashed with the flames. Blue and red energies canceled in midair, shockwaves kicking up smoke that obscured vision.
Cheolsu wouldn't miss the gap.
Cheon-gong Geom: Cloud Hide
His figure vanished in an instant, floating midair. Landing on the snake's head, his sword glowed soft blue. The snake whipped around too late. No mercy—Cheolsu swung big.
Cheon-gong Geom: Crescent Moon Frenzy
*Slash!* The neck gashed deep, spraying fluids.
*Thud!*
The heavy body crashed. Cheolsu landed and turned. He'd severed most of the neck's width. It twitched, but no signs of recovery.
Wanted a clean one-shot decapitation if possible.
With that size? You'd need a dragon-slaying blade. Beyond his current level and gear. Still, this was passing grade.
*Thud!*
Another heavy crash echoed. Yujin had taken his head down effortlessly too. Of course— if Cheolsu could, that guy definitely could. Blunt force was worse against regen foes than his style, yet no difference showed Yujin's caliber.
......If we fought now, what'd happen?
Competitive fire rose. They'd fought together, but Yujin was still the enemy to fell. He had to protect Younghee—and the president.
......Nah, drop it.
Cheolsu shook his head. Wrong time. Wait till after the exam at least.
"Took it down with bare fists, huh."
"Just kept punching till it dropped."
Yujin replied casually. No exaggeration or bragging—just stating facts plainly. Like it was nothing. Ununderestimable guy.
"You two did great~"
A bright voice rang out. The class president approached, waving. Their contributions weren't small.
As Cheolsu smiled to reply, her face twisted in horror. Killing intent from behind hit simultaneously.
He sensed it instinctively.
It survived that and didn't die?
Turning, flames roared from both heads. Not risen—just mouths agape on the ground. Less attack, more death throes. Squeezing out final power to kill them.
A few seconds. Their fire would hit direct.
Still blockable. Problem was—
Directions are different!
One aimed at the president, the other at Younghee behind. High-rank smarts? Knew to target their support.
Which to block......!
No choice to abandon either. But he couldn't block both alone. Cheolsu's eyes wavered. He glanced urgently at Kim Yujin.
Key question now: Who would he protect—Younghee or the president?
Fuckin' hell.
No need to ask. Who was the girl he'd beaten Cheolsu bloody for?
!......!
Cheolsu bit his lip till it bled, raising his sword and moving. The president stood behind him.
Fortunate? Or as expected? Yujin moved to shield Younghee.
Damn it all.
His choice was right—for protecting both. But why? Why couldn't he stop fixating on Younghee's face behind him?
No, he knew why. Burying the surging emotions, Cheolsu swung.
*Boom!!*
The twin flames canceled by the two boys. No injuries.
But no joy. Just awkward tension among the four.
Younghee broke it.
"Hng~"
She smirked, dead-eyed at Cheolsu. Choosing words carefully to gut him.
"Cheolsu, in a crisis, you think of the class president first and move to protect her over me, huh~?"
Cheolsu turned wordlessly. The childhood friends' gazes clashed in the air.