The Repeater's Rebellion
Yoo Ara pressed forward without hesitation. More precisely, with the tank Lee Hye-ri leading the way. Jang Won-hu was little more than dead weight to the party. Yoo Ara had cleared everything before he could even step up.
The most dangerous event in the simulation is the civilian rescue. It's trickier than it seems. But there's a way to cut down the time...
I don't know if illusion-type monsters will show up, but without a healer in the team, I can use telekinesis to whip up a strong gust of wind...
It was almost omnipotent. She handled even the magic traps that the close-range dealer Jang Won-hu and spear-wielding tank Lee Hye-ri couldn't approach with telekinesis. All thanks to Kim Siu's advice.
In the simulations for new students, the standard approach to magic traps was avoidance rather than breakthrough. But Yoo Ara, following Kim Siu's counsel and the power of her telekinesis, blasted through them swiftly. To shorten the clear time.
Her sole goal was first place in the monthly evaluation. To win the bet with Kim Siu, first place was the only option. So she'd decided on a solo breakthrough. The bonus points for resolving the magic traps would give her—and her team—plenty of score. Of course, even she hadn't expected a perennial last-place repeater like herself to clear it this fast.
"That crazy bitch, where the hell did she get that power...?"
Even Jang Won-hu, who'd mocked her, muttered in shock from behind.
"What the hell is that?"
"Did they just pass through there?"
"Hey! We gotta pick up the pace too! We're gonna lose first if this keeps up!"
Urgent voices rang out. The other teams, witnessing Group 33's solo breakthrough, scrambled into action. Hearing the fading voices of the other cadets, Yoo Ara felt an inexplicable thrill. Is this what it feels like to be in the lead?
Feels good, doesn't it?
It was a sensation she didn't want to lose. She felt great. Really great.
And now, the end of the monthly evaluation was nearly upon them.
Grooooar!
A massive ogre with bulging muscles blocked their path. The ogre, known as the toughest trial in the monthly evaluation—practically a dungeon boss monster—was the wall where most novice cadets crumbled. A colossal being with no visible weak points. Even in simulation, its vivid presence made Yoo Ara flinch for a moment.
It's fine. I'm used to it by now.
This was already her dozens of time. She'd grown accustomed to the simulation monsters. Still.
Boom!
"Tch!"
She couldn't help but instinctively flinch every time its fist smashed the ground. Shaking off the primal fear, Yoo Ara recalled Kim Siu's words.
For someone like you who uses telekinesis, ogres are a piece of cake. Their necks are the weak point. Just twist with enough force. Have the tank draw aggro, concentrate your power, and...
Yoo Ara glanced at the tank, Lee Hye-ri.
"Tank! What are you doing? Pull the ogre's aggro already!"
But Lee Hye-ri, assigned the tank role, struggled to hold aggro properly.
"Just wait a sec."
"You idiot! How long are you gonna take?!"
Yoo Ara's fiery temper flared. This was a critical battlefield. First place. If she didn't claim first in the monthly evaluation, even topping the regular exam wouldn't matter. She was desperate. Her heart raced with anxiety. Dragging this out here would make first place vanish like smoke.
Yoo Ara wanted to unleash a torrent of curses right then.
"Tch!"
But seeing Lee Hye-ri flounder was like looking at last year's herself—she couldn't bring herself to speak.
"Stupid bitches."
The moment the ogre's aggro shifted to Yoo Ara, Jang Won-hu dashed past them.
"You two keep spinning your wheels. Thanks for the easy ride."
"That motherfucker!"
Yoo Ara ground her teeth at Jang Won-hu's retreating back.
"If you're gonna bail like that, at least jack off before you go, you bastard!"
Even spewing curses didn't relieve her frustration. It wasn't a system where teammates shared points. She'd anticipated betrayal like this, but not at the hardest moment.
"Tank, hurry up!"
"Got it."
Lee Hye-ri finally pulled aggro, using her taunt skill to draw the ogre's gaze. Its head swiveled toward her. Only then did Yoo Ara focus her telekinesis on the ogre's neck and twisted, just as Kim Siu had instructed. Concentrating force there made snapping its neck surprisingly easy.
Crack!
Thud!
The ogre's massive body collapsed.
This'll work in real combat too. But remember, simulation ogres only have 60% of a real one's strength—don't get overconfident.
No time for reflection. To claim first, they had to reach the goal first. Jang Won-hu had betrayed them and surged ahead. The finish line was close now. As an agility-based close dealer character, he'd figured he could solo it.
Damn. Losing first to that arrogant prick was unacceptable, even in death.
But what could she do? Thanks to Kim Siu's golden advice, they were already at the goal's doorstep. The remaining checkpoints weren't that tough. Catching Jang Won-hu's speed would be impossible.
"We're probably the only team to reach here at this pace."
As she racked her brain, Lee Hye-ri spoke up.
"I know. Better than anyone."
"Then let's go."
"I'm thinking of a way to beat Jang Won-hu..."
"You're aiming for first, right? To prove you're different."
Yoo Ara nodded at Lee Hye-ri's piercing words.
"I have a way."
"A way?"
"Yeah. I'll carry you on my back."
"Carry me?"
"Yep."
Yoo Ara eyed Lee Hye-ri. Slender build, droopy eyes. Far from the typical tank—no heavy plate armor or massive shield. Just leather armor and a 2-meter polearm taller than her. She was geared more like a melee dealer.
"You sure? With that build, no way..."
"I can do it. Just hop on already."
"..."
No other choice.
"Fine."
Yoo Ara hoisted Lee Hye-ri onto her back.
"Hold on tight—I'm running."
"Got i—"
In an instant, the surroundings blurred away. The speed was so intense it made breathing hard.
What the—? What's with this girl?
Yoo Ara stared in shock at the nonchalant Lee Hye-ri sprinting along. Wasn't she a tank? Tanks were usually sturdy frontliners who taunted foes, infamous for their sluggishness.
She's basically an agility dealer!
At that moment.
"Wh-what the hell are you?!"
With Lee Hye-ri on her back, Yoo Ara overtook Jang Won-hu. No one could stop the duo who'd passed the sole leader.
1st Place: Class 23-D Group 33, Yoo Ara
2nd Place: Class 23-D Group 33, Lee Hye-ri
Disqualified: Class 23-D Group 33, Jang Won-hu
Reason: Betrayal and Insufficient Contribution
And with that, the monthly evaluation ended.
"How'd it go?"
"First in the monthly evaluation..."
She really did it. Honestly, I hadn't thought she'd actually take first. Even with S-grade potential and traits, it was a teamwork game. I figured Yoo Ara alone couldn't pull it off.
Telekinesis alone couldn't clear all those tasks.
She must've had solid teammates.
"Congrats on first, for now. But you know there's the regular exam next week, right?"
"Of course! And I'll take first there too."
"Pretty confident, huh."
"You bet. I got a capable teammate."
Teammate, huh.
"You won't say this doesn't count, right?"
"Doesn't matter. Recruiting allies with your own skills is hunter ability too."
"Awesome! You promised—a reward for first!"
"Yeah. Anything you want."
Her confidence was inflated from the evaluation scores, but it was fine.
The more your skills grow, the more they'll notice me, the one who raised you.
I watched her growth with slightly impure thoughts.
"Professor Park, did you see the monthly evaluation results?"
Park Ji-yoon, in charge of the 23rd class monthly evaluations, nodded at the bearded Choi professor's question.
"Yes, I checked."
"Amazing. A repeater taking first in the monthly evaluation."
"Tell me about it."
"If I hadn't seen the footage, I'd suspect you botched the test setup. Haha."
Park Ji-yoon sighed inwardly at Choi's words. What a prick. Decades scraping at people had made him a master at souring moods with a single sentence. An expert in 'Understanding Close Combat Techniques'—mandatory for close dealers, especially strength-based ones who could tank—he was one of the academy's top talents.
If he didn't pick fights, he'd be respectable.
Park Ji-yoon swallowed her sigh and smiled.
"Yeah."
"Did you look into that cadet Yoo Ara?"
"I'm checking. She's progressed faster than expected. She took first in the weekly evaluation with top scores recently, and now first in the monthly."
"Before that?"
"Mostly last place. Rearguard with a decent telekinesis skill, but this time she shone in mid-line dealer role."
"Intriguing. Your doing as homeroom prof?"
Choi eyed Park Ji-yoon, urban combat instructor and 23-D class advisor.
"No. Purely the student's own growth."
"I see. Hmm, sudden first place... Hacking possibility?"
"None. No relation to hacks. Just exploited system gaps cleverly."
"Impressive. Feels like a seasoned TA trained her..."
"Doesn't make the score fake."
Choi nodded at Park Ji-yoon's retort.
"Agreed. Department head'll think the same. Show this in the regular exam, and she's full-ride scholarship material."
"Probably."
"That's why I can't quit teaching cadets. They change daily, right? Hahaha!"
Choi laughed heartily, then glanced at Lee Hye-ri.
"What about second-place Lee Hye-ri?"
"Still hasn't overcome her weaknesses. Lucky to team with Yoo Ara for the first exam pass, but..."
"Tough after that."
"Unless she switches to dealer."
"This team could be the dark horse then."
"Yes."
The two professors eyed Class 23-D Group 33, where Yoo Ara and Lee Hye-ri belonged. The anomalous ranking from bottom-tier students was enough to shake the entire 23rd class—not just these two.