Chapter 6: Genius and Trash
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 6: Genius and Trash
[Seo Yeon-woo. Simulated Urban Warfare Individual Evaluation Report]
Record: 0 Kills, 14 Deaths, 40% Combat Contribution Rate.
Evaluator: Derek Skolson.
Note: I am submitting this evaluation after reviewing the individual footage five times, having discovered peculiarities distinct from the average student.
Before the training began, the subject displayed behavior suggesting high familiarity with illusion spaces, such as attacking allies to verify the stat settings of the environment.
It is assessed that rather than having no qualms about attacking people due to combat experience, he views the illusion space as entirely separate from reality. This suggests either extensive experience with illusion spaces or a behavioral pattern that distinguishes reality from a simulation, much like a game.
Simultaneously, by performing an act of friendly fire that could be perceived as eccentric in a public setting, he forced the other students—who were tense and unfamiliar with combat—to recognize that they were in an illusion space. Thanks to this, the students of Team B engaged in combat much more aggressively during their first training session.
Erin Blair, the principal of Yggdrasil, reads the evaluation report with calm eyes.
Since students are highly likely to hold important government positions after graduation, personality and psychological evaluations are considered crucial. In that sense, the word "peculiarity" isn't always a positive thing. It means they are noticeably different from others, which implies a high potential for problems; thus, they must be observed closely.
‘And it’s also a word frequently attached to the evaluations of mages who make a name for themselves in the future…’
Akito’s evaluation also includes the term "peculiarity" due to his leadership skills and his ability to influence the battlefield just by being present. Ultimately, whether for better or worse, it means they stand out from the rest, making them subjects Yggdrasil must keep an eye on.
This particular training session was the strangest and most chaotic in Yggdrasil's history. Using the respawn rule at the base to conduct suicide attacks...
Opinions are divided among the faculty regarding the results Seo Yeon-woo produced. Some harshly criticize it as a petty, worthless tactic that could never be used in real combat. Conversely, others praise him as a strategist who thoroughly understood the rules and utilized them to secure victory.
Personally, Erin finds it incredibly refreshing and rates it highly, but since the teachers' opinions are so conflicted, she is currently refraining from expressing her own.
After successfully stealing a radio, Seo Yeon-woo engaged in information warfare by eavesdropping on Team A’s communications.
While everyone else headed for the objectives at the start, Seo Yeon-woo circled the edge of the zone toward the enemy base. Although he died once, he succeeded in stealing a radio from Team A’s base.
While some might dismiss this as reckless, his anticipation that no one would remember each other's faces on the first day of orientation offers a glimpse into his judgment. Although he was eventually caught at the end, his ability to nonchalantly act like a member of Team A while securing the radio suggests a talent for espionage. However, his proactive use of lies and deception warrants caution. While not necessarily indicative of poor character, systematic personality observation over time is required.
This alone showed how strategically he was thinking. His abilities, overshadowed by the controversy of the suicide attacks, were far too impressive to be undervalued.
The report goes on to detail the combat Seo Yeon-woo engaged in afterward, but since Erin has already watched the footage several times, she skips ahead.
Once victory was certain, Seo Yeon-woo used the stolen radio to insult Team A.
From this point on, the evaluation is largely subjective, so please use it for reference only. In my personal judgment as an instructor, I believe this action was taken to protect his comrade, Angelica Graham, who participated in the suicide attacks with him.
Looking at instances where he encouraged his comrades early on, protected those being ignored, moved to understand his unit members in detail during the training, and acted when his comrades were insulted over the radio, he possesses a strong sense of camaraderie. Judging that Angelica’s frail personality would not be able to withstand the criticism following the training, Seo Yeon-woo intentionally drew attention to himself to become the target of blame.
‘Isn’t this a bit of a biased evaluation? It seems he’s taken a liking to Mr. Skolson.’
Erin lets out a small laugh.
Has there ever been a student who gained recognition from the start from Derek Skolson, a man famous for being as stingy with praise as he is skilled? As far as she can remember, Seo Yeon-woo is the only one.
‘To even captivate Mr. Skolson... he’s a boy with a devilish charm.’
Chuckling, Erin closes the report.
If Derek’s evaluation is correct, Seo Yeon-woo is already close to a finished product in terms of mentality.
The strategic mind to create unconventional tactics within given conditions. The composure to analyze the battlefield and surrounding abilities rather than succumbing to youthful impulsiveness. The maturity to recognize the importance of information and secure the means to obtain it. Even the leadership to protect comrades and boost morale.
It was only natural that he earned a 40% contribution rate in this training. Since the evaluation covers the entire participant pool, anyone with even 10% is considered an exceptional talent. It means they did the work of at least ten people; the influence such a mage has on their allies and the battlefield is immense.
Akito, who excelled in Team A, was assigned a remarkable 28% contribution rate, and his presence allowed Team A to overwhelm Team B.
But they lost.
They lost because of Seo Yeon-woo, who was assigned a 40% contribution rate despite having zero kills and only deaths. While it was a tactic only possible because of Angelica—who had a 31% contribution rate and the highest kill count—the graphs showed that before he stepped in, Angelica’s contribution was hovering around 4%.
In terms of pure contribution, it was as if Seo Yeon-woo and Angelica had defeated Team A by themselves.
‘Interesting... where did such a talent come from?’
There are many children among this year's freshmen whose futures are worth anticipating.
‘I wonder what else these children will show me?’
Erin smiles, lightly biting her lip as if in excitement.
* * *
“... ...”
“... ...”
Uh... um... I guess I got a bit too excited at the end, didn't I? Maybe I shouldn't have called them losers.
But honestly, you guys started the provocations first.
I turn my head away from the stinging glares of the students who had woken up after the training ended. Since our real bodies are vulnerable while in the virtual space, we had entered capsules to begin the training. The sight of people inside the rows of capsules gave off a heavy dystopian movie vibe.
And when the people who woke up after the training began glaring at me all at once, I realized this wasn't a dystopia—it was a horror movie. It’s a terrifying thing when people just stare at you without saying a word.
And you Team B bastards. I’m the one who got you the win, so why aren't you taking my side?
“You piece of trash. Does winning like that make you happy?”
Chika is picking a fight again.
From the protagonist's perspective, she was cute because she was prickly to others but shy around him, but being on the receiving end makes me want to lose it.
“It feels greeeeat! I feel amazing. It’s the best! You should try it too. It gets you points.”
“You son of a—!”
Akito barely manages to hold Chika back as she tries to lung at me.
Ah, damn. I didn't mean for it to go like this. Chika provoked me, and I ended up talking back out of irritation. The dozens of eyes watching me are stinging.
“Yeon-woo. Right?”
Akito, having calmed Chika down, approaches me. What, are you going to call me petty too?
Akito smiles brightly and extends his hand.
“You’re really smart. You completely caught us off guard. We were helpless against it.”
“Uh... thanks?”
I’m not used to sudden compliments.
“Akito! How is that trash smart?!”
“He is right. He is a lowly human without a shred of warrior’s pride.”
As Akito tries to end things on a warm note, Chika and the Samurai start throwing a fit. Warrior’s pride? My ass. You guys love Kamikaze attacks, don't you?
“But Yeon-woo didn't break the rules, did he? Isn't it impressive to produce such a result within the same conditions?”
“Well, that’s true, but...”
Exactly! As expected of the protagonist! Speak only the truth! You can't argue with that, can you? I just played by the rules.
“Even if there are no rules, there is a code of conduct one must follow. Without that, a human is no different from a beast.”
Samurai, you make sure to only fight one-on-one like an idiot when you're on a real battlefield, okay?
At her rebuttal, Akito seems to have no answer, scratching his cheek with a sheepish grin. Hey! Don't agree with her! If you, the one taking my side, give in, what does that make me?
“But it’s training. Training is about trying this and that, experimenting with different things.”
“Akito, you’re too nice for your own good.”
“Because Brother is the type to take the loss.”
I’m the one who won, so why are you guys the ones having a heartwarming moment? The other students look at Akito with eyes full of respect. Then, when they turn to me, their gaze shifts to one reserved for food waste.
“If you’re done chatting, return to your classrooms.”
As the instructor in charge speaks coldly, the students from Team A stand up one by one and glare at me as they pass.
Yeah, yeah... those definitely aren't the eyes of people looking at the hero of the victory. If I was going to get cursed at even after winning, why did I try so hard?
“Um...”
Angelica, who had shared that soul-binding all-out clash with me, groin-to-groin, approaches hesitantly.
“Th-thank you...”
“Huh? I won because you were there too. Thank you, too.”
And thanks for the thorough cock massage.
“N-no. Not that... anyway, thank you!”
Angelica blushes and runs off. Wait, did she thank me for the rubbing too? Man, she has such an innocent face, but she’s quite the pervert.
“What’s with that disgusting look on your face again?”
“My face is handsome. It’s never disgusting.”
“...You’re as obnoxious as ever.”
These guys might pick fights, but they’re precious allies who take my side. Is this how the Gag Trio from the game was formed? They don't have the courage to take my side when Chika is acting up, but they’re among the few from Team B who actually thanked me.
“I carried, so buy me a drink or something.”
“The Commander of the Turnaround shall grant you a reward.”
Rio puts on an arrogant expression, seemingly hooked on the word "Commander." Technically, wasn't he just a radio operator?
Eventually, the conversation drifts back to girls—them being jealous of me riding the motorcycle with Angelica or talking about seeing girls' underwear during the fight. While we’re having this perverted chatter, I lock eyes with Yukina.
“... ...”
You guys shut up the moment a girl is nearby.
While the Comedy Duo is reading the room, Yukina, who was leaning against the wall, speaks.
“You’re pretty good.”
“...Thanks?”
Was that a compliment? Before I can ask her intent, Yukina turns around and heads into the classroom, and the duo starts their noisy chatter again. They really have a clear on/off switch.
No matter how Spartan Yggdrasil is, it’s only the first day. After the tests, the homeroom teacher gives us some basic rules and information, and the schedule ends.
“Got plans after this? If not, want to hang out? Are you in the dorms?”
“A handsome man like me is always busy.”
“...I get that you’re handsome, so stop saying it already.”
I have no intention of hanging out with the Comedy Duo after school; I have a lot to do today. I part ways with them and head out, enduring the glares of the students who participated in the training.
I need to find a part-time job and move, so I’m busy in many ways. The place I’m living in now isn't a house; it’s a storage room for goods. I didn't just spend the two months waiting for admission meeting women.
Since there’s no shitty game system forcing me to sell items at 10% of their value, the money I made from selling items is quite substantial. Especially rare items—they sell for insane prices at auctions. The downside is that rare items that are hard to find in shops are also expensive.
With the money I gathered, I cleared out casinos, invested in companies that are bound to succeed, and did various other things. Now, my bank balance isn't just healthy; it’s overflowing.
In most games, money can buy you anything, right? Now that it’s reality, I can utilize the power of money even more. I have so much money it’s rotting; I don't need a part-time job for the cash.
However, part-time jobs are part of the game system. Every job has a mandatory H-scene, and some of them unlock special stories, rare items, or perks.
Since the protagonist is on his second playthrough, he doesn't need money or perks, right?
But I’m going to take everything I can get, without hesitation.