Chapter 19: Popping the Cherry, Yes, That Cherry
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 19: Popping the Cherry, Yes, That Cherry
Popping the cherry, yes, that cherry.
['Break Line continues its streak of systematic innovation—Supervisor Jeong Yeon-woo, the man who captured "Millionface"...']
I let out a hollow laugh at the ridiculous article.
It was based on an interview I did a few days ago. The clan had blasted out press releases like crazy and I’d even sat for the interview myself, so why did the final product turn out like this?
The article was riddled with clickbait, clearly seasoned with Park Sung-jun’s personal tastes.
The Apprentice System that Break Line was introducing this time was different from other clans. Instead of heroes evaluating the apprentices, they would be judged by professional supervisors who had accumulated vast amounts of systematic data.
Of course, judging based solely on numbers on a page... was what Break Line did best.
Regardless, the content was meant to inspire hope in aspiring heroes by claiming we wouldn't just look at numbers, but would head into the field to evaluate their actual skills. It wasn't a bad angle. There are plenty of prospective heroes who are undervalued simply because of their stats.
However, in an effort to paint Break Line as "innovative," the article portrayed other clans as absolute garbage.
It was full of provocations that would infuriate any other clan: claims that while heroes might be better at fighting, professionals were better at identifying potential and skill, or that other clans relied on "outdated and irrational" evaluation systems.
Honestly, who’s better at evaluating? A guy who’s spent his life pushing paper, or a hero who’s built a career on the front lines?
The answer is obviously the latter, but the article painted heroes as dim-witted and packaged me—the man who caught Millionface—as some sort of elite expert.
People reading this wouldn't direct their anger at Break Line; they’d start by harboring ill will toward me, the guy whose face was plastered right there in the photo.
The comments were exactly what I expected.
Since I’m a man, there were some people thirsting over my looks, but most of the reactions were along the lines of "what a load of bullshit."
Park Sung-jun... you really screwed me over.
Still, whether the attention was positive or negative, it was drawing eyes. To prospective heroes, it looked like we valued skill over stats, so from the clan's perspective, the benefits outweighed the costs.
I take the heat, and the clan makes the money. A truly wonderful cycle.
"Yeon-woo, are you ready?"
"Yes, So-ye Noona. I'm ready."
"Oh my, I told you not to call me that in a professional setting."
Despite her words, Han So-ye let a small smile slip.
"I look forward to working with you."
"We look forward to working with you, Yeon-woo Oppa."
"Please save the 'Oppa' for when we're closer. For now, you can call me 'Manager.'"
The apprentice heroes joining me for this dungeon dive greeted me.
Since I had drawn a clear line, Han So-ye—the one I’d called Noona—seemed secretly pleased.
"How much longer do I have to be at Break Line before I can call you Oppa?"
A bold redhead approached me with provocative eyes, as if trying to tease me. Her hair color hadn't changed because of her awakening; she’d simply dyed it afterward.
I believe her name was Jeong A-rim.
She seemed to have a bit of a flair for the dramatic; since her abilities were fire-related, she’d dyed her hair red to look like a "talented Awakened."
"If your field evaluation goes well, you'll be here for a long time. Do your best."
"Then if I get good grades today, I can call you Oppa, right?"
"Sure. Work hard."
The proactive Jeong A-rim pumped her fist with enthusiasm, and the other apprentices beside her also had a sparkle in their eyes.
Wait, why are the rest of you getting fired up? You haven't even done anything yet.
As I stared at the heroes and their inexplicably twinkling eyes, Han So-ye clapped her hands lightly to gather everyone's attention.
"Alright, let's go pop some cherries. Everyone, try not to be too nervous."
"I've already popped mine."
"Me too."
"Oh my, this batch of heroes is quite experienced."
It might sound like a strange conversation, but calling one's first dungeon experience "popping the cherry" wasn't particularly unusual.
However, seeing the way they looked at me while talking about it, it was clear they were enjoying the double entendre.
This dungeon was a D-1 rank, the lowest tier, which Break Line had secured through a dungeon omen investigation. There were no entry restrictions and the monsters were pathetic, but it was perfect for safely evaluating rookies.
Of course, one might wonder if you can truly evaluate someone when only weaklings like goblins appear, but since we were checking things like operational execution and judgment rather than just stats, it didn't really matter.
"We will run the dungeon a total of four times, resetting it without destroying the dungeon core. For the first run, we'll proceed by the book, following instructions from the situation room."
"Yes, Oppa—I mean, Manager. Even though I'm not a 'virgin' to this, thank you for helping me pop this cherry."
Jeong A-rim gave a mischievous smile, bordering on sexual harassment. Some of the other apprentices frowned at the blatant comment, but as for me? I liked it. Keep it coming.
The four rookies, myself as the evaluator, and Han So-ye—who came along just in case of an emergency—entered the dungeon.
Having Han So-ye, one of the clan's top powers, felt like a waste of human resources, but it wasn't unheard of for B-rank heroes to manage apprentices even in large clans.
As soon as we stepped inside, I pulled out a specially coated tablet for dungeon use and began the evaluation.
When Han So-ye and I watched in silence, the atmosphere among the apprentices finally shifted as they snapped into focus.
"Alright, I'll take the lead as party leader for now."
"Why you?"
"Because I'm the strongest."
"You? Don't make me laugh."
Yep, wonderful. It's a disaster right from the start.
When Jeong A-rim stepped forward to be the leader, the other apprentices started a fuss, each wanting the role for themselves. They likely thought being the party leader would earn them a better evaluation.
"We will rotate the party leader role one by one. Hero Han Woo-ri, you go first."
Han Woo-ri’s expression brightened at my selection, and he shot a smug look at Jeong A-rim.
He didn't realize it, but being the first leader is actually a disadvantage. As you progress through the dungeon, the party builds rapport and gets to know each other, making it easier for the later leaders to command.
But guys, now is really not the time for this.
"Situation room, checking communication."
[Yes, this is Situation Room 3. Communication is clear. Also, this is an evaluation, so supervisors, please do not interfere.]
Are you a parrot?
I recognized the familiar voice and the thorny tone immediately. I knew exactly who was acting as the operator.
You're lucky you haven't been fired yet. I couldn't tell if Park Sung-jun was being generous or just stupid for keeping someone like her on.
"There's something basic you should check upon entering a dungeon, right?" I said, looking at the apprentices after hearing the transmission.
Normally, it was something they should have done the moment they stepped inside, but since they showed no intention of doing it, I gave them a hint.
Han Woo-ri, the acting leader, looked startled for a moment before quickly telling the party members to check their equipment.
Watching them scramble was almost cute. I looked at Han So-ye, and she gave me an awkward smile.
We'll be lucky if no one gets hurt.
I followed the temporary party, marking my evaluations on the tablet.
Though they were clumsy at first, the dungeon was easy enough for even a civilian to clear, so the party managed to move forward without much trouble.
"This is so easy it's boring. I've even conquered a D-2 before."
"Stop bragging about a D-2."
"Hey, we're in a dungeon. Let's fight the monsters, not each other."
Being young, they were full of energy and lacked restraint. Jeong A-rim and Han Woo-ri bickered, while another apprentice tried to mediate.
I muted the comms and whispered to Han So-ye.
"Is it always like this when they first join a clan?"
"They're young. If anything, Yeon-woo, your 'cherry popping' was much more subdued."
"It was also a lot messier."
"Hehe, I didn't think it was messy. I liked being able to stroke your hair."
When she joked about my dark past—the time I was vomiting everywhere—Han So-ye gave me a seductive smile. Her eyes were sultry, yet they held a loving gaze, almost like a mother looking at her child. It was a strange sensation.
The first run ended without any major issues.
"Manager, I'll be the party leader next. Please let me do it, I can do a good job."
"Alright, the next party leader will be Hero Jeong A-rim."
Jeong A-rim, seemingly bitter about losing the first slot, actively promoted herself.
For this run, we proceeded with the communication to the situation room turned off. The goal was to see how well they could observe the field and autonomously execute operations without instructions.
The intent was good, but...
I was left speechless as I watched the party of attackers indiscriminately slaughtering goblins.
I had expected it, but they were having so much fun with the massacre that there was no room for tactics or anything of the sort.
True to a world dominated by attackers, their individual skills were certainly better than those in my original world. Having grown up watching videos of heroes conquering dungeons, they didn't hesitate to cut down living creatures and already knew various techniques.
"Hey! Why are you stealing my kill?!"
"What's yours is mine! Ack! What do you think you're doing?!"
But it was a total mess. What good is skill if you're a zero as a party?
This wasn't some unique cultural quirk of this world; it was just the immaturity of rookies obsessed with their scores. Without an operator, they were moving however they pleased.
This was when the party leader should have been giving orders, but Jeong A-rim seemed to have no intention of doing so, and since her teammates didn't trust her anyway, instructions would have been useless.
"We have a long way to go."
"I guess we just happened to gather a group with particularly strong personalities."
Even Han So-ye looked disappointed, offering a bitter smile.
"They're not all like this, right?"
"Yeah, let's hope not. It looks like we need to suppress that ego a bit."
After saying that, she called for their attention while the apprentices were resting after clearing a group of goblins.
"I know you all want to show off your skills, but shall we tone it down a little?"
The apprentices tensed up at her words. Every word from Han So-ye was directly linked to their evaluation, so they couldn't help but be nervous. Furthermore, since her tone was negative, the apprentices—who had been acting like wild brats—turned into obedient sheep and listened intently.
"You all still have a lot of growing to do. Your skills aren't quite at the level of showing off yet."
Hearing that they lacked skill, the "obedient sheep" looked devastated. Jeong A-rim looked so shocked her jaw actually dropped.
"I'm not saying you failed. But if you forget what it means to be a hero and just act however you want, you might come to regret it."
"I-I can do better. Please give me a chance!"
Jeong A-rim, who had been the leader when this was said, spoke up desperately. Han So-ye looked at her gently and nodded.
"Yes, I know you can. But everyone needs to calm down a bit, right? We'll void this evaluation and run the dungeon again."
So that's why they sent Han So-ye.
She was mothering these hot-blooded kids.
"So, for this run, Yeon-woo will clear it. Watch him, realize where you stand, and put in the effort."
Eh? What are you talking about?
"But the Manager isn't a hero."
"He caught Millionface, so he must have the skills."
"Lee Yu-na was the one who caught... ah... I'm sorry."
The apprentices gossiped among themselves before looking at me and apologizing.
Look, I don't care if you underestimate me, but what on earth is Han So-ye saying?
When I looked at her, she gave me a bright grin.
"Show the juniors something cool."
"...I see. I was being evaluated too."
"As expected, Yeon-woo is sharp."
Han So-ye nodded. I didn't know what she was thinking, but it seemed Park Sung-jun had given her some instructions. I could think of several possibilities, but the most likely was a scheme to sell the image of a "supervisor who possesses actual combat skills."
"You can put mana into bullets, right?"
"Infusing mana into small objects is difficult."
"But you've been working so hard lately, Yeon-woo."
The way she smiled brightly with her hands near her mouth, as if she knew everything, was subtly annoying.
Well—I was the one who had been sneakily leeching experience points in the background. Did Park Sung-jun notice? It felt like an order telling me to work for my experience points, which left a bad taste in my mouth.
I handed the tablet to Han So-ye and drew the pistol from my holster.
"A gun?"
"A hero using a gun..."
"Now, this time, we're going to evaluate Yeon-woo. Everyone, keep your eyes on him."
Like a kindergarten teacher, Han So-ye led the skeptical apprentices behind me.
Monsters fundamentally have a thin mana membrane on the outside of their skin. This membrane, which covers the skin like a shield, must be pierced with the same kind of mana. This rendered modern weapons useless and forced the world to rely on heroes.
It wasn't that they couldn't be pierced by physical force, but even a goblin was effectively wearing the equivalent of Level IIA body armor, making it inefficient.
Having shifted from the one evaluating to the one being evaluated, I watched the goblins rushing from a distance and swapped my magazine.
"I didn't bring many live rounds."
"Do your best."
Hearing Han So-ye's cheer, I walked forward. I hadn't intended to use them for offense, but I didn't need to dual-wield pistols against goblins anyway.
With a pistol in one hand and a dagger in the other, I walked forward and aimed the muzzle at a goblin's head.
Bang-bang-bang—Bang!
As I fired rapidly, a dozen goblins were struck in the head and collapsed before they could even get close to me.
Monsters, even the pathetic-looking ones, have strong vitality. I swapped magazines as I walked and put another bullet into the head of each fallen goblin.
One that had been playing dead started thrashing; I stepped on it and put a bullet through its skull, silencing it.
"Whoa..."
"Did he put mana into the bullets?"
"Yes—at Break Line, even the office staff can do at least that much."
Don't lie. That's false advertising.
I gave a wry smile at the beaming Han So-ye, but the apprentices' eyes had turned into sparkling orbs of respect as they looked at me.