Chapter 22
Level 6 Gate: The Nest of Conflagration.
The area is engulfed in flames, with the sky ablaze from a rain of fire, and the surroundings have turned into a sea of fire. Stones are melting, and every living thing is burning.
All of this is the work of one creature.
A monstrosity with the head of a rooster and the body of a lizard, capable of instantly casting high-level fire magic with just a glance—this was the boss, the Cockatrice.
“Hang in there! This is the final phase! We’re almost there! Everyone, hold your positions!”
“Hoo!”
The commander’s encouragement kept the squad members rooted in their positions.
Their skin had turned red from the heat. Potions could only do so much to stave off the unbearable heat that was scorching them. It was as if their entire bodies were on fire, crying out in pain.
The situation was on the verge of exploding—flames soaring, and the monster rampaging. Despite this, the squad members held their ground. They awaited orders without a flicker of emotion on their faces.
There was no hesitation. They followed orders without question.
Because they were members of the White Tiger Unit.
In Optimum, an elite group, they were among the top five most powerful combat units.
“…”
Park Min-ji took her position amidst the roaring flames.
45.5 meters on the perimeter.
A distance beyond the creature’s perceptual ability.
Park Min-ji’s gaze was locked on the exposed nape of the Cockatrice.
• White Tiger, ready.
“Confirmed.”
The order was given.
She assumed the stance.
Her legs spread, her body lowered, her focus entirely on her target.
The flames singed the tips of her bangs, but she didn’t flinch as she focused on the Cockatrice’s neck.
At the same time, she reached for her sword.
Among the white and black scabbards, she chose the black one. A faint, ominous crimson glow emanated from the partially exposed blade.
As Park Min-ji felt the grip in her hand and synchronized with her sword…
• Min-ji, now!
Her breath halted.
Her eyes narrowed.
Mana exploded.
Swordsmanship: Iai technique
Moonlight Slash
A ripple spread through the air.
Everything in a straight line was severed.
The ground, light, and even space itself.
Where the moonlight had passed, the Cockatrice’s head rolled to the ground.
…
…
While the porters were busy clearing away the Cockatrice’s corpse, the White Tiger Unit, having completed a grueling five-hour raid, lay sprawled on the ground, their dignity forgotten.
“Ugh, I’m exhausted. That was so tough.”
“You did well, Bit-na.”
Park Min-ji patted the back of the exhausted Eun Bit-na.
“All I did was give orders. You did all the hard work.”
“Hard work? It’s just part of the job.”
“Part of the job? Is that so? So cutting off the head of a Level 6 boss monster in one stroke is just something anyone can do? Oh, silly me, I spent all night studying the attack patterns! Oh my!”
“You really… just let it go. Okay?”
“Min-ji, you’re so cute.”
Park Min-ji and Eun Bit-na, known as the Soul Duo, had their friendship forged from the time they entered the Academy.
The second child of the Swordmaster family.
A swordswoman known for her ‘swiftness,’ Park Min-ji was said to surpass her older brother Park Su-hyuk in single combat ability.
But she had a fatal flaw—she was utterly lacking in leadership skills.
Eun Bit-na had extended her hand to Min-ji.
With her sharp mind, exceptional social skills, and natural ability to manage people, Eun Bit-na quickly grew close to Min-ji.
This was the beginning of the current White Tiger Unit.
“But that sword of yours performed pretty well. It seems better than ‘White Heron’ for taking down large monsters. That’s the sword Gi-hyuk gave you, right?”
“Yeah.”
“It was a birthday present, right? Wow, Min-ji, you’re so lucky to have a little brother who gives you gifts.”
“It’s nothing.”
She tried to play it cool, but a smile had already spread across Park Min-ji’s face.
“He’s changed so much, it was shocking. His shoulders are so broad! His chest is so strong! And those arms—like they could burst! I mean, is that even the Gi-hyuk we knew?”
“He was always big.”
“Yeah, but with that bear-like frame, he shyly apologized with, ‘I’m sorry…’ and I was like, oh my, my heart skipped a beat! There’s something about that unexpected charm! I can’t take it.”
Eun Bit-na looked at Min-ji with serious eyes.
“Park Min-ji.”
“What?”
“I’m going to say something bold… I’m going to be brave…”
“What’s with you? Hey, don’t cling to me.”
“Can I call you ‘big sister’?”
“…You’re unbelievable.”
“Kyaa! I actually said it!”
Embarrassed, Eun Bit-na playfully smacked Min-ji on the back.
“Come to think of it, our darling must be in the middle of midterms right now.”
“Who’s your darling?”
“Can’t I call him that starting today… okay, okay. You’re so heartless.”
Eun Bit-na shrugged and continued.
“First-year midterms… Ah, memories. How many ‘coins’ did we collect back then?”
“637.”
“Wow! That’s right! You knocked out five teams, didn’t you? You’ve always been ruthless.”
“Let’s get the story straight. I was just following your orders.”
Many were fooled by Eun Bit-na’s innocent appearance, but she was a natural strategist. She had devised a plan to cut the Academy’s chaotic student population in half, saying it was too crowded.
Park Min-ji was just the sword that carried out Eun Bit-na’s plans.
“It was fun.”
“It was fun.”
They both grinned mischievously.
The sight of more than half their peers wandering around like lost souls had been quite the spectacle.
“This time will be even more fun.”
“No doubt.”
It’s going to be fun.
Park Min-ji was envisioning her brother’s complete transformation.
It was noisy.
“Ugh, I’m doomed. I have to retake three subjects.”
“Who was the idiot that said we should assassinate the Hobgoblin? Look at this! ‘When a Hobgoblin is assassinated, there’s a high probability the goblins under its command will go berserk.’ It’s right here.”
“I just don’t get it. What’s the point of us superhumans doing well on written tests? Isn’t it enough to just be good at killing monsters?”
It was very noisy.
“I’m giving up on the written tests. I’m all in on the practicals! Chief! Chief!!”
“If I just barely pass the practicals… I’m cutting it close. Phew—.”
“16th Team! 16th Team! Where is everyone? The ‘coins’ are coming out soon, so gather up quickly!!”
Crying students, laughing students.
Team leaders were on edge about the upcoming practical exams. Meanwhile, the mind games had already begun.
In summary—
“It’s a mess.”
The classroom was always noisy, but today it was truly unbearable.
I couldn’t help but frown. Seeing this, Mary took off her glasses and spoke.
“This is normal. You’re the weird one, Gi-hyuk.”
“Why?”
“It’s midterms. Aren’t you at all nervous?”
“What’s there to be nervous about? It’s just a test. I’ll do what I always do, and that’s that.”
“That’s exactly why you’re not normal. The fact that you just used the word ‘just’ to describe the midterms means you’re hopeless.”
I scratched my head, still not understanding, so even Jun-woo added his two cents.
“Especially the first-year midterms. It’s only natural to be anxious about a test that could mean the dissolution of our team. As Mary said, this noise is a perfectly normal reaction.”
“See? Even Jun-woo agrees. You’re the one who’s abnormal, Gi-hyuk.”
“Hmm, maybe. Are you two nervous?”
“Of course. Jun-woo and I are normal.”
I chuckled as I briefly contemplated Mary’s emphasis on normalcy.
Well, I suppose they’re right.
With the life I’ve led, would I really be fazed by a mere test?
Even though I’m now an 18-year-old hanging out with kids, the truth is, I’m a grizzled old man who’s tasted the sweet, bitter, and downright disgusting flavors of life.
What’s new to them is so familiar to me that it’s boring. How could my senses not have dulled?
This is natural.
“How’d you do on the written tests?”
“Why are you asking so late? How do you think I did?”
“You’d better have done well. You studied theory with me while learning magic.”
“Ugh, you’re so annoying.”
“I think I did better than average.”
“Good.”
“So, can we expect good ‘coins’ for our efforts…”
At that moment, just as Mary was about to say the word ‘coins,’ a shout rang out, causing the classroom to erupt once again.
“The coins are out!”
“Gi-hyuk, what are you doing? Check them quickly. Hurry up.”
“Uh, right.”
I pulled out my phone to check our team’s coins.
Coins.
That one word sums up the midterms.
The midterms consist of two parts: the individual written exam and the group practical exam.
The written exam is straightforward. It’s the kind of test where you write down answers on paper and submit them.
But unlike the ordinary written exams, the group practical exam has a unique system.
And the beginning and end of that system is this coin.
“43 coins.”
The number of coins is determined by adding up the number of team members, the average written exam score, and special bonuses like gate hunts or volunteer work.
We then use these coins to compete against the other 19 teams.
Throughout the midterm period, the goal is to accumulate as many coins as possible, with points awarded based on the final rankings.
In simple terms, these coins are our stake, and we have to grow them.
By any means necessary.
But 43 coins… that’s small. Very small.
It looks like the professors pulled some strings.
“…Am I seeing this right?”
“Take a look. 43 coins.”
“Whoa, it’s real? This is ridiculous. How many gates did we clear? Is there any team that hunted more than us?”
“Right. Even the lazy teams have 80 coins.”
“Ugh, there’s no point in complaining to me.”
“Hold on. I need to double-check this.”
“There’s no need to check.”
Ignoring my words, Mary grabbed her phone, and after a quick call with her grandfather, she was fuming.
“They said the missions assigned by Yggdrasil are counted as club activities! And they said our team is too small. It’s so unfair!!”
“…What kind of nonsense is that?”
The two of them were furious.
Their faces were flushed with anger, and they looked ready to storm out and confront someone.
I simply rested my chin on my hand, watching my two friends.
As I said before, I had expected this. Like I’ve mentioned, adults’ jealousy can be persistent and ugly.
And.
‘They’re also extremely spiteful.’
Did you really think they wouldn’t find any excuse to cause trouble after all that?
It’s only natural. In fact, 43 coins seem like a lot when you think about it.
“Hmm, but at least it looks like they graded the written exams properly.”
“Gi-hyuk, are you serious? Is that really important right now? We only have 43 coins! 43!”
“Keep your voice down, Mary. Others are watching.”
“It’s okay. I’ve set up a barrier. Mary, feel free to vent.”
“Ugh!!”
Mary let out all her pent-up frustration. To paraphrase, she was basically saying, ‘Why did you have to antagonize the professors and make things worse?’
Mary had every reason to be upset.
During the midterms, we use these coins to challenge other teams.
And when the midterms are over, if a team runs out of coins…
They’re disbanded.
The team is dissolved.
Naturally, the members of a disbanded team scatter like bees without a queen.
Mary hated that. She couldn’t stand the thought of being separated from her first true friends.
“…What are you going to do?”
“What else? We just won’t lose.”
“Gi-hyuk!”
“Ahh~.”
I stretched out, yawning. As I stood up, the entire classroom came into view.
“You know what? It’s too cramped in here, don’t you think?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Exactly what I said.”
I’ve felt this way for a while, but this place is way too small.
“There are 20 teams crammed in here. Ugh, why are they all huddled together like ants? It’s so noisy I can’t sleep.”
I need at least some peace and quiet.
Do we really need 20 teams?
For the sake of my comfortable sleep…
“Half.”
10 teams should make things more spacious, right?
I enjoyed the shocked stares of my two friends as I got to my feet.
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