I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 183 : Additional Selection (4)

After Kwon Seung-yeon was defeated and retreated from Hong In-hyeon's long-range attacks.

[Jeong Su-hyeon and Nam Tae-hoon, prepare immediately.]

Finally, the roommate derby between Nam Tae-hoon and me began.

"Hey, this is the first time we're fighting each other, right?"

Nam Tae-hoon snickered.

"Yeah. Though this map feels quite familiar."

"Huh? I don't know what you mean."

Even when we went to rescue Park Mincheol before, we walked through back alleys that felt exactly like this.

'This map is clearly advantageous for Nam Tae-hoon.'

The shadows of all sorts of buildings were cast everywhere like a shroud.

'If Nam Tae-hoon came out with 100% of his power, even I would have a hard time.'

Characteristic 'Shadow Lord'.

Nam Tae-hoon's ability could be utilized in various ways, not only moving through shadows but also binding opponents from below their feet by controlling shadows, or materializing giant shadows to attack.

'It's a really annoying ability to face as an enemy.'

As long as there is light, shadows will inevitably exist.

And shadows that attack from behind, beyond one's field of vision, are always threatening.

However.

'There's no way Nam Tae-hoon will reveal all his abilities in front of everyone.'

The sharpest blade should be kept hidden until the final moment.

And the moment when Nam Tae-hoon draws that blade...

"What are you thinking about so intently?"

I shrugged at Nam Tae-hoon's question.

"Nothing special."

"Do your best. I want to go on the internship too."

"Hmm. That's up to you."

Shing.

I drew my Moonless Sword, and.

Clang!

The next moment, Nam Tae-hoon's dagger, appearing from the shadow behind me, aimed for the nape of my neck.

'Sword energy!'

Like Jeremy McGarr, Nam Tae-hoon was also wielding sword energy.

'So he's willing to unlock this much.'

"That's instead of a greeting!"

Clang!

The sharp dagger kept targeting vital points, and just as I parried them all with my sword and tried to catch him off guard with a surprise left hook.

Swoosh!

Nam Tae-hoon's figure disappeared between the shadows.

'Behind!'

Though not as good as Lee Yu-jin's, my well-trained sense of presence detected the mana presence behind my back.

Thwack!

The no-look spinning kick I delivered, anticipating his position and timing, caught Nam Tae-hoon precisely.

"Kuk!"

Nam Tae-hoon, who was flying backward, disappeared into the shadows again.

"Damn it, you're hitting prediction shots!"

Something appeared behind my back again.

Clang!

Without showing any reaction, I parried Nam Tae-hoon's dagger that appeared before me and thrust in a left short hook.

Whoosh!

Just before my fist made contact, Nam Tae-hoon disappeared, and his voice could be heard from afar.

"When someone goes to the trouble of using pattern plays, at least fall for it once!"

Having confirmed that I wouldn't fall for his tricks easily, Nam Tae-hoon this time delivered a capoeira-style kick that seemed to slash below the ankle, then planted his hand on the ground and struck at the face.

Swoosh!

As I blocked that attack and attempted a kick catch, he disappeared again.

'So he wants to attack one-sidedly.'

This was a very effective tactic in that after I blocked an attack and tried to counter, he would already be gone, and there was practically no way for me to launch a preemptive attack.

'This way, neither the reach disadvantage of the dagger nor the limitation that he can't beat me in a direct exchange of blows is a problem.'

But I wasn't flustered and was firmly blocking Nam Tae-hoon's attacks using Eye Power and Mana Shield.

'The moment a pattern is read, he'll get hit with prediction shots like before.'

In other words, solid defense itself becomes pressure on the opponent.

Therefore, Nam Tae-hoon needed another strategy.

'He'll probably bring out shadow manipulation at least. He unlocked that much against Lee Yu-jin too.'

I could clearly read what card Nam Tae-hoon would play.

Therefore, my interest wasn't in 'which card' he would play, but 'when he would play that card'.

Clang!

I parried Nam Tae-hoon's thrust that appeared from the right, and just as I stepped forward with my front foot to return a left short hook.

"!"

My left hand stopped as if caught by something.

'Is it now!'

"Hehe, not moving, are you?"

Nam Tae-hoon's blade thrust toward my wide-open ribs.

It was an attack targeting a perfect spot that wouldn't take a life but would drain strength instantly when hit.

Thwack!

However, I quickly lifted my left foot and negated Nam Tae-hoon's thrust with a front kick.

"Kuk!"

Nam Tae-hoon, who slashed my calf with his dagger even as he was pushed back, hid his figure between the shadows with a triumphant smile.

'He brought out shadow binding here.'

"You got hit once, didn't you?"

Snap!

When Nam Tae-hoon snapped his fingers, the numerous shadows cast in the alley writhed like giant snakes.

Amidst this, I even felt my own shadow congealing against my back as if riding on me.

'This guy is serious.'

He probably killed Ma-in Won Jeonggu with this technique during the first semester when the Sword of Belphegor attacked.

'Liberation.'

Thump!

With a loud heartbeat, tremendous vitality coursed through my entire body.

"Hup!"

After easily shaking off my own shadow, I leapt into the building shadows that Nam Tae-hoon was manipulating.

Whoosh!

I launched a flying strike and cut through the giant shadows several times.

Tap!

Stepping on Mana Shields, I ran toward the rooftop where Nam Tae-hoon was standing, avoiding attacks from all directions.

'You can't escape between shadows in your current state, right?'

Nam Tae-hoon's expression hardened as if he sensed something ominous from my smile.

Crash!

Having reached right in front of him in no time, I swung my sword down at Nam Tae-hoon.

"Tch!"

Nam Tae-hoon clicked his tongue, seeing shadows being cut away in chunks with just one sword strike.

Clang!

When the swords collided, Nam Tae-hoon's body was pushed back several meters.

"You crazy bastard!"

"I'll take that as high praise."

Nam Tae-hoon, who had wasted mana using shadows without gaining any substantial advantage, quickly returned the shadows to normal and hid his body.

But.

'Over there?'

Swish!

I launched a flying strike toward where I could sense Nam Tae-hoon's presence, one step ahead.

Clang!

Nam Tae-hoon's body flinched as if unable to fully dissipate all the damage despite barely blocking the flying strike.

'Got him.'

The corners of my mouth rose involuntarily.

The flying strike emitted from my physical abilities enhanced by Liberation was truly a technique with lethal power in every blow.

Not missing that opening, I launched three consecutive strikes to bind Nam Tae-hoon's feet, then kicked off the rooftop wall and rushed straight at him.

'Stay right there!'

Nam Tae-hoon, who had barely deflected the flying strikes, gave a hollow laugh as he saw me suddenly appear before his eyes.

"You monster."

Clang!

Nam Tae-hoon's dagger flew through the air.

Whoosh!

Immediately, with the blade stopped just in front of his Adam's apple, Nam Tae-hoon pushed it aside and declared surrender.

"I lose, I lose."

[Match over! The winner is Jeong Su-hyeon!]

I put away my sword and grinned.

"It was a good fight."

"I didn't enjoy it much."

Nam Tae-hoon grumbled that he didn't expect to lose so easily.

[You have consecutively defeated cadets Han Soyul, Seong Dogyeong, Go Do-il, and Nam Tae-hoon!]

[Achievement points 1000 awarded!]

'Good.'

With this, I've gathered all the skill points I needed.

'Finally, it's time to enhance my Mana Shield.'

Just as Eye Power enhancement gave me Tachypsychia Mode.

This time I planned to apply "Hardening Mode" by enhancing my Mana Shield.

'With this technique, I can block attacks from opponents using sword energy to a considerable degree.'

Of course, compared to the conventional shield, it has disadvantages like difficulty in freely manipulating its form or the excessive amount of mana consumed.

But Hardening Mode had merits that more than offset such disadvantages.

'This should be sufficient preparation for the internship.'

❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀

"We've received word from the 1st Unit."

"What did they say?"

In response to Instructor Kim Cheol-han's question, the Assistant Instructor replied with a somewhat awkward expression.

"Their Senior Squad Leader and other Squad Leaders strongly opposed it, so regrettably, they said it would be difficult to accept Cadet Kim A-yun..."

"Again?"

Kim Cheol-han sighed, saying he had expected this to some extent.

"They're too disciplined over there. Exceptionally so."

"I understand their intention to accept only the very best, but..."

"It sounds nice to call them elite, but their attitude of 'if you can't adapt to our culture while being the best in skill, then promptly get out to another unit' is quite exclusive and narrow-minded."

Instructor Kim Cheol-han, who seemed displeased, clicked his tongue and wrote "1st Unit rejected, 3rd Unit approved" next to Kim A-yun's name.

"The 3rd Unit evaluated Kim A-yun highly."

"Yes. I heard their unit commander is very interested in her."

"That's understandable. Electric-type awakened ones are always valuable."

"Moreover, seeing Kim A-yun's growth rate, one can expect even more in a year or two years."

"Hmm."

Meanwhile, positive responses had also been received from the 7th Unit where Nam Tae-hoon applied, the 6th Unit where Choi Min-a and Park Chang-jun applied, the 10th Unit where Kwon Seung-yeon applied, and the 12th Unit where Jeremy McGarr applied.

'The skills of the top-ranked cadets are certainly excellent compared to previous years.'

Kim Cheol-han, who nodded with satisfaction, looked at Su-hyeon's name with a somewhat concerned expression.

"I'm sure he'll do well, but those Squad Leaders are so peculiar that I'm a bit worried."

"He'll be fine. From what I've seen of Cadet Jeong Su-hyeon, his mental strength is very..."

"Of course that's true, but."

Instructor Kim Cheol-han shook his head, thinking of the Senior Squad Leader of the 1st Unit.

"I hope he doesn't end up in that person's unit."

"Are you referring to Senior Squad Leader Jo?"

"Yes. Even Instructor Oh Chang-seong had a hard time when he met that person as his supervisor during his rookie days."

"Someone like Instructor Oh...?"

Kim Cheol-han shrugged as if to say, "Why be surprised by that?"

"I heard he couldn't stand it anymore and suggested they fight without rank insignias, only to get beaten to dust."

"Goodness."

"Ah, don't mention this elsewhere."

"...Understood."

❀⋆｡°✿☆❀✿°｡⋆❀

Jo Sujin.

A next-generation powerhouse who proudly secured the position of Senior Squad Leader at the young age of early 30s in the 1st Unit, considered one of the most elite units within the Execution Force.

And a demon who had etched deep nightmares into the hearts of all juniors who passed through her.

She was now visiting her direct superior, the unit commander, and shouting furiously.

"I mean, really!"

Bang!

The marble table slammed by Jo Sujin trembled.

"I'm already dying from being overwhelmed, and now I have to babysit some kid too? Huh?"

Despite her behavior that could be seen as insubordination by a sensitive superior, the unit commander just responded with irritation, looking tired.

"Aren't you tired of making such a fuss every year over this annual event?"

"If you're going to recruit someone, at least get some proper ones!"

"I always give you top-ranking cadets, and you still complain. What do you want me to do?"

"They're all worthless!"

"You're being short with your words."

"Yo!"

"...What sins did I commit in my past life."

The unit commander let out a deep sigh from his diaphragm.

"Anyway, that's enough. If this one is also a spineless kid, I'll make him cry for his mommy and leave right away, so don't blame me."

"Senior Squad Leader Jo."

The unit commander said.

"...All good, but don't say that in front of him."

"What? Why?"

"That kid is an orphan. A survivor of the Samcheok Incident."

"Hmm-hmm."

The Senior Squad Leader cleared her throat and changed the subject.

"Anyway! That's that! I have no intention of teaching warmly, so keep that in mind! Yo!"

"Is this a new thing?"

"If it bothers you, assign them to another unit instead of ours! Right?"

She asked, turning to the squad members who had followed her in.

"Yes, noonim!"

"Yes, unni!"

"These crazy kids, really."

The unit commander sighed.

"Take it easy. After all, if we recruit even one good kid when we're short-handed, it's good for both you and me, right?"

"Ah, sure. Of course it's good. But you could just bring in verified people from other units."

"Everywhere is short-handed, as if they would gladly send over their aces. And that friend, Jeong Su-hyeon, you guys have heard the name too, right? His achievements so far are unprecedented. Even our captain has quite high expectations."

The unit commander was even playing the captain card.

"Do you think the captain and I would stick him in your unit knowing you'd throw a fit for no good reason? It's because we have that much expectation."

"I got it, I said. I won't complain if he meets my standards. I'm so affectionate toward my kids. Right?"

"Uh..."

"Were you?"

Thwack!

Jo Sujin, who had punched the solar plexus of the two squad members who were tilting their heads, grumbled as she got up from her seat.

"Anyway, I'm curious to see the face of this Jeong Su-hyeon or whatever soon."

"Unni, I heard that guy is quite handsome?"

"Bullshit, what good is a baby-faced brat being handsome?"

"Still, if possible..."

"And if you act all chummy saying 'noonim' or 'unni' in front of the newbie, you're dead. Got it?"

"Wow, you really go too far."

The unit commander sighed as he watched the three people leave the room, squabbling.

"...I'm not sure if this is the right thing to do."