I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 184 : The Monster Rookie of the 1st Unit (1)

The first intern practice session was to take place 2 weeks after the new semester.

With the unprecedented expansion of internships, the cadets were each spending time in intense training to gain recognition in their dispatched units and to properly respond to the breathless real situations that would come.

Swish!

Su-hyeon parried with his arm a flying strike that flew in from afar.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

He did the same with the consecutive attacks that followed.

Yu-jin admired the sight of Su-hyeon, who had unlocked Mana Shield, Hardening Mode, easily blocking the fierce flying strikes that had overwhelmed Jeremy McGarr and Kang Geon-woo.

"Amazing, Su-hyeon."

Since receiving the flying strike technique from the Sword Spirit.

Yu-jin had achieved a major power-up by intensively training with the sword under the Sword Spirit while steadily consuming elixirs sent by his disciples.

Therefore, her flying strike was now powerful enough to cut even reinforcing bars.

Yet he was easily blocking it with just his Mana Shield-coated fists and wrists, which made Yu-jin, who had been training like crazy with Su-hyeon as her goal, feel dumbfounded.

"At this rate, it would be hard to even scratch you even if I struck directly with my sword?"

"That's not true."

Su-hyeon said.

"Your current sword energy has higher density and purity than mine. If you really put your mind to cutting, even my Mana Shield wouldn't survive unscathed."

In Su-hyeon's view, the power Yu-jin now possessed was at a level that she might have reached in her second year in the previous playthrough, if at all.

'If she goes through the intern practice properly from here, I think it's just a matter of time before she surpasses Min Hae-na from the first semester.'

Of course.

Min Hae-na wouldn't have been idle either.

"Shall we try another round?"

As Su-hyeon drew his sword, Yu-jin also took her stance.

"I look forward to working with you today too."

"Likewise."

Clang!

Their swords clashed sharply in the air as they targeted each other.

"Oh! Our Su-hyeon!"

Min Hae-na, who had been waiting for Su-hyeon to finish his practice match, approached waving her hands.

"Min Hae-na-sunbae."

"Su-hyeon, you're going on your intern practice soon, right?"

"Yes. I leave tomorrow."

"Hmm."

Min Hae-na scratched her cheek.

"You probably already know from hearing about it, but you really need to be on your guard. The 1st Unit is traditionally very aggressive toward newcomers."

"So I've heard."

"Did you hear about the second-ranked student in our year who went there but couldn't endure and left?"

"Yes. I heard."

"Well, I went to the 2nd Unit since my grandfather and Captain Son are close. But from what I hear, it's incredible."

Min Hae-na shrugged, saying she would have had a hard time if she had gone there too.

"Well, don't be too tense! With your level of situational judgment and skills shown at Blood Plaza, you're already much better than most squad members. Actually, to be honest, your performance at that time was far better than even Squad Leader level."

Min Hae-na patted Su-hyeon's shoulder.

"But when I asked my squad seniors, they said the 1st Unit's Senior Squad Leader has a really intense personality."

"That intense?"

Min Hae-na nodded at Yu-jin's question, who had been listening quietly.

"She's famous. Just in terms of skill alone, she's definitely considered a next-generation captain candidate."

By the way, which unit are you going to? she asked, and Yu-jin's expression darkened a bit.

"The 4th Unit."

"Wow, I heard they're real hardasses there too."

"Yes. My uncle also warned me about things to be careful of."

"You mean Captain Lee Cheong-myeong? Well, his unit is also famous for having only elites."

Min Hae-na grinned, crossing her arms.

"Well, every unit has its own atmosphere."

"What's the atmosphere like in the 2nd Unit?"

"Our unit is honestly pretty good. Maybe because there are a lot of veterans, there's an atmosphere of pulling you up and helping you if they see potential."

'Plus, being Principal Min Jeong-gap's granddaughter, no one would dare mess with her carelessly.'

Su-hyeon, who muttered inwardly, said to Min Hae-na.

"Anyway, thank you. For being concerned about me."

"Come on, how could I not be?"

Yu-jin's expression hardened slightly as she looked at the snickering Min Hae-na.

'...Hae-na-sunbae is totally a fox.'

Pout.

Yu-jin's lips jutted out in a pout for the first time in a while.

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"Jeong Su-hyeon, disembark!"

Su-hyeon, who had moved to the 1st Unit in a vehicle provided by the academy, got off at the unit's parade ground.

"Return at five o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Be ready without being late."

"Understood."

Vroom!

As the van that dropped off Su-hyeon disappeared, he headed toward the 1st Unit's command and control room, retracing his memory.

'The air is heavy.'

The air felt even heavier than at the academy, with such high mana density.

"Are you Jeong Su-hyeon?"

The Chief of Staff's sharp gaze scanned Su-hyeon up and down.

'He's strong.'

Su-hyeon responded in a calm voice to the gaze that seemed to pierce through his skills at a glance.

"Yes, I am."

"Rumors about you are widespread. Originally, I was thinking of recruiting Seo Jun-seong, but I highly valued your continuously growing appearance and recommended you to the Chief of Staff."

The staff member said, pushing up his glasses.

"Thank you."

"You've probably heard many warnings. The 1st Unit is a place where only the most outstanding talents in the Execution Force gather. Normally, we wouldn't accept someone like you with no experience. Remember that gaining experience here as an intern is both a privilege and a preferential treatment."

'Of course it's elite. ...Except for those special units in the three-digit range shrouded in veils.'

Su-hyeon swallowed such inner thoughts and answered.

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Many unit members will be watching your actions. I urge you to be both careful and diligent in everything you do."

"Understood."

It was then.

Thump, thump, thump, thump!

The staff member sighed at the sound of footsteps coming from afar.

"They're here."

Bang!

The door opened forcefully, and members who were visibly unusually trained barged in.

"Hey hey, the newbie's here!"

"What are you doing not greeting right away!"

"I was just about to send him over."

The members saluted the staff.

"Chief of Staff! Thank you for your hard work!"

"Hehe. We came just in time!"

"I thought I was smelling baby formula from far away!"

Hyena-like eyes targeting prey turned toward Su-hyeon.

"Hello. I'm Jeong Su-hyeon, participating as an intern this time."

Su-hyeon greeted with his back straight.

"What's with this kid? I can't tell if his manners are good or disgusting."

"Hey hey. You don't even bow your waist to adults?"

"If you acknowledge me as a fellow unit member despite being an intern, I would properly salute. But if not, I've learned that as a cadet, I shouldn't bow my head carelessly."

"Huh, look at this bastard?"

The members made strange expressions at the unusual response.

"Seems like he can talk back a bit. Follow us."

"Yes."

The staff member watching Su-hyeon's back made a peculiar expression.

'Not the slightest sign of fear. What kind of guy is he?'

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"Jeong Su-hyeon, 17 years old, a cadet training at EFAC."

The expressions of the squad members looking at me as I gave my self-introduction in an attention stance were puzzling.

'This kid, his neck is stiff.'

'He seems to have some guts? He's not showing any signs of fear.'

'He's a bit disrespectful.'

...These were the kinds of expressions.

"My characteristic is 'Unlimited'. As the name suggests, it's an ability that allows me to grow stronger through endless training that transcends limits because there are no limits."

"Bullshit. Sounds so grandiose."

Someone sneered, and others chimed in.

"No limits? So you're saying you'd be fine running around the parade ground all day?"

"Full sprint would be impossible, but maintaining a pace would be possible."

"Hehehe, I'll definitely make you do a 24-hour forced march."

"Understood."

I continued speaking calmly.

"I've trained in various martial arts including swordsmanship, boxing, kickboxing, and judo. I've honed them with the goal of fighting in various environments. My guidance Instructor is Instructor Lee Ho-seung."

"Was Instructor Lee bored? Even guiding someone like you."

"Can you use a sword well? Want to spar with me once?"

"I would gratefully learn whenever you're willing to guide me."

Mischievous and aggressive words flew at me, but I didn't even blink.

'It's all just to intimidate the newbie.'

Isn't this the kind of initiation that happens everywhere you go?

'These guys like someone who's confident but still respectful. Above all, having definite skills is what matters.'

"Alright, baby."

The Deputy Squad Leader, who had been watching quietly, spoke with a heavy voice.

"I don't know how well you played house with kids, but this is a place where only those who walk a tightrope, where your neck could fly off in a moment of carelessness, gather. That means everyone's too busy to wipe the ass of a kid like you. Understand?"

"I understand. But if there's anything I can do to wipe your backs, please let me know."

"What the hell?"

The Deputy Squad Leader laughed as if dumbfounded.

"Hahaha! The kid's got some teeth!"

"......"

Senior Squad Leader Jo Sujin, who had been watching quietly with her arms crossed, walked briskly toward me.

"Did you say your name was Jeong Su-hyeon?"

"Yes."

I also didn't avoid Jo Sujin's eyes, which stared straight at me without blinking.

"Quite an impudent guy. What makes you so confident?"

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, known as the strongest unit in the Execution Force.

'Her characteristic is Elf. And she boasts the grade of a High Elf level awakened person.'

Her transparent skin and appearance that made it difficult to guess her age contained the characteristic nobility of elves.

In contrast, the frown lines that were always on her brow hinted at her difficult temperament.

"Don't hold your neck so stiffly. It looks ridiculous for a nobody to act like that."

"Understood."

"You seem to have some guts, but let's see if your head works well too."

Jo Sujin, who sneered, turned around and said.

"Chanmin."

"Yes, Squad Leader!"

"Teach him the proper action procedures since we don't know when a situation might arise. If he freezes during an operation, you'll die too."

"Understood!"

"Go on."

"Yes."

The summoned member tapped my shoulder and whispered in my ear.

"You're pretty good, aren't you? When I first came in, I couldn't even look the seniors in the eye."

"Not at all."

"No, you were cool. It's not that difficult, so don't be too tense."

"Thank you."

As I followed Yu Chanmin, who was smiling gently with an attitude quite different from the others, I could faintly hear the laughter of the members.

"That bastard will be crying soon."

'I can hear everything.'

"First, let me introduce myself properly. My name is Yu Chanmin. I'm the youngest here."

"Hello. I'm Jeong Su-hyeon."

Yu Chanmin.

Mid-twenties in age.

A quick, solid young man with a gentle personality.

After first joining the Execution Force in the 11th Unit at an early age, he quickly stood out and was recognized as an ace, then moved to the 1st Unit through special recruitment.

However.

Even with this kind and gentle senior, who was approaching me to ease my tension, I didn't let my guard down.

'He's an angel to those who listen well, but he immediately turns into a devil dog for those who don't.'

Was it the 40th playthrough?

When I first came to the 1st Unit as an intern and was excited, I fell for Yu Chanmin's sweet talk and let my guard down for a moment.

Immediately, I had my joints twisted and had to stand on my hands with my head down for 2 hours, even developing temporary circular hair loss.

'Devil bastard.'

Behind Yu Chanmin, who was smiling harmlessly like a golden retriever, a phantom of hell's Cerberus drooling and rolling its eyes flickered.

"So, Su-hyeon. Can I call you Su-hyeon?"

"Please call me whatever you prefer."

"Sure, sure. First, let me tell you what you need to know. Actually, you don't have a lot to do today and tomorrow. It's a period for a one-night, two-day schedule where we greet each other, eat together, and adapt to the unit atmosphere and duties. Of course, in case of emergency, you might be deployed."

"Yes."

"For the time being, I, the youngest in the unit, will guide you as your immediate senior and supervisor. Of course, there will be close observation from all members under Senior Squad Leader Jo, so don't get too relaxed."

"Understood."

"You may or may not know, but one squad is usually similar to a platoon. There are about 10 members, and in emergencies, the Squad Leader and Deputy Squad Leader may each command 5 people."

Yu Chanmin asked with a smiling face.

"As you know, comrades are those who trust each other and have each other's backs. It means having the belief that even if I'm injured, my comrade will save me, and even if I die, my comrade will avenge me. So, let's say."

Yu Chanmin's voice lowered.

"If the Squad Leader is killed or severely injured in an enemy ambush, what should the remaining members do?"

'A trap question.'

He had laid out the groundwork to guide me into giving a passionate answer like 'As a fellow comrade, I should save the Squad Leader even at the cost of my life!'

'The moment I answer like that, my joints would immediately get twisted.'

Then the superior who had been nice suddenly goes berserk, so you can't help but shrink and be shocked.

I didn't miss the killing intent that momentarily flashed in his friendly smile.

"In that case, the next senior officer immediately assumes command, and I must obey that command. Running off with personal emotions to save a comrade would not only endanger other comrades but would also be an action with no practical effect."

"......"

But when I unexpectedly gave the correct answer, Yu Chanmin was momentarily speechless.

"...Uh, that's right. That's the correct answer."

"Thank you."

"Ahem, then next..."

It was right then.

Weeeeee!

As the siren loudly announced a real situation, the outside began to bustle.

"Deploy! Everyone grab your equipment and assemble!"

"Yes!"

Clatter clatter!

As soon as the order was given, all members equipped themselves with masks and their respective gear within less than a minute, and lined up in front of Senior Squad Leader Jo Sujin.

"Where's the newbie! Where is this bastard freezing up... Huh?"

The members who were reflexively about to bark stopped mid-sentence when they saw me already in position, standing in first place.

"......"

A moment of silence.

Jo Sujin, who was looking at me with strange eyes, said reluctantly.

"Did you serve as a child soldier somewhere?"