I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 188 : Recovery Unit (1)

Su-hyeon, who had returned after completing his first intern practice, had once again become a star within the academy.

It wasn't strange.

To the Instructors who had worried that he might get beaten up and have his mental state shattered, Su-hyeon's actions were beyond perfect.

'Of course, strictly speaking, he's someone who has already properly handled life-and-death situations multiple times.'

Instructor Oh Chang-seong smacked his lips.

'Still, what's amazing is amazing. Considering who that Senior Squad Leader is.'

Jo Sujin.

His first supervisor with whom he had thoroughly bad relations.

It was quite an unfamiliar situation for him that this very supervisor was now praising Su-hyeon to him.

[Damn. That Jeong Su-hyeon is really something.]

"I never expected to hear such words from you, sunbae-nim."

[I didn't either, brat. By the way, I heard he handles a sword well, but does he fight pretty well too?]

"Oh, yeah. I was so upset when Instructor Lee Ho-seung snatched him from me. You should see him box."

[Hmm. Is that so? Should I have him fight Taesung?]

"He might be able to have a pretty good fight with Taesung too? He's a natural when it comes to that. But the problem is that he's not just good at fighting."

[Oh, that's true. His calmness is definitely not high school level, right? His judgment too. His execution is also good. Honestly, I thought he was someone who had been around in another unit for a few years. If we look past his face value, that's the level he was at.]

"Wow."

That was all Oh Chang-seong could say.

What the hell did he do there to receive such high praise from that psychotic senior after just one operation?

"I've heard a rough outline, but how was it?"

[Ah shit, it's annoying to explain it all in detail.]

Jo Sujin grumbled as she told Oh Chang-seong what had happened at the scene.

"Wow. It's quite surprising that he matched with you and Taesung in the first operation and stood at the forefront of the penetration formation."

Taking one wing of Jo Sujin's penetration formation?

Considering her crazy pace and aggressiveness, that wasn't easy even for a seasoned veteran.

[Right? And we even cut off the Drake's tail and head, just the two of us without Taesung.]

"He's a funny guy."

[That's what I'm saying. Isn't it surprising when you think about what you did during your first operation?]

"Ah, don't mention that."

[Hehehe. You totally froze up and got your joints twisted by me afterward.]

The memory of Jo Sujin's wickedness, who had targeted him since then and tormented him, leading him to almost have his neck torn off after taking off his rank insignia out of frustration, sharply crossed Oh Chang-seong's mind.

'Damn, the more I think about it, the more infuriating it is.'

Still, weren't they comrades who had eventually been drafted together into the 1st Unit and accumulated a lot of field experience?

'If I hadn't become an Instructor, I would still be serving as a Deputy Squad Leader under that person, getting abused.'

Look at that person, stubbornly sticking to the 1st Unit, rejecting all scout offers despite being qualified to be a unit commander.

'It means she's going to devour the 1st Unit someday.'

Thinking that changing jobs was still the best choice, Oh Chang-seong asked.

"How's that Taesung guy doing?"

The face of Kim Taesung, who was a year his junior, flashed through his mind.

[Well, that kid has always been the type to take care of his own work and even help others. I'm comfortable thanks to him.]

"Well, that's true, but."

Oh Chang-seong chuckled.

"You must have liked him quite a bit?"

[Bullshit! He just has some potential, that's all.]

'Still as dishonest as ever.'

What was with that response after all that praise?

"Anyway. It should be fun teaching that guy."

[Teach my ass. Am I an Instructor? He should learn on his own.]

"That's right."

Oh Chang-seong grinned.

"We didn't directly teach him anything either. He got stronger on his own."

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30 out of 25.

As the majority of cadets had gone on internships, the cadets ahead of the assembly time were busy sharing their experiences.

Of course, even amidst all that, the most talked-about person was Su-hyeon.

"He must really be born with it."

"I know, right? At that level, I don't even feel jealous anymore."

"Right. I just end up watching out of curiosity."

"But I heard Jun-seong also did quite well."

"It wasn't that impressive."

Seo Jun-seong replied calmly.

"What are you saying? I heard you took on a supporter role right away and did everything yourself?"

Kwon Seung-yeon wiggled her fingers, saying she knew everything.

"Rescuing dozens of citizens, covering allies, taking down three enemy combatants. That's doing really well, what more do you want?"

"They weren't particularly strong enemies. There were just a lot of them."

Seo Jun-seong didn't look very satisfied.

"Instead, I feel like I just brought back homework."

"Homework? What homework?"

"I need to boost my attack power much more."

"You? You're crazy."

"Those who have always want more."

Jeers poured in from all around, but.

'Hmm. Is it time to teach 'that tactic'?'

Su-hyeon knew exactly what Seo Jun-seong was talking about.

'The only problem is that if Seo Jun-seong starts using that too, I'll have a harder time as a competitor.'

Su-hyeon thought.

'I should tell him when the time is right. When he becomes a bit more desperate. When he finally asks for my help after much contemplation. That's the right time.'

Su-hyeon turned his head to Nam Tae-hoon.

"I heard you went on an operation too?"

"Well, yes, but."

Nam Tae-hoon smacked his lips.

"I didn't do much. I just went as part of a reconnaissance squad and observed the situation a bit."

"The fact that nothing happened is impressive in itself."

"Hehe. Well, it's nothing for someone like me."

Meanwhile, there were also those with dissatisfied faces.

"Ji-su, you said nothing happened to you?"

At Nam Tae-hoon's question, Hwang Ji-su crossed her arms.

"Yeah. I just went and greeted people the whole time. Well, there's no need to rush, right? It's good if a situation doesn't arise."

"Your face is full of dissatisfaction though."

"Tch, be quiet."

After fluttering her lips, Hwang Ji-su said to Su-hyeon.

"I'm feeling a bit restless. How about a sparring match with me after duties are over today?"

"Hmm."

For Su-hyeon, it was an offer he had no reason to decline.

"Wouldn't hurt."

"Great."

Only then did a satisfied smile appear slightly on Hwang Ji-su's face.

"Lee Yu-jin. How was it for you?"

When Su-hyeon asked Lee Yu-jin, who was sitting next to him, a sigh immediately escaped.

"...They really ran me hard."

"Why, why? What happened?"

Kwon Seung-yeon asked.

"They trained me like crazy, as if testing whether I'd drop out or not. I almost threw up about twelve times."

"Wow..."

"But they did praise me after I endured it all."

Lee Yu-jin tilted her head.

"Hmm, what did they say? 'Gihap'?"

"......"

Only Su-hyeon had to hold back his laughter.

'If they didn't like her, they would have said 'Giryeol'.'

The 4th Unit was a place where a few unique cultural elements were incorporated due to the first captain being a retired non-commissioned officer from the Marine Corps.

'Will Yu-jin be okay?'

Su-hyeon's concerned gaze briefly turned toward Lee Yu-jin.

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"Operation terminated as of the current time!"

"Thank you for your hard work!"

11th Unit Captain Lee Cheong-myeong and 8th Unit Captain Ma Seunggeon took off their masks full of battle traces and shook hands.

"Ah, as expected! It's comfortable to run with you, Captain Lee!"

"That's what I should be saying."

The two were deployed in a joint operation requiring captain-level intervention, matching their rhythm for the first time in a month since Blood Plaza.

"Whew. My shoulders are all stiff. They just keep coming endlessly."

"Indeed."

Although they had succeeded in the operation without major damage.

The sense of crisis felt by the two captains about the dangerous situations that had been continuously occurring recently was very great.

"I didn't expect the underground to be this deeply rotten."

"That's exactly what I meant. The problem is not just the domestic situation."

It was an open secret that Ma-in and criminal organizations from all over the world were eagerly looking for opportunities to infiltrate the country.

"They must hate it. The prosperity of humans. The peace of humans."

Ma Seunggeon looked up at the blue sky and spoke as if reciting.

"From the beginning, we were just lucky."

"That's right."

Small territory and high population density.

The uniqueness of being a peninsula.

Awakened ones boasting top-class quality even by global standards, and a stable system.

The current prosperity enjoyed by South Korea was a fortune of heroes' activities, geopolitical advantages, and international circumstances all coming together.

'We buttoned the first button well.'

Ma Seunggeon thought.

Despite their national power, countries with vast territories like the United States, Russia, and China couldn't handle the front lines against demonic beasts and Ma-in spread across dozens of planes, so they had to reorganize their forces around strongholds or be torn apart.

Advanced countries in Western Europe had to build barriers after suffering great damage from enemies flooding in like water over vast plains.

Countries that were relatively advantageous for defense were either isolated because of it, or conversely, trapped inside and annihilated.

'Island countries like Taiwan or the UK were somewhat advantageous.'

But not all island countries were advantageous.

Countries with particularly long territories like Japan or Chile eventually split into two major forces.

'Countries in Africa or South America, which were originally underdeveloped and too vast, unfolded scenes of hell that were difficult to bear witness to.'

Every morning brought news of another country falling to demonic beasts.

After peace somewhat returned, news of countries falling to new enemies called Ma-in didn't stop for decades.

'South Korea's prosperity symbolizes humanity's success? In other words, it means it's difficult to speak of 100% certain victory for humanity in other countries.'

The age of humans.

What a precarious age of humans it is.

Of course, even amidst all this, countries like the United States still had strong national power, like a rotten croaker.

The problem was that global military projection as a maritime power like in the past had become very difficult.

'...Well. Let's stop whining here. It's not like anything changes by doing so.'

Ma Seunggeon, shaking off his thoughts, spoke to Lee Cheong-myeong, who was quietly thinking with his eyes closed.

"By the way, that friend Jeong Su-hyeon. Seems like he performed quite well in Sujin's unit."

"Ah, Captain Ma, you heard too? They say he did."

"Hehe. The Sword Spirit must be satisfied too? His granddaughter's potential son-in-law is making such a mark."

"...Haha. I suppose so."

'Hmm?'

Ma Seunggeon's face became slightly puzzled at the slightly strange response.

'Is it my imagination?'

"By the way, it seems Lee Yu-jin didn't have a chance to perform this time."

"That might be better in a way. Better than incidents occurring every day."

Lee Cheong-myeong sighed.

"But given that another massive battle is already scheduled, I think it would be better if the juniors rise quickly."

"Captain Ma's words are right."

Lee Cheong-myeong chuckled.

"But the thought that they might have to shed more blood than we did makes my heart heavy as an uncle figure."

"......"

Ma Seunggeon tried to change his darkened expression into a cheerful smile.

"Well, we'll just have to work longer without retiring, right!"

"That's true."

"Of course! We're still in our prime!"

Ma Seunggeon said as he mounted Pegasus.

"Then I'll be going now."

"Yes. See you again in good health."

"Haha. I hope so too."

Pegasus flew away with powerful wing beats.

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Ha Jinsu and Kwak Hyeok-jung.

The two Ma-in had admirably endured Hwang Won-jae's 'punishment'.

But.

"Hey. Are you okay?"

Ha Jinsu grinned widely at Jang Suil's question.

"Okay? Hahaha. I'm perfectly fine."

"......"

Ha Jinsu's face, as he fiddled with his rusty sword, had melted in several places, becoming a ghastly sight.

"I'm overflowing with power more than ever."

"Oh, you look like it."

As Hwang Won-jae had boasted, Ha Jinsu had achieved tremendous power-up.

That was a fact.

"Hehehe. Swordsmanship, the subtleties of the sword, principles. All unnecessary."

However, Jang Suil couldn't be sure if the Ha Jinsu reciting these words was truly the same being as before.

"I will kill Lee Ho-seung and Lee Cheong-myeong in my own way, and even tear apart that snake-like old man."

At this moment.

He was confident that he could even defeat 'Sword Warrior' Lee Cheong-myeong, who had crossed swords with him.

"...Right. That was your goal."

"Ugh. Everything in moderation. At that level, isn't he a stalker?"

'Little Evil Demon' Noh Hajun grimaced, rubbing his arm.

"Hehehe. Talk all you want. I have no intention of arguing with a baby like you."

"Oh, really."

Noh Hajun's gaze turned to the side.

"He's relatively decent. That guy got even weirder."

"......"

Kwak Hyeok-jung, who had been closing his eyes like a statue, slowly opened them.

After the 'punishment', Kwak Hyeok-jung became extremely reserved.

No emotion could be felt from his rolling eyes.

"Creepy bastard."

Noh Hajun elbowed Jang Suil's side.

"Look at that guy's eyes. Am I the only one getting chills?"

"I don't know what's what anymore."

Jang Suil's trapezius muscles wriggled as he shrugged.

"...I want to slaughter all those who go against 'His' cause."

Kwak Hyeok-jung muttered in a voice so soft it was barely audible.

"After giving them such excruciating pain that neither regret nor anger remains."

"See? Is that shit normal? He's completely lost it."

Noh Hajun grumbled.

"My, why are you all like this? It's nothing new for our children to be strange."

Vampire Queen Seong Yeonhui, who had been watching with a slight smile, said.

"No. They should be strange within reason. The kids have all gone crazy."

"They accepted that risk themselves, didn't they? Isn't it better business to become 'a little' strange and much stronger than having your brain melt and becoming an idiot?"

"It might look that way to you. You were strange to begin with."

"My, that was harsh."

Seong Yeonhui, who laughed off Jang Suil's words gently, said to Kwak Hyeok-jung.

"Kwak Hyeok-jung."

"Speak."

"There's something you need to do for me."

"...If it calls for blood, gladly."

"Oh? You won't need to worry about that."

At those words.

Kwak Hyeok-jung's mouth tore widely from side to side.

"Then gladly."