I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 196 : The Best Son-in-Law Material (3)

Intern dispatch.

What was originally supposed to be a dispatch of only five people had changed to the entire class going out, so accordingly, there were big and small changes to the academic schedule.

"Doesn't this mean we have a lot less work to do?"

At Instructor Oh Chang-seong's words, Kim Cheol-han shook his head.

"It's not something to be entirely happy about. The more we do, the more incentives we receive, and if we carry on like this, our allowances..."

"Gasp."

"Well, that was a joke."

Kim Cheol-han sighed.

"The problem is that Class 1 cadets, who need to build the capabilities necessary for actual combat for one more semester, are being thrown into dangerous situations too hastily."

"That's true. In the past, the situations that interns would experience wouldn't have been very dangerous, right?"

Instructor Lee Ho-seung nodded.

"In times like these, almost like a quasi-wartime state, even those little ones are being deployed in completely dangerous real-world situations. Especially that Jeong Su-hyeon—honestly, if it had been another kid, they could have been seriously injured."

"That's true. Senior Squad Leader Jo has such a violent temperament. Honestly, when I heard they were going under her, I was quite worried."

"Well, you would be. You suffered terribly under Sujin."

As Lee Ho-seung cackled, Oh Chang-seong flared up.

"Well, it's not exactly because of that..."

"You've been put in an awkward position too? You got tormented as her backup shooter, then got beaten up after taking off your rank insignia to fight her, but this kid got recognized after just two operations."

"Oh, seriously! Stop bringing up old stories!"

"Seeing you get worked up proves it."

"Damn it, she's just mellowed out now, but back then she was a mad dog, I tell you. Her eyes dripped with such murderous intent that you couldn't tell who was the Ma-in."

"She had reason to be like that back then."

Lee Ho-seung, who knew about Jo Sujin's vengefulness after losing her family before enlisting, nodded.

"So why did you provoke her by suggesting you both remove your rank insignias? You should have just backed down."

"Damn, I thought I had a chance. I didn't know she was that strong."

"Sujin was always a genius. Even now, I'm not confident I could beat her in a fight."

Unless he was talking about before his injury.

"......"

Oh Chang-seong's expression darkened a bit.

If he hadn't been injured in the fight against the Ma-in.

He would have been the second disciple of the Sword God to be appointed as the Execution Force Captain after Lee Cheong-myeong.

"Anyway. We were all a bit mentally confused after experiencing various situations in our first real combat, right? Talk to them nicely. Cheol-han will do well, but still."

"Understood."

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The next day during roll call.

After briefing about the simple practical class scheduled for the afternoon, Kim Cheol-han tapped the podium with the attendance book and said.

"Before starting the day's work, I want to add one more thing."

'What is he trying to say?'

Somehow, Kim Cheol-han's expression was more serious than usual.

'Though he's always serious.'

"Over the past two weeks, most of you have experienced being deployed in real situations, big or small. Among you, there are cadets like Jeong Su-hyeon, Hwang Ji-su, and Seo Jun-seong who have performed quite well, and others like Lee Yu-jin, Hong In-hyeon, and Kim A-yun who have made small achievements and left an impression."

"......"

He looked around at us and asked.

"How were the Ma-in you faced in reality?"

"They were cruel and threatening."

Lee Yu-jin answered immediately.

'Yu-jin went through a lot this time too.'

"They were ferocious. I felt chilled by their blind killing intent and rage."

"An innocent civilian almost died right before my eyes."

"I see."

Kim Cheol-han nodded.

"Is there anyone who had slightly different thoughts?"

"......"

After a brief silence.

"I had some strange thoughts."

Hong In-hyeon said.

"How so?"

"The Ma-in I subdued was a weak one. Probably an estimated C+ to B- rank. That means he was originally around a C-rank hunter."

Hong In-hyeon's voice continued calmly.

"He had never committed any crime. He was just a bit greedy. He violated his quota and caught more demonic beasts than he could suppress the demonic nature for. But that was to pay for his family's hospital bills."

"......"

No one opened their mouths.

"Of course, breaking the rules was his fault. But as a consequence, he now has to spend the rest of his life as a Ma-in in White Castle. There, he will be guaranteed food, clothing, and shelter, and will do some labor."

I wonder, Hong In-hyeon continued.

"Was his crime so heinous? Am I being too sentimental and soft for feeling that the punishment coming his way is harsh?"

The cadets became solemn at Hong In-hyeon's serious words, different from his usual self.

'He has reason to feel that way.'

Hong In-hyeon also had a family member who became a "White Ma-in" and couldn't come out because they had become a Ma-in, even though their crime was almost as light as this.

I sighed as I saw Nam Tae-hoon looking at Hong In-hyeon with a strange gaze.

'I can hear the situation getting complicated.'

"My experience was a bit different."

Seo Jun-seong said.

"The Ma-in I faced was a criminal from the underworld. That person tried to drive numerous people to their deaths. A fire in a high-rise building drove people onto the rooftop."

"!"

"If we hadn't arrived in time, they wouldn't have been able to withstand the high temperature and would have jumped from the rooftop. That... would have been truly terrible."

"Right."

Kim Cheol-han nodded.

"Are you confused? Listening to Hong In-hyeon, you might wonder if this is right, but after hearing Seo Jun-seong, you might think again that Ma-in are indeed unforgivable beings."

"Yes."

"This is duality. This is a dilemma. It's something you can never avoid in your life."

Kim Cheol-han said.

"Why? Because Ma-in were once human beings. Look at the human world. Some humans become soldiers, police officers, Execution Force members, hunters, and fight to protect people."

Kim Cheol-han came down from the podium and slowly walked around the classroom.

"On the other hand, most humans live their lives engaged in their respective occupations, unrelated to fighting. And some humans fall into the underworld, causing harm to others through drugs, gambling, and robbery. The malicious ones join criminal organizations and even kill people."

But.

"They are all human. Is it just to lump all these humans together and either praise or despise them as a whole?"

"......"

"The same goes for Ma-in. There are those with pitiful circumstances like the one Hong In-hyeon met, and there is trash with no room for consideration like the one Seo Jun-seong met. On the other hand, how was the 'Executioner' Kwak Hyeok-jung, whom Jeong Su-hyeon and Hwang Ji-su helped defeat? He was a pleasure killer who cruelly murdered countless people."

Kwak Hyeok-jung.

An executive of [Sword of Belphegor] who had attacked the academy.

"Personally, he attacked you, putting you in mortal danger, and slaughtered Instructors, trainers, and cadets."

"That's right."

"I don't intend to force an answer upon you arbitrarily. That would be my answer, not yours."

After circling the classroom once, Kim Cheol-han went back up to the podium.

"...Now that you've faced this heavy dilemma, what you need to do is clear. Find your own answers. If not."

Kim Cheol-han's last words left a meaningful resonance with us.

"That anguish will someday devour you."

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Thursday, September 5th.

It's my birthday.

It meant not just Jeong Su-hyeon's birthday, but also Kim Seong-yun's birthday.

'When I was young, I would unnecessarily immerse myself in this and think it was some kind of fate.'

It was also one of the reasons I poured my life into Edge of Gate.

Especially since Jeong Su-hyeon's birthday triggered events where people around me celebrated based on intimacy.

As someone who didn't have many friends and was quiet, I deliberately created save points on my birthday and received congratulations from classmates as Jeong Su-hyeon, not Kim Seong-yun.

'...Somehow, I feel like I might cry a bit.'

Anyway.

Perhaps because I was the top student of the entire year and had extended my influence by providing tangible and intangible help to many named characters.

People from all over were pouring in to congratulate me on my birthday, even though it wasn't like a homeroom teacher's birthday.

"Noona is here!"

The first person to find me after school was Lim Eun-seo.

"Hehe. This noona made it herself, so use it preciously."

"Thank you."

"It's a matte black rider glove made from demonic beast leather. Try it on."

The gloves fit my hand size exactly.

"...They're cool."

"Right? I paid attention not just to appearance but functionality too."

Lim Eun-seo boasted with her hands on her hips.

"I maximized the grip on the palms and inside of the fingers. It'll be useful when riding a motorcycle, and also if you ever need to handle the Moonless Sword while wearing gloves."

"That's true."

Generally, gloves aren't worn when wielding swords since sensation is important.

But it's better to be prepared for anything.

"The exterior has been specially treated to greatly increase durability. The material also has very high mana responsiveness, so it will be convenient in many ways."

"Thank you."

"Hehehe, use it well. You can use it for your work too."

"Yes. I'll use it well."

"Hmph. Only this noona, right?"

"I suppose so."

"What do you mean 'I suppose so'? I'm leaving."

Lim Eun-seo turned around coolly.

"Yes. I'll send you good materials if I get some soon."

"If possible, something like adamant!"

"Yes."

The gift that Park Gangjeong, who came after Lim Eun-seo, had prepared was a very predictable item.

"Protein made with premium whey protein! The nutritional ratio is perfect, and above all, the protein absorption efficiency is overwhelming—a luxurious product!"

"Thank you."

It seemed like there were so many boxes that I'd still be eating it until graduation.

"Hmm. Gain muscles!"

"Thank you."

Compared to the two, Min Hae-na's gift was quite modest.

"It's a chocolate bar."

"Yes. When you're often deployed in actual combat, you'll have many occasions where your blood sugar drops."

"That's true."

"Keep a few of these in your pocket and slip them to senior squad members, and that's A-grade stuff."

Min Hae-na giggled.

'As expected.'

Is this the experience of a senior?

"I thought about giving you something grand, but I thought our Su-hyeon would feel burdened by that."

"That's true."

Though of course, I wouldn't refuse.

"Happy birthday."

Min Hae-na patted my shoulder with a bright smile.

"Let's have a meal together soon."

"Yes."

"It would be nice if you came to visit sometimes too."

"I'll try."

Watching Min Hae-na's back as she left, waving her hand openly, I suddenly thought.

'Is this what an older woman is like?'

It was different, somehow different.

When I returned to the dormitory, Nam Tae-hoon approached me as if he had been waiting.

"Hey, our employer."

"What?"

"You need to come somewhere with me."

"Go where?"

"It's your birthday. There are too many friends who want to give you something."

"So?"

"I've rented out Paul Baguette. For a birthday party."

"...?"

Even I was surprised by this and blinked my eyes.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

Nam Tae-hoon grumbled enviously.

"You had no idea?"

"Hmm. Since no one said anything, I thought you didn't know."

"It seems Yu-jin went around telling everyone."

"No, why make such a fuss about my birthday?"

Even for me, it was a bit embarrassing.

"It's a good excuse."

"Excuse for what?"

"Because of the internship, what else? Everyone's feeling troubled, which is why Instructor Kim said those things."

Nam Tae-hoon shrugged his shoulders.

"It's the first time I've seen Hong In-hyeon act like that. Everyone's thoughts must be complicated."

'Indeed.'

"That's true."

"The idea is to gather, eat something delicious, laugh, and chat."

"Hmm."

I tilted my head.

"Hearing this, I doubt you came up with such a thoughtful idea. Whose idea was it?"

"Who else?"

Nam Tae-hoon shrugged.

"Seung-yeon, of course."

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"Aiyoo, I don't know what I'm doing here."

Kwon Seung-yeon, who was decorating the café interior with the friends who volunteered, sighed.

"Your dedication is remarkable."

Hwang Ji-su, who had been dragged along, grumbled.

"If you're jealous, should I do this for your birthday next year too?"

"No thanks."

Next to them, Lee Yu-jin and Song Yu-ha were busily tying balloons.

"Ooh, you're tying them neatly!"

Song Yu-ha, who was in charge of inflating the balloons and passing them over, admired Lee Yu-jin's skill.

"Hurry up! They'll be here soon!"

"Oh!"