I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 33 : Public Training Exercise (3)

"I think the key will be how we respond to the One-Armed Trainer's attack range."

Oh Min-seon said.

"Attack range?"

Jeremy McGarr asked.

"The biggest advantage of a whip is definitely its range. It's on a completely different dimension compared to weapons like swords or spears, right?"

"That's true."

"Moreover, they say a whip wielded by an expert has the power to break the sound barrier. If wielded by a B-rank Ma-in, it would be like a machine gun."

'She's looking at this from a more tactical perspective than I expected.'

I quietly listened to Oh Min-seon's words.

"The tactic I've thought of is this. First, A-yun and I will move as one unit and keep our distance from the Ma-in. While doing that, we'll launch attacks from long range using our abilities."

"Hmm."

"Of course, it won't be effective immediately."

"We might even face a counterattack."

Nam Tae-hoon pointed out.

"That's fine. Have you forgotten what my ability is? Changing the terrain to escape isn't a problem at all."

"But wouldn't he be able to destroy concrete, asphalt, or pavement blocks?"

"Probably. That's when the other three need to step in."

Oh Min-seon pointed at us.

"First, Jeremy McGarr with his spear will try to deflect the whip as much as possible while approaching, and Nam Tae-hoon will continuously irritate him from behind, working his way inside the attack range."

"So I'm important!"

The simple-minded Jeremy McGarr clapped his hands in excitement.

"Hmm."

But as I listened, I felt there were a few things that needed to be modified.

"I have some concerns."

Everyone's attention turned to me as I spoke for the first time.

"What kind of concerns?"

Oh Min-seon asked calmly.

"First, according to your plan, it seems like you're assuming that we three will be the main attackers, while you two provide suppressive fire from a distance."

"That's about right."

"But I think the main attack should be assigned to the two of you, who uniquely can attack from a greater distance."

"Hmm. But."

"Especially, the most powerful attack option should be Kim A-yun."

"A-yun?"

Oh Min-seon's expression suggested she found it hard to agree.

"Of course, lightning is a really powerful ability, but as far as I know, A-yun still doesn't have good control. Within the range she can regulate, the power doesn't exceed mere harassment, and if she increases the output, we might get caught up in it too."

According to Oh Min-seon.

That was why Kim A-yun, despite her powerful characteristic, was treated almost like a double-edged sword.

"You're right. Half-hearted attacks won't work. Even if it's lightning."

But with Oh Min-seon present, that problem could be overcome.

"There's a way for Kim A-yun to unleash her full firepower."

"R-really?"

Kim A-yun asked with surprise.

"The method I'm thinking of is......"

After my explanation, everyone seemed to agree.

"That makes sense?"

Nam Tae-hoon said.

"T-that might work."

Kim A-yun also timidly nodded.

"Great! That's bold!"

Jeremy McGarr agreed too.

"Hmmmm."

Even Oh Min-seon, who had been thinking with her arms crossed, finally acknowledged.

"That seems better than what I thought. It's also the majority opinion."

"I just built on what you suggested."

"You don't need to flatter me."

She says that, but the corner of her mouth twitches slightly.

"Your role is very important. I'm counting on you."

Just then, Instructor Kim Cheol-han tapped the podium three times.

"Alright, time's up."

"Ahhh."

"Thirty minutes have already passed."

"Now let's move. Everyone stand up."

"...Yes, sir."

"You'd better do your best. This is your first opportunity to show your skills to all members of the academy."

Instructor Kim said, looking around at everyone.

"Six teams from Class 1, and twelve teams from Classes 2 and 3. It will be interesting to see which team gets the most attention."

"!"

"Of course, I don't think you'll do worse than the other classes. Don't disappoint me."

"Y-yes, sir!"

[Main Quest has been generated!]

[Main Quest: Subdue the Ma-in]

[Subdue the 'One-Armed Trainer' through teamwork with your companions.]

[Tip: The fewer members who retire, the higher the reward!]

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"Class 3 is failing."

"Yes. It's quite unfortunate."

The instructors gathered in front of the large screens clicked their tongues at the Class 3 members visible on the right screen.

"They're in disarray even though we gave them the weakest Ma-in."

"With fewer combat-experienced personnel and more supporters, they all seem a bit timid."

"Just a week since enrollment. They haven't had enough time to break out of their shells yet."

Since this was a common scene every year, the instructors' attention shifted elsewhere.

"Class 2 is much more enthusiastic in comparison."

"They must feel they need to show something. They seem to have prepared reasonably well too."

However, they could still see signs of panic when things didn't go according to plan.

"One thing is clear though: they're much more proactive than during the entrance exam."

"It means the fuel of competitiveness has started to burn."

The instructors exchanged comments with satisfied expressions.

"One or two teams from Class 2 might succeed, don't you think?"

Meanwhile, Class 1 was only meeting about half of the high expectations so far.

"Seo Jun-seong's team is quite good."

"They've created good tactics. Above all, Seo Jun-seong is doing well at evacuating or moving his teammates when appropriate, while also restraining the battle puppets."

"He must have learned a lot of tactical knowledge from his father. Worthy of being the top student."

"In Hwang Ji-su's team, two members stand out."

The skillful use of abilities by Hwang Ji-su and Choi Min-a was turning the fight in their favor.

"However, there's also a feeling that the team members are acting separately."

"Did they decide to fight using their individual strengths rather than attempting awkward teamplay? That could also be a valid answer."

"Hmm."

Oh Chang-seong's expression frowned slightly.

He wasn't pleased with Lee Yu-jin's team's performance.

'They're struggling somewhat, but fighting with a clear purpose is commendable.'

However, there was one problem.

'Park Chang-jun seems to be doing his own thing. That's just showing off his abilities.'

Characteristic: Mana Tank.

Park Chang-jun's fighting style of spamming simple energy shots based on his abundant mana seemed flashy at first glance, but didn't contribute much to the actual battle situation.

'Did he think the instructors wouldn't notice? Or is that all he knows how to do?'

Either way, Oh Chang-seong didn't like team members of that type.

'Ah, this kid is just unlikable.'

At the very least, the possibility of him having Oh Chang-seong as his guidance instructor seemed non-existent.

"Hong In-hyeon and Kim Ho-su's teams are in precarious situations."

"Kim Ho-su's team has better tactics, but in terms of influence on the battlefield as a team leader, Hong In-hyeon is better."

"However, both lack decisive destructive power."

Following the natural flow.

Their gaze turned to the last team, Su-hyeon's Team 6.

"Hmm?"

"Oh my."

The battle dynamics they were witnessing were quite different from what their senior cadets had shown.

"It's my first time seeing someone fight the One-Armed Trainer like that."

"Quite an interesting concept."

"Whose idea could it be? Jeong Su-hyeon? Oh Min-seon?"

"Who knows."

Their eyes couldn't leave that single screen.

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"Oh Min-seon!"

"Leave it to me!"

Following my shout, Oh Min-seon waved her hand, causing the asphalt road to rise high.

Kwaa-gwang!

With a boom that made it hard to believe it was hit by a whip, chunks of asphalt exploded away.

"Damn, anyone seeing that would think it was hit by a cannon!"

Nam Tae-hoon, watching from a distance, stuck out his tongue.

"What is that, some kind of balloon puppet flailing around?"

The Ma-in, the One-Armed Trainer.

With his towering height, he looked like an ordinary human except for the countless self-inflicted wounds clearly visible even from a distance.

However, where his left arm should have been, only a tattered and torn sleeve fluttered in the wind.

That appearance seemed to harmonize well with the desolate, ruin-like surroundings.

His build, which exuded softness and flexibility at a glance, was also unusual.

Whiiirlick.

As if his body had no bones or joints at all, as if his arms, legs, and torso were all one whip, he swung his entire body floppy-like, gathering maximum centrifugal force and kinetic energy in his wrist.

The free control of arm swing and wrist snap gave life to the whip.

When the mana filled with terrible killing intent was added to the kinetic energy created this way.

Ssswaaack!

The wielded whip tore through the air sharply, carving out and destroying everything it faced.

PANG! PAAANG!

Oh Min-seon's attempts to raise concrete high and rain down physical attacks were rendered futile after just a few lashes of his whip.

"How does a whip break concrete."

Oh Min-seon muttered.

"Shit. Is there actually a way to get inside that perimeter?"

Jeremy McGarr's groan was heard through the communication earpiece.

"I know, right? If we go in carelessly, we'll end up as ground meat."

Nam Tae-hoon also feigned exaggeration.

"You can do it though."

I said.

"Well, if I use my ability, sure."

"Anyway, it's an insane power. It's my first time seeing someone blow away that much asphalt with a whip instead of a cannon."

True to Oh Min-seon's admiration.

Tremendous range, speed, and destructive power.

The whip wielded by the One-Armed Trainer was displaying such powerful force that it seemed impossible to find a gap to penetrate at first glance.

"I guess it's no wonder an entire Execution Force squad was wiped out back then."

Oh Min-seon's voice was becoming serious.

'It's only because he acted alone; if this guy had joined a Ma-in organization, he would have caused far more casualties.'

I thought.

'Anyway, giving him a sturdy whip on top of that makes it seem impossible to find a gap to slip through.'

What's particularly noteworthy is that he's producing such power without even putting in much effort.

'It's not like a mace where you put all your strength into each swing.'

Using his entire body to maintain kinetic energy without interruption, with recovery and extension flowing like water, offense and defense as one.

That was the whip technique demonstrated by the One-Armed Trainer.

'If there are Ma-in types with such high weapon proficiency, they can be quite troublesome.'

Our tactics against him are as follows:

First, we form two units with Oh Min-seon and Kim A-yun as the main attackers, protected by Jeremy McGarr and myself respectively.

Oh Min-seon, utilizing her earth manipulation characteristic, launches physical attacks and creates visual obstructions, while helping with evasion and movement through terrain changes.

Jeremy McGarr, wielding a fire spear, protects Oh Min-seon from immediate whip attacks.

Conversely, Kim A-yun has tremendous output with her lightning ability, but is notably lacking in close combat sense and various application abilities.

'That's the biggest difference between her and Hwang Ji-su.'

Therefore, I take full responsibility for marking Kim A-yun, who has virtually no defensive capabilities, with sword and shield in hand.

In other words, the structure is that the close combat specialists, myself and Jeremy McGarr, protect the two main attackers, and both sides attack from opposite directions to disperse the Ma-in's attention.

'He has only one whip. Since simultaneous attacks are impossible, if he attacks one side, an attack from the rear will come from the other side.'

The most important thing here is Oh Min-seon's vision.

And Nam Tae-hoon, for whom distance means nothing, needed to keep looking for openings to attack and help disperse aggro with appropriate harassment.

'This guy's true value isn't just this.'

But there was no choice.

Nam Tae-hoon was not someone who would use more power than this at the current stage.

"Li-little brats."

The Ma-in's stumbling mutter reached all our ears.

"St-stop prancing around and d-die."

Despite his slurred speech, the clear killing intent it contained made Kim A-yun shrink her shoulders.

"Don't get scared."

I grabbed Kim A-yun's shoulder firmly.

"O-okay!"

Ssswaaack!

The whip, infused with massive kinetic energy, tearing through the earth and air as it was swung wildly in all directions, suddenly changed direction and came at me.

"Hide!"

I hid Kim A-yun behind my back and activated Eye Power.

Keeeiing!

In my sight that turned black and white, only the whip breaking the sound barrier flew at an astonishing speed.

ZHAAAAAK!

I raised my shield to block, but an enormous impact hit my arm and shoulder.

"Kuk."

It was powerful enough that taking it head-on would likely cause considerable damage.

Ssswack! Ssswaaaack!

Conscious of Kim A-yun behind me, I dodged attacks coming above my shoulder while blocking those below.

'Good. I can see better now.'

After just a few exchanges, I began to read the timing and speed.

Zhaaaack!

Eventually, I was able to perform stable defense by properly deflecting the impacts.

'The effect of eating the mushroom is definitely noticeable.'

While there's still much room to improve the proficiency of Eye Power.

The speed at which my body was responding felt much higher.

'To think they can implement even this in simulation.'

The difficulty level of this game was evident from the fact that even with such scientific power, they still couldn't properly eliminate the Ma-in.

'I've been able to compensate quite well for my current weakness of mana deficiency.'

Nevertheless.

It didn't seem like I could withstand this attack indefinitely while properly looking after Kim A-yun.

'If I hadn't eaten the mushroom yesterday, this would have been a much more difficult battle.'

"Hide behind my back and make yourself as small as possible."

"Okay."

Kim A-yun grabbed the hem of my clothes and answered tensely.

"When I say to get on my back, you need to do it immediately. It'll be serious trouble if you're late."

"I got it!"

She answered well.

"Hup!"

I created an opening by deflecting the whip with my sword, then shouted:

"Now! Fire!"

Crackle!

Kim A-yun took the opportunity to discharge electricity.

PANG!

But.

The Ma-in, who had already recovered his whip, scattered it helplessly with another lash.

'Is the whip itself set as an insulator?'

The instances where I would face the "One-Armed Trainer" with Kim A-yun as a team were not that many among the hundreds of iterations.

So I was a bit taken aback.

But it wasn't a major problem.

"Don't worry. It's just that your firepower is too weak right now, so he easily blocked it."

"Is that so?"

"Of course."

But one thing was clear.

Considering that Instructor Oh Chang-seong had extremely limited his power due to the restraints during the entrance exam, and that Instructor Kang Jun-man had no intention of engaging in a proper battle with me.

This One-Armed Trainer was undoubtedly the strongest opponent I had met since my possession.

'Let's play a bit more.'

My heart raced at the thought of meeting an opponent that made me feel tense for once.

'This fight probably won't end without injuries.'