I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 57 : Aftermath (3)

I had a dream after a long time.

In it, I wasn't Jeong Su-hyeon but Kim Seong-yun, a college student.

"Does anyone know what our Seong-yun is doing? He doesn't participate in department activities, and his grades aren't particularly high either. What the hell is he doing?"

"I know, right? They say he just turns on his disappearing act and vanishes as soon as class ends."

"Well, what can he do? He's busy with his part-time job."

To the questions from my few friends, I scratched my cheek and made that excuse.

"Come on. How many people here don't work part-time?"

"Exactly. Everyone's working part-time jobs and sacrificing sleep to keep going."

"But all you do is drink, go to PC rooms, and then hit the pool hall?"

"Wow. What more do you want?"

"Right. It's not like he's dating anyone."

Ultimately, they were just saying we should hang out together, but at that time, I was such a wretched person that I found more interest in the more complex and colorful relationships formed beyond Edge of Gate than with my friends.

"I'm tired because I'm getting old. I'd rather just play games at home in that time."

"But you play such weird games."

"What was it called? Edge of Gate?"

"I've never met someone who plays Edge of Gate until I came to college."

"This guy's a shit connoisseur. How fitting that he's hooked on such a shitty game."

"What?"

I could tolerate being insulted, but I couldn't tolerate Edge of Gate being insulted.

"Hey, you gaming ignoramuses. All things considered, Edge of Gate is the real god-tier game."

"Whatever, shit connoisseur."

"Haven't you been playing that for like 6 years?"

"Yeah, about that long."

"Do you still have things to do? I tried it for two months and quit in frustration."

Just one friend who had played Edge of Gate asked curiously.

"Yeah. I still haven't cleared it. Gotta keep playing until I do."

"You still haven't cleared it? That game is insane."

"I think I might be able to clear it in a few more years. These days I'm progressing well into the mid-to-late game."

"You crazy bastard."

"Is it fun for you to do the same thing over and over again?"

"Of course. It's different each time."

"But it's impressive. I kept dying during that event in the early part where the Ma-in attack the academy. How the hell do you clear that?"

"Oh, that? If you look carefully, there are ways."

"How do you do it?"

"Well, you see..."

"His eyes just changed again."

Flash!

When I opened my eyes, I saw the heavy, dreary ceiling of a field tent.

"......"

Was it a dream?

It had been quite a while since I dreamed of those days.

But.

Instead of falling into endless reminiscence, I quickly pulled my consciousness forward.

'...Looks like things were wrapped up well.'

If they assigned a tent like this exclusively to a single cadet, it meant they had some leeway.

It would be fair to assume that not many casualties occurred in the places I couldn't attend to.

"Whew."

Since this Ma-in attack episode was the most important event in the early scenario, I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief that it had ended with the best possible outcome.

'Otherwise, everyone might have really died.'

Clearing this event without any named characters dying would be something that would astonish other gamers if they heard about it.

Of course, results vary greatly depending on the player's skill.

For instance, when I was a newbie on my 13th playthrough, Classes 2 and 3 were almost completely annihilated by this attack.

The homeroom instructors of Classes 2 and 3, as well as Oh Chang-seong, were killed in action.

Lee Ho-seung had expended all his energy and was on the verge of subduing Ha Jin-su, but was killed in action by the joint attack of combat operatives who had joined after clearing other areas.

Kim Cheol-han also held out well against Kwak Hyeok-jung but was eventually surrounded and reached a near-death state.

Though he was barely rescued by the arriving reinforcements, he lost much of his combat power afterward.

Among the teaching assistants, nearly 20 died in action.

Among the cadets, Seo Jun-seong was critically injured after a hard fight, Hwang Ji-su suffered severe damage to her mana core with uncertain recovery, and even Lee Yu-jin died while protecting her comrades.

'It was literally a bad ending with no dreams or hope.'

I had to wipe the data that day and start the 14th playthrough.

Compared to that, what about the results I've achieved now?

I can boldly declare.

It was the best among hundreds of playthroughs over ten years.

'The rewards are also anticipated.'

It was clear that it wouldn't just end with system rewards.

I was in the middle of those thoughts.

"Hey! You're awake!"

Health Instructor Jang Jin-won, who opened the tent, shouted.

"Yes. I just woke up."

"Wahaha, you woke up faster than expected. There's a truckload of people waiting for you to wake up! Damn, let me check your condition first."

After checking my condition with the nursing assistants, he let out a hollow laugh.

"You're ridiculously fine."

"I feel like I slept like the dead. How many days have I been asleep?"

"Exactly two days."

No wonder my body felt refreshed.

Given Unlimited's monstrous recovery ability plus two days of sleep time.

It wasn't strange that I had not just recovered but had energy to spare.

"Hmm. Are you really human? That's an absurd recovery ability. It's certainly good to be young."

Jang Jin-won chuckled and patted my shoulder.

"You'll probably hear a lot more about this, but I must say this. Thank you. Thanks to you, we could prevent many casualties."

"If I was of help, it's my honor."

"Hehehe. You're an exemplary kid. Well, rest a bit. Though you look fine, I can't discharge you right away."

"I'm really okay."

"Do you have something urgent to do?"

"I've already rested for two days, so I should get back to my routine quickly. Muscle growth stops after 48 hours."

"Wahahahaha!"

His muscular pectorals quivered.

"That's a discharge reason I quite like."

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Su-hyeon first received a visit from Kim Cheol-han and Vice Principal Gong Gi-jeong.

"So you're Su-hyeon."

The Vice Principal, with his hair combed back and a meticulous impression, offered a handshake to Su-hyeon.

"First and foremost, as the Vice Principal of this academy, I express my gratitude. The judgment and execution you showed in an unpredictable situation had a value that cannot be measured even with a thousand gold pieces."

"You're too kind."

"Hmm. I've never been one to exaggerate either praise or criticism."

The Vice Principal said, lifting his glasses.

"I'm sorry, but it seems we'll have to conduct some troublesome questioning with Su-hyeon who just woke up. I ask for your understanding."

"That's fine."

"Hmm."

Gong Gi-jeong nodded as if pleased with my neat answer.

"As you might guess, this is an unprecedented situation in the academy's history. Our EFAC has never been so greatly shaken by an external invasion. However, continued peace brought insensitivity to safety, and the price was almost devastating. If it weren't for the efforts of everyone, led by you."

"I just did what needed to be done."

"Hmm. And it's our duty to repay that."

Gong Gi-jeong smiled.

"We'll continue this conversation later. First, take a look at this."

The paper he handed me had a chronological list of what I had done during the 30 minutes after the Ma-in attack.

"This is organized based on testimonies. Are there any parts that don't match the facts?"

"Nothing in particular."

"Good. Now about these parts. These are blank spaces we couldn't fill through testimonies."

"Yes."

"I heard you bought time against Battle Maniac Jang Su-il. Is that true?"

"Yes. However, that Ma-in didn't exert any of his strength."

"The Battle Maniac is a Ma-in who moves based on interest. The very fact that you caught his attention means there was something special about you."

"I think I was just lucky."

"Hmm. Then how was the fight with Lee Yong-ju? The fact that you had an overwhelming fight against that Ma-in means your combat power at that time exceeded B-rank or B+ rank."

'Too much activity creates this kind of problem.'

Su-hyeon thought.

'But at this point, there's no particular need to be too cautious.'

Now I had no intention of excessively hiding my presence.

"It's thanks to my characteristic, Unlimited."

"I heard about that from Instructor Kim. An ability to transcend limits?"

"Yes. I particularly focused on 'the mysterious superhuman strength humans show in disaster situations.'"

"Oh?"

A curious light appeared in the eyes of Gong Gi-jeong and Kim Cheol-han.

"What do you mean?"

"I heard the reason that phenomenon is possible is because the body controls its strength to not exceed durability to prevent self-destruction, but in urgent situations, it draws out reserves for survival."

"That's right."

"So I thought I might be able to artificially control that phenomenon."

"...You're saying that's possible?"

"I think it's due to my characteristic. I was able to get a feel for it through several trials and errors."

"I see."

Kim Cheol-han, who had been giving high marks to my ability, nodded as if it made sense.

"Jeong Su-hyeon, since when have you had such an ability?"

"Since before enrollment. Since I would be incapacitated by the recoil afterward, it was a situation I wanted to avoid. But at that time, there was no choice."

"Then going to support Class 3 in that state was..."

"Thanks to Lee Yu-jin's help, I was able to reserve a bit of energy. I also received help from Song Yu-ha's healing ability. But without Team Leader Song Young-hwan's help, I might have been in danger instead."

"Hmm. So that's how it happened. I roughly understand."

Gong Gi-jeong nodded.

"Deeply understanding and developing one's own characteristic. It's very impressive and ideal. As an educator, I want to give you unreserved praise."

"Thank you."

"Another impressive thing is your judgment. How were you able to act so calmly and collectedly in that situation?"

Since I couldn't answer that anyone would be like that after playing hundreds of times.

Su-hyeon decided to leverage his past here.

"It's because I've experienced similar things in the past."

"Ah."

"Ahem."

Gong Gi-jeong and Kim Cheol-han cleared their throats with awkward faces.

"...As for the flare, I'm still a bit dazed. I just kept it thinking it might be useful someday, and to think it was so appropriate..."

It was an adequate answer, but the two instructors, embarrassed at having touched on their young disciple's trauma, kept clearing their throats and nodding.

"I see. Let's discuss more details later. Now, let me tell you some good news."

"Good news?"

"Jeong Su-hyeon, you and Seo Jun-seong will each receive special commendations and scholarship benefits."

"!"

Even Su-hyeon widened his eyes at this part.

'I'm receiving this already?'

"I'd like to give you a full scholarship, but I ask for your understanding that regulations prevent giving more than one year."

"That's fine. I'm determined to earn the rest with my grades."

"Hahaha. You've got spirit."

Gong Gi-jeong laughed, noticing that Su-hyeon had said that to alleviate his guilt.

'Is this kid really a freshman? There's nothing age-appropriate about him.'

Why Instructor Kim Cheol-han valued him so highly, why that prickly Instructor Lee Ho-seung took him as a disciple.

Just from one meeting, he felt like he somehow understood the reason.

"Ah, and also. Along with the commendation, there's one more benefit."

"What is it?"

"Hmm. Cadets who receive commendations can specially wear medals on their uniforms. This is something only 0.1 percent of selected cadets can enjoy..."

"I'll decline that."

"What! Why on earth!"

Su-hyeon didn't want to live a life where attention would be focused on him every time he went around wearing a medal.

[You have successfully cleared the main event, Ma-in Attack!]

[Skill points: 8P awarded!]

[You have been recognized as the top contributor. Achievement points: 850 points awarded!]

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"Hey, what are you doing, not going in?"

"Ahem. Just wait a moment."

Hwang Ji-su cleared her throat needlessly at Kwon Seung-yeon's urging.

In any case, she had helped save a friend, and this incident had made her see things differently.

So for various reasons, she had come to visit with Kwon Seung-yeon, which was good, but.

Now that she was about to enter, she felt awkward.

"It's been five minutes already. If you were going to be like this, you shouldn't have asked me to come together."

As Kwon Seung-yeon shook the fruit basket and criticized her, she finally made up her mind.

"Fine, I got it."

Just as Hwang Ji-su, who had taken a deep breath, was about to open the tent door.

"Oh? Seung-yeon and Ji-su are here too!"

In the distance, Song Yu-ha and Lee Yu-jin could be seen walking over with a flower vase.

'What's with the flower vase?'

Hwang Ji-su's eyebrows twitched.

"......"

"......"

The eyes of the two met in midair.