I Entered an Academy in a Ruined Game

Chapter 74 : Hwang Yong-jae (1)

In the performance evaluation results, Team 3 received the highest score, followed by Teams 2 and 1.

Although all three teams achieved the final goal by defeating the dungeon boss.

Team 2 was penalized for failing to prevent the deaths of several hunters, and.

Team 1 received the lowest score as they barely won after a difficult fight where more than half of the cadets had to retire.

"Team 2's finishing move by Lee Yu-jin following Hong In-hyeon's blade vortex was excellent."

Kim Cheol-han read from the dense evaluation sheet.

"However, Team 1 received many penalty points during the middle process despite the efforts of Seo Jun-seong and his team members."

"I understand."

Seo Jun-seong bowed his head with a frustrated expression.

"Are there any cadets who wish to object?"

"No, sir."

"Good."

Kim Cheol-han nodded.

"Then this concludes the class."

"Thank you!"

As Kim Cheol-han declared the end of class, the cadets gathered in small groups to exchange greetings.

"We got first place."

"An obvious result."

Hwang Ji-su's face became triumphant at Su-hyeon's words.

"Hehehe, everyone did so well today."

Kwon Seung-yeon patted both of their shoulders.

"Praise me too."

"Right, Tae-hoon did well too."

Lee Yu-jin, who had been glancing at them, approached Hong In-hyeon.

"In-hyeon, you did well today too."

"It was nothing."

Hong In-hyeon awkwardly scratched above his upper lip.

"You did well today too, Yu-jin."

"Thanks."

Yu-jin's gaze turned back toward Su-hyeon, Ji-su, and Seung-yeon, and.

'Jeong Su-hyeon. You've produced results beyond expectations again today.'

Kim Cheol-han even had to harbor a kind of concern about the existence of this dark horse who stood out so much.

'At this rate, someone might reach out from somewhere.'

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That night.

I lay on my bed, quietly looking at the black ceiling while calculating my skill points.

'A total of 30 points have accumulated. That's an incredible pace.'

It was unprecedented speed to be able to get a second skill before the midterm exam had even ended.

And.

The skill I needed to acquire, as dictated by Mana Shield, was already firmly established through numerous playthroughs.

[Skill, Clear as a Mirror acquired!]

Clear as a Mirror.

A skill that literally helps maintain a calm, clean, and composed state of mind.

Its greatest benefit is increasing resistance to mental attacks.

And the surprisingly substantial second benefit is helping maintain composure even in extreme situations.

A seemingly simple and unimpressive description, but.

Like Mana Shield, this too was quite a good skill.

'It especially has good compatibility with Unlimited.'

Clear as a Mirror under the influence of Unlimited becomes a skill with a completely different dimension of potential.

After training through various mental attacks or extreme situations, it can eventually grow to show considerable resistance even to high-level mental attacks.

'In particular, it's an essential skill when facing "that bastard," No.2 of the Sword of Belphegor.'

Moreover, even beyond resistance to mental attacks, it boasted compatibility that could enhance Su-hyeon's innate calmness to the extreme.

'Good. Next, should I enhance Eye Power?'

I smiled, feeling pleased for once.

Besides, perhaps.

There might be a need to use this skill soon.

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"Hwang Ji-su!"

"Yeah! Everyone get back!"

In a darkroom where darkness had deeply settled.

On a wide screen, the fight of Jeong Su-hyeon and Hwang Ji-su subduing the Hell Hound was being replayed with vivid footage.

"Director Kim. A Hell Hound is quite a strong demonic beast, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is."

"Our Ji-su is quite impressive, I must say."

"Young lady's talent is among the top handful in the entire generation, including the hunter community."

"Ah, I'm tired of such talk. If she's first, she's first, but what's this 'top handful' business? Isn't that a bit underwhelming?"

The man.

Hwang Yong-jae crossed his legs at an angle.

"Our group isn't first yet either, so I guess the daughter follows the father. Don't you think?"

"......"

The Chief of Staff, Kim Jin-hyung, who was standing behind him, silently bowed his head.

"Our business ranking is currently 4th, isn't it?"

"There are those who evaluate it as such."

"Right, right. Is our Ji-su around 4th now?"

"...She's a talent worthy of discussing for the top spot."

"She would have been if she'd gone the hunter route."

Hwang Yong-jae twisted his thin lips upward.

He still didn't like his daughter's decision to choose the path of the Execution Force, as if in rebellion, instead of being led according to his intentions.

"By the way, Director Kim."

"Yes."

"This video has quite good quality."

"Yes. We've completed improvements regarding quality."

Of course, there was no way the academy would have granted permission for them to watch this footage, but.

For a man like Hwang Yong-jae, obtaining such internal class materials was not difficult at all.

'Actually, we pretty much have the footage itself in our grasp anyway.'

Hwang Yong-jae smirked.

"Yes, Director Kim, you've worked hard."

"Thank you."

Director Kim Jin-hyung bowed his head cleanly without saying anything else.

"Hmm."

Hwang Yong-jae nodded with satisfaction at Kim Jin-hyung's response.

"This is exactly what I mean. When I hear things like 'For the Chairman, this is nothing,' 'I will serve to the best of my ability,' 'I will continue to do my best'... sometimes I get really irritated. You know what I mean?"

"Yes, sir."

"Look at our Director Kim. He says just one thing. 'Thank you.' How simple is that?"

Hwang Yong-jae guffawed.

"Yes, you should be thankful. When a superior compliments you, what more is there to say besides 'thank you'? Don't you agree?"

"You're absolutely right."

"Mmm. Yes, yes. Simply, but meticulously. If there's something the superior ordered but missed, tactfully fill in the gaps. That's all that's needed, but why is it so difficult for others?"

"......"

The taciturnity of Director Kim, who silently bowed his head, was one of the most important virtues that made him a favorite.

"So, Director Kim, what do you think of that friend?"

"In a word, he's quite skillful."

"Skillful?"

"Yes. He's skillful in fighting itself, and his leadership of team members seems flawless, like watching a veteran team leader."

"Yes. I think so too."

Hwang Yong-jae took off his glasses and placed them on the table.

"At such a young age. Could Director Kim have done that at that age?"

"Not like that."

"Right? That's not normal. Look, even our Ji-su can't do like that friend, can she?"

"......"

Kim Jin-hyung's silence made Hwang Yong-jae laugh.

"How about it? If Director Kim had to face that friend?"

Despite the somewhat absurd question, his eyes became serious.

"Considering that boy's evasion ability, experience, and diverse techniques."

"Hmm."

"I might have to exchange blows up to 10 times."

"Phew, that's a frightening talent indeed."

Hwang Yong-jae laughed.

"And who is our Director Kim? Right?"

"I'm embarrassed."

"No, no. How many years have I been with Director Kim? You wouldn't give such an evaluation without reason."

Kim Jin-hyung.

As Hwang Yong-jae's direct Chief of Staff, his combat prowess was good enough to be selected as an academy instructor right away, and.

As Hwang Yong-jae's shadow, he was an excellent problem solver who had resolved numerous issues.

'A useful hunting dog. Above all, scared enough not to dare bite its master.'

For Hwang Yong-jae, who knew the essence of the man called Kim Jin-hyung, there were few limbs as convenient to use.

"But that friend Su-hyeon. Don't you think he gets along well with Ji-su?"

"Yes. This is the first time I've seen young lady Ji-su treat someone so comfortably besides Seung-yeon."

"Hmm. And it's a boy, at that?"

Hwang Yong-jae laughed roundly.

"Our daughter is quite something too."

"Gathering rumors, some people even consider Jeong Su-hyeon as a candidate for first semester valedictorian equal to Seo Jun-seong."

Kim Jin-hyung said.

"I see. And Ji-su?"

"Young lady Ji-su and Yu-jin are also evaluated as talents who can aim for valedictorian along with Jun-seong."

"Hmm. Yes, yes. So they're saying she 'equals' the valedictorian."

He didn't make meaningless comments like asking why his daughter was rated lower than them.

"Thinking back to the entrance exam, that friend's mind seemed to work quite well, but his inherent power itself didn't seem that extraordinary."

"Yes. Su-hyeon's unprecedented growth process is quite surprising."

There was a small repercussion when he overwhelmingly suppressed Park Chang-jun and Hong In-hyeon in the boxing class, but.

The skills he showed while facing the 'One-Armed Trainer,' the sparring sessions he had with Lee Yu-jin.

And above all, the unbelievable performance he showed during the unprecedented Ma-in attack incident.

In their eyes, Su-hyeon's performance today could be considered an event that was not particularly surprising anymore.

"Additionally, there are rumors that young lady lost to Su-hyeon in a recent sparring match."

"Haha. Our Ji-su, you mean."

Hwang Yong-jae laughed while rubbing his chin.

"But you know, Director Kim."

"Yes."

"With that story, that mask, and those skills. Doesn't he seem quite valuable?"

"...Yes, he does."

"Hmm. A merchant truly is an inevitable kind."

His gaze, full of interest, followed Su-hyeon's face on the screen.

"Interesting. Shall I meet him once?"

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One of B&S Group's main businesses.

It was establishing and handling integrated systems that deal with various video equipment.

Therefore, supplying their systems to EFAC, a world-class academy, was an achievement worthy of being called their shining accomplishment.

And.

It was also a reason why they could easily gain cooperation from the academy.

"Chairman Hwang is coming?"

At the unexpected news of a visit, Vice Principal Kong Gi-jeong twitched his eyebrows.

"Yes. He contacted us saying he would like to attend the facility inspection."

"Hmm."

Kong Gi-jeong's deliberation was not long.

"Well, ultimately he just wants to see his daughter, I suppose."

"It seems so."

Kong Gi-jeong nodded.

"There's no particular reason to refuse. But please convey that we may be deficient in hospitality as the midterm exams are approaching."

"I understand."

The chief instructor, who bowed his head, added one more thing.

"Additionally, regarding the scholarship payment being conducted by the group, he would like to have interviews with the cadets..."

"Scholarship?"

Kong Gi-jeong finally seemed to understand.

"Chairman Hwang. It seems he's found a cadet who's caught his interest."

"It seems that way."

"Perhaps he's not coming to see his daughter after all."

"......"

Kong Gi-jeong lightly sighed as if displeased.

'That man is persistent and insidious, which makes him quite uncomfortable.'

But there was no justification to restrict his actions as long as he didn't cross the line given his position.

'He never crosses the line. Like a snake.'

He.

Did not particularly like Hwang Yong-jae.

That afternoon.

"Cadet Jeong Su-hyeon?"

"Yes."

Su-hyeon, who was about to go training after finishing afternoon classes, received a call from an assistant.

"Chairman Hwang Yong-jae wants an interview with Cadet Su-hyeon."

"...Are you referring to the chairman of B&S Group?"

Su-hyeon's eyebrows twitched as if unwelcome.

"Yes. He is the father of Cadet Hwang Ji-su."

"Why would he want to see me?"

To that question, the assistant lowered his voice.

"I heard it's to provide a scholarship to Cadet Jeong Su-hyeon."

"...!"

'He intends to feed me a poisoned chalice.'

Su-hyeon, who had discerned Hwang Yong-jae's intention, thought.

'I didn't expect there would be a time to use my new skill so soon.'