Chapter 693

〈 Chapter 693 〉 Part 2, Chapter 4, Section 20

A little later.

I entered the strategy meeting with Yuna, Harang, and Su Ri.

“Tomorrow will be the day of the practical guild announcement.”

Our achievements were already registered: defeating a B Rank Monster, capturing a C Rank villain, and completing the quest to take down an A Rank Special Ability user.

“Well done, everyone.”

Clearing just one of the three quests would have been enough for practical guild registration. The rest was merely a means to recruit Cheonghwa, and now all we had left to do was wait.

“Uh… Hmm…”

“Cough.”

“Su Ri and Harang seem really uncomfortable. What should we do, Yuna?”

“Should we all do it together?”

Yuna made a fiery suggestion for building camaraderie, causing the other two to panic and glance at each other nervously.

“That’s kind of…”

“I feel awkward, can we not…?”

“What are you thinking about? It’s Life Game. Life Game. Let’s play it with four.”

The two sighed in relief but were still bewildered by Yuna’s suggestion. However, Yuna wasn’t finished yet.

“Do you know, big brother? Someone said that sex is like a game.”

“Is Yuna suggesting a 4P life game?”

“Whether it’s 4P, 3P, or even 17P, it doesn’t matter. What matters is whether I’m included or not.”

“Typical Yuna.”

She never hides her feelings.

“So, Su Ri, you don’t need to worry too much. Big brother cares deeply for those he has relationships with.”

“Do I have to like that…?”

“Think positively. You’re one in 6 billion… well, maybe 10.”

Even if it grows to 20 or 30, Yuna’s words convinced Su Ri to finally give up.

“Alright, alright… let’s not make each other uncomfortable. Let’s just acknowledge this coolly. Got it?”

“Of course. Next time if we see each other doing it, we either join in or step aside. Deal?”

“No need to ask me. If this works for you, then fine.”

Though it felt like Yuna designed this whole situation during a private power transfer, I steered the conversation back to the practical guild announcement.

“In the morning, as soon as it’s announced, we’ll head to New Seoul to prepare.”

“Where are we planning to go?”

“I don’t know yet. We’ll decide which monsters to hunt depending on the location.”

When the academy announces practical guilds, it’s not just about assigning guilds for practice—it also involves dispatching them to specific regions to exterminate monsters. That’s the charm of academy training.

“The location is already chosen from three possible places.”

It’s only a matter of probability—1 out of 3—but regardless, we’re heading to an island.

“Where is Su Ri right now?”

“She’s resting at the hero dormitory. She’s probably obsessing over your profile.”

Defeated by Harang, Su Ri will surely want to grow stronger for revenge. Standing on the threshold of S Rank, she knows how to become stronger and only needs to make her choice to reach S Rank.

“Choose whether to lean on me or not. Either way, it’s something to watch.”

“Everyone, get plenty of rest. Tomorrow morning, after breakfast, we’ll set off.”

Once the guild announcement is made, the remaining members in New Seoul will join us, and we’ll rest at our guild activity site.

***

<9:55 AM, Busan Hero Association Building, A-Rank Exclusive Room>.

“Huff, huff.”

Su Ri took deep breaths while anxiously waiting for time to pass quickly. Though only five minutes remained until 10:00, time seemed to drag endlessly, making her chest tighten.

“Hurry up and announce…”

At 10:00, the academy officially announces the guilds where students will undergo their practical training. For Su Ri, the best guild would have been under Yu-Sung Group, but unexpectedly, there was another hope.

Oracle Studio.

With Yuna and Seok Harang present, and upon learning about the Commander, all of Su Ri’s previous misunderstandings and anger melted away like snow under the sun. Instead, resentment toward Yuna settled into her heart.

“Yuinah… hogging everything for herself.”

While “hogging” undermines Yuna’s efforts, Su Ri genuinely felt betrayed. No matter how much she tried to understand, Yuna’s excessive care became toxic.

“Jealousy and rivalry over the guy I liked, I get that. But if it’s the Commander, that changes things.”

Had she known earlier that the person was the Commander, she would’ve acted differently. Had she realized sooner, instead of worrying about the practical guild, she might’ve already planned monster-hunting routes with the Commander.

“And yet, Yuna went around saying nonsense like pregnancy, getting mad, threatening, and even trying to kill me.”

Su Ri pulled her hair in frustration.

“Grrr… how am I supposed to face this person now?”

If the person is offended by her complaints and nitpicking, Su Ri risks losing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With just a few sexual encounters, she could reach S Rank, but now it seems like that path might be blocked.

“…No idea. I’ll make Yuna take responsibility.”

Had Yuna explained properly, without mentioning pregnancy, and communicated clearly with her, none of this would’ve happened. As her mind grew more tangled and despair filled her, the moment finally arrived.

Beep! 10:00 alarm.

“Finally!”

Su Ri immediately pressed the view button. Already, the bulletin board was exploding with views from people waiting since 10:00.

[2025 2nd Year Undergraduate Practical Guild Announcement.hwp]

“Found it…!”

Among countless files, Su Ri opened the one she sought. Ignoring others, she searched for her name under ‘Practical Guild.’

“Oracle Studio!”

[Search result: 0 entries.]

The AI of Magical Gear cheerfully informed her that no results matched her search. Confused, Su Ri double-checked, but the official guild name was definitely Oracle Studio.

“What…?”

Scratching her head, as she scrolled down, Su Ri froze. Doubts began creeping in about whether Baek Cheonghwa was truly the Commander.

Maiden Magician Magical CutCutS.

“Are you serious?!”

Who in the world names their guild something so ridiculous? Even though magical girls make sense, the word “CutCut” brought back memories of what Yuna hinted at, leaving Su Ri seething.

“Damn it, what was he thinking putting this out for everyone to see?!”

In just three minutes, the post had already surpassed 10,000 views. With only about 100 undergraduates going on the practical, including family members, guild affiliates, gossip-seeking journalists, and curious onlookers, practically the entire nation was watching.

[<Breaking News> Jeong Soori is a Magical Girl.]

“AHHHH!!”

Already, third-rate tabloid articles were flooding in. While the headlines simply read “<Fire Demon> Jeong Soori has been assigned to Magical Girl CutCutS,” comments were piling up rapidly, sparking public interest.

“Not real… this is…”

She started to fully understand why someone might die of shame, and Su Ri barely calmed herself before checking other students’ guild assignments. None of the practical guilds had names as playful as <Magical Girl CutCutS>.

“Shouldn’t these kinds of things be filtered out at the operational level?”

Her aimless anger naturally turned toward the academy, and Su Ri grumbled, searching again out of curiosity.

“…Yuinah.”

Yuinah, Magical Girl CutCutS.

Beep!

Sure enough, calling someone’s name makes them appear. Su Ri gulped as the name popped up through Magical Gear.

“…Yuna?”

[Yuna’s call connected. Hello?]

“Eek.”

The person she didn’t know how to face greeted her cheerfully.

[Hello! I’m Baek Cheonghwa, Guild Master of Magical Girl CutCutS. Contract with me to become a magical girl, Fire Demon Jeong Soori!]

“……”

Su Ri immediately hung up and threw herself onto the bed, covering her face with her hands.

“…Mom. The prophecy seems wrong.”

Recalling the prophecy left for her, Su Ri clawed at her face.

“This guy is supposed to be the hero who saves the world…”

Suffering silently with secrets she couldn’t share with anyone, Su Ri picked up a random incoming call.

[Jeong Soori! This is a reporter from Yu-Sung Daily. How does it feel to become a magical girl?!]

“Damn bastard, how did you even get my number?!”

For a while, Su Ri almost went insane over being called <Magical Girl>.

* * *

“Heheh, cutting off mid-call like that.”

“Don’t worry. Su Ri may act tough, but she’s a good kid.”

“Yeah, yeah. Don’t sweat it.”

After Su Ri abruptly hung up, I sent her a text update. Though we’d leave first, it was necessary to inform her where we’d be heading.

“Gaeul, can you handle it?”

“…It’s not a transformation ability, just a disguise. Will people buy it?”

Gaeul briefly returned to her original form, styling herself like Su Ri. After tanning and dyeing her hair blonde, she wore a compression bra to adjust her bust size and donned oversized sunglasses, resembling Su Ri closely despite having larger breasts.

“Don’t worry. Gaeul, you just need to take a taxi.”

“Our team in Yu-Sung will handle the route. Don’t worry.”

“…Never thought I’d receive this kind of spotlight in my life.”

After we establish ourselves locally, Gaeul will carry out a diversionary tactic so Su Ri can arrive unnoticed. While others investigate the mysterious Magical Girl CutCutS guild, we’ve already prepared to depart for the direct internship location given to me.

“Let’s go. We’ve been assigned an island.”

“An island. Which one?”

“Shinan.”

I left the office with ‘all’ my teammates.