“P-pardon… evaluation is in progress… I apologize for the inconvenience… The problematic part will be quickly revised… D-don’t worry, it will be fixed…”
Fortunately, due to discovering the issue early, we managed to avert an accident. If the simulation combat had proceeded as is, the two students inside the Sync Room would have had a tough time.
We can’t let the once-a-year showcase fail because of an instructor’s mistake, right?
And it certainly shouldn’t happen again when it’s my turn.
“Uhm… A-4, wasn’t it… Alloken…?”
Han Yoomin alternated between looking at the guidebook and the machinery, resetting it. The movements were very clumsy.
Seriously, how is someone like this even an instructor? It’s hard to believe this is the same batch that includes Ryu Jung-min and Park Won-hyeok.
─Hahaha! Our first pick is the best! You truly are the perfect talent for our guild!
From afar, Ryu Jung-min cheered loudly from the audience. That woman always makes a scene. I don’t understand why she continues to overestimate me.
I’m really nowhere near that capable…
“…”
On Ryu Jung-min’s side, the guild master of Venus Guild was also present. Park Won-hyeok casually waved at me.
It was so burdensome. I hope he hasn’t formed strange expectations about me.
“Alright…!”
After some time, Han Yoomin announced he was done and beamed. Anyone watching might think he’d just completed some tough task. All he did was fiddle with the machine.
I wonder what kind of score he’ll get during the annual review. Chances are he won’t be promoted to the position of a full instructor.
The limit of his achievement would probably be a contract job.
“Then, I shall take my leave now.”
“Wait, just a moment…!”
Seeing that the situation had somewhat settled, I was about to leave when Han Yoomin grabbed my arm.
Is there anything else left to say? I waited silently for Han Yoomin to speak.
“P-pardon… while the evaluation is ongoing… Please, can you stay here for a moment… A-just in case there’s another wrong summon, it would be a disaster…”
“…”
Come on, is this person really an instructor?
Is it okay to depend so much on the students? And worse yet, students from another combat division?
It’s utterly frustrating.
Somehow, I ended up doing a temporary job.
The work wasn’t too difficult. All I had to do was stand by and confirm if the monsters were summoned properly.
For someone who was once the general director, such a task was no big deal. After all, I personally designed all the monsters.
Whee—
[Group 31: 2nd-year Combat Division, Arna Kristin Dotir; 2nd-year Combat Division, Shin Yoon-seong]
Groups passed one by one until finally, my name appeared on the screen. And what do you know, by some twist of fate, I ended up in the same group as Arna.
Sweet.
“W-well… it’s nothing much, but…”
Before we left, Han Yoomin addressed me.
“As a token of thanks… I’ll summon an easy one for you…”
So, he’s not entirely devoid of conscience. He paid the proper wages for this temporary job and even gave me an easier monster.
“Thank you.”
After a brief formal exchange, I entered the Sync Room.
Fortunately, Arna was already waiting.
“Hmph!”
As soon as she saw me, Arna turned her head sharply. It seemed like she didn’t want to make eye contact.
“What’s wrong with you? I haven’t even done anything yet today.”
“Hmph!”
She doesn’t even seem willing to converse. This was a first. Normally, Arna’s anger would cool down naturally with time.
Did I do something majorly wrong recently? The only thing I remember is calling her a “dumpling” in front of everyone. But I already went out of my way to apologize thoroughly after that.
What else could she be upset about?
“Arna.”
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t speak to me. I don’t wish to talk to you…”
“Your pants tore.”
“Gyaaaahhhhh!”
Arna quickly covered her backside with both hands. Then she begged through tearful eyes.
“P-please help me…! I-I beg you…”
“What kind of help do you need?”
“Anything! Give me something to cover up, or bring me a new uniform—anything will do!”
The venue was packed with onlookers. If the simulation combat starts like this, her pants are sure to rip further, and she’d just become a laughing stock.
Her dignity would be completely lost: face planted in the dirt, exposed underwear during evaluation.
Even Arna, usually so poised, would find it hard to maintain composure in such a situation.
Considering Arna’s pride, I ought to help her here…
“Too bad. Earlier, you said you didn’t want to talk to me.”
“B-but…”
“You’re contradicting yourself by asking for my help now. Your face is quite thick.”
I ignored her plea and walked by. Arna let out a desperate cry.
“S-sorry! It’s all my fault…! Can you please help me one last time…? I’ll beg you…!”
“What did you say? I didn’t hear that clearly…”
“I-I’m sorry! It’s all my fault!”
If she asks so earnestly, it’s hard not to help her. However, I wasn’t about to just give in outright.
There needs to be some kind of reciprocal gain, doesn’t there?
“Then, promise me one thing. Promise not to ignore my words from now on.”
“Yes! I promise! Honestly, I swear!”
That’s enough. I decided to reveal the truth to Arna.
“Fortunately, there’s no need for my help.”
“What? What do you mean…!”
“It’s not torn in the first place.”
“What…?”
Arna blinked a few times. Then she turned her head slightly to check the back of her pants.
Sure enough, her sportswear was intact, not a single tear.
“Waaaaaahhhhh!”
It should’ve been a moment of relief, but contrary to expectations, Arna’s face began to distort. Steam started rising from her head.
She was seriously pissed.
“You…!”
If we were outside, her fists would have probably flown toward me by now. But we’re indoors and surrounded by people. She can’t punch me unconscious in front of everyone.
The only thing Arna could do in this situation was to yell.
“You piece of trash! Worst ever! Satan!”
So, now the villain is being called trash?
That’s actually a massive compliment, isn’t it?
Group 31’s combat ability evaluation proceeded as planned. This was the group containing Arna, the highly-promising super star of this physical test.
With more attention than usual, the audience seats were packed. Everyone gathered here to see Arna in action.
However, upon the actual start…
“Why are you standing there doing nothing! Why is only you fighting?”
“That should be enough even for you, Arna. There’s no need for me…”
“Hey! You should fight too!”
Their behavior was vastly different from expectations, and the guild representatives watching could hardly close their mouths. Among them was none other than Park Won-hyeok of the Venus Guild.
“Are you people aware you’re in a comedy show audition? Do your job!”
While there was supposed to be combat, they were only squabbling. It was hard to tell if they were battling monsters or each other.
The chaos on display was unprecedented.
“Hahahahah! It’s so funny, really!”
On the contrary, Ryu Jung-min found it hilarious and couldn’t stop laughing. She seemed to be enjoying the scene.
“Are you okay, my stomach hurts! Our first draft pick, right here! Look at them catering for my entertainment. Their consideration is excellent!”
“So this is your guild’s first pick…?”
Park Won-hyeok completely failed to understand why Ryu Jung-min chose such a person. Was there something Park wasn’t aware of? He checked Shin Yoon-seong’s scouting report via a tablet.
There was no special mention in the data. Physical abilities were below average, and there was nothing extraordinary in the ongoing combat evaluation either. He was just fooling around.
His grades weren’t good either. The latest evaluation match record showed a shocking 0-24 loss streak.
What did Ryu Jung-min see in Shin Yoon-seong?
If anything, his special trait was using a spoon as a weapon. That was about it. He had no distinguishable features worth noting.
Ah, one other thing—his extensive knowledge about monsters.
But surely, that alone wouldn’t justify him being the first pick…
“Finding his true potential won’t be easy.”
“…”
Park Won-hyeok realized there must be more hidden under the surface. Ryu Jung-min wouldn’t do this without reason. Her instincts always pointed to the right choice.
Park Won-hyeok knew that better than anyone. They had shared so many years together.
“Why are you falling over again? Are you not interested in fighting? Do you even realize what a physical test is?”
“Are you worried about me? That’s so touching, I might cry. I should post this on the forums: how Arna showed concern for me.”
“Enough already!”
“Seriously… I just don’t get it.”
The more Park Won-hyeok thought about it, the more confused he became. It felt like trying to solve a math problem with no solution.
Eventually, he decided to give up. Sometimes, knowing when to pass is important.
“Alright, take Shin Yoon-seong. I’ll see how Rashid does.”
“Eh? What about Arna? I thought you’d go for Arna right away.”
“Arna? That’s absurd.”
Park Won-hyeok snorted.
“Arna wasn’t even on my radar. She’s too overwhelming for our guild.”
The guild representatives present might share similar thoughts. Though everyone secretly wished for Arna, no one actually approached her.
She carried an imposing presence. After all, Arna was the world-renowned S-grade Awakened warrior. There was something about her that was otherworldly.
For small guilds, it might be fine, but large guilds would hesitate to take Arna on. There’s always the risk that the entire guild might revolve around one person.
“Ah, I think I get it.”
This was the reason Ryu Jung-min didn’t cling to the major prospects. She seemed to fully understand Park Won-hyeck’s choice, nodding in agreement.
“Well, I’ve seen all the decent prospects, so I’ll leave…”
As Park Won-hyeok was about to leave while putting on his sunglasses,
Wheeeeee—
An alarm blared throughout the training center.
An announcement followed.
—Central Command reports. At this moment, 1:05 PM, an unidentified Break located about 5KM northeast of the North Gate has been confirmed.
—First-response teams, please gather promptly in front of S1 Command.
—This message repeats.
It was the air raid warning indicating the arrival of monsters. Park Won-hyeok pulled out his hair upon hearing it.
“Gaaaahh!! That’s where my private helicopter is parked…!”
