-Jung Hae-in team, successful relic acquisition. Terminating.
The guiding voice announcing termination filled the ruins.
Only now did I release the tension in my hands and turn my head,
The two members of the opposing main unit were already all down on the ground, and Sion had her hand on the relic.
Standing beside her were Kim Daehyun and Yoon Sanghyuk, and the three of them looked calm.
“It’s over.”
I said this to Han Iri in front of me. He also seemed to have no intention of continuing the fight. Looking clearly fatigued, he moved behind me to pull Joo Han-gang out from where he’d been slammed into the wall.
Even if unconscious, there’s no way they’re hurt badly. There’s always a safety mechanism in effect for all practical sessions.
A portal formed in the spot where the relic had disappeared. I moved to exit.
That’s when Sion came rushing towards me.
“Hae-in, are you alright?”
She approached and thoroughly checked my face and condition.
She seemed worried, having seen me bow my head at the end.
“I’m fine.”
“Are you really okay? Is something wrong?”
“It might be due to that spiritual medicine I drank last time; its effects seem better than expected.”
“Hmm…?”
Sion looked at me for a moment, then nodded, directing her gaze to my wrist.
There, the obsidian bracelet was shining with a dark light.
I had just noticed it.
“What is this?”
“Why is it doing this?”
I asked, looking at the sparkling bracelet.
“It might be that it’s finally taking effect—this is the ‘Vitality Enhancement’ bracelet, after all.”
Sion murmured softly, gently fidgeting with the bracelet at its tip.
“Yeah, it seems okay…”
I walked towards the portal with her.
Yoon Sanghyuk and Kim Daehyun had already gone on ahead.
As I was about to follow them, Sion moved closely beside me.
“Should I support you?”
“No, it’s not that bad….”
“Alright.”
Sion didn’t even finish listening to my words before she looped her arm around mine.
When I tried to gently tug my arm free, it didn’t budge, so I just gave up and walked alongside her.
As we entered the portal, the scenery suddenly shifted, revealing the training grounds.
All the students who were already seated turned their gazes towards us.
We seemed to be the last team to return.
Sion remained by my side, her arm still hooked with mine, waving and smiling at the other students.
As if she enjoyed the attention, her face showed a confident, self-assured expression.
‘What is she doing…?’
With all eyes on us and her arm linked with mine, it felt like we were returning heroes.
My cheeks burned from the overwhelming focus.
As we quickly moved to our seats, I whispered to Sion.
“Can you let go?”
She didn’t even flinch at my request, remaining stoic but moved her lips to respond.
“You should probably get used to this?”
“What are you talking about again?”
Sion didn’t answer my last question.
In the end, we returned to our seats arm-in-arm.
She’s usually kind-hearted, but has moments of being rather headstrong—lately, these have been increasing.
Han Iri came out of the portal, carrying Joo Han-gang.
“He’s conscious.”
“Who?”
“The one being carried, Joo Han-gang.”
Yoon Sanghyuk said indifferently from beside me.
They seemed embarrassed and promptly headed towards the medical bay.
“The first simulation dungeon class for today is over. You’ve all worked hard.”
The instructor ascended the platform and spoke.
“As the selection unit, let’s give a round of applause to Team 8 who provided you with knowledge.”
“Clap clap clap”
The applause echoed briefly. Following a few more announcements for upcoming classes, the instructor closed the portal and declared the session over.
The students began leaving one by one.
Some of them passed by and spoke to me.
“Isn’t your name Jung Hae-in? You did well.”
“You would have been accepted even if you hadn’t been a special admittance.”
“Hae-in, can I have your number…?”
I stopped in my tracks and heard these brief evaluations.
Indeed, here in the Realm, if you have skills, you’re recognized—it’s the Realm’s way.
I handed my spear back to the weapons return box by the door, and stepped into the hallway. Sion was with me the whole time.
Given that we had the same class, she suggested we eat dinner together.
I originally intended to go back to the dorm and rest.
‘But I rarely see her since we’re not even in the same class—it would be a shame to miss a chance to eat together…’
So I simply agreed.
Walking outside, I saw the sky through the window—it was close to sunset. Quite some time had passed.
On the way to the campus cafeteria, I noticed the colorful posters plastered on the walls.
We stopped to look at them.
“Club…?”
These were posters advertising student clubs.
In the Realm, students are encouraged to join at least one club.
While the term “encouraged” might seem optional, when you consider the mileage points earned from club activities, it’s practically mandatory to join.
“Should we join one?…”
In the main storyline, the primary characters join different clubs in each arc, so I decided to skip this initial application period and check the members before making my application during the adjustment or additional application periods.
The other protagonists must have already applied.
Starting tomorrow, I’ll investigate and apply as well…
“Hae-in, haven’t you applied yet? Me neither.”
I turned my head and looked at her.
“Yeah, I haven’t. Too much going on.”
“Then let’s join this one together?”
She gestured towards a poster.
“Let’s both apply for this—seems fun?”
What is it?
I read the poster she pointed to.
“Stress from academics can be healed through travel.”
It was the Travel Club.
For a moment, though…
I noticed a small note at the bottom right corner with an arrow pointing to some fine print reading, ‘Back side must be consulted.’
A curious feeling arose, so I lifted the poster and checked the back side.
“Only couples can apply together—go with your loved one…”
With provocative heart symbols, the text was intriguing.
“…What?”
Suddenly, buried memories from the game resurfaced.
Ah, this one.
‘Xs Club’
This was one of the Easter eggs.
Though it may seem harmless at first glance, the very cover was far from ordinary.
This club fit perfectly with the Realm’s encouragement of both romantic relationships and club activities.
It was also an episode where the protagonist ends up in an embarrassing situation when they apply with a specific heroine.
Moreover, since all the new students are at least 19 years old, there’s not really anything problematic.
It seemed Sion had genuinely no idea and recommended it to me unknowingly.
I flipped the poster completely around and showed her the content.
Afterwards, Sion was speechless for about ten seconds.
Then, her face turned bright red as she hastily covered the poster.
“I didn’t know…”
I had wondered, but it seems she truly didn’t either.
We’ve known each other for ten years, having grown up under the old man’s care.
“Alright, I understood.”
Given our familial relationship, she wouldn’t knowingly make such a suggestion.
Perhaps, absolutely not.
*
I headed to the living room after rinsing my body with hot water.
“Ah, so tired.”
It was a demanding day.
I know my body well.
During the past ten years of continuous training, I’ve come to understand my own strengths.
There’s a decent amount of burst power or performance—this much is even acknowledged by the old man.
However, the downside is…
“Endurance isn’t quite there…”
It’s not bad but it’s not great either.
My weakness is endurance in prolonged battles—I get worn out too quickly.
I sat at the center of the dorm room and began observing the state of my body.
After a recent hospital diagnosis, I realized I still hadn’t fully grasped everything.
‘Let’s take a closer look.’
I closed my eyes and deeply manipulated my mana. Immediately, an explosive surge of mana swirled violently through my body.
Like a rampaging beast.
The spiritual medicine I consumed last time has definitely increased the total amount of mana.
But it has also amplified its flow to the point where it’s difficult to control within my body.
‘This was the problem.’
While pondering my options, I noticed the obsidian bracelet on my wrist emitting a soft glow.
The unique sheen of obsidian blinked rhythmically, like a pulse, and the wild mana began to settle in response.
The bracelet started to regulate and calm the surging mana coursing through my body.
“Huh?”
I mumbled in surprise, looking down at my wrist.
The unruly mana began aligning with the rhythm created by the bracelet, gradually stabilizing.
The tumultuous energy that had thrashed around like violent waves began to settle into a gentle flow.
It was akin to a powerful river being controlled by a well-regulated dam.
I extended my hand experimentally, encircling it with a light stream of energy to check the sensation.
The stability, intensity, and clarity of the energy were all—
Completely different from before.
“Hmph.”
I couldn’t help but give a small laugh.
I know my body well.
As I gently stroked the bracelet, I murmured.
“Old man, that was brilliant.”
The instant my weakness vanished.
