Chapter 77
He couldn’t move his body at all.
It would have been nice if he could use magic, but his internal mana was depleted, and the state of his mana circuit was not good either.
If he forced magic, it could cause permanent damage to the circuit or even mana explosion.
Minarin, pinned to the ground, gazed sadly at the sky, waiting for her strength to recover somewhat.
In the process, she ended up losing track of time.
“Ugh….”
Leaning on her staff.
By the time Minarin crawled out of the pit, the sun had set without her noticing, and the sky was turning dark blue.
She had been lying buried underground for over half a day.
It was quite painful for her.
With only 20 hours left for the exam, and having lost all her admission tickets, she was in a dilemma about whether she could even enter the academy.
Time was running out.
She had to somehow score at least 200 points in the time remaining.
“It’s okay, I’m Minarin. 200 points? Ha, I can’t even gather that much?”
Having cried her heart out in the pit, tears no longer flowed.
Crying doesn’t guarantee a solution, and one must not give up until it’s over.
Giving up on magic that turns imagination into reality only limits imagination.
Minarin bravely gathered her resolve.
She decided to search for test-takers.
A Gate Watch, chiming every three hours, indicated the location of test papers around her.
[21:00:00]
[Displaying all test papers within a 500m radius.]
“…I should go here.”
Perhaps due to the exams ending the next day, test-takers were congregating in one place.
It was a golden opportunity for Min Arin.
She moved her restless body towards the area packed with test papers.
“There are so many gathered here. Isn’t that nice?”
Unfolding her detection net, she could spot test-takers scattered all around.
Min Arin brushed aside her red hair, her yellow eyes gleaming.
Confidence radiated from her lips.
If she could get their test papers, surpassing 200 points would be a breeze.
“What, what!?”
“I’ll be taking your test papers, thank you.”
However, she was a solo magician.
She couldn’t handle them all.
Moving around at night in the forest where monsters dwelled was also risky.
Min Arin stealthily prowled the outskirts of the forest like a cat, ambushing test-takers who were few in number and far from other groups.
“It feels like I’ve turned into a thief.”
Such thoughts crossed her mind, but she had no choice but to conceal the situation.
Pride was wounded, shame engulfed her, it was humiliating, but what could she do?
Survival came first.
Dignity could wait.
Min Arin pushed aside her thoughts and focused on collecting test papers.
After tirelessly wandering through the forest without rest, she managed to gather 200 points.
“There, who am I after all? I’m Min Arin.”
In a way, Min Arin was simple.
She proudly held her head high, forgetting the hardships she had endured thus far.
She strived to collect more test papers for her grades.
“Why are these guys suddenly…?”
Monsters in the forest attacked.
Caught in the chaos with other test-takers, Min Arin had no choice but to get involved.
It wasn’t the time to snatch test papers.
Quickly deciding, she took down the attacker from behind.
“…”
Her yellow eyes scanned the battlefield.
Two test-takers needed saving.
There are five monsters around.
Monsters with a hyena-like appearance had surrounded her.
[Encountered Monsters]
[Shadow Hyena (Rank. 01) x 5]
They were monsters that rested in the shadows during the day and became active at night.
“Hah.”
Min Arin let out a scoff as she read the message that appeared before her.
She ran her hand through her red hair with a sigh.
“How do you think the likes of you can do anything to me? Who do you think I am….”
Min Arin flicked her finger.
A flame erupted behind her.
Startled by the sudden blaze, the men stepped back.
With the flame at her back, she pointed her staff at them.
“Don’t underestimate me.”
* * *
Lee Ga-hyun, who inhabits the examinee’s body, cannot fully exert her original power.
Furthermore, her soul is not complete and only exists as a part.
Yet, she cannot be ignored.
I checked her status window while dealing with Lee Ga-hyun and the swordplay.
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[Personal Information]
Name: Park Ji-hee (Lee Ga-hyun) (Female·17 years old)
Alias: Lee Ga-hyun’s Soul Doll
Affiliation: Mi-yang Middle School
[Possessed Gift]
Flexibility
[Physical Abilities]
Endurance: 35 → ?7
Strength: 31 → 52
Durability: 30 → 5?
Agility: 33 → ?4
Magic Power: 27 → ??
Luck: 12 → 27
Remaining Points: 0
As expected.
The stats had increased to match Yi Gahyun’s soul.
Unfortunately, some numbers were blurred, making it impossible to confirm completely.
There must be a gap in abilities between Yi Gahyun and me.
Or there could be other reasons.
“At least it’s better to consider her equal to me.”
In reality, Yi Gahyun was effortlessly responding to my attacks.
She showed no signs of panic in the face of my relentless strikes.
Instead, she was even smiling, finding something enjoyable in the situation.
It was then that she spoke up.
“Why do you keep looking elsewhere? When you’re with me, you should focus only on me. It’s upsetting, you know?”
“Gulp!”
In the brief moment my gaze shifted to the status screen,
Yi Gahyun took advantage of the distraction and swiftly aimed for my abdomen.
Her attack trajectory suddenly changed, and I instinctively parried with my sword.
At that moment, another sword I held in my other hand came into view from the side.
Clang!
Fortunately, my evasion instinct kicked in.
I narrowly grazed the blade and attempted a counterattack.
“Your reflexes are unbelievably good. I’ve never seen someone dodge so well like you.”
But Yi Gahyun was quicker.
Before I could fully stop my rotation and position myself, she dashed towards me out of the blue.
As she approached with lowered stance in my field of vision, I saw her tongue lightly licking her lips, and her arms extended behind her moved like whips.
“Your swordsmanship is truly powerful and fast. Among the swordsmanship families, you are worthy of being rated as the best.”
“…!”
“But, listen.”
A blade shot out from the right.
I swung my sword to block it.
Then another attack from the left.
Followed by another from the right.
Lee Gahyun relentlessly pressed on me with her twin swords, just as I had done moments ago, leaving me no room to launch a counterattack.
“If you don’t even give a chance to swing, what’s the use? Especially for those of you who pride in the Beokroe style, isn’t it about upright movements and balanced control of strength?”
Hence, in Suwangryu, there are defensive, offensive, unique, and special techniques.
Ignoring her taunts, I moved like a whirlwind, taking steps as if drawing a spiral.
＜Suwangryu Defense Form 5＞
Lion’s Dance of Defense
Initially, the modest step widened slowly.
The range of rotation increased gradually.
Focused on pressing me, she didn’t notice.
“What is this…? When did…!”
“In Suwangryu, there are not only speed and strength but also fluidity and flexibility in techniques. It would be troublesome to judge our swordsmanship arbitrarily.”
By the time Lee Gahyun realized that she was being led into a dance by my intention, the situation had already turned around.
While I blocked attacks from the center of the whirlpool, I was outside of it, and she, who was outside, was now at the center.
Our positions had reversed while she was being led into attacking me.
Now, she was in a position to defend rather than attack.
Confusion flickered on her face.
Meanwhile…
Crackle!
Around the whirlpool created by Lee Gahyun and me, blue currents crackled.
Beokroe.
It was the manifestation of Lion’s Dance of Defense.
The currents flowed along the whirlpool towards her standing position.
“Argh!”
Despite Lee Gahyun sensing danger and trying to break free from the whirlpool’s flow, it was futile.
Unnoticed by her, the Beokroe current had already stuck to her.
No matter where she tried to flee…
＜Suwangryu Offensive Form 1＞
Lion’s Roar
I couldn’t avoid the attack of the Water Dragon clan.
The Wall of Thunder created by Yoonmu, the lion, had the effect of attracting other Walls of Thunder.
But it was once per my level.
When I launched a True Spear in the direction where Iga Hyun disappeared, the True Spear automatically adjusted its course and flew towards her.
“…!”
Iga Hyun blocked the True Spear in surprise.
Unable to withstand the force, she collided with a wooden pillar behind her.
And then.
*Splurt!*
Watching us clash swords in a dazzling display, Goeunbi suddenly shot an arrow.
Iga Hyun, who wasn’t on guard, unexpectedly allowed the attack.
The arrow pierced her left arm.
Examining the arrow stuck in her arm with a grimace, she muttered, “I don’t like interference…”
Iga Hyun pulled out the arrow and tossed it aside.
As she manifested mana within her body, the wound quickly healed.
Her gaze turned towards Goeunbi and her friends behind me.
“Would you mind leaving since you’re also a hindrance?”
At Iga Hyun’s words, the forest rustled.
The sound of monsters barking was rapidly approaching.
Even without expanding our senses, we could tell that monsters from the vicinity were converging towards us.
“Gyeonu! Quick, run…”
Goeunbi’s words were cut short.
Monsters resembling hyenas emerged from the nearby bushes.
[Encountered Monsters.]
[Shadowkin (Rank. 01) x 4]
Starting with them, monsters appeared one after another, surrounding us.
Iga Hyun, outside the encirclement, looked at us as if amused.
“Don’t worry. They won’t harm you.”
“…”
“But they might not know about them?”
It seemed like Iga Hyun was trying to use them to restrain my group.
For me, who had to protect them and fight, it was definitely a disadvantageous situation.
Therefore, I made a bold decision.
“Goeunbi, take the kids and run.”
“What?”
“Don’t stay here for no reason. More monsters might gather. So, you guys avoid it.”
“What about you?”
“He said it. The monsters are after you, not me. So, don’t worry about me and prioritize your safety.”
“But…”
“And it’s not just about running away. Remember what I asked of you earlier? I’m counting on you.”
“…Alright. I’ll follow.”
It was not beyond my expectations that Lee Gahyun might be stronger, or that unforeseen circumstances could arise, rendering me unable to protect the group.
In anticipation of such a situation, I had informed Goeunbi in advance.
Thus, she, who initially seemed to resist, eventually acquiesced as if resigned.
“I’ll clear the path, so make your escape through that opening!”
I dashed forward like a lightning bolt, annihilating the monsters in my path.
Those around us gasped and hastily retreated.
A breach appeared in the encirclement.
“Now’s the time!”
“Let’s go, guys! Gyungu! Don’t push yourself too hard!”
Goeunbi led the group through the path I had opened, swiftly evading my blade and the pursuers behind her.
I soon turned my gaze to where they had disappeared.
Lee Gahyun was smiling mischievously.
“Now, it’s just the two of us left?”
“Good. Now I can kill you in peace.”
“My, isn’t that too harsh even if you’re angry? You’re not going to take my exam admission ticket or kill me, are you?”
“I really am going to kill you.”
“…”
“There’s no rule against not killing, right? I’ll just kill you and then take the ticket, simple.”
“Strange, isn’t it? I thought members of the Shin-Geom Do were supposed to avoid unnecessary killing… You seem exceptional?”
“I do avoid indiscriminate killing. But you seem exempt from that category.”
“How so?”
“If it’s a human target, it’s even more so. Right? Indoll Gwisin, Lee Gahyun.”
Lee Gahyun’s eyes widened.
Her face visibly tensed, and the upward curve of her lips dropped.
“How did you know?”
It was a chillingly cold voice.
She narrowed her eyes at me, asking as if threatening.
Her demeanor was far from friendly.
I replied casually, “How did you know? Curious?”
“…”
“If you’re curious, come at me. Don’t try to evaluate my skills as if you’re just seeing a fight. Did you think I wouldn’t know if you planned to run away midway? It won’t work, fleeing from me.”
If I let Lee Gahyun slip away in this situation, I would never find her again.
So, even if it meant getting rid of her, I had to throw a bait to keep her in place.
That bait was none other than her true identity.
“You’ll be better off without regrets.”
“Don’t run away.”
Lee Gahyun’s eyes glowed red.
With an unmatched vigor compared to before, she closed the distance between us.
I chased after her and swung my sword.
[Exposed to Pressure.]
[All stats decrease by 8%.]
[Skill ‘Strength Lv 5’ is activated.]
[Preserve up to 13% of the decreased stats due to Pressure.]
[Decreased stats are restored.]
[With Skill ‘Strength Lv 5’, focus and evasion rate increase by 13%.]
* * *
The movements of the monsters are unsettling.
Creatures with different appearances, temperaments, and ecologies are attacking the examinees without conflicting with each other, creating a grim situation.
‘What in the world is this…’
There is no doubt that something unusual has occurred in the forest, unbeknownst to them.
Yeon Haneul, who came here following Dogyeonwoo’s news, couldn’t hide her confusion.
Her rabbit ears twitched, catching the sounds coming from all directions.
She couldn’t hear Dogyeonwoo’s voice.
‘Where is he right now?’
There are too many monsters.
It seems like all the monsters on Honrim Island have gathered here.
It might not be just a rumor.
Monsters are drawn to mana.
It’s instinct.
So, the mana unconsciously emitted by the examinees, the mana that intensifies their emotional fluctuations and is vigorously released, the mana that makes them cast spells and linger in the air can only stimulate the monsters’ instincts.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that they are flocking here.
‘There are too many signs around, can’t even find them with the detection net.’
With that, Yeon Haneul couldn’t help but worry about where Dogyeonwoo might be.
She felt impatience building up inside her, and one by one, she struck down the monsters rushing towards her with a sledgehammer.
“Heavens! Are they really here!? Could it be where Kyungwoo took shelter…?”
“No, that’s not possible. Kyungwoo must still be in this forest.”
The creatures swarmed in as a group.
Lisa swiftly unfolded a barrier in front of her, blocking the creatures’ approach.
Meanwhile, Yeonha cast a spell within the barrier, incinerating the creatures in an instant.
They swiftly darted into the darkness.
“You don’t have to follow me for no reason. There’s no need to risk yourself.”
“…No. If Kyungwoo is truly in this forest as Yeonha said, we must help. It’s dangerous for Yeonha to go alone.”
Kyungwoo is definitely here.
Yeonha, who had known him as a childhood friend for five years, was certain.
“No matter how much he wants good grades, Kyungwoo wouldn’t turn against all test-takers to snatch their admission tickets.”
Yeonha knew.
Kyungwoo is not the type to recklessly provoke others.
If he did provoke someone, it could be seen as having a highly calculated motive behind the action.
Therefore, there must be a reason behind his provocation of the test-takers and engaging in this battle for admission tickets.
He is aiming for something.
“What is he aiming for?”
Yeonha pondered.
Looking at the results, he ended up becoming the target of the test-takers.
Rumors spread, and the test-takers surrounded him.
However, viewed from a different perspective, he might have drawn them in as his targets.
“To draw someone in?”
She came to a single conclusion.
One thought led to another.
“Why draw them in? Who is this person, really?”
She knows about Kyungwoo’s relationships.
There aren’t many people he has connections with among the test-takers.
Himself, the triplets, Goeunbi, Lisa, Yonghaerang, and Kyungwoo’s cousin, Doseungwoo.
Yet, there’s no need to go to such lengths to draw them in.
There are various ways to attract someone.
Choosing such a method implies viewing the other party as lacking in closeness.
“So why draw in someone with whom there’s no closeness?”
Only one thought came to mind.
To fight that person.
“Why? For what reason?”
When sorting out her thoughts,
There is a reason for Kyungwoo to fight someone with whom he has no closeness.
It’s incomprehensible.
“….”
But he was like that occasionally.
Even though it seemed like something he could understand, the existence that he couldn’t comprehend was his childhood friend, Dogyeonwoo.
During the five years he had known him.
From time to time, he would casually engage in incomprehensible acts.
This incident could be one of those.
At first, she had doubts about him, but now she, who had come to accept it, looked back on her memories.
“So, what should I do then…?”
Yeongha-nyul pondered from there.
As Dogyeonwoo harbored a secret and wouldn’t say anything, she could only act based on her own judgment.
Eventually, she reached a conclusion.
“I guess I’ll have to pierce the veil.”
“What? What did you just say?”
“If we find Dogyeonwoo, let’s not approach him and just observe for now. The person Dogyeonwoo is dealing with is probably related to this commotion.”
“Haneul, what is that supposed to mean…?”
“It’s likely a formidable opponent. So, let’s pierce the veil.”
With determination in her crimson eyes.
Yeongha-nyul peered into the darkness.
* * *
Meanwhile, Lisa and Yeongha-nyul were not the only ones disrupting the flow of examinees.
Namyuri from Yeongseong Namga.
The girl who had her exam ticket taken by Dogyeonwoo was also in the forest.
“Wow! Half monster, half exam ticket!”
She didn’t come to find Dogyeonwoo to retrieve her own exam ticket.
Nor was it to take back the exam ticket stuck to his body.
She had simply come to hunt the examinees entangled with him.
Thanks to that, she was able to gather a large number of exam tickets in a short period.
She had collected all the scores needed to pass the exam with plenty to spare.
Then, the monsters living in the forest began to attack.
“Why are they doing this? I don’t understand!”
Namyuri was puzzled.
But she didn’t dwell on it.
For her, it would be nice to be able to kill monsters without hesitation.
She could feel the stimulation of being alive.
Unlike the fleeing examinees, she gleefully killed the monsters that came her way.
The blood that splattered from them onto her gray hair and white dress didn’t bother her at all.
Then, a sudden thought crossed her mind.
“Could it be that they gathered because of Dogyeonwoo? Being around Dogyeonwoo seems to guarantee endless fun!”
Ahahahaha, ahahahaha.
Excited by the stimulus of being alive, Nam Yoori laughed crazily and ran through the forest.
She pushed against the flow of test takers and ventured deep into the woods.
And then.
“Ah… If this continues, I won’t be able to collect exam tickets, only hunt monsters.”
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Mado Min Village’s Mina Rin.
“Do-yeon Woo! Just wait a little!”
Uiheup Yongga’s Yong Haerang.
“I have to help Do-yeon.”
Self-proclaimed expert, Goeunbi.
“Heaven! It’s a Rank 2! Be careful!”
Princess of the Otherworld Empire.
Lisa Grace.
“It’s okay, I can kill them alone. It’ll be over soon.”
Apprentice of the Seven-Colored Witch, Yeon Haneul.
“Ahahahaha! I wonder what will come out if we go deeper here?”
Yeonseong Namga’s Nam Yoori.
By chance, the main characters of the game were gathering around Do-yeon.
“Noisy…”
Circulation Chaga’s Cha Eunsol.
Except for her.