32 – Anger Management Disorder
Yuseonghyun appeared and exchanged a few words with Jihoon in the blink of an eye before vanishing.
Soojeong, who had rushed over to Jihoon, asked belatedly,
“Yuseonghyun… Is he a hunter?”
“How did you know?”
“Because I’m famous, you know! It’s weird that you don’t know. But why did the person who was running away suddenly come looking for you? Because of Im Hanyoung and Yoo Soyoung?”
“No… He said to hand over Iggel’s heart.”
“What? Do you have that? Why? You left it there back then.”
“He kept asking about it, so I brought it… And there’s something I need to find out. What Mr. Representative said… Anyway, what I have is better.”
“What’s there to find out? What did he say? Why did you bring it? You’re not going to use it anyway! Carrying something that could get you into trouble…”
Before Sojeong could start her nagging, Jihoon quickly moved away to avoid her.
He knew that once she started talking, she wouldn’t stop.
Approaching Yoojeong and Suyeong, Jihoon asked, “Did he… use his healing skill well?”
“Yeah… the wounds should be healed by now… he seemed to have passed out from the pain.”
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The blood Seungjun had shed on the ground seemed to be recovering.
“Hey, come here.”
Jihoon called Minhyuk, who was huddled in a corner, as if in a daze.
“There’s no injury on him, right? Make sure to put him back where you found him, okay?”
Minhyuk vigorously nodded in response to Jihoon’s words.
After Jihoon had treated Seungjun with a Tanghulu skewer, and witnessed blood gushing from his body, Minhyuk couldn’t help but nod his head without making eye contact with Jihoon.
After Minhyuk carried Seungjun and left, Jihoon also moved away.
He sent off Sojeong, Yoojeong, and Suyeong, then walked alone, organizing his thoughts.
“A Class Hunter with the same high-speed movement skill as me… and he’s after Iggel’s heart…”
During his recent confrontation with Yoo Sung-hyun, Jihoon had clearly seen it.
When Yoo Sung-hyun dodged his Tanghulu skewer attack, his skill was undoubtedly the same high-speed movement skill as his.
Judging by the speed at which he created wormholes for teleportation and the amount of mana he emitted, it was clear that Yoo Sung-hyun was highly proficient in the same high-speed movement skill as himself.
“Maybe… he’s also experienced a Side Effect?”
If Yoo Sung-hyun had also traveled to a different dimension, he might have more information about skills than Jihoon did.
Jihoon unfolded the note that Yoo Sung-hyun had left behind.
It only contained a brief address.
Jihoon clutched it again.
Perhaps there was a small hope that he could get one step closer to Yeonhwa, who might be waiting for him in another world.
***
One week later
The second quarter evaluation exam is unfolding in the training ground.
Compared to the enormous virtual gate simulation field, the training ground was lacking, but it still boasted a larger area than most gyms.
Students from Class 4 to 11 sat in the spectator seats, waiting for the exam.
Although hundreds of people were gathered, their gaze focused on one place.
“Ji… Jihoon.”
“Yes?”
It was Su-yeong who had prepared a sandwich, thanking Jihoon for buying her a hot dog last time.
Jihoon, chewing his food vigorously, took a big bite.
“Everyone… seems to be only looking at us…”
“Is that so?”
Jihoon casually looked around the surroundings.
He took note of the complaining mouths in the seats and the countless gazes directed towards them.
“Hmm, I guess so.”
As if it was no big deal, Jihoon adjusted his posture and continued eating his sandwich.
Su-yeong felt uncomfortable with the excessive attention and was fidgeting.
“Isn’t the 8-minute mark the shortest record in the history of the academy?”
“Yeah… It’s really unbelievable…”
“But 11th class? What is that really?”
“Maybe that healer next to us has amazing healing skills and buffs?”
“Yeah, probably… Both of them are 11th class… Is it a deception?”
Su-yeong, receiving attention along with Jihoon, who was in the spotlight.
Her evaluation, too, was rising unknowingly to the sky.
Su-yeong sighed, unsure of what to do when the complaining voices reached her ears.
“Jihoon… I feel like I caused unnecessary trouble for you-“
“Your role is really important in this exam.”
“Huh?”
Interrupting Su-yeong’s words, Jihoon earnestly spoke.
“In the virtual gate exams, we only measured damage in terms of data, right? This time, actual damage will be inflicted. That’s why the healer is really important.”
“I… Is that so?”
“Of course. Don’t think about unnecessary things and just like last time, or even better, use your skills accurately and quickly. Understand?”
“Uh… Yes! I got it, I’ll work hard!”
“Though it didn’t affect my movements when I was hit by virtual goblins, I might not be able to keep attacking until the end if I actually take damage.”
“Ah! It really might be like that… Just trust me!”
Su-yeong, who noticed the discouraged Soo-yeong, encouraged Ji-hoon.
If Ji-hoon had to be evaluated as a team rather than an individual, it was only natural for him to take care of his teammates as well.
Ji-hoon pulled his determination together while acting unnecessarily dramatic.
The words of So-jeong, who had mentioned that the contribution according to each position’s role was an important evaluation factor, came to Ji-hoon’s mind.
“Well… It won’t hurt to consult, but I have no intention of losing.”
Ji-hoon aimed for the highest score in both team results and individual evaluations.
For nearly a month, Ji-hoon diligently visited the library, reading books on movement skills and gate-related subjects, separate from his classes.
As expected of an Academy library, he was able to access information that ordinary people wouldn’t even be able to see, but somehow, the information that Ji-hoon wanted to see didn’t seem to exist.
Special access to the exclusive class library that was only given to upper-class aristocrats.
And the high-level A~S class professors.
Ji-hoon gave the excuse that he wanted to receive a higher scholarship, but in truth, it was because of the reasons mentioned above that he aimed to be placed in the upper class.
“Ji-hoon, that guy we fought with last time…”
When Ji-hoon shifted his gaze at Su-yeong’s words, Choi Seung-joon’s team was on stage.
They were one of the top 4th class teams and had a confident appearance.
It seemed as if only Cho Seung-joon’s shoulders were slightly slouched for some reason…
The opposing team consisted of 10th class students, nine in total.
Ooh-woooong
Even though the starting signal hadn’t been given, whips created by magic power were held in both of Seung-joon’s hands.
“Well… What’s going on?”
“I mean… His gaze is a bit…”
The 10th class teammates who were facing Choi Seung-joon’s team were perplexed by his strange momentum.
With his shoulders slouched and an uneasy expression on his face for some reason.
However, his appearance of raising magic power in preparation for the match resembled that of a young child searching for a playground.
“Seung-joon… Not yet…”
Seo-yeong, who was Seung-joon’s teammate, restrained him after seeing his momentum.
Ever since he came back after going out with Min-hyeok a few days ago, his condition had been extremely unstable.
Even when asked what happened, he didn’t give any answer.
They only repeated their crazed anger and fear.
The previous rational and calm team leader was nowhere to be found.
It was the mid-term evaluation among students from classes 4 to 11.
Getting the highest score without any difficulty was a given.
But as Seo Young looked at Seung Joon’s changed state, she couldn’t help but feel anxious.
Beep beep-
The sound of the horn signaling the start.
Seung Joon’s teammates moved according to the strategy they had planned long ago.
The tank at the front and the healer at the back. And the magic users flanking the healer.
It was a flawless formation without any gaps.
Except for one spot
“Ahhh!!!!! Die!!!!”
Seung Joon’s sudden acceleration was not part of the plan.
Unleashing his mana whip from both hands, Seung Joon disregarded the front line and dashed forward.
Hiss
The 10th class students were startled by his abrupt movement and used their tanking skills.
Even though three tankers in the team used their tanking skills, it was futile.
Seung Joon’s lashes, fueled by his rage, broke through the guards and skills with each strike.
“Ack.”
“Heok… Heok… What is that? Why is he like that!”
“Ahhh!”
Seung Joon’s whip, which had knocked down all the front line tankers, continued to grow endlessly and swept the magic users in the rear.
“Euk…”
“Ugh…”
Seung Joon’s teammates, standing behind and watching the situation, were just silent.
After a few minutes of Seung Joon’s crazed whipping, the confrontation came to an end.
[Team Seung Joon Victory]
Although the victory message appeared on the large screen, neither the teammates nor the audience cheered.
“Hey, what’s wrong with you? Are you crazy? Why did we even have a team fight if this was going to happen!”
“You just wanted to get a high score by yourself? Do you really think it’s going to be good for your score?”
Excited Seungjun’s teammates criticize him as their voices rise.
But Seungjun just looks at the audience without saying a word.
Jihun, who locks eyes with Seungjun, smiles brightly and waves his hand.
As Seungjun and he meet eyes, Seungjun shivers and leaves his seat.
“Why is he acting like that, seriously…”
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Seungjun’s remaining teammates follow him, muttering.
“Ah, it’s so scary.”
Watching, Jihoon trembles, and when he speaks, Sooyoung smiles faintly.
Somehow, her words and actions, which seem light, now seem to give her some inexplicable comfort.
“Oh? Looks like we’re up next. Let’s go.”
Sooyoung moves to a new seat following Jihoon’s words.
[Round 2]
11th Class Kang Jihun / 11th Class Han Sooyoung
The next opponents displayed on the scoreboard:
VS
6th Class Sung Changhoon / 6th Class Kim Yunhee / 6th Class Kang Woohyun / 6th Class Kim Sooyoung / 7th Class Kim Sehyun / 8th Class Yoon Jinhee
“Hmm?”
A sly smile forms on Jihoon’s lips.
Oh … Hehehe