In truth, no such position as an independent patrol officer existed in Shield.
Common sense dictated that a student who had not even become a Hunter yet would never be granted the dangerous authority to act alone.
In fact, Shield—the public security organization of Academy City, composed mainly of students—explicitly stipulated that its members must operate in teams of at least two.
“I never imagined you’d be a demon.”
“Why? Are you finally regretting who you hit?”
“If we’re talking about regret… yes, I do. If I’d known from the start that you were a demon, I would have put more strength into it and crushed your head outright. After all, even if a demon dies as a human, it isn’t truly dead, is it? It was an error in judgment on my part.”
“…You still haven’t come to your senses after getting beaten like that. Don’t run your mouth when you’re not even worth a single blow. Not unless you want me to crush your head first.”
“Whether I’m worth a single blow or not… why don’t you find out? I won’t let my guard down next time. More importantly, that tattoo on your chest… you belong to the Demon Society, don’t you? In that case, I have even more reason to arrest you.”
Even so, the reason Gwon Boram alone had been exceptionally recognized with the position of independent patrol officer was simple.
She was a born workaholic, strongly inclined to act alone, and had proven herself by producing results to match.
Within just one year of entering Academy City, she had come to be known as its sheriff. That said it all.
Above all, it could also be considered a courtesy toward the Iron Fortress Gwon Clan, the family to which she belonged.
‘Which means I’ll be getting involved with Gwon Boram a lot from now on.’
Since the game’s setting was Academy City, the story was not limited to the academy but unfolded all throughout the city.
At such times, the character who often appeared as an ally in incidents occurring outside the academy was none other than Gwon Boram.
Her setting as Shield’s independent patrol officer meant she would become entangled in matters again and again.
By the time the worldbuilding had been explained to some extent and the scope of the story began to expand…
‘Gang Hanbyeol joins Shield, and the two of them develop into a senior-junior relationship.’
From the current point, not long after enrollment, that was a future several months away, in the second semester of the first year.
Meanwhile, from that point onward, the player could recruit and train Gwon Boram.
“Everyone, please step back. I will deal with the demon.”
In any case, I was destined to maintain a close cooperative relationship with Gwon Boram for a long time.
It was best to build a friendship with her when I had the chance.
I replied to her as she spread one hand, as if telling us not to come forward.
“No, we’ll help too.”
“From this point on, this is under Shield’s jurisdiction. It is not yours.”
“If we’re being precise, shouldn’t dealing with villains be the role of Sword, not Shield?”
If Shield’s main duties were to crack down on student crimes and resolve citizens’ difficulties,
then Sword, composed of national Hunters, focused on cracking down on crimes committed by Hunters and responding to terrorism.
Because of that, Gwon Boram could not make a persuasive argument.
Refuted by my words, she quietly narrowed her yellow eyes.
“Shield is also authorized to oppose villains in emergency situations. More importantly, I am responsible for Academy City’s public security. Among those present, I am the most suitable person to stop him.”
“In terms of qualifications, that’s true. But can you really handle a demon all by yourself, Sheriff?”
“…It is not impossible.”
Her answer came a little later than before.
Since the opponent was a demon, even Gwon Boram could not guarantee victory.
Even so, with her personality, there was no way she would ask us for help.
So I decided to lift her mood while giving her a justification.
“Of course, with your skills, Sheriff, you could probably defeat a demon alone.”
“That is… correct.”
“But if it takes time and you end up seriously injured in the process, wouldn’t that be dangerous?”
“…”
“That’s why we’re saying we’ll help. With our skills, you can trust us, so don’t worry.”
“But… that…”
“These are our student IDs.”
Proof that we were students of the foremost academy in Academy City was practically a guarantee of our abilities.
I took out my student ID so the emblem of Geumgang Academy was visible.
Then my other friends hurriedly followed my lead and showed their student IDs as well.
Gwon Boram turned her head toward us, showing a different attitude from before.
She hesitated, unable to refuse outright.
At last.
“…Then very well. Since the current situation is not favorable, I would be truly grateful for your assistance.”
Gwon Boram requested our help.
Then, her violet hair streaming behind her, she charged at the demon.
* * *
Even if he was a demon of the Demon Society, in the end he was nothing more than a low-ranking member.
He had only grown slightly stronger than when he had originally been human.
There was no need for any grand preparations to deal with someone like that.
‘He only looks menacing on the outside. Looking at his status window, he’s weaker than I Gahyeon’s clone that I fought in the entrance exam.’
This world was not a game.
The information written in the status window had to be treated as reference material at best.
Numbers did not represent everything.
Even if I assessed an enemy’s capabilities through the status window, I could not believe in it blindly.
Blind faith led to misjudgment.
Even so, the fact that he was weak did not change.
‘This won’t be difficult.’
We also had the advantage in numbers.
Because Yeon Haneul, Min Arin, and Go Eunbi were constantly keeping him in check from the rear, his movements were restricted.
In that situation, with me, Gang Hanbyeol, and Gwon Boram attacking him persistently, he had no choice but to focus entirely on defense.
Whenever an opening appeared, Bak Sagun would sometimes intervene as well.
“…Kgh! You cowards…!”
“Combat is supposed to be cowardly!”
“As long as it’s not me, that’s all that matters.”
“There is no mercy to be shown to demons.”
No matter how tough his skin was, if we kept cutting him, he would eventually be cut.
The man, who had been taking nonstop slashes from me and Gang Hanbyeol with his bare body, began to accumulate scratches.
The scratches gradually increased, widened, and became deep wounds.
His defensive power had reached its limit, and his regenerative ability could no longer keep up with our attacks.
“…!”
He noticed his own condition as well.
But no matter how desperately he struggled, there was no way out for him.
He could not escape from us as we attacked from three directions.
“You think I’ll let myself be beaten!”
The moment he mishandled even a single attack, the barely maintained balance of the battle would tip.
No mistakes were permitted for him.
Knowing that, he threw his fists desperately, the veins on his face bulging.
“Do not go in too deep. Keep your distance and maintain pressure.”
But it was only a matter of when the balance would tip. That it would tip could not be changed.
Time was clearly on our side.
Unless something unexpected happened, the moment would eventually come when he collapsed on his own.
The moment he made a mistake would come.
Without getting greedy, we calmly focused on breaking him down.
Then a message appeared before my eyes.
[You have obtained a skill.]
[Nervous Breakdown Lv 1]
In the game, this was a skill that could be obtained by chance when the difference in HP between allies and enemies was large, and when the battle proceeded under favorable conditions from beginning to end.
Having gained an unexpected reward, I quickly checked the details.
[Nervous Breakdown Lv 1]
◆ Skill Classification
—Passive
◆ Detailed Effects
—The longer combat with the target continues, the more it slightly induces combat fatigue in that target.
—The judgment of a target affected by this skill is slightly reduced.
It was no different from what I had seen in the game in my previous life.
‘Did Hanbyeol and Gwon Boram get it too?’
Meanwhile, I was not the only one who had fulfilled the conditions for obtaining the skill.
I glanced sideways and viewed Gang Hanbyeol’s and Gwon Boram’s skill lists.
Soon, I found newly updated information at the bottom of Gang Hanbyeol’s skill list.
Unfortunately, Gwon Boram had not obtained it.
‘Still, this is good. Not bad.’
Nervous Breakdown was a skill applied to an opponent only once anyway.
It did not stack.
So it was enough that Gang Hanbyeol, who would be the main figure pushing through the story, and I, who would support him as a companion, had learned it.
‘He’ll fall apart soon.’
Perhaps because of the skill’s effect,
the man was visibly struggling.
Impatience was written all over his face.
That impatience finally led to the opening he created himself.
We did not miss that chance.
As if we had been waiting for it, we moved.
────!!
The first to act was Gwon Boram.
When she stepped hard onto the ground with her front foot, her violet hair fluttered.
Immediately after, she raised her guard with her left hand and struck his solar plexus precisely with the tonfa in her right.
“…!”
The blow landed.
His eyes widened, and fluids sprayed into the air.
His posture completely collapsed, and the strength left his muscles.
Tolling Bell
Gang Hanbyeol turned his wrist and reversed his sword to swing with the back of the blade.
In the game, it was a skill that shocked the target and briefly inflicted a stun state.
A quietly refined silver sword strike slammed into the man’s side.
And finally…
Lion Claw Mark
My sword split the man’s lower back.
With that, the battle ended.
* * *
The situation was settled.
The authorities, having received Gwon Boram’s report, appeared on the scene as if they had been waiting, just as the demon lost consciousness.
Armed and fully prepared, they took in the sight of the fallen villains and could not hide their astonishment.
“Really… students took them down? Boram, I didn’t mishear you, did I?”
“Yes, I can attest to it, as I fought alongside them. And… I could not have subdued all five on my own.”
“You are exceptional, but… facing them alone would have been difficult. On top of that, there was a demon among them… All right, I understand. I’ll report it to the higher-ups without filtering anything.”
The Hunter who seemed to be a member of Sword initially looked at us with suspicion.
But with Gwon Boram’s testimony, and after later hearing our identities and backgrounds, she seemed to accept it to some extent.
“Ah, so you’re those kids? The disciple of the Fighting Demon, the rabbit of the Divine Sword Do Clan… no, the lion cub, was it? And the little griffin of the Magic Min Clan, the disciple of the Seven-Colored Witch… Boram too, of course. If it’s you lot, I suppose it makes sense.”
…Listening to the Sword member’s explanation, it seemed we were much more famous than we had thought.
Apparently, the industry was already paying attention to us and eagerly waiting for us to graduate from the academy.
Perhaps because of that, the Sword member also subtly tried to establish a connection with us.
“This is my business card. If you’re ever interested in Sword, don’t feel burdened—just contact me casually. Talented people are always welcome. You can contact me for other matters too!”
“As far as I know, recruitment offers are limited to second semester and may only be made to third-year high academy students.”
“Oh my, I think you’re misunderstanding, Boram. This isn’t a recruitment offer. I just want to get along with my juniors as a senior in the industry. Well then, since we’re busy with work, we’ll be going now!”
When Gwon Boram tried to bring up regulations, the Sword member who had handed us her business cards quickly led her team away.
The villains they had arrested were transported as well.
‘It’s kind of a shame, since a demon’s soul stone is used as material to make artifacts… But it’s not like I could kill him and take it for myself, and that would only interfere with the investigation, so it can’t be helped.’
In any case, a soul stone from a demon weaker than I Gahyeon’s clone would not be enough to make an artifact worth expecting much from.
I decided to regard it like sour grapes the fox could not eat.
That was when Gwon Boram, who had been communicating with someone through an earpiece, approached us.
“I never imagined you would be the people who have been so widely rumored recently. It is a pleasure to meet you. And thank you for your cooperation.”
“No, not at all. It’s nice to meet you too.”
Gwon Boram politely bowed her head in greeting.
Feeling awkward at the gesture, I followed her and lowered my head as well.
“Shield will contact you soon to hear the details of the situation. It will by no means bring harm to any of you, so I would be grateful if you would cooperate then as well. And this is my business card.”
“Ah, yes.”
“If you have any questions about this incident, please contact me.”
“Right. Will there be a reward?”
“That part isn’t under my jurisdiction, but… given how serious the situation was, there’s a high chance the 23rd District Office will issue some amount of compensation. I don’t know what the jewelry store will do, but if you’re curious, I can ask when I meet with the people involved.”
“Yes, please do.”
“Understood. I have many other matters to attend to, so I’ll be going now.”
It had been a large-scale outbreak of rifts across the Hwansang-ro area, not just at the jewelry store.
As a member of Shield, Gwon Boram had to be busy dealing with the aftermath.
Judging that she had no further business here, she turned and left.
Taking my eyes off the direction she had disappeared in, I looked at the business cards in my hand.
‘So I’ve made the connection, then.’
With Gwon Boram’s business card in my possession, the game’s story had essentially come to an end.
The process had been a little different, but it probably wouldn’t affect future developments.
Deciding to save Gwon Boram’s number and the Sword member’s number as soon as I returned to the dormitory, I put the business cards into my pocket.
‘Getting a business card from a Sword member wasn’t part of the plan, but there’s no harm in having a wide network.’
It might come in handy someday.
I decided to remember the face and name of the Sword member I had just met.
Meanwhile, Gang Hanbyeol had been grinning from ear to ear for a while now.
“Gyeonu, look at this! The people who left earlier said I could keep the villains’ weapons! They took the demonic human’s weapon, saying they needed it for the investigation, but they said they’d hand that over too once the investigation is over!”
“Yeah, good for you. At least you got something out of it.”
Guns, staves, daggers, hidden weapons.
Gang Hanbyeol laid out the weapons the villains had used on the ground and showed them off.
The sight made me laugh.
“Gyeonu, do you need anything? You fought with me too, so I’ll give you one! Sagun! Haneul! Eunbi! Arin, come over here too and take anything you need!”
“No, I have the Ultramarine Sword, so I’m fine. I appreciate the thought.”
I had already checked the weapons’ information beforehand.
Since none of them particularly appealed to me, I declined Gang Hanbyeol’s consideration.
The others showed brief interest as well, but soon shook their heads.
In the end, Gang Hanbyeol ended up monopolizing all the villains’ spoils.
‘That aside, Hanbyeol really does need to change the sword he’s using…’
Gang Hanbyeol was using the sword given at the start of the game.
It was a weapon with no notable stat corrections, the very sort of thing you would expect to be handed to someone who had just started the game.
Compared to that, the sword lying on the ground was indeed better.
‘Still, it doesn’t satisfy me.’
Gang Hanbyeol seemed pleased, but from my perspective, it was far from satisfactory.
A sword that could not even be counted among famous blades did not suit him at all.
It would be better to find a weapon that matched him.
The timing was just right.
‘If things follow the story, the time for Hanbyeol to choose a weapon should be coming soon.’
When that time came, I would pick out a good weapon for him from the vault he would visit.
I recalled the weapons that should be stored in that vault.
* * *
“Gyeonu, Lisa just contacted me. Looks like things were resolved safely on their end too. She says the president’s schedule got messed up, and it’s not really a situation where we can continue the trial event, so they’re ending it here.”
“Yeah? Well, I figured that would happen.”
“Lisa’s asking where we are. What should we do? If we’re going back to the dormitory, I think we can just tell her to meet us at the station….”
“Hmm…. Are the others okay?”
“She says no one’s hurt.”
“Then since we came all the way out to have some fun, let’s tell them we should eat dinner before heading back.”
“Okay, I’m fine with that. I’ll ask Lisa, then.”
“….”
Yeon Haneul, Do Gyeonu, Gang Hanbyeol, Go Eunbi, Bak Sagun.
Having wrapped up the incident, they gathered together and chattered away.
Min Arin, on the other hand, could not join them and watched from a distance.
‘I wasn’t much help at all….’
Her lips pressed together of their own accord, and her fists clenched.
Looking back on what had just happened, Min Arin felt a sense of inferiority.
‘My pride is hurt. It’s frustrating….’
Somewhere deep down, Min Arin had been proud of the fact that she was superior to them.
And yet the only role she had contributed was blocking the villains’ escape route.
She had not been of much help in the battle against the villains.
There had been no real opening for her to step in, and Yeon Haneul’s support had surpassed her own.
‘Why did I end up like this? I’m… I’m Min Arin….’
Ever since she was born, she had grown up hearing nothing but praise for her excellence.
But starting with the entrance exam, she had tasted only defeat and frustration.
The more time she spent with them, the more she realized the skills and qualities she lacked.
She was forced to face her own inferiority.
Her pride was wounded.
And so….
‘I’m excellent. I am excellent.’
Her desire to improve warped into an inferiority complex.
That inferiority complex provoked her pride.
And slowly gnawed away at her heart.
I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss