Turning back time, to the day Do Gyeonu and So Hyeyul held their private consultation.
So Hyeyul opened her mouth as if suddenly curious.
“But what if the Doll Ghost Woman, contrary to expectations, holds back her main body and sends only an avatar, or brings in villains? Wouldn’t the operation run into trouble? I doubt the Doll Ghost Woman would come looking on her own even knowing it’s a trap. If it were me, I don’t think I’d act in a way that benefits the opponent….”
“No, the Doll Ghost Woman will fall into our trap as we intend.”
“You speak as if you’re absolutely certain. What makes you think so, Gyeonu?”
It was one thing to request a private audience out of the blue; I had felt it when we first met, but he truly was a brazen student.
At that moment, So Hyeyul couldn’t help but feel curiosity toward Do Gyeonu, who led the conversation on equal terms without any sign of being intimidated by her.
Her yellow eyes gleaming with strange light, she asked a question as if sounding out his intentions.
Whereupon he shrugged his shoulders as if it were no big deal.
“It’s because I’ve heard that the Doll Ghost Woman pursues perfect, flawless beauty. But after what happened, her soul has become incomplete, so there’s no way she’d be satisfied with her current state, right? If she senses the aura of the Soul Stone, she’ll be desperate to become whole again and come rushing like mad. Every last one of them, without exception.”
“What about the possibility of borrowing the strength of the villains infiltrated into the Academy in the process?”
“There’s a high probability she won’t tell them. She won’t want others to catch wind of her disgrace. The Doll Ghost Woman will want the incident from the entrance exam to be dismissed as nothing more than a rumor. She’ll probably want to keep it under wraps going forward.”
“Hmm… Considering the Doll Ghost Woman’s personality, it isn’t entirely unreasonable. Very well. Let’s plan the operation as you say, Gyeonu.”
And so.
The operation proposed by Do Gyeonu had accurately pierced through I Gahyeon’s psychology.
However, if there was one variable….
“Do you think you can stop me?”
“…Keok!”
They didn’t know how it had happened, but the Doll Ghost Woman had demonstrated power beyond their expectations.
The moment she laid her hands on the Soul Stone, the Hunters and Instructors who launched a surprise attack were struck by a counterattack instead.
The battle was at a disadvantage.
It was bringing about the final catalyst.
* * *
Even if they were a third-year senior 300 ranks higher than me, they weren’t an opponent I couldn’t defeat.
I possessed the skill to work as a Hunter right away without shame.
[Personal Information]
Name: Do Gyeonu (Male · 17)
Alias: Rabbit, and 7 others [+Details]
Affiliation: Geumgang Academy
[Held Gifts]
—Evasion Instinct
[Physical Abilities]
Constitution: 65(62+3) → 69(66+3)
Strength: 59 → 63
Endurance: 55 → 60
Agility: 71(68+3) → 76(72+4)
Mana: 48 → 65(57+8)
Luck: 32 → 40(38+2)
Remaining Points: 1 [+Details]
Even taking into account that the threshold rose along with my physical stats every time they increased, they had risen across the board since the entrance exam.
With Agility surpassing 70, not to mention Constitution, Strength, and Endurance exceeding 60, I didn’t yield an inch to my opponent during the spar.
‘My Mana isn’t far from 60 either. At least during this semester, I’ll be able to unlock the fifth skill of the Azure Sword.’
I looked forward to that moment.
While envisioning the near future, I swung my sword without missing the opening my opponent revealed.
The Ranking Match ended without any particular surprises.
“Good work. I learned a lot from you. If we get the chance later, again….”
“Thank you. I learned a lot from you too. Haneul, guys, let’s go.”
I felt sorry for my sparring partner, but there was no time to exchange pleasantries at leisure.
After briefly exchanging greetings, I took my friends and set off for Dongsik Hall, where the subjugation operation against I Gahyeon was underway.
The kiss I was supposed to receive from Yeon Haneul as a reward for winning the Ranking Match….
I decided to postpone it for the moment since I was traveling with my friends.
Anyway, it didn’t take long.
“You all got your marks? Let’s go in.”
We were able to discover the blue curtain surrounding the Dongsik Hall area.
A barrier of the Star Witch So Hyeyul that separated inside and outside, blocked external access so the situation within couldn’t be perceived, and further acted on the subconscious of beings to make them turn on their heels.
Having received marks that granted us entry in advance so as not to come into conflict with the barrier, we stepped inside.
From there, we proceeded to the old, shabby Dongsik Hall situated in the middle of the forest.
We joined up with student council members including Noh Hyowon and Do Sieun as the distance closed.
“I see you finished your Ranking Match well. No need to even ask about the result, huh? Congratulations on your rank up. Now you’re the highest-ranked first-year after Gang Hanbyeol, not Yeon Haneul. You’ve conquered Yeon Haneul.”
“You’re here? No signs of anyone following? No suspicious people wandering around the barrier….”
“I was on guard while coming here, but there was no one besides us. How’s the situation?”
So Hyeyul wouldn’t have us—mere students—do anything dangerous.
Because of that, we had to take on the role of guarding the perimeter just in case, while the Hunters and Instructors carried out the subjugation of I Gahyeon.
Accordingly, while commanding the students, I asked Do Sieun, who had been keeping watch around Dongsik Hall, for the current state of affairs.
“They’re in the middle of fighting right now. The magic trap that explodes when the Soul Stone is touched was triggered just a while ago, too.”
“A fierce battle must be happening inside.”
The environment to bring I Gahyeon down had been thoroughly prepared in Dongsik Hall.
Even Hunters and Instructors had joined the operation betting their lives.
No matter that she was known as one of the Demon Society’s Six Demons, she wouldn’t survive.
She would die here.
I could guess her fate.
‘In the game, she dies by our hands when Hanbyeol is a third-year… So in this world, will she meet her end at the hands of Hunters and Instructors?’
For Gang Hanbyeol’s and our growth, and to obtain her Soul Stone, I had wanted to face her directly, but it couldn’t be helped.
Because at our level, still nothing more than first-years, we couldn’t reach her power.
Therefore, regrettable as it was, borrowing help to safely bring her down was the best course of action.
‘If only it would go according to plan…’
The forces So Hyeyul had secretly called in from outside to eliminate I Gahyeon were all named Hunters renowned in the industry.
Instructors who joined the fray, like Hong Yena and Su Hoguk, also possessed skills that didn’t pale before their reputations.
I decided to cheer them on in my heart and wait for the result.
Right then.
Krrrrr!
The Dongsik Hall, which had been constantly emitting a murderous aura, began to collapse.
It could no longer withstand the shocks of the ongoing battle inside.
We who were surrounding the area couldn’t help but be surprised by the unexpected situation.
Immediately after, I Gahyeon appeared, breaking through the outer wall.
“A beautiful night. Just like me.”
“….”
A giant Arachne that was primarily black, with vivid red patterns standing out all over its body.
Under the night sky, I Gahyeon’s upper body had transformed to match it, radiating red inner light.
We were overwhelmed by her presence.
[You have been exposed to Pressure.]
[All stats decrease by 20%.]
[Skill ‘Courage Lv. 7’ activates.]
[Preserves up to 17% of the stats decreased by Pressure.]
[Decreased stats are restored.]
[Concentration and evasion rate increase by 15% thanks to Skill ‘Courage Lv. 7’.]
[Physical Abilities]
Constitution: 69(66+3) → 67.02(64.02+3)
Strength: 63 → 61.11
Endurance: 60 → 58.2
Agility: 76(72+4) → 73.84(69.84+4)
Mana: 65(57+8) → 63.29(55.29+8)
Luck: 40(38+2) → 38.86(36.86+2)
Fortunately, possessing the Courage skill, I could endure my body recoiling to some extent.
But I couldn’t completely block it.
The 3% stat decrease that couldn’t be offset weighed down on me.
“Keuk! My body… it’s heavy….”
“…Gyeonu.”
Meanwhile, the faces of Yeon Haneul and the other friends, who had lower levels in the Courage skill or no means to resist the Pressure, darkened rapidly.
I stepped forward to comfort them, biting my lip tightly.
‘What happened in there? Was she stronger than we thought…?’
Even after I Gahyeon revealed herself, no signs of anyone chasing after her and emerging from Dongsik Hall were detected.
Two assumptions came to mind.
Either everyone was trapped inside and couldn’t get out, or they had been taken down by her.
Either way, the situation remained unchanged: we had to enter battle in their stead.
We couldn’t let her leave like this, having regained her complete existence.
I urged those who hadn’t come to their senses, trying to rouse them.
“Don’t be scared just because the opponent is the Doll Ghost Woman. She must have spent a lot of stamina fighting the Instructors until now. If we combine our strength, we can take her down. Sieun noona, I leave the command of the people to you.”
“Uh, ah… yeah, got it.”
Then, my eyes met I Gahyeon’s.
Her eyes curved into circles to an unsettling degree.
“Found you. I was planning to come meet you anyway, so you’ve saved me the trouble. We must be fated, no? Hello? Nice to meet you. No, it’s been a while. I’m glad you seem to have gotten stronger while we were apart. Beautiful.”
“…I’m not doing well, though.”
“Oh my, is that so? That’s a bit disappointing… but I love you anyway.”
…What is she talking about?
For a moment, I was flabbergasted and furrowed my brows.
Then I Gahyeon hugged herself tightly with both arms and spoke.
“I love you, Gyeonu. Enough to go crazy. Yes, I’ve decided. When I escape from here, I’ll take you with me. If you don’t want to see the kids over there get hurt, come to me willingly. Otherwise, I’ll kidnap you by force.”
“….”
“You don’t have to be scared. Unnie will shower you with affection. So don’t resist. If you do… well, I’ll make you into part of my collection. You’ll become a soulless doll and live with unnie forever.”
I Gahyeon twisted her upper body back and forth, letting out a moan.
That sight… was a little scary.
It was extremely repulsive.
Feeling a physiological revulsion, I tried to open my mouth to hurl curses at her.
It was then that a voice was heard from beside me.
“Crazy bitch.”
…Haneul, what did you say?
I looked at Yeon Haneul, who had been overwhelmed by I Gahyeon’s momentum just moments before.
As if asking when she had ever done so, she faced I Gahyeon boldly without any sign of shrinking back.
“Did you think I’d just stand by and watch that? You must be out of your damn mind.”
Yeon Haneul’s red eyes flashed.
* * *
I had a feeling things would go too smoothly; as expected, they wouldn’t.
The affairs of the world never go as one wishes.
Hong Yena realized once again.
‘…Was she hiding her strength?’
She hadn’t dreamed that the Doll Ghost Woman I Gahyeon’s skill would surpass the initially assumed level.
As a result, those who participated in the operation couldn’t gain the upper hand in battle.
Shameful as it was, they had barely managed to reach a stalemate without being pushed back.
But on top of that, I Gahyeon intentionally brought Dongsik Hall down….
“Ugh… my head.”
The people who had even considered burying I Gahyeon if necessary hadn’t imagined they would be the ones getting caught instead.
Hong Yena was no different.
Having saved her life by deploying a barrier to avoid being buried under the debris moments before, she opened her eyes in the darkness.
She lit a light to brighten the darkness and spread out her sensory net to survey the surroundings, detecting several presences.
Intermittent groans were heard as well.
‘It seems everyone isn’t dead.’
Hong Yena let out a sigh of relief.
But she couldn’t rest easy.
Because I Gahyeon had escaped.
‘I can’t lose her here.’
They had to stop the Doll Ghost Woman quickly before she escaped the barrier.
Hong Yena, who had been hit on the head by falling debris during the building’s collapse moments ago, roughly wiped the blood flowing down her forehead with the back of her hand.
It wasn’t that she wasn’t worried about the injured, but others would rescue them.
She decided to chase I Gahyeon swiftly.
It was during this that she encountered others, such as Yu Noeul and Su Hoguk.
“Ah, Instructor Yena! You’re safe. What a relief.”
“Instructor Hong Yena, blood is flowing from your head; are you alright? Should we treat it….”
“I’m fine. The bleeding has stopped now, so I don’t need treatment.”
Hong Yena, receiving the two’s concern, lightly waved her hand.
Then she searched for a way above ground with the people there.
“Everyone, come this way. It seems there are fewer debris piled up on this side.”
At that moment, Yu Noeul’s detection ability shone.
While some remained behind to look after the injured, the people were able to quickly reach the surface following her guidance.
And they witnessed a scene that made them doubt their eyes.
“…They’re fighting well.”
“….”
Contrary to the worries of those including Hong Yena that the students might fall victim to the Doll Ghost Woman, they were the ones desperately doing their utmost to hold her back.
Thanks to that, I Gahyeon couldn’t even approach near the barrier while dealing with them.
Meanwhile, the students at the forefront keeping her in check at the risk of danger stood out particularly.
It was Do Gyeonu’s group.
“T-t-those troublemakers, really… Are they not afraid?”
Noh Hyowon of the Crimson Noh clan, wielding a sword wreathed in flames and busily running across the battlefield.
The triplets U Geumdong, U Eundong, and U Dongdong, exquisitely gauging the timing to strike and retreat, displaying their combinations.
Guardian Bak Sagun, drawing aggro by attacking from the periphery of vision at every opportunity.
Ranger Go Eunbi, rolling across the battlefield like a flying squirrel and providing covering fire with arrows whenever an opportunity showed itself.
Nam Yuri of the Yeonseong Nam clan, boldly penetrating into the opponent’s territory without shying from a frontal contest.
Cha Eunsol of the Suncheon Cha clan, securing the airspace and patrolling the battlefield.
Min Arin of the Mado Min clan, burning the spider webs cast across the space with fire.
Yong Haerang of the Uihyeop Yong clan, delivering powerful accumulated strikes every time an opening appeared.
The Imperial Princess, Lisa Grace, moving under his protection and applying support magic where it was needed most.
The Young Fighting Ghost, Gang Hanbyeol, swinging her sword at I Gahyeon from the front.
Do Sieun of the Divine Sword Do Clan, switching places like a relay to press the momentum.
Lastly.
“Charging in without even knowing it’s dangerous… I’m aging because of them. Aging.”
Do Gyeonu of the Divine Sword Do Clan, rushing at I Gahyeon without hesitation as blue lightning flashed, and.
his disciple Yeon Haneul, launching a joint attack alongside numerous avatars wielding iron hammers.
Hong Yena clicked her tongue, proud of them but deliberately hiding it.
At the same time, she proposed to those who had been enthralled by the students’ battle.
“Are we going to just watch like this? Let’s join in quickly too.”
I had become the childhood friend of the mid-boss.