Episode 18 Fix Zone (3)
[Kim Ho, 683 points, 38%]
My score was somewhere in the middle of the leaderboard.
This year, the overall level of the class is higher, so it is somewhat lower than expected.
Still, at this level, you should be able to finish the strategy battle at mid-level or higher without any problems.
At this point, when the placement test was well underway, the freshmen’s conversation topics were divided into two.
Leaderboard and exam content.
And most of the test content was just moaning.
– Miss, I’m totally dead.
– Me too. When I went in, my body didn’t feel like my body. It didn’t listen to me.
– That’s why. When you swing a sword, it’s slow.
– There are days when it’s tough to catch goblins.
– I bet your seniors would hate you.
The more skills and traits you usually have hanging around, the more you will feel the F-rank fixation of the Fix Zone.
It’s going to be a tough ride getting used to it.
I understand you don’t like it, but you don’t have much of a choice.
[Fix Zone] is not a very common rule, but it pops up every once in a while when you might forget about it.
Some notorious boss monsters even place themselves in their own dungeons, resulting in a disaster where a party that was doing well is wiped out in the fix zone.
If you don’t want to become the protagonist of such a disaster, you have no choice but to get used to it as quickly as possible.
[Lee Seong-hyeon, 951 points, 1st place]
[Han So-mi, 928 points, 2nd place]
[Mo Yong-jun, 903 points, 3rd place]
The top tier remained top tier even under these adverse conditions.
The names listed above and below Han So-mi are probably the promising players that Shin Byung-chul had heard about.
Lee Seong-hyeon is the son of the Sword Master, and Mo Yong-jun is the grandson of the Geomseong.
But if their skills are similar to Han So-mi’s,
‘I think Go Hyun-woo could try it too.’
Even when I fought Han So-mi on the train, I wasn’t pushed back in swordsmanship.
In terms of swordsmanship, the three-stage logic of Go Hyun-woo = Han So-mi = promising players is established.
Since the rules are fixed and spec factors are almost excluded, there is a very high possibility of it being ranked.
I’m secretly looking forward to seeing how many points I’ll get.
Looking around, I don’t see any, and judging by the lack of names on the leaderboard, it seems like he’s still taking the test.
I waited, looking back and forth between the leaderboard and the teleportation portal, when Seo Ye-in walked out first instead of Go Hyun-woo.
He slowly moves his head around, looks around, then soon finds me and approaches me.
I asked.
“So, was it worth it?”
“… … It was difficult.”
[Calligrapher, 781 points, 21%]
Even though it was difficult, my grades weren’t too bad.
The Fix Zone rule is very disadvantageous to magic-based classes such as musketeers and wizards.
Because you have to score points with extremely limited horsepower.
It’s not impossible to get a high score, but it’s easier to just beat everything up with your bare body like I did.
Considering that, as a musketeer, a top 21% on your first try is a very good score.
Judging by the fact that he still has the rifle in his hand, I think he operated as I instructed.
– and-!
Exclamations erupted from the students watching the leaderboard.
What’s going on?
The first place was renewed.
[Go Hyun-woo, 1,023 points, 1st place] New!
[Lee Seong-hyeon, 951 points, 2nd place]
[Han So-mi, 928 points, 3rd place]
“oh.”
I thought I would be ranked high with a high probability, but I ended up achieving first place in the strategy battle.
That too by a pretty big margin compared to the second place.
The audience went wild as if it were their own story.
I know how great a score that is because I experienced it firsthand.
– It was a score that could have been 1,000 points… … . I was worse than a rat’s daughter-in-law… … .
– Where does he belong? The fencing club?
– No. She’s not in our club.
– I looked into it and he’s independent.
– The independent candidate beat all the promising candidates and took first place.
– Didn’t he fight with Jo Byeok in the duel earlier?
– That must have been it.
– Somehow, you fought well earlier too.
– I’ll have to watch the replay later.
All eyes were on Ko Hyun-woo, who was walking confidently through the crowd.
Go Hyun-woo thanked me.
“It’s all thanks to Hyung Kim.”
“It’s all thanks to me. You just did a good job.”
“No. If I hadn’t recovered my energy during lunch, I wouldn’t have been able to get such a high score.”
Is that how it is?
It felt like an overinterpretation, but it wasn’t entirely wrong.
As the crowd was watching Go Hyun-woo’s every move, their attention naturally turned to me, who was standing next to him.
-Who is that person next to you?
– Those who abstained from voting against Song Cheon-hye.
– Ah, that coward?
– Are you already clinging to Go Hyun-woo?
– Anyway, there definitely is a guy like that. He will put in the effort to improve his skills.
Maybe it’s because my first impression wasn’t good, but my image is getting worse in real time just by talking to Go Hyun-woo.
There was no way that Go Hyeon-woo, who had sharp ears, could not hear such gossip.
In an instant, his complexion hardens.
He stopped Ko Hyun-woo from shouting at the crowd.
“Okay, leave it alone.”
“But, Brother Kim.”
“I told you it’s okay.”
“… … I understand. If that is what you want, Kim Hyung.”
When I cut him off firmly, he shut his mouth and suppressed his anger.
Still with a hardened expression.
The murmurs continued, but they did not last long.
Today is the first day of the semester, so how much are you going to chew me out for?
Attention was also diverted to Song Cheon-hye, who had just finished her exam.
“… … .”
Unlike other students who were walking out staggering and exhausted, Song Cheon-hye did not look at all unruffled.
Song Cheon-hye, who was passing by with a measured gait, slowed down for a moment and glanced at me from the corner of her eye.
And then I continue on my way.
I suddenly wondered how many points he got.
I read the leaderboard from the top down,
‘There isn’t any.’
Even though it went down to about 40%, I couldn’t find Song Cheon-hye’s name.
I don’t really want to search all the way down.
‘If you’re not at the top, you’ve seen it all.’
I guess I didn’t do very well.
It’s not completely incomprehensible, since wizards also have a hard time in the fix zone.
I tried to ignore those thoughts and turn my mind off, but I kept feeling eyes on me.
“… … .”
Song Cheon-hye was glancing in my direction.
It wasn’t his usual displeased expression, but it seemed like he was watching me for some reason.
When our eyes meet, he quickly turns his head away.
‘Why is he like that again?’
* * *
Song Cheon-hye was in a very depressed mood.
Although it hit the lower limit from the morning, looking back, it was probably around lunchtime when it suddenly dropped.
After finishing the chaotic battle, I ordered dessert to change my mood.
Strawberry Cream Cake.
This dessert is extremely popular among female students and is made in limited quantities daily by a high-end confectionery shop in a downtown area.
I had heard rumors that this cake was so delicious even before I entered school, so I was really excited, and finally.
The time had to come… … .
‘It’s sold out… … ‘
Because it was such a popular product, the competition was fierce.
This competition is first come, first served only.
Status or background doesn’t help.
Because when it comes to backgrounds, everyone is no joke.
As a result, Song Cheon-hye tasted the bitterness of defeat instead of the sweet taste of whipped cream.
Han So-mi consoled her as she became depressed.
“Cheer up, Cheonhye. There will be a next time. Let’s eat this together today.”
It was Han So-mi who shared half of her share of the yanggaeng.
I couldn’t quite understand why he liked yanggaeng the most out of all the snacks, but as I ate it, I realized that yanggaeng was actually pretty good.
It also seemed like my mood was getting better.
however…….
Song Cheon-hye’s mood, which seemed to have improved slightly, quickly plummeted back to rock bottom.
After looking at the dessert coupon usage history I sent to Kim Ho.
There was a strawberry shortcake there that she never had.
Song Cheon-hye’s slender fingers trembled.
‘That human… …!’
Actually, if you think about it calmly, it wasn’t something she should be angry about.
The cookie fell to the floor because of his lightning magic,
It was he who first suggested sending her dessert coupons.
It must have been purely a coincidence that Kim Ho bought a strawberry shortcake with that dessert coupon.
But that’s a very rational thought,
The emotional part made me feel like the cake I was about to eat was taken away from me.
Honestly, I know it was my fault, but isn’t the exchange rate for a piece of cake a little high for a piece of cookie?
Song Cheon-hye fought and destroyed the remaining Yanggaeng.
* * *
That must have been why.
It was for no reason that I ended up looking at that man with displeasure.
I kept telling myself to ignore it, but my eyes kept going back to it.
Kim Ho was talking to a gray-haired female student.
Calligrapher. I remember him clearly because I met him as an opponent in a duel.
Kim Ho said to the calligrapher who was preparing to enter the dungeon.
– It would be better to switch to a rifle.
– If you have trouble managing mana, try using only headshots at close range.
‘This is ridiculous.’
With what confidence do you say something like that?
You’re a caster and you train the musketeers?
Also, I know what’s inside the dungeon and I’m sure a rifle is better than a pistol.
If something goes wrong like that, can you take responsibility?
What’s even more absurd is that the calligrapher took that advice at face value.
Song Cheon-hye let out a gasp as she watched him switch to a rifle without a second thought.
“her.”
It’s so frustrating when the person in question does that…
I don’t know anymore. If I leave it alone, it will figure it out.
It’s your job to take advice, and it’s also your job to accept the consequences.
After Seo Ye-in and Kim Ho disappeared into the portal one by one, her name was soon called as well.
“Good luck, Cheonhye~”
Leaving Han So-mi’s cheering behind, Song Cheon-hye entered the foggy forest.
And then I saw hell.
My whole body felt heavy like cotton soaked in water.
When I opened the status window, all the values had dropped to F.
The mana that was always overflowing was now only a little bit left as [Core] dropped to F rank.
What can I do with just this… … .
To make matters worse, most of her favorite lightning magic didn’t work.
[Chain Lightning], [Thunderbolt Zone], [Lightning Whip]… … .
It’s a powerful area-of-effect magic that can take down dozens of goblins, but at best it only slows down your movements a little.
I expected the power to drop, but I didn’t expect it to be this bad.
‘Oh, what should I do… … .’
All the plans I made before entering the dungeon were in vain.
Magic doesn’t work, time passes, and monsters pile up.
My mind went blank with confusion.
That was when.
The man’s advice flashed through my mind.
– It would be better to switch to a rifle.
Song Cheon-hye frowned, wondering why this had to come to mind, but continued her thoughts.
Why did you tell me to switch to a rifle?
The biggest difference between a pistol and a rifle would be the light multiple shots and the heavy single shot.
‘Then perhaps.’
Song Cheon-hye raised one hand.
The current generated on the black glove clumped and compressed to form a sphere the size of a baseball.
F-rank single target magic, [Thunderball].
Let’s throw it at the approaching goblin,
“Quite a lot!”
[+4 points]
It worked out surprisingly well.
That’s right. If area magic doesn’t work, you can just use single magic.
How did I not think of this simple idea?
Song Cheon-hye continued to throw [Thunder Balls].
‘I guess I’m stupid.’
‘I guess I’m an idiot.’
‘You must be an idiot!’
Repeat this in your mind every time you throw it.
But about halfway through, we hit a limit again.
‘Mana… … .’
It’s not completely empty, but it’s not enough to last the rest of the time.
In addition, the ratio of orcs and trolls has increased, so it is difficult to defeat them with [Thunderball] alone.
Then, Kim Ho’s second piece of advice rang in my ears.
– If you have trouble managing mana, try using only headshots at close range.
‘Only headshots at close range… … .’
‘If you interpret this to me… … .’
Suddenly, a feeling of resistance rose up in a corner of my heart.
‘Do I have to do exactly what he says?’
‘You said it was ridiculous earlier.’
‘Don’t you have any pride?’
‘But rather than retiring… … .’
I think of the dropouts rolling around on the floor.
There is no greater shame than to end up like that.
My face burns just thinking about it.
‘That is absolutely not allowed!’
Song Cheon-hye made her decision.
Decide to choose the lesser evil rather than the worst.
[Lightning Enchantment]
He wrapped both of his gloved fists in electricity.
And then I struck a clumsy fighting pose.
I think this is the first time I’ve fought like this since kindergarten, but what can I do? There’s no other way.
“Kurrrrrr… … .”
The troll stood right in front of me, growling menacingly.
Perhaps because it was a troll seen from the Fix Zone, it looked twice as big as the one I had killed before.
“… … !!”
Song Cheon-hye closed her eyes tightly and extended her fist.
* * *
[0:00 remaining]
[Current score: 571 points]
As soon as the remaining time became 0, the monsters that were rushing in all disappeared.
The foggy forest regained its initial silence.
Only then did Song Cheon-hye take a deep breath and sit down.
“Ugh, it’s over… … .”
I lasted 10 minutes.
Survived for 10 minutes.
I couldn’t be happier to see the exit open its mouth.
‘wait for a sec.’
Song Cheon-hye, who was about to go out, suddenly stopped in her tracks.
When I looked back at myself, I saw that I looked like a ghost.
Well, towards the end, I was fighting monsters and swinging my fists around like crazy.
Anyway, I can’t go out in this condition.
– Chijijik,
A short electric current flowed through Song Cheon-hye’s fingertips.
As I combed it from the crown, my disheveled hair was instantly tidied up.
I tied my hair neatly, fixed my clothes neatly, and passed the electricity through it one last time to blow away every last speck of dust.
[Would you like to save the replay?]
[Accept/Reject]
“Never. Never.”
Even if I die, I can’t stand seeing this dark history being saved.
* * *
Song Cheon-hye, who came out, attracted the attention of other students as always.
Someone exclaimed in admiration at how completely in control he was of everything, completely unruffled even after ten minutes in the hellish Fix Zone.
Some people have already been searching the leaderboards for her name.
But it won’t be easy to find.
[Song Cheon-hye, 571 points, 47%]
Because it will be a score much lower than their expectations.
It didn’t live up to the reputation of the Topaz Tower, but that wasn’t important to Song Cheon-hye right now.
‘I want to eat something sweet… … .’
When I’m done, I have to buy some strawberry milk.
Song Cheon-hye, who was walking back with a measured gait, discovered Kim Ho in the crowd.
Suddenly she felt embarrassed.
The fact that I overheard his advice, ignored it, and ended up surviving thanks to that advice.
Song Cheon-hye’s steps became a little faster.
The supporters eat it all
