Translator: Wan ED/PR: Personal Ghost
12. Team play (1)
Gym no. 5 was specially installed with a simulator for 1st years use.
It was a place to conduct a battle practice in a virtual reality simulating an otherworld conquest.
To optimise otherworld conquest simulation, the specially designed floor, walls and installations were covered with an otherworldly metal.
“What type of gym is it? Where are you supposed to train?”
“It’s like a VR room!”
“Right. Because the simulation operates on controlling five senses, the building more resembles a VR room than a gym in its structure.”
“Amazing!”
Each of the 1st year class 0’s kids each expressed their admiration while they looked around. Then the class bell rang.
The class bell announcing the start of classes was a previous campaign song used to promote voting.
After the bell stopped, Ham Geun-hyeong appeared, wearing a teacher’s gym uniform with the school emblem engraved on the back.
“Class starts. You will challenge a R+ rank otherworld conquest simulation. I sent a simple dungeon’s outline on your devices. Preparation time is 30 minutes.”
“Yes? Straight away? We’re going to do this alone? Without a teacher?”
“Yeah. You can only use R rank equipment items provided by the school. For support you can only use R rank and below consumable items. Ask if you need anything.”
Ham Geun-hyeong, who answered Kim Yuri’s question, opened a hologram with a timer counting down 30 minutes.
The eyes of kids who barely started to attend school were noticeably embarrassed.
‘This is the first team play practice, so they would want to judge kids and give them a lesson, similarly to the first sparring.’
Ham Geun-hyeong’s words were sudden, but the otherworld cracks also appeared abruptly.
The otherworld cracks up from SR rank usually had ‘warning phenomena’, so it was possible for Association’s satellite ‘PlayerSAT-K’ to detect it beforehand, but…
Lower rank otherworlds appeared out of blue.
It would be good training in case we run into an unexpected incident.
“At the Eungwang School’s practical exam, four people used random items to subjugate a N– rank Enemy… It was simple, but this…”
“In a simple dungeon, more than ten Enemies appear… At least R rank…”
Sawol Seeum and Lee Lena looked at the outline of the dungeon that arrived at their devices with dark faces.
Maeng Hyodon, who fought at least R+ rank Enemies 1 on 1 without any equipment, with his bare hands, tilted his head.
Is it that hard to even look at? Is it hard? He seemed to think that.
“There is no need to worry.”
Hwang Jiho looked at me with twinkling eyes.
I had an ominous premonition.
“We have Unknown Supernova Jo Uisin.”
At Hwang Jiho’s words, all gazes concentrated on me.
“Yeah! I heard Uisin was commanding even during the entrance exam incident.”
“Right, Unknown Supernova!”
“Oh, come to think of it, that’s true…!”
Kim Yuri, Lee Lena and Sawol Seeum looked in this direction with sparkling eyes.
I couldn’t be harsh to those three like Hwang Jiho, so I couldn’t even say anything.
“Good luck, Unknown Supernova.”
This 5 thousand year old geezer… I want to hit him just once.
Hwang Jiho was the current head of the Ho tribe and he led the Ho tribe to save the To tribe not so long ago.
If he put his mind to it, commanding a R+ rank dungeon conquest would be nothing.
‘Hwang-ho should have a lot of experience.’
Let’s give up. I cannot help it.
I couldn’t say anything because of the atmosphere. Besides, someone had to take the lead.
“Then let’s each share what skill we will use. And please say if you’re going to use a Gwangrim.”
Currently, there were six people in the 1st year class 0 if we exclude me.
Hwang Jiho and Han Yi were NPCs.
Kim Yuri, Lee Lena, Maeng Hyodon and Sawol Seeum were Playable Characters.
Excluding Hwang Jiho, I roughly figured out all of their skills and Gwangrims, but there was no way that this world Jo Uisin knew them, so I had to pretend I didn’t know.
‘Because there are some Players who don’t reveal their Gwangrims and skills or don’t use them for their entire life.’
Especially in Sawol Seeum’s case, the extremely rare skill ‘Messenger’ which he possessed would be difficult to disclose.
Because it was related to Sawol Seeum’s secret.
The results of each of them disclosing the details were like this:
Hwang Jiho: Gwangrim usage: X, Used Skills: Bō Martial Art, Taehokwon
Maeng Hyodon: Gwangrim usage: O, Used Skills: Fight
Sawol Seeum: Gwangrim usage: X, Used Skills: Flight, Wind Art
Kim Yuri: Gwangrim usage: X, Used Skills: Fencing, Danger Detection, Sprinter
Han Yi: Gwangrim usage: X, Used Skills: Taehokwon, Presence Detection, Leap
Lee Lena: Gwangrim usage: O, Used Skills: Whip Martial Art, Enemy Detection, Disable Trap
Me, Jo Uisin: Gwangrim usage: X, Used Skills: Use of Everything, Enemy Detection
I said Enemy Detection to hide the Exclusive Menu’s Enemy warning and ability to read status window information.
Maeng Hyodon had a confused expression.
“Why aren’t others using Gwangrim?”
“My body hurts when I use Gwangrim.”
“My Gwangrim isn’t helpful in a fight and has complex conditions of activation…”
Han Yi and Sawol Seeum replied.
Was that the reason why Han Yi didn’t use her Gwangrim throughout the game?
As for Sawol Seeum, as he had said, his Gwangrim didn’t have battle usage and activation was complex.
“Hahaha, I didn’t get used to my Gwangrim, so…”
Kim Yuri, who was afraid of her Gwangrim, dodged the question.
Hwang Jiho only smiled without saying anything.
Yeah, if the member of the Ho tribe, Hwang Jiho, uses his Gwangrim, the world will turn upside down, so I hope you restrain yourself.
“There are many Players who don’t use their Gwangrims. Even in ‘Red Lion’ or ‘Hydrangea Aroma’. Among overseas teams, there is even a Player like this in ‘Oath of Three Knights’.”
“Really?”
At my words, Maeng Hyodon seemed amazed, but he also quickly accepted it.
“Then let’s not use Gwangrims?”
“Why?”
“Usually, a Gwangrim can be used for a fixed time a day. If you can save it, you should save it.”
Even Player’s Trajectory had a different time usage depending on the character card.
Kim Yuri and Lee Lena gave an additional explanation for Maeng Hyodon who still couldn’t understand.
“I heard that if otherworld crack expansion speed isn’t fast, there is no particular need to use a Gwangrim.”
“Yeah. This is R+ rank dungeon. There doesn’t seem to be a need to use a Gwangrim if we can clear it within an hour. Because Enemies won’t be created outside within this time.”
When an otherworld crack occurs, dungeons, towers, mazes, etc. appear.
Around such a crack or in other words, in reality, Enemies are created.
So usually, the conquest of otherworlds is divided into the ‘attacker group’ which personally enters an otherworld with the goal of clearing it and the ‘defense group’ which remains in reality to block Enemies.
‘So it’s recommended for the otherworld conquest party to have five people. Because at least three people should join the attacker group and two people should remain as the defense group.’
Of course, as a basic, the key power is put in the attacker group.
Because as the time passes while it’s not cleared, an otherworldly crack will expand and following that, the number of Enemies it creates each time will increase.
‘However, this time the conquest target is a virtual R+ otherworld. There is no need to divide into an attacker group and a defense group. Everyone is in the attacker group.’
Seven people of the 1st year class 0.
A simple dungeon simulation.
Enemies around R rank.
Thinking about the standard of our class here, the conquest itself wouldn’t be difficult.
We were also equipped with R rank equipment items provided by school.
I, Maeng Hyodon and of course Hwang Jiho had an ability to clear it even when playing solo, and even Kim Yuri and Han Yi could do it if given enough time, though I would be a bit worried about them.
‘Ham Geun-hyeong wouldn’t choose a dungeon on such a level without knowing that.’
If I think about Ham Geun-hyeong’s intentions, what I had to do became simple.
I immediately came up with a move I should play.
I would become the center of this conquest, but if we aim for the shortest clear time with the currently given conditions, this would be the best action.
“If so, I will tell you my thoughts.”
The main character of the player team in otherworldly subjugations always changes depending on the otherworld’s specifics.
It seemed that this time, I would likely be a key character.
I felt a bit embarrassed when I was explaining this plan, but as my words continued, all the 1st year class 0’s kids nodded their heads.
They were all such foolishly nice guys.
Besides Hwang Jiho.
— 3 seconds, 2 seconds, 1 second.
0.
The hologram’s time went out.
Ham Geun-hyeong stood before us.
“Seems like all preparations are finished?”
“Yes!”
Ham Geun-hyeong activated the simulator.
Uuuung—.
Following Ham Geun-hyeong’s finger, the pitch-black supernatural metals started to glow with dozens of different colors.
“Whoaa—!”
“Amazing…”
While Kim Yuri and Sawol Seeum exclaimed in admiration, the screen opened before each of the seven of us.
[The simulation of otherworld conquest started. Are you ready? (Y/N)]
After each of them pressed the Y button, they were covered in particles of light.
When I pressed the Y button, I heard a voice of dimly visible Ham Geun-hyeong:
“Do your best, good luck.”
When the light dimmed…
We were standing in a dungeon.
‘It looks and feels like it’s completely real.’
As described in the dungeon outline, the damp granite cave unfolded before us.
There was no artificial illumination, but thanks to the otherworldly ore inside the cave, there was no need to secure light.
Our current location was around 10m high and 5m wide.
It was a dungeon which appeared as a pretty wide cave.
“Whoa, it’s so real…!”
Kim Yuri materialized a R rank ‘Lightsaber of a Beginner Knight’ provided by school as she admired.
The battle skill Kim Yuri was using was ‘Fencing’.
And a lightsabers was one of the items officially accepted by the France Fencing Association, the originators of the fencing sport.
‘In this world, even the lightsabers which appeared in Star Wars, became an item officially used in fencing games.’
The light sword that was generally used during Lightsaber Fencing Competitions was made out of polycarbonate and aluminum.
However, Kim Yuri’s light sword was made out of otherworldly metal.
Finished with supernatural powers, it possessed much more powerful killing power than the light sword usually used during competitions.
“If this is this high, I should be able to use the Flight skill.”
Sawol Seeum raised in the air after looking around.
Even though he didn’t have a detection type skill, Sawol Seeum planned to monitor the operation from the air and provide assistance with the Wind Art.
‘But what is that effect?’
Little by little, I noticed translucent feathers around the flying Sawol Seeum.
Is that the Gye tribe’s blessing’s[1] effect?
It wasn’t in the game, so I had no way of knowing what it meant.
“Oo, these protectors are fine? They don’t hinder movements.”
“Is it your first time wearing protectors? Did you fight without equipment this entire time?”
“Ugh.”
Maeng Hyodon, Hwang Jiho and Han Yi were wearing protectors, which increased the attack and defense power while assisting and strengthening movements of muscles.
Maeng Hyodon happily punched the air with the hand equipped with a protector.
Hwang Jiho looked at this sight with twinkling eyes while Han Yi’s eyes were complicated.
Han Yi lost to the bare-handed Hwang Jiho in Taehokwon during the first lesson, so her mood would be peculiar.
“There are many bare-hand fighting kids in our class.”
Lee Lena said as she took out a whip.
Hwang Jiho could use Bō Martial Art, but I guess using Taehokwon with Han Yi was more enjoyable, so he would do that.
I held a rod I materialized in my hand.
With this, all 1st year class 0 members finished equipping items.
‘Those seven people are more balanced than I thought.’
Vanguard.
Hwang Jiho, Kim Yuri, Han Yi, Maeng Hyodon.
Rear.
Me, Sawol Seeum, Lee Lena.
‘Though, me and Hwang Jiho are all-round types, so either way is possible.’
Because Hwang Jiho hid the majority of his skills, he was decided as a vanguard.
Both vanguards and rear possessed two kids with a detection type skill.
Whichever way the attack comes, it would be easy to respond.
⟨Warning, Enemy approaching.⟩
I heard a system notification.
‘The Enemy approaches warning rings even in the simulator.’
It seemed that the efficiency of my Exclusive Menu skill was better than the skills of other kids.
A few seconds later than me, Kim Yuri, Han Yi and Lee Lena also sensed Enemies approaching and took battle stances.
‘Even so, Kim Yuri and Han Yi skills can only inform them about an approach.’
Kim Yuri’s ‘Danger Detection’ foresees material and abstract dangers.
Han Yi’s ‘Presence Detection’ senses physical approaches and actions.
The two of them couldn’t figure out Enemies’ detailed information, so Lee Lena who possessed an Enemy Detection skill, shouted:
“Virtual Beast[2] Enemy approaches from the left and right side each! Just like in the outline, all of them possess R rank water type skills!”
“I think we will meet them in 10 seconds on the left, and 15 seconds on the right!”
At Sawol Seeum’s words, who checked from the air, Hwang Jiho raised his hand.
“We will take the right corridor.”
“Ok.”
Hwang Jiho followed behind Han Yi and swung his fist towards the Enemy.
The two people approached and attacked the Enemy with a fury of blows flowing like water. The fists wrapped in the protectors hit the Enemy’s main body.
Kieeeeek—.
I heard the Enemy’ screams when Hwang Jiho and Han Yi’ taehokwon combo exploded.
When Han Yi attacked earlier, Hwang Jiho seemed to assist with an elegant body movement and completely blocked the Enemy’s actions.
Hwang Jiho and Han Yi’s taehokwon combo play continued to harmonize better than I expected.
“… I, I’ll attack first, president!”
Bang–!
In the right corridor, Maeng Hyodon, who had a higher agility level, dealt an uppercut to the Enemy first.
Looking at how he spoke, he still didn’t seem used to talking with Kim Yuri.
‘He may talk like that, but he is accurately responding to the Enemy.’
Maeng Hyodon’s cheat battle skill: ‘Fight’.
His Fight allowed him to use every recognized bare hand-to-hand combat skill.
Additionally, almost all his stats were put into power and agility.
His mana, defense and magic defense were almost 0, but he was a Playable Character which was an ideal bet in power and bare-hand fights.
‘Maeng Hyodon’s Fight skill can be compared to the hand-to-hand combat Use of Everything.’
As if deeply impressed by Hwang Jiho’s and Han Yi’s combo play, Maeng Hyodon, who was thoughtlessly throwing punches, started to use Taehokwon.
It was a sloppier technique than Hwang Jiho’s and Han Yi’s, but every time the blow landed, the Enemy staggered.
His short stature was disadvantageous in various ways and there was a demerit of having to avoid injuries, because of the symptoms of addiction from the overuse of recovery items, but I still heard the sound of bangs, pops and cracks.
“Hyodon, I’ll be there soon!”
Kim Yuri used the skill ‘Sprinter’ which greatly increased the speed for a short moment and soon joined Maeng Hyodon, leaving a long cut on the Enemy’s back with a light sword.
Kieeeeek—!
The Enemy, whose energy was depleted by Maeng Hyodon, couldn’t resist Kim Yuri’s one blow.
⟨Warning, Enemy approaching.⟩
“They are coming from the back. I’ll go!”
Swish!
Lee Lena swung a leather whip and coiled it around an Enemy.
There were no unnecessary movements, but with her power and Whip Martial Art level, she couldn’t damage the Enemy and could at most only restrict their movements.
“Uugh…”
When Lee Lena’s power was no match and the Enemy was about to take a step.
“Lena, I’ll support you!”
Sawol Seeum, who was floating in the air, used Wind Art.
Swooosh—.
With Sawol Seeum’s gesture, wind blades poured at the Enemy.
With the addition of Wind Art, the Enemy could no longer resist Lee Lena’s Whip Martial Art.
And…
‘Casting done.’
Among the spells that can be casted within a minute with Use of Everything at level 3 and when equipped with a R rarity rod, I prepared the most powerful magic.
I raised high the basic R rank electro attribute basic magic weapon, the ‘Novice sorcerer’s lightning rod’, then Sawol Seeum shouted:
“Everyone, step back! Uisin finished casting!”
At Sawol Seeum’s words, the kids who were fighting, stepped far away.
After the distraction disappeared, the Enemies started to prepare to activate skills.
⟨Warning. The Enemy ‘Caveratus’ is about to use skill ‘Fresh Water Spray’.⟩
Same notifications repeated three times.
But there was no way that the three Enemies’ skill activations were quicker than a magic whose casting had already finished.
“Fulgureus Veru!”
Finishing my spell, enormous lightning javelins formed in the air above the rod raised high.
With the movement of the rod, I launched the javelins at the Caveratuses.
Baaang—!
The fired lightning javelins were more powerful than Caveratus Enemies and incinerated the scared Enemies.
I saw the Enemies turn into particles of light as the damage offsetted their HP and lowered the rod.
“So this is magic! It looks like the activation mechanism is completely different from Wind Art!”
“Strong…! This is the first time I saw magic…”
Seeing magic for the first time, Sawol Seeum and Lee Lena exclaimed in admiration.
Their gazes were burdensome.
Seeing me shutting my mouth with a shy expression, Hwang Jiho had a face as if he was about to immediately burst out laughing.
I had to change the mood.
“Hey, let’s go!”
At my words’ everyone nodded.
After that, we encountered Enemies three more times, but two times their rank was N or below and they were dealt with by the vanguards, so there was no need to use magic.
There were also traps two times, but thanks to Kim Yuri’s Danger Detection and Lee Lena’s Disable Trap, we could progress without problems.
And at the end of the dungeon.
We arrived before the Boss Room.
*~*~*
[1] Gye tribe – Gye for ‘chicken’.
[2] Virtual Beast – Category: Virtual, Species: Beast (/animal)
Translator’s note: Wait! Han Yi’s Gwangrim hurts?! … This will make so much sense 900 chapters later!
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