A white deer that seemed to have rolled its eyes opened its mouth. It looked like it was bellowing fiercely, but no sound could be heard. There seemed to be thorough soundproofing within the field.
Siren, a midnight deer.
In this evaluation, three types of Irregulars need to be fought within 20 minutes, specifically targeting and eliminating a certain type of Irregular. Compared to the previous assessment, the difficulty level had steeply risen.
"Still, it doesn't seem like we'll fail..."
No matter how challenging these opponents were, in the end, there were only five that needed to be taken down. Twenty minutes? Sihyun was confident that at least as much as Class A could be cleared within 10 minutes, as he eyed the monsters within the field.
Among the restraining-class, there were the likes of the dangerous irregulars: the deer-like creatures boasting power close to the danger class, the sirens enchanting people with their songs, and the midnight irregulars that attack people hidden in the darkness by summoning 'night.' They were somewhat difficult, but none were irregulars impossible to handle. Especially the sirens, while they might be a fearsome species in the sea, on land, without ships to wreck, they were only cautious in enchanting people with their songs.
The deer creatures were particularly tricky.
As for the midnight irregulars, it would all end if he could just erect a pillar of light. Sihyun, recalling the sacred light he had never used since the previous evaluation, quickly analyzed the situation.
"I think we can proceed as planned."
With a tug on Haru's clothes, Sihyun spoke, and he nodded in response. Haeun, who was watching him, pulled Sihyun's clothes toward herself.
"What's up? Are we having a strategy meeting?"
A rescue mission for Pia?
A pitiful glance accompanied Haeun's cheerful tone. Hoping she'd understand, he conveyed his blatant pity, but Haeun was relentless. It was back when the first group was summoned to the field.
Whether it started from the rear half or with the two from Class D summoned as the first group, they hesitantly walked forward. Their trembling figures were pitiful. Sihyun carefully scanned the steps the two took up the field stairs.
Transparent stairs suspended in the air, shields.
His gaze shifted to the teachers due to the familiar application. Meanwhile, two more were summoned to the other parts of the field. Hesitatingly, the two from the front slowly climbed the stairs. It was pathetic. As they reached the field's entrance, and the targets were revealed...
"Kweoah!"
A massive scream that made spines tingle resonated, and the door closed.
"..."
That brief moment of the scream put everyone on edge. The sound being cut off when the door shut actually had a greater impact, causing Sihyun's mouth to twitch. While the deer-like creature was restraining-class, seeing it scream made him think it could be even more dangerous.
"Oh, what do we do..."
"Crazy, did you hear that just now...?"
"How could anyone not hear that...?"
Worried voices echoed from various directions. Sihyun eyed the students who entered the field. The transparent field vividly displayed the happenings within to Sihyun.
Once again, a scream similar to a roar echoed, and a deer-like creature dashed toward a student. One student, likely from the inspector class, tried to block the attack, but was thrown back and slammed against the wall. As the boy fell, another student looked at the deer-like creature with horrified eyes. A creature easily surpassing three meters lifted a massive foot. It stepped. That's what it seemed like.
Ping!
A horn-like sound resonated throughout the field. Simultaneously, the movement of the Irregular within the field, who was about to step on the fallen student, halted completely. It felt like everything froze for a moment.
"Kim Salyak, Yeojihwa disqualified."
The principal's calm voice made the kids stir. Teachers waiting outside the field opened the door, and the two students undergoing evaluation hastily rushed out.
"Ah..."
A regretful sigh was heard. Sihyun felt a similar sense of pity. Having exited midway, those kids were going to have to transfer schools.
"Oh, too bad. They were quite good in their own way, I knew that. Seems like they froze."
It was a nonchalant voice, seemingly dismissive. Sihyun, watching Haeun who remained unfazed even in such a situation, raised his head and observed the field. Unlike the previous evaluation held in virtual reality, this evaluation seemed markedly more realistic. It was understandable to feel scared.
Sihyun clenched his fist and looked at the opposite field. It hadn't even been a minute since the other side was disqualified, but the students on the opposite field were putting up a decent fight.
Whether the target was the siren or not, when one student provoked, another attacked the siren. After several repetitions, they managed to take down one siren.
Another siren opened its mouth, and one student responsible for the attack walked aimlessly in the wrong direction, enchanted by the song.
Disqualified.
If they continued like that, they would unquestionably be disqualified. Unfortunately, at that moment, just as a student was heading towards the deer-like creature, their partner urgently shouted something. However, even that shout wasn't enough to break the enchantment.
Eventually, another student, in frustration, charged and attacked the enchanted siren. Only then did the enchantment break, and the student regained their senses, continuing the cooperation. Compared to the disqualified students, they were undoubtedly far more skilled.
Sihyun glanced at the two students who narrowly avoided disqualification and checked the remaining time limit. 17 minutes. If they killed just four more sirens within that time, they'd clear it. Sihyun looked at the next group of students to be summoned. At this rate, Class A might get their turn earlier than expected.
Fourth period came to an end.
Out of the teams evaluated so far, eight passed while twelve were disqualified. Considering that disqualifications were already outnumbering the passes, he couldn't imagine how many more there might be by the end. No, maybe the skill level would increase towards the end.
Whatever it was, the definite thing was that many students who underperformed in this evaluation would face mass disqualification. Even in this situation, when the teacher casually instructed them to gather again for lunch and reconvene by 2 o'clock, Sihyun was dumbfounded as he stood up. Dusting off his pants, familiar faces approached.
Within a situation that seemed impossible to get accustomed to, amidst familiar faces and at a familiar restaurant, they had a meal as if it were routine. Eating, Sihyun realized that within familiarity, unfamiliar things could become familiar.
It was an opportunity to understand what the school truly aimed for.
As students were expelled and faced off against the Irregulars, Sihyun lowered his spoon when he remembered hearing the name Mirgun for the first time about three months ago. He hadn't been the same person then as he was now. The subtle sense of discord stemmed from realizing how much he had changed in just three months.
Seowoo tried to look after me, but I declined, finishing the meal half-heartedly. When it was over, it was already 2 o'clock, and the evaluation resumed.
In just 20 minutes, the sixth period arrived for Class A, signaling their turn. Teams that fell behind quickly dropped out, while successful ones continued their streak.
In Class B, another team faced elimination. It felt like this assessment was stripping away the facade from every class, except for one exception...
"Lee Ji-hye, Jung Da-un."
Two were called out as the first from Class A. Monsters on the field had already been replaced by a new set of 15. The method of capturing all these irregulars remained a puzzling mystery.
With determined steps, Da-un and Ji-hye ascended the stairs, showing no hint of fear. After receiving something from the teacher and listening to the instructions, they opened the door and stepped in. The familiar roar briefly echoed before being cut off. The two inside the field moved swiftly.
Targeting the sirens, Ji-hye attacked them while Da-un used her abilities to suffocate the others. Though their range wasn't wide, after incapacitating all the irregulars multiple times, Ji-hye set the sirens ablaze.
Sirens, vulnerable to heat due to their habitat in the sea, fell to Ji-hye's fire-based advantage. Each attack exploited their weaknesses. All the sirens were defeated in less than 7 minutes.
6 minutes 44 seconds.
Despite the prolonged suffocation time, this stood as the shortest record among those revealed. Da-un and Ji-hye effortlessly defeated the sirens, untouched, and returned, engaging in enthusiastic conversation. Admiration naturally poured in.
Sihyun recalled the tactics he had observed.
Suffocate non-designated irregulars, then swiftly eliminate remaining sirens without interruption. Exploiting their vulnerability, consistent flame attacks nullify their capacity to deceive. It was an exemplary strategy. Sihyun glanced at Se-woo and Geon-u, referred to for the second time. As Se-woo caught his gaze before leaving, Sihyun nodded, a smile breaking through.
"Stay strong."
When Geon-u unexpectedly turned back, Sihyun also offered a brief word of encouragement. "Come back without any injuries. Take care." Sihyun observed Haewoon and Hamin, being called to the opposite field. Suddenly remembering something, he grabbed Haemin before he left.
"Why?"
The startled Haemin turned his head, asking. Sihyun met his gaze, then glanced at Haewoon. He spoke softly.
"I've changed my mind."
"What?"
"About raising her."
"What are you talking about?"
Haemin furrowed his brows at the random comment. Sihyun, seeing Haemin expecting more after one statement, continued.
"It's Pia. Since I decided to raise her, take care of her properly and come back. It's better if you don't get hurt."
"..."
"Why?"
As Sihyun questioned Haemin, who seemed oddly taken aback, he pulled his arm free.
"What are you saying like that..."
"Why?"
"...Let me speak."
Why is he acting this way?
He exploded then resigned just as abruptly. Sihyun, feeling irked by Haemin's attitude, withdrew the hand he had extended, thinking, "What's the big deal with what I said?"
He pondered if there was something odd about his remark. On reflection, the nuance seemed slightly off.
So what? Some people speak vaguely for no reason.
Thinking so, Sihyun turned his gaze toward Se-woo, who was described as speaking vaguely. Se-woo and another had just entered the field, preparing for battle.
Se-woo, sensing a gaze even within the field, turned to look at Sihyun.
"Take it easy."
Remembering those words, Se-woo smiled faintly, gripping the sword at his side.
Bang!
Geon-u lowered his sturdy shield, attracting the attention of the irregulars, who then charged at him. And at that moment, Se-woo moved.
Swiftly slashing through the throat of a Midnight with one swing.
It was an impressively flawless and clean action.
"Wow!"
The kids exclaimed in awe, and the battle continued.
Watching Se-woo confidently wield his sword despite saying he would go easy, Sihyun, standing outside the field, could only curse him silently with his eyes.
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