RE: Player again

359

[Chapter 107] [Hell is Always Near (3)]

There won't be many opportunities to operate at sea.

By the time they graduate from the academy, the world will experience a setback that could make the disasters that have occurred so far seem like nothing.

In that situation, Eunha had to engage in power struggles between clans in Seoul, and find Ha Baekryeon somewhere to protect her.

Until he establishes a stable foothold, he won't likely go outside Seoul much.

Moreover, the East Coast wasn't an environment conducive to training, the South Coast had heavy interference from clans acting as old-timers in Busan, and the West Coast often had clans fighting for spots during peak seasons.

Therefore, the time when Eunha's own party would engage in battle at sea would be when Korea, China, and Japan unite to fight the 3rd tier overrank monster appearing on the South Coast.

It would be like being thrown directly into actual combat.

That's why he intended to squeeze out as much as possible whenever the academy gave such opportunities.

"Choi Eunhyeok! Fall back!"

"Okay!"

Thanks to that, friends who formed a party with him were striding across the water surface without even resting after eating lunch.

Eunha shouted at Eunhyeok who was facing 8th tier Ozol monsters made of blue carapace.

Blue Ozols specialized in magic attacks, so it was difficult for him to handle.

Therefore, Eunha precisely intervened as he stepped back and pierced one trying to strike down with its pincers using his sword.

Meanwhile, Eunhyeok who became accustomed to matching with Eunha swung his sword towards a red Ozol approaching from behind.

Nevertheless, the two were surrounded by monsters.

Even if they defeated them, monsters kept appearing in droves.

"...Boss... I'm too tired."

"There's only a few left. Hang in there."

"You know you've been saying that for a while?"

Eunhyeok no longer showing wariness even towards ones narrowing the distance.

He who was exhausted to his limits was in a state where it was fortunate he was even holding a sword.

"Can't you just solve this, boss?"

"Eunhyeok, being surrounded by this many monsters in a city isn't an experience you can easily have. This will all become experience for you."

"...Boss, but I really don't think I have much mana left for water walking..."

"Then drink this."

"What is this?"

"Coffee milk. If you drink it, your physical strength and magic power will recover to some extent."

An Ozol that approached close tried to strike down with its mana-infused pincers.

Eunha crushed its head while avoiding it without even looking.

Then he took out a tumbler he had in his holster on his back and threw it to Eunhyeok.

"Don't drink it all, okay? I didn't bring many, so we'll have to share it among the kids throughout the final evaluation."

"...How many did you bring?"

"There should be 3 more bottles in the bag."

"......"

Even if you drink a potion, it's not just a drug that simply restores magic power.

While restoring some magic power, components contained in the potion momentarily increase mana recovery rate.

In other words, drinking a lot of potions was no different from carving your own bones.

Mental fatigue was inevitable in the end too.

It was natural for Eunhyeok who received the tumbler to make a complex expression.

[Eunha, Eunhyeok! Quickly spread a barrier! Subin will send wide-area magic your way!]

"...What!?"

When Eunhyeok was drinking coffee milk.

He doubted his ears hearing sudden telepathy.

He reflexively turned his head and saw Subin chanting something while Yoo Dojun helped her float on the water surface.

Waves were fiercely roaring centered on her in the distance.

Soon a huge fireball created above her head─

─Fireball

Eunhyeok saw.

Subin raising the corners of her mouth just before launching the fireball.

But now wasn't the time to mind that.

Because magic with a size that seemed like it would incinerate the surrounding area was flying towards him.

"How do we─"

"─Don't separate from me."

Eunhyeok was dumbfounded.

It was already too late to spread a barrier.

But Eunha wasn't flustered even seeing the fireball approaching, seemingly evaporating the water surface.

Eunha who quickly pulled Eunhyeok's nape hugged him in his arms and deployed a barrier in a narrow range.

Bang

Soon huge flames fell, and sparks bloomed on the water surface.

Surrounding monsters fell into confusion or lost their lives unable to withstand the heat as the atmosphere rapidly heated up.

This is effective but...

It seems half-serious?

He who safely survived the explosion looked around as the flames subsided and smoke cleared.

Blue Ozols were almost annihilated, and red Ozols were floundering unable to come to their senses.

Eunha who took his gaze off them soon separated the dumbfounded Eunhyeok and looked at Bae Subin.

Bae Subin who met his gaze from afar turned her head as if she didn't know.

And at that moment.

Hōkiboshi (Comet)

Mana that exploded in the sky suddenly became thin arrows and fell in droves.

Remaining Ozols couldn't even resist, and Eunha had to hurriedly spread a barrier again.

"...Not bad."

Magic that seemed to have personal emotions mixed in.

Nevertheless, Eunha giggled as if amused after blocking the magic.

No matter how much personal emotion there was, the two must have been certain he would block it.

So they attacked the entire area.

It was an action that people who could be called veteran players would do.

An action that only those who extremely pursue efficiency would do, not with a normal mindset.

I really like these kids.

Two people whose combat tendencies match his own.

Eunha examined Eunhyeok who was hugging his neck while feeling satisfied about drawing them into his party.

In terms of pursuing efficiency, he still had lacking parts.

If the two deviated from the right path, Eunhyeok tried to fight within the right path.

That couldn't be said to be bad, but while he, Hoshimiya Kaede, and Bae Subin would do anything to win, Eunhyeok tried to move within his ethical norms.

That was regrettable.

Although he taught him since he was young, Eunhyeok wouldn't bend in the part of his beliefs.

Someday he'll realize that beliefs are useless as he keeps fighting.

And since he has a Gift, he'll be able to supplement what he lacks.

Eunha sighed while carrying Eunhyeok who lost his mind due to Bae Subin's magic on his back.

This time, Eunhyeok became able to use his Gift Wolf's Eye to some extent while being pushed to extreme situations.

The Gift of observing the flow of the opponent's mana and discovering weak points would make him who is less efficient into a more efficient person.

He would become even stronger if Eunhyeok abandons his beliefs and becomes someone who doesn't discriminate means and methods like Jin Parang.

"...Someone please change parties..."

Not knowing Eunha's thoughts.

The unconscious Eunhyeok was sleep-talking asking to change parties even while frowning.

☆

The day was gradually setting.

Mok Minho's party was advancing towards Sojae Beach that Hayang aimed for.

The path circling the island's outskirts was narrow, and they couldn't fight monsters they would encounter there.

Therefore, they chose the path of cutting across through the forest.

Nevertheless, monsters appeared endlessly.

"Jin Parang, don't go too far forward."

"Hey, isn't this much okay?"

"If you step forward, other kids have to step forward to match the pace. What if we fall into a trap doing that?"

"Tsk, fine."

Minji was inwardly surprised seeing Minho and Parang bickering in front every time they engaged in battle.

Despite looking like that, the two were smoothly assisting each other in battle.

Of course, Mok Minho's share was large.

It's different from Eunha's style.

Minho is trying to do only what he can do.

Minji could grasp the party's flow while supporting them from the middle.

When she formed a party with Eunha, she was barely keeping up with the flow because she had to constantly follow the party members' speed.

She who came to observe leisurely with a wide view soon realized that the party Eunha thinks of and the party Mok Minho thinks of are different.

"Jin Parang, ignore that side."

"They keep fidgeting over there, are you telling me to just ignore them?"

"The one we need to face first is this one. Jung Hayang, are there any monsters hiding nearby?"

"No, there aren't any around here."

"Then Jin Parang and I will fight. Minji, can you check those guys a bit?"

"Okay, got it."

Eunha saw the party as a collection of multiple people strengthening each other.

But Minho saw the party as multiple people complementing each other and becoming one.

Therefore, Eunha's party tried to take down multiple enemies while entrusting their backs to each other so far.

On the other hand, Mok Minho's party focused on facing one enemy while party members complemented each other's lacking parts.

Amazing.

I feel like I know what instructions Minho will give next.

Eunha's party had strong individualism, while Mok Minho's party had stronger collectivism.

Minji felt a sense of belonging like forming an organism every time she received Minho's instructions.

Although Parang was dissatisfied unable to properly draw out his abilities, she felt too comfortable with the sense of unity of the group moving to take down one goal without fully exerting her strength.

"Jin Parang. Don't chase that far."

"Why! It was a fight we already won! We should quickly chase and kill those things!"

"Chasing those guys further has big physical losses. Not everyone has good stamina like you."

Above all, this was where Eunha and Minho's parties differed.

Eunha always demanded the unreasonable. He always wanted party members to draw out more than 100% of their strength.

But Minho wanted a state where individuals combine their strength to become 100% while distributing the pace.

Therefore, even those with talent had to show almost the same level of potential as those without talent when entering Minho's party.

"...It's amazing."

"What is?"

Minji mumbled seeing Minho and Parang picking up mana stones after finishing battle.

Then, Eunwoo who was guarding Choi Gain in the rear tilted his head and asked.

Even she who had talent didn't have much to do in this party besides guarding Choi Gain.

Everyone just had to do their own role.

"Just. I realized party tendencies are diverse."

"Of course. How can they be the same when every leader has different tendencies?"

"...That's true."

Words that were obvious if obvious.

However, Minji who personally realized that felt like the path she couldn't see before was gradually coming into view.

Honestly, it was the first time she gained such a sense of fulfillment like shining brightly while doing party activities.

She could feel a sense of accomplishment in this party that she actually couldn't feel when she was in Eunha's party.

But I shouldn't be like this if I want to stand next to Eunha.

She was happy and sad at the same time.

Because what she discovered was completely different from what she pursued.

Nevertheless, should she go on the path she pursues while leaving behind what she discovered?

"Eunwoo, what kind of party do you like?"

"Huh? What?"

"No, just... What's your ideal party, Eunwoo?"

She couldn't understand.

She demanded an answer from Cha Eunwoo to the question that wouldn't come out.

She who suddenly received such a question made a flustered expression.

Then she spoke carefully while feeling embarrassed.

"...I used to think the ideal party was just the party I was in. But that changed."

"To what?"

"A party where I can be myself."

"......"

"Um... It's hard for me to explain too, but I think a party where I can be myself is the ideal party."

A party where you can be yourself.

Minji looked at her feeling shy and tasted her answer inwardly.

And while she was contemplating, Eunwoo who brushed back her hair mumbled softly.

"So I hope Minho enters a party where he can be Minho too."

Cha Eunwoo knows.

That Minho's style of commanding the party is a style created by him constantly keeping strict discipline.

Ironically, his command ability was created only after erasing the existence called himself.

Therefore, he felt responsibility, and therefore, he felt deep sorrow for sacrificing students who followed him in last semester's final evaluation.

She prayed that he would no longer suppress himself and become someone who prioritizes the group.

"Hey, but how much further do we have to go before Sojae Beach appears?"

"Why are you asking me that. You should ask Hayang."

"Aren't you supposed to know as the leader?"

"Are you picking a fight now?"

"A fight? That sounds good!"

"Hah... Forget it. Just get ready to go. We need to get to the beach before the sun sets completely."

"You're really a boring guy. You know?"

"No, I don't know."

Like now.

So that Mok Minho can be Mok Minho.

☆

No matter how much they're called promising rookies.

Party members repeatedly fell into the sea while crossing to Heukdo.

Monsters attracted by traces of battle kept swarming endlessly too.

As a result, the party expressed their intention that they couldn't move anymore as soon as they arrived at the rear of Heukdo, lying down on the sandy beach.

"Just for this much..."

"...Just? Just? You call this just?"

Even the instructor and players fell into the sea several times along the way.

Of course, Eunha didn't fall once while adjusting his pace.

Anyway, because Eunha demanded techniques difficult even for active players, party members including Bae Subin were thoroughly annoyed.

Bae Subin even had seaweed on her head after falling into the sea just before landing.

He clicked his tongue seeing her glaring with water dripping from her whole body.

"That's why I told you to learn how to swim."

"Aaaaaaaaargh! So annoying!"

Eunha's sarcasm.

In the end, she who became furious to her hair tips screamed while messing up her hair violently.

On the other hand, those lying on the sandy beach didn't have strength left to protest anymore.

"No. I want to give up. Instructor, I want to use the flare gun."

"Nope, not allowed."

Meanwhile, Seona took out a flare gun from her holster, having kept it since who knows when.

Eunha quickly snatched it away and threw it into the sea where the sun had set.

Along with Bae Subin and Choi Eunhyeok's shares.

"Hey, hey, don't tell me mine too..."

"Things like this should be done equally originally. I'll throw mine too."

Then he threw Yoo Dojun's as well and threw his own flare gun from his bag.

While the instructor and players had dumbfounded faces─

""""──────!!!!""""

Party members went crazy as a group.

Regardless, Eunha started boiling ramen for party members who fought like they would die today.

All the ramen received as rations.

It's better to reduce luggage weight as much as possible.

And you have to eat your fill to work.

"It would taste like honey if I eat it with rice..."

Eunha clicked his tongue.