RE: Player again

363

[Chapter 107]

[Hell is Always Near (7)]

The briefcase contained various foods like ham, sausage, bread, ramen, etc.

Party members who cheered now prepared lunch in an orderly fashion with perfect coordination.

This tastes better.

Party members ate lunch almost moved to tears.

Eunhyeok was moving his hands like a possessed person saying people should live on meat after all.

Eunha was the same.

Although he didn't show it outwardly, he also picked up food faster than usual.

In the past, it didn't matter what I ate as long as I could fill my stomach...

Before regression, he didn't try to enjoy food.

The act of eating was just eating out of obligation to swing a sword.

But Eunha came to realize the joy of tasting food while living this life.

"Really... I think I could die without regrets now. It's so delicious."

"Why are you saying that? But I think I roughly know what you mean, Eunhyeok."

"Of course, people should eat meat. I just realized how delicious sausage links are? Sometimes it seems okay to eat cheap sausages."

"Are you looking down on links now? A guy who's never eaten army stew is looking down on links? Tsk, damn..."

"...You're spitting rice."

Above all, he felt the joy of tasting food and conversing together.

If it had been like this in his previous life, wouldn't life have been a little more enjoyable?

Eunha who unconsciously had such thoughts decided to return to reality now.

Since they were almost done eating lunch, Eunha clapped to get party members' attention.

"Let's prepare to leave soon. Seona, where did you say our current location is?"

"Our current location is here... Batjirum Beach."

"Then to go to Bijobong?"

"Hmm... The path is marked, but the map is old so I don't know if we can still use this road. And monsters might be blocking the way..."

Seona spoke fluently.

She who complained about being tired throughout the final evaluation was nevertheless constantly exploring paths to reach the destination to fulfill her role.

And Eunha knew that, so he quietly listened to what she said.

"Bijobong is in the center of Deokjeok Island. The distance isn't far if we go straight from where we are, but the path will be very rough. If we encounter monsters that's a problem too... It could be even more dangerous than the sea."

"So?"

"So as the party's telepath and navigator, I'll suggest to the leader. It will take a bit longer, but we go from Batjirum Beach to Jinri Beach, then take the road from Jinri Beach leading near Bijobong. We don't know how that path will be, but this will be most efficient."

Efficient.

It was his favorite word.

Eunha raised the corners of his mouth while meeting her red eyes filled with confidence.

Very sharp.

Of course Seona is better than Parang hyung as a telepath... Maybe she could take charge of backing up Hayang.

The more navigators the better.

Because strategies and instructions become more solid and diverse.

The ideal party he envisioned needed players to support two navigators, Jung Hayang and Yoon Ibyeol.

Excluding Jin Parang who had to double as a hunter on the frontline, Jin Seona could be said to be the most suitable talent.

"But Seona. Have you thought about this?"

"What?"

"What I want."

But there was one thing to make clear.

Talent should be competent.

However, talented people who receive and follow instructions must be aware of the party's direction.

Talented people who don't realize that only cause discord.

Fortunately, Jin Seona─

"─You think I'm the only one who thought of this? With such a big road marked on the map, wouldn't people who landed nearby use this road?"

Was very competent.

She continued speaking while sighing.

"There are monsters where there are many people. You heard monsters living over there crying when the helicopter was flying around earlier, right? It means we'll encounter monsters whether we like it or not when we enter Deokjeok Island. Then how many monsters do you think will be on paths where many people pass by?"

"What do you think?"

"They'll be hiding as much as when we crossed the sea. You can look forward to it. The reason I suggested this path is because I thought it would be 'relatively safe' while also best matching what you 'demand', Noh Eunha."

The reason Eunha formed this party was to have party members gain practical experience and promote their skill improvement.

Getting good grades in the final evaluation was just a secondary result.

"How about it?"

Seona raised her nose while clearing her throat. She was wagging her fox tail waiting to be praised.

"─Very good. Well done."

"This is my skill."

There was no way Eunha wouldn't praise her.

He secretly handed her spam he had hidden.

Proper treatment for skill.

And proper rewards for achievements.

It was the talent management policy that would become core in the party Eunha would run in the future.

It's just spam for now...

But when they graduate from the academy and officially form a party, rewards given to party members will be greatly different.

Eunha smiled with satisfaction, and Seona deliciously ate rice and spam while making other party members envious.

Meanwhile, party members─

"─Hey, but that means we have to struggle today too? Going around the beach will be work too... Is this really a free ride?"

"...Looks like we'll die efficiently while working efficiently. Life."

"I feel like I'll start only considering cost-effectiveness someday if I stay with him. Hah, a bastard whose personality is cost-effective too..."

"To think he'd be even more rigid than me..."

Each expressed disgust.

☆

Fourth evening of the comprehensive ability evaluation.

The final evaluation was coming to an end. 2nd year middle school academy students started gathering at Bijobong.

Students who fought fierce battles for a day celebrated among themselves that the final evaluation ending tomorrow at lunch.

Students played eating and drinking together without distinguishing parties.

Of course, they enjoyed it by having other parties stand guard when one party played.

"Hayang, why are you here?"

"Just... It's a bit noisy."

"Well, that's understandable."

Mok Minho's party was there too.

Minho was with Kim Geunwoong, and Parang was dancing excitedly like a dog off its leash.

Hayang was spending time quietly away from the clearing.

Then Eunwoo came looking for her with some simple food.

"Has there been any contact from Seona?"

"There's been no contact since after eating dinner. I guess they're still in the middle of fighting monsters."

"They're really amazing. How can they hunt in the middle of the night?"

A few hours ago, Jung Hayang received telepathy from Seona.

Then she heard information that they were heading to Bijobong.

After that, contact was cut off.

It seemed Eunha's party was preoccupied with struggling against monsters.

No news is good news.

Hayang who accepted it like that despite being somewhat worried nibbled on the food Eunwoo brought.

"What are the kids doing now?"

"It seems they're listing rankings of how many mana stones each person gathered in this final evaluation."

The final evaluation was essentially over.

Because helicopters would come to pick up students when they wake up late tomorrow.

So students were probably counting how many mana stones they gathered so far.

Even though it's futile.

"I heard from Geunwoong earlier that they gathered quite a lot too. But I think we gathered more... We have the flag too."

"Right?"

"But we're no match, right?"

"...Yeah. I think so."

She agreed with Eunwoo.

Hayang smiled bitterly while recalling Eunha's party somewhere on Deokjeok Island.

Even if her party found the flag, Eunha's party will end up getting 1st place anyway.

Swoosh

The wind blew.

Hayang read the mana carried on the wind.

Unlike here where a banquet was being held, mana was raging down there.

Monsters were rampaging.

The reason was obvious.

Monsters get stronger at night...

How can you do something so dangerous?

Hayang worried about Eunha's party.

At the same time, she wanted to scold Eunha for showing such dangerous behavior.

But now she didn't know what qualification she had to say something to him.

Whether she should give him sarcasm using the pretext of being friends like before.

But she didn't want that anymore.

She didn't want to be just 'friends' anymore.

Nevertheless, Jung Hayang didn't have the courage to confess those feelings again.

When she was lost in such thoughts.

"─Hey. There's something I want to ask."

Eunwoo who was fixing her hair blown by the wind suddenly spoke.

Hayang who snapped back to her senses turned her head towards her looking up at the night sky.

"You knew, right?"

"......"

"If it's you Hayang... You would have noticed the Little Bee trying to grab Gain earlier."

"......"

"Right?"

An unexpected question.

Hayang blinked.

Eunwoo who took her gaze off the night sky soon showed a gentle smile.

...I disliked her.

Hayang poured out her feelings about Choi Gain inwardly.

There's no way she didn't notice.

She who had deployed detection nets in all directions then was grasping the Little Bee secretly approaching Choi Gain from behind.

Nevertheless, Jung Hayang quietly left her to be captured by the Little Bee as is.

Even though she knew very well she shouldn't do that.

Because she keeps bothering Eunha.

After last year's final evaluation where students died in Hoengseong-gun.

She resolved.

If Eunha would walk the path of Asura, she would walk that path too.

Even if only tragedy awaits at the end of that path.

Eunha was such an existence to her.

She couldn't just watch him try to become unhappy alone.

Therefore, Jung Hayang decided to follow the path he goes in her own way.

Even if he doesn't want it.

Even if he keeps pushing her away.

In that sense, the existence called Choi Gain would just be an obstacle to him.

Only I can deal with Choi Gain.

Why does Eunha just leave Choi Gain who bothers him alone?

Hayang questioned.

And came to her own conclusion.

The reason Eunha doesn't touch Choi Gain is probably because she's the direct descendant of Galaxy Group, the top in Korea.

That's why he doesn't treat her harshly even when she approaches.

Then the only person who could do something about her was herself who could stand in an equal position as the same direct descendant.

Nevertheless, she will try to interfere with Eunha at every turn.

Even after graduating from the academy.

...So in a fit of anger.

In a fit of anger.

Wouldn't it be most beneficial if Choi Gain dies here?

Hayang weighed her morals and Eunha at that time.

And she judged that the path Eunha advances could become less unhappy if she closed her eyes once.

She had very good qualities and judgment as a navigator.

Judgment that doesn't discriminate means and methods for the sake of the goal.

But at the same time─

"─What about you?"

Hayang was sincerely relieved that Choi Gain didn't die.

She was glad she didn't die.

She was sad she didn't die.

Although she abandoned morals for a moment, ironically she was able to not abandon morals.

Actually, the reason she came out to a quiet place alone was to organize her turbulent emotions.

And that was surely similar for Eunwoo sitting next to her too, not just her.

"─Eunwoo, why did you stay still?"

Hayang answered the question with a question.

There's no way Eunwoo didn't notice the Little Bee's existence when it approached Choi Gain.

And with Eunwoo's skills, she could have immediately saved her with magic the moment she was captured by the Little Bee.

Nevertheless, she just watched Choi Gain being captured.

"...Am I really bad?"

Eunwoo who looks sad even when still.

She smiled bitterly with a face that seemed like tears would fall just by looking.

Hayang who didn't know what to say soon hugged her shoulders with her hands.

Cha Eunwoo silently leaned on her shoulder.

"...No. It's okay."

"...I'm sorry for saying strange things too."

The two comforted each other.

☆

Seona's prediction was accurate.

The party had to keep fighting monsters as soon as they entered the path advancing from Jinri Beach to Bijobong.

Eunha smiled.

Party members including Seona went crazy killing monsters.

As a result, they were able to reach Bijobong's mountain path when evening passed.

"Boss! If we go now it won't be too late, right?"

"For what?"

"It seems they're having a party near the summit!"

As they entered near Bijobong, Seona was able to exchange telepathy with Jin Parang.

It seemed Seona who heard information from Jin Parang then spread information to party members that other parties would hold a banquet.

Eunhyeok who finally set foot on Bijobong with an almost blood-spitting feeling could shout happily.

"That's right. The final evaluation is essentially over now, right? Friend, let's rest too."

"Monsters become ferocious when night falls. It'll get darker soon, so fighting ferocious monsters is tantamount to suicide."

Yoo Dojun chimed in, and Hoshimiya Kaede who had been quietly pulling her bowstring also added words.

Bae Subin also spoke passionately.

Eunha looked around at party members covered in monster blood from fierce battles.

The kids did struggle.

This was probably the hardest day during the final evaluation period.

Because they had to fight clustered monsters many times while climbing the slope.

Eunha could fully understand party members' feelings.

Even he felt like sprawling out and sleeping as soon as he returned to the dormitory.

"Doesn't the final evaluation end tomorrow at lunch?"

"Yeah. I know helicopters arrive near Bijobong summit around lunchtime."

Eunha's question.

Seona answered immediately.

Seona who perked up her triangular ears was also expecting to participate in the banquet.

But there was one thing party members were forgetting.

"Then we should hunt while staying up all night today. We don't have much time left, right?"

""""...."""

That Noh Eunha does Noh Eunha things.

Once Eunha firmly made up his mind, he didn't try to become complacent until achieving his goal.

"Let's burn brightly to the end and collapse on the helicopter."

Eunha smiled refreshingly.

While covered in monster blood.

On the other hand, in this pitch black night─

""""─Noooooo─!!""""

Party members whose faces turned pale shouted almost simultaneously.

Thus passed the night of the last final evaluation of 2nd year 2nd semester middle school academy.