In truth, there was no such position within Shield as an “independent patrol officer.”
By any reasonable standard, a student who had not even become a Hunter yet would never be granted the authority to act alone in dangerous situations. Shield, the organization responsible for maintaining order in the academy city and composed primarily of students, clearly stipulated that all operations must be conducted in teams of at least two.
“I never imagined you were a fiend.”
“Why? Regretting who you hit only now?”
“If I regret anything… yes, I do. If I had known from the start you were a fiend, I would have put more strength into it and crushed your skull outright. Even if a fiend dies in a human body, that isn’t truly death, is it? That was my miscalculation.”
“…You just got beaten, and you still haven’t come to your senses. Don’t run your mouth when you can’t even take a single blow. Before I crush your head myself.”
“Whether I can take a blow or not… why don’t you test it? I won’t let my guard down again. By the way, that tattoo on your chest… are you affiliated with the Fiend Association? In that case, I’ll have even more reason to arrest you.”
Even so, the reason Kwon Bo-ram alone was granted the exceptional title of solo patrol officer was simple.
She was a born workaholic. She had a strong tendency to act alone. And more than anything, she had proven herself through undeniable results.
Within a year of entering the academy city, she was already known as its sheriff. That alone said enough.
There was also, undeniably, a measure of respect shown to the Iron Bastion Kwon Clan, the family to which she belonged.
Because of that, I would inevitably find myself entangled with Kwon Bo-ram again and again.
Since the game’s setting was the academy city, the story did not remain confined to the academy grounds. Incidents erupted throughout the city.
And whenever trouble flared up outside, the character who frequently appeared as an ally was Kwon Bo-ram.
Her setting as Shield’s solo patrol officer ensured that our paths crossed time and time again.
Once the foundational world-building was complete and the story’s scope widened…
Kang Han-byeol would join Shield, and their relationship would evolve into that of senior and junior.
For now, having just entered school, that future lay months ahead, in the second semester of the first year.
At that point, the player would be able to recruit Kwon Bo-ram and develop her.
“Please step back. I will handle the fiend.”
In any case, I was destined to maintain a close working relationship with her for a long time.
It would be best to build goodwill while I can.
She raised one hand as if to block me from coming forward. I answered her calmly.
“No. We’ll help.”
“This is now under Shield’s jurisdiction. It is not yours.”
“If we’re being precise, shouldn’t it be Sword that handles villains rather than Shield?”
If Shield’s primary duties were cracking down on student crime and addressing civilian grievances, then Sword, composed of state-appointed Hunters, focused on crimes committed by Hunters and counterterrorism operations.
At that, Kwon Bo-ram found herself without a convincing rebuttal.
She shot me a sidelong glance with her yellow eyes.
“Shield is authorized to confront villains in emergency situations. More importantly, I am responsible for the security of this academy city. Among those present, I am the most suited to stop him.”
“In terms of qualification, that’s true. But can you handle a fiend alone, Sheriff?”
“…It’s not impossible.”
Her answer came a fraction slower than before.
Even she could not guarantee victory against a fiend.
But knowing her personality, she would never ask for our assistance outright.
So I decided to raise her spirits and give her a reason she could accept.
“Of course. With your skill, Sheriff, you could defeat a fiend alone.”
“That… is correct.”
“But it might take time. You could suffer serious injuries. Wouldn’t that be risky?”
She said nothing.
“That’s why we’re offering to help. You can trust our abilities.”
“But… that…”
“Our student IDs.”
In the academy city, being a student of the most prestigious academy was practically a certification of ability.
I pulled out my student ID so the emblem of Geumgang Academy was clearly visible.
The others hurriedly followed my lead, presenting their IDs.
Kwon Bo-ram turned toward us, her expression no longer as firm as before.
She hesitated.
At last, she spoke.
“…Very well. Given the circumstances, I would sincerely appreciate your assistance.”
Kwon Bo-ram asked for help.
Then she rushed toward the fiend, her violet hair streaming behind her.
Even if he belonged to the Fiend Association, he was nothing more than a low-ranking member.
He had become only slightly stronger than when he had been human.
There was no need for elaborate preparation to deal with someone like him.
His appearance was grotesque, but judging from the status window, he was weaker than Lee Ga-hyeon’s clone that we fought during the entrance exam.
This world was not a game.
The information in the status window was only a reference.
Numbers did not tell the whole story.
One could not place blind faith in them.
Blind faith led to misjudgment.
Still, the fact remained that he was weak.
This wouldn’t be difficult.
We had the advantage in numbers.
Yeon-ha-neul, Min A-rin, and Go Eun-bi restricted his movements from the rear with constant interference.
Under that pressure, Kang Han-byeol, Kwon Bo-ram, and I attacked relentlessly from the front, forcing him into a purely defensive stance.
Whenever an opening appeared, Park Sa-gun stepped in as well.
“…Tch! Cowards!”
“Combat was never fair to begin with!”
“As long as I’m not the one in danger.”
“There is no mercy for fiends.”
No matter how tough his skin was, steel would eventually bite.
Forced to endure our relentless blades with his bare body, wounds began to appear.
They multiplied. They deepened.
His defensive limit approached, and his regeneration could no longer keep pace with our assault.
His eyes widened as he realized it.
But no matter how he struggled, there was no path of escape.
He could not break free from three attackers converging from different angles.
“You think I’ll fall so easily!”
The balance of the fight, tenuous as it was, would tip the moment he responded incorrectly even once.
He could not afford a single mistake.
Veins bulged across his face as he threw desperate punches.
“Do not overextend. Keep your distance and suppress him.”
The question was not whether the balance would tilt, but when.
Time was unmistakably on our side.
Unless something unexpected occurred, he would eventually collapse under his own strain.
A mistake would come.
We did not grow greedy. We maintained our composure and continued pressing him methodically.
Then a message appeared before my eyes.
[You have acquired a skill.]
[Nervous Breakdown Lv 1]
In the game, it was a skill obtained probabilistically when the battle was overwhelmingly in your favor from start to finish, with a significant HP gap between allies and enemies.
An unexpected gain.
I quickly checked the details.
[Nervous Breakdown Lv 1]
◆ Skill Type
Always Active
◆ Effects
As the duration of combat with a target increases, the target gradually accumulates battle fatigue.
The target affected by the skill suffers a slight decline in judgment.
It was no different from what I had seen in the game in my previous life.
Did Kang Han-byeol and Kwon Bo-ram obtain it as well?
I was not the only one who had fulfilled the conditions to acquire the skill.
Out of the corner of my eye, I opened the skill lists of Kang Han-byeol and Kwon Bo-ram.
Soon enough, I found updated information at the bottom of Kang Han-byeol’s list.
Unfortunately, Kwon Bo-ram had not obtained it.
Still, that’s good. Not bad at all.
After all, Nervous Breakdown was a skill that could only be applied to one opponent at a time.
It did not stack.
That meant it was enough for Kang Han-byeol, who would take the lead in carving through the story, and for me, who would assist him as a companion, to have acquired it.
He’s about to collapse.
Perhaps because of the skill’s effect, the bastard was visibly struggling.
Anxiety was written plainly across his face.
That anxiety finally led to a fatal mistake.
We did not miss the opportunity.
As if we had been waiting for that very instant, we moved.
────!!
The first to act was Kwon Bo-ram.
She stomped hard against the ground with her front foot, her violet hair whipping through the air.
In the same motion, she raised her guard with her left hand and drove the tonfa in her right straight into the villain’s solar plexus.
“…!”
The blow landed cleanly.
His eyes flew wide open, and spittle burst from his mouth.
His posture collapsed completely, and the strength drained from his muscles.
<Battle Demon Sword Art, Chapter Two>
Bell Strike
Kang Han-byeol twisted his wrist, flipping the sword in his hand to strike with the flat of the blade.
In the game, it had been a skill that dealt shock damage and inflicted a brief stun.
A controlled arc of silver sliced through the air and slammed into the villain’s side.
And finally.
<Beast King Style, Second Offensive Form>
Lion’s Claw Mark
My blade tore across his lower back.
With that, the battle came to an end.
The situation settled.
As if they had been waiting for the exact moment the demon collapsed unconscious, officials who had received Kwon Bo-ram’s report appeared on the scene.
Fully armed and thoroughly prepared, they took in the sight of the fallen villains and could not conceal their astonishment.
“Really… the students defeated them? Bo-ram, I didn’t mishear you, did I?”
“Yes. I fought alongside them, so I can attest to it. And… I could not have subdued five on my own.”
“You are exceptional, but facing all of them alone would have been difficult. And there was even a demon among them… Very well. I will report everything to headquarters without omission.”
The Hunter, who appeared to be a member of Sword, regarded us with suspicion at first.
However, with Kwon Bo-ram’s testimony and after hearing about our identities and backgrounds, he seemed to reach some understanding.
“Ah, so you’re those kids? The disciple of the Battle Demon, the cub of the Divine Sword Do family… no, the lion cub? The little griffin of the Mage Min family, the disciple of the Witch of Seven Colours… and Bo-ram as well. If it’s you, then I suppose it makes sense.”
…Judging from the Sword member’s explanation, our reputations had spread far more widely than we had realized.
It seemed that the industry was already watching us closely, eagerly awaiting our graduation from the Academy.
Perhaps because of that, the Sword member subtly attempted to establish a connection with us.
“This is my business card. If you’re ever interested in Sword, don’t hesitate to contact me. We always welcome talent. You’re free to reach out for other matters as well.”
“As far as I know, recruitment offers are limited to the second semester and only to third-year students of the High Academy.”
“Oh my, I think Bo-ram is misunderstanding. This isn’t a recruitment offer. I simply wish to befriend promising juniors as a senior in the field. In any case, we’re quite busy, so we’ll take our leave.”
The moment Kwon Bo-ram began citing regulations, the Sword member hastily gathered his team and withdrew.
The captured villains were transported away.
The demon’s soul stone could be used as material for crafting artifacts. A shame. But it’s not as if I could claim it by killing him, and interfering with an investigation would only cause trouble.
In any case, a soul stone weaker than Lee Ga-hyeon’s clone would not produce anything remarkable.
I decided to think of it as sour grapes the fox could not reach.
It was then that Kwon Bo-ram, who had been communicating through her earpiece, approached us.
“I did not expect you to be the ones everyone has been talking about lately. It is a pleasure to meet you. And thank you for your cooperation.”
“No, not at all. The pleasure is mine.”
Kwon Bo-ram bowed politely.
Embarrassed by her formality, I bowed in return.
“Shield will contact you soon to hear the details of the incident. It will not cause you any harm, so I would appreciate your cooperation then as well. And this is my business card.”
“Ah, yes.”
“If you have any questions regarding this matter, feel free to contact me.”
“By the way, will there be a reward?”
“That is not my department… but given the scale of the incident, there is a high probability that the 23rd District Office will provide a certain reward. As for the jeweller, I cannot say for certain. If you would like, I can ask the relevant parties when I meet them.”
“Yes, please do.”
“Understood. I have many other matters to attend to, so I will be going now.”
The rift had erupted not only near the jeweller but across the entire Fantasy Road district.
As a member of Shield, Kwon Bo-ram had her hands full stabilizing the aftermath.
Judging she had no further business with us, she turned and left.
I watched the direction in which she disappeared, then looked down at the business cards in my hand.
Does this count as making an acquaintance?
Obtaining Kwon Bo-ram’s card marked the conclusion of this segment of the game’s story.
Though the course had differed slightly, it would not affect future developments.
Planning to save both her number and the Sword member’s once we returned to the dormitory, I slipped the cards into my pocket.
Receiving a Sword member’s card was not in the script, but having wider connections never hurts.
It might prove useful one day.
I committed the Sword member’s face and name to memory.
Meanwhile, Kang Han-byeol had been grinning from ear to ear.
“Gyeon-woo, look at this. The people who left earlier said we can keep the villains’ weapons. They took the demon’s weapon for investigation, but they said they’ll hand it over once they’re done.”
“Good. It’s nice to come away with something.”
Guns, staves, daggers, concealed blades.
Kang Han-byeol spread the weapons across the ground as if displaying treasure.
The sight drew a quiet laugh from me.
“Gyeon-woo, do you need anything? You fought too, so I’ll give you one. Sa-gun. Ha-neul. Eun-bi. A-rin, come take a look. If there’s anything you want, take it.”
“No, I’m fine with my Navy Blue Sword. I appreciate the thought.”
I had already examined the weapons’ information.
None of them appealed to me, so I declined Kang Han-byeol’s offer.
The others showed brief interest but soon shook their heads as well.
In the end, Kang Han-byeol claimed all the spoils for himself.
That reminds me, though. I do need to replace Han-byeol’s sword.
He was still using the blade given at the very start of the game.
It offered no meaningful stat bonuses. It was the sort of weapon handed to a complete beginner.
Compared to that, the swords lying on the ground were objectively better.
Even so, none of them is good enough.
Kang Han-byeol seemed perfectly satisfied, but I was not.
A sword unworthy of being called a masterpiece did not suit him at all.
It would be better to find a weapon that truly matched him.
Perfect timing.
According to the story, Han-byeol will soon reach the point where he chooses a new weapon.
When he visits the vault, I will make sure he selects a worthy blade.
In my mind, I began to recall the weapons stored within that vault.
“Gyeon-woo, Lisa just contacted me. It looks like they handled things safely on their end, too. The department head’s schedule got disrupted, and since they can’t continue the experience event, they’re ending it here.”
“Really? I figured that would happen.”
“She’s asking where we are. What should we do? If we’re heading back to the dormitory, we could just meet at the station.”
“Hmm. Are the others okay?”
“They said no one’s hurt.”
“Then, since we’re already out, let’s grab dinner before heading back.”
“Sure, I’m in. I’ll ask Lisa.”
…
Yeon Ha-neul, Do Gyeon-woo, Kang Han-byeol, Go Eun-bi, Park Sa-gun.
Having wrapped up the incident, they gathered together, chattering brightly.
Meanwhile, Min A-rin stood apart, watching them from a distance.
I was the only one who didn’t really help…
Her lips pressed together. Her hands curled into fists.
As she replayed the events in her mind, a quiet sense of inferiority crept in.
This is humiliating. Frustrating…
Deep down, Min A-rin had always believed she was superior to them.
Yet her contribution had amounted to nothing more than blocking the villains’ escape route.
She had not truly aided in the fight itself.
There had been no proper opening for her to intervene, and Yeon Ha-neul’s support had far outshone her own.
How did it come to this? I am… I am Min A-rin.
All her life, she had been praised for excellence.
But ever since the entrance exam, she had tasted little besides defeat and frustration.
The longer she spent beside them, the more she became aware of her shortcomings.
She was forced to confront the parts of herself that fell short.
Her pride smarted.
And so…
I am exceptional. I am.
Her desire to improve twisted into something darker.
Inferiority gnawed at her ambition.
Ambition lashed against her pride.
And slowly, quietly, it began to erode her heart.
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
Leave a Reply