Ch. 61

How should I describe the feeling of crossing through a portal? As expected, there's no twisted feeling in my stomach or motion sickness.

If I had to express it, it's like being in a dark room where the lights flicker on and off, alternating between light and darkness until the scenery finally appears.

"Welcome. Are you the supervising professor?" 

"Ah. Not a professor, but a substitute for the supervising professor."

As I speak, the man who appears to be a state ability user studies me for a moment. Then he lets out an "Oh!" of recognition and points at me.

"Aren't you the person from the news?" 

"...Yes. I'm probably that person." 

"Right? What was your name again? Baek... something similar, if I remember correctly."

He's trying so hard to recall that I find it quite admirable. And feeling somewhat embarrassed, I introduce myself immediately.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Baek Seojin, substitute professor for Academy External Support Team 5." 

"Ah! Baek Seojin! That was it. It's an honor to meet you."

The man shakes my hand with both of his hands, making no effort to hide his excitement.

Honor? That's a bit much. Anyone listening would think I'm another S-rank ability user. If I had to explain it, I'm just an emerging talent, but anyway… 

"I'm pleased to meet you too. As for the students who came with me..." 

"Ah, yes. The students are over there, checking in."

Where he's pointing, Team 5 students were lined up waiting.

"You said you're a substitute professor, right? Let me explain the current situation to you first."

According to his explanation, the dungeons that Academy Team 5 will handle today are three in total. They've all been classified as C-rank, just as I had told the students.

He says that Lizardmen make up the majority of monsters appearing there. From this, we can anticipate that the interior environment of the dungeon will mostly be swampland.

Other than that, the man says there are no particular concerns.

"It's not a particularly difficult dungeon. However, if it's not cleared within the designated time, monsters may come out of the dungeon, and above all, the environment is not good, making it a dungeon that many ability users avoid. That's why we requested support." 

"I understand. I'd want to avoid a dungeon with swamps as the main environment too."

Inside dungeons, you need to pay attention to the environment as much as the monsters. That's why the role of the advance team is most important when a Gate transforms into a dungeon.

From this perspective, a swamp environment is quite unpleasant for humans. Falling into a swamp not only reduces mobility but can make movement impossible. If not careful, casualties might result not from monsters but from other factors.

"Now, all you need to do is decide how to distribute your personnel among the three dungeons." 

"Is it alright if I ask the students for their input?" 

"That's at the Academy's discretion, so feel free. We'll be waiting over there, so please submit your squad assignments to me once they're complete!"

After saying this, the ability user returns to where his squad is waiting. It seems they're also preparing an operation plan for the upcoming dungeon raid.

'Now about personnel distribution. Hmm, how should I arrange this?'

The dungeons assigned to the Academy students total three. And our personnel consists of twenty-six Gold and Platinum ranks. Including me, that's twenty-seven, which divides evenly.

'First, I'll assign two Platinum ranks to each squad. For the squad missing one person, I'll fill in myself.'

I carefully check each student's category to form the squads.

Using weaponry and martial arts types who perform tank and dealer roles as the base. Then adding pure dealers from the magic category and healers from the support category.

I've already roughly identified the students' characteristics while taking attendance. Based on this, I can form squads that should be able to handle any contingencies.

'With two Platinum ranks, the overall command structure should be sufficient. Most Gold ranks have also participated in external support at least five times. No need to worry.'

Finally, I complete the personnel distribution for each squad. A total of 3 squads. Each squad consisting of seven Gold ranks and two Platinum ranks. For the third squad, which is missing one Platinum rank, I'll fill in myself.

"Students, may I have your attention, please."

After completing the squad formations, I inform the students of their assignments. The intention is to hear if they have any different opinions about the squad composition.

Fortunately, the students nod their heads after looking at the squad roster. Not just the Gold ranks, but the Platinum ranks had no objections either.

"This seems sufficient, Examiner." 

"You've arranged it well! You've arranged for Platinum ranks to take overall command, right?" 

"Hey. Will our tanking be okay? You always overdo it when you're trying to deal damage." 

"What are you saying? It's because you're so bad at dealing damage!"

They don't seem particularly tense, despite being about to enter a dungeon. Not bad. Being too intimidated wouldn't allow them to fully demonstrate their abilities. Of course, being too relaxed isn't good either, but Kang Hana appropriately controls that.

"Alright, everyone! Don't relax too much. Let's finish this practical cleanly and return without anyone getting hurt. Understood?" 

"Of course, Student Council President!" 

"I told you not to call me that!" 

"Ugh. The Student Council President is hitting a student!"

It seems Kang Hana isn't an authoritarian type of Student Council President.

Leaving the playfully bickering students behind, I submitted the squad assignments to the state ability user. After checking the distribution, he gave a light compliment that it's a decent personnel arrangement.

"Then each squad should head to their designated dungeon entrance." 

"I understand. Squad 1! And Squad 2! Get ready! We'll be entering soon!"

I positioned Squads 1 and 2 at two dungeons that weren't too far apart. Before the students enter, I gather the four Platinum-ranked students.

"This goes without saying, but be careful." 

"Understood, Examiner." 

"Don't worry. For a C-rank dungeon, the Gold kids could handle it without us." 

"Still, there's always the possibility of the unexpected. Never let your guard down."

The Platinum-ranked students nodded at my words.

They are individuals with not only good individual skills but also the ability to properly control their squads. There's a reason the Academy created the rank system. They have the capabilities to match.

"I'm counting on all of you. Be careful, and come back safely." 

"We'll see you later, Examiner." 

"We'll be back!"

Squads 1 and 2 smile and disappear into their respective dungeons.

I felt slightly anxious, but there's no better approach. With three dungeons, I couldn't possibly take all twenty-plus students around together.

It's not a high-ranked dungeon, and Gold-ranked students should be able to clear it easily. Even Silver-ranked students could handle C-rank dungeons without much difficulty if they do well.

"Should Squad 3 get ready to depart too, Examiner?"

I nodded at Kang Hana's question as she quietly approached from behind. The dungeon assigned to Squad 3 is located a bit away from the dungeons of Squads 1 and 2.

We chatted about various things while moving to that location.

"I noticed you placed me and Dasom in Squad 3." 

"Yes. Is there a problem?" 

"Not really. It's just that you're also in Squad 3, Examiner." 

"Well, that's because there was only one Platinum rank left—you, Kang Hana." 

"It's not because you're still not very familiar with the other students?"

So, Kang Hana is suggesting that I placed her and Yoo Dasom in Squad 3 because I'm somewhat close with them. And that's why I also positioned myself in Squad 3.

'That's somewhat accurate.'

Future party members who will move with Lee Hyunwoo. Friends without any obvious flaws. It feels more reassuring to be with them, and it would be truly regrettable to lose them.

That's why we're moving together. I keep having an ominous feeling.

*

"...Okay. I got it. Good work. I'll send the money later."

Jung Yuhyeon nods and ends the call.

The dark circles under his eyes and bloodshot eyes. These alone indicate his abnormal state.

"I found out. Just now, five teams went out for external support." 

"Are you sure? Or I'll use your tongue to make jeotgal."

TN: Jeotgal is a Korean traditional fermented seafood

"I'm certain. It's information from my contact planted in the Academy."

At Jung Yuhyeon's words, a man turns his head and mutters, "So he says." The middle-aged man sitting at the head seat slowly raises his head.

"He's crazy. I heard you ended up like this because that axe bitch caused trouble." 

"No. It's not because of her, it's all because of that bastard." 

"That examiner Baek Seojin? It's all his fault?" 

"Yes! It's all because of him! The reason I'm like this, all of it!!"

TN: Nah bro, that's your own fault for being too prideful.

The middle-aged man looks at the man beside him. The man silently mouths, 'This kid is completely insane.'

Even from their perspective, what he's saying doesn't make sense. From what they've heard, he provoked the situation and now blames others.

But in their world, that kind of attitude is actually a "pass." Yes. How could someone who wants to become a villain be in their right mind? Showing this kind of insanity makes them seem more sincere.

"Good. If this goes well, we'll consider your formal initiation." 

"Thank you! Thank you!"

They've already confirmed he was Gold-ranked at the Academy. That's enough to verify his skills. Plus, with this kind of mentality, he's perfect for their group.

"Now then. Let's go educate our cute, fluffy little ones."

The middle-aged man, chuckling, seemed to remember something and called his subordinate.

"Tell the Elder. With what happened last time, they might be interested in this."

The man nodded and headed somewhere. His destination was where a deathly pale man, who looked like he had drowned, resided.

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