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Most notable changes in this chapter.
Edna > Flame
Poong Harang > Pung Harang
Demon > Monster
Poong Empire > Pung Empire
Glossary Link:-
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15sjwDlJRVSCEUNia-AWeWL-llNJMcO7BiNONqcnNJlc/edit?usp=sharing
There were many words to describe Flame; academically excellent, outstanding appearance, impeccable conduct, and exceptional physical strength.
She was truly a jack-of-all-trades.
However, even someone like her had a fatal flaw—collaborative activities.
In team projects, where members divide roles and responsibilities and collectively work towards a goal, it’s generally considered enough to simply fulfill one’s role.
However, for Flame, this was fundamentally impossible.
Flame, who had already expanded her network among the first, second, and third-year students, obviously didn’t have any problems with human relationships. Perhaps because she had already experienced college life on Earth once, she had developed a habit of trying to handle everything by herself.
There was a time when she was told that she ‘couldn't trust her team members.’
But now, whenever someone ended up in the same group as Flame, they were relieved because it guarantees an A+ without having to do anything.
"... Cadet Flame. You’re saying you want to take on the monster subjugation alone?"
"Yes. Is there a problem? If it’s not possible, please make it possible."
"No. It’s just..."
Even in this place where Class A and Class S applied for missions, for an ace student of Flame’s caliber, some Class A students came flocking over to ask her to join their groups.
For some reason, they were all male students, but Flame rejected all their requests and ended up submitting the mission application on her own.
This time, she could cooperate if she wanted to, but the reason she didn't was simple: it was for the score.
Classes like these 'field missions' heavily impacted her grades. Rather than half-heartedly cooperating, she planned to secure her score by taking down a high-rank monster on her own.
"No. It’s not that it's impossible... The academy knows that you’ve reached Class 4, but you haven't been officially certified as Class 4 yet, right?"
"That's correct."
"That's why the level of monsters you can challenge is significantly reduced."
"Hmm. Isn’t it easier if the level is low? I'll just beat them up and come back."
"Oh, come on... Alright, fine. What you want is a high-level monster, right? Shall I choose the most difficult monster that you can take on alone?"
"I would appreciate that."
However, the assistant who was flipping through the mission directive sheets scratched his head. He didn't seem dissatisfied.
"There aren’t really any monsters suitable for a solo challenge. The difficult monsters have already been taken by groups of about three to four people. Even those are just Danger Level 3."
"So, is there nothing?"
"It does exist, but..."
The assistant showed the mission directives to Flame.
All of the missions involved hunting Danger Level 2 monsters or exterminating a large number of low-level monsters.
These missions were just tedious rather than difficult, making it hard to earn high scores.
To get a high score, she would have to cooperate to take down a Danger Level 3 or higher monster, but it was impossible to attempt that alone.
"Damn! This is annoying..."
Flame frowned as she scanned the mission directives. Suddenly, Pung Harang, who was beside her, interrupted and pointed at one of the directives.
"Would you like to do this one with me?"
"Huh?"
The mission he pointed to was [Danger Level 2: Monster Bear Extermination]. It was such a simple mission that she hadn’t even considered it.
"No? Why would I do something boring with you if it's not even fun to do alone? And you're not fun either."
"... I may not be fun, but as a comrade, you can trust me to watch your back."
"Nah. My backside isn't that great, so I don't want to entrust it to anyone."
"Then how about this?"
Pung Harang glanced at the assistant with just his eyes. The way he stared made the assistant flinch involuntarily.
"What happens if an unexpected situation occurs during the mission?"
"Unexpected situation... Like what...?"
"For example, what if the monster is stronger than what's indicated?"
"U-Usually, in that case, you'd get additional points, right?"
If it was judged that the mission is more dangerous than indicated, the magic warrior had the right to abandon the mission, or if they chose to proceed, they received additional rewards corresponding to the danger level, along with compensation.
In other words, performing a 'Danger Level 2 mission' that turns out to be a 'Danger Level 3' can yield more points than performing an actual 'Danger Level 3 mission.'
"No way... Are you serious?"
When Flame looked at him suspiciously, Pung Harang just nodded silently. "Is this really a hidden Danger Level 3 mission?"
Just to be sure, she meticulously read through the detailed mission directive.
[Location: Southern Plains]
"Ah."
Only then did she realize.
The Pung Empire.
Pung Harang was a direct descendant of the Pung family, who ruled the entire Southern Plains.
If he wanted to, Pung Harang could alter the detailed content of missions in the Southern Plains as much as he wished.
Of course, he couldn't deviate from the framework of the assigned mission, and the assistant would be monitoring from behind...
Finding a mutated monster bear at the level of a Danger Level 3 wouldn't be difficult for him.
'This is kind of tempting...'
Still, the thought of going on a mission with Pung Harang was unsettling.
"How about it? Have you changed your mind now?"
"No."
So, she gave a straightforward answer.
No matter how obsessed Flame was with points, she wasn't going to fall for such an obvious ploy.
She used to be clueless about things like this, but recently, with all the relationship-related worries on her mind, she had become quite sensitive to such behavior from male students.
Yes, she knew exactly why Pung Harang was approaching her.
That's why she had to cut him off sharply.
To pretend to go along with his tricks just to take advantage of what he offered, only to kick his feelings aside later, would be worse than trash.
If she wasn't interested, rejecting his goodwill politely was the proper etiquette and respect toward the other person.
"... Are you uncomfortable going on a mission with just the two of us?"
"What?"
However, when Pung Harang put it that way, even Flame was taken aback.
"You don't need to worry about that. I already considered that you might feel uncomfortable. I also knew you would refuse."
"Uh... Is that so?"
"In that case, how about this? We could raise the 'unexpected situation' level to Danger Level 4."
"Danger Level 4? Is that even possible?"
"Yes. In addition, you can choose the person you want to take on the mission. You don't have to bear all the burden, and you can choose someone who is perfectly capable of cooperation. For example... Baek Yu-Seol."
Flame’s tone noticeably rose as she visibly flustered. "Why are you bringing up his name all of a sudden?"
"Just... I thought he might be someone you'd want to bring along."
"No thanks. I'm definitely not taking Baek Yu-Seol."
"There's no need to be prideful..."
"I'm telling you no."
Snatching the mission directive from Pung Harang's hand, Flame started skimming through it up and down. It was obvious to anyone that she was trying to hide her embarrassed expression, but he didn't comment on it further.
"There are still a few people who haven't signed up for a mission yet. So, you really don't mind if I bring others along?"
"Yes. It doesn't matter who."
As long as that ‘someone’ wasn't Baek Yu-Seol, that would be even better.
Suppressing his true feelings, Pung Harang decided to wait quietly.
"Hey!! Who wants to join me and rack up a ton of points?!"
"??!!"
All of a sudden, Flame jumped onto the central platform, waving a piece of paper back and forth, nearly causing him to cry out in shock.
"What the...?"
"It's Flame?"
"Is she asking us to earn points with her?"
"I'm in."
"Hey, hey, don't go. That girl is a total lunatic. Who knows what kind of crazy stunt she'll pull this time?"
"Why do you say she's a lunatic? She's actually nice."
"You just don't know her well. It's all an act, I swear."
Some of the Class A students hesitated, trying to approach her but unable to do so.
There were still quite a few aristocratic factions in Class A who resented Flame for becoming an Class S despite being a commoner, and other commoners couldn't act freely because they were bound by these factions.
While the other Class S students remained stationary, having already chosen their desired missions, they all just watched each other carefully.
The first to step forward in front of Flame was Hae Won-Ryang.
"Oh, are you in?"
"What kind of mission is it?"
"It's listed as Danger Level 2, but there's an 'unexpected situation' expected to occur. The mission could become extremely difficult. Do you still want to do it?"
"The mission will become more difficult..."
Hae Won-Ryang immediately grasped Flame’s intent. Always striving to be number one and constantly under pressure to score points, he couldn't refuse such an enticing opportunity.
"This is intriguing. Have you accounted for all the unexpected situations in your plan?"
"Come on~ No way."
"I'm in."
"Great! Next! Who else wants to join?"
As Hae Won-Ryang stepped forward, Ma Yu-Seong quickly followed him like a leech and approached Flame.
"monster subjugation? Is it fun?"
"Who knows? But it’s probably more fun than the mission you picked."
"Then I'm in. The one I chose seems too boring anyway."
"Oh, I like it. Alright, who's next? Anyone else?"
With Ma Yu-Seong unexpectedly joining in, Hae Won-Ryang's expression twisted in displeasure, but he couldn't do anything about it.
In fact, the moment he joined, this outcome was practically a certainty.
"Well, no one else? Then let's submit this application."
Jumping down again, Flame ran over to the assistant and added Ma Yu-Seong and Hae Won-Ryang's names to the mission application form.
"Pung! Is this team good enough?"
"... Yes."
Pung Harang glanced at Ma Yu-Seong and Hae Won-Ryang, who were standing idly behind her, then sighed.
He hadn't expected to go on the mission with just the two of them. He had merely hoped for an opportunity where he could stand out.
To think that the worst rivals he wanted to avoid the most would end up joining.
'... I just have to do my best.'
He had already prepared himself for the fact that winning Flame’s heart wouldn't be easy. But he was determined to go as far as he could within his limits.
Even if he failed in the end.
He would accept it calmly.
"What a lineup you've got there."
The assistant clicked his tongue as he stamped the mission application form with a bang!
The team was made up entirely of students ranked within the top 10 of their grade, all ultra-elites. Whoever the monster was, it appeared like it would have more reason to worry about them.
"Well... It doesn't seem necessary, but you still have to attend the mission orientation, so head to this lecture room."
"Yay."
Pung Harang started for the lecture room first, while Ma Yu-Seong and Hae Won-Ryang began to bicker and follow behind.
After quickly glancing at them, Flame leaned in and spoke quietly to the assistant.
"Um... Once we've applied for the mission, is it possible to add another person? Not many, just one..."
"Hmm? Well, it's not impossible. Who do you want to add?"
At the assistant's words, Flame hesitated for a moment, then subtly shifted her gaze to the mission application status for Classes A and S.
[Persona Gate]
[Class S Baek Yu-Seol, Class S Hong Bi-Yeon]
Flame bit her pink lips slightly, distorting their shape.
"No. Now that I think about it, I don't think there's anyone else to add. I'll be on my way."
"Oh. Alright then..."
What could it be?
What could have caused this girl, who had been so cheerful and lively just moments ago, to suddenly become so downhearted?
The assistant carefully read through the mission application status that Flame had been looking at, but he couldn't figure out the reason.
All he could think was that this girl had a strange personality.
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