-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: Practical Gate Training (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Unexpectedly, Im Gaeul's team was completed with a stable composition: two dealers, one tank, and two supporters.
If Gukbap, our tank, hadn't been there, the party's composition would have been quite messed up.
But since we were the first ones to join and establish the party's foundation, we were able to secure a decent setup.
'It would have been better if the last member had been a healer... but well, I can't complain about this much.'
However, there was one unexpected thing.
The other supporter, besides Im Gaeul, was someone I knew.
A guy whose name was now hazy.
I was sure it was something Kim...
"Captain—!!!"
It was one of the male quota students I had teamed up with during basic training.
I gave a reluctant nod.
"...Yeah, it's good to see you, but what's that?"
I gestured with my chin towards the large backpack slung over his back.
"Oh, this? Hehe, you could call it our own survival strategy."
"Survival strategy?"
The quota student nodded with a proud expression.
"Yeah, as you know, Captain, Cheol-hyun and I are a bit lacking in ability."
"A bit...?"
"Ah, anyway! So we thought we couldn't just rely on our abilities alone."
"So, you're going to double as porters?"
"Yeah. I thought about it a lot after basic training. Thanks to you, Captain, the perception of quota students has changed a lot, but that doesn't mean we've suddenly gained abilities we didn't have before."
Oh. This guy. I initially thought he was completely useless, but he's changed in a surprisingly good direction.
I secretly admired him, re-evaluating my impression.
Of course, my party has subspace, so I wouldn't specifically bring him in.
But no party would refuse someone who could fully perform the role of a supporter or healer while also acting as a porter.
'A porter who can use skills is truly rare.'
"You've thought this through well."
I nodded and said.
"Jin Yuha. Who's this? Someone you know?"
As the quota student and I exchanged greetings, Lee Yuri, who was beside me, asked.
"Oh, he's a quota student I did basic training with before."
"Ah, from the finals back then! You're that supporter!?"
When Lee Yuri recalled him, the guy bowed with a precise, almost military-like gesture.
"Yes, ma'am! It's a pleasure to meet you! Gukbap-nim! I've heard a lot about you from the Captain! I'm Kim So-hoon, a supporter!"
Lee Yuri then asked back with a flustered expression.
"...G-Gukbap-nim?"
"Yes, ma'am! I heard countless times that when you're on our side, you're incredibly reliable, but when you're an enemy, you must never let your guard down! Gukbap-nim!"
Lee Yuri's expression twisted strangely at the words, unsure if they were a compliment or an insult.
"Hehe. It's good to see everyone getting along—♪"
As our team members chatted amongst themselves, Im Gaeul, who had been watching from behind, smiled peacefully.
"No way, this is crazy—. A party with two guys...?"
But whenever five people gathered, there was always one who would ruin the mood.
"And what's this, are you treating gate training like a joke!?"
Choi Aram stepped forward, snarling at us.
"You newly admitted first-years don't even know how dangerous this training is, and you're having a field day, huh!?"
Aram had failed a year, so she was technically a first-year like us.
Yet, perhaps wanting to show off that she had spent another year here, she tried to act like a senior and assert her authority.
"...Captain, who is this person, by the way? If we're gathered here, aren't we all first-year cadets? But she's acting like some kind of senior..."
The quota student, still unaware of the situation, whispered beside me, glancing at her.
But his voice seemed louder than he thought, as it apparently reached Aram's ears.
Choi Aram's face flushed crimson with shame.
"...You—you dog—!"
Just as she ground her teeth and was about to yell something.
*Clap—!*
"Alright, everyone. Now that we've formed our teams, shouldn't we go see the Chairwoman?"
Im Gaeul clapped her hands, bringing the situation under control.
Choi Aram, whose words were cut off, glared at us, seething, then sharply turned her head away.
'Hmm, I really wanted to hit that problem child with some facts, but it's a shame I couldn't.'
We followed Im Gaeul towards Chairwoman Lina.
Chairwoman Lina scanned us from head to toe, then twitched an eyebrow, flinching slightly when her gaze reached me.
Then she called my name.
"...Jin Yuha."
"Yes?"
"...What exactly did you say to Seol-hee?"
'Hmm, to the instructor? I didn't really say anything specific, did I?'
When I made a bewildered expression, she burst out.
"What in the world did you ramble on about that she's acting like she's itching to eat me alive, saying I need to give you *another* subspace tattoo, huh!?"
Chairwoman Lina's eyes were full of indignation, like an elementary school student forced to stay after school to do homework.
No matter how I looked at her, her appearance constantly made me forget she was an adult.
'Ah, did the instructor say something about giving Gukbap a subspace tattoo this time too?'
I felt a little sorry for the Chairwoman, who was being tormented by this, but I couldn't exactly refuse it.
I let out a small laugh and bowed my head.
"Please take good care of us in the future, Chairwoman."
"...Ugh!"
"But shouldn't we be heading out now?"
I cut her off mid-sentence, guessing that if I reacted any further, the conversation would drag on.
Lina ground her teeth, then turned her head away with a huff.
"...Cadet Im Gaeul. Step forward."
Im Gaeul, who had been blankly watching Lina and me exchange words, suddenly snapped to attention and stepped forward with a stiff expression.
"Here, this is an emergency call bell. All second-year cadets leading a party must carry this."
"Ah, yes."
"If you press this, a signal will come to me. So if an emergency situation arises, don't hesitate to press it."
What she handed over was an emergency call bell.
Normally, no mechanical devices work inside a gate.
Therefore, only magical artifacts could be used, but this was Velvet Academy class, I suppose.
They seemed to be handing out these expensive items to each party without hesitation.
"Yes. Thank you."
"And the gate you will be entering is a C-rank dungeon, Ogre's Hamlet."
"...What!?"
Im Gaeul's eyes widened when a much higher-ranked dungeon than expected was assigned.
"The maximum clear time is six hours. The target magic stones are 100. If you meet the quota, you may return early."
"B-But...! With just our level—!"
She looked back at her party members, her face visibly flustered.
"Ha, 'just your level'? This was decided after assessing the approximate skill level of your party members, so I won't entertain any arguments."
Chairwoman Lina scoffed, stating firmly.
There was no way Im Gaeul could resist. She could only bite her lip and nod.
"...Understood."
"Then, Cadet Im Gaeul and your party members. Depart immediately."
* * *
We were able to reach the dungeon entrance in the blink of an eye via the warp gate located inside the academy.
And immediately, guided by the waiting female soldiers, we entered the C-rank dungeon, Ogre's Hamlet.
A desolate landscape, unlike the Forest of Carmella, greeted us.
All the trees were withered and dry, and the ground was cracked, making a rustling sound as sand crumbled underfoot with every step.
"Th-This is insane... Why in the world are they throwing us into a C-rank dungeon, not even a D-rank...!"
Choi Aram, who had been maintaining a rigid, senior-like attitude just moments ago.
"And with two guys in the party... Th-This can't be happening...!"
As if she'd never been any other way, she gripped her pink hair with both hands, trembling violently.
"Could this be a conspiracy to kill me...? Because I failed a year and I'm useless. So they're just trying to get rid of me while they can..."
Choi Aram had even started spinning a ridiculous novel by herself.
Im Gaeul was just as flustered, but she was trying to calmly assess the situation in her own way.
Chairwoman Lina.
Contrary to her truly adorable, huggable face, she was an ability user hailed as the pinnacle of magic.
No one in the academy could disregard her.
'...And that Chairwoman said she selected this dungeon after assessing our party's approximate skill level. That probably means...'
Im Gaeul's gaze drifted to the back of the black-haired person walking in front.
'Clearly, the Chairwoman spoke to him first, as if they were close.'
She had never seen a cadet speak so casually with Chairwoman Lina.
'What is it about that boy?'
When he first came to her, she had only thought of him as a cute, naive male freshman.
However, it seemed he was hiding something. Of course, blindly going on a clear based solely on that was unsettling, but...
'...I just have to try.'
Yes, if things went wrong, she could just ring the call bell.
Im Gaeul tried hard to steady her agitation, fiddling with the call bell.
Just then.
"Ogre spotted ahead!"
*
"Grooooh—"
Two large tusks jutting from its chin. A monster with earthy-brown skin.
An Ogre.
Its body was three times the size of a human's, with a protruding belly that made it look sluggish.
It was dragging a massive axe in one hand, wandering around.
"...I-I'm gonna die. I'm gonna die. I'm gonna die. Face a monster like that? I can't..."
Beside me, the pink-haired problem child trembled, biting her nails.
Even our quota supporter was trying to maintain a calm expression, yet her appearance was truly pathetic.
I turned my head to look at Im Gaeul.
She swallowed hard and spoke in a tense voice.
"...It seems he hasn't noticed us yet. First, I'll use all the supporting skills I can. Then, let's take him down with a surprise attack. If any problems arise, I'll immediately ring the call bell. So don't worry too much—"
"Hold on a second."
At that moment, I cut her off.
"Huh...?"
Well, it wouldn't be bad to first check how capable Im Gaeul is in her pure state, but...
"Senior. Before you use your skills, would you try holding this and giving it a go?"
I just don't like things being complicated.
I took out an item I had prepared beforehand from my pocket and handed it to her.
Im Gaeul took it, looking as if to ask what it was.
"Huh, what's this... Th-This is—!?"
Suddenly, her eyes flashed wide open.
Alright. Sis.
Open wide.
"A m-magic stone? And a t-top-grade one!?"
Energy injection, commencing.
"Grooooh—!?"
And perhaps her flustered voice was too loud, because the Ogre finally noticed our presence.