CHAPTER 113

Lion’s Castle, First Year Class B.

Theory classes were a part of the daily routine for first-year students. In today’s class, the topic was ‘The Necessity of a Party.’

“A gate that allows free passage, like Lion’s Castle, is rare. In most cases, players can only leave after the gate has been conquered. Broadly, this involves clearing a quest or killing a boss monster. But the specific requirements are varied and impossible to predict—there are countless types of boss monsters and quests, so the abilities of a single player are rarely, if ever, enough. Even for an S-class player who could sever mountains and split the sea, it wouldn’t matter if they encountered a boss that only took damage from certain attack types.

“And that brings us to the importance of a party— ”

Cheon Hye-Ji yawned and raised her hand slightly. “But teacher, the vast majority of players only challenge the gates that already have attack-strategy guides, right? And many people use those guides to solo clear gates and monopolize the rewards. I don’t know why you’re trying to scare us with an obvious story.”

Unless they wanted to die, all players familiarized themselves with the information on a gate in advance. Not to mention, the right to challenge a new gate and aim for the first-clearance reward was reserved only for the government, the Association, and the aristocracy.

Seeing his students' casual attitude, Kim Jin-Myeong’s expression became serious. “Gates are inherently unstable spaces; there are cases where a gate appears inside another gate, and the players get swept inside.”

Known as a double gate, these were disastrous events that caused countless casualties every time one occurred.

“Nothing is certain inside a gate. Even ordinary players can find themselves facing quests or raids they don’t know how to clear. So even if you’re challenging a familiar gate, you need to get into the habit of thoroughly organizing your party.”

“Aish, the chances of encountering a double gate are like that of being struck by lightning.”

“Someday, as you upgrade your items, you will find that the chances of being struck by lightning aren’t as low as you think.” Kim Jin-Myeong became tearful as he recalled his active days. Then, he glanced at Jae-Hyeok. “Besides, some of you might gain the right to challenge a new gate.”

“......”

The eyes of the students lingered on Jae-Hyeok.

Being an aristocrat didn’t necessarily mean having great authority. In particular, a fallen family like the Kang family no longer had a voice in the world of players.

But did Kang Jae-Hyeok need his family background? If he worked hard, couldn’t Jae-Hyeok one day win back his family’s authority with his own hands?

The students shook their heads; probably not.

Thinking rationally, no matter how great Kang Jae-Hyeok’s talent was, that was only among the first-year students. Moreover, his performance in the duel assessments hadn’t been as great as that of Shinra Kyeong and Loren’s.

Kim Jin-Myeong said, “The bottom line is that your opportunity for team-based learning starts in earnest next semester. Form teams now, and it will be of great help when you enter society and form parties in the future. This is your chance to experience firsthand what type of Professions you work best with. It’s a luxury only a place like Lion’s Castle can offer.”

Teams in Lion’s Castle were no different from the parties of active players. With today's lecture, Kim Jin-Myeong ensured his students understood the significance of both.

Kim Jin-Myeong looked happily at Jae-Hyeok, Hae-Rin, and Lee Jin-Seong, before fixing his face into a serious expression and thumping the lectern.

“The first semester will end in less than two months. I recommend you all follow the example of Jae-Hyeok and Jin-Seong and form a team soon.”

“Uggh.”

The students collectively groaned. Most of Class B’s aces were already taken. Now that they were expected to form teams, the future seemed grey.

Kim Jin-Myeong spoke over his students’ grumbling and reminded, “It doesn’t have to be people from the same class. Jae-Hyeok accepted Chae Da-Hee of Class A and Baek Do-Jin of the second year as team members.”

After a beat of silence, the students exploded into another round of groans.

“A Class A student and a second-year student... Isn’t that only possible because he’s Jae-Hyeok? What about us?”

“Who doesn’t want to team up with a senior student?”

“And those fellows in Class A look at us like we’re a joke every time we cross paths! Would they team up with us?”

In the end, they would have to form teams among themselves.

Seeing the depressed atmosphere, Kim Jin-Myeong tried to comfort them, “Don’t worry. There will be many students who reach out to you first.”

“Teacher, how do you know that?”

“As I said, what’s important in a party isn’t individual competence but overall harmony. For example, Loren is vulnerable to divinity as a necromancer. Do you think Loren needs a top team member with excellent combat skills, or a totem user or warlock who weakens divinity?”

“...Uh? Then can I team up with Loren?”

“Kyeong-Su, aren’t your grades too low? No matter how important compatibility is, you at least need the basics.”

“Wow, you have no conscience.”

......

Most of the students were filled with despair, but others were excited and filled with anticipation.

On a clear, blue day, just before the full heat of summer, the atmosphere in Class B was harmonious. By then, Class B had completely adapted to five different terrains. They trained and fought side by side; hatred and envy had disappeared. Now, they looked like a family.

This sight is better than the Kang family in its final years.

Jae-Hyeok’s feelings turned bitter at the thought.

***

“You don’t intend to end it like this, do you?”

Na Ga-Eun, the girl with twin ponytails, gritted her teeth after arriving at the gathering place. Her face was swollen and bruised.

A boy laughed when he saw Na Ga-Eun’s face. “Wow, look at you. Did you finally find some dark makeup that suits your eyepatch?”

Na Ga-Eun retorted, “Byeok Sa-Dong, are you really mocking me, knowing that even Gu Suk-Jeong failed? Aren’t you basically making fun of Gu Suk-Jeong?”

“Are you trying to threaten me? You think I’m afraid of you or Suk-Jeong?”

Byeok Sa-Dong was a second-year student in Class A, like Na Ga-Eun, and was the strongest member of Gu Suk-Jeong’s group.

“...Quiet.” Gu Suk-Jeong’s voice came from a dark corner in the room.

After failing to secure Kang Jae-Hyeok and Park Hae-Rin, he was then humiliated by Jeong Ru-Han. The others had expected Gu Suk-Jeong to lose his mind and make a scene, but he was surprisingly calm.

Byeok Sa-Dong laughed. “Why are you so calm? Did you hit your head too hard or something?”

“Failure today doesn’t mean the opportunity is gone forever. Kang Jae-Hyeok and Park Hae-Rin? I can catch them tomorrow. If I make those two fools kneel in front of Jeong Ru-Han, I can easily make up for today’s failure.” Just as he finished speaking, a chill went down Gu Suk-Jeong’s spine. He recalled Baek Do-Jin’s warning.

-Keep this in mind, Gu Suk-Jeong. The next time you touch my teammates or the Shooting Club again, I’ll throw my greatsword and use Flash Steps to make it appear inside your head.

Dammit.

Am I afraid of him?

Gu Suk-Jeong didn’t want to admit it, but his hands trembled slightly. He had witnessed the power of Flash Steps firsthand. And throughout history, only Baek Do-Jin was mad enough to actually use it in live combat.

Gu Suk-Jeong tried his best to calm down. I... should be safe so long as I attack upfront instead of from behind.

In Lion’s Castle, an official system for team competitions allowed teams to challenge and battle each other. If he fought fairly against Baek Do-Jin’s team, then Baek Do-Jin would lose any justification to talk about revenge.

“All of you, get everyone to apply for matches with Baek Do-Jin’s team starting tomorrow. We’ll continue to fight until they collapse from exhaustion right into our hands.”

The number of people who followed Gu Suk-Jeong was close to thirty, a total of seven teams. Starting tomorrow, he would ensure that Do-Jin’s team would have to fight continuous battles.

***

That evening.

Byeok Sa-Dong came to the Student Council’s office to apply for the team competition, only to be stumped.

“What the heck?”

Baek Do-Jin’s team only had a rating score of 1,000 points. Meanwhile, Byeok Sa-Dong’s team had a rating of 1,800 points, so they had no way to challenge them.

The situation for the other teams, including Gu Suk-Jeong and Na Ga-Eun’s, was the same—most of their ratings were in the top ranks, so it was impossible to match with Baek Do-Jin’s team due to the difference in scores.

“What the hell is that bastard Baek Do-Jin doing? It’s almost been an entire semester, and he hasn’t raised his score at all?”

“Well, this is the level of an inferior student.”

“Then what about Gu Suk-Jeong, who lost to that inferior student?”

“......”

Gu Suk-Jeong ignored them out of embarrassment and left the Student Council room.

No one chased after him.

They followed Gu Suk-Jeong in hopes of establishing a relationship with the Guardian Guild. But they had their own pride. If Gu Suk-Jeong was that incompetent, they wouldn’t stay loyal.

“A Crusher isn’t that impressive. I would rather hang out with Jeong Ru-Han than associate with a guy like him.”

“Thinking about it, you’re right. Isn’t the sub-master’s son naturally greater than an elder’s grandchild?”

The cohesion of Gu Suk-Jeong’s group started to crack.

***

“They’re all idiots.” The female secretary sighed after Gu Suk-Jeong’s group left. Then, she heard Ban Hee-Yeol behind her.

“Those people with good grades are making a fuss and trying to challenge a newly formed team. Indeed, terrible behavior. ”

“You’re worse. When there was work to do, I couldn’t find a trace of you. Now you suddenly reappear like nothing happened? How did you become the vice-chairman when you don’t work?”

“Haha, try not to blame me. I was destined for a high station from the moment I was born. As a commoner, you mustn’t compare yourself to me; it will only hurt your heart.”

“Get lost and join Noble!”

“Actually, the atmosphere there has also been ugly lately.” Ban Hee-Yeol’s expression became a bit serious as he fanned the female secretary to calm her down.

Kang Jae-Hyeok, every time the Shooting Club causes trouble, your team is also involved.It can’t be a coincidence, right?