Chapter 99: 6th Week Mentoring and Strategy Battle (6)

Chapter 99: 6th Week Mentoring and Strategy Battle (6)

Seo Ye-in generally didnt talk too much and Song Cheon-hye seemed slightly uncomfortable and awkward around her.

And so, the two mostly ate their bagel sandwiches in silence while Han So-mi and I who were unconcerned with such matters led the conversation.

A trivial question emerged.

Are you enjoying the sweets?

Yes, theyre delicious! Really! Where did you buy them?

I risked my life by entering a very dangerous place to get these. A lot of people were sacrificed because of it.

No way!

Han So-mi feigned shock and then giggled immediately.

She seemed to take my comment as a joke.

After all, how could she guess I had gone into the Black Death dungeon to get them?

Theyre not only tasty but also plentiful, right?

Yeah, I havent even eaten half of them yet!

Thats actually on purpose. Its a bribe. Maybe itll earn me a pass if I break the school rules later?

That wont work.

No luck there. Too bad.

Ill spar with Go Hyun-woo occasionally!

Thatll do.

I was only half joking about the bribe, and since I had already achieved my goal of getting Han So-mi to spar with Go Hyun-woo, I was satisfied with that.

Trivial question number two.

I gestured towards Song Cheon-hye and asked.

Im curious about something else. Between you and Song Cheon-hye, who ate more sweets?

!

Just then, Song Cheon-hye who was taking a big bite of her bagel sandwich looked up and her pupils darted around dramatically after hearing my question.

She hurriedly started chewing to clear her mouth but Han So-mi did not wait for her to finish.

Cheon-hye ate more.

Really? By how much?

I dont know, just a lot!

I nodded as if convinced.

I knew it from the moment she said, Just give it to me instead. There was always an ulterior motive.

Cheon-hye really likes sweet things!

!

Overwhelmed by the combined pressure from Han So-mi and me, Song Cheon-hye struggled to regain her composure.

She had just managed to swallow what was in her mouth and was about to argue her point but the conversation had long since moved on to another topic.

Making excuses now would just make her sound more guilty.

She sighed softly, visibly frustrated and with a sense of defeat.

Anyway, I felt it was time to discuss strategy so I turned to Song Cheon-hye.

Did you review yesterdays strategy battle?

Yes, I did.

Since we failed with just a minute to spare, it seems we might stick with the same broad approach.

I think so too.

Given that we had nearly completed the full 10 minutes, there was no immediate need to change our strategy.

Repeating the same setup and improving our proficiency seemed like a better choice.

After only two attempts, there was still considerable room for improvement.

Maybe focusing on just the Beheader Goblin would do?

At the mention of the Beheader Goblin Song Cheon-hyes body flinched.

It seemed that the scene from yesterday had flashed before her eyes for a moment.

The cleaver filled with mana spun through the air and cleaved the statues waist with a loud crack.

After it was over, I asked Senior Dang Gyu-young, and she said it wasnt intentional.

It was too elaborate to have been intentional.

Song Cheon-hye spoke in a calm tone as if she had already guessed as much.

However, her expression relaxed to the point where it was visible that she was relieved by my words.

But similar incidents could happen anytime in the future.

Song Cheon-hyes expression that began to relax tensed up again.

From what I understood last week, Dang Gyu-young is merciless only when it comes to mentoring.

If a weakness is exposed, she ruthlessly drills into it until its improved.

In other words, she believes in tough training.

So, if a similar situation popped up again, she would undoubtedly give the same order.

That meant the Beheader Goblin would definitely throw the cleaver again.

It doesnt seem like you brought up the Beheader Goblin just casually, it sounds like you have an alternative plan.

Of course, there is one.New novel chapters are published at novelhall.com

Song Cheon-hye waited for the next words with serious eyes.

I spoke as if revealing a major secret with a gravely serious tone.

There were just too many things to worry about.

She had to continuously inject mana into the magic circle, cast one spell after another, ensure those spells accurately hit their targets, prevent any goblins from getting through, and exchange blows with the executioner

Trying to manage all these tasks at once was overwhelming.

And now, she had to add read and respond to the Beheader Goblins patterns to her list of objectives.

The movements might be large, but catching that brief moment during a frantic battle was not going to be easy.

Its tough, but I have to try. No, I have to do it.

Song Cheon-hye made up her mind.

Do your best in any situation.

That was the way of the Thunder Lord and it was also the way of Song Cheon-hye who had inherited his will.

Her numerous experiences so far have proven that the method wasnt wrong, and it will be the same this time as well.

That aside

Song Cheon-hye shifted her gaze to the right.

What is she so excited about? Han So-mi hummed a tune and walked with light steps as if she was flying.

Song Cheon-hyes gaze turned sharply colder as she looked at her.

This was because she remembered being suddenly attacked by Kim Ho and Han So-mi in a combined assault just as she had taken a big bite of her bagel sandwich.

Between you and Song Cheon-hye, who ate more sweets?

Cheon-hye ate more.

I thought so, there was always an ulterior motive.

Cheon-hye really likes sweet things!

Song Cheon-hye herself knew better than anyone else that Han So-mi was an untainted and pure soul.

But even so, arent there things you should and shouldnt say in front of someone youre not even close with?

Are you trying to make me look like Im obsessed with sweets?

There may have been no malice behind her words but it was certainly an issue that needed to be addressed at least once.

Just now, you

Just as Song Cheon-hye was about to start nagging,

Han So-mi rummaged through her inventory and pulled out a snack she had received from Kim Ho.

A dried fruit gift set.

Cheon-hye, want some dried peach?

Ill have some.

Upon reflection, it seemed that the nagging could wait.

Song Cheon-hye was infinitely generous when it came to sweets.

***

After school.

Just like the day before, we gathered at the dungeon building.

Today, the pair of Kwak Ji-cheol and Hong Yeon-hwa had entered the temple first and were currently attempting the challenge, while Song Cheon-hye and I were in a waiting position.

Since we had already somewhat decided on our course of action in the morning, there was no need to discuss further, and it wasnt as if we were on terms to engage in friendly everyday conversation.

So, while waiting aimlessly and casting glances here and there,

Waatch

Song Cheon-hye who was lost in deep thought muttered to herself.

It seemed that what had been merely in her head had inadvertently slipped out.

When I subtly turned my head to look at her, she pressed her lips tightly together and maintained a poker face.

As I continued to stare, she seemed puzzled and asked,

Why are you looking at me like that?

and block it. Thats exactly it.

.

Song Cheon-hye continued to keep a poker face as if she didnt understand what I just said.

However, her face gradually turned redder as if she couldnt help it.

Fortunately, the embarrassing moment quickly passed.

The portal opened, and Kwak Ji-cheol and Hong Yeon-hwa emerged.

They seemed much happier than usual which meant their strategy battle went well.

The typically tense atmosphere between them had also become much more friendly.

I threw a short question to Kwak Ji-cheol to confirm,

Success?

Thats right.

This guy who didnt talk much last week answered confidently.

It seemed he had gained some confidence, perhaps certain they were ahead of us.

Hong Yeon-hwa, though she said nothing, clearly carried an air of heightened pride.

When our eyes met, she momentarily turned humble, then looked at Song Cheon-hye with a triumphant expression.

.

Song Cheon-hyes reaction remained indifferent as ever.

Yet, to my eyes, it seemed she was straining not to let her poker face slip.

Shall we go in too? Its about time we succeeded, isnt it?

I casually asked,

Yes. Lets ensure success this time.

Song Cheon-hye seemed to want to get out of this place as quickly as possible and she dragged me along before entering the dungeon together.