Chapter 23

“………”

The second exam would be conducted with three students forming one team.

Therefore, besides Han Seoa and me, one more person was included in our team.

It was Yohan, a first-year A-Rank student and an international student from abroad.

“Uh…”

Yohan, sensing the subtle chill swirling between Han Seoa and me, hesitated, unable to even utter a greeting.

Noticing this, Han Seoa let out a short sigh and spoke.

“……The exam is important for both me and Oppa. I’m not still angry.”

“R-right.”

Fortunately, it seemed Han Seoa had decided to focus on the exam for now.

Although her tone suggested dissatisfaction, it didn’t seem like she was holding a particular grudge yet. It was just her own way of being sulky.

Feeling relieved, I immediately turned my thoughts to the matter at hand.

The rules for the second exam weren’t particularly complex.

We would move as a team of three and hunt the Specters released all over Yeongwoldo.

The stronger the entity caught, the higher the score, and supervisors would evaluate the process and assign additional assessment points.

One might think this exam carries considerable risk, but the released Specters are under restrictions, meaning they can only act to defend themselves.

In other words, they cannot directly attack the students.

‘…That’s how it should have been, originally.’

However, the situation would change completely once the exam progressed to a certain point.

Because it was through this second exam that the true Yeongwoldo Incident would begin.

‘It must have been a perfect opportunity for Bihyeong.’

Just by manipulating the Specters scattered everywhere, he could cause chaos.

While it would normally be a difficult task, it was possible for Bihyeong, who possessed dominance over inferior entities as a ‘Goblin Hybrid’.

‘And once the supervisors scatter to quell the chaos…….’

That’s when Bihyeong’s true plan would commence.

He would intensify the chaos with the ranked Specters he brought himself and attempt to unleash an outrageous Cursed Technique using the Sacrifices he had prepared in advance.

Bihyeong’s reason for executing such a plan was simple.

‘The resurrection of the S-Rank Specter slumbering on Yeongwoldo.’

Frankly, if that thing awakened, it would be a catastrophe.

At the very least, there was no one on this island who could oppose it. While not officially confirmed, it was speculated to be an existence close to at least Level 70.

‘Of course, in the original story, the Resurrection Ritual fails as well.’

Conversely, this meant there was a possibility that everyone here would be annihilated if it were to awaken.

An incident that was only barely brought under control thanks to Han Kangyoon’s sacrifice, the efforts of the main and supporting characters, and the supervisors’ cleanup.

‘But I naturally have no intention of sacrificing myself.’

For that purpose, I have been cultivating my strength and making thorough preparations until now.

Countless butterfly effects must have occurred due to my actions so far, but ever since I entered Han Kangyoon’s body, the original history could not possibly exist.

‘Whatever situation arises, I can handle it sufficiently.’

Steeling my resolve, I briefly excused myself from my teammates and slipped away somewhere.

It was time to secure the final card to deal with any unforeseen variables in Bihyeong’s scheme that I would soon face.

“…What exactly did you do to me?”

At the place I headed to, Cheong Haram was waiting, seemingly suppressing her anger.

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb. I knew something was off since that day.”

On the day of the mid-term evaluation for the advanced Comprehensive Combat Training class, I had parasitized a specially crafted Shikigami inside the unconscious Cheong Haram’s mind.

I had described it as a miniature version of the Phantom Wood Hungry Ghost.

As mentioned, the Phantom Wood Hungry Ghost is an entity that exists in reality but whose consciousness perpetually drifts within nightmares.

What I parasitized in Cheong Haram was a special variant created by utilizing that trait.

“That’s a strange thing to say. Even if I did something, there should be plenty of people around you who could fix it.”

That statement wasn’t wrong.

Cheong Haram was, after all, the promising heir of the Cheong Family, one of the Three Great Noble Families. The high-level talents within her family should be able to easily handle any ordinary Curse or Curse Scar.

‘Cheong Haram probably thought so too, at first.’

However, that’s only true if the correct approach is taken.

“……They couldn’t fix it.”

“What?”

“I said they couldn’t fix it.”

Cheong Haram vented to me, seemingly filled with resentment.

“Do you know how strange I feel every morning when I wake up? It’s like I had a weird dream, but I can’t remember it. I can’t concentrate, my head feels foggy.”

Of course. I had induced that state from the beginning.

“And yet, the people in my family say there’s nothing wrong, and my father even publicly shamed me, telling me not to spout such weak nonsense. Everything started happening since the day I fought you, and you say it’s unrelated?”

“To be honest, it’s not completely unrelated.”

“Tsk!”

At my nonchalant attitude, Cheong Haram pulled a Talisman from her pocket.

But even as her body trembled, she couldn’t proceed with any further action. She was being influenced by the suggestion from her subconscious.

“Don’t get too angry. I’m not saying I won’t fix it for you.”

Let me clarify now, I didn’t torment Cheong Haram with a Curse or Cursed Technique. I merely used the mini Phantom Wood Hungry Ghost to induce ‘that feeling’ in her mind. It’s closer to hypnosis and suggestion, if anything.

However, for Cheong Haram, who struggles with emotional regulation due to the demerit of her Emotion Devouring Trait, it must have felt like an irresistible binding.

‘At this point, it’s an unprecedentedly novel method, but in truth, if they checked properly, the Cheong Family people couldn’t possibly fail to notice.’

But that ‘properly’ part is the stumbling block.

They are only checking for aftereffects of a mere fight between students. Moreover, there are no apparent symptoms.

Proud of their own skills, they likely concluded their examination as usual and judged it to be Cheong Haram’s personal mental issue.

‘That’s why Cheong Haram cannot refuse my proposal.’

Already having her honor tarnished by being defeated by a non-noble D-Rank student, having rumors spread that she has mental problems on top of that would be unacceptable for Cheong Haram.

Ultimately, it meant she had no choice but to rely on me, the person involved.

“…What do you want?”

“Just help someone out. Weren’t we assigned to the same team, by the way?”

On my side, the team composition remained the same as in the original story, without major changes.

“You probably know him too. Yoo Haon.”

One variable.

Yoo Haon, who lacks the Demon-Suppressing Trait.

Cheong Haram would become a reliable reinforcement to fill that void.

“What formation should we use?”

The second exam had begun. Yohan, his tension eased by the somewhat resolved atmosphere, spoke to us.

It was Han Seoa who provided the answer.

“…Oppa is a Shikigami Sorcerer, so direct combat isn’t really your thing, right?”

“Probably not.”

“Then I’ll take the vanguard.”

“I think I’d be best suited right in the middle.”

I nodded and attempted an Appraisal on Han Seoa.

Ding.

【Han Seoa】

▶Level 28

▶Stats

【Stamina : A+】

【Spiritual Power : B-】

【Art Formula : B】

【Mental Strength : B+】

▶Traits (5/10)

【■■■(-)】

【Late Bloomer(S)】

【Growth Acceleration(B)】

【Grapple Combat(B-)】

【Composure(C+)】

One Unidentified Trait, and the Late Bloomer Trait which activates its effects as the level increases. Her stats were exactly as in the original story.

‘With this, she shouldn’t have problems with nearby enemies.’

Having made our decision, we quickly began exploring our surroundings.

‘In this exam, any form of attack between teams is impossible.’

So, how would the competition work?

A signal is generated from the Identification Tag of the team that first discovers a target, and that team holds attack priority until the target is lost and the signal disappears.

Therefore, finding enemies first was the most important point.

“Oppa, can you scout with your Shikigami?”

“I’m already doing it.”

We needed to find and eliminate as many of the Specters released on the island as possible. Of course, my goal had nothing to do with points whatsoever. The second exam was bound to be canceled one way or another.

‘They’ll become enemies soon anyway.’

Naturally, it was better to eliminate them while they couldn’t attack us due to the restrictions.

‘Black Bird.’

[Squawk!]

Thanks to the three Black Birds putting in effort, we could discover targets somewhat smoothly, and we quickly racked up points by taking them down.

Ding.

[5th Place. Han Kangyoon-Han Seoa-Yohan (245 Points)]

“Our pace is quite good, isn’t it?”

Yohan expressed joy at the results exceeding expectations.

It was understandable, as we were maintaining a high rank, surpassing many formidable teams.

‘This should be enough reduction.’

I was also fairly satisfied with the results.

The main game was the elites Bihyeong brought and the students under his influence. There was no need to expend more energy than necessary here.

Rustle.

Right at that moment, a faint Spectral Energy was felt from above the trees.

“Rending Burst!”

Thwump!

[Kwao!]

As Han Seoa immediately attacked, shattered branches and leaves scattered, and a sizable form shot out into the air. One of the targets. And one with a high point value at that.

“A… a hundred-pointer?”

Yohan muttered in surprise, and Han Seoa also lunged forward with the intent not to let it escape.

But the target’s condition was strange. It had a dazed expression, as if entranced or intently listening to something.

Seeing this, I dashed forward without hesitation, grabbed Han Seoa’s collar, and pushed her back.

“Get back!”

And then.

[Kwaaaak─!]

Crash-boom!

With a single kick filled with clear killing intent, the surrounding ground erupted and a gale-force wind swept through.

“…Oppa!”

Han Seoa cried out in shock, but I, having anticipated the attack, had somehow managed to block it.

‘…It’s begun.’

The highlight and endpoint of Chapter 1, which in the original story resulted in a total of 17 casualties, including two professors.

The true beginning of the Yeongwoldo Incident.