Lee Yoo-ri’s Taunt skill,

[Shield’s Resonance]

By tapping her shield, she could forcibly draw enemy attacks towards her.

It was indeed annoying to face as an opponent.

‘It’s truly a broken-tier skill.’

Very few bosses could move freely without being affected by her taunt skill.
Of course, the taunt would eventually wear off when facing a boss of a whole chapter, but even then, the fact that a single tanker could take the brunt of a boss’s area-of-effect attacks that could endanger the entire party was a testament to its absurdly overpowered nature.

So, based on Baek Seol-hee’s advice, I had devised a thorough strategy to counter Lee Yoo-ri in this group sparring match.

-If it draws attention by mixing mana with the sound of the shield… Then physically blocking their ears should help.

That’s why I gave up on real-time command in this match and equipped the entire party with earplugs to block their hearing. Instead, through repetitive training, I ensured that they could move according to predetermined instructions without my commands.

-If it draws attention by capturing their gaze, it would be better to fight with closed eyes. Who can do that…?

-I can do it.

And so, Kang Do-hee fought with her eyes closed, taking on one of the enemy damage dealers.

-Shin Se-hee, is this information you gave me accurate?

-Huh? Did you see the one I threw away…?

-Hey, is this for real?

-Of course. Please don’t underestimate my information gathering skills.

-Then, don’t use magic this time.

-Ye… Yes!?

Anyway, Shin Se-hee’s magic efficiency would plummet when facing Soup.
With the magic restriction handcuffs on top of that, it would be better not to use magic at all.

‘I had forgotten the detailed information about the early-game characters I recommended to Lee Yoo-ri, but Shin Se-hee’s information turned out to be crucial.’

After examining the information she provided,

I calculated that Shin Se-hee could handle the enemy supporters and healers with her physical abilities alone.

‘After all, she’s a 4-star character.’

Since her magic efficiency would be reduced against Soup anyway, it made sense to rely on her physical prowess if she could overwhelm them.

This strategy was the opposite of the one I had used in the previous group sparring match, where I had drawn attention while Kang Do-hee and Shin Se-hee took care of the enemies.
While I was drawing attention Kang Do-hee was handling a damage dealer, and Shin Se-hee was taking out the enemy supporters and healers!

Lee Yoo-ri turned around with a dismayed expression and bit her lip.

Her healers and supporters were busy exchanging punches with Shin Se-hee, so they couldn’t spare any skills to support her. The enemy damage dealer was also being handled by Kang Do-hee, leaving her without any backup.

Amidst all this, she knew that she couldn’t take me on alone.

‘Now, what’s her next move?’

I stared intently at Lee Yoo-ri.

“Ha, was this your plan? As expected, you’re amazing, Jin Yuha.”

Having realized the situation, she let out a hollow laugh.

“So, are you giving up?”
“No way. I’ll still struggle until the end.”

Clang!

Lee Yoo-ri deflected my sword with her shield and narrowed her eyes, tightening her grip on the shield.

Gooo—

Mana swirled around her, forming a deep blue aura.
The wind it generated caused her black hair to flutter.

Seeing this, I couldn’t help but widen my eyes.

‘That effect…?’

The waves of mana swirling around her.

Sparkle—

Her eyes lit up.

She lowered her body, holding the shield towards me in a defensive stance.
Her face turned pale, and she bit her lip.
Her fists, gripping the shield, trembled slightly.

“Ugh…!”

Lee Yoo-ri let out a pained groan.

‘A new skill…?’

I knew this skill.

[Sacrificial Shield]

A skill that allows the user to take a portion of damage inflicted on their party members for a set period of time.
Lee Yoo-ri, with this skill, earned a reputation in PVP that was comparable to a cockroach.

‘Did she just learn this now…?’

Shiver—

A chill ran down my spine. I couldn’t help but stare at her in surprise.

And for good reason.

To learn this skill, Lee Yoo-ri’s Shield Specialization, which was initially at a low rank, needed to be raised by another level.
She hadn’t invested in resources to increase her specialization like I had.

In other words, she had solely relied on training to increase her specialization by a level!
And she had achieved this even before enrollment.

‘You’re truly crazy. You?’

I knew how difficult this was.

In the original world, there were countless hardcore players who had attempted to reach the endgame without relying on external aids like items and lucky encounters.

But the result…

They all failed.

‘So, I thought that in this world, where only I had invested resources to increase my specialization, I might have a chance to compete and win while breaking my body… But…’

Hope.

I could see hope in Lee Yoo-ri.
If she could grow this fast without investing resources and relying solely on training…

As I imagined the future, the corners of my lips curled up involuntarily.

‘Ha, you’re truly reliable. You.’

That fateful day when I stumbled upon Soup on a hunter site and followed her into a dungeon… Perhaps that was my best decision ever.

Of course,

That didn’t mean the tables had turned completely.

Cough—!

Lee Yoo-ri knelt on one knee, coughing and spitting blood from her mouth. Her health wasn’t high enough to withstand all the damage inflicted on her party members.

“Tsk, it’s not working after all…”

She lifted her head and met my gaze, grinning.

“Still, seeing your expression makes the training worth it.”

She continued, sounding strained.

“Hey, Jin Yuha.”
“…”
“What do you think of me? Am I needed in your party?”
Do I think she’s needed?
A bitter laugh escaped my lips.
I nodded at her, my voice filled with conviction.

“From the very beginning, and especially now.”
Ah-ha ha ha—!

Lee Yoo-ri let out a relieved laugh.

“Good. I’ll join your party. I’ll be your tanker, the shield that protects you.”

Wooooong—

With those words, Lee Yoo-ri was teleported out of the training arena.

“Ugh, this isn’t going to work. I should’ve listened to the boss when she told us to be careful of these guys. We surrender!”
“Me too… It’s too unfair that Cheonhwa is using her fists. This isn’t a fair fight.”
“Umm, me too… Huff, puff—”

And with Lee Yoo-ri’s opponent surrendering, the match was over.

The referee’s voice declared,

“With Lee Yoo-ri’s party surrendering, Jin Yuha’s party wins the public sparring match.”
.

.

.

Waaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh—!!!

Clap clap clap clap—!!!!

Although only a third of the prospective students remained in the vast auditorium,
They all stood up and erupted into thunderous applause and cheers.
The massive auditorium reverberated with their voices.

I turned my head, feeling dazed.
‘Uh…’

I had been so focused on my match with Lee Yoo-ri that I hadn’t even considered how others would react.

“Kyaaaaaahhhhhh!!!”

As I turned my gaze towards the audience, I heard shrill screams.

“You’re so cool!”
“He’s so handsome!!!”
“Jin Yuha! Jin Yuha! Jin Yuha!”
“Oppaaaaa!!! Take me!!!!!”

This recognition was for me, not for Cheonhwa or Fighting Dog.
I had been ignored and dismissed as the quota student.
But my performance today seemed to have changed their perception, at least a little.

I had tried to convince myself that I was fine with the neglect and that it didn’t bother me, but apparently, I was wrong.
Something stirred in my chest, a tingling sensation.
I felt a bit embarrassed and scratched my cheek.

“Dick on a cliff!”

‘Who the hell said that?’

I turned my head, trying to find the owner of that voice, which had an odd sound mixed in.
Tap.

Baek Seol-hee ascended the sparring arena with a proud look on her face.

“Jin Yuha.”
“Yes.”
“You’ve grown.”

Her words were probably referring to my skill, as I had gained a small insight during the sparring match.

“Thanks to you, Instructor, I was able to win this sparring match and gain a new insight.”

I nodded in agreement.

“No, it’s that girl’s doing this time. Is she the one you’ve been keeping an eye on?”

Baek Seol-hee glanced at the other party.
Over there, Lee Yoo-ri was sitting on the floor, surrounded by her party members.

“Yes, she’s our tanker.”

I smiled and replied,

“Indeed, she’s a great tanker. I look forward to her future performances.”
“Yes.”

Baek Seol-hee nodded and addressed me and my party members.

“Then, follow me now, Jin Yuha and your party members.”
“Huh? Where…?”

The sparring match was over, so where were we going?

“As the winners of the group sparring match, you should receive your rewards, shouldn’t you?”

Ah. It seemed that there was a reward for the winners of this sparring match.

“Usually, don’t they give the rewards at the winning spot?”

Baek Seol-hee seemed to read the question in my eyes and replied,

“We’re going to the Chairman’s office.”

Huh?

The Chairman’s office?
‘So, I’ll be meeting that person even before enrollment?’

.

.

.

We followed Baek Seol-hee to the clock tower of the main building,
The tallest structure within the Academy, with long windows covering the walls and thick mana floating visibly in the air, creating a surreal atmosphere.
The Chairman’s office.
We met her there, a living legend who had made the Velvet Academy renowned as the world’s best hunter training facility.
The Magic Emperor, Lina.

“Welcome, prospective students. I am Lina, the Chairman of Velvet Academy.”

Although she spoke with a solemn expression,

I couldn’t help but think of her nickname inside my head.
‘Jammin’…