Chapter 23

Despite what had happened the day before, the dormitory was unusually quiet.

Those guys must be embarrassed.

Fifteen of them had ganged up to take on a single quota student, only to be beaten to a pulp themselves. They probably couldn't show their faces anywhere now.

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Nevertheless, the atmosphere in the dormitory had noticeably changed. One of the guys who had attacked me was from our dormitory, and he had boasted about teaching me a lesson. But now, he hadn't returned, and I had come back with a bloodied wooden sword, dragging it along the floor.

The guys in our dormitory must have gotten the message. They must have realized that something extraordinary had happened.

The next morning, the usual basic training began with a slight twist.

My muscles trembled as I squatted with a massive barbell on my shoulders.

"Ughhhh─!"

I could feel my strength fading. I might get crushed by this…

Just then.

"Yah! Healing!"

"Haat! Enhancement!"

Without being told, the two quota students used their skills on me.

The effects were noticeably different from before. Although not overwhelming, it was like a drop of water in a desert. In other words, enough to quench my thirst.

Even this small boost was a welcome help to me.

"Keep it up!"

"You can do it!"

"Huurghhh!!!!"

I gritted my teeth, lowered my hips, and pushed myself back up from the squat.

Then, I let go of the barbell.

Whoooooosh─!!!

The barbell fell to the floor with a loud thud.

"Hey, did my healing skill work?!"

"Was my support skill helpful too?"

The quota students asked eagerly, their eyes sparkling. I looked at them with cold eyes.

'These guys… Are they going to cheer me on after every set? I almost got crushed because I lost my focus.'

Overnight, their attitude had done a complete 180-degree turn.

I had apologized to them for getting them involved in yesterday's mess, and when they asked why I had saved them, I had simply said

-"We're in the same party, so it's only right to help each other out."

But somehow, those words had made a big impression on them. Of course, the fact that they no longer had to cower in the dormitory might have also played a part.

'Well, at least their skills will be helpful for my training.'

I decided not to dwell on it too much.

"The quota students have changed."

Instructor Baek Seol-hee noticed their transformation and took an interest.

"Yes! From now on, we will actively participate in the basic training!"

"We will do our best!"

The quota students, instead of their usual dull and lifeless eyes, now had determined gazes as they replied.

Baek Seol-hee nodded without expression.

"State your names."

"...Kim Cheol-hyun."

"...Kim So-hoon."

"Good, those names aren't bad. Kim Cheol-hyun, Kim So-hoon."

Finally, they were addressed by their names instead of being referred to as quota students. Their eyes widened, and they bit their lips, their bodies trembling slightly.

"From now on, during the basic training time, use your skills on Jin Yuha to assist him with his position training, and during the position training, you will receive basic training instead."

"...Yes!"

"...Yes!"

"Alright, that's the end of the morning training. We'll meet again after lunch."

And so, the basic training session ended.

"Boss! Let's eat together…"

"We know a great place to eat."

The two quota students eagerly approached me. I pointed with my finger, and they followed my gaze.

Shin Se-hee was walking towards us with a bright smile.

"Eek!"

"Ugh!"

The two quota students, remembering how they had been treated by Shin Se-hee's fans the day before, turned pale and took a step back.

"Jin Yuha, are you going again today?"

I looked at Shin Se-hee and nodded.

"Yes."

She and I walked past the quota students, leaving them behind.

"Huhuhu, it seems you two have gotten closer."

"It's all thanks to you."

"Me?"

Shin Se-hee widened her eyes innocently, as if she didn't understand. I clicked my tongue.

"Tsk, no. So, where are we going today?"

"Today, we're going to a place called Kimbap Heaven. Do-hee went there."

I nodded.

There were no surprises this time. We ran into Kang Do-hee inside the restaurant again, and she glared at Shin Se-hee with hostility.

"Oh, what a coincidence?"

"Hey, Flower Garden. Why do you keep bothering me when I'm eating? Can't you just mind your own business?"

"Hmm, because Jin Yuha likes this kind of food."

Shin Se-hee was clearly trying to provoke Kang Do-hee.

'And you're involving me in this.'

I narrowed my eyes at Shin Se-hee.

I let the incident with her fans the day before slide. After all, she had a very passionate fan base, and it was understandable that they would react to a quota student hanging around her.

'But there's no way she didn't know that.'

Bang─!

Just like with the hamburger, Kang Do-hee left the restaurant with just one roll of kimbap in her hand, slamming the door behind her.

Shin Se-hee, unfazed, ate a kimbap as she enjoyed the attention of the people around her.

"Hmm… This isn't as good as the hamburger."

"Now, I need to figure out your true intentions."

I spoke to her in a low voice.

"True intentions?"

"Well, it's obvious that Do-hee hates you now, but deep down, she's quite concerned about you."

Shin Se-hee covered her mouth and whispered as if sharing a secret.

"Do-hee isn't very good at expressing her true feelings."

Hmm.

I knew Kang Do-hee's personality, and this didn't quite fit. She wasn't the type to dislike something openly. If she didn't like something, she would simply keep quiet about it.

'That's bullshit. Anyway, It seems I need to get another leash on you.'

"Haha, Jin Yuha. We made a deal, didn't we? I will definitely bring you and Do-hee together!"

She clenched her fists tightly, determined.

"If you want, you don't have to come with me from tomorrow. I can do it alone."

'Hah, this girl is making me want to clear her karma episode. For real.'

I had put a leash on her, but it seemed like it wasn't tight enough.

I didn't know how she was going to do it, but Shin Se-hee would definitely keep her promise and bring Kang Do-hee and me together. After all, she never lied when it came to deals.

However, the process would likely be messy and unpleasant.

I couldn't just let her do whatever she wanted and be a passive victim.

'Another leash. And I need to get a preemptive shot, too.'

Shin Se-hee would deliver the result of connecting Kang Do-hee and me, but I wanted to minimize the unpleasant parts of the process as much as I could.

"Shin Se-hee."

I looked at her and opened my mouth.

"Yes?"

"Let's keep eating together. Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and so on."

"Oh my! I'd love that!"

Shin Se-hee clapped her hands in delight.

'I wonder if that's true.'

I snorted. Shin Se-hee also smiled at me, her eyes sparkling.

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The preemptive shot was for tomorrow morning, but first, I needed to tighten the leash.

'Tsk, I didn't want to bother her with this, but…'

After all the training was over, I headed to the girls' dormitory.

I stood in front of the dormitory for a moment, and a girl who had been outside looked at me. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Hey, hey. It's Cheonhwa's boy!"

She nudged her friend, who looked at me with wide eyes.

"Huh? Why is he here? She doesn't live in the dormitory, does she?"

"The quota student!?"

The girl who had first seen me pointed at me, and her friend, surprised, exclaimed.

"Hey."

"Yes, yes? Me?"

The girl was startled, as if she couldn't believe I was talking to her.

"Is Lee Yoo-ri in there?"

"Huh? Who? Cheonhwa…"

"Not Cheonhwa, Lee Yoo-ri."

"Yoo-ri…? Yes, she's inside, but…"

"Then, could you please call her out for me?"

"Wow!!!"

The two girls rushed back into the dormitory, causing a commotion.

"Lee Yoo-ri!!!!!"

At the same time, Soup's loud voice could be heard from inside the dormitory.

"Oh, it's nothing like that!!!!!!"

Squeak─!

The dormitory door opened again, and Lee Yoo-ri came out alone.

It had been a while since I had seen her like this.

Her hair, usually tied up, was now loose and hung down to her waist. She had just washed her face, and water dripped from her chin.

'Even without makeup, she looks the same. I guess she doesn't usually wear makeup.'

I smiled at her unusual appearance.

"Long time no see, Soup."

"What's up, Jin Yuha? What are you doing here so late?"

Her tone was cold, and her face seemed to be shadowed by something.

'Is she in a bad mood because of the training?'

"Soup, are you okay? Did something happen?"

I asked with a concerned tone. Yoo-ri bit her lip and glared at me.

"Who fault is it─!"

She was about to shout something but stopped herself.

Whoosh─!

"...Never mind. Just tell me what you want."

It seemed like something had happened, but she didn't seem willing to talk about it. I'd have to ask her about it later.

For now, I had a request.

"Soup. I need your help."

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