NOVEL WEB Chapter 64
As the break, long enough for the participants to catch their breath, came to an end, the host began the second match without a hint of hesitation.
Unlike the chaotic arena of the first match, where Hunters and Heroes were all tangled up, the second match proceeded with the Hunter and Hero classes separated.
It couldn’t be helped. While Hunters and Heroes might be somewhat similar, their roles and required abilities were different.
For Hunters, as long as their combat power against monsters was high, that was all that mattered, but Heroes, being “heroes,” had to be able to save people as well.
So naturally, the content of the matches had to differ.
The stadium, now solely occupied by the Hero class, had changed since the first match, which featured a virtual forest.
This time, it displayed the wreckage of a city, crumbled and ruined.
This was the set for the second match.
“Wow, for a first-year match, there are still a lot of people here. Dad usually says the audience drops off by the second match for first years…”
Yeonhwa, slightly tensed by the gazes and loud cheers of the crowd heading toward the field, glanced around and spoke to Jinhyeon.
“I mean, we’re not your average first years. With the villain attack incident and all, there are a lot of special talents like you, me, Blanca, and Lapiz.”
“I… I don’t want attention… Mom, Dad… it’s scary…”
“Can’t you at least act a bit relaxed as Class A…? We’re already about to have a heart attack over here!”
“We’re still just people, you know. Being the center of attention can be stressful.”
Class B had been targeted for some unknown grievance in just over two months. They’d scrutinized everything Class A did, nitpicking anything they could find.
If you’re wondering why Class B was singled out, it was because Class C was eyeing me with a somewhat frightening intensity.
Despite having significantly fewer members than Classes A or B, there was still a palpable hostility.
Should anyone inquire why they were giving me those glares, I could answer simply: I had taken all their friends out of the running.
My influence had reached as far as Class C, which meant the ones glaring at me absolutely had a grudge against me.
If I’d known this, I would have toned it down just a bit. Looking back at my excitement during Match 1 when I took out 90 monster types, I felt a bit foolish.
But even if I went back in time, I’d probably make the same choice. After all, trampling on the weak is just too much fun.
“Silence. From this point on, I’ll be deducting points immediately instead of giving warnings, so keep that in mind.”
As the host for the second match, the homeroom teacher from Class B, along with a Hero, issued the warning, and the students quickly fell silent.
“Alright, let me finish explaining. The content of the second match is a rescue simulation.”
The teacher yawned, rubbing his eyes tiredly as he continued his explanation.
Since it’s a rescue simulation, attacks or interference against participants are prohibited.
The goal is to rescue mannequins buried among the rubble as best as one can.
But as said by the author, it wasn’t going to be that simple. There was a major trap hidden in Match 2.
“Whether you’re a Hero or a Hunter, it’d be great if you could pair with a partner of your choice, but… reality is cruel. It’s rare to be able to choose your partner luxuriously.”
The trap in Match 2 was that teams would be formed. And it would be scored.
“I’ve assigned you all scores based on your performance in Match 1 and your overall capabilities. Each team of four must have a total score exceeding 200 but not surpassing 250.”
“You have 15 minutes for negotiation. Now move. The match has already begun!”
Shadowy figures, seemingly crafted by someone’s abilities, distributed name tags to the students.
My name tag boldly displayed a score of 150 points.
Part of it was undoubtedly due to my antics during Match 1, but this test also factored in the potential of abilities for scoring.
My abilities would naturally score highly since I was basically a walking Chemical Factory.
“170 points, huh. Lower than I expected.”
“100 points. Hmm. Feels like a lot.”
“120 points. W-What!? You’re way too high…”
“80 points… Sigh. I adjusted, but still, that stings. Isn’t it a bit too low? I did take down a villain all on my own…”
Class A generally received higher scores, while Class B’s lower ranks and others scored poorly.
The intention behind this was blatantly obvious.
Those deemed strong received high scores and were tested under pressure, while opportunities were provided for the weaker ones.
The lower-class students silently stared at their name tags.
After seeing their contrasting scores, they appeared at a loss for words.
There were some in Class B who looked shocked at receiving scores in the 40s; what about those below that?
While I didn’t fully grasp others’ feelings, I could understand the general sentiment of the lower-class students.
They probably applied with confidence, having been told they had talent, only to find themselves treated like mere mats or shackles—it must be disheartening.
Approaching those lower-class students, I raised my hand to draw attention.
“Hey, let me take the lead here!”
“…What are you trying to do?”
“What do you mean, what? I’m rescuing my teammates. Surely you can’t be that clueless? Anyone else?”
One of them shot back angrily, but I casually retorted and continued my recruitment.
Whatever they thought of me was their business.
The match had to continue. The lower-class students trailed off, mentioning names they’d never heard before in an attempt to scare me.
But I had no intention of listening. Time was running out.
“We’ll see each other after…!”
So even amidst a somewhat tense atmosphere, in the end, one brave soul volunteered.
“25 points. I can lift at least a steel pillar, right?”
“If I try hard enough… maybe.”
“Alright. Then either I’m pretty solid or I’m quick. Your call.”
With that, I gathered one from Class B’s lower ranks and another from Class C, and soon our score flirted with 230 points.
I wasn’t thrilled about having to carry this match solo. If it turned into a one-man show, all the attention would land on me, and if that happened… ugh.
This embarrassing costume would become more widely known.
But if I thought positively, given what happened in Match 1, there was probably no place left to spread any further.
Having taken out so many opponents, there’s no way I didn’t grab the spotlight. I definitely received it.
Even if I hadn’t, it was possible someone had recorded me during one of those blatant zoom-ins when I entered.
So… it was too late to feel embarrassed now.
Hmmm. Thinking this way oddly made me feel somewhat calmer.
Truth be told, I was just synthesizing substances that helped calm down, forcedly maintaining my composure.
But, who cares? Let’s go wild! If it can help that person even a little.
– – – –
“Aww, it’s too bad. I wanted to team up with you.”
Yeonhwa looked genuinely disappointed as she gazed at Jinhyeon’s name tag, which read 140 points, while hers showed 80.
“I could do it if I wanted to, but… then the balance would be ruined, Yeonhwa. Our abilities… neither of us is particularly suited for rescuing someone.”
“Ugh, that’s true.”
The kids of Class A were trying to find a way to balance out their scores, but honestly? They probably wouldn’t succeed.
The score distribution padlocked strong abilities together, making it quite difficult for them.
Moreover, considering ability combinations, mixing with the other classes was a far better strategy.
However, with Lapiz around, I could say it didn’t matter if we ignored such intentions.
Lapiz’s abilities would shine bright in this test. Being able to manipulate rocks and earth meant she could control concrete and bricks.
Additionally, most mannequins were buried beneath debris in buildings.
It was essentially the perfect environment for Lapiz to shine.
As long as it was just her and me, the other two didn’t matter.
So I approached her, suggesting we team up.
“W-Wait, that means we reach 200 points. I’d need to fill in the remaining 50 with my score… a-are you really sure about this?”
“It’s fine, Lapiz. As long as it’s you.”
Upon hearing that, Lapiz’s eyes lit up, as if she were a bit moved.
Simultaneously, a notification appeared stating her affinity for me had risen to level 2.
“If that’s the case… we can try to match our movements during the rescue drills, so maybe it’s a good idea!”
“Exactly. Now let’s go find the remaining 50 points.”
With that said, we headed toward the area where Classes C, D, and E were gathered. There, we spotted Blanca collecting members.
Sure enough, the atmosphere felt pretty intense.
It couldn’t be helped. No matter how much I was, if I approached and asked to team up after taking out half of my classmates, they would likely be furious.
However, even among them, some had buried their emotions to focus on their own interests.
Was this the strategy Heros Academy had in mind? To distinguish those who could suppress their emotions and make rational judgments?
That seemed a bit cruel, didn’t it?
Such thoughts soon washed away as I focused on Blanca.
Her gathering members from the lower classes essentially indicated her intent to go solo.
Could she actually handle that?