NOVEL WEB Chapter 8
<Chapter 9> I am Justice!!
Yu-jin stared blankly at the ogre that had been sent flying.
Chul-soo and Young-hee also wore shocked expressions, though not as dumbfounded as Yu-jin.
‘When did I get this strong?’
He had simply put all his strength into a single punch.
There was no special technique or martial arts involved.
And yet, it had this much effect.
It was definitely not ordinary strength.
‘W-Was he really dead?’
Could it have been an act to make him let his guard down?
Yu-jin approached the ogre, trembling.
Honestly, it took immense courage to do so since he was a coward who would’ve run away otherwise.
“Hmm.”
Just in case, he shot the ogre’s head a few times with a gun.
Surprisingly, the bullets ricocheted off.
The firearm couldn’t even pierce its skin.
‘What? Does this even make sense?’
How could the gun be so useless it couldn’t kill a beast?
That meant his punch was stronger than a gun?
That in itself was bizarre.
‘Well, anyway, it seems like he’s really dead.’
He cautiously poked the ogre’s head.
The creature didn’t move an inch.
It lay there with its tongue sticking out.
‘Now that I think about it, I kinda feel sorry…’
Monsters are part of nature too…
I killed it with my own hands, so it feels strange.
Still, it attacked first, right?
This is clearly self-defense.
No, this could even count as natural death.
To be honest, if I hadn’t attacked, I probably would’ve chickened out and fled.
‘Ugh, just thinking about it still gives me chills.’
When Chul-soo fell, I really thought I was going to die.
My legs are still shaking.
Damn it, I just wanna go home.
Why do I have to fight these kinds of monsters?
All I want is to make friends at school and enjoy my student life.
‘Uh… but I haven’t finished my homework yet. Would I get in trouble if I went back without doing it? Maybe they can forgive me since I defeated such a big monster?’
Honestly, this guy seemed way scarier than a goblin swarm.
They should acknowledge this.
The question is whether this logic will work on my homeroom teacher.
While pondering, a notification window popped up in front of him.
【You have defeated a high-level monster!】
【Achievement unlocked: You gain additional stats!】
【Skill efficiency has increased!】
Stats!
He suddenly remembered how he’d been putting effort into increasing his strength lately.
He’d invested all his points into strength.
‘Ah! So that’s why it was knocked out with one hit. Good thing I focused everything on strength.’
At the time, he hadn’t given it much thought, but now he felt glad he made that choice.
‘Hmph, I knew I wasn’t wrong.’
Yu-jin opened his status window for a quick check.
【Name】
Yu-jin Kim
【Height/Weight】
184cm / 71kg
【Stats】
Strength: 50
Stamina: 10
Agility: 10
Magic Power: 10
Luck: 10
【Unique Traits】
– Evil Charisma
– Ironman
– Intimidation
– Crowd Control
– Fear Politics
【Acquired Traits】
– Social Disorder
– Optimistic Thinking
– Dragon Who Tasted the Pearl
– Ruthless Hunter (NEW!)
【Skills Owned】
– None
– Remaining Points: 5
‘Oh, something new appeared?’
In the acquired traits, “Ruthless Hunter” had been added.
Though unsure what it meant, he felt slightly aggrieved.
‘I’m not someone who recklessly uses violence.’
Surely, they aren’t giving me this because I defeated one ogre?
If so, that judgment is a bit harsh.
As mentioned earlier, the other side attacked first.
Whoever made this system must be a monster lover.
‘But having something is better than having nothing, right?’
Seeing it update felt strangely fun.
It was like raising an avatar.
At least it was better than having “Social Disorder” and such.
Wait, shouldn’t this kind of thing disappear now?
‘I have friends now!’
Anyway, while he was at it, he poured all the extra stats into strength.
With this much power, I can relax even if monsters come!
Won’t school life become much easier?
‘Sorry for leaving Chul-soo behind on the bus. But now I guess I can fight too. Hehe.’
Of course, fighting monsters is still scary.
But with this strength, there’s no need to run.
Goblins wouldn’t even stand a chance with a single punch.
Anyway, his confidence soared.
At any rate, it was one job done.
Yu-jin turned his head toward Chul-soo.
“Are you alright?”
Thanks to Young-hee’s healing, Chul-soo was recovering.
Leaning against a tree, he frowned.
“What were you thinking?”
“What?”
“This kind of opportunity won’t come again easily.”
Considering the situation—a field exercise interrupted by a sudden appearance of a high-level monster—it was a golden chance to fake an accident.
And yet, it was wasted.
Chul-soo knew the Yu-jin he knew wouldn’t make such a choice.
But this was none other than the notorious hardliner Yu-jin.
‘What is he talking about?’
Yu-jin narrowed his eyes slightly, confused.
‘Hmm… maybe I wasn’t supposed to kill that monster?’
Is there some rule where killing it earns penalty points?
Or is it super valuable? Or maybe it’s a natural monument because of its size?
No, even then, someone almost died! What could I have done?
Rules or whatever, you gotta survive first!
The world isn’t all about grades, man.
“There are things you can’t learn from school lessons.”
“That means…”
“I couldn’t let you die to some monster.”
A faint smile crossed Chul-soo’s lips.
So he wasn’t going to let them fail over something like this?
He was going to crush it with his own strength?
‘Though there was no need to do that…’
Chul-soo glanced at the fallen ogre.
Even in perfect condition, could he have handled such a beast?
…
…
…
No, it was clearly impossible.
How many active heroes could even pull that off?
‘Am I supposed to surpass someone like this?’
Far. Too far.
Still, quitting wasn’t an option.
He had something to protect.
“…”
He reached out and gently patted Young-hee’s head.
Her eyes were still brimming with tears from the moment the ogre appeared and nearly killed them.
Without hesitation, both had risked their lives for each other.
Yu-jin had forcibly separated them.
But their bond only grew stronger.
‘I have to protect this.’ But the path ahead looked long and perilous.
Unconsciously, Chul-soo gripped his sword tightly.
‘Eheheh, my strength has gone up again. Can I lift 55 beds now?’ Meanwhile, Yu-jin was lost in such thoughts.
*
“I… can’t believe it.”
Grade 1, Class ?.
The homeroom teacher of Yu-jin’s class sat in shock watching the video.
Even in Hero Academies, safety isn’t neglected.
During practical training, veteran heroes are always on standby.
Teachers monitor students 24/7.
In case of an accident, immediate rescue is available.
Of course, this is kept strictly confidential.
After all, the purpose of the lesson was to cultivate real-world combat skills among students.
In short, safety is prioritized.
It’s rare for anyone to get hurt.
But this time, something extraordinary happened.
The issue arose with the team containing Chul-soo, Yu-jin, and Young-hee.
To be honest, the teachers had a bad feeling about them.
Their relationship wasn’t exactly unnoticed by the staff.
However, once Yu-jin decided to participate, there was no stopping him.
Chul-soo and Young-hee agreed too.
It would’ve been awkward for the teacher to interfere.
Still, the unease remained.
Thus, they observed more closely.
‘It was suspicious from when they got lost midway.’
Chul-soo, leading the group, walked in the wrong direction.
Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t have made such a mistake.
Of course, until this point, it was within acceptable limits.
Several other teams also got lost.
The problem was the monster they faced.
The upper-tier monster, Ogre.
Brute strength, endless stamina, and most importantly, thick hide.
Ordinary weapons don’t penetrate its skin.
An appropriate level would be a B-class party accompanied by a Scorpion-class hero.
Only then could it be safely captured.
Sure enough, Chul-soo was immediately knocked out.
The teacher quickly sent out a rescue signal.
Though dangerous even to active heroes, the students’ safety came first.
But then, the unexpected happened.
‘A student knocking it out with one punch?’
Yu-jin stepped forward.
And the punch he threw.
That single blow sent the massive body of the ogre flying.
‘Not even among active heroes have I seen such power.’
The teacher knew Yu-jin wasn’t ordinary.
The son of Korea’s largest mafia organization, Hwagcheon.
The sole legitimate heir.
Yu-jin never revealed his full power.
There was no need.
Most opponents weren’t worthy.
‘But… this much?!’
His talent was insane.
At this level, he could easily qualify as a Strong Hero.
And yet, he belonged to Hwagcheon!
It was akin to Captain America dealing with Hydra.
‘However… Yu-jin still holds potential for change.’
Recently, he started using honorifics when speaking to the teacher.
Something unimaginable under normal circumstances.
Likewise, he seemed uncomfortable when the teacher reciprocated the respect.
He even asked the teacher to speak casually to him.
Most decisively, his recent actions.
‘That move just now… it was clearly to protect Chul-soo.’
One person saving another.
At first glance, it might seem obvious.
But not for Yu-jin.
Hwagcheon was a ruthless and cruel organization.
Yu-jin had spent his whole life receiving education as its successor.
Yet, here he was trying to save someone else.
Whatever the reason, wasn’t this action undeniably ‘justice’?
‘If guided properly, he could truly become a hero…’
Frankly, the teacher found Yu-jin intimidating.
Ideally, he’d prefer to keep his distance.
But losing such an outstanding talent was undesirable.
That immense power!
If it could be directed towards justice!
The teacher’s eyes gradually lit up with determination.
Within them burned the resolve to mold Yu-jin into a true hero at all costs.