Why Is Everyone in This Dating Sim Trying to Kill Me?!

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Translator: Vine

Chapter Title: Hunting (4)

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"…Huh? No, that's not it."

Shin Sehee suddenly lunged forward, gripping the blade and attempting to plunge it into her own neck.

'What is she doing? That's dangerous.'

*Whoosh!*

My face paled in alarm as I snatched the knife away from her neck.

I was so dumbfounded I couldn't speak. How on earth could her mind have possibly arrived at such a conclusion?

"Why would I kill you?"

"…Huh?"

When I asked her, Shin Sehee blinked, a flustered expression on her face.

"Th-that's, oh, isn't it? I-I'm not much help… I always sit out during combat situations, and if you, if you defeat me, you can earn a lot of coins, right…?"

I let out a hollow laugh at her words.

*Haaah.*

"So… you thought I came to take your coins to get a good grade? That's harsh, you completely see me as trash, don't you?"

"Th-that, uh… that's…"

"And you're planning to just slip away by yourself in this dangerous situation?"

I asked in a playful tone.

Shin Sehee belatedly realized her misunderstanding and waved her hands frantically, a flustered look on her face.

"…N-no! N-not that I'm trying to slip away by myself!"

I let out a small chuckle.

"Oh, you are, even if you deny it."

'Hmm, I've always kept her out of combat, so now when something like this happens, she immediately thinks of removing herself? As if this isn't where she belongs.'

It wasn't because Shin Sehee lacked ability,

but because her chemistry with Lee Yuri wasn't good when they were grouped in the same party.

She was, without a doubt, a 4-star regular.

Moreover, she possessed area-of-effect attacks, making her a character who wouldn't fall behind anywhere.

Even if a superior version of this character was scheduled to appear later,

that didn't mean Shin Sehee was weak.

Of course, her other abilities (party management skills) were so exceptional compared to her combat prowess that they often overshadowed it.

'Good, I was worried about exactly that when considering what to assign her, but after this, she might regain some confidence.'

Unavoidably, the most crucial highlight scene would be taken by the new character, Sophia,

but the task she had to do now was not easy either. It involved overcoming her own weaknesses, which would surely be a significant burden.

First, before all that.

I took Shin Sehee's hand and pulled it towards me.

Only then did she seem to feel the pain, and she wincd.

"Ouch!"

The hand that had gripped the bare blade.

As I hastily pulled the sword away, a straight gash on her hand gaped open, dripping bright red blood.

I clicked my tongue as I looked at it.

"Tsk, who told you to do something so dangerous so suddenly? I was so startled I pulled the sword away."

I was about to call Sophia immediately, but then I remembered I had just given her a mission and decided against it.

Instead,

*Riiip—*

I tore a long strip from the cadet uniform I was wearing.

"…Uh, ugh, Mr. Jin Yuha? Y-you don't really have to go that far…"

"Shush, hold still."

I stopped Shin Sehee, who kept squirming and trying to pull her hand away, and wrapped the torn piece of cloth around her hand.

*Tight—*

I tied it tightly to prevent any more blood from seeping out.

"Later, I'll ask Sophia to shoot an arrow for you. Don't use your hand too much so the wound doesn't get worse."

"Uh, yes… Th-thank you."

"You might get a scar if you get healing late. Such pretty hands."

"…"

Shin Sehee buried her face, which had turned beet red.

"S-so! W-what was it you wanted to ask me!?"

As if unable to bear the awkward atmosphere, Shin Sehee lifted her head and asked urgently.

"Ah, it's nothing else, but I need you to take on the role of leading all the cadets."

"…Huh?"

"Of course, it might be a bit of a burden for you, but this is something only you can do."

And upon hearing my plan, Shin Sehee's eyes widened in surprise.

*

"…"

The spot where Jin Yuha had left.

Only a quiet silence remained, as if he had never been there.

Shin Sehee covered her flushed face with both hands.

'…I'm so embarrassed. So humiliated, so ashamed!'

What on earth had she misunderstood?

She took great pride in objectively assessing situations and combining extracted clues to deduce the circumstances.

The given circumstances were that fiends were scheduled to invade this mid-term evaluation, and Jin Yuha intended to deal with them without any cadet casualties and finish today's test.

In such a situation, who would be the most dangerous person on this battlefield?

It was none other than herself.

Shin Sehee.

Why?

Because she was ambiguous.

Her role was Utopia's administrator.

In combat situations, she was a party member who always stayed a step back, handling post-battle logistics rather than fighting directly.

However, she possessed slightly more strength than regular cadets, making her not easy to kill.

This meant that for other cadets here, if they were in danger from a fiend's attack,

Jin Yuha could step in and quickly finish the fiend off.

But for her, with her mediocre defense, if the timing was even slightly off, she might die faster from a fiend's attack than from Jin Yuha's sword.

Therefore, Shin Sehee made a judgment.

That Jin Yuha had come to kill her in advance, to exclude her from the upcoming battle.

And since she possessed the most coins here, if she died by his hand, her coins would become his.

Of course, that didn't mean the record of her collected coins would disappear.

Ultimately, her test would end there.

Shin Sehee had secretly considered that choice a happy one.

She was grateful that Jin Yuha had come to find her out of concern.

She even liked the idea of dying by his hand and helping him by transferring her coins.

Even though her contribution to this battle would be minimal, still.

But when Jin Yuha told her she had a role to play and gave her a separate mission,

she became aware of the feelings she had hidden deep within her heart.

Shin Sehee wore a bitter smile.

'…I was disappointed.'

That she always had to step back whenever something like this happened.

That while other party members risked their lives in battle, she alone had to wait for them in a safe place.

Of course, she wasn't denying that now.

Because that would be denying the abilities Jin Yuha valued so highly in her.

Shin Sehee objectively reflected on her feelings.

This was simply a feeling that arose because her role in this particular incident was extremely small.

The role of delivering the dungeon map in advance, the role of identifying information about the enemies to be faced, checking items, and preparing for variables.

It felt like Jin Yuha was trying to do everything by himself, without any help from her.

That's why a bit of disappointment had accumulated.

'…Mr. Jin Yuha, really, I told him I don't like being in front. I'm the type who prefers to rule from behind…'

But her lips naturally curved upwards, and a pleasant hum unconsciously escaped her.

*Hmm. Hmm.*

"But, since he says he really needs me… I suppose I have no choice this time."

Shin Sehee lightly touched the cloth he had wrapped around her hand to her lips, then pulled it away, her eyes clear as she gazed at the battlefield.

* * *

*KWAANG—!*

*BANG!*

*KWAANG—!*

Metal and fists clashed, creating deafening roars.

For an hour already.

Kang Dohee and Lee Yuri continued their battle.

"Ha! How long are you just going to block?!"

"Hmph! You haven't landed a single hit yet, and you're talking so much!!!"

Kang Dohee's eyes narrowed.

Of course, if she used her skills now, defeating Lee Yuri might be easy.

However, that would be tantamount to admitting she couldn't overwhelm Lee Yuri in a bare-fisted clash.

As the very embodiment of competitiveness, Kang Dohee wasn't so easygoing as to simply accept that.

Just as she launched herself into the air again and swung her leg fiercely.

"That's enough fighting."

Suddenly, a voice interjected between the two.

"…Shin Sehee?"

"What are you doing here…?"

Kang Dohee and Lee Yuri paused, stopping their movements to look at Shin Sehee with puzzled expressions.

"The situation has changed. We need to end the combat now."

"Ha, do you think I'd listen to nonsense like that? Are you under the delusion that I've actually joined your side?"

"Yeah, I don't see why I should listen to you either. You're our enemy."

Kang Dohee retorted with an annoyed expression,

and Lee Yuri also refused to accept her words.

The two who had been exchanging blows just moments ago now directed their hostility towards Shin Sehee, but Shin Sehee's expression remained serene.

'Well, there's always the most effective phrase for times like this.'

"Mr. Jin Yuha ordered it."

"…The Mutt?"

"…Huh? Jin Yuha?"

Instantly, the hostile atmosphere melted away, replaced by an attitude of 'let's hear her out.'

'Just as expected.'

"Yes, it's urgent, so I'll explain the situation a bit later. First, Ms. Lee Yuri. Can you use your skill at maximum output to draw the attention of all the cadets here?"

"…Is that also something Jin Yuha ordered?"

"Yes, it's very important."

Shin Sehee looked at Lee Yuri seriously and nodded.

'As expected, it's still uncomfortable.'

Lee Yuri's mana, which had been surging during the battle, now swelled and consumed her surroundings.

Shin Sehee, who was vulnerable to her mana, had to expend significant mental energy just to maintain a poker face and speak normally.

Lee Yuri, who had been staring intently at Shin Sehee, slowly nodded.

"…Well, if he ordered it. But if you're lying, you'll have to face the consequences."

"Surely not. Would I lie when Mr. Jin Yuha is involved?"

*Swoooooooosh—*

Lee Yuri slowly inhaled.

Mana of an incomparable density to before gathered around her.

At that very moment, the cadets nearby stopped their battles and turned their heads towards Lee Yuri.

Soon, she drew her dagger and

the moment she struck her shield.

*KAAAAAANG—!*

A sharp metallic clang resonated, and everyone's gaze fixed on Lee Yuri.

Shin Sehee bit her lip tightly.

The surging mana churned within her, scraping at her insides.

At such close range, directly exposed to Lee Yuri's skill, her stomach churned and her mind grew dizzy.

*Trickle—*

A crimson trickle of blood flowed from the corner of her tightly bitten mouth.

'It's okay. I can do this.'

Even though she had stuffed water-soaked cloth into her ears, her head kept wanting to turn away.

Fine veins pulsed on Shin Sehee's neck.

*Hoo—*

She took a deep breath and slowly opened her eyes.

And with wide eyes, she opened her mouth to address the cadets before her in the clearest voice possible.

"Everyone, please stop fighting for a moment. And listen to what I have to say."