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

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Translator: Vine

Chapter Title: Conclusion (5)

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'Two new members joined the Utopia Party?'

First, Sophia.

'This girl is the healer Jin Yuha was waiting for...'

Lying on the floor, Yi Yuri scanned Sophia intently.

At first glance, she was a girl with an extraordinary appearance.

Her long, flowing golden hair, reaching her waist, gleamed as if coated in honey.

Though she was in a shabby training suit for the exam, it couldn't hide her stunning figure.

Yi Yuri bit her lip, feeling slightly annoyed.

'Why, why! Why do only people like this join Utopia!?'

Honestly, wouldn't it be okay if they were a little less attractive?

It was already a group with a high average appearance.

There was no need to even mention Jin Yuha's beauty as the party leader now.

Shin Sehee, with her noble and elegant appearance.

Kang Dohee, with her wild yet robust charm.

And Im Gaeul, with a heart so vast it honestly felt like cheating.

But even the new healer who just joined was far from ordinary-looking.

Yi Yuri stared intently at Sophia before opening her mouth.

"Excuse me, ...Sophia?"

"Yes...? Huh?! M-Mr. Gukbap!?"

Sophia replied with a startled expression, as if she hadn't expected to be addressed suddenly.

"...Gukb—. Ahem! Well, never mind. Anyway, how did you end up joining the party? If you took the mid-term evaluation, you must be a first-year student, and someone with your looks would surely be famous within the academy..."

She had never heard of her before.

Actually, this was something she could ask Jin Yuha when he woke up, but Yi Yuri wanted to hear it directly from Sophia, so she asked.

"I, I got into the academy, but I never attended any classes."

"...What?"

"Oh, how that happened is..."

Upon hearing Sophia's explanation, Yi Yuri let out a dumbfounded laugh.

"...So, you were working as a model, and then you were suddenly kidnapped into the mid-term evaluation without a word?"

"...Yes."

"You've been through a lot... You've never even had hunter training, yet you faced monsters and demons..."

Then, Yi Yuri suddenly tilted her head.

"Then, shouldn't you return to the modeling world after the exam?"

"W-Well—."

"That's already been taken care of."

Shin Sehee interjected from the side.

"Sophia was already a famous model. But as a healer... Hmm, she's beyond anything I could have imagined. Truly the kind of talent Jin Yuha would notice..."

Shin Sehee was one of the people most astonished by Sophia's abilities over the past few days.

To be able to heal by shooting arrows from a distance—none of the healers she knew had ever shown such outstanding performance.

Furthermore, Shin Sehee had personally witnessed Sophia's wide-area heal, "Rain of Healing".

"Oh! I-It's not that—."

"An ordinary person who has never received hunter training showed overwhelming ability beyond all the healers here, with just one week of training. Do you know what we call someone like that?"

"Uh, I don't really know?"

"We call them a 'genius,' Sophia. Humility, when overdone, can be rude, you know?"

"Oh dear..."

"But ultimately, isn't her own will what matters? No matter how outstanding her abilities, forcing someone who doesn't want to do it is..."

This time, Yi Yuri interjected into their conversation.

"Hmph, we've already confirmed that part. Sophia, you want to be a hunter, don't you?"

"Yes, I've been thinking about it a little..."

"And while you said you weren't interested in the hunter world, that's not entirely true, is it? Sophia, recite Yi Yuri's profile."

"Huh? What?"

As Shin Sehee stared intently, Sophia made a flustered face, then squeezed her eyes shut and replied.

"Height 163cm, gained prominence starting from Carmela's Forest, a tank using a shield, Cross Shield, currently clearing Thorn Meadow and 9 other dungeons... Her alias is Gukbap, skills are Shield's Resonance, and Shield of Sacrifice... Her unique ability to draw enemy attention—."

Information about Yi Yuri poured out fluently.

At that, Yi Yuri's eyes widened in surprise.

"Stop. See? The most important thing to become a hunter is information. Knowing someone as little-known among us as Yi Yuri in such detail isn't something just any passion can achieve."

Shin Sehee had noticed Yi Yuri's curiosity about Sophia and merely gave her a slight push.

And Shin Sehee genuinely believed Sophia had been preparing for the hunter world, but—

In reality, Sophia had simply been a long-time fangirl, deeply researching the Utopia Party.

"...Uh, um. W-Welcome. So, Sophia?"

And it had effectively worked on Yi Yuri as well.

To know so much detail about her, not even Cheonhwa or Tu Gyeon who always appeared in the media, or even Jin Yuha!

Feeling a slight sense of emotion, Yi Yuri thought.

'So there was some reason she couldn't come even after getting accepted into the academy. And Jin Yuha helped her overcome it.'

Hmm. Hmm.

With his information gathering skills, being a former Black Hunter, that much would have been easy.

Convinced by the new party member, Yi Yuri then looked at the orange-haired student.

A slightly odd-headed girl, but one who strangely followed her.

Lee Minyoung.

The reason she, who had no particular offensive abilities, could earn so many coins was all thanks to her.

Even though she hadn't even formed a party with Yi Yuri, Lee Minyoung incited other students, claiming they had to repay the favor of being saved, and made them offer up small monsters on the verge of death, a kind of tax.

Because of this, Yi Yuri was able to accumulate a considerable amount of coins, though not to the level of Kang Dohee or Shin Sehee.

She had a certain liking for her, but she still couldn't shake the thought, 'Why her?'

'...Her actions are a bit shady; she'd be a perfect match with Shin Sehee, but Jin Yuha doesn't usually accept just anyone into the party, does he?'

Sophia was the healer Jin Yuha had been looking for for a long time, so that made sense, but Lee Minyoung felt a bit out of the blue.

With that thought in mind, she looked at Lee Minyoung.

"W-Well..."

* * *

That night, after Baek Seolhee and Jin Yuha had swept away all the demons with their swords.

Lee Minyoung developed a deep admiration for the Utopia Party.

And in the early morning, after a long day, everyone, exhausted, had returned to their respective accommodations to sleep.

Crackling—

Crackling—

She sat by the bonfire, hugging her knees.

"...I want to join the Utopia Party. But, it'll be hard, right?"

As she stared at the flames, recalling each event of the day, her admiration grew even stronger.

Yi Yuri...

Jin Yuha...

Kang Dohee...

Shin Sehee...

No matter how she looked at it, weren't these people living in a world completely separate from her own?

Imagining herself fitting in amongst them, it was an incredibly awkward picture.

"Tch, should I just give up after all..."

"Hmm?"

It was then that an unfamiliar voice came from behind her.

Lee Minyoung turned her head and couldn't help but be startled.

"M-Ms. Shin Sehee!?"

"What did you just say?"

"...Uh, uh, th-that, I-I'm sorry!!!"

Lee Minyoung hurriedly bowed her head and apologized to Shin Sehee.

Because she had been caught speaking carelessly about the Utopia Party.

Of course, it was just to herself, but if the subject was Shin Sehee, it was different.

Because she was Cheonhwa!

At that, Shin Sehee waved her hand as if to dismiss it as unnecessary talk.

"No, I wasn't asking for an apology. From what I just heard, it sounded like you said you wanted to join our party, is that right?"

"...Y-Yes."

Embarrassed that her true feelings had been revealed, Lee Minyoung bowed her head deeply and nodded.

Shin Sehee gazed intently at her.

'Lee Minyoung.'

She's quite a famous student in her own right.

Unlike the Utopia Party, where each member gained fame and was somewhat separated from ordinary students,

She was, how to put it, like a representative figure for the ordinary students?

Furthermore, combining the information she had personally gathered with what she heard from Jin Yuha...

She was a stubborn individual with considerable ability, but also a needlessly fair and just nature, obsessed with the conviction of 'justice.'

'Hmmmm...'

Shin Sehee had many personal realizations while going through this mid-term evaluation.

Jin Yuha had entrusted her with a task, but she hadn't been able to execute it perfectly.

She had succeeded in inciting the students to unite and fight against the external enemy, the demons, but as a result, she had put Yi Yuri in danger.

She might be able to use 'lack of time' as an excuse, but the outcome wouldn't change.

'Surely, among Lee Minyoung's traits, there was one called 'Resonance,' wasn't there?'

To make others understand her thoughts and give persuasive power to her voice.

If she had such an ability, she would have been able to handle things perfectly.

Especially from Shin Sehee's perspective, who primarily dealt with information warfare and psychological warfare, it was a highly coveted ability.

'Just now, it was this woman who seized control of the students' mood and turned their fear of Jin Yuha into goodwill.'

That was originally something she should have done.

To ensure Jin Yuha's image, after he had eradicated the demons while radiating killing intent, didn't turn too negative.

Shin Sehee had intended to slowly soften his rigid image by fabricating and exaggerating stories behind the scenes.

However, with just one word from Lee Minyoung, the students harbored goodwill and gratitude towards Jin Yuha and offered their apologies.

'No matter how I look at it, this ability is perfectly optimized for incitement. And to think she's obsessed with something like justice... That's why she ended up under Yi Yuri... Huh? Wait, could it be...?'

Shin Sehee gazed intently at Lee Minyoung, then a thought struck her, and she asked.

"I'm going to ask a few questions now. Would that be alright, Lee Minyoung?"

"...Huh? Yes! Y-You can ask anything!"

"By any chance, during this mid-term evaluation, were all the events concerning Yi Yuri's faction truly accomplished by Yi Yuri herself?"

At that, Lee Minyoung's pupils instantly dilated. And soon, her expression turned calm.

"Yes, that's correct. Everything was done by Ms. Yi Yuri."

'Oh my...? Look at her?'

Shin Sehee's naturally sharp intuition didn't miss the subtle change in expression just now.

And she could be certain.

The amusing incitement of Yi Yuri's faction. It was all a scheme orchestrated by this woman.

The glint of interest in Shin Sehee's eyes deepened.

'Indeed, Yi Yuri couldn't have designed such a scheme. That's not Yi Yuri's style.'

The one who had surprised Shin Sehee,

That strategist (智囊) was none other than Lee Minyoung!

However, one slightly puzzling point was that the information she knew and the impression this student, Lee Minyoung, gave off were quite different.

For now, Shin Sehee nodded.

"Yes, I see. Now for the second question. What do you think about using dirty tricks to achieve a goal?"

She asked quite directly.

At that, Lee Minyoung closed her mouth as if deep in thought, then soon met Shin Sehee's eyes seriously.

"...At one time, I believed that when achieving a goal, the methods used should also be righteous."

"At one time? And now?"

"Not anymore."

"Why? Values aren't something that change so easily..."

"Hmm, actually, it changed partly from being on the receiving end of Jin Yuha's actions before... But it completely changed today, after seeing you, Ms. Shin Sehee."

Lee Minyoung stared intently at Shin Sehee.

"Ms. Shin Sehee, you deceived all of us today."

"Oh?"

"While we were fighting amongst ourselves, Ms. Shin Sehee united us with the lie that there was a separate, true enemy. And you added to your persuasiveness by giving up your own coins."

"Hmm... And?"

"If it were the old me, I would have said that method was wrong. I would have insisted that you should at least have convinced the students from the start that demons had appeared, and genuinely asked for their cooperation."

Shin Sehee nodded, signaling her to continue.

"But if that had happened, some students would have gotten scared and scattered, and others wouldn't have been able to perform their best due to anxiety. Also, they would have attacked each other, and as soon as things got a little disadvantageous, they would have been summoned to the airship to save their lives. In the end, some students would have met a bad outcome by now."

Good.

Shin Sehee was truly starting to like this woman.

However, one question still remained.

"Why was it wrong for everyone to attack each other and flee to the airship? Actually, if all the students had fled to the airship, the demons would have been left staring upwards like dogs chasing chickens, unable to do anything."

"...Firstly, I couldn't be sure all students would believe that. And... we are hunters. Turning our backs on demons and fleeing because we're scared isn't what a hunter does!"

Lee Minyoung spoke with an unyielding, firm gaze and voice.

Ha.

Shin Sehee let out a scoff.

Actually, her last reason was wrong.

It was a very simple reason: 'Because Jin Yuha commanded it.'

Jin Yuha had simply said that those demons absolutely had to be caught here, and Shin Sehee merely followed his orders.

However, Lee Minyoung couldn't possibly know that, so it was a question for which she couldn't give the 'correct' answer, but—

Shin Sehee wanted to hear Lee Minyoung's thoughts on it.

'This person is really interesting, isn't she?'

Her ultimate goal is righteous.

But the means to achieve that goal are not righteous.

What if such a person supported her from behind?

'...Plus, with a healer added this time, the work has increased.'

The Utopia Party would gain even more fame starting from this mid-term evaluation.

At such a time, if a student who was supported by many students and possessed the ability to incite could back the party...

No matter how much she operated in the shadows, there were limits.

Ultimately, there had to be an instigator to spread various rumors in the light as well.

Until now, Shin Sehee had been performing that role simultaneously while wearing a mask,

But considering the Utopia Party would become even more famous, she would soon need ten bodies to keep up.

'Hmm, but I don't know if Jin Yuha will accept her.'

In the deep hours of that morning.

Shin Sehee left Lee Minyoung behind and went to find Jin Yuha.

"Jin Yuha, could you perhaps assign Lee Minyoung as my direct intern?"

"...What? Lee Minyoung?"

Perhaps the suggestion was sudden, but Jin Yuha made a surprised face,

Then soon touched his lips as if deep in thought.

And then, Jin Yuha readily nodded.

"Alright, do that."

It was Shin Sehee who was flustered by his easy affirmation.

"...What? You're not going to ask more?"

"You think you need her, don't you?"

"...Uh, yes. Th-That's true, but..."

"And she's someone you need for your work, not as a combatant."

"Yes..."

"However, accepting her as 'my person' will require a bit more thought. The meaning of 'party' is special to me."

"Ah..."

He truly was someone who left her speechless.

Unlike what she had expected, that it would take considerable time to bring Lee Minyoung into the party, Jin Yuha had given his permission far too easily.

For one reason alone: that he trusted her.

Of course, he said he would think a bit more about accepting Lee Minyoung as 'his person,'

But Shin Sehee knew better than anyone how big a decision this was for him.

As she stared blankly at Jin Yuha.

Jin Yuha grinned.

"Shin Sehee, I told you I'd leave that entirely up to you. So, my answer this time is also okay."

"..."

"I'm going to go check on Gukbap some more. You can handle things over there."

Shin Sehee could only stare blankly at Jin Yuha's retreating back as he entered Yi Yuri's room.

Thump.

Thump.

With her bandaged hand placed over her chest.