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

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Translator: Vine

Chapter Title: Hellish Training (3)

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Shing—

A pitch-black sword was drawn from Baek Seol-hui's waist.

The tip of the blade then pointed towards Kang Do-hui.

"A bitch who only relies on her strength and acts out."

Kang Do-hui gritted her teeth.

"A bitch who's got nothing going for her except one special skill."

Im Ga-eul hiccuped, her face pale.

"Lacks fundamentals, a stationary archer who can't even shoot while moving."

Sophia closed her mouth and bowed her head.

"As for you... I don't even need to say anything."

When it came to Lee Yu-ri, she seemed to bypass the need for any critique at all, as if there was nothing to even mention.

However, then came the last one.

"How long has she been here?"

"Two days."

Ichika replied to Baek Seol-hui's question, holding up two fingers.

"The only one even remotely tolerable has only been here for two days..."

Only Ichika, and no one else, passed Baek Seol-hui's standards.

Even Kang Do-hui, lauded by the world as a 'fighting dog', failed to impress her.

"Honestly, I can't for the life of me understand why my disciple wastes time on such incompetent individuals like you."

The air hung heavy and cold.

Baek Seol-hui gazed at the hostile stares directed at her, then—

"Ha."

She let out a short, hollow laugh.

It was obvious what they were thinking right now.

Having received the world's praise for their past achievements, treated as heroes, and hailed as rookies everywhere, they must have thought they were something special.

But in Baek Seol-hui's eyes, they were nothing more than frogs in a well.

"Yes, you probably don't want to admit it."

She wasn't the type to explain things with words in situations like this.

She believed that one experience, one practical lesson, was more helpful than a hundred words.

"Operator."

She called out to Shin Se-hee, who was sitting behind her, in a stern voice.

"Yes?"

"Turn off the life support system, starting now."

"Ah, yes. Underst— What!? The, the life support system!?"

Shin Se-hee unconsciously replied to her words, then was startled and asked again.

What was the life support system?

It was a magic circle installed over a long period by Director Lina, who was said to be unrivaled in magic.

It was a device that allowed the academy's extremely dangerous training to function as actual training, a symbol of Velvet Academy itself.

Because there was no risk of losing their lives, the students of Velvet Academy could actively engage in training without fear of death,

And this, in turn, created a gap in skill that other national academies could not match.

But to turn off that life support system?

"B-but..."

"I don't say things twice."

Baek Seol-hui commanded again in a resolute voice.

Shin Se-hee hesitated for a moment, but ultimately bit her lip and decided to obey her.

Because they had made a deal on the condition that she would fully follow Baek Seol-hui's instructions regarding training.

Whirrrrrrrrr—

As Shin Se-hee operated the training ground's system, the mana densely filling the space drained away with a sharp whirring sound.

"Don't make those faces. You bitches haven't even earned the right yet."

Baek Seol-hui said to the party members, whose faces were stiff with tension.

And among them, one person wore a complex expression.

"Jin Yu-ha, step forward."

She called her disciple.

***

At my master's call, I stepped forward alone.

She pointed the drawn sword at me.

"From now on, we'll begin a one-on-one spar."

"...A one-on-one spar?"

"Yes, just like we usually do."

I couldn't hide my troubled expression at her words.

'I knew she would be strict, but I didn't expect her to conduct group training like this...'

The 'usual' spar my master was referring to.

In other words, I attack my master with all my might, using any means necessary.

And my master counters it.

A spar with only that simple rule.

Even though I had trained Utopia by referencing my master's curriculum, I couldn't replicate this particular aspect.

Because I couldn't be like my master.

That's why I was filled with worry.

'...Will the kids really be able to accept this after seeing it?'

As if reading my expression, my master wore a subtle look.

"Hmm, Disciple."

"Yes?"

"You seem to view your party members as infants you need to look after."

"Infants, you say?"

My master nodded with a calm face.

"Yes, aren't they your comrades?"

"They are."

"Is that so. Then it's even stranger. If they are comrades, you should at least be able to entrust your life to them. How long do you plan to play the role of protector?"

My master spoke in a strict voice, but I also had something to say.

'Hmm... With time, they'll become much stronger than someone like me.'

In the early stages of my transmigration, through the resources I was given, I acquired various traits and top-tier swordsmanship talent.

My mental and physical completion also occurred immediately that day.

On top of that, there were the rapid level-up events I experienced while hunting demons.

And even 'Moonlight (月光)', a legendary-grade weapon that even a Sword Emperor would covet.

Honestly, it was thanks to these various benefits that I could temporarily maintain superiority over them.

However, there was no way I could tell her any of this.

"Disciple. I did not take you as my disciple because of your talent."

"...Huh? Is that so?"

It was the first time I had seen her, who usually remained silent and reserved, speak at such length.

Feeling a bit unfamiliar, I listened intently to her words.

"If I were to look solely at talent, the ones you've gathered... Yes, I admit, they are monsters."

As expected, there was no way my master wouldn't know that.

"However, if things continue like this, they will die much faster than you."

"W-what does that mean—!"

"It is not your place to figure that out. It is solely their responsibility."

Baek Seol-hui glanced at the Utopia party members.

"If they still don't understand after seeing this... then seriously consider letting your people go before they get caught up in your battlefield and die."

When my master spoke to that extent, I adjusted my attitude slightly.

'...I don't quite understand, but there must be a reason Master spoke like this.'

Yes, it was Instructor Baek Seol-hui.

The one who had exponentially increased my abilities through training alone.

My reliable master, who always protected my back.

She must surely be seeing something I couldn't.

So, to confirm what she intended, I would—

Do my best in this very moment.

"Then, I'm coming."

I gripped the hilt with force and launched myself towards my master.

***

Whoosh—!

With a whooshing sound, Jin Yu-ha's figure vanished from his spot.

Baek Seol-hui's sword extended silently towards Jin Yu-ha's nape without a hint of hesitation.

Clang—!

Jin Yu-ha then tilted his sword, deflecting the attack briefly, and immediately aimed for her wrist.

Clang!

Baek Seol-hui, in turn, withdrew her thrusting sword and defended her wrist with the pommel.

Swish—! Swish—!

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The blue sword and the pitch-black sword intertwined, clashing repeatedly.

The sound of them seeking openings and cleaving through space was sharp.

Lee Yu-ri, watching this, stared wide-eyed and speechless.

Jin Yu-ha's skill wasn't particularly new, as she saw it every time they trained.

However.

'It's different...'

It was different.

Lee Yu-ri was gripped by a fear as if she was witnessing something incomprehensible.

'How...'

Goosebumps—

Goosebumps rose on her arms.

'How can they fight like this...?'

This current fight was a spar without the life support system.

In other words, they weren't undergoing training with guaranteed safety.

Fine, let's assume that much was acceptable.

Let's try to understand it as a somewhat extreme method of training, close to real combat.

But if so, shouldn't the common sense dictate that they exchange pre-rehearsed sword strikes at an appropriate level, without harming each other?

However, in this spar between the two, such common sense didn't exist.

A thick, palpable killing intent, as if determined to kill the opponent no matter what.

Like sworn enemies locked in a life-or-death struggle, they mercilessly and brutally targeted each other's blind spots.

Jin Yu-ha desperately tried to kill Baek Seol-hui, and Baek Seol-hui showed him no mercy either.

Every moment was precarious.

The path to life and the path to death.

It was a continuous sequence of choices.

A battle so cruel that even a single wrong choice would immediately lead to death.

Could this really be called a spar between a master and a disciple?

Flinch—

Lee Yu-ri had already gripped and released the handle of her shield several times.

Her hand gripping the handle was drenched in sweat.

All her senses instinctively kept warning her of Jin Yu-ha's current danger,

And consequently, she kept feeling the urge to rush in and protect Jin Yu-ha immediately.

However, the reason she couldn't was precisely because of—

The expression Jin Yu-ha was making right now.

'What in the world is that expression...?'

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

Sword against sword, they clashed even more fiercely, sparks scattering in all directions.

Yet, amidst it all, Jin Yu-ha's emotionless face remained, his eyes unblinking and coldly resolute.

Those dark eyes, seeking out the nape of the neck, were identical to his master's.

'Jin Yu-ha, this madness, every single day... He's been doing this as a matter of routine...?'

The pupils of everyone in Utopia, including Lee Yu-ri, violently trembled.