Cha Yeo-ju’s Interpersonal Combat Among Hunters (1)

<Interpersonal Combat Among Hunters>.

In essence, the name itself explained everything about the class.

A subject where <Hunters> would engage in sparring under set rules and regulations, honing their minds and bodies.

While the hunters’ primary enemies were monsters, or <Villains and Demons> corrupted by malevolent forces, this class held undeniable importance.

“As some of you may know, sparring matches are ‘mandatory’ in the promotion exams from C to A-grade hunters.”

But that wasn’t the only reason the class was critical.

“Another essential aspect, one that everyone dreads but must face…”

That was, <Grade> promotion.

“To increase your ★ rating, sparring is mandatory. Statistics show that almost all high-ranking hunters, who have risen from 3★ to 5★, have participated in at least one sparring match during their exams.”

In reality, the test that our Meowi took to reach 3★ included a sparring match.

The key takeaway wasn’t just winning the match—it was understanding the rules that determined the outcome.

Or more precisely, who enforced those rules.

“It’s not the same person judging this, but the <System>.”

The <System> automatically determined victory or defeat when rules were violated. Staff from <Clans> or <Guilds> would receive the rules in advance and communicate them accordingly.

“Therefore, keeping the sparring rules in mind is of utmost importance.”

Cha Yeo-ju paused her well-flowing explanation.

Hmm… After pondering, she glanced at Ma Hana.

“…Meow.”
“Cadet Ma Hana?”
“M-meow? Yes?”
“Can you explain what the typical sparring rules are?”

When Cha Yeo-ju pointed, all eyes focused on Ma Hana.

Gulp! Ma Hana swallowed nervously.

Briefly stammering in surprise.
She soon turned her head to the hand that grasped her.

“……”

Yu Seha.

He reassured her…

Saying she only needed to say what she knew, with a gentle smile.
Thanks to him, Ma Hana could muster courage.

“B-basically, targeting each other’s vital points is impossible.”

“What else?”

“…A-also, repeated strikes to the same area are not allowed. However, focusing on an opponent’s armor. That is… armor, guards, or shields is not an issue.”

“Good. What else?”

“A-also, chaining lethal techniques that could take an opponent’s life is not allowed. But this is an exception if it’s a mutually agreed sparring ground.”

“Lastly?”

“…Uh, attacking a surrendering opponent. Also, if someone uses ‘surrender’ as a pretense to counterattack, it’s an automatic disqualification.”

It was an answer close to perfect.

Cha Yeo-ju nodded without any change in expression.

“Good. Excellent. I’ll give you a reward, so come see me after class.”

“Th-thank you…”

The sound of applause could be heard.

It was quickly erased by Cha Yeo-ju’s words, continuing the lesson.

“Today is the first day, but I plan to proceed with a sort of simple sparring.”

Cha Yeo-ju gestured to the grand facilities behind.

Each pair of two would enter and spar under the protection of [Phantasma] created by the <Magic System>.

Her explanation continued.

Hmm, it was a bit long, but…
Well, to put it simply, it meant two cadets who were in sync with each other would spar.

And additional rules were initiated in the grade chart that followed.

Starting from D to S grade.

The names of the cadets were distributed across the grades that Cha Yeo-ju had classified in her own way.

Apparently, they were categorized based on their performance shown so far.

‘So, Meowi and I are S grade…’

In a way, it was obvious.

Since we had shown that much prowess.

Incidentally, Ju Na-young was also S grade, but it seemed unlikely to meet her as she was in a different course.

“Remember. You can only request a spar with cadets of the same grade or higher.”

If one succeeded in defeating the opponent, it would result in a change in tier.

Additionally, a reward tempting enough for all cadets was added.

The <Shop>.

The mention of giving the Shop to the winner changed the expressions of the cadets.

Each Shop would significantly affect the upcoming <Midterm Exam> results.

Everyone’s lukewarm reactions ignited like a blazing fire.

Cha Yeo-ju nodded as she looked at those cadets.

As if she had anticipated this situation, she quietly concluded by looking at the list she had in her arms.

“Then, everyone…”

Please do your best.

A moment later, the peers found their respective partners for sparring and began their matches.

‘Hmm…’

On the other hand, I was standing idly…

Because when it came time to spar, the unnecessarily high S-grade was holding me back in various ways.

‘If it’s like this, by the rules, I can only apply to spar with another S-grade, right?’

On the bulletin board, there were a total of six S-grade individuals, including myself and Meowi.

Among them, two seemed to know each other, and after exchanging words, they walked into the sparring arena.

*―*Hey, hey, you’re a B-grade, right? Want to have a match with me?
*―*Sure, but let’s take it easy since it’s the first day.

*―*I’ve come to request a duel. Will you accept?
*―*It’s my pleasure. I look forward to it.

Most were matched, and the dueling began.

Until then, I hadn’t found a particular partner.

‘Hmm.’

Of course, there was no need to force a challenge; just watching was fine.

Even Cha Yeo-ju didn’t insist on dueling, as she was guiding the kids to a spot with a good view of the matches.

Just observing could greatly improve one’s skills.

‘The Shop…’

While others might be tempted, it didn’t mean much to me.

I had received from Choi Chae-gul, Kan Kan-mi, and even subtly from Professor Bong Mi-chun.

Decisively…

Uh, um…

―Cadet Yu Seha. You’ve worked hard in today’s class. Please claim your rewards.
*―Cadet Yu Seha. Well done. Please claim your rewards.
*―(Roughly endlessly repeated by Peng Jin-ah)
*―…*I’m sorry, Cadet Yu Seha. It seems you’ve already received the maximum bonus points available for first-year students. I can’t give you any more.

Because Peng Jin-ah had given too much…

In reality, it had been a long time since I’d maxed out all the bonus points I could get.

Apparently, Chairman Yu Neung-hae had even confronted her, saying, “You really need to stop playing favorites.”

Would Peng Jin-ah listen to that with her personality?

She just shrugged it off and said there would be some restrictions starting next semester.

Anyway, to sum it up, there was nothing to gain even if I won.

‘But I still want to fight…’

I only hesitated for a moment.

The thought lingered briefly before I turned to the one person who’d never turn me down.

“Meowi, if you’re free, let’s—”

“M-Meow! Spar with me.”
“Uh-huh?”

Ah, so much for that.
Meowi had already chosen her opponent.

Approaching with a shy expression, Meowi held her shield.
The person she spoke to was a tiny girl whose thoughts were hard to read.
The crouching girl looked at Meowi and let out a peculiar sound, ‘Uh-heh~?’

Jeon Hee-ju. A 3★ character by birth.

Having become acquainted during the semifinals, she was also a talented S-grade.

Jeon Hee-ju, tilting her head, soon stood up with a bright smile.

“Uh-heh~ Is it okay to spar with someone like me?”
“Meow. Rather, I’d like to ask you for the favor!”

A sparkling light flickered in Meowi’s eyes.

It seemed that her impressive tanking ability shown during the semifinals left a mark in Meowi.

‘Oh, then…’

Who should I fight?

At that moment.

I turned my gaze like lightning at the faint sound of footsteps.

A woman stood there, startled for a moment, as if surprised she’d been noticed so easily.
Then she smiled, her expression turning playful and mysterious.

“You’re Yu Seha, right?”
“Uh? Uh, yeah…”

The woman was a beauty with typical Western features.

Her hair, like silky green threads, fluttered.

“Oh~ Just as the rumors said, you’re handsome. It seems like you haven’t found a partner… care to dance with me?”
“…Uh, I can’t dance…”

At my awkward reply, the woman chuckled as if finding it cute.

“I didn’t mean an actual dance. I’m asking if you’d spar with me. I’m S-rank too.”
“Ah… um, your name is…”
“Bodenov Silla. You can call me Silla.”

Bodenov Silla…
It was a name I’d never heard before.
Of course, not a character either.

‘However…’

The aura she exuded—poised and commanding, yet elegant—made it clear she wasn’t an S-grade without reason.

It felt like the energy of a rose in full bloom—powerful and vibrant.
I instinctively realized she was far beyond the level of a C-grade hunter.

‘…No, this is more like…’

I estimated her to be at the fully matured level of a B-grade Hunter.

‘How could there have been no rumors about such talent until now…?’

While I was pondering for a moment, Silla subtly spoke to me.

“…Are you refusing?”

“Oh, sorry. I was just wondering why there haven’t been any rumors about someone this strong.”

At my honest words, Silla blinked her eyes.

Soon, she shrugged her shoulders, saying, ‘Ah…’

“Surprisingly innocent… Is this why the [Flame Dragon] and [Snow Ice] are smitten?”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing… So, can I take that as your acceptance for a duel?”

“Of course, looking forward to it.”

“Likewise.”

A moment later, we stood up and checked the training equipment.

A soft light began to shimmer around the training ground along with the [Magic Barrier].

It was the manifestation of [Phantasma], which automatically prevents damage beyond life-threatening levels.

As I warmed up my body, I looked at the two pieces of equipment I had chosen from the training ground.

Both were of Normal grade.

One was a longsword similar to the [Saint’s Sword] I often used, and the other was a shield I had never used before.

Why bother carrying a shield?

‘The [Shield] and [Raise Shield] skills given by our angelic Meowi.’

Since the moment I could unintentionally use shield techniques, I had been pondering.

Instead of focusing solely on offense, I needed a way to protect myself.

Until now, I had compensated for this role with excellent [Movement Speed] enhancement abilities and [Stone Hardening].

‘If I encounter a higher-ranked monster, even that will become difficult.’

The recent battle against the [Sea Dragon] had proven that. [Stone Hardening] had been torn apart as though it were wet paper.

It was best to practice repeatedly when there was such a good opponent.

‘Anyway…’

In Bodenov Silla’s hand was a stubby dagger.
It seemed to be of the <Assassin> class.
I took a stance, holding my shield forward.

‘It’s my first time using it…’

It felt natural.
I imitated the countless times I had seen our Meowi.

Bodenov Silla spoke with a smiling face.

“Shall we start then?”
“Anytime!”

Beep!

Swish!

As soon as the <Information Window> faded, I dashed forward.

A combination of [Strong Agility] and [Reckless Dash].

In fact, even just activating [Monstrous Strength] would allow for a speed even greater than those two combined…

‘I can’t use something like that in a spar where everyone is watching.’

[Monstrous Strength] was powerful enough to live up to its Legendary status, but it was equally conspicuous.

I wanted to keep it hidden as much as possible.

And these two were enough.

Bodenov Silla, for all her confidence, showed a flicker of surprise at my unexpected speed.

‘The opponent is a close-combat specialized hunter focused on daggers.’

I closed the distance to a range where I could lead with my pace.

Just as I was thinking this…

“…!”

A slight sense of crisis ran down my spine.
Even with [Unprecedented Sense] deactivated, I instinctively felt it.

Moving on reflex, I raised my shield.

Crunch!

A sharp sound of impact rang out.
Whatever struck the shield felt heavy, almost as if I’d been hit by a sledgehammer.

“Oh…? I didn’t expect you’d be able to counter that…”

Watching Silla speak in amazement, I narrowed my eyes.

The weapon in her hand had definitely been a dagger before…

But it had somehow transformed into a completely different weapon.

Whoosh!

I heard the distinctive slicing sound of something cutting through the air at tremendous speed.

It had transformed into something entirely different.

It was…

“A whip?”