No, You’re Not Wrong

“Huff, huff…”

I bent my knees, gasping for air.

Though I had efficiently connected and operated numerous abilities, using <Skills> effectively, I had never been this exhausted before.

‘Did I overdo myself?’

Considering the opponent, I had no regrets…
But pouring nearly all of my strength into the fight had left me drained.
Exhaustion, like iron shackles, weighed down my body.

I didn’t bother to ask, “Did I get her?” No, there was no need for such a question.

“You, damn bastard!!!”
“…Seriously, you’re really persistent, huh?”

Surprisingly, Jing Daram was not dead.

Even after taking every high-powered attack I could unleash—attacks that, under normal circumstances, should have guaranteed a kill—she had somehow survived.
Of course, she was far from unscathed.
Her body was covered in burns and severed wounds that had yet to fully regenerate.

Bang!!!

Jing Daram smashed the ground with her poorly regenerated leg.

The skin that enveloped her body had hardened like stone.

It was undoubtedly a <Skill> of the [Hardening] type.

And it seemed to be at quite a high level.
It boasted a luster that almost defended against metal.
This alone couldn’t explain such ridiculous vitality.

The answer to this was given by the <Information Window>.

I clicked my tongue at the term [Vile Blood].

As expected…

Thanks to this, it became clear who was behind Jing Daram.

‘Moon Ha-yeon…’

Even in ‘GAL,’ Moon Ha-yeon frequently used the blood of the <Moon Clan> flowing in her body to make doping ampoules.

Later, it became one of the prohibited items along with the [Frenzy Potion] used by villains.

That was the [Vile Blood].

‘Of course, Moon Ha-yeon is suppressed and killed after rebelling against the <Clan Master> Tang Seo-ran.’

Thanks to this, [Vile Blood] appeared briefly as a quest item in the mid-game.

Since Moon Ha-yeon, who could produce it, died, it was natural that it couldn’t be made.

The circumstances naturally played out in my head.

‘Kim Minsu approached Jing Daram.’

After sweet-talking Jing Daram, he would have supported her with all sorts of items, including [Khan’s Mace].

I thought it was very typical of <Tartarus>.

Their actions were like those of a group of attention seekers who loved to stir things up without ever taking a loss themselves.

‘However…’

The question of ‘Why bother?’ also arose.

They weren’t fools, either.

No matter how much of a rampage Jing Daram went on, it would only increase casualties—but she could never actually bring down the <Academy> itself.

And after a rampage like this, not only the <Academy> but other factions would start calling for a crackdown on villains.

‘They didn’t have to use Jing Daram.’

She wasn’t valuable enough to warrant that much support.

The only appealing part might be the background of <Sisterhood>, but even that wasn’t much…

‘…Wait a minute?’

Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.

‘…Could it be an experiment?’

An experiment to see if <Fusion-Type Demons> were possible?
And at the same time, assessing its adaptability to <Divine Power>?

But why?
To keep producing more of these?
That made no sense—there was no way to control them.

Jing Daram alone was proof that these things couldn’t be contained.

They could use <Fusion-Type Demons> as living bombs, but the cost-effectiveness simply didn’t add up.
I felt like I was getting lost deeper in a labyrinth.

‘…Moon Ha-yeon…’

What exactly are you plotting…?

“I’ll kill you!!!”

Thinking things through any further was a luxury I couldn’t afford.

<Demonic Energy> began to surge from Jing Daram’s hand.

As it extended forward, dozens of projectiles split rapidly towards me.

Of course, there was no way the attack would reach me.

Both [Fearless Agility] (Level 7) and [Reckless Dash] (Level 5) had already activated.

A sloppy attack like that—one that barely even qualified as a proper skill—would never land on me.

But even so, continuing this war of attrition wasn’t an option either.

‘This is troublesome.’

I was considering forcing my way in to finish it when—

‘Huh?’

In the chaos, I finally noticed.

Upon looking again, Jing Daram’s lower body resembled that of a goat.

That unique W-shaped hoof.

I was sure I had seen it somewhere before, and the thought soon connected to the memory of the <Byproduct Harvesting> exam a week ago.

‘No way?’

Bang! Bang-bang!

“Ahhh!!! Why isn’t it hitting?!”

While Jing was throwing a fit, I circled around and closely observed her lower body.

Inside the fluffy black fur, I noticed a rock with a distinctive sheen.

It was undoubtedly a <Mana Stone>.

―By the way, it seems like the <Hoofed Goat> has a weakness to this mana stone. When attacked, its lower body gets paralyzed, causing it to collapse on the spot. Some even take the <Archer> class on purpose to exploit this… I didn’t know this either.

The critical weakness I mentioned with my own mouth came to mind.

I instinctively recognized it as an opportunity.

I decided to further disrupt Jing Daram’s judgment with a few well-placed words.

“I guess a failure will always be a failure.”
“…What? What did you just say?”
“Isn’t it true?”

I cut through the incoming <Demonic Energy> with the [Overlord Sword Technique] and maintained a relaxed attitude.

“Despite having that much power, you can’t even finish me off… That’s why you’re being overshadowed by seniors like Choi Mari and Divine Light Garam.”
“…Sh-shut up…”
“I heard you’re actually a year older than Senior Divine Light Garam. You should have graduated already. How bad were you to repeat a grade twice?”
“Sh-sh-shut up!!”

Good, very good.

Jing Daram shook violently, trembling with rage.

It wasn’t much of a taunt, but given her current unstable mental state after fusing with the demon beast, it worked flawlessly.

She was now a rampaging monster, unable to control her own desires and instincts.

And like any beast, she was vulnerable to simple provocations.

Time to deliver the final blow.

“At this rate, you’ll never graduate. Right? Oh. Old. Hag.”

“YOU FUCKING BASTARD!!!”

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Jing Daram, unable to contain her rage, charged at me with full force, her massive weight bearing down.

Judging by the impact force around her body, she likely had some kind of [Crushing Charge] ability as well.

I timed it precisely.

Just before the [Charge] reached me, I immediately spun around to get behind her.

At that moment, the instant direction shift from [Free Charge] proved invaluable.

“…?!”

Jing Daram was flustered.

Using the momentum of my spin, I reversed my grip on the [Saint’s Sword] and drove the blade straight into her Achilles’ heel—right where the Magic Stone was embedded.

Thud!

“…Uh, uh?!”

Jing Daram collapsed just like that.

It seemed she couldn’t properly control her trembling legs.

Swish!

“Kyaaaah!”

A ruthless attack using the [Overlord Sword Technique] followed.

I made a resolution.

‘Kill.’

End it right here.

Kill this woman, this monster, this villain, definitively here.

‘So she can never approach my people again!’

Even if I were to be expelled, branded a murderer for this—I had already resolved myself to kill her right here.

And then it happened.

Everything was rolling perfectly…

Victory was within sight.

-Kyaaaah!

My gaze naturally turned to the piercing scream.

It was Choi Mari’s scream, so I couldn’t ignore it.

“Graaaah!!”

A clone threateningly approached Choi Mari.

And right beside her was black hair.

As Choi Mari couldn’t heal, the obelisk of the [Mark of Corruption] rapidly turned black.

“…Ah, ah…”

The black-haired senior trembled in fear, her expression frozen in sheer terror.

One of her arms was broken, her skin bruised in a deep violet hue.

But from what I could tell, she was still fine.

‘Her armor is still intact, and there’s no issue with her holy power.’

But then why…
Why is this happening?

“Senior! Senior Mun-hee!!! Use Taunt, [Taunt]!”

At my shout, the black-haired senior stiffly turned to look at me.

Fear and despair.
Then, beyond that—panic.
And finally…
Deep resentment.

The moment I saw that expression…
I instinctively knew something was wrong.

“A-Again… You’re telling me… to block that thing again? That monster? M-my arm is broken…!”
“You have to, Senior! There’s no one else! With your condition, you can still—”
“Y-You’re telling me to go until I’m on the verge of death?!”
“Think rationally! Even if you’re injured, once this is over, <Sisterhood>’s support will—”
“D-Don’t be ridiculous!!!”

Clang!

The black-haired senior dropped her shield and mace.

My mouth fell open.

That was an action that essentially meant giving up the fight.

Shaking her head in terror, she muttered frantically, “I-I don’t want to die!” before attempting a meaningless escape.

I was horrified.

Leaving now was a foolish act.

“NOO!!!”

“KRAAAAAGH!!”

Sure enough.

The clone, as if anticipating this, immediately rushed to the side of the black-haired senior.

Hit by a fist swung like a mace, the black-haired senior was helplessly slammed into the outer wall.

She lost consciousness, vomiting blood.

“……”

I could instinctively tell.

That I had done something wrong…
That my thinking was flawed…

‘…Why…?’

Wasn’t it enough…?

It would be a lie to say that question didn’t cross my mind.

However, these thoughts were naturally swallowed by the words of the ‘strict’ professor from a few months ago, and recently.

―But…
―Oh, is there a problem?
―…No, this is just nitpicking. You may enter. Cadet Yu Seha. You’ve done well.

A gaze that looked slightly puzzled.

―Cadet Yu Seha. You might find some parts of the test results unclear. Please visit my office after the <Midterm Exams> are over.

The unexpectedly low score on the [Strategy Test] and the stern comment.

Only then did I guess what she wanted to say.

And this was…

Connected to memories before I possessed this body.

I must have been 9 or 10 years old.

The words my father said when he first silently watched the strategy I devised.

―…Efficient. Excellent. In terms of pure resource management, it’s flawless.
―What do you mean?
―But…my son.
―?

I wish you wouldn’t devise such strategies.

“…Damn.”

This wasn’t like me.
It really wasn’t like me.

I was someone who never let my guard down, who made it a principle to never lose focus in the face of an enemy…

Yet, in the cruelest way possible, the world had decided to show me the truth at this very moment, pulling me into a spiral of guilt and regret.

I couldn’t even reassure myself by saying I wasn’t wrong because the results were undeniable.

And in the end…

Thud!

“Ugh!”

“G-great! Well done! Kill, kill Choi Mari!!!”

“…!!!”

Jing Daram knocked me away, giving time to command the clone.

“Grrrr!”

The clone raised its fist towards Choi Mari, who was trembling with her eyes closed, and Divine Light Garam, who spread her arms to protect her.

I realized I was too late.

‘…Damn it.’

I knew I still had time left, according to my calculations…

I mustered strength to use [Strange Monstrous Strength].

I decided to run without thinking any further.

And then…

At that moment.

A gentle voice that seemed to make time slow down reached my ears.

―No, Seha. You weren’t wrong.

It was a familiar voice.

A voice I had heard many times before.

The voice of a playful woman who always reacted cutely with ‘Waaaaah!’.

―You were just inexperienced. You just needed more time to understand. But you were right.

But…

Why did she sound like a goddess in this moment?

A warmth spread through my chest.

―Everyone makes mistakes. But realizing them, accepting them, and moving forward… That’s the most important thing, isn’t it? You were the one who taught me that.

I felt like I could cry.
A small smile curled at my lips.

A wave of emotions.
A mixture of relief and guilt rose within me.

―I’ll help you. Just like you helped me…

“This time, it’s my turn.”

Crack!!!

The soft, resonant voice came to an end.
The entire area was completely covered in ice.

The powerful cold, fierce enough to be frightening, demonstrated a force incomparable to what she usually used.

What was as surprising as the power was the precision.

Despite allies and enemies being mixed, her ice accurately froze only the two clones.

The frozen air began to crack apart, tiny shards of ice floating gently downward.

It looked almost like cherry blossoms in winter.

Step. Step. Step.

And then…

The starting point of all the ice, the center.

A stunning woman, her purple hair fluttering, walked forward.

She met my gaze and smiled.

I couldn’t help but grin back as I shouted.

“You’re late! Seriously!”
“I’m sorry. But I made a splendid entrance, didn’t I?”

Moon Bora.

With an elegance as breathtaking as the blooming ice cherry blossoms, she smiled brightly at me.