LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 103
Si-hyun vanished into the one-way entry dungeon.
A dark expression crossed the professors’ faces as they fell momentarily silent.
Soon, one of the professors opened his mouth, looking as if he had bitten into a bug.
“No way, that temporary instructor, who is only a C-rank himself, dares to spout such nonsense at us?”
“Tsk tsk! He left behind nothing but pompous ramblings as his last words.”
The response from the criticized professors varied.
Some showed a defensive attitude since Si-hyun’s point hit home.
Others, feeling rebellious, desperately denied that they lacked a sense of duty.
Their common feelings were discomfort and displeasure.
The professors still showed no clear actions, only glancing at each other.
They were just fussing around in front of the gate.
In the midst of it all, there was only one person.
The President displayed a different reaction.
‘…I lost my composure.’
I responded too emotionally to the sudden situation.
The President reflected on this while brushing off the professors and said.
“Everyone, if you’re not planning on going in, please stop holding me back.”
“Ah, yes! Understood.”
“You made a good choice!”
The professors who had been clinging to the President backed away, visibly relieved.
The President glanced at them before pulling out her smartphone.
She hurriedly moved her fingers to contact her best connection.
An S-rank Hunter, spear master Kim Ji-a.
…But the call didn’t go through.
It seemed she was already on another call.
The President took a slow breath.
‘Calm down, stay calm…’
Suddenly, her throat felt dry.
After glancing around, she walked over to where the vending machine was.
This area was deserted and quiet.
She randomly selected a drink from the machine.
After quenching her thirst for a moment, she called Ji-a again.
– Yes, hello.
This time, the call went through!
Feeling hopeful, the President spoke up.
“Ji-a, it’s me. We’re in an emergency. Have you heard any news from the Academy?”
– Ah, yes. I just heard about it moments ago.
“Well then, this should go quickly! Not long ago, Si-hyun went in to rescue someone. Can you…”
The President tried to explain quickly.
Just then, Ji-a interrupted her.
– You said Si-hyun went in just now?
“Yeah! So we need to send support quickly!”
The President spoke with an urgent voice.
Professor Jeong Si-hyun, whom she had known all along, was a top-tier talent.
While students were precious, losing her was also unacceptable.
She believed that Ji-a would surely solve this.
At that moment.
A sound not fitting for the situation, a soft chuckle, came through the smartphone.
– Hehe, then there’s no need to worry.
“…No need to worry?”
From the tone, it seemed she wasn’t saying she would come herself.
The President cautiously asked in response.
The calm and serene voice from the other end answered.
– If someone were to ask me who the most dependable and trustworthy person in the world is, I would immediately answer Si-hyun.
It was a soft yet unwavering voice filled with strong trust.
Thanks to that, the President naturally listened to Ji-a’s words.
– I’ll head out soon too, but I’m currently on the outskirts. It’ll probably be over by the time I arrive.
The President’s eyes widened in disbelief.
It was unbelievable news.
* * *
As Si-hyun stepped through the gate into the dungeon, she calmly surveyed her surroundings.
The scenery had changed in an instant.
Before her lay a forest densely filled with towering trees and thick undergrowth.
As expected from a one-way entry dungeon, the exit was nowhere to be seen.
A sense of tranquility enveloped the thick greenery.
“…”
Maximizing her physical senses, Si-hyun detected two scents.
A faint whiff of smoke carried by the wind from a distance.
And a pungent, metallic smell of blood that piqued her nostrils.
Si-hyun moved in the direction of the blood smell.
Soon, she discovered a pool of fresh blood nearby.
Tattered clothing.
A chunk of flesh torn off.
It was evidence of a fierce struggle and resistance.
Fortunately, no corpse was in sight.
A bit farther away, there were several monster corpses.
It seemed the initial skirmish hadn’t involved too many monsters.
What a relief.
‘…This way, huh?’
Si-hyun quickly followed the trail of blood that dripped along the ground.
She spread her mana wide around her, constantly collecting information.
However, there were no signs of life.
‘It’s okay, it shouldn’t be too late.’
As she continued her steps, the blood trail began to dwindle.
Si-hyun struggled to calm her anxious mind.
…A moment later, she sighed and stopped.
The blood trail had ended.
‘…No corpses in sight.’
It was likely that the bleeding had been successfully halted or the individual had healed through skills.
While the traces had vanished, the clues that hinted at what had happened were still useful.
After finishing her thoughts, Si-hyun calmly moved forward again.
And not long after.
Si-hyun sensed mana.
* * *
…Just before Si-hyun entered the gate.
The professors, having just finished a battle, were arguing loudly.
“…What did you just say?”
“I said we should save ourselves! It’s clear we’ll be wiped out if we stay like this!”
“No, right now! Hmph!”
Due to his excessive anger, Professor No momentarily lost his words.
It was something he couldn’t understand based on his common sense.
“You’re saying we should abandon the students? Did you just say that?”
“Isn’t there any other way to live?!”
The C-rank magic type hunter, Professor Yu, shouted in frustration.
Now wasn’t the time to appease Professor No’s feelings.
They were in a situation where their lives were at stake.
“Look at that person!”
Professor Yu pointed towards the students.
Professor No’s gaze shifted in that direction.
A C-rank close-combat professor who had been co-teaching lay unconscious, covered in blood, being carried by a student.
He was in a truly terrible state.
When Professors No and Park discovered the students, a confrontation with the monsters occurred at the same time.
Although it was a brief moment, that professor was the one who managed to protect the students.
Fortunately, he was still alive.
Thanks to the only supporter in the group, Go Ah-reum, who had treated him.
If she hadn’t been there, they might have already met their demise.
“Just a few monsters and look what happened! Is it even reasonable to take care of students in this situation?!”
“That’s all the more reason to protect them! Until help arrives!”
“It’s impossible! I mean, will help really come?!”
“Of course it will!”
“Out of your mind! Don’t you understand the current situation?!”
Professor Yu’s face turned beet red as he spat out curses.
It was frustrating that they couldn’t even rely on the lifeline they longed for, especially when it was hard to preserve their own lives.
“Calm down, both of you.”
As Professor Yu’s emotions ran high, Professor Park, who was keeping watch, approached.
At this rate, with all the commotion, the monsters would surely be drawn closer.
He intervened, trying to mediate between the two.
“Professor Yu, the two of us, me and Professor No, came in to protect the students until help arrives. We cannot follow your suggestion.”
“You too, Professor Park…!”
“There’s no helping it if we disagree. We will protect the students. We won’t say a word about you hiding alone; you can act as you wish.”
“Ha…!”
It was a clear stance being drawn.
With Professor Yu’s face turning crimson, he spat on the ground.
Without hesitation, he turned his back.
“Fools!”
If only the strongest individuals had banded together to hide and flee, their chances of survival might have improved.
Professor Yu moved on, frowning deeply.
He judged that it would be more beneficial for his survival to be alone rather than stuck with such foolish individuals.
“Tsk tsk tsk!”
As Professor No watched Professor Yu’s departing back, he clicked his tongue.
That sound was mixed with disappointment and anger.
‘How can someone like him still be in the same faculty…?’
Professor No couldn’t comprehend Professor Yu’s mindset at all.
As an educator, one should naturally possess a sense of responsibility and duty.
Yet, there wasn’t a hint of that from him.
The Academy is similar to a university but is fundamentally a different institution.
It’s a national school meant to lead budding hunters.
Those who prioritize financial rewards join guilds.
Those who seek the fulfillment and pride of contributing to societal development through their students become Academy professors. Each person values different aspirations.
To take initiative for a promising student!
This was Professor No’s belief.
‘…What a waste of time. This is not why I came here.’
Before entering the dungeon, when he saw the list of victims.
Professor No had stepped into the dungeon without hesitation.
Three super rookie talents were on that list.
These kids were worth more than just being seen as students.
They were brilliant talents set to lead South Korea in the future.
In just a few years, they would likely have their names known across the world.
They were not mere stones lying on the ground. They were unrefined gems yet to be polished.
They were children whose worth could not be compared to a life like his.
‘…Even if it costs me my life, I must ensure they survive.’
These kids were clearly destined for greatness from the start.
Surely, others who thought the same would quickly send support.
After all, Professor Park had joined him.
All they had to do was hold on until help arrived. Support would surely come.
Professor No believed this without a doubt.
“…Professor Park, let’s hold on.”
“Yes, I’ve brought plenty of potions. It will be tough, but let’s do this.”
Professor No and Professor Park exchanged determined glances.
They steeled themselves.
They were resolved to dedicate themselves to the future.
“If we make it back safely, there will be interesting stories to share with the students.”
“Haha, indeed.”
The two professors exchanged light-hearted banter to alleviate their tension.