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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
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Ask most people if they could solo a golem, and they’d nod.
“Any experienced person could do it easily.”
“A golem? That’s nothing…”
Even a low-ranked mercenary with experience would carry explosives capable of taking one down in a single hit.
Set up a trap, wait for the right moment, and target the core—that’s all it took.
For skilled parties, golems were just that level of challenge.
But add the condition of being a first-year academy student, and the story changes considerably.
“The chances of a first-year managing golem aggro while having enough damage to target the core… aren’t high.”
“Ah, but Woo Do-hyun? He could do it. He’s the sword prodigy after all.”
“Hmm… not sure about Meiri, but what about Bellos? Even as the fifth prince, he must have received some support.”
“Given the early gap between magic and martial arts, wouldn’t Do-hyun be the only one capable? Mijuran’s still got a ways to go.”
“Probability-wise, Yu So-hyun’s next after Do-hyun, but her personality might keep her from hunting monsters effectively.”
The Guild Alliance conference room.
A place where all groups—mercenaries, adventurers, and knight orders alike—gathered to share talent information and plan recruitment.
The leaders of each organization shared opinions, discussing the upcoming dungeon practice.
While information about Class S was still limited, this practice’s results could determine their primary recruitment targets.
For guilds constantly thirsting for talent…
“There’s still so little information about the S-Class students. It’s mostly just the notable ones.”
“Speaking of which, I heard first place student didn’t give the representative speech?”
“What? Someone more interesting than Woo Do-hyun?”
“Ah, I heard about that… Lee Seok-hyun, was it?”
“Ah yes… that was the name.”
The Mirinae Academy first-year representative speech.
While it appeared they randomly picked someone for an impromptu speech…
In reality, it was also a chance for professors to analyze the most unusual student they could find on stage.
If someone appeared too out of the ordinary, they needed thorough investigation before formally starting at the academy.
“I heard something else interesting about this Lee Seokhyun.”
“Something interesting? What is it?”
“Oh boy, here we go again. Just another excuse to take more of our money, isn’t it?”
“Still, you’re going to listen, aren’t you?”
“…I hate how much money these meetings cost me every time.”
“That ‘Green Rat’ must be loving this.”
The man called Green Rat.
Pechirchi skillfully collected the money appearing on the table, maintaining his smile despite everyone’s complaints.
Information sharing was never free.
Once all the money was gathered, he clapped his hands to draw attention and continued.
“I hear he’s Acasa’s disciple. Ha, now this is truly premium information.”
“Acasa? Surely not Acasa Ardel’s disciple?”
“Well, she found a disciple, and it happens to be the most unusual one…”
The meeting attendees each started adding their thoughts.
Everyone present knew Acasa’s prestige, so the title of her disciple drew major interest.
Moreover, he already had an impressive rank of 6th place among first-years.
They included Lee Seok-hyun in their earlier discussion of ‘who could solo a golem.’
With minimal information about the top students, they each voiced opinions.
“Impossible. No martial artist has ever soloed a golem. Besides, there’s nothing special about him.”
“I agree. Being Acasa’s disciple is interesting, but two weeks of training won’t change much.”
“He might handle one, but killing it? Impossible. You need to break through that solid stone to destroy the core, and ordinary physical force won’t cut it.”
Even as opinion trended toward impossible, they kept thinking.
‘First through fifth are capable, but sixth is incompetent? That makes no sense.’
‘Better say it’s impossible here, then investigate privately later.’
‘Lee Seok-hyun… new characters are always welcome.’
Lee Seok-hyun appeared like a comet just as they were about to finish discussing Yu So-hyun.
Knowing nothing but his name and major, they had only one course of action.
‘Plant the impression of incompetence, then immediately investigate and approach aggressively during observations.’
Strangely, everyone had exactly the same thought.
Pechirchi gave mental applause, satisfied with how things were developing.
‘More money to be made.’
To Lee Seok-hyun, the one creating this entertaining situation.
Hoping for his safety, Pechirchi actively rejoined the conversation.
There was much to discuss today.
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Boom!
The golem’s fist dropped before my eyes.
After dodging with minimal movement to conserve stamina, I assessed the situation.
‘Need to hold out about five more minutes.’
Seeing that her first shot didn’t break the golem’s core, Akuaku would definitely prepare an even more powerful spell.
That meant it would take time, and I had to hold out until then.
If I could use United Will, the situation might have been a bit better, but unfortunately that wasn’t possible.
Maintaining trust earned from just one sparring match was unrealistic.
Even as class president, I was seen more as an errand runner than a leader figure.
The one good thing was that enduring the Infinite Track hell training had made me more adept at using my body.
Screech!
I pulled the spider web tied to the golem’s legs toward me, breaking its balance again.
While strength stats alone wouldn’t have been enough, my body weight of over 270kg made it possible.
Just leaning back was enough to restrict the golem’s movements due to the weight.
Moreover, the enhanced cutting power of the spider web dug firmly into the golem’s body, making it hard to break.
‘Like riding a wild horse.’
I wrapped spider web around the golem’s joints, moving here and there to prevent proper movement.
With the rest of the team resting, there was no worry about aggro shifting.
‘If only I had a finishing move, I might have had a chance to solo it.’
Regretting the lack of attack skills, I continued manipulating the golem like a puppet.
The golem was large enough to ride, making it easy to handle by mounting when attacks seemed imminent.
If Akuaku had been casting right behind me, I would have chosen to take hits like Tatakum, but…
The current situation didn’t call for that, so I thoroughly toyed with the golem.
Victory was assured if I just bought time.
I doubted this situation.
‘Lee Seok-hyun shouldn’t be able to play this comfortably.’
While his terrible early growth rate was partly his own issue, external pressure also played a role.
A character capable of monopolizing hidden skills breezing through the early game by playing well?
Final Destiny wouldn’t quietly allow such convenience.
What people commonly called ‘bad luck enforcer.’
A powerful will to ensure early failure was firmly attached to Lee Seok-hyun.
‘Early lucky boxes always give the worst results, and any element of luck tends toward the worst outcome. Plus now that I’ve got the spider title, something’s definitely coming.’
Final Destiny doesn’t want Lee Seok-hyun to have a happy early game.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
As if strongly agreeing with my thoughts, the sound of trembling earth approached from the distance.
Speed and awareness impossible for normal golems.
High intelligence with emotions and the rare ability to use skills.
The named golem Pertonba.
It was charging straight toward me.
“So you’ve come.”
Actually, I’d suspected this when scouting and seeing only one golem at the temple.
A temple guardian being absent from its temple meant it could appear from anywhere without being strange.
“Akuaku! Gather mana as soon as you recover! And don’t fire until I give the signal!”
“What?! Shouldn’t we run?”
“Tatakum!”
“Seok-hyun, he’s right! It’s too dangerous!”
“We can’t take that one down!”
Everyone indirectly urged using the escape scroll at my instruction.
Unlike ordinary golems, this one made of red brick charging at full speed was incredibly threatening.
After exhausting themselves trying to take down one golem, it was natural to lose fighting spirit when a named monster appeared.
Especially after I’d lectured them with cold water before entering the dungeon.
However…
“No, we can take it. Don’t worry.”
That was only true in normal cases.
With a skilled assistant, everything changes completely.
‘Clear the dungeon without major injuries.’
One person can’t solo a golem.
Which meant two people would be more than enough.
“Those who’ve recovered, follow my instructions from now on.”
How a veteran plays with golems.
Time to start the lecture.
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Are the professors observing like in the practical exam?