NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 106
“Is that person insane?!”
“Uh, what should we do?!”
The students froze in place, screaming like terrified birds.
Professor Yu was definitely running toward us, even though he was still quite far away.
If we stayed like this, we’d end up colliding with a horde of monsters.
It was literally an emergency.
Kruuhng—!
“Gah! Huuh!”
Professor Yu ran up, gasping for breath.
A swarm of monsters followed him closely.
There were at least ten Wood Bears.
And to make matters worse…
Kiiieeeek—!
Several Wyverns had also joined the chase.
Huge monsters flying through the sky.
Their long tails whipped in the wind, and their sharp claws glinted menacingly.
Realizing the situation, Professor No grimaced and shouted.
“Professor Jeong! Take the students and escape to safety! I’ll do my best to hold them off!”
The urgency was palpable.
Professor No didn’t have time to worry about his wording.
“Professor Park! Let’s do this!”
“Alright! We’ll hold on!”
Professor Park agreed with Professor No’s decision.
Rather than scattering in all directions trying to save themselves, sacrificing themselves would ensure the students had a better chance of survival.
‘…So it came to this.’
It was something we had prepared for from the beginning.
The longer the delay in support, the more they had to act this way.
Now, all that was left was to overcome our fear and take action.
“Professor Jeong! Hurry up!”
“Now’s not the time to hesitate!”
Both professors turned their gaze toward Si-hyun.
The students all looked at Si-hyun too.
Their faces, once a dull gray, were now pale with fear.
Their lips and jaws trembled, struggling to breathe heavily.
The students wanted to escape as quickly as possible, fidgeting in place.
“….”
Si-hyun looked around slowly before speaking.
“……Everyone, please listen calmly.”
Her voice was surprisingly calm for such an urgent situation.
Si-hyun’s expression was the same as usual, and her demeanor was as if nothing had happened; she was the only one unshaken in that moment.
Perhaps it was because of this.
People seemed almost enchanted.
They listened attentively to Si-hyun’s words.
“If you go outside today…”
Tap-tap—
Si-hyun began to step calmly toward the approaching horde of monsters.
Her steps looked infinitely relaxed.
She was exceedingly dignified.
Despite this being an A-rank Dungeon.
With monsters almost upon them.
“It will be covered beautifully in the news.”
Si-hyun’s appearance and demeanor were like a calm lake.
Still and peaceful.
“Please watch closely from the VIP seats.”
Somehow, she revealed a long sword in her hand.
“From now on… please take care of me.”
Si-hyun’s golden eyes sparkled beautifully.
She slowly raised her hand that was not holding the sword.
Snap!
The sound of her fingers snapping lightly.
A single droplet fell into the tranquil lake.
At that moment, a massive wave spread out like a ripple.
Whaaaam——!
Centered around where Si-hyun stood, an enormous holy energy and mana explosively burst forth.
It was as if the sun were rising, filling the surroundings with brilliant light.
Those who had been staring at Si-hyun in a daze froze in place. Their minds went blank.
They could hardly believe what their eyes were witnessing.
‘Wh-what the hell is that?!’
‘It feels so warm!’
The students’ mouths dropped open in awe.
Not just the students; even the professors, especially Professor No’s eyes, widened to the size of plates.
All the minor injuries acquired during battle vanished.
The warm energy cleared their minds completely.
Moreover, the once-empty mana began to replenish rapidly.
‘Wh-what on earth is this…?’
Having worked as a Hunter for several years, this experience was one I had never encountered before.
The battle hadn’t even begun yet.
Yet, there was no doubt about Professor Jeong Si-hyun’s abilities.
Professor No felt as if he were going back to his student days as he gazed at Si-hyun.
It was only now that he truly realized her words about the VIP seats.
“….”
In the meantime, Si-hyun stepped forward once more.
She had closed the distance with the monsters significantly.
Professor Yu was even closer to the approaching monsters.
Kiiieek—!
Among them, the monster that was speeding up the most.
A Wyvern began to dive toward the ground with great speed.
“GRAAAAGH!”
It clamped down hard on Professor Yu’s shoulder, who was trying to escape.
Professor Yu screamed in agony.
The Wyvern took off once more, still gripping him tightly.
Professor Yu struggled with all his might to free himself from the Wyvern.
But it was all in vain.
The Wyvern’s iron jaws showed no sign of loosening, and his body was being pulled up higher and higher.
Si-hyun glanced at the scene.
The monsters had already invaded her territory.
Their running momentum was gradually slowing.
Meanwhile, the students and professors had already returned to a dynamic state.
Only Professor Yu was excluded.
He was treated like the monsters by Si-hyun.
Leading a horde of monsters was akin to an act of murder.
Si-hyun cut off her concern for Professor Yu and began preparing a large-scale magic spell.
Sizzle, sizzle!
Mana began to swirl around Si-hyun more intensely than before.
A tremendous wave of mana felt like a storm gathering strength, shaking the air.
It was at that moment.
“UAAAAAAAH!”
The arm that had been bitten by the Wyvern began to fall off as Professor Yu plummeted.
The shock of losing the arm.
The terror of falling to the ground.
His screams were filled with despair and pain.
Thud!
Professor Yu’s body crashed onto the ground, bouncing several times from the impact.
His body rolled, scraping his elbows, knees, and face against the rough terrain.
His face, stained with blood and dirt, twisted in agony as he struggled to breathe.
Professor Yu, who had rolled close to Si-hyun, tried to get back up.
The monsters were charging closer by the second.
“Gkh—…”
However, he could not rise.
He tried to feel the ground with his one remaining hand, but he kept losing strength, collapsing instead.
‘I can’t die like this!’
Professor Yu crawled along the ground, desperate to make it.
At that moment, he made eye contact with Si-hyun, who was nearby.
He pleaded urgently.
“Pl-please! Help me! Save me, please!”
“……What a heartless bastard.”
As expected of a villain.
Si-hyun coldly shot him down.
If he had just come back quietly and joined them…
Even if he was annoying, she might have let him be.
But what had he done?
It was trolling that he deserved to die a hundred times for.
This guy was a murderer.
‘Hah…’
…A murderer nearly became a killer.
Si-hyun sighed lightly.
She was confident that in the end, no one would die.
It was clear that Professor Yu was selfish.
But fortune was on his side.
“……You’d better crawl on your own.”
He was out of the magical area Si-hyun was about to unleash.
She kicked Professor Yu’s body, which was crawling closer, with no hesitation or mercy.
“Ugh!”
He rolled away like a bug.
Hmph! Si-hyun snorted and turned her gaze back to the front.
She had been slightly distracted by Professor Yu, but her magic was still being prepared steadily.
Even though she hadn’t had to use it much recently while rolling around peacefully,
This was one of the countless spells she had used back in another world.
It wouldn’t be a problem to keep preparing magic just because a bug was annoying her.
‘…While I may not be as good as the real deal.’
Si-hyun was always conscious of this when casting magic.
No matter how much she struggled and tried her best.
Her power was infinitely lacking compared to truly talented elemental mages.
Their magic, boosted by her buffs, was capable of shaking the world with the power that exceeded nature’s laws.
With that power, they had defeated the Demon King.
No matter how much she worked hard, she couldn’t catch up to their offensive spells.
‘It’s okay now. Yeah.’
…Even if that were the case.
Ji-a had praised her as the best mage.
Her disciple Ah-reum always looked at her sparkling eyes, shining always the same.
That was enough. It was sufficient.
What more could she possibly need?
The praises, encouragement, and respect from her cherished people.
That alone filled her sense of self-worth adequately.
She didn’t need the evaluations of strangers.
I will…
“I’m going to live comfortably on my own terms.”
Si-hyun thrust her sword forward.
The monsters had already reached within mere distance.
Unaware that this place would become their grave.
Si-hyun raised the corners of her mouth.
“……Farewell.”
With those words, a brief moment passed where everything seemed to halt.
Even the wind seemed to stop, and the air held its breath.
But soon…
KWAAM———!
An intense storm erupted from the tip of her sword!
As if all the suppressed energy was being unleashed at once, a massive vortex engulfed the forest.
The cutting winds wrapped around the monsters.
The Wyverns shrieked as they were torn apart, and even the gigantic Wood Bears were swept away into the whirlwind.
The storm summoned by Si-hyun turned the battlefield into ruins in an instant.
The torn-up earth and fallen trees bore witness to the impact of the storm.
Boom! Crash! Crash!
Monsters, shredded in every direction, plummeted to the ground, raising clouds of dust.
The final cries echoed through the chaos.
“Huff……”
Si-hyun slowly caught her breath and lowered her sword.
A gentle breeze rustled her snow-white hair.
“……”
After the storm passed.
The students who had been watching in the back were left speechless at the scene before them.
From the moment the mana had been swirling, they had felt a tingling sensation.
But not a single person here had expected magic of this magnitude to manifest.
Beyond chills, a thrill ran down their spines.
Their necks tingled.
“That’s insane…”
“Is this even possible…?”
Someone murmured in a hushed voice. Gasps erupted from all around.
No one could articulate their thoughts, merely staring blankly at Si-hyun’s back.
Though the beautiful professor was standing right in front of them, she felt distant.
She stood elegantly and brilliantly, as if she existed in an entirely different realm, overwhelming everyone with her presence.
The ethereal glow flowing with her silhouette evoked the aura of a divine being; it felt sacred.
“Kruuhng…”
The feeble cries of wounded beasts echoed.
Some Wood Bears still clung to life, slowly attempting to rise.
“……”
Snap!
The sound of a finger snap rang out crisply.
Magic began to form above the heads of the Wood Bears as they stirred.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
All the monsters, displaying signs of movement, froze in place.
It was a clean annihilation.
Silence returned to the forest.
“Hmm….”
Satisfied, Si-hyun nodded as she slowly turned around.
Her expression was as serene as before, and her golden eyes continued to shine with a magical light.
Si-hyun flashed a gentle smile and opened her mouth.
“Alright, everyone, let’s sweep through the Dungeon!”
A brief silence.
And soon—
“Professor! You’re the best—!”
“That was totally epic!”
“I thought my heart was going to burst!”
“We’re alive!”
“Wooaah!”
Cheers and shouts of excitement erupted!
Just like a festival had begun, everyone joyfully cried out.
Many students joined hands, jumping gleefully as they danced in celebration.
The fear of death had completely vanished, replaced by the relief and excitement of having their dependable professor by their side.
Si-hyun beamed playfully, her smile slightly mischievous.
“Field trip! Let’s go!”
“Hahaha!”
“Professor, show us another awesome skill!”
The professor, once perceived as a divine entity, instantly returned to the friendly teacher.
A swarm of budding Hunters followed Si-hyun, much like little chicks trailing after their mother, their steps more dignified than ever.
The professors quickly joined this vibrant march as well.
* * *
…Outside the Dungeon.
Near the Gate that had appeared in the Academy auditorium, a large crowd had gathered, bustling.
Academy officials, parents and friends of the trapped students, and reporters were all there.
Many were desperately trying to piece together the situation in the midst of the chaos, but no rescue party had yet been formed.
“Uh, uh?! Look over there!”
Suddenly, someone shouted loudly.
All eyes turned toward the Gate.
Every single person’s eyes widened.
“Th-the Dungeon was cleared?!”
“The students! The students are coming out right now!”
“Oooooh! What the heck is going on…!”
Roars of cheers erupted from all around.
This was something completely incomprehensible.
It was a situation where it wouldn’t have been odd for them to suffer total annihilation.
But all the students walked out with triumphant expressions.
Even in a situation of joyous escape, everyone was in a state of shock.
‘How the hell…?’
Those outside felt a common question arise in their minds.
They observed the conditions at the Gate to grasp the situation properly.
“Huhhhhh! Professor, thank you so, so much!”
“We’re alive! We really lived!”
“Ugh! Professor, you were seriously the coolest!”
“You are our lifesaver…!”
The relief that came late caused the students to start sobbing.
At the center of their tears stood Professor Jeong Si-hyun.
Si-hyun smiled gently, comforting the students.
Her expression was as soft and kind as sunlight, possessing the power to assure those around her.
Snap! Snap!
Camera flashes went off from somewhere.
The storm had still not settled. Now, it was just the beginning.