Then, he looked up at the school tower where Arthur stood alone, looking down at the world.
So Hyun narrowed his eyes.
"Next time we meet, I'll be ready."
Two days have passed.
It was Saturday.
Most students stayed in the academy, but So Hyun went back into the forest.
He needed more levels—and more strength.
"I'm still weak. If I want to change my future, I need to grow fast."
With his wooden sword, So Hyun hunted small monsters.
After two hours, he killed three goblins.
> Level Up!
+5 permanent attribute points
He smiled. "Good."
As he wiped blood off his sword, he heard a sound.
Sniff… sniff…
So Hyun turned.
A small child was crying behind a tree.
He looked about six years old. His clothes were dirty. His knee was bleeding.
"A commoner?" So Hyun said, walking closer.
The boy looked scared and backed away.
"It's okay," So Hyun said softly. "I'm not here to hurt you."
He gave the boy water and helped clean his wound.
The boy looked up and asked, "Aren't you Jin Haru? My brother said you're mean."
So Hyun froze, then smiled sadly.
"I was… but not anymore."
Just then—
Rustle! Rustle!
A wild beast jumped from the trees, growling.
The boy screamed.
So Hyun moved fast. He stood in front and raised his sword.
Slash!
One hit. The beast fell, dead.
The boy stared in shock.
From far away, a girl stood behind a tree, watching.
She had pink hair and blue eyes.
She wore a light white robe.
It was the healer heroine.
She looked surprised.
"…Was that really Jin Haru?"
Later that day, So Hyun walked back to the academy.
The sky was turning red. Evening was near.
He checked his status while walking.
> Level: 6
Stats increased: Yes
New Skill? No
"I need to find stronger monsters," he thought.
Suddenly—
BOOM!
A loud sound came from the academy training field.
Smoke rose in the air.
So Hyun ran toward it.
When he arrived, students were already watching.
In the center of the field stood a girl with long red hair and red eyes.
She wore a dark robe and held a magic staff.
Fire burned around her.
In front of her was a training dummy. It was black and half-melted.
The crowd cheered.
"That's her," So Hyun whispered.
"The fire magician heroine. The strongest B-rank magic student."
She waved her hand, and the flames disappeared.
Then she looked at the crowd—and her eyes stopped on So Hyun.
For a second, their eyes met.
So Hyun stayed calm, but he felt it.
"She saw me. And she's not smiling."
The girl turned and walked away.
Some students followed her, calling her name:
> "Seo Mira! That fire magic was amazing!"
"Are you joining the dungeon test next week?"
So Hyun stepped back.
"That girl... I have to be careful. She's strong, proud, and doesn't like people like Jin Haru."
Then he remembered:
In the game, Jin Haru tried to flirt with her—and she almost burned him.
"But now, I'm not that fool anymore," So Hyun said with a small smile.
Monday came.
Students gathered in the academy hall.
A teacher stood on stage with a paper in hand.
"Listen up," he said. "We will form training groups for the dungeon test next week."
So Hyun looked around. Many students were nervous.
The teacher continued, "Each group will have four members. One swordsman, one healer, one magician, and one support."
He read the list aloud.
Then—
> "Group 7: Jin Haru, Seo Mira, Arin, and Do Jun."
So Hyun's eyes widened.
> Jin Haru = me
Seo Mira = the fire mage
Arin = the pink-haired healer
Do Jun = ???
He turned his head slowly.
Arin, the healer, walked toward him.
Her pink hair flowed behind her. She smiled gently.
"Hello. I saw you in the forest," she said.
So Hyun nodded. "Nice to meet you."
Then Seo Mira came.
Her red eyes were sharp. She looked So Hyun up and down.
"Don't get in my way," she said coldly.
So Hyun didn't reply. He just smiled.
> "In the past, Jin Haru chased you like a fool.
But now, I'll earn your respect. With strength."
Their fourth teammate, Do Jun, arrived.
He was quiet and had glasses. A support-type student.
"Let's do our best," Do Jun said softly.
The group was now complete.
So Hyun looked at his new team and thought:
> "This world is different now.
I'm not the villain.
I'm going to survive—and win."
The next day, the team met at the dungeon gate behind the academy.
They wore their training gear.
So Hyun carried a sword.
Arin, the healer, held a light staff.
Seo Mira had her red magic staff.
Do Jun wore a support belt filled with tools.
The team stood in front of a tall, dark gate deep inside the dungeon.
"We're now entering the real test," said the instructor.
Behind him, two guards opened the heavy gate.
Clank... Clank...
The ground shook.
Cold wind blew from inside. It smelled of old blood and wet stone.
"This is a low-rank dungeon," the instructor said. "But the monsters are real. If you are too slow, you will get hurt."