Conquering the Broken Heroine?

S-rank monster.
It was a threat that could be called, without exaggeration, humanity’s worst natural disaster in history.

But at the same time, it was ultimately nothing more than a beast without reason.

As with any hunter story, in [The Falling Star Swordsman of the Academy], the most threatening villain in the end wasn’t the beast, but the asshole.

There will be no casualties.
She could assert this.

The monster that appeared before her eyes was a bit player who fell without causing a single casualty even in the original work.
A monster that the original Han Suho, who was weaker than her at this point, managed to defeat after struggling.

[Carol]
[Rank: S]
[Details: A bipedal creature characterized by red, hard skin.]

However, its considerable defense and the offensive power derived from it certainly seemed insufficient for ordinary students to handle.

“…It’s, it’s Carol!”

The words spilled by a faceless extra were proof of this.

[You’re a smart student. That’s right. This monster’s name is Carol. I remember having a hard time taming it.]

Taming a monster.
What nonsensical words are these?

It’s impossible by ordinary common sense.
However, it was actually happening before their eyes.

Han Seoyeon knew the reason.

Player.
One blessed by a Constellation.
A special ability possessed only by such people.

Knowing the reason, there was no need to be flustered.
She was a munchkin.
Before being a munchkin, she was a hunter.

She had to predict the prey’s behavior and not be flustered by any variable.
Therefore, in a sense, the students here could be called disqualified as hunters.

The first generation of hunters didn’t get flustered even in much more desperate situations, even though their abilities were clearly weaker compared to today’s.

They just did their best.
They didn’t even die calmly.
They struggled to the end, trying to leave something behind even if they died.

All for the ultimate victory of humanity.

“What the! It’s really an S-rank monster!”
“This is some kind of hidden camera prank, right? Please, please tell me it is!”
“No! I don’t want to die! I don’t want to die!”

And compared to them, the academy students were far too fragile.

[Now, let the game begin!]

Carol was an insignificant monster to Han Seoyeon.

But for ordinary students, it was literally a living terror.
Its mere presence was enough to make several students lose their minds.

Is it about time?
Han Seoyeon was about to step forward confidently─

“Don’t panic!”

…What, why are you coming out here again?

“No matter how strong it is, the opponent is still a monster! We are students of the Hunter Academy! We are those who hunt monsters!”

Baek Da-eun stepped forward personally.

“I don’t know what tricks were used to breed this monster, but the opponent is just a terrorist!”

In the original work, this was indeed an original part.

“We must not yield to mere terrorists! Never!”

Baek Da-eun looks down on the weak.
More precisely, on the weak who don’t know their place.

To her, the weak are basically objects of protection, but not of cooperation.

That’s why she ignores the original Han Suho or Han Seoyeon.
Because the weak who should be protected are rushing to their death on their own.

E-rank powerless people are especially protected.
They’re like an endangered species.
Such a weak person steps forward without knowing their place.

Shouldn’t she stop them somehow?
The reason her way of speaking is so extreme is because she’s a rich man’s daughter.

“Whether it’s Carol or whatever, it doesn’t matter! I’ll handle this!”

Confidently.
With eyes that don’t waver an inch.
Baek Da-eun personally stepped forward in front of everyone.

■■■■■■■■■─────!

Carol roared.
The wind shook at the fierce cry.
It was a weak roar that couldn’t shake Baek Da-eun’s body and mind.

Mana fluctuates.
It was a wind comparable to Carol’s.
An invisible, formless shield wrapped around the students, protecting them from Carol’s roar.

Baek Da-eun’s level is lower than that of ordinary hunters.
But her ability is S-rank.
She surpasses ordinary hunters.

She won’t easily fall to the likes of one Carol.
Carol was the weakest among S-rank monsters, barely making the cut.

Carol’s body couldn’t move freely, crushed by Baek Da-eun’s wind.
Mana gathers around her, taking shape.

Wind blades.
Vibrating at high speed, their destructive power is amplified beyond measure.

Invisible, imperceptible formless blades were fired to slash Carol’s body.

One of the basic and most powerful techniques Baek Da-eun can use.
With this technique alone, Baek Da-eun has overwhelmingly hunted monsters in youth hunter camps.

Was the problem that the opponent was Carol?
Baek Da-eun’s ambitious attack bounced off, unable to penetrate Carol’s skin.

The monster and the girl were fighting equally.
If the ranks are the same, the advantageous side is undoubtedly the monster.

After all, despite everything, Baek Da-eun was still just a student.
She lacked both physicality and experience.

However, while it was a slight advantage, the outcome couldn’t be easily gauged.

Above all, there were countless students here besides Baek Da-eun.
In terms of the violence of numbers, the advantageous side was conversely Baek Da-eun.

Honestly, it’s a fight that’s difficult to lose.
But Baek Da-eun will lose.

[Everyone─.]

Because.

[You seem a bit bored, shall we update a game rule?]

The truly important thing wasn’t Carol.
It was the mastermind behind it.

“Kyaa!”

…Ah.
I was a bit too dazed.
The timing to intervene, slightly missed.

Watching the student who didn’t back down against Carol, the pink-haired roll-bun girl, Choi Min-hyuk grumbled with a dissatisfied face.

“Geez, this is why chaebol kids are like this. Do they think they’re the center of the world?”

A death game that should have unfolded by releasing one anteater and countless ants.
Ridiculously, mere ants were struggling.

The protagonist of this world should be a Player like Choi Min-hyuk, not such ants.

S-rank Awakener.
He didn’t expect it to be this much.
Choi Min-hyuk was conflicted.

What should he do?
At this rate, the death game will change genres into a human anthem.
Should he step in personally to kill them even now?

“But if I do that, I’d be ignoring the tip…”

The status window is absolute.
Accordingly, the tip was also absolute.

[The Constellation ‘Manager of the Abyss’ suggests a rule amendment.]

To the Player lost in thought, his Supporting Star offered advice.

“Oh…!”

Rule amendment.
As long as it’s still a death game, it doesn’t matter, right?

“As expected of my Constellation!”

Choi Min-hyuk raised his arm vigorously.

[The Constellation ‘Manager of the Abyss’ is embarrassed.]

They were truly a matching pair.

[Everyone─.]

Having gained an idea, Choi Min-hyuk immediately turned on the broadcast.
[You seem a bit bored, shall we update a game rule?]

The content wasn’t much.

[Offer one living sacrifice!]

A common divide and conquer tactic.
A provocation that wouldn’t work on verified first-generation hunters.

[If you offer just one living sacrifice, I’ll let the rest of you escape from here!]

But it was a lifeline too easily swallowed by the students.

“Huh…?”

Hunter Management Bureau Headquarters.

“Why are all the academy professors gathered in a place like this?”
“I heard there was an emergency summons!”
“What? There was no such thing…”
“…Oops!”

The professors sensed that something was wrong.

Her back burns.
For a moment, her vision turns upside down.
Baek Da-eun’s body is thrown helplessly to the ground.

Was it Carol’s attack?
No, it wasn’t.

Her protective barrier was completely blocking Carol’s movements.
The attack came from behind her.

She turned her gaze slightly.
The student who did it flinched.

“Wh-What are you looking at!”

He got angry instead.

“I want to live! I want to live! Is there anything more important than life, pride or whatever!”

He struggled angrily.

“If you want to act so great, do it alone! I’m leaving!”

It’s a foolish story.
There’s no way negotiations with terrorists would be intact.

“Now, let me out! I’ve offered a sacrifice, haven’t I!”

An invisible sneer is heard.

[Yes, of course.]

Opposite to Carol.
The wall blocking the students opened.

[The path is open. Go. I’m not a fraud like someone else.]

He just didn’t lie, that’s all.
Beyond the wall, the hunting ground will soon have other monsters released.

Choi Min-hyuk’s words were simply that he would let them out of here.

Not knowing this, the students fled.
Leaving Baek Da-eun behind.
Leaving only the fallen Baek Da-eun behind.

The reason for the poor character of the academy students was simple.
Hunters went through a terrible time.
They experienced misfortunes that should never be experienced again.

So they didn’t want to make the children experience such things.
They were given too many conveniences.

That’s the AG (After Gate) generation.
Children born after the gates, who don’t know war.

The cancer-inducing elements that persist throughout [The Falling Star Swordsman of the Academy].
Honestly, it was a corny name.

As much as she’d like to leave them to die like this, they’re still living students.

She won’t let them die.
No matter what anyone says, they will live.
They will live and spread cancer throughout the story.

Soon, the professors who notice the trouble will rush in and defeat the monsters scattered in other hunting grounds.

“Ah…”

Therefore, without needing to pay attention to them.
Han Seoyeon stepped forward.

“What, are you doing…!”

Despite trying to help.
Baek Da-eun spoke, straining her injured body.
It was the same development as in the original work.

“Run away… The opponent is an S-rank monster…! It’s not a monster that a powerless person like you can handle…!”

That noblesse oblige spirit still being displayed despite being betrayed.
It could be called admirable, if anything.

[The young lady is right. Let’s run away quickly.]

The mockery continued.

[Ah, or perhaps you came to perform kaishaku?]

What caught Choi Min-hyuk’s eye was the worn-out Japanese sword at the girl’s waist.

Choi Min-hyuk was well-versed in Japanese culture.
As a rule, didn’t Japanese warriors perform kaishaku to ease the pain of those committing seppuku?

“What’s kaishaku, you weeb.”

Han Seoyeon laughed calmly.

[…Ha!]

She’s just a high school girl who uses a Japanese sword (※hwando).
She knew nothing about Japanese culture.

[Then as you wish, I’ll kill you!]

Like a petty villain.
He flared up at trivial words.

“No! Run away quickly! Hurry…!”
“No.”

The monster approaches.
Roaring with that terrifying bulk.
Han Seoyeon was calm.

“I won’t run away.”

A monologue already repeated to the point of nausea.
Because Han Seoyeon was a munchkin protagonist.

“Just watch.”
─It’s okay now.

Clank.

“I’ll protect you properly.”
─I’ll protect you.

She placed her hand on the sword hilt.

“─”

It’s a strange reason.
What overlaps in Baek Da-eun’s eyes is a scene from the past.

■■■■■■■■■─────!

The monster charges.
And.

─Lightning Flash.

The worn sword, drawn like lightning, struck Carol’s neck in an instant.

The stance of drawing the sword.
The sword hilt grasped in her left hand.
A swordpath without an inch of waste.
The appearance of shaking off blood drops and sheathing the sword.

“It can’t be.”

Why hadn’t she noticed?
The black hair and red eyes.
The left-handed swordsmanship unlike Han Suho.

“…It can’t, be.”

She,
Han Seoyeon,

“…Was it you?”

Was the girl who had saved Baek Da-eun from hell back then.