I Became an Illegal Cheat User

57 – Villain Response Training (1)

“Hey, Asuka.”

In response to my whisper, Asuka leaned in and quietly whispered back to me.

“What is it, Chief?”

“Is it okay to eat together like this?”

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

“Even though it’s not just the two of us? We promised to eat together, remember?”

“That’s a bit disappointing. But I like eating with everyone like this, so it’s okay.”

“Really? Asuka, you’re so nice.”

“Hehe.”

At my compliment, Asuka smiled happily and pulled away from me.

Then she poked her fork into the rose tteokbokki she brought and popped it into her mouth with a little “ang.”

And then she munched, her small mouth working away.

I couldn’t help but smile warmly at Asuka.

But that didn’t last long.

Murmurs.

“Look over there, it’s the top student and the kids from 2nd to 5th place.”

“They say birds of a feather flock together… I guess only the skilled ones stick together.”

“I’m jealous, I want to join them too.”

“Don’t even think about it, with your skills, that’s absolutely impossible.”

With the gazes and murmurs coming from all around, I couldn’t maintain my smile.

And no wonder…

“Top student, aren’t you going to eat? Om nom nom.”

“Yoojin, aren’t you eating?”

“Um… are you not feeling hungry?”

“Are you feeling unwell? If so, I can pray for you…”

On my right was Asuka.

On my left was Seoyeon.

In front of me was Arthur.

Next to Arthur was Noah.

Right now, the main characters were gathered at the table I was at.

Maybe that’s why, sitting at the same table as these main characters, my classmates who came down to the cafeteria or were eating were glancing at us and murmuring.

‘…Are they used to the attention? They seem unfazed.’

Even though all eyes were on me from every direction.

Despite that, the main characters continued their meal naturally, unfazed.

In contrast, I… was so burdened by the gazes that I couldn’t lift my spoon.

“I’m so jealous… I envy the top student so much…”

“Me too, I want to eat between Asuka and Lee Seoyeon.”

“I want to pet Asuka’s hair like the top student. That small, cute head…”

“You too? Me too.”

“Hey, me too.”

Why is it that only the gazes directed at me are filled with envy and jealousy?

Of course, I have the stunning beauty Lee Seoyeon on my left and the cute and pretty Asuka on my right.

But the way they look at me… is it really that natural?

“Hmm… thinking from the perspective of my peers, I can see why they’d be envious.”

With the most beautiful girls in the academy dining beside me, how could I not feel envy?

Even I would be extremely envious.

But the object of that envy is me?

Well, there’s nothing I can do about it.

I have to endure it.

Once I thought that way.

“Huh? This isn’t so bad?”

My previously uncomfortable stomach felt at ease, as if I had taken a digestive aid.

At that moment, as I lifted my spoon to scoop some rice.

“Top student, please try this.”

“Lee Yujin, you should taste this.”

“Let me try mine too.”

“It’s nice to see you sharing what you love. Then I’ll…”

As if they had been waiting for this moment, the kids began placing the food they had brought onto my spoon.

Food piled on top of the white rice.

Asuka’s rose tteokbokki was the first to go on.

Then came Lee Seoyeon’s steak on top of that.

And then Arthur’s mint pasta… wait a second.

‘Arthur, I know you like mint, but this is a bit…’

And finally, Noah’s grilled short ribs were served.

Maybe it’s because everyone has a good sense of balance.

It was stacked so exquisitely.

But sorry to the kids.

I have no intention of putting this in my mouth as it is.

Thud.

I set the spoon I had picked up back down on the rice bowl.

Then I picked up the side dishes resting on the rice with my chopsticks.

Except for Arthur’s mint pasta.

“Hey, why are you only not eating my pasta?”

Arthur looked at me with a sulky face, as if to say I was excluding him.

I gave Arthur a gentle smile and said,

“I’m sorry, I just don’t like pasta.”

“Oh… is that so?”

Arthur nodded as if he understood.

No, the truth is, I actually like pasta.

Oil pasta, vongole pasta, tomato pasta, and so on.

I like it just as much as I like pork bulgogi rice.

‘I could understand if it were mint chocolate ice cream. I eat that very rarely too.’

But is there really a reason to add toothpaste flavor to pasta?

Unaware of my feelings, Arthur twirled the green pasta around his fork and popped it into his mouth.

Then, with genuine delight, he smiled with his eyes, radiating a happy aura.

Seeing Arthur like that, I shook my head.

&

After breakfast.

We scattered to do our respective tasks.

Asuka and Arthur headed to the training ground.

I made my way to the production department for special ammunition creation.

Accompanied by Lee Seoyeon and Noah.

“…Is Seo-yeon going to the production department because of live ammunition?”

“Yeah, we can’t keep using rubber bullets forever.”

Maybe it’s because Noah is next to her.

Seo-yeon replied to my question with her characteristic ‘Ice Princess’ expressionless face.

“Noah, why are you going to the production department?”

I can understand Seo-yeon since she handles guns like I do.

To get live ammunition, you have to go to the production department.

But I can’t understand Noah.

Unless she were to use weapons like the other Inquisition judges.

Noah doesn’t use weapons.

She’s literally someone who has no need to go to the production department.

Yet Noah’s answer was truly unexpected.

“I want to try using a gun just once.”

“……What?”

No, Noah.

What do you mean by that?

You want to try using a gun?

“No, you can’t!”

“That’s right, you can’t.”

I immediately shouted my strong opposition.

And Seo-yeon next to me also discouraged the use of guns.

“Absolutely do not use it.”

She said that while radiating an icy aura.

…You’re worried about me, right?

Just as I was thinking that.

“Hahaha!”

Noah suddenly burst into laughter.

“…Why are you laughing?”

“Is it funny?”

I looked at Noah with a puzzled expression.

And Lee Seoyeon began to exude a sharp intensity, beyond just radiating coldness.

Noah, with a gentle smile on his lips, spoke in response to her fierce atmosphere.

“It was a joke. I lack the talent to handle a gun like you two, so even if I wanted to try using one, I couldn’t.”

In truth, the fact that it was a joke somewhat eased Lee Seoyeon’s demeanor.

However, she remained cold towards everyone except me and Asuka.

“So why were you laughing?”

She asked about the reason for his smile directed at me and herself.

Still emanating that sharp intensity.

But Noah was no less skilled than Arthur or Lee Seoyeon.

Thus, despite her pressure, he remained unfazed.

“Isn’t it only natural to laugh?”

And Noah added, “Because there’s such a fitting pair here.”

Aside from his chatter, he was very perceptive.

“…Really?”

At Noah’s words, Lee Seoyeon’s pale face flushed slightly.

At the same time, the sharp intensity that had been radiating from her vanished in an instant.

“It’s truly a gracious thing. That such strong and beautiful individuals have feelings for each other.”

…Hey, Noah?

I don’t feel that way yet.

But I couldn’t voice that thought.

“Hmph….”

Lee Seoyeon was smiling, not with a blank expression, but with genuine pleasure.

Swoosh.

Lee Seoyeon’s body leaned slightly against mine.

And her hand gently grasped my hand.

Though we didn’t interlock fingers like last time, it was a sight that could easily be mistaken for a couple.

I shook my head at Noah.

That I wasn’t in that kind of relationship with Lee Seoyeon.

But Noah…

Wink.

As if it understood my heart completely, it winked.

…No, whose heart do you even know?

I let out a deep sigh.

&

“Oh, Lee Yoo-jin.”

Fortunately, despite it being Sunday, the production instructor was at work.

“Hello, Instructor. You came in even though it’s Sunday?”

“Ah, I just felt sluggish staying at home. So I came in.”

…You came in because you felt sluggish?

The production instructor, this person is not in their right mind either.

“I saw your article. You killed a high-level corrupter all by yourself?”

The production instructor, with admiration, tapped my shoulder with the pipe he had been holding in his mouth.

“Did you use the Christmas?”

At my nod in response to the question,

The production instructor puffed out smoke while holding the pipe.

“Your weapon must be broken, right?”

“Yes, as you said, Instructor, using three shots turned it to powder and broke it.”

“So you have a backup weapon?”

“Rather than a backup weapon, I found something better as my main weapon.”

“Something better?”

At the mention of a better weapon, the production instructor’s eyes sparkled as he approached me.

And just as he was about to put his arm around my shoulder.

“What are you doing?”

Lee Seo-yeon, who had been quietly standing with Noah behind me, shot a cold glare at the production instructor and spoke.

The production instructor then looked back and forth between me and Seo-yeon, raising his pinky finger.

“Is it this?”

“…No.”

“But why the fuss… Ah.”

The production instructor, as if realizing something, broke into a sly smile.

And despite Lee Seoyeon’s fierce demeanor, she threw her arm around my shoulder.

Then, pressing that menacing production pouch tightly against me, she whispered in my ear.

“Ha… our sharpshooter is quite popular, huh?”

“Um… that….”

Could you please give me a little space…?

I was about to be overwhelmed by that pouch, which was not just plump but ferocious…

As I was singing the national anthem in my head and heart.

Srrng.

Lee Seoyeon was drawing her sword from its sheath with an extremely darkened gaze.

Seeing her like that, the production instructor let go of her arm, saying, “Wow, she’s so fierce I can’t even tease her.”

Only then did a faint glimmer return to Lee Seoyeon’s eyes, and the sword drawing came to a halt.

But the murderous intent directed at the instructor remained unchanged.

I sighed and said to her, “Lee Seoyeon, the instructor was just joking. So, ease up on the hostility.”

No matter how much she disliked the instructor, he was still her teacher.

It was inappropriate for a student to exude such hostility towards a teacher.

“That’s right, Lee Seoyeon. As Yoojin said, the instructor was just playing a prank, so calm down.”

“…….”

At our words, Lee Seoyeon’s hostility dissipated.

Yet, even so, her gaze towards the instructor was still incredibly fierce.

I couldn’t say anything about that, so I turned my head away from Lee Seoyeon to look at the instructor.

“You know you went a bit too far with the joke, right?”

“…Hmm, I guess so.”

The instructor scratched his head with an awkward smile.

Then he approached Lee Seoyeon, slightly bowing his head as he said, “I’m sorry.”

As the instructor bowed his head to apologize, she replied, “…Yes, I’m sorry for exuding hostility as well.”

Lee Seoyeon also softened her gaze a bit as she apologized.

Seeing that warm scene, Noah nodded, looking quite pleased.

…Hmm, that one isn’t exactly normal either.

&

After a brief incident passed.

Lee Seoyeon, Noah, and I explained to the production instructor why we were there.

I requested a special item to prepare for special ammunition and ‘bewilderment.’

Lee Seoyeon requested live ammunition.

Noah… requested the creation of grenades.

“What kind of grenade are you planning to make?”

“I want to create a holy grenade.”

When the production instructor asked that,

Noah answered like a child talking about something they wanted.

“A holy grenade, huh… that sounds interesting.”

The production instructor’s eyes sparkled as if he had discovered something fun.

But that was only for a moment.

The production instructor spoke as if he were in a bit of a bind.

“However, to make that, you need at least the divine power of a cardinal… and the only cardinal I know is currently at the main temple…”

Then Noah, with a gentle smile, said,

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

“What? Why?”

“It’s a bit embarrassing to say, as if I’m gilding my own face, but I have more divine power than the cardinal.”

“…Ah, so you’re Noah? The son of the great saint, Gloria.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Then there’s no need to worry.”

The production instructor nodded, looking as if he had resolved one issue.

Then he turned to me and asked,

“You said you’re making special ammunition, right? Did you bring the materials?”

“Yes, here they are.”

I turned off my infinite item and took out the alchemical materials, placing them on the workbench.

“Quite a variety of materials, huh? Sticky glue, flame herbs, ice flowers, electric fruits… so you’re planning to make elemental special ammunition?”

I nodded at the production instructor’s immediate understanding of what I was trying to create.

Then, the production instructor, his eyes sparkling with interest, spoke again.

“Then we’ll need an alchemist. Do you happen to know how to do alchemy?”

I nodded once more.

“Yes, I can do it.”

“Really? Then you should stay with Noah. We’ll be making special ammunition and special grenades today.”

After saying this, the production instructor looked at Lee Seo-yeon one last time.

“You said you need live ammunition, right? How much do you need?”

Lee Seo-yeon paused for a moment, staring at the production instructor in silence.

Then she pointed at me and said,

“Give me as much as Yoo-jin has.”

“…As much as I have?”

She wouldn’t be able to carry it all since she didn’t have an inventory like mine, right?

I wasn’t the only one thinking this.

“…As much as Yoo-jin has? Is that possible?”

The production instructor tilted his head, asking.

In response, Lee Seo-yeon revealed the total capacity of her spatial ring.

And both the instructor and I immediately understood.

It made sense, as the spatial ring Lee Seo-yeon possessed had an A+ rating, comparable to the capacity of my inventory.

“Alright, then come by tomorrow or the day after. We need to make these two kids’ items today.”

The production instructor said this and stood up from his chair.

However, Lee Seo-yeon did not leave the workshop.

The production instructor looked at her with a puzzled expression and asked,

“Aren’t you leaving?”

“…I’ll stay here.”

At her words, the production instructor glanced at me.

Then, with the same sly smile as before, he playfully tapped my shoulder.

“Yoo-jin, you’re lucky, huh? A pretty girl like that is waiting for you.”

“…….”

I didn’t respond.

It was obvious that answering her would only lead to more teasing.

Then the production instructor, seemingly bored, took a puff from his pipe and exhaled with a sigh.

But soon, perhaps rekindled by the thought of creating special ammunition and sacred grenades, the instructor grinned and said,

“Alright, let’s give it a try.”

&

&

&

The next morning.

“We’re going to have villain response training today.”

As Kang Cheol-soo stood at the podium upon entering the classroom, he began to talk about the outdoor class.

One of my classmates raised his hand and asked,

“During villain response training, do we assign roles for villains and heroes?”

“That’s right.”

“Then who will take on the villain role?”

“Are we drawing lots again this time?”

Starting with one student, several others raised their hands to ask questions.

Kang Cheol-soo clapped his hands as if to calm everyone down and said,

Clap clap.

“This time, we won’t be drawing lots.”

As he said this, he looked at me.

Wait, why me?

Seeing my puzzled expression, Kang Cheol-soo grinned and said,

“The villain role has already been decided.”

Oh, no way.

“Lee Yoo-jin.”

Kang Cheol-soo pointed at me.

“You are the villain.”

“…….”

The classroom fell silent.

I looked around.

Everyone was staring at me with shocked expressions.

I chuckled softly at the sight of those kids and said,

“Yes, I am the villain.”

I never expected the day to test the special ammunition would come so soon.

‘Ah, this will be fun.’