Chapter 19 : School is a fucking spectacle #14 - No Kidding, I’m an Extra

"Hello, hello! Good morning, cadets of Class A! Come on, come on! Push your desks back and line up!" Just like last time, Kawar Instructor bounced into the classroom, starting the lesson with her usual speed. This is good. Today, I won't make a fool of myself like I did yesterday. The nickname "Scream Man"? Let them scoff. I won’t be fazed by anything anymore. I'm ready for whatever comes my way. If you're startled by the same trick twice, you're not human—you're a coward. I don't consider cowards to be human... This is how brave and cool I am. On the battlefield, there's no place for cowards! Only brave warriors will follow my lead! "Today's lesson! Last time it was an illusion, so today we'll get into warp gates!" Warp gates, huh. "Warp gates! Can our very own Kim Geun Chul give us an answer on what they are?" "What? Uh... No, why me all of a sudden! I wasn't prepared for this!" What the heck is this? I was utterly caught off guard! "Pfft...!" "Khmm!" "Hahaha!" Laughter erupted from the students. They seem eager to laugh at everything I do! "Heroes can't be caught off guard! So, Kim Geun Chul? Can we have your answer?" "The... Warp gates, right? It's those things for warping? Isn't it how monsters or mutants tear through dimensions to come here? I know that much. It's basic knowledge, how could I not?" I know that much indeed. I answered as calmly as possible. "Ding-dong-dang! That’s a fact everyone knows! Good answer!" Then why even ask? "But these warp gates have unique characteristics. I'll explain that in a bit, but usually, monsters come to Earth through these warp gates!" Everyone knows that. "Of course, some settle into the wild, though. You all know the War Zone in the old Gangwon-do, right? The monsters that claimed that land have gone fully wild, even breeding on their own." Old Gangwon-do? War Zone? I’ll need to look into this. "Those monsters sometimes break through our defenses or come underground! But today's lesson is about the ordinary monsters! We'll study those that come through warp gates!" "Ooooh!" Switching to high-focus mode. Bring on the lesson. I’ll absorb it all into my mind. Kim Geun Chul will become an exemplary student. "As awakened individuals, you might sense a peculiar magical wave when a gate opens nearby! Though some might not notice easily... Still, to avoid the ambush of assault-type monsters, you must hone this instinct! Or you'll end up dead!" Do assault-type monsters refer to those that appear suddenly by opening gates? To confirm, I looked around at the students. ㅡ... The others had crossed their arms, focusing intently on Kawar Instructor’s words. I guess that's right. "Simply put, like the Warp Spiders we saw at the entrance ceremony! These creatures freely warp and attack! If you're not on guard, they’ll get you! Like what happened to Kim Geun Chul back then!" ㅡSnap! Kawar Instructor pointed at me with a joyful smile! "Why mention my name again...!" "That's because Kim Geun Chul will be the first to experience the lesson firsthand today!" "Again! It's me again! Why always me! Kawar Instructor! Why is it always me first!" My objections triggered laughter from the back once again! "His protests are just too funny...!" "He seems like a peculiar guy." "Haha, indeed, right?" It's frustrating to the point of madness! "Since Kim Geun Chul seems to lag behind a bit, you must be at the forefront. Otherwise, you can't become a hero. Now, come forward, Kim Geun Chul!" "Darn...!" The students were all looking at me expectantly. Ken was in the back, mouthing "Scream Man." Even Leona’s gaze felt piercing. Help me, Si Hoo! But this slacker Si Hoo isn't here yet? "Alright, fine. Here I am." What choice do I have. I might as well go. "Kawar Instructor, let me just say, please don't anticipate anything strange." "Strange anticipation, you say?" "This time it'll be different. A frightened display? You can forget about that. I’m ready to show you something completely different. So please, stop calling out my name for stuff like that." I’m not some underachiever. When I put it that way, Kawar Instructor covered her mouth as if touched. "My goodness...! You've already become a warrior! Kim Geun Chul showing courage? I'm so excited!" Exclaiming with grand exaggeration, she took hold of her staff. "Anyway, the task is simple. I'm going to summon something resembling a warp gate behind Kim Geun Chul! Very quietly! But as an awakened, you'll surely sense something. That’s today's lesson! Experiencing that sensation!" A straightforward lesson. When a warp gate forms nearby, as an awakened, what feelings arise? It’s an essential lesson for becoming a hero who battles monsters using warp. There’s nothing to be nervous about. "Stay alert, okay? You never know what might happen. My lessons always require caution." "Don't worry about that. I’m already on my toes." As if I’d fall for the same trick twice? If I do, I’m not a person. "From now on, I am Iron-blooded Kim Geun Chul. I am a cadet of steel who fears nothing." "Ha, Iron-blooded Kim Geun Chul... Haha! Anyway! Watch closely, cadets! The lesson begins! Warp gate activation!" —Flash! The moment Kawar Instructor shouted. —Buzz! "Huh?" Wait. —Tingle, tingle. "Something!" Something started tingling at the back of my head! It's a peculiar tingling sensation...! My scalp feels like something is about to tickle, creating an unnerving feeling all over! "Something! I can feel something! A strange tingling sensation!" I couldn't hear anything, but the feeling was intense! It felt like my hair was standing on end! "I feel it! I really feel it! There's a strange and unique sensation at the back of my head!" There's something behind me! This is an experience only those who've felt it before would understand! "Exactly! That’s the sensation you get when a gate appears nearby. Feeling it means a monster has appeared close by." "Yes! I think I can identify it right away! I need to be on guard! Going into battle readiness! Come out, you damn monster!" "Wow! Our Kim Geun Chul! Perfect briefing! That's exactly it! You're following the lesson well!" "I'm actually a bit of an exemplary student..." "But then." "Yes?" "Kim Geun Chul? What's that on your shoulder?" "What?" My shoulder? —Slide. The moment I turned to look at my shoulder. "Meow." "A spider bigger than my palm!!!" This damned thing suddenly jumped right at my face!!! —Flash! "Ahhhhhhh!!!!" Startled beyond belief, I lunged forward, shaking my shoulder violently and swatting at my face! What kind of monstrous spider is this huge!? "Oh, uh?" —Whoosh! A sense of weightlessness enveloped me. At the same time, I felt an electric charge course from my thighs down to my calves and burst from the soles of my feet. In that moment, realization dawned. "Ah." So that’s how it is. Am I using magic to perform a high jump right now? Ah, yes, indeed. See? I have talent. To succeed so quickly just proves how incredible I am. A song about jumping in new shoes popped into my head. —Boom! "Ugh!!!" A massive impact resonated on my back! I must have jumped all the way to the ceiling! —Ding! A sound I haven’t heard in a while. Is this my life flashing before my eyes? [Your skill has increased by 1] Yeah. That'll do. "That—that scream man!" So, when Leona caught me in midair with a princess carry... well. I can take it in good spirit. But, damn it, it's so embarrassing!!! * * * "Hahaha!" A mischievous burst of laughter. "Kim Geun Chul! What's going on again! I warned you, and yet you got so startled! If this were real, it'd be dangerous...! Hahaha!" "Come on... Instructor, don’t you think that’s a bit harsh? Surprising students like this..." "I told you, didn’t I? Don’t let your guard down. In real life, there'll be scarier things than this. If you react like this, we’ll both be in trouble!" Ugh. She’s right, after all, so I can't argue. "Kim Geun Chul...! See me later during lunch!" Leona demanded, her eyes practically burning red with anger. Damn, I'm in trouble. Escaping to the cafeteria during lunch is my only option. "But isn't this a good thing? Kim Geun Chul succeeded in a high jump! It's evidence you can manipulate magic! Well done! Applause!" "Well, I guess." Ah. Still, this... "Hehehe." Feels good, doesn’t it? Recalling that sensation, it feels like I could do the high jump again anytime. Wow, I learned a skill in an unexpected way. And they said my skill increased by 1. I need to open my status window to confirm this. Who cares about the embarrassment; honestly, I’m feeling fantastic right now. "Doesn't it feel great? Kim Geun Chul, doesn't it? All thanks to me." "Sure. I'll admit, Kawar Instructor, it was a very beneficial lesson." Let’s give credit where it's due. "Hehehe." Receiving my thanks, Kawar Instructor smiled. "Anyway. You all saw and felt it, right? The moment you sense a gate precursor, it’s not uncommon for a monster to attack. You’re highly likely to be attacked. Cadets, the moment you feel similar sensations, go into battle mode immediately. Don’t relax like Kim Geun Chul, or you’ll face trouble!" —Yes! —Yes! —Yes! At Kawar Instructor’s words, the students responded energetically. Looks like I'm the demonstration model. "Then lineup! Kim Geun Chul, get in line!" "Yes... But Kawar Instructor, I need to say this." "What is it?" "Just now, I only let out a small scream because I was slightly startled; it wasn't because I was truly terrified. Please recognize that." If I don't say this, my pride as a man won't allow it. "Really? Is that so?" "Yes." "Then should we try another fright session!" "Why are you doing this to me! I’ll run out of the classroom! Please retract that before I start bawling!" "Hahahahaha! Who cries like that!" Along with the burst of mirthful laughter. "Kahahahaha!" "Ha ha ha!" "He’s saying he's going to sit down and cry...! Haha!" My classmates also broke into laughter. I want to go home now. * * * As soon as the morning class ended, I dashed out of the classroom. "Kim Geun Chul, you stay right there!" Leona shouted furiously, but thankfully, she didn't seem inclined to chase me all the way. She trailed after me briefly before giving up. Leona is human too, after all. Surely, the buffet holds more allure than I do. She looks like someone from a well-off family; would she really pass on a buffet? "Phew." But who would have anticipated that? Damn spider. If I'd known it would appear, I wouldn't have screamed... so embarrassing. Anyway, maybe yelling left me hungry. Time to hit the snack shop. "Si Hoo, you jerk." I tried calling Si Hoo to have lunch together, but he's still not picking up. What’s going on? He’s not reading my messages either. Is he sleeping in? Seriously cool guy. "Lalalala." No choice. I’ll just eat alone. —Shuffle, shuffle. I stroll through the school grounds, feeling the warm midday air. Feeling a little thirsty… Maybe I’ll grab a drink from a vending machine before the snack shop. Alright. Luckily, there’s a vending machine right over there. Although, I owe Ken a drink. Might as well take a flea's liver while I’m at it, that guy. Just as I approached the vending machine. —Clunk. I dispensed a Zero Cola. "Huh?" Suddenly, a voice sounded from nearby. Instinctively thinking it was directed at me, I turned my head. "You…" A familiar face stood there. "Ryu Cheon Hwi?" "You! This is perfect!" —Smirk! Ryu Cheon Hwi grinned and pulled a hand from his pocket, striding towards me… Damn it! Of all places, why run into him here! —Ding! ――――――――――――――――― 「Quest Triggered」 「Repel the Hostile Cadet」 「Reward: 300 Coin」 ――――――――――――――――― Why does it feel like a quest pops up every time I run into this guy? Fine! Let’s attempt to drive him off again this time! "How dare you insult my father. I won't let it slide like I did last time." Looks like talking won’t work, huh? Then, yes! —Grasp. "You are." "What?" "Born to be." Clutching my chest with one hand while extending the other, I began to sing elegantly. "Loved." Yeah. It’s all about the song. I’ll melt this ice block’s heart with a beautifully sung serenade. "..." "In your life’s journey, the love will baaaack!!!" "This punk is mocking me again!!!" But, damn it, why would this work?! He screamed and charged at me furiously! "I’ll kill you!!!" Disaster!!! "Si Hooooooo!!!!! Help meeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!" There's no way to repel him in an open space like this!!! Running away is the only option!!!