Breaking Up With the Heroine in an Otome Game

55 – Battle Survival (2)

055.

Some time passed imperceptibly.

“…Whew. That was tough.”

I wiped the sweat flowing down my temples as I glanced around.

There, I could see the unfortunate sight of children sprawled on the dirt floor, transformed into scarecrows. It was a chaotic scene, as if each of them had experienced something terrible.

One stepped on a landmine and seemed to have exploded, another hung limply from a trap, swaying back and forth, and then…

“Uh, ugh, E, Eji, Jinhyeok, you, ugh…”

Kim Yuseong.

A little distance away, Yuseong lay on the ground like a trapped beast, breathing heavily, glaring at me with ominous eyes.

However, he seemed unable to move. His body seemed disobedient, unable to rise or make the slightest twitch.

Well, that was understandable. A green, slime-like substance clung to Yuseong’s entire body, restricting his movements.

“He’s hot-blooded too. After a few scratches, he charges like a wild boar.”

Excited Yuseong was trying to recklessly break through the minefield.

Of course, with Yuseong’s sturdy physique and supernatural abilities, he could probably endure it.

But, Yuseong, don’t think there are only explosive mines for you. I’ve strategically placed pursuit mines for someone like you too.

“Isn’t that too reckless? You’re not a charging wild boar. It was stupid to rush in blindly.”

“Grr, I, Jinh-“

“So, you end up being used as a target like this.”

It wasn’t difficult to bring down Yuseong, who was rendered helpless.

Just shoot persistently at Yuseong’s vulnerable spots from a distance.

Even if it’s Yuseong, enduring magical arrows for a long time is no easy task.

Especially when he has already stepped on explosive mines multiple times, accumulating damage.

If it were someone like Senari with powerful body enhancement abilities, it might be different, but Yuseong’s level wouldn’t hold up for long.

“Sleep well, Yuseong.”

“Hey, wait, Jinh- Wha-?!”

“Oh, what’s up.”

I raised the training sword high and swung it forcefully at Yuseong’s head, who was trapped.

With a satisfying clang, Yuseong let out a short, sharp cry, twisted his head for a moment, and then bowed deeply, his eyes rolling back.

Seems like he fainted.

“Besides Yuseong, the other two… Well, somehow managed to bring them down.”

If it had been a fair and square match, I would never have had a chance of winning.

However, by using various traps and items, I could easily bring them down. If they were active heroes, these tricks might not have worked so well, but these kids were nothing more than hero trainees.

“Alright, let’s try taking some points now.”

Approaching the unconscious kids, I manipulated the smartwatch to extract the points they had.

I managed to gain 300 points.

Since all trainees start with 100 points each, I now had a total of 400 points.

“Should I press the elimination button and retire them completely, or should I put it on hold?”

After a moment of contemplation, I shook my head eagerly.

I decided to put off their elimination; after all, security personnel or instructors might become suspicious about the activated traps.

Well, lucky me, Yuseong. Since it’s the first day, if I work hard from now on, I might be able to avoid elimination.

I let out a wry smile after a pointless thought crossed my mind, stretching my back.

Hmm… I’ve been causing a commotion in one place for too long.

Loud explosions echoed through the forest one after another. It must have reached the ears of some kids. Maybe some are already on their way.

“If I get caught by other kids, it’ll be troublesome. Let’s get out of here for now.”

Now that my business here is done, I decided to escape in a hurry.

The traps I had set up around this area were almost depleted, so encountering the kids would be very dangerous.

Of course, I had confidence in escaping to the next trap location, but…

“I hope I run into Soyeon and Hayoung quickly.”

Although this forest is vast, the assigned positions through the order of entry determine the approximate locations of key figures.

Thinking about the entry order I learned, around this B-1 area, there’s a high chance of encountering key figures like Jinsuyeon, Lee Siwoon, and Roxanne.

Considering the speed of movement and the range of action according to the passage of time, I could roughly estimate their positions.

If I use the illegal satellite map and portable radar I brought in through the spatial pocket, it would be even easier to determine their locations.

“If I meet Soyeon, I can request cooperation.”

Soyeon is a great ally in alliances.

She has good abilities and is unlikely to betray me.

And if I happen to encounter Siwoon while allied with Soyeon, maybe I can recruit him as an ally too?

Although the atmosphere between Soyeon and Siwoon has been a bit subtle lately, even so, I can’t attack Soyeon recklessly.

If Soyeon persuades him well, I should be able to form an alliance with Siwoon.

Ahem.

If Soyeon and Ishiwoon become colleagues, this exam could turn out to be a piece of cake.

“Well, things may not go that smoothly, but… you never know, right?”

Sipping my cold kimchi soup, I leisurely took a step forward.

Right at that moment.

“Lee Jinhyuk.”

With the sound of rustling bushes in the distance, a man’s voice firmly grabbed my ankles.

Oh, who’s already here?

Turning my head slowly towards the source of the voice, I didn’t care who it was. It didn’t matter. I had escape items, so I was confident I could run away to the next trap.

…As long as it’s not a monster like Ishiwoon.

Ishiwoon.

There’s a high chance he’s around here.

Still, why did it have to be Ishiwoon that I run into?

Isn’t that just my luck?

“Is all of this your doing?”

In the distance.

A man, lightly crushing the grass underfoot, expressing doubt.

“Kim Yuseong… shouldn’t be an opponent you’d take down.”

A handsome man with sharp eyes reminiscent of the cold northern air and lush, blue hair was slowly licking his lips as he looked at me.

“Not just Kim Yuseong, but the other kids too…”

The male student, scanning the fallen children, eventually spoke to me in a low voice.

“…It seems like he used traps or something. I shouldn’t let my guard down.”

Ishiwoon, drawing his training sword, gazed at me with a calm expression and cold eyes.

No, why Ishiwoon?

Why him, of all people?

I just felt screwed.

Well, it’s not only because there are only one or two traps left here, but also because there was no chance of winning in a direct fight against him.

Running away was also difficult.

If Ishiwoon, with his skill, showed even a hint of turning his back, he would undoubtedly unleash a deadly blow with his sword.

Lee Si-woon.

The male protagonist representing the Romance Hero Academy.

He was not only recognized as one of the best geniuses but also a character known as a growth type, becoming stronger with each experience of danger.

With a great background, outstanding looks, unique talents, and powerful supernatural abilities, he possessed all kinds of advantages, playing the role of a supporter for Jin So-yeon, facing numerous trials and hardships together.

As much as that, Lee Si-woon could be considered another protagonist of the Romance Hero Academy.

Different from me.

“I never expected to encounter Lee Si-woon in a situation where almost all the traps have been used up. This is a bit dangerous…”

From Noble mtl dot com

Talent, ability, appearance, background—there was nothing that could be compared to Lee Si-woon.

I, at best, was a character created to be a sacrificial lamb, suffering loneliness and exiting the stage after being harassed by NPCs.

Not even a hill to climb.

“Actually, I’ve been curious about your abilities since the performance evaluation.”

Lee Si-woon tilted a training sword without a blade toward me.

“Your movements noticeably slowed down right after getting hit by an arrow, so I’m interested.”

If Lee Si-woon swung that sword, it would become sharper than any other.

“While other kids might have passed without much trouble, Yoo Seol-hyun watched you closely, especially.”

“R-really?”

“Yoo Seol-hyun once said something. She warned that underestimating you might lead to a broken nose.”

“Yoo Seol-hyun?”

No, seriously, what on earth is Yoo Seol-hyun saying?

“Yoo Seol-hyun found it strange that you were taken to the Yeongdeung Mountain Dungeon. Even though you’re just a trainee, no matter how skilled you are in tactics and strategy.”

Well, yeah.

“That tactical ability of yours alone doesn’t explain it.”

That’s a valid point.

Even if I were Lee Si-woon, I would find it odd.

Taking a mere trainee like me to a dungeon that even pro heroes failed in.

“You probably have something hidden. And Yoo Seol-hyun noticed it, so she brought you along.”

No, it’s not about hiding something; Yoo Seol-hyun just mistakenly thinks I have precognition abilities…

“The Yoo Seol-hyun I know inherently dislikes incompetent people. However, seeing her getting close to you makes me wonder to some extent.”

“No, that’s… “

“The tactical skills you displayed in this test were undoubtedly excellent, but that alone doesn’t explain dealing a fatal blow to the Black Hand Long-Armed Monkey.”

Knowing the weakness of the Black Hand Long-Armed Monkey, even if you say that, they won’t believe it. Even if they believe, if asked how you found out about the weakness, there would be nothing to say.

Moreover, imagine if the weakness is something like an apple allergy. You might think, ‘Is this guy making fun of me right now?’ in your mind…

“So, I was curious if you’re hiding anything else.”

“Ishiwoon.”

He already seemed to have hardened his heart, staring at me with eyes that radiated hostility.

“And whether you’re a man worthy of Soyeon’s side.”

“Huh? Why are you suddenly saying that?”

“Well. It’s just my personal impression, Lee Jinhyuk. So…”

He declares in a dignified voice.

“…Get your bow, Lee Jinhyuk. Let’s have a showdown.”