A Wild Man Has Entered the Academy

Chapter 204

Darkness is a familiar environment for me.

The night in the Forest of Chaos is as pitch-black as ink and feels as if one has entered a cave.

If one gradually adapts to the darkness, silhouettes can barely be discerned, but it's insufficient.

I have completely adapted to such an environment, allowing me to navigate through the darkness more easily.

Even during the final exams, didn't I infiltrate a castle without a single light?

Moreover, back then, thanks to the moonlight, I could faintly see silhouettes, but that's not the case now.

Ahead lies only darkness, and even my surroundings are hardly distinguishable.

This is because the monster I'm chasing has fled into the forest to shake off my pursuit.

'That's a bad move, though.'

For me, the forest is practically my home ground.

On the contrary, the monster will find it harder to discern its surroundings. Isn't it already wandering aimlessly?

Though it seems somewhat accustomed to the darkness, it hasn't ventured deeper inside. It's trying in every way to shake off my pursuit.

'Why is it running so fast?'

The speed at which it's fleeing is unexpectedly quick, as if each step is light.

Borrowing the language of the East, it's probably using a light-footed technique. But I'm not to be underestimated either.

Whether chasing wounded prey or escaping from predators, quick feet were always necessary.

Although it doesn't show on the status window, I'm confident that I won't lose to anyone in running.

Ah, of course, Luna and Rod, who use the Shukuchi Technique, are exceptions. They're cases that disregard space entirely.

"Huff, huff, huff."

As I pushed through trees and bushes, I finally reached right behind the monster. I could even hear its breathing.

To blend into the darkness, it was dressed in an entirely black outfit, like something an assassin might wear.

Also, its slender yet curvaceous figure revealed that it was a woman.

However, her entire face was covered with a mask, so I couldn't even figure out her hair.

Well, then, I'll just have to remove it. Clenching my leg muscles, I lunged forward with my arms wide open.

In an instant, the distance between us closed. All that remained was to tackle the monster with my outstretched arms.

"Tsk!"

Perhaps noticing my approach, the monster let out a low sound and leaped away.

As a result, my arms could only grasp empty air. Quite amazing reaction speed.

But it probably won't be able to escape anymore. I lunged before it could attempt to run again.

I decided to start by removing the mask covering its face, extending my arms first.

Thup-

Perhaps realizing there was no escape, the monster decided to respond.

It grabbed my outstretched arm with both hands and lightly pushed it aside, near my head.

Thud!

It followed up with a powerful spinning kick aimed at the back of my knee.

Even though my body is sturdy, being human means weaknesses exist.

So, when struck hard in the back of the knee, my legs inevitably bent momentarily.

Whack!

The monster then landed a front kick on my side.

Rather than inflicting damage, it seemed intent on pushing me away to create distance.

If it were an ordinary person, they'd have lost their balance and fallen clumsily. But not me.

Instead, I stood firm like a rock and straightened my bent knee. I could feel the monster momentarily flustered.

Grip!

Using that moment, I grabbed the monster by its collar. Although I wanted to seize its neck, it had retreated slightly, so the collar was the best I could do.

Whoosh!

As soon as I grabbed the collar, the monster sprang into action. It spun its body around and wrapped both legs around my neck.

Reflexively, my hands reached toward my neck, but the monster used that moment to spin its body again, destabilizing my balance.

Its movements were almost acrobatic. If I hadn't forcibly endured, my face would have slammed into the ground.

Still, I stood my ground. My body swayed slightly, but I didn't succumb easily.

"Hmph."

Seeing that I showed no signs of falling, the monster took the offensive. It focused primarily on destabilizing my balance.

Attacking my legs or performing acrobatic moves reminiscent of martial arts. It seemed chaotic but was undeniably effective.

It heavily compensated for its lack of strength with skill. However, that didn't mean it was weak either.

Thump! Thud!

All my attempts to counterattack were thwarted. What came back were relentless punches and kicks.

Of course, as my goal was to subdue, I held back my strength. To begin with, few can function as well as I can in the darkness.

Right now, I'm merely enduring the hits, waiting for the perfect opportunity. My first objective is to remove the mask.

Whoosh!

The monster swiftly wrapped both legs around my neck again. This time, it seemed to intend an attack using rotational force.

This was the chance I'd been waiting for. The moment the monster's legs encircled my neck, I grabbed them tightly with my hands.

Encircling my neck with its legs meant it was off the ground. In other words, the perfect opportunity for a counterattack.

Its intention to dazzle with flashy moves didn't work. I immediately broke free using my strength.

Crack!

"Gah!"

But in the process, it managed to strike my groin. It knew a man's weakness all too well.

Wincing for a moment, I didn't let go of its legs. Instead, I slammed it directly into the ground.

Somehow, it ended up resembling a move seen in professional wrestling, but that's fine. Subduing is the goal.

Boom!

"Kugh!"

The monster, winded from the impact of falling on its back, would probably struggle to breathe for a while.

Now, all that remains is to remove the mask. I grabbed its neck to prevent it from escaping.

The monster flailed its limbs in an attempt to escape, but it was futile. The physical stat difference was substantial.

Perhaps the initial blows I received were from unfamiliar techniques, but thanks to my improvement in martial arts, I wasn't bad either.

"Who are you?"

"... ..."

The monster didn't answer my question. All I could see were the black pupils revealed through the mask.

Rip!

Without hesitation, I removed the mask with my free hand. I pulled so hard that the mask tore apart.

Soon, a cascade of rich black hair flowed out, and the beauty hidden beneath the mask was fully revealed.

Delicate features and a tear mole under the left eye. Her expression exuded both cuteness and maturity.

However, her face wasn't the timid and delicate one I'd seen before. It was firm and resolute.

"Yeonju?"

As expected, the uninvited guest under the moonlight was Lee Yeonju. She must have approached to monitor Dan Yerin.

I had already known, but I'd come here on purpose to ensure no conflicts arose between the two by mediating properly.

Even as I spoke in surprise, Lee Yeonju didn't erase her resolute expression. Though traces of concern were evident, she didn't exude a timid aura at all.

"I'm not Lee Yeonju."

"?"

But then she said something strange. I tilted my head.

What she said next was utterly absurd.

"I'm Lee Yeona, Yeonju's twin sister."

"... ..."

That lie was too much. I was so dumbfounded I was left speechless.

'She didn't say anything like this in the Soul World?'

Could she be treating me like a fool? It wasn't entirely impossible.

However, there was one detail she overlooked. I quietly opened my mouth.

"You said Yeonju. Not Lee Yeonju."

"... ..."

"I'm not stupid."

"......Sorry."

Guess she really did think I was an idiot.

******

Made a mistake. A colossal mistake.

It was Lee Yeonju's conclusion after being completely overwhelmed by Sivar. Unfortunately, she was caught by the most troublesome opponent.

Originally, she had planned to monitor Dan Yerin while looking for an opportunity. However, the problem was that Sivar was staying in the room next door.

To make matters worse, Dan Yerin and Sivar had grown close, even drinking together. For Lee Yeonju, this situation was not just troublesome; her plans were completely derailed.

'If only I could just keep watch...'

She was caught by Sivar. She stared at him as he wore his signature blank expression.

A Wild Man who came to the Academy from the Forest of Chaos. At first, she was curious about him, but that was all.

She had an important mission to fulfill. She must save her homeland, weary from the tyranny of the Hwan Empire.

Her admission to the Academy was to gather various types of information. Additionally, she had to keep an eye on her traitorous sister.

'Why did it have to be him who caught me?'

The problem was Sivar, the most unpredictable of variables. If he got involved, no one could predict what would happen.

At least other people had backgrounds or connections that could provide some expectations, but not Sivar.

Ridiculously strong physical power? Just sheer power alone wouldn't be enough to liberate her homeland.

What she wanted was to throw the Hwan Empire into chaos. Therefore, Dan Yerin was her primary target.

'I need to come up with some kind of excuse...'

The only relief was that her true purpose hadn't been discovered. Sivar had simply followed her.

That's why she was all the more curious. Why would he take such a risk to chase her?

She couldn't really talk, as she'd been hiding in the darkness to watch him, but curiosity was still there.

"Why did you follow me? I didn't do anything."

"You were annoying."

"Annoying?"

"Yeah. You were watching me. It was annoying."

"... ..."

Lee Yeonju shut her mouth. She hadn't expected the word "annoying" to come out of Sivar's mouth.

Having lived in the forest, his senses must have become highly sensitive. She'd intruded during a time when he was likely hyper-aware.

"What about you, Yeonju?"

"Huh?"

"Why are you here?"

Here it comes. Lee Yeonju sank into thought after hearing Sivar's question.

If it had been anyone other than Sivar, she would have made up a suitable reason.

Something about her, her homeland, or the circumstances involving the Hwan Empire. It would naturally connect to Dan Yerin.

Then she would ask them to keep the secret. And threaten to kill them if they spilled it.

'None of that will work on him.'

The problem was that her opponent was Sivar. A Wild Man living freely without concerns for politics or complicated relationships.

He had no proper background or connections. He didn't even know his own family. Yet his physical strength was absurdly overwhelming.

Sometimes, he would commit eccentricities or cause incidents. In many ways, he was one of the freest individuals in the Academy.

'What should I say to convince him?'

Lee Yeonju's mind raced. She needed a way to keep Sivar quiet while convincing him at the same time.

And she had to hide her purpose. Otherwise, Sivar might repeatedly disrupt her plans.

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

"... ..."

There's no time. Lee Yeonju racked her brain as hard as she could.

She had to say something to send Sivar away peacefully. The problem was that it was the hardest task of all.

'What do I do? What should I say... Ah!'

At that moment, a flash of inspiration struck Lee Yeonju's mind. A suitable reason came to her.

Not about Sivar himself, but about the rumors surrounding him. In particular, his relationships with women.

Grace was, without a doubt, causing immense controversy. And rumors about Luna were spreading subtly.

The same went for Kara. It was a highly popular combination of a Wild Man and a Barbarian, making them famous since the start of the semester.

Other information suggested he spent weekends with a woman named Ellie. His relationships with women were truly extravagant.

'Didn't someone say that busty woman brought Sivar to the Academy? Alright.'

The excuse was ready. Lee Yeonju steeled herself and looked directly at Sivar.

Sivar was still staring blankly. Just from that expression, he seemed utterly foolish.

But he was absolutely not a fool. In fact, he was surprisingly intelligent.

That's why she needed to shake him emotionally rather than appeal to logic. Lee Yeonju opened her tightly sealed lips.

"Actually..."

"Actually?"

"I wanted to see you, even a little."

"Who? Dan Yerin?"

Lee Yeonju shook her head vigorously. Then, she looked at Sivar and spoke.

"You."

"...Me?"

Sivar's expression turned puzzled. His reaction was close to "What nonsense is this?"

Lee Yeonju didn't miss the moment. Now that there was a crack, she had to shake him as much as possible.

"Yeah. I wanted to see you, Sivar."

"...Why?"

"Because I like you."

It was a reckless move from Lee Yeonju.

"Uh... Um... Uh..."

But the effect was tremendous.

"...Why?"

Sivar was thrown into a state of confusion.