The Heroine Stole My Regression

19 – Mock Dungeon (3)

The dungeon into which they were moved was split into paths on either side, blocked off by walls.

A maze-like dungeon, classic as could be.

As mentioned earlier, this ‘Mock Dungeon Conquest Practice’ was not, as the name suggested, simply a lesson in dungeon conquest.

Whatever this dungeon’s structure, there was a high possibility that another team had been placed somewhere on the opposite side.

Four dungeons in total, with two teams spawned in each, most likely.

They would meet eventually, while conquering the dungeon.

“… What was that just now?”

Even after entering the dungeon, Yoon Sanghyuk wore a puzzled expression, replaying the instructor’s words in his mind.

“So, she wants us to fight?”

I turned my gaze towards Zion.

“Kang Arin, she wants us to fight and win against Yohan’s team?”

Zion sat quietly, her hand resting on the ground, eyes closed.

I stood silently beside her, waiting for her to finish.

“… No, it can’t be. We have Haein as well…”

As Yoon Sanghyuk began to mutter, Kim Daehyun brought a finger to his lips, quietly.

“Shhh.”

Yoon Sanghyuk’s murmur was cut short by the interruption.

Just then, Sion slowly opened her eyes, pushing herself up from the dirt floor.

Brushing the soil from her palms, she looked at me.

I asked her,

“Well? Think you can arrange?”

She shook her head in response to my question.

“No, just a general direction. There’s a device interfering with my mana sense.”

‘Arrange’ was the archer’s technique to perceive the structure of a dungeon and discern the optimal route of attack.

Typically, labyrinthine dungeons were straightforward to conquer, once their structure was understood through Arrange.

However, this skill demanded a high level of mana manipulation, making it nearly impossible for students.

So, I’d hoped for an easy way through, but as expected, Gaon was thorough. It seemed to be completely blocked.

“Let’s go.”

We began to move in the direction Sion indicated.

I paused for a moment, turning back to look at Yoon Sanghyuk.

“Sanghyuk, can you handle Guard position?”

The Guard position was to protect the ranged damage dealer and support from the center of the team. Blocking enemy attacks from reaching key assets, while also possessing the versatility to switch to offense as needed.

“Me?”

Yoon Sanghyuk pointed at himself, questioning.

Understandably so. Since I was taking the front, it would seem more rational for Kim Daehyun, with his shield, to assume the Guard role of protecting Sion in the center.

But that was only applicable to combat with monsters.

Most monsters possessed low intelligence, and with the exception of higher-level entities, rarely targeted the ranged damage dealers or supports at the center of a formation directly.

Therefore, Kim Daehyun was suitable for blocking blind attacks with his shield.

However, personal combat was different.

Humans always targeted the center of a formation, the key assets.

In such cases, simply blocking with a shield wasn’t enough.

Of course, I wouldn’t allow the opponent to reach the center in the first place, but it was a matter of efficiency.

“Ah, it’s a personal fight.”

Then, Kim Daehyun nodded, understanding.

“Not bad.”

Kim Dae-hyun possessed both basic knowledge and the ability to quickly grasp the situation.

Even Zion wore a slightly surprised expression.

My eyes, it seemed, had not been mistaken.

I briefly explained the role and necessity of the Guard position to Yoon Sang-hyuk. He also had the basics, so he quickly acquiesced.

Forward, me; center, Yoon Sang-hyuk and Zion; rear, Kim Dae-hyun.

Organizing our formation, we resumed our steps.

*

Yoon Sang-hyuk moved according to Jung Hae-in’s instructions.

Truthfully, he didn’t perfectly understand his theories, but he had felt something from the start.

‘Just listen to that guy.’

He never said anything wrong. It was practically raining rice cakes even in his sleep.

But the tension was unavoidable. It was his first time in the Guard role, after all.

Besides, the instructor’s words from earlier, the more he mulled them over, the more unsettling they became.

‘If you meet an opponent, win the fight?’

In effect, he just didn’t say it outright, but it was practically the same as saying we *would* meet someone.

He was fine against monsters, but he doubted whether he could do well against outstanding students like Kang Ah-rin or Yohan.

Just then, Ha Zion, walking beside him, opened her mouth.

“You don’t need to worry too much.”

Since earlier, her gaze had been fixed on Jung Hae-in’s back, who was leading the way.

“After all, Hae-in will, more or less, take care of everything.”

Yoon Sang-hyuk could only nod at her explanation. Having teamed up with him before, it was hard to deny.

Suddenly, Jung Hae-in stopped.

“Hold up.”

He raised his hand, stopping us.

At that moment, Jung Hae-in’s gaze locked sharply onto a gap in the wall.

And then he shouted.

“Dae-hyun!”

Kim Dae-hyun swiftly moved to the center, raising his shield high.

– *Shhhrkk!*

Light blazed from his shield, unfurling a barrier. Crossbow bolts began to fire, sharp shards of metal slamming into the shield with thunderous cracks.

-Pabababak!

“Krrgh…”

Kim Dae-hyun groaned.

And then, visible through the barrier, he saw Jung Hae-in.

Trolls lunged at Jung Hae-in, swinging massive axes, yet he remained astonishingly composed.

The instant a troll’s axe descended, Jung Hae-in ducked, evading the blow and slipping in close to its flank.

-Shwiiick!

His spear slashed diagonally, painting a crimson line across the first troll’s neck as blood gushed forth.

But before that troll even crumpled, Jung Hae-in was already moving towards his next target.

‘Wow…’

He could only stand there, speechless with admiration at the transition.

Evasion and attack were not separate actions but flowed together as a single current, his spear tip seeking only the most lethal points.

Then, another troll, emerging abruptly from the rear, seized an opportunity and counterattacked, aiming for Jung Hae-in’s vulnerable spot.

Jung Hae-in twisted, attempting to avoid the attack, but with attacks coming from both sides, the end of the club grazed his side.

But it was just then—

-Tzzzzzzik

“That, you son of a…”

A curse escaped from beside him, followed by the sound of a bowstring drawing taut.

“W-what?”

Yoon Sang-hyeok started, startled, and looked at Hashion.

The bow in Hashion’s hand was already fully drawn, her gaze still locked on Jung Hae-in.

“Hey, wait—!”

Before Yoon Sang-hyeok could finish speaking—

-Pat!

The arrow flew like lightning.

It streaked straight towards Jung Hae-in’s back, and a breath-stopping tension clenched Yoon Sang-hyeok’s heart.

But Jung Hae-in’s reaction was swift.

Without even looking, as if knowing instinctively, he tilted his head slightly to the side.

-Thwack!

The arrow whispered past Jeong Hae-in’s ear, finding its mark dead center on the troll’s brow.

Hae-in glanced back, giving a slight thumbs-up.

A smile bloomed on Ha-sion’s face at the sight.

Yoon Sang-hyuk exhaled deeply, replaying the moment in his mind.

Trolls were a breed apart from goblins, incomparably stronger. Each one a hulking mass of brute force.

Could any other student, he wondered, face down multiple trolls solo like that?

He mentally ran through the list of names that came to mind, then shook his head.

Besides, that insane shot just now, and the even more insane dodge… it was enough to short-circuit his thoughts.

“There’s no way that’s possible…”

He muttered quietly.

*

That instructor… the crazy b*stard.

The heart and soul of a dungeon was supposed to be the traps, sure, but who’d expect them deployed so aggressively?

And that slick sheen on the crossbow bolt? Definitely paralysis poison.

‘Is he out of his mind?’

I shortened the distance to the main group slightly.

The dungeon was proving tougher than expected. Needed to be ready to control any surprises.

But as if to mock my worries, we arrived at a safe zone almost immediately.

A few chairs and a makeshift table crowded the small space, and along one wall, basic supplies like bottled water were laid out.

Comfortable enough for a decent rest.

Yoon Sang-hyuk slumped into a chair, catching his breath, and then asked,

“Hey, Hae-in.”

“Yeah?”

“You and Ha-sion… do you know each other?”

At his words, I glanced at Ha-sion.

She was sitting in a corner, checking her bowstring. Head bowed, as calm and collected as ever.

“Why?”

“No, it’s just… you guys work together so well…”

I shook my head slightly, offering a vague answer.

“Well, we’ve known each other a long time.”

Still, a peculiar feeling brushed through my mind.

Come to think of it, why wasn’t Sion selected as a Seed?

Her rank was 19th, more than good enough for selection. And I’d wager Sion’s skill was definitely above that of someone in 19th place.

I asked Sion.

“Sion.”

She raised her head, meeting my gaze.

“Hm?”

“During the unit class, did something happen? It’s odd that you’re not a Seed.”

Sion pondered my question for a long moment, then answered with a light laugh, as if it were nothing.

“They just started deciding amongst themselves at the front, so I just went along without saying anything… and ended up completing it in the very bottom group.”

I see.

“You can be a bit passive, though.”

Considering Sion’s personality, it was plausible.

Her reluctance to clash with others often became a factor in preventing her skills from being accurately assessed.

“Passive…?”

Yoon Sanghyuk, who had been listening beside us, muttered as if puzzled.

“Why? Is something the matter?”

Sion smiled softly, turning towards Yoon Sanghyuk.

“Oh, no. Nothing at all.”

She turned her gaze back to me, giving me a light smile.

“Besides, if I were a Seed, I wouldn’t be on the same team as you, right?”

Sion’s smile held a playful yet tender air.

“I like this better.”