〈 Chapter 231 〉 Chapter 227 – Final Exam (1)
*
The conclusion of the second semester is none other than the final exam.
The content of the final exam was simple.
Form a party and clear the dungeon.
It’s similar to the first semester’s final exam.
In fact, there are three common points.
First, we clear it by forming a party.
Second, the dungeons assigned to each team are random.
Finally, the professor and a drone accompanying us will grade our actions.
[You can’t be serious about using the professor as bait again.]
‘I’m not a fucking dog; there’s no way I’d do that.’
[Ah! You’re worse than a dog! How did I forget that?]
‘F*ck.’
And there are also two differences.
One is that we can form the party however we want.
This party will likely be the practical one we stick with after graduation.
So, we can see this as a kind of rehearsal.
The other is that we’ll be clearing an external dungeon, not one from the academy.
In the third year, it’s a time focused solely on job preparation, making this essentially the last of the academy training.
[…so isn’t third year unnecessary?]
‘If you think about it, that’s true.’
Originally, there was an official curriculum in the third year of the academy.
But where are we?
It’s the graveyard of job seekers. A place where pain is felt every moment due to employment.
Joy and sadness cross paths due to the slightest difference in job outcomes.
And they brag about their fate as if it were skill.
Some even go to the Shaman Faction to perform Good rituals just to get a job.
Or they throw cash at religious institutions and pray desperately.
Right here in South Korea.
In the past, students who were sponsored from the second year only attended midterms and finals in the third year, busy working for the guild they were sponsored by.
This resembles the scene of a college senior.
In a way, it was obvious.
Investments demand returns.
Moreover, even third-year students who couldn’t find jobs skip classes as soon as they can to go to interviews.
Thus, there are hardly any students actually attending classes.
Because of this, the academy boldly eliminated third-year courses.
Thanks to this, the academy saved funds that would have gone to third-year courses.
Meanwhile, students desperately struggle to join big guilds with their remaining time.
It’s a win-win strategy, in a way.
[Why insist on joining a big guild?]
‘Oh! In South Korea, it’s all about big corporations!’
There are options like medium-sized guilds or new guilds.
However, those aren’t particularly good choices.
The decent spots in medium-sized guilds are already taken, and the rest often refer to joke guilds.
Where foreign hunters are more prevalent, there are no employment contracts, and salaries are often delayed.
They even force you to use your annual leave on holidays.
New guilds aren’t much different.
They say they’re promising new guilds, but they’re just startups.
It’s all or nothing.
Of course, there are two possibilities, but…
Except for an extreme minority, they all fail.
Moreover, even if they succeed, it’s common practice to kick out all existing members and bring in new ones.
Because it’s cheaper that way.
What happens if they fail again?
They just shut up, change the sign, and start a new startup.
[You can only know if a guild is good or not once you actually join, right?]
‘Good guilds compare benefits with other guilds, but joke guilds compare with employment contracts. You can understand this right from the start.’
[Isn’t that too negative?]
Besides, these days there are many apps for hunters working in guilds to leave reviews about their guilds.
Checking star ratings here isn’t a bad method either.
Speaking of which, I opened the guild review app to check out a one-star guild.
Just to awaken the clueless Piece to reality.
All other reviews were half-star ratings.
But one recent review had five stars.
Gold Spoon (5 stars): I joined because my dad has been working here for ten years, and it’s really good compared to the rating.
[See! There’s someone who says it’s good! Isn’t everyone exaggerating?]
‘Is that really the case?’
To counter Piece’s words, I checked the comments.
Not a Jobless, but Working from Home: You’re suffering. Your dad is amazing for surviving in that hellish place.
ㄴ Gold Spoon: My dad is the boss.
ㄴ Not a Jobless, but Working from Home: Your dad is the problem, you fcking piece of sht!!!
Watching that, Piece sighed.
[……sometimes, the monsters seem more human, don’t they?]
‘No wonder those idiots probably write up employment contracts. They probably give annual leave properly too.’
Anyway.
Grades up to the second year are important.
Since there are no classes in the third year, grades from the second year will essentially be the final grades.
After all, the third year is going to disappear quickly at my hand, but that doesn’t mean the grades before it will vanish.
In the end, I have to wrap up the last final exam diligently.
Still, there’s not much to worry about this final.
And that makes sense.
“Shinwoo, let’s wrap this up quickly. They’re all just fodder anyway.”
“Honestly, I think you could go alone, sis!”
“With Hyeji, who’s as hearty as a rice soup, I have no worries.”
“Just give me the money, and you guys can put my name in and smash them, okay?”
Our party consists of nothing but crazies, with me being the weakest.
Anyway, the final exam just has to happen before the semester ends.
In fact, it’s just annoying that there aren’t enough professors for the number of students, so we have to wait to book a date and get assigned a professor.
On the reservation day, while waiting in the dormitory, I got a message that a professor had been assigned.
I quickly finished my preparations and headed to the academy’s gate, where our assigned professor was waiting.
That professor was none other than…
“F*ck, I have to deal with this bastard.”
“I asked for a person, not a brainless beast.”
Professor Pilyong.
When Professor Pilyong saw me, he naturally growled.
Grinding his teeth as if they were about to break.
“This bastard didn’t learn anything even after I taught him hard? Did I tell you to repay my kindness with malice?”
“What are you talking about? Why should I take the blame for your pathetic level, Professor?”
“What the hell is that nonsense?”
Professor Pilyong glares at me as if telling me to talk.
But I had a perfectly reasonable explanation.
“How is it that you couldn’t even successfully teach me in a single semester?”
“Don’t take the exam, get out, you f*cking bastard.”
After a bit of a scuffle, we moved through the academy gate to one of the external guilds.
As soon as we arrived at the guild and were about to pick a dungeon for the final exam…
“Ah, you can’t choose a dungeon here.”
“Why not?”
The receptionist suddenly stopped us from choosing a dungeon.
When I expressed my confusion, the receptionist continued as if it were obvious.
“Look at your party. Are you going to war? If you have a conscience, please don’t choose a low-level dungeon.”
“That’s a shame; I was overflowing with thoughts of slaughter.”
“The only place that fits this party’s level is here.”
With no choice, we decided to take the dungeon the receptionist chose for our exam.
After receiving the dungeon information and setting up a simple strategy…
Finally, we were set to enter the dungeon through the gate.
“Let’s finish this quickly and go for more slaughter!”
“I agree! I’m still not full!”
“How about taking it slow?”
“At least stay alive until my turn comes, please.”
“Just don’t f*ck in the dungeon, I’ll really kill you.”
“Everyone focus! Let’s get ready to enter!”
At Professor Pilyong’s command, we all stood at the gate ready to go into the dungeon.
I took the lead.
Next were Hyeji, Elcia, Ayeon, then Caressy.
Last was Professor Pilyong.
This final exam decorates the end of the academy.
At the same time, it’s our first dungeon entrance with the party.
To prepare for any unforeseen situations, I double-checked my gear.
At my waist, a Japanese sword, a longsword, a shotgun, and three speed loaders.
Two illumination rounds in case it’s outdoors.
Finally, my defensive coat.
Seeing my gear, Caressy raised an eyebrow.
“Shouldn’t you be fine with your infamous technique? Why are you carrying so many weapons?”
“……Used up all my magical power.”
“……Did I hear that wrong?”
At that, Hyeji and Elcia cleared their throats and looked away.
Caressy was understandably furious.
“What the f*ck! It’s a test today, and how much do you have to bring!!!”
“It’s fine. I may be out of magical power, but my stamina is at max.”
“If you have no magical power, you’re just a f*cking piece of meat!!! Useless bastard!!!”
‘That bastard keeps hitting the nail on the head.’
[He’s right; why are you flipping out!!!]
Caressy’s words pissed me off, but I didn’t counter it anymore.
It seemed like the treatment I deserved now.
Anyway, this was a moment worth remembering.
Before entering the gate…
I turned to everyone and shouted.
“Jumping in is the rule of the game!”
With that said, I jumped with all my strength toward the gate.
The start of the final exam had begun.
*
As soon as we landed after passing through the gate, a different scene caught my eye.
In the midst of desolate ruins.
With no way to pinpoint the exact location or how many floors the building had.
At least the sunlight coming in was a comfort.
However, it felt like a sinister aura blanketed the whole place.
[This is definitely unfamiliar to you.]
‘Feeling a bit nervous, huh?’
Just as I shivered uncontrollably at the unexpected anxiety…
My companions began to appear behind me.
I saw Hyeji, Elcia, Ayeon and Caressy slowly approaching.
Then, following them, Professor Pilyong landed with his drone.
It seemed like everyone had finished entering.
Shortly after, each one of them said something.
In utterly relaxed voices.
“Shinwoo, take it slow. Anyone would think you’re going to eat them.”
“I’m so excited with everyone charging in like this!”
“I think it’s my first time in a dungeon with everyone.”
“Let’s start playing around. I’m gonna end this fast.”
“Then let’s start the final exam.”
A scene that looked nothing like a final exam.
Anyone seeing this would probably misunderstand and think we came out for a picnic instead.
Anyway, to gather everyone in one spot, I clapped my hands to draw their attention.
“Hey everyone, come closer. I have something urgent to say.”
Hearing my words, everyone cocked their heads and began to gather around me.
Once everyone had gathered and was looking at me, I smiled and…
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Immediately pointed my shotgun at them and pulled the trigger.
*
