Heroine Hunts Heroines

Chapter 14

At my words, the guy started frantically waving his hands as if that would absolve him, but does he not realize he's only digging his own grave?

"What the hell are you talking about? Black God Cult? What Black God Cult?"

This idiot definitely got dumber after becoming a monster. It's obvious what's happening.

"You idiot, the sea urchin tattoo on the back of your neck is proof enough, you moron. Not to mention, you're practically drenched in demonic energy. Are you advertising your cult membership or something?"

This guy’s a classic case of someone becoming even more brain-dead after turning into a monster.

"You bitch! I swear I’ll violate you in the most humiliating way today!"

"Yeah, no thanks. Hard pass. Kyaruruk, kyaruruk."

Never thought I’d be spitting out words like that.

But, whatever. I’m a biological female anyway, so who cares?

It seems my words hit the mark, as he flew into a rage, his eyes bulging with blood vessels popping.

Losing his mind, the guy charged at me.

Clang!

At the same time, the flaming bat swung her trusty weapon, slamming it into his body. He flew like a shooting star, straight into the dungeon entrance.

Kim Ji-hye, covered in blood splatter from her baseball bat, looked every bit the formidable instructor she was.

"Nice strike, instructor. So, did you kill him?"

"I hit him pretty hard, but I need to figure out who’s behind him, so I didn’t kill him."

I already know who's behind him, though.

"So, how do we get him out of the dungeon?"

"That’s what my amazing subordinates are for, isn’t it? Now, let me give you all a new trial."

A trial? Is this woman insane?

"Enter the dungeon and bring back the monster named Kim Seungjun. If it’s too difficult, you can beat him within an inch of his life! If you succeed, I’ll give you all top marks!"

She’s just too lazy to deal with it herself.

She’s making the cadets handle a monster. Sure, if we defeat him, she’ll give us high scores, but the real reason is that she won’t have to teach us anymore.

She’s not a flaming bat; she’s just flaming garbage.

What kind of instructor sends first-year cadets to deal with a monster?

Kim Seungjun has already lost his mind. He’s likely waiting inside to ambush us the moment we enter.

This is life-threatening.

Expecting undertrained cadets to face off against a monster is like handing pitchforks to farmers and sending them against Genghis Khan’s Mongol horde.

"Instructor."

"What?"

"We don’t all need to go in, do we? If some of us die, it’s only your precious reputation that’ll be tarnished."

In the original story, more than half the cadets at Hansung Academy were killed by monsters.

Hansung Academy is one of the top three hunter academies in the country. If half the academy dies, along with similar casualties at other schools due to the Black God Cult’s attacks, the future becomes grim.

The author of the original liked to play with "what if" scenarios, creating multiple alternate endings.

For instance, in a timeline where fewer cadet casualties occur, future hunters are preserved, making it easier to deal with villains like the Chinese warlords.

In our case, it’s better if Reina, Hansooji, and I go into the dungeon. We need to save as many future hunters as possible.

"I suppose you’re right, but now I feel like the bad guy."

"You're not becoming the bad guy; you already are."

"Ahem. Anyway, if you bring back Kim Seungjun, I’ll cancel the midterm exam for Class A."

Seems like she has some guilt, considering the generous offer.

"Do you think we can really beat the monster?"

"Kim Seungjun already got whacked by the bat. We’ll manage somehow."

"So, in this practice dungeon, we’ll encounter goblins and horned rabbits."

"Horned rabbits? Those cute little rabbits with horns?"

"Be careful. They could bash in your skull and kill you."

Goblins and horned rabbits—both are among the weakest of monsters.

I don’t need to explain what goblins are. They’re the classic weak enemies you find in most games and fantasy stories.

Horned rabbits, on the other hand, are rabbits with a horn like a unicorn.

They might look cute, but they’re vicious little creatures. If you get too close, they’ll tear you apart, or if they’re in a group, they’ll leave nothing but bones.

"Hawawa, look! There’s a horned rabbit over there!"

Sure enough, not far ahead, a horned rabbit with glowing red eyes was staring at us.

"Seriously? You’re a hunter, and you’re getting excited over that?"

"Fireball!"

Before I could even say anything, Bbeommi threw a fireball at the horned rabbit.

"Huh?"

"It’s cooked!"

In an instant, the horned rabbit was engulfed in flames and turned into a roasted meal. Bbeommi cheered at having created food.

But there’s no way we’re eating that. It’s burnt to a crisp, fur and all, with the insides still intact.

"Bbeommi-jang, that’s a no-go. Toss it."

"Okay."

Bbeommi obediently pouted and discarded the charred rabbit.

Where did Kim Seungjun go?

If he’s deeper in the dungeon, then dealing with the goblins and horned rabbits is going to be a pain. The deeper we go, the more we’ll run into them.

"Screeech!"

"Ew, it’s a filthy goblin."

We encountered a group of goblins.

Their lecherous gazes scanned our bodies.

Oh, great. These guys definitely want to use us to satisfy their perverted desires.

Based on everything I’ve seen in fiction, these goblins are probably getting aroused just looking at us.

Their eyes practically undressed me, and I could feel my blood boiling in rage.

"Where do you filthy goblins think you’re looking?"

"Y-yeah, you perverts! How dare you stare at us like that!"

Hansooji, who had been glancing at my chest along with the goblins, suddenly flared up, igniting her spear and aiming it at them.

Reina’s Spirit Arrows pierced through the goblins’ necks.

Hansooji’s flaming spear exploded their heads.

Bbeommi-jang roasted them with her fire magic.

And I just stood back, watching the show.

"Wow, you ladies are amazing."

I gave them a round of applause.

"Wait a minute, why aren’t you helping? We’re out here killing goblins!"

"Yeah, stop smoking back there and pitch in!"

"Hawawa!"

I mean, it’s just too much effort. Besides, I need to conserve my strength for the fight against Kim Seungjun.

But these girls are all Choi Siwoo’s heroines.

Hansooji, maybe not, but Reina’s probably crushing on Choi Siwoo, even if she’s not showing it.

If they defeat Kim Seungjun and run to Choi Siwoo to tell him, it’ll just create more hassle for me.

I placed a hand on each of their shoulders and quietly whispered.

"I trust you two. You’re strong enough to handle goblins on your own."

At my words, both Reina and Hansooji’s faces turned bright red.

Hansooji scratched her head with a shy grin, while Reina suddenly squeezed her legs together, standing demurely as if trying to flirt.

Even Bbeommi-jang reacted, her eyes sparkling as she trembled.

"You’re so commanding!"

Looks like I’ve gained another heroine.

Why, though? Why does this keep happening?