HBWnovel Chapter 106
Chapter 106
"Is that man insane?!"
"W-What do we do?!"
The students stood frozen in place, their shrill cries cutting through the air. Though the monsters were still some distance away, Professor Yoo was unmistakably running straight toward them, dragging the horde along. If nothing was done, the group would be forced into direct combat with the swarm—a true emergency.
ROOAAARR!
"Hah! Hahhh!"
Gasping for air, Professor Yoo charged ahead, his legs pumping desperately. Behind him, the ground trembled as the monstrous horde closed in.
Among them were over a dozen Wood Bears.
And then—
Screeeech!
A handful of Wyverns descended from the sky, their elongated tails swaying through the air, and their razor-sharp claws glinting ominously. The massive creatures flapped their leathery wings as they soared closer.
Professor Noh, his face twisted with determination, shouted urgently:
"Professor Jeong! Get the students to safety! I’ll hold them off as long as I can!"
There was no time for formalities in his speech; the situation was critical.
"Professor Park! Let’s do this!"
"Yes! Let’s hold the line!"
Professor Park agreed without hesitation. Scattering to save themselves would only increase the odds of the students being wiped out. Sacrificing themselves was the only way to ensure the students’ survival.
"So, this is how it ends."
It was what they had prepared for from the start. The longer reinforcements were delayed, the clearer it became that this moment would arrive. All that was left was to face it without fear.
"Professor Jeong! Hurry!"
"There’s no time to hesitate!"
Both professors turned their eyes to Si-Hyun. The students, trembling and pale, also looked to her, their faces white as ash. Their lips and jaws quivered uncontrollably, and their breathing came in short, panicked gasps. Every instinct they had screamed at them to flee, making their bodies twitch with suppressed movement.
"..."
Si-Hyun surveyed the scene around her, then spoke in a calm, measured voice:
"Everyone, listen carefully."
Her tone, tranquil and unhurried, was strikingly out of place amidst the chaos. Her expression was as composed as ever, her demeanor unshaken. Si-Hyun was the only person in the area who appeared completely unaffected.
And so, as if under a spell, everyone quieted down to hear what she had to say.
"When you step outside after today..."
Step. Step.
Si-Hyun began walking toward the oncoming horde, her strides slow and deliberate. She exuded an air of serene confidence, even as the monstrous swarm closed in.
"This will be all over the news."
Despite standing in an A-rank dungeon, despite the horde now just a breath away, her calm aura was like a still lake—placid, peaceful, and undisturbed.
"Take a good look from your front-row seats."
At some point, she had drawn a long sword into her hand.
"And moving forward... I’ll be in your care."
Her golden eyes shimmered brilliantly, glowing with an almost otherworldly beauty. She raised her free hand slowly.@@@@
Snap!
The sharp sound of her fingers snapping broke the silence like a single drop falling into a still lake.
From that drop, a massive ripple spread outward.
FOOOOOM!
Centered on where Si-Hyun stood, an explosion of divine energy and mana surged outward. The radiance was blinding, like a miniature sun had erupted in the dungeon, illuminating everything in golden light.
The onlookers—students and professors alike—stared at her in stunned silence, their minds blank with disbelief.
"What is that?!"
"It feels so... warm!"
The students’ mouths hung open, their expressions frozen in awe. Even the professors were no exception. Professor Noh’s eyes widened to an almost comical degree as he realized what was happening.
Every minor injury they’d sustained during battle vanished in an instant. A comforting warmth filled their minds, washing away fatigue. Even their depleted mana reserves began to replenish rapidly.
"What... What is this?"
Despite years of experience as a Hunter, Professor Noh had never witnessed anything like it. The battle hadn’t even started yet, but Jeong Si-Hyun’s capabilities left no room for doubt.
For the first time in a long while, Professor Noh felt like a student again as he watched Si-Hyun. Her earlier comment about having "front-row seats" finally made sense.
"..."
Si-Hyun continued walking forward.
The distance between her and the monsters shrank rapidly. At the same time, the horde was closing in on Professor Yoo, who was still leading the pack.
Screeeech!
One of the wyverns dove toward the ground at breakneck speed.
"Arghhh!"
It clamped its powerful jaws around Professor Yoo’s shoulder, lifting him off the ground as he screamed in pain. Without pause, the wyvern ascended, dragging him higher and higher into the air.
Professor Yoo thrashed desperately, trying to free himself, but his efforts were futile. The wyvern’s iron grip showed no signs of weakening as it carried him ever higher.
Si-Hyun glanced briefly at the scene.
By now, the monsters had entered her domain, their movements visibly slowing as they approached.
It went beyond awe—it was electrifying. A shiver ran down their necks.
“That... That was insane...”
“Is this... even possible?”
Someone murmured in a hushed voice, and soft gasps echoed here and there. None of them could find the words to describe what they had just witnessed. They could only stare, mesmerized, at Si-Hyun’s back.
Even though their professor stood so close, she felt impossibly far away, as if she existed in an entirely different realm. Her silhouette glowed faintly, exuding an aura of divine brilliance.
It was holy.
Groooan...
The feeble growls of the surviving Wood Bears broke the silence. A few of the creatures, still barely alive, sluggishly tried to stand.
“...”
Snap!
The crisp sound of Si-Hyun snapping her fingers rang out.
Above the monsters, magic circles materialized in an instant.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
One after another, the remaining monsters collapsed, motionless.
It was a clean sweep.
The forest fell silent once more.
“Hm...”
Satisfied, Si-Hyun nodded and turned back toward the students and professors. Her face was as serene as ever, but her golden eyes glimmered with a mysterious light.
With a soft smile, she spoke:
“Alright, everyone, let’s go sweep this dungeon!”
A brief pause.
And then—
“Professor! You’re amazinggg!”
“That was insaneee!”
“I thought my heart was going to explode!”
“We’re aliveee!”
“Woohooo!”
Cheers and cries of excitement erupted like a festival. Students jumped up and down, grabbing each other’s hands as they celebrated with pure joy.
The fear of death had vanished, replaced by a sense of relief and exhilaration. With their dependable professor leading them, they felt invincible.
Si-Hyun flashed a playful smile, her eyes crinkling mischievously.
“Let’s begin our field trip!”
“Hahaha!”
“Professor, show us another cool skill!”
The same professor who moments ago had seemed like a divine being now felt like their friendly, approachable mentor again.
The students eagerly followed her, their steps confident and lively.
Like chicks following their mother hen, the fledgling Hunters trailed behind Si-Hyun with renewed determination.
Even the professors found themselves swept up in the contagious energy, joining the spirited procession into the depths of the dungeon.
***
Outside the Dungeon
Near the gate that had formed in the Academy auditorium, a large crowd had gathered, buzzing with noise and uncertainty.
From Academy staff to the parents and friends of the students trapped inside, as well as a horde of journalists, countless people were present, each trying desperately to understand the situation.
Yet, despite the mounting anxiety, no rescue party had been organized.
“L-Look over there!”
A loud shout suddenly rang out, drawing everyone’s attention toward the gate. All eyes widened in disbelief.
“They... cleared the dungeon?!”
“The students! The students are coming out!”
“Oh my god! What’s going on?!”
Cheers erupted from all sides. It was an extraordinary occurrence—unbelievable, even.
No one would have been surprised if the entire group had perished inside.
And yet, the students were walking out, every single one of them, their expressions triumphant and full of pride.
Even in the face of their joyful return, the crowd was overwhelmed with confusion.
"How is this possible?"
Everyone outside shared the same burning question as they tried to piece together what had happened.
“Professor! Thank you so, so much!”
“We’re alive! We’re alive!”
“Professor, you were absolutely incredible!”
“You’re our savior!”
The students, their relief finally sinking in, began crying as they clung to their professor.
At the center of it all stood Jeong Si-Hyun.
With a gentle smile, she softly patted her students’ shoulders, her expression warm and reassuring. Like sunlight breaking through stormy clouds, her kindness brought a sense of calm and safety to everyone around her.
Click! Click!
Camera flashes began going off from the edges of the crowd.
The storm had not yet passed.
In fact, it was only beginning.