Breaking Up with the Heroine of the Female-Oriented Game - Chapter 108

Chapter 108

Summer Break (3)

***

Summer break.

A period of rest meant to ensure the health and well-being of students during the sweltering heat.
Thi s w a s co p ie d f r om k i n gm t l . o r g

During the extended break of five to six weeks, students typically spend their time traveling, going on summer retreats, attending training camps, or working part-time jobs.

Everyone is likely planning how they will spend their summer break with bright smiles.

And, of course, I was no different.

T hi s w as copi ed f r om k i n g m t l . o r g
To make the most out of my summer break, I even diligently drew up a daily schedule.

And now.

I was struggling to follow that summer break schedule.

In the deep, dark, and dangerous depths of a dungeon.

“Screeeeech!”

Boom!

With an ear-piercing shriek, a cloud of dust burst into the air.

A massive creature, the ‘Five-Eyed Widow Spider,’ collapsed.

T h i s wa s co p i e d f rom k in g m t l . o r g
It was the boss monster of this dungeon, often called the Spider’s Nest. Although I already knew how to defeat it, making the battle somewhat easier, it had still been a formidable foe.

Even knowing its weaknesses and strategy, the Five-Eyed Widow Spider was no joke, and I had a hard time dealing with it.

“Scree… screeeech…”

The spider, with its body riddled with wounds, let out a pitiful cry as its front legs twitched weakly.

Most of its legs had been severed, spewing green blood that gushed from its wounds.

It didn’t seem to have any fight left in it.

Now, all that remained was to finish it off.

“Screeech! Scree…!”

Thud!

A sword pierced the head of the Five-Eyed Widow Spider.

The blade, infused with dense magic, sliced through its steel-like skull and shredded its brain.

Th is w a s c o p ied f r o m k i n g m t l . o r g
“Scree… ugh… screee…”

The spider’s head drooped. Its once thrashing legs and body finally came to a complete stop.

Its life had ended.

Such a powerful creature dying in what felt like an almost pitiful way.

“Phew. That spider was really annoying.”

Soyeon pulled out the sword embedded in the spider’s head. Green blood spurted from the wound.

“Don’t you agree, Jinhyuk?”

T h i s w a s c o p i e d fr om k i n g mt l . o rg
Soyeon smiled as she approached. Even though she had just fought that giant spider monster, she seemed perfectly fine.

I glanced at her and confirmed that she didn’t have any noticeable injuries.

“Jinhyuk?”

I quietly repeated to myself what Soyeon had just said.

It was really annoying, huh…

You’ve grown so much, Soyeon.

After all, the Five-Eyed Widow Spider isn’t a monster you can just wave off as annoying.

Even though I knew its weaknesses and strategy, it was still a creature comparable to the Black-Handed Long-Armed Monkey that appeared at the Academy.

Actually, if I were to be honest, the spider seemed even stronger.

And yet, a mere first-year Academy student had helped defeat it?

Sure, professional heroes were also involved in the battle, but Soyeon had more than pulled her weight.

Considering how terrified she had been by the Black-Handed Long-Armed Monkey, getting completely beaten back then, her progress was nothing short of astonishing.

She really is the growth-type protagonist.

“You’re amazing, Soyeon.”

It was then that a woman’s voice chimed in.

It was Han Seowoo from the Gaon Nuri Clan. She was looking at Soyeon with admiration in her eyes.

“You’re way better than the sluggish teammates I’m usually stuck with.”

“Oh, Seowoo-unnie.”

We had received help from Han Seowoo and her Gaon Nuri Clan in clearing this dungeon, known as the Spider’s Nest.

To be precise, it was thanks to Yoo Seolhyun that we got the location of the dungeon, and we ended up teaming up with some of the Gaon Nuri Clan members to tackle it together.

Normally, professional heroes wouldn’t be too happy about Academy students participating in such dangerous dungeon raids, but Yoo Seolhyun had smoothed things over, and there were no issues.

Moreover, I had worked with Han Seowoo before during dungeon explorations, and since we had helped each other back then, she had no problem accepting both me and Soyeon this time.

At first, Seowoo had been a bit unsure about Soyeon, who hadn’t yet proven herself, but that quickly changed.

T h is wa s c op i e d fro m k i n g mt l. or g
After the first battle against the monsters, Seowoo realized that Soyeon was different from the average Academy student.

“I was worried about how you’d do at first, but wow, I’m really impressed. I’d heard rumors about a rising star at the Academy, but I didn’t expect it to be this much.”

“Oh no, I didn’t do much. It’s all thanks to you, Seowoo-unnie, and the other heroes.”

Soyeon waved her hand modestly, looking a bit embarrassed by all the praise.

But Han Seowoo wasn’t about to stop with the compliments.

“Too much humility is just like deceit, you know?”

“Ahaha… Is that so?”

“I’ve never seen anyone like you before. You might be stronger than even the great Baek Yoorin! I’m not exaggerating. At your age, with this kind of potential… you could be a high-ranker one day. No, scratch that, you might even become a single-ranker!”

“Unnie, isn’t that a bit too much praise?”

“Too much? I’m serious! You’re already better than most of the active heroes out there. I mean it!”

Han Seowoo was practically gushing with excitement.

It was as if she were witnessing the early days of someone who would become a legendary figure in Korea.

Well, she wasn’t exactly wrong, either.

Soyeon’s performance during this dungeon raid had been far too exceptional to be considered that of a mere Academy student.

She was already better than many of the mid-tier heroes.

Given her skills at such a young age, it wasn’t unreasonable for Han Seowoo to be this excited.

“Phew, Soyeon, don’t forget about this unnie when you make it big, okay? Promise?”

“How could I ever forget about you?”

“Soyeon, why don’t you think about joining the Gaon Nuri Clan? I’ll take really good care of you. You’re friends with Seolhyun, right? Having a friend in the same clan would make things more convenient, don’t you think?”

“…Actually, it’s because of Seolhyun that I don’t feel like joining.”

“What was that?”

“Oh, nothing, unnie.”

Soyeon scratched her cheek awkwardly with a troubled smile.

Since she didn’t get along well with Yoo Seolhyun, the Gaon Nuri Clan was one of the last places she wanted to join.

T h i s w as cop ied f r om k i ng m t l . o r g
Even though Gaon Nuri was one of the top clans, with Soyeon’s current skills, she would be welcomed anywhere.

“I really appreciate the offer, but I’d like to think about it a bit more.”

“Oh, c’mon. Soyeon, seriously, you should join—”

“Han Seowoo, team leader. The dungeon raid isn’t finished yet, so could you focus?”

Unable to take it anymore, Yoo Seolhyun stepped in.

Han Seowoo looked a little disappointed as she glanced at Soyeon, but eventually, she nodded.

With a sigh, she finally walked toward Yoo Seolhyun. I took the chance to approach Soyeon.

“Well, you did great, Soyeon.”

“Huh? Oh, you too. I wouldn’t have made it without your orders. Having an operator makes things so much easier.”

Soyeon grinned and nodded.

“Honestly, if it weren’t for you, things could’ve gone bad. Thanks.”

“Really? I don’t think it would’ve made much difference.”

From what I could see, she still had plenty of energy left.

Even if I hadn’t given her orders, she would’ve managed just fine on her own.

Since her awakening, her growth had been astonishing, and she now seemed to have a strength comparable to that of a top-tier hero.

She had grown up well, without me needing to watch over her.

Now, all I had to do was make sure she got her hands on the right items and relics.

It was hard to believe how much she had grown in just a few short months, but thinking about her from the game, it made sense.

I had been a little worried about whether she would become as ridiculously strong as in the original story, but it seemed I could put those worries to rest for now.

After all, Soyeon was the counterbalance to Yoo Dahee.

With her talent, which could rival that of Yoo Dahee, who had already reached the level of a high-ranker, this level of growth was only to be expected.

“Phew, now that we’ve taken down the dungeon boss, all that’s left is to collect the loot. I wonder what treasures are waiting for us. Doesn’t it make your heart race?”

Soyeon glanced around before whispering to me in a small voice.

“Hehe… having future sight is really useful, huh? You can even find hidden dungeons like this.”

T h is w a s c o p i ed f r o m k i n g m tl .o r g
“Yeah, it has its perks.”

All I had done was spill the location of a dungeon I remembered from the game.

You know, Soyeon, you’d actually stumble upon this dungeon by chance in the original story.

“Thanks, Jinhyuk. Because of you, I’ve been able to take part in dungeon raids, fight monsters, capture wanted criminals… I’ve gained a lot of valuable experience.”

“Don’t mention it. There’s no need to thank me.”

Really, there wasn’t a need for thanks.

Everything I had done with Soyeon during the summer break—hunting monsters, raiding dungeons, and arresting wanted criminals—was all for my own benefit.

The stronger Soyeon became, the more advantageous it was for me.

In the end, it wouldn’t be me who had to face off against powerful villains like Yoo Dahee—it would be Soyeon.

Only Soyeon could defeat Yoo Dahee.

“…How can you say that? You’ve helped me so much. Honestly, you’re spoiling me.”

Soyeon fiddled with the ends of her hair in embarrassment.

It was true that I had taken good care of Soyeon during the summer break.

I had used the excuse of future sight to shower her with items and opportunities.

Just the fact that she was allowed to participate in dungeon exploration as a mere Academy student was already an extraordinary privilege.

Dungeon raids were typically conducted by clans or large organizations and offered the chance for great fortune.

Dungeons, which are considered separate worlds, contain various items, riches, relics, and treasures.

How many heroes around the world have the opportunity to explore dungeons and collect the spoils?

Moreover, Soyeon wasn’t just participating as a porter; she was a full-fledged combatant.

Not only did she gain valuable experience, but she was also entitled to an equal share of the rewards. For someone like Soyeon, who came from a humble background, this was an unprecedented opportunity.

“I don’t know how I’ll ever repay this debt.”

“Don’t worry about it. You don’t owe me anything.”

“You’re not treating me like a freeloader, right? This won’t do. Jinhyuk, if there’s anything you want, just tell me. I’ll do whatever I can.”

“Really?”

“…As long as it’s something I can do.”

When I looked at her with a playful grin, Soyeon hesitated for a moment before answering in a shy voice.
T h i s w a s c o p i e d fr om k i n g mt l.or g

“Then, well… just protect me.”

“Huh?”

“If things get dangerous in the future, prioritize keeping me safe.”

“Don’t worry. No matter what, I’ll protect you, Jinhyuk. I promise.”

“Really?”

“Yeah!”

Watching Soyeon nod confidently, I fell into quiet contemplation.

Part of the reason I had been going around with Soyeon during the summer, helping her gain real combat experience, was to assess how strong she had become.

Starting this summer break, we would likely be in direct conflict with members of Rebellion.

There was a high chance we’d be exposed to danger.

That’s why I wanted to evaluate Soyeon’s abilities against villains, monsters, and dungeon raids.

To see if she was ready.

If she wasn’t, I was prepared to handle things on my own for the time being. But Soyeon had proven she was more than ready.

She was now a capable hero, ready to stand on her own.

“You’ve really grown so much since the kidnapping incident, Soyeon.”

“I was so shocked back then, thinking you had died. Maybe that’s when my dormant talents exploded?”

I shrugged.

“Well, you were mistaken about who had actually died.”

T h is w as c o p i e d f r o m k i n g m t l. or g
“Whatever! Anyway, if anything dangerous happens in the future, just stick close to me. I’ll protect you, no matter what.”

“Oh, I feel so secure now.”

Does this mean the day has finally come when Soyeon will protect me?

“…Ugh, what a pair of fools.”

Yoo Seolhyun, who had been watching us, muttered something that resembled a curse word under her breath as she shook her head.

Apparently, our behavior was too childish for her taste.

…Whatever. I’ll just play the fool this once.

“You two really seem to get along, don’t you? Even in a dungeon, you’re like this. Anyone who sees you might think you’re back together.”

“That’s definitely not happening.”

“Hoo-hoo. Is that so?”

Yoo Seolhyun nodded as if I had given the answer she expected.

Was she trying to lead me to that response?

“I guess it’s hard to get back together with someone you’ve broken up with. You probably went through a lot of emotional turmoil because of Soyeon, right?”

“What?”

Soyeon glared at Yoo Seolhyun, her brows furrowing deeply.

Yoo Seolhyun smiled back at her, unfazed.

…Why were they about to start fighting again?

I tried to improve their relationship, but was it all for nothing? Sigh.

End of Chapter.