Breaking Up with the Heroine of the Female-Oriented Game

About ten minutes before the morning assembly.

– Yoo Seolhyun, granddaughter of Yoo Gamyeong, successfully rescues heroes?

– Full conquest of Youngdeung Mountain Dungeon! What’s next for Gaon Nuri Clan?

– “Missing heroes safely rescued!” The brutal laboratory of a half-human, half-monster!

– “Was the help of an academy student really necessary?” The incompetence and reality of Gaon Nuri.

A flood of internet articles related to the recent Youngdeung Mountain Dungeon has been pouring in.

Internet articles, social media, community sites, blogs, and so on.

There was a surprisingly large amount of attention focused on Yoo Seolhyun.

The main reason so many people were interested, despite just one dungeon conquest, was because Yoo Seolhyun was the granddaughter of the legend of South Korea, Yoo Gamyeong.

Additionally, the fact that she was just a student enrolled at the academy, coupled with her beautiful appearance as a blonde beauty, made it easy for her to become a hot topic.

There were many positive articles, but equally, there were many negative ones.

It’s understandable since even veteran heroes had once failed in conquering the dungeon, and Yoo Seolhyun’s participation as merely an academy student was hard to digest.

Logically, involving an academy student in rescuing missing heroes in such a critical situation was bound to stir controversy.

Of course, Yoo Seolhyun’s superpower was very handy in dungeon conquests.

Excluding the fact that she was an academy student, Yoo Seolhyun could be considered a decent selection.

However, for a large clan like Gaon Nuri, there couldn’t have been a lack of individuals capable of substituting for an academy student.

Therefore, people were busy speculating why Yoo Seolhyun was involved, expressing their thoughts in the comments – whether it was due to the hastily formed team not having many heroes available for dispatch, for Yoo Seolhyun’s career building owing to her Gaon Nuri bloodline, or because of some internal strife.

‘But there’s not much about me.’

Almost all eyes were focused on Yoo Seolhyun, right?

I, too, was an academy student like Yoo Seolhyun, had recently received a commendation, and was one of the individuals who had defeated the Black Hand long-armed monkey.

Yet, compared to Yoo Seolhyun, stories related to me were barely a drop in the ocean.

“Seolhyun, Seolhyun! You played an active role in the conquest of Youngdeung Mountain Dungeon, didn’t you?!”

“Wow, wasn’t it just a while ago you took down a monster that appeared at the academy?”

“You really are on a different level from other kids!”

Over there,
Yoo Seolhyun’s group of kids was, as always, all praises.

Chattering incessantly like sharp-tongued birds, they showered her with praises and admiration.

Naturally, their tongues seemed smoother than usual, and I smirked inwardly at their behavior.

Well, lately, Yoo Seolhyun’s stock had been rising on a steady incline with the academy monster subjugation, commendation, and Youngdeung Mountain conquest, etc.

Now was the time to keep appealing to gain some crumbs of benefit.

‘It’s good… At least we managed the dungeon conquest safely.’

What would have happened to Yoo Seolhyun if it had failed?

Knowing the content of the game, I was the one who knew the answer better than anyone.

‘It’s not completely over, but for a while, it should be alright, I guess.’

This incident had somewhat established a positive relationship with Yoo Seolhyun.

Considering what lies ahead, Yoo Seolhyun was indeed very useful, so it was fortunate that I could safely conclude this Youngdeung Mountain conquest.

“But, he went too, right?”

“Ah, Lee Jinhyuk? Why did he go?”

“He’s number one in head tactics evaluation. Is that why?”

“Even so, he’s just a student level. How could he possibly fit in where the veterans are?”

Of course, it’s not always good news.

As interest in Yoo Seolhyun grew, so too did the number of kids holding various negative emotions towards me.

“Ah, but he did the performance evaluation together, right?”

“I heard they met alone at a cafe recently.”

“Could there really be something between them?”

“Wow? Seriously?”

“No way, screw off. Yoo Seolhyun with Lee Jinhyuk?”

“If it’s true… was Yoo Seolhyun building up Lee Jinhyuk’s career?”

Whispers whispered.

Some kids glance at me sneakily, voicing their opinions.

‘It seems unavoidable to become a topic of gossip.’

Come to think of it, I’ve met with Yoo Seolhyun quite frequently.

Given the usual Yoo Seolhyun wouldn’t associate with someone she shouldn’t have, it was natural for the kids to be curious.

At the time of performance evaluation, we were on the same team, so that was understandable, but then there were meetings at cafes alone and the decision to bring me along for the dungeon rescue… various things had piled up leading to the current situation.

They pondered if there might be something between Yoo Seolhyun and me.

‘Kids seem sensitive to issues like this…’

“Hey, Lee Jinhyuk? Read your article well.”

Then suddenly, a hand landed on my shoulder.

I flinched at the gentle touch, curious to see who it was I quickly turned my head, only to find my childhood friend with a pouty face. Oh, it was Jin Soyeon.

“Sick, my foot.”

Jin Soyeon, her hair flowing gently, sat on my desk, looking displeased.

“You were sick just so you could go to the dungeon with Yoo Seolhyun, without me knowing?”

Emphasizing the words ‘Yoo Seolhyun’ and ‘without me knowing’, Jin Soyeon seemed to imply something, prompting me into silence before I finally spoke.

“…Didn’t I explain everything over the phone after the dungeon conquest?”

“It’s not convincing, that’s why.”

After shaking her head in disbelief, Jin Soyeon let out a deep sigh.

“Why did she inform only you and take you to such a place as a dungeon? And why did you follow her?”

She began to express her dissatisfaction with an even more displeased face.

“Even active heroes failed in their conquest, resulting in some missing, right? What were you thinking going to such a dangerous place?”

“Hm.”

“Yoo Seolhyun comes from the Gaon Nuri Clan and has abilities useful for dungeon exploration, so that’s understandable. But what about you? You don’t have any superpowers or anything.”

“Um.”

“Why would you follow her to rescue people? How could you know what would happen inside the dungeon? Did you not even think you could die from being weak?”

Ratatatat.

Jin Soyeon’s characteristic nagging fired off like a machine gun.

It’s been a while since I listened to her mix of concern and nagging, making it a nostalgic experience.

The scene was akin to a mother scolding a child who had run off to play by the water alone.

“But Soyeon.”

“What, why.”

“You used to do dangerous stuff too, right?”

“Huh?”

“You know, when we were kids, some kid got bullied and had money taken by delinquents, and you went straight there and forced them to give it back? There was also the time you jumped into a flooded river during a rainstorm to save a drowning puppy, and the time you threw yourself in front of a truck to save a kid about to get hit.”

It sounded like a tale from a boy’s adventure manga – the wide-reaching righteousness of a protagonist from the past.

“Every time I told you it was dangerous, what were you doing, but you retorted asking how you could just leave someone in need.”

“That and this are different, aren’t they?”

Jin Soyeon faltered slightly, looking a bit taken aback.

“In a broad sense, isn’t it similar?”

I shrugged nonchalantly.

“People were missing in the dungeon, Yoo Seolhyun asked for help, and after reviewing the data, it seemed I could be somewhat useful, so I decided to participate.”

Looking at her with a ‘How could I not help if I’m needed?’ gaze, Jin Soyeon pouted her lips and turned her head away sharply before muttering.

“…Being weak and thinking you could help anyone.”

Hey, you keep saying I’m weak?

…Though it’s true.

“Originally, it was a matter agreed upon by veteran heroes, right? And it wasn’t too dangerous.”

The fact that they reluctantly accepted me because of Yoo Seolhyun’s request.

And it was very, very dangerous.

However, that’s not mentioned in the article.

There’s no use letting people know we nearly died.

“In conclusion, through this dungeon conquest, I’ve built my career too, so it wasn’t all bad. Saved people and built my career. When else would I get to conquer a dungeon like this, right?”

“Sometimes I think you’re even more reckless than me. Well, that’s why you back then…”

“Hm?”

Jin Soyeon lowered her head slightly, her words trailing off, making it hard to hear the last part.

Wondering what she said, I stared at her for a moment, but then Jin Soyeon suddenly raised her head.

She pointed at me decisively and continued.

“Anyway! What’s the point?”

“What do you mean?”

“Why did Yoo Seolhyun take you to the dungeon?”

“I guess she valued my tactical ability from the performance evaluation. Isn’t that kind of thing more important in dungeon conquest than just brute strength?”

“Ha.”

Jin Soyeon scoffed disbelievingly.

It was the kind of reaction you’d expect when hearing something ludicrous.

Then she glared at me accusingly.

“Do you think that makes sense? The tactical assessment? First in theory? Hey, dummy. There were several veteran heroes there; why would they use a hero aspirant like you as an advisor?”

Well, uh, yeah.

Honestly, she had a point.

There’s absolutely no reason to use an amateur like me.

…Unless Yoo Seolhyun considered me a precognition superpower user.

“Even if you showed good tactical prowess in the recent performance evaluation, it doesn’t make sense to involve an amateur like you in a personnel rescue mission. What’s Yoo Seolhyun thinking?”

“Who knows? I just went along because Yoo Seolhyun said she needed help and after reviewing the data, it seemed I could be somewhat helpful.”

Since it seemed likely she’d probe further if I tried to elaborate, I casually sidestepped the issue with a laugh.

“Ha.”

Jin Soyeon twisted the ends of her hair then let out a deep sigh.

“Hey, Lee Jinhyuk.”

“Why lower your voice?”

“It’s noisy. I didn’t want to bring this up. Yoo Seolhyun, that girl.”

Jin Soyeon stealthily glanced around at the other students before whispering softly as if she didn’t want others to overhear.

Apparently, it was something the others couldn’t know about.

“That girl had a not-so-great reputation during middle school.”

“Reputation?”

“Yeah. Apparently, she flirted with some girl’s boyfriend who she didn’t get along with.”

That plot existed.

But rather than flirting, it was more about a few glances and smiles thrown his way, leading him to mistakenly think, “Oh, does Yoo Seolhyun like me?”

Originally, Yoo Seolhyun acted in such a manner because a few girls who were jealous of Yoo Seolhyun spread malicious rumors about her, partly to get back at them.

And while the flirting was indeed deliberate, to say she was actually pursuing someone might be stretching it.

Technically, by design, Yoo Seolhyun was supposed to be single.

Hmm. The flirting of a beautiful single…

Truly a subplot worthy of subculture.

“Anyway, why are you suddenly spreading gossip? Oh, did you do it last time too?”

“Recently, Yoo Seolhyun has been getting close to you. I thought maybe it’s because of me.”

“So, you mean, she’s pretending to be friendly to me just to irritate you?”

“…Putting it bluntly like that makes it sound weird, but something like that. Anyway, that’s it.”

“But you and I are just friends. Why me?”

“Because you’re an ex-boyfriend. It’s probably because of that.”

Jin Soyeon’s words made me swallow my saliva.

Surely, Jin Soyeon seemed to think poorly of Yoo Seolhyun.

Considering the future, it seemed necessary for their relationship to improve a bit.

“Could it be part of the reason Yoo Seolhyun took you along?”

“That’s a bit…”

“…Well, yeah. A dungeon conquest isn’t something to joke about.”

Jin Soyeon also slowly nodded to herself, realizing she might have overreacted.

I watched her, then decided to say one more thing, given how negatively she was viewing Yoo Seolhyun.

“Anyway, try not to think too badly of Yoo Seolhyun.”

“Huh?”

I managed to get a promise from Yoo Seolhyun not to bother you anymore.

“Having talked to her, she’s not that bad a person…”

“Oh, that’s strange?”

Cutting off,

Jin Soyeon interrupted me and looked blankly at me.

Her golden eyes serenely captured my face in her gaze.

“Is my childhood friend of 10 years suddenly taking Yoo Seolhyun’s side?”

“What, isn’t this childish, taking sides?”

“Ha. You’re supposed to be a man. Got a little attention from a pretty girl and you’re completely swayed?”

“I’m not.”

Ah, maybe I shouldn’t have scratched that itch.

Perhaps my lack of eloquence slightly irritated her, given how it might seem like I was siding with someone else from Jin Soyeon’s perspective.

“Ha, alright, fine, forget it.”

“You’re not mad, are you?”

“…I’m not mad, okay?”

Getting up from the desk, Jin Soyeon headed out of the classroom.

“Where are you going?”

“To the bathroom, why?”

“The homeroom teacher will be arriving soon?”

“Hmph, I’ll be back quickly.”

With that, she bolted off without looking back.

“…How do I improve the relationship between these two, seriously?”

I could only scratch my neck as I watched where Jin Soyeon had exited, contemplating how to possibly bridge the gap between the protagonist and the villainess.