Genius Swordsman In Reverse Game

"You cannot cross this line."

Baek Seol-hee declared in a cold voice. Although she drew the line, she felt a pang of regret internally.

What she aimed to see from the Utopia party in this test was whether they could overcome an insurmountable enemy.

The line drawn on the ground represented that boundary.

Of course, they needed the courage and mental strength to face death. But the most important thing was the potential to overcome that boundary. In other words, talent.

Discriminating people based on talent seemed cruel, but it was unavoidable when she thought of Jin Yuha.

'Considering the path my disciple will walk, an ordinary person won't be able to endure it…'

Fortunately, most of the Utopia party members were exceptionally talented, to the point where she wondered where he found such people. There was no need to mention the blue-haired Ichika. Kang Do-hee, Sophia, and Lim Ga-eul also had overwhelming talents.

However,

The person in front of her was different.

There was a distinct lack of inherent quality.

Of course, the one who lacked the most was ironically her own disciple, Jin Yuha. But that child was an exception from the beginning. Jin Yuha had effortlessly surpassed that deficiency and grew at an incomprehensible rate, making her beyond Seol-hee's evaluation.

'I wondered if this one might be like my disciple… But such monsters are rare.'

Just like Jin Yuha, she lacked the inherent quality. However, unlike Yuha, she showed no signs of surpassing it.

Yoo-ri's diligence was evident from her stance with the shield. The effort she put in despite unfavorable circumstances was apparent in her every move. Her mental strength was also impeccable.

That's why it was regrettable.

'She hit a wall too soon.'

Having been stagnant before a wall for a long time herself, Baek Seol-hee could tell instantly.

Her disciple's artifact had temporarily boosted her stats, but that was it. While the other party members still had much room to grow, Yoo-ri did not. She might seem similar to others now, but as time went on, the gap would widen.

There was another bad habit.

It was 'evasion'.

In the face of attacks she couldn't block, Yoo-ri chose to evade or deflect rather than standing firm with her shield.

Although Seol-hee had heard from her disciple that Yoo-ri had blocked a tremendous attack alone in a previous mission, a cold assessment would say it was merely using quick thinking to mitigate the attack's power by involving other monsters, blocking only what she could.

'Her movements show she's learned to evade as a primary tactic from a very young age. Such deeply ingrained habits are impossible to change now.'

If she continued to evade in the face of unstoppable attacks, the habit would resurface even when she absolutely needed to block.

This would inevitably put Jin Yuha and other party members in danger. If not, she would be the first to die. As a tank responsible for the party's safety, she was disqualified.

Based on this evaluation,

Baek Seol-hee had no choice but to utter harsh words.

"Give up, Cadet Yoo-ri."

.

.

.

"This isn't meant to disparage you. I'm saying this because I recognize you."

Her low voice resonated dully in Yoo-ri's ears, as if she were underwater.

'Because you recognize me… you're telling me to give up? What kind of nonsense is that…'

Her body was already in shambles from numerous trials. The cold from the floor seeped into her forehead.

A deep sword mark on the ground reflected in her empty pupils.

'This stupid line…'

She only needed to take one step forward.

Kang Do-hee, Sophia, Lim Ga-eul, and even the recently joined Ichika had successfully crossed the line.

So why, why couldn't she?

'…Is it all just a difference in talent?'

Tremble—

The corners of her tightly shut lips quivered.

It was as if the line was speaking to her. This is your limit. You've done well enough. So stop now.

"You've reached your limit. No matter how much you train, you'll only become a bit more skillful. You won't get any stronger. Give up."

For once, Baek Seol-hee's voice was gentle as she urged Yoo-ri to give up again.

"Impossible."

The word, like a terminal diagnosis, blurred Yoo-ri's vision. 'So, I can't be with Jin Yuha beyond this…?'

Suddenly, the moment she first met Jin Yuha flashed in her mind.

Before entering the academy, the dealer who was supposed to attack the Camilla Forest Dungeon with her bailed without notice. The guy who took his place on short notice.

─ Uh, I'm an academy cadet.

How surprised she had been when she saw that face. Even her party members doubted whether someone with that face should be a hunter.

─ There's a Naki ahead. Two of them.

But, as if to laugh at their doubts, Jin Yuha proved himself with remarkable skill.

─ My, my food─!

She had been so flustered when he took her food while she was eating alone in the dungeon.

─ I can't eat this much. I think Yuna gave me extra because I was a guy.

His close approach without any sense of distance, despite being a stranger, was truly fascinating.

And that day, thanks to Jin Yuha's efforts, they conquered the dungeon earlier than usual. They were surrounded by a sudden horde of goblins when they ventured into the unknown.

─ Everyone───!! Retreat─!!!!!

And she decided to sacrifice herself, leading the goblins deeper into the forest alone.

─ Tsk… I thought I'd get quite close to Jin Yuha if we went to the academy together.

Yes, she had such thoughts while looking at the green wave of goblins before her. At that critical moment, it was like a miracle when a man appeared and saved her.

─ Then let's go together, Soup.

…

─ So, this is a proposal. Can you be the tank of my party? I have someone else I plan to bring in, but you're the first I'm formally inviting.

─ How about me? Am I needed in your party?

─ From the beginning and especially now.

─ Yeah, looking at my current state… Well, I have nothing to say. I'm completely adorned with things you gave me. Others might think I succeeded because I met a good man, going from rags to riches by sheer luck.

─ What do you mean your gift is trash? Among the gifts I received today, yours is my favorite.

─ Who dared to touch our Soup!!!!!!!

─ So, let's move.

─ We came all the way to the sea, are you just going to watch others? Look, this is the sea.

The scenes after being with him flashed through her mind like a dizzying panorama.

Kick—

Suddenly, a laugh escaped from Yoo-ri's lips.

"….Why haven't you used the monthly Yoo-ri free pass I gave you? You seemed to like it so much, was that an act?"

Family, home, poverty, talent, effort.

Her world, always desperate and dyed gray, had become so vibrant after meeting Jin Yuha.

And then.

─ Yoo-ri, please be the deputy leader of our Utopia.

With her head on the ground, Yoo-ri's voice, suppressed like chewing through grit, leaked out.

"I know. That I'm the least talented."

She had known this well since she was sandwiched between Shin Se-hee and Kang Do-hee from the beginning. It wasn't anything new.

Yes, I am behind.

"Even so, I promised to raise my shield…"

But despite her lack, he never once doubted her. He believed in her. He trusted her. He supported her.

"So, I promised…"

To risk her life and protect him by his side. She staked her conviction before the shield.

Yet.

"You don't even know what this shield means to me…"

Wobble.

Stagger.

Yoo-ri's body slowly rose, using her shield as support. She lifted her tear-streaked face. "Give up…?"

Her eyes reflected the moonlight, emitting a fierce blue glow.

Crunch─

Blood trickled from her tightly clenched mouth.

"If you go any further, you could really die. Your body is not in a normal state right now."

That damn instructor's cold voice.

Squeak─

Veins bulged in her hand gripping the shield, applying more force.

"Shut up!!!!!!"

Yoo-ri, with her shield in front, charged forward.

Swoosh─!!!!

A tremendous force, one she couldn't possibly block, came crashing down as if to split her head. Her sharp instincts and honed habits whispered in her ears.

Run away from here immediately. Dodge to the side. Deflect it somehow.

There's no other way. You must do this.

The long-built legacy of her past tightly gripped Yoo-ri's ankle, refusing to let go.

As if trying to banish those voices, Yoo-ri opened her mouth wide and shouted. "I am─!!!!" Facing the sword descending fiercely from above, the girl raised her shield. "I am Jin Yuha's shield!!!!!!!!!!"

.

.

.

The quiet training ground under the moonlight.

Baek Seol-hee stood there, still and straight as a sword.

She quietly looked at the girl who had fallen before her. Beside her lay the shattered remnants of her shield.

"…Stupid girl."

She was really a foolish one.

Rushing in despite knowing it's impossible is not courage, but recklessness. It's not boldness, but bravado.

Sometimes, knowing one's limits and stopping there is the right thing to do.

Yes, this girl was certainly like that too.

"However,"

Baek Seol-hee looked at the line drawn in front of her.

"Because she's that foolish…"

She smirked. "Miracles can happen."

The footprints Yoo-ri left as she crossed the line. Her footprints left deep marks, as if to prove herself.

"Cadet Yoo-ri, you pass."

Baek Seol-hee, lightly smiling, declared her acceptance in a calm voice amidst the stillness.

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