I Became an Illegal Cheat User

95 – Duel Season (1)

Duel Season.

Or what is referred to as the ranking battle period.

In the Arena Academy, this is a festival that occurs only once a year.

For the students, it is a battleground where they can change their ranks.

Thus, the academy opened its main gate wide to welcome outsiders, allowing them to witness the students’ duels during this festive time.

Gathered in the grand auditorium under the guidance of the supervising instructors, all the students of the academy awaited the commencement of the duel season.

“…Huff, huff.”

Some took deep breaths, feeling the tension that seemed ready to burst.

“I will definitely, this time, raise my rank.”

“No, you can’t. You will always be with me.”

“…Ah, please. Just let me go. How long are you going to keep me by your side?”

They burned with ambition and competitive spirit, determined to raise their ranks.

‘Wow, it’s hot, so hot.’

The air in the auditorium felt heated by the enthusiasm and determination of peers and seniors alike.

No, judging by the diminishing chill that had been emanating from the ceiling, the temperature had indeed risen.

So, just in case, I took out the mini fan I had brought along, inscribed with heat conversion magic. I set it to cooling mode, clicked it on.

Whirrrrr.

The fan whirred to life, blowing out a stream of cold air.

I could feel the heat on my face, as well as the surrounding warmth that had been rising, begin to dissipate.

I thought to myself that I had brought the fan just in time, and minimized my view to the corner of my sight, opening the shimmering quest window that was blinking brightly.

Ding!

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Main Quest Chapter. 3

【Duel Season!】

The ‘Duel Season’ that determines the ranks has arrived.

Your rank determined during the entrance exam is ‘Valedictorian.’

Once again, give it your all and achieve an outstanding score!

※ Outstanding Score: 1st to 5th place.

– Rewards: 150,000 points (additional rewards based on performance), 1 random A-grade talent ticket, 1 random A-grade item ticket, 2 B-grade equipment selection tickets, 1 equipment grade upgrade ticket (B-grade or lower), 2 random cheat usage tickets, unlock shop lottery feature.

– Failure: Mild disappointment from supporting characters.

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“Wow, a main quest… it’s been a while.”

Perhaps it’s because I’ve only seen event quests, event quests (achievements), and achievement quests.

Seeing ‘Main’ as the theme at the top of the quest window feels strangely unfamiliar.

And maybe it’s because I’ve become too strong too quickly, but the rewards seem a bit… lacking.

I scanned the rewards with a disinterested gaze.

150,000 points, that’s reasonable.

A-grade talent random ticket and item random ticket, not bad.

B-grade equipment selection ticket, unnecessary.

“Unless I were to get S-grade, or at least A-grade equipment.”

For someone like me, who only uses A-grade equipment now, a B-grade equipment selection ticket is truly a worthless reward.

I let out a shallow sigh and looked at the next reward.

Equipment grade upgrade ticket, B-grade or lower… I could use this on one of the equipment selection tickets.

“Still, I’ll have one selection ticket left.”

What should I do? I pondered for a moment. And not long after, I made my decision.

“I’ll draw a spear and give it to Im Dahee.”

One from the modern theme, in a zombie apocalypse alternate world, and one from a deserted island.

I decided to gift her the two spears she had lost.

“I kept forgetting to buy them for her, so this works out.”

I nodded slightly and looked at the next reward.

Random cheat usage ticket, this is always a good choice.

And now, the final reward.

Only the last reward remains, but… this is…

“…Unlock shop lottery feature?”

It was not an item.

The final reward was nothing but the unlocking of the store function.

But… isn’t it a little too convenient?

‘As if you’re being told to use your points instead of accumulating them…’

The moment I had that thought, a message appeared from Tera.

No, it didn’t even wait for me to ask.

[Master, main quests have fixed rewards, unlike variable event quests. I can assure you that the rewards were not determined based on your accumulated points.]

‘Really?’

[Yes, that’s right. So, please rest assured. There was no outside interference from Gaia as you suspected.]

Tera’s message, sent with certainty, made me doubt my suspicions. And when I saw the penalty for failing the quest.

[But if she were to break her promise and try to interfere again.]

It was filled with solemnity.

[I will stop her at all costs, even if it means staking my existence. So, please trust me and feel at ease.]

Tera’s message, asking for my trust, followed one after another.

I was about to say, ‘Why do you need me to trust you? I already have, it’s fine.’

But I stopped myself. I decided it would be better not to say that.

‘Alright, I trust you. And thank you.’

[…Thank you.]

With a slightly smiling emoticon, Tera’s messages disappeared.

As I watched the disappearing messages, I felt as if I had crossed some sort of threshold.

Something indescribable, yet vague.

But at the same time, it felt like I had done something right.

Feeling this strange sensation, I closed the quest window and turned off the fan, placing it in my inventory.

And then, with a flash, the principal appeared on the stage.

At the same time, the noisy auditorium became quiet, as if under a silence spell.

The principal, standing on the stage, looked around with a gentle expression.

3rd grade, 2nd grade, and 1st grade…

Seeing the students standing in order behind their homeroom teachers, the principal smiled gently and nodded.

Then, he brought the wand he held to his neck and began to speak.

“Everyone, today is truly a significant day.”

“As you all know, this academy holds a festival only once a year.”

“And that festival is a competition where you can test and unleash the strength and skills you have built up until now.”

“At the same time, it is the only period that can change the rank inscribed beside your names.”

The moment the principal spoke those words, the temperature in the auditorium began to rise.

The students’ previously subdued determination was now bubbling back to the surface.

‘…Ah, I want to pull out a fan.’

But it was not the time to do so during the principal’s speech.

I held back my urge to grab a fan as I listened to the principal’s increasingly lengthy address.

And when the energy filled with the students’ enthusiasm consumed all the chill in the auditorium…

“…Oh dear. I seem to have talked too much.”

The principal’s long, drawn-out speech finally came to an end.

Simultaneously, the fervor that had been boiling in the lecture hall began to cool rapidly.

Yet, what I still felt was a lukewarm breeze.

‘What is this?’

As long as it wasn’t hot air, I was fine.

I thought to myself as I glanced around.

“Ha, I survived.”

“…I thought I was going to melt.”

“That speech was way too long…”

I could hear my classmates whispering about how they almost died from the heat.

‘Seriously, let’s keep the enthusiasm in check.’

I clicked my tongue inwardly. Then I looked back at the principal.

“Everyone, fight with all your might.”

The principal’s wand swung through the air with a flourish.

“Pour out all the strength and skills you have accumulated until now.”

Light began to emanate from every student in the auditorium.

“I wish for the best results for everyone; this white jade will pray for you.”

With those words, the figure of the third-year students vanished.

Following that, the second-year students disappeared. And finally, the first-year students.

As the intensity of the light grew stronger, the scenery in my view began to change.

And just before my vision completely transformed.

– Lee Yoo-jin, as you mentioned, I have made the preparations. So focus on the competition without worry.

The voice of the principal echoed in my ears.

The moment I nodded in response.

Whoosh!

The landscape in my sight shifted.

And at the same time.

– Waaah─!

A tremendous cheer erupted.

&

I looked around, listening to the cheers.

Inside the audience area, shielded by a translucent magical barrier, I could see people packed tightly together.

But perhaps because there were so many people, the scene wavered like a mirage, blurring and sharpening in turns.

And amidst that, familiar faces emerged.

“Yoo-jin─!”

“Lee Yoo-jin! Arthur! Noah! We made it!”

“We came as promised!”

The vice-captain of the 9th Expeditionary Force, Gray, along with ten others.

I waved back enthusiastically at Gray and the team members who were fervently waving at me.

Then, I turned my head at a gaze I felt from somewhere. There, in the special seating at the very top of the audience.

I realized that the eyes of the people sitting there were directed at me.

A man with a strong presence, short hair, and wearing a white uniform.

The leader of Korea’s major guild, Mirinae, a transcendent, and the father of Lee Seo-yeon.

Swordmaster, Lee Jung-baek.

A woman with white hair and white eyes, possessing a richness of spirit like no other, yet radiating a benevolent beauty.

The Pope of the American Divine Palace, a transcendent, and Noah’s mother.

Saintess, Gloria.

Seeing the two of them, I nodded slightly and lowered my head.

And now, I confirmed that only the first-year students were present in this colossal coliseum.

‘Indeed, this is no different from a game.’

The arena where I stand, the coliseum.

True to its name, the Arena Academy holds its ranking matches in the coliseum.

This massive structure is built within the academy grounds, with three separate arenas constructed so that all grades can participate in the competitions.

Of course, given the size of the arena, it is concealed by the principal’s magic to avoid drawing attention.

But that will be lifted today.

During the matches, or just as they are about to conclude, the Fallen will surely launch their attack.

‘I’ve informed the chairman and the principal, so preparations have been made…’

I hope they don’t come.

‘Since the story has already diverged, wouldn’t it be nice if the attack diverged as well?’

Yet, no matter how much the story has strayed, logically speaking, today is the most optimal day for the Fallen to strike.

As such, Grid, that b*stard, would never let today slip by.

I thought this as I gazed at the vice-principal who appeared above the arena.

Dressed in a white dress shirt and black suit pants, just like the last time I saw him, the vice-principal looked somewhat weary as he checked his smartwatch.

After a few seconds, he lifted his gaze from the watch and addressed us.

“From now on.”

The vice-principal raised his hand.

Then, he brought his thumb and index finger together, preparing to snap.

Seeing this, my classmates exhaled nervously.

“I will now commence the duel season.”

Snap!

The crisp sound of his fingers snapping echoed through the air.

Simultaneously, an immense light erupted from the arena beneath our feet.

And after a moment, as the light faded away.

Chirp, chirp.

I found myself alone, standing in a forest filled with trees.

I calmly surveyed my surroundings.

And the moment I recalled what the first match was.

Ding!

An alert chimed from the smart watch, indicating a message had been sent.

I checked the message.

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【Time Attack】

The first match is ‘Time Attack’.

Objective: Reach the designated location.

※ The location will change every 10 minutes.

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As expected, it was indeed a ‘Time Attack’.