“Clearly, you’re openly following Song Daeseok.”

Baekma kept a distance to avoid interference, but didn’t seem to be trying to hide.

Thanks to that, Song Daeseok, who didn’t seem to care much whether anyone followed him or not, noticed Baekma was trailing him.

Since it didn’t seem harmful, he ignored it, but some kids grew curious.

“Why is that horse acting like that? Could it be because he’s good at riding?”

“Song Sohyeop’s horsemanship isn’t that great. His aptitude isn’t bad, but it shows he’s neglected his physical training.”

Jin Jeongmuk answered sharply.

Song Daeseok’s athletic ability was quite good.

But instead of honing his physical skills, he focused on satellite research, so that aptitude had dulled over time.

When he skipped school, he still joined Mingrin’s personal training, but not anymore. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

He had things he wanted to do, and he knew how to use his time well and was putting that into practice.

I hoped Song Daeseok would do what he wanted, but those who expected him to resemble the iron-armed Song Manseok’s grandson might be disappointed.

Anyway, it was clear that Baekma wasn’t impressed by Song Daeseok’s riding skill and following him for that reason.

Even someone like Jin Jeongmuk, who didn’t know much about riding, could easily guess that.

“Judging by the reactions of the Baekma, maybe Song Daeseok is related to the legend of the five generals of the Sammachi of Oeumsan?”

There was only one reason Baekma would follow Song Daeseok, putting aside me and Maeng Hyo-don, whom Heukma called benefactors.

A prophecy circulated that five outstanding generals would appear in this area.

However, at some point, that prophecy had twisted into rumors that the birth of such generals brought disaster, so the villagers chose to sever the energy veins.

The mountain ranges were sliced with iron spears, filled with melted copper, dark red blood gushed, and five cries echoed.

But the energy veins were naturally restorative, and with the collision of the otherworld, the Korean Peninsula’s earth energy greatly revived.

Perhaps the legendary energy veins were being restored, and the five heroes were about to appear.

“Among the players from Hongcheon, there are already quite a few who could be called heroes.”

The great hero who ended the age of darkness, the iron-armed Song Manseok.

Painter Hong Gyeongbok, who laid down the brush to fight on the front lines.

Hwangbo Yoon, principal of Eungwang High, bold enough to find ways to attack Jinmyeong right in the heart of the clan’s territory.

Seong Hyeongwoo, former Korean branch head who protected the peninsula even after death.

Some names are forgotten now, but all four contributed greatly to ending the dark age.

In other words, not all five seats were filled.

“It was said that fewer players are born in Hongcheon. Song Daeseok is one of them.”

The player rate was about 20%.

Among those, about 15% became formal players, avoiding the schemes of the dark forces.

But that rule didn’t apply in this region.

According to Mingrin, less than 5% here became players.

So Song Daeseok was a strong candidate to become a hero in that legend.

“But isn’t it impossible for Song Daeseok to show the level of physical skills or powers those four showed in their prime?”

It was a great talent that he could use powers well enough not to worry about failing at Eungwang High without proper training, but he’d given up on becoming a top-level player.

Most of my playable characters were either stronger than Joo Suhyuk, Anda-in, and Yeom Jun-yeol of Plum High, or much weaker.

Yebumyeong, enjoying elementary school life without needing powers, and Song Daeseok, focused solely on satellite research, were examples.

Those two in Plum High had no choice but to grow stronger in their harsh world.

Yebumyeong awakened his powers early under threat, and Song Daeseok tried to get stronger to protect Mingrin.

“Daeseok, wave your hand to that horse. It keeps following.”

“Uh...”

Mingrin smiled and urged, and Song Daeseok awkwardly waved his hand with a creak.

That seemed to make Baekma happy, wagging its long tail even more.

I glanced briefly at the two talking about Baekma.

The classmates beside Song Daeseok trusted him enough to leave Mingrin in his care and focus on satellite research.

Seeing that, it was clear Song Daeseok wouldn’t quit satellite research and volunteer again as Mingrin’s bodyguard.

“Still, Baekma seems to regard Song Daeseok as a hero candidate.”

Baekma looked at Song Daeseok with eyes full of expectation, admiration, and worry.

If it had ridden him directly, it would have instantly recognized Song Daeseok’s current skill as a player.

Yet it still followed him with such hope—was it because of Song Daeseok’s innate aura?

“If not that, then maybe it knows being strong isn’t the only way to become a hero.”

Before I finished that thought, we arrived at our destination.

Though the otherworld hadn’t fully formed yet, the power waves were scattered and fierce winds blew.

On the day Teacher Ham Geun-hyeong attacked the otherworld, it was windy, so it seemed we were feeling the aftereffects.

“From now on, support from the attack and defense squads will be provided. If no preference is expressed, assignments will be made arbitrarily.”

A hologram for team division appeared before us, like during Eungwang High’s regular training.

Some kids weren’t used to real combat, so this helped ease their tension.

To reflect everyone’s wishes, the classmates first discussed among themselves.

“I want to be in defense. Since it’s windy now, it’ll be good to check how far the sound of the power violin travels in strong winds.”

“Then I’ll assist Rena. I’ll watch the fight and try to adjust and improve the power violin.”

“I want to use flight skills, so defense for me.”

“I’m attack.”

“I’m fine anywhere!”

“Wouldn’t it be better for Daeseok to be in defense so the horse can follow easily?”

As opinions piled up, I consulted with Hwang Ji-ho and Cheongho.

“When attacking the otherworld, I want to use Teacher Ham’s Gwangrim. Come with me in the attack squad to fill spots and create openings.”

Quite a few classmates already knew about my Gwangrim.

But there was no guarantee the attack squad would fill only with those aware of my Gwangrim, so a diversion tactic was needed.

Hwang Ji-ho and Cheongho nodded.

“Interesting plan. I don’t like this land recognizing your existence, but as long as I’m nearby, it’s fine. Got it.”

“I’ll stay outside. Yong Jegun seems like he’ll follow you. Then there’d be no teachers or you and Hwangho inside. One protector should remain.”

Hwang Ji-ho answered confidently, Cheongho more cautiously.

I wanted to keep Yong Jegun outside for the defense squad’s safety, but seeing how intently he watched, he wouldn’t just stay put.

Teacher Ham split teams into attack and defense, balancing numbers—two teachers on attack, more on defense.

“The attack squad includes two teachers, me, Hwang Ji-ho, and Maeng Hyo-don. Only those safe to show Gwangrim to.”

Team division ended smoothly, thanks largely to In Seon-oh.

She initially wanted to be in attack, but seeing the gathered members, switched to defense.

Seeing me talk with the tigers, she roughly figured out the situation.

She succeeded in quietly guiding undecided kids to defense.

She ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) explained what could be learned there, doing it very skillfully.

Jin Jeongmuk initially wanted to join attack, but after a few words with In Seon-oh, went to defense.

“As In Sojeo said, since defense has more people, it seems we can see fighting styles with a wider variety of weapons.”

In the attack squad, except me and Teacher Ham, main attack skills don’t use weapons.

To understand my advice that brushes aren’t necessary, watching others use different weapons helps—so it was a good guide.

“Materialize weapons.”

Soon the time the player satellites predicted arrived, and the otherworld’s rift opened.

The rift formed very close to the ground.

It was a position where snow would hide it from view.

If the rift formed there and the weather worsened, and enemies interfered, finding the entrance would be difficult.

My train of thought didn’t last long.

“The enemies are already out!”

Before anyone in defense could react, Kwon Rena’s power violin sound reached first.

Thinking of how Rena hadn’t been able to play in front of enemies before, it was touching, but the attack squad entered immediately without seeing her properly perform.

With Cheongho in defense, there would be no problem anyway.

Soon, Cheongho’s calm voice was heard.

“Even if enemies come out quickly, they can’t leave this area or get stronger until the dungeon expands. Let’s take them down slowly.”

“Okay!”

We entered the otherworld, leaving classmates behind.

The temperature dropped enough to chill my cheeks.

Inside felt like winter.

“Wow, it’s fall, but if it’s this cold now, winter will be even colder.”

Yong Jegun said while looking around.

Normally the otherworld isn’t influenced by outside conditions, but this one was different, due to the aftereffects of the land’s otherworldification.

Thinking of Teacher Ham’s hardship every winter made me sad.

“So, what do you want to test? Yi-shin, there must be a reason you created this setup.”

“You must have been eavesdropping from the start.”

“Oh, so there really is something you want to test.”

“Don’t pretend you just figured it out now.”

This verbal sparring was narrowly won by Hwang Ji-ho.

Yong Jegun had been eavesdropping from the beginning and just wanted to see the other’s reaction.

“I’ll be tackling this otherworld now. Teacher Ham, please suppress the power waves and completely kill any presence.”

“Hey, what are you planning?”

Maeng Hyo-don, who came ready to fight without much thought, looked puzzled.

Sorry, but this time I had something to test.

“There’s a lot to do on this land going forward. So I want to see how this land reacts to my Gwangrim.”

Teacher Ham guessed what I was about to do and frowned.

He must have inferred it easily, having seen me handle the Gwanggung, like Teacher Ham, at the broadcast station.

As soon as I sensed enemy energy from afar, I immediately used Gwangrim.

〈Using target character’s Gwangrim, ‘Sharpshooter’s Gaze and Light Bow (光弓)’.〉

I felt light and power waves gathering in my eyes, and my vision widened and brightened like a sharpshooter’s.

When I tried to summon the bow next, the ground began to tremble slightly.

This otherworld was reacting to my power—no, to Teacher Ham’s power.

Even the land responded to the force drawn by the player’s trajectory.