'Irregulars'
I knew it was something dangerous, even though I didn't know exactly what it was. I still vividly remember the news article about over a thousand people dying at the hands of a dangerous irregular.
"They're asking us to fight irregulars...?"
"It's the lowest level, right? Maybe we could give it a shot?"
"Are you out of your mind? Haven't you seen news where people die even against lower levels? We're just starting to awaken our abilities, do you want to mess that up and get hurt?"
The lowest rank, huh?
Sihyun picked up bits of information from students whispering, feeling a sinking sensation at the mention of the lowest rank. It was fortunate that the irregulars they had to deal with were of a lower rank, but the real issue was the level of each rank. He had no idea on what basis these ranks were determined.
He was still clueless. Contemplating a cram session, Sihyun pulled out his phone and searched for the irregular ranks. Clicking on the chart compiled by the Awakened Association, a well-organized table filled his screen.
1. Suppression - Irregular capable of causing death to a few or severe injuries to many. If four or more E-rank hunters gather, or two or more D-rank hunters, it can be eliminated. Although it doesn't matter if it's an individual, if they move in groups, the danger level increases to a Warning. To safely eliminate, five D-rank hunters or one C-rank hunter's abilities are required.
2. Warning - Irregular capable of causing immediate death to ten or more people. If ten D-rank or two C-rank hunters gather, it can be eliminated. To safely eliminate, four C-rank or one B-rank hunter's abilities are required.
3. Danger - Irregular capable of causing immediate death to a town. If ten B-rank hunters gather, it can be eliminated. To safely eliminate, two A-rank hunters' abilities are required.
4. Catastrophe - Irregular capable of collapsing an entire city. If ten A-rank hunters gather, it can be eliminated. To safely eliminate, two S-rank hunters' abilities are required.
5. Apocalypse - Irregular capable of causing the destruction of a country. Theoretical existence, it's analyzed that at least ten S-rank hunters are needed for elimination.
The table indicated the danger posed by a single irregular per rank, with 'safe elimination' criteria based on less than ten deaths.
"...."
Sihyun's mouth gaped as he quickly learned about the irregular ranks. The part about 'causing death to a few people' in the suppression category caught his attention. The current placement test situation was clearly the school forcing students into life-threatening circumstances.
The principal, noticing most students displaying negative reactions, tapped the microphone. The anxious gazes of the students turned toward the principal. Some held hopes for a reversal, but there would be none.
"We understand this sudden news might be shocking. You might worry and feel anxious. However, rest assured. Here at Choegang High School, only Rankers of B-level and above are on duty. The teachers in front of you will take responsibility for your lives, so you can fully bloom with your talents and abilities."
What kind of blooming is that.
Sihyun's expression crumpled at the empty lip service. However, the students seemed to have a different opinion. Slowly, the majority seemed to accept it positively, perhaps because they thought if they were B-level or higher, they could be trusted.
"Do you really think they'd let us die in school? They said it's suppression level. If we gather five D-levels, we can handle it without a scratch. What's with the panic?"
"Some of the teachers are healers, right? If that's the case, a suppression level should be manageable."
"I don't like it. It's scary... I've only learned about facing irregulars in theory, never experienced it in practice. Plus, my ability is Enhancement. I don't even have a weapon; Can I only strengthen my legs and run away?"
Opinions were split. Until a moment ago, most were negative, but now there was a mix of positive and negative opinions. Watching the surrounding reactions, Sihyun glanced at Daun.
"What do you think?"
"They're suppression level. If there are teachers too, what's there to worry about? Just use your ability quickly."
"…Alright."
With a nonchalant expression, Daun shrugged and toyed with her ring. Seeing her calm response, Sihyun, with a thoughtful expression, looked at the girl next to him. Jihye smiled subtly, a somewhat idealistic smile.
"What class were you?"
"Me? Oh."
Though he remembered seeing her on stage, he couldn't recall her class name. When he asked, Jihye lightly laughed and pointed to herself with a finger.
"I'm a Fire attribute class."
"Oh..."
Contrary to her gentle appearance, her class was fiery. Watching Daun control the air, Sihyun couldn't help but imagine Jihye engulfed in flames. The thought of being hit by balls of fire made him tense slightly before shaking off the thought.
Let's get a grip.
The combination of air and fire attributes wasn't bad. He thought they made quite an fitting partnership.
"What about you, Hyung?"
Instead of the seemingly carefree pair, Sihyun asked Haru, who hadn't spoken a word until now. While staring at his own hand as if contemplating something, Haru glanced up at Sihyun.
"It doesn't matter much to me..."
It was an unexpected answer. Sihyun thought Haru might be more anxious or fearful, but his reaction seemed unexpectedly nonchalant.
This seemed to be something like a compulsory school event, so it probably won't be canceled just because the students ask for it. Sihyun fiddled with the back of his neck while thinking of how nice it would be if he just had put up some barriers, copy a skill and call it quits, but that's not an option now.
Thanks to the current confusion they haven't even announced the name of the new class, so other students won't try to hide their skills from me. And since I'm a healer I'll be able to use shields. Despite how hard this will be for others, it probably won't be that hard for me.
Sihyun shook his head at those thoughts. That won't make a crazy school less crazy.
"It's good that everyone seems to have settled down a bit. The survey is open so please make sure to fill it in, we will collect your luggage in the meantime in order to ensure an ideal battle environment."
As soon as the principal finished speaking dozens of suitcases floated up in the air. The bag I packed also left my hand and flew away. Sihyun stared at the principal in amazement.
It seemed like he had a psychokinetic ability. He couldn't remember reading it in that blogpost, but maybe he's something like a mentalist.
Instead of looking at the bags flying over the closed metal gate Sihyun turned to stare at the holographic screen on his device. 'Do you agree to receive the same assessment result as your partner in the placement test?' As he was worrying about how he was going to answer the survey he heard a mechanical sound next to him.
"You've responded with 'agree.' Thank you for participating in the survey."
"… Hyung?"
Shocked, Sihyun turned to Haru who hadn't hesitated for even a second before agreeing to the survey. He tilted his head at Sihyun, seemingly unaware of what was wrong with what he did.
"How could you just press agree like that??"
"Was… was it not okay?"
"No, it's not that. But what if you get dragged down to a lower level because of me?"
Honestly, Sihyun didn't think Haru would end up in a high level, but it was still a possibility... I didn't want to end up holding Haru back. Haru stood scratching his cheek as Sihyun was worrying, seemingly a bit shy, he smoothed out his hair.
"I just... want to be with you."
"…."
Was this a proposal?
He recalled how Haru stood all by himself on the day of the entrance ceremony, not even able to speak properly. Sihyun knew that Haru would probably be very lonely without him, so after a brief moment of hesitation his finger moved.
"You've responded with 'agree.' Thank you for participating in the survey."
The voice he'd heard moments ago echoed from the ring. As Haru toyed with his pairing, his fingers paused.
"Well then, I agree too."
As long as he didn't end up with the Supreme Kings, everything else seemed fine to him. When he confidently pressed 'agree', Haru's gaze shifted towards Sihyun. Though he couldn't see his eyes, Sihyun could feel Haru's intense gaze.
"… Hyung also pressed agree, so what's wrong?"
Feeling as if he was prying unnecessarily, Sihyun attempted to backtrack, but Haru simply shook his head, dismissing it as nothing. Yet, there seemed to be something he wanted to say.
"If it bothers you, I can just—"
"We've confirmed that all students have responded to the survey. Now, let's begin the 2019 Choegang High School placement test!"
The timing couldn't have been worse.
Sihyun had thought of mentioning it to the teacher if it made Haru uncomfortable, but now even that option seemed unavailable. As the principal concluded, Haru asked what he was going to say, to which Sihyun just replied with a sigh, facing him squarely.
Though the principal's proclamation was thunderous, no student screamed in excitement as before. With the placement test announced, the teachers, who had been marking the classes, began distributing weapons among the students. As Haru received two curved daggers from a teacher donning a mask, the teacher who had guided during the healer class approached Sihyun.
"I'll be cheering for you, Sihyun!"
Handing him a crudely made staff that resembled something out of a kindergarten play, the smiling teacher prompted a furrowed brow from Sihyun. It looked more like a toy from a cheap store.
"...Is this some magical girl thing?"
"H-huh?"
"Uh, um, it's nothing..."
He was just muttering to himself because he was feeling wronged, so Sihyun simply shook his head at Haru's response and furrowed his brows. The staff he received felt like it had been coated with cheap paint, quite different from the fancy one the healer held in the guide video. It seemed almost like something from a toy store.
Surely, that couldn't be the case.
Just as he checked the staff for any "Made in China" label, the teachers who had handed out weapons encircled the field, resembling security guards.
"Now, we'll introduce the 30 Irregulars you'll be facing. We hope it boosts the confidence in your safety, knowing that these Irregulars have been personally captured by your teachers."
30?
One suppression level Irregular was supposed to need five D-grades to take down, and still it's 30?
This information hadn't been disclosed. Surprised by the larger number, Sihyun looked towards the principal when suddenly, a circular ring appeared in the middle of the field.
A rumbling sound emanated from the vibrating ring, causing the students standing on it to flee in terror.
"Introducing! The 'Suppression-Class' Irregular, Warmen!"
With the cheerful announcement akin to a entertainment MC, a dazzling pillar of light emerged from the ring. Sihyun closed his eyes from to the blinding lights, when he reopened them, instead of the beauty, a shocking sight filled his vision.
"Ugh."
One student unable to bear the sight covered their mouth, feeling nauseated. Amidst this scene, the sharp teeth and nails on the beings called Warmen were more vivid than he expected.
Reacting to the disgust, the Warmen stamped their feet in response. Each thud released a viscous black liquid. Horrified, Sihyun instinctively grabbed Haru's sleeve, feeling dizzy.
The students were silenced by the shocking appearance. Amidst the quiet, a familiar voice filled the field.
"Now, let's commence the evaluation!"
"Keeyaaak!"
As the shimmering ring disappeared, the Warmen spread their wings and screeched. Reacting swiftly, Sihyun erected a barrier, gazing at the intimidating Warmen. The sight of oversized cockroach-like creatures with human limbs was more horrifying than he'd imagined. And the sharp teeth and claws displayed with every scream were more acute than anticipated.
It was overwhelming.
He wondered if there could be no casualties amidst this chaos, as he gaped at them.
Suddenly, a sharp sound came from beside Sihyun.
"Keeyaaak!"
One of the flapping Warmen screamed, clutching its eyes.
Drip, black blood flowed from the blade. The boy holding it, wiping blood off his wrist, stood tall. The students were wide-eyed.
"Keuk, kiiik!"
The screaming Warmen reached out towards the boy. It's pointed claws had a sharp glint that made all of the other kids close their eyes.
"Look outー!"
The attack was sudden, but Sihyun couldn't even finish his warning before the boy leapt up in the air.
Twisting his waist, he raised his arms. When his glasses fell to the ground, a pair of crimson colored eyes flashed through his black hair.
-Swoosh!
As the boy landed, black blood splattered. Despite a screeching Warmen with a torn face, eerie silence engulfed the field.
The first among 96 students to react to the Irregulars was Ban Haru.