IGXOS 11

Chapter 11

Backseat Coaching? (3)

At the words of the three instructors—Shin Jiyeon, Jung Yujin, and Yoon Sangwoo—the trainees fell into brief confusion.

They had barely received any proper training yet, so being suddenly told they would undergo a live combat exercise was understandably unsettling.

But still—

“Live combat training?”

“There are monsters in there?”

“Like a dungeon?”

“Hoo. Let’s do it.”

Even while staring at the two massive iron doors made of solid metal, Team 1 looked relatively composed instead of afraid.

Part of it was because Dohyun was with them, which made them feel reassured. But more importantly, from everything they had experienced so far, they had realized the instructors never pushed them beyond reason.

So they maintained an appropriate level of tension and waited calmly.

In stark contrast, however, was Team 2.

“L-live combat training all of a sudden? T-today’s the first day!”

“W-what is this…?”

“C-can we even do this?”

“W-what do we do…?”

“……”

Was it because Park Dongwook had ruined the atmosphere at lunch? Or because repeated defeats had crushed their confidence? The cause was unclear, but compared to Team 1, they looked unmistakably unsure.

Only Ji Yuchan remained cool-headed, piercing through the true intent of the test.

‘Are they trying to let us experience what it’s like inside a Black Gate?’

It might have been excessive to start live combat on the first day—but at the same time, nothing was more effective than real combat training.

Even knowing that, Ji Yuchan couldn’t help but feel tense.

Team 2’s mood was already in shambles, and in this situation, aside from himself, their overall combat strength was lacking.

He glanced over at Team 1.

Even though Dohyun wasn’t doing anything in particular, Team 1 maintained a warm, cooperative atmosphere, encouraging one another.

Meanwhile—

“D-damn it, since it’s come to this, let’s just do it…! Nobody better drag us down.”

“O-okay.”

“We can’t lose again.”

“L-let’s win.”

Team 2’s mood was overheated. They were fixated solely on beating Team 1.

At the same time, they were extremely tense—so tense that to anyone experienced, it looked like an accident waiting to happen. Ji Yuchan, who had been involved in sports for years, recognized the atmosphere all too well and stepped in.

“I think getting out safely is more important than winning.”

It was the correct answer. His words were reasonable—essentially the right approach.

But perhaps their sense of defeat was already too deep.

The worst response came back.

“Hey, Yuchan, you not getting it right now?”

“……”

“If we lose again, it’s 3–0. We have to win here at least to save face. You act like you’re so great, but you lost to that scrawny Lee Dohyun. That’s not a good look, is it?”

Ji Yuchan was dumbfounded by Park Dongwook’s words.

They had all seen Dohyun’s ability—how could he think like that?

Blinded by inferiority, Dongwook seemed incapable of seeing reality.

As Ji Yuchan was about to respond—

“R-right. If we lose again, that’s bad.”

“Dongwook oppa’s a bit harsh, but he’s not wrong.”

“Yeah.”

The rest of the team backed Dongwook up.

Ji Yuchan gave up trying to argue. He himself had once been driven by competitiveness, so who was he to preach? Besides, in their current state, they wouldn’t listen anyway.

Seeing Ji Yuchan stay quiet, Dongwook puffed up proudly.

“So just listen to me, Yuchan.”

“…Fine.”

He didn’t like it, but since everyone except him agreed with Dongwook, he had no choice.

He would go with the majority.

At least—

‘It’s not real combat. That’s something.’

Ji Yuchan thought bitterly as he looked at the still-harmonious Team 1.

‘I wish I were on Team 1.’

It had only been a day, but he already envied them—envied being in Dohyun’s team.

Although starting live combat on the first afternoon sounded like unreasonable abuse under normal circumstances, this was a Hunter Training Center.

Without this level of intensity, survival inside the Black Gates would be slim.

In that sense, the training was only natural. Becoming a Hunter required this.

Still, since this was simulated combat within the facility, it was much safer than the real thing.

For most, that would still be nerve-wracking.

But Dohyun was an exception.

Unaware of Team 2’s collapsing morale, he instead looked at the three instructors as if thinking, What a jackpot.

He analyzed their status windows.

Shin Jiyeon
Trait: Guide [C]
Skills:
▶ Shield Technique [D]
▶ Detection [D]
▶ Tracking [E]
▶ Mana Control [E]
Stats:
▶ Strength: 39
▶ Agility: 53
▶ Stamina: 46
▶ Mana: 32
[Effect of “Sword King’s Instinct [A]” → Analysis successful.]
[150 AP acquired.]

Jung Yujin
Trait: Tracker [C]
Skills:
▶ Tracking [D]
▶ Dagger Technique [D]
▶ Pathfinding [E]
▶ Mana Control [E]
Stats:
▶ Strength: 45
▶ Agility: 59
▶ Stamina: 42
▶ Mana: 29
[Analysis successful.]
[150 AP acquired.]

Yoon Sangwoo
Trait: Navigator [C]
Skills:
▶ Swordsmanship [D]
▶ Pathfinding [D]
▶ Detection [E]
▶ Mana Control [E]
Stats:
▶ Strength: 52
▶ Agility: 55
▶ Stamina: 51
▶ Mana: 22
[Analysis successful.]
[150 AP acquired.]

All three were clearly capable Hunters.

But more important were the messages that followed.

[Analyzed higher and lower ranks of identical skills.]
[Learned skills without consuming AP.]
[Acquired Tracking [E], Detection [E], Pathfinding [E].]
[Proficiency of higher-tier skills increased by 1.]
[Mana Control [F] has reached maximum proficiency.]
[Rank increased.]
[Mana Control [F] → Mana Control [E]]
[Mana permanently +2.]
[More than three E-rank skills acquired today.]
[Stat limit reached.]
[No further stat increases from skill analysis.]
[Cannot learn more skills today.]

He had learned three skills without spending AP.

True, he could no longer gain stats from analysis today—but this was hardly a loss.

‘Three skills for free plus proficiency increases? That’s insane value.’

He had gained 450 AP total, bringing him to 800.

Calling that a loss would be delusional.

Though…

‘Not getting stat boosts does feel a bit like a loss…’

He scratched his head.

‘Am I crazy?’

Still, it was profit.

And in a maze-type environment, Tracking, Detection, and Pathfinding were practically the best possible combination.

Even the instructors only had two at most.

He had all three.

After the briefing, weapons and armor were distributed.

Dohyun equipped a dagger and light armor.

Shrrrng—

The sound of a real blade vibrating lightly.

He smiled faintly.

“Each team to the entrance!”

“Prepare!”

“Start!”

And so the live combat training began.

Passing through the iron doors, the very texture of the air changed.

Was this what it felt like inside a Black Gate?

The air was heavy and sticky, like high humidity—yet strangely cold.

A tense atmosphere filled the maze.

Team 1 instinctively looked to Dohyun.

Like baby birds waiting for food—

Except not quite.

“Briefing said there are traps besides goblins, right? We should move carefully.”

“We haven’t learned trap disarming yet.”

“Should we divide roles?”

“Sounds good. How should we assign them, Dohyun hyung?”

They weren’t blindly relying on him.

They assessed the situation and organized information themselves—only leaving the final decision to him.

Dohyun blinked.

“…?”

Why are you asking me?

But Analysis quickly organized things in his mind.

“I’ll take point and watch for traps. Yesul, right behind me with a shield. Minwoo, detect goblin presence. The rest standby until combat.”

“Okay!”

“Clean order!”

“As expected of Dohyun oppa.”

“Yes!”

They all nodded.

After some time—

Dohyun sensed something.

Footprints. Presence.

[Analyzed traces of Goblin.]

They were just around the corner.

He glanced at Jung Minwoo, who looked uncertain.

“…I think something’s there.”

Dohyun was honestly surprised.

He hadn’t expected Minwoo to actually detect it.

“Well done. Three goblins.”

“…Huh.”

They admired him.

Dohyun spoke calmly.

“I’ll take one. Yesul takes one with her shield. Minwoo takes the last. Yongchan hyung assists Yesul. Mina finishes Minwoo’s.”

No objections.

Combat began.

The goblins leapt out—

“Keerk!”

But Dohyun was faster.

Without even using Ambush, he dashed forward.

His dagger flashed.

Shrrk—

Blood sprayed.

One goblin collapsed instantly, throat slit cleanly.

The remaining two froze in shock.

Yesul charged with her round shield.

“Hyaaah!”

The goblin stumbled back and fell.

Minwoo slashed the other—half-severing its wrist.

“Kehek?!”

“Now!” Dohyun shouted.

Yongchan stabbed one through the heart.

Mina lunged at the other—but missed slightly, striking its shoulder.

The goblin tried to counterattack.

“Minwoo!”

“Yes!”

Thrust—

Minwoo stabbed it in the back, piercing its heart.

It collapsed.

Not perfect.

But excellent for a first team battle.

“Everyone okay?!”

“Thanks, Minwoo!”

“Teamwork’s amazing!”

Dohyun sheathed his dagger.

Then he noticed—

‘Their stats went up?’

During combat, each of them had gained +1 somewhere.

Because he had given precise real-time guidance through Analysis, their growth accelerated.

Dohyun himself didn’t grow—his stats were already too high for a single goblin to matter.

Then a message appeared.

[Goblin defeated.]
[10P acquired.]
[10 AP acquired.]
[Successfully analyzed another’s stat growth.]
[Strength, Agility, Stamina permanently +1.]

‘That works too?’

He had been disappointed he couldn’t gain stats from skill analysis—

But witnessing others’ growth also granted him stats.

At first, giving advice had seemed bothersome.

But if this boosted his stats—

‘Maybe I should coach more…?’

Just as he thought that, Shin Jiyeon’s voice echoed.

—Emergency! The mana circuit installed in the maze has become unstable, disrupting mana flow. Instructors cannot enter. Goblin mutations are expected. Each team must find the exit and evacuate immediately!

The team tensed.

An accident?

What was happening?

Dohyun was about to panic as well—

[Analyzed instructor’s lie.]

“…?”

Analysis kindly informed him.