Episode 114: Board Game (1)
The place where the eliminated participants were gathered was even noisier than the battlefield itself.
Not only the White Team, but even the Blue Team students had their eyes fixed on Jung Haein’s movements.
The situation was simple.
Whether Jung Haein would succeed in targeting Yu Serin or fail.
The final victory or defeat would be decided by that one outcome.
“Yu Serin, fighting!!”
“Jung Haein, fighting!!”
Cheers erupted from both sides at the same time.
Some people were excited by Jung Haein’s moves, while others clasped their hands together, hoping for Yu Serin’s counterattack.
And finally, the moment when victory and defeat were decided—
The result appeared on the display board in the area where the eliminated participants had gathered.
[Test Ended!]
> [Current Participants]
> [Blue Team: 77 members] VS [White Team: 42 members]
> [Score Status]
> [4790 points] vs [5110 points]
[White Team Victory!]
“Waaahhh!!”
Cheers erupted from the White Team’s side.
The Blue Team collapsed on the spot in despair.
It was a moment when joy and sorrow intersected.
Kang Arin quietly looked up at the screen as she listened to the noise.
“He’s definitely… way faster, right?”
At her words, Cheon Yeoul, who was beside her, nodded.
“Yeah. There’s no comparison.”
It was a conversation between Kang Arin and Cheon Yeoul.
They were talking about Jung Haein’s growth.
If they compared him now to the same point before the regression…
This version of him was overwhelmingly superior.
In growth, in speed.
“……”
Cheon Yeoul’s gaze gradually sharpened.
While the White and Blue Teams each reacted to the win and loss, she silently pursed her lips to read the person’s mouth in the footage.
She was focused on the conversation between Jung Haein and Yu Serin.
Due to the battle, the audio equipment seemed damaged, so the sound wasn’t clear—but if she concentrated, she could make it out.
“We made a promise about the future.”
Cheon Yeoul’s eyebrows slightly rose.
‘Ah…’
In the end, Jung Haein answered Yu Serin’s question.
She roughly understood what it meant.
Of course, it wasn’t anything sexual—it was obviously about joining the team.
But the problem was the person next to her right now.
Just thinking about how confident Kang Arin would become after hearing this made Cheon Yeoul’s head throb already.
Yu Hana was already overly proud because of their trip, and now Kang Arin would…
To make things worse, on the screen, Jung Haein lay down on the floor and wiggled his way toward Yu Serin.
Normally, Kang Arin would have shown a fierce reaction, but…
“……”
She was quiet?
Cheon Yeoul was momentarily confused.
She turned her head to look.
Kang Arin looked like a teenager who had just realized she was in love—hands on her cheeks, not knowing what to do.
Her face was blushing red, and her eyes were trembling.
“Oh no…”
Kang Arin whispered as she brushed her cheek with her palm.
Seeing her like that, Cheon Yeoul silently shut her mouth.
You could say she was stunned by a side of her completely opposite to her usual self.
“What are you doing…?”
In the end, she couldn’t hold it in and asked.
***
The final exam was over.
That fact alone made it a little easier to breathe.
Exams are always like that.
Big or small, just having one in front of you makes people uncomfortable.
Because you have to prove something—no matter what.
Even if you’re doing well, or poorly, you feel uneasy.
Now, that was over.
As soon as the test ended, the administrators quickly began preparing the awards.
The venue was still chaotic.
The Blue Team, disappointed. The White Team, overjoyed.
Even the eliminated participants mixed in—only the heated noise filled the air.
“Good job…”
Cheon Yeoul from the White Team cautiously approached.
Yoon Chaeha followed behind her, reading the mood.
“You two worked hard too. Come here.”
I playfully gestured with my hand.
At that, both of them beamed and ran straight toward me.
– Smack!
– Thwack!
“Ugh!”
“Ah!”
I gave each of them a playful flick on the forehead.
Cheon Yeoul’s was a bit harder. Somehow, I figured she’d built up resistance by now.
“What were you two even doing?”
“She’s the one who told me to go!”
Cheon Yeoul immediately pointed at Yoon Chaeha.
And right then—
– Thwack!
“Eugh…!”
Without hesitation, I flicked her forehead again.
It just sounded like a lie for some reason.
Or not—whatever.
Cheon Yeoul bit her lip slightly and squatted down.
She bowed her head low, and her shoulders twitched gently.
After a few seconds of trembling like that, she quietly stood up again.
Her face was already flushed, and now her forehead was turning red too.
Even so, the corners of her lips were slightly lifted.
“…Are you still mad?”
That’s when Yoon Chaeha approached and asked gently.
“…Mad? As if.”
It was just a bit funny, that’s all.
“I’m sorry. I thought we could win.”
I guess she thought they had a shot if the two of them teamed up.
To be fair, I did think it was a close fight.
But I swallowed those words.
“Jung Haein.”
At that moment, the instructor’s voice echoed across the venue.
It sounded like they were calling me.
“Yes?”
“The awards ceremony’s starting! Just hold the trophy!”
Looks like I was the one who’d be holding the trophy.
[MVP: Jung Haein]
My name appeared boldly on the display board.
It was a bit embarrassing.
Why do they have to make a big deal out of it…?
And so the three of us walked together.
Everyone gathered for the White Team’s victory celebration.
“Jung Haein! Jung Haein!”
The students chanted my name.
Now it was time to receive the congratulations.
***
After the exam ended, the atmosphere at Gaon became peaceful.
A sense of freedom and relief spread across the whole campus.
That period right after finals and before break is always unusually calm, no matter the school.
It was the time when midterms and finals are combined to calculate final grades.
Instructors and professors were busy tallying scores and adjusting rankings, but the students weren’t touched at all.
“Self-study again today.”
An instructor made a brief announcement before quickly leaving the room.
‘Can they really just leave us like this?’
But yeah—they could.
All the lessons were already finished anyway.
Thanks to that, the students flocked around the campus in search of enjoyment.
Some went swimming in the campus lake, others laid out picnic mats by the shore and took naps.
But lately, the spot that attracted the most students was somewhere else entirely.
“Going there again?”
“I’m telling you, it’s fun! We need to go early or there won’t be seats.”
Groups of students gathered in excited little clusters, heading off somewhere with eager faces.
At the center of all the buzz—was the club room I belonged to.
The Board Game Club.
Apparently, the Glory support wasn’t for nothing—the Board Game Club had completely transformed from before the finals.
And the hottest topic of them all was the new board game:
[THE ROUTE]
The name sounded grand, but simply put—it was an isekai virtual reality life game.
The rules were simple.
Roll the dice and move your piece.
But what happens next—that’s where things differ.
Each player lives according to their own “Route.”
Whether you walk the path of a hero, become a wizard, or… end up wandering after losing your way as a mercenary—
Everything depends on the player’s choices and luck.
A fully simulated, immersive board game.
All the player needs to do is enjoy it.
I wanted to try it too… The problem was its popularity.
Getting an open room was tough. It was that popular.
But just then—
[RIN]: Jung Haein, member of the Board Game Club?
[belief_]: Huh? What’s up?
[RIN]: Come test the new game Glory sponsored. You’re a club member, right? Come to the clubroom after lunch\~
Kang Arin summoned me.
“Oh.”
It was a great opportunity.
Playing one-on-one could be fun, but…
Actually, why not just gather everyone and play together?
The exams were over, and these were the comrades I’d be struggling with in the future too.
To be honest, I had already told Yu Hana and Ha Sion to come by today.
I had some potions I got from the Hidden Shop.
Rather than delivering them one by one, I just told them to meet up.
“Guess I just need to change the location.”
I sent the updated location to Yu Hana and Ha Sion.
“Yeoul, Chaeha. Let’s go.”
And like that, we headed to the clubroom.
From now on—it was playtime.
With some surprise guests joining in, just for Kang Arin.
***
Board Game Club Room.
Just like a real board game café, each room was divided into independent spaces.
The room we entered was made for six players.
A large room, a round board table in the center, and a ceiling-mounted projector, ready to go.
“Here, take this.”
As soon as we arrived, I pulled out the elixirs and handed them out to each of the girls.
“What’s this?”
Everyone wore a curious expression.
Sion was the first to ask.
“It’s good for your body, but don’t drink it right away. Just keep it safe. When I tell you to take it out, then do it.”
Maybe because everyone here had received my help at some point—
They all nodded in understanding.
Everyone except for Kang Arin.
“Elixirs are great… but why are there six of you instead of two?”
Kang Arin asked, furrowing her brows.
“Isn’t it more fun with more people?”
“…Sigh.”
Grumbling, Kang Arin reached under the table and pulled something out.
A metallic cube with six sides.
Its surface was clearly marked with a title:
[THE ROUTE]
Once activated, the entire room would transform into a simulation space.
“Do you guys know this?”
Kang Arin asked the other five.
Some nodded. Some shook their heads.
“Honestly, it’s not hard… You’ll get it once we start.”
She casually explained, then added one more thing:
“…But I do have one warning.”
She tapped the side of the cube with her finger.
There, in faint letters, was a small label: [Prototype]
“The version on the market has an immersion limit. It’s capped on purpose—because it’s dangerous. The sensory sync is toned down.”
Everyone’s eyes focused on the cube.
“But this one is different. It’s a prototype, not released to the public yet. And there’s no sensory sync limit. You’ll really feel like you’ve become that person.”
“Is that even possible?”
Cheon Yeoul asked with a half-laugh.
Kang Arin smirked.
“You’ll find out soon enough. Why they had to put restrictions on the retail version.”
Then she added one final sentence:
“Just so you know… this one’s an adult-rated game.”
With a meaningful smile, Kang Arin firmly pressed the button on top of the cube.
“Let’s begin.”
None of the six people here had anything else to do anyway, so no one looked like they wanted to leave.
— Wooooooong.
A low mechanical hum echoed as a blue light spread across the room.
A transparent holographic board appeared above the center table, and from the cube, the elegant figure of a woman rose.
Judging by her appearance, she was clearly meant to be a divine entity—most likely the system goddess of the game.
[You have been chosen. Forge your path with your own hands.]
“Oh…”
“Wow…”
Everyone was impressed by the level of technology.
It was more elaborate than expected—already felt immersive.
[We will divine your fate. Please place your hand on the crystal ball.]
With that voice, a floating crystal ball appeared in front of them.
“Who wants to go first?”
When Kang Arin asked, Sion eagerly raised her hand.
“Me!”
She placed her hand on the crystal ball.
The ball began to glow and hum, then lit up with a warm orange color.
[You are the youngest daughter of a duke.]
“Huh? Isn’t that a pretty good role?”
Sion clapped her hands in delight.
Being a noble probably meant a variety of routes were open to her.
“So jealous…”
Someone muttered under their breath, and the atmosphere quickly heated up.
Some looked grumpy, but everyone was clearly getting into the game.
Next up was Yoon Chaeha.
She cautiously placed her hand on the crystal ball, which immediately turned black.
[You are a dark mage.]
“What?”
Yoon Chaeha stared at the crystal ball in disbelief.
“…I’m a dark mage?”
She looked utterly dumbfounded.
Guess the game really did know how to pick roles well.
It chose the perfect person.
Then came the rest, one by one:
Kang Arin.
The crystal turned a silvery gray, followed by the voice:
[You are a knight of the kingdom.]
Cheon Yeoul.
The ball flashed a clear sky-blue as she touched it.
[You are a low-ranking priest.]
Finally, Yu Hana.
As soon as she placed her hand on it, the crystal suddenly began to shine intensely—
—Wiiing Wiiing Wiiing.
The light was so bright that everyone squinted.
Then came the message:
[Congratulations! You are the Hero!]
Everyone turned to look at Yu Hana.
“…Is that a good thing?”
She laughed awkwardly and pulled her hand away.
She was the Hero.
Undeniably the best-looking job, and everyone stared at her with envy.
“That’s pretty awesome.”
I said, walking up to the crystal ball.
At last—it was my turn.
I was starting to get excited about what kind of class I’d get.
Without saying anything, I placed my hand on the crystal ball.
—Wooooong…
Then the crystal turned green.
Green?
A Druid?
Or maybe an Alchemist?
With my heart swelling in anticipation, I waited for the announcement.
[You are a farmer.]
“…Huh?”
I became a farmer who grows blueberries.