unexpected encounter

"Hey, handsome, how about forming a team with me?"

A quiet voice called out to me.

I lifted my head to meet the confident gaze of a girl with cascading purple hair and cunning hazel eyes that sparkled with intelligence. It was Marie Antoinette, the main villainess of the game, notorious for seducing male heroes. Just seeing her in front of me made my heart dance with joy. I hadn't planned on any romantic relationships in this game, but I knew that collaborating with her now was the golden key to reaching the other heroines. This was an irreplaceable opportunity to ensure my survival and progress in this strange world.

Perhaps she thought it would be easy to get me and then use me for her own benefit.

Marie Antoinette—

The terror of every player in this game. Once she set her sights on a hero, she would go to great lengths to claim them.

Of course, she didn't care about them with any real affection—only for personal gain. Though her face remained calm, I could tell from her expression that she only intended to use me, not harboring even a shred of genuine feeling toward me.

"Of course!" I said, trying to keep my voice as composed as possible, while internally celebrating this unexpected stroke of luck. "You seem like the best choice under these circumstances."

If she planned to exploit me, then I'd just have to exploit her right back.

Marie smiled faintly—perhaps thinking she had succeeded, unaware of what was really going on inside me. She extended her hand, which held her black watch, and whispered, "Let's register our names, then."

I didn't hesitate for a second. I stepped closer and held out my own watch. With a single press from Marie, a small screen appeared on my watch:

[Team Formed]

Players: [Kim Hyul], [Marie Antoinette]

[Teams Have Been Formed]

The moment our team was confirmed, something astonishing happened.

The ground trembled beneath our feet, and in the middle of the forest—where towering trees had stood just moments before—a massive weapons vault materialized. Made of dark metal and adorned with strange engravings, it seemed to have emerged from nowhere. At the same time, a giant message appeared on the large screen still hovering in the sky above us:

[Each student must choose a suitable weapon.]

Students rushed toward the weapons vault from all directions. The scene was like a beehive suddenly awakened from slumber. Everyone was running, pushing, and scrambling to get their hands on a weapon before the others. Swords, axes, magic staffs, bows, daggers—every type of weapon imaginable was there.

Some students might have worried that the weapons would run out if they didn't hurry, but the number of weapons matched the number of students, so there was no need for concern.

I didn't rush with the crowd. I preferred to observe the situation first. I glanced around to see who was choosing what. I spotted Sylvia William approaching the vault. Sylvia, with her serene beauty and golden hair, selected an elegant sword that seemed like an extension of her arm. The blade gleamed faintly, as if it had a life of its own.

It looks so beautiful on her.

Meanwhile, Liam, who favored magic, chose an ornate staff that seemed to pulse with energy. His choice was expected—he was a natural-born mage in the game.

Just an idiot, really. He doesn't even deserve to stay with Sylvia.

I shifted my gaze to Marie Antoinette, my new partner. She had already moved toward the vault. I expected her to pick something that matched her elegant appearance—perhaps a slender wand or a decorative dagger. But she surprised me. She reached out and selected a beautifully crafted black sword. It shimmered under the faint sunlight filtering through the trees.

The sword in her hand was like a flower—no, even more beautiful.

I looked at her in surprise. "A sword?" I asked, trying to hide my bewilderment. "Aren't you a mage? Wouldn't you choose a magic staff?"

She smirked slyly. "Don't worry, handsome. I have my reasons." She lifted the sword and examined it carefully. "I feel more comfortable with this. Besides, don't judge a book by its cover."

I had nothing to say. She was right. In this world, nothing was as it seemed. Maybe she had a plan. Either way, I had to trust my partner.

But I couldn't help but wonder—Marie Antoinette was a mage, not a fighter, so why did she choose a sword?

"Well then, handsome, I'd like to see what you'll choose."

"Don't call me 'handsome.' My name is Kim Hyul."

"Oh... Then you can just call me Marie."

I turned toward the weapons vault and picked the only weapon that suited me—

A plain black pistol, but with unbelievably high durability.

"Are you sure you want to choose a gun?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

This was one of the hidden items in the academy, and only veteran players knew the insane potential of this weapon.

Only moments after everyone had chosen their weapons, the vault disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. The forest returned to its relative calm, but tension still hung thick in the air. Suddenly, the giant screen in the sky lit up again, displaying a new message:

[It's time for the second mission!]

End of chapter...