An Unwanted Pairing in the Dungeon Trial

“Choi Yeonsu, Jeon Yangwoo.”

“Nice! If it’s the two of us, we can definitely pull this off! Right?”

“Alright! Even people like Cha Seoyeon will have to carry dead weight, so we’ve got a chance too!”

“Bae Seungok, Bok Juhee.”

“Ah… why does it have to be them…”

“What? Like you’re any better?”

One by one, the students began forming pairs.

Most of the teams were fairly balanced, but some clearly weren’t happy with their partners.

Still, it was impossible to satisfy everyone anyway.

From my perspective, the team combinations seemed almost perfect.

‘They considered not just skill, but personality too.’

Whoever arranged this must have thought it through carefully.

“Cha Seoyeon, Lee Donghyo.”

“Ah… Seoyeon, let’s do our best!”

“……”

“D-do you not like me? We’re still teammates…”

“Let’s sit down.”

“Okay…”

The partner everyone had been curious about for Cha Seoyeon was finally revealed.

Lee Donghyo.

He wasn’t lacking in ability or talent, but his extremely timid personality prevented him from being properly evaluated.

Well… that personality was the biggest issue.

“Look at that, the worst in our class ended up being Lee Donghyo after all.”

“But his skills aren’t that bad, right? It’s just his personality.”

Hearing the murmurs around him, Lee Donghyo’s shoulders shrank even further.

As most of the names were called out—

‘What? There aren’t many people left now.’

My name still hadn’t been called.

As I scanned the remaining people, a bad feeling crept in.

‘No way…’

It can’t be.

There’s no way.

Please, just not that guy.

As if ignoring my wish completely—

“Jung Woohyuk, Yang Jihwan.”

“Haah…”

“……Did you just say Jung Woohyuk?”

The professor called out both my name and Yang Jihwan’s.

“Professor! I can’t accept this! Being on the same team as Jung Woohyuk!”

“What exactly is the problem?”

“Why do I have to team up with him in the first place?”

“……Student Yang Jihwan, it seems you’re under a serious misunderstanding.”

As soon as the announcement ended, Yang Jihwan stepped forward angrily.

Honestly, I also wished his protest would be accepted so I could be paired with someone else.

I didn’t like him either.

But I already knew that wouldn’t happen.

Unless there was a very special reason, once teams were decided, they wouldn’t be changed.

And the professor’s next words made that even clearer.

“You weren’t paired with Jung Woohyuk because you are strong. In fact, it’s the opposite.”

“……”

“We’ve heard the rumors. About how you and several others fought against him in the old training grounds.”

“T-that was—!”

“No excuses are needed. If you want to score well in this practical exam, you’d better leave a good impression on Woohyuk.”

“……”

“If you understand, return to your seat.”

As expected.

Changing teams just because you didn’t like your partner was impossible.

Yang Jihwan approached me with his head lowered, unable to even meet my eyes.

“……Let’s work well together, Jung Woohyuk.”

Yang Jihwan.

He wasn’t particularly strong, but even just graduating from the academy would make him a welcome addition to most guilds as a physical-type hunter.

After all, he was one of the students admitted to the prestigious Phoenix Academy.

Even though I had crushed him before using dimensional power,

his swordsmanship was still quite decent.

And this exam, no matter what, was a team battle.

I didn’t want personal dislike to interfere with the test.

“Don’t worry. I don’t hold grudges.”

“……”

“You might be the leader of your little group, but honestly, it was your two lackeys who annoyed me the most.”

Yang Jihwan lowered his head without responding.

Well, that didn’t mean he was innocent either.

“Of course, standing by and doing nothing isn’t exactly blameless. But I think I’ve already gotten enough payback.”

Flinch!

His body trembled.

He must’ve remembered getting beaten by me at the training grounds.

If I recalled correctly, I broke his nose badly enough that it needed proper medical treatment.

If it weren’t for the academy’s medical facilities, his face might still be messed up.

“……I’ll try not to get in your way.”

“That’s enough.”

Once all students were seated by teams, the professor continued.

“I will now distribute documents containing information about the dungeon you will be entering.”

“Whew, that’s a relief.”

“I thought we’d have to go in blind.”

The students let out sighs of relief.

Each team received one record sheet.

It provided basic information about the dungeon.

< Phoenix Dungeon >

Estimated Rank: F ~ E

Type: Labyrinth

Monster Type: Beast-type

Boss Monster: Unknown

“As you’ve learned, real gates are first scouted by a small reconnaissance team to determine their level.”

Just as the professor said.

The format of the record sheet was identical to the one in textbooks.

In real dungeon raids, scouts gather basic information before the main team enters.

For a dungeon like this, at least one E-rank hunter would be required.

Honestly, even that wouldn’t be enough.

And this wasn’t just F-rank—it was “estimated F to E.”

That meant E-rank monsters definitely existed inside.

In other words, a single team of students stood almost no chance of clearing it alone.

“Some of you may have already noticed, but all graduating students will enter the dungeon simultaneously.”

“Simultaneously?”

“Wait… is this a competition?”

“I thought we’d go in separately in pairs…”

“Of course, the team that defeats the boss monster will receive the highest score.”

The boss monster.

The ruler of the dungeon.

Defeating it meant clearing the dungeon—but its power was immense.

And if it turned out to be an E-rank monster…

There was no way a single team could defeat it alone.

‘They probably designed it so students have to cooperate to defeat it.’

That was obvious.

It was both a competition and a forced cooperation scenario.

Simple on the surface, but complex underneath.

The explanation continued.

“The dungeon will be monitored in real time by faculty and safety personnel.”

“P-professor… what if we get attacked?”

“Don’t worry. If things become dangerous, we will intervene. If necessary, safety personnel will enter and rescue you.”

“Phew…”

“And if you find it impossible to continue, tear the return scroll. You’ll be transported out immediately.”

Soon, the briefing ended.

Before heading to one of the 20 dungeon entrances,

students were given time to prepare tools—just like a real raid.

Maps, compasses, ropes… various items were available.

Yang Jihwan was also seriously choosing equipment.

“……Jung Woohyuk, aren’t you going to prepare?”

“No need to worry about me.”

He spoke first after finishing his selection.

But I was already preparing—

not with tools, but through the dimensional shop.

“Then… begin.”

Dash!

The exam finally started.

Students rushed into the dungeon.

On the professors’ monitors, their movements appeared instantly.

“Who do you think will take first place?”

“……Most likely Cha Seoyeon.”

“I disagree. She’s talented, but her communication skills are lacking.”

“True. And her teammate is…”

“Lee Donghyo. Given her personality, leading someone that timid won’t be easy.”

“Indeed.”

Professors discussed various students.

Most predictions revolved around Cha Seoyeon and Won Jonghyo.

Then, one professor quietly spoke up.

“Honestly… there’s another student I’m curious about.”

“Heh, I think I know who.”

His gaze shifted to a monitor showing Woohyuk and Yang Jihwan.

“Jung Woohyuk. If I’m right, his abilities aren’t limited to physical strength.”

Click—

The moment we entered the dungeon, darkness swallowed everything.

It was so dark I couldn’t even see my own hand.

Then suddenly—light flared beside me.

Yang Jihwan had lit a torch.

“What’s the plan?”

“You’re more cooperative than I expected.”

“……I admit my mistakes. I’m not going to ruin this exam.”

Good.

That made things easier.

“This is a proper labyrinth. Solid walls, no openings.”

Bang!

I punched the wall, but it didn’t budge.

It was thick—too thick to break through.

“Two paths…”

Ahead, the road split into two identical corridors.

A perfect maze.

“One wrong turn and we’re done for.”

“I brought spray.”

“Didn’t expect you to prepare so well.”

His method was textbook:

Mark paths and follow one wall consistently.

Safe—but slow.

“We’re not doing that.”

“Why?”

“We’re aiming for first place.”

“That method won’t get us there.”

“But we don’t have another option. We’re both physical-type hunters.”

Normally, you’d bring a navigator-type hunter into a maze.

But—

“Don’t worry. I prepared something.”

I knew exactly when to spend my points.

And that time was now.

“I need a moment. Scout ahead.”

“……Alright.”

This was the moment to use it.

“Monas?”