No Lies, Just Extra

School Life is Freakin’ Spectacular #5

“Hahahahaha!”

I was excitedly heading to the training ground when I spotted the Snack Bar.

Isn’t this even more thrilling? Since I’m hungry, why not slam in some coins before training!

Perfect timing!

My mood began to skyrocket. A snack bar, huh. This sure brings back some school memories.

It’s just past 5 PM. The warm breeze after school and the beautiful sky at dusk are pure nostalgia.

Around this time, my friends and I would always sprint to the PC cafe. We had to beat those jerks from the other school to secure a spot before they hogged all the PCs.

We were always so combative. Even during exam season, damn it. If we were slightly late, all five PC cafes under the school would be packed. But as an adult, I found most of them out of business. Low birth rates must be the culprit.

―Entry requires a bit of a leap.

So, reminiscing about old times, I jumped into the large, flashy snack bar.

“Shit?”

Is this an unmanned snack bar?

It’s a universal rule that snack bars are managed by the snack bar lady. Yet inside the tidy shop, there were only vending machines.

And there were hardly any students using them.

“Tch.”

A snack bar’s supposed to be bustling with people, filled with their scent, their presence. Is this the downside of modernization?

I felt a slight disappointment but unquestioningly pulled out my card and stood in front of a vending machine.

You’re all screwed, damn it.

Don’t underestimate the stomach of a high school student. Especially a superpowered high school student. We burn way more calories than normal humans. I’ll demolish this lot. Just like Sunwook demolishes his lunchbox.

Alright, let’s see… is there a ‘Donkapnaegi’? There is!

“There’s Donkapnaegi!”

The cheap burgers that were like a partner during my school days! Seriously, school life without these isn’t real school life! Without them, it’s just gloomy and depressing!

Heck yes! Having Donkapnaegi in the snack bar!

I couldn’t help but marvel.

“Huh-huh-huh.”

With spirits high,

―Beep.

―Beep.

―Beep.

I grabbed two Donkapnaegis, a hot spicy beef soup instant cup, and a Picnic (soda). Maybe it’s because I screamed myself hoarse or because I skipped lunch, but I feel near starvation.

―Zzzzrrrrp.

I quickly prepared the soup, getting water from the dispenser made for such hot beverages, and slightly tore open the Donkapnaegi before heating it in the microwave.

All set, I took my seat.

“This is high school.”

―Click.

I split the wooden chopsticks and stirred them into the steaming hot spicy beef soup. Then, with a pop, I popped a straw into the Picnic soda.

―Zzzzrrrrp!

And finished preparing the Donkapnaegi!

“This is high school…!”

Youthful vigor!

Colossal appetite!

―Whooosh!

Grabbing a mouthful of noodles with the chopsticks and soaking them in broth, I shoved them in my mouth before the soup could drip.

“Ke-ha!”

Crazy delicious!

After munching the noodles, I slurped the Picnic, followed by a big bite of the Donkapnaegi.

Pure bliss.

The greasy flavor that’s unique to cheap burgers wraps around my tongue. It’s the spiciness of the soup that perfectly complements it.

Eating this brings back so many high school memories. Racing to the snack bar after second period with friends to eat Donkapnaegi was pretty much the routine. Was a Picnic 500 won? Really makes me wonder how I devoured all that. I remember choosing it over Raid since it tasted better.

“Ah, but I missed the school lunch.”

Ares Academy.

Though a superhuman training facility, it’s still a school for high schoolers. They obviously serve lunch, but I haven’t had it yet. I must try it tomorrow. It’s a school for superhumans, after all, so it should be good.

At my high school, damn, they served spaghetti with soybean paste soup. Isn’t soup the norm? Surely it’s better than what we got back then.

But, they wouldn’t use meal tickets, would they? Somehow that feels ominous.

“Sigh.”

Coming to my senses, the two Donkapnaegis and the Picnic were totally cleaned out. Undefeated across countless battlefields. Just school kids. I need to come back tomorrow.

―Thud.

After cleaning up, I stood up and followed the quest instructions to the student training ground.

“It’s huge.”

The school grounds are really spacious.

It’s practically the size of a whole apartment complex. And there are so many large buildings! Places like this usually have signs… and there it is.

“Hmm.”

To the east, then.

And there it was.

[Student Training Ground]

A vast training ground facility emerged. This is the place. But it looks more like a high-rise fitness center than anything, both wide and tall.

“Oh?”

“Hey, we gonna smash it up and then head to the PC cafe?”

“Right.”

Many students seemed to be using the ground. Groups of three or five students were chatting as they entered and exited the training ground building with their weapons.

Great. Time to join in. While I normally only exercised lightly, the idea of a training ground was kindling my spirit. After all, men love doing things with weapons in hand.

―Step by step.

Dodging entering students, I went inside. Seems like there are different grades, judging by the color of the tags they’re wearing.

“Let’s see.”

A sophisticated space.

On each side of the wide corridor, there were clear doors at regular intervals marked with a [In Use] sign. I searched for an unoccupied spot and found just one remaining.

Lucky me.

“Good.”

I stepped in.

“Huge, isn’t it?”

The interior was larger and taller than I expected. But what kind of training happens in a place like this? There was a fancy kiosk-like machine by the door. Or wait, is that a pachinko machine? It even slightly resembles a Japanese rhythm game machine.

The screen suggests I can set training conditions using holograms or something.

This is tough for an old-timer.

Please install a more user-friendly machine.

“But what about the quest?”

The quest said to enter the training ground, and here I am, but it’s not complete. Do I need to use the facility for the entry to register? Fine by me. Might as well give it a try. Looks like I’ll be using it often, so I best learn how to use the training facility before I leave.

Especially after having eaten two Donkapnaegis.

I’m invincible right now.

No one can beat me.

Even if Instructor Kawar makes me undergo another terrifying experience, I’m sure I can withstand it. To a high schooler, Donkapnaegi is more than an awakening agent; it’s a hazardous drug. A sort of meth or cocaine.

“Let’s see.”

I was about to operate the kiosk-like machine when.

―Creeeak.

Suddenly, the door opened, and some guys entered.

“Uh? What’s this? Hey, there’s a freshman here?”

The first to enter, a blond guy with red earrings, turned to look outside while holding the door open. And, well, as he stepped all the way in, the rest of the gang followed in a rush.

Their name tags indicate they’re upperclassmen.

“What? It’s not in use.”

“Looks like he was about to start.”

“What are we supposed to do then? This is the only room left, right?”

“Damn it. School’s so crammed at the start of the year, seriously.”

“First-year brats are no help.”

What the hell is with these guys?

I’m the original occupant here, yet they barge in and start complaining. The kids nowadays… Anyway, there are four of them. Three guys entered first, mumbling away, and there seems to be a girl at the back.

Time to send them packing. I’m busy too.

“Excuse me? Seniors? Since I arrived first, I’ll be using this place. Could you please step out as I’m about to start?”

“What?”

When I asked politely, the green permed hair reacted sensitively.

“Huh? No. I need this training ground.”

“No, dammit. But this freshman?”

A freshman?

“What are you on about?”

“What?”

“A freshman has what? What exactly are you saying, you son of a bitch. What did you just say?”

“What, what? Ha, ha-ha-ha. Are you out of your mind?”

He pointed at me and laughed as if impressed by my performance. I had already drawn his aggro. The upperclassmen were looking at me as if I was an interesting bug.

“Whoa. He’s getting feisty, isn’t he?”

“That’s right, damn it. Is this little shit going crazy on us?”

“This guy’s scared of a first-year.”

“Who’s scared, dumbass.”

Their giggling infuriated me. They heckle me after I’ve just enjoyed my Donkapnaegi?

“Spouting crap after cursing at me. Just get the hell out.”

“This little shit!”

―Whooosh!

As I gestured wildly, the guy with permed hair grabbed my collar.

“You’re grabbing what now?”

“Do you want to die? What’s giving you the courage to act so bold?”

“What courage?”

Common sense.

“Ah, damn it, what now? Want to get hit at school? Go ahead and hit me, you bitch. New brats swearing like this right off the bat, where the hell were you raised? Don’t know you’ll get cursed right back if you curse first? All chill when cursing others but act like a dick when cursed yourself, and with your fucked-up hair.”

“Damn it…!”

“Well? Am I right or what? Answer me, idiot.”

What the hell, seriously. Ryu Cheon-hwi’s already caused me trouble this morning. I’ve memorized these guys’ names. Tomorrow, I’ll either make a scene in the staff room or storm into the director’s room. Assault by a group with deadly weapons. And they’ve got the nerve to lock the door at night?

“You’re so…”

Right when I could’ve been beaten.

“Guys. Could we calm down?”

The tall blond girl, who had been silently watching, intervened.

“Minsu, you know better than to fight with a first-year, right?”

“No! I wasn’t planning to fight, but he suddenly—”

“Minsu, but you did start the swearing. Apologize.”

Oh, so she’s the leader?

The permed hair guy reluctantly let go of my collar and spoke.

“Huh, hoo…! Hey, sorry. I was a bit hot-headed.”

Wow, he folded just like that.

“Okay, Minsu. That’s good. And you are… Geun-chul from the first year? Can you apologize, too? Let’s end this amicably.”

If that’s the case.

“Yes. I got carried away in the moment. I’m not usually hot-headed, but sometimes I overreact. My apologies.”

“But what’s with that—”

“End it there. Minsu, quiet down.”

“That ended nicely. Now, seniors. I still want to use the training ground, so will you please leave?”

As I said that, the leader smiled and grabbed my shoulder.

“Hey, Geun-chul. We’re kind of busy today and—”

“Yes?”

“Could you clear out just this once? We really need to train and this is the only room left.”

So that was their plan all along?

Just then.

―Ding!

―――――――――――――――――

「Quest Received」

「Repel the hostile cadets」

「Reward: 300 Coin」

―――――――――――――――――

Damn, I have to do this!!!

“Hey, Geun-chul?”

“Can I cry a bit, if you don’t mind?”

“Huh?”

“Uwaaaa! Waaaa! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaak! Waaaaaaaa! Waaaaaaa! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Waaaaa! Gak! Waaaak! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Waaaa! Aaaaaaaaah!!!”

“Aah, what the?!”

“What’s with this guy!”

“He’s insane! An utter madman!”

“Damn it! Everyone’s watching!”

“Let’s get out of here!”

―Rushing!

My wailing distress sent the North Korean minion thugs scurrying away like the tide.

Mission accomplished, you bastards.

―Ding.

―――――――――――――――――

「Quest Completed」

「Hostile Cadets Repelled」

「Reward: 300 Coin」

―――――――――――――――――

“Sweeeet reward.”

Looks like it’s finally time to train.