The Novel's Extra: Scrapped

Chameleon Troupe's hiding place. 

In a pitch-black abandoned factory without a single stream of light. The Chameleon Troupe's boss was sitting cross-legged on the ground. A series of battles from earlier in the day was being played in her head.

Kim Suho's swordsmanship was just like what she had heard. His sword strikes were light like a feather, but carried a heavy destructive power and connected fluidly with his next move. It was well polished and more of an art than a swordsman ship.

Next was Shin Jonghak. His spearmanship was domineering and vicious. Everyfight he partook in was like a one sided beat down rather than a duel. Apart from the first of course.

The winner of the first was Minori Nii. It was surprising to see such an unknown person dominating the duels. His fighting style was a mix of overwhelming magic and opportunistic swordsmanship. Jonghak was forced into the defensive after only a few blows. 

More importantly was the swift decision making, the moment he realized he couldn't win head on Minori immediately obscured vision and used his mana output to dissuade Jonghak and win with a single blow.

And that single blow was a swordsmanship the boss knew as Kim Suho's horizontal slash.

So it was unfortunate that the next person had the exact skill she was looking for.

'Anti-Magic', a fundamental principle of this world, a simple counter to all things magical, no matter how strong.

"Kim Hajin… write his name down."

She spoke without hesitation. They needed his power to kill Him after all.

—...Really?

"Yes."

—But Jungyeon said he didn't like him.

"Gyeon hates sharpshooters."

Cheok Jungyeong was a warrior inside and out. Staring at each other's eyes and trying to strike down death upon the enemy with deadly killing intent; he believed that was what a battle was.

Even in the Chameleon Troupe, there were members he didn't like just because they fought from a long range.

—I guess so. He did say Kim Suho and Minori were okay. He also said that the guy who met him last time was Minori.

—Oh, Jane also noted how sharp Minori was. Saying something about how he was on edge despite her disguise.

"Then put their names down too…"

Why was Jane at Cube?

The boss hadn't ordered her to go, yet she was there. 

As long as she wasn't stirring up trouble it should be fine.

—What about Jonghak?

"He was disappointing." The boss responded coldly.

—Alright. Then we'll only have 5 slots left. Is that okay?

The notebook was an artifact at the mythical grade. People who've had their names written down on the 'notebook' could have their live locations tracked. In a way, the notebook was like a GPS. In addition, the owner of the notebook could teleport to the location of a written target.

—Who do we prioritize?

In exchange for its wide-ranged power, the condition, [Target cannot know that their name is on the notebook], had to be met. But as long as the target wasn't told about the notebook, there was no reason they should notice.

"Mn."

The boss closed her eyes and reminisced about what happened a long time ago.

"Put Kim Hajin on top priority."

…

Wednesday.

The next combat exam began. As cadets had to fight monsters in this exam, ordinary people were prohibited from spectating. Furthermore, because magicians' summoned monsters were of varying types and power, the exam was graded on an absolute scale rather than a relative scale.

"Be especially careful in today's exam. If you refuse to give up, you might really end up dying."

Kim Soohyuk gave a solemn warning. Just like he said, summoned monsters were dangerous. Even though they were summoned by magicians, they were unable to comprehend complex orders.

"Annihilate enemies and protect allies," that was the extent of order they could understand. An order like "test that cadet's skill" was out of the question.

Not to mention, summoned monsters didn't just disappear into thin air when magicians reverse summoned them, so cadets had to be on their toes even after surrendering.

"If you think your life is in danger, give up immediately. You can yell 'I surrender' or simply tap on the ground twice."

"..."

I listened to the explanation while feeling many gazes on me, no doubt whispering things behind my back.

Of course, I wasn't too bothered by it, seeing as how it was bound to happen with the unexpected defeat of rank 2.

What I was bothered by, was the fact 'Yoo Ah-Ra' hadn't updated me on any details.

She doesn't suspect my plan does she? She seems like a pervert and a wild dog but her actions are quite cautious…

"Magicians in charge of the exam will give the rest of the explanation. Give them a warm welcome."

No, that isn't possible. I'm confident that no trace of my plan has been exposed…

The door opened and magicians walked in, clad in robes and emanating a textured mana, woven tightly into their very being.

But these threads were different from the heroes or cadets around the room.

If I had to say, a magician's threads were overflowing, like a fountain of ever moving hair, shifting in ever so intricate manners.

While a hero's strands were wound together like a basket, as though keeping the mana close to their bodies to amplify physical ability.

If I looked through the stars the strands only grew brighter or dimmer, most likely the potency of their magic.

Oh, that one doesn't have any?

A magician at the back glowered at the crowd of cadets. His threads were unseen, instead his head was engulfed in flame and his skin was burned beyond repair. A thick chain made of black strands gripped on his neck.

I guess that's one of the Djinn we planted to lower the defenses. Looks like all his mana comes from that chain on his neck… I'm guessing that's the devil's contract.

I snapped out of my analysis when the magician in the middle spoke.

"Nice to meet you all. I am the Chief Magician, Jin Joohwa."

The leader of the magicians bowed to the cadets. She had ash blonde hair down to her chin, amber eyes and freckles covering her face.

"Today, you will fight the monsters we summon. Be careful, summoned monsters are no different from real ones. Even if we reverse summon them, they won't disappear immediately like in games. So if things look dangerous, surrender immediately."

The cadets nodded at the magician's kind explanation.

"Good. Then we will tell you how the exam will proceed."

Jin Joohwa smiled brightly.

"Four cadets will go in at a time, and each cadet will be given 15 minutes. You will not be graded based on victory or loss, and your fighting role will obviously be taken into account."

Really? I think the supporter class may no longer suit me.

"First is how long you last. Next is how calm you respond. In other words, you don't have to try to kill the summoned monster.

Wiing—

A smartwatch's faint vibration cut her off mid sentence.

The magician looked around the room.

"Please turn off all smartwatches."

That's a bad idea… for you I mean.

I pretended to click the button nonchalantly. 

Chief Magician Jin Joohwa's explanation dragged on for a long time. How the exam will be carried out, how the groups will be formed, the types of monsters that will be summoned… I couldn't help but tune him out and look at the Djinn standing impatiently in the back.

So, I've just got to protect Rachel and screw over the Lucifer faction right? Seems simple enough. 

Though I don't have much information to go off of.

I'll keep checking on the Djinn periodically to see what he'll do. If he looks suspicious I'll kill him… no I don't have Omen and Lich right now, he'll regenerate and run.

And once that happens, the jig will be up the moment I enter the Evil Society base to meet the boss.

Essentially I have to get this mission done, without the Djinn noticing and reporting me, while also screwing them over.

"Now, we will begin the exam. Group 1 members should stand up."

Group 1 was Hazuki, Kim Junho, Spenner, and Me.

I got up and fixed my gloves, resting my hand on my short sword.

"Everyone else, please stand to the side."

The 96 remaining cadets of Veritas class stood against the wall while wondering why.

Suddenly, with a clap, ten circular tables with ten chairs each rose up from the floor.

"Take a seat, everyone. You will be writing a report for this exam as well. Sit wherever you want.

Everyone began forming little groups as I stood and watched.

I should've asked someone to secure a spot for me by the magicians… shame, I hope there'll be one once I'm done.

"Battle analysis will be part of this exam."

Jin Joohwa began talking again.

"Simply put. You will carefully analyze cadets who are battling monsters and write a report."

In an instant, a monitor shot up from the tables. There was one for each seat, a total of a hundred.

I didn't get to see the monitor screens as I was guided into a small yet spacious habitat.

"It seems we are ready. Group 1's exam will now begin."