I am Smart

---

―――

Massacre.

―――

[…… Wait, Nice!?]

[…… What? Massacre?]

[Huh, huh……]

[W-what!? Did we win?]

5:6.

Six massacred, a miraculous exchange of 3:6.

Remaining are the swordman and warrior.

“…… Huh.”

San-deng exhaled a shaky breath.

Trembling limbs, a pounding head, a heart racing wildly.

It was hard to calm down.

In such a chaotic teamfight, calculations were meaningless.

Only split-second decisions kept flowing back and forth.

This blatant situation…… was truly an unfamiliar one.

Moreover, the cognitive dissonance was confusing.

It clearly deviated from the common sense of gameplay.

I knew it was Moon Si-hyun’s fighting style, but today, she had performed countless actions that transcended even that.

The angle that San-deng deemed absolutely impossible was simply following Sansu’s advice.

But the results were…

“…… How… Huh…… How is this even working?”

San-deng shook his head to clear his mind and recalculated the game flow.

“…… For now, let’s just do what we can.”

―――

Bear Doll Family San-deng has obtained the attack object!

Bear Doll Family Moon Si-hyun has destroyed the watchtower!

―――

There was still a long way to go, but this gain was like a dam breaking after a drought.

An absurd profit that shouldn’t have been possible due to the massacre.

“And this time, instead of a standoff…… let’s ambush.”

…… If this works…

‘…… We might actually win.’

Time passed, and both the allied and enemy forces resurrected.

Now they gathered by the riverside terrain, preparing for a new objective.

Not long after, the objective appeared.

Amidst the standoff, San-deng exhaled before inhaling sharply.

Then, once again, at that moment of irregular timing.

The swordman suddenly sheathed his sword.

This could only mean one thing.

“…… No way right now—”

[Follow me.]

As the sword was sheathed, the swordman vanished again.

Turning his gaze to the enemy territory, the swordman was seen charging in, knocking down the enemy’s tank before dodging skill attacks with strange movements and cutting into their backline.

The enemies appeared flustered, wasting skills and attacks in confusion.

Again, San-deng saw an angle he had never witnessed.

In fact, it was far stranger than before.

“……”

San-deng’s head began to ache a little more.

A situation where the angle couldn’t be understood by his own head.

Sansu’s advice, the recent battle’s victory.

However, the understanding of his head and body were of a different realm altogether.

Seven years of experience started under the cactus in school, with all the knowledge he had accumulated until now.

For someone with such data, entering a scenario like that felt akin to being told to fall from a high-rise building.

…… But.

“Damn…… I’m going in! Follow me!”

This time, the hesitation lasted much less than before.

With the warrior’s charge, the chaos began.

The swordman and warrior were met with all kinds of attacks.

Instinctively, the warrior kept their back to the swordman as the fight broke out.

All sorts of cold weapons and magic obscured the view with the enemy’s blood and their own.

When obscured, they wiped and swung, and when disturbed, they smashed and swung.

The more this happened, the more San-deng felt the surroundings darkening.

This disorganized teamfight didn’t suit San-deng well.

…… But.

[Hey, catch him!!]

[If we catch him, we win!!]

Using the freshly off cooldown charge, he toppled the fleeing priest and chopped them down with an axe.

―――

Enemy defeated.

Massacre.

―――

…… Once again, victory.

This time, the cactus also survived, leaving three remaining.

A completely different aspect compared to before.

“Ha……”

Moon Si-hyun’s sudden actions…… indeed, were the right answer.

And then, the next match.

The cactus was cut mid-fight, and this time five of them lay in ambush within the bushes.

In front stood six, wary of their surroundings, capturing the object.

“Let’s safely have the cactus join up first.”

[No.]

“Huh?”

[This time let’s go together. We count down from one, and then go.]

“……”

As Moon Si-hyun spoke, she placed her sword into its sheath again.

The fighting angle still hadn’t become familiar.

[One.]

Without time to oppose, the count began. San-deng’s vision was swirling.

[Two.]

“Damn……!”

Grudgingly raising the axe.

[Three.]

Just like her, San-deng burst forth, cutting through the bushes.

The priestess, priest, archer, and wizard unleashed a barrage of attacks.

This time, San-deng was a little different.

His vision cleared up a bit more.

An arrow grazed his head. Magic whizzed past his side.

Blood pooled on his head. His chest raced madly.

While protecting the swordman’s back, he swept away the enemies mercilessly.

…… And then, the results arrived some minutes later.

[Victory]

A consecutive comeback in sets two and three.

Confirmation of advancing to the finals.

[No, seriously……! I never thought we would win like this.]

[San-deng…… Nice……]

[Wow, even San-deng was amazed. Seriously.]

[Ah…… my legs are jelly…… Huh……]

The team members who soaked in their victory, hearing this.

“…… Hah, huh……”

His heart raced at an incredible speed.

It was an issue completely separate from his usual stamina.

San-deng thought that the unpredictable and chaotic play of Moon Si-hyun, which he believed would never match him, was too variable to calculate.

Drenched in sweat along with Moon Si-hyun.

“……”

A heart ready to burst, a body trembling as if it had chills, breath quickening, adrenaline pumping.

Despite still not understanding the fighting angle, with a throbbing headache,

…… It wasn’t a bad feeling.

―――

Hako Virtual Minor Gallery

―――

– Breaking news) San-deng’s class change……

Previous class

(A gif of the warrior passively taking hits at the front line)

A typical boring tank warrior

(A gif of the warrior following a swordman into the fray)

A crazy berserker

– No, that really doesn’t suit him, lol.

– Legend, what even is that?

– How is that working!? (Don’t really know)

ㄴ For real, why is it working……

ㄴ Sansu seemed vague about it too, lol.

ㄴ They say it’s a contradiction, but seeing it like this, it looks like Moon Si-hyun and San-deng complement each other well, since Moon Si-hyun really takes care of him.

ㄴ Seems like it just matched up, lol. Leaving the other four to deal damage and going in together to create chaos.

ㄴ For real.

ㄴ Plus, the warrior’s slow but strong raw damage is pretty high too.

ㄴ That’s a trait of all tanks.

– Is there no berserker class here for newbies? That sounds fun, lol.

ㄴ The warrior builds as a berserker by losing the regeneration trait.

ㄴ There is, but it’s more of a meme build, lol. Just diving in and getting wrecked.

ㄴ It hasn’t been long since the season reset, so there are few serious builds, but… that looks really bad.

―――

– San-deng… Entry timing evolution order.clip

First

(A clip of entering long after the swordman enters)

So late.

Yet, still successful.

(A clip of entering a little after the swordman)

A bit late.

(A clip of entering simultaneously)

This time enter simultaneously.

Complete victory.

– Evolution order is ridiculous, lol.

– For real, the playstyles are polar opposites, but matching up like that is impressive.

– No, the fact that was the correct angle is just absurd.

ㄴ For real, lol.

ㄴ San-deng can’t help but be stressed; from a third person perspective, it looks impossible, but since it worked…

ㄴ But Moon Si-hyun didn’t play like this last time, what’s the difference?

ㄴ Seriously, no one knows… Maybe even she doesn’t.

ㄴ If you ask her to explain, it’s obvious she’ll avoid the question.

ㄴ Oh.

ㄴ I’m going to ask her right now.

―――

After the game ended, the waiting lounge.

Everyone was basking in their victory, reminiscing about their own play along with their allies’.

“Ha……”

And San-deng slumped down in a corner, sitting dejectedly.

The adrenaline from the disorienting battle he usually didn’t feel disappeared, leaving him drained.

As he sat there catching his breath and answering his teammates vaguely, a small, white beast’s foot appeared right next to him.

It was Moon Si-hyun this time.

[You did really well. We had great synergy together.]

Moon Si-hyun spoke with a slightly excited voice, seemingly unfazed by fatigue.

By now, she seemed somewhat different from her previous image.

Perhaps they had gotten a bit closer over time.

“Huh…… Thanks.”

San-deng tried to muster the energy to wave his heavy hand in response. Each finger was still tingling from the remnants of tension.

Then, it occurred to San-deng once again that Moon Si-hyun always performed under such pressure.

“…… But really, Si-hyun… you’re amazing. You don’t seem to get tense at all. I can’t do that bulky thing.”

[Hmm… Thank you.]

Moon Si-hyun smiled in response.

[Smart, right?]

“…… Uh…… Well…”

[…… Smart, right?]

“……”

Still, San-deng couldn’t lie.

He just tried to brush it off.

[…… San-deng.]

“…… Yes?”

[…… Smart, right?]

“…… Huh.”

In the face of that astonishingly consistent attitude, he let out a forced chuckle.

“…… Do I have to keep up that concept?”

[Concept? It’s not a concept.]

“……”

When he was trying to say something, a Discord message pinged.

It was from an associate.

―――

Hako Virtual Minor Gallery

―――

– Bear Doll Family MVP……

Set 2: Moon Si-hyun

Set 3: San-deng

– This is it, lol.

– Wow.

– I really didn’t think we would win again this time.

– This was kind of expected.

ㄴ But it’s surprising that Si-hyun didn’t play in Set 3.

ㄴ Seems like a point was assigned for evolving her playstyle.

―――

– Moon Si-hyun…… San-deng’s circumstances count.clip

(Clip)

– Oh wow.

– There was someone who thought so lightly about it.

– First, let’s secure the source, lol.

– Damn it.

– San-deng’s groaning sounds make it even more cringe.

ㄴ Damn it, San-deng, seriously…

ㄴ Lady.

– Don’t post this kind of stuff in the hobby gallery, it’s annoying.

– It’s fine to mix in with others, but mixing with her is a bit much.

ㄴ For real.

ㄴ Seriously, it’s all just a joke, but it feels like he’ll get caught from behind and that’s annoying…

ㄴ It’s fine, San-deng’s image is just that; he’s a hardcore gamer at heart.

ㄴ Given Moon Si-hyun’s stamina, she might reverse the attraction on him.

ㄴ She’s more of someone who just plays games well.

ㄴ Didn’t she say she goes to a prestigious university?

ㄭ How do you know her name and face?

ㄭ Her school was the only thing that got leaked.

ㄭ No way, are you serious? Someone like her is a gamer?????

ㄭ With that level of popularity, she doesn’t even need to go to college—it’s impressive.

ㄭ What insane nonsense is that?

ㄭ Do you not know about Seongso University or other mid-tier colleges?

ㄭ Yeah, it’s just a university below the top tier.

ㄭ What a madman, this one.

ㄭ Seriously, it feels like we’re in a school cafeteria, lol. Legendary.

ㄭ Where’s the top-tier university?

ㄭ Originally, she was the top dog, but now that Moon Si-hyun’s attendance at that college has been confirmed, she’s been exiled to a trashy school.

ㄭ The upper-tier is a joke, and it was never on the same level to begin with, starting from the overseas universities.

– It’s like a perfect person; if you hear stories from Cactus about their schoolmates, they’re just unbelievably perfect.

ㄭ Silver spoon everything. Looks, background, education—all top-tier.

ㄭ I’m feeling down.

ㄭ Damn…… Please stop.

―――

[Ah, it turns out Moon Si-hyun had a powerful call. Confirmation of advancing to the finals! Congratulations. Wow…… It’s really romantic and pleasing to see each other’s weaknesses being complemented as you grow. I’ll be cheering you on.]

“Thank you.”

[Thank you.]

Once the interview was over, and after receiving a Discord message from an associate saying they could leave freely now.

Moon Si-hyun and San-deng were left alone in the interview lounge.

It was a brief moment.

…… However, there was a slightly heavy atmosphere.

The reason being.

“Shall we head out now—”

[I already knew. I knew you would follow along well, San-deng.]

San-deng felt the weight of the dialogue couldn’t progress unless he answered.

“……”

San-deng didn’t want to engage with too much doubt.

But this was a broadcast, so there was no helping it.

“…… How did you know?”

[By your innate intelligence.]

“Hah……”

San-deng’s ominous feeling…… was always correct.

When overheard, it felt like just looking at a small creature was cute, especially since Moon Si-hyun was 21 years old, definitely younger.

But hearing it directly, he thought.

‘This is kind of…… annoying.’

It was obvious to anyone that it was instinctual play. Still, she stubbornly insisted it was brainy play.

He somewhat understood VTubers. Satori, Harris, Squirrel—they all had their own RP.

However, regarding Moon Si-hyun…… having seen her perform, it felt genuine, making it hard for him to gauge how to respond.

San-deng found himself looking down at her.

“Then, explain it once. How is it intelligent play?”

[Sure. Just a moment. I’ll be the swordman.]

As she spoke, Moon Si-hyun-

“Oh okay!! Okay!! Stop, stop, stop.”

Moon Si-hyun made a casual hand gesture.

‘Did she really forget already after causing trouble yesterday?’

San-deng thought, conscious of the chat window beside him.

That was…… learned fear.

Just recalling the events of yesterday made his face heat up.

[Are you admitting it?]

“…… I think Si-hyun is a really good person, but honestly…… you’re not the type who plays with your head. You’re more of the kind that just goes for it.”

[……]

Then, there was quiet again as if she was dissatisfied.

San-deng tried hard to look away.

By this point, it should have been easy to acknowledge, but while it was also true that San-deng couldn’t lie.

On the other hand.

“……”

If she insisted on forcing an answer like that, there was a part of him that was strangely reluctant to give in…… a sort of devious malicious intent.

Then suddenly.

Moon Si-hyun looked as if she had received some form of support and gazed into the air.

[…… Huh? San-deng, are you attending Seongso University?]

Finally, she asked.

“Yes? Oh, yes.”

He hadn’t intended to reveal it, but it had already been out for ages, so he answered nonchalantly.

Moreover, in this needless argument, it was a strength. His confidence slightly rose as well.

[Oh, so you go there?]

“…… Yes.”

[Ah…… Hmm……]

“……”

As she spoke, she mimicked tossing her hair behind her ear multiple times.

[Hehe……]

“……?”

A laugh that seemed not to sit well with her.

As if she had found a weakness, that kind of voice.

“…… Why?”

[No? Just…… Hmm……]

Suddenly, she sounded as if she had claimed some sort of upper hand.

“Why are you acting like that?”

With San-deng’s slightly heated question, Moon Si-hyun suddenly stated.

[…… This.]

Moon Si-hyun continued, hinting.

[You know how some universities have a sort of culture? It’s hard to deny that……]

“…… Yes?”

[There was something that happened the other day, and I ended up going there.]

Moon Si-hyun chuckled once more.

[Seongso University…… Honestly, I don’t really know about it.]

[But, there were quite a few people who acted all knowledgeable. Too much.]