I Killed an Academy Player (Korean: 아카데미 플레이어를 죽였다, RR: Akademi Peulleieoreul Jugyeotda) is a gripping "Dark Fantasy" and "Academy" manhwa/web novel written by Sul-Yohan and illustrated by Nenyu. It is widely praised for subverting the typical "possession" trope by introducing a gritty, high-stakes moral conflict right from the start.

The story follows a protagonist who is transported into a notoriously difficult RPG game. However, unlike other stories where the main character becomes the hero, he realizes that the "Player" (the original protagonist of the game) is a regressor who has become corrupted, arrogant, and is actually leading the world toward a "Bad Ending." To save the world and himself, he makes a drastic choice: he kills the hero. Now, he must take the hero's place in the academy, hiding his true identity while struggling to prevent the world's destruction using the limited knowledge he has.

Alternative Names and Titles

I Killed an Academy Player / I Killed the Player / 아카데미 플레이어를 죽였다 / Oneulman Saneun Gisa

Key Characteristics & Tropes

• The "Anti-Hero" Substitute: The protagonist isn't a naturally chosen hero; he is a "replacement" who has to pretend to be someone else. This creates constant tension as he fears being exposed by the academy's powerful instructors and students.

• A Corrupted "Original" Hero: The story subverts the idea that the "Player" is always good. By killing the original protagonist, the series sets a dark, pragmatic tone where survival is the only priority.

• Knowledge as a Weapon: Since he is not as naturally gifted as the original hero, he must rely on his meta-knowledge of the game's hidden items, secret dungeons, and upcoming tragedies to bridge the power gap.

• Grim Academy Life: While it features typical academy elements (classes, rivals, romances), there is an underlying sense of dread because the protagonist knows that if he fails to grow strong enough, everyone around him will die.