Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Ways to Make Money (1)
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Yeah, fine. I admit it.
I took too much.
But admitting it doesn't mean I think I did anything wrong.
It's only natural for an academy student to take academy supplies.
And even if there are firearm users in the academy, it's just me and Lee Seo-yeon.
Actually, Lee Seo-yeon only cares about pistols, so I'm the only one using firearm supplies.
So, wouldn't it be fine for me to use up all the firearm supplies?
'Honestly, it's just malicious inventory, right? Who else is gonna use it besides me?'
So, I'm not in the wrong.
Not at all, so I'll ask the staff.
Why they called me.
Isn't it discrimination that they didn't restock the firearm supplies?
With that in mind, I headed to the supply department.
And approaching the 1-A class supply staff member...
"I'm really sorry!"
I apologized right away.
And it was no wonder, because the staff member looked like a dead cow itself.
Disheveled hair and deep dark circles.
The desk piled high with energy drinks.
Seeing him no different from a zombie, I admitted it.
That I was wrong.
No, forget admitting—yeah, it was my fault.
"...Who are you?"
The staff member, busy with work, looked at me in confusion.
Bowing again to him, I said,
"I'm Lee Yoo-jin from 1-A. I heard you were looking for me..."
"Ah... Lee Yoo-jin."
Only then realizing who I was, the staff member staggered up from his desk.
Then, instead of swinging his hand at me, he extended it for a handshake and said,
"Nice to meet you, Lee Yoo-jin. I'm Baek Young-woo, working in the supply department."
"Ah, yes! Nice to meet you too."
His friendly demeanor as he introduced himself and offered a handshake left me a bit confused.
The handwriting on the A4 paper he left for me was so scribbled I thought he was angry...
"Want a drink? Only energy drinks, but the new one's pretty good."
Regardless of my confusion, Baek Young-woo pulled an energy drink from the mini-fridge under his desk—the same kind on the desk—and offered it to me.
"No... I'm good."
"Alright? Then excuse me, I'll have one. I'm pretty sleepy right now..."
With that, he cracked open the can and started chugging it right there.
The gulping sounds didn't last long.
"...Hm, delicious as always."
He downed 500ml in seconds, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and smiled in satisfaction.
Maybe thanks to the energy drink, the fatigue on his face faded just a little—very slightly.
But that seemed enough, as Baek Young-woo smiled at me and said,
"Thanks for waiting, Lee Yoo-jin. Now, before we get to the main topic."
Baek Young-woo grabbed a keycard from his desk and pocketed it in his pants.
"There's a place we need to go together. We'll talk on the way."
With that, he turned and started heading somewhere.
I followed him with a bewildered look.
"I heard you got pulled into the back world yesterday. You okay?"
"Ah, yes. I'm fine."
"Good to hear."
Baek Young-woo added.
"Did you use the supplies well?"
"Cough... Yes... I used them well."
The sudden question nearly made me choke.
Despite my reaction, Baek Young-woo just nodded, saying it was good I used them well.
After that...
"......"
"......"
Silence fell.
The only sounds now were...
Thud. Thud.
Our two pairs of footsteps echoing down the hall.
'Weren't we supposed to talk on the way?'
I was grateful he wasn't mad about me using up the supplies, but dragging me somewhere without a word made it awkward—uncomfortable, even.
But that discomfort didn't last.
"We're here."
Baek Young-woo stopped in front of a door.
"This is...?"
"The firearm supplies warehouse."
True to his words, "Firearm" was written on the door.
Baek Young-woo pulled the card from his pocket and tapped the keypad beside it.
With a unlocking beep, the door slid open automatically.
"Come on in."
He strode inside.
"......"
I had no idea why he brought me here, but I followed him in obediently.
Lights flickered on inside the dim space.
"......Whoa."
An astonishing amount of firearm supplies were stacked up, enough to make my tongue go numb.
"...Is it really okay to keep this here? If it all explodes, the academy's gone."
"It's fine. The whole academy, and this warehouse specifically, have defense magic and reinforcement spells. Even if everything explodes, no problem."
With that, he suddenly held out the keycard to me.
"...Why this?"
"Lee Yoo-jin, as you can see, I'm just a regular person, not a superhuman."
"Pardon?"
Suddenly?
I blinked in confusion, but Baek Young-woo continued.
"So I can't use mana."
"......"
"No mana means I can't use artifacts. Like subspace rings or necklaces."
...Why the buildup? Is he saying it's hard to move the firearm supplies?
"So what I'm saying is... it's tough to move the supplies."
...No way. But yeah, it was.
Looking at Baek Young-woo, it made sense.
Not a superhuman, skinny as a zombie—what strength could he have?
Still, don't they have transport or helpers?
When I asked, Baek Young-woo replied with a hollow, sad expression.
"When you stopped by the supply department earlier, were there a lot of people?"
A lot of people?
"No, not really..."
Ah.
"Right? There weren't."
That was it.
I looked at him with pity.
He let out a short sigh and continued.
"Yes... They're all out on field assignments or vacation."
So that's why he looked like a zombie.
No wonder he resembled a dead cow.
"And we have transport, but as I said, no people, so I can't move them alone."
Fair enough.
What's the point of transport without manpower?
Even in this modern fantasy world, some things don't change.
"So, could you pick them up yourself for a while?"
He placed the keycard in my hand.
I nodded and took it.
Suits me just fine.
I can take as much as I want without side-eye(?).
Still, better confirm.
"Can I take as much as I want?"
"Anything but selling it outside, take all you want."
At that confirmation, I grinned.
"Thank you. As thanks, let me show you some magic."
"...Oh, you do magic too?"
Yeah, I do.
You know inventory?
Like an endless abyss of a bag...
&
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 'I've seen other warehouses empty out plenty, but the firearm warehouse? First time.'
'Can I keep taking like this next time? Sure, no issue, but firearms will be out for a while. Can't get them made instantly even if we request from manufacturing.'
'Won't there be restrictions on me? Haha, no problem. You're the only one using firearms right now anyway, so take it all. I'd tell you to take more. Arena Academy is generous to talented students.'
'So take as much as you want and use it. Become a great hero and protect weak folks like me.'
Baek Young-woo... is he a god?
How can there be a staff member like that?
No, more than that, I can't forgive myself.
I was going to complain to a guy like that.
Ah, GOAT, forgive this fool for once harboring irreverent thoughts.
I praised him inwardly as I followed the building directory down the hall.
And I arrived at Instructor Kang Cheol-su's office.
Why here? Because of the Fallen devotee I'll confront soon.
Originally, I planned to just squeeze money from the guy and later tell Kang Cheol-su, Noah, or the academy.
But now knowing the back world I entered was actually a double rift, I need to find out which Named Fallen is influencing the academy from the start.
Problem is, I don't have the power to face a Fallen devotee yet.
So I came to Kang Cheol-su.
He's the only one who'll believe me and help in this situation.
Sure, the main characters would probably help too... but certainty is best.
Ah, but it's 9 a.m.—isn't he at the A building prepping class?
Knock knock.
"Who is it?"
Lucky.
Kang Cheol-su's inside.
"It's Lee Yoo-jin. I have business with Instructor Kang Cheol-su."
"Lee Yoo-jin? What business this early... Anyway, come in."
With his permission, I opened the door and entered.
"Something urgent? I gotta head out for class prep soon."
Kang Cheol-su was gathering materials without turning around.
I realized I'd have missed him by a minute if I was late.
Relieved inwardly, I said,
"Yes, it's urgent."
"Yeah? What?"
Even hearing "urgent," he kept packing materials.
Wonder if this'll change that?
"I found the culprit behind the rift incident: a Fallen devotee."
Pause.
Kang Cheol-su's movements stopped.
And at the same time...
Crunch!
The materials in his hand were crushed.
Ah... sorry, classmates.
I just killed your class.
But it's to crush a Fallen devotee—you'll understand, right?
As I thought that, finally...
"...You found a Fallen devotee?"
Kang Cheol-su turned to face me.
And his appearance was...
"Which fucking bastard is it?"
The Crusher that the Fallen feared so much twenty years ago.