Positive Cliché
A halved F-grade monster. A neat number floated above the Gero Eye like experience points.
Rohan stared at it, eyes wide.
His game-soaked brain grasped its meaning in an instant.
This is the mechanic?
Rohan schooled his expression into nonchalance and returned to his seat.
Opening his status window and shop confirmed it: 1 point accumulated, separate from achievements.
No such point had been awarded when he'd dealt with the Yardpound brothers.
But monsters give extra points usable in the shop?
A fact he'd eventually discover, but the thrill of finding this loophole now... a shiver raced through him.
Insane.
The hazy path in his mind sharpened.
For someone growing stifled by piling achievements, this was a breath of fresh air.
His mind buzzed with elation, like a breeze stirring petals.
"Everyone did great."
Finally, the cadets—including Dick Wikitree—steeled themselves and dispatched the trembling Gero Eye with shaky hands.
Juyeon offered light praise and let them sit comfortably.
She continued, telling them just to listen.
"Gero Eyes have nothing worth salvaging after a hunt. They don't sell."
"““...””"
"That's why some ignore them even when spotted. But pile up that negligence, and it's obvious how society suffers."
Juyeon first preached establishing ideal, righteous values before delving into finer theories.
All of Class 1 hung on her sincere voice, captivated.
"And an abnormal surge of Gero Eyes in urban areas signals a nest nearby. They breed in nests, usually on hills not far from cities or..."
Rohan strained to absorb every detail.
These minutiae Juyeon shared in class were absent from Abyss City.
Games themed around school life focused on relationships and events for engagement, skipping deep theory to avoid boredom.
Those skipped moments were now.
Rohan felt a spark of interest and concentrated fully.
Afternoon classes flew by.
After they ended, Rohan grabbed a cheap meal at the academy cafeteria and headed to the dorms when a message pinged via the job app.
He checked the time first.
Quick internet search confirmed Flower Lily Bookstore's hours.
Plenty of time before closing.
Is today dopamine central? Rohan immediately reversed course from the dorms.
The bustling street before the academy teemed with cadets.
Each clutched a weapon or smartphone, darting in and out of cafes and the shopping mall—a fascinating sight.
Nameless hunters in my old life had to sort weapons before entering shops.
Mulling that bitter past life, he left the commercial strip for a row of houses.
Without glancing at the map, Rohan found Flower Lily Bookstore tucked in an alley.
First time dropping here, and it's a bookstore.
In Abyss City's lore, that fit.
Despite advanced science, paper books dominated sales here.
Rohan's personal preference, too.
"..."
He approached slowly.
Familiar yet distant, the bookstore stirred inexplicable emotions.
Feels weird.
Flower Lily Bookstore exuded coziness.
New magazines and manager's picks lined the exterior.
He recalled carrying a few literary works and mags as affinity boosters—maybe a dozen. Here, unfamiliar titles abounded.
Before entering, Rohan got lost in the stacks.
He picked up a manga from the recommendations and flipped it open.
All new mangas?
Even "bestsellers" were strangers. One claimed 300 million copies sold.
"..."
Everywhere he looked, unknown titles.
This world truly differed—obvious, yet hitting now.
Regret over unfinished series back home. Satisfaction at endless new reads with time.
Both surged.
My Hunter Academia. Really wanted that finale.
As hunter and fan, he craved closure.
Inevitable here, but a true shame.
Thud!
Rohan willed the manga shut, resisting its pull, and grasped the Flower Lily Bookstore door handle.
Ding-a-ling!
Clear bells welcomed him.
Inside, a calming scent seeped in—subtle book aroma akin to rich coffee.
Someone inside?
The counter was empty.
But presences stirred between shelves—customers or staff?
"Anyone here?"
"Oh dear, oh dear."
His call drew a response.
A kindly-faced old man emerged, dusting hands—he'd been organizing.
Rohan bowed at once.
"Hello. I'm Rohan, who contacted you about the job today."
"Heh heh, come in."
At the invitation to sit, Rohan headed to the table by the counter.
The manager boiled water in a pot, eyeing him.
"Young folks these days not into tea?"
"No, sir. I love tea."
"Good," he said, pouring slowly into a cup.
Steam rose from the ceramic as he offered it.
"Here. Careful, it's hot."
"Thank you. Feel free to speak casually."
The manager chuckled and nodded at Rohan's pitch to drop formalities.
"Orion cadets must have jobs lining up."
"I love books and wanted to try working in a bookstore."
Interview or chat?
Treating it as an interview, Rohan sat straight.
"Incoming books are heavy—think you can handle?"
"Physical work's my strength. I know the tricks."
"Then we'll give flexible hours. Try a few days easy, decide after."
Occasional formal slips.
Rohan bowed gratefully.
"Once settled, afternoons to close—sound good?"
"Of course. I'll master it quick."
Manager nodded approval at starting today.
He explained hiring.
"Grandkid's a newborn, can't talk... but running the shop as usual, I only see him sleeping."
"Ah."
"Worried he'll forget Grandpa's face. Heh heh! Can't stand the impatience."
A heartwarming tale, game-like.
"Full handover's too much, but son said post a notice for odd hours. Didn't expect a bite so fast."
"Short shifts post-academy are rare. My lucky break."
"Heh heh! More mature than my boy."
Rohan signed a simple contract via app, swapped numbers, got a staff apron.
Flower Lily Apprentice Librarian
Yes!
Part-time achievements unlocked too.
Now stack others steadily.
Thus began Rohan's first job.
"Register's simple. See here..."
From basic barcode scanning to refunds and points accrual.
Cleaning tools' spots, warehouse layout.
"I'll get this."
Rohan stacked and lifted a box crammed with books effortlessly.
Manager beamed, thumbs up. "Impressive!"
Great start.
Rohan already loved it.
No heroics, just surrounded by books—pure bliss.
Heading to the entrance with the box.
"Huh?"
A sudden alert in midair.
Rohan froze, box in arms.
Cliché...
He recalled it as a reward from cleaning the Yardpounds.
But its exact meaning eluded him.
Keep moving?
In that hesitation.
Thud.
Something bumped the box.
"Eek!"
Clatter! A smartphone hit the floor, game running on screen.
"Sorry! You okay...?"
Setting the box down to apologize fully, his eyes met a purple twin-tailed girl.
"...S-sorry! Sorrysorrysorry!"
She stared at the floor, shrinking beyond timid—overly cowering.
Rohan clamped his jaw to stifle shock, teeth grinding.
Still, his pounding heart wouldn't calm.
Thought I wouldn't meet her till year 2...
This girl was the first he'd considered for his team.