Chapter 39
Chapter 39
A Meeting with the Main Heroines
***
After a relaxing weekend spent honing my skills and weapon proficiency, I suggested a meeting with the three heroines at a bar on the outskirts of the city as soon as Monday’s classes ended.
It was difficult to gather the main heroines within the Academy due to the prying eyes.
They had been hanging around Choi Do-han just a week ago.
If Mi-jin, Soo-ah, and even Han-na suddenly started clinging to me, strange rumors would spread throughout the Academy.
-Did you hear? Apparently, all three of them were two-timing with Tae-jin!
-Wait what? So that’s why Do-han challenged him to a duel!
-That’s right! They agreed that the winner would get the three of them!
…Nonsense like that.
So, I chose a bar in a secluded alley on the city’s outskirts.
This was my first private meeting with the main heroines.
Well, excluding Professor Ella, who wasn't involved in the upcoming raid.
The reason for the meeting was, of course, the [Real Raid] scheduled for this weekend.
-But you have to recruit the party members yourself. By position.
That was Park Na-yeon’s condition.
I had to recruit party members from among the cadets who scored over 90 on the group project, which wasn’t that difficult for me.
It was practically impossible for cadets without the “promising student” title to score that high.
So, the only ones who qualified were the three main heroines, Baek Seok-hwa, the promising archer, Choi Na-hee, a skilled melee fighter, Choi Do-han, and myself.
Choi Do-han had been absent since last week, and as the list showed, the only cadets capable of participating in a real raid as a [Tank] or [Healer] were Han-na and Soo-ah.
If either of them refused, the raid would be canceled.
But fortunately, they all agreed.
Participating in a real raid before graduation was a valuable addition to their resumes.
Like experienced rookies.
And who would refuse an offer to be supervised by an S-rank Hunter?
So, here we were, gathered in a small café.
Han-na, Soo-ah, and Mi-jin.
The main characters of [Hidden Piece Academy] were all in one place.
It felt strangely moving, but also a bit unsettling, like I had stolen something.
He had brought it upon himself, but I had essentially taken his harem.
And now, I wasn't just involved in the original storyline; I was writing a new one, which gave me a sense of responsibility.
And…
…I had to recruit the main heroines for the [Level Up as a Harem!] trait.
“Thanks for coming, everyone.”
I expressed my sincere gratitude.
For joining me in this new story.
As if waiting for my cue, Mi-jin replied with a determined expression, “Of course! We have to come running when Tae-jin calls!”
Since the Golden Goblin incident, Mi-jin had been excessively loyal.
She claimed she owed me her life and thanked me for the 100 million won she received.
Honestly, it was a ridiculously small sum for encountering a Golden Goblin, which was basically a lottery ticket.
It seemed the original author hadn't put much thought into the financial rewards, focusing more on the Hidden Piece aspect of the episode.
‘Well, money wasn’t that important to the protagonist.’
Anyway, 100 million won was a large sum for Mi-jin.
I heard she had paid off a significant portion of her father’s debt and even quit two of her part-time jobs.
She showered me with praise, saying she could now focus on her studies until graduation.
It was embarrassing.
“Don’t mention it. It’s just a recruitment meeting for the real raid, right? Of course we should be here.”
Han-na replied nonchalantly, and Soo-ah added with a smile, “I agree. Participating in a real raid under a professor’s supervision is a divine blessing.”
This was the first time I had seen all the main heroines outside the Academy.
Seeing Soo-ah in casual clothes was a refreshing surprise.
Instead of her usual dark and modest nun’s habit, she wore a simple white t-shirt and jeans. Combined with her neat brown bob and innocent beauty, she looked like a college student.
She was already beautiful.
But also… well-endowed(?).
Noticing my gaze, Soo-ah blushed and fidgeted with her water glass.
“…Wh-why are you staring…?”
“Oh, just curious. It’s the first time I’ve seen you in casual clothes.”
Han-na and Mi-jin chimed in.
“Me too.”
“Really? Me too! You look so pretty!”
“Ah… haha, you flatter me, sister Mi-jin…”
Embarrassed by Mi-jin’s blatant compliment, Soo-ah gulped down her water.
They seemed to be getting along well, despite having been rivals for Choi Do-han’s affection.
Well, Soo-ah and Mi-jin, at least.
“Why are you in casual clothes, though? You even wear your nun’s habit during training.”
Han-na’s gaze was filled with suspicion, perhaps even jealousy.
Her question sounded more like an accusation.
“We nuns wear casual clothes during personal outings.”
“Really? I thought you even slept in your habit.”
“I do. We have special sleepwear.”
“…Oh.”
I couldn’t help but imagine [Soo-ah sleeping in her nun’s habit], and a gasp escaped my lips.
It was an involuntary, primal male reaction.
Soo-ah looked at me, puzzled.
“Why are you so surprised, brother?”
“Oh, nothing. I just thought it must be uncomfortable.”
“It’s not difficult if it’s for the sake of becoming a Saint.”
“Dream big, Yoo Soo-ah.”
Han-na, seemingly displeased by the attention Soo-ah was receiving, chided her.
“…Thank you, sister. For your support.”
…Of course, it didn’t faze Soo-ah.
The “Saint” Soo-ah referred to was similar to the Saints in medieval fantasy.
When a healer reached a certain level of enlightenment, they could hear the voice of God. They were called “Saints” and were summoned by the Holy Order.
They became prophets, conveying God’s prophecies, or missionaries, spreading God’s word. It was the pinnacle of a healer’s career.
That’s why all healers aspired to become Saints.
Anyway, I started the briefing, distributing the dungeon information for the upcoming raid.
I couldn't waste time on small talk with these important people.
And just then, our drinks arrived.
Americano for Han-na, Mi-jin, and me.
And a fittingly saintly herbal tea for Soo-ah.
“Mmm, the barista sister has excellent skills.”
Soo-ah commented after smelling her herbal tea.
…It was just hot water with a tea bag.
Anyway,
“Alright, let’s start the briefing.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The target dungeon was E11-39.
It was a newly formed dungeon located outside the southern wall of Seoul.
As the letter indicated, it was E-rank.
And the dungeon theme was ‘Maze.’
As I mentioned before, Maze-type dungeons were filled with traps, making them quite challenging.
There were many variables.
Even seasoned Hunters avoided them, but it couldn’t be helped; E-rank unexplored dungeons were rare.
Well, with a skilled S-rank Hunter supervising us, there was nothing to worry about.
“Meet at the southern wall’s Gate 3 by 9:00 AM. Is that okay with everyone?”
“Yes!”
“Me too.”
“Sounds good.”
There wasn’t much to brief them on since it was an unexplored dungeon.
Just the rank, theme, necessary equipment and supplies, the dungeon’s location, and the transportation method.
Since the dungeon was located outside the wall, we agreed to meet at the gate and travel together.
The short briefing ended, and I sipped my coffee.
“Brother Tae-jin?”
Soo-ah called out to me.
“Yes?”
“May I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
Soo-ah tucked her hair behind her ear and asked. I assumed it was about the raid.
So, I readily agreed, but…
“What’s your ideal type?”
Her unexpected question surprised me.
“…Ideal type?”
Han-na and Mi-jin, who had been pretending not to listen, suddenly turned their heads.
Wait a minute…
This scene… it was from the original story!
There was a short everyday life episode where Choi Do-han and the three heroines met at a café and engaged in a subtle power struggle.
And at that time…
…Soo-ah had asked Do-han about his ideal type.
She made the first move.
The comments section was filled with [ㄷㄷ As they say,The early bird catches the worm].
[T/N: ㄷㄷ, It is typically used to express shock, awe, fear, or being impressed]
I remembered it clearly.
I had read it over twenty times, and I was surprised by Soo-ah’s unexpected boldness.
And now, the same scene was playing out again.
The café’s name wasn't mentioned in the original, so perhaps this was the same place.
‘…Could it be that they’re starting to see me as the protagonist?’
It was a far-fetched assumption, but…
Honestly, gaining the attention of the main heroines just by stopping the stalking and undergoing a transformation was already quite a leap.
Even if my improved appearance was incredibly appealing, and even if Choi Do-han was on a different path…
…the fact that they were approaching me as if their previous interest in Choi Do-han never existed was a significant change.
So…
…perhaps…
…I was now on the protagonist’s route.
The main heroines were essentially NPCs who supported the protagonist and moved the story forward.
If the protagonist changed from Choi Do-han to Han Tae-jin, they could change their allegiance as well.
If I became the protagonist, their sudden interest would make sense.
That would mean…
…Choi Do-han was no longer the protagonist.
Of course, it was too early to jump to conclusions.
This was just one instance of a scene from the original story repeating itself; it could be a coincidence.
Anyway, my ideal type…
“Someone with a good figure, pretty, diligent, and… someone who looks good with half-up elven hair, light makeup, and an innocent style?”
I answered honestly.