Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Really, Really Important Matter
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"Seong-hoon."
"What."
"Seong-hoon."
"Why."
"Seong-hoooon~~"
I pressed down on the damn blonde head that kept calling me from the side, all annoying-like. My gaze never left the page.
Ignore the type who keeps whining that they're bored. If you're bored, go watch TV or something. Why the hell are you bugging me?
"I'm sick of it. Everything's boring. Let's play a game. A fighting game. Come on~? What the hell have we been doing all weekend!!"
"You always win anyway, so why bother. I'm busy. Go play with Lachesis."
Raphael let out a sigh, clearly unhappy with my response, and flopped face-down on the desk.
You're in my way. Move.
I tried to shove the damn golden hair aside, but she was too strong.
"Hey. Move."
"Studying. Stop."
"Doesn't matter how firm I say it."
"Stop!!"
"Where'd you even learn that from!! Move!!"
I pushed her head, but she held firm with a wail like "Uwaaang!!" What the hell do you want? I need to study!!
"Why the sudden studying!! You probably didn't study back in your old world either!"
"How rude. You should study too, you know? Consider this a warning from me."
"Hold on. Saying it like that makes me a little anxious."
Raphael sat up with an uneasy look, but getting anxious now wouldn't change anything.
The message I'd gotten yesterday was a bit shocking. Because of that recent incident, a lot of operations were still paralyzed, so this midterm would be all written exam.
A test that used to be 30% written and 70% practical had turned into 100% written.
What did that mean? It meant I was screwed.
With 70% practical, I could've cheated my way through or relied on my maid to pass, but 100% written?
No studying, and I'm done for. Absolutely done.
I'd wondered if, like in other novels, there might be some cheat for me here too? A chance to ace a written test with 100%?
So I opened [Menu], but all that was there was...
[Status] [Skills] [Inventory]
Nothing anywhere that could help me cheat. Just in case, I opened [God's Note] for the first time in ages, but what greeted me was─
Your guide is the one bothering me right now.
And that's why I'm studying. I have to pass this exam no matter what. The reason? Simple.
It's Justitia tradition. Midterms or finals, anyone who fails gets "helped" to pass the next one.
That "help" in one word? Hell training.
Think of it as separating bone from flesh. That's why I'm doing this.
I'd underestimated it. Because I'm the author. Because all the settings are in my head. That complacent thought bit me hard when I opened the book.
Too much I didn't know.
Problems I had no idea where they came from, all sorts of settings and monster habits I'd never even thought of.
The rough ideas I'd skimmed over had been fleshed out to torment me.
"Damn god."
"Seong-hoon. Look at my eyes."
Raphael shook my body. Then she shoved her face right up close. Why are you doing this? I told you I'm busy?
"Look at my eyes and say it!! What happens if you don't study!!"
That's what this is about. I furrowed my brow.
"You can't tell anything from watching me study?"
Gasp!!
Raphael made a weird noise and went to the kitchen, huffing as she dragged a chair over and plopped it next to me.
Sitting with her hands on the front of the chair, leaning forward. Staring at me blankly in that pose.
"What are you doing?"
"Studying."
"Not bothering me?"
"Studying. Watching you study means I'm studying too!!"
Hmm. I was about to call Lachesis to drag her away, but she was sleeping, so I left Raphael be.
She'll get bored and leave eventually.
After a bit, her staring became familiar, and I could focus.
I knew some of it, so studying the familiar parts was easy. Well, "some" was an understatement—there was a ton I didn't know, so I focused on memorizing.
Poke.
Something touched my shoulder.
"Knew it."
I looked at the blonde drooling on my shoulder. If you're gonna do this, why bother? Checked the clock—five minutes since I got focused.
Angel who falls asleep five minutes into study time.
I felt a mix of emotions and flicked her forehead.
"Ow!! What was that?!"
"Bed if you're gonna sleep."
"Shouldn't a gentleman carry me to bed once I nod off?!"
"You think I'm a gentleman?"
"Ah!" Raphael clutched her head, realizing something, and waddled off to bed.
Saying sweet dreams or whatever, but only you get that treatment.
With the nuisance gone, I could study in peace.
Of course.
The angel who napped during the day and woke at night didn't sleep until dawn.
"Go to sleep already!!!"
"Huh? Wanna play games, Seong-hoon?"
No!!
Suddenly, the thought hit me.
How much had I messed with Kim Tae-hyun?
Let's think.
First, kept him from meeting Isia.
Messed up his magical growth.
Next, kept him from meeting Sophia.
Messed up his mental growth.
After that? A few more came to mind.
I'd twisted the original story.
A minor ghost incident got warped, advancing the ranking matches. I saved Isia, whom Kim Tae-hyun was supposed to save, so the Association President razed "Half-Demon."
Major events that should've come didn't.
And the midterms? What happened there?
Demons were supposed to attack, he'd duel Shin Chae-yeon and bond after winning.
But now it's 100% written.
Oof. Did I mess him up good?
I nodded. Ignored Raphael muttering "Here we go again" beside me.
Anyway, why think this now?
Because now comes the really, really important interference.
What is it?
"We're starting the dungeon experience now. Since only selected personnel are here, no worries, but still, safety instructions─"
It's where Kim Tae-hyun gets his story's key weapon.
Clap.
In a wide-open forest clearing before a cave, I clapped alone to the instructor's words. Raphael eyed me like "What's with him?" but ignored.
My job here is simple.
Enter before Kim Tae-hyun and snag the weapon. Dungeon experience is in a cleared dungeon. Meaning, only the core remains.
Boss is dead, respawning monsters are low-grade, easy to handle.
How to get a weapon there? Dungeons are unpredictable. Anything can happen.
Hidden stages, extra bosses, terrain or rank changes in real-time.
Nothing's off the table. This dungeon has a hidden floor.
A hidden stage. That's where I'll go.
Of course, my life is guaranteed. Why?
I've got the [Reverse Summon Artifact] I took from Park Shin-woo.
Grab the weapon and bail fast with the artifact. Genius plan, me.
"Seong-hoon."
"What."
"That guy's talking too much."
Where Raphael pointed, the instructor was still droning on about precautions.
Teacher, but call him instructor during training, or something.
Who came up with that teacher-instructor setup?
"People talk more when anxious. If someone gets hurt here, it's on him, so he's chatty."
"Aha!"
Raphael nodded like she'd grasped life's truth. I nodded too, then shot my hand up the second the instructor finished.
He looked at me like "Questions?" so I shouted as loud as I could. As loud as possible.
"Us!! Our group wants to go first!!!!!"
Definitely!!
"Embarrassing."
"Shut up."
What do you know. Had to do it. Luckily, permission granted. But entry after all groups assigned, so waiting now.
Sitting on a nearby tree.
Just sitting, watching swaying branches, when intense stares hit me. Not just stares.
Like glaring─
"What're you doing?"
Looked around and locked eyes with Isia. She was the culprit.
"Glared at you."
Bold, huh. Still sulking?
"Why. Still mad?"
"M-mad? I'm angry!!"
Why angry? Sure, if she knew about the secret bet on her, she'd be pissed.
But worth this much rage? Thought hard, but no clue.
Raphael whispered "Your usual behavior," ignored.
"Whatever. The betrayal hurts. No maid duty today. Can't do it. Strike. Strike~"
Isia made an X with her hands, glaring.
Just today? Back to it tomorrow? Maid spirit strong.
"Take today off, no vacations till next year."
"Whatever. Anyway, message from Dad and Lucy."
What? About the treasure vault? I waited quietly for Isia.
"Vault opens after midterms. Get ready. Can only take 1-2 items, so be careful."
Oh. Nice. Wasn't expecting immediate anyway. Instant open would make it a warehouse, not a vault.
I grinned and nodded. Mood lifted suddenly.
"Isia."
"What!"
Sharp. I stood and walked toward her. She flinched at first, then stayed put.
Close enough, I reached out without hesitation. Seeing the hand coming, she looked shocked, then closed her eyes.
What're you doing?
"What're you doing?"
"...Huh?"
Isia cracked her eyes. They saw my hand.
Hand outstretched, demanding, bold as hell.
"Hand over the mask. Why close your eyes?"
"Ah."
Short sigh. Then Isia's face turned beet red, hand trembling as she reached into her bosom.
Out came the skull mask with a ta-da!
Why keep it there? I took it and tossed it straight into inventory.
"Don't do embarrassing shit."
Flinching at my hand? Kids back home didn't flinch at five.
Felt pitying as I turned. Got the mask; now tell remaining group member Shin Chae-yeon I'm leader.
She won't believe it—tough battle ahead.
Thinking that, headed her way.
Sitting on a rock. Blue hair, blue eyes. White headband holding it up.
But something off. It's Shin Chae-yeon. Yeah, but different vibe.
What? Felt weird, approached slowly. She noticed, turned.
Eyes meet.
Three seconds. Silence, then she moved first.
Shin Chae-yeon, head on her knee, looked my way and smiled.
Not just smiled—big grin. Then waved frantically.
About five seconds brain freeze. One possibility surfaced.
Would the emotionless girl I wrote...
Smile and wave like that at someone she barely talks to?
Answer: No.
So what's this? Simple.
She has a twin sister.
"Maste─ Ah. Wrong. You!!"
Driving me nuts. That's the real one.