021. Would It Have Been Better to Just Get Caught?
Even if you find a treasure chest while wandering a dungeon, you shouldn't just open it recklessly. It might be a mimic disguised as one, eager to gobble up any adventurer who falls for it. Similarly, even if there's something you need, you shouldn't step into a professor's office that's eyeing your body like a predator. In the professor's domain—her office—she could devour you at any moment. Not literally, of course, but it sure feels like your energy is getting sucked dry. Anyway, the common point between mimics and professors is that you shouldn't open or enter them carelessly. What kind of nonsense is this? My mental strength is getting drained, so I don't even know anymore.
"It might be an illusion, but it felt more dangerous than falling into a trap room in the Great Labyrinth."
The Goddess truly acknowledges your hard work and recognizes the hero's efforts! (ᵔᴥᵔ)
Having barely escaped Professor Shin Arin's office—where she insisted I come see her anytime if I had questions or needs, no matter what—I placed a hand on my chest and took slow, deep breaths. She acts like she'll let you go but clings on stickily. And the worst part is her gentle words and kindness make it impossible to fight back. What a tricky demonic realm. I really thought I'd get dragged off to grad school if I lingered.
"Phew."
Still, I felt relieved knowing I'd get the dungeon pass soon enough. Clearing up to a C-rank dungeon would let me visit most of the spots I'd scouted beforehand. If I gathered various materials and got some support, improving my constitution would be much easier. It was just once, but I'd experienced it over ten years ago already. I couldn't use all sorts of magic, but for curse-breaking, there were two experts here. The hero who saved the world and the goddess. One was half-transcendent, the other blatantly so—a super deluxe lineup.
The Goddess shrugs her shoulders, flaunting her dignity! (￣▽￣)
Well, it was six of one and half a dozen of the other since we were in another world and couldn't use our full power. No, wait—I can cut down anything once I draw my sword, but our goddess can't even speak properly... Hmm.
The Goddess glares, asking if you're ignoring her right now! (≧▽≦)
No, just thinking... You've been talking less lately, Goddess. You said it's okay to chat sometimes, so why not?
Was there some scheme? Maybe preparing a secret event without me knowing.
The Goddess flinches guiltily! (T_T)
Looks like I hit the nail on the head.
"I'll pretend I know nothing."
Surprise gifts are best when you least expect them. I'll stop thinking about it. Then our silly goddess will secretly prepare something amazing!
[......]
Maybe someday? (T_T)
The Goddess pouts tightly and glares at the hero! (¬_¬)
"How have you been living all this time? Just playing around? Doing what?"
"I've been living waiting for you."
"Shut up!"
—
"Am I your first husband or what?"
"The first, and the last."
—
And so, after living 1,000 years, one fine day on a nice day. The first person she loved.
"If I could meet you again, let's go see the distant sea when spring comes. I should have said it over and over..."
Again, the person she longed for.
—
Thud—the goblin collapses and closes her eyes. And the boy, now a young man, smiles as he walks beyond the frame and vanishes.
Imagining that scene, the goblin quietly smiles.
And so the 12-episode drama ends.
Sob...! What about our goblin? How can a drama end like this?! (T_T T_T)
No, by my standards, the original goblin from the other world was better. Here, the female goblin plays the tall uncle role, which feels oddly awkward. The original lines were better too...
The Goddess bulges her eyes, demanding you take it back! (≧皿≦)
How can you say such harsh things about our precious Yun Sol?! (T_T)
I didn't do anything. I didn't kill the female goblin, and I didn't say she acted poorly. I just said it felt awkward due to the disconnect from my original world...
The Goddess glares! (¬_¬;;)
...Did I really mess up that badly to warrant unleashing her stored divine power? Nah. Better keep my mouth shut. She must have been way more immersed than usual when we watch dramas together.
"Yeah, my bad."
Good thing you admitted it now—I'll let it slide this once! (^_^)
"Aigoo, thank you."
Appeasing the goddess is no easy task. There was an incident where our cute and beautiful goddess sulked for a while. I showed her a modern romance drama she'd like, and she loved it so much. 'Around episode 9, I said I was sleepy and got chewed out.' Why go to bed at the crucial moment? You wanna get spoiled? I was getting drowsy and mentioned heading to bed, and she parroted it back word-for-word. Then after it ended, she nagged me just for thinking about it. At this point, it's not even an annual event—it's weekly.
'Maybe I shouldn't bother making up for it.' By the way, these thoughts are sneaky ones the goddess can't hear.
'Abolish the goddess's mind-reading and surveillance! Abolish it!'
The Goddess sobs while mourning Goblin Yun Sol's final moments. (T_T)
She deeply empathizes with her. (T_T)
Well, the goddess spent centuries alone, so she's lonely too. That's probably why she chats with me more and spends time together. But still, chirp-chirp—
'Now I have to go to school again, but staying up all night watching dramas isn't right.'
Another tough day begins.
Let's do our best today too! (✧ω✧)
About five years ago, I'd freed myself from needs like sleep or meals, so I wasn't tired. It was just a preference, like eating chicken or ramen and chugging cola for the fun of it. Old habits from my human days lingered. No condition issues, but the goddess was all smiles after bingeing the drama without sleep while I barely rested. It made me want to tease her—a naughty urge.
Sigh, she's preparing a separate surprise gift, so I'll hold back.
"Greetings. I am Aris Severus, in charge of this year's anti-magic class for the Combat Department freshmen. Nice to meet you."
Oh, right—a new professor today. Classes started three weeks ago, but she wasn't skipping lectures. She was rotating in for Professor Shin Arin's 'Combat Theory and Practice.'
'Makes sense—too much time on her hands.' Even in this peaceful era where dungeon monsters rarely burst out, having an S-rank hunter always at school was tough.
No wonder she was clingy in her office. 'Busy for a while, huh.' The rotation seemed every two to three weeks, unclear cycle. If Professor Shin Arin handled anti-monster combat, today's Professor Aris Severus was on anti-magic lectures.
Tap, tap, clack—jet-black hair, red eyes. Unlike her expressionless face, her hands were nimble, drawing intricate yet swift magic circles on the board. Her emanating mana felt solid for a school professor—a high mage.
'Around baron or viscount level, I'd say.'
As I gauged her strength, Professor Aris completed a magic circle overlapping dozens of shapes and showed it to the cadets.
"I'll explain why you, who must slay monsters, need to prepare for magic."
At those words, the other cadets looked baffled. Just teach magic—how would she demonstrate? The answer was simple.
"Sink deeply into it, Magical Illusion Manipulation."
Clap clap—now, everyone, you're asleep. Off to the land of illusions together.
Whoosh—the magic circle on the board glowed, flaunting its power.
'All asleep?'
Professor Aris Severus scanned the students slumped face-down on their desks with a calm expression. The spell maximized effect the moment one 'saw' the circle. Elites or veteran hunters alike couldn't resist without prior knowledge.
'With all the vicious tactics these days.'
Hunters don't just fight monsters. Villains, mad black mages, or rare high-risk transcendent beings. Hunters had to learn to counter magic alongside monster-slaying. Her classes taught countermeasures through hands-on experience.
Assuming all had fallen, Aris swept her gaze to erase the circle—
"...Hm?"
Something odd caught her eye. Not dozing, but wide-awake eyes. The room's sole survivor, Shin Yuseong, raised his hand with a strangely regretful look.
"Uh, would it have been better to just get caught?"
At that nonchalant voice, Professor Aris's eyelid twitched.