NOVEL NEXT Chapter 62
Chapter 62. Museum (2)
Seoul Monster Museum.
This is the name of the museum that was first planned for establishment about three years ago and is currently finishing construction and preparing for its opening.
Since the selection of the museum’s land, IUPC has been protesting daily, demanding its closure.
As a group advocating for coexistence with monsters, publicly displaying their corpses is considered a horrific act.
However, despite such opposition, the museum was less than three months away from its opening.
“They’re here.”
Yoo Ji-han and Kim Si-hu, who were waiting in front of Mongdang’s warehouse, spotted a truck approaching nearby.
A truck slightly larger than the one owned by Mongdang.
It was sent by the museum to safely transport the Queen Goemi.
“We’re from the Seoul Monster Museum!”
Yoo Ji-han helped load the corpse of the Queen Goemi onto the truck with Kim Si-hu.
The truck driver couldn’t take his eyes off the Queen Goemi, which he was seeing for the first time.
“Wow! Did you catch this yourself?”
“Not by myself, though.”
“If I had met it when it was alive, I probably would have fainted.”
The regal figure of the queen radiated a presence that was even intimidating.
Though its wings and legs were all severed, its size was incomparable to that of an ordinary Goemi.
When Yoo Ji-han relayed the story of how he fought while hanging onto it, the truck driver was left in awe.
The idea of hanging on while it was flying was utterly unimaginable.
“Please take good care of the item.”
“Well, I’m just moving it around. It shouldn’t be difficult.”
They secured the Queen Goemi in the truck as tightly as possible to prevent any shaking.
Jang Sa-im spoke to Yoo Ji-han.
“I’ll keep a lookout here. You all head to the museum first. The museum director is waiting for you there.”
“Understood.”
“Thank you always.”
“I have to do my part for what I’m receiving.”
Jang Sa-im was set to introduce the museum to Sweet Fun while taking a commission from the delivery cost of the Queen Goemi.
He bore a significant sense of responsibility for the task at hand, knowing it wasn’t a free job.
*
The museum, upon accepting the delivery of the Queen Goemi, requested Yoo Ji-han’s party to stop by the museum.
They were arranging the exhibits to capture the essence of the monsters while they were alive and wanted feedback from active heroes.
Having accepted that invitation, Yoo Ji-han and Kim Si-hu took a taxi and arrived at the Seoul Monster Museum.
“Hyung, why did you bring the sword?”
“I’ve got many reasons to use it lately.”
Yoo Ji-han was dressed in casual clothes, just like when he visited the Hero Department previously, equipped with his sword.
After experiencing several incidents recently, he felt a bit uneasy without a proper weapon.
The taxi stopped near the museum that was set to open.
“This place is still protesting.”
Yoo Ji-han looked at the crowd gathered.
Members of IUPC had been continuously protesting with large signs in front of the building since the land selection.
The volume of the megaphone was so loud it could be heard from a distance.
“Such a nuisance. Seriously.”
The sound of the protest pierced through the walls of the building.
Cafés with music playing and other stores nearby were also likely affected.
The illegal protest they were conducting had harmed the nearby businesses significantly.
Yoo Ji-han shook his head in disapproval and moved to the back entrance of the museum.
Knowing this situation would occur, the museum director had requested them to enter through the back rather than the front.
“Welcome!”
“Nice to meet you.”
The museum director of the Seoul Monster Museum, Kim Hong-geun.
In his early 70s, he had a well-maintained physique and thick hair, fitting the term “gentleman.”
Dressed in a gray suit, he greeted the two members of Yoo Ji-han’s party with a polite handshake.
“Thank you so much for delivering the Queen Goemi to the museum.”
“We appreciate the generous payment you provided.”
Ultimately, the Queen Goemi was just one type of Goemi, symbolically significant but not particularly useful or valuable.
However, Seoul Monster Museum offered a whopping 50 million won for that single specimen.
For Yoo Ji-han, it was a price worth celebrating.
“If I sell the Fire Goemi too, it’ll be around 90,000,000 won.”
It was an exceptionally high profit for a Rank 4 Monster Area selected not for the money but for experience.
Yoo Ji-han pointed towards the front entrance and said, “IUPC is still noisy.”
“Last time, they broke the museum’s front door. Those bad folks.”
Not long ago, the museum had to replace its front door with a magically coated reinforced glass door that would be hard to break.
That was because IUPC had thrown stones and shattered the original glass door.
Thus, Kim Hong-geun held rather unfavorable feelings towards them.
The police had been called, but IUPC was not the kind to respond well to the law.
“Shall we go inside?”
“The item will arrive shortly, so let’s check it before entering.”
They chatted near the back entrance of the museum as they awaited the arrival of the Queen Goemi.
Most of their conversation revolved around blaming IUPC.
Yoo Ji-han and Kim Si-hu sympathized greatly when Kim Hong-geun vented his frustration about them.
“Here it comes.”
About 15 minutes later, the Queen Goemi arrived near the back entrance.
Seeing this, the IUPC members moved from the front to the back.
However, the manpower that Kim Hong-geun had prepared in advance halted them as the truck approached.
“We finally got it! If anyone lays a finger on that, we won’t let it slide this time.”
“We’ll help too.”
As the truck carrying the Queen Goemi entered the basement, Kim Hong-geun guided Yoo Ji-han’s party to the museum’s underground.
Large monsters were brought into the museum via the basement.
“Ohh…!”
Finally face to face with the Queen Goemi, Kim Hong-geun’s eyes lit up.
Its wings were slightly torn, and all its legs had been severed, but its shape still remained intact.
As he examined the wounded areas where heroes had attacked, he spoke with joy.
“The wounds don’t seem too severe, so I think recovery is possible… The condition is better than I expected! This is truly a valuable specimen for preservation.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes! We have monster taxidermists at the museum, so we can start the work right away.”
The taxidermy work involves gutting the insides and stuffing it with cotton or similar material.
Once all the work is done and dried, a monster taxidermy will be completed that will not change over time.
“I think we should increase the payment.”
“If you insist, I won’t refuse.”
“Haha! I’ll make sure it’s nothing to be upset about.”
The three of them exchanged bright smiles.
It was a satisfactory deal for both seller and buyer.
“Now that the item verification is done, let’s head in.”
Following Kim Hong-geun’s lead, Yoo Ji-han and Kim Si-hu ascended to the 2nd floor of the museum.
On the way up, they could see various monsters on display inside.
Giant Monster and Giant Dandelion were among them.
As Kim Si-hu looked around, he remarked, “There are mostly Rank 5 monsters here.”
“Monsters of Rank 3 and above often still have traces of poisons or magical energy in their remains. We exclude those that could harm the surroundings just by existing.”
Monsters of Rank 3 and above typically possess special abilities.
Just as the Fire Goemi spews miasma, those that carry poisons or magical elements are far too dangerous to exhibit in the museum.
“This is where the Goemi will be displayed.”
A spacious exhibit floor decorated with coarse sand and wooden models.
The ceiling was softly illuminated by several halogen lamps, creating a space for the display of the Goemi taxidermy.
“On that stone tablet, the names of the guild and party that provided the monster will be inscribed.”
“How interesting.”
The name of Yoo Ji-han’s party, who delivered the Queen Goemi, was set to be permanently engraved on the tablet.
“Since I first planned the Monster Museum… I wanted to instill awareness among citizens and make them appreciate the hard work of heroes.”
“I hope that intention is conveyed well.”
“With people like you, it surely will be possible.”
Kim Hong-geun moved to another empty exhibit space, similar to the Goemi display.
“This will be for the Giant Cat Monster.”
“I believe there are still plenty of them in stock right now.”
“Um, about that…”
There are relatively many Giant Cat Monsters in decent condition available in the market.
However, the reason for not preparing the exhibit yet was…
“Most Giant Cats have similar spots. We have one in taxidermy already, and we’re currently searching for a pristine, plain Giant Cat.”
Displaying only similar-shaped Giant Cats would spoil the aesthetic of the exhibit.
So, the museum was seeking specimens with plain patterns.
However, it seemed such creatures were not easily found.
“Should you happen to discover a plain Giant Cat later, please do contact us.”
“Well… I do happen to know someone really good with Giant Cats.”
“Really?”
“Just a moment.”
Yoo Ji-han raised his mobile phone.
Fortunately, among his contacts was a hero who could be termed an expert on Giant Cats.
*
At a famous café in Seoul.
Min Yu-ri of the Snowflake Guild was having a conversation with someone there.
“The item you ordered has arrived.”
A café staff member approached her table with a large tray filled with desserts.
Carrot cake, parfait topped with whipped cream, tiramisu, chocolate crepes, sorbet, and more…
Over ten desserts were placed on the table, which was occupied by only two people.
As the table filled to the brim with desserts, Min Yu-ri looked a bit flustered and said,
“I can’t eat all this.”
“I ordered this out of courtesy since I called you here.”
The man before her, smiling gently, was Min Ju-yong, son of the Nice Guild leader, and someone she had previously met at the Rank 4 Exchange Meeting.
‘This feels burdensome…’
Min Yu-ri could only gaze at the colorful desserts while sipping on green tea from a disposable cup.
She came to the café because Min Ju-yong insisted he had something important he wanted to say.
Now she wondered if it was a mistake to come out.
“So, what is it you wanted to say?”
“I’d like to acquire the Snowflake Guild.”
“…”
This was the same line she had heard from the Nice Guild before.
They wanted to recruit her by any means necessary.
Letting out a sigh, she placed her cup down on the table and said,
“I really appreciate the offer, but I’m not interested.”
“Don’t refuse so easily. Please think seriously about it. This is a rare and excellent opportunity.”
Min Ju-yong wore a very serious expression.
“Nice needs a high-caliber talent like you. Don’t miss out on this express train heading towards a large guild. We will ensure you don’t feel shortchanged.”
“No…”
Even as Min Yu-ri tried to politely decline, Min Ju-yong was determined not to give up.
Because of that, Min Yu-ri gradually felt more fatigued.
But she couldn’t take too strong a stance against him.
If her relationship with other guilds soured, it would cause many inconveniences in the future.
Especially for someone operating as a one-person guild.
Beeeeep—
At that moment, Min Yu-ri’s mobile phone rang.
Seizing the opportunity, she said, “I’ll take this call.”
“Sure.”
While Min Ju-yong indulged in the desserts, Min Yu-ri answered the phone.
“Hello?”
—It’s me.
“Ji-han!”
Perhaps due to the hassle from Min Ju-yong, she felt unusually glad to receive Yoo Ji-han’s call.
“What brings you here?”
—I’m currently at the Seoul Monster Museum, preparing for the opening…
“Oh, really? I’ve only heard about it.”
Min Yu-ri continued the call while mixing in a small smile that she hadn’t shown to Min Ju-yong.
‘…Could it be that guy from before?’
As she devoured her cake, Min Ju-yong wore a quite sour expression.