NOVEL NEXT Chapter 39
In a fancy neighborhood of Seoul,
Ye-eun-byeol, a wizard hunter student enrolled in the Academy’s Monster Studies Introductory course, was busy reviewing her major in her room.
Then, hearing her mother’s call for dinner, she headed to the living room.
“Hey, when did you get here?”
“Just now.”
At the table sat her father, as well as her brother, who was usually too busy to see.
Do-hyeong, the S-rank wizard hunter, was one of the few in Korea.
As Eun-byeol sat down, her father lifted his spoon.
The family began the meal together in a moderately cozy atmosphere.
During dinner, Eun-byeol suddenly voiced a thought that popped into her head.
“Hey, brother, did you know?”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“That goblins have intelligence? Did you know that?”
Eun-byeol recalled the content she learned today in the Liberal Arts lecture of ‘Monster Studies Introduction.’
With her sister’s question, Do-hyeong answered nonchalantly.
“Well, they’d have some level of intelligence since they are living beings.”
“No, not that simply! I mean, they learn and adapt and stuff!”
“Uh, I don’t know. I never really thought too deeply about it.”
“Right?”
With Do-hyeong’s seemingly indifferent reply, Eun-byeol lightly nodded.
Before attending the Monster Studies Introductory course, she used to think the same way.
“Why did you get curious about that?”
“I just heard it in a lecture at the Academy today!”
“A lecture? About what?”
“‘Monster Studies Introduction.’ There’s a part-time lecturer.”
“Oh, a part-time instructor.”
Do-hyeong nodded.
When he attended the Academy, he took the ‘Understanding and Exploration of Monsters’ course with a male professor.
Though his personality wasn’t great, he was a well-known wizard hunter, which was why Do-hyeong took that course.
It was probably still being offered now.
“Isn’t that different from the curriculum I recommended?”
“Do I have to do everything you say? I’ll do what I want.”
“Haha….”
Do-hyeong awkwardly laughed at his sister’s reaction.
But regardless, Eun-byeol continued to speak her mind.
“I heard goblins display similar patterns within their groups, so when I visited a dungeon, it seemed plausible. But being a D-rank, I’m not entirely sure.”
“Similar patterns within groups, huh…”
Thinking back, it did seem like that.
Do-hyeong rested his chin on his finger, taking a serious expression.
“Did you say a part-time instructor? What’s their rank?”
“D-rank, and their profession is a paladin.”
“Oh, I see. Not much for the knowledge they possess, huh?”
“I think so too. But more than that, can you check if it’s really true later?”
“Sure, that shouldn’t be hard.”
In dungeons, goblins clutter around.
Low ranks stay low, while higher ranks shine through.
“Thanks for the meal!”
Eun-byeol quickly finished her meal and returned to her room.
For a moment, Do-hyeong watched her retreating figure, lost in thought.
“Are you worried about something?”
“Oh, yes. I never heard anything like that before.”
Nodding to his father’s words, Do-hyeong planned to ask his secretary to investigate further.
What if the stories about goblins were true?
He’d also need to find out if there was more valuable information, whether they were interested in joining a guild, and so on.
Though being D-rank was a bit disappointing, knowledge itself was immensely valuable.
As a part-time instructor, one would definitely be tempted by the Dawn Guild’s offers.
Talents were always scarce, and this was a common situation for all guilds around the world, not just the Dawn Guild.
Meanwhile, back in Eun-byeol’s room…
“Ugh, he really doesn’t know, does he?”
Even her S-rank brother seemed clueless about the lecture today.
Of course, goblins were trivial monsters that could be dealt with easily.
‘What if there’s this kind of info about C-rank monsters as well?’
Eun-byeol licked her lips, having initially just casually picked out a Liberal Arts course but now her hopes were rising.
The quality of a class taught by a D-rank hunter professor seemed overly good.
Naturally, she printed the materials for the next lecture of Monster Studies Introduction in advance.
*
The day after helping the Wings Guild with their C-rank dungeon tour.
Today was a day off since the next tour was scheduled for tomorrow.
After finishing lunch with Si-yoon in the living room, she felt full and, with the nice weather, a yawn escaped her.
“Yawn….”
“Are you going out, sis?”
“Yeah, I’ll step out for a bit. Is it okay if I use the empty spot under the TV?”
“All my personal stuff is in my room, so go for it!”
She had been itching to do something lately.
Finally, the time had come.
“I’ll decorate it as soon as I get back.”
“What are you going to buy?”
“Momobin merch! I’m going for a second-hand deal.”
“Uh, um….”
At her answer, Si-yoon scratched her cheek awkwardly.
Hmm, did that sound too otaku-ish? Well…
“…All the Momobin items were sold out on the merch-selling platform.”
“R-really?”
“Honestly, I’d love a mug, but there aren’t any used ones. So, I’ll settle for stickers and keychains!”
“Oh, I get it! Right!”
Si-yoon clapped her hands in response.
“Need anything? I can pick it up while I’m out.”
“Um…?”
Si-yoon rolled her eyes thoughtfully.
What’s with that expression? Kind of cute.
“…I’m good, just go!”
“Okay, I’ll be back.”
After saying goodbye to Si-yoon, Eun-byeol stepped outside.
The meetup spot was in Daehangno, right next to the Academy!
She easily took the subway, as it was a familiar route.
This subway is okay for places she’s been to once, but every time she goes somewhere new, it gets confusing!
Not many people boarded, so she settled in a corner seat comfortably.
Pulling her smartphone and earbuds from her pocket, she launched the TrTube app.
The recommended videos were packed with VTubers and hunters.
The algorithm seems firmly set in this direction. Well, who cares?
While browsing through the recommended videos, she noticed one titled ‘Summoner’ and clicked on it.
Summoners were an extremely rare profession even in another world.
She was curious about what hunters on Earth would be like.
Spirits? Golems? Or perhaps monsters?
Don’t tell me it’s a necromancer?
…Ah, that slipped into my mind naturally.
She rubbed her forehead, frowning.
She recalled a necromancer woman who frequented the hero party.
Why do the girls around heroes all seem to be like that?
What on earth is so great about that hero? Every time he sees me, he picks a fight and annoys me!
How come I don’t have a single good memory left?
Oh, except for the porter. Her inaction likely helped her avoid the collateral damage of the battle between whales and shrimps.
Though the system of this world is different from Earth, you could compare her to a C~B-rank hunter level.
Anyway, rumors about the necromancer stopped one day, but honestly, I’m not curious about her whereabouts.
Instead of pondering about her, I should watch something fun.
Shaking off those thoughts, she refocused on her smartphone screen.
The summoner in the video used a skill.
Then, the ground began to tremble, and a large earth golem emerged.
At the summoner’s gesture, the golem charged forward, engaging in battle with zombies.
This golem was so massive, it was twice the size of an adult male.
It slaughtered the zombies with ease.
If she were just a regular person, she might have cheered ‘Whoa!’ but….
‘…What is this?’
Clearly, it was summoning.
But this level was too low.
It must be due to the hunter’s low rank filming the video….
To be honest, if asked to do the same with earth magic right now, she could manage it.
…Ah, wait, isn’t that a good idea?
Da-young said she’d send the filming equipment soon.
On top of that, how about creating a goblin to show off in front of the students?
Originally, she thought of just showing the video about battle techniques, but maybe investing a little time could pay off?
Although it feels like she’s diving too deep into consciousness, it’s not like it’s difficult for her.
She could always brush it off as a magical tool.
Since monsters can be seen only when entering a dungeon or during a monster overflow break event,
they’ll be fantastic educational materials for the students!
Turning off TrTube, she stashed her phone back in her pocket.
As the train neared her destination, she organized her new thoughts.
After arriving at the Academy Daehangno,
she met the contact she arranged through her anonymous number for the transaction.
“O-other VTubers too! Is there anything else you need?!”
“…Nope, just this is fine.”
The deal with the overly persistent man went without a hitch.
Aside from Momobin, she didn’t see the need to get other goods, so she split neatly.
Hehe, finally got some Momobin merch!
When she gets home, she’ll clean them up and store them nicely.
While cheerfully strolling along,
she happened to spot a large bookstore in her line of sight.
No need to hurry home, so she entered the shop with a light heart.
Breathing in this scent makes you feel intellectual, right? Hehe….
She heard there’s a library at the Academy; she should check it out next time.
Looking around the bookstore, she navigated through sections until she found her hobby area.
Novels, novels… Aha, found it!
The bookstore’s size was quite large, so the range of books was ample.
Walking toward the shelf of genre novels,
she spotted various types, from fantasy to romance, martial arts, light novels, and more.
“O….”
She found a novel she had seen before.
It was published? It’s one she enjoyed reading quite a bit; it seems it’s popular!
Reaching out to appreciate the cover of the book,
at that moment,
“…Hmm?”
“Uh, uh oh?”
Someone was also reaching for the same book.
As their fingers bumped into each other and turned to look,
“Pr-professor?!”
“…Ah-reum student?”
A support-type hunter student who attended her lecture shouted in surprise.
Startled, she stepped back and adjusted her glasses.
“W-what are you doing here…?”
Ah-reum blinked rapidly.
Her lips and chin trembled slightly, and her complexion turned pale.
She felt an odd sense of guilt, as if she shouldn’t be here even though she had done nothing wrong…
No, that can’t be.
“I’m just interested in genre novels.”
“Wow….”
Ah-reum covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes widened in surprise.
“D-then did you read this novel too?”
Holding up the book where their hands had previously bumped,
it was a romance fantasy story.
The focus of the novel was on the protagonist’s growth and their changing social status, essentially a fantasy novel centered on a female lead.
“Of course, I enjoyed reading it. Have you?”
“Yes, yes! It’s a masterpiece! T-the moment when the protagonist gains recognition… I almost cried when I finished reading it!”
Ah-reum suddenly clasped her hands to her chest, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
What can she say? She looked adorable, like a puppy.
If she had a tail, she’d probably be wagging it.
“Then, uh, have you read this one as well?”
“I found that one fun too.”
“What about this one?!”
“Oh, I’ve never seen that before. What’s it about?”
Suddenly, the space turned into a novel recommendation spot.
But this student…
“Th-this is definitely a masterpiece! It genuinely changed my life!”
“Oh, really?”
Maybe their tastes align…?
It seemed she felt the same vibe as well.
Before long, a warm gaze filled with closeness met hers.
“…Student, what’s your number?”
“Thi-this is it!”
Naturally, they exchanged numbers.
She had a roster but hadn’t registered everyone individually.
“If you read it all, could you possibly share your thoughts…?”
“Hehe, sure. I’ll send you a message.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it!”
Out of nowhere, she gained a novel buddy.
Even though she exchanged numbers with a student,
her contact list, which had been a mere six entries, swelled to seven.
A historic moment indeed!
*
After enjoying a delightful time with Ah-reum,
she took the subway back home.
As it was the work hour for Si-yoon, the living room was empty.
“Huh?”
Something was placed on the desk in the living room.
Curious, she approached to see what it was.
“W-why is this here…?”
It was a mug. A Momobin merch mug!
What was it doing here? What’s going on?
As she turned the small box containing the cup around, a post-it was stuck to one side.
– After hearing you talk about it, I searched for something I bought a while back while watching their stream! Here’s a gift!
“Gasp….”
Surely, our little sister is the best in the world…
Tears of gratitude welled in her eyes unexpectedly, and she wiped them away with her hand.
…But wait, did she watch Momobin’s streams enough to buy merch?
She did seem to know a lot about VTubers, but…
Is Si-yoon secretly into watching Momobin’s streams too?