NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: Class [3]
'A unique quest? What does that mean?'
"A-ah, well, thank you…?"
Hearing Kim Sae-jin's thanks, I hurriedly closed the system window in front of me and tried to focus back on the conversation.
"Oh, it's nothing! You know, I really admired how you totally wiped the floor with that jerk. It's so impressive!"
Seo Ah-jin said with a bright smile.
Seo Ah-jin presented herself as a strong ally to Sae-jin, but in reality, she was the first semi-antagonist in the novel. She abused her social status as the daughter of a major hunter company's CEO, trying to get close to Sae-jin in the story to manipulate him and climb the ranks within her father's corporation.
To me, she was insufferable—arrogant, hypocritical, selfish, and impulsive. The list could go on. She was basically designed to have no real friends. No surprise there—she was a spoiled brat.
Then, for some reason, she turned toward me with a sharp glare.
'Well, I guess we're on the same wavelength…'
As Seo Ah-jin explained to Kim Sae-jin everything we had missed on the first day and Ms. Kang started a lesson about the history of the towers' appearance, I took the chance to reopen the system.
I wanted to see more about the additional quest I had just received.
[You have received a unique Quest. Would you like to check it?]
"Yes," I whispered.
A new window popped up before my eyes.
[Unique Quest: Complete your three years at SERA to save the world from the Outer Gods.
Rewards: ???
Deadline: None.
Failure: Death of Player Kim Sugil and the total annihilation of the world.]
"...Huh…?"
Kim Sae-jin and Seo Ah-jin looked at me, puzzled. Thankfully, they couldn't see the system.
I quickly apologized with a nervous smile. Sae-jin returned the smile, while Seo Ah-jin simply ignored me.
I shifted my attention back to the window.
'What is this about? The novel isn't even finished yet—how am I supposed to save the world without knowing the ending?'
And these Outer Gods… They were mentioned once in the story? I couldn't remember…
In the recent chapters, the existence of the "Administrators," gods who managed each tower, was only just revealed. But there was never any mention of "Outer Gods."
Could they be entities above the Administrators?
Before I could think further, my name was suddenly called from across the room:
"Cadet Kim Sugil!"
I immediately closed the window and noticed everyone staring at me, including Ms. Kang. She was standing at the teacher's desk, hands firmly planted, her impatient gaze fixed on me.
"Who, me?"
I asked, pointing to myself.
"Yes, you. Come here and answer the question!"
Without another word, I stood and made my way to the front of the class. Every eye was on me.
I could hear a few whispers here and there. Wait—why so much disdain for me already? It was only the second day!
When I reached the board, I glanced at Ms. Kang. Her expression was blank, as if she expected absolutely nothing from me.
I sighed and looked at the question on the board.
'...'
'Oh, I'm cooked…'
Then I looked down at the second question.
'Oh, I'm so cooked.'
The questions were impossibly difficult. I instinctively covered my mouth in shock.
'Think, Sugil! You've got seconds at most before Ms. Kang realizes you're a total fraud wearing oversized nerd glasses. These questions were probably mentioned in the novel—you just need to remember!'
The more I tried to think, the further I drifted from the answers. I was spiraling until, miraculously, a golden system window appeared before me:
[Equipment: Limitless Glasses
Rank: C
Rarity: 3 Stars
Description: Assists the user in any academic field, enhancing critical thinking and analytical abilities.
Bonus: Automatically provides answers to written questions.
Mana Cost: 0]
'Oh my god, I'm saved! These glasses weren't just for making me look lame after all! I'm so glad I put them on!'
I grinned, overwhelmed with joy, as I read the description.
Looking back at the board, I activated the glasses' ability without hesitation.
[Do you want to use the equipment's ability 'Limitless Goggles'?]
[Attention! The equipment's ability remains active only while worn.]
[Y/N]
I pressed "Yes," and when I looked back at the board, the answers were automatically filled in!
'Amazing! No more headaches!'
I picked up the marker and copied the answers onto the board.
"There!"
I said, setting the marker down and turning toward Ms. Kang. I saw her face utterly distorted, her mouth hanging wide open.
'Ah… For some reason, this feels strangely familiar…'
[Quest: Reach Level 5 during the entrance exam
Rewards: New card abilities of 1 or 2 stars, gain points in STR and END.
Failure to complete the quest within the time limit will result in penalties for the next 10 days. Quest difficulty: RANK F.]