Ji-a’s recommended subject!
It’s none other than…
drum roll
Introduction to Monster Studies.
I’m definitely confident about this.
“How did you come up with that?”
“Do you remember when we went to the C-rank dungeon together last time?”
“Yeah, I remember.”
“They were exactly the same as the monsters from our original world, right? So I thought it’d be perfect for you.”
“Oh…”
Nodding, I took a sip of my coffee.
I’ve almost finished it already.
“As the dungeon rank goes up, there won’t be much information online. That’s why learning at the academy is important.”
“Oh, really? No wonder it’s hard to find things usually.”
“There are pure cases of information being unavailable and cases where someone monopolizes it. The reasons are varied.”
“I see…”
No wonder the few things I found felt like they came from the management bureau.
I finally understand.
“In that sense, Si-hyun, you need to pay close attention as well.”
“You mean not to carelessly share high-level information since it’s precious?”
“Correct!”
As Ji-a flashed a grin, I smiled back.
“Hehe, it shouldn’t be too hard.”
“…Really?”
“What’s with that sudden drop in trust?”
“I don’t know, it just seemed like that.”
What kind of expression was that?
I instinctively raised my hand to stroke my cheek.
I felt a smooth texture, but I still couldn’t quite figure out the expression.
“Hmmm, well, I’m sure you’ll be fine. By the way, do you have clothes to wear?”
“I need to get some new ones. I even looked a bit yesterday.”
“Really? How about going to check out some clothes with me? It’s better to see them in person.”
“Um…”
It’s not wrong, but I’m a bit hesitant.
“Come on, I won’t be a bother! Just like what I’m wearing now. What do you think?”
“Hmm…”
Ji-a’s outfit.
A neat office look.
It definitely looks good and pretty, but…
“…The top is fine, but I think pants might be better for the bottom.”
How about an H-line skirt? That seems a bit burdensome.
Isn’t it uncomfortable to walk in that?
“Well then, let’s go!”
Ji-a quickly slurped up her drink through the straw.
I finished my remaining coffee and got up from my seat.
We hopped into Ji-a’s car and headed straight to the shopping district.
Before long, I sighed deeply.
“…Everything was all part of your plan, wasn’t it?”
“I told you, you’ll wear it someday!”
“Is that so?”
“It’s not like the length difference is huge from what you’re wearing now, right?”
“…You’re trying to cleverly persuade me again.”
“Hehe.”
In the end, we bought an H-line formal skirt together.
I know it’s a stylish and pretty outfit.
But trying it on felt so awkward, as it hugged my legs…
Ah, whatever. After all, for now, I’ll be wearing pants.
Future me, you can do it!
“Do you have stockings?”
“…No.”
Shopping is definitely better through an app.
*
Asking Ji-a for advice was certainly a wise choice.
From meeting the president again to drafting the syllabus, I could get help in many areas.
Feeling like I was relying too much on her, I asked if I could repay her somehow.
“How about we go to a dungeon together later?”
“Is that enough?”
“I just want to feel a proper buff again.”
“Got it!”
The discussion wrapped up neatly.
By the way, everyone, including Han-gyeol, seems to really like my magic.
I saw it on the news, but are hunters here really that scarce?
Well, good things are good things.
Anyway, the academy’s curriculum was a one-year program divided into two semesters.
Each hunter progresses at different rates, choosing between beginner and intermediate courses each semester.
Most students graduate with D to C-rank.
So that means the students I’ll be meeting will be E-rank hunters.
The only thing left is to create materials for the textbooks.
Since I’m doing this anyway, I want to make sure it’s right for the students’ level.
Lessons tailored to the students’ perspective!
Hmm, hmm. Even I think that’s quite excellent.
Then, what I need to do is accurately gauge the level of actual E-rank hunters!
I need to move diligently for the future students.
I immediately started recruiting someone to join me for an E-rank dungeon.
Not long after, I was able to form a party with a man in front of the gate.
He’s the observation target number one.
*
Still before entering the gate.
The man, Kwon Jae-woo, stared blankly at the beauty in front of him.
Her unusual appearance caught his eye right away.
She was the woman he had encountered in front of the academy’s restroom.
“Hello.”
“Yes, hello.”
Even after greeting, Jae-woo continued to gaze at her.
However, it seemed the woman didn’t recognize him.
She merely tilted her head without any other gestures.
Well, considering how flustered he was back then, she probably didn’t see him properly.
Jae-woo concluded that on his own.
Recalling that moment might come off as pitiful.
He decided not to mention it and said, “Let’s get going.”
“Sure.”
After brief introductions, they entered the gate.
The air turned musty, and the scenery shifted.
Inside a dark cave.
Since it’s an E-rank dungeon, there’s a high chance of goblins appearing.
Jae-woo looked at Si-hyun and said, “I’ll light the area—”
poof!
His words were cut off before he could finish.
Suddenly, a glowing sphere created light in the air.
Jae-woo’s eyes widened as he stared at Si-hyun.
“It’s a Paladin skill.”
“Ah, I see.”
Although a bit surprised, Jae-woo nodded.
Even though it’s less stable, they came in as a duo to increase their earnings.
With the lighting issue sorted easily, the battle should be easier.
The two steadily advanced into the cave.
As Jae-woo, feeling tense, pushed forward, he suddenly felt something strange.
The light sphere seemed to illuminate the surroundings centered on him.
Moreover, he felt like Si-hyun kept looking at him.
“Do you have something to say?”
“…No?”
Then why is she staring at me? Is it my imagination?
Jae-woo felt doubt but couldn’t dwell on it.
He encountered monsters.
“Keruk?”
As expected, goblins appeared. There were two.
It’d be ideal to handle one each.
“The numbers are low. Let’s go!”
The battle began.
Although Jae-woo had recently awakened, he had been going in and out of E-rank dungeons daily since then.
He may not have handled goblins like a pro.
But he successfully dealt with them without any trouble.
He turned to Si-hyun, who was already gathering the byproducts and looking at him.
“You’re quick. Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
They ventured deeper into the cave.
And once again, they encountered monsters.
This time, there were four goblins.
“Let’s take them two by two. I’ll go!”
Jae-woo took the lead and confronted the goblins.
The attracted monsters charged at him.
Ultimately, three goblins lunged at Jae-woo.
“Hmm…!”
Jae-woo felt a slight tension, but that was about it.
His awakened trait was ‘Regeneration.’
As Si-hyun methodically cleaned up one goblin after another, he could hold out just fine.
In time, the wounds would heal.
This was why he came into the dungeon as a pair.
“Keruk!”
“Ugh!”
A goblin’s club hit Jae-woo’s waist.
He staggered momentarily but quickly regained his balance.
Maintaining a defensive stance, he endured the monsters’ attacks.
Though he still wasn’t used to pain.
He had grown significantly more adept compared to when he first awakened.
By keeping calm and enduring, Si-hyun ultimately finished off all the monsters.
“I heard your trait is regeneration?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Seeing Si-hyun gazing at him curiously, Jae-woo extended his arm.
The wounds slowly faded, albeit at a sluggish pace.
In truth, Jae-woo himself still found it odd.
“I’m tough, so just continue to reduce their numbers like you’ve been doing.”
“…Alright.”
The two diligently moved further into the dungeon.
Si-hyun observed Jae-woo again.
It felt quite fascinating.
Regenerative ability?
How could a non-monster, non-tribal person have such a power?
He was like a superhuman.
While mana is a common factor, the awakened ones in this world seem different from those back on Earth.
Most awakened people have talents related to specific tools or weapons.
But sometimes there are those with unique abilities like this.
So, the variety in the jobs and skills of the awakened makes sense.
Could it be that someday I might awaken to such a peculiar ability too?
Hehe…
“That’s nice…”
“What?”
“…It’s nothing.”
As Si-hyun murmured, Jae-woo turned to look.
But no further conversation followed.
“Nice?”
What’s so nice about it?
Jae-woo slightly furrowed his brow.
It’s too slow at E-rank to be considered great.
So, it must be in another context.
…Could it be?
No, that can’t be.
Considering the other person’s appearance, doubt almost crept in.
Jae-woo shook his head vigorously to clear away any stray thoughts.
But his challenges didn’t end there.
“…I’m excited.”
“…?”
Halfway through the dungeon, he heard the muttering again.
When Jae-woo looked over, she was simply tilting her head as if to say what’s wrong.
Her gestures were cute and all, but…
What could she possibly be excited about?
Jae-woo felt increasingly lost in a maze of confusion.
His thoughts kept drifting elsewhere.
Eventually, after finishing the dungeon and stepping outside.
Upon settling accounts, Jae-woo spoke to Si-hyun.
“Are you going to the academy this new semester?”
“Hmm, yes.”
“I’m entering this time too.”
“…Oh, I see.”
At Si-hyun’s response, Jae-woo’s lips subtly curled into a smile.
It seemed they were both new students.
Maybe they’d meet again.
Jae-woo calmed his racing heart as he parted ways with Si-hyun.
Meanwhile, for Si-hyun.
Having a suitable sample for observation felt incredibly satisfying.
An E-rank hunter showing clear signs of being a beginner.
Plus, considering the conversation upon parting, he was an academy newcomer.
She had been constantly contemplating how to make materials that would help her students.
In that state of excitement and anticipation, thanks to Jae-woo, she could roughly estimate the students’ levels.
It was an exceptionally fruitful time.
Si-hyun walked with quick steps and perched herself on a nearby long bench.
Feeling excited, she wet her lips with her tongue and held up her smartphone.
– Han-gyeol, do you have time tomorrow?
She sent a message to observation target number two.
The reply came back quickly.
The next day, in front of the D-rank gate.
“…Why is that person here with them?”
One was sufficient, yet a sidekick had come along.
As Si-hyun looked expressionlessly, Ji-han timidly approached.
