Chapter 72

The students started gathering one by one in the Intro to Monster Studies classroom.

The students who had just entered stopped in their tracks when they saw something in front of the lectern.

A petit skeleton model.

Made cute and deformed at Ah-reum’s suggestion by Si-hyun, it sat there all adorable like something out of a cartoon movie.

However, the students’ reaction upon seeing the model was icy cold.

“Surely we’re not doing practice with THAT again today, right?”

“It looks cute but scary because of what it can do…”

“If you get hit by something like that, isn’t that basically a horror movie?”

Most general education classes are notoriously boring and sleep-inducing.

But Intro to Monster Studies delivered fresh shocks every single lecture.

That’s why the students weren’t about to fall for the model’s cute appearance, raising their guard significantly.

Si-hyun quietly observed the students’ reactions with a faint smile.

“How come everyone’s reaction is exactly the same…?”

The innocent expressions of the students were absolutely adorable. It was fun just watching them.

“Should I start soon?”

Si-hyun checked the time, straightened her posture after leaning on the lectern.

“Hello everyone.”

After two weeks, Si-hyun’s clear voice rang out again.

The students greeted her happily.

With a slight nod, Si-hyun apologized with a guilty expression.

“There was an unexpected class cancellation last week. Sorry for not giving advance notice, guys. There was an unavoidable situation.”

She glanced around at the students’ faces.

No particular reaction.

“I’ve prepared a small gift for all of you. I’ll hand them out while doing attendance.”

At this unexpected announcement, the students’ eyes widened.

While the abrupt cancellation did cause some complaints, professors usually don’t prepare gifts as apology – they simply schedule makeup classes.

What’s going on here?

She actually prepared gifts?!

“Kwon Jae-woo!”

“Y-yes!”

Si-hyun proceeded with attendance, personally handing out thin holders containing introduction letters.

The students replied energetically and respectfully received the holders.

Their eyes bulged as they realized what was inside.

“A C-rank crafting Hunter introduction letter?!”

“Woah, these are hard to get!”

“She even prepared these… She’s really considerate!”

The classroom atmosphere quickly became lively.

Si-hyun calmly observed the students’ reactions.

Seeing their excitement made her feel good too.

“Thanks to Section Chief…”

She grinned widely and clapped her hands together.

SMACK!

All attention turned to Si-hyun as the classroom quieted down.

“Now let’s begin the lecture.”

She announced calmly while operating the equipment.

And so, the lecture began.

“Today we’ll be covering Undead monsters found in low-tier Dungeons.”

The materials Shi-hyun prepared appeared on the screen.

Students took out the printed materials they’d prepared beforehand.

Not a single student had forgotten to print theirs.

“Before we dive into the content, let’s look at a news article first.”

The page flipped to show a recent incident.

“The sudden discovery of an A-rank Double Dungeon with an Undead theme caused quite a stir recently, and the buzz hasn’t died down yet.”

The students nodded.

Since it was such a major incident, it had been covered everywhere and nobody was unaware.

It was literally extraordinary and shocking.

As a result, the students’ curiosity was piqued.

“Why is Professor bringing this up?”

“Is she using this as an example for today’s lecture?”

Attention was drawn to the learning content and students started focusing on the lecture.

“You guys might encounter incidents like this someday when you become high-tier Hunters. It’s not something that happens to other people.”

Si-hyun made sure the students understood how this incident related to their own lives.

The students seemed to realize this, widening their eyes.

“Ah, that’s right! This isn’t something to just view as an accident.”

“If we live as Hunters, we might directly face something like this someday…”

The fact that this could be something they’d experience in the future!

Naturally, the practicality of today’s lecture became apparent, increasing the students’ motivation to learn.

“Good, everyone’s focused.”

Si-hyun carefully observed if the students’ psychology was changing as she intended.

Checking their expressions, she continued the lecture earnestly.

“Do you all remember what we learned about Goblins last time? You should be familiar with them by now. Let’s start with Goblin Undead as an example.”

Shi-hyun connected what they learned previously with today’s new content.

She also related it closely to the students’ experiences.

Characteristics of Undead monsters.

Famous Undead rankings and classification charts, etc.

The lecture progressed in a structure similar to previous ones.

Yet, not a single student was dozing off or distracted, despite this being right after lunch.

The naturally increased desire to learn kept the students highly focused.

“Then…”

When the basic explanations had gone on long enough…

Shi-hyun brought out a question to check if the students understood properly.

“Are Undead monsters also living organisms?”

“Huh?”

“Mmm…”

Everyone was thrown off. Nobody expected this question.

They narrowed their eyes and fell deep in thought, making their own guesses.

Shi-hyun smiled lightly and said:

“We discussed before whether monsters should be classified as living organisms, right?”

The students nodded.

“I want you to think about that as well.”

Shi-hyun checked the time.

It was almost the end of the fifth period.

“Let’s discuss this more after the break.”

Click-click.

Leaving the students with plenty of questions, Shi-hyun left the classroom, her flat shoes clicking further away.

For a moment, the students just stared at the front door.

Shortly after…

Murmurs erupted.

Everyone started heated discussions without being told to.

Break time naturally transformed into study time.

Without anyone ordering them, all students participated in the conversations as if it was natural.

This much Intro to Monster Studies had incredible drawing power.

“Monsters are generally classified as living organisms, right?”

“But maybe Undead are different?”

“Hmm, what was the exact meaning of Undead again?”

“Just a sec! Let me check!”

Undead. A word used so casually in everyday life.

Yet, no student could accurately define it.

Unknowingly, the students began critical thinking.

What exactly are Undead?

Carefully analyzing, synthesizing information, and evaluating.

The deeply engaged students didn’t even notice how much time had passed.

Click-click.

Before they knew it, break time was over and Shi-hyun returned.

Checking the time, she smiled gently and looked around at the students.

The students gazed at the professor with eyes full of passion.

“What’s the answer, ultimately?”

“What will Professor say?”

“Is my guess correct? I’m kinda excited.”

All students united in anticipation, looking at the professor.

Ears perked, waiting for the professor to speak.

Shi-hyun spoke softly:

“Have you all thought enough? Many questions arose, right?”

The students vigorously nodded.

“Before I reveal my answer, let’s hear your opinions, shall we?”

Shi-hyun encouraged active participation from the students.

Those confident in their guesses eagerly raised their hands.

“Since they’re neither alive nor dead, they should be classified separately, right?”

“It’s hard to see them as living organisms since they’re corpses, aren’t they?”

“Undead is just a characteristic, not a living organism?”

Various opinions poured out.

Shi-hyun nodded satisfactorily.

She felt proud seeing how hard the students had thought.

“The answer is…”

Shi-hyun slowly started.

“Finally, the mystery will be solved!”

The students concentrated fully, waiting for the answer.

Shi-hyun exaggeratedly shrugged and said:

“All of you are correct.”

“Wha?!”

The unexpected answer made the students gasp and murmur.

Calming them with a gesture, Shi-hyun continued explaining gently:

“Undead isn’t a singular concept. It’s just a broad category. Some are magical organisms, others are simply corpses or souls manipulated by mana. Ultimately, each monster must be viewed differently.”

It depended on perspective and classification system.

It wasn’t particularly profound.

Just basic knowledge.

Which was natural. This IS “Intro” to Monster Studies after all, targeted at E~D-rank students.

But the students gained proper knowledge because they had poured their entire focus into actively participating in the lecture.

“Now, let’s put this into practice, shall we?”

Shi-hyun stood in front of the petit skeleton model.

In that instant.

Tension rippled through the students.

“Surely we’re not doing THIS again today, right?”

“Again?! Again??”

“I-I mean, why make it so cute if you’re gonna use it like this…”

Shi-hyun looked at the students’ stiffening expressions.

She could clearly see what thoughts were running through their minds.

“Keheh…”

She unconsciously let out a giggle.

This is fun.

Actually, pretty darn fun.

Why am I enjoying myself so much while the students are suffering?

Shi-hyun smiled warmly and fully enjoyed the students’ adorable reactions.