primodialtranslation.site

Author: Renegade

  • The Regressed Extra Becomes a Genius Chapter 3

    When the tedious school event finally ended, the students who had been dozing off started to wake up one by one.

    “Yawn… Ah, that was a good nap.”

    “I thought I was going to die of boredom.”

    Indeed, the event had been boring. Listening to a teacher’s speech at this age felt tedious.

    “Ughhh!”

    I stretched, feeling stiff. I wanted to escape this suffocating auditorium right away, but I stayed seated because the preliminary class gathering was still pending.

    “Second-year Class A! Gather here!”

    A deep male voice rang out from somewhere.

    Second-year Class A—the name of the class I was assigned to. Turning toward the voice, I saw a muscular man built like a boulder standing there.

    “They’re calling for Class A.”

    “Let’s go!”

    Fifty students, including myself, gathered around the man. Among them were familiar faces: Lee Seo-jun, Shin Young-joon, Lee Hyun-joo, Yoo Ara, and other key figures of this world.

    The man surveyed us before speaking.

    “Nice to meet you all. I’m Jang Ancheol, your Class A teacher for this year.”

    A small cheer erupted among the students, which Jang Ancheol quickly subdued with a raised hand.

    “I was going to introduce myself, but does anyone here already know about me?”

    “Ironblood!”

    Some students eagerly shouted the answer.

    Ironblood Jang Ancheol—an A-ranked mage known throughout the country. He was a celebrity in the mage community.

    Jang Ancheol grinned, seemingly pleased.

    “As you probably know, my nickname is Ironblood. It comes from my specialty—hardening my body to be as strong as steel.”

    Some students’ eyes sparkled with fascination at his words, their reactions endearingly innocent and youthful.

    “I’ll keep it short. I have a simple announcement to make before we finish.”

    “An announcement?”

    “First, I assume you all know that regular classes begin next Monday.”

    The students nodded in agreement.

    “And on that Monday, we’ll also have the academy’s traditional all-grade ranking evaluation test.”

    “Ah…”

    A collective groan echoed through the group.

    The all-grade ranking evaluation test—a public examination where students from all three grades competed in front of the entire academy. It was an opportunity for skilled students to gain admiration and respect but a humiliating experience for those who performed poorly. In some ways, it was a cruel test.

    “The test will be held here in the auditorium at 10 a.m. Don’t be late.”

    “Yes, sir…”

    The students replied reluctantly, their spirits visibly dampened.

    Jang Ancheol chuckled and spoke with enthusiasm.

    “Alright! That’s all for today. Enjoy your weekend and see you here on Monday!”

    With the day’s schedule finally over, free time arrived.

    Wondering how to spend the remaining time, I felt a sudden hunger and decided to visit the campus convenience store.

    “Seo-jun, I look forward to this year!”

    “Your speech was so cool!”

    Turning toward the voices, I saw Lee Seo-jun surrounded by a crowd near the school park. A mix of admiration and envy radiated from the group of students vying for his attention.

    Standing to his right was Lee Hyun-joo, his childhood friend, looking visibly annoyed. Beside her, his best friend, Shin Young-joon, was chatting animatedly with someone.

    As I observed with mild curiosity, a rough voices reached my ears.

    “Lee Seo-jun, Lee Seo-jun—so noisy.”

    “Yeah, what’s so great about that guy? Ugh, so annoying.”

    “Damn it. Why do I have to be in the same class as him again?”

    Who were they?

    Looking over, I spotted a group of male students sitting on a bench, their faces full of discontent.

    “Just ignore it, Inhwan.”

    ‘Ah, it’s Park Inhwan’s gang.’

    Hearing the familiar name made me chuckle inwardly.

    Park Inhwan’s gang—they were notorious for bullying other students in their first year until Lee Seojun had utterly crushed them. Of course, I didn’t personally witness it, but the novel described it vividly.

    Later, they would play a significant role as villains, causing chaos.

    “Seo-jun, are you focusing on enhancement magic again this year?”

    “Of course. It’s my strongest suit.”

    “What about your secondary specialty?”

    “Manifestation magic.”

    “Knew it.”

    Eavesdropping on their conversation, it seemed they were discussing their primary specialties.

    Specialties…

    In this world, magic is categorized into four branches: Enhancement, Manifestation, Support, and Summoning.

    Enhancement focuses on strengthening the body or weapons for close combat. Manifestation is more traditional, creating and firing magical attacks—like summoning a spear of fire. The names of the other two branches are self-explanatory.

    In the first year, students learn all four branches, but from the second year onward, they select a primary and secondary specialty to focus on. It’s a more efficient way to master magic.

    Next week’s ranking evaluation test would reflect these choices. Unlike the first years, who were tested on all branches, second and third years would only be tested on their primary specialty.

    As for me, I specialized in Manifestation magic.

    No particular reason—it just seemed cooler when I read the original novel. Plus, it was a safe and balanced choice.

    “Hmm…”

    After watching them for a while, I turned and continued toward the convenience store.

    After a quick sandwich at the store, I returned to the dormitory.

    Beep!

    The dormitory door unlocked as I tapped my smart student ID.

    “…Phew.”

    Stepping inside, exhaustion hit me.

    I hadn’t done much today, yet I felt strangely drained. Probably because of all the absurd events I’d been through.

    “This dorm is as extravagant as ever.”

    A 15-unit studio—it felt unnecessarily spacious and luxurious for a dorm room. Some students might love the decor, but I found it more of a hassle to maintain.

    I sat on the edge of the bed and glanced at the mirror.

    “Definitely younger.”

    The seven-year age difference was apparent. My skin was firmer, and my frame slightly smaller.

    Even my arms and thighs seemed thinner. I might need to bulk up a bit.

    “…No wonder I don’t eat much.”

    Mages in this world weren’t confined to the stereotype of flinging magic orbs. Many, especially close-combat mages, required strong physical endurance. Basic fitness was essential.

    “Maybe I should go work out.”

    Checking the clock, I saw it was 7:58 p.m.—just enough time to digest my meal and fit in some exercise.

    As I stood to leave, a thought struck me.

    “…Oh?”

    I suddenly remembered an important event I had overlooked.

    Why had it slipped my mind until now?

    I turned back to the clock.

    7:59.

    As the time approached, I prepared myself for the moment.

    If everything played out like before, the event would start any second now.
    I held my breath, keeping my eyes fixed on the clock.

    Tick-tock. The second hand moved steadily.

    57… 58… 59…
    Click.
    8:00

    Ding!

    [The Main Scenario has begun.]
    [You have obtained the unique trait: “Outsider’s Blessing.”]

    “Knew it!”

    Messages appeared before my eyes, confirming my prediction. Right on cue, my trait awakened at 8 o’clock. I’d been a little worried it might not appear, but fortunately, it did.

    [The unique trait: “Outsider’s Blessing” has been activated.]
    [Achievement System has been activated.]
    [Fame System has been activated.]

    “Nice, everything’s working properly.”

    The Outsider’s Blessing—a perk granted exclusively to me as an outsider in this world—wasn’t immediately ground breaking but would prove immensely valuable over time.

    The blessing offered three main benefits.

    The first was the Achievement System, which rewarded special points for uncovering hidden achievements in this world, much like in a game.

    [Achievement Unlocked: “Second Life.”]
    [Reward: 3,000 points obtained.]

    Just like that.

    “Second Life, huh? They even have achievements like that.”

    The second was the Fame System, which granted points whenever my name or deeds left a lasting impression on others.

    [Character “Yoo Ara” has remembered your name.]
    [Reward: 500 points obtained.]

    “…Should I be happy about this?”

    The third benefit was the Point Shop, where I could exchange earned points for traits, skills, or items. The Achievement and Fame Systems existed to feed into this.

    [Entering the Point Shop.]
    [Current Points: 3,500.]

    [Previous life data detected…]
    [Synchronizing…]

    Ding!

    [Traits and points from your previous life have been inherited.]
    [Additional 3,200 points obtained.]
    [Current Points: 6,700.]

    “Huh? My traits carried over?”

    The unexpected notification surprised me, but it was a welcome development. Carrying over traits meant I could use everything I’d unlocked in my previous life for free.

    [Checking inherited traits…]

    ▶ Inherited Traits:

    Lifestyle Traits

    • [Master Chef (A)]
    • [Housework (D)]
    • [Memory Boost (A)]

    Adaptive Traits

    • [Mage Meditation (D)]
    • [Stamina Recovery (D)]

    Combat Traits

    • [Mana Control (B)]
    • [Basic Reinforcement Techniques (C)]

    “This is awesome!”

    Sure enough, my traits were intact. None of them were overpowered, but having access to them without spending points again was incredible.

    Wait a second—what about my base stats? Did those carry over too?

    I quickly checked my status window.

    [The unique trait: “Outsider’s Blessing” is active.]
    [Displaying attributes…]

    [Information]
    Name: Kim Sunwoo (Current Points: 6,700)

    [Attributes]

    • Health: 42
    • Strength: 34
    • Mana: 21
    • Speed: 30
    • Agility: 32
    • Dexterity: 28

    “What the—?”

    My base stats had completely reset. Even the mana I’d poured so many points into in my last life had reverted to a paltry number.

    “Ugh…”

    A bitter taste filled my mouth. Had I known this would happen, I’d have invested those points elsewhere.

    “My stats are pathetic…”

    Especially the Mana stat at 21. It was abysmally low. Granted, the backstory said I focused on reinforcement magic during my first year, but still…

    Even in a world where mana wasn’t the be-all-end-all, every mage needed a minimum base mana capacity to function. At this rate, I wasn’t even meeting the minimum.

    “This isn’t good.”

    A low mana stat meant my innate mana reservoir was tiny. To fix this, the most efficient option wasn’t traditional mana cultivation but the Point Shop.

    [Entering the Point Shop…]

    Still, unlike my previous life, I wouldn’t recklessly dump points into mana again.

  • The Rogue Chapter 4

    I grumbled to myself as I surveyed the scene. The forest was in complete chaos. Trees lay toppled in every direction, and frightened animals darted around in a panic. Still, it was fortunate that it had rained. If such an earthquake had struck during a dry weather, the friction from falling trees rubbing against each other might have sparked a wildfire.

    “Phew. Hopefully, nothing too serious happened. I need to regroup with the main force.”

    Muttering to myself, I stood up. Having been thrown into the mud created by the spring rain, my clothes were a mess, smeared with dirt.

    “In ten years of living around here, I’ve never experienced an earthquake before.”

    Dusting off my clothes, I quickly realized there wasn’t much point—it was too damp for that to make a difference. Resigning myself to the mess, I started making my way out of the forest at a brisk pace. Then, something unusual caught my eye.

    “Huh?”

    As I emerged from the woods, I noticed a previously unseen cave opening gaping in the mountainside at about mid-height.

    “….”

    An isolated cave like this would normally be an ideal habitat for animals, but there were no signs of creatures having lived there. This must mean it had been sealed until the earthquake revealed it. Sure enough, there were piles of collapsed rock scattered around the entrance.

    “Whoa?”

    I approached the cave to take a closer look and was taken aback. Though it appeared to be a natural cave from the outside, a brief inspection revealed an interior that had been precisely carved into a perfect square. In other words, it was clearly an artificial tunnel. Surely no one would believe nature had somehow crafted such a neatly squared-off cave.

    “An artificial tunnel? Was this always here?”

    Muttering under my breath, I peered deeper into the cave. The inside was utterly dark, with no source of light other than what filtered in through the entrance. Even so, I could make out stone blocks lining the floor.

    “Hmm. I should take a closer look.”

    I glanced around the area. Thanks to the earthquake, there were plenty of freshly broken branches scattered about. I selected a few sturdy pieces suitable for making torches. The branches, broken only moments ago, were full of resin, which made them perfect for this purpose. Resin-rich wood burns steadily and for a long time.

    “Perfect. Let’s light this up.”

    Talking to myself, I began my preparations. Now it was time to demonstrate the fire-making skills of a Velkysus Ranger. Digging through my belongings, I retrieved some matches wrapped in oiled paper. Striking one against the heel of my boot, I was surprised by how easily it ignited despite the high humidity.

    “Nice. That worked well.”

    I gathered dry twigs and leaves from the surrounding area—surprisingly easy to find, even in a forest that had been drizzled on all day—and used the match to light them. Once the flames were going strong, I held the torches over the fire to dry them out further, then lit one end. Despite being freshly cut, the resin made the wood burn brightly, creating an excellent torch.

    “Alright, let’s head in. But first, put out the fire.”

    After stomping out the flames with wet soil, I turned toward the cave. The earthquake-exposed entrance seemed almost to call me inside. A strange thrill surged through me.

    At 20 years old, I might be a little old to dream of becoming a legendary hero, but the heart of an adolescent still beats within me. The legendary figures—like Emperor Orthegar the Great and his Zodiac Knights, or the founding Grand Duke Belkisas of the Lionia Kingdom—had all made their names in their late teens. Yet here I was, harboring romantic notions of treasure-filled caves and ancient mysteries.

    “Hah.”

    Trying to calm my excited heart, I cautiously stepped inside. Could this tunnel be hiding something extraordinary? Perhaps a legendary sword or a beautiful maiden from an ancient civilization, waiting in enchanted slumber? Am I being too fanciful?

    Inside the cave, the only sounds were the faint whispers of the wind and the crackling of my torch. The tunnel extended straight ahead in a perfect 3-meter square, its walls unnaturally smooth and precise.

    “Hmm.”

    But this place didn’t seem safe. A tunnel like this wouldn’t have been built without reason—or without traps. I approached cautiously, realizing I’d entered through a breach created by the earthquake. Judging from my surroundings, this wasn’t the proper entrance but a ruptured section of the hallway.

    “So, which way leads deeper in, and which way is the exit?”

    Holding up my torch, I drew a wide circle with it, the flickering flames casting eerie shadows around me. With my free hand resting on my sword hilt, I called out cautiously.

    “Hello? Is anyone there?”

    Only my voice echoed back, repeating endlessly. There were no signs of creatures or other disturbances, likely because this section had been sealed off until now. After scanning the hallway in both directions, I decided to take a step forward. It was just one small step, but for me, it felt monumental.

    Click.

    It was a step that could risk everything for the sake of a trap! As soon as I felt something was off, I instinctively twisted my body sideways and pressed close to the wall.

    Schkak!

    At that moment, a spear shot out from the ceiling, piercing the spot where I had just been standing. If I had remained there—or even hesitated for a fraction of a second—no matter what posture I took, I would have been sent to the afterlife with a single blow.

    “What… is this?”

    I murmured, trying to calm my pounding heart. Good grief. A spear made entirely of iron, even down to its shaft. At least it came from the ceiling. If it had been a trap from the wall, my side would’ve been skewered, leaving me like a kebab.

    “As expected, there are traps here.”

    I stuck my tongue out, feeling vindicated that my suspicions had been correct. True, I was technically an intruder in this cave, but still—lethal traps like these? Not even ten lives would be enough to survive!

    “Could there be more traps?”

    I muttered, examining the trigger for the trap I had just set off. It seemed to be a pressure plate I must have stepped on.

    “So, I just need to be careful where I step?”

    With that thought, I looked ahead. However, the floor was entirely made of uniform blocks. There was no way to distinguish which would trigger a trap. Moreover, it was pitch dark—without a torch, I couldn’t even see a step ahead. How was I supposed to spot traps in such a place?

    “Hmm.”

    I wiped the sweat from my brow as a chill ran down my spine. Damn it. If I were fighting a formidable enemy and died from a sword, at least that would be less humiliating. But to die from a trap in a place like this? What a meaningless death that would be! The best course of action would be to turn back and request reinforcements. But I resolved to press on.

    “Let’s go.”

    If there’s treasure here…  it would be a shame to leave it for others.. I don’t need much money anyway. But—this is absurd, I know—what if there’s a sleeping beauty here? That’s something I absolutely can’t let anyone else have!

    “…”

    It’s a ridiculous thought, even to me. But risking your life for something silly like that? Isn’t that just what it means to be a man? A youthful dream, you might call it. Ah, how embarrassing.

    “But how am I supposed to figure this out?”

    I sighed, looking at the indistinguishable blocks on the floor. Who knows how old this tunnel is? Any mechanisms here would’ve rusted or decayed over time. For instance, if a spring mechanism were left in a damp place for two years, it would rust and become unusable. Yet, the traps here still work flawlessly, which means a lot of money and effort must have gone into creating them.

    “…”

    I’m no professional treasure hunter, just a ranger. If this were an outdoor trap, I could spot it easily. But here? It seems I’ll have to disarm everything by brute force.

    “Ah, what a fate.”

    Cautiously, I started moving forward. I assumed this direction was forward because the spear from the earlier trap had tilted slightly forward when it thrust. This meant it was designed to anticipate someone walking that way. Ha! How brilliant of me to figure out such clues from trivial details. Just how intelligent, elegant, and cool-headed am I?

    “Huh!”

    I ran a hand through my hair with a smug smile. There was no one around to see me, but practice makes a man perfect—if I didn’t rehearse being cool now, I wouldn’t look good when it mattered.

    “…”

    Carefully, I moved forward, keeping my eyes on the floor. But then—

    Piiing!

    “Piiing?”

    Mimicking the strange sound, I carefully looked at my chest area. What now? There was a thin wire at chest height. Painted black, it was barely visible even when I held up the torch. Clearly designed to be hidden.

    “Ha!”

    Feeling a bad premonition, I immediately backflipped away.

    Spat!

    Just as expected, the trap activated. A pitch-black blade shot out from the wall and sliced through knee height. What made this trap particularly insidious was that it didn’t just stop at knee level—it slashed upward at an angle. If I had mistimed my reaction, I would’ve been split in two. Few could leap over a blade that fast, let alone survive.

    Of course, someone like me, who chose to backflip immediately, could avoid it entirely. After a graceful rotation in midair, I landed smoothly on the ground. Normally, I could do over 100 backflips in two minutes, but my legs trembled from the tension of the situation. My heart pounded faster than a watermill, and my mind went blank.

    At least my quick thinking had saved me. If I had hesitated or miscalculated, I’d be in pieces. I wasn’t relying on mere intuition, either. The earlier trap had come from above, so I figured a trap triggered by a chest-height wire would aim low.

    “Huff, huff. Damn it.”

    I wiped my chin and let out a heavy sigh. Just two traps, and I was already drained. Taking a deep breath, I resumed walking cautiously.

    Clunk.

    Clatter-clatter-clatter.

    “Whoaahhh!”

    To my shock, there were traps every three steps. What kind of madness was this?! Was this the tomb of some ancient tyrant?! The interconnected nature of the traps, designed to lead into one another, reeked of malice. The arrogance I’d felt earlier had given way to self-pity.

    “Falling into so many traps… am I a goldfish or something?”

    I muttered as I trudged forward. My body was covered in cuts and bruises, making me look like I’d rolled down a rocky slope in my sleep. My clothes were in tatters, and I looked no better than a beggar.

    “Damn it. Should I just turn back now?”

    I glanced behind me. But there lay the traps I had painstakingly disarmed, almost looking pitifully at me. Seeing them reignited my stubbornness.

    “If it’s come to this, I’ll get through all the traps and reach the end, no matter what! Damn it! Whatever treasure is here, it better be worth it! If it’s worthless, I’ll bury this entire cave under the mountain!”

  • Academy’s Genius Extra Chapter 4

    As the interview progressed, the atmosphere in the interview room grew increasingly heated.

    I asked,

    “So, let me summarize this. Applicant Jangchang, are you claiming that you are Mr. Zhang’s legendary weapon, the Zhangba Snake Spear?”

    I fixed a sharp gaze on Jangchang. He deflected my stare with calculated indifference and responded,

    [That’s right! I am none other than the legendary Zhangba Snake Spear! The weapon of Zhang Fei Yide, the hero among heroes! I am the real thing!]

    “A real thing, huh… Even though I didn’t ask. Impressive. In that case, Applicant Zhangba Snake Spear, can you share one story about yourself?”

    [I, the Zhangba Snake Spear, am a living testament to the chaotic era of warlords! That’s easy. Listen well. It’s the story of Peach Trio when they were still soft, like ripened peaches.]

    Quite the talker. I stayed silent and listened.

    [I witnessed the first meeting of the Peach Trio from the beginning. The elf with big ears! The dwarf with a long beard! And my master, Zhang Fei Yide! Ruffians recognized each other instantly. The moment the ‘Peach Trio of Jingzhou’ showed up, even the Yellow Turbans fled barefoot…]

    A smooth storyteller. I crossed my arms.

    [I even witnessed the legendary Oath of the Peach Garden! It was the foundation of a revolutionary, albeit illegal, organization!]

    Hmm.

    The Oath of the Peach Garden and the mention of the ‘Peach Trio of Jingzhou’—those would indeed be them.

    But something doesn’t add up. The Zhangba Snake Spear wasn’t forged until after the Peach Garden Oath.

    Incorrect sequence! Historical inaccuracy!

    I appreciated the applicant’s enthusiasm, but it was a deduction-worthy error.

    Scratch. I marked a 10-point deduction.

    The Zhangba Snake Spear noticed my pen movement and hastily added,

    [Let me tell you another story! This one will surely prove that I’m genuine!]

    “Oh? Another one? I’m curious.”

    [It’s the unparalleled achievement of Zhang Fei Yide and me. It was during the era when the Han dynasty was crumbling! A coalition was formed to take down Dong Zhuo, the Big Boss….]

    Dong Zhuo, the Big Boss?

    Was the Three Kingdoms period a Hong Kong noir film?

    Anyway, I could guess what story was coming next. If Dong Zhuo appears, so does that guy.

    [The battleground was Dong Zhuo’s territory, Hulao Pass! Standing guard was the formidable foe of Hulao Pass, the asymmetric force that Dong Zhuo commanded!]

    Ah, of course. That battle.

    [Zhang Fei Yide and I faced that guy, the ultimate weapon, and won a one-on-one duel! Now you must see I’m the real deal!]

    Scratch. I marked a 500-point deduction.

    This, too, was historically inaccurate.

    The “ultimate foe of Hulao Pass” would be him.

    The one who always maxes out at 100 in military stats in any Three Kingdoms game.

    Having dabbled in streaming Three Kingdoms games myself, I know this much:

    In reality, Zhang Fei never faced Lü Bu alone.

    At Hulao Pass, it wasn’t an honorable duel but a disgraceful skirmish that broke all historical precedent.

    It was that guy versus the Peach Trio in a 3-on-1 duel.

    Classic mobster tactics. No mercy, no honor. Strength in numbers to take him down.

    “That’s not a duel if it’s 3-on-1.”

    More like a trio-duel.

    Something about the Zhangba Snake Spear’s testimony felt off. The constant insistence of being genuine was particularly telling.

    As the saying goes, “A thief always feels guilty.” This place wasn’t a treasure vault; it was darker and more dangerous.

    The more the Zhangba Snake Spear prattled on, the more a murky aura began to emanate from its body.

    [You’ve seen through the intentions of the Zhangba Snake Spear.]

    [The object’s spiritual rank is exceptionally high.]

    [You’ve gained bonus experience points.]

    As the chatter continued, messages kept flooding in.

    [You’ve identified the true nature of the Zhangba Snake Spear.]

    [The object’s spiritual rank is exceptionally high.]

    [You’ve gained bonus experience points.]

    It wasn’t just the Zhangba Snake Spear. Every artifact in the room was the same.

    That sword? The cursed Gram.

    That bow? The Failnaught.

    That shield?

    I didn’t bother remembering.

    [You’ve identified the true nature of the Gram.]

    [You’ve identified the true nature of the Aegis Shield.]

    The true identities of legendary artifacts were unveiling themselves to me. They all claimed to be legendary treasures and partners of heroes.

    I wasn’t even trying to identify them; it just happened.

    [Your spiritual energy stirs.]

    [Your spiritual energy awakens.]

    [Your spiritual energy grows.]

    [Your spiritual energy ascends.]

    A realization dawned upon me.

    “Even self-proclaimed legends have their worth.”

    Apparently, even fake legends, heroes, and legacies carried an impressive presence.

    These flashy artifacts exuded a murky aura.

    That was their essence.

    Whatever my ability was, it was awakening.

    I needed to keep a straight face. I pretended to listen intently.

    [At last, a true hero has chosen me! I, the unfailing Failnaught, shall serve you!]

    [You’ve identified the true nature of the Failnaught.]

    [The object’s spiritual rank is exceptionally high.]

    [Your spiritual energy overflows.]

    Convenient, isn’t it?

    I tried to check my status window.

    [Your status window is locked.]

    Of course. There’s still a long way to go.

    [Your spiritual energy overflows.]

    [Unlock progress: 80% to new abilities.]

    If I unlocked this trait, maybe my status window would open.

    [Lu~~~]
    [Lu!!!!]

    A hanging revolver let out a loud cry. It was the only artifact in the vault without a murky aura.

    [Lu~!!!]

    Its voice was louder than the others.

    I couldn’t see through it. No falsehoods, no lies.

    That revolver was the sole genuine weapon among these fakes.

    I didn’t know its true identity, but it stood out.

    Beep-beep.

    An alarm I had set went off.

    “Is it already this late? That’s it for today’s interviews.”

    Time to leave.

    The weather was great, the breeze refreshing. On a day like this, Han Taepyeong would find himself in trouble, encountering thugs as part of the tutorial.

    But this Han Taepyeong wasn’t a newbie player. He had clawed his way here on his own.

    Tutorials were just a nuisance to him now.

    “Cutting it close, huh?”

    As I exited the corridor, a sorrowful sound trailed behind me.

    Lu~…

    I practically sprinted.

    My destination was the northern lawn.

    “Huff, huff! I forgot how much bigger this place is than your average college campus!”

    It was 3:00 PM—the start of the tutorial.

    Two minutes left.

    Stopping by the store had made me late.

    “Should’ve left ten minutes earlier!”

    I kept regretting it—like always.

    Huff, huff.

    As I sprinted across the lawn, gray smoke wafted up in the distance.

    Already at it, huh? Someone’s lit up already.

    No time to waste. Gotta hurry.

    It had to be done before 3 p.m. At 3 p.m., Han Taepyung would arrive here.

    Before that happens!

    I approached without much of a plan and called out.

    “Hey~ student~ Smoking’s not allowed here, you know~”

    I’m 28 years old.

    Did that sound too much like my actual age?

    Probably.

    The cadet smoking a cigarette turned to look at me in response to my comment.

    Not even a flinch.

    “What do you want?”

    After confirming my identity, the person grimaced in annoyance.

    Blue hair like the sky. Ruby-red eyes.

    This flamboyant delinquent slowly opened her mouth.

    “Hah… You startled me. Are you crazy?”

    What a lie…

    Nobody who’s startled says that. Tick-tock. Time keeps moving.

    How much time do I have until 3 p.m.?

    I rambled on to keep the conversation going.

    “Well, well! Look who it is! The infamous differentiated-entry student, Marie Caulfield!”

    “You ***ing piece of trash. So what?”

    What?! Did she just…?!

    I was shocked.

    From those pretty lips came a string of words that could make a demon cry.

    Could there even be a female protagonist this foul-mouthed?

    Nope. Impossible.

    So yeah, she’s not a protagonist. She’s just a rotten thug.

    Caulfield.

    Marie… Caulfield.

    The one who skipped orientation—the only differentiated-entry student to do so.

    If Shin Ohyul is the +12-strong Malfoy of this place, then Marie Caulfield is…

    I don’t know… I racked my brain but couldn’t think of a fitting character to compare her to.

    Ssssss.

    Marie Caulfield snuffed out her cigarette. Now it really felt like I was in Superhuman Chronicles.

    True to the source material.

    Marie Caulfield’s trashy personality hadn’t changed one bit. According to the original story, the next thing she’d do is…

    “Hey, dumbass. Let’s have a chat. Come here.”

    Of course.

    I took a step back.

    This psycho is the type who lets her fists do the talking. She’s probably already decided to beat me up.

    “Caulfield, no need for that. Let’s just talk, okay? I’m Kim Seungtae, your classmate…”

    “Hah. Just come here already.”

    Sigh.

    If words won’t work, then I’ve got no choice. I threw the item I’d bought from the school store.

    Smack!

    Marie Caulfield swiftly caught it, her eyebrows rising.

    “This is…?”

    “It’s a silver lozenge. The strongest-smelling one. Do you think you can hide the cigarette smell from the instructor? Maybe with other instructors, but ours doesn’t let any misconduct slide.”

    “Class assignments don’t come out until tomorrow, so how do you know who our instructor is…?”

    “Never mind that. If you keep smoking out here, busybodies like me will keep showing up. Why not head deeper into the park and smoke in peace?”

    An adult recommending a better place for a teenager to smoke.

    What kind of trash does that…?

    “Me, apparently.”

    Still, priorities come first.

    I had less than 10 seconds until 3 p.m.

    “Let’s go, okay?”

    Marie Caulfield hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

    Receiving the lozenge seemed to soften her attitude. Plus, she’s the type to find everything bothersome.

    As soon as we moved, the alarm sounded.

    Beep, beep.

    The 3 p.m. alarm echoed through the air. I discreetly glanced back.

    Taepyeong~

    Han Taepyeong strolled past the park with his usual laid-back expression, unaware of the smoker he narrowly missed encountering.

    He just passed by.

    In a secluded corner of the park.

    Marie Caulfield and I smoked quietly. She exhaled smoke with practiced ease, but I struggled.

    Cough, cough!

    Marie Caulfield looked at me with disdain.

    “Dumbass. First time smoking?”

    “Cough No.”

    “Yeah, right.”

    “I quit and just started again, that’s all. Cough, cough.”

    “How old are you that you’ve already quit smoking once?”

    Hmm.

    I quit when I started streaming, so…

    “Six years ago, cough.”

    “Hah. Gross. What kind of pretentious nonsense is that?”

    “Ah.”

    Oh, right—I’m 17 now. I quit at 22, which means… I’ll quit in five years.

    Shake, shake. Marie Caulfield rattled the lozenge tin, the sound surprisingly cheerful.

    Looks like she likes it.

    You villain.

    This wasn’t for you.

    It was for Han Taepyeong.

    3 p.m. sharp.

    Under the warm sunlight.

    Han Taepyeong would’ve run into Marie Caulfield with a cigarette in her mouth.

    Of course, being the quintessential protagonist, Han Taepyeong would’ve scolded her.

    Reason 1: It’s bad for your health!

    Reason 2: We’re minors!

    Impatient Marie Caulfield would’ve gotten into a fight with him, leading to Superhuman Chronicles’ combat tutorial.

    But not today.

    I don’t need that kind of unfriendly tutorial.

    It doesn’t even give experience points, and I’d just end up on bad terms with Marie Caulfield.

    I looked at her.

    Faded blue hair and crimson eyes.

    I’d removed a stone blocking Han Taepyeong’s path. Altered the course of events. Changed destiny.

    “Wait a minute.”

    Caught up in the moment, I counted the cigarettes I’d received.

    Three.

    The cigarettes I got in exchange for the lozenge seemed… wrong.

    “Hm. Caulfield, don’t you think there’s been a mistake?”

    “What.”

    “That lozenge was expensive, you know.”

    “Good for you.”

    “Caulfield, you lack social skills. That was a subtle way of saying you should’ve given me at least five more.”

    Suddenly, I felt like I was in a game.

    Not a cheerful family game, but one where the world was doomed.

    Honestly, I was pretty nervous.

    To ease my tension, I even wanted to rely on cigarettes I’d quit.

    Hah. Though she scoffed, Marie Caulfield handed over another cigarette.

    Maybe it’s some twisted sense of camaraderie among delinquent smokers.

    “There. Happy now? Shut up and take it.”

    “…? Why do you only give me two? Can’t you count?”

    “Don’t want it? Fine.”

    “Caulfield, I’ve been having a rough time lately. Feels like the world’s turned upside down. Even a few extra cigarettes would help.”

    No response.

    Her expression said, What do you want from me?

    I took a step forward.

    “Ah! Forget it! Keep your smokes. I’m leaving, Caulfield. And for the record, smoking causes cancer, so you should—”

    “Hey, dumbass.”

    “Oh! So you’ll give me more?”

    “No. Why are you at the Superhuman Academy?”

    “…”

    I froze mid-sentence.

    It’s not like I desperately needed more cigarettes, but this kid had a knack for getting under my skin.

    “I’m asking. Why’d you come to the Academy?”

    “Why?”

    Why did I come to the Superhuman Academy?

    I wonder, too. I’d like to shout that question at the sky myself.

    The only answer I could muster was:

    “Caulfield, I’m here to… live well and prosper.”

    Right.

    What else could it be?

    I’ll leave the painful, grueling episodes to Han Taepyeong.

    I’ll just clear away obstacles (like this one in front of me) and tag along.

    “Hah.”

    Marie Caulfield raised an eyebrow. She must’ve been thinking something trivial again.

    Tomorrow is finally the first day of classes.

    The real training curriculum of the Superhuman Academy begins then.

    I started walking. No goodbyes.

    Marie Caulfield didn’t bother either.

    (To be continued.)

  • The Apocalypse of the New Human Zombies Chapter 4

    “Where’s the exit?”

    Although Seonwoo had planned to escape, he embarrassingly realized he had no idea where the exit was. This was a serious oversight.

    Ding!

    <Displaying the exit to the surface. Would you like to start the guide?>

    “Huh? What’s this?”

    Seonwoo’s eyes widened. His offhand comment had been interpreted as a command. Luck seemed to be on his side.

    “Yes, guide me.”

    Ding!

    A red line began tracing a path from his current location to the indicated exit at the community center.

    Ding!

    “Click on it?”

    A transparent holographic screen appeared, visible only through his goggles. Being asked to ‘click’ on it was confusing. Seonwoo hesitated, then reached out.

    Whoosh!

    “Whoa, what the—!”

    As he touched the hologram, a large building filled his view, startling him.

    Ding!

    Tap! Slide!

    When Seonwoo touched a corner of the building, it rotated. Expanding his hands zoomed in, while bringing them together zoomed out. The novelty of the interactive display captivated him for a while.

    Ding!

    “What time is it?”

    Startled by the unexpected alert, Seonwoo glanced at his watch. Half an hour had passed. If not for the alert, he might have lost track of time entirely. Shaking off his distraction, he set off for the community center.

    The community center was a mess, contrary to its outward appearance. Corpses, dried to the point of being unrecognizable, littered the floor, and the damaged interior hinted at a significant conflict. Seonwoo wondered how many had died trying to escape through this very place. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought that he might join their ranks.

    Ding!

    Gulping nervously, Seonwoo stepped inside. His footsteps echoed loudly in the eerie silence.

    Squish, squish!

    He advanced cautiously, but the oppressive quiet pressed down on him.

    “Jingle bells, Jingle bells, Jingle all the way.”

    Seonwoo sang to ease his nerves, moving his increasingly heavy legs forward one step at a time.

    “What’s this door?”

    He stopped in front of a broken door, bloodstains still fresh on the handle.

    Tap! Creak!

    He nudged the door open with his foot, revealing a long corridor beyond.

    “Is this the way?”

    Small doors lined the sides, and the flickering cross-shaped lights cast an eerie blue glow. The environment matched the direction indicated by the 3D map.

    “Looks like I’m on the right track.”

    Relieved, Seonwoo relaxed slightly.

    ‘Did the old man try to escape too?’

    Lost in thought, he pictured his uncle carrying him to safety.

    Crunch, crunch!

    “What was that?”

    The sound of bones crunching came from behind. It was jarring, a sound of teeth gnawing on bone. Seonwoo steadied himself and concentrated on the noise. Judging by the volume, there was only one creature.

    “Leaving an enemy behind doesn’t sit right.”

    Turning back, Seonwoo approached the source of the sound, coming from behind the reception desk. Lowering his stance, he cautiously circled around.

    Crunch, crunch!

    The zombie was too engrossed in gnawing on bones to notice Seonwoo’s approach. Seonwoo crept closer.

    “Grah!”

    Suddenly, the zombie turned and snarled at him, baring its teeth as if ready to bite.

    “Ahh!”

    Seonwoo fell back in surprise, scrambling away in panic. But the zombie couldn’t pursue him further—it was missing its lower body.

    “Damn, thought I was done for.”

    Relieved, Seonwoo observed the zombie more closely. It had started eating itself after running out of other food. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Seonwoo sighed with relief.

    “Phew, scared me for no reason.”

    Steadying himself, Seonwoo approached the zombie. He grabbed its flailing head with his left hand and swiftly slashed its neck with the dagger in his right.

    Whoosh!

    “Eek!”

    Clatter!

    Seonwoo swiftly pulled out a small tin cup and quickly collected the zombie’s blood. He had to act fast before the corpse dried up and turned frail.

    “This has to work, right?”

    The metallic scent of blood stung his nose, causing him to grimace involuntarily. Though he had prepared for this, the thought of drinking it made him feel nauseous. But he couldn’t back out now.

    “Come on, it’s not your first time.”

    Encouraging himself, Seonwoo closed his eyes tightly and gulped down the zombie’s blood in one go. He felt like vomiting but managed to suppress it, focusing instead on checking his updated status.

    <Updating user’s information.>

    Ding!

    <Sample Number: 27374
    Subject: Type C (Offspring of Experiment Subject)
    Gender: Male
    Age: 10
    Grade: 17
    Infectious: No
    Immunity: No
    Special Traits: Growth type (DNA mutation detected through blood absorption)>

    “Bingo! I knew it! Ugh!”

    Despite his gagging, a smile spread across Seonwoo’s face. His hunch had been right: absorbing blood increased his grade. The message about DNA mutation confirmed his theory, making him feel both proud and relieved.

    “Sigh. So, I need to keep drinking this stuff?”

    Despite his grumbling, Seonwoo’s face lit up. If it meant growing stronger, he was willing to do it repeatedly.

    “Haah… Haah…”

    Leaning against the wall, Seonwoo caught his breath. His body was battered, but he smiled—he had finally reached the elevator leading to the upper central center. The journey had been grueling, filled with battles against zombies in the corridors, but the struggle had made him stronger. He felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

    “Grade 32… Not bad.”

    Now, he just had to take the elevator up. Once he reached the upper central center and escaped the bunker, he could finally enter the real world. The thought filled Seonwoo with anticipation, though fear also crept in.

    Will I make it out of the bunker safely? How many zombies are left in the central center? Can I do this alone?

    Even with others, the path had often ended in failure. Though some had succeeded, Seonwoo knew the odds were against him. The fear of death weighed heavily on him, yet he couldn’t stop moving forward. The greater fear of loneliness drove him to keep going.

    “Uncle… Please help me.”

    Tears welled up in Seonwoo’s eyes, and as they fell, a faint smile spread across his face, as if he were dreaming a sweet dream.

    Ding! Whirrr!

    The elevator doors opened. Thankfully, there were no zombies in sight. Relieved, Seonwoo considered running, but he knew better than to rush.

    [LAUNDRY ROOM]

    He soon spotted a sign for the laundry room. Pushing the door half open, he peeked inside to find a lone zombie standing aimlessly.

    Whoosh! Thud!

    The zombie crumpled to the floor, a bolt from Seonwoo’s crossbow protruding from its body.

    “One down.”

    Feeling good about his start, Seonwoo suppressed his excitement, whispering to himself and moving stealthily. He couldn’t afford to attract a horde. Carefully, he examined every corner, quietly dispatching any threats. Though time-consuming, it was the safest approach.

    “This place is bigger than I thought.”

    The central center was more like a small town than a building. Clearing the first floor alone took an entire day.

    “Haah… Haah… Grade 41 now. It’s getting harder to level up.”

    Exhaustion set in from the prolonged tension, making Seonwoo yawn and his eyelids droop. Maintaining focus was challenging, but seeing his grade increase kept him going.

    “I should rest for now.”

    Feeling safe after clearing the first floor, Seonwoo searched for a suitable spot to rest.

    “That should do.”

    [1D-8 Women’s Lounge]

    He turned the lounge into a makeshift base, barricading entrances with heavy furniture to prevent zombie intrusions. His increased strength made the preparations manageable. He even covered windows with fabric and paper to block any view inside.

    Later on.

    Thud! Thud!

    Finished with his preparations, Seonwoo suddenly kicked a vending machine in the lounge corner. It shook before spitting out drinks.

    Clatter! Clatter!

    Grabbing a soda, he sat in the lounge corner, stretched out, and cracked it open.

    Fizz!

    “Gulp! Gulp!”

    He downed the soda in one go, the fizzy, cold sensation revitalizing him.

    “Wow!”

    Feeling a thrill, Seonwoo checked the central center’s layout. Nine more floors remained. It was just the beginning, but his heart was already racing towards the bunker exit.

    Crash!

    Suddenly, the furniture barricading the door collapsed. Startled, Seonwoo leapt up and dashed towards the door.

  • About a Dating Sim Where Dating Is Impossible Chapter 9

    The Decisive Moment

    Just when the recovery of the Peloponnesian Peninsula seemed imminent, the intervention of Venice prevented the Achaean campaign. Despite this, Constantine lingered near Patras for three more days, unable to abandon hope. He repeatedly stared at the Venetian flag fluttering atop the walls of Patras, closing his eyes in frustration, a silent testament to his despair that none dared interrupt. By the fourth day, he reached a decision.

    “The campaign is over. We will withdraw and seek the Sultan’s approval.”

    Rather than provoke further conflict, he chose to solidify the control of recently reclaimed territories like Corinth and Kalavryta. Currently, Mehmet I and Manuel II maintained a formal alliance, and even Venice, with its powerful navy, could not fully protect southern Greece from Ottoman influence. The Emperor decided to retreat and reorganize a new order centered around Mistra. As preparations for withdrawal began, a Venetian envoy approached him.

    “…A marriage alliance?”

    Though tempted to scoff, he restrained his anger, acknowledging the superior numbers of the Venetians. Given the circumstances, antagonizing Venice would be unwise. Their aid would be essential in future conflicts against the Ottomans. Suppressing his rage, he listened with forced patience.

    “And who would be involved in this marriage alliance?”

    “Of course, Your Majesty and the daughter of the Duke of Achaea.”

    “A mere child’s game?”

    “Not exactly…”

    Even the Venetian envoy faltered, knowing the ludicrousness of a marriage alliance involving an eleven-year-old boy. The Duke of Achaea, lacking an heir, would leave his lands to his daughter, making the proposed union a strategic move to inherit the Achaean territories without bloodshed.

    Yet, Constantine remained skeptical.

    The future seemed too distant. Could the Empire afford to wait? As the Ottomans grew stronger, the mere defense of Morea would become insufficient. A marriage alliance with the weak Achaea would not halt the Ottoman advance. However, turning Venice into an enemy could also prove disastrous.

    Constantine’s thoughts briefly turned to his brothers, recalling their divided control over Morea—Monemvasia to Demetrios, Leontarion to Thomas. Constantine dreamed of a unified Morea, a centralized monarchy capable of withstanding Ottoman threats. He knew his decision was crucial and fraught with potential consequences.

    “But how long until maturity?” he pondered. Time was a luxury the Emperor could not afford. The power of his extraordinary skill, Solo Devotion, which had sustained him thus far, would be compromised by marriage. The stakes were too high.

    “Marriage is a lifetime commitment,” the envoy attempted to reassure, offering more time if necessary.

    Reflecting on his recent indecisiveness, Constantine swiftly concluded. Accepting the marriage alliance seemed the only way to secure significant gains without further losses.

    “Very well,” he finally relented. Yet, before the envoy departed, he added, “But what if there were someone of even greater stature within my bloodline?”

    Determined, Constantine prepared to make tough decisions for the Empire’s resurgence.

    On October 23, 1415, Constantine returned to Mistra. Despite not reclaiming the entire Peloponnesian Peninsula, he solidified Corinth and annexed Kalavryta, garnering considerable support. Though once viewed as a foreign ruler, his efforts to expel the hated Latins earned him respect. His youthful prowess became a beacon of hope for the struggling Empire.

    Amidst the celebrations, Constantine dispatched envoys to Sultan Mehmed I, seeking recognition of his territorial claims. Venice protested his expansion to the Sultan, but Mehmet I sided with Constantine, securing the Empire’s hold over Kalavryta and Corinth.

    In the midst of these political maneuvers, Constantine wrote to his elder brother, Theodoros, with a proposal to consolidate power, addressing his brother’s latent ambitions. The letter, entrusted to his secretary, Sphrantzes, carried the weight of the Emperor’s resolve.

    “Why do you entrust this letter to me, Your Majesty?” Sphrantzes inquired, sensing the gravity of the decision.

    “I have studied diligently to revive this crumbling Empire,” Constantine replied, his voice firm despite his youth. The road to salvation, he realized, was lined with difficult choices.

    “But at what cost?” Sphrantzes asked, visibly shaken.

    “The survival of our faith and Empire depends on these sacrifices,” Constantine declared. Though reluctant, Sphrantzes accepted the letter, understanding the necessity behind the young Emperor’s actions.

    Constantine then formally proposed the marriage alliance to his father, Emperor Manuel II.

    “A marriage alliance?”

    “This is our chance to expel the Crusaders entirely. Please, Your Majesty.”

    “Very well,” Manuel II conceded, though he had not considered Constantine a candidate for the alliance, instead favouring Theodoros or John.

    Ultimately, the marriage alliance was established between Theodoros and Adele of Achaea. However, what drew more attention was Constantine’s petition to assume full control over Morea, consolidating the divided region under his rule. Despite the risk of diverging from his father’s intentions, Constantine’s plea was rooted in a genuine desire to unify and strengthen Morea.

    “Morea belongs to the Emperor. There cannot be a ‘King of Morea,’” Manuel II cautioned.”

    We cannot amass strength in its divided state. This is our last chance,” Constantine implored, lowering his head in earnest appeal.

    Moved by his son’s determination, Manuel II embraced him, ultimately granting the request.

    Thus, in 1416, the Empire saw a new restructuring:

    • John VIII, co-Emperor of Constantinople.
    • Theodoros, awaiting his turn in Selymbria.
    • Constantine, now twelve, reviving Morea from Mistra, fueled by newfound vigor.

  • The Seventh Knight Chapter 9

    “Are you suggesting that we talk after I’ve learned more of the language?” “Yes, my speech is still clumsy. I might make mistakes. Bishop Swendik has offered to teach me, so I intend to learn from him.” Indeed, his speech was still a bit awkward. Baron Frederick smiled and gave his approval. “Very well. I shall honor Sir Jiwoon’s request.” “Thank you, Baron Frederick.” Jiwoon bowed deeply. His courteous gesture pleased the baron, who nodded in response with a satisfied smile.

    After leaving Baron Frederick’s room, Jiwoon returned to his own quarters, located deep within the castle. “Phew…” Baron Frederick had shown special consideration by granting Jiwoon a room where he wouldn’t encounter soldiers, their families, or servants. The room had previously belonged to the late Baron Roman Frederick, who spent his final years in quiet seclusion after passing on the lordship to his son.

    The modest room, reflecting the character of its former noble occupant, exuded a tranquil and simple charm. Most of the furniture, like the table and bookshelves, was practical and unpretentious. In stark contrast, the bed was extravagant, fit for royalty—large and ornate.

    This bed had an interesting backstory. Made from high-quality maple, it had been a gift from the former Marquis Forlan Donassien de Wakefield, head of the Wakefield family, who ruled over the entire Mentaria region. He had bestowed it upon the previous lord, Roman Frederick, for his distinguished service during the Lily Conflict.

    Initially, the marquis had intended to recommend Roman Frederick for a viscountcy and expand the small, impoverished Frederick estate. However, the neighboring territories posed challenges. To the east lay the dominion of the influential Apsilian Marquis, and to the south was the estate of Viscount Engelmann, the marquis’s wife’s nephew. The impenetrable Cromwell Forest further complicated matters. Unable to encroach upon these lands, the marquis decided to elevate Roman Frederick’s title to viscount, without additional land.

    Roman Frederick, having resolved to retire, declined the viscountcy, citing his family motto: “He who does not fight shall not eat.” His refusal deeply moved the marquis, who then insisted on giving a gift that Frederick could not refuse, seeing any further modesty as an insult to the marquisate. Thus, Roman Frederick graciously accepted the grand bed, adorned with the Wakefield family’s lily emblem in intricate goldwork and embedded with precious yellow gems—a testament to the marquis’s esteem for him.

    Now, however, that grand bed was occupied by an unexpected guest, Jiwoon, who laid on it with a wide grin. “So comfortable.”

    Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted his revelry. “Sir Jiwoon, this is Roselia Frederick. May I come in?” ‘What brings her here?’ Jiwoon wondered but quickly tidied his appearance and responded. “Please, come in, Miss Frederick.”

    “Excuse me.”

    As Roselia entered, the room seemed to brighten. Jiwoon hadn’t seen her since the day he proved himself to the baron. Even then, bound and under intense pressure from the three knights and the baron, he had thought of her as a beauty. Now, seeing her in a more relaxed state, his initial impression was reaffirmed, perhaps even elevated.

    ‘She’s truly adorable. She’d be popular anywhere.’ Indeed, Roselia Frederick was charming. small and delicate, her prominent nose, and full, red lips were almost irresistible. Her slightly cool gaze lent her a chilly demeanor, adding a elegant appeal. Her cool green eyes brought out her unique charm, making her seem even more endearing.

    Despite her appeal, Jiwoon reminded himself that she was a young girl whose cuteness surpassed her beauty. His heart fluttered briefly, but he quickly regained his composure.

    What am I even thinking? This girl is already eighteen.

    In this world, being eighteen was equivalent to being nineteen or twenty in Korea. Given the nearly ten-year age difference, Jiwoon felt a twinge of moral guilt.

    “Is there something you need from me, Lady Frederick?”

    Roselia frowned slightly. As expected of a foreigner, his manner of speech was extremely formal.

    Still, it wasn’t intentional—likely a result of his unfamiliarity with the language. Suppressing an inexplicable irritation that began to surface, Roselia replied calmly.

    “Yes, I came to return your belongings, Sir Jiwoon. And I also have a question for you. I’m curious about one of your possessions.”

    With that, Roselia handed over Jiwoon’s bag.

    Jiwoon, for his part, felt a twinge of disappointment at her words.

    Just as Roselia found Jiwoon’s stiff manner of speaking awkward, Jiwoon also found her way of talking strange. It wasn’t just the flat voice she used with everyone; Jiwoon, having recently lived in a non-English-speaking country, found it odd to sense any “emotional expression” in someone else’s words.

    Unbeknownst to him, another reason for his disappointment was the way her question extinguished a peculiar sense of anticipation he had about her.

    “This is my bag. Thank you, Lady Frederick.”

    “It’s nothing. I should have returned it sooner. My apologies for the delay.”

    “It’s all right, Lady Frederick.”

    The exchange felt a bit stiff. Jiwoon wanted to speak more softly and elegantly to this young lady, but for now, he had to settle for basic communication with his limited English.

    “What item are you curious about? Please feel free to ask anything.”

    As Jiwoon placed the bag on the table and emptied its contents, Roselia unexpectedly pointed to two books.

    “What are the contents of these books? I cannot understand the language. Could you explain what they are about?”

    “Ah, these…”

    Jiwoon almost answered truthfully with a smile, but plans he had devised for the success of a con during his time in the underground prison suddenly resurfaced in his mind.

    Phew, that was close…

    “These are books I wrote in my homeland. The larger one is on politics, and the smaller one is a collection of my poetry.”

    If the medieval historian Dr. Robert Palmer or the poets featured in Edgar Allan Poe’s anthologies had heard this lie, they might have risen from their graves to shake him by the collar. Yet Jiwoon delivered it with an impeccably straight face.

    If I dared deceive the God, what harm could a few poets and historians do?

    Roselia’s expression changed at his claim.

    “Is that true? You wrote these books yourself? That’s incredible. I’ve never met someone who authored a book before. Politics and poetry… Sir Jiwoon, you must be highly educated.”

    Though her tone remained reserved, Roselia was genuinely surprised.

    Even in the six years she had spent at the Royal Academy, few instructors had written their own books. The Kingdom of Prim was culturally underdeveloped, and most academic texts came from powerful nations like the Keren Union or the southern empire of Benencia.

    And poetry?

    Prim had many poets, but literate poets were rare. poets were primarily storytellers who conveyed tales of local heroes or news through songs. While nobles occasionally recited poetry, most of it was overly sentimental verses dedicated to their beloved ladies.

    Even then, it was rare for such poetry to be compiled into books.

    Roselia admired Jiwoon’s claim but couldn’t help suspecting that his poetry might be one of those shallow love songs.

    Moreover, she wasn’t entirely convinced Jiwoon was a noble.

    But if he truly knew how to read and write?

    Roselia decided to test him.

    “Would you read a poem from your collection for me? I cannot read this language, so I must ask you to recite it.”

    If he complied, she could determine whether he was truly a nobleman who could read and write.

    “Of course, Lady Frederick.”

    Jiwoon nodded as if he had been expecting the request.

    What truly relieved and amused Jiwoon was that while their spoken language resembled English, their written script used a different alphabet entirely. This meant they couldn’t read his poetry collection, which was written in a mix of English and Korean.

    This will work perfectly.

    “Ahem!”

    Clearing his throat, Jiwoon began to recite in a clear voice:

    **“It was many and many a year ago,
    In a kingdom by the sea,
    That a maiden there lived whom you may know
    By the name of Annabel Lee.
    And this maiden she lived with no other thought
    Than to love and be loved by me.

    […]

    For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams
    Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.
    And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes
    Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.

    And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
    Of my darling, my darling, my life and my bride,
    In the sepulcher there by the sea,
    In her tomb by the sounding sea.”**

    Will this work…?

    As Jiwoon finished reciting in a low, steady voice, he nervously glanced at Roselia out of the corner of his eye.

    (To be continued…)

  • The Congressman Bows Low Chapter 3

    Cha Jaerim turned around slowly. A sudden glow appeared on Goo Young-jin’s face.

    “Ah, as expected, you’re quick-witted.”

    Jaerim approached Young-jin with measured steps.

    Ah, how dazzling!

    Young-jin even imagined a radiant halo emanating from behind Jaerim. If he had known Jaerim’s name, he surely would have made a childish pun, calling him a reincarnated Jesus.

    Staring directly at Young-jin, Jaerim said, “I’ve encountered spirits like you a few times before, though it’s rare.”

    “R-really?”

    “Each time, it didn’t end well. But I’ll help you. I can’t just walk past someone trapped like this. Even though I’ve been told I shouldn’t live so soft-hearted.”

    “No, no. I’m different, completely different. And you’re not soft; you’re righteous and kind!”

    Jaerim gave a wry smile. “When they’re bound, they all say the same thing.”

    He was highly skeptical of spirits. Young-jin, observing him, thought, Good thing I didn’t mention being a six-term congressman. He’d mistrust me completely and walk away.

    Jaerim stepped closer to Young-jin and pulled a yellow piece of paper from his wallet. It was clearly a talisman. He lit it with a lighter, murmuring something like a chant. The talisman quickly turned to ash and scattered in the autumn breeze.

    A passerby gave Jaerim a strange look as they walked by, and his ears reddened slightly. You need a thick skin in this world.

    Young-jin found it fascinating that Jaerim could feel shame over something so trivial, considering that Young-jin only felt such emotion when driven to the brink of despair.

    After burning the talisman, Jaerim blew gently toward Young-jin. In that instant, Young-jin’s once blurry legs became whole. The spirit that had been bound to the Seocho was now free, and Young-jin couldn’t contain his joy.

    He reached out to grasp Jaerim’s hand, though it was merely a gesture, lacking physical form.

    “Thank you, truly.”

    “It’s me who should be thanking you for your courtesy.”

    “I can express gratitude a hundred times over if need be.”

    “So far, I’ve met five spirits, including you. Only two bothered with any form of thanks.”

    “I’m fundamentally different from those uncouth spirits.”

    “Is that so?”

    “So, am I free to roam now?”

    Jaerim shook his head. “I’ve transferred your spirit from being bound to the land to being bound to me.”

    “What does that mean?”

    “Your spirit, once tied to this place, is now tied to me. You can’t go beyond a five-meter radius from where I am.”

    “Unbelievable!”

    “But isn’t being a balloon held by a child better than one tethered to the ground?”

    “Well… that’s true.”

    With a smile, Jaerim started walking toward the station, with Young-jin following behind. If his tether had been completely severed, he would have struck Jaerim and fled. But that plan failed immediately as he tested the five-meter limit, only to be drawn back toward Jaerim.

    Damn it. Young-jin bit his lower lip in frustration. Now I’m like some pet.

    He resigned himself to the situation, thinking Jaerim better be worthy of this unexpected partnership. As they walked, Young-jin eyed Jaerim and asked, “Do you live in Gangnam?”

    “You’re asking where I live before knowing my name?”

    “…What’s your name?”

    “Cha Jaerim.”

    “I see, Jaerim.”

    Jaerim chuckled softly and answered the original question, “I don’t live in Gangnam, I live in Gangbuk.”

    “There’s bound to be good restaurants in Gangbuk too.”

    “I had a date here.”

    “Tsk, tsk. You shouldn’t let a woman dictate your actions from the start.”

    Jaerim responded with a look of disbelief. “I don’t need dating advice from you.”

    “Where exactly in Gangbuk?”

    “Seongbuk-gu.”

    “Pyeongchang-dong?” Young-jin hoped Jaerim lived in an prosperous area.

    “No, Anam-dong.”

    “Anam-dong? Ah, a Korea University student, I see.”

    Jaerim’s response shattered Young-jin’s hopes. “I’m not a student there. I’m a high school graduate.”

    “What?”

    “A high school graduate.”

    Young-jin was visibly taken aback. “Is that even possible?”

    “Why wouldn’t it be? There are many high school graduates and even people who didn’t attend school at all.”

    Young-jin couldn’t hide his shock. The idea that Jaerim, who had caught his attention, didn’t fit the image he had hoped for was hard to swallow. Of all people, this is the one fate connects me with?

    Speechless, Young-jin followed Jaerim into the subway station.

    “Can’t we just take a taxi to Anam? The subway seems inconvenient.”

    “I don’t have money for that.”

    “No money for a taxi?”

    “I have the money, I just don’t want to waste it on a taxi.”

    “Which is the same as not having money.”

    “Just get on the train quietly unless you want to be dragged under the gates of hell.”

    “Do you really have that kind of power?”

    Jaerim shot him a cold glance. “Shall we find out?”

    “…I’ll take the subway.”

    Jaerim smirked. “Of the five spirits I’ve met, including you, where do you think the other four are now?”

    Young-jin remained silent, suddenly realizing he didn’t want to know the answer.

    Goo Young-jin shivered, goosebumps rising on his skin. To think this Cha Jaerim could scare me… you’re not an ordinary guy, are you? Without further protest, he followed Jaerim onto the subway, though in spirit form.

    It was early evening on a weekend, and the subway was far more bearable than the rush hour hellscape of weekdays. Fortunately, two seats were available side by side, allowing Jaerim and Goo to sit next to each other. Of course, to others, it seemed as if Jaerim sat alone, with an empty seat beside him.

    Jaerim leaned toward Goo, whispering, “Keep quiet in crowded places. I don’t want people thinking I’m crazy.”

    “Sure,” Gu agreed meekly, his rebellion quelled for now.

    The subway, departing from Gyodae Station, rattled toward Gangbuk. This was before Line 6 had opened, requiring transfers and bus rides to reach their destination. Jaerim explained they’d need to change buses twice along the way. Goo mulled over the inefficiency, thinking a taxi would be better, but he kept silent, fearing Jaerim’s cold threats.

    Jaerim remained silent throughout the subway ride, not once looking in Goo’s direction. As they reached the bustling Express Bus Terminal Station, the subway filled with a surge of passengers. Goo’s seat, visible as empty to everyone else, became the target of a subtle but determined contest. The victor was a robust middle-aged woman who claimed it with a well-aimed toss of her small handbag before settling down with a triumphant air.

    Goo was appalled. “What the hell! This crazy woman just sat on me!” He cried out, feeling as though he’d been assaulted. Oblivious to Goo’s ordeal, the woman wiggled to secure her spot, her large frame making space for herself.

    Goo, squashed and struggling, turned to Jaerim for help, but Jaerim ignored him entirely, indifferent to his suffering. Feeling betrayed, Goo resigned himself to standing, moving to a spot directly opposite Jaerim.

    Jaerim sat calmly, eyes closed, while Goo grew restless. In Goo’s eyes, Jaerim was far from ideal. Their meeting couldn’t be mere chance. Someone who could see ghosts but had only encountered five, including him, wasn’t typical. So, I’m not the usual kind of ghost… but why? Goo pondered.

    Regardless of how or why he ended up as a ghost, he saw Jaerim as his only link to the living world. He had no desire to waste time with idle chatter. I’ve got to make use of this guy somehow.

    But Jaerim was far from the ideal tool. A high school graduate with no money for even a taxi fare across the Han River? For Goo, who had walked the elite path from a young age, Jaerim’s lack of qualifications was disappointing.

    Despite his disillusionment, Goo couldn’t just give up. He wanted Jaerim to enter politics. Success in politics is the pinnacle. The thought of those who had driven him to death, especially his despised son-in-law, festered in his mind. He wanted Jae-rim to turn them all into ghosts, just like him.

    “Hey, Jaerim,” Goo called, snapping from his thoughts.

    Jaerim opened his eyes in response.

    “You need to go into politics.”

    The suggestion nearly made Jaerim laugh. Politics? What nonsense. His immediate concerns revolved around making ends meet, not delving into the treacherous world of politics. Where is this coming from?

  • Academy’s Genius Extra Chapter 3

    Where should I begin the story?

    Every superhuman possesses a specialized skill—what we call a “branch.” In the past, there were 21 branches.

    They were once referred to as the 21 Great Schools.

    However…

    In the modern era, only 12—no, 13—of these schools remain.

    You might think, Wow, the Necromancy Branch survived? It’s better than I expected.

    And you wouldn’t be entirely wrong.

    Historically speaking, the Necromancy School was the strongest among the 21 branches.

    It had a long-standing tradition of taking the frontline whenever the world was in peril.

    The Necromancy Department at the Superhuman Academy was also, at one point, a prestigious organization.

    …That’s just the lore, though.

    Lore is lore. Reality is something else. Anyone who’s played Superhuman Chronicles even once would know—

    In modern times, the Necromancy Branch is nothing but a punching bag.

    The inheritors of traditions have disappeared.

    No one is left to explore the legends.

    Today, necromancy is seen as an outdated, obsolete field of study.

    A laughingstock.

    A group of fools wasting money like water.

    Shopaholics who do nothing but buy overpriced artifacts.

    “Wow! You actually know the Necromancy Department? It’s absolutely terrible…”

    Maybe my mind broke after all the shocks I’ve endured. Muttering to myself, I wandered off.

    The Superhuman Academy’s campus was several times larger than an ordinary university’s.

    I was heading to the department’s main building.

    Other students were likely being guided by their mentors, but…

    Not me.

    I was my own guide.

    My own mentor.

    And my own freshman student.

    The sole member of the Necromancy Branch—yup, just me.

    “I’m amazing, aren’t I?”

    Top of the class on my first day of enrollment.

    I’m even acting as a substitute professor.

    What an absurd career. No wonder it feels absurd.

    Is this really okay?

    Well, the dean must think so, since they entrusted me with this key.

    A short while later, I arrived in front of a building.

    The ivy-covered walls bore an old nameplate.

    [Necromancy Workshop]

    This was the main building of the Necromancy Branch.

    It wasn’t small, but for a department’s headquarters, it felt modest.

    “Is this really all there is to the Necromancy Branch?”

    Probably. I’d never heard of or seen any affiliated facilities.

    “Sigh.”

    Whether I liked it or not, I stood before the door of the Necromancy Workshop.

    The grand entrance, exuding a faint air of past glory, awaited.

    I inserted the golden key.

    [Key owner confirmed.]
    [The Necromancy Workshop welcomes you.]

    Creak!

    The door opened with a haunting, eerie sound.

    Huh, cleared stage one. I glanced at the key.

    [Key to the Necromancy Workshop]

    • Category: 13 Great Schools / Representative
    • Description: Grants rights to manage the Necromancy Workshop’s finances, inventory, patents, and land. Lost items are not the academy’s responsibility.
    • Current Owner: Kim Seungtae

    No further explanation needed. This key essentially made the entire Necromancy Branch mine.

    Of course, it’s not something a mere freshman student should be holding.

    But leaving it with Professor Seirin, whose spirit is probably floating around somewhere, wasn’t an option either.

    She’ll be stuck in the hospital for the next six years.

    I cautiously wandered through the workshop. Past a faded hallway, I arrived at a spacious gallery.

    My first impression?

    “Why is there so much dust? Ugh, cough!”

    Cough, cough! I regretted speaking aloud. My mouth filled with dust.

    It was easy to imagine Necromancy Branch members falling into comas from respiratory issues.

    “Just my luck…”

    Rolling up my sleeves, I began to clean.

    The cleaning didn’t take long. How?

    Was I a genius at cleaning?

    Of course not.

    I deemed cleaning the entire workshop insane and settled for tidying the reception room.

    “How long has this place been neglected?”

    I flopped onto a sofa. At least the reception room had less dust after I gave it a quick mop.

    Looking around, I saw:

    • A worn-out porcelain vase.
    • A decrepit fireplace.
    • An old portrait.
    • A threadbare carpet.

    Everything was old.

    This building, sinking along with the glory of its past, made me feel like I was aging in real time.

    Superhuman Chronicles. Necromancy Branch.

    I sank deeper into the couch.

    To sum it up:

    Good news:

    I’d been accepted into the Superhuman Academy, where getting in was like plucking stars from the sky.

    Bad news:

    I never wanted this in the first place.

    The username Otherworld_123 popped into my head.

    That shady player, likely someone from the dev team, seemed tied to all of this.

    “They recommended Destruction Difficulty?”

    In hindsight, even their username felt suspicious.

    I’d like to grab them by the collar, but…

    “For now, I’ll pass.”

    There was no way to find them, and I had more pressing matters at hand.

    “I need to set some action plans.”

    Who knew how long I’d be stuck in Superhuman Chronicles?

    It could end up being a very long time.

    At the academy entrance ceremony, freshman Kim Seungtae had no guardian present.

    A convenient setup implying I was an orphan.

    “Guess I’ll need a way to make a living.”

    I glanced at a faded nameplate on the desk.

    [Head of the Legendary Necromancy Department’s Office]

    So this wasn’t just the reception room—it doubled as the department head’s office.

    Legendary Necromancy Department?

    That’s a relic of a name.

    Just a relic. The word legendary had been claimed by another department.

    The Necromancy Branch had lost more than just buildings; they’d been stripped of their glory too.

    So what was I supposed to do here?

    With almost nothing left…

    “…Actually, this isn’t so bad.”

    Looking on the bright side,

    Having almost nothing means…

    At least it’s not completely gone.

    “Let’s see what resources are still here.”

    The Necromancy Branch—or rather, the Legendary Necromancy Department—used to be a colossal school.

    Time to pick apart the remnants like a hyena scavenging a dinosaur carcass.

    Kim Seungtae had the authority, after all.

    Click.

    As if in agreement, the workshop key gleamed.

    And I had information—knowledge about what’s to come.

    Which means I need to act quickly.

    Because I know just how dirty Superhuman Chronicles can get.

    “Do you really think this massive building is only filled with dust?”

    Click.

    The key sparkled once more.

    Ugh, I’m seriously worried!

    “Let’s start by organizing the early events.”

    Scratch, scratch.

    I grabbed paper and pen, jotting down a timeline of the upcoming events—Details that would help me survive.

    • Today: Han Taepyeong’s tutorial begins.
    • Tomorrow: Classes start, followed by a mission for all first-year students.

    The tutorial today would feature that guy.

    The tutorial was textbook stuff:

    An event where you brawl with Rowdy Delinquent C to learn action mechanics.

    “The real problem is tomorrow.”

    In tomorrow’s mission for the first-year cadets, the true essence of the Superhuman Academy will be unveiled.

    Make no mistake—this isn’t just an exceptional specialized high school.

    It’s a training institution created for one grand purpose: preparing for the end.

    From the moment you enroll, you’re already considered a fully-fledged superhuman.

    Which is why tomorrow, cadets deemed unfit for the Superhuman Academy will be immediately expelled.

    The first mission is as ruthless as it gets.

    The mission keyword: Search.

    The first-years must thoroughly explore the Superhuman Academy to find something.

    Something every superhuman must possess—a partner in the truest sense of the word.

    There are two ways to obtain it:

    • Convince a professor or senior.
    • Or find it on your own through skill and wit.

    “As long as Han Taepyeong’s fine, I just need to handle my part well.”

    Yeah. That’s the truth.

    I cleared my timeline.

    Since it’s still the freshman orientation and I need to prepare for tomorrow’s mission, it’s time to search the workshop a bit more.

    “Where should I start looking?”

    I unfolded the Map of the Necromancy Workshop that I’d found in the lounge. Looking at it now, there were quite a few rooms.

    Was there spatial distortion involved?

    I didn’t want to waste time.

    [Lu…]

    Then, I heard something.

    When I focused, the sound grew louder and clearer.

    [Lu…]

    [Lu…]

    “A creepy voice saying ‘Lu’ in an empty mansion?”

    I was speechless. The sound came from the hallway.

    What on earth?

    I had a hunch, though. After all, what kind of building is this?

    Ghosts? Sure, at least one or two. Honestly, even a whole truckload wouldn’t be surprising.

    Creak.

    When I opened the door and stepped into the hallway, the sound of “Lu~ Lu~” echoed from the far end.

    On the map, the location was marked as ◈◈ Sealed Room.

    The ◈◈ part was too worn to read properly.

    A mysterious sealed room, huh.

    This felt… ominous.

    I cautiously crept down the hallway.

    [Lu~]
    [Lu~]

    Even if I was scared, I had no choice.

    Sooner or later, I had to explore the workshop anyway.

    [Lu… Lu!]

    Besides, it’s my workshop.

    If I couldn’t even stand my own place, where else could I go?

    “Not like I’m going to die, right?”

    Clink.

    The key responded with a faint glow, almost mocking me. My resolve wavered.

    “Great… now I’m worried sick!”

    Finally, I stood before the Sealed Room. The strange sound grew louder. I gripped the doorknob tightly.

    “Well… here I go!”

    …Oops. My nerves made me stumble over my words.

    [Administrator access confirmed.]
    [Sealed Room unlocked.]

    “…No way.”

    The so-called Sealed Room…

    Its interior left me dumbfounded.

    It wasn’t a room but a massive hall. Glass display cases were scattered everywhere, like in a museum.

    Each case contained items that looked like treasures from myths and legends.

    From a serpentine spear to a massive cross-shaped greatsword, a sinister glowing bow, and a shield with a painted eye—each artifact was an incredible masterpiece.

    But what left me truly speechless was something else.

    Creak. Creak.

    A rope hung in the center of the hall, swinging rhythmically.

    Creak. Creak.

    The pendulum-like sound was unsettling, conjuring the worst possibilities.

    A rope alone can’t make that noise. Something had to be hanging from it.

    The rope’s end formed a loop, swaying periodically.

    The worst-case scenario.

    I covered my mouth in shock.

    “This… can’t be…”

    Hanging from the rope was—

    [Lu~]
    [Lu!]

    —a single revolver.

    Not a modern handgun but an old-style revolver straight out of a Western film.

    “Creepy as hell!”

    Why on earth was a revolver dangling like dried fish on a string?

    The other artifacts were neatly displayed in glass cases.

    [Lu!]
    [Lu~! Welcome!]

    Creak, creak!

    The revolver writhed, making the rope sway more. That mournful “Lu~” sound came from the gun itself.

    Well, I couldn’t blame it for being upset.

    Anyone would be, hanging like that. Even someone as stoic as Kim Seungtae wouldn’t last 30 minutes here. He’d probably start bawling.

    “Hmm. Is it super dangerous or something?”

    [Lu?]
    [Lu! Incorrect! Amazing!]

    “Uh… sure.”

    What does that even mean?

    I looked away from the bizarre revolver to examine the other artifacts.

    The sheer quality of the weapons was overwhelming. Each looked like an ultimate treasure.

    From tankers to archers to swordsmen, anyone would covet these.

    But something felt… off.

    It was all too much. Too alluring. Too powerful.

    Too excessive.

    This place, ◈◈ Sealed Room, began to make sense.

    A message appeared.

    [Choose your weapon.]
    [There are no limits on what you can take.]

    No limits, huh.

    Each of these could buy a skyscraper, yet I could take as many as I wanted.

    “Let’s see if this is for real.”

    I tapped the pen on the desk in the center of the hall.

    “Well then, everyone! I’ll give you a chance. First come, first served! Only one of you gets to leave with me!”

    No response at first.

    So I pushed further.

    “If you stay silent, you’re automatically disqualified!”

    Before I even finished speaking—

    • Pick me!
    • Choose me, human!
    • Great one, come here!
    • I’ve been waiting for this moment!
    • Hero, I…

    Every legendary treasure started yelling.

    Of course.

    They could talk all along.

    I slumped into the chair at the central desk. A pen and paper were conveniently provided.

    “Alright… Guess we’re holding interviews now?”

    The hall echoed with the sound of the pen tapping against the desk.

    “You there! The snake-like spear? Your voice is impressive. Confident, I see. Care to introduce yourself?”

    The spear eagerly hissed out its introduction, its sly tone sharp and persuasive.

    And so began the interviews for my starter weapon.

    (To be continued…)

  • Gatekeeper Of The Boundless World Chapter 2

    How did I summon that door?

    It seemed like I thought of the phrase “escape through the door” in my mind.

    “Door.”

    Shen Ye muttered inwardly.

    Silently, the hospital room door reappeared before him.

    On the door was a notice:

    “You can summon the ‘door’ at any time.”

    “However, only the first time you open the ‘door’ each day will grant you an evaluation entry.”

    “The higher the evaluation, the stronger the entry, and the more attribute points it can be converted into.”

    “Currently, the world connected to the ‘door’ is:”

    “Nightmare World.”

    Tsk.

    Only once a day for entries.

    —So much for stockpiling attribute points.

    What should I do?

    To earn a better evaluation tomorrow, I should prepare in advance.

    Shen Ye pressed against the window, peering inside.

    The four-meter-long skeletal monster had returned to the other end of the hallway, burying its head to gnaw on a corpse.

    With my current strength, there’s no way I can beat that thing.

    Communication.

    Communication is the cornerstone of humanity’s survival.

    Shen Ye took a deep breath and forcefully turned the doorknob.

    A chill wind swept in.

    “Hi!”

    He steadied himself and spoke loudly:

    “Sorry to interrupt your meal, but we’ve developed a revolutionary new smartphone after months of effort. Its performance—”

    The skeletal monster roared and charged toward him.

    Bang!

    Shen Ye slammed the door shut, instantly severing the connection between the two worlds.

    Moments later, the door gradually disappeared, taking the monster with it.

    Shen Ye stood there, hand on his forehead, trying to steady his nerves.

    —Too nervous just now. I ended up reciting a sales pitch from my past life.

    How embarrassing.

    Good thing no one knows.

    “You’ve got this, Shen Ye.”

    He encouraged himself.

    “Door.”

    The hospital room door appeared again.

    Through the window, he saw the skeletal monster back in its original spot, opening its jaws to resume feasting on the corpse.

    Shen Ye opened the door and smiled.

    “Sorry to interrupt again, but I was wondering—why don’t we be friends?”

    The skeletal monster charged again.

    Bang.

    The door shut. Communication failed.

    Shen Ye fell into deep thought.

    Judging from its reaction, it seems I’m on its menu.

    If I were the monster, I wouldn’t bother communicating with food either.

    So, under what circumstances would I communicate with food?

    …Got it.

    “Door.”

    Shen Ye muttered again.

    The hospital room door reappeared.

    Looking through the window, he saw the skeletal monster pressing its head against the glass, gnawing on the corpse while staring coldly at him.

    They were separated by just one pane of glass.

    —This monster’s getting clever!

    If I open the door, it can charge right through and devour me!

    But Shen Ye forced himself to stay calm.

    The “door” was his ability. If it were destroyed, the connection between the two worlds would be cut off immediately.

    And he could summon or dismiss the “door” at will.

    He was safe.

    The skeletal monster blocking the doorway? Probably just annoyed at me!

    Shen Ye sighed and spoke sincerely:

    “I don’t want to keep bothering you, but I really want to enter your world.”

    The skeletal monster clawed at the wall, its bone claws tearing through the structure like tofu, crumbling it into silent powder.

    The monster stared at Shen Ye without a word.

    Shen Ye felt its mockery.

    —Mock me all you want; I’m just an ordinary human.

    He observed the skeletal monster closely. Its left leg bone was riddled with cracks, and its right leg bone was missing a chunk.

    No wonder it’s in this half-leaning position.

    Shen Ye suddenly had an idea.

    “Respected skeleton, would you like a wheelchair?” he asked.

    The skeleton stared at him, unmoving.

    —Maybe wheelchairs don’t exist in the Nightmare World!

    Shen Ye grabbed his phone, turned it on, and searched.

    “Look!”

    He showed the screen through the glass, displaying a video of someone using a wheelchair.

    Shen Ye enthusiastically explained:

    “This is a wheelchair, a great mobility aid for those with disabilities. If you need one, I can have one custom-made for you.”

    The skeleton stared at him with hollow sockets as if looking at a fool.

    Unfazed, Shen Ye persisted:

    “Not interested in a wheelchair? Okay, we have other options.”

    He searched for another item and displayed its picture to the monster.

    “This is called a hula hoop, for exercising core muscles.”

    “I’ll buy you one, free shipping, so you can strengthen your pelvis and spine.”

    “That way, you’ll move faster and more energetically in the future.”

    “Here, let me demonstrate how to use it.”

    “See—”

    “You shake your hips like this. Got it?”

    The skeleton alternated its gaze between the phone screen and Shen Ye.

    It clenched its bony claws and struck the door with all its might—

    Boom!!!

    The hospital room door shattered into pieces. The connection between the two worlds was instantly severed, and the skeleton, along with its hallway, vanished.

    “If you don’t like it, just say so. Why resort to violence?”

    Shen Ye muttered softly.

    He paced the room, thinking about how to resolve the situation.

    Tomorrow, I can get a new evaluation entry.

    If I can deal with this skeleton today, tomorrow’s entry will surely be better than the gray “Polite Person” one.

    The attribute points he could gain would also increase.

    This was crucial to his strength—

    Both for the upcoming high school entrance exams and to evade the enemy secretly wielding the “Cursed Sculpture of the King of Fallen Evil Spirits.”

    No matter what, I have to find a way to communicate with that giant skeleton.

    But it seemed to despise him.

    Shen Ye felt a little disheartened but quickly regained his composure.

    No problem!

    Winning over a client required a bit of professional persistence.

    I just need to try harder!

    —So, what exactly does it need?

    After pondering for a while, Shen Ye started to form some new ideas.

    “Door.”

    He uttered the word.

    The hospital door reappeared.

    This time, the giant skeleton was no longer pressed against the glass.

    It had returned to the other end of the corridor, facing away from Shen Ye, continuing to gnaw on the corpse.

    Is it planning to ignore me?

    Shen Ye’s fighting spirit was ignited.

    He cleared his throat and spoke in a solemn and authoritative tone:

    “Friend, do you feel that your limited mobility has robbed you of your former glory?”

    “Friend, do you sometimes feel powerless in battle?”

    “—I can help you!”

    “No charge, no strings attached, all I ask is that we become friends.”

    “Give it a try!”

    “Give me a chance, and I’ll give you back your youthful vigor!”

    “Don’t hesitate. Surely you remember how amazing you were in your prime! I can help you return to that state!”

    As he spoke, he sneaked a glance at the giant skeleton.

    At first, it continued eating as if unmoved.

    But as Shen Ye went on, the skeleton gradually froze, seemingly stirred by his words.

    Time to fan the flames.

    Taking a deep breath, Shen Ye raised his voice through the door:

    “Don’t put it off until tomorrow. Decide today, and reclaim your confidence as a man!”

    The giant skeleton still didn’t turn or move.

    Suddenly—

    With a loud clang, a piece of parchment was nailed to the hospital door, its surface inscribed with rows of crimson text:

    “You have received a Nightmare Contract.”

    “Signatory: Mother of Dark Bones, Ghoul King, Defeated Lord of the Underworld, Micteticahsiwa…”

    Shen Ye’s body jolted.

    This creature has such an impressive backstory?

    But why were there “…” after “Micteticahsiwa”?

    Curious, Shen Ye tapped the “…” with his finger.

    The ellipsis expanded, revealing folded text:

    “Quartermaster of the Fifth Battle Unit of the Skeleton Army under Micteticahsiwa.”

    So the full title was “Mother of Dark Bones, Ghoul King, Defeated Lord of the Underworld, Micteticahsiwa, Quartermaster of the Fifth Battle Unit of the Skeleton Army.”

    Alright, playing it this way, huh.

    Shen Ye squinted, continuing to read:

    “Contract Terms: Mutual Exchange.”

    “Addendum:

    “I recall seven thousand years ago, humanity’s creativity in culture, art, and technology stirred the Twelve Resonations of the Eternal Fate Bell, drawing even the gods’ attention.

    “Human, I hope you can help me regain my strength.

    “—I do not sign contracts with beings other than gods, so you’d better understand the value of this agreement.”

    “Sign your name on the next line, and the contract will be established.”

    “Signatory: ()”

    A faint white light radiated from Shen Ye, resonating with the contract.

    A realization surfaced in his mind.

    Since this Nightmare Contract was nailed to the door, it was bound by his ability.

    If either party found the arrangement unsatisfactory, Shen Ye could cancel the contract at any time.

    In other words—

    The contract was valid and enforceable.

    —But if he couldn’t help the skeleton, the contract would be worthless.

    Shen Ye took a pen from his stationery box and solemnly signed his name:

    “Shen Ye…”

    —Only for an ellipsis to appear after his name as well.

    I have one too?

    Surprised, Shen Ye glanced at the skeleton, who now rushed over and pointed at the contract with a long, bony finger through the door.

    The ellipsis after Shen Ye’s name expanded:

    “Vanquisher of the Curse of the Ten Thousand Fallen Ghost King, Guardian of Nightmare and Reality, Sole Manipulator of Dual-Realm Space.”

    Wow, I didn’t know I was a big deal.

    Shen Ye mused silently, sneaking a look at the skeleton. To his surprise, the creature was also staring at the text, seemingly taken aback.

    Dong… Dong… Dong… Dong… Dong!

    A solemn, majestic bell echoed from somewhere unseen.

    Above the hospital door, golden runes etched themselves in midair, forming two pointers. One pointed to the golden text: “Mother of Dark Bones, Ghoul King, Defeated Lord of the Underworld, Micteticahsiwa, Quartermaster of the Fifth Battle Unit of the Skeleton Army.”

    The other pointed to the luminous white text:

    “Vanquisher of the Curse of the Ten Thousand Fallen Ghost King, Guardian of Nightmare and Reality, Shen Ye.”

    The pointers and titles glowed brightly, holding their radiance for several moments before fading away.

    The contract was sealed!

  • The Rogue Chapter 3

    Of course, Hagen probably thought he was apologizing, but to the bandits on the receiving end, his words only made them froth at the mouth like rabid dogs. Meanwhile, I waited calmly and patiently, and as soon as the bandits struggled their way up the steep slope, I fired at them. With such unstable footing, how could these bandits possibly dodge the repeating bowgun? The lead bandit, riddled with bolts, toppled backward, dragging the others with him in a cascade. The ensuing rumble of falling soil and gravel sounded almost like a landslide.

    “Damn it! We can’t just let this happen! Return fire with arrows!”

    The bearded man, who seemed to be their leader, wielded a hefty sword as he barked out orders. At his command, the bandits drew their bows and began launching arrows in our direction.

    “Hmm, they’re putting up quite the fight.”

    “But what good will it do?”

    I sidestepped the poorly aimed arrows, noting their amateurish archery skills. Their bows and arrows were crude, and their lack of teamwork—failing to create a proper crossfire—was evident. They could shoot all day and still not hit us up here. However, while they were busy firing, others were attempting to climb the cliffside.

    “This isn’t good. It might be time to retreat.”

    “Agreed.”

    Hagen, hearing my words, casually picked up a large boulder, easily the size of a human torso. It must have weighed at least 100 kilograms, but Hagen carried it as if it were nothing and marched toward the cliff’s edge. If I found this sight astonishing as his comrade, imagine the terror of the bandits below. Standing at the edge, he looked down at the climbing bandits.

    “Sorry, fellas. I know it must’ve been a tough climb. Why don’t you head back down and rest?”

    “Argh!”

    “That crazy bastard!”

    The bandits screamed as Hagen, shaking his head as if in pity, spoke with mock sorrow.

    “Aww, don’t be so upset. It breaks my heart to see you like this. You wound my delicate heart. Idiots~!”

    Then, with a dramatic flair, he pushed the boulder down at them. A heavy thud resonated, followed by the sound of bodies and debris tumbling down. Judging by the racket, a fair number of bandits were taken out by the rock.

    “Arghhh!”

    “Damn it! Those bastards—kill them!”

    The bandits’ curses echoed in their frustration. Losing their cool would only dull their judgment. I glanced at Hagen, who dodged the raining arrows while standing atop a rock.

    “Ha-ha-ha! How dare you crawl into the domain of the Velkysus Rangers! You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. Now, let me show you something unforgettable! Hah!”

    With those words, He suddenly dropped his pants—though only to his knees for mobility.

    “Behold! The size! The angle! The sheer magnificence!”

    He swung his hips, making a slapping noise as his thighs struck… well, you know.

    “You ordinary folk could never have imagined such perfection existed! Ha-ha-ha!”

    “……”

    At this point, I couldn’t even muster the energy to stop him. Lately, I’ve found myself wondering if I should request a new partner, but no other candidate would likely be much different. After all, we, the Velkysus Rangers, were unmatched in this rugged terrain. Strength in numbers wasn’t necessary, which meant no elaborate facilities or entertainment to distract from the boredom. In such isolation, frustration was inevitable. By comparison, Hagen and Bugs were relatively tame.

    “Kill that bastard!”

    Enraged by Hagen’s antics, the bandits charged blindly. But by then, Bugs and I, fully reloaded, unleashed another volley of bolts from atop the rocks. This exhausted our ammunition, but the effect was decisive. The bandits, devastated, tumbled back down the slope.

    “Damn it! Flank them! We’ll be wiped out if this continues!”

    Finally, they came to their senses, abandoning their futile uphill charge to find alternate routes.

    “Man, even bugbears catch on faster than this. It took them this long to think of flanking us?”

    “Yeah, slow learners for sure.”

    With that, we moved.

    “Time to retreat!”

    “Right. Route 16 it is.”

    “Kairas! Go inform the base! We’ll lead them toward Route 16. Got it?!”

    “Got it. I’ll take this path, so lure them well!”

    “Leave it to us! See you later, darling!”

    Hagen blew me a mock kiss, which I dodged with exaggerated disgust.

    “Will you knock it off?!”

    “Aww, don’t hate me!”

    “Hate? Try utterly despising you!”

    “That’s just proof of my love.”

    “……”

    Arguing further would only make me look foolish. Gritting my teeth, I leaped into the thickets.

    “Let’s move!”

    With a spring in my step, I darted through the underbrush. The rain-soaked ground squelched underfoot, splashing water with every step.

    “Phew! Is this enough? Hmm. Well, it doesn’t look like there are any pursuers. And it’s not like Hagen or Bugs would lose to a bunch of bandits.”

    I stopped running through the forest and turned around to look back. As expected, not a single ant was scuttling behind me. We, the Velkysus Rangers, are seasoned experts when it comes to mountains. No matter how strong or agile an opponent is, no one can match us in navigating through mountain terrain. This place is our home. Even if the bandits put in their best effort, once they face us, they have no means of retaliation. They can’t even catch up to us after we ambush them with quarrels and vanish.

    “Hmm. Tch. Ended up killing someone again, huh.”

    It wasn’t my first kill, but taking a life never feels good. That said, I wasn’t wallowing in guilt like, “Oh no, I killed someone!” It was more like my mind felt a little unsettled. Perhaps it would’ve been different if it were a fair fight to the death, but shooting arrows from a safe distance and running away feels undeniably cowardly, no matter how many enemies there were.

    “Damn those stupid bandits. Coming into the Velkysus Mountains without any real skill—how annoying!”

    Grumbling to myself, I turned my head left and right to scan the surroundings. The forest was bursting with vibrant green life, shedding its winter coat. Even in the faint drizzle, the fresh greenery radiated vitality. The rain-soaked leaves exuded a rich, woody fragrance, and the trees that had looked lifeless all winter now appeared rejuvenated. The light drizzle that had been drenching the forest was finally letting up.

    “Whew. What a breathtaking sight.”

    I exclaimed as I gazed at the rising mist, as if the ground were boiling over. If a sea of clouds is called an ocean of clouds, then should a sea of mist be called an ocean of mist? This place had turned into a genuine ocean of mist. The scattered trees looked like islands, and the mist surged toward them like waves. From this perspective, it seemed like an idyllic spring moment. However…

    “Huh?”

    I suddenly felt a strange sense of discomfort and turned around. It was as if someone was watching me—an eerie sensation. But there was no sign of anyone actually hiding and staring at me. It felt more like the presence of something supernatural rather than human. This indescribable feeling left even me, the one experiencing it, unsure of how to explain it. Lowering my stance, I cast a wary gaze around my surroundings. It wasn’t bandits. Whatever it was, it was far beyond something like that. Something entirely different was happening here.

    “What the hell is going on?”

    I muttered, though there was no one around to answer me. The silence was overwhelming. Not even the sound of birds could be heard. A cold shiver ran down my spine, and my body trembled enough that my teeth chattered. Was it because of the rain-soaked chill? I cautiously placed my hand on the hilt of my sword. A sudden and intrusive thought hit me, as if a stone had been thrown into the still waters of my mind. It felt like an unwelcome invasion into my psyche. Tense and alert, I scanned the area once more.

    “Where are you…?”

    A dizziness swept over me, as if the world around me were spinning. Confusion set in. What was out there? Who—or what—was causing this unease? Could I at least get a clue? The uncertainty was maddening.

    “Where are you…?”

    I murmured as I licked my lower lip. It tasted salty—not rain, but sweat. Cold sweat. Damn it. It was the first time since becoming a Velkysus Ranger that I had broken out in a cold sweat.

    “…”

    Nothing was happening. Damn, what’s with a Velkysus Ranger like me getting this wound up? I slowly started to relax, easing out of my defensive stance. But then, as if it had been waiting for that moment—

    Thud!

    “A bird?”

    I raised my arm to shield my head and looked around. Birds were suddenly taking flight from the forest. Something felt off.

    “Nocturnal birds?”

    Not just the nocturnal ones. Predatory birds like owls, eagles, and hawks, which would normally prey on the smaller birds, were all fleeing in panic without a care for their usual prey. Damn it, what’s about to happen here?

    Rumble…!

    “It’s here!”

    A powerful tremor shook the ground. It felt as if I were on a swaying ship. I crouched low, carefully observing the terrain around me.

    RUMBLE!

    The ground trembled with an intensity far beyond the earlier vibration. The earth itself quaked violently, and trees, firmly rooted after the long winter, were being uprooted as if they were mere toys on a wobbly table. Trees that massive looked as light as feathers. What the hell was going on?

    “Damn it! An earthquake?”

    I rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding a falling tree. The sharp cracking sound of snapping branches echoed through the forest as the trees toppled. However, the dense forest prevented them from falling completely, as the collapsing trees leaned against their neighbours. Even the trees seemed to show solidarity, supporting their fallen companions. It was enough to bring a tear to my eye…

    “What nonsense am I thinking?”

    I muttered, shaking off the absurd thought and scanning my surroundings. The tremors came in waves, each one as powerful as the last.

    “Damn it!”

    Cursing to no one in particular, I moved to a safer spot. How long did it last? Finally, the tremors subsided, and calm returned.

    “Phew. What the hell? An earthquake out of nowhere? This area isn’t even prone to earthquakes…”