The Novel's Extra - Chapter 31 – Same Bed, Different Dreams (1)
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Chapter 31 – Same Bed, Different Dreams (1)

“Ah…”

I groaned as I lay on the ground with bones all around me. I had no talent for close ranged combat, but I didn’t want to waste precious bullets on skeletons. I had transformed aether into a club. The ginseng’s effect had worn off, but I wondered why I acted so bold.

“I would’ve died if they were black skeletons…”

I destroyed 3-4 white skeletons every time I swung the club. My body felt stronger, but the fight still took 25 minutes. If they weren’t low ranked white skeletons… I didn’t even want to imagine the outcome.

“Agh.”

I scratched my back with a bone. Finally, I managed to obtain aether and Evandel’s seed. This was my most significant accomplishment since entering my novel. I opened my laptop.

[A fraction of the ginseng’s effect has dissolved into your body. Your strength and stamina have increased by 0.02 points!] [You have obtained 47 SP.]

I didn’t gain much from the system. Was it because aether wasn’t a well-known weapon yet?

▷Variable Stats [Strength 2.455] [Stamina 2.545] [Speed 2.85] [Perception 3.705] [Vitality 2.465] [Magic power 1.925]

The increase in my variable stats felt worthwhile. Aether boosted each by 0.6 points, raising them above 2 except for magic power. Finally, I could barely qualify as a real cadet.

“It’s time to leave.”

I closed the laptop after appreciating my stats. I wasn’t sure if I could properly walk, but I would die if any more monsters came.

I forced my creaking body up.

***

I barely made it to the dorm before curfew at 10 P.M. Immediately, I showered and washed away all the dirt. The warm water felt so refreshing after a rough day.

“Phew.”

I wiped myself off after showering. The 0.6 stat increase physically showed. Without flexing, I had a clear six-pack. I guess it was the same for other cadets too. I stopped fooling around in the mirror and left the bathroom. After putting on my underwear, I set my laptop and Evandel’s seed on the desk.

“I brought it, but…”

[Evandel’s Seed] — Seed containing the soul of the witch Evandel.

When this seed germinates, Evandel the Witch of Despair will be born. Her title sounded evil, but she could become a powerful ally. The environment where one grew up was crucial in raising any living being. I just had to raise her well.

Feeding the seed required small amounts of blood instead of water. A witch’s personality and growth depended on whose blood. Chae Nayun’s or Kim Suho’s would be best, but acquiring it wouldn’t be easy.

“I’ll just hold onto you for now.”

I wrapped Evandel’s seed in a handkerchief and placed it in a drawer. Chae Nayun and Kim Suho regularly donated blood. Perhaps, I could pull some tricks and steal their blood.

Next, I hacked Chae Nayun’s smartwatch to prepare for tomorrow. Coincidentally, she was chatting with Sven.

Sven: [You’re coming to the club tomorrow, right?]

[Yeah, when are we meeting?]

Sven: [Come to the Portal at 4.]

[Why so early?]

Sven: [The meeting is in Gangwondo, so let’s bet who will get more kills before the seniors arrive.]

[Sure, sounds good.]

They seemed to have gotten fairly close. The official meeting was at 5 P.M., but Sven had asked to meet an hour earlier.

4 P.M.

After noting the time, I accessed Violet Banquet to sell the ginseng. Packhorse Master stock was on the rise. I wanted to buy more before it was too late.

[Violet Banquet Online Auction House] [Item for Sale] [Description: 7 year old ginseng from Gangwondo’s mountain.]

[Please place the item on the portal for appraisal.]

A circular hologram projected from the laptop screen. Once I placed the ginseng there, it would be transported to Violet Banquet’s appraisal center where they would appraise and auction it. Unfortunately, I couldn’t explain the technology. Magic engineering created a portal, but I had no clue how it projected remotely. Modern technology wasn’t advanced enough to achieve such a feat.

However, Violet Banquet could do it. The reason was simple. It was the reward from the Tower of Information. Towers gave rewards beyond anyone’s imagination.

[The item has been transported. It will be appraised within the next 24 hours.]

I closed the laptop after the ginseng disappeared.

***

Thursday, 3:30 P.M.

I got dressed before it was too late. I felt in peak condition thanks to the modified fatigue recovery potion. Now, I just had to coincidentally join up with Sven and Chae Nayun. I wanted to chase Sven away if possible, but that was beyond my ability.

I left the dorm and arrived at the bus station. A bus soon arrived, but I passed. I waited for Chae Nayun and noticed her from a mile away. Her face radiated wherever she went.

“What are you doing here?”

Chae Nayun acknowledged my existence at least. I tilted my head nonchalantly. Sven should already be waiting at the portal station, but I knew Chae Nayun would be late. That was just her personality. I also peeked at the message she sent Sven.

“Why didn’t you get on the bus?” Chae Nayun asked. I flinched for a moment. So she had seen me waiting for the bus. Come to think of it, Chae Nayun also had good eyes.

“I came too early for the club meeting, so I skipped it since I don’t have anything better to do.”

“Oh? What club are you in?”

“Hunting.”

“Hunting? I’m in hunting too. I don’t remember seeing you…”

The bus arrived while Chae Nayun spoke. I hopped as she followed.

“I didn’t go to the orientation, so that’s probably why.”

I sat on a seat.

“… I see.”

Chae Nayun sat across from me and doubtfully glanced before opening her mouth.

“Just how many clubs are you in? I heard from Yeonha that you were in her club.”

“Three.”

“Wow, what a waste of time.”

“You’re in 2 too.”

“I’m… So what?”

I forced myself to smile before closing my eyes. I didn’t want to continue this conversation. Chae Nayun didn’t seem to mind ending it either.

We arrived at the portal station without talking for the rest of the ride. I could see Sven in the distance. He ran towards the bus, but paused when he saw me. Then he walked up with a smile.

“You came earlier than I expected.”

“Mhm. Oh right, Sven. You know him, right? He’s the one who helped us before. Kim Hajin.”

“Yeah, I know. Hey.”

Sven and I shook hands. He tried to let go, but I didn’t let him. Instead, I firmly grasped his hand and stared into his black, lifeless eyes. My observation gift peered deep into his pupils and caught a glimpse of Asmodeus’ evil energy.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

Chae Nayun stepped in and separated us. No, she separated Sven from me.

“Why are you picking a fight?”

She snapped at me, but I turned around without saying anything and walked to the portal station’s entrance. I wasn’t particularly skilled at distinguishing the state of djinns, but Sven was undoubtedly in a dangerous condition. I could simply tell by looking at my laptop.

[In the original story, he died after going berserk without accomplishing anything.] [Modified setting – Has increased self-control and mental power to help restrain Asmodeus’ power.]

***

We arrived at a residential area in Gangwondo. Many monsters and wild animals roamed around because of the high mana density. The hunting club, Leonidas, cooperated with the local government and residents to hunt in the area. The cadets helped the citizens while enjoying their hobbies by hunting these creatures.

“You met on the way here?”

Sven asked Chae Nayun at the club’s meeting place.

“Yeah.”

Chae Nayun narrowed her eyes at Kim Hajin’s movements. He sat on a rock and looked at his watch. He kept doing that while pretending to be oblivious and loitered around them.

“Doesn’t it look like he’s following us?”

“Yeah.”

“…”

Sven stared at Kim Hajin for a while before continuing, “Be careful.”

“About what?”

“You heard about cadets going missing lately, right?”

“He wouldn’t do something like that.”

“But…”

“He has an alibi.”

Kim Hajin had been recorded using a portal during the estimated time of the third victim. That’s why Chae Nayun recommended him to the djinn investigation team. After all, Yoo Yeonha, who was known for her objective judgment, also praised his eyesight.

“Really?”

“Hm…”

Chae Nayun pondered as she rubbed her chin.

Although he wasn’t a suspect, he acted strangely. Even today, Kim Hajin skipped a bus to take the next one with me. 

"It can’t be that he likes me, right?"

It didn’t sound completely absurd now that she thought about it. He must’ve brought up my older brother to get my attention. It all makes sense. Not to mention his aggressive stance towards Sven today… Oh, and even before then, at the National Weapons Museum, his partner should have been Yoo Yeonha, but he came to the museum.

Of course, it was only suspicion, but he went about it completely wrong if that was his intention. Harassing someone for attention was so shameless and awful. Secretly following someone was no different from stalking.

“Nah, no way.”

Chae Nayun shook her head.

It didn't make sense. She couldn't even remember if they had met before the museum incident. Of course, she knew lots of guys had crushes on her. But still…

“Look, the others are here.”

Sven pointed ahead. Startled, Chae Nayun looked up. The hunting club’s leader and the other members walked over.

***

[546,000,000]

My ginseng sold for 546 million won half a day after the auction. Even after the 11% auction fee, I received around 500 million won for the ginseng with 4 missing roots (I snapped off another one in case of an emergency). If I invested all this into stocks…

“Now, gather around everyone!”

A cheerful voice rang out. The club leader and everyone else had arrived.

Today’s event would finally start.

Honestly, I didn’t exactly know what would happen today. I only roughly wrote the conclusion.

[The berserk Sven gravely injured Chae Nayun before turning into dust.]

That was it. The whole point of this event was for Kim Suho to look out for Chae Nayun. He would mistake Chae Nayun as the djinn’s target and Yoo Yeonha would be kidnapped while everyone paid attention to her. Something like that.

The biggest problem was that Sven had become calmer and more elaborate. Chae Nayun might suffer even more since he could better control Asmodeus’ power.

“It’s nice to see everyone again. Our hunting club helps citizens by hunting wild animals, killing two birds with one stone.”

The club leader began his speech.

“Oh, by the way, who might you be? I don’t recall seeing you at the orientation.”

He suddenly paused his speech and asked me.

“I’m Kim Hajin. Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend the orientation due to a personal matter.”

“Ah, that’s fine. We didn’t do much at orientation. For today…”

I looked for Chae Nayun while ignoring the club leader. I quickly found her, but almost jumped in surprise. Chae Nayun was also staring at me with a suspicious look.