The Novel's Extra - Chapter 34 – Exam Period (2)
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Chapter 34 – Exam Period (2)

Yoo Yeonha called Chae Nayun and asked if what Kim Hajin said was true. Chae Nayun carefully explained what happened, and it was as Kim Hajin had said. She went so far as to make a definitive claim.

“There’s no way Kim Hajin is a djinn,” she said.

They disbanded the meeting as Kim Hajin stomped out while Kim Suho and Yi Yeonghan chased after him.

Room 303 became silent as the three remaining people didn’t speak. Yoo Yeonha looked at Kim Horak massaging his right shoulder.

“… Does it hurt?”

“N-No, I’m fine.”

“That was your gift, right?”

Many cadets knew about Kim Horak’s gift. It simply amplified his body’s explosive and destructive power. This brute and straightforward gift was one of the strongest for martial arts. However, Kim Hajin had dodged his attack with movements that were neither flashy nor nimble.

“…”

Kim Horak looked away from Yoo Yeonha’s gaze. He didn’t feel sorry about accusing Kim Hajin, only embarrassed that his attack had been easily avoided.

“Sigh.”

Yoo Yeonha glanced at Shin Jonghak. He stared at his smartwatch. Was he messaging Chae Nayun? Yoo Yeonha worried.

“Jonghak, what are you up to?”

She approached him with an affectionate smile. Shin Jonghak answered without bothering to look at her.

“I’m looking to see if there’s more of an item I bought.”

“Item?”

“Yeah, I bought something.”

“What did you buy?”

Yoo Yeonha pulled on Shin Jonghak’s arm and acted cutely.

“You don’t need to know.”

Shin Jonghak pushed her away. Yoo Yeonha froze at his cold action.

“… Tsk. If we’re done, I’m leaving.”

Shin Jonghak clicked his tongue and stood up. He believed his actions were justified. He had been looking at the famous Violet Banquet website. However, Cube cadets were prohibited from being a member. It wasn’t just Violet Banquet. Any black market ID could result in expulsion. Even so, his indifferent attitude hurt Yoo Yeonha’s feelings.

“Kim Horak, aren’t you coming?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah.”

Kim Horak peeked at Yoo Yeonha, but followed Shin Jonghak like a puppy. She stood alone and looked around the empty room. Suddenly, anger filled her heart. This wasn’t the first time something like this happened. She started to get upset.

Shin Jonghak, you bastard, just which part of Chae Nayun is better than me? Sigh. What can I do? I just have to try harder.

Yoo Yeonha was about to chase after Shin Jonghak, but her smartwatch vibrated. A message came from Yun Hyun.

— There’s going to be a preparatory exam next Monday. You’re coming, right?

Club activities had paused during exams, but the academic club offered peer tutoring. Yoo Yeonha began typing, but she suddenly remembered what Kim Hajin said. The culprit was Yun Hyun…

“Stupid.”

Yoo Yeonha dismissed it and sent her reply.

***

I chased away Kim Suho and Yi Yeonghan. Then I sat on a bench until 9 P.M. and stared at the night sky in an empty park. Finally, I released the bitterness in my heart.

“… Haa.”

I reflected on what had happened. Not only was I thrown into my novel, I even got into an argument with the characters I created. All sorts of feelings pent up in my heart exploded today. I wanted to just quit and go back to my old, one-room house. I wanted to see my parents, whom I always avoided, saying I was too busy, but now I was full of regrets.

How was time flowing in my old world? If it was the same, I should be a missing person by now. I might even be considered dead. After all, I would have to spend at least 10 years in this world.

I was glad I raised my perseverance stat. In this world, I had nothing. My memories, relationships, feelings, none of them were here. My old self wouldn’t have been able to endure it. Even if I didn’t commit suicide, I would have given up on returning home. I might have given up being part of the main storyline and lived a normal life.

“Ah, I want to see you, Mom.”

It didn’t feel right saying this as a 26 year old man, but my voice trembled from the sincerity in my heart. I hoped she was healthy. I hoped she was getting along with Dad. If time flowed normally in the other world, I hoped they would find out I was missing as late as possible. I didn’t want to imagine them sad because of me.

Once I thought along this line, it didn’t seem to end. I remembered my friends whom I cursed from time to time for calling me when I was busy, but I missed them, especially today. Even the seniors from college and the army, who liked to mess with me, popped up in my head. Both good and bad connections lit up in my heart like stars.

But it was dark outside, and not even a faint star existed. Dreaming of stars in a starless world only filled me with anguish.

“… Huu.”

I wiped my eyes and stood up. The handgun in my hand still felt cold and heavy.

***

Thanks to my high perseverance stat, my broken mentality quickly recovered after a day. The weekend flew by after working out, hunting, and buying stocks like usual.

“Exams are next week, starting with written exams. Combat exams will be on the following week. Remember that written exams are just as important as combat exams.”

Today was Monday. The professor purposely spoke in a grave tone. Midterm exams would begin in just a week. I was also a bit apprehensive. I had nothing to worry about for written exams, but my problem was combat exams. In duels, cadets fought in one-on-one battles. In monster wars, they fought illusionary monsters summoned by magicians rather than mana puppets. Cadets never showed mercy in duels to maximize their points, and the summoned monsters were no different than real monsters. I had to prepare myself for the pain of getting cut or having my bones broken.

“…”

Setting aside the exams, I couldn’t focus in class today because of someone next to me. Rachel always sat by herself in the back, but ever since the results for phenomenon realm analysis came out, she had been moving closer seat by seat, and now she sat next to me. There was still an empty seat between us, but Rachel kept sneaking glances at my notebook. She also wrote something down. Just to be sure, I wrote down a random string of words.

[Yoo Kim Ok Jun Ja Hyuk]

Yoo Okja. Kim Junhyuk. It was my mother’s and father’s name. I rolled my eyes to the side and observed Rachel. She snuck a glance before quickly jotting something down in her notebook. I could see the words, Yoo Kim Ok Jun Ha Hyuk????

Next, I scribbled a string of numbers next to my parents’ names.

[19680529.19660912]

It was my father’s and mother’s birthday. Rachel also jotted down the numbers. I scribbled the name of the dog I used to have, then iputsmid, which was an anagram for I’m stupid…

The class ended while I messed around with Rachel.

“Good luck with your exams next week. The results will be posted for everyone to see, so don’t embarrass yourselves.”

The professor left after reminding the cadets. Chae Nayun’s seat became noisy as she had returned from the hospital today. She still had trouble moving and used all sorts of equipment. Kim Suho and Shin Jonghak ran up to her like in the original story.

“What’s wrong with you guys. I can move just fine by myself.”

They backed off at her complaint, but hovered around.

“Kim Suho, you should leave.”

“… Why?”

“Can’t you see Nayun is uncomfortable with you around?”

Shin Jonghak provoked Kim Suho as usual, and another girl watched from the side with somewhat lonely eyes. She smiled as though she was fine, but I knew she felt alienated. Yoo Yeonha approached them and spoke.

“Jonghak, Nayun, I’m going first.”

“Yeah.”

“Hm? Oh, bye Yeonha. Good luck studying.”

Shin Jonghak and Chae Nayun only greeted her out of courtesy. Yoo Yeonha left the classroom biting her lips. I stuffed my laptop and utensils in my bag and walked out the back door. Suddenly, I ran into Yoo Yeonha. She should have left to the dorms, but she went the opposite direction.

“…”

We looked at each other awkwardly.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

“… To the dorm.”

This wasn’t the way to the dorm, but I didn’t want to continue talking.

“I see.”

Yoo Yeonha didn’t say anything more either. She slightly bowed and walked past me.

***

Yoo Yeonha opened the clubroom door. It looked no different than usual, but the empty room was slightly chilly. The only person inside was Yun Hyun, reading at the podium. Yoo Yeonha tilted her head. Where was everyone else? Yun Hyun noticed her and walked over.

“You’re here?”

“… Yes.”

“Come take a seat.”

Yoo Yeonha sat down for now. Not having anyone else around made her uneasy, but she soon calmed down thanks to Yun Hyun. His scent made her feel cozy.

“Where did everyone go?”

“They’re coming soon. Oh right, Yeonha, I heard you joined the team.”

“Team?”

“You know, the djinn investigation team. I’m in it too as the second year representative.”

Yun Hyun’s voice was clear and firm. At least, that’s how Yoo Yeonha felt.

“Oh really?”

As expected, Kim Hajin’s suspicion was complete nonsense.

“But we haven’t made any progress. Do you guys have any leads? Any suspects?”

“No, not yet.”

“Really? So you guys haven’t made any progress either?”

Yun Hyun asked softly. Yoo Yeonha pondered for a moment at his courteous manner of speech. Progress. There wasn’t any. The meeting disbanded before anything happened.

“Mm… One person did say something, but it was stupid.”

“Stupid? I’m curious what it was.”

Yun Hyun leaned against the desk she sat on and placed down a scented candle.

“What’s this?”

“A scented candle. It’ll help when we’re studying later. Anyways, what did this person say?”

Yun Hyun asked with a kind smile on his face. Yoo Yeonha smelled the scented candle. It was gentle and aromatic. Her body relaxed, and the day’s exhaustion seemed to wear away.

“Tell me.”

“It’s nothing.”

Yoo Yeonha smirked. “Some guy said you were a djinn. That you could use some sort of mental magic. Absurd, isn’t it?”

After answering, Yoo Yeonha sniffed the scented candle once more. The wonderful fragrance smelled addicting. She missed Yun Hyun’s face because she was focused on the scented candle.

“… Does he have proof?”

“No…?”

Yoo Yeonha suddenly snapped out of her daze. Tension welled up in her body. She turned towards Yun Hyun and glared at him. Most innocent people wouldn’t ask if there was any evidence when being suspected. At least, not as the first question. After all, there couldn’t possibly be any evidence against someone who didn’t commit a crime.

“Oh, oops, I misspoke. What a funny kid. On what grounds is he calling me a djinn?”

Yun Hyun realized his mistake and quickly corrected himself, but it was too late. Yoo Yeonha retreated, taking out her whip and pointing it at Yun Hyun.

“Who are you?”

“… What’s wrong, Yeonha?”

Yun Hyun smiled. The gentle arc in his eyes and lips twisted viciously.

“It’s not your turn yet.”