Tomer’s boldness attracted the entire class. Rachel stared at her puzzled, but Tomer even reached out her hand. I wondered why she approached Rachel. Wicked’s djinns operated like mercenaries. Lancaster might be the mastermind behind her mission if she approached Rachel.

“I’ll think about it. There’s still a lot of time.”

Rachel postponed her decision. Then she checked her smartwatch and saw my message. She glanced over and we made eye contact. Sssk. Rachel quickly turned to the window and pretended not to see me. I guess two offers made her happy since she began to smile. I turned towards the front of the class. She replied after about 10 minutes.

[I’ll think about it.]

I hoped she would pick me since we already had somewhat of a friendship. I stopped thinking about the team challenge and focused on a more important issue. I stared at Kim Suho’s back. Summer break had gone by, so it was almost time. Kim Suho should be preparing for a dungeon. He planned to solo it like a typical protagonist.

It was a small dungeon with weak minions, but a powerful boss called the Swordsman of Destruction. A high-intermediate rank hero would still struggle, but not Kim Suho. Even Evandel could easily answer who would win between a swordsman and a sword saint. Kim Suho’s magic power would easily shatter the boss’ sword, and only a single tree branch would remain. This branch would become Kim Suho’s weapon.

Its divine name was Misteltein, aka the god-slaying branch. Many tales described this legendary weapon as a branch, a sword, or even a spear. I had set its unawakened form as a branch, and it would become a sword as it awakened.

However, Kim Suho wouldn’t know at first because of its ordinary appearance. The butterfly seedling’s dust caused its first awakening and transformed it into a black branch. I found it funny how this branch would later beat powerful monsters like king ogres and sea kings. I couldn’t help but chuckle as I thought back to the Kim Suho in my novel.

I had to join his dungeon conquest. After all, I had the butterfly seedling’s dust, but that wasn’t the only reason. Frankly, I worried if Kim Suho could beat the dungeon alone. This world wasn’t as easy as the one I created. Also, the dungeon might provide me with something useful.

“Now, you may proceed to class.”

The morning announcement ended as we left for class.

“Ah, Hajin, where are you going?”

A girl I had never seen before clung to my side.

“What?”

I’m going to class, where else would I be going?

“Well, you see, I was wondering if you had—”

“Hajin!”

Jin Hoseung cut in before the girl could finish. He was on my team last semester.

“I got tickets to the French Artifact Museum. Napoleon’s rifle will be on display tomorrow.”

I ended up accepting the ticket, but it didn’t end there. A bunch of cadets, some I knew and some I didn’t, all started bribing me. I accepted their gifts without declining.

***

I returned to my room after classes and pondered on the couch. Evandel slept on my thigh like a pillow, so I couldn’t move.

“How should I handle it?”

I thought about how to appease Tomer. Currently, she hadn’t fully assimilated with the djinns. I felt like I could bring her to our side as long as I found her father. However, the Book of Truth couldn’t find him for some reason.

I had no choice but to employ other methods. Yoo Jinhyuk was undoubtedly the best, but he cost too much. Yoo Jinhyuk also restricted his range to Korea. It would be a huge waste if Tomer’s father wasn’t in Korea.

“Oh right.”

I suddenly recalled someone. A trustworthy informant who knew Kim Chundong. The chubby boy I first met at the entrance ceremony. What was his name? Kim… right, Kim Hosup. Of course, we hadn’t talked to each other since then, so I didn’t know his phone number. However, I could easily find out. I opened the Book of Truth and asked for Kim Hosup’s number.

“Argh.”

Just looking up a single phone number consumed 30% of my magic power. Was the Book of Truth too costly? Or were two streaks of stigma not enough? I immediately called him. Tururu— Tururu— Three little pigs— He had a strange ringtone, but quickly picked up.

— Hello?

Kim Hosup had an unexpectedly deep voice.

“Hey, Hosup. It’s Hajin. How have you been?”

— Ah, Hajin. It’s been a while!

His tone quickly changed.

— What’s up?

“Um… Hosup.”

— Un?

“What have you been up to lately?”

— Me?

The way he dragged out his sentences annoyed me, but Hosup would serve an important role. Although everyone mistreated him because of his appearance and strange personality, Yoo Yeonha would notice his talents in 7 years.

— I’m… doing okay. Why did you call me?

He sounded meek. Tsk, it seemed some seniors at his workplace had bullied him. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to comfort him.

“Nothing much. Just… I’m wondering if you can help me find someone.”

— A person?

“Yeah. I’ll send you a supercomputer as payment.”

A good computer would amplify his gift.

— A supercomputer? Aren’t you poor?

“I have a lot of money now. I’ll send it to you this week. Can you do it?”

— It should be possible if you have his background information.

“Perfect. I’ll send it to you right away.”

I sent him Fernin Jesus’ fake identity and the picture from Tomer.

“Alright, I just sent it. Also, Hosup.”

— Hm?

“If you’re going to quit your job…”

Kim Hosup might not be an altruist or a philanthropist, but he was a good person. He would be more helpful if Yoo Yeonha discovered him earlier.

“There’s a new information guild called Falling Blossom. You should join. They only care about your ability, so they’ll treat you well.”

I told Hosup about the workplace where he would shine in the future.

***

Kim Suho trained alone in a dark forest at 10 P.M. Shwik— His sword caused the air to undulate. He followed with a spinning slash after a light jab and several small slashes. His movements perfectly flowed as if the sword always protected him. His technique looked flawless and as light as a feather. Kim Suho reflected on his sword technique every night to maintain his knight mindset. Nowadays, he also devoted himself for another reason. That was…

“Are you training?”

Someone startled him as he turned around.

“Kim Hajin?”

Kim Hajin leaned against a tree while watching the sword training. Kim Suho sheathed his weapon.

“Are you also here to train?”

Kim Suho asked him as Kim Hajin approached with a smile and shook his head.

“No, I’m just on a walk. Anyways, it’s still early in the semester, but you sure work hard. If someone saw you, they would think you’re trying to conquer a dungeon alone.”

“…”

Kim Suho’s body slightly shook. Kim Hajin continued to smile as he chattered uncharacteristically.

“No way, am I right?”

“… No.”

Kim Suho denied it with a smile. However, Kim Hajin’s eyes narrowed at him. Kim Suho slightly shrunk back from Kim Hajin’s eyes, which seemed to see through everything.

“You went out last week, right? To Kamak Mountain. I saw you on my way back.”

“…”

Kim Suho stared at Kim Hajin. He had felt the resonance of a sword from Kamak Mountain. At first, he climbed the mountain to feel its life energy. However, a sword qi inside the mountain called to him. This strange call attracted his attention, and he found an unidentified dungeon at the epicenter.

“How did you know?” Kim Suho carefully asked.

“I saw you coincidentally. You know how I go out a lot. Not to brag or anything, but my eyes…”

Kim Hajin tapped his eyes. “If I climb Kumgang Mountain, I can see up to Seoul… no, Uijeonbu.”

Kim Suho continued staring at Kim Hajin. Silence usually made people anxious, but Kim Hajin seemed completely at ease.

“Let me join if you plan on conquering a dungeon. I’m pretty useful outside of Cube.”

“…”

“We’ll split the loot 9:1. If you get a tree branch, I’ll only take a few leaves.”

***

A week passed in the blink of an eye as Monday came around. The team submission deadline would be in two days.

“Hmm…”

Chae Nayun looked at her notebook in thought. She had one spot left on her team and needed a cadet outside of the top 100. A team with a lower average rank also received bonus points. Naturally, a cost-effective cadet would be best, which meant… Kim Hajin. She peeked over at his seat.

Kim Hajin’s name often popped up in the classroom group chat for the team challenge. However, Chae Nayun felt confident that he would choose her if she asked.

She hesitated to ask for one reason. She worried that he would misunderstand. She only wanted him for the team challenge without any ulterior motives.

“Hmm…”

“What, are you having trouble forming your team?”

Shin Jonghak asked from behind her. He already made his team with Kim Horak and three others. The other three were way below average with rank 2 and rank 17 on the same team. However, Shin Jonghak would find a way to squeeze out their potential.

“No, I’m just thinking—”

“Let me see.”

Shin Jonghak suddenly reached forward and stole Chae Nayun’s notebook.

“Ah, HEY!”

“Hazuki, Raymond, and… Kim Hajin? Kim Hajiiin?”

He loudly repeated Kim Hajin’s name. Immediately, the class’ attention fell on her. Naturally, Kim Hajin also stared at her. Chae Nayun felt her face growing red like a tomato.

“Eeee, ee…”

“Didn’t you say Kim Hajin—”

“Shut your mouth!”

“Uk!”

Chae Nayun struck Shin Jonghak in the solar plexus. Her sudden attack caught him completely off guard as he slumped into his desk and endured the pain.

“… uuu… uuuu…” Shin Jonghak groaned periodically.

“Don’t steal and look at other people’s stuff. Hey, Kim Suho.”

Chae Nayun quickly changed the subject with Kim Suho next to her.

“Who are you teaming up with?”

“…”

Kim Suho remained silent as he tapped on his notebook with a pen.

“Kim Suho?”

“Huh? Oh.”

He finally turned around when she called again. Chae Nayun peeked at his notebook.

“What, you’re asking Kim Hajin too?”

He had written down Kim Hajin’s name.

“Huh? Oh, I guess so.”

“Everyone’s asking Kim Hajin.”

“A fitting… combination…” Shin Jonghak barely muttered from the pain. “Two… trifling commoners…”

“Shut it. Yoo Yeonha, what about you?”

Yoo Yeonha stared at her smartwatch and raised her head.

“Me? My team’s already decided.”

Yoo Yeonha formed her team with people she could easily manipulate. Although she also coveted Kim Hajin, she felt more comfortable with people she could easily handle.

“Hmm…”

The theory instructor finally walked in. He placed a thick textbook on the podium and took attendance.

“Oh, by the way, there will also be team challenges for theory classes.”

The instructor announced. Chae Nayun immediately made up her mind. Bless Kim Hajin.

***

“That’s it for today. Make sure to review before the next class.”

Chae Nayun snapped out of her daze as class ended. She quickly chased after Kim Hajin.

“Hey.”

She grabbed his shoulder as Kim Hajin asked what she wanted with just his eyes. She felt a bit nervous.

“Um, about your team…”

Someone walked past her when she almost asked. The blonde hair and delicate fragrance belonged to Rachel.

“Team?” Rachel asked with an innocent expression.

“Huh? Oh, it doesn’t concern you.”

“Hajin decided to team up with me.”

“Eh?”

Chae Nayun’s expression became stiff. She swallowed hard and turned to Kim Hajin. He nodded somewhat regretfully.

“Oh, really? I didn’t think you had anyone to team with, so I thought I’d save you. You know, as a fellow traveling club member. Right… well… good luck.”

Chae Nayun had no idea what came out of her mouth and turned around after smacking his shoulder. She felt dazed as she walked away, but suddenly grew annoyed and turned back around.

Coincidentally, she made eye contact with Rachel who nodded at her. Chae Nayun clenched her teeth. They had opposite personalities, but similar grades except for theory. Chae Nayun considered Racher her rival second only to Kim Suho. No, nowadays, Rachel had surpassed Kim Suho as her sole rival.

Why her of all people?

Chae Nayun stomped away like an angry bison.