Chapter 60
Chapter 60
The festival is over.
Main Quest No.6 Clear!
A. Cumulative Popularity: 718
You received quite a positive response!
B. Order Score: 970
You maintained the highest level of order!
Both results correspond to A-rank and S-rank rewards, respectively.
‘Considering we managed multiple events at the same time, this is quite a success.’
Perhaps if I had paid a little less attention to the Disciplinary Committee, it would have been even better. But I had something more important.
“If I can be of any help, then of course.”
That’s because I made a pact with Seo Geum-bi. Even though it doesn’t appear on my status screen, you could say this is also a kind of reward.
“Never forget that you are always a proud member of Babel, and during this summer vacation, strive endlessly for personal growth…”
The principal’s gentle voice flowed from the speaker.
‘Is it already vacation? No, I guess it’s more accurate to say that it’s finally vacation.’
Summer vacation begins right after the festival ends.
Thinking about what’s to come, it feels short, but reflecting on what’s already happened, it feels long.
‘Let’s see what we’ve got.’
While the principal’s speech continued, I decided to tally up the festival quest rewards.
A. Cumulative Popularity: A
– Acquired skill: [Maiden Ghost Mimicry]!
– Skill Points +30, Spiritual Power +2
B. Order Score: S
– Skill Points +50, Agility +2
What is this [Maiden Ghost Mimicry]?
Occasionally, quests reward you with skills, but strangely, this hidden skill I obtained doesn’t bring any joy.
‘By the way…’
I discreetly swiped my index finger from left to right across the status screen. The screen transitioned to display the skill points.
[Skill Points]
– Skill Points: 310
– Spirit Conjuring (A): 0/500
* Yomi (A)
* Baek Ah (B)
* Crystal Giant (C)
– Spirit Sight (B): 0/300
– Maiden Ghost Mimicry (S)
Is this for real? The first S-rank skill of this session turns out to be the Maiden Ghost Mimicry. Just how convincingly can I mimic a maiden ghost for it to be S-rank? Not that I’ll ever have a use for it in my lifetime.
– Spirit Sight (B): 300/300
I gently pressed the skill name with my index finger, and the skill points accumulated rapidly. Soon, the rank of the Spirit Sight (B) skill began to change as it met the requirements for an upgrade.
– Spirit Sight (A): 0/500
As the skill rank increased, a familiar burning sensation flared up around my eyes.
“Ugh…!”
The burning sensation became so intense that I instinctively clutched my eyes. And when I opened them again,
“Dear students of Babel whom I love…”
the scenery had changed.
The spiritual aura of the principal, who was continuing his speech, flickered with words that appeared and vanished.
“I am human too, and I get tired. You should develop a habit. When you are exhausted and struggling, like me, make a habit of sitting down and reading—”
Falsehood 偽.
Whenever the principal spoke hypocritical words, the character for falsehood flickered.
‘Can I detect lies?’
Though I had never seen this specific Chinese character before, I instinctively understood it meant falsehood.
“Yomi.”
[What is it?]
Yomi, who had been sleeping, let out a wide yawn.
“Say something—anything—lie to me.”
[Hmm? What nonsense are you talking about? Are you still half-asleep?]
Yomi snorted.
Judging by her tone, Yomi wasn’t inclined to cooperate, but I had a way around that.
“Yomi, remember when you were worried about my condition in front of the Rabbit’s barrier the other day?”
[Hmph, nonsense. If you die, I won’t be able to take over your body.]
Oddly, there was no change. I wanted to see if this ability worked on yokai or monsters, but it seemed it didn’t.
[Your life is as insignificant as an insect’s to me. I have no interest in it.]
Falsehood 偽.
As expected.
For a moment, the character for falsehood appeared on Yomi’s body and then vanished. This verified that the ability worked on yokai and spirits as well.
[By the way, why are you asking such things?]
“No reason. If you were worried about me, I was touched and thought of buying you something tasty, but since you weren’t, never mind.”
[…Can we try that again?]
Yomi muttered something under her breath, but I didn’t pay much attention.
‘A truth-detecting skill. It’s practically a hidden skill.’
Being able to discern truth from lies would undoubtedly provide a significant advantage in negotiations.
‘How can I make use of this?’
Thinking about how to use a new skill is always enjoyable for a gamer.
* * *
“Alright, everyone, it’s vacation time starting today. Don’t get hurt by going on some wild adventures. And on the flip side, don’t lock yourselves up in your rooms all day.”
“Yes~.”
Choi Tae-min looked around at the students and nodded. I’d never seen his face this lively before.
“Teacher, don’t you go hiding in your room all vacation either!”
Someone shouted, and the students burst into laughter.
“Don’t worry about me. I take at least a 30-minute walk every day. You all should get some sunlight to boost your vitamin D too.”
For a moment, words flickered and disappeared within Choi Tae-min’s spiritual aura. It’s amazing how he can lie so boldly.
‘Vacation, huh…’
Comparing vacation to a game, it’s like a free training period where you can develop your character without being bound by quests.
You can spend the entire vacation holed up in the training room or library, or you can focus on your club activities and improve related skills.
‘If I were on the geology route, I’d be heading down to Gyeongju this vacation.’
You can also participate in the school’s additional training programs, following a balanced curriculum.
In short, unlike the semester, where you have predetermined quest lines, the vacation allows the player to choose countless ways to develop their character.
‘Shin Seo-ha will probably return to her family home. But what about Han Yu-seong?’
As for the other character’s vacation plans, Han Yu-seong, who operates independently of the player’s control, how will he spend his vacation?
‘Cheon Tae-seong.’
I focused on the person sitting ahead. Although all I could see was his back, I had a feeling I knew what expression he had right now.
During this vacation, Cheon Tae-seong will likely receive more S-rank artifacts under his family’s protection. Just that will elevate his strength to an unattainable level.
“Alright, dismissed.”
As Choi Tae-min finished speaking, the students poured out through the narrow doors with cheers. It’s not like they’ll be back for two months, so I wonder what the rush is.
‘Let’s take it slow.’
I waited until everyone had left and then exited the classroom last.
I didn’t need to move out of the dorm immediately, so there was no need to hurry. My vacation schedule would start from tomorrow—
“Ha-baek!”
“Han Yu-seong?”
As I stepped out of the classroom, Han Yu-seong greeted me.
“What brings you here?”
“Well, it’s vacation time, so I came to have a farewell party!”
“Just the two of us?”
“Nope!”
Han Yu-seong slyly leaned back, revealing Shin Seo-ha standing behind him. She was leaning against the wall, glancing at me out of the corner of her eye.
“This jerk dragged me here.”
“It’s more fun with three than with two!”
A farewell party. I can’t remember the last time I heard that term.
I glanced at Shin Seo-ha. More precisely, at the figure behind her.
[Yomi-sama, Miss Baek Ah, how about we have a farewell party too?]
Shin Seo-jun appeared.
Shin Seo-jun, who had approached me, looked down at Yomi with sparkling eyes.
[Farewell party? What is that? Is it something you eat?]
[Hehe, our Yomi-sama only thinks about food.]
The Sain-gum in my bag buzzed with a hum.
[Baek Ah, you rascal! So, do you know what this farewell party or whatever it is?]
The spirits were chattering noisily.
‘I guess the farewell party has already started.’
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Why are you suddenly grinning like that?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
I put my arms around both of their shoulders.
“Let’s go, let’s go. I’m hungry.”
“Ugh, why are you acting like this all of a sudden?”
“Ha-baek, I like this proactive attitude.”
Thinking of it as a reward for myself, it wasn’t too bad.
* * *
“So, you know what happened? All the guys who said they wanted to work out with me ran away!”
Han Yu-seong shouted, sitting across the convenience store table.
His face was flushed red as if he were drunk, but all we had in front of us were sodas and snacks.
“Why is this guy so hyped up?”
Shin Seo-ha whispered to me while Han Yu-seong was oblivious.
“How should I know? Did you spike the drinks?”
“Are you crazy? Why would I do that—”
“Hey, you two! Are you listening to me?”
““We’re listening.””
We nodded in unison as if prearranged.
‘Now’s the chance.’
If I didn’t interrupt now, we might be listening to Han Yu-seong’s monologue forever.
“By the way, what are you two planning to do this vacation?”
Thinking it was the right moment, I quickly changed the topic.
“Uh, well…”
It seemed my timing was good because Han Yu-seong stopped his rambling and looked around.
“I’m planning to stay at school.”
“What will you do?”
“I’ll be taking some after-school classes and working on my upper arms and biceps; they still need some work.”
Han Yu-seong nodded.
‘After-school classes’ referred to the regular curriculum offered by the school.
‘Sticking to a stable routine, huh.’
I was worried he might go off the rails, but this was a pretty safe plan. At least it was better than spending the entire vacation holed up in the library reading books.
“What about you, Seo-ha?”
Naturally, Han Yu-seong passed the question to Shin Seo-ha.
“Me? I have to go back home.”
Shin Seo-ha ground her teeth in frustration.
“I’m grown up, but they just can’t stop fussing over me.”
As expected, Shin Seo-ha would be returning to her family home for the vacation. This meant I wouldn’t be able to interact with her during this period.
“They’re probably worried about you, Seo-ha.”
“Of course, I know that! But just thinking about all the work they’ll put me through gives me chills.”
It was rare for Shin Seo-ha, but she hugged her arms and shivered slightly.
Shin Seo-ha’s family is renowned among Hunter families, with every member, starting from her grandfather, being a famous hunter. Since middle school, she has been receiving special training at home during her visits.
“What about you, Ha-baek?”
Finally, it was my turn.
Like the other two, I already had my destination planned.
“I’m planning to go back home.”
I intended to return home for a while.
I wanted to show my face there and had a few things to take care of during the vacation.
“Gosh, it feels like it’ll be a long time before we see each other again.”
“You idiot, don’t start crying now.”
“I’m not crying!”
Shin Seo-ha started mocking the sniffing Han Yu-seong mercilessly.
‘Thank goodness.’
What I feared didn’t happen. While unexpected events occurred due to the shifted scenario, I was satisfied with this outcome.
“Guys, let’s all come back stronger.”
Both of them turned their gazes towards me simultaneously.
Two years until the Monster Invasion.
We don’t have much time left,
“Hmph, it’s only natural.”
“Ha-baek, you’d better follow the workout routine I gave you during the vacation!”
but I believe we can make it.
