CHAPTER 25 – Thinking about the future (Part 3)

*KIM HAJIN'S POV*

I'm tired.

Even after today's combat training, I still have to go to the Academics club. Being in three different clubs sure is tiring… Oh well, I still have to go to keep watch on that guy.

If only Cristopher took care of him… I wouldn't have to be doing this. But well, it's not that I can't understand where he comes from. I mean. I almost lose my mind when I first discovered that the co-author changed the plot…

And in this particular case, we are talking about a Djinn. Someone contracted with a Devil, so other Djinns contracted with the same Devil would know what happened.

Apart from that. Yoo Yeonha and Kim Suho would be connected through this event… And I can't let that pass.

"*sigh…* If only he attacked Yoo Yeonha first. It would make things easier."-I murmured to myself as I walk to the Academics club.

{Huh?}

Right when I was getting close, I find Yoo Yeonha walking in front of me. Maybe she just took the same route as me, or maybe we somehow have the same personality, but it sure is surprising to end up with this coincidence, even when she doesn't know that I'm behind her.

Right when she is just about to get inside, she stops and takes out a hand mirror to check herself. And through the hand mirror, she finally notices me, with her eyes meeting mine.

"What a coincidence, right?"- I said to her.

"…"-She barely glances at me for a second before completely ignoring me and going inside the club's room.

{So, still not getting through her huh?}-I thought before following her inside.

Inside, my problem was seated at the podium, organizing what should probably be the class material for today. Yun Hyuk, the president of the class. And a Djinn contracted to Lilith, the devil of enchantment and lust. One of the first main antagonist of the novel.

While thinking about him, and what's he going to do in the future, I walk to a dark corner of the room, not wanting to get too much attention. By the way, Yoo Yeonha chose a sunnier place to sit down.

We waited until all the members got here, which was about 63 cadets, 43 novices, and only 20 upperclassmen. Almost all women. Yun Hyuk sure has it great. Being liked by so many girls.

"Good evening, everyone."-Started the class Yun Hyuk at 7:00 PM. "The weather is starting to get…"

I'm not going to lie. He talks too much. And I didn't even perceive the useless stuff.

"Today, we will discuss monsters' vital points. As I'm sure you all know, the location of a monster's vital point is an important piece of information in defeating a monster. You can see how critical this information can be by looking at senior Seo Youngji. By reaching the pinnacle of this ability, she has reached top 2000 on Hero rankings."-Said Yun Hyuk while projecting Seo Youngji's stats on the holographic board.

Oh, this is actually interesting. Seo Youngji is actually one of the heroes that would play an important role in the future plot. She's not that strong compared to other characters, but right now she is kind of important in the Hero Association.

By the way, a hero's specks surmise in 5 factors. Which is Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Durability, and finally Magic Power. In the case of senior Seo Youngji, she is overall an intermediate rank hero, but her Dexterity gets to Master Rank, which is what got her the 2000th rank in the world.

"Senior Seo Youngji even hunted a high-rank monster by herself."-He continues. Speaking about how vital points are a piece of important information to have in any fight. "But don't think monsters' vital points are the same as a human's. For us, the eyes, heart, and head serve as vital points, but that isn't always the case for monsters."

{He is right… I somehow decided to give monsters different vital points. Even worse, the higher rank the monster has, the stranger the vital point becomes…}-I thought while listening to his lecture. Quite surprised by how interesting it is.

"Now, let's take a look at an example."-Said Yun Hyuk while changing the projection to one of a monster.

It looked the same as a mountain tiger. Just that bigger, with blood-shot red eyes, and fangs that would dismay anyone. Its name…

"This monster is called the Mountain Tyrant. It can be classified anywhere from intermediate rank to high rank. As one of the first monsters to have appeared during Outcall, it has been known for 50 years, but its vital point hasn't been discovered yet."-Said Yun Hyuk while glancing at everyone with a somewhat, before pausing to give a meaningful smile.

"…At least, that's how things are in public. In reality, even if an individual or a guild knew its vital point, they wouldn't reveal it to the public. They likely weren't allowed to either."

{Again… He's right. The information about a monster could go up to hundreds of millions won, even more for monsters like these. But… I hate that pretentious face of his…}

"Now, where do you think this Mountain Tyrant's vital point is?"-Asked him while looking straight to Yoo Yeonha, who probably didn't know.

A Mountain Tyrant vital point is vaguely hard to discover. I wrote its setting, but as Kim Suho didn't have the chance to fight one, I didn't really use it in the novel. Yoo Yeonha, not knowing the vital point, and being kind of ashamed for this, started looking around while playing with her hair.

"Would anyone like to guess?"-He asks again, this time trying to pry for some kind of answer from her.

{What's this bastard planning? I do know, and while I would like to crush that pretentious face of his, I want to know what's he trying to do here.}

"I…"-Right then, some female cadet I don't know raised her hand. "Is it his nose?". She tried to guess with a flushed face.

{Someone else that fell for Yun Hyuk… Poor girl.}-I thought while looking at this unknown cadet.

***

The class continued for the next two hours, and while there was a lot of interesting info about monsters' vital points, compatibility of attributes, and even the difference between magic and spells, I still didn't know what Yun Hyuk's scheme was about.

"We have an after-party planned at a nearby restaurant! It'll be great if you can come!"-He says while glancing around. And that seemed to be the scheme. As Yoo Yeonha was clearly interested in going there.

She's not the kind of girl to go to things like this if she wasn't the one that organizes them. And that made me worry.

"Hey, you going?"-I ask her after following her. But she totally ignored me, so I tried again, this time a little bit more polite. "Are you going?"-But she still ignored me.

{…}-Thinking that I should be even more polite and proper with her, I asked for the third time. "Are you also going to the after-party, Yeonha-ssi?"- This time, she faintly nods to my question.

"Why? Aren't you busy?"

"…tch."-she snorted and turned to me, with her eyes clearly screaming 'what does this fool wants?'

"Why are you going?"-I ask, even with her annoyed face right in front of me.

"Aren't you curious about the Mountain Tyrant's vital point?"-She finally answers properly to me. What a hard girl.

"…Huh?"-Her answer did leave me kind of shocked. And it was then that I remembered that she's going to inherit a guild.

For a guild, a monster's information is like a treasure. Even more when it is about rare monsters like the Mountain Tyrant, which could be anywhere between intermediate and high rank, making it hard for guilds to plan proper huntings. And Yoo Yeonha has even more reasons to acquire this information.

"…The Mountain Tyrant's vital point?"- I start to speak; thinking about making an early investment in one of the major characters of the plot. "I'm not curious. I already know.".

"What?"-She asks, with furrowed brows and a disbelieving face.

"The Mountain Tyrant's vital point is on the heel of its hindleg."-I said, finally choosing to invest in Yoo Yeonha, to keep a good connection with her, and to even win some SP.

"What nonsense are you-"

"There's a blue mark on its hindleg's heel. But its DNA determines whether it's the right hindleg or the left. That's probably why its vital point hasn't been discovered until now."-I interrupted her while saying the Mountain Tyrant's vital point. Which, by the way, was inspired by the Achilles' heel.

"The Mountain Tyrant's body is tough, but this blue mark on its heel is the only place that's soft. That's the Mountain Tyrant's vital point. If you strategize around it, it should be easy to rob it of its two hind legs."-I finished with my explanation.

"…Nuthead."-She answered. And she's right. This information could be valued over tens of millions of won. But still, given that I'm just a cadet with zero credibility, I wouldn't even get 100 won with it. After looking at me as if I was some insignificant insect, she turned around and started walking.

"It's true. Believe me."- I said, following her.

"Would you believe me if our positions were swapped?"-She asked after turning again and looking straight at my eyes.

"…"-Of course, the answer was no. Who would believe someone with zero credibility like me, who is even a bother to her? I, of course, wouldn't.

"It's your choice whether to believe me or not…"-I finally said, giving her the answer without forcing myself anymore.

"Hey!"-Said Yun Hyuk after appearing all of a sudden, cutting between us and shoving me back slightly. "Don't you think you're being too pushy?"

{What's with this guy?}-I thought.

"Am I bothering you?"-I asked directly to Yoo Yeonha, not even looking at the cheesy son of a bitch, given that he's taller than me. I would have to look up to him. And I don't want to.

"Yes."-She answered back.

"Heh."-And the annoying son of a bitch gives me a mocking laugh. "By the way, are you also coming to the after-party?"- He asks me.

"I'm not."

"Then don't bother other people too much. Um, Yeonha-ssi…?"-He tried to speak to Yoo Yeonha, but sadly for him, she was already walking away.

"Heh."-I give back the same mocking laugh from before.

"…"- He just went to follow her with a distorted face, while I watch them leave.

I gave her the information she wanted. If she uses it or not, that would depend on her. Though, I hope she does. That would give me not just some credibility but she would also own me one.

***

*YOO YEONHA'S POV*

It was already dark. And here I was tapping on my desk with my pen.

Tomorrow Essence of the Strait would send their elite team to hunt for a Mountain Tiger living in Kumgang Mountain.

While I was in name the successor of the guild, the vice leader's faction had a lot of support, which would put my future position in danger. Because of that. I needed to start making contributions to the guild, one way or another.

With that thought in mind, I turned on my smartwatch to make a call. Soon, someone picked up the call and a hologram appeared from the smartwatch.

"…Um, Uncle?"-I said to the one appearing.

[Yes, Young Lady?]-Answered the older man on the other side of the call. Kim Sangho, my father's right-hand man, and the most trusted ally in the guild. One I've known since I was a child and who I called my uncle. Even if he was not.

"…"-While I wanted to, I'm still a little embarrassed to say the info I got from that annoying guy. It was really hard to believe.

[What's wrong?]-Seeing my doubt, he asked again.

"Um, I'm saying this just in case…"-I hesitate, once again. The information came from that nutjob. So, it's only normal that it's hard to believe. But… Why was he so confident?

[Yes, Young Lady?]

"Um, I know it sounds crazy, but…"-I finally said, while closing my eyes and clenching my fists. I've got nothing to lose. "If things are looking rough, try looking at its hind legs' heels."

[…hindlegs' heels?]-He answers back with a somewhat incredulous face.

"Yes. Its hind legs' heels… Either on its left heel or left heel, there should be… Well, I'm not sure if it's true, but…"-I hesitate again, not knowing if truly say it or not. "If there is a blue mark there, try aiming for that place."

This time, I'm risking being embarrassed inside the guild, giving even more power to the vice leader's faction. I just hope it all goes well.

***

*CRISTOPHER'S POV*

"Fuuuuuck I'm so bored! Shit. I want to sleep. *sigh…*"

I was in my room, again on the couch. Right now, I might as well be on my way to fuse with it.

"At least I can already start doing some shit in a few days… Hope Hajin works faster on it… Wait…"

At that moment I turn my head to look at the table in front of the coach. And right on top of it is my laptop.

{Now that I think about it, didn't I also have Hajin's setting in there? Maybe I could do the list of dungeons by myself… Why didn't I think about it before? Fuck, I'm so stupid.}-I thought while sitting on the couch.

I then turn on the laptop, look for the app with the settings, and start reading through them.

"This guy should have made some kind of index or something. Well, maybe it is the app that didn't have one, to begin with."-I murmur to myself while scrolling down through all the settings he had.

After getting frustrated, I opened the search function and wrote 'Dungeon' in it. After that, I could find a lot of Dungeons' setting. Including the one with Aether, the one with Misteltein, and even the one with the Horus' bow. There were more dungeons than I thought.

"Mmmm… There's not too much about the ones that aren't part of the principal plot… Some of them just have the reward and the hero or Djinn that acquired it…"

While looking around all the dungeons I could find. I got to the conclusion that it would be a hassle to try to work them out by myself…

"Hajin should probably know more info about them… After all, he was the one who 'created' them, right?"-Saying that I turned on my smartwatch, prepared to text him.

[Cristopher: Hey bro. Don't forget to write a list with some of the dungeons that you remember.]

[Kim Hajin: Sure. I'm working on it. I'll have it ready for tomorrow.]

[Cristopher: Great, that's what I call an efficient worker.]

[Kim Hajin: … You'll never change?]

[Cristopher: Not. Well, dunno, maybe? Who knows? I don't know all the answers in this life.]

[Kim Hajin: At least help me train for a while, I'm skipping my work-out because of this.]

[Cristopher: … You know… It's not that I don't want to, it's just that there's nothing I can help you with.]

[Kim Hajin: What do you mean?]

[Cristopher: At your actual status, any kind of training I teach you would be useless… You need to work up your basics…]

[Kim Hajin: …It's true? Or are you just messing with me?]

[Cristopher: Of course, I'm messing with you. What do you take me for? I also went up from scratch, I know a few things that could help you.]

[Kim Hajin: What did I expect? You annoying bastard.]

[Cristopher: Well, don't be like that. I'll help you a little bit, 'kay? I'll be in the training center at 11:30 PM.]

[Kim Hajin: It's only 10:00 right now… Why are we training that late? Isn't it better in the morning with more mana density?]

[Cristopher: Look… I know that's the setting you wrote… But truth be told… That shit doesn't really work…]

[Kim Hajin: What do you mean?]

[Cristopher: Forget it. Just know that working in the morning is the same as doing it at night. Actually, the night is a little bit better. But to explain that to you I would have to give you a Master Class, and I don't want to. That's too boring, and I don't have enough patience to teach.]

[Kim Hajin: …]

[Cristopher: So, are you coming to train or not?]

[Kim Hajin: … Sure… I really hope it helps me.]

[Cristopher: Oh, of course, it will. Let's call it wake-up call 2.0, that's good to you?]

[Kim Hajin: Right now, I think I felt chills going up my back…]

[Cristopher: You pussy.]

[Kim Hajin: …]

[Cristopher: See you there at 23:30. Don't be late.]

[Kim Hajin: Sure, I'll see you there.]

{Would you look at that, he does seem interested in the training. Well, I better don't defraud him.}-I thought while putting down my smartwatch.

Or at least I tried because right after that, the smartwatch vibrated again.

[Kim Hajin: Also…]

[Cristopher: ???]

[Kim Hajin: No, nothing. See you there at 11:30 PM.]

"What's wrong with him? Huh?"-I suddenly felt the chills in my back. "Nah, I must be going crazy with all the psychos around here… Yes… That must be it…"