[Translator - Helga ]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]
Chapter 8
A solution came to mind, and I quickly sat down at my desk and opened my laptop. I logged into the academy’s homepage and checked the rankings.
"If I'm going to bring someone into the Deconstructionist Department, they should be in the top 10 rankings."
The top 10 rankings were filled with familiar names, including Seo Su-gyeong. Some of these names belonged to characters who could become allies or enemies depending on the player's choices.
"Okamoto, ranked 4th... he's too shady."
Okamoto Daichi from the Alchemy Faction was as calculating as Seo Su-gyeong. It would be better to recruit a student who was more transparent and easier to understand than someone whose motives were unknown.
"Then Shin A-sol, ranked 3rd... she would be the best choice."
Shin A-sol, the ace of the Defense Department and one of the main characters, was known as the "Iron Fortress".
She was highly respected by her peers and would later become known as the "Impregnable Fortress", one of the 7 Heroes with the strongest defense.
Unlike other students, she was solely focused on the Defense Department, making her a straightforward and trustworthy character.
"What incident was I involved with Shin A-sol again?"
Shin A-sol was known for her high stats from the early game. Many players recruited her as a companion, and since I had invested a lot of time in her character, I knew her personal story quite well.
I vaguely remembered an incident involving Shin A-sol at the beginning of the semester.
"...Oh, right, I remember the guards mentioning something about a thief."
I had been thinking about the guards' conversation about a thief on my way to the garden.
I searched the academy’s homepage for the bulletin board and clicked on a notice from the academy.
- Notice regarding theft incidents on campus (Must read)
That was it.
I clicked on the notice and quickly read through it. The vice-principal's post contained additional information about the theft.
- Hello, everyone. This is the Vice-Principal. The campus has been quite chaotic due to the ongoing theft incidents since last semester. This is all because you students don't pay attention to your surroundings. If you had been more vigilant, thieves wouldn't have been so rampant on campus. Anyway, listen carefully... (continued)... So please take care of your belongings. Don't blame the academy. The academy is here to teach you, not to babysit you!
Sincerely,
Vice-Principal Oh Ji-sung
The vice-principal's post, devoid of any sense of responsibility, was accompanied by a "dislike" button that had been clicked over a thousand times.
"...Well, at least I know what's going on. This is the 'Phantom Thief' quest."
This was the "Phantom Thief" quest that occurred early in the game.
It was a quest where Shin A-sol, the most just member of the student council, pursued a thief named Phantom.
Phantom was the most famous thief in the game's world, known for his ability to never be caught.
Players would help Shin A-sol track down the Phantom Thief and gain fame within the academy and earn her favor as a reward.
"I can use this."
Although it was originally a quest for the players, there was no reason why I couldn't solve it myself.
Shin A-sol was a very loyal person who always repaid her debts.
If I helped her solve the Phantom Thief case, she would be grateful and might be willing to join the Deconstructionist Department.
"What was the Phantom Thief's next target?"
I reviewed the list of stolen items in the notice, trying to remember what the thief would steal next. Knowing the next target would make it easier to catch the thief.
"The items stolen so far were..."
I read through the list: a luxury bag, a diamond ring, Zanda's sword, Genghis Khan's helmet, limited edition sneakers, gold earrings, and a gym uniform.
"A gym uniform?"
I frowned at the strange item on the list.
The Phantom Thief was known for stealing expensive items, such as rare artifacts, cars, jewelry, and even houses.
Why would he steal a gym uniform?
"Maybe it was a mistake."
Not everything in the game world was perfectly accurate. It was possible that some details were different.
Anyway, based on the stolen items, the Phantom Thief's next target would be...
"...the Hwadam Library."
I smiled. The Hwadam Library, named after the Joseon Dynasty scholar Hwadam Seo Kyung-deok, was famous for its collection of rare books. It was one of the most prestigious places in the Masterclass and was heavily guarded with special magic.
"I'll be waiting for you, Phantom Thief."
The masterclass was a vast academy, and even in previous playthroughs, I hadn't been able to explore every corner. Luckily, I was familiar with the Hwadam Library.
To prepare for capturing the Phantom Thief, I hurried to get ready.
* * *
- The next stop is the student cafeteria.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
An announcement came over the intercom as I sat on the tram and looked out the window.
The students waved goodbye to their exotic-looking friend. The girl who had been so critical of Seo Su-gyeong glanced at me briefly before turning away and getting off the tram.
Since we were going to the same place, she walked in front of me. I felt strangely self-conscious as I followed her from behind.
She seemed to notice me following her and glanced back several times.
When we reached the library entrance, she turned around abruptly.
"Excuse me, what are you doing?"
"What does it look like?"
"You've been following me since the tram."
"Of course I have. This is the only way to the library."
"Don't make excuses. Don't you know that not just anyone can enter this library?"
She pointed to a large sign posted at the library entrance. The sign had a skull symbol and read:
- Hold on! Have you registered to use the library?
- Please make a reservation at the administration office before using the Hwadam Library!
- The academy will not be responsible for any consequences of entering the library without permission!
With a smug look, she pulled a badge from her pocket. It was a Hwadam Library librarian badge.
"This library is only accessible to authorized personnel at specific times. You're clearly not a student, so you can't come in."
She picked up a twig from the ground and threw it at the entrance.
Zzzt-!
With a loud spark, the twig turned into black ash.
She looked at me as if to say, "See?"
"Why are you doing this?" I asked, annoyed.
"Because it's unpleasant. Do you think I'm the first person you've tried to hit on?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb. You've been eavesdropping on our conversation on the tram, haven't you? Sneaky."
She stared at me with narrowed eyes, as if she could see right through me. I was momentarily speechless.
'Are all the students here this self-assured?'
It seemed like everyone in this academy had an inflated ego.
'I should just ignore her,' I thought.
But then I changed my mind. I didn't think Professor D would have simply ignored her.
I looked around and noticed a cherry blossom tree with petals fluttering in the wind. I pointed at the tree and said, "I don't know what gives you such confidence, but as far as I'm concerned, you're no different from that cherry blossom tree."
"What did you say? Are you comparing me to a flower?"
"No, I'm saying that even if you were completely naked, I wouldn't be interested."
The female librarian was speechless.
I had tried to imitate Professor D's style, and it seemed to be working.
Ding-!
[You feel like you're starting to understand Professor Do Jin-hak's unique style.]
[Polymorph Option: Your understanding of Do Jin-hak has increased.]
[The intensity of your Blood Demon Essence has increased from 10% to 13%]
I was surprised by the sudden message.
The more I understood the original owner of the Blood Demon Essence, the stronger it became.
'I didn't expect to strengthen my Essence by doing this.'
I had to admit, my response had been quite Do Jin-hak-like.
"Anyway! This library is not for just anyone! Get out of here!"
The librarian regained her composure and tried to shoo me away.
I stared at her with a mix of annoyance and disgust.
It seemed like I would have to continue acting like Professor D.
"Who's the one violating library rules now?" I asked, a menacing glint in my eye.
"What do you mean?"
I pulled out my faculty ID.
Her eyes widened in shock as she recognized me.
"Professor Do Jin-hak...? Are you the new professor of the Deconstructionist Department?"
"Why are you so surprised? Did you expect me to be less... eccentric? A mad scientist with a twisted mind?"
Her face went pale. The gossip she'd spread was coming back to bite her.
[Translator - Helga ]
[Proofreader - Starfall ]