NOVEL WEB Chapter 16
After finishing my workday and before heading back to the professors’ quarters, I lounged on the sofa for a brief rest.
Even though my cough had ceased, my frail constitution remained unchanged, and by this time of day, I grew exhausted and heavy-bodied.
That’s why I usually lie down anywhere between ten to thirty minutes before heading home.
Since there’s no one to greet me at the dormitory and I lack any significant hobbies, whether I go early or late holds little meaning for me.
Recently, however, a small issue has arisen.
It has been recurring nightmares.
Perhaps not outright nightmares, but these strange dreams leave me with a peculiar feeling afterward, making them akin to nightmares.
The dream goes like this:
I soar high up in the sky and enter clouds of an unusual color.
Then the scene abruptly changes, and I find myself on the ground, gazing upward as a glowing meteor hurtles toward the earth.
A few other scenes flash by quickly, but like most dreams, by morning they fade from memory.
What remains in my mind are the clouds and the meteor.
There’s no way for me to make any sense of these dreams.
And with no one to consult, I can only speculate that there might be some kind of issue during the possession process.
Still, if this nightmare continues, it will be problematic.
When the nightmares are severe, I toss and turn all night, leaving me feeling absolutely wretched the following day.
On such days, I rely heavily on nutritional supplements and tonics, barely making it back to my dormitory in tattered condition.
As I lay there, slowly breathing, my cellphone alarm suddenly chimed.
“Hello, Professor. This is Han Min-ha.”
A message from Han Min-ha…?
Since she shouldn’t have my number, how did she get it?
It must have been given by Assistant Baek Ye-bin after the academic advisor was assigned.
“Management assistant informed me to send a prior greeting, which is why I’m sending this message.”
Just as I expected, Assistant Baek made sure her students left a good impression.
With such poor results and no attention received from the academy, the students depend solely on their academic advisors.
Therefore, the assistants ensure the advisors receive polite greetings and create a positive first impression.
“Nice to meet you, Student Han Min-ha. We’ve spoken a few times already.”
“Thank you for selecting me as a guidance student. I’ll do my best.”
“Your attitude is commendable. I was planning to contact you anyway. There’s a guidance professor orientation tomorrow.”
“Is there anything I need to prepare?”
“No, relax and enjoy some coffee chat time.”
“Alright, is Hye-won also coming?”
I see, Han Min-ha is also mindful of Yu Hye-won.
For entirely different reasons, however – while Yu Hye-won struggles with her wounded pride over being grouped with the last-place Han Min-ha, Han Min-ha likely feels unworthy.
But what can be done, Han Min-ha?
For me to properly mentor you, I had no choice but to include Yu Hye-won as well.
“Student Yu Hye-won will also be attending.”
“Understood, Professor. Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“That’s right.”
After a brief conversation with Han Min-ha, I saved her number.
Instantly, her messenger profile popped up.
Her profile was completely bare, with no information filled out.
Her nickname was just “Han Min-ha,” and the profile picture was the default photo.
For a woman of her age, there’s usually at least a selfie or two, but not here.
Well, that’s just her personality, I suppose.
Setting my phone aside, I lay down for a few additional minutes before rising from the sofa to head home.
…
Back at the dormitory, I showered and sat down on the sofa.
I was supposed to have dinner, but that would mean going all the way to the cafeteria on campus.
It wasn’t far, but after my shower, I was so relaxed on the sofa I lacked the will to go out again.
They say courtesy and diligence stem from one’s physical strength.
Without strength, I couldn’t bring myself to do anything.
If only I had stopped for food on my way earlier.
No, at that moment, I would’ve undoubtedly thought it better to come straight home, shower quickly, and rest.
Regardless, I’ll rough it for dinner tonight.
I pulled a pre-cooked frozen meal from the freezer, popped it in the microwave, and wandered by the window.
My residence is in the male staff dormitory.
Across a small central garden, the women’s staff quarters slanted opposite.
As I looked down, I spotted Professor Jin walking by.
Professor Jin, with her training top tied around her waist, was raising her arm to fumble at the back of her neck.
Soon she located the zip at the back of her full-body suit and quickly slipped off the upper part, revealing her solid torso, clad in a sports bra.
Bathed in the red glow of the sunset, her sweat-slicked muscles stood out prominently.
Professor Jin entered her quarters while continuously fanning herself with her hand.
Truly…she looks healthy.
She is entirely different from my ashen, moldy self.
Leaning against the windowsill and eating the frozen meal, I watched the sun slowly set.
After receiving the quest to elevate Han Min-ha to S-rank, nothing extraordinary happened.
There was no promised reward or status window to reference.
If I complete this quest, will I really return to my original world?
With the protagonist’s story completely altered by Han Min-ha’s appearance, there’s nothing certain anymore.
Just where did Han Min-ha come from, and how?
I had certainly read this failed academy novel to its conclusion, and Han Min-ha never appeared.
Perhaps…
Though this might sound absurd…
Maybe the reality I’ve been embedded in is a remake of the original work.
If so…
It’s odd enough that a devoted reader of the failed novel was brought into this alternate world, but if it’s a remake, that’s an additional problem.
Knowing the original story doesn’t provide any advantage.
“Shit.”
Unknowingly, I cursed – it was the first time I had since arriving.
With my mental barrier firmly in place, I steadied my thoughts.
Whatever the situation, I’ve already been embedded, so I should focus on this quest.
Whether this is my first and last quest, or merely a trigger for more – who knows – but this is the only path ahead in a forest where the future remains unseen.
…
The next day, Han Min-ha arrived at the research room earlier than the arranged time.
“You’re here early. Student Yu Hye-won hasn’t arrived yet. Please come in.”
“Ah, yes!”
Han Min-ha’s expression was visibly anxious as she sat down.
Even while I was brewing coffee, Min-ha kept glancing at the door restlessly.
Just as I finished brewing the third cup of coffee, there was a knock at the research room door.
“It’s Yu Hye-won.”
“Huhk?!”
Han Min-ha gasped and sprang up from her seat.
“Come in. The door is open.”
Yu Hye-won boldly entered the research room and caught Min-ha’s eyes.
“You were here first?”
“Ah… hello…?”
Yu Hye-won’s presence left Min-ha visibly tense.
It was only natural.
Rather, if Min-ha didn’t seem nervous, that would’ve been unusual.
Yu Hye-won and Han Min-ha were from incompatible worlds.
It was my job to navigate the tensions between the two.
“Please sit. I’ve just finished brewing coffee.”
Yu Hye-won sat down, glanced around the research room, and briefly commented.
“It’s modest.”
“The room of a regular professor doesn’t need extravagance.”
“What’s that? A palm tree?”
Yu Hye-won gestured toward the Areca palm plant by the window.
“Yes, it’s an Areca palm. It purifies the air.”
“You even have an air purifier. By the way, Professor, I heard your health isn’t so good. You coughed during the opening ceremony so much you couldn’t even finish your introduction!”
“That’s correct. My lungs are weak, but don’t worry. They’re fine now. Drink your coffee.”
With her head bowed, Min-ha sipped the coffee cautiously.
“Ah, it’s hot…”
Looking at Min-ha, Yu Hye-won smiled like a snake and then sniffed the coffee, asking,
“Colombian Santa Maria?”
“Correct.”
For a moment, we sipped our coffee in silence.
Han Min-ha seemed utterly deflated, whereas Yu Hye-won exuded confidence.
From appearance alone, one could tell they were opposites – the reserved and gloomy Han Min-ha with black hair and glasses, versus the dazzling Yu Hye-won with golden hair and crystal blue eyes.
Yu Hye-won was so illustrious she could already pass as a frontline hero, while Han Min-ha…
Well, that’s what this was about – transforming Min-ha into a suitable hero, starting with those glasses.
No heroes use such glasses.
Those with poor eyesight would wear prescription goggles instead.
For a hero, external appearance is crucial.
A hero isn’t a guardian of justice and common sense – they’re a star, beloved by the public and recognized by the organization.
Naturally, good-looking heroes fare better.
Pair that with flashy kill moves against villains, and you have the ideal hero package.
A dull gray rag like me, no matter how much ultimate defense skill I might have, lacks star quality and can never succeed.
That approach could never achieve S-rank.
“I thank you both for choosing me as your academic advisor.”
As I spoke, both Min-ha and Hye-won looked at me in their own ways.
“I haven’t taken on guidance students before, so I do feel a bit of pressure. Nevertheless, I’ll do my best. I hope we can work well together.”
“I hope so as well.” “Me too.”
“Have you two met before? Even if you’re in different classes?”
Min-ha hesitated, and Hye-won smiled confidently.
“How could I not know Min-ha?”
There was much meaning in those words, and Min-ha’s face turned red as she lowered her head.
I smiled and asked,
“Let’s say, for instance, because of that minor incident during the basic assessment where you fainted?”
“Yeah, maybe.”
“Alright. But don’t act like some noble lady mistreating a servant based on that event. Understood?”
“Did I ever do that?”
“No, I’m not saying you did – just don’t do so in the future. Don’t be overly sensitive.”
I gave a mild smile, and like most women who see my smile, Yu Hye-won couldn’t find words to retort and fell silent.
“Here on, you’ll both be receiving guidance from me and studying together. Keeping things peaceful will benefit all three of us. I don’t want trivial disputes complicating everything.”
Min-ha nodded vigorously, while Yu Hye-won turned her gaze away with slightly furrowed brows.
I continued while smiling and taking a sip of coffee.
“Typically, a guidance professor offers advice and aid for academic and personal aspects of life within the academy. Additionally, professors deeply teach their specialized subjects. My specialty is basic defense. In reality, ‘basic defense’ encompasses nearly all defensive techniques.”
“So we’ll be learning defense techniques?” Yu Hye-won interrupted.
“Exactly. Assuming, of course, that you wish to. I can’t force anyone to learn unwillingly, but one thing is certain – studying defense will significantly increase your survival rates and is quite useful in real life as well.”
As I finished speaking, I lifted my coffee cup and, in one swift motion, splashed it toward Yu Hye-won and Han Min-ha’s direction.