NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 76
Students gradually gathered in the Introduction to Monster Studies lecture hall.
Si-hyun, who had arrived early, warmly welcomed the students as they entered.
When it was time to start the lecture and attendance was taken,
Si-hyun nodded with satisfaction, confirming that there were no absentees today.
“Today’s lecture topic is orcs, and we’ll also cover trolls.”
With a relaxed voice, she displayed audiovisual materials on the screen.
Students placed the printed materials they had brought on their desks.
Some students had clear signs of having studied ahead.
It was solid proof that they had done their homework.
“As you all know, there are many different types of monsters. Some even change attributes depending on their environment.”
A representative example of this is orcs and trolls, the topics of today’s lecture.
Si-hyun proceeded with the lecture in the familiar manner she was getting used to.
She carefully observed the students’ reactions and encouraged active participation.
The fifth period flew by in an instant, and after a break, the sixth period began.
“Just like the previous lecture, we’ll watch some video material today.”
Click.
A black screen of a paused video appeared on the screen.
The students thought with relaxed expressions.
‘It can’t be ordinary this time, right?’
‘There’s no way it’ll overturn our expectations again.’
‘It’ll probably just be the professor cutting monsters down smoothly.’
Click.
Si-hyun pressed play, and the video started.
The students watched calmly.
The black screen faded away, revealing a background with a person appearing.
[Hello, Academy students!]
[This is Kim Ji-a Hunter, joining us as a guest.]
[Si-hyun, do you need to be so stiff for a video? Should I edit this?]
[Um, do we have to? Anyway, today I’ll show you the changes in orcs based on ecology in this dungeon.]
Right from the start, it was a bombshell!
‘Huh? Kim Ji-a Hunter?’
‘Why is Kim Ji-a Hunter here!’
‘Wow, it’s like a goddess gathering with Professor Jeong Si-hyun!’
Students stared wide-eyed at the screen.
It’s none other than Kim Ji-a Hunter.
A specialist in the avoidance dungeon and officially recognized as the best spear-fighting hunter in South Korea.
Now that the S-rank spear hunter who was always mentioned alongside her had passed away, many citizens in Korea were eagerly hoping for her to become S-rank.
To have such a famous person appearing as a guest in a public lecture!
All the students were taken aback.
They watched the video, blinking in awe.
[Ugh!]
[Bleh—!]
In the video, orcs fell with sounds reminiscent of slaughtering pigs.
The footage dramatically captured the scenario from dynamic angles.
The angle of the spear swung by Ji-a matched the impact points on the orcs.
It was the most effective way to take on multiple enemies alone.
Along with that, she accurately targeted the monsters’ weaknesses.
This is the kind of precious footage that’s hard to see even if you pay for it, and it strongly captivated the students’ attention.
‘How did they film this?’
‘Wow, this is way more interesting than the viral videos!’
‘Kim Ji-a Hunter really is amazing…’
The students were so engrossed that they forgot to breathe while watching the video.
Starting with cave orcs, the video smoothly transitioned through swampland orcs, volcanic orcs, and more, showcasing various types of orc attacks.
Finally, it wrapped up with trolls.
Si-hyun’s sword neatly severed a neck as the video ended.
The students gazed blankly at the screen, as if lingering after the experience.
The only one in the lecture hall observing the students instead of the video, Si-hyun nodded with satisfaction.
She had indeed put a lot of effort into presenting dynamic yet essential content.
Honestly, capturing monsters was several times more challenging than simply defeating them.
Yet, seeing the engaged reactions of the students made her feel her efforts were worth it, and she smiled.
“Now, as with the monsters shown in the video, cases where they exhibit various attributes based on the environment—”
Si-hyun resumed her lecture.
The students focused intently on the professor’s teaching.
* * *
“That’s all for today. The midterm exam next week will cover the content discussed today, so keep that in mind.”
With the lecture concluded and neatly wrapped up, Si-hyun quietly left the lecture hall.
Soon, the students began to chatter excitedly.
“Wow, today’s lecture was insane.”
“To be honest, it seems more beneficial than my major?”
“Did you see how she sliced that troll? It was so clean.”
“Speaking of trolls, I really didn’t expect Kim Ji-a Hunter to be a guest.”
They exchanged excited remarks.
Just then, a student sitting alone shouted.
“Wow, crazy!”
All eyes turned toward him.
“Uh, sorry.”
Caught off guard, the student scratched his head awkwardly.
He raised his phone’s screen and said, “…Everyone, check out Professor Jeong Si-hyun’s academic info.”
Curious students eagerly began pulling up information.
Soon, their eyes widened in shock as they stared at their screens.
“What? Now the connections section isn’t blank?”
“They added both the B-rank crafting hunter and Kim Ji-a Hunter!”
Connections are a significant indicator of a hunter’s abilities and influence.
Two high-ranking hunters had been added there.
In addition, the surprising news didn’t stop there.
“Professor got promoted to C-rank?”
“Wow… that’s incredible.”
This had been the only shortcoming for Professor Jeong Si-hyun of Introduction to Monster Studies.
Most professors were C-rank, while she had been a D-rank part-timer.
And that had now been completely resolved.
The timing couldn’t have been better.
These were students who had already felt their passion surge through the lectures.
An increase in rank!
A dream desired by all students!
‘I want to get to D-rank quickly too!’
‘I want to raise my rank!’
The lecture hall emptied out in no time, leaving only silence and the lingering echoes behind.
* * *
[Title: Look at Those Who Disregarded Introduction to Monster Studies]
[ㅇㅇ]
Professor Jeong Si-hyun got promoted to C-rank, haha!
– For real?
└ ㅇㅇㅇ It’s true! If you doubt it, check it out.
– What the hell, this can’t be real, right? I thought you were just a bit off because of exams.
└ Were you just fooled all this time? Haha!
– So the posts saying the professor’s skills are top-notch weren’t lies?
└ For real, haha!
– I thought people were just swooning over her looks, but if she’s C-rank, I have to admit it, hahaha.
[Title: We Should Invite Professor Jeong Si-hyun as a Major Professor]
[ㅇㅇ]
I’m recommending it first!
– This guy just said “ ”
– Ugh… just this once…
– It’s the first time I see a steady post without any swearing! Haha!
└ For real, haha!
└ Hahaha!
└ How can anybody curse a C-rank? Haha!
[Title: Are You Serious?]
[ㅇㅇ]
I don’t take Introduction to Monster Studies, but I still remember you getting hit by a goblin model, okay?
Doesn’t that mean if that professor takes over, she’ll whack the students directly?
– Crazy;
– Wait a minute, that’s a bit scary, though?
– Don’t suddenly change the genre, lmao!
– That’s a reward!
└ Crazy, haha!
└ Hahaha!
– Honestly, I’d prefer that! Haha!
[Title: Speaking of That Video…]
[ㅇㅇ]
Regarding the video of Kim Ji-a Hunter in Introduction to Monster Studies, isn’t that in a B-rank dungeon?
Anyone who attended the class?
– Uh… thinking back, isn’t that right?
└ Isn’t it? The volcanic orc types only appear in high-level dungeons, right?
– ??? They filmed a video with Kim Ji-a Hunter?
└ ㅇㅇ She appeared as a guest in today’s lecture video.
└ Crazy, I suddenly got incredibly envious!
└ Hahaha!
└ If it’s Kim Ji-a Hunter, I can’t argue against that! Haha!
└ Sigh; she’ll probably be teaching again next semester, right? I’ll be sure to sign up then!
└ You think you can? Hahaha! Only 15 slots available, though!
* * *
…A week passed by in the blink of an eye.
It was midterm period at the Academy.
“Good job.”
I quietly spoke to a student who had just submitted their exam paper after finishing the test.
The student, looking fatigued, lifted their head, saw my face, and shyly nodded.
‘Everyone seems to be giving it their all.’
At the Academy, general grades aren’t as critical compared to majors; simply meeting the required score is sufficient.
Yet, seeing the earnestness on their faces is quite admirable.
Thanks to that, I felt a sense of fulfillment in teaching.
“Ah-reum, you did well.”
“Hehe…”
One by one, students exited the lecture hall.
Thus, the test concluded just before the hour was up.
I surveyed the empty lecture hall.
I had always been the first to leave after class, so seeing it empty felt unfamiliar.
It felt strange that it should be filled with students.
When I first started teaching, I had thoughts like, “What if no one shows up?” or “What if there are too many students, that’d be overwhelming.”
Now, I’m feeling a sense of unfamiliarity in an empty lecture hall.
This must mean I’ve grown, right?
Smiling to myself, I picked up the stack of papers.
Tap, tap.
I neatly organized the bundled exam papers and placed them in my bag.
‘Now, I need to visit the elder.’
How long has it been since I last came to see him?
He was delighted when I let him know I would be visiting after such a long time.
Since I’ve been diligently practicing my long game lately, this time I must achieve victory without losing any pieces!
“Hehe…”
I left the Academy building and hurried my steps.
Using public transport, I smoothly arrived at the elder’s residence.
The elder, who had been waiting, opened the front door immediately.
“Hello.”
“Miss, you look radiant. Have you come across some good news?”
“… I guess my happiness at seeing you showed.”
“Hohoho.”
Though it was lip service, it seemed to please him, as he broke into a hearty laugh.
I smiled brightly back as I walked through the garden and sat down in a chair.
“Oh, is this yuzu?”
“Indeed. The refreshing taste of yuzu goes perfectly with spring.”
The elder smiled as he took a sip of yuzu tea and nibbled on some glutinous rice cake, which was also made from yuzu.
I grabbed one and took a bite.
“Wow, it’s delicious!”
“Do you like it? Then take some home with you.”
“Yes! My younger sister will love it!”
“Hoho, be sure to take enough.”
The elder chuckled as he stroked his beard.
I paused for a moment to observe him, then looked around the garden.
The well-tended garden, reflective of the owner’s character, radiated a tranquil atmosphere.
Though he’s an S-rank hunter and the master of a large guild, the house has a modest feel.
While gazing around the garden, I inadvertently spoke up.
“It’s peaceful here.”
“Hmm?”
“Well, you’re a remarkable hunter, right? I thought such people all lived in flashy homes.”
“Hohoho.”
Hearing my words, the elder looked at me with a kind smile and replied.
“I’ve shaped my life as I desired. This home feels peaceful to me.”
“Doesn’t the guild or government interfere or bother you?”
“Hmmm…”
The elder didn’t answer immediately.
He gazed at me with eyes that held depth.
After a moment, he stroked his beard again and spoke.
“I’ve worked hard to live life my way. So that no one can sway me.”
“Hmm…”
“That’s what it is.”
Those words summed up many things.
Yet they also ignited a tingling sensation in my heart.
“Hmm, shall we start a game soon?”
“Yes! I will win today!”
“Hohoho.”
We played chess until evening when I returned home.
Loss.
I lost the first game, but I won the second one.