“This is an urgent matter,” I call to the other two.
From the same rooftop where we had our recent confrontation occur at the mention of the Devil, the same group of people gathers. Kim Suho, Chae Nayun and me. “There is a Devil here in Cube,” I tell them the big news.
I get various reactions from them.
Suho glances at me with suspicion. When we are training, I kind am bamboozling him into thinking that what I might see as a Devil is actually a Djinn. Suho is gullible, but not stupid. Thankfully, he deigns it to hear me first. Sorry, Suho… Still, I am going to stick with lying about my Akatrina origins.
Meanwhile, Nayun is giving me a calmer reaction than I expect.
“Tell me more about it.” She softly addresses me aware of how serious this situation is.
“First,” I look at Nayun and then gaze at Suho. “You have to hear it from Suho…” I utter. This is necessary to get Nayun’s trust.
“Sigh…” Suho gives a painful sigh, clearly reluctant to reveal his, and our, origins. “I am a Transmigrator. I come from the world by the name of Akatrina. For some reason, after dying to the Devil Morax, I awakened to this world as Kim Suho…”
“I am the same…” I add. “That is how we know the term ‘Devil’, and how the two of us quickly come to an understanding when we last confronted each other in this very same rooftop.”
***
“Transmigrator?” The term is not so unfamiliar that Nayun does not understand what Suho means.
They are a recurring theme in novels. They are people who come from another world to live in another world. In essence, they are aliens. However, transmigrators are more than that. They are souls who possess the body of another… and if Nayun looks at this more deeply, the Devils have a similar method.
Chae Nayun cannot help but show a trace of disgust.
“Kim Hajin is the same… He is also not from here…"
Nayun’s eyes tremble on hearing these words. Her gaze land on Hyon who is steadily retreating from her. Wise move, Nayun compliments him as she might really just bash his head because of her nasty temper.
“And why would I believe you?”
***
This is the most delicate part of my confession. I cannot make any mistakes in going forward from here.
“It is because Hajin’s help is necessary to catch the Devil hiding here in Cube. Hajin has two gifts. Currently, he is hiding his first gift— it is Observation and Reading, and it has the power to see through the essence of things, people, and the world.”
“And how do you know that?” This time, it is Suho who asks me. From the intonation of his voice, he must be closely getting angrier at me at the moment.
Of course, he will be angry at me… I make him confess his origins, and he complies as that is how serious the Devil threat is… If the Devil threat is a hoax, then SUho's trust in me will plummet. But he is not the only one who is going to confess.
“You see,” I maintain eye contact with Nayun as she is this time my primary goal. “I saw the future.”
Thus, I confess my lie.
“Second Gifts sound ridiculous, doesn’t it? The thing is… I have two, so it doesn’t really matter that Hajin also has two. My first gift, oh~ I am sure you will love it… Nayun…”
I theatrically raise my both hands, as if presenting myself to the audience. I take in the flow of conversation to my advantage and concoct another lie on top of my current lies.
“My first Gift… is clairvoyance…” The inspiration comes from my exchange of dialogues with Yoo Sihyuk. With this lie, I can finally insert my story into this world without any issues. Talking Hajin into fighting the Devil hiding here in Cube will also be easier.
I recall a certain thought from the novel about SP, simply Story Points. The more Hajin increases his importance to the story, the more SP he gains. It is actually a reward system to motivate Hajin to move and develop the plot.
The Co-Author. I don’t know if he has a hand in the changes happening in this world. The only thing I am sure of is that he at least doesn’t want the end of the world. Recruiting Kim Hajin to our cause can only help us.
“Prove it. Can you see the future? Clairvoyance? Bullshit! Tell me then… Tell me about the future!”
Chae Nayun provokes me with a ramble, and I see the opportunity. I can hurt Nayun severely if I want. I can tell her how Hajin will kill her brother in the future. I can tell her how much she is hurt by her desire to only love. I can tell her everything she suffered before her regression.
But I cannot.
The thought does cross my mind, but I cannot.
I point at Kim Suho and decisively throw him under the bus. “He is boning for Yun Seung-Ah, someone about ten years older than him. He will become the team leader of the Creator’s Sacred Grace. He will become the kind of guy who prioritizes hoes before bros. He…” I confess Suho’s future with a single breath.
As a Regressor, Nayun also knows this future.
“S-stop that…” Nayun coughs awkwardly as she raises one hand, and uses the other to press on her stomach. “You are s-scarring Suho, please stop… pfft…” She is keeling and on the verge of laughing hysterically. Only through her own sheer willpower is she able to not laugh.
The dreadful and tense atmosphere ceases… maybe except for Suho who has become pale at the revelation and possibly at him being targeted by me. I feel bad for him. But I can only think that this is the best way to catch a Regressor off-guard. If I attack Nayun’s psychological wounds, that will make me the Devil both in the metaphorical, and literal sense.
“I believe you,” Nayun declares. “So, clairvoyant… can you tell me more about Hajin?”
This time, it is Suho who is confused. From their recent confrontation when I tell Suho that I am from Akatrina, it is Nayun who is confused. Now, the opposite is happening. Despite that, I believe Suho will still join the ride on this quest to kill the Devil hiding within Cube. That is just his character.
“What can I tell about Hajin? Hmmm…” I think long and hard for an answer. “He is the Tragic Hero who at his sacrifice, the world has forgotten him…” Of course, not as tragic as Chae Nayun.
“I guess that’s enough confirmation for me…”
***
At this point in time, Kim Hajin is having an easier life unlike in the novel. By this time, he should be experiencing harsh bullying from Jonghak’s incitement, but because of the slight mishap back in the Noble Society, he instead has become a celebrity figure with lots of rumors going on.
The buzz around him is mostly positive, and experiencing a life of fame is not so bad either. Hyon Hyung’s Featurette greatly helps him. He is now rich with SP. The possibilities for the future are no longer bleak. In fact, it is not fame that allows him to earn more SP, but his significance to the story.
As he is almost receiving the main character's treatment, it is only natural that there will be a rise in his SP. He feels like he just graduated from extra to a high-profile support character.
Honestly, he doesn’t like the attention. But what use is feeling shame if he has the SP?
He walks past a few mingling cadets and sits down on his usual seat. At that moment, his eyes meet Rachel's. The blonde princess of England does not pay any attention to him and simply waits in silence.
“Hey guys, the exam results are out for Phenomenon Realm Analysis.” Yi Yoenghan walks in with an armful of large scrolls.
Cube still has a traditional custom. The results of every written exam, whether small or big, are posted publicly on large posters.
Kim Hajin looks at the bottom and as expected, it is Hyon Hyung’s name that is marvelously posted there. Hajin feels bad for his friend. Having a student get detention just like that is among the few legendary feats of Veritas Class.
As his eyes move above the poster, he sees Nayun having a not-so-bad score which is unexpected for a character who tends to not use her brain well. Then there is also Kim Suho and Yoo Yoenha who is better than average.
The top of the poster presents the top scorers which are within Hajin’s expectations.
Rank 1. Kim Hajin.
Rank 2. Rachel.
~Snap!
A sound similar to a chopstick snapping in half rings outs. Hajin sneaks a peek behind him, where he recalls Rachel’s seat.
Two halves of a pen roll on the table. Next to them is the presumed owner of the pen, Rachel, who is staring at the exam results in a daze, her mouth is half-open as though she is a fish. The shock must be too much for her.
Is it that so shocking someone is smarter than her?
Imagine how shocked will she be if she learns someone is able to beat her test score through cheating.
The two of them meet eyes once more, but this time, Rachel does not ignore Hajin. Rachel is usually a kind girl who always gives an amiable aura. She is the typical goody-two-shoes heroine.
But right at this moment, she seems to be breaking character. Rachel is pouting, and the way she grinds her teeth are just menacing. She only needs to growl, and Hajin swears, he will be already running far by then.
“This is an urgent matter,” I call to the other two.
From the same rooftop where we had our recent confrontation occur at the mention of the Devil, the same group of people gathers. Kim Suho, Chae Nayun and me. “There is a Devil here in Cube,” I tell them the big news.
I get various reactions from them.
Suho glances at me with suspicion. When we are training, I kind am bamboozling him into thinking that what I might see as a Devil is actually a Djinn. Suho is gullible, but not stupid. Thankfully, he deigns it to hear me first. Sorry, Suho… Still, I am going to stick with lying about my Akatrina origins.
Meanwhile, Nayun is giving me a calmer reaction than I expect.
“Tell me more about it.” She softly addresses me aware of how serious this situation is.
“First,” I look at Nayun and then gaze at Suho. “You have to hear it from Suho…” I utter. This is necessary to get Nayun’s trust.
“Sigh…” Suho gives a painful sigh, clearly reluctant to reveal his, and our, origins. “I am a Transmigrator. I come from the world by the name of Akatrina. For some reason, after dying to the Devil Morax, I awakened to this world as Kim Suho…”
“I am the same…” I add. “That is how we know the term ‘Devil’, and how the two of us quickly come to an understanding when we last confronted each other in this very same rooftop.”
***
“Transmigrator?” The term is not so unfamiliar that Nayun does not understand what Suho means.
They are a recurring theme in novels. They are people who come from another world to live in another world. In essence, they are aliens. However, transmigrators are more than that. They are souls who possess the body of another… and if Nayun looks at this more deeply, the Devils have a similar method.
Chae Nayun cannot help but show a trace of disgust.
“Kim Hajin is the same… He is also not from here…"
Nayun’s eyes tremble on hearing these words. Her gaze land on Hyon who is steadily retreating from her. Wise move, Nayun compliments him as she might really just bash his head because of her nasty temper.
“And why would I believe you?”
***
This is the most delicate part of my confession. I cannot make any mistakes in going forward from here.
“It is because Hajin’s help is necessary to catch the Devil hiding here in Cube. Hajin has two gifts. Currently, he is hiding his first gift— it is Observation and Reading, and it has the power to see through the essence of things, people, and the world.”
“And how do you know that?” This time, it is Suho who asks me. From the intonation of his voice, he must be closely getting angrier at me at the moment.
Of course, he will be angry at me… I make him confess his origins, and he complies as that is how serious the Devil threat is… If the Devil threat is a hoax, then SUho's trust in me will plummet. But he is not the only one who is going to confess.
“You see,” I maintain eye contact with Nayun as she is this time my primary goal. “I saw the future.”
Thus, I confess my lie.
“Second Gifts sound ridiculous, doesn’t it? The thing is… I have two, so it doesn’t really matter that Hajin also has two. My first gift, oh~ I am sure you will love it… Nayun…”
I theatrically raise my both hands, as if presenting myself to the audience. I take in the flow of conversation to my advantage and concoct another lie on top of my current lies.
“My first Gift… is clairvoyance…” The inspiration comes from my exchange of dialogues with Yoo Sihyuk. With this lie, I can finally insert my story into this world without any issues. Talking Hajin into fighting the Devil hiding here in Cube will also be easier.
I recall a certain thought from the novel about SP, simply Story Points. The more Hajin increases his importance to the story, the more SP he gains. It is actually a reward system to motivate Hajin to move and develop the plot.
The Co-Author. I don’t know if he has a hand in the changes happening in this world. The only thing I am sure of is that he at least doesn’t want the end of the world. Recruiting Kim Hajin to our cause can only help us.
“Prove it. Can you see the future? Clairvoyance? Bullshit! Tell me then… Tell me about the future!”
Chae Nayun provokes me with a ramble, and I see the opportunity. I can hurt Nayun severely if I want. I can tell her how Hajin will kill her brother in the future. I can tell her how much she is hurt by her desire to only love. I can tell her everything she suffered before her regression.
But I cannot.
The thought does cross my mind, but I cannot.
I point at Kim Suho and decisively throw him under the bus. “He is boning for Yun Seung-Ah, someone about ten years older than him. He will become the team leader of the Creator’s Sacred Grace. He will become the kind of guy who prioritizes hoes before bros. He…” I confess Suho’s future with a single breath.
As a Regressor, Nayun also knows this future.
“S-stop that…” Nayun coughs awkwardly as she raises one hand, and uses the other to press on her stomach. “You are s-scarring Suho, please stop… pfft…” She is keeling and on the verge of laughing hysterically. Only through her own sheer willpower is she able to not laugh.
The dreadful and tense atmosphere ceases… maybe except for Suho who has become pale at the revelation and possibly at him being targeted by me. I feel bad for him. But I can only think that this is the best way to catch a Regressor off-guard. If I attack Nayun’s psychological wounds, that will make me the Devil both in the metaphorical, and literal sense.
“I believe you,” Nayun declares. “So, clairvoyant… can you tell me more about Hajin?”
This time, it is Suho who is confused. From their recent confrontation when I tell Suho that I am from Akatrina, it is Nayun who is confused. Now, the opposite is happening. Despite that, I believe Suho will still join the ride on this quest to kill the Devil hiding within Cube. That is just his character.
“What can I tell about Hajin? Hmmm…” I think long and hard for an answer. “He is the Tragic Hero who at his sacrifice, the world has forgotten him…” Of course, not as tragic as Chae Nayun.
“I guess that’s enough confirmation for me…”
***
At this point in time, Kim Hajin is having an easier life unlike in the novel. By this time, he should be experiencing harsh bullying from Jonghak’s incitement, but because of the slight mishap back in the Noble Society, he instead has become a celebrity figure with lots of rumors going on.
The buzz around him is mostly positive, and experiencing a life of fame is not so bad either. Hyon Hyung’s Featurette greatly helps him. He is now rich with SP. The possibilities for the future are no longer bleak. In fact, it is not fame that allows him to earn more SP, but his significance to the story.
As he is almost receiving the main character's treatment, it is only natural that there will be a rise in his SP. He feels like he just graduated from extra to a high-profile support character.
Honestly, he doesn’t like the attention. But what use is feeling shame if he has the SP?
He walks past a few mingling cadets and sits down on his usual seat. At that moment, his eyes meet Rachel's. The blonde princess of England does not pay any attention to him and simply waits in silence.
“Hey guys, the exam results are out for Phenomenon Realm Analysis.” Yi Yoenghan walks in with an armful of large scrolls.
Cube still has a traditional custom. The results of every written exam, whether small or big, are posted publicly on large posters.
Kim Hajin looks at the bottom and as expected, it is Hyon Hyung’s name that is marvelously posted there. Hajin feels bad for his friend. Having a student get detention just like that is among the few legendary feats of Veritas Class.
As his eyes move above the poster, he sees Nayun having a not-so-bad score which is unexpected for a character who tends to not use her brain well. Then there is also Kim Suho and Yoo Yoenha who is better than average.
The top of the poster presents the top scorers which are within Hajin’s expectations.
Rank 1. Kim Hajin.
Rank 2. Rachel.
~Snap!
A sound similar to a chopstick snapping in half rings outs. Hajin sneaks a peek behind him, where he recalls Rachel’s seat.
Two halves of a pen roll on the table. Next to them is the presumed owner of the pen, Rachel, who is staring at the exam results in a daze, her mouth is half-open as though she is a fish. The shock must be too much for her.
Is it that so shocking someone is smarter than her?
Imagine how shocked will she be if she learns someone is able to beat her test score through cheating.
The two of them meet eyes once more, but this time, Rachel does not ignore Hajin. Rachel is usually a kind girl who always gives an amiable aura. She is the typical goody-two-shoes heroine.
But right at this moment, she seems to be breaking character. Rachel is pouting, and the way she grinds her teeth are just menacing. She only needs to growl, and Hajin swears, he will be already running far by then.
