My Childhood Friend’s Stock Will Never Fail – Chapter 19

Author: Asternkm

Choi Aram obediently let go of Yoohee’s sleeve, pulled out the thickest hardcover volume she could find, and hugged it tightly to her chest. Then she quickly slipped into the archive storage room, where there were no creatures.

She really did have a knack for finding the safest way to survive.

“I did what you said, so hurry up! Deal with them!”

Still seemingly anxious about Yoo-hee leaving her side, Choi Aram poked only her head out from the doorway and shouted at the top of her lungs.

It’s not like I’m invincible either.

The shield only had four uses remaining. Even so, she couldn’t simply abandon Kim Na-yoon and Jo Soo-young. Left with no other choice, Yoohee charged toward the desks, gripping the heavy Gargoyle’s Tooth Shield.

Yelp!

As she slammed the shield into the creature closest to the desk the two girls were standing on, it let out a pained yelp and staggered backward.

[Item Notification: Gargoyle’s Tooth Shield (Durability 3/5)]

Only three uses remained.

“Hurry and get down!”

They had to move while the creatures were still intimidated.

Otherwise, once they regained their nerve, they would rush them again.

“You two, grab thick books and hold them too.”

“Why? You’ve got a shield, don’t you?”

“Don’t tell me you’re trying to save yourself and leave us behind!”

Seriously? I’m the selfish one?

“This shield is about to disappear! I won’t be able to protect you anymore!”

“Yeah, right.”

Jo Soo-young climbed down from the desk and grabbed the hem of Yoohee’s clothes, clearly not believing her. Kim Na-yoon immediately trailed close behind Yoohee as well.

“I’m not lyi—”

The creatures regained their courage sooner than she’d expected and began prowling around them once more. Their bodies gradually lowered into a hunting stance, making them look all the more threatening.

How many are there now…?

Three creatures circled nearby.

Another four lingered farther back, watching for an opening.

There was no way Yoohee could hold them off by herself.

“Would you please listen to me for once?! I can’t protect all of you by myself!”

“Quit whining and watch what’s in front of you!”

They’re actually throwing my own words back at me.

At this rate, these people are going to shorten my lifespan from sheer frustration.

Woof! Woof! Woof!

At that moment, the nearby creatures charged at Yoohee all at once.

The fangs lining their gaping jaws looked sharp enough to tear through human flesh with ease.

Damn it!

She had no choice but to use the Gargoyle’s Tooth Shield to block the oncoming creatures.

Bang! Grrk!

[Item Notification: Gargoyle’s Tooth Shield (Durability 2/5)]

[Item Notification: Gargoyle’s Tooth Shield (Durability 1/5)]

[Item Notification: Gargoyle’s Tooth Shield (Durability 0/5)]

In an instant, the Gargoyle’s Tooth Shield’s durability dropped to zero.

At the same time, the solid shield in Yoohee’s hands shattered into countless fragments and vanished.

Watching the shield disappear before their eyes in real time, Kim Na-yoon and Jo Soo-young’s eyes and mouths fell wide open.

“W-What… was that…?”

“H-Hey… what just happened?!”

Infuriated by their shameless disbelief, Yoohee snapped back.

“That’s exactly what I told you!”

“How was I supposed to know you were telling the truth?! How does a perfectly fine shield just disappear like that?”

There was no time left to argue.

The creatures that had been hanging back slowly spread out, surrounding Yoo-hee and the others.

Now that the only thing they had feared—the shield—was gone, the creatures could hunt them whenever they pleased.

Grrrr…

A low growl rumbled from between their black jaws, hot breath pouring from their mouths.

What do I do now…?

Kim Na-yoon and Jo Soo-young were useless.

And she herself had nothing left.

“H-Hey… do something!”

“I’m going to die like this!”

Swallowing down her rising anger, Yoohee quickly scanned her surroundings.

There has to be something I can use as a weapon…

But the archive shelves were too far away.

The creatures would reach her before she could make it there.

As she nervously swallowed, one of the creatures seemed to sense her hesitation. It confidently stepped forward, shifted its weight far back—

—and leaped.

Whoosh— Thud!

A thick hardcover book came flying through the air and struck the charging creature square on the head.

The creature staggered for a moment before collapsing where it stood.

Poof!

With a puff of smoke, the creature vanished, leaving behind a single piece of candy.

…But who threw that?

When Yoohee turned toward where the book had come from, she saw Choi Aram standing in front of the archive storage room with an armful of thick books.

Honestly, it caught her off guard.

She’d been convinced Aram had sold off every last shred of loyalty she possessed.

“Aram!”

“That’s our Aram!”

Kim Na-yoon and Jo Soo-young instantly switched sides, their eyes lighting up.

Taking advantage of the creatures’ brief confusion, the two started rushing toward Choi Aram.

But Aram immediately shouted at them.

“Don’t come over here! Grab some books already!”

The two hesitated for a moment before heading into the archive instead. Having just witnessed a creature get taken down with a single book, they obeyed without complaint.

Yoohee seized the opportunity as well, quickly grabbing a thick hardcover from the shelves.

Just then, another status window appeared before her eyes.

[At the request of a kind-hearted Constellation, the Third Side Scenario has been unlocked!]

—Third Side Scenario: ~White Day Burning Event~

Difficulty: D

Objective: Hunt the fake creatures inside the event dungeon.

Time Limit: 16 minutes

Success Reward: +1 to any stat of your choice for every fake creature defeated.

Failure Penalty: None. (Just try not to get bitten to death by the fake creatures. Their fangs are every bit as sharp as those of the real ones.)

Sponsor: The Constellation “Galaxy YOLO Enthusiast” has sponsored the rewards.

Experience earned in this scenario is shared among party members.

Current Party Members: Choi Aram (S), Kim Na-yoon (B), Jo Soo-young (B)

The success reward immediately caught Yoo-hee’s attention.

One stat point of her choice for every creature defeated.

Seven creatures meant +7.

Her Guiding ability was currently 7, which meant it could jump all the way to 14.

On top of that, the party shared experiences. That meant Yoo-hee didn’t even have to land the killing blow herself. As long as anyone in her little follower group defeated a creature, she’d still gain the +1 stat reward.

This event is insanely generous!

She almost felt guilty for failing to appreciate such an incredible event before.

A gleam filled Yoo-hee’s eyes as she aggressively yanked more books off the shelves.

To be honest, she was still scared of the creatures.

But… it wasn’t as though they were actually going to bite her to death.

Grrr…

Just then, two creatures bared their fangs as they slowly closed in around Yoo-hee.

Stay calm.

They’re not real creatures.

These weren’t the terrifying monsters that lurked inside actual Gates.

One direct hit from Choi Aram had made them go.

Right.

They were basically just whack-a-moles.

Just pretend I’m swinging books instead of a toy hammer.

The more I kill, the better chance I have of saving Joohoon!

“Aim for the head!”

Her confidence restored, Yoohee swung the books in both hands at the snarling creatures.

“Th-The head!”

Yelp! Yip!

The effect was incredible!

One hit, one kill.

Once she stopped being afraid and aimed squarely for their heads, the creatures began exploding into smoke one after another like monsters in a video game.

“All right. Now, over there—”

After clearing out the nearby creatures, Yoohee turned toward the rest of her followers.

First, Choi Aram.

Living up to her title as the legendary S-Rank Guide, Aram calmly pulled thick books from the archive shelves and nailed the creatures in the head with pinpoint accuracy.

Excellent.

Her movements were so clean and efficient that Yoohee almost wanted to applaud.

Next was Kim Na-yoon.

She was still a little clumsy, but she was doing her best to imitate Aram, throwing books with all her strength.

Thunk. Thunk.

Quite a few books missed their targets or simply bounced across the floor instead of striking the creatures’ heads.

Still…

Not bad.

Lastly, Jo Soo-young…

…Where did Jo Soo-young go?

Choi Aram’s loyal sidekick was nowhere to be seen.

“Jo Soo-young?”