Chapter 30 - How to Prepare for the Exam (5)

 

I may have already called Scammer, but I didn’t believe him at all. Salvation is self, self!

 

The first to run were Calmy and Na Yuri.

 

“Miss Nahyun!”

 

“Nahyun, are you okay?”

 

Na Yuri’s fire quickly blocked the path of the zombies, and Calmy struck the backs of the zombies’ necks as they tried to face forward.

 

The sight of them fending off countless hordes of zombies couldn’t have been more trustworthy.

 

“Yuhan told me to go to the lake near the main building’s trail! I’ll go there!”

 

“Got it. We’ll take them down and join you.”

 

“Be safe, Miss Nahyun!”

 

What are they, angels?

 

Thinking about that for a moment, when I reached the central trail, I encountered another group of zombies.

 

“Gimmegimmegimmegimme.”

 

“Gobackgobackgobackgobackgoback.”

 

And at that time, the cool ice spears that came with the gust of wind blocked the zombies’ path.

 

Soon, ice grew from the ground, grabbed the zombies’ ankles, and quickly froze the entire thing.

 

“…Are you okay?”

 

“Nyahaha! Hello, Junior!”

 

It was the appearance of the seniors.

 

They are angels…

 

I was able to ride Choi Soojung’s wind and travel to the huge lake in an instant.

 

Senior, you are truly the greatest genius in the world. I believe in you, Choi Soojung.

 

As soon as we arrived at the lakeside, the bead in my uniform pocket began to sparkle.

 

The self-luminous bead soon moved arbitrarily toward the moon illuminating the lakeside.

 

The bead finally reached the moon’s shadow on the water and radiated even more intense light. The border of light became wider and wider.

 

The moon reflected on the water is fading.

 

And within that month, a mysterious landscape appeared.

 

“This…”

 

“It looks like a gate.”

 

“That’s right.”

 

At that time, a tattered Scammer appeared.

 

I had to try not to glare at Scammer.

 

That’s how he managed to get here. He calmly planned to have me chased by those horrible zombies, but then he shamelessly!

 

His face was so flawless that it seemed like it would sparkle if you touched it.

 

“One of the item dungeons, Warehouse of Nine-tailed Fox”

 

“So you really know a lot?”

 

“There’s a good reason for that.”

 

I said, suppressing the urge to punch him.

 

“If something like this happened, you could have told me in advance!”

 

You bastard who does everything alone!

 

I had a hard time swallowing my words. Without realizing it, tears formed in my eyes. Thanks to you, I didn’t have to force myself to cry, so I’m really thankful, you game fanatic!

 

Scammer seemed quite bewildered when I got angry.

 

Why, you didn’t know I know how to get angry?

 

Because in games and novels, the ‘sunshine heroine’ never disobeys the male lead, huh?

 

I felt my annoyance rising. I felt that it couldn’t go on like this.

 

Of course, I stepped into the position of sunshine heroine on my own, but that doesn’t mean I have to be anxious the whole time if he keeps dragging me into his schemes like this without any explanation.

 

If possible, I want to know at least what dangers I will face before making my move. Because this isn’t a game or a novel to me, it’s reality.

 

So, I need to make it clear at this point. I’m also a person who feels scared, and I can express my opinions.

 

When I glared at him with watery eyes, Scammer was embarrassed and barely opened his mouth.

 

“I didn’t do that on purpose. I couldn’t say anything because I didn’t know what kind of variable it would be.”

 

He carefully looks at me, as if he knows his mistake.

 

“I’m sorry.”

 

He hesitantly extended his hand to me. It felt like he was trying to wipe away my tears. However, his touch was deflected by someone pulling me into an embrace.

 

The person who hugged me, who was quietly shedding tears, was Na Yuri, who had just brought all of the group with her.

 

Na Yuri patted me and glared at Scammer with murderous eyes.

 

“Trash bastard…”

 

The atmosphere became cold.

 

“You really haven’t changed at all. Your essence of using people at will hasn’t changed at all.”

 

Scammer answered those words.

 

“I don’t know why I’m telling you that now, but…, I really couldn’t help this matter. We had to reduce variables as much as possible.”

 

“Is that a reason to put Miss Nahyun in danger without her consent?”

 

It was the most genuinely angry sight I had ever seen in Na Yuri.

 

“I told you, the variablesㅡ”

 

“When you gave Miss Nahyun the bead, you should have at least warned her that something dangerous would happen!”

 

Uh, this…

 

“You still don’t know? You ignored Miss Nahyun’s wishes just because you wanted to reduce variables, and furthermore, you ignored Miss Nahyun!”

 

Should I stop her?

 

The atmosphere was becoming increasingly serious. I grabbed Na Yuri.

 

“Yuri, I’m okay.”

 

“Miss Nahyun…!”

 

At that time, Choi Soojung suddenly intervened.

 

“Calm dooown~”

 

She said, wrapping her tail around my arm.

 

“First of all, we need to do something with the gate that has occurred, don’t we~?”

 

“But!”

 

Choi Soojung looked at Scammer and said with a straight face.

 

“Of course, we will definitely pursue this matter later.”

 

Then she smiled brightly.

 

“It’s quite unpleasant to be used like a tool without even receiving an explanation, you knooow!”

 

Choi Soojung’s words with hidden meaning made Na Yuri silent for a moment, and she seemed to have decided to take a step back. Although she was still glaring at Scammer  she closed her mouth without saying anything.

 

The silent Scammer finally opened his mouth.

 

“First… only those who have the bead can enter this gate.”

 

“Then wouldn’t it be dangerous?”

 

“You don’t have to worry about that. The monsters… are all about the hordes of human zombies we dealt with.”

 

Everyone’s complexions turned pale, as if they were remembering the zombie horde again. The hordes of zombies… were very persistent. I thought the genre of this novel had suddenly changed to horror.

 

“So there are no monsters in there. Only the rewards remain.”

 

“Rewards…?”

 

“Yeah. Floating the bead on a lake illuminated by the full moon means returning the bead to its original owner, the fox. If you return the bead to its owner, you can take three treasures from the nine-tailed fox’s warehouse.”

 

Well, I need to give lip service to Scammer here.

 

“Then… It was Yuhan who brought the bead, so Yuhan will choose what he wants.”

 

“Miss Nahyun!”

 

“Isn’t it better to take care of your share?”

 

“Nahyun suffered the most.”

 

Although Na Yuri, Calmy, and Lee Hana reacted, I didn’t give in to my decision.

 

“…No, you don’t have to go that far…”

 

Don’t be rude. You made this mess because you wanted something, you bastard.

 

Scammer cleared his throat, ahem.

 

“I would appreciate it if you could do that, but I only ask one thing. It’s a lamp called ‘Will-O’-The-Wisp’.”

 

“Mmhm!”

 

“Choose the rest as you wish. Instead, you have to choose a total of three.”

 

If I break it, will I fall under some kind of curse?

 

I couldn’t bear to ask that question, so I just shook my head and said.

 

“Then I have to go to that gate… Senior Hana, can you help me?”

 

“Alright.”

 

Ice skill is the best.

 

So I walked on the ice path on the lake created by Lee Hana and entered the gate.

 

 

The inside of the gate was filled with all kinds of valuable-looking items, as it was called the nine-tailed fox’s warehouse.

 

As I was looking around blankly, I heard someone’s voice.

 

<You’re the one who returned my child’s bead.>

 

Is it a nine-tailed fox?

 

“Are you… a nine-tailed fox?”

 

A voice answered my question.

 

I felt my tension melt away as I heard a cotton-like soft and gentle voice.

 

<That’s right.>

 

The voice continued to echo in the space.

 

<It’s a keepsake of my child. It was something that had to stay in place. I lost it, but fortunately you found it back.>

 

<I will repay you. I will allow you to take three treasures from here.>

 

“Then… Do you know about a lamp called the Light of Goblin?”

 

<Ho… I never thought there would be anyone who knew of the existence of that object. It’s the blue lantern hanging at the entrance.>

 

I approached the entrance and took the blue lantern first. Alright, quest cleared.

 

What’s next for me to choose?

 

I was happily confused about what to choose.

 

While I was wandering around for a while, an unusual trinket caught my eye.

 

“…This…?”

 

<You’re a kid with good instincts.>

 

The sweet tone of the nine-tailed fox came to my ears. Is it because of my mood? The nine-tailed fox somehow felt happy.

 

<It’s the most precious thing I have.>

 

<A plaything made from the tail hair of my husband, Cheonho.>

 

Cheonho’s tail hair?

 

I carelessly stroked the soft fur of the soother.

 

“It’s soft…”

 

<Right? His tail is our pride.>

 

“I think it’s even more worthy of being called a treasure because it’s a precious part of your family.”

 

<You’re a child who knows the importance of family. Not only soft, it also has the power to repel all evil.>

 

“Wow… Can I take this precious thing?”

 

<I definitely promised to give you three of the things in the warehouse. I’ll give it to you if you want.>

 

“Then, I’ll take it with me.”

 

I carefully placed the tail feather soother in my arms. Let’s give it to the orphanage teacher later.

 

“…I will cherish it.”

 

<Fufu, right. What do you want to take last?>

 

Looking around once more, a key with a characteristic traditional pattern caught my eye.

 

The key was made of smooth black wood, and the key ring had an octagonal ring beautifully decorated with various colored decorations.

 

“What key is this?”

 

<It’s the key that bestows our protection. And.>

 

Shocking words followed.

 

<The key to the tower.>

 

…The key to the tower, she says.

 

I understand that the current tower is completely sealed.

 

But the way to enter and exit the tower is right here?