novelraw Chapter 67 : Chapter 67
Chapter 67 : Chapter 67
Chapter 67: Journalist Grade
One peaceful day at the Academy.
A fresh topic flowed from the mouths of children enjoying their lunchtime.
A ghost story called the ghost of the library.
“Did you hear that story? The story that a ghost appears in Library Zone C-1.”
One person opened the fire.
“I know. Taeshin went there before and said something suddenly touched his neck. There was definitely no one there, and he didn't feel any presence, but he felt a cold hand grabbing his neck.”
“You know Jeong Jiyoon, right? She said someone grabbed her neck, arms, and legs simultaneously. Isn't that crazy?”
Someone added a story heard from friends.
“A ghost? Ugh……. Scary. If it’s a demonic beast, you can just kill it, but you can’t catch a ghost.”
“Where are ghosts anyway? If there are ghosts, shouldn't there be demonic beast ghosts and T-Rex ghosts too? But there aren't any.”
“No. They exist. They say if a dead person has strong lingering thoughts, they can remain as a grudge after death. Existing as a phenomenon.”
Naturally, the conversation led to a discussion about ghosts.
“So you’re saying it could be a real ghost? Goosebumps……. They say you really can’t feel anything from a ghost. And they look super, super scary.”
“Is there a ghost in the school? How can I go to the library if I’m scared?”
“You didn't go anyway.”
Just when the story was ripening like that.
“Hey, they say that’s not a ghost.”
Someone fiddling with a tablet spoke up.
“Not a ghost? How do you know that?”
“Look at this.”
He held out the tablet to the children asking back.
On the screen he presented, a ‘Zero Times’ article was displayed.
[Ghost Story of the Library, Its True Identity is a Demonic Beast?]
“……The existence known as a ghost was actually a demonic beast. An Ice Bug classified as the lowest rank, Grade 10 demonic beast. The spot bitten by an Ice Bug drops in body temperature rapidly, sometimes causing a sensation like a cold hand grabbing it?”
“The common point in the experiences is that cold hands touched their bodies. Is it true? But isn't there no evidence that it’s an Ice Bug?”
“Keep reading.”
[An Ice Bug nest was discovered inside the fire hydrant located in Zone C-1, and the happening was concluded as the Student Council directly proceeded with the nest removal operation.]
“Wow, they even found the nest? Can’t deny that.”
“See, I told you there are no ghosts? It’s all stuff like this.”
“Ah, I wished there was one. Could have gone to see it.”
“Why go see a ghost if there is one, you crazy bastard.”
With laughter and playful conversation exchanged, the rumor was settled like that.
***
“Jinwoo, this article was good. Digging into rumors circulating among people yourself……. It’s an excellent attitude even journalistically.”
Male Dormitory 1st Floor Lounge.
Under the softly cast lighting, Senior Jin Cheonglim and I were sitting face to face.
Neatly combed back blue hair, a smooth jawline, and tidy uniform attire.
His blue eyes moved sharply, giving an impression of lightly piercing through the opponent.
He lightly touched the watch on his wrist.
Instantly, a blue hologram window floated in the air.
The article I wrote unfolded as is.
With that screen in between, Jin Cheonglim smiled faintly and opened his mouth.
“Usually, trainee journalists submit articles summarizing simple news. A case like yours is uncommon. No, it’s safe to say there are none at all.”
He seemed very satisfied with this article.
Actually, it had to be.
[Case: ‘Library Mystery’ (Intermediate) Coverage Complete!]
[Reward: 10,000 SP]
[Acquired Passive ‘Trace Detection’.]
- Trace Detection: Detects traces within 10 minutes of occurrence. Performance increases as Journalist Grade goes up. (Current Grade: Trainee Journalist)
Because I covered an ‘Intermediate’ case even though I’m a trainee.
The ‘Reporter’s Sense’ passive often generates subquests for coverage.
Among them, the highest grade case a trainee journalist can receive is ‘Intermediate.’
In other words, I handled the highest level article among those worth covering for me currently.
Coverage regarding the rumor that a ghost appears in the library.
Since it was a subquest I had played in the original work too, I was familiar with the approach.
Somehow catching the barely visible Ice Bugs while tracking their traces.
Finding the location of the nest like that.
I had some trouble because the location of the Ice Bug nest is random, but I was able to find the round insect nest in the fire hydrant.
Like that, with the completion of coverage, one ghost story season ends.
……Not really, because even if the Ice Bug nest is removed and Ice Bugs disappear from the library, the ghost story still continues.
In the game, it was even hinted that there really is a ghost.
Well, it doesn't matter since I'm done with my business.
The quest reward was substantial too.
And I was able to elicit a good reaction from Deputy Editor-in-Chief Jin Cheonglim, so that’s enough.
‘It seems his mood has improved a lot.’
I was worried he might be offended because of the incident where Jin Cheongha took me to the Student Council before, but fortunately, he doesn't seem to mind much.
“When I hear rumors and such, I get curious. Is it real? Could there be something we don’t know? Stuff like that. You know what I mean, right?”
“Of course, I hope you continue to exercise that curiosity positively in the future. Thanks to you, this issue seems like it will be rich.”
Jin Cheonglim spoke softly and pointed to a part of the article.
[The happening was concluded as the Student Council directly proceeded with the nest removal operation.]
“By the way, who was the Student Council member who removed this Ice Bug nest? It’s better to write that down too. I’ll edit it for you.”
“Uh……. It was Senior Cheongha.”
“I see.”
At the name coming from my mouth, Jin Cheonglim’s expression hardened for an instant.
“Hmm, the article has already been uploaded to the web, so there’s no need to edit it specifically. Good work.”
He, who said he would edit it, suddenly changed his words saying there would be no need.
Something felt embarrassing.
Jin Cheongha of the main family, Jin Cheonglim of the branch family.
The moment Jin Cheongha’s name came out, the emotion briefly revealed to Jin Cheonglim was closer to bitterness than hatred.
I can’t know exactly what happened, but Jin Cheonglim’s feelings toward Jin Cheongha seemed less clean than I thought.
‘I should make sure the name ‘Jin Cheongha’ doesn't come up as much as possible in front of this senior.’
Just when I was making a resolution in my heart.
Jin Cheonglim composed his expression and opened his mouth.
“Now, if you write just one more official article, you can obtain the official journalist qualification. Usually, articles get rejected and it gets delayed often, but your articles are always interesting. Starting from the subject matter, it’s good. Just keep going like this and it will work.”
A story that I can raise my journalist grade delivered along with praise.
The subject matter has to be good.
In the first place, I’m only looking for incidents good for articles.
Because I can earn SP, and in the process, gain additional stats or passives like ‘Trace Detection.’
The coverage quest itself is a honey pot.
Even in the original work, the Journalist class is specialized in pushing subquests and sub-stories, allowing players to take many fortuitous encounters and items while playing.
To me, who has no magic power system, it is like a miraculous lifeline.
‘Plus, at this current point where the story has been twisted, this is practically a compass.’
Since the impurity called ‘me’ has already intervened, I can’t obsess over the original work.
Because the story has already been greatly twisted due to matters related to Balzac.
Some major events might still happen, but even those might have variables occurring in minor parts.
So grasping what is currently happening through the occurrence of coverage quests is important.
If I become an official journalist, the grade of coverage quests that occur expands to ‘Advanced.’
Then I will be able to receive quests and information that I couldn't receive as a trainee journalist.
The performance increase of journalist-related passives is a bonus.
Just when I was lost in my own calculations like that.
Clunk-!
Jin Cheonglim pulled a drink from the vending machine located on one side of the dormitory lounge wall and handed it to me.
As the can was placed in my hand, a cool sensation brushed my fingertips.
“Drink. Come to think of it, is the midterm exam for freshmen coming up soon? Nostalgic.”
Jin Cheonglim said while sitting back on the sofa.
Explaining that there are no midterms from the second year onwards, he added a complaint that it would be better to split it into two times.
“Isn't it better to take it all at once?”
At least it was like that when playing the game. It’s annoying if events are divided.
“Don’t even say it. The final evaluation period is really hell week. I heard something, you know.”
He sipped his drink and waved his hand.
A moment later, he looked around, then leaned his upper body slightly towards me and spoke in a low voice.
“Actually, I’m only telling you this…….”
Jin Cheonglim continuing while lowering his voice.
“You guys, they say you’re going to Jeju Island for the exam this time. The budget has been allocated. It’s not public information yet, so don’t go telling anyone.”
“What?”
I asked back, pretending to be surprised.
Actually, I already know.
Even when I played the game, we went to Jeju Island for the freshman midterm evaluation.
Still, I had concerns that it might change, but for now, it seems to be proceeding as is.
“It seems they’re doing something around Hallasan. That’s all I know for now. Anyway, wouldn't Jeju Island itself be worth covering?”
Jin Cheonglim began to skillfully manipulate his watch.
Soon, countless hologram windows were projected onto the table like a beam projector.
Photos, videos, and various information about Jeju Island were displayed.
“Maybe you can get coverage material here. Stepping up as an official journalist.”
Jin Cheonglim nodded and said.
‘Coverage, huh……’
I thought.
There is one thing worth doing. One incident.
“By the way, I envy you going to Jeju. It’s a place hard to visit often.”
After drinking quietly for a while, Jin Cheonglim broached the subject.
Jeju in reality is just a simple ‘tourist spot,’ but Jeju in this world was different.
A land blessed with nature, richly laid with ‘Maso,’ the source of magic power.
Thanks to that, it became a place where heroes and Academy cadets rushed to visit for training.
Not only Korea but also overseas associations and academies visit regularly under the name of joint training.
For that reason, tourism demand also exploded, and now it has established itself as a global hero mecca, not just a simple island.
In other words, every day is an explosive peak season, so tickets were always sold out, and even then, one could barely get one with luck.
“Is there something you need?”
I asked. Because the atmosphere of Jin Cheonglim broaching the subject was unusual.
‘I envy you. It would be nice if I could go there too.’
Since he keeps giving off this atmosphere, I can’t help but mind it.
“Huh? No. It’s not particularly like that.”
Saying so, he slid a memo across the table toward me.
“…….”
Ultimately, he wanted something.
I wondered why he suddenly told me ‘I heard the midterm evaluation is held in Jeju,’ turns out he had business.
Written on the memo were snacks, various tourist products, and a few items.
“This…… all of it?”
“There is a saying that information is not free. Since I gave you information about the midterm exam, I expect a corresponding gift.”
“I think the value doesn't match.”
“The exam will take place at Hallasan, and it is related to Baengnokdam. And, the sooner the better. This is extremely important information. You might not know now, but you will know someday.”
Jin Cheonglim continued with serious eyes.
I immediately understood what he was saying.
This gentleman was reciting information related to the exam.
“Don’t worry about money. I’ll give you enough. If you buy everything without missing a single one, I’ll give you pocket money too.”
If I buy everything without missing one, he’ll give more money.
‘Meaning, there is a real item he wants among these.’
[Tangerine Chocolate, Bongcaron Set, Magic Stone Craft Keyring, Bye Jeju Limited Figure, ‘Sea Workshop’ Pendant…….]
Among the densely written memo, what Jin Cheonglim really wants is probably one or two things.
He probably wants to hide what he really wants so that even I, who received the request, don’t know.
A person who is always tidy and gentle on the outside but rarely reveals his inner thoughts.
Even for an errand like this, he is someone who tries to mask what he really wants.
‘Except when Jin Cheongha is involved.’
That is also strange if strange.