“Spoon.”
As I entered the Sync Room, a student holding a Pollex approached me. He was a Moon Shin-chung with ink-infused tattoos around his neck.
“What, you dirty-necked bastard.”
“What… dirty…? You’re serious?”
Suddenly, the guy’s eyes lit up.
That didn’t scare me one bit. In fact, Song Aram – my middle school bully – was way more intimidating.
I wonder how she’s doing. She used to doodle all over my PE uniforms, claiming to be an aspiring art school student.
Back then, why did I just let her do it without standing up for myself? If I ever get a chance at a second chance, I’d definitely teach her a thing or two with a heartfelt confession.
Yeah, she really was pretty back then… Aram, I miss you.
“Spoon, are you crying?”
“Sorry. Just got lost in thought about my first love…”
“First love? What the hell are you talking about? Are you for real? What a weirdo!”
The guy shook his head in disbelief. It became clear he had no interest in my sweet-sour tale of old romance.
If only he’d sympathize, maybe shed a tear with me.
[Both of you – check your smartwatches and earsets one last time.]
The voice of Instructor Kim Dong-hak echoed through the Sync Room’s ceiling speakers.
Following the instruction, we checked our equipment once again.
The smartwatch – a mechanical device that displays operation and battle status updates.
The earset – communication gear that maintains a connection with the command center.
Both items were functioning properly.
[We’ll start the practice now. There’s no specific combat goal. You’re free to act as you wish.]
Whoosh!
From the darkness of the Sync Room, pathways formed and buildings materialized. Soon we were surrounded by a cityscape.
-Roarrr!
Of course, a massive monster appeared too.
“Hey, Spoon, do you know anything about that thing?”
The monster stood as tall as a five-story building, thrashing its tentacles around like a squid.
“Yeah, I do. It’s code 47, its name is Bu-al.”
“Bu-al? Are you serious? That’s such a stupid name. What level is it?”
“It’s D-rank. The lowest level within the D tier.”
D-rank. Think of it as tutorial-level monster.
Though, that’s just speaking in data terms.
“D-rank? Are you messing with me? You think I came to this school to deal with weaklings like that? They don’t even know their place!”
The tattooed guy, Moon Shin-chung, took his stance and pointed his Pollex forward.
A red aura began swirling around him.
“Spoon, you just sit there and suck your fingers.”
What rhymes with spoon anyway? What a dumb line.
What does this guy do for food if he’s not an awakened one?
At any rate, there’s no way he’s a rapper.
Ziiing!
The monster Bu-al sensed Moon Shin-chung’s movement and shot out its tentacles. A couple of them were headed my way too.
“You think you can catch me with such lousy attacks?”
Is this kid really a rookie? We’re in the middle of a lecture on variants. Can’t he see there’s a trap involved?
Pang!
The tentacle suddenly exploded mid-air. From within burst thin threads.
“What?!”
The threads quickly wrapped around Moon Shin-chung, binding his entire body except for his head.
“Shit! What is this?!”
As he twisted his body in an attempt to break free, the threads held firm.
“Hey, Spoon! Help! Over here!”
“Help yourself. I’m trapped too.”
Both Moon Shin-chung and I ended up cocooned, captured by a D-Rank monster.
The lecture hall must be rolling in laughter right now.
“What a useless guy…”
“I was about to say the same thing to you. Charging in recklessly without assessing the situation – that’s not how any real hunter would act. Not even my mother would do something that reckless. Though she’s not around anymore.”
“Stop screwing around and do something already!”
Moon Shin-chung was out of commission. His Pollex fell from his grasp, and he was completely bound.
He was helpless.
But I wasn’t.
I still had my spoon in my hand.
It’s not a grand weapon like the Pollex, so there’s no risk of dropping it.
Let’s give this a shot.
I focused, just like I did back in my room, pouring energy into the spoon.
Picture it.
This tiny spoon.
Imagine it becoming.
Something incredibly massive.
Something strong enough to pierce through this cocoon.
Pop!
The spoon pierced the cocoon like it was made of paper, its tip emerging. The threads binding me lost their strength and fell to the ground.
“Spoon just… grew?”
Moon Shin-chung’s eyes widened in surprise. He clearly wasn’t expecting this.
“Don’t underestimate the spoon. It’s a magic wand, capable of breaking even a million-won Herman Miller desk.”
Huff huff. At that moment, a voice came through the speakers.
[The situation is over. You may return to the lecture room, Shin Yoon-seong.]
“I’ll head back first.”
“Hey, Spoon! Me too! Get me out first!”
“You didn’t hear the instructor tell you to return too.”
I decided to ignore him and exited the Sync Room.
“Hey! Spoon! SPOOOON!”
That day, Moon Shin-chung remained trapped in his cocoon throughout the lecture. Instructor Kim Dong-hak didn’t untie him even at the end.
Almost as if he was getting back at Shin-chung for something.
Turns out the instructor held a bit of a grudge despite appearing otherwise.
*
After the morning classes ended, I headed to the student cafeteria for lunch. As usual, I approached the table where Arna sat.
“Eww… Why are you here again?”
“Is it so wrong to want to eat lunch together? Why the disgusted face?”
“Have you forgotten all the things you’ve done to me already?”
“Yesterday’s me and today’s me are different. All I want right now is to eat.”
I placed my tray on the table. The lunch menu was seasoned pork stir-fry – a meat lover’s choice without broth.
“Can I offer you a piece?”
“It’s fine…”
This dish, with some red pepper flakes sprinkled, might be a bit spicy for a foreigner like Arna. But it would be good with lettuce wraps.
“I saw your performance back in the Sync Room. That spoon… it’s not an ordinary one, is it?”
Arna stared directly at my spoon from earlier. Just to clarify, I’ve properly washed it and am now using it for this meal.
“It’s not much of an accomplishment. I just did a bit of magic.”
“If you could fight like that… then why did you just stand there during our evaluation matches? Every single time.”
How would I know? I’m just a third-rate villain. The details haven’t been fully fleshed out yet.
Besides, I just barely unlocked my skills.
Trying to explain this to Arna would only hurt my throat. So for now, I’ll just bluff my way through.
“That schnitzel looks rather tasty.”
“Uh…?”
Arna chose schnitzel for her lunch.
A plate with nicely flattened meat, white rice, shredded cabbage salad, and pasta.
“Are you trying to pull another stunt like last time?”
Ah, she’s probably remembering the time I poured kimchi soup into her ox soup.
“I promise. No funny business.”
“Hmm…”
Arna narrowed her eyes, clearly debating whether or not to trust me.
“Alright, just one piece then.”
Snip Snip. Arna began cutting her schnitzel with her fork and knife, then handed me a piece.
“Thanks.”
Not only the seasoned pork, but the schnitzel was also delicious. This student cafeteria really outdoes itself with their food. With meals this good, thoughts of dropping out have completely disappeared.
POP!
A quest window appeared as I was enjoying my meal. It was much the same as last time – a quest to annoy Arna.
Completion Reward: <1 SP Point>, <Arna's all stats +1>
What should I do? It feels a bit guilty to mess with her after she even shared her schnitzel.
Still, I have no choice.
This is a valuable opportunity to boost the abilities of Arna, the protagonist.
This is also the path for Arna.
Arna, if you can become stronger, I’ll endure any sacrifice. That’s the meaning of my existence as Shin Yoon-seong.
It’s absolutely not because I want her SP points.
Nope, not at all.
Snip Snip. Arna was cutting her schnitzel into bite-sized pieces one by one.
“You’re the type who cuts everything before eating?”
“Yes, it’s more convenient that way.”
“Hmph, lacking in elegance. Are you planning to cut and eat your steak like that too?”
“What business is it of yours how others eat?”
Is such a mild insult not enough to annoy her? It seems making someone angry takes some skill.
Looks like I’ll have to take a more aggressive approach.
“Hey, Arna! Enjoy your lunch!”
“Yes, you too!”
As Arna happily exchanged greetings with a passing student, I seized my chance and quickly extended my spoon toward her plate.
“Arna. That’s not how you eat a Japanese-Western fusion schnitzel. Let me show you the proper way.”
“What…?”
Clang Clang. I stirred everything on her plate with my spoon – the schnitzel, rice, cabbage salad, and pasta, all mixed together.
“Kyaahhh! What are you doing to my food!?”
As she witnessed her meal being ruined, Arna let out a loud scream.
Quest successful.
Of course, what followed was sheer hell.
