Extra Nobody

I proceeded with my usual routine, moving through the motions of training, attending lectures, and now, nagging Hajin on the art of being an attention whore. I valued my time greatly, and with the right time management, I believed I could get through all the hardships this world threw at me.

That aside, it looked like we would be having a Labyrinth Exploration in Combat Training this Tuesday. Tomorrow would be hectic, especially since my body was still aching despite all the healing I had undergone. While I busied myself with self-improvement, my mind kept wandering back to Chae Nayun.

It was safe to think of her as the main protagonist at this point. If this world were indeed a novel, wouldn’t its title be something like The Novel’s Regressor? I needed to keep a close watch on her reckless behavior. Hopefully, there was a way to rein in that idiot.

Sigh…

Thankfully, she was still in the hospital, recovering from her injuries. I almost felt guilty for being relieved about her absence, but given her recent antics, it was a much-needed break. The last thing I wanted was to deal with her impulsiveness while I was trying to keep my head above water.

The thought of her mischievousness and the trouble it often brought made me shake my head. I couldn’t let my guard down, though. I had to stay focused, especially with the looming exploration. My training with the others had to ramp up, and I needed to ensure I could keep up with the team.

With a determined breath, I pushed the thoughts of Nayun to the back of my mind and redirected my focus. The pain in my body was merely a reminder of the growth I needed to achieve. I had to be stronger, faster, and smarter.

***

Yun Seung-Ah pressed her fingers against her temples, trying to massage away the throbbing headache that had settled in. Before her on the desk lay a pile of documents, all detailing the elusive figure of Hyon Hyung. It felt as though the weight of the world was on her shoulders, and she could sense the frustration radiating from the other guild representatives who were likely grappling with similar headaches.

“Just where did this ghost come from?” she muttered under her breath, her irritation palpable. Despite activating every resource at her disposal—her own guild’s networks in addition to the Hero Association’s—the information they had unearthed was scarce at best. Beyond his record as a mediocre student at the Agent Military Academy, they had found nothing of substance about him.

This prompted a troubling line of thought: could he be a Djinn hiding among them? The idea seemed absurd, especially for a freshman who had barely survived a Djinn attack not long ago. “The only information we have about him is that he is a mediocre student from Agent Military Academy. For now, include him in our suspect list…” she instructed her staff, her voice steady despite her mounting frustration.

Inside her temporary office in the Hero Tower, Seung-Ah could feel the pressure mounting. The Hero Association was spending lavishly on this investigation, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that something more sinister was at play. They were attempting to uncover Djinns hiding in plain sight, but Seung-Ah believed their focus was misdirected.

If the Association was truly concerned about Djinns, they should have been actively purging Cube long before any incidents occurred. Signs of Djinn activity had been evident for some time, yet the Association had done little more than put on a show of concern—a pathetic attempt to avoid spending money.

Now, however, the urgency with which they were throwing resources at this investigation was suspect. It felt too sudden, too convenient. At first, Seung-Ah had hoped that perhaps the Association had finally found its resolve to clean up its act, that the rampant corruption had been addressed. But that was wishful thinking. The depths of the Hero Association’s corruption ran deep, and it would take more than a few press releases and public initiatives to eradicate it.

Her thoughts spiraled back to Hyon Hyung. What was he hiding? There had to be something more to him than what was recorded at the Academy. The incongruities gnawed at her, urging her to dig deeper. The way he had entered Cube felt too calculated, too strategic for someone of his background.

As she sifted through the papers, a flicker of inspiration struck her. If they were to uncover the truth about Hyon Hyung, they needed to approach this from a different angle. Perhaps there was a way to tap into the networks that Hyon might be avoiding. If he was truly as mysterious as he seemed, there would be connections to be found in the shadows.

“Let’s start looking into his acquaintances,” she commanded her team. “We need to identify anyone he has interacted with recently, especially in Cube. If he has something to hide, he’ll likely be more open with those he trusts.”

The staff nodded, already buzzing with the new direction. As they began their work, Seung-Ah couldn’t shake the feeling that they were on the precipice of something significant. Hyon Hyung was not just a ghost; he was a puzzle waiting to be solved.

Her gaze drifted out the window of her office, taking in the sprawling cityscape. Below, the streets thrummed with life, blissfully unaware of the danger lurking just beneath the surface. She knew that whatever was happening in Cube was more than just a few rogue Djinns. Something larger was at play, and if she didn’t uncover it soon, the repercussions could be disastrous.

With renewed determination, she turned back to her desk, the headache still pulsing but now accompanied by a sense of purpose. This was more than just an investigation; it was a race against time, and she was determined to get to the bottom of it. If there was anything that the Hero Association had taught her, it was that nothing was ever as it seemed.

***

Tuesday’s combat training was turning out to be a mixed bag of exhilaration and PAIN. Still injured, remember? Thus, explained capital P-A-I-N.

Team 3 had Shin Jonghak at the helm, effortlessly paving our way through the endless darkness of the labyrinth, and I couldn't help but feel a rush of admiration as he dispatched the undead with impressive skill. The way he wielded his spear was mesmerizing—he was all confidence and strength, a stark contrast to my current state of being.

I lingered to the side, contributing in small ways while my body protested at every move. Despite the pain, I was trying my best, but it felt like I was lagging behind the rest of the team. The artificial dungeon, designed to mimic the notorious Dark Labyrinth, was a daunting place, and the oppressive darkness had a way of getting under my skin. Friendly fire was a constant worry, and it wasn’t just the enemy I had to watch out for; it was also my teammates.

“Light ahead!” Our Archer called out, breaking through the gloom. “What do we do, Jonghak?”

“Push forward,” Jonghak commanded, his voice steady and sure as he bolted toward the light. “Don’t get left behind…”

I felt the weight of his words, as if he were aiming them directly at me. Damn, he was so manly.

It was easy to fall in line behind him, like baby chicks following their mother hen. Our formation was straightforward yet effective: Jonghak led, the secondary warrior stayed in the middle, and I, as the supporter, flanked the rear alongside our Archer.

The darkness enveloped us, yet it wasn’t so oppressive that we lost our combat abilities. Still, the uncertainty of how many enemies slipped past the front lines gnawed at me. I was here to support, to protect our Archer, and the last thing I wanted was to repeat that painful memory of Yeonha’s disastrous misfire.

With my daggers drawn, I swung them through the air, taking care to keep the Archer in my line of sight. The labyrinth was growing narrower, making it imperative I didn’t accidentally hit him. But honestly, how much threat could a bunch of downgraded skeletons pose? They were nothing but piles of bones, easily reduced to rubble by my fists and daggers. The satisfying crunch of breaking bones was stress-relieving, a cathartic release from the pressure I felt inside.

At last, we exited the labyrinth, and a wave of relief washed over me. It seemed we had finished second, trailing only behind Suho and his team. I glanced at instructor Kim Soohyuk, and a sense of pride swelled within me. Jonghak had consistently ranked high in these exercises, and witnessing the events from the novel unfold in reality was surreal. I savored the moment, hoping it would always feel this good. But there was that nagging dread of change lurking in the back of my mind, ready to pounce.

“Ah~ it is so good to meet light again,” I said, squinting up at the bright, welcoming illumination. The humidity and darkness of the artificial dungeon felt like a distant nightmare.

That sense of relief was short-lived, however, as a sudden sharp pain jolted me back to reality. I looked down to find a broken arrow poking out of my foot. A familiar feeling of frustration washed over me, reminiscent of that time with Yeonha.

“Great, now what?” I muttered, my annoyance rising as I searched for the Archer. He had inexplicably drifted far away. “You fucking twat!”

“Hey, it might not be me… Undead also use bows…” the Archer stammered in weak defense, but I had other plans. I couldn’t resist the urge to head-lock him, my knuckles rubbing mercilessly against his forehead.

“You dimwit! Your arrows have the same shapes!” I scolded.

***

“Team 3, 22 minutes 11 seconds. Second place,” Kim Soohyuk announced, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. The result stung, a constant reminder of Jonghak’s relentless rival, Kim Suho, who had managed to best him once again. Jonghak sat on a boulder in a lotus position, attempting to find solace in the calmness of the moment, but the annoyance simmered beneath the surface.

He was strong. He was handsome. He was of noble blood. So how the hell did he always lose to that bastard?

His frustration intensified as he reflected on his teammate, Hyon Hyung, who had been improving at an alarming rate. And the one responsible for this change was none other than… him.

A few days ago, Hyon Hyung casually came to him and asked him for advice.

Like every reasonable person, Shin Jonghak told Hyon Hyung to fuck off.

Hyon Hyung didn’t. Instead, he continued to pester Jonghak ever since. When he saw how miserable Hyon Hyung was, he gave him pointers. Hyon Hyung was such an eye for sore eyes he just had to—

He struggled to calm the destructive envy that festered within him, knowing full well of Hyon Hyung’s explosive growth. But it was counterproductive thinking so, he immediately buried his envy. He stole a glance at Suho, who lay sprawled on the grass, visibly exhausted from the previous events at the museum. Jonghak’s irritation flared up again, watching Suho maintain his position as Rank 1 as if it were his birthright. How could he be so nonchalant about everything, so effortlessly talented?

Taking a moment, Jonghak inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, attempting to gather his thoughts and steady his racing heart. He was a leader, after all, and letting envy cloud his judgment would only weaken his resolve. “Hyon Hyung, come here…” he called, his voice steady.

Hyon, who had been joking around with the Archer, immediately turned his attention to Jonghak, his expression shifting from playful to attentive. Jonghak gestured for him to approach, trying to push aside the tumultuous feelings swirling within him.

As Hyon walked over, Jonghak couldn’t help but recall how much the boy had changed. He had once been a mediocre student, often overlooked, but now he was rapidly closing the gap in their abilities. The thought both impressed and irritated him. If Hyon could rise this quickly, then surely he should have a more substantial role in the team’s strategy.

It was Hyon Hyung’s Gift was the reason— it was just broken.

Even Jonghak found it difficult to hone in his senses to Hyon Hyung if he didn’t want to be seen.

“What do you think about our performance today?” Jonghak asked, trying to gauge Hyon’s mindset.

Hyon shrugged, a grin on his face. “I think we did well. We managed to stick together, and I got to show off a bit.”

“Show off? You were more of a distraction,” Jonghak countered, unable to suppress a smirk. “Next time, keep your focus on staying with the team. We need every advantage we can get if we’re going to catch Suho’s team.”

Hyon nodded, the grin fading slightly as he absorbed Jonghak’s words. “I’ll do better. I promise.”

Jonghak felt a flicker of satisfaction at Hyon’s earnestness. He was beginning to see the potential in his teammate, but he also knew that potential had to be honed with discipline and guidance—something he had yet to fully provide.

“Good. Let’s make sure we train harder. If Suho keeps pushing forward, we can’t afford to fall behind.” The competitive spirit ignited in him again, this time spurred by the idea of collaboration rather than jealousy. Jonghak would turn this rivalry into a driving force, not just for himself but for his entire team.

No matter how bad his temper could be, Shin Jonghak sure was driven.