There’s a Monster Inside Me

Chapter 12

The long corridor. 

Geombau, who was uncharacteristically cautious, opened the door and entered. 

The room was spacious and luxurious beyond comparison to the regular dormitory rooms at the Thousand-Year School. 

The floor and walls were embedded with intense patterns, and everything from the desk to the bedding was extraordinary.

 Sitting in a chair by the window was Geum Tae-min. 

He quietly turned the pages of a book. 

His golden hair that flowed below his ears was dazzling. 

The Geum family, who had inherited golden hair for generations, were nobles so powerful that even the royal family dared not interfere with them. 

“My lord, I have done wrong.” 

Though Geombau was typically arrogant, his knees were quick to bend before Geum Tae-min. 

Even as he knelt at Tae-min’s feet and bowed his head, Geum Tae-min didn’t even look at him. 

“Please forgive me!” 

Only after a long while did Geum Tae-min turn his gaze. 

His eyes were so cold that Geombau’s shoulders shrank. 

“What exactly did you do wrong?” 

“As a senior, I failed to show proper dignity before the new students! My mistake is great!” 

Geombau belatedly realized he had been ridiculed in front of the new students. 

Though they began their studies at the same time, Geombau had never treated Geum Tae-min disrespectfully. 

The rude person who wouldn’t bow his head even to professors was terribly respectful to Geum Tae-min.

That was partly because the Geom family was under the protection of the Geum family, but that wasn’t all. 

Geombau was one of the few people who knew about Geum Tae-min’s cruel personality. 

“If you understand, you should know how to act accordingly. Wisdom without action is merely an empty shell.” 

“Y-yes, I will remember that!” 

Geombau bowed his head so low it nearly touched the floor. 

The newcomer who volunteered to predict Geombau’s future had made a big mistake. 

The problem wasn’t deceiving Geombau. 

The problem was that the lie had momentarily given Geum Tae-min something to ‘hope’ for. 

Geum Tae-min wanted a prophet who could see the future. 

That’s why he had sent a glance toward Dol Jin-dallae, who claimed to foretell the future. 

But that worthless seed had plainly committed fraud right before his eyes. 

Made the great Geum family’s eldest son waste his time and emotions on something unworthy. 

Now it was time to repay the humiliation received from the newcomer many times over.

***

GRUMBLE… 

I was hungry. I had exhausted my energy struggling in the swamp. 

Thanks to that, I ended up completing the academy’s tasks I was about to give up on. 

It was for the reward.

Gurumi and I found all the locations, the mountain herb garden, equipment training ground, and storage facility. 

“Hmm…” 

I pretended to get lost a few times, but that wasn’t enough. 

Gurumi stared at me with suspicious eyes. 

It was understandable. 

We had easily completed in the remaining time what was supposed to be a day-long task that many fail, right after visiting the swamp. 

“There is a reward for students who successfully complete the task.” 

After submitting all three stamps to the clerk, the reward was presented. 

It was a nine-tier dessert tray filled with various delicacies! 

With hunger pressing against my stomach lining, this melt-in-your-mouth dessert tray was the greatest blessing! 

“Hooray!” 

Even Gurumi, who had been wearing a reluctant expression, threw both hands up in excitement the moment he opened the black lacquered paulownia wood lunchbox. 

Flower rice cakes, twisted sweets, honey-coated pressed sweets, and sweet jellies welcomed us. 

We hurried back to our room and laid out the dessert tray. 

After spending half a day struggling in the swamp, these sweet treats were exactly what I needed! 

With my mouth full of snacks, my eyes naturally focused on one spot. 

Behind Gurumi, toward the lightning-shaped divine object. 

A large hunting boomerang… 

The elegantly curved bronze-colored wing was clearly no ordinary object even at a glance. 

Gurumi also followed my gaze and stared blankly at the boomerang. 

“Is this really mine? It came to me…” 

“…I think so, Otherwise, it wouldn’t have ended up in your hand.”

Gurumi awkwardly scratched the back of his head. 

“…I feel so sorry about this.” 

“Why are you like this? I found something too.” 

I glanced at the small needle next to Gurumi’s large boomerang, which had almost no presence by comparison. 

Ah, needle… my needle… The divine object I found after great hardship was that black needle. 

If the comparison hadn’t been with that shiny paulownia wood boomerang, I would have been sufficiently happy… 

The human heart is truly unfathomably selfish. 

In fact, it was only natural that such a prestigious divine object went to Gurumi. 

That’s how tremendous his abilities were. Moving clouds in the sky, making rain fall, striking lightning…

Since he had mastered these skills on his own without anyone teaching him, it was only natural that such an amazing object found its owner. 

Rather, it was lucky that someone with such insignificant divine power like me obtained even a needle.

But… I couldn’t help feeling envious looking at that magnificent boomerang. 

The next morning, we headed to the dining hall with puffy faces. 

Last night, after finishing the nine-tier tray, we went outside to help with digestion, which was the start of our troubles. 

We stayed up almost all night trying to master the divine objects we obtained from the swamp. 

Based on years of experience, I managed to grasp how to use the needle, but Gurumi was completely in the dark. 

He threw the boomerang countless times but couldn’t properly catch it even once.

“Ah, I feel like I’m going to die.”

Seeing Gurumi’s sour expression, it was clear that obtaining a fancy divine object wasn’t entirely something to celebrate.

I changed my envious mindset and carefully tucked the small needle in my pocket.

“SNIFF SNIFF… SNIFF SNIFF…”

While we were sighing with exhaustion, I heard what sounded like a pig’s snorting from somewhere.

My heart sank when I saw that person sneaking towards us.

…it was Dol Jin-dallae!

Dol Jin-dallae, who approached right up to our faces, glared at us.

“What did you two eat yesterday?”

I was anxious thinking she might have discovered the night pearl, but her question was unexpected.

“Uh, yesterday?”

“Yes, yesterday! There’s a smell coming only from you two!”

“Oh, that? The nine-tier dessert tray?”

“Nine-tier dessert tray? Why did only you two get to eat that?”

Dol Jin-dallae’s eyes widened sharply.

What’s this? She looks very upset.

“It’s a reward for completing the task. The nine-tier dessert tray…”

“Really? Is that so?”

Dol Jin-dallae collapsed into a chair as if deeply shocked.

“But you can smell… that on us?”

“Yes, I can! Eeenormously! My nose is incredibly good. I’m especially amazing at smelling delicious things! The scent of honey-glazed twisted sweets, marigold flower rice cakes, and the aroma of pine nut-topped yakgwa… they’re all coming from you two!”

It wasn’t nonsense. She was extremely accurate!

Although I had also trained my sense of smell to find wild ginseng and herbs, I couldn’t list every dessert we ate yesterday.

Perhaps Dol Jin-dallae had already achieved sensory awakening, at least for her sense of smell.

“How did you two find all three places? Look at this. Today it’s increased by one to a total of four places! You received this too, right?”

Dol Jin-dallae sighed heavily and unfolded a paper.

“Actually, finding the herb garden with my nose was easy. The smell is obvious, right? But I couldn’t find anything else! Today is the same. It’s completely hopeless! How did you two manage it?”

“Well, that…”

Gurumi looked at me, and I was at a loss since I couldn’t answer that it was thanks to my past life.

I quickly changed the subject.

“By the way, don’t you have a roommate?”

“No, I was assigned alone. I complained about it being unfair, but it was useless. They said whether you’re alone or in pairs doesn’t matter for completing tasks.”

That wasn’t entirely wrong. After all, two heads together wouldn’t necessarily make things better.

But I felt uneasy about Jin-dallae being alone.

“Would you like to join us then?”

“Yes! Yeees! Yeeeeees!”

As soon as I finished speaking, Jin-dallae nodded frantically.

She seemed worried I might change my mind.

“Is that okay, Gurumi?”

“Of course. We should help each other, absolutely!”

Gurumi also laughed heartily.

Since we were both worried about Jin-dallae facing harassment from seniors, there was no reason to hesitate.

Only then did relief spread across Jin-dallae’s face.

“I think I can find this place. The Mushroom Rock Outdoor Grill!”

“Oh!”

“The smell, the smell… it’s no joke! Actually, I’ve wanted to visit this place since yesterday. Just follow me!”

Jin-dallae’s nose was truly extraordinary.

Her sniffing footsteps were heading exactly toward the Mushroom Rock Outdoor Grill.

“Sniff sniff. I can definitely smell roasted wild boar. They’ve also grilled lamb. And venison too.”

“You know what? When grilling meat, seasonings should enhance the natural flavor while just slightly removing the gaminess.”

“Yes, first sprinkle dried garlic and Taebaek salt. Then grind and sprinkle Yangyang black pepper and lightly add dried bay leaves… After barely adding cinnamon, for those who like spiciness, a little ground Annam chili pepper… or freshly grated wasabi on a fine stone to dip the meat in…”

“UGH, I’m about to drool!”

Unable to endure listening any longer, Gurumi wiped his mouth.

After hearing these saliva-inducing descriptions, we suddenly found ourselves at the Mushroom Rock Outdoor Grill.

With open spaces in all directions, mushroom-shaped rocks protruded from stone piles everywhere, this was truly the Thousand-Year School’s finest feast grounds!

“Wow… they put fire underneath, and grilled meat on top! The oil would naturally flow down the mushroom-shaped rocks while the grill doesn’t burn and the meat cooks perfectly! Plus, once heated, it would maintain warmth for hours!”

Jin-dallae exclaimed while examining the mushroom-shaped stone grill from all angles.

She was flaring her nostrils as if about to inhale every remaining scent.

“Hey, focus. Let’s get the stamp quickly.”

We dragged such a Jin-dallae to the waiting clerk and received the stamp.

I was worried it would seem strange if I found all three remaining places by myself, but just then, Gurumi stepped forward.

“I’ll try this one.”

Gurumi pointed to Sea Lake.

That was the name of an enormously vast lake within the Thousand-Year School.

It was a place where the lake water actually tasted salty and gentle swelling waves created by the wind made you think it was a real sea.

“I’m amazing at finding waterways! I’m not sure about a lake, but I’ll give it a try!”

Gurumi said boldly. Then he put his fingers together against his forehead and struggled for a while.

“Friend, show me.”

As Gurumi stretched out his arms, wind blew between his five fingers.

WHOOSH…

Through the passing wind, clouds gathered in the previously clear blue sky.

Fluffy white clouds gathered above Gurumi’s head and rippled like a mirage.

“…what are you?”

Jin-dallae’s face was worth seeing. 

Being a newcomer yet able to summon wind and clouds at will! 

I too made an appropriately surprised expression. 

“They’re all my friends.”
Gurumi grinned while waving his hand. 

The clouds that had gathered dispersed, and the sky cleared up again. 

“WHOA, what kind of guy is this?” 

“When you live catching fish in the sea, everyone does about half as well as me. Don’t be too surprised!” 

Gurumi chuckled as if it was nothing special and moved forward, setting the direction. 

I was a bit surprised internally that it was exactly in the direction of the sea lake. 

It didn’t take long to find the massive lake that stretched endlessly below the giant cliff. 

“How did you figure it out?” 

“Well, it’s simple. Where there’s lots of water, there’ll be lots of fog and clouds, right? I followed that. The clouds told me.” 

“OH!” 

Jin-dallae and I exclaimed simultaneously. 

“You really look like baby pheasants.” 

Our appearance in yellow-brown clothes with pursed lips must have looked funny. 

Gurumi giggled while holding his stomach. 

Half-witted kid. He must have forgotten he was wearing the same clothes. 

The third thing we needed to find was the ‘Sun and Moon Goddess Painting.’ 

Since the painting wouldn’t be displayed outside the academy, we decided to search inside White Crane Castle. 

Inside White Crane Castle, numerous paintings were hung. 

From ink paintings to colored ones… 

Sometimes there were massive works covering entire walls. 

But we would never find the Sun and Moon Goddess Painting just by looking at what was on the walls. 

I racked my brain. 

When the exact location appeared, I suggested we search by dividing the floors. 

I assigned the upper floor to Gurumi and Jin-dallae while I quickly went downstairs. 

After searching the entire corridor without finding anything, the two called for me. 

“Maru!” 

“Did you find it, Bada Maru?” 

“Where are you?” 

I answered softly, stalling for time. 

“I’m here.” 

I deliberately didn’t mention which floor. 

I meant for them to peek out from the landing to find me. 

“Maru, where are you…?”

“Huh?”

The two who were leaning over the stairway railing looking for me encountered an unexpected pattern. 

“Gurumi, what’s that?” 

“Did you see it too, Jin-dallae?” 

Gurumi and Jin-dallae looked at each other with confused expressions. 

We finally found it! 

“What is it? What?” 

Belatedly, I poked my head out to the landing. 

The two up on the stairs pointed at the floor. 

“Look there, there!” 

Bright light was pouring in through the transparent window above.

When the sun shone, this stairway landing was designed to gather light.

And that light converged down there… creating a piece of painting at the end of darkness. 

It was a mysterious painting drawn by light. 

“Is that the Sun and Moon Goddess Painting…?” 

Yes, it was. 

A painting created by the sky, light, wind, clouds, and nature. 

A portrait of a beauty that changes subtly each time you look at it… that was the Thousand-Year School’s Sun and Moon Goddess Painting! 

“It’s beautiful…!” 

“Amazing!” 

With each step down the stairs, the image of the Sun and Moon Goddess became clearer, drawing exclamations of admiration. 

I too felt a lump in my throat, happy to see this sight after so long. 

The academy custodian was waiting with a stamp at the basement where the painting formed. 

After receiving our stamps side by side, only one thing remained. 

“The First Sword Training Ground!”

***

There was a secretive gaze in the distant shadows. 

“Those two are stuck together, so it won’t be easy?” 

“Damn, I gave that girl a room to herself, but why….?” 

Geombau’s face, who was watching the three people before him, became severely distorted. 

He had intended to deal with Dol Jin-dallae, but she wasn’t alone. 

“Shouldn’t we go now? The time….” 

It was during the strict instructor’s class time. 

Geombau turned away, grinding his teeth. 

“Damn it. Tonight, let’s resolve this when that girl is alone.” 

Penetrating eyes glared at Jin-dallae.