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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Vine
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“Luke, I thought you didn’t remember the details?”
“I was testing it out. I was going to kill him if I was wrong.”
Every novel had a plot.
And causality.
Cause and effect.
The Behemoth event lacked plot, but it had causality.
In the original story, a Behemoth appeared in the sky above the empire, carrying demons.
The readers would think, Where did that come from?
There was no gate, no foreshadowing, no mention of a demon’s involvement.
It just appeared out of nowhere.
How did such a novel become number one…?
Being number one didn’t mean a novel was perfect.
Even a mediocre story could become popular if it appealed to current trends.
So, even if the plot was bad, people still enjoyed it.
He might not remember the plot, but at least he understood causality now, having encountered the demon.
If it had been written down, he could’ve come earlier.
“You used a different name…”
“Who gives their real name to strangers?”
“…”
It wasn’t strange. It was common sense. Personal information was valuable.
‘Arthur’ was a powerful name. It gave him free access to demons and devils.
“Let’s go. I’m hungry.”
“Okay.”
“Yes.”
They left the alley. He wondered what was for dinner.
“Should you have left the magic circle alone?” Luna asked.
“No! That event is months away!”
“…Isn’t that bad?”
The Behemoth. A giant monster. It wasn’t a dragon, but it didn’t need to be. It didn’t really look like one anyway.
It was massive, over 200 meters, and carried other monsters inside its stomach, alive.
It wasn’t hostile. It just flew around in the sky, came down once a year to eat monsters, and left.
It was beneficial to humans.
He was looking forward to this event, despite the trouble, because of the author’s note:
-The monsters inside the Behemoth are delicious.
He wanted to taste them.
That’s why he left the demon alone.
“I’m getting hungry…”
He quickened his pace.
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“Gasp…!”
Dmitri sat up in bed, gasping.
He had been unconscious since his duel with Luke.
“Where…?”
He looked around. Curtains, marble ceiling. The infirmary.
It was unfamiliar. He had never been here before.
“…!”
Memories flooded back. He instinctively clutched his chest, his side, his arms, his legs. He was unharmed.
He was relieved, but ashamed. Fainting during a duel?
“I lost…”
He had been defeated by a former student.
It had been a one-sided beatdown. Humiliation.
“Professor Dmitri? Are you awake?”
“Ah… Professor Maria.”
“We were worried when you were brought here unconscious. We thought you had serious injuries.”
“What…?”
Wait.
“What time is it?”
“7 PM.”
He had been out for half a day?
“What about my class…?”
“I heard the new temporary instructor took over.”
That guy…!
“Sigh…”
He didn’t want to think anymore. His head hurt.
“I’ll take my leave then.”
“I’ll clean up. Thank you.”
“It’s my job. Take care.”
Maria left. Dmitri cleaned up and went to the cafeteria. He was hungry.
“Oh?”
“!”
He saw Luke.
What terrible luck.
“Professor Acorn?”
“It’s Professor Dmitri.”
“Same difference.”
Was he mocking him for his loss?
He gritted his teeth.
He wanted to do something, but his body was paralyzed by fear. He didn’t want to feel those blades again.
He was utterly defeated.
He ignored Luke and went to get his food. He wanted to leave quickly. He sat in a corner.
“Do you really think you’re qualified to teach?”
He heard a voice beside him. It was the same line he had used on Luke. And he was clearly mocking him.
His meal was ruined. He couldn’t enjoy it. He tried to meditate.
“We call that ‘delusional victory’.”
He heard him, even if he pretended not to.
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Dmitri finished his meal quickly and went back to his room.
His room was on the third floor. He felt tired, so he hurried upstairs.
“Oh, Professor Acorn. We meet again.”
“…”
Again.
“Why…?”
“Don’t be so cold. We’re neighbors now.”
Luke opened the door.
“This is our room.”
So they’re living here too.
It made sense. They were instructors. But why his neighbors?
Luke grinned.
It was unsettling.
“Nice to meet you, Professor Acorn.”
Luke went in with the two women.
Dmitri rushed into his own room. He still felt uneasy. Luke was a madman. Anything could happen.
His usually comfortable room felt strange.
He was anxious, knowing that Luke was right next door.
What did he usually do when he couldn’t focus?
…Tea ceremony.
He made some tea.
He had hated it as a child, but now he enjoyed it.
He picked up a book and sat down. It calmed him down.
He liked books. Each contained a different story.
He took a sip of tea, put on his glasses, and opened the book.
*Buzz.*
“?!”
An annoying buzzing sound broke his concentration.
It was a mosquito.
How could God create such a creature?
He was scratching his arm.
“What?!”
When did he get bitten? He hadn’t even noticed.
He clapped his hands. It was the most efficient way.
*Clap!*
He got one.
Blood stained his hands.
“Finally, some peace.”
*Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.*
“Wh-what?!”
Where were they coming from?!
The windows and the door were closed.
He could use magic, but it would be too messy.
“Damn it!”
*Clap! Clap! Clap!*
He clapped repeatedly.
Thirty minutes passed.
The buzzing stopped.
He sat down, exhausted.
“Haa…”
He had never seen so many mosquitoes.
*Scuttling.*
A sound worse than buzzing. Dozens of them. From the floor, the walls, the ceiling.
“?!”
He let out a pathetic yelp.
He couldn’t let a single one escape.
He froze them.
“Haa…”
He was exhausted.
Why were there cockroaches in his room?
Had they come in because of the vinegar smell?
What’s going on?
This was abnormal. Was he hallucinating? Was he cursed?
“…Ah~”
Now he was hearing things.
No, it wasn’t his imagination. The sound was getting louder.
“Hnnng~♡ Aaaah~♡”
It was moaning. Coming from next door. It was too loud.
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this guy lol
I would seriously rather have a demon as a neighbor