How to get on the protagonist’s flower path

Right, if they had done even a little research on the Awakener society, they couldn’t have missed it.

“That Na Yuhan…?”

“Why?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Opportunist approached our group with a slight smile.

Enjoying yourself? I bet you are. Just don’t forget that I set this stage for you.

“Hey, I’m Na Yuhan. Nice to meet you all.”

He wore his uniform buttoned up neatly, with perfectly styled hair and a gentle voice.

He didn’t look anything like the image of a “delinquent” one might expect. If anything, he seemed more like a noble from a fairy tale.

Some kids who had been eyeing him with skeptical expressions due to his reputation now looked a bit surprised by his unexpectedly clean appearance.

“Yuhan comes from an Awakener family!”

“Really? You must know a lot, then?”

“Of course. Feel free to ask me anything.”

“Seriously? Then… there’s this rumor about a good way to level up. Do you know it?”

“By the way, about controlling your ability…”

Opportunist answered all their questions diligently, acting polite and approachable.

Look at him, playing nice now when he brushed me off earlier. He’s working hard to revamp his image from day one, trying not to get dragged down by his awful reputation. It’s kind of admirable.

Well, since he knows this world is headed for ruin, he’s probably doing everything he can to survive. Even though he’s stuck in the body of a delinquent with lousy stats, he’s got no choice but to make an effort if he wants to live.

However, I’m certain that Opportunist still doesn’t consider anyone important unless they’re one of the “main characters” from the game. Even his friendliness toward these kids doesn’t impress me much, since he’s just using us as extras to improve his image.

I adjusted the flow of the conversation, making it easy for Na Yuhan to blend naturally into our group. Soon after, our homeroom teacher entered the classroom.

“Welcome to Guardian Academy, you little rookies!”

Our homeroom teacher, a muscular man with a bright smile that showed off perfect teeth, spoke up.

“As you all know, what you’ll be learning here is how to kill monsters.”

A student jokingly shouted from the back.

“I’m aiming to be a researcher, not a hunter!”

Laughter erupted from the room, and I chuckled too. The teacher grinned as if he enjoyed the moment.

Not bad. I glanced at Opportunist beside me, who smiled awkwardly, swept up in the lighthearted atmosphere, then turned my gaze back to the front.

“Good. Even so, you’ll still learn basic combat strategies, so keep that in mind!”

“Yes, sir!”

The enthusiastic response was met with a thumbs-up from the teacher. He seemed like a lively person…

“Now, before anything else, I have a question for you.”

Bang! The teacher slammed his hand on the desk.

“Why do you fight monsters?”

The teacher’s previously cheerful face turned serious as he looked at us.

“To put it simply, our job is to kill. Monsters are intelligent. Who’s to say we couldn’t become friends with them?”

The class buzzed with murmurs.

Is it okay for him to say that? Of course, we need to kill monsters! Various reactions were spilling out.

As for me…

“Yet we must oppose them. Most of them act with the intent to kill humanity.”

I didn’t have any deep thoughts about it.

“That is my answer.”

What’s important to me is my family. And what my family needs is money.

If killing monsters is what it takes to earn that money, I’ll do it.

That judgment doesn’t just apply to killing monsters. I’m willing to do anything for the sake of what’s precious to me.

That was my unwavering, unshakable answer.

“I hope each of you will find your own answer as well! That’s it!”

With those final words, the teacher ended his lecture and handed out the schedule and announcements.

As the teacher left the classroom, I glanced at my device to check the newly updated apps.

Today’s class ended here. Time to go. I stood up, grabbing my suitcase that I’d dragged all the way here.

I overheard the sound of kids I’d just gotten close to making plans to hang out together.

Opportunist turned down their invitations and left the classroom alone. He’s probably heading to train.

Hmm, I think there’s an event where he meets some of the main characters.

Since the main characters are guaranteed valuable connections, I need to form ties with them too. But following Opportunist around like a puppy on the first day would look weird.

I’ll let this opportunity go for now.

…It would be nice to at least know the number of the training room.

This academy is absurdly large, and there are an absurd number of training rooms.

“Nahyeon, want to come with us to a café? There’s no more class today.”

“Sorry, I need to unpack today. Let’s go together tomorrow!”

No helping it. I’ll aim for the next chance.

I politely declined the invitation from my new friends and decided to unpack at the dorm.

While the wealthier kids had helpers come early to organize their things, I didn’t have the money for that.

True to its meritocratic slogan, Guardian Academy provided support and facilities based on the students’ ranks. Naturally, this extended to the dorms as well.

However…

Sitting on the soft bed, I looked around the room.

This is better than I expected!

The room assigned to me was a neat and spacious studio, complete with basic furniture. And this is supposed to be the lowest quality dorm for Class F? Guardian Academy really is something.

Maybe it feels even nicer because it’s the first room that’s truly my own since I reincarnated.

On a whim, I sat at the desk in the corner.

Hmm, sitting here reminds me of when I was agonizing over what kind of heroine character I should play. The stares from my siblings were intense… They still misunderstand me, don’t they? What am I going to do about that…?

And I need to make sure to get a room for each of the kids at the orphanage too…

Real estate prices in this world are just as insane. Buying a home is the hardest thing, whether in this life or the last.

No, this isn’t the time to get sentimental. I should spend this time planning for the future.

Status!

[Status] – Name: Kang Nahyeon
– Class: Sniper
– Level: 1
– Strength: F
– Agility: E
– Stamina: D
– Magic Power: E
– Magic Attribute: None

Still abysmally low stats, no matter how many times I look at it. The only halfway decent one is stamina.

I guess my only option is to level up and hope my stats increase.

But leveling up in this world feels too much like a lottery, so I really don’t want to rely on that alone.

As I skimmed the same old stats, I noticed something odd at the bottom of the screen.

[……System Update in Progress (99%)]

Update? What’s this now?

And why is it happening on its own?

Just as that thought crossed my mind,

[System Update Complete (100%)]
A bright light burst out from the status screen.

What the heck?!

[Update complete!]
[Meta System activated.]
[Searching for ‘Protagonist’… User’s recognition confirmed.]
[Checking relationship with the protagonist.]
[Congratulations! You’ve successfully joined the story of ‘Na Yuhan’!]
[‘Kang Nahyeon’ will now appear in the novel.]
[You are both a character in this story and a reader.]
…What?

While I stood there dumbfounded, the status screen continued spitting out messages on its own.

[Reader reactions have been updated!]
What on earth is happening?

I stared blankly at the new text filling my vision.

The texts flooded me with information, then disappeared as quickly as they came.

I almost wondered if it was all a dream, but the few remaining windows confirmed that this was real.

…Okay, let’s stay calm.

What the heck is this update?

It’s not some kind of terrifying “downdate,” right? This isn’t the universe screwing me over even more, is it?

Teacher, help me!

I mentally summoned my imaginary teacher.

Back when the head of the orphanage, who used to beat us, was kicked out, and all the money streams to the orphanage dried up, leaving us in dire financial straits…

“Hmm? Money? Don’t worry. I’ll figure something out.”

With a warm smile, she’d hurriedly hidden a poster for organ sales… Our sweet, puppy-like teacher.

Witnessing that was the most terrifying moment of my life…

Nothing is scarier than that! Alright. I fear nothing anymore. Bring it on!

After taking a deep breath, I focused on the screen.

[Meta System]

A system for you, the reader!
Characters cannot see the Meta System.
Meta points are given based on Kang Nahyeon’s screen time and importance in the story.
Earn meta points based on reader interest and reactions to Kang Nahyeon.
Use meta points to enhance yourself in various ways!
[Current Meta Points: 11]
[ > Meta Points Shop]
[ > View Story Role]
[ > View Reader Reactions]

So… this is like a reincarnator buff?

A special system just for me?