NOVEL NEXT CH 08 - The Noble Flower in My Clumsy Writing
Chapter 08
(Part:03) The Noble Flower in My Clumsy Writing
Sure, when I wrote it, the character seemed flat and suffocating, but seeing them in person now, they feel alive and real.
Well, they’re alive, but…
“Just look once. Please?”
“I think you’re shameless.”
“Is it because of the smell of my feet? Don’t worry, It’s fine, I have a cold.”
“Y-you…!”
Her face turned bright red, almost like it was about to explode, I waved my hands dismissively.
It was a new reaction that didn’t show up in the novel, but at this rate, we might end up as enemies rather than allies.
“I lost, I lost. Okay, okay. Then, just stick your foot out a little. I’ll look at it while it’s still on. That should be fine, right?”.
“Really, you…!”
After staring at my eyes for a few seconds, Ettrange let out a soft sigh, as if she had no choice, and nodded.
I immediately bent down to look at the boots she extended.
It felt like I was kneeling before a noblewoman, like a knight, but I didn’t care much about that.
‘So this is what they look like.’
I turned the boots around, thoroughly inspecting them to satisfy my curiosity before standing up and brushing my knees.
“…Now, keep your promise.”
“Of course. Actually, I heard General Biltred is quite interested in your achievements at the academy.”
“What did you say?”
“It’s nothing. Earlier, you mentioned being the second in your class, right? That’s something the general said.”
That’s a lie.
In reality, I knew that from my [Insightful Vision] skill, but I didn’t plan on revealing that.
“And then?”
“That’s it?”
“…?”
Ettrange looked at me with a confused expression, as if she’d been deceived.
Her glare was pretty intense.
“What does being the second in your class have to do with the general taking an interest in me? It’s no secret. Are you trying to fool me?”
“Why wouldn’t it be related? You bragged about being a senior in the academy to a stranger, so that means there’s affection and interest, doesn’t it?”
“…”
Ettrange paused for a moment, as if trying to find something to argue with me about.
Then, her face turned bright red.
She seemed to have nothing to counter my argument.
She looked down and muttered something under her breath.
It was almost comical, as she slapped her cheeks a few times to regain her self-control.
‘She’s trying hard…’
There are three people she wants recognition from.
1. Her stepfather, former General Aslan.
2. The current General Biltred.
3. And the protagonist, who she’ll eventually get involved with.
Considering all her efforts are driven by a desire for recognition, I figured she must be feeling a rush of excitement right now.
I smiled.
Seeing her so happy, for some reason, it didn’t bother me.
“What are you staring at like that? It’s rude.”
“But seriously, you’re not actually going to take your boots off and show me, right?”
“If you have the ability, feel free to try taking them off.”
Her posture was ready for a kick if necessary.
With my current stats, that would likely end with my head getting smashed.
I quickly backed off.
“I have a bad habit of saying things that cause misunderstandings.”
“Just go to sleep already. We’re leaving before dawn.”
Her tone was sharp, but somehow, her voice sounded excited.
***
The Night under the Morning Star
The night sky barely lit by the first light of dawn.
Sitting at the entrance of the cave, I glanced at the inside where faint, colorful breathing sounds could be heard.
It had been about two hours since the shift change for the night watch, so they should be deep asleep by now.
I slowly stood up, moving cautiously in case I made even the slightest noise.
Between the colorful breaths and the sounds of crickets, my footsteps quietly echoed.
‘Sleep well.’
This wasn’t something someone as seasoned as a hero would have to worry about, but to be blunt, even if strong, she was still just a fresh recruit from the academy.
With such subtle movements, she wouldn’t wake up.
After walking a bit farther from the camp, I increased my pace.
I couldn’t just leave the main character sleeping unprotected in the middle of the Monster Forest, so I needed to finish my task quickly and return.
What I was about to do was a classic, boring move.
***
Getting a Head Start with the Hidden Power
Like many fantasy stories, this world was full of hidden Easter eggs and special destinies.
New writers can’t develop their plot without some random or destined events.
Between the starting point of the capital and the Monster Forest, there’s a hidden destiny waiting.
It’s something that will happen to one of the protagonist’s party members in episode 5, when ‘Directionless Pa’ gets a special power.
It’s an event that happens after some time has passed and no particular challenge, so it would be a great benefit to grab it early.
‘Well, that guy wouldn’t even be able to use this power properly anyway.’
I apologized lightly to the rightful owner of the power as I ran toward my goal.
It wasn’t hard to reach the location.
Part of it was due to Russell’s memory of the area, but also because the location was simple.
‘The highest peak of the Monster Forest.’
How clear and straightforward was that location?
Good job, past me.
I rushed to this point and set up camp nearby, doing my best to get close enough.
Once at the top, I took a breath, and before me stood a massive ancient tree.
Beneath it was a small stone tomb, with writing engraved on the stone.
It was a script used by the Shadow Elves.
This was the tomb of Pa’s ancestor, a hero who died in the Demon War, his body returned to nature with his powers hidden inside as an item.
Pa would later absorb this power after finding the tomb, where he could read the ancient script.
Thinking about it… is it okay to steal this episode? This seems like a major moral problem, a crime that might harm someone’s image…
As I dismantled the tomb, I froze, suddenly feeling a bit guilty.
It felt a bit off. But, hey, the dead don’t speak. I’ll leave the moral crisis for my future self to deal with.
—
In the end, I decided to trade humanity for destiny.
Honestly, this was a power that Pa shouldn’t have.
It’s more suited for scouts or solo players, and Pa is terrible with directions — he gets lost the moment he’s on his own.
The power itself isn’t right for him.
So, I might as well take it and use it better.
As I dug through the tomb with a sharp rock shard, I hit something with a *clink*.
I carefully picked up what I found.
Two small gemstone-like stones that looked like tiny icebergs.
These are items called “Breath of Orbis.” They’re fragments of the god that this land originates from, and to put it simply, they’re one-time-use items that can store or learn powers.
—
[Walking in Shadows]
[Guide of the Cause]
—
After checking the two powers engraved on the Breath of Orbis, I decided to put [Guide of the Cause] back into the tomb.
It’s a shame because it’s an A-rank power, but it’s a power that only the Shadow Elf tribe can learn.
‘Well, no harm pretending it was always one power, right?’
I wiped off the dust from the Breath of Orbis and held it up. I focused my grip.
With a crunch, like sand breaking, a blue glow started to shine.
Then, I could feel the power being etched into my body.
I pulled out a small mirror to check the new power.
***
[Walking in Shadows (B): ★☆☆☆]
Your movements become stealthier and swifter in the shadows or darkness. At level 4, you can move between shadows.
***
‘Got myself a survival skill.’
I started walking down the mountain faster than when I came up.
***
The Next Morning
We left before dawn and arrived at the largest coastal city on the Litanius continent, a city that was Nowhera’s pride.
It was an impressive city.
On the outskirts, the vast Sirenia Sea shimmered under the sunlight, and the cool sea breeze came in.
There were military training facilities everywhere, and shops catering to soldiers and academy cadets lined the streets.
And there were statues of heroes scattered around.
This city was literally dedicated to commemorating, mourning, and preparing for war.
The military training city, Grim Roar.
Looking at the city I had created with my own hands, it felt strangely nostalgic.
It’s a boring, but there’s really no better word for it.
Now I understood why web novel writers often use the phrase “nostalgic” when they talk about turning their words into a comic.
“You’re staring around too much.
It’s kind of embarrassing as your traveling companion,” Ettrange said, glancing at me as I kept looking around.
Well, I’m just a country bumpkin from Seoul, so I can’t help it.
“Thanks to you, we got here quickly and safely. I appreciate it, senior.”
“As I’ve told you before, you don’t need to call me senior until you’ve officially been accepted into the academy.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to join as the top of the class.”
At my confident words, she let out a small laugh.
“If you really make it, I’ll treat you like a proper junior. Since you’ve helped General Biltred save face.”
“I’m not sure what ‘proper junior treatment’ means, but I’ve accepted it for now.”
“Great. By the way, let’s have breakfast before we go in.”
“Huh? Aren’t we going straight in?”
Instead of answering, Ettrange opened the door of a nearby restaurant and went inside.
I was kind of craving a real meal, and I was curious about the food in this world, so I silently followed her inside.
She seemed to know what she was doing, ordering a light meal and drink, then washing her hands neatly.
“When we get to the training camp, I doubt we’ll have a chance for a peaceful meal,” she said.
“Why’s that?”
“Although it’s basic military training, the training camp is also a battleground for entering the academy. They won’t look kindly on someone who shows up with a general’s letter of recommendation in the middle of things. The current camp commander is a tough, no-exception kind of person.”
When I thought about it, she had a point.
The camp commander, General Conrad, was a stubborn idealist.
That’s the polite way of saying it. Honestly, he was a real old-school, strict type.
He had been pushed into the position of camp commander after losing to Biltred in their rivalry, so he probably didn’t have any good feelings toward him.
“…I hope I’m not turned away at the door.”
—