The Academy’s Time Stop Player

TL/Editor: looloo

Schedule: 5/Week Mon/Fri

Illustrations: Here

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"Why is this not as easy as I thought it’d be?"

I’ve been roaming the island, defeating every kind of monster I encounter.

I’ve probably killed around 60?

Despite exceeding my quest target of 50 kills, I’m still here, wandering. That’s because of Philaten’s fussiness.

"How about this one?"

"What about that one?"

Too weak.

Truthfully, none of the monsters I’ve battled so far met Philaten’s standards.

When she first explained the trial, she mentioned she’d only count a monster that met her expectations. I understood her, but still, she’s being extremely choosy.

These monsters here are just too feeble. I think it’s better to give up on this island.

"Is that so?" I sighed.

She only seemed to relent when I crossed the 80th kill.

This place is an artificial island, nearly tailor-made for training rookies. It couldn’t possibly harbor monsters that would pose a real threat to novices. From my perspective, all these monsters seem weak.

Of course, I feel no sympathy for her.

"If you had any objections, you should’ve voiced them sooner. Did you make me kill 80 monsters just to tell me to give up?"

But, Master, wasn’t it easy for you?

"That’s not the point, is it?"

Philaten didn’t reply, almost as if she felt guilty for her actions.

After glaring at Philaten for a while, I finally sighed and spoke.

"Next time, tell me which monsters you want me to target."

Hmm... I’ll do that.

With no other options, I gave up on the class change quest and decided to return to the cave.

I completed a sub-quest at least, so I chose to be content with that.

[Sub Quest]

Possible Characters for Quest: Kim Hajoon (Liber Laphilton Phil Ehrman)

Description: Defeat the monsters. (80/70)

Reward: Experience Points 400

[Success!]

[Reward is given.]

[Exceeded the specified amount.]

[Additional reward is given!]

[Additional Reward: Experience Points +200]

[Your Level has increased!]

"Wait… Why are the rewards so underwhelming?"

The other quests had surprisingly meager rewards as well.

"400 Experience Points? The reward seems generous, but it somehow makes sense.

’Is that why?’

Did it alter its strategy because it couldn’t increase the main system?

It seems to be encouraging me with plentiful rewards instead of coercing me.

’Shouldn’t it have been this way from the beginning?’

Regardless, I was content.

Well, if it’s going to hand out quests, at least make them enticing, right?

It shouldn’t just impose tasks.

I muttered to myself and checked my status window to see my increased level.

Name: Kim Hajoon

Level: 4

Job: Novice

Title: None

Fame: 300

HP: 15(+2)

MP: 0

Strength: 14 (+2)

Agility: 9

Stamina: 21(+1)

Defense: 0

Magic Resistance: 999(Max)

Spirit: 999(Max)

"Finally reached level 4."

I’m getting closer to level 5, where I can acquire sub-skills.

I’m sure the sub-skill I can get upon reaching level 5 is...

[1. Unlock 500P (Available for purchase when level 5 is achieved.)]

’This must be it, right?’

Just one more level to go and I can buy this unlock.

This is a skill I desire even more because, based on its name, I can infer what it might be.

"Just one more level to go...."

Frankly, I’ve managed to save up to 1,160P in points since there hasn’t been a need to use them until now.

I have plenty of points to purchase the skill.

So, all I need to do now is level up....

Immediately, I checked the remaining Experience Points needed for the next level and the available sub-quests.

[Sub-quest]

Available Characters: Kim Hajoon (Liber Laphilton Phil Ehrman)

Description: Prepare a meal using the monster you’ve defeated.

Reward: 200 Experience Points

[Experience Points: 200/400]

"That’s just perfect...."

The required Experience Points are exactly what I need. Oddly, that’s a satisfying feeling.

If I were a bit short, I would have given up and left immediately.

"But why are all these peculiar quests appearing? What’s with this cooking?"

The quest seemed a bit offbeat.

Why on earth am I being asked to cook all of a sudden...

Sure, when considering the quests the system had given me so far, they’ve all had reasons, either significant or trivial. In a sense, it’s like the system is hinting that it’s correct to proceed with such tasks through quests?

"Anyway... I guess I need to cook?"

I’ve got salt and pepper, so all I need is to butcher one of the nearby magical beasts.

I’ve never butchered a magical beast before, but if I simply carve it, season it with salt and pepper, and roast it, wouldn’t that count as cooking?

"Sigh..."

I’m weary and all I want to do is lie down and sleep, but I should get this done quickly since I’m already on the move.

Honestly, just lounging around and watching movies while in my sleeping bag was starting to get boring. Time would surely pass faster if I were up and about doing something like this, right?... Encouraging myself with this thought, I push my tired body into action.

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Raei Translations

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Splash-

Meanwhile, Haruna Ruel was ankle-deep in a shallow creek, intensely observing something. What she was watching were the fish swimming in the creek.

This island was inhabited solely by magical beasts teeming with magical power, completely devoid of ordinary flora and fauna. The same was true for the fish, which had grown unusually large from magical power, promising a taste beyond the ordinary.

"Uh, uh...."

However, the water in the creek was so frigid that Haruna was shivering.

To be honest, she wanted to get out as quickly as possible, but she was hungry.

She hadn’t had a proper meal since last night, and the pouch of nuts she’d received as rations had been emptied just three hours ago.

Rubbing her growling stomach, she focused once more on the fish darting around in the water.

That’s when it happened.

Splash-

"Wow!"

In an instant, Haruna caught a giant fish, as big as her forearm.

Her face broke into a wide grin as she tightly hugged the fish, ready to get out of the water.

"No! No, I can’t! Ugh!"

Splash-

The fish was too slippery, and she eventually lost her grip.

At the same moment, she received a smack on the cheek from the fish’s tail fin.

She watched the fish quickly disappear into the depths, then sighed and rubbed her stomach.

That’s when it happened.

"...Huh?"

A savory scent wafted towards her, stirring her senses. Haruna, entranced, began to follow the smell, sniffing as she moved.

She followed the scent up along the creek, until she saw a familiar figure humming a tune while roasting a giant beast’s hind leg.

But her gaze was solely fixated on the meat.

Unconsciously, Haruna approached the campfire where the meat was roasting.

---

Raei Translations

---

’...?’

Meanwhile, Hajoon was watching Haruna Ruel, who had comfortably settled herself beside the campfire.

’When did she get here?’

Even though Hajoon was looking straight at her, she only had eyes for the roasting meat, swallowing involuntarily.

Hajoon picked up the skewered meat.

As he moved it around, her gaze followed it like a magnet.

Gurgle...

Even the strange sound coming from her stomach...

"Are you hungry?"

At Hajoon’s words, Haruna’s eyes lit up and she nodded fervently.

He didn’t know why she was here, but he had more than enough meat. It seemed too much for him to eat alone, so he decided to share.

Of course, it wouldn’t be for free.

"Then give me the Bell Points."

In fact, Haruna Ruel was listed as a target student in the Bell Points, and he’d been pondering how to approach her when she fortuitously showed up here on her own.

His request was half-joking, half-serious.

"....Will you really give me some if I give you the points?"

She handed over the Bell Points all too easily.

As he looked at Haruna with slight bewilderment, she was still focused on the roasting meat, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Good grief...."

It was a bit peculiar, but he thought the trade wasn’t too bad.

He returned his focus to roasting the meat.

To be honest, he was a bit curious about the monster meat.

According to the game settings, the meat of a monster infused with magic boasts a taste several times more exquisite than ordinary meat. He had expected it to taste similar to beef, but the aroma it was emitting was anything but ordinary.

Honestly, his expectations weren’t high, but the scent was making it impossible not to be.

He’d only added salt and pepper, yet the smell was puzzling.

’Wow... what is this smell?’

He was merely grilling it with salt and pepper, but a savory aroma began to fill the air as though he’d slathered it in butter.

Without delay, he used his camping knife to poke into the thick meat, checking its interior.

After just one puncture, juices erupted and started to flow.

Witnessing this, Hajoon instinctively understood.

It was time to eat.

[Sub Quest]

Available character for quest: Kim Hajoon (Liber Laphilton Phil Ehrman)

Description: Cook the monster you’ve defeated.

Reward: 200 Experience Points

[Success!]

[The reward has been given.]

[Your Level has increased!]

"Well, that’s done."

Hajoon instantly cut the meat in half, gave a portion to Haruna, and bit off a large chunk from his half.

The moment he tasted it, a smile started to form on Hajoon’s lips.

"Not bad."

For meat that had been simply seasoned with salt and pepper before grilling, it had a quite decent taste.

Of course, there was a slight, unique smell from the monster.

After cutting a portion, I gave the rest to Haruna, took a bite of my remaining meat, and rose from my spot.

Haruna, who had just received her share, was so focused in the meat that she didn’t even notice me leaving.

"Then, take care."

Leaving just those words, I activated Time Stop (SSS) and returned to the cave.

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Raei Translations

---

Liam and Yoo Seolah wandered through the forest until they found a small cave.

They had followed the target indicated by the Bell Points and had ended up at this cave.

However, the scene inside the cave was astonishing.

“This is......”

“Wow......”

From sleeping bags and cup ramen, available at any convenience store, to a smartphone playing movies propped up on a tripod, the cave looked like a mini home.

“It has to be Mr. Hajoon, right......?”

“He seems to have found a good place.”

It was quite clear who the owner of the cave was without having to confirm.

Undoubtedly, among the students, only Hajoon had brought a sleeping bag.

That’s when it happened.

Thud-

Hearing footsteps from the cave entrance, both of them turned their heads sharply.

Kim Hajoon.

On seeing Hajoon, Yoo Seolah started to sweat nervously for no apparent reason.

“Huh? What’s this?”

Hajoon walked toward them, a frown on his face.

The closer Hajoon got, the more an unexplainable sense of pressure began to be felt.

The protagonist of the rumors in the video.

Anyone who wasn’t a fool would have recognized him.

The person in the video was Kim Hajoon.

The hammer in his hand was proof, which was why Liam couldn’t easily relax.

As Hajoon approached, Liam cautiously raised his spear and stepped forward.

Seeing Liam’s actions, Hajoon asked with a look of annoyance.

“You’re not planning to......?”

“Haha, it seems to have turned out that way.”

Liam started to smirk, pointing the spear at Hajoon.

“I’ll have to ask you for a favor.”

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