45 – The Card Has Appeared
Foorooroorook
Fooroorook
Fooroorooroorook
“Stop eating… and say something.”
“You’re the one who should speak later, first eat quickly! It’s tasteless when it’s cold.”
Fooroorook
Academy’s busy street, a restaurant famous for their mechanical udon
Standing in front of Ji-hoon, who was already on his second bowl of udon, merrily blowing on it, Sojung was on the verge of exploding from frustration.
“Boss! Two more rolls of gimbap, please.”
“Two rolls? Can you even fit anymore?”
“It’s not just the udon that’s tasty, but also the gimbap…”
Jihun, feeling a bit embarrassed by Sojeong’s surprised expression, avoids eye contact and takes another sip of his udon.
By the time both bowls are completely empty.
As he puts one of the newly opened gimbap into his mouth, Jihun finally starts speaking.
“You’ve really outdone yourself.”
“Forget about my udon, I’m asking how it went…so, you’re in Class 1 now?”
Sojeong felt a sense of unexplained resentment at the fact that Jihun would be promoted to Class 1.
After all the midterm evaluations were over, when she heard the news that Jihun had been placed in the same Class 2 as her, she didn’t show it openly, but she was very happy.
Sojeong didn’t have as many friends as Jihun, but she was having the most enjoyable days of her academy life ever since she started hanging out with him.
If Jihun obediently attended Class 2, they would naturally have more time to spend together without having to put in any effort.
Thinking that each day would become a fairly enjoyable routine like it is now, she felt a tinge of regret within her.
“No, I’m still in Class 2. Being in Class 1 now doesn’t really mean anything.”
Sojeong’s gloomy face was gradually brightening.
“Really? You think being in Class 1 is something special? I’m in Class 2 too, you know…I can help you adjust to it.”
With a bright expression, Sojeong finally starts picking up the udon with her chopsticks.
The udon noodles easily break off with a light tug on the chopsticks.
But Sojeong, using even the spoon, starts enjoying the udon that has exploded all over, wondering why it’s so good.
“I’ve decided to help the Class 1 students settle in and guide them to their designated places.”
“He-heh…wha-what?!”
Sojeong, coughing continuously as if something went down the wrong way upon hearing Jihun’s words, couldn’t take her eyes off his face.
Jihun, picking up two gimbap at once and stuffing them into his mouth, just stared at Sojeong, chuckling as if it was no big deal.
“Why are you so surprised? I’m going to bring the students to their places and then go up.”
“Why…why? No, how?”
“Why not? What reason do I have to go up to Class 1 alone? Study in the corner and train in the mountains alone…”
“Well, what’s the…?”
“The reason for wanting to go to a higher class is the high support funds, special library access, and the opportunity to learn and train with higher-level hunters.”
“…But you don’t need training or anything like that.”
Sojeong cautiously spoke, but it was something she had already been thinking about since before.
Observing Jihun up close, he was truly a complete hunter.
He possessed the combat power that would be welcomed in any guild he went to. No matter how high level the gate he entered, he seemed strong enough to clear it safely.
During the time that Sojeong had been observing him, Jihun seemed like someone who didn’t need any training or learning.
“Actually… I’ve been curious why you’ve been staying at the academy.”
“Did you not feel anything strange from me?”
From Noble mtl dot com
“Huh?”
Jihun’s sudden question.
Sojeong couldn’t understand what Jihun was asking.
Something strange…
Was he talking about the enormous amount of food he devoured, finishing two bowls of udon and three rolls of kimbap in one sitting?
Or perhaps the fact that he used a ridiculously old phone whose discontinuation date couldn’t be determined?
Or… a strange situation where he was incredibly strong but ignored wherever he went?
Or maybe… ah!
“My magic power. Do you think I have reached the level of a 1st or 2nd class novice?”
“…No. It’s definitely not just based on the amount of magic power…”
Sojeong finally relieved the doubts she had been holding onto.
Having seen Jihun’s battles several times, she had thought that Jihun was able to use his minimal magic power with maximum efficiency.
Or perhaps he deliberately hid his magic power or used a type of magic that others couldn’t perceive.
But none of those were true.
Jihun’s magic power was incredibly low.
Jihun’s movement skill was also not of a famous type.
While Jihun might be a complete specimen as a gatekeeper, he was not a complete hunter.
As she thought of him, she could finally understand Jihun’s intention.
“You want to grow as a hunter?”
“Well… It’s a similar concept. I don’t necessarily want to grow, but I think I need to have a higher class hunter ability to accomplish what I want to do.”
What is Jihun trying to do?
She had always been curious about his goal.
He seemed to act on his own whims, but he always revolved around the academy.
Was it actually not the academy but his obsession with his hunter ability and knowledge?
“Now that I think about it… It’s strange how I always found myself at the library and skill training grounds…”
Kim Jihun’s expression twisted as he chewed on his mouthful of kimbap.
“It’s you, right? Where did you hide the tracking device on my body? You’re not just appearing whenever I’m eating, but you seem to know my every move.”
Soojeong completely ignored Jihun’s words as if she hadn’t heard them at all.
“So how are you going to bring the kids? The 1st class kids are known for not coming to the academy. Their guild affiliation is much more important to them than the academy.”
“Well… we’ll have to go and talk to them first, I guess.”
“Talk?”
“Yeah. Talk.”
“Talk?”
Soojeong repeated Jihun’s answer multiple times, clearly not understanding what he meant.
The word ‘talk’ coming out of his mouth was completely unfamiliar to her. She had never seen him try to solve anything through conversation before.
“Why are you looking at me like that… I try to resolve most problems through conversation… at least I make an effort to.”
“Is that so?”
A mocking tone filled Soojeong’s question.
“…Of course, I don’t have conversations with those who are impolite or those who suddenly explode in anger…”
“Hmm…”
A disapproving gaze from Soojeong.
“Ahem… Anyway! Let’s go find the 1st class kids and tell them, ‘Don’t just use the academy’s name and benefits, fulfill your obligations!'”
“I hope that works.”
“If it doesn’t, then we’ll make it work.”
Jihun’s casual words sent an unexpected shiver down Soojeong’s spine.
She didn’t know much about the 1st class students, but somehow, they started to seem a little pitiful.
As the last bite of the new kimbap was consumed, Jihun and Soojeong stood up.
That’s when it happened.
“What… what is it?!”
Soojeong’s eyes widened as she turned towards the cashier.
“Hey! Are you okay? Did something go into the udon?”
She rushed over and checked Jihun’s forehead for a fever.
“What’s all this fuss about? Move aside.”
Pushing her away continuously, Jihun handed his card to the manager.
“Ye… Yeonwoo is calculating…”
“Woah, he’s so slick, it surprised me…”
Yeonwoo pouts in confusion.
“The card… came out.”
“…?”
“I went to the bank and they just gave it to me without any questions because I’m an Academy Class 2 student.”
“…?”
“Now I can buy things once in a while!”
This scoundrel who deceived his conscience…
Yeonwoo watches Sojeong, who leaves the store and heads towards the cafe.
Once in a while… I guess I’ll be the one buying the coffee again?
***
“You only have to call Ganghyeondong?”
“You expect me to call an A-rank Hunter just because you’re throwing a tantrum? To someone you don’t even know…”
“I told you, Kang Jihoon is an Academy student. We have something to discuss as fellow students.”
“According to regulations, high-ranking Hunters must first schedule individual appointments and can only meet after receiving permission.”
From the moment Yeonwoo first came to the Geumseong Guild, he encountered a major obstacle.
Although he should have anticipated this problem when he showed up without any plans, Yeonwoo didn’t think it required a strategic approach to have a conversation with a fellow student he had seen once.
“Phew… Yeonwoo, you seem so inexperienced in situations like this.”
Swimming, the ‘healer’ whom he brought along in case of unexpected events, smiled softly as he watched Yeonwoo from behind.
“But… we’re both Academy students…”
Yeonwoo was confused.
There was one fact that he had overlooked.
Being an A-rank Hunter in Academy Class 1, these individuals are sought after by all guild scouts.
People who try to meet them by any means necessary, whether by coincidence or by listing various conditions and exerting efforts to bring them in.
While these people are like a gold mine, is there really a guild that will readily create a position for anyone to come and meet them?
Yeonwoo seemed to still lack a clear understanding of the social demand for A-rank Hunters.
That’s when it happened.
“I… I didn’t mean to eavesdrop… but are you a Class 1 student by any chance?”
A hulking, muscular man with a rugged appearance approaches Yeonwoo in the lobby and cautiously speaks to him.
“Ah… Are you a staff member? No, I’m not a 1st-class student. Still, with Kang Hyun-dong-“
“Kang Hyun-dong, the hunter, is your friend, you punk? Did you think you could easily meet anyone just because they’re from the same academy?”
*Smirk*
Thank goodness. Truly, it’s so fortunate.
Jihoon feels a refreshing sensation as if a burden has been lifted from his chest.
Thank you. I’m really grateful. It’s so relieving that someone like you showed up at just the right moment… Thank you so much.
With a faint smile on his face, Jihoon slowly approaches him.
Meanwhile, Sooyoung, unnoticed, guides her towards the reception desk, taking her to a safe place.