Chapter 52

The cicadas were buzzing loudly.

The weather, now fully into mid-August, was scorching hot, and I was on a bus heading somewhere.

[So, you finished your hospital visits yesterday?]

“Yeah, they said I don’t need to come anymore.”

The person I was talking to was none other than Ggotbi.

I had been calling her once a day for her mental care, and thanks to that, we were well aware of each other’s schedules.

[You’ve been through a lot. I wish I could’ve helped.]

“You were overseas at the time, Ggotbi. Plus, you’re too famous—even if you were here, I couldn’t have called you without drawing attention.”

[That’s true. Being famous has its downsides.]

Ggotbi sighed, sounding a bit regretful, but soon her voice brightened again.

[By the way, my new song is coming out tomorrow.]

“I know. Ayu’s been singing about it every day, saying it’s coming out soon.”

[Still the same, huh? I’d join the game if I weren’t so busy with the new song.]

Lately, Ggotbi had been too busy preparing for her new song to even log into the game.

Back then, even amidst her busy schedule, she managed to play the game, but that was during the time when she was overworking herself due to self-suggestion.

Now that she’s reduced the self-suggestion, things are back to normal.

“Don’t even think about logging into the game. I’ll scold you if you do.”

[Hehe, got it. When the song drops, I’ll hold a concert. I want to invite you and Ayu. Will you come?]

“I’ll buy the lightsticks, outfits, and all the merch.”

[Seeing you in Blackstar merch would be hilarious. I’ll make sure to take pictures.]

Ggotbi’s cheerful laughter echoed through the phone.

Her voice was so pleasant that just hearing her laugh made me feel better.

[And I’ll make some time between late August and early September. Let’s hang out then.]

“You’ll bring Ayu too, right? She’s been going on about the beach lately. By then, I should have my Hunter registration done, so let’s do it.”

At that moment, for some reason, Ggotbi didn’t respond.

“Ggotbi?”

[Ah, sorry, sorry. I just felt something strange for a moment. Yeah, Ayu will come too. Let’s hang out.]

When I asked, puzzled, Ggotbi started rambling, sounding flustered.

From the other end of the line, I heard her mutter, “Why am I like this?” which made me tilt my head in confusion.

[I’ll call you again tomorrow!]

And with that, the call ended.

I stared at my phone for a moment, then scratched my head.

Well, whatever.

“We’ve arrived. Everyone, please prepare to get off.”

At that moment, the bus stopped, and people started getting off one by one.

Following them, I stepped off and saw a school located a bit away from the city center.

The name on the school was “Hunter Training Academy.”

Even though I was only taking a two-week course, it was a mandatory program for Hunter registration.

My current outfit was even the Hunter Training Academy’s exclusive gym uniform for students.

Anyone could tell I was an Academy student.

‘Me, registering as a Hunter…’

It felt a bit absurd, but as Baekseolhyang said, ordinary people with powers were definitely a problem.

The desire to chase after my sister, who appeared and then disappeared, still lingered.

That’s why I decided to register as a Hunter.

Because of that, I even applied for a leave of absence from work, claiming I had awakened.

A direct leave application to the Chairman.

It was thrilling.

‘It feels like just yesterday I gave up on becoming a Hunter and focused on studying.’

Now, at 26, I’m pursuing the dream I gave up at 16.

It’s quite emotional in many ways.

Thud!

At that moment, I suddenly felt a bump from behind and turned around.

“What’s up? Why are you blocking the way?”

There stood a man with a fierce expression, and even though there was some distance, it seemed like he had bumped into me.

If this were the past, I might have been scared.

“Oppa, what are you doing? Let’s go.”

Perhaps the couple had awakened simultaneously, as the woman who was walking ahead also turned back.

Having been through a lot lately, I smiled apologhetically and said,

“Why are you making a fuss when you’re the one who bumped into me?”

Ah, I accidentally blurted out my true thoughts.

“Wow, what’s wrong with this guy? Is he crazy?”

The man’s face slowly twisted in anger.

Meanwhile, the woman approached and wrapped her arm around her boyfriend’s.

“What’s going on?”

“This punk is picking a fight. Someone like this needs to be taught a lesson.”

Perhaps because he was in front of his girlfriend, he rolled up his sleeves and acted threateningly.

Looking at him, I silently raised my arm.

As their eyes followed my raised arm, I shouted toward a woman getting off the bus,

“Instructor, this person is trying to assault me!”

First come, first served.

The early bird catches the worm.

“What the—hey, you!”

“What’s going on?”

The Hunter Training Academy’s exclusive bus had an instructor on board.

Since there were newly awakened Hunters who couldn’t fully control their powers, there was always a possibility of trouble, so an instructor accompanied them.

“What’s this mess? Oppa, let’s just go!”

“Damn it, I’ll deal with you later.”

As the instructor approached, the couple panicked and quickly ran off toward the Academy.

What a bunch of small fries.

“Thank you. You’re my lifesaver, Instructor.”

“Uh, sure. Just try not to cause too much trouble.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

With that, I scurried off toward the Academy.

“You could’ve just knocked him out in one hit. Why bother with all that trouble?”

Hearing Baeksan’s words, I looked at him with a dumbfounded expression.

“Baeksan, do you think that guy was stronger than Gwak Sa-yeon when she was a Dimensional Being?”

“He’d be dead in one hit.”

“Then if I hit him with the same force I used on Gwak Sa-yeon?”

“He’d be dead. Obviously.”

As expected of our esteemed Returner.

“There’s no need to kill anyone.”

I’m not some crazy murderer.

“That kind of guy will definitely be a nuisance later.”

“That’s the charm of the Academy. Turning enemies into friends by the end is a classic trope.”

“You’re full of crap! Stop talking nonsense!”

It’s not getting through.

Before Baeksan could say more, I ignored him and walked into the Academy.

As I entered the Academy, various scenes caught my eye.

I had seen pictures and videos before, but seeing it in person for the first time felt refreshing.

‘If things had gone as planned, I would’ve come to the Hunter Academy for training in my third year.’

The Hunter Academy wasn’t just for Hunters; there were also many regular staff, so some people came here for jobs.

After all, it’s a government position.

‘Maybe I would’ve ended up here too.’

Come to think of it, I had suggested to Baekseolhyang that we attend university together.

But since both of us had jobs, it would’ve been tough during the day, so it would’ve likely been night classes.

‘Ah, would that have lessened the campus life vibe Baekseolhyang wanted?’

As I pondered, I shrugged my shoulders.

Rather than worrying about it alone, I’d just discuss it with Baekseolhyang later.

Meanwhile, I entered the auditorium and took a seat.

They’d probably give an introduction to the Academy and such.

The instructors seemed to be preparing, so I turned on my phone.

As usual, I opened the Road of Academy chat.

[Deathlight and Heart: Raises hand and greets.]

[Doremipasolo: Hi, Juk-sim. You’re here early again today.]

[Deathlight and Heart: Says there’s a new quest, so I’m working on it.]

[Doremipasolo: Oh, the one that just came out?]

[Deathlight and Heart: Complains that you’re not joining and feels sad.]

[Doremipasolo: Sorry, something came up. What about the others?]

[Deathlight and Heart: Nae-ki says she’s coming later.]

Hearing Nae-ki’s name, I felt puzzled.

It had been a long time since I last heard that name.

[Doremipasolo: Nae-ki? She bragged about downloading some new game and then went silent.]

[Deathlight and Heart: Says she’s back after clearing it.]

It felt like months since she last logged in.

Was the game that long?

It was nice to hear she was back, but at the same time, I felt a bit annoyed.

[Doremipasolo: Got it. If she logs in later, let’s talk to her.]

“Welcome to the third quarter of 2030.”

At that moment, I put away my phone and looked up at the voice.

A middle-aged man, presumably the principal, had taken the stage and started speaking.

The speech wasn’t anything special.

The Hunter Training Academy is, after all, just an academy.

Its purpose was to teach those who had recently awakened how to properly use their powers, educate them, and explain how the law applies to them.

‘That’s why the training period is only two weeks.’

After completing this course, some would become Hunters and look for companies, while others would return to their normal lives.

Not everyone who awakens as a Hunter chooses to live as one.

“With that, the opening ceremony is over. After the instructors’ introductions, we’ll assign classes and dormitories for the two weeks. Oh, and one more thing.”

The principal smiled faintly.

“For this third quarter of 2030, we’ve invited a special guest instructor.”

A special guest?

As I wondered who it might be, I froze when I saw the man who stepped onto the stage.

“Ahhhhh!”

“Seo-ho, Seo-ho Oppa!”

Suddenly, the female students erupted in screams.

The guys also started going crazy, shouting, “Seo-ho? Seollsan Iri?”, “It’s Ha Seo-ho!”

As I stared blankly at the stage, Ha Seo-ho, standing on the stage with his hands behind his back, spoke.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ha Seo-ho, the temporary instructor for this quarter. I look forward to working with you.”

As soon as he finished his greeting, the place went wild.

After all, one of the nation’s top Hunters had come to the Academy.

“Is this some kind of casting?”

“Who’s here this quarter? Wow, Ha Seo-ho, how?”

Amid the chaos, Seo-ho and I made eye contact.

Seo-ho smiled at me, his eyes saying, “Hyung, leave it to me during the Academy,” so I covered my face and bowed my head.

They say rice bows its head as it ripens.

My face was bowing for a different reason.

“Did Seollsan Iri just smile at you?”

At that moment, a voice with no rhythm came from beside me.

When I looked up, a thin-looking man was staring at me.

“No, I think you’re mistaken.”

“Really?”

He tilted his head, glancing between Seo-ho and me, but I kept my mouth shut and said nothing.

Meanwhile, Seo-ho finished his introduction with the other instructors and stepped down, leaving the students’ excitement through the roof.

But the problem didn’t end there.

After class assignments, the instructors were assigned, and…

‘Seo-ho, you brat.’

I had to cover my face when I saw that Seo-ho was our class instructor.

You’re embarrassing me, you punk. I’ll kill you.