Chapter 3
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Translator: MJK
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: 1. Surviving as an F-Class Healer (3)
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The road to the academy was full of sights. With the pamphlet tucked safely in my bag, I didn't have to worry about getting lost.
Following the route laid out in the guidebook, I let my mind wander.
"The subway's still running just like before."
It was my country, sure, but why did Korea pull this off?
In a good way, of course.
"This world's supposed to have gone through one apocalypse already, right?"
According to the setting, about two hundred years ago, dungeons started popping up worldwide, kicking off the first cataclysm.
Lots of countries vanished back then, but Korea and Japan got lucky, along with a few others.
A single S-rank dungeon had appeared in some distant land, while here, the outbreaks were manageable ones we could actually respond to.
"Early on, the ranks weren't too high either, giving people time to adapt."
They scouted Awakeners, set up organizations, assigned them perks, and built those systems in just a week.
That gave Korea a bit of breathing room to clear early dungeons.
"They must've been desperate, cranking through them faster than usual."
The emergence of a few S-ranks helped, no doubt.
But the real win was that those S-ranks stuck around instead of heading elsewhere.
After surviving that first apocalypse, Korean hunters shone in the three more that followed every fifty years.
With at least four S-ranks per generation, things stayed stable at home, and they even had bandwidth to help abroad.
"Fifty years ago, they didn't just shine—they straight-up cleared one."
Hunters kept getting stronger, too.
"Is the land just blessed or something?"
I'd never bought into feng shui before, but the thought crept in anyway.
Why was this on my mind all of a sudden?
"Because the subway's still alive."
And not just any subway—the exact one from before I got isekai'd.
Even after all those apocalypses!
Sure, it was beat up more than I remembered, scarred from the disasters, but the fact it was still running felt like a miracle.
"Does this even make sense?"
A little later, I'd learn what it really meant to keep infrastructure intact through two centuries of ruin.
It was a point of pride, a badge of honor—hence the unchanged route maps and faithfully operating trains.
But for now, it just seemed bizarre.
"Especially since the stations are all different."
Passing unfamiliar stops was entertaining in itself.
Rain Station actually had rain falling inside. Dino Station looked straight out of a dinosaur flick, complete with what sounded like real roars.
Dark Cave Station suddenly turned into a temple.
"I know they're all tourist illusions, but seeing them for real is something else."
Good thing the original story described the subway stations—I didn't freak out like a maniac.
"Though it'll all be rubble in two years."
Better take it in while I can.
The first Cataclysm Dungeon of the year would show up soon, and most of Seoul's attractions would be toast within months.
"Turning half the city into a lawless zone?"
That's part of why I wasn't thinking dropout or expulsion—I was aiming for graduation.
This place is safe. For now.
Anyway, with all those distractions, the hour to Narin Academy flew by without a hint of boredom.
The chatter from students in matching uniforms helped, too.
"Heard an F-rank healer’s enrolling this time. For real?"
"No way. They couldn't even enter a dungeon. Total rumor."
"I dunno. Heard it somewhere."
"If it's true, they're insane."
That was my first taste of the "neglect" in this world, by the way.
"Who knows? Maybe clinging to some S-rank. Healer perks and all."
"Fair, healers are weak. But bad rumors could kill those dreams, right?"
"Ooh?"
My ears perked up too.
As a useless lump of a bottom-feeder trying to survive, my path wasn't damage dealing—it was support. And for that to work, I had to steer clear of dangerous dungeons as much as possible.
How to spot the risky ones?
Easy: avoid any where the protagonist's party gathers or that appear in the original story.
I couldn't let on that F-rank healer blood works as bait, so I needed to get close enough to Yoo Han-seong to share apocalypse-beating intel, but not so close he'd drag me into dungeons.
"Even Han-seong probably wouldn't take someone useless into a Cataclysm Dungeon, no matter how friendly... but who knows!"
Keeping that perfect distance was tricky.
"Can't get caught slacking too hard, but if I just seem kinda unreliable, no S-rank would pity-invite me. Right?"
"Yeah, image matters for them."
"Exactly? If it's real, let's spread the word."
"Deal."
So, basically...
These seniors were preemptively blocking the one-in-a-million chance of some lovesick S-rank dragging me along?
"......"
Should I get them a gift or something?
The upperclassmen snickered as they walked off.
I eavesdropped gratefully, soaking up every word.
Info was gold.
Adult Awakeners had rank-restricted knowledge, so I'd worried about how much theory I'd learn here. But this eased that.
"If that kid dies, we get a day off."
"When do we rest? My sword's been gathering dust a month. Even if they tell 'em no, they'll volunteer. Steal some scraps or whatever."
Apparently, F-rank healers could tag along on C-rank dungeons if they volunteered.
"True. But crazies have hidden potential. I give it three months."
"Hmm. Day off might shorten break?"
"Nah."
Should I die too?
Thanks to you all, I'll survive till graduation.
In the original, Jin Hari got shoved into an S-rank's party by her family demanding money, begging her way in.
"And died in the dungeon."
Worse, same class as the protagonist meant the incident's scale was off the charts.
That Jin Hari's arc wrapped up in about 1,500 characters.
A brutal footnote to highlight tragic student deaths.
Protagonist's exclusive "bait" ability included.
Resisting the urge to bet my life savings on graduating as Jin Hari, I stared out the window.
Right on cue, the announcement chimed through the car.
[Next stop: Awakening Station.]
"......"
...Awakener Academy station called Awakening Station? No illusions here—it's straightforward.
Feeling a ridiculous mix of awe, I headed for the opening doors.
Stepping out, it all clicked.
Why no fancy illusions.
The street was a wonderland: salarymen, strolling ajummas, even a passing dog—all casually flexing minor Awakening powers.
Not just the station—the whole city pulsed with it.
I stole glances at the bizarre yet fun scene, striding confidently toward the academy.
Blue-tiled gates welcomed me.
Beyond the main gate stretched vast grounds dotted with grand buildings, like some prestigious overseas university.
This was Narin Academy.
Early story hub, where protagonist Yoo Han-seong scooped up promising talents en masse.
"And nonstop incidents while he did it."
Could I really survive unscathed?
Couldn't play outsider forever with finals looming, but cozying up to Han-seong felt risky too.
So my plan: keep a safe distance from everyone while offering the best help I could.
"Three Heals and a few low-success-rate basic potions."
Second nature for me, but it could win points with these good kids in a harsh world.
Still, doing just that much in the original's storm epicenter felt shaky.
"No rush. Better than getting exposed as bait material by showing off."
Maybe I should take Potion Making seriously after all.
Pushing down my nerves, I mechanically clapped for the freshman rep reciting the entrance oath.