004 - Yoo Hayeon
Yoo Hayeon wasn't one for sleeping in.
As both a hunter and a magical girl, her schedule was erratic, and gates didn't care about the time when they popped open.
Of course, an A-rank hunter like her had some leeway—she could pick and choose her callouts or even turn them down outright—but that wasn't her style.
Throwing herself into the fire to prevent any casualties. That was her creed, her guiding principle. Which meant a regular sleep schedule was a luxury she could barely afford.
At least her superior A-rank metabolism could handle the chaos.
And so her routine went today, too.
She'd crashed around midnight, only to wake at two in the morning. Now she was up, stretching it out.
That was when it hit.
A thump right in the center of her chest.
Deeper still, from the core where her magic originated—a resonance.
Yoo Hayeon froze mid-stretch, hand flying to her chest.
Not many knew this sensation.
Worldwide, there were maybe a dozen magical girls like her, trait holders scattered across nations.
And among those rare few, they shared a few secrets known only to each other.
Tribal sense was one of them.
When a new magical girl awakened, the existing ones felt it.
The last time Yoo Hayeon had sensed it was two years ago, with Japan's fifth magical girl.
She hadn't felt it since.
Until now.
Close. In Korea?
Yoo Hayeon shot to her feet, peering out the window.
She traced the direction. Not far. Seoul at most.
Sadly, she was the only magical girl hunter in Korea.
There was a community for them, sure, but no fellow countrywoman? That stung a little.
So her lips curved up without her realizing it.
She roughly tied back her signature pink hair and grabbed some clothes.
Dawn or not, didn't matter.
The community was buzzing already. Other magical girls, jolted awake by the pulse.
With a gesture, a translucent window floated up.
A few clicks, and she was in.
The Hunter Network—one of countless systems built by Korea's S-rank hunter, the world's sole magitech scholar.
This community feature was a godsend, beloved by thousands worldwide.
The downside? Beg all you want for other formats from foreign hunters, and he'd never update beyond these old-school boards.
Yoo Hayeon didn't mind. She made it work, auto-translation smoothing any bumps.
Her fingers danced, dropping a reply on Stella's post.
Message sent, window dismissed.
A new magical girl in Korea? As her senior from the same nation, she had to look out for her.
Yoo Hayeon geared up quick. Casual clothes thrown on.
Her smile lingered, genuine delight.
Yoo Hayeon didn't rush.
The newbie would be dazed from the fresh awakening—better to give her space.
Hours later, she arrived, following the pull.
The Korea Hunter Technology Institute labs.
No civilians allowed, and even hunters needed permits. National turf.
She paused at the main gate.
Why a lab for a magical girl's birth? Not a gate, not some home...
Ominous thoughts flickered, but she pushed in.
Regular hunters might get turned away, but she was A-rank. Next-in-line S-rank material.
Morning surprise visit meant paperwork hassle—ID checks, calls—but clearance came.
They didn't flat-out block her, so maybe no big deal.
A security guard tagged along, "for guidance."
As they walked the halls, Yoo Hayeon tuned into the chest thrum.
Getting closer.
She bulldozed ahead, "Wanna check somewhere," dragging the guard toward the source.
The building loomed.
"What's this place?"
"Oh, uh... Experiment Building. Lights on already—guess they pulled an all-nighter."
Experiment Building. Bad vibes.
They kept some secrecy, but artificial trait awakenings? Public knowledge. Even recruiting volunteers.
Volunteers were rare, though. Heard they half-forced it on criminal semi-awakeners with shit records.
Rumors of recent flops piling up bodies, too.
Yoo Hayeon counted herself righteous, but she didn't pity those scum. Never cared much.
But sensing kin here? Unease crept in.
These bastards didn't...
"Let's go in."
"We need clearance first..."
"Nah."
"Wait, hold—!"
Yoo Hayeon barged right in. Door was open.
Flustered guard trailed.
Anxiety fueled her stride.
At that moment, Lee Chang heard footsteps echoing down the hall.
Click-clack, click-clack.
Rhythmic, light, hurried just a touch.
Seconds later, the figure crested the stairs into view.
Pink.
That color hit first.
Long pink hair cascading past her waist. Matching pink eyes.
Casual clothes, but that palette screamed identity.
Yoo Hayeon.
The bitch from days ago who'd crushed her, slammed her face into the floor.
Pink eyes swept the hall, locked on Lee Chang's face.
Her expression shifted.
Hardened, like certainty dawned.
Why the fuck is this bitch here...?
Lee Chang backpedaled on instinct. The head researcher tried saying something beside her, but it didn't register.
Yoo Hayeon's gaze pinned her. Not the face exactly—lower, piercing her chest where the heart thrummed.
The magical girl trait core.
That pulse—proof only kin could sense.
Yoo Hayeon stared through mana sight, confirming the rookie was this pint-sized girl.
And the lab coat? Her worst suspicions confirmed.
"......"
Yoo Hayeon approached slow.
Lee Chang didn't budge. No reason to run.
She'd done nothing wrong, and this woman had no clue who she was.
Just pissed she had to crane her neck up.
Yoo Hayeon was average—160cm or so.
Old Lee Chang would've loomed over her. Now? Reversed.
She stopped right in front.
Up close, the emotion in those eyes wasn't what Lee Chang expected.
No hostility.
Shock, and beneath it...
Worry?
"Hunter Yoo Hayeon..."
"...What's your name?"
The head researcher cut in, but Yoo Hayeon asked anyway.
Her voice was soft. Nothing like the icy "fucking retard" spat while grinding Lee Chang's head underfoot days ago.
The warmth threw her off.
"...The hell's it to you."
Out came the girlish lilt, wary but undercut—Lee Chang knew by now it dulled her edge.
Yoo Hayeon's eyes flickered.
Then to the researcher. Middle-aged woman in lab whites, anxious.
Her tone flipped—cold steel.
"What's this kid?"
"Just a moment..."
"Looks like she's the new magical girl trait awakener. Why in a lab—this lab?"
Lee Chang jolted harder.
How'd she know? That I awakened as a magical girl.
Staring at my chest... Guess they have ways to spot each other.
Hell, sense from afar. Came right after I awakened.
"Hunter Yoo Hayeon, your sudden visit caught us off-guard; we're still piecing things together..."
"Dodging again... Fucking annoying."
A thud echoed in her mind.
Mana surged. Subtle pressure rippled out.
Emotional leak—A-rank casual intimidation crushed normals.
The researcher's face blanched.
"Wait, it's a misunderstanding!"
"Misunderstanding?"
Yoo Hayeon stepped closer.
"Felt a new magical girl awaken, rush over—national lab, Experiment Building no less. Just researchers and one kid, who is the signal, wearing a damn lab coat."
Pink eyes raked Lee Chang's outfit.
Oversized on her frame. Sleeves swallowed hands; pants hacked short to not drag.
Adult gear on a child.
No kid clothes here—shouldn't be kids here.
"Subjecting a girl not even in middle school to that dangerous experiment... Didn't think you'd stoop this low."
"No, it's not!"
"Then explain!!"
Pressure ratcheted up.
Even Lee Chang, mana-laden, felt it.
"What, she a mass murderer or some shit? You crazy fucks...! Should I trash this place right now?!"
Yoo Hayeon teetered on transformation, ready to unleash A-rank fury.
The researcher flapped uselessly, words failing.
Frustrating. Truth impossible with me here; silence means she snaps.
But worst off? Me.
Fuck, this is insane.
What now?
This psycho'll flip the building if unchecked.
Will they keep secrets then?
Doubt it. To prove innocence, spill I'm really Lee Chang.
Evidence everywhere here.
Then what?
No fucking way!
Anything but her knowing who I am.
Can't imagine the fallout. Absolutely not.
Stop it now.
How?
"—Uh."
Thoughts raced.
Lee Chang's play:
"Uh, uh, unni...!"
Squeezed out, the word she'd never utter.
Yoo Hayeon turned.
Lee Chang unleashed Oscar-worthy acting.
"Stop it! I wanted this... all of it!"
A traitorous tear—shame-fueled—sold it perfect.
Or so she hoped.
...This for real?
Kill me now.