The Self-Proclaimed Disciple Appears! (2)
Through the snow-white hair cascading down like falling flakes, sea-like blue eyes gazed at me, curved in a soft smile.
No boasting here, but I'm a dedicated reader of this novel. Thanks to that, I remember pretty much every character. So this sudden white-haired girl threw me for a loop.
A girl with snow-white hair and blue eyes. There's no way I'd forget a hunter with such a rare look if she appeared in the original story... She couldn't be a main character, at least.
"Who... are you?"
"I'm Yoo Seolhwa, instructor of Shin Geom Ryu and an A-rank hunter, Teacher."
"R-right. I've heard the name before."
"It's an honor, Teacher."
Her voice was beautiful, like jade rolling across silk, but unfortunately, I'd never heard the name Yoo Seolhwa before. No matter how I racked my brain, it didn't ring a bell. At the very least, she wasn't from the original story.
That said, judging by her outfit, she seemed to be the youngest A-rank hunter who'd even mastered Shin Geom Ryu.
Let's see what she's got.
"Sorry, it's been a while since I came back, so my senses are a bit off. If you don't mind, could you show me a bit of Shin Geom Ryu?"
"With pleasure, Teacher!"
She seemed brimming with confidence. Yoo Seolhwa stepped forward with a bright smile.
Yeah, she's at her peak right now. Reached A-rank young, probably thinks she can take on the world.
But that's why she needs to hit a real wall. So she doesn't make irreversible mistakes later...
Honestly, that's just an excuse. She's just annoying me.
She's probably beaten everything easily so far. But an Ogre isn't a pushover. Face it yourself and wake up to reality.
I stepped back to avoid getting in the way, and the VR dutifully spawned the Ogre.
Thud!Boom!
The ground-shaking roar rattled everything. Even in VR, the sheer intimidation felt real.
But facing a monster that could level a city single-handedly, the girl was way too calm.
Then—a flash of light.
It cleaved the massive Ogre right in half in an instant.
"...0.2 seconds?"
The result was beyond astonishing—straight-up horrifying.
I stared blankly at the scoreboard. Same conditions, same opponent.
Yet this Yoo Seolhwa girl had sliced the Ogre in just 0.2 seconds.
An A-rank hunter soloing an A-rank monster was already insane. In 0.2 seconds? Sure, mock battles aren't 100% like the real thing, but even accounting for that...
Top-tier A-rank at minimum. With more experience, she could even reach that freakish S-rank level.
And from the school uniform, she was still a student. How does someone get this strong so young?
"Th-that's some impressive swordsmanship. But mock battles and real fights are different..."
"Yes, you're right. I'm still lacking."
"Huh?"
"I still have a long way to go to reach the sword you showed us back then. So... please teach me a lot, from up close."
"???"
In a way that didn't match her icy demeanor, Yoo Seolhwa blushed and spoke softly. Then she naturally took my hand.
Her attitude was like she was treating a lover, leaving me flustered.
What the hell is this? You a lily or something?
Sorry, but that's not my thing.
Still, to avoid upsetting her, I gently pulled my hand free.
"Uh... sorry, but when did we ever meet?"
"..."
Thud.
It felt like a rock dropping on my head. If this were a comic, there'd be a bump.
Was it that unexpected? Yoo Seolhwa stared at me blankly, lost.
Sorry, but I couldn't lie about knowing someone I didn't.
Better to clear it up now than risk problems from a white lie later.
"...It's fine. It'd be weirder if you did remember."
"Sorry."
"Um... if you're okay with it, how about grabbing a meal after the mock battle? I know a great restaurant..."
"A restaurant? Out of nowhere?"
"Yes! It's a good chance for us to get to know each other!"
She seemed pretty embarrassed—her face and even her ears turned beet red.
...Not a bad idea, actually. I had zero info on Yoo Seolhwa.
Variables are best scouted early.
After running the calculations in my head, I smiled and replied.
"Meal's a bit much—how about coffee instead?"
I'll buy.
The Hunter Association was enjoying an unprecedented golden age.
After the Great War, countless talents had risen to prominence. Thanks to them, Korea's situation was far better than other countries. Hunter mortality rates had plummeted noticeably.
In contrast, nest and gate raid success rates were overwhelmingly high.
But could the Association really claim credit for that?
Yoo Seolhwa sneered inwardly.
Absolutely not. If anything, they were dead weight.
The reason such an utterly incompetent Association could bask in this golden era was simple: an overflow of talent.
For example, one hunter who'd founded a pharmaceutical company could even revive the dead—if you paid within 24 hours.
Of course, the costs are insane, and the system's downright predatory... but it slashed mortality rates big time.
Even with conditions, having seven geniuses on that level meant success was practically guaranteed, no matter how incompetent the rest were.
But did they even know? That the Golden Generation they praised endlessly—the one they'd abandoned—was carrying them?
Showering them with perks now? It's disgusting. Nothing's changed in twelve years.
Yoo Seolhwa harbored no goodwill toward the Association.
They were the ones behind that decision twelve years ago.
Their hero worship made her want to slaughter them all.
Yet here she was, an Association hunter—someone she despised.
Why? Only one reason.
Her cold blue eyes softened like spring sunlight, curving into a gentle smile.
"Sorry, took longer than I thought."
"It's fine. I'm good at waiting."
"Still sorry, so how about coffee and cake? Sound good?"
"Wow, yes!"
No lie—she didn't love sweets like cake, but cake from Teacher? That she loved.
Seolhwa smiled, gazing at the woman.
Black hair to her waist, half-lidded red eyes. She wasn't short, but her slight hunch made her seem cute.
Just looking at her kept a smile on her face. Seeing the person she longed for in the flesh felt amazing.
Of course, it's not like there aren't hurt feelings... but it's okay. I get it. Because it's Teacher.
Even so, she hadn't expected to be forgotten entirely. It stung, but... no disappointment.
Because it was Teacher.
The one person who'd run to save the abandoned on that day when everyone else turned away.
How many had Teacher saved back then? Even her younger self was just one of them.
It's dangerous. I already liked her so much... now I like her even more.
The last two years, blatant opportunists had swarmed her for connections and profit.
Compared to that, Teacher had risked her life for a total stranger with zero utility.
Unable to hold back, Seolhwa naturally reached out, linking arms with Han Sojin.
The classic arm-in-arm pose.
Han Sojin panicked.
What the—? Why this all of a sudden?
"Um..."
"It's natural for close girl friends to link arms, right?"
"R-right. Yeah."
For Han Sojin, who'd once been a guy, linking arms with another woman was awkward as hell.
Imagine guys doing it—or going to the bathroom together. You'd get beaten or roasted alive.
Sure, twelve years had passed, and she'd adapted somewhat, but she wasn't fully a woman.
Thus, Han Sojin wore a thoroughly uncomfortable expression as she linked arms with Yoo Seolhwa and headed out.
But anyone who knew Yoo Seolhwa would doubt their eyes at the sight.
She'd never been this friendly with anyone before. Not once.