Chapter 78
Chapter 78
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 78
Chapter Title: 9th Subjugation Unit (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
On the way to the Superhuman Association.
Right now, I was sitting alone in the back seat of a taxi, gazing out the window.
Terra: Master, are you okay? Sensing my bitter, wistful mood,
my eternal comrade, Terra, had sent a comforting message.
'No.'
Not okay at all.
I shook my head at Terra's question and let out a deep sigh.
As I did, I recalled the conversation I'd had with Arthur and Noah while leaving the academy's main gate.
"...Pardon? You haven't applied for the internship yet?"
"What...? You could do that in advance?"
"Didn't you know? Arena Academy has a system allowing early applications, unlike other academies."
"I had no clue about any such system... Was someone supposed to tell me?"
"No, nothing like that, but it's such a well-known policy, isn't it? Even without rumors, it's posted on the academy homepage and the Arena Academy first-year gallery. So I assumed you knew..."
"Hmm... Guess we'll have to head out first then."
"Yes, regrettably, we'll have to part ways here for now."
"Then, Lee Yoo-jin, see you at the forward base."
"Lee Yoo-jin, see you at the forward base."
For that reason, Arthur and Noah had gone off to the Death Continent, site of the Subjugation Unit's forward base.
And I, blissfully ignorant of the academy's systems, was heading to the Superhuman Association all by my lonesome.
'No, how the hell was I supposed to know about academy policies?'
Of course, it was my fault for not even bothering to check...
If I had to make excuses, I couldn't even think to look them up because I didn't know they existed in the first place.
Still, I resolved to do better.
No matter how little I cared about off-storyline details, academy policies were basic knowledge.
Failing to even consider checking something that fundamental went beyond a mere mistake—it was straight-up negligence.
'Gotta browse the academy homepage and communities when I get a chance later.'
I'd dig through news articles, the Superhuman Gallery, and all sorts of info sources too.
There might be useful basics I didn't know about.
Terra: ( ✋˙࿁˙ ) No. Terra sent another message as I thought that.
An opposing one, at that.
I stared at it with a sullen expression and asked,
'Why? Why not?'
I figured there had to be a good reason.
Terra, my support system, wouldn't object without cause.
But hilariously, her reason was straightforward.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Information gathering is my role as your supporter. So please use your precious time elsewhere, Master. This was... my supporter?
Overcome with emotion, I stared blankly at Terra's message.
Then I nodded and replied,
'Yeah, I'll leave it to you. Let me know if you find anything useful.'
Terra: Leave it to me. (・∧・)ゞ At her dependable reply, I chuckled and nodded again.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Superhuman Association.
More precisely, the Korean branch.
Unlike the Alchemy Guild—headquartered in Korea—the Association's main HQ was in the United States.
That didn't mean the US ran it; it operated like the UN, an international alliance.
Of course, even as a global union, countries' influence wasn't equal.
The HQ's sway depended on a nation's superhuman count.
Which made Korea—the soil under my feet—the most influential of all.
After all, Korea housed
Martial God Baek Yu-hwa.
Archmage Yoo Baek.
Sword Saint Lee Jung-baek.
Three transcendents. Plus the highest numbers of top- and high-rank superhumans.
The US dubbed Korea the "Land Blessed by the Gods," while others called it the "Superhuman Superpower." It was inevitable.
Arena Academy was here.
This place had no choice but to be the hub.
But with great power came frequent chaos... especially rift outbreaks and Fallen terrorist attacks.
Other nations dealt with rifts and terror too, but nothing like Korea's volume or intensity.
A "god-blessed land" faced god-sized trials.
'No wonder Subjugation Units are Korea-exclusive.'
I sighed briefly and fiddled with my Smart Watch.
Then texted "Pretty Noona (Gray)" from my contacts: arrived at the Association.
With that, I stepped into the Association's building, structured like the Alchemy Guild's.
Murmurs everywhere.
Terra: There are a lot of people. 'Superhuman Association, after all.'
It drew crowds even from non-heroes.
New superhumans registered here.
Aspiring heroes did too.
Plenty of other reasons existed, but none mattered to me.
"Welcome to the Superhuman Association. How can I assist you?"
As I neared the reception desk, a staffer sorting papers approached.
"Here for an internship application."
"Ah, internship applicant. Got it."
She nodded with a polished business smile.
Pulled a form from under the desk, handed it over with a pen.
"Please fill this out."
📝 FORM 📝 Academy Internship Application Form "Fill in the circled sections here, here, and here."
I checked the pink-marker circles as instructed.
- Current academy name.
- Name, grade, phone number, address.
- Internship department requested.
I grabbed the pen and filled the blanks right away.
- Current academy name: Arena Academy
- Name: Lee Yoo-jin, 1st year, (...), (...).
- Internship department: Mobile Team 4
For reference, "Mobile Team 4" was the official department name for the 9th Subjugation Unit.
As an unofficial outfit, all its members were rostered under Mobile Team 4.
It handled budgets, paychecks, and public-facing ops.
"All set?"
I set the pen down; the staffer—who'd returned to her computer—came back.
"Yes, done."
"Alright, I'll verify."
She took the form, sat at her terminal.
Typed while eyeing the paper—then paused.
"...Um, you sure you filled this right?"
She stood, flustered, thrusting the form at me. Her finger jabbed "Internship department"—specifically "Mobile Team 4."
"Yeah, spot on."
"Ah... for real?"
My firm nod had her stiffen; she grabbed the desk phone.
Dialed somewhere.
"Mobile Team 4? First-floor reception here. Hiring new interns? I thought all your interns shipped out to the ops zone today... Ah, yes, got it."
She glanced my way nervously, inquiring about openings.
Moments later.
"Understood."
Call ended; her face lit up as she turned to me.
"Vice team leader's heading down now."
She muttered under her breath, "Thank goodness he's no villain."
'...Did she just peg me as a villain?'
Terra: It was a situation ripe for misunderstanding. Fair enough... Arthur and Noah had pre-applied and deployed to the ops zone—the Death Continent—while I was filing separately here.
To her, I screamed "villain or Fallen gunning for Mobile Team 4."
Terra: Good thing you texted Gray, Master. 'Yeah, or I'd be in cuffs by now.'
I agreed with Terra, exhaling in relief.
"So... Lee Yoo-jin? I'll handle your internship paperwork."
Back to her business smile, she resumed at the keyboard.
Typing at warp speed now—processing flew by.
"Eugene!"
From an elevator past reception, a suited Gray called my name, emerging.
I waved.
She beamed, striding over briskly.
Arms wide for a hug—but
"Nah, pass."
I sidestepped with a wry grin.
Spotlights had locked on us the instant she appeared.
Some recognized her unit, whispering agog, eyes darting between us.
"Aw, why dodge?"
Pouting at my rebuff, she dropped her arms.
But only briefly.
"Welcome, Eugene."
Big-sis vibes to her baby bro, she pinched my cheek tenderly.
Draped an arm over my shoulder, addressed the staffer,
"Mind if I take him up?"
"One sec, nearly..."
Tap-tap-tap!
"...Done!"
Enter key slammed.
"Internship approved. Lee Yoo-jin: academy affiliate and 'Mobile Team 4' for the next three months."
Words tumbling out, she rose, handing me a card key.
"Association access badge. Lost or busted? Come to me—new one's on me."
"Thanks."
Damn, pro-level efficiency—she'd even personalized it during processing.
Impressed, I admired her skills; she beamed proudly, diving back into paperwork.
"C'mon, Eugene."
Internship sealed.
Badge secured.
Gray patted my back, heading for that elevator.
We boarded.
She swiped her badge on the in-elevator reader.
"Official Mobile Team 4 digs: 7th floor."
Finger hit 7.
"Unofficial spot's B3—but entry there's... Eh, we'll head there soon. I'll show you myself. First, greetings to the team on 7."
I knew what she meant.
B3 housed the 9th Subjugation Unit's base.
Special protocol required.
I knew it from endless game runs, but first time in reality? Play dumb.
Nodded at her offer; eyes on the floor counter.
Chatted idly with Gray till arrival.
Ding.
Smart Watch: 7th floor. "Here we are—out."
Gray exited; I followed.
"Noona! This the kid?"
"He's their..."
"No way—seeing that bro and sis's kid in the flesh."
Subjugation Unit-looking folks swarmed us.
Faces full of emotion, they grilled Gray about me.
She grinned ear-to-ear, hand on my shoulder.
"Yup, this is Eugene—their son."
Confirmed it loud and clear.
The squad froze, staring hard.
Then, not long after—
"O-oh!"
"Alive—thank god you're alive!"
"So glad to meet you! Beyond glad!"
Like reuniting with lost kin, they crushed me in hugs, whooping.
Trapped in the pile, I froze.
"Ha, haha... Nice to meet you all."
Awkward grin was all I could muster.