Hunter Middle School Entrance Ceremony – Age 14
I stood in front of the mirror, dressed in the Hunter Middle School uniform, gazing at my reflection on the day of the entrance ceremony. At 14 years old.
The top was a slim jacket that gently cinched at the waist. The color was a deep blackish-blue, almost ink-black. Inside, a form-fitting functional shirt paired with a blue ribbon. The bottom was a pleated skirt that fell just above the knees. Girls could opt for pants, but that drew its own kind of attention. Not wanting to stand out too much, I'd skipped them.
I've gotten completely used to skirts now.
I swallowed a wry smile as I eyed my bare white legs peeking out from under the hem. There had been some resistance at first, but now it was just... normal.
More than that, though—turning this way and that in the mirror, I couldn't help but think it.
I'm pretty cute, huh.
Admitting it to myself was still embarrassing. But I finally got why girls checked themselves out in the mirror every day. There was still some childishness left, sure, but the signs of growing up were starting to show. Especially in one particular area.
...This shirt won't last long.
I'd picked one with plenty of room, but women's shirts weren't as generous as men's. The first time I'd seen it, I'd wondered how anyone could wear something so small.
My height hasn't grown much, though.
I pouted a little, but genetics were genetics. No changing that. I just tidied my hair instead.
"Yuna, you almost ready? We need to get going."
"Coming!"
Mom knocked on the door, and I jumped, grabbing my bag in a hurry.
After the ceremony today, we'd get our dorm assignments. The dorms were government-funded, so they provided most essentials. No need to pack a ton of personal stuff. At least, not for me.
Not like I need much anyway.
Everything important was in the Puppet Workshop.
Over the past months, I'd steadily crafted puppets, completed them, and climbed the Tower. The results were meaningful, to say the least. And I'd confirmed one key fact.
...They can all come outside.
The Tower monsters I'd turned into puppets—they could operate in the outside world. I couldn't yet predict their full impact out there, so I'd been careful.
Before I knew it, it was March of my 14th year. Mom's car rolled along a road lined with blooming cherry blossoms, as if blessing the spring.
The fresh buds brought the vibrancy of the season.
And so we arrived at Hunter Middle School. Schools on the city's outskirts always had hunters stationed for accident prevention. That explained the austere vibe right from the entrance.
With immature kids who could snap and unleash their powers anytime, it made sense to me.
"...It's not the army. Why do they have to be so prickly?"
Mom didn't seem thrilled, though. All the ID checks and procedures before entry—it must've been nerve-wracking to leave her young daughter here.
But Hunter Middle School had no choice. With S-rank Yoo Chaerin enrolling today, they'd be on high alert.
S-rank hunters are national treasures, after all.
Treasures that had to be kept tied to the country.
"Alright, Mom'll drop your stuff at the dorm and head out."
"Thanks for the ride, Mom."
Parents' duties ended here. Maybe sensing that, Mom wiped her eyes and pulled me into a hug, teary-eyed.
"If anything happens, you tell Mom everything, okay?"
"Got it. Mom—can't breathe."
Mom, did you forget whose chest these came from? I'm gonna die.
She looked like she had more to say, but let it go and left.
In front of the entrance ceremony hall, kids in identical uniforms were filing in. All 14-year-olds like me, tension radiating off them thick as fog.
But a few strutted with oozing confidence, like the world was theirs. Probably high-rankers. Parents hyping them up, no doubt.
My parents were dead set against it.
Since Dad went missing, Mom was done with hunters. Kept my secrets safe, at least.
Still, I've cleared past floor 9 now.
Floor 10 soon. Puppet crafting smooth, Tower climbs steady.
One nagging thing, though.
No Nightmare Difficulty since that day.
Did it have appearance conditions? I'd shattered records up to floor 10, but no Nightmare.
I wonder if that princess is okay.
I'd figured Nightmare would pop up again, letting me check on her. Maybe I was wrong.
"Hey, you."
A sharp voice from behind. I turned to see a girl with flame-red hair.
Hunter family, judging by the color.
"Blocking the middle of the path like an idiot. People can't get by. You'll bump into someone."
Oh. Right.
I'd zoned out staring at the hall.
"S-sorry."
"Watch it next time. Space out like that, and you'll get eaten alive here."
Her tone was prickly, but she seemed kind at heart.
And her face... familiar?
"Ugh, damn, she's vicious. Stings first thing in the morning."
Now a guy's voice. A lanky, smirking boy sauntered up.
The girl's face twisted at the sight of him.
"What's that supposed to mean, Kang Yongchan?"
"Just stating facts. Why snap? Hwa Yeonhwa. You scared the kid half to death."
Kid? Me?
Hwa Yeonhwa flinched, glancing my way. She furrowed her brow, then looked aside.
"...Wasn't trying to."
"That's what you get acting all thorny. People hate it. Look at me—always smiling. Be more like that."
"I'd rather die than be like you. Don't talk to me."
Hwa Yeonhwa whipped around and stormed off, sneaking apologetic glances back. Sweet girl, after all.
"Sorry, Hwa Yeonhwa's kinda rough around the edges."
Kang Yongchan sidled up, grinning ear to ear.
"She's the youngest of Hwasung Group, always hounded. Makes her snippy with folks."
Hwasung Group. The massive conglomerate.
My eyes widened. Hwa Yeonhwa of Hwasung Group—A-rank hunter, key side character.
And future member of the main villain group, Axion.
One of the big bads opposing the protagonist. Never thought I'd run into her here.
Watching her go, Kang Yongchan crept closer.
"Me and her go way back. Yongho Trading—Hwasung affiliate. She treats me like a lackey."
I clocked where his eyes lingered. 14 or not, some boys hit puberty early. Not all pure like Han Seojun—some couldn't hide their stares.
"But I've got a bright future."
Kang Yongchan puffed up, gaze blatant.
"Unlike baby sis Hwa Yeonhwa, I'm the eldest—inherit the biz. Plus B-rank hunter."
Hwa Yeonhwa might be prickly but pure-hearted. Kang Yongchan's grin hid rot.
Inferiority mixed with arrogance. Early taste of power as a "young master." Fundamentally twisted.
"Hang with me—you won't lose out. Whaddya say?"
That sleazy smile. No kid's grin.
"One warning."
So I warned him.
"Stay back."
Kriik—
A chilling mechanical whine from somewhere. My puppets wouldn't tolerate threats to their master.
Kang Yongchan froze.
Invisibility cloaking them, but he'd sense multiple presences brushing past.
B-rank, probably. He'd feel something.
Sweat beaded on his forehead. Unseen unease wrapping him.
I wasn't strong myself. Tower grinding, but mana rank still E. Puppets slowed my personal growth—maybe.
But puppets? Different story.
Climbing honed my Puppet Sewing Master skills. They grew.
Thud—
Something long touched his shoulder. He jolted back, cold sweat trickling down his cheek.
I turned away calmly. His grin shattered.
"Fuck."
The curse slipped out. He swept back his hair, scanning—no kids close enough to hear.
"Just talked to a pretty face. What a bitch. Who the hell are you?"
True colors.
Ego bruised, mask off.
"You just made an enemy today. Think Hunter Middle School's different? It's all connections."
He snarled his warning.
"Whatever. Pointless with a clueless brat."
Talked down to by a 14-year-old. Sad.
Ah.
I sensed something and glanced back. Our eyes met; he smirked mockingly.
"What? Regretting ruining your life now?"
"You're the one whose life got ruined."
And Kang Yongchan went flying.
Kwaaaang!
He crashed pitifully into distant bushes. Behind him, the girl who'd flung him with a gesture strode forward confidently.
Sharper eyes than before. Model-long legs and figure. A bold smile unmatched by any.
And zero mercy.
Whoosh!
Kwang!
Extra punishment—lifting him with spatial distortion and slamming him down again.
Classic her: gentle only to me.
"How dare you talk shit about my pet?"
Chaerin, at least call me your best friend.
"Chaerin!"
The youngest S-rank hunter. Yoo Chaerin.
My best friend, after all this time.