Hospital Stay

I came to my senses and found myself in a hospital. Fortunately, that bitch must have had a shred of reason left, because my injuries weren't as bad as they could have been—just a one-week recovery prognosis. A light full-body burn? After spending my entire military service raiding dungeons, this was nothing.

Anyway, I ended up ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hospitalized in the military hospital, which delayed my discharge by a week. But every time I recalled Jeon So-young's flushed, beet-red face, I couldn't stop grinning. It was worth the wait.

Plus, being a military hospital made all the difference. With full-body burns like these, a civilian hospital would've cost a fortune. The constant availability of healing awakeners kept it to just one week.

It was a shame Jeon So-young didn't get a harsher punishment... but considering how she'd always acted like she owned the place without repercussions, she probably had some bigwig backing her. Still, hearing she'd been hit with a three-month pay cut and a one-month suspension lifted my spirits a bit.

With the pent-up frustration from dealing with that bitch finally vented, I passed the time pondering what I'd do once I got out—how to make a living in the real world. That's when someone I never expected pushed open the door.

Neatly groomed in true soldier fashion. But her refined features were overshadowed by her ample chest and curvaceous hips—a rare beauty in the army. It was Kang Ji-yoon, my instructor from basic training.

"Huh? Instructor Kang Ji-yoon?"

"Long time no see, Trainee Han Yeoul. Ah, you're not a trainee anymore."

"No worries. Call me whatever's comfortable. I'll be a civilian right after discharge anyway."

Military life really drives home how rare good people like her are. An superior who respects and considers her juniors? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Was she an angel? She was the polar opposite of someone.

"How's your body holding up? I heard Jeon So-young used her ability... You look healthier than expected."

"She didn't completely lose it, so no major injuries. Just some scorched skin."

That bitch, Jeon So-young. Right, that was her name. I'd called her "bitch" or "mongrel" so much that her actual name rarely came to mind anymore.

Still, it was surprising. When I'd called her a "cunt," it felt cathartic, but I half-expected her temper to kill me. She got off lighter than I thought.

"Anyway, just call me casually. I'll be a civilian soon, and you're like my big sis. 'Noona' cool with you?"

"You've gotten cheekier. Hm, fine."

Instructor Kang Ji-yoon—no, Ji-yoon noona—cleared her throat awkwardly and used my name.

"Then I'll call you Yeoul from now on. I've been waiting for the right moment. The second you saw my face, you dropped the formalities and went all casual. Who told you to switch first, you brat?"

"Haha, you didn't mind, so I read the room. About to discharge—time to get bold, right?"

"Yeah, I figured after seeing you stand up to Jeon So-young. Did I mention she's from the same class as me?"

"Wait, really?"

"Yep. Consider yourself lucky. Promotion reviews are coming up, so that's probably why she got off light. Back in training, with her temper? You'd be dead, not hospitalized."

"I calculated that far before swinging. Anyway, you didn't just come to check up on me, right?"

"Brave or reckless... Anyway, brought your discharge papers and got your ability certificate issued early. No need for formal discharge—just head home after checkout. Higher-ups said to handle it to avoid running into Jeon So-young at HQ."

"Discharge papers already? Oh, so I can check out right now?"

"Yeah, you were supposed to discharge today anyway. But take it easy and finish treatment. Could ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠scar later."

No major wounds thanks to the healing officer on day one, but I just nodded in front of her concern.

"Alright, take off your top and turn around so I can check your ability."

"Got it."

I stripped off my top and turned. Her palms pressed against my back.

"Starting."

Mana flowed from her hands into my body, sweeping through me. Like invisible mana hands brushing every inch—an indescribably sensual sensation.

She was our platoon's only info awakener, so every checkup meant enduring that erotic tingle. Weekly in basic, every six months here. I always struggled not to get hard.

She'd explained: Unless it's high-grade info skill or unique ability, physical contact is standard. Low grades make the "being touched" feeling intense; high grades, nothing. Hers wasn't top-tier.

I mentally recited the national anthem to avoid embarrassment when her mana withdrew—the check was done. She stared into space with that familiar look, checking her system window.

"Whew, grown again in six months? Swordsmanship and marksmanship both up a grade. You're in master territory now."

"Wish I'd gotten a unique ability."

"Still, you'll hit 8th-grade hunter easy in civvy street. 3rd-grade skills average? That's respected anywhere. Have some confidence."

"No need to pep-talk, noona. I've accepted it. You know 3rd-grade skills need mana to shine—and even then, just support without combat unique."

Awakener ranks go from 10th to 0th grade—lower number, stronger. "Hunter" just means the job using abilities for it.

Ranks aren't pure power; they're contribution to humanity. Job performance for survival gets you ranked. Many have ranks mismatched to actual strength.

Hunters are the exception—rank matches combat power. High rank means better intel access and perks anyway.

Long story short: 8th-grade hunter wasn't satisfying. My hunter parents were 4th-grade, qualified for the Guardian Tower. To honor them, 8th wasn't enough.

But low mana. No unique. Limits clear. 8th-grade was my hunter ceiling. That's why I'd given up—and why I was mulling civvy life before noona showed.

Planning some other path to 4th-grade or better. No ideas yet, though.

"Sigh."

Frustrating enough for an involuntary sigh.

"Enough sighing. Certificate's done—check it."

A sheet fluttered in her hand, printed with crisp text—her unique ability's effect. She'd said it visualizes memories: hers, others', even objects'. Low-grade, needs contact and conditions.

Higher info awakeners don't stick around bases; they handle tower stuff or secret state admin. Never seen one.

"Just as expected."