Suddenly Asking for My Number
I couldn't help but be taken aback by the sudden request for my number. I mean, logically speaking, weren't these the same kids I'd just laid out and rifled through their wallets? And it seemed I wasn't the only one thinking that.
"Hey, Han Jiyeon, are you nuts? What number?!"
Ki Minho exploded at the girl, Han Jiyeon, but she just smirked as if telling him to calm down.
"You idiots. Our faces and what we did are all exposed—think we're just gonna bolt? While waiting for the Awakener specialist cops?"
Only then did the others show expressions of realization. Han Jiyeon turned back to me with a bright smile.
"If we get nabbed by the cops, we're in deep shit~ So, what's it gonna be? Give us your number and we'll quietly go our ways, or... as much as it pains me..."
"...we'll make you regret it properly?"
This was getting interesting. Handing over personal info to keep them from snitching to the police? As I pondered, the kid from the back changed his attitude too, shoving his hands in his pockets and sauntering over.
"Hey, mister. Kids these days got some attitude, y'know?"
Whether he meant it as a threat, he poked my chest a couple times. Yeah, what was there to ponder? They were just acting on their personalities.
"Funny, 'cause that's what got them where they are today."
For moments like this, I'd prepared the Calione secret tool! I reached into the cube, pulled out the shotgun, and jammed the barrel under his chin.
"Here. This is the 'attitude adjuster.' How's it feel? Helpful, right?"
"Mister, what the— EEEK?!"
The guy flinched at the massive gun suddenly under his chin. The others looked rattled by the shotgun's appearance too, but with their buddy's head in the crosshairs, they weren't dumb enough to rush in.
Shotguns really are universally loved.
"W-wait a sec, oppa. What kinda person are you?"
Her voice trembled, a far cry from the sultry tone moments ago. See? Shotguns make great conversation starters. Works on everyone, men, women, young, old. The kids who'd shown zero curiosity about me earlier were now dying to know who I was.
"Oh, haven't introduced myself yet?"
We'll be seeing a lot of each other, so a quick intro was in order.
"I'm Han Yujin. Starting today, I'm your mentor from Seoul Hero Academy. Nice to meet you, mentees."
I flashed my best smile for a strong first impression.
"So, shall we continue our chat?"
Jigeul Middle School's counseling room. Three kids sat ramrod straight, looking uncomfortable.
"You look stiff. Relax a bit—it's fine."
Since this was just a preliminary visit, I set the shotgun aside and spoke kindly. Unlike Jinwoo, I wasn't the type to just yap endlessly.
The boy glanced up at me.
"If you're an academy mentor, does that mean we're getting that rehabilitation program or whatever?"
Ki Minho, if memory served—the one on his third round of it, per the records.
"You know your stuff. So you can guess why you're in the program, right?"
The reason they hadn't reformed after multiple stints was obvious.
"Aren't mentors supposed to not shove guns in their mentees' faces and threaten them?"
Ki Minho switched tactics in a flash, grinning like he'd caught me red-handed. Right—this damn country's education system. They send Awakeners for rehabilitation but tie their hands on real discipline... so the kids had been turning the tables, exploiting their student status to blackmail mentors.
Point system and all that.
"Mentors shouldn't do that. Right, guys?"
"Yeah! A shotgun's too much!"
"A hot oppa with a gun? Kinda cool."
The last one felt off, but anyway. The others grinned like they'd scored points too, but did they think I'd come unprepared?
"Why not? Feels fine to me."
Clang—something gold clattered loudly to the floor beneath them.
"Know what that is?"
"...Sheriff badge?"
Ki Minho muttered, recognizing it. No special powers or buffs—just proof that the bearer was a civilian aiding law enforcement under the government police. A mark allowing quick intervention at crime scenes for Awakeners.
"Good eye. As you know, it gives authority to handle things before cops arrive."
And holders get police-equivalent powers in certain situations. Not hard to get one—right person in my circle.
'Jeong Ui-hoon, gimme a sheriff badge.''You crazy? Those go to famous guild leaders and heroes—why you? Make your own at the station.''We bet, remember? Loser grants winner's wish. Hand it over!''Ugh! Can't just hand out stuff like—''Asking nicely, huh?''...Damn it.'
The benefit? In various domestic situations, I could do whatever the hell I wanted.
Meaning...
"You just now were in a position where even if I shot you, you couldn't complain. Got it?"
"...Shit. Stepped in it."
Ki Minho chewed his lip, realizing the bind, while Kim Hyun-su next to him looked blankly confused. One kid, though, was smiling.
"So you're our mentor, oppa?"
She crossed her legs, twirling her hair, tension eased.
"Weird for mentees not to have their mentor's number, right? Gimme yours!"
Still on about the number... Persistent one. Since I'd have to give it for the program anyway, I took her flashy, bedazzled phone and punched it in.
"There. Only call if something's up—no boredom texts. Give it to the others too."
"Yay! Got it~"
She hugged the phone, beaming as she returned to her seat. Once they were all settled, I continued.
"Now that I'm your mentor, here's the simple rules you gotta follow."
1. Attend school—no exceptions. If I hear you skipped, I'll come get you myself.
2. No causing trouble. If I hear you did, I'll come get you myself.
3. Contact me immediately if I need you.
"Simple, right? Just three rules, and no headaches."
Anyone hearing might doubt it'd work, but I was confident. They would cause trouble—I knew it.
"First day, so let's do intros. Who wants to start?"
"Me me~!"
Han Jiyeon shot her hand up. Standing, she grinned through her intro.
"I'm Han Jiyeon, from Bucheon. Hate whiners, spicy food, and cops! Love handsome guys!"
She blushed at the end, fishing for compliments—I ignored it. She glanced at Ki Minho next, but he sat arms crossed, glaring like a standoff.
"Hey, your turn."
Han Jiyeon nudged him; with a sigh, he stood.
"Ki Minho."
Sat right back down. Last one stood promptly, as if his turn was obvious.
"K-Kim Hyun-su. Like fighting, hate losing fights."
Probably the one with the most assault priors. Character starting to click.
"Mentor oppa~ Your turn? We all did ours~"
Han Jiyeon prompted now that they were done. I stowed the shotgun and spoke.
"Han Yujin. Calione family mafioso."
"...?"
"...Huh."
"...Eh?"
Their faces drained pale instantly.
"Kidding. First-year at Seoul Hero Academy."
They relaxed at "kidding," but those reactions gave me intel.
1. Their organization wasn't tied to Calione. If it was, they'd be surprised or glad, not scared.
2. It might fear Calione. Few capital orgs had bad blood with us—narrowed suspects big time.
3. They'd ultimately follow strength.
Perfect roadmap for handling them.
"Looking forward to working with you."
Hoping for a meaningful week, I wrapped my intro.
...Crushed with connections, huh. A Jamsil local wouldn't ignore the Jamsil king, Lottie. If my mentor called her that, I'd bow and pledge loyalty too.
Nothing major today.
No way they'd be dead.
We parted on great terms—see you smiling tomorrow, all that. So...
A strange sense of déjà vu washed over me.