First Mentoring Success
“Kid. You didn’t go for the head after all—good call. If we were handing him over to the Association for ID confirmation, we’d need to keep it intact.”
Gwak Chunsik, having watched the elusive villain crumple from afar, approached and gave the body a quick once-over, his face twisting in a grimace.
“Well, damn... You forcibly compressed your aura to generate a counterforce, huh? His insides are just pulverized mush now.”
“I had no idea it’d be this devastating. I was just trying to clump it like you do, sir, and... this happened.”
“Hah... Counterforce is power too, so not a bad instinct. Anyway, what’s your plan for the corpse?”
Association staff were still inside the dungeon. They’d finish scouting soon and emerge. If they saw this body and me standing over it, they might peg me as the murderer who took out one of their own.
That is, if I were alone.
“I’ll handle explaining to the Association guys. You just stay put.”
“...You will, sir?”
Gwak Chunsik smirked at my surprise.
“With my tenure in the Association, covering for my mentee’s cleanup is the least I can do. Stick behind me and keep quiet.”
Was he like a senior executive there? Coming from someone like Gwak Chunsik, it was easy to trust.
“You took down the villain too, so I’ll make sure you get proper credit and rewards.”
“Ah, no need for that. Just say I was helping you out, sir.”
“Huh?”
“This wasn’t just any villain—it was the elusive phantom. Credit it to you, and maybe your brother’s sentence gets lightened? Plus, any scrutiny on me shifts your way.”
“True... but won’t that cut your rewards short?”
“I’m fine.”
I’d already claimed mine.
Hunting the Elusive Phantom Villain
🎯 Objective: You’ve successfully hunted your first villain with overwhelming dominance. As a hitman who catches villains, you’ll grow even stronger!
Reward: Trait 【Hitman】 Enhanced
Checking my status window, I saw new details added to 【Hitman】.
A trait turned full anti-villain weapon. The advantages against villains were insane—especially in this scenario-heavy world. I couldn’t help but grin.
“Wh-what the hell happened here?!”
Just then, staff emerged from the dungeon, gaping at the surroundings. Perfect timing.
“Sir, I’ll leave it to you.”
I flashed Gwak Chunsik a smile and slipped behind him. Let the higher-up handle the hassle, right?
He sighed at my move but turned to the staff.
“This guy jumped me and my disciple outta nowhere. We took him down together.”
“...Pardon? He attacked you and your disciple, sir?”
Gwak Chunsik nodded.
“Even claimed to be the ‘elusive phantom.’ Cross-check with the Association database, and who knows what’ll pop up.”
“Th-this was the elusive phantom?! No way...”
With a figure like Gwak Chunsik vouching, no one batted an eye.
“We’ll take the body to HQ for investigation and follow up, as per your account, sir.”
“Yeah, yeah. Good work.”
The staff touched the corpse, and it vanished in a blink—into sub-space storage. I’d guessed as much when materials went missing on exit. They carried enchanted gear, huh.
They bowed and dashed down the mountain. Watching them go, Gwak Chunsik turned homeward.
“No teleporter to hitch a ride, so I’ll hoof it back.”
“Heading straight home?”
“Where else, kid? Gotta rework Aura Style for you before I crash.”
“That complicated?”
“You want my exact methods? Our auras differ, so it needs customizing. Plus, plotting your training regimen—mountains of work.”
He clutched his head, trudging off.
“Don’t come for three days. Didn’t think I’d be studying again at my age... ugh...”
Gwak Chunsik faded into the distance. Reworking Aura Style just for me? Made sense—he was itching to nurture after my named-grade villain solo.
An academy kid like me dropping a big baddie? He had to be buzzing with potential visions.
The sun dipped toward the ridge. Evening approached.
“...Time to head home.”
First mentoring? Solid pass.
Family dinner.
Humans adapt, huh? The once-awkward family table felt normal now. Just a hearty spread these days.
Chatting daily updates meant fun tidbits and insider info flew freely.
“How’s old man Gwak Chunsik? Doing well?”
Father asked mid-bite. He’d know—I borrowed the family chopper for Gangwon-do.
“Yes. Sharp but warm-hearted.”
“Haha! Same as ever. Back in my youth, he begged me to take him as disciple. Hero Association and Calione ties were rocky then, so not much mingling.”
The geezer actually asked Dad? Guess he skipped details to avoid embarrassment.
“Still... you learning from him fulfills his wish indirectly. Good on ya. Heh.”
Sensing regret in his tone, I jumped in.
“I’m only learning Aura Style from him. He said my aura mirrors yours. If you’re okay, Father, I’d love your guidance too.”
“Hahaha! Music to my ears. Sure, when schedules ease up.”
“Yes, Father.”
Peak bloodline event. My in-game mentors: underworld emperor, top assassin, aura master. Lineup fit for a king. Only Calione blood and talent made it possible.
“Papa! Jiyoon wanna learn too! Hiyah! Hiyah!”
Jiyoon, miffed at our duo chat, climbed her chair and shadowboxed fiercely. Self-defense lessons showed—powerful for tiny arms. But from her? Pure adorable.
“Hahaha! Alright, Papa’ll teach our Jiyoon. Good form, good!”
“Jiyoon good?”
“The best—who’s your daddy? World’s strongest soon! Haha!”
“World Strongest Jiyoon! Yay!”
Daydreaming supremacy already? She plopped down giggling.
Father beamed, then slyly eyed me.
“So, mentoring with him ongoing?”
“Yes. Academy allows three weekly skips for mentor sessions, so I’ll max it.”
Mentored students got three absences. Clubs limited it, but I’d hit Gangwon-do whenever he called. Chopper rides, or Ji Suhyun teleports—for a small fee.
“I’ll tell Parnello—copters are yours.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, and.”
Father paused, idea striking.
“Bring him to the mansion sometime.”
“Gwak Chunsik, sir?”
He nodded.
“Your mentor, and our history’s decent. Chat over tea wouldn’t hurt. Thoughts?”
Hero Association-Calione relations were fine now. Shared past meant low drama risk. But most thrilling...
Asia’s aura titans conversing? Must-see gamer event!
“Yes. I’ll ask him.”
“If he’s uncomfortable, no pressure.”
“Got it.”
Satisfied smile from Father.
“Alright, finish up. Jiyoon, dinner time?”
“Yesss!”
Not set in stone, but imagining them: red-aura Vito Calione, blue-aura Gwak Chunsik. Aura fans would weep. My exclusive viewing privilege.
Jealous? Possess into the game yourselves.