Disciple: Baek Jaesung 15
Raphael Murray's father was a famous congressman. His mother was a social activist and lawyer. And he himself was a dungeon hunter. He was the kind of guy most women would consider perfect. At 185cm tall with a striking golden blonde mane, piercing blue eyes, and pale skin, he embodied every cliché of the ideal white guy. Not many people knew this, but even in America—where white people were the most common race—handsome, movie-star white guys like him were rare. Good family, great parents, killer looks, and a solid job. Raphael Murray had the background and skills to dominate both the dating market and the marriage market.
But that didn't matter much to Murray. He already had someone in mind. His childhood friend, Lena Everett. They'd grown up together, their bond starting in the same elementary school class. And he'd fallen for her at first sight. Lena was a blonde white beauty straight out of a movie, right down to her massive breasts. But she wasn't some dumb blonde bombshell. From a young age, she'd boasted superior curves and brains. She had the chops to conquer the marriage market just like him. Murray was convinced no one else could be his match but Lena.
He wanted to win her heart but couldn't bring himself to confess recklessly. Lena was the one woman he couldn't guarantee success with. Suitors were always after her. Yet she'd never accepted a single one. From Murray's perspective—who had his eyes on her—it was a huge relief, but also a worry. She'd turned down confessions from the school's hottest flower boy. From promising star athletes. Even from rich kids who rolled up in limos with personal secretaries. So Murray couldn't boldly declare his feelings. There was no guarantee he wouldn't crash and burn like all the others.
Still, he had zero intention of giving up on her. He decided to play the long game. To capture Lena's heart, he put in relentless effort. He groomed his looks meticulously and paid attention to fashion. His interest in PC culture was even a strategic move to win her over. Back in school, human rights activists were popular with girls. He'd even awakened as a hunter alongside her. Murray firmly believed their connection was fated by heaven. The moment he got his hunter license, he formed a party and invited Lena as his first member. It took time to prepare, but he'd set up a surefire stage. For this confession, he'd splurged over $100,000 on a diamond ring. Custom suit, luxury watch—the works. He'd overprepared to the point where any lingering insecurity was obliterated. He didn't think he'd fail. Not after all this effort. And he sensed Lena harbored feelings for him too.
"Good morning. You two are always eating breakfast together."
Jaesung's voice rang out. Lena and Murray, mid-meal, turned toward the sound. Jaesung approached their table with a beaming grin. His girlfriend—who stuck to him like needle and thread—was nowhere in sight. Their expressions upon seeing Jaesung contrasted sharply. Murray scowled, while Lena lit up with a smile. But Murray missed her reaction entirely.
Jaesung plopped down at their table without asking.
"We're having a private meal here."
Murray said it with obvious irritation dripping from his voice. This Asian guy wasn't all bad, but he was so crass and low-class. Hanging out with him might disappoint Lena. Murray resolved to keep his distance.
"Oh? Am I intruding?"
"It's fine. Sit down. Eating together is more fun."
Lena invited Jaesung to join. With her saying that, Murray couldn't protest further. Lena's too nice for her own good, he thought.
"No sign of your girlfriend today."
"Ah, Sujin? I roughed her up too much last night—she still can't get out of bed. Haha. My stamina's overflowing."
Lena and Murray's faces split again at Jaesung's words. Lena looked thrilled, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she fixed on his mouth. Murray, meanwhile, couldn't wipe the disgust off his face.
"Hmph. I wasn't gonna say anything, but treating a woman like that—or talking about it in front of others—is pretty rude. You might regret that attitude someday."
Murray couldn't hold back. He glanced at Lena as he spoke. Did that sound cool? He regretted his Korean wasn't as flawless as hers.
"Is it? But we're lovers. Isn't this normal?"
Jaesung replied without a hint of annoyance. Lena nodded unconsciously in agreement. Unfortunately, Murray missed it—his eyes were locked on Jaesung.
"I don't know what's 'normal' in Korea, but that attitude gets backlash in modern society."
"What attitude?"
"Treating women carelessly. We're dungeon hunters. We have to embody noblesse oblige and set an example. Because we're the privileged elite. So treat women with more care from now on—unless you want to feed ammo to paparazzi or society page reporters digging into our private lives."
"Hmmm... I'm not the sharpest, so I don't get fancy words like that."
"Then learn. It's not something to brag about if someone who should know doesn't. Our society has too much discrimination and prejudice. The world's full of glass ceilings. Privileged men leer at women disgustingly, crank out the sex industry for profit. Movies, dramas, games, porn... you name it. Society still sees women as tools."
Murray went into a trance, ranting fervently. He missed the pathetic look Jaesung was giving him.
"That's what political correctness is—calling out that abnormality, demanding change. Heard of PC? Women and men, LGBTQ+ and straights, disabled and able-bodied, Black and Asian, Hispanic... All humanity deserves equal respect and treatment, but reality falls short. PC is the shout against that. And the biggest wave is feminism."
Jaesung's mind had only one thought amid Murray's monologue: This guy's a closet feminist creep. I see him sneaking glances at Lena while preaching. What a moron.
To Jaesung, Murray was the classic type who weaponized ideology. It was obvious from how he kept peeking at Lena mid-speech. Even Lena seemed to notice, flashing a wry smile.
I might use women as tools, but this guy's using PC as a tool. I pound pussy and make 'em happy. That's real feminism. Kehkeh!
Jaesung spoke up. "Kinda stifling talk. If a guy and girl love each other, sex is natural, right? No need to drag feminism into it."
"You still lack gender sensitivity. Not that I expected you to get it."
Murray picked up his fork. The salad here was good—the fresh veggie taste, not just the dressing. Jaesung's plate was piled with meat, closer to Lena's side than Murray's.
"I dunno about that stuff. I just like slutty girls. Compatibility in bed's the most important in a relationship."
Murray snorted. "Sex is a means for people, not the goal. I know premarital chastity isn't strict anymore, but promiscuity isn't socially ideal."
"Well... maybe not exactly...?"
Lena chimed in. Murray froze, fork midway to his lettuce. She rarely challenged him like this—especially not on this topic.
"If two people love each other, can't they... you know, do it as much as they want? That's how I see it."
"Right? Right? Plus, sex feels amazing."
"Ah... really? I don't have experience yet, so..."
"L-Lena! Don't seriously talk to this guy! Tch! You don't say vulgar stuff like that to a lady."
"Vulgar? Murray, we're adults. Sex isn't vulgar at our age."
Lena pushed back. Murray sensed the weird vibe in the conversation. Today's Lena was off.
"Ahem...! Maybe. Anyway, no need to talk about that at breakfast."
The mood shifted exactly as Jaesung wanted. To him, Murray and Lena were a mismatched pair from the start. Their values clashed completely. Lena could never be happy with some ascetic guy. Marry one, and she'd divorce for sure.
Of course, Murray's no true ascetic. Total hypocrite. Better to be upfront like me and just fuck women.
The master of lies, Jaesung, saw right through Murray's facade. Pretending to be a gentleman, feminist, chastity advocate—it was all to woo Lena. He'd mistaken her stunning looks for some pure fairy-tale princess and wrapped himself in bullshit to play prince. In a way, their whole connection was tragic.
Am I the prince who ends that tragedy?
In the awkward atmosphere, they finished eating. Jaesung—the last to join—left first, vanishing in a hurry for some "training."
The intruder was gone, but the table still felt cold. Murray was baffled by the lingering weirdness but had nothing to say.
*-*-*
Here it is!
Back in her room after breakfast, Lena dug through her luggage and pulled out one outfit. Most of her clothes prioritized function. The non-practical ones? Just two. One was a custom-tailored suit for formal occasions. The other: a blue slip dress. Silk, falling to below the knees, bought with friends after high school graduation. Side slits showed off her long legs. The plunging neckline boldly exposed her ample cleavage, armpits bare, back open to mid-waist. She'd worn it only a handful of times—at parties with girlfriends. Yet she'd brought it on this workshop. Just in case she might wear it for Murray.
Lena dressed and stood before the mirror. Even she—a woman—saw a sexy beauty with an excited flush staring back.
(Hehe. Not bad, huh?)
It was borderline too revealing. But suddenly, she craved rebellion. Days of watching Jaesung and Sujin's wild antics had stoked a burning desire. She smiled slyly at her reflection, then headed out.
A few American hunters who'd come to study abroad with her whistled.
(Oh, going to seduce someone?)
(Not you, so don't get hopes up.)
(Tch. Too bad. Murray—that goody-goody—probably won't like it.)
(Who knows?)
Lena strolled boldly in her daring outfit. Eyes poured onto her. Some women gossiped in whispers.
"What? Thinks this is a club?"
"Pretty girls like that only think about snagging guys."
Strangely, the backtalk didn't bother Lena. It felt like they were admitting defeat as women. The leisure of the haves.
(Lena!)
Murray's voice. His face was pure bewilderment. She'd anticipated this, but seeing it firsthand was disappointing. Increasingly, he didn't feel like a man to her.
(What's with the outfit? Lose a bet or something?)
(Nope. I wanted to wear it.)
(It's too thin. Everyone's staring.)
(So? They're looking 'cause I'm hot, right? Carlos! Ain't that it?)
The guy called Carlos laughed heartily. (Damn right. How can you not gawk at an angel come to earth?)
Murray ignored him, snapping roughly. (Lena! Don't treat your body so carelessly! It's... too slutty.)
Lena bristled. He had zero intention of complimenting her. If it were that guy... he'd shower her with words that'd thrill her as a woman.
(My body's mine. You don't get to tell me what to do.)
She turned and walked off, craving more stares. She started circling the training center grounds. Murray gaped after her in shock. Carlos patted his back.
(Women are fickle creatures.)