Chapter 12
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: AMAZING First Test
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"Is this the place?"
The Hunter Academy was an educational institution equivalent to a university in his past life.
But there was one peculiar thing about it—they divided students into classes.
Most general lectures were conducted in class units.
Originally, classes were assigned based on entrance exam scores...
Drag.
As I opened the door to the classroom and stepped inside, all eyes turned to me.
Whispers about me floated through the air.
"E-rank..."
"Isn't that Kim Si-woo? The guy who passed with just one skillbook?"
"Oh, that bottom-ranker?"
Sneering voices reached my ears.
'The sorrow of being dead last, huh.'
Lower-ranked first-year students were shoved into high-grade classes to boost their motivation.
Boost motivation, my ass.
Just the looks of contempt they got upon entering were enough to crush any will they had.
'It's sad how familiar these stares feel.'
A-1 Class.
The student who was supposed to rank 1,000th—dead last—ended up in A-1 Class.
And since I'd taken that spot, I was in A-1 too.
Amid all this, two gazes stood out from the others.
'Kang Hwa-yeon and Baek A-rin.'
The elite students in A Class were split into A-1 and A-2.
A-1 had Kang Hwa-yeon and Baek A-rin.
A-2 had Lee Seong-hyeon.
No thanks to sharing a class with that regressor who was grinding his teeth at me.
'I don't even want to see that guy's face every day.'
My original plan was to aim for around 800th—safe mid-tier—and take E-Class lessons.
But that wasn't something I could control, so no choice.
I sat down at my assigned seat.
A special spot reserved for the bottom students.
The very back by the window.
'...This is blatant discrimination.'
It was the first day.
I wanted things to pass without incident for now.
But that wasn't going to happen.
To move freely in this A-1 Class going forward, I needed to take some minimal precautions.
The original 1,000th-ranked student ended up dropping out after just two months.
Part of it was failing to keep up with A-Class lessons, but the biggest reason was bullying led by some hulking extra.
'Better to nip any budding trouble in the bud.'
I knew his weakness, so the question was how to warn him naturally.
No problem.
He'd come to me on his own anyway.
Speak of the devil—Baek A-rin approached me right then.
"Thank you so much for the other day. I never imagined we'd meet again like this... Nice to see you."
Baek A-rin smiled at me as she spoke.
"Haha... We're in the same class, so let's keep it casual. I was going to come say hi first, but thanks for coming over."
"Really...? Got it."
Baek A-rin continued a bit awkwardly.
"But why do you keep dodging when I try to set up a meal...?"
"It's not time yet."
"What's with the timing for a meal...?"
As I talked with Baek A-rin, two sharp stares bored into me.
'One's from Kang Hwa-yeon.'
She'd naturally find me grating...
'The other one.'
A massive, gorilla-like bulk was glaring at me.
That was Kwak Du-pal, the guy who'd become a roadblock to my activities.
'Yeah, you'd find me annoying too.'
"Do you know that guy? He's staring over here."
I asked Baek A-rin casually, pretending not to know.
She glanced where I was looking, then let out a long sigh.
"No idea."
At Baek A-rin's words, Kwak Du-pal shot me a dirty look and lumbered over.
"Nice to see you again, Baek A-rin!"
"Don't speak to me so informally. And I don't recall permitting you to get this close."
"What's wrong? We're in the same class now—don't be so cold..."
He was ignoring me completely, acting like I wasn't even there.
Like he wanted to flaunt his connection to Baek A-rin.
"Sorry, but I have no desire to build any friendship with you, nor any interest in chatting."
Kwak Du-pal looked incredulous at Baek A-rin's words and pointed at me.
"You hang out with this loser, but I'm not good enough? That it?"
"Yes."
Clean and concise.
Baek A-rin's default attitude was icy toward anyone she wasn't interested in.
She wasn't so rude as to outright reject friendly approaches, though.
'But not with Du-pal.'
His dumb behavior.
The aimless thug relying solely on his brute strength.
The perfect embodiment of everything Baek A-rin despised.
'Seeing him in person makes him even more repulsive.'
He'd been hounding her since Hunter specialized high school days.
But her iron wall kept him from even a scrap of attention.
And above all...
"Kwak Du-pal... Pfft... heh... hngh..."
I couldn't help but burst out laughing at his name.
I tried.
What can you do—it's funny.
His face twisted in that instant.
"What?"
"S-sorry... hngh..."
The offbeat gag timing hit right here.
Sorry.
I really didn't mean to laugh.
Let's put it in our words.
"You little shit..."
Kwak Du-pal advanced on me, dragging his massive frame like a threat.
His eyes screamed he was going to crush me.
It looked like intimidation,
but honestly, Inferno Clan Leader Kang Young-ho's smile felt more oppressive.
"No... Honestly, it is kinda funny... Kwak Du-pal."
But it really was funny.
Am I the only one?
A few students watching went silent at my words.
"Pfft..."
Even Baek A-rin, who was observing, cracked up.
Baek A-rin, who never showed a proper laugh in front of others, lost it.
If she was laughing, could I really help it?
"You little shit..."
Kwak Du-pal's face flushed red and purple.
He looked ready to deck me right then.
If he actually swung, Kang Hwa-yeon the guardian of justice would probably step in.
'Baek A-rin...'
Baek A-rin was watching, as if gauging how I'd handle it.
Good—watch closely.
Watch how I deal with this gorilla.
"Calm down. Let's not fight among classmates—talk it out."
I smiled and offered peace to Du-pal.
This was gentlemanly conduct.
Manners...
"You little shit. Think you're one of us just 'cause we're in the same class?!"
'Nope.'
I shrugged awkwardly, and Kwak Du-pal let out a disbelieving scoff.
"Intelligence worthy of that shitty skillbook."
Getting called out on intelligence by Du-pal kinda stung.
"Your head doesn't seem to be losing out either, Mr. Du-pal."
Baek A-rin next to me was covering her mouth, laughing.
A few other students looked shocked.
'Looks like Baek A-rin and I share a sense of humor.'
"You little shit..."
Kwak Du-pal grabbed my collar and hoisted me up.
Veins bulged on his neck like I'd touched a raw nerve.
"You're dead today."
He glared murderously, grinning, then clenched a fist to smash my face.
Kang Hwa-yeon frowned, about to stand.
"Mr. Du-pal, you have to keep your promise."
At "promise," his fist froze.
"What?"
"You promised before enrollment. With your father."
I mimed injecting a syringe into my neck.
"Why the hell do you..."
"You really should stop from now on."
Kwak Du-pal went speechless, stunned.
"Now, mind letting go?"
I lightly tapped his arm.
His grip on my collar slackened powerlessly.
Kwak Du-pal's weakness.
Using "Fragment of Purity."
Pretty name, but simply put, it was this world's—this novel's—drug.
Now that I knew, he'd dance in my palm.
"Thank you."
Solving it with words like gentlemen—what could be better?
The students who'd been watching seemed shocked by Kwak Du-pal's behavior.
They exchanged puzzled glances and whispers.
I approached the rigid Kwak Du-pal.
I whispered just loud enough for him.
"Let's make sure our paths don't cross again, Mr. Du-pal."
He just breathed heavily, saying nothing.
"If you get it, nod."
I flashed a satisfied smile and returned to my seat.
Baek A-rin finally smiled and asked me.
"You okay?"
She probably wanted to see my strength firsthand.
Am I crazy?
How was I supposed to beat that gorilla?
Still, her expression suggested moderate satisfaction.
Mr. Du-pal's face looked pretty dark.
Don't feel wronged.
You pointed fingers first at the quiet me.
Delicate souls get hurt.
'You would've messed with me anyway.'
I didn't have time to play along with Kwak Du-pal's future episodes.
'Sorry, but we're skipping them all.'
I smiled at Baek A-rin.
"Good thing Mr. Du-pal accepted my apology."
"That was an apology?"
Just then, an instructor in a crisp suit entered.
"See you later."
Baek A-rin said that and returned to her seat.
The stares that had been on me now focused on the instructor.
"Hello, everyone."
The instructor beamed brightly.
She had the fresh vibe of a newly appointed young teacher.
"I'm Lee Dok-sa. I'll be your instructor for the year."
The instructor smiled radiantly.
This instructor would administer the first Hunter Academy test in Awakening to SSS Hunter Academy.
'In a direction no one could predict.'
Except me, of course.