Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 041
Chapter Title: Kang Ha-neul (2)
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Kang Ha-neul was a tragic character blessed with exceptional talent but doomed by her own obsessions and stubbornness.
She was a first-year, Class 1 freshman just like the protagonist. That alone meant her basic qualifications were already proven.
On top of that, her superpower, the Avatar ability, was overwhelmingly powerful, unmatched by any other.
The Avatar ability allowed her to manifest a human-shaped avatar from an image in her mind, then control it remotely or overlay it directly onto her body.
Avatars fundamentally possessed superior physical abilities, and overlaying one amplified the user's physical stats. Moreover, each manifested avatar came with its own unique superpower depending on its form.
According to the original story, Kang Ha-neul could grant her avatars three superpowers: ignition, acceleration, and clairvoyance.
In other words, her Avatar ability combined five superpowers: physical enhancement, transformation, ignition, acceleration, and clairvoyance.
While superhumans were typically born with just one superpower, that didn't mean it had only a single effect. There were plenty of compound abilities, like spewing fire from one hand and ice from the other. Yet Kang Ha-neul's Avatar ability stood out even among those as utterly unparalleled.
In terms of raw talent alone, she was on par with a lead character.
However, as mentioned earlier, her obsessions and stubbornness led her to be used as a one-off villain. She challenged Han Gyeo-ul relying solely on her talent, lost, and fell into depravity, her sky-high pride shattered.
"What kind of student was Kang Ha-neul?"
In a world where most superhumans harbored a sense of chosen superiority, Kang Ha-neul's ego was especially strong. She exuded confidence in her demeanor, acted without hesitation, and never doubted her own beliefs. That was Kang Ha-neul from the original story.
"My overall impression was that she seemed quiet and timid."
But Han Gyeo-ul's answer was completely different from what I'd expected.
"Quiet? Timid? You're talking about Kang Ha-neul?"
"Yes. She didn't talk much and had no strong opinions of her own. Even in group activities, she never offered any input and just went along with whatever I or the others suggested. She came across as someone trying to blend in without standing out—nothing particularly memorable about her."
It was night-and-day different. I wondered if the Kang Ha-neul Han Gyeo-ul was describing was really the same one I knew. Had there been another change from the original story?
"Oh, come to think of it, there was one time when we were alone and she asked me a pretty rude question."
"What was it?"
"Why someone like a major corporation heir would bother becoming a hunter. Why not live a safe, stable life that's already guaranteed? Aren't you scared of getting hurt in fights...? She went on at length, but it was something like that. Ha, what a joke."
Han Gyeo-ul sipped her coffee with a displeased expression.
"A stable life? Don't make me laugh. I've got four siblings fighting me for the heir position. And beyond family, there are dozens, hundreds of hyenas in the company eyeing the control. To survive in that and seize the throne, I need my own power. And luckily, I was born a superhuman."
Han Gyeo-ul hadn't entered Green House just to become a hunter. For her, it was a cradle to build strength against rivals and a place to forge connections that would aid her in the future power struggle.
"And what was that? Scared of getting hurt in fights? I've overcome that pathetic fear long ago. The life I've lived so far doesn't allow for half-hearted resolve."
Han Gyeo-ul's life had been far from easy. As the heir to Korea's top corporation, she was a target for every crime, and even within the group—family included—everyone waited for a chance to stab each other in the back. As she said, it was a life no ordinary determination could endure.
So of course she'd be annoyed by questions about a "stable heir life" or "fear of fighting" from someone like that.
"The fact that she asked something like that suggests Kang Ha-neul was afraid of fighting as a hunter. People usually ask questions like that hoping for empathy."
Ryu Tae-hyun's opinion made sense. It made sense, but I couldn't help tilting my head.
'Kang Ha-neul wasn't that kind of character. Not timid, not quiet, not cowardly. She was supposed to be an arrogant, self-important type...'
"So it's settled! She dropped out because she's a coward. Right?"
"It's not that simple."
I shook my head at Chae So-yeon's question.
"What's so complicated about it?"
"If she was just scared of fighting, she didn't need to drop out entirely. Green House's curriculum offers options beyond aspiring hunter training."
"Like the military or police?"
"Superhumans don't have to pursue combat jobs. There are desk jobs at the Hunter Association, civil servant positions in superhuman government agencies, or if she's academic-inclined, teaching or research in related fields."
Take Lee Young-han, the victim from the last incident—she was a Green House student aiming for research.
Superhumans weren't obligated to fight with their bodies.
"No matter what, a Green House diploma is a huge merit for any superhuman job. Dropping out despite that means..."
"She's leaving superhuman society altogether. Isn't that it?"
I nodded at Ryu Tae-hyun's words. That was my thought too, though I didn't know why Kang Ha-neul felt that way.
"...By the way, I've been wondering since earlier. Why is the security force so invested in one dropout student?"
"That's..."
"Because we're going to stop her from dropping out!"
"Stop her dropout?"
'What the hell.'
How could she just blurt that out? What if Han Gyeo-ul asked why we had to stop it?
"Isn't that a total waste of time?"
But contrary to my worries, Han Gyeo-ul didn't press on our reasons.
"Someone dropping out because they're scared of fighting? A loser drowned in defeatism like that won't change no matter what outsiders say, unless they overcome it themselves. Even if you convince her not to drop out, with that spineless mindset, she'll just write another resignation the moment she's scared again. Obvious."
A sharp analysis worthy of Han Gyeo-ul. As I admired that, Ryu Tae-hyun, sitting beside her, gave her an odd smile.
"...Why that look?"
"Nothing. Just wondering if our Han Gyeo-ul overcame the defeat from losing to me."
"Pardon?"
A flicker of confusion crossed Han Gyeo-ul's face.
Then it flushed bright red.
"Th-that defeat? Of course I overcame it! I never even felt defeated in the first place! Besides, I clearly won our spar the day before yesterday!"
"And I won yesterday's. Overall record: 4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss for me."
"Those were just casual spars without a ref! The ranking matches start this week—that's the real deal! I won't lose then!"
"Still top-student, so you'll start at #1. Hold that spot. I'll be there soon."
"'Be there'? I'll crush you every time you climb up!"
She pointed accusingly, then suddenly glanced our way. Her face reddened even more.
"...Ten minutes are up. I'm leaving."
With that, Han Gyeo-ul spun on her heel and stormed off. Watching her fondly, Ryu Tae-hyun asked me,
"Why the fond look, hyung?"
"Just..."
I chuckled awkwardly, dodging the question. I couldn't exactly say I was thrilled to see a living, breathing favorite heroine from the novel.
This world was fictional, these people characters.
I'd tried not to get emotional, but seeing her move and talk alive made me happy anyway.
"But is it okay just letting her go like that?"
"Yeah. We got what we needed. Thanks for setting this up."
"No problem. Anytime you need help, just say the word."
I smiled back at Ryu Tae-hyun's friendly grin. He looked just like in the novel too.
After settling the bill and leaving the cafe, parting with Ryu Tae-hyun, Chae So-yeon grumbled with pursed lips.
"I didn't like that girl earlier."
"Who? Ryu Tae-hyun?"
"No, that Han Gyeo-ul chick."
Her reaction was understandable. Unlike me, who knew the real Han Gyeo-ul, to her, she just seemed like an arrogant chaebol missy.
"First impressions aside, befriending her wouldn't hurt. Become her bestie, and life gets easier?"
"Heh. Pass. So what if she's a corporate heir? Just a kid with money. Not everything's solved with cash."
Chae So-yeon shook her head with a smug laugh, trying to seem mature. To me, it was laughable.
"Someone like Han Gyeo-ul could solve most problems with money, though."
"How big a deal is her company? Hanseong Group heiress or something?"
"Yeah."
"Huh?"
Chae So-yeon's face froze.
"...Hanseong Group? The one I know?"
"Yep. That Hanseong Group heir."
"...Daughter of a subsidiary president?"
"No. Second granddaughter of Chairman Han Geon-woo."
"F-for real???"
I nodded slightly at her incredulous stare.
Chae So-yeon's dazed gaze drifted far off toward where Han Gyeo-ul had left. Naturally, she was long gone.
Turning back, Chae So-yeon looked up at me. Anxiety swirled in her trembling eyes.
I got why she reacted like that. Hanseong Group was a top global megacorp, and Chairman Han Geon-woo's domestic status was like a king of Korea, exaggerating a bit.
In other words, she'd just bickered with the king's granddaughter. In Joseon times, that'd be treason, wiping out three generations.
Of course, it's not Joseon now, and she won't face extreme punishment. But the pressure she felt wouldn't be any less.
"...What do I do now?"
Chae So-yeon asked in a quivering voice.
"Ah!"
The next moment, her eyes widened round.
"W-what if the company starts retaliating against me now?!"
Han Gyeo-ul's personality made that unlikely, but Chae So-yeon was spiraling into panic on her own.
"This is bad...! My phone's Hanseong Electronics, car Hanseong Motors, insurance Hanseong Insurance...!"
Hanseong Group's reach proved its dominance—already deep in her life. If they really targeted her, her world would crumble instantly.
"Hic, hngh!"
Of course, that'd never happen. Never, yet in her mind, she was already homeless, losing house and car.
"Hweeeeng..."
Tears welled huge in her eyes. Sighing, I pulled out my phone. She looked at me like I'd found her salvation.
"Hic! C-calling her to beg for mercy...?"
"No, someone else."
"Hweeeeng..."
"Quit whining. Han Gyeo-ul isn't petty enough to retaliate over that."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. Really."
She sniffled, swallowing snot. Turning away from the gross sight, I held the phone to my ear.
"Th-then who're you calling?"
"We've got a rough idea on her dropout reason. Time to meet her directly."
The dry tone cut off, replaced by a woman's sunken voice.
-Hello...?
"This is Ahn Su-ho from the Academy Security Force's Special Countermeasures Division. Is this Kang Ha-neul?"
-Yes, that's me..., Security Force? Green House has a security force?
She mumbled drowsily, like just woken. It was past 3 PM—had she really slept in?
"Yes, Green House Security Force. I have urgent business regarding your dropout. Could we meet?"
A gulp came through the line. Dry silence followed briefly.
-Okay. I don't know why security cares about my dropout, but if you have something to say, we should meet.
I smiled at her acceptance.
"Thank you for cooperating. Shall I come to you, or...?"
-...No. I'll come to Green House.
"Got it. When?"
-...Right now. Takes about an hour.
"Understood. I'll wait at State Cafe next to N Building on campus."
-...Fine.
Kang Ha-neul sounded sleepy throughout. No trace of the original's confidence or pride. Maybe just groggy, but...
'Guess I'll find out when we meet.'
Hanging up, I took the rubbing-her-eyes Chae So-yeon back into the cafe.