Chapter 64: Half-and-Half Heavenly Demon
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 64: Half-and-Half Heavenly Demon
Unlike usual, she was dressed in the uniform the World Returnee Association wore for official business.
On top of that, Ahyu’s hair was dyed red.
Should I consider this state to be Ahyu, Shin So-ra, or Cheon Hong-ryeon?
It was a new mode for the Heavenly Demon.
“Domi-oppa, did you miss me so much you came running?”
Judging by the way she spoke, though, she seemed to be Ahyu.
“Ahyu, that look…”
“Ah, I’m here for work. For some reason, that Iron-Blooded woman said I could come see you, Domi-oppa, so I rushed right over!”
Ahyu told me with a bright smile.
As she spoke, I looked behind her and saw Ms. Eunhyeon, dressed in a similar uniform of a different color, bow to me before entering the building.
It seemed it was true that Ahyu was here on business.
Watching her, I gestured for Ahyu to lean in.
Ahyu leaned her ear toward me, asking, “What is it? What is it?”
“My ears are sensitive, you know.”
“Stop talking nonsense. If it’s work, is it Girasung?”
Ahyu didn’t answer, nodding instead.
“We’ve confirmed that some of their remnants have infiltrated.”
In that moment, my concern for Eunnamu grew.
“More importantly, is that all you have to say after seeing my cute face for the first time in a while, Domi-oppa?”
“Yua said she’d get us front-row seats for Blackstar’s new song concert.”
“Kyaa! I love it!”
After shouting, Ahyu suddenly caught herself and made a dissatisfied face.
“Not that. Look closely. Is there anything different about me?”
The only thing different I could see was her red hair.
As I stared intently at Ahyu, she met my gaze, then shrank back, her ears starting to turn red.
“O-Okay, that’s enough! If you can’t find it, then stop looking!”
“So what changed?”
“Can’t you tell at a glance? My hair changed.”
It really was her hair.
“Why just the hair color? What about your original form?”
“It’s kind of like a constant combat-ready mode. If I don’t suppress my original form, I cause harm to those around me.”
Saying it wasn’t a pleasant matter, Ahyu twirled a strand of her red hair with her finger.
Seeing this, I patted her head as if to say she was going through a lot, too.
She didn’t seem to mind, as she smiled shyly and enjoyed my touch.
What a cute kid.
“So, are you starting work right away?”
“Nope, the search is the Silver Fox’s job anyway. I’m just going to follow you around, Domi-oppa.”
A ‘search’ meant they hadn’t identified the Girasung member yet.
Could it really be Eunnamu?
“How about it? Isn’t it great? Having a cute girl like me following you around makes you want to show off, right?”
Regardless of my complicated thoughts, Ahyu chattered on cheerfully beside me.
With her looks, I couldn’t deny she was cute.
I wondered how much attention we’d draw if Ahyu, in her returnee uniform, followed me around everywhere.
I had only just barely avoided becoming a celebrity at the academy because of Si-ho and Jo Si-a.
“I don’t mind you following me, but won’t the uniform draw too much attention?”
It was fine now since we were in a secluded spot, but it would be a huge commotion if we went somewhere crowded.
“This is just for show for the academy, so I was going to change anyway. Should I wear that and have a couple look with you, Domi-oppa?”
“If this is a couple look, how many people in here are you connected to?”
It wasn’t like we were all linked by matching collars from some game my dad used to play.
“Anyway, I just need to change clothes, right?”
“It’ll be less conspicuous than the returnee uniform, I guess.”
The academy course was nearing its end, and while the students had gotten to know each other’s faces, there were still nearly 300 of them.
You might know your own classmates, but no one knew every student from the other classes.
‘Though with that red hair, she’ll stand out eventually.’
But since Ahyu was here for work, I couldn’t ask for more than that.
“I’ll go get changed then!”
Seemingly excited to see me after so long, Ahyu scampered off. Watching her go, I checked the time.
Class was about to start.
I figured I should head back too.
‘Today’s class is probably…’
The practical training for defending against hunter-on-hunter crime, I think.
While skills for fighting dimensional entities were important, hunters were still human, and their emotions could run high depending on the situation.
Hunters, whose fear of killing diminishes upon awakening, were more likely than ordinary people to act impulsively when their emotions flared up.
A fight between hunters could easily cause great harm to both sides, so this was a time to learn how to control and protect oneself.
“Baeksan, is the Tower of Revelation the reason so many hunters have aggressive personalities? Like how they become less afraid of dimensional entities.”
“Yes. If a returnee changes based on experiences gained in another world, a hunter changes the instant they awaken.”
Hearing it put that way, it felt like hunters were being treated as something instant.
Like 3-minute curry, beings born the moment they sensed something like aura.
“Then what on earth is the purpose of the Tower of Revelation?”
“Remember how I was blocked on the first day?”
“Don’t tell me that was…?”
“That’s right. The reason for the Tower of Revelation’s existence. That damned tower stopped me from speaking.”
Baeksan clicked his tongue as if he’d already expected this.
Hearing this made me curious.
What reason for its existence was the Tower of Revelation hiding, so much so that it would silence Baeksan?
One thing was certain: judging by Baeksan’s expression, it wasn’t a pleasant reason.
“Will the day come when I find out?”
Hearing my question, Baeksan fell silent.
A complicated emotion flickered in his eyes.
“I’d rather you never have to find out.”
“Why?”
“I regressed because, while I certainly wanted to change the past, it was more important that you didn’t die.”
As he spoke, Baeksan slowly swept his bangs back.
“So much has changed that I figured you’d be in big trouble if I just left you alone, so I’ve been teaching you things, but I never intended to put you, Kang Ha-chan, on the front lines.”
Hearing his words, I could feel that Baeksan had been wrestling with many concerns while teaching me.
Was that what he was thinking about all those times he seemed lost in thought?
“Look at your personality. Even without any powers, you’d jump into a pit of fire to save someone. If you actually have power, I can’t even imagine how far you’d meddle.”
“You make me sound like some kind of selfless saint. I’m not that extreme.”
“How many times do you think you’ve nearly died in less than two months?”
I chose to remain silent.
Ignoring me, Baeksan clicked his tongue and muttered, “I’m worried about the future.”
In the meantime, I arrived at the auditorium where the afternoon class was held.
“Ha-chan.”
Eunnamu, who was already there, waved, and I walked over and sat down.
“Did you meet your friend okay?”
“Yeah, she’ll probably be coming here.”
As I answered, I started to worry if it was okay for Eunnamu and Ahyu to meet.
Whether Eunnamu was with Girasung or not, she was still a returnee hiding her identity.
“It’s time. Instructors, please take attendance.”
The instructors began moving about busily, checking the number of students.
After the attendance check was finished, one instructor walked to the front of the seated students.
“As explained earlier, today we will be conducting practical training for crime prevention. Based on the situations and methods we demonstrated last time, today we will focus more on practical application tailored to each individual.”
All hunters have different abilities.
So it seemed the goal was to learn how to subdue an opponent before a crime occurred, without causing serious injury.
‘On the other hand, couldn’t a criminal use this to their advantage?’
But it would be absurd not to teach self-defense just because of a few bad apples.
“Students, please pair up in groups of two.”
Partners here, too?
“Eunnamu, with me…”
“Student Eunnamu, let’s have a quick chat.”
Just then, an instructor suddenly called Eunnamu over.
She looked at me, and I nodded for her to go ahead.
“Sorry, Ha-chan.”
I watched Eunnamu’s retreating back for a moment, then looked around.
It wasn’t intentional, but since I’d decided to keep a low profile at the academy, I didn’t have anyone to hang out with besides Eunnamu.
It made sense; in my spare time, I was either investing in improving Jo Si-a and Seo-ho’s relationship or training with Baeksan, so I had no time to build other relationships.
As a result, unlike the other students who naturally started pairing up, I was left all alone.
“This suddenly reminds me of my school days.”
I remembered a time in elementary school when a close friend transferred, leaving me without a partner for a while.
Of course, that became meaningless when my sister returned that very same day.
How bittersweet.
“Student Kang Ha-chan, do you not have a partner?”
At some point, an instructor approached me, the only one left alone after everyone else had seemingly paired up.
When I quietly nodded, he asked me to wait a moment and brought someone over.
Apparently, there was one other person without a partner, just like me.
However, upon seeing who it was, both he and I scowled at the same time.
“You F-rank piece of trash.”
The one who spat out a curse as soon as he saw me was none other than Lee Su-ho.
“Why are you here? What about your crew?”
“I lost at rock-paper-scissors.”
Right, his group was two guys and his girlfriend.
He couldn’t very well spar with his girlfriend.
So when the two guys paired up, he was the one left over.
It seemed he didn’t have any friends outside his little group either.
“Should’ve worked on your social skills, huh?”
“What, you bastard? You’re one to talk? You only ever hang out with that Eun-whatever her name is!”
Hearing that, I sank into deep thought.
What relationships have I built since coming to the academy?
There’s Jo Si-a, the Imugi, an active S-rank hunter.
I wonder if there’s anyone else in this academy who has built such a magnificent social circle.