I've Already Made Up My Mind – Class A
Class A. The gathering place at the Korean Hunter Academy for only the top performers of each grade.
The academy, brimming with future leaders who would guide Korea's hunters, was home to students of every stripe. Each class held a total of 100 students—a tiny number compared to the 300 in Class B and Class C. And the atmosphere in Class A at the start of the second semester was utterly unlike anything before.
It wasn't because of the new term. Nor was it from lounging through summer break. It was because, for the first time in history, two students from Class D had rocketed straight up to Class A.
Just a semester ago—barely a month and a half back—they'd been at the bottom of the barrel. Yoo Ara and Lee Hye-ri. Lee Hye-ri made sense, at least. She'd been famous even before enrolling. A supernova with the potential to become an S-rank dealer. An oddball who'd dropped to Class D by stubbornly insisting on tanking. Rumors swirled that she'd claimed first place by ditching tanking and syncing with Baek Han-beom as a dealer.
But it was Yoo Ara who had Class A in an uproar. Last year's repeater, this year's Class D. Sure, her test scores were solid, but everyone chalked it up to the class-specific end-of-month evaluations. Even her first-place finish in the second regular exam? Plenty figured it was just because she'd teamed with Lee Hye-ri and Baek Han-beom.
So the looks thrown her way weren't exactly kind. Especially...
"Fuckin' hell, she gets first on pure luck and now she's in Class A? Korean Academy's gone to shit."
Kwon Jun-hyuk, who'd been stuck in perennial second place behind Baek Han-beom, made no effort to hide his disgust. Kwon Jun-hyuk. This year's hot prospect who'd cleared an A-rank dungeon with the 'Hopan' Guild. Unlike Baek Han-beom, who eyed Cheongwol Guild, he'd had direct ties to Daesung and looked down on the other students with a thick air of superiority. A bit violent, with an ego that terrified his Class A peers.
"You agree, right? Han-beom?"
Unlike the sneering Kwon Jun-hyuk, Baek Han-beom silently watched Yoo Ara. He'd fought alongside her. He knew how strong she was. How immense her potential.
"Dude, why no answer?"
"You think we're close enough for private chit-chat?"
"What?"
"Shut it. Don't ruin the class vibe for no reason. You're an adult—act like it."
"This fucker—?"
Baek Han-beom ignored Kwon Jun-hyuk and approached Yoo Ara. She was radiating a subtle "stay away" aura, but he still needed to build rapport. He had to recruit her for the Cheongwol Guild, where he'd end up.
Right now, I'm the only one who knows her potential.
Broadly speaking, only Lee Hye-ri—who'd been on the same team—and Professor Park Ji-yoon knew. Daesung might be keeping tabs too. But as classmates who could actually get close to her? Just him and Lee Hye-ri. And Lee Hye-ri didn't care for mingling.
Time to rack up points now.
That would make inviting her to Cheongwol later a breeze.
"Ara, long time no see. Uh..."
"Sorry, but can you not today? I'm in a really shit mood."
A chill hit like a north wind. She didn't even glance back. Her gaze was fixed somewhere... diagonally ahead, locked on Lee Hye-ri. Like she was glaring at the enemy who'd murdered her parents.
What the hell?
Back in the first semester, hadn't they been a synced combo? Not sure if they were close, but definitely not enemies. What had turned them so hostile?
Don't crumble, Baek Han-beom. Frontal assault here.
"Ahem, how was your break?"
"Didn't I just tell you to fuck off?"
Baek Han-beom had never been treated like this. He was likability incarnate. Stellar skills, kind personality, dreaming of becoming a hunter who respected everyone—no one spoke to him that way.
"Sorry."
Bowing unconsciously to her charisma, he took a step back.
"Pfft, loser. Got shot down."
Kwon Jun-hyuk's mocking voice rang out, and Baek Han-beom felt his face heat up. Recruiting her would have to wait for another chance.
Yoo Ara was in a foul mood. For one simple reason. Lee Hye-ri had secretly requested private lessons from Teacher Siu.
She'd heard it straight from him. She knew he was talented enough that others would eye him. So she'd thought she could stay calm seeing her. But no.
The instant she spotted Lee Hye-ri's face, her mind conjured images of Kim Siu tutoring her. His hands on her body, guiding mana rotation. Those touches growing more intimate as Lee Hye-ri responded. The atmosphere heating up.
She was pissed. She shouldn't be pissed. Like Lee Hye-ri said, she wasn't anything special to Teacher Siu. So why? Why the hell was she so angry?
That's why she'd iced Baek Han-beom too. The whole world pissed her off.
"Haa."
Still, she had no intention of staying on bad terms with Lee Hye-ri forever. The girl must've been desperate in her own way to seek tutoring.
Should I apologize first...?
But she hadn't done anything wrong.
As her dilemma deepened...
"Nice to see you all. Students."
Professor Park Ji-yoon, instructor for Urban Combat, entered.
"First class of the semester, so we'll do a quick orientation and wrap up. And... some familiar faces."
Their eyes met.
"Yoo Ara, come to my research office after class."
"Yes, got it."
Class began.
"Professor?"
"You're here."
Park Ji-yoon adjusted her glasses, welcoming Yoo Ara.
"Have a seat. Tea?"
"Thank you."
"It's brewed from grass grown in gates, absorbing mana dew. Called manasprow—tastes good, calms the mind."
The tea gleamed a clear blue. One sip of the soft-scented brew, and just as promised, her heart settled.
"Hoo..."
"Something bothering you?"
"A little."
"Related to Hye-ri?"
"Yes."
"Bad enough to strain a friendship. Sounds serious."
"Not sure. Might blow over after a few days of cooling off... Guess I need to figure it out myself."
"Right. You're both adults."
Yoo Ara nodded instead of replying.
"So, why'd you call me?"
"Felt like you should see this."
Park Ji-yoon slid over a paper file folder. At the top: 'Daesung Scout Team 1 Leader Kim Hyun-jeong'.
"What's this?"
"Profile on Kim Hyun-jeong, leader of Daesung's Scout Team 1."
Daesung Scout Team?
"Surprised? A few days ago, Daesung's scouts requested your info be made public."
"D-Daesung?"
"Yes. Korea's biggest guild."
"Why me...?"
"For a scouting report. Your team took first in the second regular exam. Baek Han-beom and Lee Hye-ri were famous already, but not you. And after repeating last year, you went private on your info."
"R-Right..."
She remembered hiding her shameful record.
"They're suspicious you got academy support or faked scores. But also curious about your real strength."
"Me, faking scores? Like I have the money for that... Hell, is that even possible?"
"Not here. The Korean Academy doesn't bend on fairness. Daesung just wants a hook. To peek at the raw gem called Yoo Ara."
"..."
Yoo Ara stared at the file on Kim Hyun-jeong.
"Why give this to me...?"
"They asked me to show you. To let you know they're interested. Academy rules say pass on casting offers to students."
"I see."
"No pressure. With your skills, you don't need Daesung—plenty of good options."
Park Ji-yoon sipped her tea. Yoo Ara kept her hand on her cup, eyes on the profile.
"I'm grateful for the interest, but I've already made up my mind about a place."
"Oh?"
"Yes. So please don't release my info. And this too..."
She set the unopened file down.
"Not even gonna look?"
"No. Feels like it might shake me."
Daesung. Korea's top guild. But she had a promise with Teacher Siu.
Work for our guild for two years.
You're all I have.
You're our guild's number one member.
After two years, I'll let you go, no strings.
She could join Daesung after repaying his grace.
"Knew you'd say that."
Park Ji-yoon smiled.
"Hungry? My treat."
"No, I'm good, Professor. I'll head out."
"Alright...? Shame. Come anytime with worries. We'll meet again soon—I have an offer you might like."
Yoo Ara caught the predatory glint in Park Ji-yoon's eyes.
Wind picking up? Why's it so chilly?
Goosebumps prickled her arms.
San Francisco, USA. After clearing an S-rank dungeon, two mega-guilds sat at the negotiation table over reward distribution. Daesung and Saint.
Saint's reps: Iron Wall Lee Kang-san and inventor genius Diana. Daesung's: Choi Woo-seok, the heir apparent, and his fiancée Shin Seo-ah, the Guardian Star.
The delegations faced off.
"Kang-san oppa, long time."
"If it weren't this meeting, I wouldn't even sit. Shin Seo-ah."
Lee Kang-san bristled at her greeting.
"Rude much? Iron Wall Lee Kang-san, betraying your country for America."
"Executive Choi, harsh words. Betraying the homeland? Hunters aren't soldiers. Don't view us through nationalist lenses."
The room crackled with tension. Lee Kang-san snapped at Shin Seo-ah; Choi Woo-seok Executive ground his teeth in response; Diana fired back in Korean. The talks could collapse any second.
"You knew my beef with Shin Seo-ah, yet put her on the raid team? Explain yourself, Executive."
"What else? Hoping my fiancée reconciles with a rival hunter."
"Oppa, total misunderstanding. I really..."
Lee Kang-san scowled. Being used and oblivious—pathetic. He knew Shin Seo-ah better than anyone. Once like family. Second-gen hunters, sharing an era, partying up to conquer countless gates. Comrades who'd trusted each other with their lives.
She was a fox who exploited men. No—a succubus draining their essence.