Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: A New Beginning (5)
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Receiving the Model Citizen Award was a pretty good opportunity.
Because it was a great chance to publicize Team Seoul City Hall's name far and wide.
Of course, it was clear the current mayor had designs on draping medals around Bang Han-na's and my necks...
'Rather good.'
I actually welcomed the mayor's obvious intentions.
Although the team had been formed incidentally to prepare for the otherworldly invasion, now that I'd taken the producer seat, I planned to put my skills to work and run things properly.
If the mayor wanted to use us, then we could use the mayor right back.
'Good opportunity.'
With that, I was looking forward to the award ceremony in high spirits...
But Bang Han-na, who was set to receive it alongside me, didn't seem to share the feeling.
"Han-na... Is it okay?"
At Han Gyu-ri's worried question, I turned my head slightly to glance at Bang Han-na.
She was squatting in the corner of the gym, taking a break alone. Her utterly limp posture—completely unlike her usual self—made it obvious to anyone that her condition was off.
"Shouldn't we send her back now...? Or at least dial back the training intensity..."
Han Gyu-ri voiced her concern, suggesting Bang Han-na get some proper rest.
"Well..."
This morning, right after learning she'd been selected as an award recipient, Bang Han-na's condition had plummeted.
She seemed intensely tense about receiving the award.
Fully understanding her feelings, I'd suggested easing up on the training or skipping it altogether.
But.
"I'm fine! I can do it...! Let me keep going!"
She'd demanded to train with an almost obsessive fervor, so I'd gone along with her wish and continued.
It was little more than bravado and held no real training value, but I held her fierce determination in high regard, so I had no desire to stop.
"Producer...!"
At Han Gyu-ri's imploring call—as if to say do something—I turned my head back and met her gaze.
Sincerity shone from her worried, furrowed eyes.
'Unexpected.'
Unable to ignore Han Gyu-ri's plea, I averted my eyes slightly and quietly pulled out my phone.
I brought up the weather forecast I'd checked that morning and showed it to her.
"Conveniently, it's supposed to rain tomorrow."
"...Pardon?"
"Let's take the day off."
Today's training ran a little longer than usual.
Because rest was already scheduled for the next day due to rain.
There normally wouldn't have been any breaks this early, but Do Ji-hyeok decided to give Bang Han-na a moment considering her condition—and to give the other two some time, as they were still fumbling hopelessly with their carrier.
"""Thank you for your hard work!"""
With training wrapped up and the gym tidied...
Do Ji-hyeok grabbed Bang Han-na as she trudged out with limp steps.
"Han-na."
"Yes?"
"Let's talk for a sec."
"...?"
The gym stood empty now that everyone had gone.
Bang Han-na, sitting alone at the edge of the platform, was drowning in deep self-loathing.
Not only had she botched training all day, but now she'd been called in for a one-on-one.
For Bang Han-na, already crushed under invisible pressure, it was the perfect storm.
"...Haa..."
Bang Han-na felt immense pressure from the very idea of receiving the award.
Sure, it was for something good she'd done—something she truly deserved—but the thought of her paltry achievements being elevated like that weighed heavily on her.
'I'm not someone who deserves that...'
Ever since the gate incident at Central Square not long ago.
Bang Han-na had harbored an inferiority complex for the first time in her life.
The culprit? None other than Seol Ju-hee.
Having coincidentally been saved by Seol Ju-hee, Bang Han-na had witnessed her overwhelming power firsthand and taken a massive shock.
She'd slammed into a wall for the first time.
At first, Bang Han-na had tried to stay positive and steel herself.
Seol Ju-hee was Seol Ju-hee, and she was herself.
Their abilities were worlds apart from the start—no basis for comparison.
Besides, Seol Ju-hee had debuted years earlier; of course there'd be a gap.
She'd pushed down those negative thoughts with effort...
But once proper team training began, a new pressure descended.
Bang Han-na's family ran a dojo.
Her father was an A-rank hunter who'd made a name as a martial artist; her mother, a B-rank swordswoman.
Growing up playing in the dojo from a young age, Bang Han-na had naturally set her sights on becoming a hunter like her parents.
Thanks to her ability-user folks, she'd made it into the academy—but she'd only awakened at 19, a relatively late age.
But...
The ability she gained? Shield arts, and nothing more.
Utterly unlike her father's karate or her mother's one-handed swordsmanship.
From that point, Bang Han-na had nursed a deep sense of being a half-baked hunter. That's why she'd been over the moon about making Team Seoul City Hall.
Getting picked for the team proved she was a real hunter.
Alas, that joy was short-lived.
"You'll be doing individual training for a while."
Learning she'd train apart from the others hit Bang Han-na hard.
Do Ji-hyeok had taken good care of her, thankfully, letting her shove it down somehow.
But being hailed a model citizen and handed an award for doing nothing? All that pent-up self-loathing and burden erupted at once.
And in that state, she'd botched training and gotten called for a talk...
Her fragile mentality crumbling came as no surprise.
"...Haa..."
As Bang Han-na sank into heavy sighs amid her brooding...
"Got something random from the vending machine. This okay?"
Do Ji-hyeok returned with drinks and handed one over.
"Ah, yes! Thank you..."
Bang Han-na accepted it with her ingrained politeness, and Do Ji-hyeok settled casually beside her before cracking open his can.
Chik─!
The crisp sound echoed through the quiet gym.
After a light sip to wet his throat, Do Ji-hyeok glanced sideways at Bang Han-na.
Her head hung low, like she'd committed some crime...
He watched her in silence for a moment, then turned his gaze to the empty gym and spoke softly.
"Got some worries?"
"...!"
Bang Han-na flinched, then puffed out her chest in forced denial.
"Ah, no! Nothing at all!"
She screamed "problem" to high heaven.
"Yeah?"
Do Ji-hyeok took another sip, set his can aside, and abruptly changed topics.
"Then, wanna hear about someone I know?"
"...Pardon?"
Bang Han-na blinked in confusion at the sudden pivot,
"There was this person prepping for hunter debut once. Big expectations at the academy, offers pouring in from major guilds."
Do Ji-hyeok barreled on.
"But they hated the spotlight. Someone way superior was right there beside them. You know Seol Ju-hee?"
"...?"
Bang Han-na listened quietly, struck by an odd sense of déjà vu as she stared at him.
"Seol Ju-hee was incredible back then. First person I'd seen with that kind of talent and strength. Jealousy, envy... even fear crept in. Like, 'What's the point of trying when a monster like that's around?'"
Bang Han-na caught on.
He was talking about himself.
"But then it hit them."
Do Ji-hyeok turned to meet her eyes.
"Is... this the right way?"
"!"
"Seol Ju-hee was on the opposite lane. Totally different path altogether. Why suffer comparing when our destinations weren't even the same?"
"Ah..."
Bang Han-na got his point right away...
But it didn't really help.
She'd already figured out long ago that pointless comparisons were meaningless.
But...
That wasn't what Do Ji-hyeok was really driving at.
"And after that..., another thought bubbled up. 'Bottom line, my skills are lacking, aren't they?'"
"...!"
Do Ji-hyeok fixed her with a resolute gaze.
Hoping she wouldn't squander time like he had, he pressed on.
"Getting comforted that 'they're not your competition' doesn't change much. It's just an excuse. Settle for that, and you're done—erasing your own starting line with your own feet."
"...Starting line..."
Bang Han-na finally grasped his true intent.
And.
She sensed he was cut from the same cloth as her.
"Bang Han-na. Know why I picked you—a half-baked hunter who can only wield a shield—for this team?"
"......"
"Because you've got talent. And I don't mean just ability potential. I'm talking personality, tendencies—even your ingrained habits."
"...Ta, talent...?"
Hearing she had talent for the first time ever, Bang Han-na flushed beet red in fluster.
She'd never once considered herself talented.
Yet Do Ji-hyeok stated it like plain fact.
"I made Queens—I guarantee it. Bang Han-na, you've got talent. It'll take blood, sweat, and tears, of course..., but you'll carve out a name as a hunter with a one-of-a-kind style."
His words felt like a lover's sweet murmur. Unbidden, Bang Han-na let out a soft sigh as she pictured herself a famed hunter.
A mere fleeting fancy, yet so intoxicating it dizzied her.
Then.
Do Ji-hyeok eased back a bit, his face twisting in dissatisfaction as he started prodding her.
"Han-na. I'm certain it'll happen—that's why your whole curriculum's mapped out. But..., we can't have this already."
"Eut..."
"Gonna be like this down the line too? Botch training, mope over pointless worries, let prime talent rot?"
"Th-that..."
Bang Han-na reeled from his carrot-and-stick onslaught.
"Han-na."
"Y-yes...!"
"This award? It's purely for the good you did. Nothing more. You saved that kid and got them safely back to their mom—that's why."
"...B-but..."
Bang Han-na started to protest that it felt overly glorified for her deed...
But Do Ji-hyeok cut in first.
"If you hadn't saved that kid from the start, they'd be frozen stiff with the goblin horde by now."
"Uh.... That's..."
"You did your job. Now you're getting paid for it. Good deed or bad, consequences come naturally. Right?"
Bang Han-na was speechless.
He was spot on.
Acknowledging it melted the lump in her chest away.
"...You're right..."
Convinced he'd realigned her thinking, Do Ji-hyeok flashed a slight smile.
"Plenty of rough times ahead. I'll be there, of course..., but try not to struggle too hard."
Bang Han-na cautiously shifted her gaze to peer at Do Ji-hyeok.
His gentle eyes made her swallow reflexively as she nodded.
A day's brief rest passed.
Finally, the day of Bang Han-na and Do Ji-hyeok's award ceremony arrived.
To hold onto their No. 1 spot in the hunter rankings, Queens headed out to conquer an S-rank gate.
"Headquarters, everything good?"
[Yes, signal's clear. Camera's connected t—]
While Im A-rin confirmed the link with HQ at the gate entrance, Hong Yu-ra fidgeted uncomfortably with her outfit, frowning faintly.
"My chest feels so off..."
She was wearing gear from the new sponsor after Do Ji-hyeok's departure...
Unlike the old one, this design prioritized looks over comfort, causing subtle irritation.
"Ju-hee. You okay?"
Seol Ju-hee gave only a slight nod, ignoring Hong Yu-ra's question.
She felt the discomfort too but refused to admit the company she'd picked—to wipe out Do Ji-hyeok's traces—was subpar.
"All set!"
Im A-rin announced their readiness then.
Hong Yu-ra let out a short sigh, dissatisfaction lingering, and yanked her sword from the ground.
Seol Ju-hee clenched her fist tight.
"Let's go."
Queens' first conquest since Do Ji-hyeok left began.