Chapter 373
Chapter 373
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 374
Chapter Title: Full Moon Dawn
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A dawn with the full moon hanging in the sky.
I barely shook off the Association's pursuit and only managed to return to the Wizard Academy at 2 a.m.
“...Hoo.”
The moment I stepped through the main gate, a wave of mental fatigue crashed over me.
There wasn't a scrap of strength left in my legs.
［Thanks to the Moon's Grace, my body overflows with power, but I lack the strength to command it—perhaps proof that the mind rules the flesh.］
Letting out a short sigh, I crossed the academy park, which had been decorated for the Taehwi Festival.
Glancing around, I noticed the school's atmosphere had changed dramatically while I'd been out assassinating a demon.
Fancy ornaments adorning the park, banners, promotional posters everywhere.
I stared blankly at one poster stuck to the wall.
[+Taehwi Festival Cultural Arts Contest Schedule+]
[1. Performance Arts Contest]
[2. Creative Mana Cooking Contest]
[3. 「Four Elements」 Play Performance (Lee Seojun, Yoo Ara starring + Kim Seonu)]
Seeing them made the festival feel tantalizingly close.
At the same time, a needless melancholy settled in.
It felt like everyone else was happily enjoying the festival prep, while I alone was desperately fighting for my life.
“......Nah, that's just my imagination.”
Everyone looks happy on the surface, but they've all got their own troubles.
How many people in this world live truly carefree?
Yeah, exactly.
Self-consoling like that, I entered the dorm.
Opening the door, I saw Gretel sprawled out under the dim living room light, sleeping soundly.
The sight brought me some peace, but then I noticed the fruit growing on her head.
“......It's almost ripe.”
The size and color were perfect—ready to pick and eat right now.
According to the Outsider's blessing, it'd be ideal in about three days.
“Can't wait.”
I'd fed her tons of elixirs this time, so the effect should be massively amplified.
On top of that, I'd asked Han Seyeon to turn Gretel's petals into an elixir, so the results should be even better.
“Ungae......”
Just then, Gretel muttered softly and wriggled in her sleep.
I gently stroked her belly while watching her, then took off my top and stood in front of the mirror.
Between my firm muscles, I could see the minor wounds from today's battle.
No major injuries, but this was pretty much the first time I'd accumulated so many on my body.
I could heal them all instantly with Super Regeneration, but with a three-day cooldown, I couldn't do it right now.
No choice—I applied some potion and wrapped the wounds in bandages.
That's when today's events flashed through my mind.
Elina's assassination, my talk with Seonhwa, the clash with the Special Task Force......
“Hmm. Maybe I overdid it a bit.”
Looking back, I'd acted a little impulsively.
Even if Elina's death was crucial, I didn't really need to reveal myself in front of everyone.
Thanks to that, I got the fourth journal and clues about Seonhwa and Haryeong—not a bad outcome......
“The problem's the king.”
Others might not know, but the Demon King—who's aware of the “Child of Prophecy”—probably suspects my identity.
Build, gender, fighting style. And...... nineteen years old.
Put it all together, and it naturally points to Kim Seonu.
Not a huge deal, though.
Even if he targets me, he won't recklessly raid the Wizard Academy, and even if he does, I have no intention of going down easily.
Above all, my plan is to smash the entire Ten Demon Council—including the “King”—before graduation.
“Hope it goes according to plan.”
Yawn......
I let out a massive yawn and flopped onto the sofa.
My eyes drifted shut as sleep overtook me.
That's when it happened.
Ding!
My smart student notebook vibrated on the desk.
What kind of message at this hour?
Too lazy to reach for it, I checked the contents via the Outsider's blessing.
'［Breaking News］ Four Magic Association Special Task Force agents suffer shocking defeat at hands of assailant...... Suspect identified as rumored Demon Hunter.......'
A news alert.
And it was about the mess I'd caused tonight.
Knew it was coming.
I read the article through drooping eyes and fell asleep.
Top floor of the Seoul Magic Association headquarters, Chairman's office.
Kim Jincheol was reviewing a report floating on a hologram.
“......A Demon Hunter, huh.”
The report detailed the demon assassinations that had started one or two years ago, along with info on the suspected perpetrator: the “Demon Hunter.”
The final page mentioned how he'd taken out Elina, then fought the Special Task Force to help another demon escape.
“Impressive.”
Kim Jincheol watched footage shot by a bystander.
A mysterious man in a black hat and mask.
He handled all four Special Task Force agents simultaneously with movements too fluid to believe.
Watching it, Kim Jincheol was genuinely impressed.
How many people in the world could put on that kind of show against the Special Task Force?
And that included their ace, Kim Deokhyeon—known as one of the top wizards in the world.
—Chairman.
A familiar voice came from outside the door.
“Come in.”
The door creaked open, and Kim Deokhyeon entered with a grim expression.
Kim Jincheol gave him a teasing smile.
“Heh. You look awfully relaxed for someone who got humiliated in front of the whole nation.”
Kim Deokhyeon didn't bother replying. He just gave a slight bow.
“So, how was it going up against the infamous Demon Hunter?”
Kim Deokhyeon clamped his mouth shut for a moment before answering.
“He's strong.”
“You think I don't know that? Everyone knows you four got crushed.”
“......If we fight again, we win.”
Kim Jincheol snorted at that.
“Not even one-on-one—you're saying you'll win a four-on-one rematch, just like that?”
Then he continued.
“So, did you figure out his identity? Any guesses?”
“Yes.”
“Who is it?”
“Kim Seonu. Fighting style, build, magic form...... all match him closely. Of course, I can't explain the light attribute or his freakish strength for a nineteen-year-old, but......”
He went on.
“My senses are telling me that.”
“Senses, huh.”
Kim Jincheol chuckled.
Kim Deokhyeon's sharp instincts were legendary within the Association—rarely ever wrong.
“So it really is that kid.”
He nodded, as if he'd half-expected it.
Then he walked to the window and gazed out at the predawn cityscape.
“The more I learn about him, the less sense he makes.”
I'd figured he wasn't ordinary.
And that he was hiding power beyond what he'd shown.
But the strength on display this time was beyond common sense.
“Then why would a guy who's assassinated countless demons go out of his way to protect one this time?”
That was the puzzle for Kim Jincheol.
Up until now, Kim Seonu had been picking off demons hiding among humans.
To the point where it seemed like he had a personal grudge against them as a group.
But today, he'd shielded one.
Even going so far as to tangle with the Special Task Force.
“Chairman.”
As he pondered deeply, Kim Deokhyeon spoke up.
“I think we should sit tight and observe for now.”
Kim Jincheol felt a twinge of surprise.
“I figured you'd insist on launching an investigation right away. Didn't expect this.”
Kim Deokhyeon recalled the scene.
The black-hatted man he suspected—no, was certain—was Kim Seonu.
There had been zero killing intent in his attacks on the Special Task Force.
Proof that he hadn't been out to kill them, but had ended up clashing for some other reason.
“Kim Seonu had no intention of killing us. He probably had another goal—we need to figure out what it was.”
“I agree.”
Kim Seonu would resurface, still hiding his identity.
To uncover his true objective, laying out some bait wasn't a bad idea.
Early morning.
I woke up to a flood of messages.
[Someone feels deep hatred toward you.]
[Reward: 3,000 points acquired.]
[A major shift in the future has been detected.]
[Karma increases by 1.0.]
Deep hatred aimed at me.
Obvious who.
The Demon King, convinced I'm the “Child of Prophecy.” Losing six of his Ten Demon Council members to me must have him raging.
It was the expected development, so I dismissed the messages and hauled myself off the sofa.
“Ugh.”
The moment I moved, my whole body screamed in agony.
I'd used three times my normal strength, so it was unavoidable...... but this was bad.
My muscles were trembling so much I could barely walk.
“Guess I can't go all out relying solely on the Moon's Grace.”
“Ungae.”
Gretel chirped up at me, as if worried.
I smiled faintly down at her.
“Worried about me, Gretel?”
“Ungae.”
She nodded.
I smiled softly, met her gaze, and stroked her back.
“I'm fine, so don't worry.”
With that, I gave myself a quick wash and shifted my Muhyoui into uniform form.
“Alright, Gretel, I'm off. Be good and play by yourself.”
“Ungae.”
Then I headed to class.
A vast blue sky, crisp early-winter morning air.
Students chattering noisily on their way to school......
Taking in the familiar scenery, I suddenly sensed someone beside me.
At the same time, a hand grabbed my arm and yanked me to a stop.
I turned to see Yun Hayoung looking up at me with uncharacteristically serious eyes.
“Yun Hayoung?”
She stared straight at my face before grabbing my arm.
“We need to talk. Now.”
With that, she dragged me into a back alley.
Once we reached the deserted spot, Yun Hayoung looked up at me and said,
“Seonu. What the hell happened last night?”
As expected from someone who knew my secret—she'd figured it out.
I shrugged like it was no big deal.
“What else? Just the usual demon assassination.”
“Then why'd you fight the Special Task Force? You should've just taken out the demon.”
She pulled out her smart student notebook and shoved it in my face.
“Here, look at this.”
The screen showed an article about last night's incident.
「Demon Hunter Makes First Appearance: Blocks Special Task Force Agents to Aid Demon's Escape...... Association Launches Investigation.」
“The Association's going nuts trying to find you right now.”
I stared blankly at the news.
“Yeah, looks like it.”
“......That's all you have to say?”
Yun Hayoung gawked at me in disbelief.
“I'll deal with it.”
It was the situation I'd anticipated.
And the Special Task Force had probably pinpointed my identity by now.
But if my hunch was right, they wouldn't move on me immediately.
Given Kim Jincheol's cautious nature, he'd opt to watch and wait.
“But that's not the only issue. Check the comments—people are talking about you.”
“......Huh?”
Following her lead, I scrolled through the comments.
［Watched that fight vid—kinda reminds me of Kim Seonu. Am I the only one?］
1_［Whoa, felt familiar, and yeah, I see it now］
i-［But that skill level? No way it's a 19-year-old. Probably not Kim Seonu］
i［Kim Seonu's master maybe? No way that kid's self-taught.］
What the hell is this.