Job-Hunting Dad (3)
It's worth reiterating, but this is a world inside a novel. I've already lived longer than my previous life before reincarnation, so it's hard to even distinguish anymore...
The original story is about to begin.
A thrill welled up inside me as the timeline drew closer to the original story's start. Of course, anxiety came with it.
For one, since this was the world of a novel, endless dangers lurked everywhere. I'd even debated not sending Ji-ah to the academy.
But didn't they say the eye of the storm is the calmest? As the story progresses into its mid-to-late stages, ordinary citizens outside the academy suffer massive casualties. Even if I do nothing, as long as things follow the original plot, we'll get through it unscathed.
Still... the academy is the safest place. That's why I'm job-hunting too.
Lee Yoo-seong, the Seoul housewife, is far less safe than Lee Yoo-seong, the academy janitor.
And so, they say ten years can change mountains and rivers. I've let twenty years pass before finally making contact.
When was it...?
Right. It was twenty years ago. I dialed the number still saved in my smartphone.
"...It'll be fine, right?"
I'd lived without even a courtesy call. ...To make a small excuse, she never reached out either, so we're even?
Lunchtime had passed. She might be working... in which case, she probably won't pick up.
Fortunately—or maybe not—there was hesitation, but once I hit dial, my senior didn't feel intimidating. Just an academy senior.
...That's what I had to tell myself to even make the call.
"Here goes!"
I just called. Ah, I actually pressed it.
Emergency, emergency.
The real emergency was that she picked up after just two rings.
[...Hello?]
"G-Ga-young senior... long time no see."
[Yoo-seong junior...?]
"Y-Yes..."
Agh, my voice is shaking. It's been so long—this is rude. I know that, but...
I wanted to be an academy janitor. I could see Ji-ah occasionally, and keep an eye on whether the story unfolds as it should.
"U-Um... do you have any openings?"
I blurted it out. I knew this wasn't the right order, but twenty years of hikikomori life made me forget the steps.
"E-Even janitor is fine..."
[Sure, sure. We've got a spot. Of course we do.]
"R-Really?"
[Of course. There's just the perfect job for our Yoo-seong junior.]
"Th-Thank you. Thanks, Ga-young senior."
[...Can you come to the academy now?]
"...Yes! I'll head right over. Takes about thirty minutes."
The call wrapped up smoothly after that. I got lucky. She answered after twenty years, and even accepted my burdensome request.
Truly a relief. One of the few reliable people. Someone who recognizes my value. I mean, I'm great at cleaning.
Anyway, I couldn't miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance. I changed clothes immediately. Ji-ah had left for training and said she'd be back before dinner. So... hurry back and forth.
"Does a professor get hired in a single day? Is that right?"
A sharp voice echoed through the room.
A-rank hunter Yang Sae-rom. After graduating the academy, she worked five years for the government before becoming a professor.
Soon to be S-rank. That was the social consensus on Yang Sae-rom. Her talent as a hunter was proven by her academy pedigree.
Slower than other S-ranks, but steadfast. Like her swordsmanship, she walked the royal path unyieldingly.
Thus, an A-rank hunter earned an S-rank moniker.
Joseon Strong Sword.
A sword art from the Joseon era, revived by one hunter.
Perhaps because of that, in her late twenties, her personality was a bit unique. Government background made her rigid, with a strong sense of rule-abiding.
This was Mir Academy, the most historic of Korea's top three academies, wasn't it? Even as principal, this was abuse of authority.
"Parachute hire, isn't it?"
"Hear, hear!"
A middle-aged woman who had fainted woke up. Unsure if she grasped the situation, she probably just agreed because uptight Yang Sae-rom said it.
-Clang!
An ice chunk materialized in the air. It sounded like a coconut smacking someone's head.
Which of them was empty to make that noise?
Anyway, the woman fainted again. The administrative assistant dragged her out by the legs.
Yang Sae-rom glared at Ryu Ga-young. Sending such eyes at a grand mage—impressive guts.
Foolish, perhaps. But her uprightness was undeniable.
"Even for a new department, a professor is a professor. I can't accept hiring one overnight. Parachute, right?"
"...Scout. Not parachute, scout."
"......"
"How about this? We'll hire one professor from Mir Academy alumni. Everyone dissatisfied, please leave."
"Academy? Hunter's fine."
"Yeah... doesn't matter."
Half. Half the room emptied in an instant. Most accepted upon hearing "hunter."
Like preferring a pro soccer player as coach. Mir Academy graduate? Proven talent, as they say.
Ryu Ga-young ended the meeting. It was convened to recommend a replacement for the runaway professor. Purpose fulfilled, only the dissatisfied remained.
Four left. Principal Ryu Ga-young and the administrative assistant—pro side. The assistant was principal's person anyway.
The issues: two.
Yang Sae-rom, opposing from the start. And Joo Hwa-yeon, magic department professor, silent throughout.
Soon-to-be S-rank and current S-rank. Tough opponents.
Ryu Ga-young sighed softly. First... the magic professor.
"The recommended professor is 'Na Yoo-seong'."
"...Gate Survival Training?"
"Yes."
-Scraaaape.
"...?"
Chair scraping echoed. The principal smiled satisfied.
The magic professor left. No complaints.
Yang Sae-rom looked puzzled at Joo Hwa-yeon. Returned with a disgusted gaze. Stupid swordswoman.
Water and oil.
That was them. Why pick a fight?
Yang Sae-rom still looked dumb. So, the magic professor used telekinesis to place a book on the desk.
Gate Survival Training
"Liberal arts book?"
A book from academy days. Yang Sae-rom's face said, What's this about?
"...You haven't read it?"
Joo Hwa-yeon's disgusted voice rang out. Doesn't know this book?
"No. It's liberal arts."
"......"
Her glare intensified. This is an A-rank hunter...? No wonder hunter supremacism exists.
Joo Hwa-yeon gave up explaining. What to expect from someone closer to swords than books? She just opened the door and left.
Even the administrative assistant eyed Yang Sae-rom pitifully.
"What's the issue?"
Short silence. Broken by the principal.
Right. Skipping full procedure wouldn't sit well. Against principles. Valid complaint.
But all agreed. Unusually cleanly. Public opinion lubricates principles.
Thus, Yang Sae-rom judged caution necessary here.
"Qualifications."
She wanted proof. Monster Response Studies. She saw no need for the department, but compelling qualifications would override principles.
"I demand qualifications."
"Then, shall we interview together?"
Half gamble. Haven't seen Yoo-seong junior in nearly twenty years.
Still... at minimum. No growth expected. Just maintain academy-level ability.
If so, convincing the rigid hunter would be easy.
"He'll be here soon. Wait."
"...Do as you like."
Thirty minutes. About ten left.
Time to rest? Then the administrative assistant spoke to the principal.
"Principal Ryu Ga-young."
"...?"
"Can't you just explain the book?"
Spot on. No suitable teacher, so it stayed liberal arts.
Yet essential for academy students. Simple reason.
50% survival boost. Hunters who read it had gate return rates nearly doubled.
F-to-C ranks boosted? Huge for humanity.
S-ranks save the world. F-to-C sustain it, they say.
Still, Ryu Ga-young wanted to see. His academy feats, once more.
That was all.