Academy Youth (2)
In a towering building located in Unlimited, the official emblem of the Korea Hunter Association hung prominently across its facade.
Association President Jang Duk-chul had made a rare appearance at headquarters. His gray-streaked hair was neatly combed back, and his eyes carried an unmistakable aura of authority that discouraged any casual approach. His influence in South Korea was so immense that anyone who claimed not to know his name would be accused of being a spy.
The nation's first S-class hunter. Though he had retired long ago, the path he had carved as a hunter was a monumental history that no active hunter could ever hope to match.
Jang Duk-chul sat at the exact center of the conference room, his gaze fixed on the large screen before him. Flanking him on both sides were the finest hunters South Korea had to offer. Given the gravity of the situation, even the leaders of the four major guilds—who rarely gathered together—had all shown up in full attendance.
A staff member pointed at the screen with a pointer and began speaking.
"Recently, the frequency of rift appearances centered around Gyeryong Mountain has increased exponentially. As a result, monsters spilling from uncleared rifts are causing harm to civilians. What began in Chungcheong Province is expected to spread nationwide in the near future."
Low coughs and uneasy murmurs rippled through the room. The situation was deteriorating at an alarming rate.
To close even a single B-class rift, at least five hunters had to form a team and enter. Depending on the strength of the boss inside, additional support from higher-ranked hunters was often required. Closing rifts demanded that many hunters.
Yet currently, Korea's hunters could no longer keep up with the growing number of rifts. This fact weighed heavily on Association President Jang Duk-chul as an enormous source of stress.
Failing to close even one rift could result in unimaginable damage. Innocent civilians would suffer cruel, irreversible harm.
"In that case, shouldn't we simply increase the number of hunters?" Jang Duk-chul said. Everyone turned to look at him.
"What do you mean by..."
"It's time to call on the academy students for support."
It was something everyone had expected but hesitated to voice. Jang Duk-chul had stated it plainly. The person who reacted most strongly was, of course, Principal Kim Chong-jae.
"That would be no different from deploying student soldiers! The students haven't finished growing yet!"
"The nation is on the brink of collapse, Principal! Weren't they all aiming to become hunters anyway? We're simply giving them the opportunity sooner."
"That's not the issue, Mr. President! They're still too inexperienced..."
"Enough!"
Jang Duk-chul cut the principal off and rose from his seat. Disputes between the two highest authorities overseeing hunters always ended in victory for the higher-ranked association president.
"I no longer see any need to debate this further. Support from the academy students is no longer optional—it's mandatory."
His words sent a wave of unrest through the conference room. The eyes of the guild leaders in particular began to waver. His statement meant that every academy student would now be free to sign contracts with guilds.
As if anticipating this, a list began scrolling rapidly across the screen. It contained information on every student at Raven Academy. As photos and names appeared, Jang Duk-chul continued.
"That's why I believe we should take this chance to examine the new stars together. While we're all gathered here."
"You mean...?"
"The Raven Academy sparring matches are coming up soon, aren't they? I'll attend that day as well. As president of all professional hunters. If there are any future S-class prospects, I'd like to meet them in advance."
For a moment, a suffocating silence fell over the conference room.
"That concludes the meeting."
With those final words, Jang Duk-chul stood, leaning on his cane, and left the room.
"Ahem, this is quite something."
Do Dong-il, leader of the Volcano Guild, scratched his head while staring fixedly at the screen. The names of students ranked by descending academic performance appeared one after another. While everyone else's eyes were glued to the students from Emperor Hall, Do Dong-il's gaze remained locked solely on those from Citizen Hall.
"Ha Yeonjun, was it?"
Team Leader Choi's keen eye, the hidden spirit he had sensed from the boy himself, and even Professor Seong Ji-eun's cautious recommendation. In any case, the talents being targeted by Muhyeol, Storm, and Comet were probably similar. If so...
Only then did Do Dong-il realize he had been dealt a new hand. A secretive smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Two giants stood at the main gate of Raven Academy. It was a rare sight, so every passerby gaped at them with open mouths. They were none other than Seo Geon-hyeok, president of Muhyeol, and Yu Jong-yun, president of Storm.
Seo Geon-hyeok fiddled with his wristwatch before speaking directly to Yu Jong-yun.
"Since things have come to this, let's hurry and get our kids married. The deeper the world falls into crisis, the greater the guilds' influence will grow. Now is the time for our families to join hands. From what I hear, Comet has already been in talks with Meteor. We can't afford to fall behind, can we?"
"Then when should we..."
"How about this year?"
"This year? Isn't that too soon?"
Even though Yu Jong-yun had been the first to suggest the political marriage, he hadn't imagined actually marrying off his daughter before she became an adult. His eyes widened in surprise.
But Seo Geon-hyeok seemed to think differently.
"What's so strange about it? They say one in five women around the world gets married before becoming an adult."
"W-well, that's..."
"It's not a crime in the first place. And since both parties have agreed, there's no problem, is there?"
At those words, Yu Jong-yun subtly glanced behind him. His daughter, Yu Hae-rin, stood right there with a stiff expression on her face.
"I remember the day you first proposed this political marriage. Do you know why I accepted your offer?"
"......"
Seo Geon-hyeok's voice continued to flow. When Yu Jong-yun turned back, the other man finished with a low, decisive tone.
"I see the future, President Yu Jong-yun."
His voice was so chilling it made the listener's heart tremble. Yu Jong-yun, who had remained the perpetual second-in-command, could only nod in agreement.
"Hae-rin, did you hear that? It's been decided."
"...Yes."
Yet Yu Hae-rin, who had been listening to the entire conversation, felt her heart sinking. Despite how much she hated it, she couldn't bring herself to speak against it. She knew her father's trauma and his dreams all too well.
Yu Hae-rin checked the expression of Seo Geon-woo standing across from her. The way he looked at her with that somehow lewd, possessive gaze filled her with nothing but disgust.
"Looks like it's settled, huh?"
"......"
Without answering, Yu Hae-rin turned and began walking back toward the dormitory. Seo Geon-woo stuck close behind her, swaying his hips as he sneered.
"Hey, how should we spend our first night? It's gonna be fucking fun, right?"
At his mocking words, Yu Hae-rin whirled around and shot him a sharp glare.
"......"
"Why the long face? We're basically a married couple now."
"Not yet, are we?"
Seo Geon-woo let out a short, derisive laugh and slowly raised a hand to her cheek.
"Yeah, I like it when you act like that. I get bored quickly once I have something. So keep entertaining me, alright?"
Yu Hae-rin slapped his hand away and turned her back on him. She felt as if she could barely breathe.
"......"
Unable to give him any reply, she walked away from him as quickly as she could. Behind her came the sound of his snickering, followed by the voice of him talking on the phone with another woman, but she did her best to ignore it all.
It felt like a heavy stone was crushing her chest. She didn't want to show it, but tears began streaming down her cheeks.
In front of Emperor Hall, Yu Hae-rin ultimately slipped behind the building instead of going through the front door. If her friends saw her like this, they would undoubtedly look at her with narrow-minded judgment. New rumors would surely spread about her.
That's why Yu Hae-rin wandered in search of a secluded spot where she could vent her frustration alone. She just needed a moment to calm the tears that kept flowing.
"Hic... sob..."
Yu Hae-rin crouched against the wall, covering her face with both hands. But her sobs still leaked out bit by bit.
Why don't I have any choices? Why is my fate already decided for me?
She lamented her unfair destiny, shedding tears by herself for a long while.
Then came the sound of footsteps.
Someone was approaching. Yu Hae-rin hurriedly wiped away her tears. Her reddened eyes and nose couldn't be helped, but she needed to fix her expression as quickly as possible.
The footsteps soon stopped right in front of her.
"Why are you crying?"
Yu Hae-rin slowly lifted her head. Standing before her was Ha Yeonjun.
"You..."
Ha Yeonjun crouched down beside her and pulled out a handkerchief, offering it to her.
"Here."
Yu Hae-rin felt strangely embarrassed. Being caught looking this pathetic somehow hurt her pride. So she stubbornly denied it and refused his kindness.
"When did I... sniff... ever cry?"
Ha Yeonjun let out a small chuckle and withdrew the handkerchief.
"...Really? Then never mind."
He started to stand up again. Watching his decisive movement, Yu Hae-rin felt an unexpected pang of disappointment. Then the recent events she'd shared with him began floating through her mind. The faint hope that had formed from those moments decided her next action.
"Hey! W-wait!"
"...?"
"D-don't go."
At her request, Ha Yeonjun silently returned to her side and crouched down again without a word.
After a brief pause, Yu Hae-rin spoke.
"Talk with me for a bit."