Seonhwa Orphanage (1)
Kim Jaesang, the Dongdae chief, glanced at Choi Yeon as he sat in the car. He scratched between the wrinkles on his forehead, his nerves on edge.
“Choi Yeon.”
“Yes, Chief.”
“What did you do yesterday in Munhwadong?”
“In Munhwadong, sir? The trainees and I went dungeon diving.”
“That’s all?”
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“Hmm…”
The chief let out a heavy sigh of displeasure. Choi Yeon tilted his head slightly, looking utterly bewildered.
“So, what do you think the reason is that the Munhwadong brats keep yelling at you to manage them properly?”
“Munhwadong does? Well… I really don’t know.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Choi Yeon answered brightly.
If it had been someone else, Kim Jaesang might have believed him. But having known Choi Yeon for so long, the chief’s ears caught something suspicious.
Munhwadong had contacted him separately, so something must have happened. Yet he had no time to worry—every moment was consumed by the orphanage’s opening.
Finally, the chief’s thick hand waved once through the air. He had decided to overlook it.
If it had been important enough to need checking, Choi Yeon would have reported it. He probably had.
To suppress the rising suspicion, he pressed his temple hard.
Thankfully, the doubt was squashed, but in its place came the busy tasks that needed doing today.
The mayor would visit, the councilors had been told not to come…
Yes, he would have to bring the monks and the priest from Bomunsa and Daheung Church. If he sat them nearby… would it work? There was probably something going on.
“…Chief, we’ve arrived.”
“What? Already?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“The drive is only three minutes away. The chief said we need to stay close to the office to protect the kids.”
“…That’s right. That’s right.”
The chief nodded and stepped out of the car.
The new orphanage built near the city hall had a modern hanok style—sturdy and airy with open surroundings.
People bustled in front, getting ready for the opening ceremony.
Choi Heeseok was one of them.
His reputation had made him the busiest, even though it was the same as any other.
Choi Yeon parked the car away from the crowd and slipped into the living quarters without being seen. Following him would mean extra chores.
Quietly, quietly… tap.
“Huuu…”
Choi Yeon let out a triumphant cry as he successfully entered the orphanage.
The skill Presence Erasing had finally come in handy—something that worked only when alone.
Spotting an empty spot, Choi Yeon was about to settle in when a voice called out.
“Uncle isn’t working?”
The young voice belonged to Lee Geon-woo.
No matter how much he had erased his presence, the body entering through the door couldn’t hide. Everyone in the orphanage stared at him.
And…
“……”
The children noticed him too. Even if they weren’t supposed to, most looked uneasy. A few who knew him tried to act calm.
They were guarding the outside world.
Probably because strangers kept wandering around…
The social workers were busy, so someone had to stay here.
Choi Yeon had simply found his own task. It wasn’t about avoiding trouble.
“It’s been… ten days? You’ve been doing well?”
“Uh, you’re dodging.”
The sharp-eyed boy had seen straight through Choi Yeon’s tricks.
He didn’t push him away to make him work. Not after seeing how relieved he looked—both for himself and the other kids.
“…I’ve been fine. I walked around a bit.”
“Ah, that’s because the hunters—”
“You were protecting everyone while coming and going. I know.”
“Um.”
“And… today the orphanage is our home, they said. That’s right?”
“That’s right. You’ll live here now.”
“……”
Choi Yeon’s answer made Geon-woo look out the window.
He said nothing, but Choi Yeon sensed what the boy wanted to ask.
Unlike “home,” the kids couldn’t just come and go as they pleased.
They needed permission to leave, and even then an escort was required.
It was also because the Jeokryeohui were targeting them, but the real issue was the powers that had awakened from experiments.
The children, including Geon-woo, couldn’t control their strength and often used it without realizing.
It was hard to guarantee freedom right now.
“It’s okay. It won’t take long.”
Once the Jeokryeohui were wiped out and the kids could control their powers, that would be it.
Then the children could come and go from the orphanage freely.
Geon-woo nodded in agreement and continued hesitantly.
“Um… and… did you find Na-yul yet?”
Seo Na-yul.
The name of the girl who had helped escape Geon-woo from the Jeokryeohui’s lab.
Choi Yeon answered honestly.
“Sorry. I haven’t found her yet. I raided a few of their hideouts, but they were all empty.”
He had no way to know if they had hidden or vanished after succeeding at their experiments.
“…We got a new informant.”
“An informant?”
“Yeah. A girl with white hair. She knew more than I expected. Thanks to her, I got info on the Jeokryeohui’s new hideout.”
“Is Na-yul there?”
“……”
Choi Yeon couldn’t give a firm answer to Geon-woo’s question.
He wanted to say she was probably there, but that would be irresponsible.
He could only figure it out for sure and tell him.
“……”
No reply from Choi Yeon made Geon-woo glance toward the group of kids.
Maybe because his close friend was being held captive?
Among the children huddled together, he looked lonely by himself.
Choi Yeon struggled to find the right words. Nothing suitable came to mind.
Just when he was about to curse his own brain for not coming up with a positive comment…
“Bread time!”
The door to the living quarters burst open, and Park Jeong-ah from Byeokondang stepped in. Behind her came Cha Jae-hyeok and Kim In-beom carrying bags of bread.
Park Jeong-ah’s eyes widened in delight.
“Oh my. Yeon-i? Ah, of course you’re here.”
“That’s right? I was the one surprised. Why here?”
“Me? Because I’m the representative of small businesses.”
“Huh? The boss? Since when?”
“Um… after I bought bread from your place and brought it over?”
“That was recent.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
Park Jeong-ah spread her arms wide.
Thump, thump.
The bread bags from Cha Jae-hyeok were handed to her; those from Kim In-beom went to the boy.
Then she grabbed Geon-woo’s hand and shouted,
“Bread time!”
and dashed off with him. The other kids cheered and followed, shouting “Waaah!” and running along.
Soon they were happily sharing the fresh bread among themselves.
Choi Yeon recognized the familiar scene—it had happened before.
Fortunately, it had smoothly gotten them out of the awkward conversation.
“Impressive, right?”
Cha Jae-hyeok said with a warm tone.
Choi Yeon, still watching, nodded.
He hadn’t made friends with the kids yet, only talking with Geon-woo.
“How did you become so close?”
“You’re not like me. Their nature is pure. Kids can tell.”
“What’s so special about me?”
“Look in the mirror. There’s a mischievous fox staring at you.”
Mischievous fox?
This guy really had no limits.
“Hey, you—”
“Me?”
“……”
“What about me?”
Damn it.
Choi Yeon cursed inwardly at Cha Jae-hyeok’s teasing smile.
Talking about the handsome guy’s looks was the worst possible topic.
Haha…
Laughter came from Kim In-beom beside him. It didn’t last long—probably because of Choi Yeon’s raised eyebrow, which made him jumpy.
“Yeah, that’s the problem, right?”
“Y-yeah, but is this place okay?”
Cha Jae-hyeok muttered quietly at the same time Kim In-beom changed the subject.
Choi Yeon turned to him in surprise.
“…What?”
“The orphanage. It doesn’t look very safe for protecting the kids.”
“Ah. It’s open, though?”
“Yes.”
“It’s Senior Heeseok’s suggestion. The kids were trapped before, and he said it would feel suffocating if they couldn’t go out in all directions.”
“Ah… I understand the feeling, but…”
Kim In-beom trailed off.
Saying something negative about a respected hunter’s idea was tricky.
“The orphanage will be fine.”
“Leader?”
“There’s a strong protective barrier. Even an A-class hunter would need several to break it.”
“What? Really?”
Here?
Kim In-beom looked around the orphanage in confusion. To him it just looked ordinary—no barrier or pure mana was felt.
Still, he trusted Cha Jae-hyeok. The leader couldn’t be wrong.
Choi Yeon’s agreement strengthened his faith.
“Huh? How did you know?”
“Because pure mana is coming from everywhere here.”
“Pure…”
Hearing that, Kim In-beom’s mind flashed to the faces he had seen before entering the living quarters.
Definitely…
“There’s the monk Myeonghyeon and Priest Joseph outside. Are they…?”
“That’s right. Monk Myeonghyeon gave a blessing, and Priest Joseph did a blessing prayer.”
“What? Both together?”
“I originally asked only Monk Myeonghyeon, but Priest Joseph said, ‘Why leave me out of such a good thing?’ Haha.”
“Oh…”
Impressed, Kim In-beom scanned the area after Choi Yeon’s explanation. He still didn’t feel any barrier or pure mana.
p>But thanks to the explanation, the open orphanage now felt incredibly safe.
“Hmm…?”
As Kim In-beom looked around, Cha Jae-hyeok’s gaze turned toward the door.
Squeak— the door opened slightly, revealing Ko Sung-yoon and Park Chae-eun.
The pair waved happily upon spotting him. While they approached, Cha Jae-hyeok whispered.
“Interesting friends.”
“Only you would say that.”
“Ahaha.”
“Hello!”
With bright smiles, Ko Sung-yoon and Park Chae-eun came over, greeting them cheerfully as usual.
Choi Yeon introduced them to Cha Jae-hyeok and Kim In-beom.
“They both came well. This is Cha Jae-hyeok, and beside him is Mr. Kim In-beom.”
“Hello. I’m Yeon’s friend.”
“High school junior Kim In-beom.”
“Don’t believe him. This guy isn’t a friend—he’s an enemy.”
Swish, swish.
Choi Yeon waved his hand to refute Cha Jae-hyeok. The more he denied, the friendlier it seemed.
“This is hunter trainee Ko Sung-yoon, and the cute girl is Park Chae-eun.”
“Ko Sung-yoon! The chief called me here to experience everything!”
“Hello. I’m going to become a huge tree! Chae-eun just came to play!”
“A tree…?”
Kim In-beom muttered to himself.
He had seen kids who wanted to become hunters, but never one who said they wanted to become a tree.
Why a tree? Ah, the sprout-shaped headband… wait…
“…Chae-eun.”
“Yes?”
“Now… are you doing that?”
“Uuuung?”
Park Chae-eun looked up at her headband.
Choi Yeon’s finger pointed at the sprout, which was shaking wildly.
Seeing the rocking like a rock singer’s headbanging, the girl burst into laughter.
“No! That wasn’t me!”
“…You don’t know why you’re doing it?”
“I don’t know!”
The bright girl shook her head gently.
Tik, tik.
The sprout’s recoil grew stronger, emitting a bluish light.
It was the crystallization of pure and complete mana.
“……”
What on earth was this?