The Senior Assistant's Surprise
The woman blinked at Do-gyeol's sudden greeting, glancing back and forth between Ma Yong-beom and him. Once she seemed to grasp the situation, an intrigued smile spread across her lips.
"What, you're super polite and cute."
She tapped Do-gyeol's shoulder lightly.
"Just call me sunbae—senior sis."
"Got it, noona!"
Do-gyeol's cheeky response made her burst out laughing, unable to hold it in.
"You're a unique one. What's your name?"
"Do-gyeol."
"I'm Han Da-na. Nice to meet you—take good care of me from now on."
As the two exchanged greetings, Ma Yong-beom, who had been momentarily stunned, let out a hearty laugh.
"You rascal! A real man's man!"
That's when Han Da-na spoke up.
"Mind if I borrow Gyeol for a bit? He's a newbie, so you probably haven't assigned him anything yet."
"Huh? Well, that's true, but I promised not to bother the kid with..."
"I'll be back!"
Ma Yong-beom's eyes went blank for a second at Do-gyeol's enthusiasm. Then an even bigger laugh exploded from him.
"Kuhaha! You're one hell of a guy!"
"Noona, you're a student here too?"
Do-gyeol asked as he walked side by side with Han Da-na.
"More precisely, I'm an alum working as a teaching assistant under the professor."
"I see."
Yeah, she didn't have that fresh-faced newbie vibe like his peers.
"But professor?"
"Oh, you're used to 'teacher,' right? I just find 'professor' more comfortable."
"Ah. Anyway, where are we headed?"
"Underground Auditorium. You went there for the entrance exam, right?"
"Huh? Why there?"
"I'm curious why you caught the professor's eye. Figured I'd check it out with my own two eyes."
Come to think of it, that went both ways.
"Wonder why Teacher Ma really came looking for me."
"The professor's a total collector. Loves keeping unique kids or ones with potential close by. Seems like he gets inspiration from it himself."
Han Da-na added,
"Anyway, he's not a bad guy. And catching his eye? Hold your head high. His tastes are picky as hell, and you're the first first-year he's taken on."
"For real?"
Do-gyeol's shoulders puffed up.
"Yeah. Aside from me, he hasn't taken on any other assistants."
"...Huh?"
Wait, that wasn't just about first-years, was it?
Do-gyeol's mind spun for a moment.
"You're not planning to secretly bury me like 'no other assistants but me,' are you?"
"What?"
Han Da-na raised an eyebrow in disbelief, then burst out laughing—Puhaha!
"Don't worry. It's not some hazing ritual for new assistants. Once I check your skills, let's grab food. My treat—something delicious."
Delicious food? With a hot noona, no less?!
Do-gyeol's heart pounded.
Do-gyeol swiped his hand near the chat window and tossed a question at Han Da-na.
"But can we just waltz into the Underground Auditorium?"
"Yep. It's TA privileges. We can use it freely for research or training. Newbies need a seasoned senior like me to tag along, though—so don't come alone."
"Got it, noona."
"Good boy."
Han Da-na ruffled his hair lightly. A pleasant fragrance wafted over.
"TAs get other perks too. Academy students can't just go exorcising spirits willy-nilly outside official missions, right?"
"There's a rule like that?"
Do-gyeol's eyes widened. News to him.
"You didn't know? Guess your homeroom didn't mention it since you don't go out much."
"Still, they should've said something."
Do-gyeol grumbled, and Han Da-na smiled like he was adorable.
"Your class homeroom is Pi Yu-jun, right?"
"Huh? How'd you know?"
"He's always pretty laid-back. But he does ramp up skills fast, so trust him."
"That's some welcome news, at least."
Do-gyeol nodded. Fast growth? He'd take it.
"Anyway, there are special exceptions, but basically, using unapproved powers outside is strictly forbidden."
"Why?"
"Biggest reason? Poor control harming civilians. Plus, it tires out the cleanup crews, and so on."
"But TA status changes that. Sample collection for research, errands for your supervising prof—legit reasons to use powers outside."
What? That kind of authority existed?
Do-gyeol's eyes bulged. He inwardly showered Ma Yong-beom with deep gratitude—no, curses.
'If you'd dangled this perk from the start, the deal would've closed ages ago! No chat roasting either!'
Do-gyeol had no clue about Ma Yong-beom's fatal miscalculation: assuming students hated real combat out of fear or hassle, mistaking lab access for the ultimate perk.
"TAs are rare for students anyway, and even then, it's like an academy seal of approval for the exceptional."
Han Da-na eyed Do-gyeol.
"For newbies like you?"
"Gotta tag along with you, noona."
"Quick learner. Won't have to explain much."
Han Da-na flashed a satisfied smile.
'Do-gyeol?'
Baek Seo-rin tilted her head upon spotting him heading somewhere.
'Who's that with him?'
Pretty. But what caught her eye more was Do-gyeol's demeanor.
'Do-gyeol can make that face too?'
He was always grinning like a loose screw or laughing like a maniac in battle. Never anything else.
But the way he looked at that girl now? Pure, boyish affection and excitement toward the fairer sex.
'He's never made that face at me once...'
Baek Seo-rin turned on her heel. Back in her room, she planted herself in front of the full-length mirror.
A flawless, captivating beauty stared back.
Baek Seo-rin scrutinized her reflection, muttering.
"Does Do-gyeol not like how I look?"
No way. Her own teammates lost their minds at a single word from her.
"Objectively, I'm top-tier, right? Honestly, I'm way better."
She cocked her head, stroking her smooth cheek. Her gaze drifted down, tracing her slim waist—then she flinched and dropped her hand.
'Almost let my emotions shake me.'
Baek Seo-rin closed her eyes smoothly, exhaling a long, deep breath.
"Hoo..."
Opening them again, her eyes regained their usual supple gleam.
'Stay steady.'
She steadied herself and turned from the mirror.
'Still the same old place.'
The massive artificial forest and cliff zone from the third entrance exam stage. Being back stirred up fresh memories.
'I knew jack back then.'
Han Da-na smiled at Do-gyeol.
"Got that nostalgic look on your face."
"Kinda wistful."
"How long have you even been enrolled?"
Han Da-na smacked his shoulder lightly with an exasperated expression.
"Need a wooden sword or something?"
"Nah, not really."
"Overflowing confidence? 'I've been here before,' huh? Fine, show me. I'm expecting a show."
Her voice carried playful challenge.
"If you're decent in action here, I'll take responsibility—drag you around for tons of field experience."
"For real?"
"I don't lie."
Do-gyeol's eyes sparkled. He had to impress this noona!
As they ventured deeper into the auditorium, spirits dotted the forest shadows. Do-gyeol unconsciously licked his lips at the sight.
"Hey, noona."
"Yeah?"
"Can I eat all of these?"
"Huh? Eat?"
Han Da-na double-checked, thinking she'd misheard.
"Oh, I mean, can I just catch everything here?"
"Catch all of them? You could, but... it'll take forever. Just grab four or five..."
Her words didn't even finish.
Shooooosh—!
A massive ink-black familiar, Shovi, tore through the air from behind Do-gyeol.
"Shovi. Feast."
Do-gyeol's curt command was the starting gun.
Kwajik! Kwajajajik!
Shovi swept through the deep woods. Do-gyeol was controlling it precisely—no sign of the previous strain.
Back in the inter-team match against Baek Seo-rin, he'd barely known how to handle it.
But now? In that short time, Do-gyeol's growth shattered all common sense.
Watching the overwhelming display, Han Da-na's jaw dropped unwittingly.
"What kind of monstrous freak is this kid..."