Chapter 4: Unit (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 4: Unit (1)
[6:00 AM]
My smartwatch buzzed, announcing it was 6:00 AM.
Knock it off. I’m already out here.
It was a morning workout routine ingrained in my body over the last ten years. I never missed a single day. If I did, I’d get the shit beaten out of me.
The March dawn was still cold. I zipped up my hoodie all the way and started to run.
About ten minutes into my run, the cold dawn air became familiar. I feel it every time I'm out at this hour—the quiet of the city before it wakes has a strange way of calming the mind.
‘This place is massive.’
The academy grounds were vast, befitting its moniker as an “academy city.”
The facilities on campus alone were enough to form a small city. From the main building itself to walking trails, a gym, research facilities, and even a shopping district for students—according to the setting, you could live here without ever needing to step outside.
The course I was running was a loop around the academy's perimeter. The long, stretching path made me appreciate the sheer size of the grounds. Just as my breathing started to grow a little ragged, I heard the sound of light footsteps behind me.
-Tap, tap, tap.
At first, I paid it no mind. I couldn’t be the only one exercising this early in the morning.
-Tap, tap, tap.
But I could feel the footsteps matching my pace, following me steadily. My head turned naturally.
‘…Yu Hana?’
Her blue hair shimmered in the dawn light, swaying rhythmically.
Dressed in a neat, matching set of designer sweats, she ran silently behind me without a word.
Is this about what happened before?
I prefer to exercise alone. My runs are a time to organize my thoughts and train my body, so I often find it uncomfortable when someone runs beside me.
So, at first, it bothered me. But since she kept a steady distance and followed quietly without saying anything, I soon put it out of my mind.
Right, this is just me being self-conscious.
‘She must have just come out to exercise.’
Yu Hana didn’t make any move toward me.
She just kept running silently at a fixed distance, as if trying not to disturb my pace.
Her breathing was steady, and her footsteps were so natural it was as if she were tuning them to my rhythm.
I picked up my speed for a moment.
Unsurprised, she matched my tempo as if she'd been waiting for it.
It even felt like I'd gained a personal pacemaker.
We ran like that for a good while.
-Beep-
My smartwatch beeped, signaling the ten-kilometer mark.
I gradually slowed to a stop.
Heart pounding in my chest, I glanced down at my wrist.
My eyebrows rose unconsciously as I saw the number. It was a new personal best.
‘That’s unexpected.’
It was a record I usually struggled to break, but today it felt strangely easy.
Without realizing it, I turned my gaze to the side.
Beside me, Yu Hana was catching her breath lightly, staring straight ahead.
Her breathing was perfectly composed, and even the beads of sweat on her forehead looked neat as they glistened in the morning sun.
‘She’s not even tired.’
Just as I was about to look away, Yu Hana turned her head slightly, and our eyes met.
“You’re a good runner.”
“You’re a good runner.”
Our words overlapped.
A moment of silence passed as we looked at each other. In the strangely awkward atmosphere, our gazes met.
Then, a faint smile spread across our faces.
“Do you come out like this every day?” It was Yu Hana who broke the silence.
“As long as my legs are working.”
She smiled slightly at my answer.
“Then… can I come out too, from now on?”
I let out a sigh and unzipped my hoodie. It was from the heat I'd built up while running.
“That’s not something you need to ask me. It’s your choice.”
At my words, she lowered her head slightly, a wistful smile on her face.
“…Right. Thank you.”
It wasn't a bad thing for me, either. Yu Hana is a key resource in the story. I'd thought approaching her would be difficult, but if we could connect this naturally, all the better.
In fact, it was the same for all the heroines, not just Yu Hana.
Normally, the process would have been Me -> Protagonist -> Heroine. Making direct contact should have been unthinkable.
But what if that order was reversed? That would be even better. All I have to do is give each of them the support they need.
Yu Hana stared at me for a moment, then nodded.
Her blue hair swayed gently in the dawn light.
“See you later. For sure.”
She gave a short goodbye and headed down a different path with light steps.
I'd gotten the impression that Yu Hana was somewhat erratic, but talking to her now, that didn't seem to be the case. The way she was just now was closer to the Yu Hana I knew from the setting than how she'd acted before.
I watched her leave for a moment before checking the time.
[6:36 AM]
Still plenty of time.
I was ready for the first official day at the academy.
*
Before coming to Gaon Academy, I knew that typical officer academies strictly segregated male and female students.
Interaction between them is strictly forbidden, offering no outlet for the overflowing energy of teenagers.
But Gaon is different.
There are no rules against dating here. In fact, you could even say they're lenient about it.
The first day, when students in their late teens, brimming with vigor, gather in one place.
The pent-up interest they have in one another finally explodes.
‘Go on, get it out of your systems.’
Ultimately, it has nothing to do with me.
How old are these kids, anyway? Counting my age from before, there’s over a ten-year gap.
The male students are all talking in exaggerated tones, their voices deliberately lowered, while the female students pretend to be indifferent, yet raise the pitch of their laughter just enough to draw attention.
It’s almost cute. Youth really is a wonderful thing. Ah, wait, I’m young now too, aren’t I?
In any case, they should laugh while they can. They won’t be laughing for long.
Because the first class for the protagonist's homeroom is always…
Once again, I took a seat in the very back corner.
After a few minutes of observation, the door suddenly opened, and footsteps entered the classroom. The students fell silent at once. A large, powerful presence stood before them.
“Quiet.”
A single word. The classroom was instantly plunged into silence.
The instructor wasn't in casual clothes but in a distinctive military uniform. His short-cropped hair and solidly built frame radiated military discipline.
“Welcome to the Unit Activity Class. I am your instructor, Park Chang-myung.”
His voice was low and firm.
“The unit activities you'll be participating in this semester are a mandatory part of Gaon's curriculum. They not only account for the largest portion of your grade but also represent the most important virtue you'll need as a hero out in society.”
“For the rest of the semester, you will operate with the members of your assigned unit. In your studies, your training, and your practical exercises.”
The instructor continued as he walked toward the blackboard.
“Now then, before we draw for teams.”
He bared his teeth in a grin. In that instant, standing before the blackboard, he unleashed a powerful surge of mana.
The entire classroom shook, and a gray aura rose up around the students.
‘Mass Teleport.’
The mana took shape, slowly unfolding before my eyes. You could think of it as a type of spatial transfer spell.
It would have been easier to just walk, but I guess this instructor just has a flair for the dramatic.
After a flash of white light, my vision slowly cleared.
A new landscape was revealed.
A dense forest came into view, and behind us, a magical barrier marked the perimeter of the area.
It was likely an outdoor training ground located within the academy. All seventy of us had probably been scattered throughout this massive area.
There were four others in front of me, making five of us in total.
Yu Hana was among them. She gave me a bright smile and a wave.
I looked at her for a moment before giving a slight nod.
It was then that a male student stepped forward confidently.
“Hello,” he said in a smooth voice.
His neatly combed-back hair and perfectly worn uniform exuded confidence.
“My name is Yoon Sang-hyeok. I'm currently ranked 60th. It's a pleasure to meet you all.”
His speech was polished and articulate.
But before he could finish, someone next to him cut in.
“Hey, why are you being so formal? We're all the same age. Let's just speak casually.”
The student standing beside him, who seemed to be a friend, interjected.
“Ah… should I?” Yoon Sang-hyeok said, scratching his head in slight embarrassment.
“Is that okay with everyone?”
His gaze, however, was fixed squarely on Yu Hana.
The question was clearly for everyone, but his eyes were only for her.
“Yu Hana-ssi, is that okay with you? We can speak casually, right?”
Yu Hana looked at him with a blank expression.
A moment of silence passed before she gave a short nod.
“Go ahead.”
It was the bare minimum of a reply. But Yoon Sang-hyeok didn't lose his momentum. He smiled and took a step closer.
“But man, this is great. How'd we get such a celebrity in our group? I heard a lot about you before I even got to the academy. They say these unit activities are really important, but I guess we have nothing to worry about, huh?”
“We're really counting on you, Yu Hana-nim!!”
Yoon Sang-hyeok and the student next to him continued to talk enthusiastically.
They were trying their hardest to get on her good side.
They’re really going at it.
“Yes.” Her reply, however, was curt.
“Haha… you can speak casually, you know.” Yoon Sang-hyeok tried to lighten the mood with a slightly awkward laugh.
But his attempt crumbled with her next words.
“No. This is more comfortable for me.”
It was a cold, sharp refusal. Yoon Sang-hyeok's expression subtly stiffened. He tried to maintain his smile, but I could see the corners of his mouth twitching.
Then, as if he'd found a new target, he shifted his gaze to another student.
“I'm Kim Dae-hyun, rank 541. Let's work well together. My main weapon is a shield.”
The student who spoke up had a thick, sturdy build.
“Mm... right, rank 541. Uh, yeah, let's do our best.”
After a brief exchange with Kim Dae-hyun, Yoon Sang-hyeok finally approached me.
He held out his hand with a bright smile.
“Jung Hae-in. I don't have an official rank,” I replied, lightly shaking his hand.
“No rank…?” His eyes flickered for a moment, then he nodded as if he'd realized something.
“Ah, I get it. You're a ‘Special Admission Student.’”
He raised the corner of his mouth in a meaningful smile.
There was an unmistakable hint of ridicule in that smile.
He made sure to emphasize the words “Special Admission Student.”
I let go of his hand without another word. He seemed to be under some kind of misapprehension.
Yoon Sang-hyeok returned to his spot, tilting his head back slightly as if he'd won some small victory.
No sooner had he returned than an announcement echoed through the training ground's sky.
-This is your first task. Form your units.
The instruction was simple.
But the announcement didn't say we had to form a team with the people right in front of us, nor did it specify any particular method. It was, quite literally, just “Form your units.”
As soon as the announcement ended, Yoon Sang-hyeok whispered something to the student beside him, then the corner of his mouth lifted as if he'd thought of something.
He glanced around before sidling up to Yu Hana.
“Yu Hana.”
Without even looking at him, she replied, “Yes.”
“You know, the more I think about it, I don't think we necessarily have to form a team with just the members here, right? We could just…”
He continued with a meaningful smile.
“Him…”
Yoon Sang-hyeok gestured with his chin toward Kim Dae-hyun and me.
“…and him, we leave them out. How about the three of us—me, you, and my friend here—form a unit?”
“That way, our ranks will be roughly the same, and we'll have a team of people on the same level, you know? Honestly, if we carry them from the start, it'll just spoil them.”
I didn't think he'd say it right to our faces. You have to admit, he's got guts.
Listening from the side, Kim Dae-hyun was already looking at the ground, completely dejected.
I was debating, too. Should I let this go smoothly?
Or should I flip the script?
But my thoughts didn't last long.
Listening to Yoon Sang-hyeok, Yu Hana slowly let out a laugh. It wasn't a light or warm laugh. It was closer to a cold, incredulous sneer.
“Level?”
“Did you say level?”
Without once meeting his gaze, Yu Hana walked over to me with light, deliberate steps.
Then, with a bright smile, she said, “Jung Hae-in.”
She stopped in front of me. Tilting her head slightly, she asked, “Want to be in a unit with me?”
Yoon Sang-hyeok, standing behind her, sputtered. “Hey, what the—!”
Ignoring his voice, Yu Hana spoke slowly.
“One year ago, the monster wave caused by the Catalyst explosion on the East Coast. Defeated by a single person.”
At Yu Hana's words, Yoon Sang-hyeok's eyebrow twitched.
“I heard he used a spear and was incredibly handsome…”
Yu Hana tilted her head, studying my face, then suddenly reached out and lightly pinched my cheek.
"Yep, that checks out.”
She was still looking only at me. Her gaze was quite intense.
“The true special admission student. Right?”
Hearing her words, Yoon Sang-hyeok's face hardened. At first, he looked bewildered, but his expression soon froze as if he'd finally understood something.
“I guess…” Yu Hana linked her arm with mine, a playful smile on her face.
“The one on my level is this guy.”
Then she playfully stuck out her tongue.