Making an Example
“What do you think?”
“Pardon…?”
“I asked for your thoughts on the post Supernova uploaded.”
“Hmm.” Captain Im pondered for a moment before answering. “To be honest, I’m not sure.”
“Why is that?”
“First of all, it’s questionable whether an unknown 10-star hunter even exists. As you know, if a hunter had truly reached 10-star rank, someone would have to know their identity by now.”
“That makes sense. Higher gates require multiple roles, after all. Still, if Hunter Link lists him as 10-star, the odds of him being a fake are extremely low.”
“The Hunter Link system could be wrong, though.”
“A bug, you mean?”
“Yes.”
“Of course, we can’t completely rule that out either.”
“At this point we can’t even confirm whether he’s real or not. Blindly trusting a post from someone like that could lead to anything. Though the tips he posted are useful.”
Captain Im swiped the Hunter Link board aside in his mind and continued. “Honestly, the idea of him predicting a large-scale transfer event is just…”
“I feel the same. But if it turns out to be true, we’ll be in quite a bind.”
“What do you intend to do?”
“For now, we keep every possibility open and review it thoroughly. There’s always that one-in-a-million chance.”
Minister Ahn placed a cigarette between his lips. “When the hell am I ever going to quit this damn thing… Haa.” A deep sigh disguised as smoke drifted out.
This was troublesome. The large-scale transfer event Supernova had warned about happened to be on Jebu Island, Korean territory. Minister Ahn had no choice but to give the matter serious thought. Ignoring it felt wrong, yet responding to it meant the nation was dancing to the tune of a single post from an unknown individual. The situation was awkward from every angle, so it was only natural that his head was spinning.
“Supernova… What the hell is his goal?”
Staring out the window, Minister Ahn muttered to himself, his complicated feelings plain in his voice. Supernova. The 10-star hunter who could see the future. The post he had uploaded was enough to throw even a first-generation hunter and the Minister of National Defense Strategy into confusion.
Hurrying toward the restroom.
“Trainee Cha Eun-seong.”
He ran straight into Instructor Kim Sang-eung in the hallway.
“Yes, Instructor.”
“What’s with the ‘Instructor’?” Kim Sang-eung snorted, then offered a gentle smile. “Have you been well?”
“Sir?”
“I asked if you’ve been well, you brat. What, seeing your uncle after so long makes you awkward?”
“Ahaha…”
“Kid, you’re funny.”
“Have you been well too, Uncle?”
“Yeah, I’ve been fine. How about you?”
“You already know…”
“True. I just wanted to ask. Is your father doing well?”
“Yes, he’s fine.”
“I haven’t visited him in years. Must be about three years now.”
“Once this training cycle ends, come visit the house. Father would love to see you.”
“You sure that’s okay?”
“Of course. It’s you, Uncle. Why wouldn’t it be?”
Instructor Kim Sang-eung had remained vivid in Cha Eun-seong’s childhood memories, so inviting him felt completely natural.
“Alright. I’ll give your father a call.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“And one more thing…”
“Yes…?”
“Stop falling asleep, for god’s sake. What are you, a reservist? Dozing off on the very first day of training?”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize to me. This training is for your own good. You should feel sorry for yourself.”
There was no excuse. It was entirely his fault. Even though his body kept growing sluggish and sleep kept crashing over him against his will.
“Well, as long as you do well on the evaluations, your attitude during training doesn’t really matter.”
“Still, I should show basic courtesy. It’s respect for the instructors teaching us.”
“You little… You were always such a proper kid, even back then.” Kim Sang-eung smiled warmly. “Alright. I’ll be expecting good things. Enjoy your lunch.”
“Yes. You too, Uncle.”
Kim Sang-eung gave his shoulder a light, encouraging pat as he passed. The hand was rough and calloused, yet the touch carried warmth that eased his heart.
If the large-scale transfer happens, Uncle Sang-eung will die too.
He remembered his mother attending Sang-eung’s funeral. How much it must have hurt her. Not long after losing her husband, she had to attend the funerals of his seniors, juniors, and comrades.
The Minister needs to take Supernova’s warning seriously.
The odds were low. Moving the military and hunters based on unconfirmed information wasn’t easy. Besides, the Minister couldn’t make such a decision alone—there were too many complications.
I’ll watch for a day or two. If nothing happens, I’ll have to push harder.
While thinking this, he found himself already standing in front of the restroom. It was empty except for one stall at the very end, which was closed.
Knock, knock.
“Someone’s in here.”
A voice came from beyond the door.
“It’s me.”
“Ah, Master.”
Helkian opened the door.
“Did the training go well?”
“Of course.”
“No one caught on?”
“That Ra Si-hyun girl kept staring, so it was a bit uncomfortable, but I don’t think she noticed anything.”
“Just ignore her. Don’t give her any attention. She’s always like that.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Good work. I’ll need you again later.”
“Call me anytime.”
Helkian grinned and returned to his card form, slipping back into the Infinite Deck. Memories of everything Helkian had experienced while disguised as him flowed into his mind.
Nothing much happened… This little bastard.
Realizing how Helkian had actually behaved gave him a headache.
Hey, you just kept sleeping the whole time?
- I was only acting like Master.
Even so, you slept the entire time?
- You ordered me to behave exactly like you, Master.
Still, you could’ve shown at least a little effort. Do you have to sleep so openly?
- …I merely followed orders.
Ugh.
No wonder Instructor Kim Sang-eung had scolded him—Helkian had played the role too perfectly.
Next time, tone it down a bit. Being too consistent is suspicious too.
- Understood, Master.
Yeah. Good work anyway. Rest.
The moment his conversation with Helkian ended, Jeong Ho-bin poked his head through the restroom door.
“Eun-seong-nim?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s time for the meal assembly. Shall we go eat?”
“Ah, right.”
After quickly washing his hands, he headed to the cage with Jeong Ho-bin.
When they entered the cafeteria, the eyes of the other trainee hunters who had already started eating turned toward their team.
“Huh? Isn’t that Jeong Ho-bin?”
“So that’s Bravo Team? The one where every cycle only gets the top aces?”
“Isn’t that Cha Eun-seong next to him? You know, the guy who was active during last week’s Technomart incident.”
Whispers spread. On the first day of training, it was only natural for people to gossip about notable trainees. Especially since Bravo Team was bound to be the center of attention every cycle.
Jeong Ho-bin showed almost no reaction. Being a former idol, he was probably used to this kind of situation. Why wear a mask just to eat, though…
I should just eat quickly and think about countermeasures.
He picked up a tray and got in line when several people approached him.
“You’re Cha Eun-seong?”
“Yeah. Who are you?”
“I’m Park Gi-baek, leader of Alpha Team. Got a minute?”
“Why?”
“I said I want to talk. What, you scared?”
“Haa.” A sigh escaped him. Even if they were excited, did they really have to do this during mealtime?
“Huh? You trying to fight?”
“Are they gonna throw down?”
Excited murmurs and expectant gazes came from all around.
“Eun-seong hyung-nim, I’ll handle this. Please eat comfortably.”
Oh Tae-kwon stepped forward at the perfect moment.
“Handle what? Forget it. Mealtime is for eating. You go get your food too.”
“But…”
“I said forget it. You’re not even my subordinate. I’ll take care of my own business.”
With that, he swung the tray he was holding.
Clang!
The edge of the tray slammed straight down onto Park Gi-baek’s crown.
“Guh!”
Park Gi-baek spat blood and collapsed. Cha Eun-seong casually grabbed a long ladle from the mushroom soup pot and swung it.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud-thud! Thud!
“Kuh! S-Stop! I was wrong… Aaaagh!”
Instead of answering, he kept bringing the ladle down again and again. The ladle was already bent out of shape, but he didn’t care.
“Wha—?”
“I-Is he trying to kill him?”
The watching trainees grew restless, stamping their feet in panic.
“Ugh!”
“Whoa, he’s completely insane.”
The other Alpha Team members were so shocked by the sudden violence that they couldn’t bring themselves to intervene even as their leader was being beaten. The instructors stood with arms crossed, watching without interfering. Special Force Training Facility instructors never got involved in fights between trainees.
Clack.
The discarded ladle clattered across the cafeteria floor.
“Grrrrrr…”
Park Gi-baek’s eyes rolled back as he trembled violently. White foam bubbled at his mouth—he had apparently gone into convulsions from the beating.
“His endurance is trash. Must be a ranged dealer.”
After that short assessment, Cha Eun-seong grabbed a fresh tray and began loading it with food—king crab, LA ribs, egg salad, and more. The cafeteria had gone deathly silent, which was a little uncomfortable, but he wasn’t the type to be shaken by it.
Good. I made an example in public. Most people won’t dare bother me now.
Some idiots might still not get the message, but in that case, he could just put them in the hospital for a few months.
“Your team leader got beaten and you just stood there watching instead of helping? Is that how it’s done?”
Instructor Kim Sang-eung appeared and took control of the situation.
“At the very least, you should check his condition and take him to the infirmary! What exactly did you learn this morning? What are you all doing? Move it, now!”
“W-We’re sorry!”
The Alpha Team trainees hoisted the unconscious Park Gi-baek and rushed toward the infirmary.
Quite a few people getting carried out today…
At least the food here is decent.
Thud.
Recalling the taste of the food from his previous time at the facility, he picked up his fork when someone set a tray down in front of him.
It was Ra Si-hyun.