Chapter 27: Don't Touch (1)

Don't Touch (1)

"What? Are you going to say something? Haha."

Kim Hyun-tae stiffened for a moment when I turned around and looked at him; then he smiled his way out of it.

He looked no better than his brother.

He's just a fool.

"Hey, hey! Where are you going?"

I ignored him and went into the classroom. He sounded a little embarrassed.

Of course, there was no reason to listen to what he has to say.

"Jeong Si-woo! Ah... this little bitch."

I went inside without stopping.

* * *

The classroom was much wider and more comfortable than that of the second grade.

First, I liked the fact that each student had a single table, not a long table shared with others.

Without worrying about anyone peeking, I took my notes out and spread them out on my desk.

[Who's that guy?]

"Kim Hyun-cheol. He's the older brother of the guy we've taken care of."

[Oh, that one. The one with the fake weapon and fail in the actual evaluation...]

"Yeah. I think he did that because he's younger brother had been traumatized."

In the senior class, no one cared even if I spoke to myself. This is because, after the end of the semester evaluation, I've explained that it was related to my newfound ability.

It was also an environment where no one cared even if you slept in class.

-Hunting monsters.

-Third-level hunter front position.

-Written examinations, a summary of all subjects.

-Phenomenon analysis.

-Importance of position.

.

.

.

As I organized my notes in front of me, I glanced at the other graduate students around me.

Most were preparing for the hunter's test they would take after graduation.

Students who have already confirmed to enter guilds were nowhere to be seen inside the classroom.

Instead, they are focused on the training ground or in gaining experience by joining professional attacks in the auxiliary positions.

I checked my notes once more.

Suddenly, someone slapped a hand at my desk.

It was Kim Hyun-tae.

"Hey, why are you ignoring me?"

"Oh, you followed me."

"You... Were you muttering about me earlier? I won't let that go."

The guy didn't lower his voice. The other students looked at where the noise was coming from, then immediately turned when they saw it was Kim Hyun-tae.

Guilds were a big thing for cadets who dream of being hunters. The three major guilds are looked up at as heaven.

Kim Hyun-tae is the son of a guild leader.

To put it bluntly, for other cadets, this ugly guy is a child of heaven.

I sighed. "If you have anything to say, go ahead and do it. Don't be noisy."

Hyun-tae's face became more distorted.

I came out of the classroom, and he followed while speaking in a loud voice.

"I have no intention of following your orders. I am two years your senior and..."

"Nope."

"You... what kind of confidence do you have? The professors praised you a little, so you think you can do anything?"

Kim Hyun-tae grinned. I responded.

"Then, can you do anything?"

"What?"

"You were born as the second son of a guild leader. You didn't have to work for anything."

"..."

"The guild leader had worked hard to reach his position. Do you think your father knows how you and your brother is acting in the academy?"

"What are you saying... ... ."

There were two emotions that came to Kim Hyun-tae's face.

Fear and embarrassment.

"Work properly," I advised him. "Don't be an embarrassment to your father."

The guild chiefs established a group of awakened people in a confusing era.

They were heroes who were at the forefront against numerous monsters.

"Or, you would regret it later." I finished.

"..."

Kim Hyun-tae tried to say something, but he kept quiet.

I turned slowly, recalling his pathetic future.

* * *

"Is there still no contact from Jeong Si-woo?"

"Yeah. It is said that he received offers from all three major guilds. Maybe it's quite a worry for him."

"It's not an easy decision. I'm worried, too. I hope he can choose our guild," the middle-aged man muttered as he looked out the window.

"Maybe... Is he the same age as our youngest?"

"Yes. He must have been the same age as Hyun-cheol."

"Maybe they are friends. Maybe he would come to us so they can be active hunters together."

"Well, I don't think the two kids are alike in level..."

"You think? If it can be compared, why don't we just get Hyun-cheol? Ha ha ha ha."

The man burst into laughter.

He had a long beard to go with his long hair.

He was also wearing a hanbok. He looked like he was living in a different era.

"Hyun-cheol must be competent in all directions to compare to him. I don't know if he could pass the hunter's test even after he turns twenty."

"Don't raise your expectations too high. Even though they have the same blood like yours, not everyone can do the same as you."

The man turned away from the window, smiling. Then, he walked slowly and sat in front of the table.

"Hyun-soo."

"Yes?"

"You have to come to see him yourself."

"Yes?"

The name 'Kim Young-hwan' was engraved on the nameplate on the table.

No need to write any other modifier.

The name alone made people know who he is.

Guild Master. Korea's Hero. There's a lot that goes with that name.

"The level of awakening is falling these days..." Kim Young-hwan explained.

"..."

"The monsters coming out of the cracks are getting stronger, while the new awakeners are lacking in talent and not motivated. Besides, I'm getting older as time goes by..."

He looked at his wrinkled hands. Tight muscles are still in place on his body, but as human beings do, he would lose power soon, as he grows in age.

"None of the people I've watched in the last 10 years can compare to the child's talent. For the guild, for humanity... I want that cadet to come here."

"..."

"Honestly, I don't think the child can go elsewhere and reach his full potential. I don't think there will be anyone who knows hunting better than me; anyone who can train him better. It sounds a bit arrogant, but I am simply proud of being the best."

Kim Hyun-soo, his first son, nodded at his father. That was correct.

It's not just because he was his father. It was an objective fact.

No one is a better hunter in Korea than Kim Young-hwan.

"So, go to him. I cannot go directly."

Their eyes met. Kim Hyun-soo was silent for a while, then he opened his mouth, with expression one of submission.

"Yes. Okay. Sooner or later, I'll go and tell him myself."

* * *

Classes in the graduating class ended with minimal instruction.

It was a schedule designed for those preparing for the hunter's test and those who were already scouted by the guilds.

In fact, there was no reason it would take long because there was nothing else to teach them.

Most of the students here are already equipped with power and knowledge that even if they were included in crack raids right now, they wouldn't be a burden.

[Well? Aren't you going to the training ground today?]

"Oh, I'm going out for a while to check on Seong Hyun-woo. There are a few things I need to do."

Seong Hyun-woo is still unstable. It's important to check on him every day.

Fortunately, the hospital wasn't too far from the academy, so I just had to walk to it.

"Hey, are you going out?" Someone from far away called me.

When I turned my head, it was Kim Hyung-tae, following me again.

"Uh, why?" I asked him.

"You're going out on your first day? Did you get permission to go out? You will be disciplined if you go out."

I burst into laughter and turned.

Of course, I have permission.

With the help of Han Yeon-soo, I am able to 'go out indefinitely'.

Besides, even without her help, it was easy to get permission with my current reputation within the academy.

"Hey! You've been ignoring me from the beginning, I'm going to report..."

Kim Hyun-tae's words gradually faded as I continued to ignore him.

As I reached the front door of the academy, goosebumps rose in my body.

"Oh, you're here!"

Han Yeon-soo was there, smiling.

"What?! How did you know... did you wait for me?"

"Ah, I was just walking around here."

"..."

"What a coincidence... Ha ha ha ha ha."

I stared at Han Yeon-soo as she came up with excuses, and in the end, she complained.

"I waited because I thought you would go after your classes... I mean, the hospital is so close to the academy."

"..."

"I've been waiting for two hours here."

"Oh no, you have a lot to do. Why are you wasting your time?"

"I'm bored because the other guild members can take care of business anyway. Let's eat something good outside? I'm a little hungry."

It seemed true that she has waited for two hours.

I sighed and gestured with my head. We went out the front door.

"Eh, yes. It's better to go together than to go alone."

"Are you sure? Hehe," Han Yeon-soo laughed brightly, not fitting her cold appearance.

I burst out laughing with her at her image.

"Well... Cadet Jeong Si-woo?"

Someone called my name.

"I'm sorry - you seem to be having a good time. Can I talk to you for a second?"

I turned and saw a nicely dressed man standing behind me.

"I tried to greet you inside the academy, but I think you're going somewhere. I would ask if you if we could schedule another day, but I'm going to start hunting again tomorrow. So... before the other representatives from the three guilds came, I'd like to talk to you as soon as possible."

The man slowly raised his hand as if he was asking for a handshake.

[Hoo... It seems like someone here uses power that I have seen in Moorim...]

The Traveler said strangely.

I decided to set his remark aside for now and take the handshake.

Only

However,

"What are you doing?!"

Slap!

The man's hand was struck to the side with a surprisingly loud sound.

"He is with me now. We do not always have the time to spend together like this. Why are you trying to take it away? Huh? Don't you know who I am?"

The man who was holding his hand in pain slowly raised his head and looked at Han Yeon-soo's angry face.

His eyes widened as if he was embarrassed.

"Don't touch my baby," Han Yeon-soo's cold voice chilled the atmosphere.