Ch.2424. Child? Is It Me?

# Republic of Korea Monster Response Headquarters. This is a place with strict security.

They collect information on all kinds of anomalies and incidents first and contact the guilds.

And now, an emergency summons has been issued here.

The head of the Monster Response Headquarters, Lim Gil-dong, gathered the leaders of Korea’s three major guilds for an emergency meeting.

The first to arrive was, of course, Dokgo Jun. Stroking his short beard as he entered, he exchanged a light smile with Lim Gil-dong.

“What kind of situation warrants a Level 2 summons?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Something has happened that’s difficult to announce publicly.”

Suddenly, a woman with elaborate makeup appeared beside him.

It was Cho Sung-hee of the Magician Guild, one of Korea’s three major guilds.

Her unique fashion—clothes with vibrant amber-colored patterns and a round hat—passed by. With confident steps, she sat down before anyone else.

“Well, the witch has arrived.”

“Keep calling me a witch and I’ll smack the back of your head. She wasn’t like this ten years ago.”

“Ten years is enough time for mountains to change, isn’t it, big sis?”

Dokgo Jun joked. As he took his seat, the door suddenly burst open.

“This better be interesting enough to capture my attention!”

Park Tae-sang of the Cheonji Guild. Behind him entered a man with a quiet, ordinary impression.

Park Tae-sang pounded the desk.

“Since when does a Level 2 summons include four guilds? Mr. Director! Who’s that guy?”

As Park Tae-sang expressed his displeasure, Dokgo Jun snickered.

“Your temper hasn’t changed, I see. It’s obvious. They must be from the guild that witnessed whatever necessitated the Level 2 summons. You should be able to figure that much out.”

“You bastard?”

As Park Tae-sang was about to lose his temper, Cho Sung-hee waved her hand. Instantly, a magical barrier formed around Park Tae-sang.

“Park Tae-sang. I know you don’t like our Jun, but keep quiet in front of the director. We’ve all known each other since we were kids.”

“Hmph. Dokgo Jun, let’s see how long you stay in that position.”

Dokgo Jun merely giggled at Park Tae-sang’s anger.

“Ahem.”

After this chaos settled, Lim Gil-dong used a projector to explain the situation.

An ordinary monster corpse. But the body connected to a human inside it was enough to make everyone doubt their eyes.

The monster connected to a human that Do Jong-hyun had also seen.

Park Tae-sang tilted his head.

“That’s not something it’s wearing, right? To my eyes, it looks like the skin is integrated with the armor.”

“That’s correct.”

At Lim Gil-dong’s words, Dokgo Jun showed an interested expression, while Cho Sung-hee sent a worried look.

And one more thing: a metallic creature partially revealed by the Sun Guild.

“This seems like a monster, but I’m curious why it ran away. If it were a monster, it should have fought on the spot… or…”

“It could be a human-monster trying to imitate a human.”

Dokgo Jun added supplementary information.

Yes. This is what the government is worried about now.

“Clearly, human-monsters have caused chaos and destruction whenever they’ve appeared. It’s about time for a human-monster to show up again. The government currently believes this creature is a human-monster. These fusion traces might be a precursor to it disguising itself as a human.”

“Finally, we’re digging into the secrets of the human-monsters that have been shrouded in mystery for decades. Though I think it’s too early to jump to conclusions.”

Cho Sung-hee smiled as she looked at her elaborately manicured nails.

“You’re questioning whether that being is truly a human-monster, right, big sis?”

Dokgo Jun was about to put a cigarette in his mouth but received a chorus of throat-clearing from Lim Gil-dong, Park Tae-sang, and Cho Sung-hee.

“My apologies. But there’s not much else to consider. Who would walk around in such a monstrous form?”

“The Goegeopdan.”

At that moment, Cho Sung-hee thought of another group.

Park Tae-sang shook his head.

“The Goegeopdan? They’re crazy bastards who worship monsters, but why would they cosplay as monsters like that? The Goegeopdan is just a cult of trash that would be easy to eliminate if the law gave us execution authority.”

Lim Gil-dong nodded.

“I expected opinions to differ. That’s why I’ve gathered information on everyone who was on the mountain that day.”

Soon, several names began to appear.

[Do Jong-hyun]

“Huh?”

Dokgo Jun reacted to a name he’d heard somewhere. Lim Gil-dong didn’t miss this small change.

“What is it? Do you know someone?”

“There’s a name that was on my scouting list. And that Eun Se-rin who just passed by is an Academy teacher. Coincidentally, there’s someone related to the Academy.”

“Well then. Since we’re on the topic. I’m assigning each of you to investigate. Cho Sung-hee, I want you to look into the recent deaths of monsters. Park Tae-sang, I’m entrusting you with gathering information on the Goegeopdan. And Dokgo Jun, you…”

“I should go to the Academy.”

“Everyone must hide their true purpose. Don’t let it leak to anyone. That includes you, Yoon Chul-il.”

At Lim Gil-dong’s stern warning, Yoon Chul-il, the head of the Sun Guild, hastily nodded.

“Then only show the appearance of the new monster species to the media. Tell them to notify the association immediately upon discovery.”

“Will do.”

Thus, the incident that occurred last night was imprinted in everyone’s minds as a rather important agenda.

*

Though I barely made it back, it certainly took a long time.

The guild system is by no means stupid. After my case was reported several times, they came running, even though they usually don’t respond this quickly.

Like a thief caught stealing, I clutched my pounding heart and tried to sleep.

Fortunately, it ended without much trouble, but the next day, shocking news came from the broadcast.

The news covered the area where I had been hunting.

[This is footage captured yesterday by a sidekick from the Sun Guild, showing a monster half-covered in machinery. It’s estimated to be about 2.2 meters tall and is reported to be a new species of monster. The Sun Guild couldn’t capture it but promised to deal with it next time they encounter it, saying they’ll work jointly with nearby guilds.]

As expected, word got around, and it even made the news.

“That’s strange. There’s no mention of the cyborg armor combined with a human?”

One thing that puzzled me was that the guild must have seen the bizarre appearance of the cyborg armor. Yet it wasn’t mentioned at all in the news.

“Suspicious.”

Yes, it’s suspicious.

Could Eun Se-rin be connected to this somehow? That strange cyborg armor, I mean.

But why wasn’t this fact, which should have been reported in the news, mentioned?

“Why on earth?”

I’m anxious. Things keep happening that differ from the records.

In this case, going outside is forbidden for the time being. I need to complete 10 practical sessions quickly and head to the gate.

So for a week, I focused solely on the simulation room.

I’ve accumulated about 2,300 points, and I have one monster point. I guess I need to enjoy academy life without going out for about a month.

In the end, I concentrated on attending classes diligently and collecting M-points for about a week.

They say every little bit helps, and M-points are definitely useful.

-M-points: 3900

While I was busy collecting M-points, another surprising news came.

Fortunately, it had nothing to do with me—Dokgo Jun would be observing our practical training.

In the future, Dokgo Jun never came during this period. The fact that he’s coming now is evidence that the future has changed.

Anyway, Dokgo Jun’s personality is greedy and cunning.

He was notorious for crushing competitors and monopolizing promising talents.

He must have come to see lower-grade students like Ariel or Seol Yu-hwa.

“Let’s be energetic about this.”

I know well that it has nothing to do with me and won’t be related. I just need to form a party and have fun normally. Who should I team up with today?

Should I ask Seol Yu-hwa again? Or Ariel?

Or maybe the newly introduced Koo Sang-heon? Or Han Min-woo?

Various thoughts crossed my mind.

“Han Min-woo has helped me several times, so it might be good to team up with him.”

Both before my regression and now, Han Min-woo is much kinder than his size suggests.

Since he’s helped me, I should return the favor.

I hope he doesn’t fail by being added to the bus driver list.

I activated my smartwatch. This smartwatch, which shows the time and various information, also recorded the types and number of classes we’ve taken.

Practical classes: 8 sessions total

According to the records, I’ve done about 8 practical sessions so far. Just 2 more to go, and coincidentally, we’re having one today.

But today’s notice included something special.

A very special person would be observing.

We started lining up at the outdoor training ground.

From the lower grades to the upper grades. There was a discipline unlike before.

“Wow~ Those noisy kids are so quiet now?”

The reason is obvious. It’s because the king of Korea’s strongest guild, Dokgo Jun, is watching.

Kids who would normally talk and chatter freely were now quiet in this atmosphere.

“Shh! Be quiet!”

“I heard Dokgo Jun is strict. Shut your mouth.”

In the stern atmosphere where even a single mistake might cause a riot, everyone from the upper grades to the lower grades was looking in one direction.

I also shifted my gaze there. He’s actually very difficult to see in person.

Dokgo Jun, with his neatly trimmed beard, was entering with his secretary and lover, Lee Chae-rin.

The reception was truly fit for a king.

Everyone from the instructors to the school principal was bowing and scraping.

It might be like a university desperate for job placements.

Additionally, there was Jeon Se-jin, a former hero and now a scout. The atmosphere had become as cold as an audition venue.

“It’s really Dokgo Jun. First time seeing him in person.”

“I can feel his aura. So that’s the strongest aptitude holder.”

“His summon is the Lion Heart King. They say he can even beat S-class monsters alone.”

“Idiot, he’s already reached the level of incarnation. He can use the full power of his summon.”

I could hear the voices of people buzzing as they looked at Dokgo Jun.

The bearer of the Lion Heart King Richard I’s summon. His skill was said to have reached the heavens.

It’s no wonder everyone is looking at him like a celebrity.

Dokgo Jun took the microphone in front of us, waiting with the principal.

“You all hate it when things drag on, right?”

The children’s eyes widened at his casual, uncle-like tone.

Dokgo Jun is surprisingly warm and uncle-like when you meet him one-on-one.

The problem is when he’s hostile.

“The top students from this academy have always been taken by our guild. And every one of them has become famous. Lee Chae-rin here is the same, and now she’s my secretary and head of the guard. While I can’t disclose her salary, it’s beyond imagination. Along with that comes the honor and status of being a top student. Today, I’ll be watching for raw gems. Everyone, do your best to prove yourself. The same goes for sidekicks. We want excellent sidekicks. In some ways, it might be easier to join than the combat team.”

By mentioning even the often-overlooked sidekicks, he raised expectations to the fullest.

The boring speech had suddenly turned into enthusiastic support.

This is Dokgo Jun.

After the speech, the instructors shouted with voices twice as loud as usual.

“Form teams autonomously and report. The first teams ready will take the test first.”

An incredible intelligence war unfolded before our eyes.

Everyone was engaged in a battle of wits to achieve good results.

But I was indifferent.

“It’s not like it has anything to do with me anyway.”

Knowing I wouldn’t be chosen, I was relatively at ease.

Just then, someone approached me proudly.

“Do Jong-hyun?”

Ariel. This red-haired asymmetrical short-cut grabbed my shoulder.

And with a more greedy face than ever, she thrust her face close to mine.

“Do Jong-hyun! You know what? If this goes well, I’ll reward you nicely. Team up with me right now! Assist me!”

She was so close I could feel her breath. I could even see Ariel’s eyelashes clearly.

But at that moment, a cold voice was heard.

“Stop. Don’t force him.”

“Seol Yu-hwa. Why are you butting in suddenly?”

Ariel turned around, and I could see Seol Yu-hwa glaring at her from behind.

An invisible battle was taking place between the gazes of the two.

Seol Yu-hwa declared confidently:

“Team up with me. Ariel won’t listen to you anyway.”

The tension was escalating. The intense battle of wits between Ariel and Seol Yu-hwa created a suspenseful atmosphere.

As cold sweat ran down my forehead, I spotted Han Min-woo in my field of vision.