Ch.24Online Disciple Song Hayeon (3)

When Baek Eunha first recorded her results in the Hunter registration test, the unprecedented numbers caused an uproar in the public.

However, most of it died down in less than a day. This was because certain behind-the-scenes operations were taking place.

“Oh, that? I heard it was an error.”

“Well, those numbers don’t make sense anyway. The highest record in Korea? Even a passing dog would laugh at that.”

“Damn. I got excited for nothing thinking a big shot had appeared.”

The moment rumors about Baek Eunha began to spread, the higher-ups who received the news ordered a complete cover-up. They judged that they needed time to assess the situation first.

“…The numbers themselves are hard to believe.”

“Is there any possibility of equipment malfunction?”

“After verification, the possibility is extremely low.”

But beyond the numbers, this time Baek Eunha herself was also a problem.

“She was definitely a Type B returnee, correct?”

Type B.

It referred to returnees who had been thrown into another world and somehow managed to come back alive without any special powers.

“A Type B returnee who awakened…”

As far as they knew, this was the first such case. That alone was reason enough to hide the facts for now.

“According to the initial diagnosis upon her return, she repeatedly made inconsistent statements while showing multiple symptoms of mental instability. However, the content…”

Lord of Death, a Necromancer who held an absolute position in the other world.

And even now, Baek Eunha identified her title as the Lord of Death.

“How should we interpret this?”

“We can’t tell at this point. We lack information.”

“It’s likely she’s just calling herself that due to her mental condition, and her actual title is something else.”

“But given how things have developed, we can’t dismiss it as 100% false either, can we?”

“…Hmm.”

In the end, they needed to monitor the situation further regardless.

At the same time, Choi Dahye, the Deputy Director of the Hunter Association, spoke up.

“Wasn’t Baek Seoha’s request that there be no commotion about the returnee’s identity?”

“That’s right. But now it’s become difficult to maintain that.”

No matter how much they controlled the information, it would eventually become known both domestically and internationally.

It was just a matter of time, but delaying it as much as possible was also their responsibility.

“…I ask everyone to do their best for now. We must prevent talent drain and ensure incidents like what happened with Cha Hwain never occur again.”

“That goes without saying.”

“I’ll arrange a conversation with Baek Seoha soon. Her role has become even more important in many ways.”

With that, everyone at the meeting returned to their positions, unable to hide their fatigue.

It seemed that another massive wave was beginning to show itself.

#

Ding.

[So, um. Your master is actually a returnee who appears on TV?]

[Yes.]

After parting with Song Hayeon, I continued our unfinished conversation through a messenger app.

This was much more comfortable than talking in person. It gave me a sense of calm.

[Really?]

Song Hayeon seemed to find it hard to believe, but she would realize it was the truth if she thought about it herself.

It made sense in many ways.

I briefly explained my current situation and future plans to her.

Since I had taken her as an official disciple, there was no need to hide anything, and it would certainly be more convenient.

‘Song Hayeon is useful.’

She’s not the type to betray me unless faced with a life-threatening situation.

She was adequate enough to keep around for now.

[So, to summarize, you’ve lost your powers now? And you’ve found a clue to recover them?]

Song Hayeon accepted the situation without much difficulty.

It provided a sufficient explanation for why someone with so much knowledge was only a Level 1 Hunter, and why I needed to run low-rank dungeons diligently.

[Yes! Don’t worry! I’ll help you as your first disciple!]

She responded exactly as I expected. I finally put down my phone with a smile, feeling like I had regained a lost subordinate.

Then I began to contemplate more seriously.

‘Regaining my power is just a matter of time, but…’

Having reached this point, I needed to consider something.

“…It’s infuriating.”

What exactly was the entity that reduced me to this state?

‘……’

At first, I thought this was simply the result of some law or principle without anyone’s intervention.

Something like a defense mechanism or self-purification process, so to speak.

From this world’s perspective, I was like a virus from the outside.

But based on Helena’s story, that wasn’t the case.

The method was, how should I put it, clearly artificial.

It made no sense unless it contained someone’s intention.

‘Serejia… it can’t be her.’

A mere demi-god couldn’t possibly exert such a feat. Whatever else she might be capable of, binding my power was impossible for her.

Therefore, the entity that reached out to me must certainly be on this side. That much was clear.

‘…Though I’m still not sure what it is.’

Perhaps it’s connected to the emergence of awakened individuals and the dungeon incidents occurring on Earth now.

That was a major reason why I hadn’t explained the details to Seoha.

In fact, by now I could easily prove that my words were true. I could even get testimonies from Song Hayeon and Helena if needed.

But there was no need for that. If Seoha realized the truth, she would worry excessively and spend all day thinking about it. That wasn’t desirable.

‘…I told her so many times anyway.’

It’s Seoha’s fault for not believing me. Now that things have come to this, I won’t tell her the inside story until she figures it out herself. I was surprisingly petty.

‘Either way, things are fine as they are.’

While I was somewhat spiteful, ultimately this was something I had to resolve myself. I didn’t want to involve anyone else.

Simply put, someone unknown had challenged me specifically.

And I was not one to back down from such challenges.

I bring terror and death to my enemies, enough to make them regret their actions. That was what it meant to be a Necromancer.

I didn’t particularly care who the opponent was.

‘Once I regain my power.’

I would make them pay the price, one way or another.

#

What I needed to do now was extremely simple.

Using Song Hayeon’s qualification as a B-rank Hunter, we would form a 2-person party and continuously run low-rank dungeons.

That was all.

Ding.

[How about this one? There’s a D4 rank dungeon that just appeared in Songdo.]

[D4 is too weak.]

Ding.

[Then what about this? It’s D3 rank in Busan. It was registered just 20 minutes ago.]

[Busan is too far.]

After I kept rejecting her suggestions, Song Hayeon, who had been silent for a moment, sent another message.

[So when are we actually going to find one? Can’t we just run whatever’s available?]

‘……’

She wasn’t wrong.

But places that were truly far away wouldn’t work.

It was nearly impossible for me to use public transportation in my current state, and even if Song Hayeon drove me herself, I wouldn’t be able to endure the side effects if it took too long.

When I pointed this out, Song Hayeon hesitantly replied.

Ding.

[We have bags, so can’t you just go while throwing up?]

[Then you’ll be expelled and we’ll go our separate ways.]

[I’ll look for other options…..]

Back in my day, disciples did whatever their masters told them without complaint.

I clicked my tongue and focused back on my game. This round was a mid-lane battle. I had to carry no matter what. Dungeon reservations were not my concern right now.

[Shine again before death!]

“Why use that now!”

Bang.

Watching the enemies who survived thanks to an ally’s ultimate ability, I seethed with frustration.

And I thought to myself that forming a 2-person party with Song Hayeon was the right decision.

If I had joined a regular party for dungeons, I would have been infuriated by the sight of unhelpful debuff totems.

‘Well, Song Hayeon is still inexperienced too.’

But if I guided her well, there shouldn’t be any problems.

Since we had only communicated through messages until now, I hadn’t had the chance, but the moment to demonstrate a master’s dignity in person was approaching.

‘I need to establish dominance firmly to prevent insubordination.’

And now, two days later.

At the entrance checkpoint of a D1 rank small dungeon located near Ilsan, Gyeonggi.

“Excuse me. I’m sorry, but without your Hunter license, entry is not possible.”

“……”

“Even if you look at me like that, it’s the rule…”

Facing the temporary checkpoint staff, I felt Song Hayeon’s subtle gaze on me as I stood there helplessly.

‘Ugh.’

Her eyes seemed to say, “I went through all this trouble to secure entry qualifications, and now this?”

‘This isn’t what I intended…’

The dignity of a master was crumbling.

This was the price I paid for playing games until late at night due to consecutive losses and then rushing out in a hurry.