episode_0015

Natsuki came into the club looking very nervous.

Inside the club, there were numerous bullet marks, blood stains, and the smell of blood.

I was sitting leisurely in the middle of the dance floor.

I sat down on the chair with my posture as arrogant as possible,

Natsuki and I made eye contact and explored each other.

Natsuki is exactly the same as she was 5 years ago, when I missed her.

But I was facing her with a completely different look than that day.

She looked at my face with her mouth slightly open, as if she was lost.

“Wow…you…are so handsome…“

“Could you please stop staring so intently? I’m embarrassed.”

Next, Natsuki looked at the two Skeleton Knights standing next to me.

They are very well armed with heavy armor,

He was holding a great sword and guarding my side.

Let’s stare at her with empty eyes that pierce even our souls,

She shivered slightly.

‘I don’t know when the side effects of attribution will appear… but I need to end it as quickly as possible.’

“So, why did you call me, let’s have a blast?“

“Um…that’s not true, I’m actually on your side.“

“Don’t be rude, you might be in the same league as the Black Sapa bastards.”

The pressure of being a leader, and now she is in the business district of another organization.

It was obvious that if she showed up weakly in front of me right now, something bad would happen.

Fortunately, she came towards me with a more confident posture.

“Hey… So, you personally killed the leader of the Black Death Sect? Alone too? furthermore. That’s a man?“

“Bingo.“

“Don’t be funny…”

I smiled and looked at her.

Beautiful and warm appearance, and overwhelming power that does not match it.

The image of me staring confidently at her while holding a black staff,

It was clear that he gave off the feeling of a high-level hunter.

I saw her eyes shaking slightly and looking at me,

[Cognitive Decline D] skill also seemed to be being applied well.

“Is he a magic-type Awakened person… And the man is an Awakened person… Could it be that he is an academy graduate…?”

Natsuki was talking quietly to herself and assessing the odds of victory in her head.

She glared at me, holding her silver dagger tightly.

It started to come out stronger.

“So, what should I do? Should I at least praise you? or not. What do you mean the next target is us? I’m telling you in advance. You can’t be taken lightly like these bastards. Remember this.“

I thought for a moment, then pointed my finger at her.

Or, more accurately, he pointed to a woman standing next to Natsuki.

‘Let’s deal with the traitor first.’

“[Rocket Delivery].“

Shhh—!

At that moment, something like a small portal opened and a dagger flew out.

Just—!

“Ugh…!“

The handle of the dagger hit exactly on the forehead of one gang member,

The traitor who was her right-hand man collapsed helplessly.

For a moment, everyone fell into silence,

Natsuki quickly raised her dagger.

The moment when it was about to be thrown straight at me.

click–!

I quickly pulled out the magnum from my belt,

Natsuki instinctively stopped her hand.

As soon as he held a silver revolver in both hands and aimed it at her and the gang members,

The skeleton knights next to me were guarding me, holding greatswords.

“If you do something stupid, I will kill you all. Stay calm.“

“Gun…? It can’t be an ordinary gun… Most of the gang members here were level 2 awakened…”

“That’s right, so if you and your men fight me now, there’s no chance of winning. You’re probably level 2 now, and the rest… are probably level 1.”

“Ugh… This bastard…! I will kill you…!“

“Ahaha… I feel relieved….“

‘That damn bitch sold me and Natsuki that day… and that’s what happened…’

I smiled brightly at her and then,

He pointed with his chin at the fallen traitor.

“You, check that guy’s pockets. You’ll probably be surprised“

“Fuck you, don’t listen to that guy. I’m sorry it’s such a waste of time…“

“Natsuki, your teacher always said that. They say you have to clean the bottom of the lamp periodically.”

“You… how did you do that…?“

A word her teacher always emphasized.

Don’t trust one person too deeply.

After being betrayed, it will carve a deep wound in your heart just as much as you gave it to me.

“Holy shit…”

The most unsettling possibility she’s ever had.

In Natsuki’s eyes, I seemed to be someone related to her teacher.

‘I think I’ll be in trouble if I get caught later… Here, I’ll have to take advantage of the situation by bluffing.’

The black gloves I had were shining.

The subspace skill I just showed is an extremely rare ability,

Moreover, the Skeleton Knights who are now firmly guarding his side.

It was clear that in her eyes now, I would be seen as a high-level awakened person.

If you enhance the [Recognition Decrease] skill to D rank, it will not only make you look like an ordinary person.

On the contrary, I was able to deceive others into thinking that I was much more powerful than my abilities.

Conversely, it is also possible to almost hide the power I have.

“What on earth are you…”

She stared at me in panic.

‘If she moves hastily, all of her tissue will die as well.’

I could read this thought through her facial expression.

[congratulations! You have acquired the Attention skill!]

‘I’m going crazy… Am I a gung-ho? What kind of interest method…’

I was so dumbfounded that I almost laughed for a moment.

First, he was staring at her while holding the magnum.

Natsuki hesitated for a moment, but gave an order to one of the gang members.

“I will be on guard, so watch carefully. It might be a trap.”

“Ugh…Ugh..”

Then a girl started searching the fallen traitor’s pockets.

“Damn… I wasn’t coming here…“

A member of the organization carefully rummaged through his clothes pockets.

Inside, a purple envelope appeared.

As the girl slowly looked at the contents of the letter, her expression became increasingly distorted.

“Sister…Sister… This guy… Tried to sell us out to the Black Party…?“

“What..?! Give it to me. I have to see it for myself.“

Natsuki started reading the contents of the paper.

A letter from an organization named [The Great Old One],

After luring the boss of the organization she worked for in the Black Death Sect and dealing with them all.

They promised to give her honorable compensation and a place with them.

Even, this wasn’t her first time dealing with this.

Approximately a year ago, he had been stealing the assets of [Fallen Star] and giving them to the organization.

Not only the organization’s cash but also the list of organization members who were thought to have run away from home were already listed as a ‘donation list’.

“Now, let’s see… Recently, the Black Sasang faction has been raiding particularly frequently… Hideout locations have been robbed… Haven’t a few business districts been taken away?“

“You… how do you know that…“

“Not only that… Do you keep the pendant your teacher gave you?“

“That…I hid it well in a safe…but one day it disappeared…“

As soon as I saw her downcast expression,

I threw a silver, sparkling pendant into the air.

Natsuki quickly caught it.

A magic item given by her teacher to her student for her birthday.

It was an ancient relic containing the teacher’s intention to bless Natsuki’s future.

Not surprisingly, the pendant stolen by the traitor was worn by Cho Jin-hee.

It seemed that the traitor was already doing close business with the Black Death Sect.

‘If you sprinkled this much rice cake… it’s time to take the bait…’

“Now, do you understand what I’m doing at this level?“

“Damn…what…do you want…“

I was already standing at the negotiating table, looking down at her,

She has been a hunter since she was young and achieved level 2 faster than others.

It seemed like he decided that he couldn’t beat me with his current strength.

‘If I had dealt with Cho Jin-hee and his subordinates alone… at least level 3… no, maybe… level 4…?’

She swallowed her saliva and waited for my answer.

But I smiled and offered her a very good deal.

“From now on, I want you to manage the territory owned by the Black Death Sect. Oh, of course there will be some conflicts. Don’t worry about that, I’ll help you out a bit.“

“What…. What? Don’t lie, do you know that I don’t know your intentions?“

“Intention? What are your intentions?“

I smiled and placed the pistols into the small portal.

And when I snap my fingers, I follow the Skeleton Knight from a room in the back.

People came rushing out all at once.

Among them were children and old people,

Everyone had a very shocking visual.

As soon as she saw that scene, Natsuki dropped the dagger without realizing it.

” Honorable name. I brought my master’s property.“

“Ai… I keep telling you not to treat people like objects.“

“Sorry.“

As soon as the liberated people came out and encountered other gang members, they were terrified.

As soon as the atmosphere became chaotic with whispering sounds,

I skillfully raised my hand to captivate the crowd and instantly calmed their anxiety.

Then he nodded his head at her and said.

“I am neither a villain nor a hero. So… I’ll leave it up to you to decide what to do with these people.“

“Well… Is this some kind of modification… No way, these people…“

“Your prediction was roughly correct, disappearance cases occurred consecutively in the Sillim-dong area. Those are the victims.”

Then he got up from the chair and slowly walked towards Natsuki.

“Listen carefully. The teacher who was guiding you… well, we lost contact, so from now on. I plan to take charge of you and guide you.“

“… Lie… There is no way Master… left me…“

I looked at her with a bitter smile.

At Natsuki’s funeral and afterwards.

Because the person who was her teacher never showed his face.

At her funeral, I stood alone in mourning clothes in front of her portrait.

I was wondering if Natsuki’s teacher might come to visit.

Even when I stayed up several nights looking at the last photo of her smiling.

In the end, no one showed up to her funeral.

Even her parents.

‘To put it the other way… Even if I pretend to be a teacher, there won’t really be any setbacks…’

I smiled sweetly and held out her hand.

“Sad but true, we are also looking for her whereabouts, but I have decided to temporarily take charge of you, her student.“

“Then you… will be my teacher from now on…”

She held my hand with a downcast face.

Although they seem to be of similar age, in addition to their handsome appearance, they speak and act like adults.

Perhaps I might really seem like a teacher to her.

How many seconds passed?

Natsuki looked at me with a solemn expression.

Then, with his back bent at a right angle, he bowed his head to me.

“You can just call me Master… I look forward to your continued support.“

I patted her shoulder with a satisfied face.

Then he helped Natsuki up and smiled brightly.

“Please take good care of me in the future too, my student. Natsuki.“

Her gang members lined up to create a gap for me to pass through.

“Then, if we become friends, we will meet again sooner or later. So first of all, take good care of your area. If I get taken over by other guys… I have to take action myself again.“

“You really have no shame… Master.“

“It’s okay, it’s okay. Don’t be too discouraged. It’s really great that a kid who hasn’t even entered the academy yet can maintain his zone like this.”

Let me open the entrance door.

Beyond it stood a woman with long, red hair.

“Young master~! I’m here! I wonder if it’s too late!“

“Hello Alice~“

“That… Could it be that Alice is active as a vigilante in this area…?“

“Yes, that’s right. He’s my friend… and my partner.“

I turned around and spoke to one of the freed men.

“Let’s go, Minhee Park, your daughter is waiting for you.“

“Yes…!”

The released people looked at Natsuki with half suspicion and half fear.

Of course, given her personality, it was obvious that Natsuki would immediately set them free.

I trusted her, and she would follow my bill too.

Natsuki hesitated, then called out to me.

“Wait…wait! Name… Please tell me at least your name!!“

I turned to face her and said with a bright smile.

“My name is Seojin Han, and maybe soon we’ll meet again at the academy.“

“What…what? So you’re also… an academy student?“

“Yes, same as you [new student].“

I turned around and waved my hand.

As the Skeleton Knights closed, the nightclub fell into silence.

In anticipation of being reunited with her, I went outside with excited steps.

—–

I went outside and breathed in the fresh air.

The midwinter air in January was so refreshing and pleasant.

Is it because I consumed so much magical power earlier and was completely relaxed?

My body didn’t feel like my own, and my whole body felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Alice, who was walking next to me, was holding a sword and clinging to me with an excited expression on her face.

He jumped around with a very happy expression and started telling me stories of his heroics.

“Master! How was I? Wasn’t it very cool? With that single sword you also used… you cut down as many as five people at once!“

“Five? Oh… that’s amazing?“

“Hehe…! You still have a long way to go in training… I will give you the honor of training with me later!“

I smiled and stroked her head.

Even though I was the only one who wiped out the Black Death Sect’s stronghold, I was greatly grateful for her help.

“Hehehe… You can praise me a little more! By the way, who is this person here?“

“Ah… I… My name is Park Min-hee… “

“She is my client’s mother. Now I want to let you meet your daughter.“

Alice’s expression became brighter and she looked back at me.

And then he held Park Min-hee’s hand and started running around.

“Master…! I rescued a family that was captured by a villain…! This Alice, I was very touched…!

Then Alice held both of her hands and spoke with a very excited expression.

“My sword and the master’s sword will be with you, so don’t worry about anything…!“

“Ah..yes…thank you…master…“

“Master…?“

Alice looked at me with an expression of confusion for a moment.

“Sseu-eup… Don’t look at me like that, it’s not like that.“

We walked side by side on the streets of midwinter,

Not long after, we arrived in front of Alice’s house.

After taking Alice home,

I tried to hand over a generous amount of money for my trouble, but…

“Hehe… That seems like a very large amount of money… But a true hero is not obsessed with money! I can’t take this money!“

“Hmm… Then, can I repay you with a hamburger later?“

She smiled brightly and nodded her head vigorously.

Then he started laughing, as if he was imagining a hamburger.

“Hamburger…! Okay… That’s… Money… It’s not money, so I think it’s safe!“

“Okay, see you later then! Alice.“

“Go in, sir~! I really had fun today!!!“

I got into the limousine I had called, carrying my heavy body.

Then he took a breath and wiped the blood off his clothes.

It wasn’t easy to wipe off, but I was glad it wasn’t my blood.

[congratulations! The relationship rank with Natsuki has increased!]

[congratulations! The relationship rank with Alice has increased!]

—–

“I went…“

“Master! You’ve been there!“

I greeted Yu-ri Lee warmly who came to meet me.

Behind her, like she just got out of the shower.

Yoo Ji-hye was standing there, sweltering with steam.

As soon as Jihye saw her mother standing behind me, she ran,

The mother and daughter were embracing each other and having a touching reunion.

To make room for the mother and daughter to meet,

I lay helplessly on the sofa, covering my throbbing head.

“Mom..! Mom..!“

“Wisdom…! Sorry…! I’m so sorry mom…“

They hugged each other with tears in their eyes.

I watched their reunion with a happy expression.

Yu-ri Lee, who was sitting next to me, looked at me with a worried expression as I was covered in blood.

But I raised my thumb without saying anything,

She also had the sense to not ask any more questions.

“Thank you so much…! How should I repay this favor…!“

I leaned back on the sofa and tried to gather myself from feeling like I was going to faint.

And after sitting across from Yoo Ji-hye and her mother,

We decided to talk about the future.

“Um… Well, what kind of work was Minhee Park doing before?“

“Ah…I…I…“

She looked up at me cautiously and took Jihye’s hand.

He looked worried for a moment, then looked at me.

“As you saw in the basement… I have awakened to the ability to manufacture drugs. Previously, I worked as a researcher at Shinpoong Pharmaceutical.“

‘Shinpoong Pharmaceutical…?’

If she worked as a researcher at Shinpoong Pharmaceutical, a leading pharmaceutical company in Korea,

It was a confirmation that they were already capable elites.

“Then, is it possible to manufacture an elixir?“

“Yes..! yes He was in charge of manufacturing the elixir… in a project that was in progress before he was kicked out as a guarantee..“

“Oh…!“

When I entered the academy, I needed quite a few different kinds of elixirs.

Not only that, but since I don’t have any healing ability, I had to solve it somehow with medicine without a healer.

‘I was going to ask Joo-hee to find someone… I guess this person would be quite trustworthy…?’

I put my hand on my chin and looked worried for a moment.

The tired faces of these women who have nowhere else to go.

Although the two seemed happy just to be reunited, they had no one to rely on from now on.

If I wandered around the alley again right now, I might get kidnapped by gangsters again.

After quickly calculating in my head, I spoke softly to her.

“Then… make a deal with me.“

“Deal…yo…?“

They looked at me with anxious expressions.

For them, there was no word more unsettling than ‘deal’.

But I smiled kindly and sat close to them.

“Actually, I was in need of an expert who could manufacture drugs. It’s not a narcotic, but something like a body strengthening elixir.“

“Ah… in that case… how long can I work for you… from now on…?“

“It’s okay, Mom… If I earn living expenses through hunter activities in the meantime…“

I smiled and looked at her.

Now, the mother and daughter seemed to have mistakenly thought that they wanted me to serve them for free.

‘Kehehe… I saved your life, so repay me with your body…!’ With that feeling.

I took out several bundles of cash from my desk drawer and put them in their hands.

It was two bundles of cash worth 5 million won.

“This…is…?“

“Please work with us from now on. I’ll get you a job at a research center soon… so you can hear more details from there.“

I then looked at Yoo Ji-hye.

She looked at me with bright eyes.

“As far as I know… I know that Yoo Ji-hye was accepted into Central Academy. And I understand that an entrance ceremony will be held soon.“

“Ha…but my family can’t afford the academy’s tuition…“

“It would be a shame to miss out on a talented person who was proudly accepted into that prestigious academy… I will also provide your daughter’s tuition and other expenses.“

They looked back at me with surprised expressions.

I feel like I’m about to collapse now,

I barely got up from my seat and held their hands.

‘[persuade]’

“I know it’s a ridiculous proposal. Not only did they suddenly save my life, but they also provided me with a job and tuition.“

“…“

“But… if you’ve experienced such terrible things, wouldn’t it be right to have this kind of luck come your way? I can’t tell you right now why I support you so much, but…“

I looked at Yoo Ji-hye.

“Please think of it as having met a strange fate. Yuri, is our guest room still empty?“

“Yes, master. I cleaned it as usual.“

“For now, you two can live here. The salary of the research institute is not yet exact, but it is around 500 per month after tax.“

“Well…you can’t get that much…!“

“No, you have to take it. I already know that you received more than this from your previous pharmaceutical company.“

“…really…thank you…“

She eventually couldn’t bear the intense emotions and began to burst into tears.

Yoo Ji-hye also shed tears while hugging her.

It seemed like they had no idea what to do about the happiness that had finally come to the mother and daughter.

“Then… I have some urgent business to do. More details later. Yuri, please guide the two of you.“

“Yes…! You two, please follow me…!“

Yoo Ji-hye looked up at me while holding my hand.

He looked at me with tearful eyes and spoke to me in tears.

“Thank you so much… really… really… “

I patted her shoulder and spoke calmly.

“It’s no big deal, I’m sorry for coming so late.“

I waved my hand as if nothing had happened with all my might, and then went down to the basement.

[congratulations! The relationship rank with Yoo Ji-hye has increased!]

I barely came to my senses and took a dip in the hot spring water.

Along with the feeling that all the fatigue in my body was gone, my depleted magical power began to be recharged.

Both arms were bright red and swollen, and the eyes were bloodshot.

Most of my body was paralyzed, just like when I drank poison that day.

‘The side effects of attribution… are greater than I thought… I need to use it moderately in the future…’

With my eyes closed, I was feeling the warmth of the hot spring water.

I will be entering the academy in a few days.

Yu-ri Lee and her family were saved,

Yu Ji-hye was prevented from becoming a villain, and Natsuki was also saved.

Now I can rest in peace for a while.

I was able to live my life at the academy peacefully.

I suddenly thought of Lauren, Lapis, and Surtur.

Where are they and what are they doing right now?

Lapis has not yet entered the academy.

I understand that Surt was probably appointed as a new instructor this year.

Since she doesn’t participate in first-year classes, there seems to be little contact with her.

It seemed like I could definitely meet Lauren at the Academy.

If you’re lucky, you might be able to be together from the day of the entrance ceremony.

It was such a close relationship, full of trust and trust.

Starting over from scratch felt a bit confusing.

But I didn’t think it was too bad.

Just like I saved Yu-ri Lee, I could have possibly helped Lauren with her complicated problems.

Not only that, but during my academy days, I couldn’t do anything due to lack of ability.

I didn’t know if I would be able to help other people in the future.

Perhaps, like Alice or Yoo Ji-hye, I might meet a new relationship.

Of course, more than that…

‘If you want to accumulate a lot of relationship points… you need to be friendly with everyone. Well, there’s nothing I’m particularly obsessed with, so that’s good.’

I smiled and took a dip in the hot spring water.

I felt like whatever I did in the future would turn out well.

Have you ever been this tired?

I survived, and I will continue to survive tenaciously.

For those who love, loved, and were loved.

No matter what the cost.

I will definitely protect them.

Tiring!

“Keuung…“

I lifted my phone and checked the text message.

It was Jia Han’s message.

“Brother! The entrance ceremony will be soon, right? Should we all get together tomorrow and have a party to celebrate?”

“Oh, that’s right… I forgot…“

I typed slowly with wet hands.

“Yeah, okay. “Shall we go eat my favorite sirloin?”

“Oh, your younger brother lives there? Then I will eat well without hesitation! Oh, and…”

‘I feel uneasy about something…’

After a while, another message arrived.

“You were walking out of the Heuksapa hideout earlier… You didn’t do anything bad, right? ♥」

“Haa… Shit…“

Han Ji-ah is a [S]-class hunter who also works as a hero.

Maybe it was because it took so long.

I feel like I was discovered by her.

I never thought I would be discovered by her, let alone another hero.

I will protect you because we are part of the same family, but

It was obvious that I would be bombarded with all kinds of questions.

Because that’s one of the roles of a hero.

‘If I had known this would happen, I would have strengthened the [Cognitive Impairment] skill more…’

It seemed like he still didn’t have the ability to avoid Han Jia’s eyes.

I sighed and finished replying.

“Well… it’s complicated, though. It’s no big deal, sister. “I’ll meet you and talk to you slowly.”

“Okay then, I’ll pick you up tomorrow! Rest well~♥”

“Nothing will happen…“

After ignoring the strong feeling for a moment.

I closed my eyes and surrendered my whole body to the warm water.

I hope it’s not a big deal.