Chapter 19

Monday mornings for office workers are a pain in the ass.

After a two-day break during the weekend, the streets on the way to work were filled with people rushing about.

 

But today.

That didn’t apply to Do-jun at all.

Even though his new suit felt a bit stuffy,

And the bottom hem of his pants was a little too tight every time he walked.

Unlike usual, today was a pleasant day for him.

“Please go to the Hunter Academy.”

“Yes, sir.”

Do-jun reread the admission letter notice and confirmed the time, date, and location.

The National Hunter Academy was located in Yejang-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul.

It was originally a forest, but a few years ago, it was repurposed, and the academy was built.

– Have a good time. Buy me something delicious, ‘kay?

Looking at the text from Kwon Hyuk-soo,

Do-jun smiled.

He remembered what happened last Friday afternoon.

＊ ＊ ＊

“I… Chief.”

It was still 2:30 PM when one should be concentrating on work.

Do-jun got up from his seat and walked towards the chief.

Kang Chul-soo had his hands full since he was writing an official letter of cooperation to the Hunter Management Agency for them to be able to jointly manage B-class Great Rifts now.

“Why? Is there something you want to say?”

“May I take the half-day off next Monday morning?”

Honestly, Do-jun wanted to take the whole day off, but he couldn’t dare to ask for it because he was aware that the office became quite busy nowadays.

“What’s the matter?”

“It’s a personal matter, sir…”

“Is it something you can’t discuss?”

Up until now, Do-jun kept it a secret from the department that he had a daughter. Their age difference with each other was only nine years, so others might find it difficult to understand his circumstances.

He thought that it was better to keep it to himself first as there are many people around who like to spread rumors.

Nod.

Kang Chul-soo scratched his head.

“Well, that’s troublesome… Hyuk-soo has a business trip scheduled next Monday.”

“Business trip?”

“You see, next Monday, the Hunter Academy will be having their entrance ceremony. We received an official letter asking related government agencies to attend, but no one had the time. So, we decided to let Hyuk-soo go there on our behalf.”

Do-jun’s eyes widened.

He didn’t know about that.

“I sent Hyuk-soo out so that you could focus on Cha Yeji.”

“I understand. Please take back what I said about me taking the half-day off.”

“If it’s urgent, then hand in a leave notice. It’s not as if our department would be in ruins just because both of you are absent.”

However, Kang Chul-soo was still nervous even as he uttered those words.

In fact, with the absence of Kwon Hyuk-soo and Do-jun, the key members of the Rift Management Department, they would have difficulties handling emergencies.

“No, it’s alright. Don’t worry about it, Chief.”

Do-jun bowed his head and returned to his cubicle.

He opened a messaging app on his phone and messaged Kwon Hyuk-soo.

– Lee Do-jun: Sir.

Kwon Hyuk-soo tilted his head in confusion, looking at the message from Do-jun.

He was wondering why he had sent him a message when he was just right next to him.

– Kwon Hyuk-soo: Yes?

– Lee Do-jun: Are you going to the Hunter Academy next Monday?

– Kwon Hyuk-soo: Yes, from 8 AM to 12 PM. I’ll be back after lunch.

– Lee Do-jun: Can I go there instead?

– Kwon Hyuk-soo: Why so suddenly…?

– Lee Do-jun: Let’s go to the lounge. I’ll tell you.

＊ ＊ ＊

“Pfft!”

Kwon Hyuk-soo spat out the coffee he was drinking.

“Y-you have a daughter?”

“It’s quite complicated. Please keep it a secret from others.”

“Your age this year is…?”

“26.”

“But your daughter is 17?”

He couldn’t believe it.

‘If so, at what age did he have the child?’

It was absolutely impossible, even as he roughly calculated the years.

“Are you married?”

“No, she’s not my biological daughter.”

“Ahh… Hahaha.”

Kwon Hyuk-soo let out an awkward laugh.

“Does Ms. Yeji know about this?”

“Yes, why are you asking, though…?”

Obviously, Cha Yeji liked Do-jun.

But who would be happy to know that the person they like is raising a child?

However, in Kwon Hyuk-soo’s eyes, Do-jun seemed to be completely ignorant in terms of love and dating, so he didn’t seem to understand this.

“Well, Ms. Yeji has already been to my house, so they know each other.”

“A-and she didn’t say anything about it?”

“Yeah.”

“Woah. Not everyone could stand that…”

Kwon Hyuk-soo tilted his head as he sipped his coffee.

“Anyway, if that’s the case, then you should go. I’ll tell the chief as well. Of course, I’ll keep your situation a secret.”

“Thank you, sir.”

＊ ＊ ＊

Screeech.

The taxi stopped at the entrance of the Hunter Academy after a 20-minute drive.

Seol Yoon-hee woke up early this morning and arrived at the academy first.

Probably by now, she’s at the assembly hall waiting for the entrance ceremony to begin.

“Should I go further up, sir?”

If he got off the cab from there, it would still be a 10-minute walk from the main gate to the academy building.

Furthermore, it was an uphill road.

However, Do-jun shook his head and held out his card to pay for the fare.

“Thank you.”

Then, he got off the taxi.

Looking around, there were many street vendors who were either selling food or bouquets of flowers.

‘I should buy one.’

Do-jun took a quick look and chose a bouquet that he liked.

It had about ten purple tulips wrapped beautifully.

Vrooom!!

There were also many luxury cars driving up the paved uphill road.

Usually, the families of the students from the Hunter Academy were wealthy.

Since most of their relatives were Hunters, if not conglomerates, many students come from the upper class.

Do-jun took his time walking up the slope.

Ordinary people would’ve been out of breath by then, but Do-jun hadn’t even broken a sweat.

The people around them started to glance at Do-jun.

“Wha… What the heck is he?”

He was tall and had distinct features. Even though he was wearing a suit, he looked like he worked out a lot.

Despite the fact that he was obviously walking leisurely (in his perspective),

It was at a fast pace. Just as fast as running up.

‘Why are they staring at me like that?’

Do-jun walked up quickly, still wondering.

Soon enough, he arrived at the entrance of the main building, and a large placard welcomed Do-jun.

‘What a crowd.’

At that moment,

Do-jun saw a familiar face.

About 165-centimeters tall with a slim figure.

With long, straight hair that reached her waist.

‘Han Min-ji. Why is she here…?’

Fortunately for him, Kang Min-hyuk was not with her.

Do-jun thought there was nothing good about getting involved with them, so he immediately turned his head and quickened his pace as he walked further away from her.

‘Can’t things go my way for once?’

“Officer Lee Do-jun!”

Flinch.

Do-jun stopped walking.

As he looked back, Han Min-ji was running towards him.

“Oh, you’re here too, officer.”

“Ah, yes. That’s right.”

“Do you know someone who’s recently enrolled in here?”

Do-jun was flustered at how Han Min-ji acted as if nothing had happened with them a few days ago.

And did she not notice Do-jun’s intentions before?

At that moment, Han Min-ji suddenly bowed before him.

“I’m sorry about what happened last time.”

“…!”

“You were right. I’m sorry I said something presumptuously. I just want you to know that I didn’t mean anything bad by it.”

An S-class Hunter was bowing down and apologizing to a civil servant in public.

Naturally, people would think he’s someone of greater importance than Han Min-ji.

“P-please raise your head. Everyone is staring.”

People around them who recognized Han Min-ji were starting to gossip.

Only then did Han Min-ji straighten her back, and Do-jun sighed in relief.

“I also think I went too far back then. I apologize for that.”

Han Min-ji smiled.

She then took something from her bag and held it out to Do-jun.

It was a business card.

“…What does this mean?”

“It’s a memento for our reconciliation.”

“Ms. Han Min-ji, Yeji isn’t–”

Before Do-jun could even finish talking.

“This has nothing to do with Cha Yeji this time.”

“Really…?”

“Yes, just keep it. And if you need anything, please contact me. I’d be happy to help you anytime. As I said, it’s a memento for our reconciliation.”

Do-jun’s expression was blank.

He then smiled and accepted the business card.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. Should we go inside now? The ceremony’s about to start.”

Han Min-ji smiled, pointing towards the assembly hall.

Do-jun nodded, and the two then entered the assembly hall.

“Oh, I have to go this way.”

The area Han Min-ji pointed to was the VIP area.

“Alright. See you next time, then.”

“Yes, officer.”

Han Min-ji gave a big salute as she bid goodbye to Do-jun.

At that scene, Do-jun smiled unknowingly and finally walked inside to find an empty seat.

Looking at Do-jun’s back,

Han Min-ji’s eyes brightened.

‘I’m sure…’

The other day.

The energy she felt from Do-jun.

No ordinary person could emit that kind of aura.

He even made an S-class Hunter like her step backwards.

‘…you’re hiding your true identity, officer.’

She doesn’t intend to do anything about it.

She just wondered when he would reveal his true skills.

‘He’ll step in our world someday.’

＊ ＊ ＊

Do-jun could finally sit after searching for an empty seat for a long time.

There were no spaces left on the first floor, so he had to go to the second floor to find one.

The first row on the first floor is the VIP area.

After which are the students’ seats.

The seats on the 10th row and 2nd floor, on the other hand, were reserved for the visitors.

‘There she is.’

Do-jun could easily spot Seol Yoon-hee from afar.

He wasn’t using his skill; he just instantly found her at once.

‘Is this what it means to be a ’father’?’

Do-jun hid his shyness by coughing.

Checking the time on his wristwatch, it was 9:30 AM.

And the entrance ceremony was about to start.

“We will now start the 5th National Hunter Academy entrance ceremony. All of you, ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats.”

The host proceeded with the ceremony skillfully.

“First of all, I would like to introduce our guest, the director of Hunter Management Agency, who attended this event despite his busy schedule and brightened it with his presence. Let us all welcome, Mr. Jung Yeong-cheol.”

Clap clap clap.

A middle-aged man seated in the VIP seats stood up and bowed.

Following this were the other important guests’ introductions.

The Mayor of Seoul, members of the National Assembly, and the S-class Hunters.

The presence of the S-class Hunters, in particular, got the students excited as they cheered loudly.

“Welcome, dear guests… blah blah blah…  Thank you.”

The boring congratulatory speech was over.

Next would be the freshmen oath ceremony led by the freshmen representative.

Tak. Tak. Tak.

A girl rose up from her seat and went up the stage.

Her beauty was evident, even from afar.

‘Well, Yoon-hee is much cuter.’

Do-jun smirked.

“Isn’t she the little sister of the ‘Sword Emperor’?”

“To think she’s the Top 1 S-class Hunter’s sister!”

“I heard she’s in Class A.”

People near Do-jun mumbled.

Either way, Do-jun wasn’t interested.

“Oh.”

The freshmen representative stood in front of the podium and steadied her breathing.

She then calmly said her speech without a script. As if she had memorized it already.

“The Oath! First. As a member of the National Hunter Academy…”

Do-jun looked at Seol Yoon-hee’s side.

She was lifting her right hand, following the oath recited by the freshmen representative.

Her face couldn’t contain the joy she felt.

He could see her beaming with joy even from afar.

Suddenly,

He remembered what Seol Yoon-hee said before.

– You’ll have to be nice to me. You never know, I might become ve-e-ery famous later on.

Do-jun smirked and muttered.

“What a joyful day it is.”