Chapter 20

The entrance ceremony ended exactly at 10:30 AM.

The ‘business trip’ didn’t end until 2 PM, so he had enough time to eat lunch.

Each freshman then proceeded outside, chatting with their families and acquaintances.

“Father!”

Seol Yoon-hee ran with a big smile as she spotted Do-jun.

She knew that he had been busy with work these days, and as today was also a weekday, it would’ve been more difficult for him to attend. That’s why she was very happy that he still came.

“Congratulations on your admission.” 

Do-jun handed out the bouquet he had bought earlier.

Seol Yoon-hee was surprised as she didn’t expect Do-jun to prepare something like this.

She blushed, teary-eyed, as she received the bouquet.

“Thank you…”

“I hope it’s to your liking.” 

Seol Yoon-hee nodded at his statement.

Do-jun looked a little embarrassed.

From elementary to high school, this was the first time a family of hers attended, and this was also the first time for her to receive a bouquet for her admission.

She had received quite a lot of these from male students for a different reason though.

“When do your classes start?”

“In 2 days. Students have also been sectioned already.”

“So which class are you in?”

She ducked her head in shame and curled up as if embarrassed.

Seol Yoon-hee then replied.

“…Class D.”

“I see.”

Do-jun thought there were no standards in dividing the classes.

However, Hunter Academy was extremely thorough in terms of meritocracy.

And based on the students’ performance, they are divided into Classes A, B, C, D, E, and F, of course, with A being the highest.

“I’ll work hard to reach Class A.”

“Oh, is that what it meant? Okay. Do your best.”

Do-jun smiled and stroked Seol Yoon-hee’s head.

She was elated and let Do-jun pat her head,

And thought to herself,

‘I will definitely go up towards Class A. That way, I can stay in the dormitory.’

When she thought about staying at a dormitory, her chest felt stuffy.

If she decides to stay at the dorm, she can no longer live with Do-jun anymore.

‘…Staying at the dormitory is not compulsory anyway.’

And Do-jun still has a lot to learn to live in this world alone.

‘If I don’t take care of him, he would surely have to face many more difficulties in life.’

Her frustrated heart was relieved as she thought so.

“Do you have more good news? You are beaming with happiness right now.”

Do-jun asked.

Seol Yoon-hee shook her head, blushing.

“I-It’s nothing. Are you hungry? Let’s go eat. There’s a really good restaurant that serves delicious spicy sausage stew (budae jjigae) around here.”

[T/n: Budae jjigae is a stew that incorporates American-style processed foods such as spam, sausages, canned baked beans, and cheese. It is also called “Army stew” or “Army base stew” (Ro, 2015).]

At that moment.

Several individuals were going towards their direction.

It seems that they are quite famous as many people flocked around them. As they walked, the people parted like the Red Sea as if Moses’ miracle was occurring again.

When Seol Yoon-hee saw who these people were, she gasped in surprise.

‘!!!’

Finally, they stopped in front of Do-jun and Yoon-hee.

They are the Director of the Hunter Management Agency, Jung Yeong-cheol. The 1st place in the Hunter Ranking, Lee Kang-hyun, also known as the ‘Sword Emperor,’ and his younger sister, Lee Eun-ju. Lastly, Han Min-ji.

And…

“Officer, you two haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

Han Min-ji asked with a smile.

“We were about to go eat.”

“That’s great. Why don’t we eat together then?”

“Huh?!”

Seol Yoon-hee opened her mouth in disbelief, looking alternately between Do-jun and Han Min-ji.

The Han Min-ji. The S-class hunter who ranked 10th in the Hunter Ranking.

She was surprised that Do-jun and her knew each other.

“Who’s this?”

Han Min-ji responded to Jung Yeong-cheol.

“This is Lee Do-jun, an officer from the Rift Management Department at Seoul City Hall. Well, as I mentioned last time…”

Han Min-ji slurs the end of her words as she looks at Do-jun.

At that moment, Jung Yeong-cheol nodded, as if he already understood what she meant.

The Rift Break incident of the B-class Rift <Orc Forest> that happened last time.

He heard that he was the one in-charge of Hunter Cha Yeji.

Jung Yeong-cheol then reached his hand out for a handshake.

“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Jung Yeong-cheol, Director of the Hunter Management Agency.”

“…It’s an honor to meet you, sir. I am Lee Do-jun, an officer of the Rift Management Department at Seoul City Hall.”

Swoosh.

Han Min-ji then looked at Seol Yoon-hee, who was standing next to Do-jun.

“Are you his younger sister?”

“……”

Do-jun was hesitating.

‘Should I lie about it or just tell them the truth?’

However, his worry didn’t last long though.

“She’s my daughter.”

“…What?”

Han Min-ji couldn’t believe it.

She looked alternately between Do-jun and Seol Yoon-hee.

“B-but no matter how I look at it…”

It didn’t feel like they were in a father-daughter relationship.

“Officer, was it perhaps…?” 

‘What should I say?’

However, Do-jun immediately came to a conclusion to just gloss over it.

“It’s somewhat complicated.”

“…Ah, I see.”

Han Min-ji and Seol Yoon-hee’s eyes met.

Seol Yoon-hee then bowed down to a complete 90-degree angle.

“Hello! I’m Seol Yoon-hee! I-I just entered the Hunter Academy this year.”

“…Seol. Your surname’s Seol?!”

Han Min-ji looked at Do-jun again.

However, his expression remained the same.

“It’s complicated.”

“……”

Han Min-ji thought not to pry into it any further.

Surely, everyone has at least one or two complicated circumstances.

“Oh. Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced you guys to each other. This man is Hunter Lee Kang-hyun, and beside him is his younger sister, Lee Eun-ju. I’m sure you’ve heard of him, right? He’s famous especially in this industry.”

Do-jun nodded.

If you don’t know who Lee Kang-hyun is, they would say you’re a spy.

He is that famous.

Lee Kang-hyun was the founder of the three techniques of handling Mana which are Shik (Form), Chul (Discharge), and Yeom (Thought) that Hunters use today.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Kang-hyun.”

He was quite young. Maybe in his early 30’s or late 20’s.

Do-jun lightly accepted Lee Kang-hyun’s handshake.

Tak.

“…Hoohh”

With a handshake,

Lee Kang-hyun expressed his admiration and grinned.

“Your vigor is quite amazing. If you were a Hunter, you would’ve been quite accomplished.”

“…Thanks for the compliment.”

Do-jun felt somewhat weird.

‘Should I be happy about it or not?’

The one who stands atop in this world.

Lee Do-jun for the first time felt uneasy and forced out a smile.

Han Min-ji, who was watching them from the side, smirked unknowingly.

“Eun-ju, you should greet him too,” Lee Kang-hyun told his sister.

“I’m not interested in people who are weaker than me.”

“Lee. Eun. Ju.”

“Hiik! I’m sorry.”

Lee Kang-hyun had a sudden change in attitude which scared Lee Eun-ju and forced her to do his bidding.

When he saw that, Do-jun smirked.

‘Clearly, a kid is still a kid.’

Swish.

She then turned her head away as she shook his hand.

“W-well, I still haven’t acknowledged you!”

“…Okay, sure. Nice to meet you too, Eun-ju.”

Do-jun smiled as he shook Lee Eun-ju’s hand.

At the sight, Jung Yeong-cheol smiled and said,

“Well, I think we’re done with our greetings. Let’s go.”

＊ ＊ ＊

The place they arrived at was neither a restaurant nor a hotel.

It was the Hunter Management Agency.

Step.

Do-jun got out of a luxury sedan.

He blankly stared at the twinkling star emblem embedded on the car.

To be exact, the Mana that could be felt from the emblem.

‘Is it made of Mana Stone? Why though?’

He sighed, thinking how it’s a waste of money.

And Seol Yoon-hee, who saw that scene, gripped her heart firmly as she felt sorry for him.

She remembered that Do-jun always takes the subway every day during rush hour.

‘I’m sure he wants to drive to work comfortably, but he can’t because he doesn’t have the money,’ she thought.

‘Father, just wait. In 3 years…’

After she becomes a Hunter, she promised herself to pay back everything that he did for her.

“Come to think of it, this is where I’ve first met you, officer.”

“Is that so? I’m sorry, but I don’t remember.”

“We never talked. I just saw you talking to my senior in the corner during the Hunter Rating Assessment.”

“Ahhh.”

Do-jun recalled the time when he was in the waiting room with Kang Min-hyuk during the Hunter Rating Assessment.

She’s probably talking about that time.

Meanwhile, Seol Yoon-hee was listening to both of them.

‘Hunter Rating Assessment?’

Suddenly,

She remembered the F-class Hunter ID card she had found in Do-jun’s drawer.

However, when he shook hands with Lee Kang-hyun.

Lee Kang-hyun definitely said, ‘If he was a Hunter…’

‘But if I think about it…’

– I am Lee Do-jun, an officer of the Rift Management Department at Seoul City Hall.

When you say ‘Rift,’ that only means one thing.

‘Rift Management… does that mean he himself goes inside Rifts?’

Shake Shake.

She shook her head in denial.

There’s no way that they would send ordinary people inside Rifts.

‘I’ll ask him about it later.’

＊ ＊ ＊

The food that they had was delightful.

It was a course meal that chefs from renowned hotels cook and serve right away.

In particular, Seol Yoon-hee exclaimed with admiration with every bite she had.

“How can this be so delicious?”

She had never tasted such a delicious dish in her life.

Especially the steak, the main dish that came out a bit later, melted in her mouth.

The gravy came out and the satiety they felt inside their mouths was fascinating.

“Haha, I eat here a lot.”

Jung Yeong-cheol looked at Seol Yoon-hee, smirking over her reactions to the opulence that he is used to.

“Tsk. This is how commoners are.”

Lee Eun-ju sneered at them.

Lee Kang-hyun, who was next to her, immediately reprimanded her.

“Apologize.”

Flinch!

“…I’m sorry.”

Seol Yoon-hee shook her head and laughed.

“It’s okay. Rather, I’m grateful that I could eat such delicious meals.”

“If only Eun-ju becomes even half as similar to Ms. Yoon-hee.” 

Swoosh.

Seol Yoon-hee looked at Do-jun.

Do-jun was also eating well, as if everything suited his taste.

“Father! I’ll do my best to learn how to cook better.”

“Huh? Oh, that would be nice.”

Seol Yoon-hee clenched her fist in determination.

“Ah, since you’re already here, would you like to do a preliminary assessment, Ms. Yoon-hee? Oh, or have you already done it?”

Han Min-ji tilted her head and smiled.

Preliminary Assessment. It’s a procedure wherein a Hunter’s potential rank, skills, etc. is determined with a special machine.

Even if the person isn’t a Hunter, the general public could also do it, but since it’s expensive it was unlikely that they would proceed to do it as it costs about 10 million won.

“B-but…”

Glance.

Seol Yoon-hee looked at Do-jun.

“Of course, it’s free.”

“Then I’ll do it!”

She immediately replied upon hearing the word ‘free’.

“Well, I’ve never done it before so… hehe.”

“Really? That’s great then. Oh, let’s have Mr. Do-jun take it, too.”

Han Min-ji said with a smile.

In fact, she was not interested in Seol Yoon-hee’s assessment results.

She just wanted to know Do-jun’s abilities, and used her as a screen to hide her intentions.

Simply put, Seol Yoon-hee was just a dummy.

“I’ll pass.”

“Why? If the results turn out great, you could become a hunter.”

“I’m not interested.”

At Do-jun’s firm rejection, Han Min-ji retracted.

However, Jung Yeong-cheol pushed him again once more.

“Try it, officer. Opportunities like this are quite rare.”

And Lee Kang-hyun also chimed in.

“I’m curious too.”

Do-jun glanced through all the gazes that were focused on him.

‘Sigh, these guys…’

＊ ＊ ＊

[The Preliminary Assessment results of Seol Yoon-hee is currently being printed.]

Ba-bump. Ba-bump.

Seol Yoon-hee stood in front of the machine with her eyes closed tightly.

Then, she pulled out the printed results sheet.

[Potential: A]

[Expected Awakening Skill Rating: A]

“…Wow.”

The result she got was A.

Those watching from the side were also slightly surprised.

The machine’s accuracy was about 70%.

And A-class Hunters were among the top 5% of the domestic Hunters in Korea.

Of course, she won’t become an A-class Hunter right away, but she’s more likely to become one in the near future.

“Hoohh.”

Jung Yeong-cheol stroked his chin and exclaimed.

“A-class rarely comes out… You have great potential.”

“I also didn’t expect it. Seems like you’ll be living the good life soon, officer.”

Han Min-ji smiled.

Lee Kang-hyun and Lee Eun-ju, who were watching from the side, also seemed slightly surprised.

“Well, not bad.”

Lee Eun-ju spoke blandly.

“Thanks.”

Seol Yoon-hee smiled at Lee Eun-ju.

Lee Eun-ju’s face turned red and immediately turned her head away from her.

“Now it’s your turn, officer.”

Everyone’s eyes were focused on Do-jun.

Spicy sausage stew (Budae jjigae)

Ro, H. (2015, March 15). Budae Jjigae (Army Stew) Recipe – Korean Bapsang. Korean Bapsang. https://www.koreanbapsang.com/budae-jjigae-army-stew/