Hunter Academy Central Auditorium
[That concludes the official Hunter name presentation for A-grade Hunter Icicle Nine and Yeonhwa. Please stand and give a round of applause to the new generation Hunter, Yeonhwa.]
Clap, clap, clap
In the auditorium of the Hunter Academy, where the next generation of Hunters from Korea was being nurtured, government officials, representatives from the Hunter Association, and even senior high-grade Hunters were all present, applauding the debut of their new junior.
And in the auditorium, Hunter Yeonhwa’s classmates, instructors, and professors were applauding so hard that the walls seemed to shake.
This was because it was announced via official documents stamped with the government’s seal that Yeonhwa was now a Hunter, ranking far above her peers and even the academy’s faculty.
Just a month ago, during the Dungeon Overbreak, Yeonhwa’s achievement of defeating the Minotaur in the Nafthar Great Forest, which had mutated into S-grade, was recognized.
Although Yeonhwa had her life saved by Shia, her solo victory over the Minotaur qualified her to receive a Hunter name from the government.
Of course, there weren’t no A-grade Hunters in the Academy; many graduates of the Hunter Academy were actively contributing to society by tackling dungeons and protecting citizens.
But Yeonhwa became the first Hunter to receive an official Hunter name and A-grade Hunter certification less than a month after graduation, so the academy was in a festival-like atmosphere.
“Ah, it feels like just yesterday when I was wielding a sword under your guidance…”
“Pfft! How can a teacher’s rank be lower than a student’s?”
“Tsk, am I the only one stuck at B-grade?”
“Yeonhwa! Congratulations!”
“Well done!”
“Icicle Nine! Icicle Nine!”
“At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before Yeonhwa turns S-grade.”
“Your fellow Yeonhwa has already received her Hunter name and A-grade certification, and yet what are you still doing at home? Are you just enjoying looking at strange girls in comics all day? Is this how you repay your mother for that expensive tuition?”
“…………I just graduated…”
“A jobless child, talking back…?”
“Wow… will I ever get a Hunter name?”
“Well… but there isn’t anyone like Yeonhwa, or should I call her Lady Icicle Nine now? It’s almost non-existent.”
“Maybe because she’s the granddaughter of Yeonseo, she reached A-grade quickly…”
“Is Yeonseo not here today?”
“Come to think of it, I don’t see Yeonseo around?”
The Hunter name holds great symbolic significance for Hunters.
Essentially, a Hunter name isn’t just something anyone can earn by being A-grade.
Only an A-grade Hunter with a clean criminal record and exemplary character can be bestowed a Hunter name.
Receiving a Hunter name symbolizes, “I am clean, have no criminal record, and am a Hunter recognized worldwide who can protect the citizens.”
By obtaining a Hunter name, one qualifies to receive free equipment from the Hunter Association.
Not only that, but also various benefits such as discounts, priority access in public transport, and at public institutions, effectively granting them benefits equivalent to a 5th-grade civil servant or higher, making it like receiving an ID recognized globally.
Moreover, a Hunter with a name has a popularity akin to that of a celebrity or idol, almost regarded as a hero from comics or novels.
Occasionally, popular Hunters with massive fanbases have their Hunter names designated by their fans.
In fact, the A-grade Hunters with Hunter names are often the first responders to emergencies when dungeons or gates unexpectedly open, threatening civilian lives.
And in Yeonhwa’s case, she did not have her Hunter name decided by her surroundings or fandom; she chose it herself.
Although she didn’t like being called “Ice Cube” by Shia earlier.
As the noisy commotion calmed down, and as usual, after the boring speeches and introductions of government figures ended, Yeonhwa remained alone in the waiting room.
“Congratulations.”
“…Grandmother.”
She was surprised to hear the door open; it appeared Yeonseo had arrived through spatial movement.
“You said you couldn’t make it?”
“If I show up at the Hunter name presentation, people would focus on this old lady, wouldn’t they? Today’s protagonist is our granddaughter, so I intentionally came late.”
Yeonseo placed a bouquet around Yeonhwa’s neck and presented her with a custom-made metal name tag with her Hunter name inscribed.
As her only granddaughter had become an A-grade Hunter with a Hunter name, there was no way she could miss this.
“I was quite anxious and fidgety… but still, my granddaughter has finally made it here.”
“…….”
Not all A-grades are the same.
In fact, true trials await from the moment one receives their Hunter name.
“But remember this, Yeonhwa. The real struggle starts now. You must understand how heavy a burden that Hunter name places upon you… that human lives can perish so easily…”
While lower-tier Hunters and ordinary people might not know it, A-grade and S-grade Hunters with Hunter names are thrust into battles and hardships incomparable to anything they’ve faced before.
When people settle into peaceful slumber, the high-grade Hunters who’ve achieved the realm of heroes are fighting tirelessly against monsters lurking beneath the beds to protect the lives of people.
The countless benefits they receive, as extravagant as they sound, are merely the minimum treatment for Hunters who guard humanity.
Although dungeons and gates have stabilized recently, occurrences of mutated dungeons and sudden monster surges still happen somewhere in the world.
Even retired Yeonseo had been deployed countless times in battles that determine humanity’s fate, and still, when emergencies arise, she would abandon her lovely cabbage patch to rush into dungeons.
“Yeona… your sister also became A-grade at your age and received her Hunter name.”
“……I remember.”
That is why Yeonseo had told Yeonhwa to quit being a Hunter several times.
This wasn’t a job as easy as it may seem, and just having power doesn’t mean everything, she had admonished.
However, the root of all this was the sadness of not wanting to lose Yeonhwa just like she lost Yeona.
As Yeonhwa continuously plunged into dungeons hunting monsters stronger than herself, Yeonseo’s heart burned with anxiety.
Yeonhwa, having lost her sister, wanted no one else to depend on.
She aimed to become stronger precisely because she lost her sister.
On the contrary, Yeonseo didn’t want to lose her only precious granddaughter.
They understood each other, but that didn’t mean they could back down.
Yet, Yeonhwa had nevertheless achieved her goal.
Even when her life was on the line and her body was battered, she managed to successfully clear the dungeons, pushing herself to her limits through rigorous training, ultimately receiving her Hunter name as an A-grade Hunter at just 21 years old.
It was a result born from not just talent, but her grueling efforts.
“Honestly speaking… I’d prefer it if you quit this job right now.”
“…That won’t happen. And didn’t you retire, yet you’re still doing dangerous work?”
“Well, that’s true…”
Yeonseo placed her hand on Yeonhwa’s shoulder, sporting a bittersweet smile.
“I’m always sorry to you. I’m always grateful. Just you growing up beautifully is already a great fortune for me.”
“Yes…”
“I wish Shia, who saved you, were here too… Please, promise me you’ll live longer than this old lady. Don’t get hurt. Don’t get sick. Don’t push yourself too hard.”
“…I’ll try.”
“Good, that’s enough.”
Yeonseo tightly hugged Yeonhwa.
“And make some friends. You have Shia. Where is she? Isn’t she coming?”
“…It’s a boring and not very enjoyable event. As a Returnee, she might find it uncomfortable to be invited to events like this. Besides, Shia is strong enough to fight you; do you think she’d bother showing up for a mere A-grade promotion ceremony?”
“I came, didn’t I? I believe Shia would’ve come if you had just mentioned it.”
“Well, that’s…”
Just as Yeonhwa was left speechless, Yeonseo gently stroked her cheek.
She was once a tiny child who barely reached Yeonseo’s waist, but before she knew it, she had grown taller than Yeonseo, who now had to stand on her tiptoes to caress those soft cheeks.
“I hope you enjoy life a bit more.”
“You’re saying that while you’ve sacrificed everything? Even after retiring, you didn’t get to enjoy much…”
“Hehe, don’t you think I enjoy watching you?”
At that, a smile involuntarily crept onto Yeonhwa’s face.
“Anyway, thank you for coming, Grandma. I’ll try to do what you said.”
“Alright, alright. Now go. Don’t you have to celebrate with professors and peers who are weaker than you?”
Ding-a-ling
Just then, Yeonhwa’s smartwatch buzzed.
Who could it be?
It seems her classmates are finally contacting her…
“Shia?”
“Shia? That girl…?”
“How unusual for her to call…”
“Go ahead and answer. Don’t mind me.”
Yeonhwa activated her smartwatch and answered Shia’s call.
“Hello?”
[…….Yeonhwa.]
“Sister?”
However, the moment she picked up, Yeonhwa sensed an unusual urgency in Shia’s tone.
Yeonhwa and Shia hadn’t deepened their bond yet.
For the past month, Yeonhwa had been busy passing the qualifications proposed by the government to receive her Hunter certification.
Yet, hearing Shia’s voice after a long time was considerably more urgent than she remembered.
The strong Shia, the one who saved her, sounded desperate?
“Sister, what’s wrong? Please tell me, quickly.”
[Can you come fast…?]
“Sister, calm down. What’s going on?”
[I… I’m in big trouble…]
“…!?”
Big trouble.
The moment she heard that, Yeonhwa felt a chill run down her spine.
Shia was someone stronger and more composed than herself.
For her to contact Yeonhwa out of the blue asking for help was enough to compel Yeonhwa to rush over, regardless of the celebratory dinner.
[I’m sorry for calling out of the blue like this. But… you were the only one I could think of.]
Only her.
Upon hearing that, Yeonhwa unknowingly gripped the smartwatch tightly.
“I’ll head that way immediately. Let’s meet and talk, okay?”
[..Thank you… so much.]
As Shia shared her location, the call ended abruptly.
Right after the line went dead, Yeonhwa bit her lip anxiously.
“I’m sorry, Grandma. It seems Shia is in trouble.”
“It seems that way.”
As Yeonhwa’s grandmother understood the gravity of Shia’s voice, she realized it too.
“Go quickly.”
“…But.”
It was also a grandmother’s role to soothe her anxious granddaughter.
“This old lady will follow right behind you. If something has truly happened to Shia, you’re the one who needs to help her. Let me handle the greetings with the professors and lawmakers; you go on now.”
At those words, Yeonhwa’s eyes widened.
“Thank you so much, Grandma…!”
As soon as she said that, Yeonhwa rushed out of the room.
She even kicked off her high heels she was wearing for today, grasping them in her hands as she started running full speed ahead.
There was no time to catch a train.
Yeonhwa, now officially an A-grade Hunter, had enough speed to leap through densely packed buildings.
Please, please let nothing happen…!
Once Yeonhwa disappeared, Yeonseo moved to clean up in preparation.
After the Hunter name presentation, there should typically be a procedure to greet dignitaries or senior Hunters, but given Shia was in urgent need, it was right for the old lady to lend a hand.
After all, Yeonhwa had lost her sister in childhood.
When the person who saved Yeonhwa’s life, like her sister before her, called for help, it was only natural for Yeonhwa to drop everything and rush to Shia.
“Hm, but even if Shia has a peculiar personality, I don’t believe she’d harm anyone without reason…”
Returnees had lived in a completely different world.
But in other words, being a survivor from a completely different world meant they must face difficulties adapting to modern ethics and society.
Let’s illustrate it simply.
Consider a Returnee who lived in a savage, survival-of-the-fittest world like the savannah plain.
Not merely for a year, but for decades of survival.
If that Returnee were to get into a conflict with someone untoward while passing through an alley, how do you think they would react?
There’s no rationality in calmly resolving someone coming on to them, especially if it’s a hardened criminal.
Someone whose thoughts revolve solely around survival might not want to settle matters quietly.
Of course, nothing might happen, but conversely, anything could occur.
To prevent such incidents, the Returnee Management Bureau exists alongside ethical audits, but… accidents can happen anytime.
Especially since Shia, despite her strength, also possessed an astonishingly striking appearance.
Even Yeonseo, who is a woman herself, could only marvel at Shia’s beauty to the point of being spellbound, and with her enormous Seongnyeok (power), imagining her encountering trouble in an alley was highly plausible.
“Ah, Director Lee? Can we postpone our dinner plans to tomorrow? Something just came up.”
[What?! But the reservations are all set…!]
“I see you just came out of the golf practice range in Sangin-dong; wouldn’t it be better to speak directly rather than over the phone?”
[Of course we must postpone. Understood! Don’t worry, Yeonseo!]
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
There might be matters beyond what Yeonhwa could handle alone.
Yeonseo thought of the worst-case scenario and decided to postpone her plans.
After nicely tidying things up and handling her duties, she prepared to head toward Shia.
“………”
“Shia!”
“Ah…!”
After a thorough sprint, Yeonhwa reached a building near Dansan, taking a moment to catch her breath as she stood in front of Shia.
She didn’t even arrive in a car; she sprinted from the Hunter Academy to here, so Yeonhwa’s appearance was quite a sight to behold.
Her blue hair was a total mess from the wind while her stockings were ripped apart from running barefoot after kicking off her high heels.
In contrast, Shia appeared quite composed, dressed in the pristine white attire she wore when they first met.
Thank goodness. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong.
“Yeonhwa, what in the world happened to you…….”
“Sister, are you okay?! What’s wrong?? Are you involved in something bad?!”
“…Um, well…”
“Oh come on! Family or friends, you should’ve said something sooner!”
Just then, a voice from the side made Yeonhwa’s eyes blaze as she turned toward it.
It was you, the cad who harassed sister Shia…!
“I need you to settle up soon; I have evening business.”
“…Excuse me?”
At those words, the poison in Yeonhwa’s fiery gaze seemed to ebb away.
What did you just say?
“Sister? What does this mean……”
“Ugh, this girl can eat more than enough; she devoured over 50 portions and set meals with rice soup and dessert, but now she claims she has no money!”
“……?”
Yeonhwa gradually turned her head toward Shia, creaking as she did.
“………Sister?”
“……………”
Shia avoided Yeonhwa’s gaze as if she were a mute who just ate honey.
Seriously.
How in the world did you eat over 50 portions of rice soup??
Okay, I know Shia has an enormous appetite.
When I first met her, she practically devoured the Black Minotaur whole!
But…. are you really saying you have no money…?
Was this why she called after a month…?
“…How much is it?”
“8,000 won per person for rice soup, that’s 53 portions. Plus, 9 beverages and 10,000 won worth of rice cakes. That totals up to 452,000 won!”
“…Here.”
Beep
Hearing the sound of a receipt being printed from the register, Yeonhwa glared at Shia with an expression of utter disbelief.
It seemed Shia could feel the daggers in her glare, as she shrank back, bowing her head.
“…Goodness, it’s good that you can eat well, but next time, remember to bring some money, okay?”
“Yesss….”
After leaving the shop, a brief silence hung between the two.
Perhaps it was because of Yeonhwa’s chilly powers, but the atmosphere around her felt immensely cold.
“Sister.”
“Yes, Yeonhwa… I’m really sorry and grateful…”
“Look at me.”
Then, Shia was grabbed by the wrist and pulled away.
What’s this? I’m sorry! I made a mistake! Please let go!
“Hey, sister? Didn’t you receive 100 million won as a Returnee support grant from the management bureau a month ago? That shouldn’t be a small amount, right?”
“Uh, yeah… that’s not a small amount…”
“And yet here I am paying for your rice soup because you said you had no money? You even said you were in trouble… so I rushed over, kicking off my shoes and running straight here from the Academy with my stockings torn. And this is what ‘trouble’ you had to deal with?!”
“…Sorry.”
“Phew… phew… Sister, I won’t be mad. Please tell me where you spent that money. What have you been doing for the past month?”
“…Well…”
“Surely, as a Seongnyeo (saint), you wouldn’t lie, would you?”
“Uh, um…”
Having nothing left to say, Shia lowered her head and began confessing her embarrassing lifestyle pattern to Yeonhwa.
After staying up late watching Hunter broadcasts, movies, novels, and comics, she would roll out of bed around noon.
She would then order 10 portions or more of chicken, bossam, rice bowls, and grilled dishes to eat in bed while lounging.
By around 6 PM, she would wash up and again either sit at her computer or lay in bed continuing to binge the broadcasts or finish comics she had started.
And when she got hungry again… she’d order around 20 portions for dinner.
In doing so, she lost track of how much she was spending daily. She even confessed to tipping generous amounts for great scenes while watching Hunter broadcasts.
As Shia, who laid bare her weak lifestyle under Yeonhwa’s cold eyes, lost the will to maintain eye contact.
In truth, the problem wasn’t just a Returnee adjusting to this modern society; it was that her very existence was pitiful, and Yeonhwa saw through it all.
“Ah, so you’ve been frivolously spending money on delivery food, movies, streaming services, and support donations until your smartwatch’s fund ran out! And then, while coincidentally stepping out for fresh air, this rice soup aroma lured you in… only to discover your balance was empty just past 50 portions, right? Hahaha!”
“I’m really sorry! As I said earlier, you were the only one that came to mind….”
“…Do you realize that I, having just received my A-grade Hunter name, was planning to greet legislators and others after the ceremony? And I disregarded all that, running over here worried sick about my sister who saved my life?”
“…………Huff….”
Shia’s face contorted as if she might burst into tears at any moment.
She felt embarrassed.
She wished to die.
But she couldn’t.
She was a useless mushroom…
A completely useless servant who made Yeonhwa pay her rice soup bill…
And Yeonhwa silently stared at Shia for a moment before finally breaking into a sly grin.
“Let’s go.”
“Where to?”
“To a place where I’ll make you a human again.”
“…Excuse me?”
Shia had never felt fear toward someone younger and weaker than herself since becoming a Mangja Seongnyeo.
