A S-Class Hunter With Great Agility - Chapter 67

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 67: Hunter Academy (3)

 

“What’s the matter?”

“P-please speak casually.”

“…Okay. Sure.”

 

The student called me aside.

Why would they call me, an outsider who’s neither an instructor nor a fellow student? Though I was puzzled, I stepped outside before drawing the attention of people in the cafeteria.

 

The student only stopped walking when we arrived somewhere. It was a corridor by the garden where people rarely passed by.

 

“Um, so…”

 

The student fidgeted and tugged at the end of their sleeve. The school uniform, larger than their body, clearly showed it was bought big in anticipation of future growth.

 

“There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“What is it?”

 

The student swallowed once before asking their question.

 

“You’re from Blue Dragon Guild, right?”

“…”

 

‘Just how many more times will I have to explain this?’

 

I pressed my forehead and was about to give a negative answer. However, the other person’s words came faster.

 

“I-I’m Jung Yeo-jun from 2nd Year Class B.”

 

A sudden self-introduction?

 

“I’m not in Class A, but… I’m still confident in my abilities. I could work in a guild right now without any problems, or rather, I could be incredibly active.”

 

‘Ah, so that’s what this is about.’

 

It seemed almost certain that I was being taken for a Blue Dragon scout.

A person whose face was plastered all over the news had walked into the academy, so misunderstandings were bound to happen.

 

‘Though I’m starting to suspect this might all be Lee Cheong-ryu’s scheme.’

 

The student—Jung Yeo-jun—continued speaking resolutely while looking at the floor.

 

“Usually rookie drafts happen in the third year, but there are many young hunters these days. I don’t think being a second-year is that young.”

 

True, I knew two young hunters myself. I postponed my explanation for a moment and quietly listened to Jung Yeo-jun’s words.

 

“If you scout me, I can really play more than my fair share. Really.”

“…”

“My last practical exam scores weren’t bad either… Oh, of course I can do better. If there hadn’t been interference then, I probably would have…”

 

His words lacked coherence. Rather than truly believing in himself and appealing his abilities to a scout, it felt like he was being chased by something.

I muttered quietly.

 

“You look pretty desperate. Like someone who’ll be in big trouble if they don’t get a contract right away.”

“…!”

 

Jung Yeo-jun immediately became flustered. I seemed to have hit the mark.

 

‘He’s showing his youth.’

 

It was a contrasting sight to the students from other academies who had hurled harsh words.

 

“Do you want to join Blue Dragon? Or would anywhere be fine as long as you can get a contract right away?”

 

If he had really approached me because I was a Blue Dragon scout, he should have started with “I want to join Blue Dragon.”

But this kid was only talking about how useful he was.

He wasn’t talking to ‘Blue Dragon’ guild. He was talking to Blue Dragon ‘guild.’

 

“‘I could be incredibly active right away’… Your confidence is impressive, but it doesn’t really seem like confidence either.”

“W-well…”

 

Jung Yeo-jun’s fingertips trembled slightly. His gaze remained fixed on his feet.

Among the boundless confidence or arrogance of academy students, Jung Yeo-jun’s awkwardness actually seemed strange.

 

“…First of all, it’s absolutely not that any guild would be fine.”

 

Jung Yeo-jun drew out his words as he finally began to explain. The following words made me frown a little.

 

“Usually when rookie draft season comes, guilds pick students in ranking order. They think it’s the most objective indicator.”

“…”

“But that ranking isn’t as objective as you’d think. Of course, the top 10 kids are so strong that most hunters can’t even compare, but below that…”

 

Jung Yeo-jun bit his rolled lip. His voice trembled finely.

 

“Honestly, it’s just a money fight.”

“…?”

 

A money fight?

 

“Like secretly lowering hologram grades, or giving extra points… There’s no end to it.”

 

Jung Yeo-jun took a breath and continued with more explanation. It seemed like words he’d been holding inside were bursting out.

 

“I got in through the quota system. They put up slogans about educational opportunities being fair for everyone and picked a few kids from poor families. Kids like me naturally get pushed down in rankings every time. Even though there are plenty of kids worse than me.”

“…”

“But Blue Dragon, from what I heard, recruits based on ability alone. So I thought I’d try approaching you. It’s the only way for me to get into a large guild.”

 

Who would think such things were happening at the academy?

 

‘Right under the lamp.’

 

A place too dark to see.

 

‘This place is ultimately a school too…’

 

I sighed. No matter where it was, under the name of school, there was a fundamental principle that never changed.

When problems arise, they’re desperate to hide them. Students don’t bother to step forward either, and teachers also keep their mouths shut. Who might be suffering caught in between isn’t a subject of interest.

Since it’s just a place you’ll spend 3 years and leave anyway.

 

‘They turn away like that, neglect it.’

 

Only when it becomes uncontrollable do they desperately try to clean up the mess.

 

“…Yeah. I roughly understand why you grabbed onto me. If it’s for something like that, Blue Dragon would be an appropriate place.”

 

Though Lee Cheong-ryu probably wouldn’t even glance at this kind of elite cesspit. Setting that aside for now.

 

“But why now? You’re a second-year, right? You could ask me to look at you in a year, when your skills are complete.”

“….”

“There doesn’t seem to be a need to rush that much.”

 

A feeling like he was being chased by something.

That feeling didn’t seem to come simply from being unfairly pushed back in the ranking competition.

 

Jung Yeo-jun lowered his gaze and hesitated.

 

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

 

Thump, just then a student came in, hitting Jung Yeo-jun’s shoulder.

 

“How long has it been since I told you to come and you’re still… Oh, hello?”

 

It was a male student with flashy red hair. He wore a giggling smile and nodded at me.

 

‘Where have I seen him…’

 

Right, the student who was shooting fire inside the glass wall earlier.

 

“Did you come from Blue Dragon?”

“….”

 

The male student put his arm around Jung Yeo-jun’s shoulders and put his weight on him, almost like he was choking him.

Jung Yeo-jun’s face turned pale, but he didn’t resist.

 

“Are you okay…”

“I’m not okay.”

 

He shook his head, refusing my help.

 

“What? Are you ignoring what I’m saying?”

“…I just had someone I was talking to first.”

 

The red-haired student stared intently at Jung Yeo-jun’s face. Then he tilted his head and made eye contact with me.

 

“With him?”

“….”

“Why? He’s not particularly useful.”

 

His eyes gleamed sharply. Yellow pupils met my black eyes without a single blink.

 

“Hmm….”

 

Soon he released his wrapped arm and patted Jung Yeo-jun’s back a couple times.

 

“I don’t know what kind of bullshit you’re up to again.”

“….”

“Follow me. If you’re late again this time, you’re dead.”

 

He glanced at me briefly and turned his steps. I just maintained an expressionless face with sunken eyes.

Jung Yeo-jun, who couldn’t say a word the whole time, finally gasped for breath. Then he bit his lips like someone about to shed tears.

 

“The reason, why I’m in a hurry.”

 

The emotion that appeared on Jung Yeo-jun’s face was fear.

The kind I had experienced before.

 

“Because I want to get out of here… quickly.”

“….”

“That’s all.”

 

Tap tap.

Jung Yeo-jun turned around and started running. His body in the loose school uniform looked small.

 

“…Ha.”

 

I bent my legs and slumped down. My insides felt complicated.

How could I not recognize that appearance? None other than me.

 

“This place really…”

 

‘Has all sorts of things going on.’

 

It hadn’t even been half a day since I entered. But how many problems had I encountered in that time?

Yet they were all things that couldn’t be ignored.

 

So…

 

 

I ran my hands through my hair. The voices from the past infiltrating my mind were agonizing.

It was a sound that had been continuously heard without leaving ever since I set foot in this academy.

 

‘…Is there no way?’

 

Nam Jae-yoon too, and Jung Yeo-jun just a moment ago as well…

 

“…Haha.”

 

I let out a hollow laugh. To think of compassion when I couldn’t even solve my own problems. It was ridiculous.

 

“How presumptuous of me…”

 

But still.

 

[Attention, Hunter Academy students.]

 

The me from back then and the me now were different.

 

[A special class will be held after school today. This will be an opportunity to see the combat skills of currently active Hunters—]

 

The announcement echoed through the corridor. It was definitely about the combat I would be participating in.

 

[All students please gather at the main stadium on campus.]

 

‘…Maybe there’s a way this time.’

 

Without turning away, without neglecting.

An opportunity to look into who was suffering in the cracks.

The current me might have such a chance.

 

* * *

 

Waaaaaaah—!

 

Cheering sounds could be heard.

The arena had a spacious area in the center surrounded by spectator seats. The students sitting in the spectator seats had very excited faces.

 

I passed through them and went up to where the guild leaders were. Then I sat in the empty seat next to Yu-kyung.

 

“…? Sister, what’s wrong?”

 

But Yu-kyung, who would normally welcome me enthusiastically to an overwhelming degree, didn’t look well.

She looked like someone whose soul had left their body…

 

“Oh, you’re here?”

 

Even when Lee Cheong-ryu, sitting behind us, tapped my shoulder in greeting, Yu-kyung just stared blankly into space.

 

“Is something wrong?”

“No no, she’s just a bit embarrassed.”

 

Lee Cheong-ryu answered with a bright smile. It was incomprehensible.

 

“Want some of this?”

“Ah, I just ate. I’m fine.”

“How about you?”

“Not really.”

 

He pulled out a popcorn bag from somewhere. He offered it to both me and Hong I-jo.

When everyone declined, Lee Cheong-ryu looked dejected as he chewed popcorn alone.

 

[Thank you for waiting—!]

 

Before long, an announcement came on. The cheerful voice excitedly introduced the upcoming event.

 

[A special class at Hunter Academy, the nation’s top educational institution, will begin shortly.]

 

Waaaah—!

 

The cheers that poured out made the students’ excited mood palpable. The arena heated up as if before a sports match.

 

“…I have to fight in the middle there, right? Alone?”

“Ah. Don’t worry too much. We won’t put that much pressure on you.”

 

Lee Cheong-ryu tossed popcorn into the air and caught it in his mouth, then smiled lightly. The reason for that smile was soon revealed.

 

[Before we begin, we have a very special event prepared! A combat demonstration by currently active S-rank Hunters!]

 

…?

 

[Now, let us first welcome Eden’s Guild Leader Choi Yu-kyung!]

 

Yu-kyung, who had been slouching beside me, stood up. As she staggered and waved her hand, cheers immediately poured out.

 

“Waaaah! Choi Yu-kyung!”

“Sister!! Wow crazy, this is really amazing!”

“Guild Leader! Hunter Choi Yu-kyung!”

“Unnie—! You’re really so cool—!”

 

Ah…

 

Pfft. I desperately tried to hold back the laughter that was about to burst out.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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