Hunter Kindergarten, Dolphin Class! - Chapter 72

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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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Episode 072

At this point, there’s something I need to address.

Have I truly accepted this bizarre ability of mine called the ‘Status Window’ that participates in the annihilation of human rights?

First, to give an answer…

I can only answer ‘I don’t know.’

I’ve definitely recognized that it’s useful after unintentionally using the Status Window’s functions several times so far.

But if you ask whether my aversion has completely disappeared?

‘I can’t be certain.’

For one thing, among the Status Window-related functions, I rarely use the command or education-related functions except for the past viewing function.

‘I’ve been unconsciously avoiding those options all along.’

Perhaps, if I had used the Command Education Function, I might have been able to break through the crisis situations I’ve faced more quickly and efficiently.

…There are many excuses I could list for not using this function.

Using such a thing on people makes me feel guilty, and I felt like the person affected by my ability would definitely notice.

‘How do I know how they’d react after finding out?’

What if they report to a broadcasting station saying I have such abilities, or sell me to some research lab in a remote area?

And in the first place.

Abilities or skills that can manipulate and control people are classified as surveillance targets even among offensive Awakeners.

I still vividly remember staying up all night in anxiety just from using one ‘Sit’ command on Kwon Hae-seong in the Underground Dungeon.

‘I don’t know if he pretended not to know or forgot, but I’m grateful either way.’

Just what I’ve roughly mentioned is already this much… However, the important thing was that I now felt I needed to scrape together and use all the functions in the Status Window to the fullest, even accepting these anxiety factors.

I solidified this resolve during Seo-ra’s Second Awakening.

I saw the children who had no intention of leaving the Blanket Villa and Nabi who had stubbornly squeezed in among them.

[ What’s this? Is it cold outside? Don’t go out! ]

[ It’s snowing heavily? I can’t see snow. A bear? Why is this a bear? Haven’t you seen a bear? ]

[ Ah! It’s cold~ It’s cold~ ]

Listening to the children’s conversations and always adding a word or two, it’s like a child who wants to join in the play.

“…Sigh.”

Fortunately, during Seo-ra’s Second Awakening, whether it was Nabi’s whim or not, it shared skills calling it a ‘gift,’ but it’s horrifying to imagine what would have happened otherwise.

The problem is… there’s no way Nabi will inform us like last time every time the children are in danger.

So, what should I do?

‘I need to use what I have.’

I can’t guarantee that the children won’t face dangerous situations anymore after Seo-ra.

At least, not using an ability that can identify risk factors in advance and be used in emergencies is too irrational and inefficient a choice.

Therefore, from now on…

For the children’s safety, I plan to use my abilities more actively.

“Phew…”

Now that I’ve reached a conclusion, I feel both complicated and relieved.

And right now, the first thing I need to do is register the children’s Status Windows.

‘Status Window’

As soon as I think it, the children’s Status Windows appear in succession in the air.

I knew it, but it’s really a terrifying ability – making all ability effects double or triple.

Then what would happen if Cheonji used her ability on me?

Surely it wouldn’t be something like being able to control all people, animals, and monsters?… Yeah, I should definitely decline that.

Seo-ro’s status abnormality seems to be his dream? Being too obsessed with goals isn’t good either.

Seo-ra’s… status abnormality has been erased? I don’t know how that happened, but good. The Second Awakening water attribute seems to be properly reflected in the Status Window too.

Our Noah’s Status Window is just like Noah. So refreshing.

Tae-jae was…

As I read through the children’s Status Windows one by one, I discovered several concerning points.

The status abnormalities of Cheonji and Tae-jae.

It was hard to consider these as status abnormalities for 7-year-old kindergarten students, and their effects were too serious to easily overlook.

‘And what is this again?’

There was something in Tae-jae’s Status Window that didn’t appear in the other children’s.

– STORY 1. Imaginary Friend

‘Imaginary friend?’

For now, this chapter didn’t seem to be directly related to Tae-jae’s status abnormality.

Thinking about what happened with Kwon Hae-seong and Yu Jin-chae, the chapter was directly connected to their status abnormalities.

‘But… it’s worth checking out.’

I immediately went to the Blanket Villa where the children were gathered and said:

“Alright everyone, let’s stop playing for now and have a drawing time after a long while! Today’s theme is drawing your friend’s face!”

The children reluctantly emerged from the pile of blankets with disappointed expressions on their faces.

Before the children could change their attitude, I quickly seated them at the table and scattered drawing paper.

Whether kindergarten friends or neighborhood friends, it didn’t matter.

“…Imaginary friends are fine too~”

I just needed to casually slip in those words.

“Teacher! What’s an imaginary friend?”

“It means a secret friend that only you can see, invisible to other people~”

‘There are ways to find out about this kind of thing without using abilities.’

And finally.

When I received the friend drawing that Tae-jae had made, I was… slightly taken aback.

‘What is this.’

It looked like his imaginary friend was possessed by an evil spirit.

For reference, Nabi’s evaluation was:

[ Wow. Cool! ]

***

Imaginary friend.

As the name suggests, it refers to an imaginary friend that children create in their minds.

Usually, favorite dolls or cartoon movie protagonists become imaginary friends, but Tae-jae’s imaginary friend was…

[ It’s missing one eye just like me? ]

Its appearance was quite bizarre.

I looked at Tae-jae’s imaginary friend with a fluffy puppy head and droopy ears.

Where the right eye should be, there was a red button embedded, and the other eye was wrapped tightly with bandages.

Moreover, it had large and small wounds all over its body and wore an old, worn straw hat.

However, what stood out more than such a bizarre appearance was… despite the gloomy atmosphere, Tae-jae’s imaginary friend was smiling.

Incredibly brightly.

Even with the clumsy drawing skills, I could clearly tell that the friend in the picture was smiling.

‘Honestly, just looking at the visuals…’

It looked like a doll possessed by an evil spirit.

However, regardless of my impression, I asked in a bright voice:

“Who is this? Is this Tae-jae’s imaginary friend?”

Then, Tae-jae nodded his head and answered:

“Yes, his name is ‘Gudal.'”

Gudal? Despite how he looks, that’s quite a friendly name.

“But why does Gudal have so many wounds on his body? His eye is wrapped with bandages too. Is Gudal hurt somewhere?”

“No, Gudal doesn’t hurt.”

“Ah, I see~ Then does Gudal like to dress up like this?”

Tae-jae seemed to ponder for a moment, then gestured to me with a small hand motion.

Did he mean for me to come closer?

I lowered my head and brought my ear close to Tae-jae’s lips.

Then, along with slightly warm breath, I heard a whisper.

“Actually, Gudal is just pretending to be sick. So he can stay with me forever. He’s a good friend.”

…I had no idea what he was talking about.

An imaginary friend who pretends to be sick to stay together.

However, despite my confused feelings, my expression remained steady with just a smile.

“…Mm, I see. He really is a good friend.”

“Yes.”

Something’s strange though?

-Status Abnormality: Injured people must be healed. An unavoidable compulsion.

Considering the status abnormality, shouldn’t the imaginary friend appear healthy instead?

‘With that kind of obsessive compulsion, it would normally be difficult to keep seeing sick and injured people.’

However, for now… I decided to wait and see since neither Cheonji nor Tae-jae showed any clear status abnormalities at the moment.

‘I should formally register all the kids and check on them regularly.’

After that, I formally registered all the children from Dolphin Class in my Status Window.

While burying the inexplicable uneasiness I felt.

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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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