Hunter Kindergarten, Dolphin Class! - Chapter 73

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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 073

 

Nam Tae-jae woke up today and, as soon as he opened his eyes, greeted Gudal who was lying peacefully beside him.

 

“Good morning.”

 

Then, as always, he tucked the ‘Good Night Green Onion’ doll under his arm, opened the door and went out….

 

“Is our little puppy awake?”

 

Grandmother was preparing rice in the kitchen.

 

“Yes—”

 

“Hurry up and wash your face, then let’s eat first.”

 

Washing his face by himself wasn’t difficult. Nam Tae-jae walked briskly to the restroom, placed his Green Onion Doll that was as tall as himself on top of the toilet, and finished his vigorous face washing.

 

Pat. Pat.

 

And like a child raised under a grandmother who valued manners, Nam Tae-jae began his meal very politely.

 

The house was quiet except for the clinking sounds of dishes.

 

Mom and Dad rarely came home because they were busy taking care of sick people at the hospital.

 

‘I’ve only seen them three times since turning 7.’

 

Sometimes during drawing time, or when friends brought up family stories, Nam Tae-jae would quietly try to recall his mom and dad’s faces before quickly brushing the thoughts away.

 

‘I can’t remember them well.’

 

He remembered Grandmother, Noah, and Aunt, whom he saw every day, much better instead.

 

“My precious baby, your birthday is coming up soon. Is there anything you want?”

 

Grandmother asked while putting stir-fried potatoes on his rice.

 

Something he wanted?

 

As it happened, there was. He had carefully watched and remembered a TV commercial, so Nam Tae-jae answered without difficulty.

 

“This time, instead of Good Night, a new Wake Up Green Onion Doll came out. I want that one.”

 

“…Alright, Grandma will buy it for you. Ugh…. On their own child’s birthday, those so-called parents.”

 

Flinch.

 

He glanced at Grandmother’s expression and went back to eating his soup.

 

‘I know Mom and Dad are busy.’

 

However, he also knew that they weren’t staying away from home simply because they were busy.

 

Nam Tae-jae could guess this from hearing Grandmother sometimes get angry during phone calls with Mom.

 

 

‘Mom and Dad dislike me.’

 

That’s why they don’t come home.

 

“Being jealous of a child, what are they trying to accomplish? Pathetic fools.”

 

Jealous.

 

Grandmother says Mom and Dad are jealous of me.

 

…Why would they be jealous of me?

 

‘Mom and Dad are adults, so why would they be jealous of me?’

 

Even though Nam Tae-jae often heard that he was smart, this was something he couldn’t understand at all.

 

He knew that Grandmother and Grandfather had worked as healing hunters at BOND.

 

And that Mom was an ordinary doctor from a civilian background.

 

 

He remembered Mom coming into his room while he was sleeping, shedding tears as she spoke.

 

Was that the reason for the jealousy?

 

‘If I hadn’t been an Awakener, would Mom not have been jealous of me?’

 

Then, would Mom and Dad not have disliked me?

 

…I don’t know.

 

Nam Tae-jae stopped eating and looked at the Green Onion Doll sitting beside him.

 

And beyond that, at Gudal who was waving his hand.

 

“Grandmother, Gudal is waving at me.”

 

“Hm? Gudal? Yes, yes, Gudal must be happy to see you. Our Tae-jae, hurry up and finish eating so we can go to kindergarten.”

 

Nam Tae-jae picked up his spoon again at Grandmother’s urging.

 

However, his gaze was still fixed on Gudal.

 

 

Mom and Dad had said those words in passing.

 

Those words had lodged deep in the heart of Nam Tae-jae, who was even younger than now.

 

When he couldn’t go to regular kindergarten and had to play alone at home.

 

When there was no one by his side.

 

At that time, Nam Tae-jae created Gudal in the corner of his room.

 

An imaginary friend who would stay with him as he had to live his whole life for sick and injured people.

 

‘Gudal looks sick, so it should be okay to stay together forever.’

 

Noah is too healthy, so they might have to part ways someday.

 

***

 

Today, two weeks have passed since Principal Kang Beom-seok came to the kindergarten.

 

I could see the Principal sitting on the floor of Dolphin Class, playing with the children.

 

‘He’s doing better work than I expected.’

 

Honestly, it’s surprising.

 

Despite having been a company employee his whole life, he already looked quite like a proper kindergarten principal.

 

Just look at him now.

 

When his daily assigned principal duties are finished, he doesn’t stop there but goes around the classes playing with the children.

 

Thanks to this, the teachers have had a moment to catch their breath.

 

“Phew…”

 

I did some light shoulder stretches while watching them play.

 

‘There doesn’t seem to be anything strange.’

 

I had officially registered the children in the Status Window and checked on them frequently whenever I had time.

 

However, I couldn’t find any particular anomalies each time.

 

Especially, I paid careful attention to Tae-jae, who was the only one with a ‘STORY’ chapter, but…

 

‘I’m not really sure.’

 

But looking at ‘STORY. 1’ which contains a child’s private life when it’s not immediately necessary… is a bit.

 

While I was deep in thought.

 

-Knock knock.

 

The door opened with a knock, and Yu Jin-chae peeked out just her face and called me.

 

“Teacher, I have something to talk about for a moment~”

 

“Yes, let’s go out and talk.”

 

The kids are busy playing with the Principal, so it should be fine for a moment.

 

Only after confirming the door closed behind me did Yu Jin-chae hand me a piece of paper she had been holding.

 

[ Notice Regarding Mandatory Dungeon Attendance for Hunter Qualification Maintenance ]

-You must comply with the requirement of entering dungeons formally at least 3 times per year to maintain hunter qualifications, according to Article 12, Paragraph 1 of the 「Hunter Management and Qualification Act」.

-You must enter dungeons assigned by the Hunter Corporation you belong to, and there must be confirmation from a supervisor.

-In the case of minor hunters, you may enter dungeons accompanied by 1 supervisor and 1 guardian.

Contact: Korea Hunter Management Headquarters-Qualification Management Department-Choi Na-rae.

 

After reading through the text, I looked up at Yu Jin-chae.

 

Why are you giving this to me?

 

“Is this yours, Teacher?”

 

In our country, unless you’re an ‘Awakener’ recognized by the government, you can’t be called a ‘Hunter’.

 

After officially going through examinations at the center, receiving education at training centers, and also…

 

‘You must belong to a Hunter Corporation.’

 

Otherwise, unless an individual registers as a business owner to work as a freelance ‘Hunter’…

 

You don’t become a ‘Hunter’.

 

I heard they even issue separate licenses.

 

‘Even I myself am an Awakener but not a Hunter.’

 

As times have changed, even if you manifest as an Awakener, many people don’t live as Hunters.

 

Anyway, setting that aside.

 

I wanted to say there was no reason for me to receive this.

 

Since it’s obviously not mine, it must be Yu Jin-chae’s.

 

However, Yu Jin-chae shook her head and pointed with her finger at some very small text written at the very end of the paper.

 

“It’s not mine~”

 

Then whose is it?

 

“It’s Tae-jae’s.”

 

Only then did I notice the familiar three-character name under her index finger.

 

Nam Tae-jae.

 

“Tae-jae has to enter the Dungeon tomorrow.”

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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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