The S-Rank Warden Devours the Academy - Chapter 20

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 20

Central Administrative District, Hunter Management Bureau Director’s office.
Director Wi Hyun-sang turned over his recent conversation with Hunter Baek I-won in his mind.
—…Underground, you said?
The moment the Interrogator had returned to the surface, Baek I-won’s expression had shifted in a way Wi Hyun-sang couldn’t quite place.
‘Could he have seen through the Interrogator’s identity?’
A strong man who channeled his power toward righteous ends. Gentle and considerate, yet knowing exactly where to draw the line.
That was why he—ranked first among domestic hunters—enjoyed such broad public favor.
Still, Director Wi Hyun-sang found him unusually difficult to read.
No matter what inducements he dangled, the man never flinched.
‘He’s never come to my office for something like this before.’
Had Yeom Sa-hyun and Hunter Baek I-won ever even crossed paths?
Baek I-won had awakened five years ago.
Yeom Sa-hyun had descended into the Underground prison before that, so their periods of active duty didn’t overlap at all.
‘I’ll need to watch this more carefully.’
It would be best if Baek I-won and Yeom Sa-hyun remained separate.
That man—whether past or present—always brought trouble in his wake.
Director Wi Hyun-sang slowly straightened his posture against the chair’s backrest.
By now, he’d surely met with the Academy Chancellor.
‘I hope nothing goes wrong this time.’
Already, the moment that man had emerged, he’d left the city in ruins—reports, damage control, and he still hadn’t managed to leave the office.
Director Wi Hyun-sang sent a text to the Academy Chancellor to check on things.
Not long after, the transparent, delicate ornament on his desk flashed brightly.
Buzz—buzz—
A Magic Communication Stone, carved like a small mirror.
A gift from the Chancellor.
Primarily used by active hunters, it could transmit signals in fierce battle zones or inside Gates where smartphones couldn’t reach.
Of course, for a director who never set foot in the field, it was an excessive gift.
Still, given its high value and rarity, Director Wi Hyun-sang hadn’t bothered to refuse.
The Magic Communication Stone flickered and pulsed with white light, urging him to accept.
‘A call would’ve done just fine, but here we are.’
The moment Director Wi Hyun-sang touched the stone, the Chancellor’s face materialized above it like a screen coming to life.
“Oh my, what brings this call, Director!”
The Chancellor greeted him with his characteristic oily smile.
The two exchanged formal pleasantries for a moment.
Director Wi Hyun-sang then broached the main topic.
“It’s nothing in particular, really. I was just curious about the professor newly dispatched today. How is he doing?”
The Chancellor flinched slightly, then offered an awkward smile as if trying to smooth things over.
“Well, I honestly can’t tell yet, haha! He seems to be a rather free-spirited sort. It’s hard to gauge when we don’t know his background either.”
“I see.”
“Since both the Association President and you, Director, were vouching for him, we took him on despite the staffing crunch….”
The Chancellor trailed off, his eyes narrowing as if uncomfortable.
He was fishing for information about Yeom Sa-hyun’s true identity.
“Hmm.”
Director Wi Hyun-sang pretended ignorance and changed the subject.
“Don’t worry. When it comes to ability, he’s someone you can trust.”
There was no one in the country who could match his skills, after all.
That was precisely why Director Wi Hyun-sang hadn’t prevented Yeom Sa-hyun from going to the Academy.
With Hunter Lee Ha-je absent, rapid growth among new awakeners was essential.
Hunter Baek I-won, being the taciturn type, posed no risk of loose talk.
‘But the Academy Chancellor…that’s another matter.’
The director’s expression grew skeptical, his brow sagging slightly.
The Chancellor enjoyed rubbing shoulders with high-ranking officials.
If he started spreading rumors the way he had with Wi Hyun-sang before, there’d be hell to pay.
‘Only the Association President and I know the Interrogator’s true identity.’
It was only a matter of time before it became public knowledge.
But that wasn’t even the biggest problem.
‘I know what kind of retaliation I’d face from him.’
Yeom Sa-hyun’s hysteria.
Wi Hyun-sang, the Bureau Director, still remembered it vividly.
The day he’d been genuinely furious—what had happened then.
‘…That was before I became director.’
The day a small mistake of his had caused an accident.
The killing intent he’d felt from Sa-hyun.
The maddening part was that the man himself didn’t even remember it.
‘And after that, I’ve spent all these years in the Underground dealing with criminals, so if anything, I’ve grown more dangerous. Never less.’
The director shuddered, his whole frame trembling.
But the chancellor, unaware of the facts, pressed on relentlessly.
“Still, as the Academy Chancellor, shouldn’t I at least know that much? Even a small hint….”
“It’s classified. I’m afraid I can’t do anything about that.”
“Then couldn’t you just—”
Receiving a similar refusal, the chancellor’s eyes narrowed further.
“Couldn’t you at least tell me privately? For the sake of our connection. Please!”
…….
This young fool.
‘How dare he invoke our connection?’
Just because he’d done the man a small favor, now he thought he could pressure him?
Wi Hyun-sang was about to open his mouth in exasperation when it happened.
Beep-beep-beep-beep—
An urgent alarm sounded from Wi Hyun-sang’s phone.
Perfect timing. An excuse to escape.
He reached for the screen—
Knock knock knock!
The director’s office door rang out urgently.
With his answer, it swung open.
“Director, we have an emergency.”
The director’s secretary burst in frantically.
“What is it?”
“A Gate Rank change. A D-Rank Gate has escalated to B-Rank.”
“What?”
The director’s brow furrowed sharply.
A single rank increase happened maybe once a year, if that—but two ranks at once?
“Which Gate?”
“Gate D-383. We’ll need to investigate the specific circumstances further, but a Hunter entered a few hours ago, so support will likely be necessary.”
“We should dispatch high-ranked Hunters right away.”
If it’s escalated to B-Rank, we’ll need at least an A-Rank Hunter minimum, but I’m not sure we have anyone available.
An unforeseen variable was never a good sign.
He was about to disconnect from the chancellor to investigate the details further.
“…Gate D-383?”
The Academy Chancellor murmured, his expression as if searching his memory.
Wi Hyun-sang paused and asked.
“What is it? Do you know that Gate?”
“Yes, actually…. Give me a moment.”
He pulled out a tablet and tapped the screen briefly, then placed a hand to his forehead with a sigh.
“My goodness, no wonder it seemed familiar. That’s where Professor Yeom Sa-hyun was dispatched this afternoon!”
The director’s mind froze.
“…Who—who did you say is in there right now?”
The director’s face turned grave as he scrolled through the tablet.
“Professor Yeom Sa-hyun and three A-Rank students. And also the A-Rank Hunter Yun Hae-sung, whom you assigned to accompany them—”
“Why are you telling me this now?!”
Wi Hyun-sang’s voice cracked with alarm.
“…Yes?”
The chancellor blinked, visibly startled by the outburst.
And he added quietly, as if making excuses.
“The last inspection showed no anomalies….”
“And you were the one who inspected this Gate?”
Wi Hyun-sang ran his fingers along his lips and exhaled heavily.
The Chancellor nodded, looking bewildered.
“Yes, well, the Academy’s test Gates are always subject to my personal re-inspection and approval, so…”
Wi Hyun-sang cast him a pitying look.
An emergency situation, true enough—but what was this reaction?
The Chancellor tilted his head but spoke calmly. “Since the Rank has been elevated, I’m afraid Professor Yeom Sa-hyun alone may struggle. Would it be acceptable to request additional support?”
Wi Hyun-sang’s eyes narrowed slightly as he shook his head.
“Support won’t be necessary. Professor Yeom Sa-hyun is more than capable of handling it himself.”
“But…?”
A B-Rank Gate was barely a warm-up for Yeom Sa-hyun.
If anything, the Chancellor himself should be the one worried.
As Wi Hyun-sang’s anger flickered, something like pity crept into his gaze.
“If you do need help, try reaching out to the Association President. He’s the only one who can control that man.”
“Excuse me? What do you mean by—”
The Chancellor blinked in confusion.
“Well, I should be going. Take care.”
Wi Hyun-sang ended the call hastily, offering a quick farewell.
The thought of what reaction he’d face when this critical oversight came to light made his fingers stiffen.
And then, moments later.
The inspection report for Gate D-383, handed to him by his secretary.
Wi Hyun-sang clicked his tongue.
The document should have been meticulously filled—Gate type, internal terrain, everything accounted for.
‘Full of holes,’ he thought grimly.
Yeom Sa-hyun would surely review the report once he exited the Gate. At this rate, there’d be nothing left to salvage.
‘My condolences, Chancellor.’
He was extending this hollow consolation when another knock came at the door.
‘Missing documents, perhaps?’
Just as he was about to answer, assuming it was his secretary, the door swung open violently.
“……!”
Wi Hyun-sang’s face went rigid as ice the moment he saw who stood in the doorway.
…What are you doing here?
“You can’t just barge in like that!” his secretary cried out, hurrying after the visitor.
But the newcomer’s eyes didn’t so much as blink, regarding Wi Hyun-sang with a quiet, piercing gaze.
“We keep running into each other.”
It was Yeom Sa-hyun.
That sinister glint in his eyes made Wi Hyun-sang’s heart involuntarily lurch.
Composing himself, Wi Hyun-sang spoke with forced composure. “Ah, what brings you here? I heard the Gate’s Rank had shifted. Thank heavens you’re safe.”
Why you and not the Chancellor?!
Wi Hyun-sang shuffled his chair backward hesitantly, stumbling over his words.
Yeom Sa-hyun tilted his head slowly.
“There was an uninvited guest inside the Gate.”
“…An uninvited guest?”
Damn it all—what else had gone wrong?
Wi Hyun-sang looked to his secretary, silently demanding answers.
But the secretary only widened his eyes and shook his head emphatically.
“Greetings, Director. The thing is…”
Yun Hae-sung, now stepping forward from behind Yeom Sa-hyun, spoke in his stead.
“There was an unidentified Hunter inside the Gate when we entered.”
“What?”
“This Hunter… could not be read with Status Window Reading.”
“!”
Wi Hyun-sang’s breath caught.
That meant either an Awakener unregistered with the Korean Hunter Association, or an illegal Hunter smuggled into the country.
‘This is serious. Very serious.’
“A criminal roaming about so freely…”
When Yeom Sa-hyun’s cold voice cut through the silence, Wi Hyun-sang’s throat tightened.
A chilling gleam began to settle in Yeom Sa-hyun’s ashen eyes.

“How are we supposed to maintain security at all?”
“…….”
The director’s pupils trembled visibly.
…President, please help me.

S-Rank Instructor Devours the Academy Chapter 20

Author
Baek Ruga
Publisher
Daon Creative
Planning / Editing / Production
Yun Tae-ri
Cover
Thong

UCI
G720:N+A036-20260512043.0021

ⓒ2026, Baek Ruga

※ This e-book is protected by the copyright law of the Republic of Korea.
No part or all of this work may be reprocessed in any form without the permission of the author and publisher.

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