The S-Rank Warden Devours the Academy - Chapter 3

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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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Chapter 3

Unlike the older facilities designed purely for containment, the headquarters was appointed in clean, modern style.
Glass opened up on all sides, the exterior landscape visible at a glance, and the space felt refreshingly open.
But for Sa Hyun, who had just emerged from underground, the warm light was only irritating.
“—Who is that? I don’t recognize them.”
The corridors of the Hunter Association Headquarters bustled with employees hurrying past.
The staff who saw Sa Hyun walking alongside the Association Director whispered among themselves as he passed.
“Could be a new hunter? Walking with the Director like that… probably S-rank?”
“No way. All the new hunters should be at the Academy by now.”
The quiet murmuring reached Sa Hyun clearly, courtesy of his developed hearing.
Feeling his mood plummet in real time, Sa Hyun’s brow furrowed.

“—Seems best if you remove the mask before heading out.”

It was the Association Director’s suggestion.
The Mirror Mask—currently regarded as the symbol of the hunter prison.
If he’d emerged to the surface wearing it, the world would have been in uproar.
Walking around the headquarters with his face bare was unusual, but….
‘I’d rather not deal with the hassle.’
There was no need to hide anymore.
Sa Hyun scowled and roughly raked his hair back.
“So where do we start?”
The Association Director, walking ahead, turned back and answered.
“I’ve prepared supplies in my office—grab those first. We’ll sit for a while and talk, and I’ll introduce you to someone suitable who can help you settle in.”
“I’d rather hunt monsters during that time….”
Sa Hyun’s brow creased with annoyance.
More conversation in the Association Director’s office, on top of everything else.
Hadn’t they already said everything that needed saying underground? He had no patience for any more stiff, solemn meetings.
“Don’t be like that. You’ll find it necessary. A lot has changed while you were down there. You should finish settling in before you meet the new awakened individuals.”
“Why would I need to meet them?”
“…Well, handling Dungeon Breaks can create all sorts of situations.”
“?”
As a question mark appeared on Sa Hyun’s face, the Association Director smiled brightly and hastily changed the subject.
“…And we’ve also prepared a device that tracks Gate Energy, so it should prove useful.”
Gate Energy tracking….
Dungeon Breaks—the phenomenon where gates open at random and monsters pour out from within—had become commonplace.
If there was a tracking device, he could know in advance where a gate would open.
Sa Hyun let out a hollow laugh.
“The world’s come a long way.”
That could certainly help with faster suppression.
Sa Hyun shrugged and followed the Association Director out.

* * *

They reached the Executive Office after crossing the corridor.
As the Association Director entered first, a loud greeting rang out.
“Good day, Director!”
A man with bright chestnut-brown hair that had a slightly dry texture bowed deeply.
“Ah, you’re already here.”
The Association Director wore a warm smile and introduced the man to Sa Hyun.
“Sa Hyun, this is the Yun Hae Sung hunter I mentioned. He’ll help you adjust going forward.”
Adjust—as if he were some genuine rookie.
Sa Hyun’s expression turned sour as he frowned.
“…Ah!”
In the meantime, Hae Sung looked back and forth between the Association Director and Sa Hyun, then broke into a bright smile and gave a deep bow.
“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Yun Hae Sung, and from today I’ll be assisting you.”
His eyes gleamed and were so clear and innocent that he somehow reminded Sa Hyun of a golden retriever he’d once seen at a country house.
Sa Hyun considered it indifferently and gave a slight nod.
Yun Hae Sung, meanwhile, fussed about in the inner pockets of his dress jacket.
“I appreciate your kindness.”
A single business card extended toward Sa Hyun.
Sa Hyun accepted it with a detached gesture.

[Republic of Korea Hunter Association Hunter Bureau of Korea
Yun Hae Sung / A-rank / Strategic Support Team / Education Support]

‘An A-rank isn’t bad, at least.’
Sa Hyun’s brow furrowed slightly as he finished reading the card.
“Education Support?”
Yun Hae Sung’s brown eyes sparkled, and he nodded eagerly.
“Yes. I primarily handle characteristic analysis and classification work for newly awakened individuals.”
“Ah.”
A typical non-combat hunter.
The Education Support designation was peculiar, but Sa Hyun didn’t give it much weight.
Just someone to help with adjustment—he’d be gone after a brief introduction anyway.
“If you have any questions or concerns, please tell me right away!”
Yun Hae Sung spoke with bright, eager eyes.
“Hmm. Is that so?”
Sa Hyun clicked his tongue and raised an eyebrow. The words were polished smooth, but he’d grasped the situation well enough.
‘All the combat hunters are out in the field, then.’
And going forward, he’d have no shortage of reasons to head to the combat zones—yet here they were, assigning him a non-combat hunter who couldn’t even control his own body properly. Were they scraping the barrel in this emergency, or what?
Lending him a useless hand just in case.
‘Or maybe it’s a surveillance role the Director prepared.’
In any case, it didn’t matter.
So long as it didn’t interfere with his plans.
Sa Hyun gave a soft laugh through his nose and shrugged.
“Hold your own out there.”
Yun Hae Sung’s face tensed, and he bobbed his head vigorously.
“Yes, yes! I’ll do my best.”
Sa Hyun gave a perfunctory nod, then strode toward the Director.
“The gear?”
“Ah, right.”
The Association Director gestured, and Secretary Jeong placed a palm-sized box on the table.
“A device with added Gate Detection capabilities.”
Inside the open box lay a smartwatch.
“It looks like an ordinary smart device on the surface, but it’s made for hunters. If a Gate manifests, you’ll get the alert before the Disaster Alert reaches the public.”
“Simple enough.”
Sa Hyun muttered in a flat voice, strapped on the watch he’d been handed, and turned toward the door without hesitation.
“Well then, I’ve got somewhere to be. I’m leaving.”
His stomach was beginning to complain.
He had no intention of waiting in this cramped office until a Gate opened.
“The watch has more functions—are you sure you don’t need further explanation?”
The Association Director tried to hold him back, but Sa Hyun simply tilted his head and raised his wrist to show the watch.
“It vibrates and I go, right? That’s all I need to know.”
“Well, to sum it up, yes…”
“Then we’re done.”
As Sa Hyun moved without hesitation toward the exit, the Association Director hurried to add something more.
“I’ll call you back this evening if nothing urgent comes up.”
Sa Hyun gave a nod instead of a verbal response and stepped through the door.
The Association Director, speaking from excess caution, added one more thing.
“Don’t cause any trouble!”
He who had his hand on the doorknob replied flatly.
“I’ll think about it.”
With those words, Sa Hyun pushed the door wide open and walked out of the Executive Office without hesitation.
“Sa—Sa Hyun! Wait a moment!”
Following the Association Director’s sigh, Yun Hae Sung hurried after him.
Sa Hyun paid him no mind, walking briskly toward the Headquarters Lobby.
“Gasp, wheeze. Sa Hyun!”
Yun Hae Sung bolted after him.
Sa Hyun had already pushed through the main gate, heading outside.
“Let me come with you!!”
Yun Hae Sung had just stretched out his hand, closing the distance until it was within reach, when—
Thud.
“Oof!”
Sa Hyun had stopped dead, and Yun Hae Sung’s face collided squarely with his back.
Yun Hae Sung stifled a cry and gripped his nose, while Sa Hyun looked him over from head to toe as if he were studying some strange creature.
“What are you doing?”
“You stopped so suddenly….”
Yun Hae Sung laughed awkwardly and rubbed the reddened tip of his nose.
“But where exactly are we going?”
Sa Hyun thrust his hands into his pockets, furrowed his brow, and scanned the surroundings.
“It’s been so long since I’ve been out. I’ve lost my bearings.”
Yun Hae Sung watched Sa Hyun’s face intently, a look of concern crossing his own.
Sa Hyun surveyed the street with serious eyes, then slowly opened his mouth.
“Is there a decent restaurant nearby?”
Since we’ve made it to the surface, the first meal should be a good one, shouldn’t it?
“……Yes?”
Yun Hae Sung blinked blankly.
He looked oddly dazed.
Sa Hyun raised an eyebrow and pressed him.
“Are you awake?”
Prompted by Sa Hyun, Yun Hae Sung fumbled for words.
“Ah, yes! There’s a rice soup place I go to all the time, just next to the Headquarters.”
“I’m not fond of anything too hot.”
Sa Hyun said this flatly.
Yun Hae Sung spoke up quickly.
“Well, if we head toward the Crossroads, there’s also a hamburger place….”
“That’ll do.”
Sa Hyun flicked his eyebrows and changed direction immediately.
But the direction he chose was completely wrong.
“Sa Hyun, that’s the other way!!”
Yun Hae Sung grabbed him urgently.
Sa Hyun clicked his tongue and spoke reproachfully.
“You should’ve told me sooner. So will you manage as an aide properly?”
“You didn’t even give me a chance to speak!”
Yun Hae Sung cried out, his face full of grievance.
Only after Yun Hae Sung took the lead did the two of them walk in the correct direction.

* * *

A franchise Fast Food Restaurant, a window seat with a clear view of the Crossroads.
“It’s so peaceful….”
Excessively so.
Sa Hyun gazed out through the broad glass window and took a long sip of his remaining cola.
People walking with eyes on their phones, others leisurely strolling down the street with coffee in hand….
The busy Crossroads was crowded with pedestrians all heading toward their destinations.
“Did a Dungeon Break really occur?”
Sa Hyun furrowed his brow and muttered.
When I was on the surface before, a Dungeon Break was a global-scale disaster.
Non-Awakened Individuals spent months in shelters sometimes.
But five years later.
People were strolling through the streets as if it were any other day.
“Well, since we can identify the location as soon as a Gate opens…?”
As Yun Hae Sung spoke with uncertainty, Sa Hyun glanced down at the watch on his wrist.
“This?”
“Yes. Once the location appears, the top priority is preventing Monsters from spreading to other areas.”
The types of Gates that appeared from Dungeon Breaks were varied.
Hundreds, thousands of Monsters pouring out at once—Gates spawning nothing but A-rank and higher-tier creatures.
“More useful than I expected.”
Sa Hyun spoke in an even tone.
The duration of each Dungeon Break varied.
The first Dungeon Break lasted one year and six months; the second, one year and two months.
The faster and more Monsters he eliminated from the Gate, the sooner the Dungeon Break ended.
‘At this rate, I could wrap it up within a year.’
Process them as quickly as possible, secure support from the Association’s research personnel, and trace the death of Lee Ha-je….
Sa Hyun was resting his chin on his hand, mentally revising his plans, when—
“Um… Sa Hyun.”
Yun Hae Sung, who had been glancing at him, finally spoke.
Instead of answering, Sa Hyun simply rolled his eyes toward him.
Meeting that gaze—a silent command to speak—Yun Hae Sung swallowed hard and opened his mouth carefully.
“Would it be all right to ask what your Ability is?”
What in the world is he talking about?
Sa Hyun’s brow furrowed slightly.
“You’re telling me the Association Director didn’t brief you on anything?”
An Awakened Individual’s Ability was their very identity.
In other words, Yun Hae Sung asking about Sa Hyun’s Ability meant he knew absolutely nothing about him.
Yun Hae Sung slowly nodded, confirming it.
“Yes….”
Sa Hyun let out a dry laugh, as if flabbergasted.
“Huh. No wonder he came along so readily.”
“……What?”
In short: the Association Director had assigned Yun Hae Sung to assist without revealing Sa Hyun’s true identity as a Hunter Prison Interrogator.

An S-rank Prison Warden Devours the Academy Episode 3

Original Story
Baek Lu-ga
Publisher
Daon Creative
Planning / Editing / Production
Yun Tae-ri
Cover Design
Tong

UCI
G720:N+A036-20260512043.0004

ⓒ2026, Baek Lu-ga

※ This e-book is protected by the copyright law of the Republic of Korea.
No part of this work may be reproduced or adapted 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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