Chapter 12

< Second S-Rank (1) >

The weather was a bit hotter than yesterday. I was searching around Myeongdong Station with a hard bar in my mouth.

A meat restaurant near Myeongdong Station.

This was the only information I had about the current residence of Ice Witch Park Yerim.

"Excuse me, does a student named Park Yerim live here?"

"No, there's no such person."

Another dead end. I marked an X on the map on my phone. I've checked this street, should I go to the other side? There are quite a few meat restaurants.

While biting the almost finished hard bar, I glanced back and saw Kim Sung-han, dressed in a way that would make him die of heat, chasing me from a distance. I want to make this guy an S-rank, but I can't bring myself to do it.

In Yu Myung-woo's case, he was lucky. But what excuse could I give to tell this guy I love him? Maybe I should arrange a drinking session?

'What if I insist that confessing my love to anyone is my drunkenness?'

Of course, just saying the keyword won't work; I need to make it feel real, so getting closer is the priority. How do I get closer? Should it be over drinks? Does he like drinking?

I crossed the street and headed to a charcoal-grilled rib restaurant in a secluded spot. The smell of grilling meat made my mouth water. Looking at the menu on the wall, it seemed they also served tripe and pork belly.

I love tripe. The greasy, fluffy tripe that cleans your throat with a refreshing beer! Pork belly with soju is good too, but I prefer tripe. I love tripe. I want to eat tripe. It's still early, but it's time to eat dinner, so should I eat and then continue searching?

With the ice cream stick in my mouth, I approached the door of the rib restaurant.

"Everything is my fault!"

With a loud shout, the glass door burst open. The small bell attached to the door jingled as if it would break.

"It's that bastard Park Su-cheon's doing!!"

"Where is that bitch making all that noise?! Why isn't she coming in here?"

A girl in tracksuit, who had kicked open the door, glared at the inside of the restaurant with a face full of anger. That face was definitely familiar. Park Yerim, right?

"Hey—"

"Just die already!"

Park Yerim shouted and started running. Where are you going, wait a moment!

I immediately ran after the girl who was quickly getting away. Since she's a middle school girl and I'm an awakened adult, even if I'm F-rank, I should catch up quickly... How is she so fast?

'Has she already awakened? Oh, a car!'

Hesitating due to the car, the distance that had closed widened again. I should have worn gloves and a belt. If I hadn't taken them off because it was hot, I could have caught her right away. Still, I noted the direction.

After the car passed, I crossed the street and ran in the direction Park Yerim had gone.

Before long, a hill with dense trees appeared. Through the trees at the end of Namsan, I could see the back of a girl sitting on the ground.

'Let's confirm first.'

It might be someone else. Using the Seedling Skill, the status window appeared even from a considerable distance.

[Unawakened ? Park Yerim

Awakening Potential Stat Grade A~S

Optimized Initial Skills

Shadowless Day (SS)

Hermes' Shoes (S)

White Corpse (S)]

I had expected the highest awakening potential stat grade to be S. The fact that the optimized initial skills went up to SS was a bit surprising.

But most importantly,

'There's nothing related to ice?'

All of her optimized initial skills were completely unfamiliar. The fact that they were all unknown was not just surprising but shocking.

Didn't she become famous with skills that didn't even suit her? How talented is she? I'm envious.

'But these skills... I have no idea what kind they are.'

At least Hermes' Shoes seems to be related to flight or agility, but I couldn't even guess the characteristics of Shadowless Day and White Corpse. It was a bit disappointing that the Seedling Skill couldn't reveal the skill details.

It wouldn't work if they were auxiliary skills. But with S-rank stats—

"Mr. Han Yujin."

Damn, you scared me! Sung-han suddenly appeared beside me, with a look that asked what I was doing.

"I feel a strong aura from that student, so I'm going to approach her. Please wait here."

Saying I feel a strong aura makes me sound like a cult member. Kim Sung-han glanced at Park Yerim and nodded silently.

Now, how do I approach her? I approached Park Yerim slowly, thinking.

The young girl was sitting with her back to me, so I couldn't see her expression. But her back was heavy with deep sorrow. Her thin shoulders were hunched, looking pitiful.

"Hey, student. Can I talk to you for a moment?"

I spoke in the most gentle voice I could. I'm harmless, believe me.

Park Yerim turned her head to look at me. She hadn't cried, but her eyes were red. There were marks on her lower lip from biting it.

"Hi? I—"

"I don't do original couples."

"Neither do I!"

What do you take me for!

The thin ice-like atmosphere was shattered in an instant. Why did original couples come up here!

"Park Yerim, right?"

At my words, she stood up. Then she gave me a suspicious look.

"…Stalker?"

"No, I'm not!"

Not only original couples, but now a stalker too! I feel wronged. Before the regression, I was clean in that aspect. I might be dirty in other ways, though.

"I, well, I have a debt to your parents from the past."

This time, I decided to use the fact that we have a connection, even if you don't know it. It's too risky to just say I'm here to scout you, given how cautious she is.

"To your parents?"

"Yes. I'm not a suspicious person."

"You look very suspicious, sir."

Sir! Well, I guess I do look like a sir to a middle schooler. I'm already thirty... No, I regressed! I'm still in my twenties!

"…I'm still in my mid-twenties, you know?"

"Did you go to the military?"

"…Yeah."

"Then you are a sir."

…It's already hard enough that I went to the military without awakening. This is too much. The thought of entrusting my protection to this girl made my stomach hurt. She's had a tough personality since she was young.

"Anyway, I want to sponsor you."

"Sure, it's original couples! Police sir!"

"No! No, it's not! Here, look at my Hunter's license and Guild membership card!"

I quickly took out my wallet and showed her the license and membership card. Park Yerim raised an eyebrow when she saw them.

"What, you're F-rank. You'd struggle to survive, let alone sponsor someone."

…You really know how to pick your words.

"Can you also look at my Guild membership card?"

"Haeryun Guild? They're famous."

"Yes, do you know Han Yuhwan, the Guild Master of Haeryun Guild? An S-rank Hunter. He's my brother."

Park Yerim looked at me with surprise.

"That handsome brother? You don't look much alike."

"…Is he my brother?"

"You didn't go to the military."

"S-rank is exempt from the military."

"Then he's a capable brother."

…It hurts more because it's true. But she seemed a bit sorry, so she joked, "You do look a bit similar if you look closely."

"Having a capable brother is also a talent. Don't make such a pitiful face, sir."

"When did I—"

"You looked like someone who had just crawled out of a mud pit after five years."

What is this? Do you have a mind-reading ability or something?

"Let's stop the nonsense. I can make you an Awakened."

"An Awakened?"

Park Yerim's eyes lit up with interest. Awakened was a hot profession, and it was popular among kids, especially those above C-rank. Of course, the bottom was considered non-existent, like in any profession.

"Yes. My skill is to make others Awakened. With the Guild Master's support, I can help you establish yourself."

"Even if you're F-rank, it's not much use."

"Don't worry. Your rank will be at least B."

Confidently, she tilted her head.

"How do you know that?"

"I can know. It's a secret to others."

"What if I don't keep the secret? You're being careless, sir."

"That's why there's a contract. I'll only awaken you after we sign the contract. If you give up on awakening and spread the secret, who would believe you without evidence?"

There are all kinds of rumors on the internet about how to become an Awakened. So, even if I say I have a skill to awaken others, it won't attract much attention. There are already several scammers making similar claims, so you'd just be doubted.

Park Yerim, who had been thinking with a slightly narrowed brow, spoke.

"Can I live independently if I become an Awakened? I don't want to live with my uncle."

"You can live independently. After the first dungeon shock, when many minor Awakened appeared, a special law was created. From the age of 14, you can have the same rights as an adult Hunter, except for entering dungeons two ranks lower than your own. In other words, you can join a guild without your guardian's permission. Haeryun Guild has a dormitory, so you can leave home as soon as you register as a Hunter."

There are still debates about minors entering dungeons. It was certainly an ethically problematic law, but when dungeons first appeared, there were few Awakened. Dungeons kept popping up, so they needed even the kids' help.

Still, the restriction of entering only two ranks lower dungeons reduced the death rate of minor Hunters. This restriction is lifted after 10 successful dungeon clears or at the age of 18.

'After the Awakening Center was established, the number of Awakened increased, so they started raising the minimum age for dungeon entry gradually.'

That's the right approach. But since the special law hasn't been revised yet, there's no problem with Park Yerim living independently.

"But it will be inconvenient without a guardian, right? After all, you're still young—"

"Enough. It's better without a guardian. I'll probably run away soon anyway."

Park Yerim said grumpily. Run away, you said? I think I saw it in an interview.

"Does your uncle treat you badly?"

"Except for school, he uses me without giving me a penny. He took all my parents' assets using me as an excuse! He bought that restaurant by selling our apartment. And he pretends to be a kind person taking care of a homeless kid in front of others!"

Her voice was tinged with tears at the end. When money is involved, even family can turn against each other. Still, if he received a fortune, he should have taken better care of her. It's too much.

"I can provide legal help if you want."

Most guilds have several lawyers. Haeryun Guild certainly does, and they would help with the case of an S-rank Awakened.

"No, I just don't want to be involved with him again."

"Alright, do as you wish. Standing here talking is a bit awkward, so how about we go for dinner? It's a bit early, but—"

I need to have more conversation to use my skill.

"You probably don't like tripe. What do you want to eat?"

"No, I like it. My uncle's restaurant is bad, but there's a famous place nearby. Follow me. It's a bit expensive, but that's okay, right?"

"Of course, it's fine. Eat whatever you want!"

I have the Haeryun Guild corporate card. I brought it to use for hospitality when I find someone above A-rank. So, even if we eat the place out of business, it's fine!

< Second S-Rank (1) > End

ⓒ Geunseo

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