Chapter 372

Having finished binge-watching yet another drama series, Yong-Yong was faced with extreme boredom. This was especially true during the “dry” months when no new series were released, forcing Yong-Yong to wander here and there to keep himself occupied and stave off the dullness. Sometimes he followed Byeol on her outings; other times he visited the Academy, or even went to work with Do-Jun.

Today, he was keeping Do-Jun company at work. Through the clear glass wall, Yong-Yong could see Do-Jun speaking with a B-rank Hunter.

“Looking at the Fissure records you’ve submitted so far, it seems you could use some improvement in combat against swarming-type monsters. I’m not a Hunter myself, but if I may, I’d like to offer a few tips...” Do-Jun’s voice echoed from the smaller meeting room in the office.

Lying sprawled across the puppy cushion the admin staff had gifted him, Yong-Yong yawned a wide, lazy yawn. Then his eyes turned to the mountain of documents stacked on Do-Jun’s desk.

Master already has so much work... isn’t it exhausting to worry about the Hunters too?

He couldn’t understand why Do-Jun was going through so much unnecessary trouble. It wasn’t like the Hunters currently under contract with the Fissure Management Division at City Hall were helpless F-ranks like before. Yet Do-Jun still took time out of his work schedule to meet with them when necessary. At the B- or A-rank, most Hunters should be able to develop on their own, so why was he babysitting them like this?

***

After dinner, Yong-Yong took a bath with Do-Jun. He played underwater in the warm tub for a while, then finally poked his head out and looked up at Do-Jun.

“Master, I have a question...” he said.

Do-Jun opened his eyes slightly and looked at him. “What is it?”

“Well, now that the Hunters at City Hall are doing well on their own, isn’t it okay to stop giving them so much attention? Most of them are B-rank or higher now—they can handle themselves, right? You’ve already got more than enough on your plate.”

He wasn’t exactly wrong. B-rank Hunters were recognized as elite by societal standards, making up the top ten percent of all Hunters. At that level, it was expected that their perspectives would shift, allowing them to understand what they needed to do to improve. However, it was also around that point when Hunters faced a certain obstacle.

“I see your point, Yong-Yong. But the thing about people is that when they start achieving success in a field, they risk falling into complacency without realizing it. A little pride is fine, but if you get too absorbed in it, you stop moving forward.” Do-Jun paused briefly to check whether Yong-Yong had followed what he said before continuing, “All I’m doing is helping them keep themselves from getting stuck. Otherwise, they could end up trapped in their own little world.”

In fact, some of the Hunters under City Hall’s contract had been skipping Fissure activity and neglecting training altogether after a recent boost in their ranks. Sure, the consequences of such complacency weren’t showing just yet, but if those habits continued to pile up, they were bound to eventually collapse the very tower they’d worked so hard to build.

“Of course, it’s not my duty to fix that. But I don’t really care to draw lines around what is and isn’t my job, either. Besides, the more those contracted Hunters grow, the more people will benefit. Even if that means a bit more work for me, I think it’s worth it.”

Do-Jun smiled as if he truly believed that the additional work he was doing was nothing compared to what it brought to the world.

Yong-Yong, who had been listening with only his eyes above the water, nodded thoughtfully, his eyes sparkling as if he had come to some realization.

***

With the arrival of June, the Hunter Academy burst into vibrant color. It was as if the whole campus had dressed up in bright hanbok for summer. The blooming canola flowers brought smiles to everyone who passed by.

For third-year students, it was an especially meaningful month. It was the month of “Independent Study.” Starting in June, third-year students entered full-on exam-prep mode. They were scheduled to take the Hunter License Certification Exam administered by the Hunter’s Bureau upon graduation. For that, each student was allowed to substitute one day of classes per week with independent study to tailor to their skills and tendencies.

By tradition, nearly all third-years took this option. For anyone in Class A by this time of year, it meant they had already mastered every piece of theory the Academy could teach.

Of course, independent study didn’t mean skipping out entirely. The students still had to submit a detailed plan outlining what they would study and where. However, most students used the time to rest rather than train or hunt Fissures. They chose to go home, hit cafés, or simply hang out with friends.

“Seriously, did you guys have to make it so obvious you’re all planning to goof off? You think you’re gonna get a good rank at graduation like that?” said Yang Won-Kyung, the instructor for Class 3-A, with an obvious tone of disappointment.

“

Hehe

, who said anything about slacking? We’re going to train hard, really!” the class president said.

The plans said it all—cafés, karaoke rooms, and restaurants all over Seoul... These kids were being hailed as the most talented class in Academy history, and it was starting to go to their heads.

“Geez. How do you guys always have a comeback? If you stayed silent, I wouldn’t be this annoyed. Don’t come crying to me if you don’t even make B-rank. I swear—!”

“

Hehe

... So you’re approving it, right?”

“It’s Independent Study. What can I say? Just make sure if you’re gonna play, you play hard. Got it?”

“Yes, sir! I’ll keep that in mind!”

“Go.”

With their instructor’s dismissal, the class president bowed and left the teacher’s lounge. He then made his way to Class 3-A with a light bounce in his step, eager to share the good news with his classmates.

Just as he was about to arrive, he stopped dead in his tracks. “Huh...?”

He saw Yong-Yong entering Class 3-A. For some reason, he felt a chill run down his spine.

***

The third-year Class A students gathered on the school field, blinking in confusion. The teenagers, who had been filled with excitement about going out for a fun day in the city, now trembled as if the sky had fallen. They looked at one another in a daze. In their hands was a neatly printed list of Great Fissures.

“So, like, every independent study day...”

“We’re supposed to... clear a Great Fissure...?”

Hearing their confused murmur, Yong-Yong explained, “I realized something yesterday while I was taking a bath. I think I’ve been neglecting you all. It hit me like a bolt of insight.”

What does a bath have to do with anything?

The students rolled their eyes. What the heck was wrong with Yong-Yong all of a sudden?

“When you get full of yourself, people get... uh... complaints... complace...? I memorized this... Ugh, anyway! I’ll help with your training on your independent study days.” Yong-Yong placed his front legs on his hips and puffed out his chest proudly.

In contrast, the students looked utterly lifeless. This was the sole reason they had been patiently waiting for June to arrive.

Just then, the class president pointed at Yoon-Hee and said to Yong-Yong, “Do you see Yoon-Hee’s face? Even she looks like she hates this.”

At the unexpected remark, Yoon-Hee said, “H-huh? I-I don’t actually mind it at all...”

Yoon-Hee was, in fact, in favor of this initiative. Sure, having fun was nice, but training was even better. She hadn’t come to the Academy to slack off; she was there to hone her skills. She even trained in Great Fissures with Karsiel on weekends, intentionally pushing herself.

Meanwhile, Jin-Soo grew anxious.

No! If this keeps up, we won’t get to go on our date!

Today, he had planned a detailed itinerary for his girlfriend, Hye-Jung—a movie, some good food, and a nice café.

He swallowed nervously. “I-I won’t go. No. Over my dead body, Yong-Yong.”

Without a word, Yong-Yong reached down and picked up a rock. Then, he looked straight back at Jin-Soo.

“H-hey, Yong-Yong? What’s with the rock?” Jin-Soo asked.

Blinking innocently, Yong-Yong replied, “You said over your dead body, right?”

“That’s a figure of speech!”

“Huh? Oh, I see. Anyway, I’m saying all this because it’s for your own good. You’re all graduating soon and taking your final exams, right? When you get good results, you’ll be grateful to me.”

Somebody shut that dragon up...

The students shared the same sentiment, but none of them refuted him.

In fact, when they’d visited the temple last time, Yong-Yong had taken them into an A-rank Great Fissure and guided them through the raid. It had been an incredible experience, one that drastically improved their skills. That kind of training was nearly impossible even for active-duty Hunters, especially for anyone not S-rank.

Amid the silence, Hye-Jung spoke. “Guys... Let’s just do what Yong-Yong says.”

The students turned to her.

She gave them a bright smile. “As for having fun... that’s what weekends are for, right? And it’s not like today was originally meant for fun. We were supposed to be in class. If you think about it, it’s called independent

study.

Besides, I bet Yong-Yong wants to go and spend his time doing fun stuff too. But he’s giving up his time for us, so we should be thankful. Right, Yoon-Hee?”

Yoon-Hee nodded.

That was the turning point. One by one, the students leaned toward agreeing with the plan.

“Yeah. What’s the point of messing around anyway?”

“Honestly, we probably won’t get another chance like this.”

The class president let out a sigh and then shrugged, muttering, “I guess I’ll have to write up a new independent study plan.”

***

Yong-Yong and the students rode the subway for about thirty minutes to a B-rank Great Fissure. The main monsters of this Fissure were trolls. They verified their student IDs with a Hunter’s Bureau staff member stationed at the entrance before entering the Fissure.

The students decided to set up a raid plan at the entrance.

“Looking at the map, this Fissure is huge. I think we should split it into six zones and form five-person squads to clear them one by one. Or we could stick together like last time. Trolls have crazy regeneration, so...”

“I disagree. Trolls tend to group in random numbers. If we split it into just six zones, one squad could end up facing too many on its own. It’s dangerous.”

“Hmm... then how about we each share our ideas...”

Just as they were getting deep into planning, the class president noticed Yong-Yong pulling a large pot from a pouch. The pot didn’t look unfamiliar. He had definitely seen it somewhere.

“Yong-Yong, what are you doing...?” he asked, unable to shake off the ominous feeling.

“Oh, I wanted to have lunch right at noon, and that’s only like thirty minutes away. Since we can’t just leave the Fissure for lunch in the middle of a raid, I figured I’d cook for everyone!

Haha

! You guys just focus on taking down the trolls, and I’ll whip up something delicious for us.”

Humming to himself, Yong-Yong plopped some kimchi into the pot.

The students went pale as they stared at each other and swallowed nervously. Without a word, they immediately began the raid.

Trolls howled from all directions.

“There are three over there! Wipe them out!”

“N-no, the pot’s already boiling!”

“I’m out of mana...!”

“Screw your mana, use your bare fists if you have to!”

“I’m a healer, you idiot!”

“You think healers can escape the

kimchi jjigae?”

That day, the students of Class 3-A set a record that even the Hunter’s Bureau operations team had never achieved: 17 minutes and 45 seconds to clear a B-rank Great Fissure. Of course, having finished before noon, they got to eat lunch outside.