Chapter 39. A Discovery

Shin Yoo-Sung was one of only three S-rank Hunters in the country, and the guild master of Mir, one of the four major guilds. When he exited his office, which was on the top floor of the association, his subordinate greeted him in the hallway.

"What did the president say?" asked the subordinate.

Shin Yoo-Sung grumbled, "What else besides the usual

‘it’s not my decision to make’

?”

"That must be frustrating."

"Exactly. Unlike the previous president, he’s really cautious."

Shin Yoo-Sung was dissatisfied with the president's attitude. When it came to both ally and enemy, he preferred a clear stance, and the president was neither. He didn’t seem to favor Mir nor any other guild. While it might seem like clever maneuvering, it left Shin Yoo-Sung feeling stuck.

"By the way, there was a contact from Russia. They've requested assistance with an S-rank gate that opened in Sakhalin," the subordinate said.

"An S-rank gate opened? Then, aren’t they asking me to come?"

"Well, although they asked for an A-rank or higher, it’s clear that they want you to go.”

"

Hmph

." Shin Yoo-Sung scoffed. "Reject it. Our hands are full.”

"Understood, Sir."

No matter which country, healers were treated differently from other Awakeners. Meanwhile, Mir was a unique guild that specialized in gathering Healers. It used to be an organization called the Korean Priests' Association, but after Shin Yoo-Sung took over, he transformed it into a guild.

Their main business remained the same as before, which was deploying their Healers to various places: hospitals, nursing homes, disaster sites, and high-paying clients. However, under Shin Yoo-Sung's leadership, they also began training combat Healers.

Of course, there was significant opposition and many complaints, but Shin Yoo-Sung silenced them all with his authority. Naturally, few dared to openly challenge one of the country's only three S-rank Healers.

— Medical team! Hurry! A child got hurt during the assessment!

A small commotion erupted downstairs.

"What's going on?" Shin Yoo-Sung muttered.

"Should I find out?" the subordinate offered.

However, Shin Yoo-Sung simply scoffed and dismissed the thought. "Forget it. It's probably nothing serious."

It doesn’t seem like a major accident, anyway.

Shin Yoo-Sung was too busy to worry about every trivial incident. So, he decided to ignore it, his expression returning to its usual languid state.

All of the sudden, he felt a strange energy.

"

Huh?

"

The energy was similar to mana, yet different. He couldn’t quite pinpoint what set it apart.

This must be...

The sensation made a ripple in Shin Yoo-Sung's heart, involuntarily quickening his pulse and stopping him in his tracks.

"Is something wrong?" his subordinate asked, oblivious to the sensation.

Shin Yoo-Sung now showed interest. "Follow me. Let's check it out."

"Where are we going?" the subordinate asked, puzzled.

Without answering, Shin Yoo-Sung strode resolutely. He was the type to trust his instincts.

***

This is...

Kim Do-Joon stared at Kim So-Eun in shock. Not only could she take out the sacred artifact on her own, she could already manifest such a power! But it wasn’t exactly a healing technique.

It’s not a special skill.

Kim Do-Joon had seen healing powers from other priests in his visions. He’d also received healing from Siwelin, which felt refined and flawless, like an immaculate carved statue. Compared to that, Kim So-Eun’s power was akin to a log of wood.

Yes, instead of a skill, she’d unleashed raw power. However, because Siwelin’s divine power inherently contained life energy, the result was healing.

In the meantime, the middle-aged woman went to check her child’s arm. The arm that was once mottled with burns was now smooth and unblemished.

“

Um, uh

...” the woman stuttered, looking at Kim Do-Joon before shakily bowing. “T-thank you so much...”

“If you want to thank someone, thank my daughter,” Kim Do-Joon replied.

The woman turned to Kim So-Eun and bowed her head. “Thank you, Dear.”

“You’re welcome,” Kim So-Eun replied, bowing in return, with her hands on her stomach.

It was a mannerism taught by her nurse, Jung Da-Jung.

With a slightly flushed face, the woman turned to the examiner and asked, “Is the assessment over?”

“Yes, you can go,” the examiner replied.

“Se-Ho, let’s get going,” the woman urged, feeling awkward, probably because she’d mocked Kim Do-Joon earlier.

“But I want to play with the girl,” Park Se-Ho protested.

“Come on!” The woman quickly dragged the boy away.

As they left, Park Se-Ho looked back at Kim So-Eun, who waved at him.

“Bye bye!” Kim So-Eun said.

“Goodbye!” Park Se-Ho replied back.

After the children exchanged their cute farewells, silence settled in the room.

“

Um

, next is... Kim So-Eun and her guardian...” the examiner called.

“Yes, that’s us,” Kim Do-Joon said, stepping forward with Kim So-Eun.

The examiner cleared his throat.

“

Ahem

, since we’ve confirmed the skill use, we’ll move on. Please show me your ID and family relationship certificate...”

The assessment concluded with a review of the prepared documents. It had always been a simple assessment, and since Kim So-Eun had already demonstrated her skill, there was nothing more to add.

Other Awakeners in the room, who came for the assessment, eyed Kim So-Eun with a mix of curiosity and envy.

So young and already Awakening...?

She even has a healing skill?

To have that kind of power at her age... Talent is indeed worth more than gold in this field...

Had Kim So-Eun been older or an adult, those gazes might have been filled with jealousy and resentment instead.

I’m so jealous... My skill just makes me run faster. How am I supposed to make a living with that?

That kid is basically set for life...

Indifferent to their stares, Kim Do-Joon calmly held Kim So-Eun’s hand.

“Shall we go get some ice cream?”

“Yes! I like the strawberry flavor!” Kim So-Eun exclaimed.

Just as Kim Do-Joon and Kim So-Eun were about to leave, Shin Yoo-Sung burst into the waiting room. He quickly scanned the room, and their eyes met.

Is that the one? Is he the source of that energy?

Shin Yoo-Sung wondered, gauging the reactions of those still in the room. On a closer inspection, he realized he was mistaken. The people’s gazes were not on the man, but on the child holding his hand.

“

Hey,

isn’t that Shin Yoo-Sung?”

“Isn’t he the guild master of Mir?”

The Awakeners in the waiting room were astonished, recognizing him from TV and news. Seeing such a famous figure in person was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for them. However, Shin Yoo-Sung paid them no heed. His focus was solely on the man and the child before him.

The energy didn’t come from the man, but the child.

Shin Yoo-Sung could sense the trace of raw power emanating from the girl. He showed a friendly smile, his eyes beaming with interest.

He approached Kim Do-Joon and spoke.

“My name is Shin Yoo-Sung. Did your daughter just take the assessment?”

“Yes, she did,” Kim Do-Joon replied with a displeased expression.

The sudden appearance of this mid-thirties man, staring intently at his daughter, was far from a situation that would elicit goodwill. He pulled Kim So-Eun protectively behind him.

However, Shin Yoo-Sung was too absorbed in the energy he had sensed earlier to notice Kim Do-Joon's wariness.

“Sir, have you considered enrolling your daughter in Mir’s gifted education program? If her talent is exceptional, I might even consider teaching her myself,” Shin Yoo-Sung offered, as if presenting an extraordinary opportunity.

How could it not be a remarkable offer? An

S-rank

Hunter had just offered to teach her personally.

This is insane.

Not only is she guaranteed to get into Mir, she might even become the master’s student?

Isn’t Mir one of the four major guilds?

The other Awakeners watched the scene intently. The six-year-old girl had just received an offer they could only dream of.

Some criticized Mir as an elitist guild, comparing it to an exclusive club for nobles. Others chastised it as a gathering of those looking for cushy positions. But those comments were only there in the first place because Mir was highly successful.

But Kim Do-Joon’s mind was on something else entirely.

Did he say he’ll teach her himself?

He knew that Shin Yoo-Sung said

“teach her myself”

to emphasize on the offer. Still, to a father, it sounded unsettling. He knew it was an exclusive offer, but he just couldn’t accept it.

“I’m sorry, but I must decline,” Kim Do-Joon said firmly.

“What? Are you worried because she’s too young? If that’s the case,then...”

“No, it’s not just that...” Kim Do-Joon interrupted, looking down at Kim So-Eun.

When their eyes met, she squeezed his hand tightly. Kim Do-Joon smiled faintly and turned back to Shin Yoo-Sung.

“I want my daughter to pursue what she wants,” Kim Do-Joon explained.

Although the gifted education program sounded great, it was ultimately a curriculum for training Hunters. Kim Do-Joon couldn’t subject his daughter, who’d just been discharged, to such a stern life. He believed that children should be given the freedom to play and explore, instead of pushing them into early education programs.

“Then, even without the guild, maybe I could—” Shin Yoo-Sung suggested.

“I’m sorry,” Kim Do-Joon interrupted him, firmly rejecting the offer and leading Kim So-Eun away.

Shin Yoo-Sung stood there in a daze, in disbelief over the fact that he’d been so flatly refused. Couldn’t they at least discuss it further?

As he watched Kim Do-Joon’s retreating figure, he murmured, “What just happened? Did I just get rejected?”

“It appears so, Guild Master,” his subordinate, who sidled up next to him, cheerfully agreed.

***

— Good job. I don't know who he is, but you can't trust someone like that with your daughter.

Siwelin showed her card, nodding approvingly after hearing the full story from the association. Then, she immediately continued.

— Leave So-Eun's education to me! You can’t find a better teacher than me!

"

Huh?

That’s not why I declined it," Kim Do-Joon replied with apparent confusion.

— Then who else could teach So-Eun if not me?

Siwelin also seemed confused.

"Does she even need formal education right now? Kids should play more than study," Kim Do-Joon countered.

— Do you realize how crucial early education is?

The atmosphere grew tense. After a moment, Kim Do-Joon cleared his throat and clapped his hands.

"Okay, everyone, take a seat. It's time for our first family meeting."

— Yay!

"

Huh?

What game are we playing?" Kim So-Eun asked, curious.

The three of them sat closely around the table in the living room.

Kim Do-Joon began calmly, in a criticizing tone, "I’m against early education. So-Eun is only six. She also just got discharged from the hospital. I don’t think she needs education yet. Let her play. That’s the best education."

Siwelin shook her head.

— Based on where I come from, children start learning and helping their parents by the age of five. Many trainee priests start that young too.

"But that’s there. It’s different here," Kim Do-Joon argued.

— I saw on TV that kids here go to all sorts of academies from a young age.

“...”

When Siwelin pointed that out, Kim Do-Joon was momentarily speechless. She had a point.

— Many trainee priests failed to become full-fledged priests because they couldn’t manifest their divine power. For her to manifest it at this age, she must have exceptional talent.

"But it’s not really her own power, is it? It’s from the relic, so it might disappear someday," Kim Do-Joon added.

— Even so, her skill will be useful while I’m here.

"That’s true, I guess," Kim Do-Joon admitted with a frown, crossing his arms.

He knew she was right, but he could not help but think of his daughter. After being discharged from the hospital, Kim So-Eun must’ve been eager to play.

— Education doesn’t have to be strict. Also, with So-Eun’s talent, I’m sure she’ll learn quickly.

"

Hmm...

Really?" Kim Do-Joon questioned.

— Ultimately, isn’t it up to So-Eun?

That was the ultimate point. It should be up to Kim So-Eun whether or not to receive an education, and if she didn’t, they shouldn’t force her. Nodding, Kim Do-Joon asked Kim So-Eun, who was munching on snacks.

"So-Eun, how do you feel about learning from Unni?"

"From Unni?" Kim So-Eun asked with excitement.

— Yes, I will be your teacher.

"Teacher!" Kim So-Eun exclaimed, her eyes lighting up.

The word "teacher" probably resonated with her, who couldn’t attend kindergarten. Siwelin was so clever! She’d skillfully tapped into Kim So-Eun’s yearning for a teacher!

In the end, Kim So-Eun chose Siwelin.

"Well, as long as it’s not some strict regiment," Kim Do-Joon sighed. He watched Siwelin tickle Kim So-Eun, who giggled happily in her arms.

— It’ll be fine. Talent is meant to blossom.

Ultimately, Kim Do-Joon agreed with her, thus concluding the meeting.

***

With Kim So-Eun’s matter settled, Kim Do-Joon resumed his exploration of the labyrinth, still looking for the orc boss.

Where could it be?

Kim Do-Joon wondered, wandering aimlessly without any leads. He’d spent two days relentlessly hunting orcs.

Suddenly, he heard a peculiar old man's voice from a spear an orc was holding.

— Get your filthy hands off me, you pig!

"Huh?" Kim Do-Joon murmured, discovering the unusual spear.