Chapter 20
Though the admission ceremony ended at 10:30 AM, Do-Jun still had plenty of time for lunch as his business trip was scheduled until 2 PM.
The freshmen chatted with their families and friends as they left the auditorium.
“Father!” Yoon-Hee ran over with a bright smile when she spotted Do-Jun.
She was very grateful that Do-Jun could come, knowing he was most likely busy with work on a weekday.
“Congratulations on your admission,” Do-Jun said as he handed her the bouquet of tulips he had prepared in advance.
Not expecting Do-Jun to prepare such a thing, Yoon-Hee was pleasantly surprised. She accepted the bouquet with slightly moist eyes.
“Thank you.”
“You like it, right?”
Do-Jun was slightly taken aback by the unexpected tears, but Yoon-Hee nodded vigorously.
It was the first time she had a family member attend an admission or graduation ceremony for her, even considering her elementary and middle school years. It was also the first time she had received a bouquet to celebrate her admission, though she had received quite a few from boys for other reasons.
“So, when do your classes start?” Do-Jun asked her.
“In two days. I’ve already been assigned to my class as well.”
“Which class are you in?”
“Class D…” Yoon-Hee twisted her body and answered as if embarrassed.
“I see.”
Do-Jun assumed that the classes were labeled with letters instead of numbers without any specific criteria. However, the Hunter Academy was a place that was strictly merit-based.
Students were divided into classes A, B, C, D, E, and F based on their admission grades.
“I’ll work hard to move up to Class A,” Yoon-Hee promised him.
“Oh? Is that what it means? Alright, then. Work hard.” Do-Jun smiled and patted Yoon-Hee on the head.
As she leaned into his hand, feeling pleased, she told herself that she would move up to Class A no matter what.
That way, I can get into the dormitory too.
But the sudden thought of moving into the dormitory made her anxious, knowing that she wouldn’t be living with Do-Jun anymore.
The dormitory isn’t mandatory, anyway, she thought as if consoling herself.
Moreover, Do-Jun still had a plethora of things he couldn’t do on his own. She believed that without her care, he would find it quite inconvenient to live. At least, thinking that way eased her anxiety.
“Why are you so happy? You look like a blooming flower,” Do-Jun asked her curiously.
Yoon-Hee shook her head with a flushed face and said, “It’s nothing. Aren’t you hungry? Let’s eat. There’s a really good army stew place around here.”
Just as they were about to leave, they noticed several people walking toward them and the crowd parting for them like the miracle of Moses. Upon recognizing them, Yoon-Hee gasped in surprise.
Then, the people stopped in front of Do-Jun.
Chief Jung Young-Chul of the Hunter’s Bureau; the Sword Emperor Lee Kang-Hyun, the Hunter ranked first in the world; and his sister Lee Eun-Joo.
And last but not least…
“Supervisor Lee, you haven’t had lunch yet, have you?” Min-Ji asked with a bright smile.
“We were just about to head there,” Do-Jun replied.
“Perfect timing. Join us.” Min-Ji extended an invitation.
“Pardon?” Yoon-Hee’s mouth dropped open as she looked back and forth between Do-Jun and the S-rank Hunter Min-Ji, ranked tenth—a big name, to say the least. Of course, she was shocked that Do-Jun knew someone like her.
“Who is this?” Young-Chul asked Min-Ji.
“This is Supervisor Lee Do-Jun from the Seoul City Hall Fissure Management Division. You know, the one I mentioned last time….” Min-Ji trailed off and looked at Do-Jun.
Young-Chul nodded as if he understood. He had been told that Do-Jun was Hunter Ye-Ji’s direct supervisor during the recent B-rank Great Fissure Break incident.
He then extended his hand to Do-Jun for a handshake. “Pleasure to meet you. I am Jung Young-Chul, the Chief of the Hunter’s Bureau.”
“The honor and pleasure are all mine. I am Lee Do-Jun from the Seoul City Hall Fissure Management Division.”
As the two exchanged formal greetings, Min-Ji glanced at Yoon-Hee standing next to Do-Jun.
“Is this your sister?” she asked Do-Jun.
Do-Jun hesitated a bit, debating whether he should lie and agree with their conjecture or tell the truth that she was his daughter. He didn’t take long to decide.
“She’s my daughter.”
“Come again?” Min-Ji looked back and forth between Do-Jun and Yoon-Hee in disbelief. “B-but that just doesn’t make sense.”
The vibe between Do-Jun and Yoon-Hee was far from a father-daughter relationship.
“Did you have one of those teen accidents, Supervisor Lee…?”
How was he supposed to answer that question?
Do-Jun decided to be vague. “It’s a long story.”
“I-I see.”
Min-Ji and Yoon-Hee’s eyes met.
Yoon-Hee bowed deeply at the waist. “My name is Seol Yoon-Hee! I-I am an incoming freshman.”
“Your last name is S-seol?” Min-Ji said in shock as she looked at Do-Jun once again.
Without changing his expression, Do-Jun said, “It’s a long story.”
Min-Ji decided not to pry any deeper. Everyone had a complicated story or two.
“Oh, I haven’t introduced these two yet. This is Hunter Lee Kang-Hyun and his sister, Lee Eun-Joo. Hunter Kang-Hyun is quite famous, so I’m sure you’ve heard of him.”
Do-Jun nodded in affirmation. In Korea, Kang-Hyun was so famous that not knowing him made people treat you like a spy. He was the very first Hunter and the creator of the three operational methods currently used by Hunters: Infusion, Release, and Transmutation.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Lee Kang-Hyun,” the man said, extending his hand to Do-Jun. He looked quite young, perhaps in his early thirties or maybe even late twenties.
“Oho,” Kang-Hyun exclaimed in admiration when Do-Jun shook his hand. Then, chuckling, he said, “You have a strong build. If you ever become a Hunter, you’d do very well.”
“Thank… you,” Do-Jun replied hesitantly.
It was a strange feeling.
Should I be happy about this or not?
The Heavenly Demon, Lee Do-Jun, who had once looked down on the entire world, forced a smile with a complicated expression.
Seeing this, Min-Ji couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Eun-Joo, you should introduce yourself as well,” Kang-Hyun said to his sister.
“I have no interest in people who are weaker than me,” Eun-Joo said coldly.
“Lee. Eun. Joo.”
“Eek! I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” Her bratty attitude changed instantly the moment Kang-Hyun showed a hint of strictness.
Seeing this, Do-Jun chuckled, thinking, She’s still just a kid.
Turning towards her, he extended his hand.
“T-this doesn’t mean that I’m acknowledging you, mister,” she said as she shook Do-Jun’s hand.
“Sure… Nice to meet you, Eun-Joo.” Do-Jun smiled as he shook her hand, while Young-Chul laughed heartily at the sight.
“Alright, it seems we’ve all introduced ourselves. Let’s go get some food now.”
***
The place they arrived at was not a restaurant or a hotel but the Hunter’s Bureau.
Do-Jun stared blankly at the sparkling star emblem embedded in the car as he exited the luxury sedan. To be precise, he was inspecting the mana emanating from the emblem.
Is it made of a mana stone? Why would they do that? He sighed, thinking it was a waste of money.
Seeing this, Yoon-Hee pouted. Do-Jun always took the rush hour trains, often called the hell trains, during his commute to and from work. She assumed he couldn’t afford to buy a car to drive to work despite wanting one.
Father, just give me three years. She vowed to become a filial daughter once she became a Hunter.
“Come to think of it, this is where I first saw you, Supervisor Lee,” Min-Jin said.
“Is that so? I’m sorry, I can’t say that I remember.”
“I saw you talking to my senior during the Practical Evaluation.”
“Ah, I see,” Do-Jun replied, recalling the time he was with Min-Hyuk in the waiting room during the practical evaluation. That must be what she was referring to.
Meanwhile, listening to their conversation, Yoon-Hee suddenly thought, Practical evaluation?
She then remembered the F-rank Hunter license she found in Do-Jun’s drawer. However, when Do-Jun shook hands with Kang-Hyun, he had said, “If you become a Hunter…”
He said Father’s not a Hunter. So, does that mean…?
Yoon-Hee remembered Do-Jun’s introduction from earlier. “My name is Lee Do-Jun from Seoul City Hall Fissure Management Division.”
The word Fissure only had one meaning.
Fissure management. Does that mean he goes into Fissures himself?
She quickly shook her head in denial. There was no way a regular person like Do-Jun would be sent into a Fissure.
I need to get a clear answer from him later, she decided.
***
The course meal prepared on the spot by chefs from renowned hotels was certainly satisfying.
Every time Yoon-Hee took a bite, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “How can something be this delicious?”
It was the first time she had ever tasted such delicious food. The steak served as the main dish melted in her mouth, enchanting her with its juicy texture and the fullness of her mouth.
“Haha. Eat as much as you want,” Young-Chul said as he looked at Yoon-Hee fondly.
“Tsk, peasants,” Eun-Joo muttered as she smirked and shook her head.
Seeing this, Kang-Hyun gave her a warning look. “Apologize.”
Eun-Joo flinched, then said, “I’m sorry…”
“It’s okay. I’m just grateful to be treated to such delicious food.” Yoon-Hee simply waved her hand and smiled in response.
“I wish Eun-Joo could be half as considerate as you,” Kang-Hyun said with a sigh.
Yoon-Hee turned to check on Do-Jun, who was also eating well and seemingly enjoying the food.
“Father! I’ll learn to cook even better,” she declared.
“Huh? Sure, that sounds good.”
“Okay!” Yoon-Hee clenched her fist tightly.
“Oh, Miss Seol, since you’re here, would you like to get a preliminary assessment? Or have you already had one?” Min-Ji tilted her head and smiled.
A preliminary assessment was a test using a special machine to measure a Hunter’s potential and the skill grade they could expect to reach in the future. It was also available to regular people, but the cost of one assessment was 10 million won, making it unaffordable for most.
“B-but…” Yoon-Hee trailed off as she glanced at Do-Jun.
“It’s completely free, of course,” Min-Ji said.
“I’ll do it! I’ll take it!” Yoon-Hee answered immediately at the mention of it being free. “I’ve never had one before. Hehe.”
“Really? That’s great. Oh, why don’t you try it too, supervisor? For fun,” Min-Ji said as she smiled slyly.
In truth, she had no interest in Yoon-Hee’s assessment result. This was simply a bait to find out Do-Jun’s abilities, and Yoon-Hee was just a bonus.
“Thank you, but I’m good.”
“Why not? Who knows, if you get a good result, you might consider becoming a Hunter,” Min-Ji teased him.
“It’s not something I’m interested in.” At Do-Jun’s firm refusal, Min-Ji pursed her lips thoughtfully.
Then Young-Chul added, “Why don’t you just give it a try, Mr. Lee? A chance like this doesn’t come very often.”
Kang-Hyun supported the director’s suggestion. “I’m curious, too.”
Do-Jun glanced around at the eyes focused on him.
Ho, look at these people.
***
[The assessment results are being printed.]
Thump, thump.
Yoon-Hee stood in front of the measuring device with her eyes tightly closed, then pulled out the printed result sheet.
[Potential: A]
[Expected Skill Grade upon Awakening: A]
“Wow.”
The people watching from the side seemed slightly surprised at the result. The accuracy of the measuring device was about seventy percent, and a potential of A meant she was in the top five percent of Hunters in the country.
It didn’t mean she was an A-ranker at this moment, but it indicated a high probability of reaching that height in the future.
“Oho.” Young-Chul stroked his chin in admiration. “We don’t see an A-rank potential with this assessment very often. This is amazing.”
“I didn’t expect it to be so high. Looks like you’ll be living the high life in the future, Supervisor Lee,” Min-Ji said with a broad smile.
Kang-Hyun and Eun-Joo, watching from the side, also seemed slightly surprised.
“Hmph, not bad,” Eun-Joo said indifferently.
“Thanks.” When Yoon-Hee replied with a smile, Eun-Joo’s face turned red, and she looked away with a huff.
“You’re up next, Mr. Lee.”
Everyone’s eyes turned to Do-Jun.
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