We usually boast a plentiful table, but today it was unusually plentiful.
It was because Jong-sik had returned from his business trip. Jong-pal had prepared the table extravagantly, tailored to his brother’s tastes.
“Ah… Mm. My home-cooked meal is the best, after all.”
Jong-sik said, chewing and swallowing the ssambap he had packed into his mouth. He was already on his second bowl.
“Is it really that delicious?”
“Whether it’s delicious or not, you know my taste the best. The food on the business trip was not that great. Thanks to that, I was really starving.”
It was a lie. Jong-sik had effortlessly finished two bowls there as well. But he had to say it like this, or Jong-pal wouldn’t feel like cooking.
As expected, a proud emotion crept onto Jong-pal’s face. Holding up the empty bowl in front of Jong-sik, he asked,
“Really? Then, one more bowl. Deal?”
“Forget it. I might end up making Yeona late.”
But that seemed difficult anyway. It was already 8 a.m., and there were only 30 minutes left until school started.
Today, Jong-sik decided to walk to work with Yeona. Of course, he didn’t plan to stop by the headquarters.
A few days ago, a dungeon was unsealed in an instant.
Although late, he had thought about going there.
At that moment, Yeona, who had finished getting ready and come downstairs, noticed the situation and quickly spoke up.
“uhm.. Uncle? It’s okay if I go alone. Enjoy your meal!”
“No, I’m done eating. Are you ready, Yeona?”
“Yes, I’m all set. But I really can go by myself…”
“Huh? Yeona, are you embarrassed because of Uncle?”
Whether it was an unexpected remark or not, Yeona exclaimed with surprised eyes.
“No! I’ve never even thought about that!”
“Surprise. I might end up deaf if you play a prank on me twice.”
Jong-sik chuckled and said.
“Anyway, let’s go together. I can go like this, so there’s no need for you to wait. Let’s go, Yeona.”
“Huh? Without even washing up?”
“So Uncle, are you going to…”
“No! Let’s go, come on!”
“Jong-pal, I’m heading out!”
And so, Yeona and Jong-sik left the house.
The cool breeze tousled Jong-sik’s bangs as he brushed them aside and asked his niece standing beside him, “So, how’s the new school?”
“Um, it’s just okay. Hehe.”
“What kind of response is that? Are there bullies bothering you or something?”
“Oh, I’ve only transferred recently, you know. And I’m not the kind of person to get bullied. An eye for an eye, right?”
Yeona replied innocently. Despite her laughter, her words held a hint of innocence. But Jong-sik, upon hearing her words, gave her a thumbs up.
“Alright, that’s the spirit. Just like our family. Right?”
“Hehe. Oh, by the way, Uncle. Where are you going today? The guild street is in the opposite direction.”
“I’m not going to the office today. I said I’d take a break for a while, remember?”
“Wait, did you come out on purpose to give me a ride?”
“I’m guzzling down this broth like there’s no tomorrow.”
“Huh?”
“I’m going somewhere else. The way I’m going is this way.”
“Oh. Um, then where are you going?”
“Somewhere students don’t need to know.”
Yeona looked surprised for a moment. She even asked, “Huh?” to confirm what she heard.
“What’s with that reaction?”
“Well, where could be a place students don’t need to know!”
Jong-sik found it quite amusing to tease Yeona. With that thought in mind, he messed up Yeona’s hair and replied, “I’m talking about a dungeon. You don’t need to know about places where people die or get hurt.”
“Oh…”
“Exactly. But, Yeona. What time will you finish today?”
“Me? Um, probably around three?”
“Perfect. Let’s meet on the way back.”
It was a statement made knowing that there was an academy on the way anyway. Yeona nodded enthusiastically with a big smile and then hastily spoke as if something had just come to mind.
“Oh, Uncle! This is a secret, but I found a really delicious restaurant near the academy. Grandpa makes toast there, and it’s really tasty. Shall we eat there?”
“…of course we should!”
Jong-sik exclaimed loudly.
“If there was such a place, you should’ve told me earlier. Come on, let’s go right away!”
Yeona chuckled nervously and shook her head.
“The place isn’t open yet. Anyway, let’s go together after we finish!”
“That’s a shame, but what can we do? But where is it?”
That’s when Yeona pointed down a side street. It was impeccable timing.
“If you keep going straight down there… Um, so I was thinking, Uncle. Instead of coming to the school gate, how about meeting at the bus stop on this street? Since it’s nearby.”
“Hmm, okay. Sounds good.”
Jong-sik nodded. He was fine with that. As long as he could go to the restaurant Yeona found.
After walking for a while, they finally saw the academy Yeona attended.
“Okay, Uncle. See you in a bit! I’ll run from here.”
Yeona waved her hands goodbye. Jong-sik gestured for her to go quickly. That’s how they parted ways, looking forward to meeting again in a few hours.
Before long, it was time to go home. Yeona moved to the meeting place she had arranged with Jong-sik.
The designated meeting spot was the abandoned bus stop near the academy. Since there were no students taking the bus to and from school, the stop wasn’t used anymore so it was abandoned.
At that place, old signs indicating that it used to be a bus stop and weeds growing wildly were the only remnants of its past.
Upon arriving there, Yeona checked her watch. She was twenty minutes early for the time she agreed to meet with her uncle.
‘I just have to wait a little. Hehe.’
As she entertained such positive thoughts,
Someone poked Yeona’s calf.
Startled, Yeona turned around.
“Ouch!”
“Hello. Miss Sunbae.”
He was about five or maybe six years old.
A little boy in kindergarten uniform stood in a martial arts stance. Seeing him, Yeona’s startled heart calmed down.
“Oh, you scared me. But what did you say, kiddo? Sunbae? Are you talking to me?”
“Hmm? I’m not a kid! I’m an adult! Miss Sunbae!”
“Oh, I see. Sorry. I mistook you for a little kid. But seriously, Sunbae? Where did you learn that?”
The little boy pointed his finger towards Yeona’s upper body and then towards his own chest with a cute gesture. On the fingertip was the emblem of the academy sewn onto the kindergarten uniform.
“Our teacher said so. Anyone wearing clothes with this picture on them is called Sunbae. So, you’re also a Sunbae. But your Sunbae emblem is apple-colored, huh?”
The child was wearing the kindergarten uniform affiliated with the Seoul Academy. So, in a way, he was also a student of the Seoul Academy.
Therefore, the emblem on his uniform was also the emblem of the Seoul Academy. For reference, awakened individuals have a blue emblem, while non-awakened individuals have a red emblem.
“Oh, that’s what the teacher said. Sorry. I mistook you for a junior.”
“It’s okay. But why is your Sunbae emblem apple-colored?”
“Um, because I haven’t awakened yet. Do you know what awakening is?”
“I know! It’s when fire comes out of your hands like this.”
“That’s right, junior. I can’t do that yet.”
“Hehe. But I can.”
The little boy giggled as he conjured a small flame. Yeona also chuckled as she watched the child.
‘But anyway…’
‘Why was such a young child wandering alone? Could it be that he lost his parents? But his expression seemed too cheerful for that.’
Eventually, Yeona voiced her concern.
“By the way, junior. Where are your parents?”
“…Oh. Dad is working hard, and… um, Mom told me to wait here. She said she’ll come soon. She always says that.”
“Ah, so your mom waits here every day?”
“Yes! Since I’m an adult, I can wait like this.”
‘Even though he could wait at kindergarten. It’s strange.’
Such thoughts suddenly crossed Yeona’s mind, but she shook her head. She didn’t want to make hasty assumptions.
“I see. That’s good! I also have someone waiting here. It’s boring, so shall we chat while we wait?”
“Wow, that sounds great! But Miss Sunbae, are you waiting for your mom too?”
“No, I’m waiting for my uncle! Anyway, since you might have a sore leg from waiting, how about sitting down over there?”
“…I’m an adult, so my legs don’t hurt at all! I can endure it!”
“Hmm. I actually said that because my leg hurts.”
“Hehe. Really? But, um, do adults get sore legs too?”
“Of course. Adults are humans too, so of course they can have sore legs!”
“I see! Hehe. Actually, my leg did hurt.”
“Oh, I thought so. Let’s go sit down.”
The little boy with short legs followed Yeona energetically.
Soon, the two of them sat on a bench and began chatting. It was a series of trivial conversations.
The story of Hunter Man, which was very popular among young children, or the events that happened at the kindergarten today.
Anyway, the two of them chatted away without realizing how time flew by. And there was someone watching over them. None other than Go Yeong-chun, a man consumed by demonic energy.
In fact, he had been wandering around the academy for the past few days.
‘An awakened individual but an existence he can easily subdue.’
That’s why he came here to the academy, recalling that thought. Of course, it wasn’t a random decision. He already had a target in mind, his prey.
With a recognizable face, his target was easily approachable. And it was none other than the daughter of his colleague.
His coworker, who kept boasting about his daughter getting admitted to the academy.
‘Just boasting about some emotion skills or something.’
Back then, it didn’t bother him, but he never expected that boasting to come back to him like this! Anyway, for that reason, he visited the academy.
However, an unexpected prey appeared before him. There was a little boy standing at the bus stop at the same time every day.
After observing the child for three days, the man decided that today would be the day. But, of all days, an unexpected obstacle appeared today.
‘I should have dealt with it yesterday. Tsk.’
Should he postpone it for another day? But he couldn’t possibly contain his boiling impatience…. Ah!
In the end, the man couldn’t resist the momentary desire. Eventually, he moved towards his prey. He had already thought of a way to capture the prey.
The man called out the boy’s name. It was the name he learned from their conversation yesterday.
“Jaewoo.”
“Huh? It’s the uncle from yesterday!”
Was it because of his unmasked face or perhaps his pure innocence? The boy brightly responded to the man’s greeting.
“Hehe. That’s right. Did we see each other yesterday?”
“Yes!”
“But Jaewoo, your mom said she might be late today, right? So, the uncle came to pick Jaewoo up.”
“Really? But the uncle, my mom….”
“Jaewoo, your mom said I’m her friend, remember? But Jaewoo, we don’t have time to talk like this. Mom said to come quickly. Come on, let’s go.”
On the other hand, Yeona was different.
She looked at the man with suspicious eyes.
And no wonder, the man looked suspicious in appearance alone.
His gaze, especially the deeply pulled cap, all added to the air of suspicion.
‘Am I overreacting? I shouldn’t judge solely based on appearances…’
But somehow, she had a bad feeling about it.
“Um, just a moment, Ms. Sunbae. I’ll go first! See you next time.”
“Just a moment.”
In the end, Yeona pretended to be nonchalant. She grabbed the child who had just gotten off the chair and stood behind him.
“Jaewoo’s parents. Do you know them?”
“Yes. Student. I was asked to pick up Jaewoo, is there a problem?”
“No, there’s no problem. Um… it’s just that the world is so scary these days…. Can I talk to Jaewoo’s parents right now?”
At that, the man’s expression darkened.
At the same time, he scanned the surroundings.
There were only a few cars passing by.
So if things went wrong, he would just kill her.
‘But if I use the absorption spell here, it will definitely attract attention, and besides, even if I absorb the energy from someone who isn’t an awakened individual, it won’t help….’
‘Let’s use what I’ve prepared.’
With that determination, the man took a step closer to Yeona. His steps were threatening, and his stern expression added to the ominous atmosphere.
“Hehe. Student, you’re really funny. Why should I do that? And what did you say about talking to Jaewoo’s parents? Hm?”
That’s why there’s no denying the bad feeling. Yeona took a step back from the man’s hostility. And she thought.
‘If I just stall for a little longer, Dad will come. I can do this!’
People are animals too. The moment they show weakness, they can be attacked. Yeona, hiding her fearful heart, responded with a fairly bold voice.
“What am I supposed to do, call Jaewoo’s parents? Jaewoo is my junior. Seniors can call the parents of their juniors!”
“Geez, what a joke. Fine. It’s not a big deal. Wait. I’ll let you confirm it yourself.”
With a confident attitude, the man took out his phone from his pocket. Then he started making a call somewhere.
‘Huh? Is he really making a call?’
Seeing that, Yeona couldn’t help but smirk. She wondered if she had misunderstood for no reason.
“What are you doing? If they don’t pick up, ask them directly.”
The man abruptly pushed his phone toward Yeona.
Surprised by the phone that came close to her face, Yeona hesitated for a moment before accepting it. At the same time, the man made his move.
