Chapter 9: Became a Master (1)

“What is this….”

“I can’t breathe….”

The people around them were sweating profusely, feeling the intense pressure.

Tch, Seol Ah-hyeon clicked her tongue and withdrew her energy first.

“Annoying bastard.”

“Look who’s talking.”

Originally, an S-class’s energy was not something a normal person could handle.

Normal people could be in danger.

‘It’s frustrating because we can’t just have S-classes fighting each other.’

If such a situation were to occur, there would be national losses, and many would die and be injured.

As a Hunter who had to protect the citizens, it was an unavoidable choice.

Lee Chan-ho straightened his clothes and stood up.

He wanted to grab him and ask him right away, but he couldn’t.

If he held him here, a fight would definitely break out.

The teacher wouldn’t like it if citizens were hurt by Hunters fighting.

He clenched his fist tightly and tried to control his emotions.

“…But since I’ve called you out like this, I’ll tell you one thing. The teacher didn’t just go on vacation.”

“…What?”

“If you want to hear more of the story, go find the great Hongyeom Guild Leader.”

★★★

“Haaam….”

I have to go to school later, but I’m so sleepy I could die.

If I could just sleep soundly until lunchtime, I wouldn’t ask for anything more.

Even though I’ve retired, my situation of still having to work is pathetic.

Haa…. To protect the world, I have to work, I have to….

-Yesterday afternoon, S-class Hunters clashed at a cafe in Seoul. The cause of the fight is currently being investigated….

“What are those guys doing?”

Even with the poor quality, I could tell who was fighting right away.

Why are Lee Chan-ho and Seol Ah-hyeon fighting in a crowded cafe?

[You have recognized the investors’ activities.]

[Strength +2]

[Agility +1]

Is that activity?

Anyone can see that they’re fighting ugly in front of the citizens.

Still, my stats went up a little, so I guess it’s good for me.

I scratched my head and turned off the TV.

“I never imagined the day would come when I’d see my disciples’ love fight.”

Well, it’s about time for them too.

When they were young, Seol Ah-hyeon and Lee Chan-ho were especially close.

They were so close that I once said they should get married later.

They must have liked each other a lot to look at each other so passionately.

“I need to get my phone fixed so I can contact them or not.”

I really wanted to fix it, but the situation wasn’t good.

It’s a one-hour drive to the nearest phone store from here in the countryside.

I have to take the bus, which will take even longer….

“I’ll fix it later!”

It’s not like there will be a problem if I don’t contact them now.

I threw the broken phone carelessly and headed to the refrigerator.

“How can there be no food in the house?”

The refrigerator was empty.

At best, there were leftovers from a meal I had before.

“I need to go buy some food.”

After deciding, I immediately prepared to go out.

I went to the market to get to know the locals.

“There’s a lot to eat.”

The structure was similar to Dongdaemun Market, but the scale was smaller.

I only bought a few ingredients.

I can come back and buy more later when the food runs out.

I was slowly looking around the market to kill time when it happened.

An old woman in the market, saying that I was the first teacher who didn’t run away from her, handed me something with a request.

It was a well-baked squid.

I thanked her and chewed on it, walking peacefully through the market when I heard a loud shout that shattered the peaceful daily life nearby.

“I told you not to do business here!”

The culprits of the commotion were two burly men.

Unusual clothes, swords on their backs.

Looking at their clothes, I could tell at a glance that they were Hunters.

“Pay up if you want to do business here!”

The man who appeared to be a Hunter kicked a basket.

Vegetables were scattered on the floor, and the female store owner could only lower her body.

“They’re starting again.”

“Does this happen often?”

“There’s no dungeon or anything in this neighborhood, so there are only two Hunters, Kim Seong-bae and Han Ga-sang. But just because

they’re Hunters, they’re acting like local thugs….”

No one stepped up for the woman in the face of injustice.

They just glanced at her and passed by.

The difference in physical ability between Hunters and ordinary people is insurmountable.

‘They’re probably afraid of retaliation if they help.’

This is a common occurrence since the profession of Hunter was created.

Even in small countries, high-ranking Hunters were reigning as kings.

“Have you reported it to the Hunter Association?”

“Haa…. Of course, I did. But would the Association even care about a small village in the outskirts?”

In other words, there was no one to help the woman now.

Roughly speaking, their rank seemed to be around D-class.

“You scoundrels!”

Suddenly, a young boy jumped out and kicked Kim Seong-bae’s ankle.

The protagonist who ran at Kim Seong-bae was Yoon Cheon-woo.

Why are you coming out of there!?

“What’s this little runt?”

There was no way a young boy’s kick would work on a Hunter.

Kim Seong-bae lifted Han Cheon-woo and threw him to the ground like a piece of luggage.

Yoon Cheon-woo let out a short scream as he hit the ground hard.

“Cheon-woo!”

The surprised store woman hugged Yoon Cheon-woo tightly.

As if trying to protect him from running at the Hunter again.

“Don’t touch my mother!”

It seemed that the woman who was being attacked was Yoon Cheon-woo’s mother.

Yoon Cheon-woo growled, but Kim Seong-bae and Han Ga-sang just laughed with a snort.

“He talks just like his mother. The mother and son are crazy. That’s why they’re still selling trash on the streets.”

Kim Seong-bae pressed hard on Yoon Cheon-woo’s mother’s forehead and pushed her over.

I couldn’t stand by any longer.

“Stop it now.”

An old woman next to me tried to stop me, but I stepped in first.

…I didn’t want to be so noticeable.

“Who are you!”

Kim Seong-bae looked flustered by the sudden appearance of an outsider.

Ignoring him, I checked Yoon Cheon-woo’s condition.

“Are you okay?”

Tsk, he must have rolled on the floor, his clothes are torn and his knees are scraped.

Yoon Cheon-woo’s mother was fine except for her red forehead.

“Teacher…?”

Yoon Cheon-woo stared blankly at me with wide eyes.

“This bastard…. You’re the guy who moved here recently!? The Yongam Elementary School teacher!”

Listening to him, it seemed that he had dug up my information.

Maybe there was a group behind Kim Seong-bae.

It was highly likely that the backing had prevented the Hunter Association from intervening.

“Since you’re the guy who came recently, I’ll forgive you if you leave now!”

“…Do you know me?”

“What?”

“Who are you to forgive me or not? You’re just a D-class.”

Kim Seong-bae’s face contorted at my words, and he began to release mana.

He seemed to expect me to be crushed by the mana and beg for forgiveness.

“You’re a Hunter, and you’re having fun bullying a child?”

Their expressions hardened.

Having seen so many Hunters, there was a type I hated the most.

Guys who thought they were great just because they had awakened and pointed their swords at citizens.

‘Guys who wouldn’t even be able to join a guild if they went to the metropolitan area.’

At best, they’re D-class.

They wouldn’t be able to avoid being treated like leftovers in any guild.

They knew that too, so they decided to be the head of the snake instead of the tail of the dragon.

It was a common occurrence for low-level Hunters.

“If I wanted to, I could make it impossible for you to live here, you know? So get lost while I’m talking nicely.”

“Shut up. Where’s that dog barking?”

Kim Seong-bae’s patience seemed to have reached its limit.

Kim Seong-bae’s fist, filled with anger, flew towards my chin.

I could see mana swirling at the end of his fist.

I reflexively twisted my body to avoid the fist.

Oh, even though I only raised one agility point, the movement is clearly different from last time.

‘The kids were all flying around every time I invested points in them.’

Only my disciples were experiencing this good stuff.

Kim Seong-bae was quite embarrassed, as if he thought I would fall with one punch.

“How did you avoid that? Are you a Hunter too?”

Kim Seong-bae laughed as if he understood.

Why is he so happy when he knows I’m a Hunter?

“You’re a low-level Hunter who was pushed out and came here from the metropolitan area? I have a very good offer for you.”

Kim Seong-bae held out his hand as if it was a good thing.

He seemed to be mistaking me for the same kind of person as them.

He’s just playing by himself.

“If you apologize for what happened just now, I’ll make a special exception and let you hang out with us. It’ll be much better to live here.”

Oh, I was wondering what he was going to say.

I chuckled, and Kim Seong-bae’s forehead twitched.

“All you’re doing is joining a street gang.”

I slowly looked around.

There are no cameras, and everyone seems to hate these guys….

If the people here keep their mouths shut, I should be able to get through this without any problems.

“You son of a bitch!”

Kim Seong-bae narrowed the distance with a leap.

Honestly, I can’t gauge whether I can win with just two strength points raised.

However, I know that even one such change can determine the outcome among low-level Hunters.

‘I think I know what to do.’

Sense sharing with Han Yu-seong.

A faint sense was showing me the way to human combat.

I grabbed Kim Seong-bae by the collar and slammed him to the ground.

“Cough!”

I never imagined it would be this much.

My body moved automatically as the senses directed me.

‘It’s still faint, but learning Han Yu-seong’s senses will definitely help.’

As the rising dust settled, Kim Seong-bae’s body slumped.

It seemed that they were among the lowest of the D-class.

I didn’t expect him to fall in one hit.

‘He’s not dead, is he?’

His chest is moving, so I don’t think I have to worry about that.

I clenched and unclenched my fist.

Am I getting stronger?

‘Something feels strange.’

I was just an E-class, but I beat a D-class Hunter.

When I made eye contact with Han Ga-sang, his face turned blue and he trembled.

He’s so scared, I don’t know if he’ll be able to stop it in time if a dungeon appears here.

I pointed to Kim Seong-bae, who was lying on the ground, with my index finger.

“Take him and get out.”

“Yes, yes!”

Han Ga-sang quickly carried Kim Seong-bae on his back and ran away.

“That young man is amazing!”

“Seeing those guys get beaten up makes me feel like I’ve been relieved of ten years of indigestion.”

I didn’t mean to attract this much attention.

There were so many residents who had been harmed by those two that residents who were cheering for me gathered around me.

I was nodding and accepting the kind words of wanting to give me dried seafood, calves, or anything with a smiling face.

I could already see people going to their stores and filling them with various foods and goods.

I’ve done everything I need to do here, so I need to escape home.

“Sir.”

Just as I was about to turn around, Yoon Cheon-woo called out to me.