Chapter 87

After the cataclysm, the modern world has entered a peaceful era following a period of chaos.

For decades, two fiercely competitive professions topped the global youth career aspiration survey.

Hero or Hunter.

These two jobs have always occupied the unshakeable throne of idolatry.

There are many reasons for this.

One reason is that to even attempt these professions, one must be fortunate enough to experience ‘Awakening.’

There’s also the fact that the average income for these roles is astounding.

Moreover, the perception of the professions of Hero and Hunter is significant.

A Hero is a sword that slays the monster disaster, the shield that protects humanity.

A Hunter is an explorer who fully utilizes their abilities to traverse uncharted lands and discover treasures.

It’s not uncommon for children to chat about real Hero tales when they’re gathered in groups.

This was a result of consistent image-making efforts by the association concerning these professions.

Those who know the reality understand that at the end of the day, they are still just people, results of image-making, yet deep down, everyone harbors a sense of admiration.

Regardless of their rank, becoming a Hero or Hunter brings attention that bears witness to their status.

Though it’s image-making, they weren’t just empty words.

Countless individuals have fought and died against monsters for humanity.

Some achieved remarkable feats and had their names etched in history, while others, though unnamed, undoubtedly sacrificed themselves for humankind.

The Shio-ram is an unparalleled institution among those training such Heroes.

It would indeed be embarrassing for an institution to be compared to one managed by one of the five Towers.

News from such a Shio-ram would garner everyone’s attention, even those not related to the industry.

[Author: mm]
[Title: Special Admission <--- What is this?] [Wasn't it just a decorative policy from ancient times? Why is it real now?] News about a student holding the title 'unprecedented' in the Shio-ram, which has persisted for over a hundred years, became a hot topic. [Comments] - That’s why the industry is in a frenzy haha - Is this not a rumor, but true? I thought it was nonsense. └In the admission status, it’s marked “special admission.” Information seems to be released soon? └Wow, no way, this is so real. I'm so jealous. └Looking at the community, it doesn’t seem that enviable... [Author: mm] [Title: Just checked the Shio-ram regulations] [Under regulations regarding admission types ②General admission is selected through a test designated by the Shio-ram Central Administrative Office. ⑦Recommendation admission is selected through assessments by the Shio-ram faculty. This is conducted to measure the student’s qualities based on professional judgment from the faculty. ㉑The authority over selection and management for special admissions rests solely with the principal.] This content was even in the regulations from the year Shio-ram was founded. [Comments] - Isn’t that over a hundred years ago? These are the regulations from my grandpa’s era haha - The century-long build-up is insane... ... The world had been captivated by the hot topic. Naturally, internet discussions were heating up over a subject perfect for gossip and debate. [The first special admission student to appear in Shio-ram a hundred years after its establishment. Is their identity a blind person who cannot see?] [Comments] - Do Heroes fight with their eyes closed nowadays? └I hear they’re some kind of observational superhuman? If that’s the case, isn’t sight interchangeable? └Observational abilities aren’t that precise or convenient... Moreover, this special admission student had extraordinary characteristics that only added to the hype. They were a blind person and also mute. Such crippling flaws for a profession dominated by battle were inappropriate for someone labeled as an unprecedented special admission. Thus, opinions about Lee Ha-yul, the special admission student, circulated through both reality and social networks... - Why is he so handsome, damn it! - Why is this guy prettier than me? - Ah, life really is a gacha game level situation... Surprisingly, the reception wasn’t bad. With an overwhelming beauty and a charm radiating from his unique aura. Sympathy and sadness blossomed from his unfortunate family situation. Also, there were opinions questioning the decision to select him for the Tower of Growth. Of course, some harbored jealousy and negativity, but those thoughts were held by a very small minority. The current internet was different from the networks before the cataclysm. The undersea cables that connected the world had long been obliterated by sea monsters. The satellites that were supposedly launched into space were crippled by magical wave interference. Today's internet, the virtual network, stemmed from the powers of the Tower of Harmony. One had to tread carefully, as any blatant desires expressed could lead to the association’s summons, making the internet a relatively comfortable place. Time passed. Those within the industry nodded, believing there was a reason the Tower of Growth had chosen the special admission student as they listened to news about his growth. The general public, unaware of this information, continued living their peaceful lives, thinking it would eventually come to light. [Local time 12:15 PM. A chain dungeon outbreak centered around the Shetland Islands occurred.] A few days prior, terrible news struck the peaceful rhythm of everyday life. Even as they prided themselves on being in an age of peace, a calamity dropped down onto an already tranquil era, sending ripples across the world. At the same time, The story of a young hero who selflessly protected many amid the calamity began to circulate widely. “...Grrrl.” “Miss?!” Hong Yeon-hwa's heart shattered, unable to contain her emotions. This was just after a few times of composing herself. It was spring. ... Hong Yeon-hwa found herself trapped, unable to overcome Gop-hwa's trials, and spent several days in misery. The guilt that Lee Ha-yul carried was far more than Hong Yeon-hwa realized. It prevented her from moving forward properly. Had time continued on that path, it could have been dangerous. She might have had to call on the elders of her family for help, and even if she did, there might have been some lasting aftereffects. But she overcame it. Thanks to the help of someone from outside, not the elders of her family. - [I made this.] - [Compared to something bought with money, it may not look like much, but I’d be happy if you accepted it.] - [You didn’t do anything wrong, so it’s okay.] - [Please don’t be hurt.] The very guilt that weighed on her visited her directly, comforting her as they handed her a gift made with care. A red handmade scarf was currently safely kept in the dormitory safe. She could use it right away if she wanted to. But she was afraid of it getting damaged, so she couldn't bring herself to use it. As she trembled while moving it, she realized the scarf had embedded durability enhancement and temperature control magic. The emotions she felt back then were beyond her comprehension. With Lee Ha-yul's warm sincerity, Hong Yeon-hwa was able to overcome her ordeal. That was just a few days ago. - “Miss...” - “What? Ariel... Why do you look like that?” - “That’s... Young master...” - "...What is it? Why are you making such a face?" It was the day when she had overcome her trials and stood tall. The same day she received news that Lee Ha-yul was trapped in a dungeon outbreak. The day news hit that Lee Ha-yul was gravely injured and unresponsive and was taken to the intensive healing center. At that moment, her eyes truly almost popped out of her head. If Ariel hadn’t stopped her, she would have immediately grabbed her gear and rushed to Scotland. By the time the news broke, it would have already been too late! After days that were pure hell, Hong Yeon-hwa crossed over to America via the warp gate. America... more precisely, the D.C. area had once been swept away by monsters but still played a critical role in the world. It was largely due to the vestiges of past glory and the fact that the Tower of Space and the association’s headquarters were located there. Lee Ha-yul was currently hospitalized in the headquarters’ intensive healing room. Without a doubt, dozens of high-level healers were on standby, and for emergency patients, top-tier healers directly conducting healing made it the world’s best healing facility. This was also the reason why Hong Yeon-hwa had her mind spinning in panic. She silently moved forward, the atmosphere around her palpable with difficulty to approach. As passersby glimpsed her expression, some would flinch in surprise and quickly avoid her, but Hong Yeon-hwa didn’t care at all. More accurately, she didn’t have the capacity to care. All her thoughts were consumed by Lee Ha-yul’s condition. “Try not to worry too much... um... I guess I have to, but don’t be too disheartened, okay?” Amidst that, the voice of her friend barely registered in her mind. As she turned her stiff neck, she saw Baek Ahrin, who had come along to visit. Baek Ahrin waved an envelope she had brought as a visit gift, saying, “With a top-tier healer assigned and after they stabilize his condition, he’ll also undergo treatment and medication, so they’ll be able to regenerate his arms.” The understanding of what was possible had changed drastically before and after the cataclysm. Losing limbs was still a serious injury, but in this world, it was not an impossibility to recover fully. Hong Yeon-hwa nodded, fully aware of that. Her family had plentiful resources. They had money, and they had an overabundance of rare potions that were hard to obtain. ‘What potions do we have for regeneration... Anyway, I can just bring everything.’ Hong Yeon-hwa paused, thinking about how her mother, Choi Ji-yeon, would be devastated if she knew. She saw the door ahead. Above it was a sign with the name Lee Ha-yul written on it. Her throat tightened involuntarily. She had heard about his condition, but the idea of seeing it first-hand scared her. What if what she saw was worse than she imagined... - Tightening... She clenched her fist, forcibly cutting off thoughts she didn’t want to entertain. After all, she couldn’t turn back now. And if his condition were indeed worse than imagined, she could simply fetch her family's potions and use them. In the future, she would gain the authority to access such things, and writing them off a few years early wouldn't matter. With such determination, she opened the door to the healing room. There, she saw Lee Ha-yul, seemingly fused with Atra at the waist. “.......” The sight of his sleeve hanging from his left arm was less jarring than the arm wrapped around his waist. “Woah... Aah!” As Hong Yeon-hwa entered, the blinking Baek Ahrin suddenly recoiled in horror and jumped back. She rubbed her goosebumps-covered arms, feeling a chill... and an eerie sensation. It was strange. Particularly for Baek Ahrin, who had a spear specialized in frost, the cold she felt was unexpected? Remarkably, this chill emanated from Hong Yeon-hwa herself. ‘Should I turn back?’ An escape route flashed in Baek Ahrin’s mind.

   

Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.