The Monday that followed the end of HAUT was the first one back to routine.

But it wasn’t my alarm, set to match wake-up time, nor the sunlight streaming through the window that woke me up.

[ Bzzzzzz ]

‘What’s this? Who would message me this early in the morning…?’

The first thought that came to mind was unpleasant.

Could Jodie have broken her promise and acted on her own?

Or was there some problem related to the spirit stone I gave Cheon Jiwon yesterday?

Considering the message was sent at six in the morning, it had to be something urgent.

When I checked the contents, my guess was right.

The sender was Lee Hanye.

The message said a new curriculum for the HAUT winners would begin today.

But the contents were strange.

‘The HAUT winning team must clear the fifth floor of the open dungeon, the Arcane Armory?’

The message even mentioned it was by order of the Chairman.

‘By the Chairman’s order, huh.’

Orders from above.

A special curriculum.

Only our squad sent to a dungeon—an open dungeon at that.

“Obvious.”

I smirked.

This couldn’t possibly be the Gwangcheon Chairman’s decision.

Yesterday, we’d been captured by Black Hound and rescued by All Around.

‘Yang Len did say it was an order from the leader.’

Most likely, Oh Sungcheon was furious about what had happened yesterday.

So now, he was using the academy’s curriculum as bait to lure us in and crush us.

The fact that it was an open dungeon was proof enough.

‘If we go into the Arcane Armory, Black Hound will be waiting.’

That would be true game over.

‘Fine. Let’s see how you play this.’

I sent a reply to Lee Hanye.

Then I stretched and climbed out of bed.

----------------------------------------

“Phew.”

Yang Len wiped the liquor from his lips with the back of his hand.

The high-proof rum vaporized almost like disinfectant alcohol, stealing the heat from his skin.

But inside, the liquid ignited his stomach with fire.

“Kh.”

He gritted his teeth, laughing as he did.

It was hard to calm his excitement.

He and his men were currently waiting on the fifth floor of the Arcane Armory for their prey.

And the prey was, of course, the four brats who had humiliated him.

As soon as they entered, the men stationed on the first floor would radio in.

Just then, static crackled from the communicator.

[ Commander, do you hear me? ]

“Yeah. Have those little punks come in yet?”

[ That’s… Hatchi just came in and said he saw them leave Gwangcheon, but instead of heading to the Arcane Armory, they went somewhere else. ]

“…What?”

Yang Len’s face hardened.

“What the hell are you talking about? Where the hell did they go?”

[ Well… Jungsoo followed their taxi, and instead of Jongno, they got off in Yeonnam-dong… ]

‘Yeonnam-dong? Mapo? Why there? Could they have figured out the plan and gone to All Around for help? No… All Around’s headquarters aren't there.’

Then one thought hit him.

The current HAUT winning team had accomplished something no other winners had: securing the Triple Ticket.

“These bastards… don’t tell me…”

Wrinkles furrowed across his brow.

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“Come in, come in.”

Sitting at the table, Ahn Hyunggi greeted us warmly with a smile.

The place we had come to with my squad was a restaurant in Yeonnam-dong.

“I was planning to go myself, but my schedule didn’t work out. And it’s not like Gwangcheon would just let me waltz in. Come on, sit down. I already ordered food, but if you want something specific, say the word and I’ll have it brought right away.”

He gestured to the long table.

The private room could have seated more than ten, but it was just us.

When my squad and I sat across from him, he asked,

“So, did Gwangcheon approve of you coming here?”

“No, we didn’t tell them.”

Half a lie.

We hadn’t told the guards, but I had told Lee Hanye.

“The academy doesn’t know we came here. They probably think we went to the Arcane Armory dungeon.”

“Haha! So you’re the mischievous type after all.”

Ahn Hyunggi laughed heartily.

Just then, the servers brought in plates of food and set them before us.

“Well then, let’s eat while we talk.”

We picked up our utensils at his word.

The food was excellent, though it didn’t quite compare to the meals Cheon Jiweon had cooked for us.

“By the way, I heard a rumor that you kids joined All Around?”

Lumina, sitting beside me, flinched at that.

‘How does he know?’

For a second, I thought he might have had us followed, but that seemed unlikely.

If he had, he would already know about Black Hound’s attempted abduction, and he wouldn’t be asking like this.

‘So he’s probing us.’

It was public knowledge that we were supposed to talk to All Around on Saturday, after all.

‘No point hiding it now.’

I nodded.

“The Chairman said our career paths after graduation are ours to choose. So on Saturday, we’ll be joining All Around. All four of us.”

“…”

Ahn Hyunggi’s face stiffened slightly.

So the career talk he’d had with us before really had been a lie.

“I see.”

The next course came out, and we continued eating in silence for a while.

After the main dishes were cleared and drinks and dessert brought out, Ahn Hyunggi finally spoke up.

“Well then, I’d like to hear your answer to my proposal.”

I nodded again.

He looked me straight in the eye.

Seeing that same piercing gaze in both Iris and Eleanor made it obvious they had inherited it from him.

“I’m afraid we won’t be joining Crystal.”

“And why is that? I’d like to hear the reason.”

He laced his fingers together and rested them on the table.

“It isn’t because your terms didn’t appeal to us.”

“Then is it about staying in Gwangcheon, as you mentioned before?”

That part was already finished.

Not completely—it was still ongoing—but there was no longer any reason for us to remain in Gwangcheon.

Our original plan to stay had been about preparing to fully clear Jodie’s quest.

But thanks to two people’s unexpected actions, that plan had collapsed.

We’d had no choice but to quickly enlist the help of the Peacekeeping Force to keep them safe for now.

If we lost either Jodie or Kim Sang-sik, everything we’d done would have been meaningless.

Had we not earned Cheon Jiweon’s trust, the quest would have ended right there.

“That’s not it. Earlier I mentioned the academy thinks we’re at the Arcane Armory dungeon right now.”

“Yes.”

“Well, it was the academy that told us to go there. Normally, we’d be attending regular classes, but suddenly they announced a special curriculum for the winners.”

“…”

Ahn Hyunggi’s eyes showed confusion.

“Yesterday, the Black Hound commander suddenly came to the academy and dragged us away.”

“What?”

His eyes widened.

“When we were dragged underground, there were more than a dozen other Black Hound members waiting. They attacked us because we refused their offer to join them. Yang Len said yesterday’s incident was on President Oh Sungcheon’s orders.”

“That bastard… targeting academy applicants who aren’t even Hunters yet with Black Hound…”

Ahn Hyunggi looked genuinely appalled.

“Fortunately, we managed to escape thanks to All Around’s help. But I doubt President Oh Sungcheon or Black Hound have given up.”

A look of realization crossed his face.

“So that’s why they suddenly sent you into a dungeon today. Since the Arcane Armory is an open dungeon, they meant to finish you there.”

“I thought the same. That’s why, instead of going, we came to meet you. But I also decided Crystal isn’t the right choice for us.”

“And why not?”

“If we—already hated by Forward and Black Hound—went to Crystal, the transfer would cause even more trouble. I don’t want to bring problems to someone who’s willing to support us.”

At that, Ahn Hyunggi parted his lips slightly in surprise.

“…I see. That’s how you were thinking.”

“Yes.”

“Hm.”

He wrinkled his nose.

“Let me say one thing. Bringing you to Crystal would indeed be a problematic transfer. Taking in an entire HAUT-winning team, straight out of an academy owned by Forward. But that’s a risk I already chose to accept. It’s not your concern. So drop the idea of being overly considerate.”

In that moment, I saw Iris in him.

“And your decision is unrealistic. Staying in Gwangcheon while carrying the enmity of Forward and Black Hound? Even All Around can’t protect you until graduation. Anyone thinking rationally would seize this chance to transfer to Crystal Academy. To me, your choice looks like hypocrisy.”

‘As expected, that’s his reaction.’

I gave a wry smile.

“If you think it’s hypocrisy, I can’t help that. But if not for the desire not to cause trouble, why else would I refuse Crystal?”

“….”

Ahn Hyunggi fell silent.

“And it’s not as if your goals can only be achieved if I join Crystal.”

“What do you mean?”

“What you want is for me to stimulate Iris. That doesn’t necessarily require me to be at Crystal. Even just meeting her from time to time and going into dungeons together would be enough, don’t you think?”

“So you’re saying you’d do that?”

“With one request from you, sir.”

Ahn Hyunggi’s lips curled upward.

“So you want to make a deal with me now.”

“There’s no such thing as a favor without expectation of return. The greater the favor, the greater the cost.”

When I said that, Ahn Hyunggi smiled wider.

“Well played.”

“I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Hmph.”

A faint snort came from the side.

Meiling was looking at me with a mix of disbelief and annoyance.

Meanwhile, Lumina stayed tense in Ahn Hyunggi’s presence, and Seo Yui was quietly admiring a pretty dessert on her plate.

“Alright then. What’s your request?”

“I’d like your help forming an organization.”

“An organization?”

“A gathering of HAUT participants, and other talented students who didn’t participate. A super-academy group where everyone can push one another. We’d spar, go into dungeons, and even invite professional Hunters or experts to teach us practical things the academies don’t cover. Think of it as a mini-HAUT happening every week.”

Ahn Hyunggi crossed his arms.

After a moment of silent thought, he spoke.

“Interesting. But it's difficult.”

“Because we’d need the cooperation of multiple academies?”

“Exactly. HAUT itself was only possible after long negotiations. I can’t create something like that on my own.”

“Then, even if it takes time, would you lend your strength?”

“All I can do is persuade the headmaster of Crystal Academy and cover part of the costs.”

“That’s more than enough.”

I smiled as I answered.

“I’ll bring a more detailed plan later. Even if things don’t go as I hope, I’ll make sure Iris is still involved.”

“And why do you want to make such a group?”

“For the future.”

“The future?”

“Yes. If things go as planned, it’ll help everyone.”

“I see. Now I understand why the mayor values you. Then consider my proposal for you to enter Crystal withdrawn. I’ll wait for that detailed plan of yours.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Oh, and if you’re heading back to Gwangcheon, I’ll assign someone to escort you. Black Hound may still be watching.”

“That won’t be necessary. I already told All Around.”

“Very well then. I’ll take my leave first.”

“Yes.”

We stood and bowed as Ahn Hyunggi left the restaurant.

After waiting a while, we stepped outside too.

“So, how about we relax a bit before heading back? If we return to Gwangcheon now, they’ll just order us straight into a dungeon again.”

“Huh? Relax?”

Lumina asked in surprise.

“I’m in. I’ve been dealing with nothing but stress lately—I need to blow off some steam.”

Meiling chimed in.

“But isn’t it true Black Hound might be tailing us?”

Seo Yui glanced around nervously.

“Should we really be going out to have fun right now?”

“It’s fine!”

A sudden voice made us turn.

Abel was walking toward us with a cheerful smile.

“I’m your bodyguard today. And if needed, I can call in guild members right away. You’re safe.”

When we’d reported the academy’s so-called special curriculum—actually a trap—All Around immediately promised to assign Abel to us.

Joining them really had been the right choice.

“Thank you for coming, Teacher Abel.”

He shook his head.

“HAUT is over now. Don’t call me teacher anymore.”

“Then may I call you senior?”

“Of course. So, where are we going?”

He looked at me as he asked.

“Well, since it’s still hot out, how about the Hunter resort?”

“Ooooh. That sounds good. I haven’t been there in a while myself.”

We piled into Abel’s car and headed for the Gundo Dungeon.

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“What do you mean, you lost them again!?”

Oh Sungcheon’s furious roar shook the wide room.

(End of Chapter)