He was ripped from the state of peace and bliss by the familiar, muffled sound of his cell phone piercing through his deep sleep.
With closed eyes and a mind foggy from slumber, he fumbled for the phone lying as usual on the nightstand and clumsily answered it without even checking who was calling.
- Hello?
- Huh? You're still in bed.
Upon hearing his sister's voice, Jin-Woo yawned lazily.
- Oh... Yeah, I'm a bit tired. I came back late.
- Check the time. - Advised his annoyed sister.
- Oh? What time is it? - He asked, not bothering to check.
- It's two. Remember we have a meeting today?!
Suddenly sitting up and opening his eyes, Jin-Woo felt as if someone had poured a bucket of cold water over him. He had completely forgotten about it!
He shuddered in surprise and horror, seeing Igris sitting motionless in the same spot where he left him last night.
He almost fell out of bed, but then remembered that Igris was now his shadow. He wouldn't harm him.
- What time is it?!
- Five!
- Don't worry, I'll be on time. - He promised, yawning and sitting on the bed.
- Well, I hope so! Call me when you're ready.
Once his sister hung up, Jin-Woo looked at the silent Igris, then stretched and scratched his head.
Did he sleep until two? That was quite late for him, and he was pleasantly surprised that this time he had slept peacefully, without any nightmares.
Could it be that Igris' presence really helped?
- Thank you. Now it's time for you to rest. - Jin-Woo said softly, looking at his new shadow. He summoned him, and the soldier slowly turned into black mist, merging into Jin-Woo's shadow.
After a shower that took him less than ten minutes, the hunter stood in front of an open wardrobe, critically examining its contents.
Probably, for a conversation with his sister's teacher, he should wear something better than a T-shirt and jeans.
The problem was, most of his clothes were already too small for him, and apart from the old suit he bought for entrance exams, he had nothing elegant.
His hair was slightly wet, so he decided to wait a bit until it dried. He had ten points to spend on stat increases.
Previously, he would have spent them on senses or agility without hesitation.
Without a moment's hesitation, Jin-Woo invested all the points in intelligence, quietly hoping that it would not only increase his mana but also the number of shadows he could acquire.
If it was due to one of the class skills, he would gain space for new soldiers much more slowly.
After a few more minutes of checking his status window, Jin-Woo closed it, glancing disapprovingly at his still-open wardrobe.
He needed some decent clothes for today.
***
The first place he visited was the bank. He was curious how much he made from magic cores. He had been too busy to check it out until now, and honestly, he didn't really need it.
The management of the magic cores was left to the raid leader, Jin-Ho. The boy told him that he sold all the magic cores after the daily raids. The funds were deposited in a bank book that Jin-Woo had.
However, they did not discuss the actual amounts in detail.
Jin-Ho was good at reporting on everything else. I guess he just wasn't really interested.
Perhaps due to the circumstances of his life, the young man was probably not interested in financial matters. The topics of his conversations mainly concerned celebrities, rallies, music and movies. Well, the 'conversation' mostly consisted of Jin-Ho talking while Jin-Woo just nodded.
As Jin-Woo recalled the times he spent with Jin-Ho, he realized that the kid never talked about his family. It was quite strange.
Before Jin-Woo could think about it, he reached the bank.
And of course, all the ATMs were busy and each of them had lines of at least three other people.
Defeated, Jin-Woo grabbed the number and waited. He was soon called and walked up to the counter.
- Hello.
The service worker had short hair and a radiant smile.
- How can I help you?
- I would like to get a new debit card and update the account balance.
- Alright.
The employee smiled and took the bank book from Jin-Woo's hands. While waiting, the hunter looked around the bank in boredom. Even though it was a weekday afternoon, there were a lot of people around.
While he was watching people, the woman serving him looked at Jin-Woo's bank book and was surprised.
[Account Balance: 1,482,920,000] (~1123280 USD)
She read the number carefully, counting the zeros, it was definitely over a billion. The transaction history showed that everything was collected within the last week.
'How could such a young man...?'
First, she thought of Jin-Woo as a college student handling banking matters for his mother. Now she looked at the man with a completely different perspective. She cautiously asked him a question with a subtle hidden motive.
- So, what do you do for a living?
- I'm a hunter. - He replied calmly, seemingly unaware of the underlying implication of the question.
The woman nodded. The rumors were true. She had heard that hunters earned a lot of money, but she never thought they could accumulate so much in such a short time. Suddenly, she felt a sense of shame about her ordinary desk job. Just a few moments ago, Jin-Woo was just another customer. Now she realized he lived in a different world.
The young man in front of her probably had a very high rank and worked for one of the major guilds. Only they could earn that much money. He was the first high-ranking hunter she had ever encountered. The thought made her heart flutter. A young man like him with over a billion in cash would be considered a VIP in this bank. She didn't want to miss the opportunity.
The employee began to speak in accordance with her training,
- So, we have a new product for VIP clients in our bank.
Her professional smile turned genuine, her eyes fixed on Jin-Woo. The man looked as if he had hurriedly left his home, wearing casual clothes and disheveled hair, still slightly damp. She realized he probably led a very busy life and took the precious time to come here.
- It's very popular among customers. Maybe you'd like to invest in it?
- Currently, I'm in a hurry. But maybe next time when I'm at the bank.
- Oh, I understand.
She wasn't surprised that the guy didn't have time, but despite that, she could hide disappointment in her voice. Ignoring the gaze of the employee on her back, he left the bank. The moment he stepped outside, he sighed in relief.
He noticed the change in her eyes after revealing he was a hunter. The looks from others. And their interest. It was something normal for other hunters but not for Jin-Woo.
Well, I guess he'll have to get used to it. When he approaches rankings and achieves a high level, the attention focused on him would become significantly heavier.
He heard that Hunters even had fans and paparazzi. Looking up, he saw a billboard on top of a building with an advertisement featuring a famous Hunter.
In the past, it would have been a sports figure or a singer on that billboard. Now, Hunters received mass love.
Jin-Woo might find himself in a similar spotlight soon. Currently, the only ones who disliked Hunters were insurance companies.
After leaving the bank, Jin-Woo could finally check his earnings. He was very surprised. 1,482,920,000?!
The income from 9 raids was almost one and a half billion! That was an average of 160 million per C-rank dungeon.
It was a pile of cash! Now, at least, he understood the bank employee's reaction.
Anyone in her place would be surprised, even himself.
After handling all affairs to check his account balance, he went and bought a suit, even had time for a haircut at a nearby salon.
He looked like a completely different person when he stood in front of his sister's school building.
Money couldn't buy everything, but having it really felt good.
Now, with something in his account, good clothes, and nicely trimmed hair, he felt much better in his own skin.
He checked the time. It was 4:20.
He saw Jin-Ah waiting for him at the building's entrance.
As Jin-Woo finally approached, his sister's eyes comically widened at the sight of him.
Seeing her expression, Jin-Woo couldn't help but let a smug smile creep onto his face.
- You can't be my brother. They must have swapped you.
- Well, very funny, sister. Stop giving me that weird look and let's go inside.
It seemed like Jin-Ah was too shocked to direct him, so Jin-Woo took the lead.
He was a student here 5 years ago. The structure was familiar to him. He knew the meeting would be in a conference room and not in her classroom, so he headed in that direction. And his pace was quite fast.
He didn't have the best memories of finishing his education here, so he wanted to do what he had to do and get out of there.
- Hey! Wait for me.
Jin-Ah quickly ran after her brother.
- Oh wow...
- Hm?! Hi.
- Who's that?
- What a handsome guy.
- I think Jin-Ah knows him. He must be her brother.
Everyone stared at him and whispered to each other as Jin-Woo and his sister walked through the corridors.
Muscular physique and a stylish suit. Even an average-looking person would attract their attention.
Well, Jin-Woo was completely uninterested. The whispers of the students reached one of his ears and went out the other.
The one who was excited, however, was Jin-Ah. She perked up her ears, listening to her classmates' whispers, then approached her brother and nudged him with her elbow.
- You're quite popular.
He ignored her the first time.
- Don't you have a cool girlfriend, huh?
He ignored her a second time.
- Shouldn't your wonderful sister introduce you to someone?
For the third time, he gently pinched her cheek.
- Don't push it, you little.
- Ouch! Hey, hands off.
Jin-Woo let her go, and the sulking girl rubbed her cheek with feigned drama.
- You should find someone already. I just want you to be happy.
- I'm fine, don't worry. - He dismissed her gently.
When they arrived at the classroom, Jin-Woo stuck his head through the door, announcing to the teacher that her brother was already here.
Jin-Woo was about to enter, but he stopped when he noticed Jin-Ah, instead of accompanying him, was retreating down the corridor.
- What about you? - He asked, surprised.
- It's a conversation just between the teacher and the parent/guardian. I just wanted to escort you.
Oh, yes, Jin-Woo recalled his last high school class. No one came to him back then. Mom already had issues by then.
When she fell ill, Jin-Woo's mother had to be hospitalized quickly. Not wanting to tax her frail body, Jin-Woo didn't tell her about the parent-teacher meeting.
Because of this, he had to endure the harassment of his exceptionally spiteful and malicious teacher for some time. Recalling that experience, he realized why Jin-Ah had been annoyed when she asked him to come here two weeks ago.
He asked his sister with a smile,
- You're staying late today too?
- Yes. After talking, you can go home without me.
- Alright.
He patted her on the head before she could react, smiling a little mischievously.
- Don't do that, you know I hate it!
- See you at home.
Jin-Woo entered the conference room smiling. Jin-Ah fixed her hair while pouting. He often treated her like a child.
Well, it wasn't as if she hated it. She looked around, worried that someone might have seen it. After making sure no one was nearby, she bounced to her class.
Part of her simply regretted that he didn't have anyone who could treat him with gentle care like he treated her.
Of course, Jin-Ah loved her brother, cared for him and worried for him, but she was his little sister. She couldn't, she didn't know how to treat him like he treated her.
Besides, her brother wouldn't have allowed it. He had to protect and raise her, not the other way around.
On this matter he had been unyielding for a long time. Not for four years, but for almost nine.
Since their father's disappearance. After their father vanished into one of the gates, Jin-Woo easily began to take on the role of the male role model and guardian in Jin-Ah's life.
He didn't try to replace their father, but he tried to fulfill his role in her life.
Over time as he grew older it became easier and more natural for him. And then their mother grew ill and Jin-Woo had to fully devote himself to the role of caregiver.
He took care of her, but no one took care of him.
Jin-Ah knew that deep down her brother longed for the feeling and innocence he had lost so quickly.
She wished someone could be by his side. It was a shame Jin-Woo hadn't found someone like that yet.
***
If he were to describe his first impression of his younger sister's teacher in one sentence...
She seemed like a warm person.
- You must be Jin-Ah's older brother.
She was a wise-looking, middle-aged teacher. Someone whose bright smile made the other person feel comfortable. Knowing the circumstances of his household, she didn't question Jin-Woo's presence at the parent/guardian meeting at all.
It was quite nice.
- Nice to meet you. I'm Jin-Ah's homeroom teacher. I didn't realize Jin-Ah had such a handsome older brother.
At her cheeky but sweet greeting, Jin-Woo bowed his head.
He didn't remember her teaching here when he was still a student.
She must have been a new teacher hired after he left. They say that the first impression was very important. After greeting them, he could relax a bit.
The teacher seemed to be respectful towards someone as young as Jin-Woo. That was quite nice too.
It looked like his little sister wouldn't be harassed by an annoying teacher for her senior year.
- Please sit down.
She pointed to a chair. Jin-Woo sat up and looked at the teacher sitting behind the large desk.
- Your sister is a really nice and helpful girl. You don't have to worry, she's a perfect student.
They talked about the average issues discussed in this type of meeting between a supervisor and a teacher. Their conversation continued in good spirits for some time.
Since Jin-Ah was an excellent student, her teacher only had good things to say.
- Did you know she plans to study medicine?
- Yes.
- Her exam results were good and her overall grades are excellent. She should be more than capable of getting into a good school. But please don't put too much pressure on her.
Jin-Woo nodded solemnly. The teacher's face was full of expectations for Jin-Ah. In fact, many high school senior teachers were overwhelmed with stress over their students' grades. After all, a student's last years in high school determined the course of his life.
He often heard that many teachers were reluctant to teach final grades.
He had heard that some teachers sometimes had to be forced into these seats. With that in mind, it was clear that Jin-Ah's teacher was someone with a passion for the job. As his younger sister's guardian, Jin- Woo was very grateful for this.
The meeting was approaching its end after 15 minutes of conversation. Jin-Woo was about to stand up when the teacher cautiously asked:
- I heard that you're a Hunter.
Her eyes, while posing this question, became serious and unmoving. Jin-Woo realized that something was up.
- Yes, I am.
- If it turned out that Jin-Ah has the necessary skills, would you want her to follow in your footsteps?
- Absolutely not.
Jin-Woo's response was quick and resolute. He didn't even have to think about it. He would never allow his younger sister to expose herself in the dungeons, no matter what rank she might achieve. He would never let her approach the gate, whether they were still desperately in need of money as they were a few months ago, or now when Jin-Woo could earn billions and provide his sister with money for the most extravagant whims.
The teacher's expression darkened.
- That's what I thought.
When Jin-Woo looked at her suspiciously, the teacher continued with hesitation:
- I ask because... recently, in our school, one of the students awakened her powers, and because of that, she wants to quit school. She even stopped attending classes.
If this continues, the school will be forced to expel her. Even if she plans to become a Hunter, it's better for her to finish school first.
It was a common phenomenon. People who had just awakened ignored common sense and rushed into the Hunter profession. Even though they didn't really know what the job entailed, they did it proudly, thinking they were different from ordinary humans.
They didn't understand how difficult and dangerous this life was. They only saw the surface, as portrayed on television and the internet.
Wealth, fame, and popularity.
The media showed the faces of S and A rank hunters, sometimes, although rarely, focused on B rank hunters. No one talked or remembered about the C, D, or E ranks.
Hunters, especially D and E, were downright despised and considered marginal when it came to this whole business. And these were the most numerous hunters.
Reluctantly accepted into large, powerful guilds (D) or rejected everywhere (E), scorned and so poorly paid that they couldn't even afford to buy the worst armor or weapons. It was far from an ideal life. And if that foolish girl had a low rank and lacked education because she dropped out of school, her life would have been truly difficult later on. She would either have to perform poorly paid, labor-intensive work without education, or remain a low-ranking Hunter, earning just as poorly and additionally risking her life. The teacher sighed heavily.
- I don't know much about Hunters, that's why I'm asking you.
- What rank did she get?
- From what I heard... It's probably the lowest.
Jin-Woo sighed heavily, shaking his head. Even entering the dungeon required caution with such a rank. In 9 out of 10 cases, entering the dungeon with a carefree attitude born out of arrogance resulted in disability or death. The fact that such a fate befell a girl around his sister's age weighed on Jin-Woo. However, he knew it was her decision. No one forced her into it. Still, he wondered if there was any way to knock some sense into her head and rid her of this foolish idea.
People like her didn't like being told what to do. That's why such a task would be very difficult. Not only was she young, but she was also stubborn. Not a great combination.
- She's a friend of your sister. Maybe you could talk to her and persuade her to finish school?
Raising his eyebrows in surprise, Jin-Woo asked for the name of this friend.
- Her name is Han Song-I.
Well, what a small world it was.
***
As the sun began to set and the sky changed from blue to a bright orange, Jin-Woo found himself in front of the troublesome student's house, the one Jin-Ah's teacher had asked him to talk to about her convictions.
Actually, the place was quite close to his own apartment, about a two-minute walk. Jin-Woo could probably throw a stone at it from his own room.
He looked around the neighborhood—a small district full of run-down buildings. Roughly speaking, like his own family, the girl probably didn't grow up in luxury.
Remembering his past, he now understood why she was so determined to become a Hunter. But people in dungeons never had it easy.
He himself had been injured many times. An E-rank Hunter like him had teetered between life and death several times.
If it weren't for his mother's rare illness, he would never have taken on this job. For an E-rank Hunter, dungeons were a very dangerous place.
If Jin-Woo had ignored this matter, and something happened to the girl, he would never forgive himself.
Additionally, he felt that her distorted view of the Hunter's life was partly his fault.
Finally sensing her approaching presence, Jin-Woo raised his head and, observing the incoming person, recognized the troublesome student.
Seeing her face, Jin-Woo confirmed that she was indeed the same girl.
The student noticed Jin-Woo and tilted her head.
- Korea is a small country. Just as I thought, it's you.
Jin-Woo scratched the side of his head.
- What are you doing here?