After meeting Choi Kyung-moon, Kim Seo-jun’s days passed in a whirlwind of activity.
He realized that, to become not just Jaeger Number Twelve or Thirteen, but the strongest—Jaeger Number Four—his current skills were still far from sufficient.
So, before the special training began, he resolved to push himself mercilessly, striving to attain a strength worthy of Number Four.
Kim Seo-jun honed his martial arts by constantly practicing solar energy cultivation and dual-body technique, performing as two in one.
Now, he even began a harsh training: unleashing the Thousand Burst Sphere without any telekinetic barrier, enduring the tremendous destructive power with his bare body.
On top of that, he resumed active practice of Sura Polar Slash and Heavenly Bow Arrow—martial arts he’d neglected for a while—so his days became filled to the brim with a murderous schedule.
When the academy’s vacation started, he would only get two days of rest before immediately beginning special training to become a Jaeger.
The special training would take place at the summit of Hwaak Mountain in Gapyeong.
It had been a military facility before the appearance of rifts, but now it seemed to be used as a Jaeger training camp for special instruction.
He’d be notified two days before departure about the exact assembly point, arrival time, transportation, and necessary supplies.
For smooth information transfer, he’d already downloaded a specific app on the special phone received from Choi Kyung-moon, but since the app hadn’t opened yet, he couldn’t use it.
Just as Choi Kyung-moon had said, the special phone had fingerprint, iris, and facial recognition—security was top-notch.
When he first powered on the special phone, a “Hundred Questions, Hundred Answers” questionnaire popped up. Kim Seo-jun, thinking it was another procedure, answered each question sincerely.
The questions were very personal.
They asked about his family relationships, personality, hobbies, and daily routines—just ordinary questions.
At the end, the procedure continued with setting up a separate bank account and issuing a card for use as a Jaeger.
Despite all the busyness, there were things that brought Kim Seo-jun joy.
He received notification from the academy of his second semester scholarship, and a student support fund of 200 million won was deposited.
On top of that, with the runner-up prize money of 500 million and Park Dae-man depositing the promised 300 million, Kim Seo-jun’s bank account now boasted a staggering total of 2.36 billion won.
Aside from the reward money, Park Dae-man also shared some light tips about the special training.
He said that the day before entering the Jaeger candidate training camp, the app installed on the special phone would activate, and from that moment, everything about Kim Seo-jun would be monitored by Jaeger HQ.
From the moment of departure, the evaluation of candidates would begin, and every surrounding circumstance would be under Jaeger HQ’s control—so he advised being careful with every action.
Kim Seo-jun thanked Park Dae-man for his advice, and Park Dae-man encouraged him to make sure they met again as numbering agents.
Ten days passed like that, and Kim Seo-jun achieved considerable growth.
[Kim Seo-jun]
-Magic: 138 / Internal Energy: 136 / Control: 121
-Mysteries: Force That Moves the World (22%) / Solar Energy Cultivation (25%) / Telekinetic Barrier (7%) / Sura Polar Slash (5%) / Mind’s Eye (6%)
All of his stats had risen considerably.
His mastery of Mysteries was also steadily increasing, making every day a delight for Kim Seo-jun.
Tomorrow, the academy would enter its vacation period.
There were several training programs for students to enjoy a productive vacation, but Kim Seo-jun didn’t apply for any of them.
He had special training waiting to become a Jaeger—there was no need to participate in other programs.
‘But Joo Kwang-sik, that guy’s really persistent, isn’t he?’
For days now, Joo Kwang-sik had been pestering Kim Seo-jun, begging him to join a training program together.
Even after explaining he had other plans, Kwang-sik insisted on joining whatever Seo-jun was doing.
Kim Seo-jun resolved to persuade Kwang-sik to mind his own business during their final class tomorrow, and returned to his breathing practice.
*****
Friday morning.
Just as he reached the lecture hall, a message came from Madam Baek Yeon-ji.
Beloved Madam Baek>>Son. What is this money for?
He’d transferred money to Madam Baek’s account that morning on his way to class, and she contacted him right away.
Me>>It’s prize money from the competition.
Beloved Madam Baek>>Is it because it’s Hunter Academy? How could the reward be fifty million?
Me>>Fifty million? Didn’t you see it wrong? That can’t be right.
Kim Seo-jun double-checked the amount he had just sent to Madam Baek Yeon-ji’s account.
It was definitely five hundred million.
Most likely, Madam Baek had misread the number of zeros.
As he expected, another message arrived shortly after.
Beloved Madam Baek>>Son! This is five hundred million?
Me>>Yeah. Five hundred million.
Beloved Madam Baek>>How could you give me so much moneeyyy…
She was so flustered, typos exploded across her message.
Me>>I have class soon… That’s your money now, Mom. Spend it as you wish! See you at dinner.
Kim Seo-jun quickly closed the messaging app.
Right then, he was just outside the lecture hall, so he went to his seat.
Ding!
He heard a notification from the HoneyTalk app and glanced at the mini screen on his phone.
Beloved Madam Baek>>I love you, son.
A heartfelt message from Madam Baek appeared, clear as day.
The word “love” brought an unconscious, happy smile to his lips.
“Hey, Kim Seo-jun! Are you dating lately? I heard if you stare at your phone grinning like that, you’re definitely dating.”
Joo Kwang-sik plopped down next to him.
“Something better than dating.”
“Better? For forever-alones like us, romance is both the ultimate goal and the greatest refuge. Don’t you think?”
“I’m not a forever-alone.”
“Oh, is that so? So, where’s your other half? Here? There? Ah, since I don’t see anyone, she must not be born yet, huh?”
Joo Kwang-sik chuckled at his own joke.
“Because you stick so close, even the destined one runs away.”
“Have you considered it’s the opposite? Maybe I’m blocking the pests who’d stick to you like flies. You should be grateful.”
“You sure talk a good game.”
“Haha, it’s my trademark. By the way… are you free early tomorrow morning?”
Not just morning, but dawn?
Kim Seo-jun tilted his head at the sudden question, and Joo Kwang-sik laughed.
“This hyung has arranged a great opportunity for his forever-alone little brother.”
Then, leaning in with a conspiratorial tone, he whispered.
“Ho-seong hyung told me to bring you to his dawn class tomorrow.”
“…!”
Kim Seo-jun’s eyes widened slightly.
Yoo Ho-seong’s dawn class was none other than Han Se-ah’s private lesson.
“These days, hyung’s trying to awaken Han Se-ah, but it’s not going well. He said someone with your mana control might be better than me, and asked for your help. He’ll pay you well, so don’t worry. Honestly, it’s a chance to meet Han Se-ah one-on-one—does the pay matter?”
The timing couldn’t have been better.
Vacation started today, and after the weekend, special training began on Monday. It was a chance to see Han Se-ah one more time before that.
“What time in the morning?”
When Kim Seo-jun asked for the time, Joo Kwang-sik smirked slyly.
“Hehe. Interested, right? It’s at 4:30. I’ll wait with hyung’s car at Exit 4 of Jeungsan Station.”
“Alright, got it.”
With the promise made, the day’s classes passed in the blink of an eye.
Classes ended before noon today.
The only thing covered was the second semester curriculum, so nothing important.
As expected, Joo Kwang-sik spent the whole morning pestering Kim Seo-jun about the vacation training program, but Kim Seo-jun’s ironclad defense yielded nothing.
At the end of the morning, Professor Shim Jae-deok declared the start of vacation, and the students cheered as if they were graduating, tossing whatever they held in the air.
Watching with a warm smile, Professor Shim Jae-deok directed a particular glance at Kim Seo-jun and said,
“Everyone, have a meaningful summer break. Let’s meet again next semester, stronger than before.”
*****
That evening.
On his way home, Kim Seo-jun headed to the “Unara Sonara” restaurant to meet Oh Chang-seok, whom he’d almost forgotten about.
Oh Chang-seok was the first of his comrades he’d tracked down, but since there was no real connection, they hadn’t even spoken.
But after meeting Park Dae-man, Yoo Ho-seong, and even Kim Yura in succession, they’d built some rapport. Han Se-ah and Choi Dong-hyun had at least exchanged glances.
He hadn’t met his same-age friend Jung Wook yet, but since he knew where Oh Chang-seok was, he wanted to pay a visit before leaving for a month in a few days.
‘Today is perfect, since I’ll be away for a month starting soon.’
Before he knew it, Kim Seo-jun arrived at the Unara Sonara restaurant.
Opening the door, he found it bustling as always.
“Welcome!”
The waitress who had served the Kim family before greeted him brightly.
“Sorry, I’m not here to eat today.”
“Oh, really? Then, may I ask what brings you…?”
“…!”
The waitress’s eyes widened a bit.
Kim Seo-jun had become sensitive enough to catch such minute reactions with ease.
“Um… Well…”
As the waitress stammered, unsure what to say,
“You looking for Chang-seok?”
A man interjected.
A man in his early forties—it was the restaurant owner he’d seen on his last visit.
With his arrival, the waitress nodded and went back to her work.
“Trouble is, Chang-seok’s not working here right now. He’s supposed to return soon, though… How do you know him? Since you know his name, are you friends?”
Owner Yang Sang-ik asked amiably, and Kim Seo-jun offered his prepared answer.
“His name is Oh Chang-seok, right? I only caught a glimpse of his nametag last time, so I wasn’t sure. I’m here to pass along something.”
“So you’re not friends?”
“No, I only met him that day… Here, this.”
Kim Seo-jun took out a neatly folded paper and handed it over.
“There’s a phone number written here. It’s for a well-known Hunter Academy instructor in Samseong-dong. Please tell him to call if he’s interested. If there’s any difficulty, the instructor will accommodate him, so don’t worry.”
He was giving Yoo Ho-seong’s number.
When he’d last seen Oh Chang-seok, he hadn’t yet awakened the Mind’s Eye Mystery, so he wasn’t sure if Chang-seok had awakened or just trained himself.
But given Chang-seok’s movements back then, he clearly had considerable skill. If he introduced him to Yoo Ho-seong, some kind of connection would surely form.
He hadn’t told Yoo Ho-seong about Oh Chang-seok yet, but he planned to bring it up when they met with Joo Kwang-sik tomorrow.
“If it’s a Hunter Academy instructor… Haha. I think you misunderstand something. Chang-seok isn’t interested in Hunter work. He hasn’t awakened, but he always said he just wants to live an ordinary life.”
“Oh, is that so? Well, nothing to be done. Still, please give him the number and my message, just in case.”
Kim Seo-jun politely asked Yang Sang-ik again.
“It’s no trouble to pass it along. But, if you’re not friends, why are you so interested in Chang-seok?”
“Actually, I’m a Hunter Academy student. I pride myself on being observant. When I saw him here last time, I thought if he ever awakened, he’d make a great Hunter. I told my instructor about him, and he said if Chang-seok ever calls, he’d give him a chance to awaken. That’s why I’m here.”
Kim Seo-jun told the story so it all fit together, and Yang Sang-ik didn’t seem to notice anything strange.
“You’re a good kid. It’s people like you who should become Hunters, to make the world safer.”
“That’s too much praise. By the way, may I use the restroom for a moment?”
He had one last thing to check before leaving.
“Of course, go ahead.”
After quickly washing his face in the restroom, Kim Seo-jun used Mind’s Eye just before opening the door.
His eyes turned golden, and waves of magical energy radiated from his body, invisible to others.
The wave swept over everyone within a 20-meter radius.
When he finally stepped outside, Kim Seo-jun was startled by the markers floating above people’s heads here and there.
‘What? There’s more than one or two?’
In this ordinary restaurant, there were no less than seven people with magic stats above their heads.