Chapter 58: My Heart Becomes Magnificent

-War God VS Hanul. A prideful conquest in Jeungpyeong Dungeon.

-The difference in strength between each guild. Who will take down more?

-Hanul Guild’s steep growth curve. A guild to watch next year.

-Will the Best Five finally change for the first time in five years?

Everyone’s attention was focused on the soon-to-be-revealed upper-level Jeungpyeong Dungeon.

“This one’s War God, obviously! No doubt!”

“Are you insane? Why are you acting like that’s not the obvious answer?”

For the students of Raon Academy, a training institution for those aiming to become Hunters, Hunter-related news was always the hottest topic.

-Hanul Guild’s Lee Hyunbin, secret weapon prepared to face War God Guild. License test scheduled within this week.

“Delivery Man’s name is popping up a lot these days.”

“Still, he’s no match for a Holy Knight. How’s a Porter supposed to go up against a Dual Awakening?”

“It’s not like the two of them are going head-to-head anyway, so what’s the big deal?”

“Hey, which scares you more, the Aura-infused Sword or the Aura-infused Delivery Box?”

“Come on, everyone loves a delivery. That’s just common sense.”

The students snickered among themselves, while Seoyeon simply listened in.

“Honestly, I think the whole ‘Delivery Man is strong’ thing is way overhyped. It hasn’t even been that long since he Awakened as a Hunter, so his level must still be low.”

“I’ll give you that.”

“No, he’s already over level 50.”

“I don’t care if he’s S-rank, I still doubt he has real training skills. And now they’re hyping up the new healer as some kind of genius too.”

“Of course a Porter would brag about another Support. Birds of a feather, right?”

“No, really, the new healer actually is a genius.”

The chattering boys glanced sideways at Seoyeon.

“What, Lee Seoyeon? Are you a Delivery Man fan or something?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Sun! I keep telling you, come join the Seolak Mountain Fandom, will you?”

Hyekyung, Seoyeon’s best friend, started her recruitment campaign, waving her phone with a glossy photo of Seol Jihoon as her background.

“Seol Jihoon looks like some kind of pretty boy. If you want a real man, look at Lucky Boy Hanseong Lee!”

“You mean the guy who’s always getting caught Drunken Flying and posting Apology Statements?”

“A real man’s gotta know how to handle his liquor, you know what I’m saying?”

Soon, the bell for the end-of-day announcements rang, and the boys went back to their seats.

Seoyeon let out a quiet scoff. The Coach’s reputation was still low, but soon enough, everyone would know who the strongest really was.

‘Should I just tell them?’

Her lips tingled with the urge to spill it: that the S-rank and Team Leader of Hanul living with her was the very person they were talking about.

“But Sun, are you really a Delivery Man fan?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Delivery Man’s not bad, honestly. If it weren’t for my dear Seol Oppa, I’d probably switch to him.”

Seoyeon felt a little better at Hyekyung’s words.

Among all the S-ranks, it bothered her that the Coach was always looked down on just for being a Support.

She didn’t know how amazing the other S-ranks were, but she knew better than anyone just how incredible the Coach was.

“Actually.”

“Yeah?”

“I live with him.”

“What do you mean?”

Seoyeon smiled sweetly at the confused Hyekyung.

“No way—are you serious? For real? Swear to God?”

“It’s true.”

“That Delivery Man—wait, you mean Lee Hyunbin is your uncle?”

On the way home after school, Hyekyung’s eyes sparkled with disbelief.

Hyekyung was Seoyeon’s best friend. She’d felt guilty about keeping the secret even from her closest friend.

And it was bound to come out naturally sooner or later anyway.

“Hey, can I meet your uncle just once?”

Honestly, if Hyekyung hadn’t been a fan of Holy Knight Seol Jihoon, she might’ve been a Delivery Man fan herself.

“Uh, uncle’s probably busy though…”

“Aw, Sun, please!”

“I’ll try contacting him.”

“Hehe! Here, it’s nothing, but take this.”

A choco bar slipped into her uniform pocket, looking sweet and hefty.

Seoyeon grinned, pleased, as she messaged the Coach.

-Oh, really?

“Yeah. Coach, are you free?”

-So you’re coming now?

“Yup.”

-Se, Seoyeon. Don’t come. You really shouldn’t…

Kim Taeyang’s sorrowful wail echoed from Hyunbin’s phone.

It tugged at her conscience a little, but Seoyeon entered the guild with Hyekyung all the same.

Catching a taxi and gazing at the rows of guild buildings, Hyekyung’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Once they entered Hanul’s lobby, Hyekyung pressed a hand to her chest, nerves getting the better of her.

“Yes, two visitors. Their contact is Team Leader Lee Hyunbin.”

Seoyeon, used to it by now, picked up their entry passes from the front desk and handed one to Hyekyung.

Hyekyung’s eyes sparkled with pure joy as she accepted it.

“Wow, Sun, you’re so cool!”

“Mhm.”

“You feel like a total working woman right now.”

“Hmm-hmm.”

Seoyeon walked with a rare spring in her step, smiling all the way.

“This building is amazing! Wow!”

Thanks to some serious spending, the building was spotless and made from expensive materials.

Hyekyung was soaking up the atmosphere, feeling like she was on a drama set.

“Miss Seoyeon?”

“…!”

Hyekyung froze on the spot.

“Hello.”

“H-hi… hello…!”

Following Seoyeon’s greeting, Hyekyung found herself face-to-face with Hanul Guild’s representative.

Im Jaejoon, the second son of Hanul Group and famous for his good looks, left Hyekyung speechless.

If Seol Jihoon was idol-boyfriend material, Im Jaejoon radiated a mature, dangerous charm that was overwhelming for a young student.

Everywhere he walked turned into a red carpet, and his words sounded as sweet as an angel’s voice.

“Is this your friend?”

“Yes.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“Ni-nice t’meet…!”

Hyekyung’s words slurred unconsciously as her cheeks flushed. Im Jaejoon offered a gentle smile.

“Miss Seoyeon, your uniform is ready. Come up to the office when you’re done here.”

“Oh! That was fast!”

“Of course.”

As Im Jaejoon left, Hyekyung managed to calm her pounding heart and asked,

“Uniform? What uniform?”

“Yeah, they said they’d make one for me.”

“You’re already working for the guild?”

“Just a little.”

Hyekyung saw Seoyeon in a new light.

The Seoyeon she knew always seemed so innocent, the kind who’d follow anyone for candy.

“Lucky you.”

It probably wasn’t anything strange. With an S-rank for an uncle, the guild wouldn’t dare give her any weird jobs.

Most students at Raon Academy had suffered because of a Gate incident.

Hyekyung was one of them.

“Wanna join me?”

“Me?”

“Yeah!”

“I-I don’t know how to do anything, though…”

Seoyeon’s offer was kind, but Hyekyung couldn’t help feeling nervous.

“Hanul’s really short on staff. There’s plenty you could help with, just to get some experience.”

“Really…?”

“Yeah.”

Hyekyung smiled sheepishly.

She followed Seoyeon up to the team training room. Her heart started pounding again at the thought of meeting real pro Hunters—and not just any, but one of the hottest S-ranks these days.

“Hello!”

“W-wait just a—”

Seoyeon, always quick, threw open the door to the training room before anyone could stop her.

A wave of hot air hit them in the face.

“Ugh… Even if I’m a regen type, this is…”

“Our Taeyang really is the best. Inho, come up too!”

“No, I’m…”

“Come on, don’t be shy.”

A red ring.

Lying face-down in it was a blond troublemaker, looking half-dead.

“Perfect timing. Seoyeon, you’re here.”

Hyekyung’s eyes wavered as she looked at the real-life Lee Hyunbin, leaning against the ring.

She should’ve been awestruck, but the blood splattered on his cheek gave off an intimidating vibe.

“Looks like you need a heal, huh?”

Moving with practiced ease, Seoyeon walked over to the battered blond.

“Don’t heal me… Just leave me here…”

“Rise, hero…!”

“Don’t! I said don’t!”

Seoyeon used her Healing Skill on Kim Taeyang. The swollen, bruised spots faded away in seconds, like rewinding a high-speed camera.

The pain was gone too. But the sadness remained.

“You monsters…”

“Taeyang, all this is just your brother’s warmhearted way of making you stronger.”

“Warmhearted?”

Kim Taeyang tried to scramble off the ring, but Kim Inho blocked his way.

Taeyang’s eyes widened in disbelief at his friend’s betrayal.

“You… you betrayed me…!”

“Sorry… If you run, I’ll…”

Kim Inho turned his head away sadly.

Sparring resumed.

Lee Hyunbin laughed brightly as he threw punches, while Kim Taeyang fled in desperation. It was a wild game of chase.

Lee Hyunbin smiled wickedly as he attacked. The blond troublemaker smiled even as he got pounded.

He clearly looked miserable, but kept grinning. It was baffling.

Hyekyung’s pupils shook like an earthquake.

“Looks like today’s profits are going to be nice and fat.”

She watched as Seoyeon, her dear friend, smiled as she played with her coins, as if everything was going exactly to plan.

“S-Seoyeon…”

“Yeah?”

Suddenly, her friend—who’d always seemed so pure—looked like someone else.

“I-I just remembered something urgent. I’ll head home first…”

In the end, Hyekyung made a silent promise to keep Seoyeon’s secret, and beat a hasty retreat.

“Coach, do I really have to do this?”

“Yeah, you do.”

“Come on, why does a healer need strength training? Huh?”

Don’t you know that physical fitness is national power?

“Fine, I’ll do it, I’ll do it!”

Karin reluctantly took her seat.

-Strength: 01/02
Agility: 05/11
-Stamina: 08/13
-Magic: 15/95
Luck: 31/99

It was a sight to behold, no matter how many times I looked.

She’s a healer, sure, but she went all in on barely moving her body.

Every time I saw those chopstick arms, I felt a little petty inside.

“Let’s start by building your basic fitness.”

There’s nothing better than running to build basic fitness.

Even the military starts every morning with a run.

I promised a big dinner later to the grumbling Karin, and finally, she started jogging.

Thump-thump-thump.

No, it should be boom-boom-boom, not thump-thump. What’s that supposed to be?

She didn’t last even a few minutes before she was gasping for breath, looking like she might die.

“Huff, huff!”

She glared at me with resentment.

They say a lion throws its cubs off a cliff to make them strong.

“If you want rice with soy sauce for dinner, do as you please.”

“!”

Karin started moving again, dragging herself along.

I glanced over and made eye contact with Kim Taeyang and Kim Inho, who looked on with pity.

The two of them quickly cleared their throats and went off to do their own workouts.

Karin, who had been moving like melting ice cream, suddenly regained some spark in her eyes.

Her steps grew lighter.

She was using a Healing Skill on herself to restore her condition.

It was clever, in a way, but with such poor stamina, it didn’t do much good.

So she’d run for a minute, panting with her tongue nearly dragging on the floor, then heal herself and be fine again. Repeating this cycle every minute was pitiful to watch.

“Sit-ups.”

“How many?”

“107H.”

“Hmph!”

Karin confidently started sit-ups on the Combover Board.

Jeez.

“Ughhh…!”

She trembled, struggling like a caterpillar in its final throes.

“Hah, hah!”

And that was just one.

She struggled back up, body shaking, and I couldn’t help but sigh.

But suddenly, her pace picked up.

Like a tortoise running past a hare.

“Hey.”

“What?”

“Don’t use Buffs.”

Karin snorted at my words.

“It’s my ability, why shouldn’t I use it?”

“Like I keep saying, what’ll you do if you run out of magic?”

“I just won’t let that happen in the first place!”

“Oh, really?”

“Hmph!”

I grabbed Karin’s wrist without warning.

“Hey, what are you doing? Let go!”

She flailed in midair.

“You said you wouldn’t let it happen, right?”

“Who ambushes someone like that?!”

“You think an enemy’s gonna text you first? ‘Excuse me, I’ll be ambushing you now.’ Really?”

After letting go of the fuming Karin, I made her keep exercising.

She sulked.

Kids like Inho or Taeyang always did as they were told, but maybe because Karin was family, she never listened quite as well.

But there was a good solution for times like this.

“Guess there’s no other way.”

I pulled out a few booklets from my pocket. Karin’s pupils dilated and she began to tremble.

“C-Coach, what are you doing…!”

What do you mean, what? It’s Karin’s Coupon Book.

I remembered how she would collect stickers with every delivery meal, smiling as she plotted what to order next with her rewards.

It might be a bit cruel, but if it’s for Karin’s own good, I had to be strict.

“Ten more.”

“…Fine, fine, just—don’t get too excited, and don’t touch those!”

Threatening to tear the Coupon Book, I finally got Karin to do her exercises properly.

It filled me with pride.