Chapter 24: Goal
A week was given to the Class A students.
An unprecedented terror where the culprit has not yet been revealed.
With the appearance of a monster whose exact rank could not be estimated, the Class A students experienced hell, albeit for a short time.
Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but since there were injured personnel.
A week of special class cancellation and support for treatment followed.
Not only physical injuries, but psychiatric treatment was also added so that no aftereffects would remain on the psychological side.
Given the nature of the incident, a week might feel short.
Nevertheless.
"There are no absentees. That is a relief."
Before Yoo jin's eyes.
All Year 2 Class A students were sitting at their desks.
It is difficult to say the aftermath of that day has completely healed, but.
As expected of prestigious Taewoon High students.
The will to not collapse and move forward even a little dwelt in their eyes.
"It is good to see you after a week. I know people from the school side visited each of you, but once again on behalf of the school... no, as your homeroom teacher, I am sorry. I should have let you focus only on school life. Teacher will be careful so something like this doesn't happen again."
Although he knew compensation had already gone out from the school side.
Yoo jin knows.
That is not the only thing students need.
That there is something more important.
Therefore, he bowed his head.
Even to the S-Rank Hunter who has the strongest influence in this country.
Even to the peak of this country who can kill people with a single word, whom he has never met.
Even to the three Returnees who are called gods and stand above the nation.
Yoo jin will absolutely never bow his head.
No matter what happens.
A head that heavy.
However, to the students.
To his disciples, he could bow as much as needed.
Because that is a teacher.
As Yoo jin slowly raised his head again, the children's faces were seen.
Not completely, but faces that had become a little comfortable were seen.
Although it was a difficult situation to endure, fortunately, he arrived not too late, so he could handle the monster before the children were harmed.
Even for this, Yoo jin was thankful.
That he could protect his disciple.
The students of this school.
However, while most students only experienced the situation, a few.
To be exact, the three students evaluated as the strongest in this class fought a battle with the monster to protect themselves and the students.
Yoo jin's gaze moved.
Kang Tae-wook sitting in his seat came into view.
A sullen expression under a shadowed atmosphere.
Since he is a guy with strong pride, he expected it to some extent.
It seemed he was quite resentful.
He knows roughly because he heard the story.
Didn't they say he couldn't even last 1 minute in the battle with the monster?
Well, he knows he isn't a guy who will crumble with just this.
He would just need a little time.
'Right, let's leave our class's twisted one at that. The twins next to him are.'
Yoo jin's head moved.
"As expected, Teach!"
"We recognized it from when you broke our attack with one finger!!"
"Did you say one-shot cut this time too?"
"As expected of Teacher Yoo jin! That ridiculously strong monster in one blow!"
"Ah! I should have seen it!"
"Exactly! Geez, because I was passed out back then."
"Hehe."
Far from aftereffects, only these guys looked like guys who had been somewhere else separately.
The twins, who exchanged words like a comic duo, held up a notebook to Yoo jin with sparkling eyes.
"We are fans!"
"Sign please."
At the joke of the identical-looking twins, the classroom became a sea of laughter.
"Hahahahaha!"
The atmosphere that was heavy melted away in an instant.
Smiles were built on the faces of the children who were sitting with dark expressions, and the deepened wrinkles disappeared.
"Really weird guys."
While saying that, a smile spread on Yoo jin's lips too.
"But just how strong are you, Teach?"
"Exactly, even Teacher Choi Seong-tae who is A-Rank was defeated in one blow?"
The twins who were laughing like fools looked at Yoo jin's eyes.
Behind their voices, the laughter was erased from the classroom.
Silence that came in an instant.
The eyes of the children sitting in their seats were all heading toward Yoo jin.
"......."
At the children's sparkling eyes, Yoo jin scratched his cheek.
"Right, rank! What is your rank, Teach?!"
"Idiot, of course he would be A-Rank. Since there are only four S-Ranks in our country."
"Then is his Unique Skill strong?"
"He must be a martial arts type! You heard he one-shot cut this monster with his bare body too!"
"But last time, they said even Hunter Lee Si-wang can't do that......."
Before Yoo jin even opened his mouth, the twins faced their identical faces and bickered.
"Hmm......."
Ignis Guild Master Cho Sang-geun's voice brushed past the head of Yoo jin who was capturing the twins' earrings in his eyes.
'First, since I was asked not to say I am a Returnee.'
A favor is a favor, but.
To be exact.
More than anything, because he hated becoming annoyed by it being revealed that he is a Returnee.
Not only the guild, but the government, association, etc. No, even the nation.
The image of them chasing him around to recruit him was drawn in his head.
And the thought of what action he would take when that happened also came to mind.
End.
'Right, since I can't kill them all.'
It's not that he's trying to hide it.
Just a little, just enough not to go around deliberately bragging about it.
Yoo jin opened his mouth toward the bickering twins.
"What is important about that right now. I'm just strong. Just a little sturdier than others. I'm just a little stronger than other teachers."
He thought there was no need to tell the class students either.
"It didn't seem like a little."
"What is it, is there another rank other than the known ones?"
Leaving behind the twins scratching their heads, Yoo jin began to move.
From in front of the teacher's desk to the window side.
The very front of the classroom.
The seat right next to the window.
Yoo jin stopped there.
"Everyone, not me. Remember this guy."
Yoo jin stroked Jin-ho's head.
"......."
The twins who were chattering noisily.
The students sitting in their seats all became mute as if they had eaten honey.
That day.
Because of the memory that remained clearly in their memories.
"The one who stepped forward at the end and tried to protect you guys is Jin-ho."
The children's expressions sank.
And various emotions settled over them.
Gratitude and apology.
At the same time, even shame.
Although no one expected it.
Although no one could move.
The only one who blocked the front of the monster at the end was Jin-ho.
"......."
At the children's reaction, Jin-ho also didn't know what to do and bowed his head.
A solemn atmosphere.
However.
He liked this smell.
He liked this air.
Because the emotion filling this classroom right now.
Is more important to the students than anything else.
The biggest smile until now spread on Yoo jin's face looking at the children.
They will gradually gather as one.
Even if it is small now.
This small change.
Certainly.
"I'm done with what I have to say. Then, spend a fun school life again starting today."
Behind Yoo jin's bright voice.
The bell announcing the start of class rang.
That afternoon.
Academy City where all classes ended.
Taewoon High School.
Free time to return to the dormitory.
Or use various facilities within Academy City until curfew.
Kang Tae-wook and his lackeys were leaving the classroom building.
"Did you see that guy's nose go up in the air?"
"Exactly. Why does Homeroom Teacher wrap around Jin-ho like that."
Even at Kim Chan-sol and Kim Min-jun's irritated voices, Kang Tae-wook was quietly staring at one place.
"Are you listening to our story?"
"Where are you looking like that?"
As the kids spoke to Kang Tae-wook, Kang Tae-wook who was dazed turned his head.
"Is there something?"
When Kim Chan-sol and Kim Min-jun tried to move their gaze to that place.
"Let's go."
Kang Tae-wook moved his legs quickly.
At Kang Tae-wook's voice, the kids couldn't place their gaze and moved their legs following behind him.
Thud thud, Kang Tae-wook leaving the classroom building.
His fist was clenched tightly.
'Just why am I.......'
Kang Tae-wook took a step nervously.
'Caring about things like that.'
The place where Kang Tae-wook's gaze was until just now.
The figures of Jin-ho and Yoo jin were seen on the classroom building rooftop.
Classroom building rooftop.
Yoo jin and Jin-ho were there.
"I trust Teacher, but Kang Tae-wook isn't a guy who will stay still like that. He definitely has a scheme."
"Don't worry. I've dealt with plenty of twisted ones like that in the other world."
"No, still......."
Even at Jin-ho's worried voice, Yoo jin just wore a confident expression.
"Because I have a plan too."
"A plan?"
Yoo jin turned his body and looked at Jin-ho.
Grin!
And he pulled the corners of his mouth up to the end.
"Kang Tae-wook's guidance won't be done by me, but by you."
"What does that......."
"Because it seems that will have meaning."
Jin-ho did not understand Yoo jin's words at all.
Whether he did or not, Yoo jin just smiled brightly looking at Jin-ho.
The first day he came to school after returning.
That is, the finger flick incident.
Yoo jin did not forget Kang Tae-wook's trembling eyes.
'A made guy.'
The darkness Kang Tae-wook possesses.
That definitely entered his eyes.
Yoo jin's gaze headed to the sunset.
"Like I said, Teacher has absolutely no intention of going easy on the bullying ringleader. So... I should give him the best revenge."
"Best revenge?"
"You remember my words, right? That you can become strong. Starting today, I will train you after school."
"I told you the rank doesn't change. And how does a D-Rank beat an A-Rank......."
"You can do it. Because I did it too. Did you forget Teacher was also D-Rank?"
"However, Teacher is from the Oth......."
Jin-ho, who was about to speak, looked left and right alternately.
Then spoke so no one could hear.
"There was the time of 100 years and special events."
"Who told you to become as strong as me? You just need to become strong enough to beat Kang Tae-wook."
"That isn't easy. If a D-Rank can beat an A-Rank with training, why would they say A-Ranks are building owners and S-Ranks are gods......."
"I'm saying it's possible, brat. You just follow well. Surely you aren't saying you can't trust my words?"
"No, that's not it, but......."
Yoo jin, who grinned.
"A teacher doesn't tell lies to a student."
A short sentence.
However, Yoo jin's figure with the sunset light hanging on his shoulders.
Jin-ho's eyes capturing that appearance shook.
Right.
What was I doubting.
Even if the world says it can't happen.
Even if it defies common sense.
This person.
This teacher.
Is absolutely not a person who would tell a lie to a student.
"Yes. I will try my best."
A smile blossomed on Jin-ho's face and Yoo jin's face too.
While laughing like that.
Ta-da!
Yoo jin held up a sheet of paper.
"This is......."
Two months later.
Athletic Meet poster.
"This is our stage."
Taewoon High's pride.
Athletic Meet.
It is a miscalculation to think of it as just a high school athletic meet.
Broadcasting stations from all over the country and coverage come.
Talented kids.
To see the qualities of Hunters who will be responsible for the Republic of Korea's future.
A big festival where interest is focused nationwide.
In the past, they said Hunters lived only for money and for themselves.
These days there are Dungeon Breaks too.
And because they are also the nation's national power.
They were looking at Hunters with eyes slightly different from the past.
That is, firefighters.
Like firefighters who save people at fire scenes.
These days Hunters also save people in Dungeon Breaks.
And are preventing damage from spreading.
Therefore, even to ordinary people.
And even to low-rank Hunters.
They became objects of envy.
Fitting that status.
Prestigious Taewoon High.
It is a matter of course that people's interest is focused on the Athletic Meet of this school which is within the top three in the Republic of Korea.
Even from the school side.
They were actively promoting the Athletic Meet.
And thinking of it as a big event.
"Surely......."
With Jin-ho's shaking eyes, Yoo jin's lips moved.
"Correct. You will defeat Kang Tae-wook here."