Chapter 44: Celebrity
A few days after the Heavenly Mandate Holy Order affair.
― The reality of the cult is illegal human experimentation.
― Most of the Awakened Ones missing for the past 2 years found as corpses in the basement.
― Over 50 confirmed corpses.
― Cult Leader Kim Seong-hak and researchers imprisoned in the Association Prison.
― Confirmed involvement of Taewoon High teacher Mr. Lee.
Involved in Unique Skill extortion experiments.
― Hit to celebrities and political figures related.
Claimed they attended Heavenly Mandate Holy Order but didn't know about human experimentation.......
As the bare face of the Heavenly Mandate Holy Order was revealed, the media splashed headlines day after day and poured out follow-up reports.
Reports that the investigation was continuing and that investigations into other places or related figures would also continue decorated the headlines daily.
News, Nutube, and various communities.
The entire country was boiling.
However, among those numerous articles, the keyword driving the most buzz was separate.
― What is with the person called Yoo jin?
Is he an apostle of justice?
― Is it a true story that he smashed a cult order to save a student?
― Even an A-Rank Awakened One was kidnapped, but if he beat them all up alone, isn't that actually freaking awesome?
― Wasn't Hunter Lee Si-wang and students there?
Don't muddy the waters no no.
― I saw on the news the Heavenly Mandate Holy Order building was completely collapsed [shivering].
― They said he fought alone, heard he made it like that with one finger.
― There are guys who believe this stuff.
Even if a teacher is strong, how strong would he be.
― Watch the interview and talk.
They said the building blew away while fighting alone.
― Hunter Lee Si-wang probably did it.
― Didn't you see the interview?
― Is the level of a Taewoon High teacher a true story?
― At best he's probably A-Rank.
Even if they did human experiments, Heavenly Mandate Holy Order isn't some dungeon.
If an S-Rank went in, it would have been solved in 1 second.
― But somehow it's cool.
That such a teacher still exists.......
One figure plastered over the internet and various communities.
The story of Yoo jin who entered the Heavenly Mandate Holy Order for the sake of a student heated up the internet.
However, Yoo jin, the very person involved, did not search for those things or look for them himself even once.
Because there was something else important to him right now.
[Charnel House]
A charnel house located in Goyang City.
Early morning, cold sunlight was flowing down along the glass window.
And in the place where that light was shining.
Lee Ju-hee
20xx―20xx
Sleeps here.
There was Seong-hyeon looking at Ju-hee's funerary urn.
"Why don't you ask?"
Although he did not take his eyes off the urn at all, his question was certainly directed towards the back.
"What."
"Just everything. Why I asked to come here together…… things like that……."
Yoo jin was standing behind Seong-hyeon.
Making an expression that had sunk endlessly.
"Because it didn't seem like you wanted to talk."
"……."
Seong-hyeon's head bowed deeply.
And his shoulders began to shake little by little.
It had already been a few days since that incident, but he still didn't understand.
No, to be exact.
Hearing the answer to the question just now, his head became even dizzier.
The adults he had seen so far all did not believe him.
He thought several times that it couldn't be helped.
Since there was nothing visible to the eye, they probably couldn't believe it.
However, even if he understood it with his head, a corner of his heart always stung.
Because every single day was pain.
His skill was stolen.
The police treated him like a liar and rather like a perpetrator.
And the most important thing.
His friend's life was on the line.
Almost 1 year.
During that long time.
He couldn't do anything.
He couldn't reveal the truth, nor could he find his power.
And in the end, he couldn't even save his friend.
So.
"In the end…… I couldn't save her."
He needed a place to blame.
"I asked for help so many times. Adults, police……."
He needed a place to vent his temper.
"Even to teachers."
That it became like this because of you people.
But…….
Below Seong-hyeon's body which was trembling finely.
Drip.
Drip.
Tears flowed down.
"But…… why…… why did Teacher……."
He couldn't understand with his head nor his heart.
Even though the situation had already ended.
Even though he eventually couldn't save her, he liberated his friend from hell.
Even though he regained his ability.
Only one single thing could not be sorted out, could not be understood.
"What on earth is the reason……."
"There is no need for such things as reasons. Helping without any reason. That is……."
Footsteps passed by Seong-hyeon's side.
"A teacher."
The blurry vision that was containing the ground was lifted.
In Seong-hyeon's gaze, the back view standing in front of the friend's urn was seen.
The back view of an adult completely different from the adults he had known so far.
"……."
He asked nothing.
What relationship he had with Ju-hee.
Why he came to go to the Heavenly Mandate Holy Order.
How the ability was stolen.
Why he couldn't believe in adults like that.
Nothing.
Nothing…….
"I won't tell you not to hate other adults. And I won't say that those adults were unconditionally wrong either. Instead, I have something to say to both of you for the last time."
Yoo jin's calm voice.
Seong-hyeon's gaze, which was speechless, passed Yoo jin's back and headed to the small glass frame placed next to the urn.
Next to that, a single flower was placed.
"Your friend didn't give up on you until the end. So, I won't give up on your friend either."
Yoo jin, who carefully placed the flower, turned his head.
Grin.
"I will send Seong-hyeon a little late. So wait in heaven."
An expression overflowing with playfulness.
A soft but firm voice.
Two faces entered Seong-hyeon's field of view.
The face of the friend he could no longer see now.
And the one that friend allowed him to meet…….
A new precious existence.
"Ugh…… Ugh……."
Tears filling the face.
Even so, a smile was spreading.
Lee Ju-hee
20xx―20xx
Sleeps here.
Above the glass where the sunlight touched.
The face of the girl who lived in illness and hell was shining warmly.
"Thank you, Teacher……."
Like that, Seong-hyeon's long, long fight came to an end.
A few days later.
Taewoon High School Auditorium.
A large banner was hung above the platform.
[Hunter Association Special Merit Citation Award Ceremony]
In front of the platform, numerous students, teachers, and Association officials were already filling the seats.
"No, why do even something like this."
Right in front of the platform.
Yoo jin, who was sitting in the first row, grumbled.
"The news went out nationwide, and fifty corpses came out, so there is no way the Association wouldn't move. You are a hero."
"What hero."
Next to Yoo jin, Ignis's Vice Guild Master Lee Si-wang was also seated together.
In a way, he was also someone who helped solve the Heavenly Mandate Holy Order incident together with Teacher Yoo jin.
"I have received all sorts of commendations, but this is the first time receiving a commendation for destroying a building."
"I agree with that too."
Scarcely had Lee Si-wang and Yoo jin's words finished.
"Now, then we will proceed with the ceremony."
The voice of Taewoon High Principal Ma Jae-min, who was on the platform, rang out loudly.
"I give my thanks as the Principal of Taewoon High to the distinguished guests who visited even amidst their busy schedules."
On the platform.
That is, those sitting behind the Principal bowed their heads slightly from their seats.
High-ranking officials of the Association and high-ranking police officers.
And.
"Why is that guy there?"
Between the sounds of applause.
Lee Si-wang, who received Yoo jin's question, shifted his gaze and answered.
"I know, right?"
"What do you mean I know, right. You know nothing."
In their gaze.
Ignis Guild Master Cho Sang-geun's figure was seen.
To be exact, Cho Sang-geun's face glaring at them.
"But why is he like that? Lasers might come out of his eyes."
"Isn't it probably because Teacher Yoo jin became famous? That…… if the identity is revealed……."
Lee Si-wang made a gesture of slitting his throat with his hand.
"It's not like I said it with my own mouth, my goodness."
You said it in front of the reporters.
Lee Si-wang wanted to say that, but he didn't say it.
Because his real throat.
Slash.
Could happen.
"Now, then we will start the Special Merit Citation immediately."
Scarcely had those words fallen.
Yoo jin stood up from his seat.
"Teacher, not yet, from the introduction of the recipient……."
"It's annoying, let's do it quickly and go rest a bit. I'm hungry too."
Despite Lee Si-wang's dissuasion, Yoo jin stood up from his seat and headed to the platform.
Lee Si-wang, who was reading the room, slowly followed behind.
And.
"Hiiik!!"
Fortunately, the sound didn't go into the microphone, but Principal Ma Jae-min was greatly surprised by Yoo jin's unexpected behavior.
The Principal who didn't know what to do watching Yoo jin approaching the platform, exactly speaking, towards himself.
Eventually.
Stare―.
Sharp eyes arrived right in front of him.
"What are you doing? Aren't you going to proceed quickly?"
The Principal, who was terrified making a strange sound again at Yoo jin's appearance arriving earlier than the recipient should.
He had already realized while being pushed around by him all this time that he was a reckless and unpredictable person, but.
He never imagined he would do this kind of behavior at such a big event.
So.
"Ah, uh…… uh……."
He could only be flustered.
He was already running away even at school to avoid encountering him.
Furthermore, since he couldn't avoid it during such a big event, he had intended to retreat to the corner after quickly doing the introduction, but.
Principal Ma Jae-min froze like a stone at Yoo jin's unexpected behavior.
His mind had already turned white.
How important of a seat is this seat.
Due to the Heavenly Mandate Holy Order matter, not only Yoo jin but also Taewoon High's name went up and down nationwide.
It is a good thing.
Clearly.
However, at the same time, at the news that Mr. Lee was connected to the Heavenly Mandate Holy Order, the occurrence of the status falling conversely also happened at the same time.
So this seat was important but…….
"……."
At that time when the Principal with a pale expression couldn't do any action.
Clap clap clap!
The sound of applause rang out from behind the Principal.
"As expected, you are an interesting person."
Distinguished guest.
Among them, today's presenter.
It was Hunter Association Vice President Kang Yu.
When Kang Yu stood up from his seat, the Principal, who barely regained his senses, quickly opened his mouth.
"T, then we will confer the Special Merit Citation. T, the presenter, Hunter Association Vice President Kang Yu-sir will take the trouble."
And he fled to the corner as if running away.
A new figure appeared in front of Yoo jin.
Kang Yu, holding the certificate of commendation in his hand, looked at Yoo jin and opened his mouth.
"Long time no see."
"What long time no see. Since we saw each other a little while ago."
"……."
A small crack occurred in Kang Yu's expression.
Because of the informal speech that came in suddenly.
"Did we drop formalities?"
"Ah, honorifics? The expiration date for that ended. Last time was a return gift for coming to find me first."
At Yoo jin's unreserved behavior, Kang Yu became the one whose eyes shone even more rather.
"Haha……. I see. By the way, will you treat me like this even if I come as a parent?"
"Parent? That time is different. I'll use honorifics then."
"A truly interesting person……."
"But, I don't know. Will there be an occasion for you to meet me as a father?"
A fleeting moment.
It was a short silence, but.
Many things were contained.
Kang Yu, who composed his expression, showed a smile.
"Haha……. Really, the more I see you. I like you."
It was sincere.
How far on earth is this man looking ahead.
"You're noisy, quickly give me that. I'm hungry."
It was the first time for someone who generated several times more interest every time they met.
"Then……."
Kang Yu brought his face close to the microphone and began to read the certificate of commendation.
"The person above helps society……."
Even in the moment of reading the long text.
Kang Yu's head was filled with thoughts on how to possess Yoo jin.
And…….
"……."
Below the platform.
The head of a student who was staring intently at Kang Yu's appearance from afar dropped.
Because he came to know for sure.
That expression he craved so much.
Because he came to see his father making that expression.
Kang Tae-wook, who was abandoned again, crushed his lips.