(3rd POV)
Sung Jin-ah never really wanted to be the class representative. Her homeroom teacher only gave her the position because she had the best grades among the first years. It was a pain, but refusing would have caused even more trouble.
And now, after the transfer student arrived, she could already tell things would get complicated.
The only people she felt comfortable around were Han Song-yi and Kim Mira.
"Hah... am I even going to make it to university?"
Splashing water on her hands in the basin, Jin-ah walked out of the girls' bathroom and went back to her class.
From afar, a good smell drifted from the cafeteria, and her stomach began to growl.
'Damn it...'
During lunch break, most students went to the cafeteria to eat, but Jin-ah never did. She was saving money, and besides, the food was too oily for her taste.
"I'm on a diet. I'm on a diet," she muttered with determination.
When she reached the classroom, she stopped before entering. From the window, she saw the naughty boys throwing paper balls at the new transfer student, who was quietly reading a book.
'Why isn't he reacting at all?'
She looked between him and the boys, completely clueless.
With a sigh, she decided it wasn't her problem. Still, just because someone looked like a nerd didn't mean they deserved to be bullied.
Jin-ah stepped inside and dropped into her seat in front of the nerd. Crossing her legs and resting her cheek on her palm, she stared at the boys and said calmly,
"Oi, cut the crap already."
Lee Hyun-do, Park Han, and Jang Ki-seok were startled that she defended him.
Hyun-do snorted and laughed. "Why are you standing up for such a loser, Jin-ah?"
"Exactly!"
"Hahaha! She's hitting on a loner!"
Jin-ah replied calmly, "Maybe you guys should look in a mirror first. It's none of your business who I hang out with. Also, I never said you could call me Jin-ah and act like we're close."
Hyun-do, who had started it, felt invisible arrows pierce his chest. With that, the three of them left the classroom with annoyed looks.
[Ding!]
[1-hour meditation has been accomplished]
[Daily Quest]
Push-ups: 100/100
Sit-ups: 100/100
Squats: 100/100
Run: 10/10 km
Meditation: 1/1 hour
Aura Concealment: 8/12 hours
Looking at the floating screen, Ken sighed in relief. His nerves were about to burst when those idiots started interrupting his meditation.
Meditation required him to stay still. He was allowed to move his hands to turn a page, but he couldn't leave his spot. Using magic, however, was strictly forbidden. If he violated any those rule, the timer would reset to zero.
He had already reached 57 minutes. The thought of starting over just because he listened to that devilish urge to smash them with Phalanx made his blood boil. It was like downloading a huge file and having the connection die at 98%.
"I appreciate that, Jin-ah-ssi. Thank you."
Jin-ah turned back to see Ken flipping a page.
"Pfft, don't mind it. They deserved it."
"Justice?"
"Nah, I just hate scumbags. So... what kind of book are you reading, Ken?"
An imported book? The language wasn't Korean. Greek, maybe? She'd never seen those letters before.
"Magic spells," Ken said.
Jin-ah blinked. "Uh... sorry?"
Ken adjusted his glasses. "Magic spells."
She looked at him, unable to believe what she just heard.
"For real?"
"Yeah," Ken replied calmly.
Jin-ah smiled awkwardly.
'He's that kind of person. But still...'
Judging from the book written in some strange language, it looked like something from a magic cult or something. One thing was certain he was a total weeb.
When the Gates appeared 10 years ago. Jin-ah had heard about cases of meaningless teenage deaths across South Korea, where some kids believed they could awaken their magic by jumping off buildings.
'Hopefully, he won't do something like that, right?'
It would be a shame because Ken actually had a brain.
Throughout the morning period until lunch break, Ken clearly excelled in every subject, especially foreign languages.
Jin-ah realized Ken was a hidden gem.
"Ahem. So, how about studying with me? Are you interested in preparing for university? Since we're classmates, I'll let you join my study group."
"Sorry, but I'm not really in the mood to study."
Jin-ah sighed, then glanced at his thick book. "Ken, are you perhaps... a hunter?"
Ken paused. "I'm not."
Hearing that, Jin-ah knew there was no point.
---
When class started again, rumors about the new smart student had already reached the teachers. They began paying extra attention to Ken, asking him questions in each subject. Of course, most students didn't care and just slept through class, except for a few like Jin-ah.
'Damn it! He's good!'
Jin-ah screamed inwardly when the last period ended.
She turned to his desk and tapped it lightly. "Ahem! If you change your mind, we're studying at her place. Wanna come?" she said, pointing at Song-yi.
"What the... hey! I never agreed to that, Jin-ah!" Song-yi protested.
Ken looked at her. He could sense faint mana around Song-yi's body.
'No doubt she was at least E-rank.'
Then, a girl with long red hair and round glasses approached them. "I'll treat you too, if you don't mind me joining," she said.
Ken glanced at her, remembering her name, Kim Mira.
"That's right, Mira's part of the study group too," Jin-ah said with a smirk, already sensing victory. Three girls inviting him to study? No matter how you looked at it, it was a win. "So, how about it?"
Ken sighed inwardly. "Sorry, I—"
"Chicken wings."
"Okay."
"Heck..."
Jin-ah was surprised. Three girls invited him to join the study group, but he only got interested when she mentioned chicken wings.
'A free meal is a free meal,' Ken thought, adjusting his glasses.
He didn't need to study anyway. He'd already graduated with a degree in computer science at nineteen, so high school subjects were nothing to him. Besides, Ken never turned down free food. While they studied, he planned to read new grimoires instead.
"But wait, Jin-ah, aren't you supposed to visit your brother today?" Suddenly Song-yi asked her.
"Haaah... you're right. I'll visit him first. You guys can go ahead. Ken, come with me for a bit."
Song-yi's face twitched. "Hold on! I never said I was joining you two!"
Song-yi's words caught Ken's attention. Did that mean the double dungeon... the very one where Jin-woo gained the system was already cleared?
Ken wasn't sure, so he decided to find out.
---
The Hunter Association Hospital, where Jin-ah's brother was currently hospitalized, was already familiar with her visits. Her brother was practically a regular there.
However, when they arrived, the nurse informed them that Jin-woo had just left the hospital for some reason.
"My brother left?"
Jin-ah was surprised by the news.
"Yes," the nurse replied. "He said he needed to go somewhere, but he promised he'd come back soon."
Hearing that, Jin-ah let out a small sigh. "What's he thinking... never mind. Thank you so much."
Ken, who had overheard everything, could only guess that Jin-woo had entered an instant dungeon to level up.
'So, it begins...'
He knew time was short. Jin-woo would grow stronger at a rapid pace, especially with the help of the system that granted to him by the Shadow Monarch himself.
But one question lingered in Ken's mind.
'How can I get a dungeon for myself?'
He thought about it for a moment.
'Maybe I should start bidding for a dungeon permit. Even C-rank dungeons are tough to get hm... it starting at fifty million won, and the big guilds always jump on them for rookie training.'
It was going to be tough, but he had more than enough funds over fifty million dollars parked in his bank account.
After a while, Jin-ah and Ken headed to Song-yi's place with a bucket of chicken wings. Inside the elevator, Ken stood silently, scrolling through the Gates Auction website on his phone.
With a tired sigh, Jin-ah finally spoke.
"Sorry, Ken. I dragged you all the way there for nothing."
"I don't mind," he replied simply.
Jin-ah pouted slightly, still annoyed at her brother for wasting her time. More importantly, she wanted to cry after spending the money she'd been saving on those chicken wings.
'Even after splitting the bill with Mira, it's still hella expensive!'
Paying half still hit her wallet hard. Even so, anything for studying.
When the two drifted into their own thoughts, the elevator stopped at the 12th floor. They walked down the hallway and stopped in front of Song-yi's apartment.
"You guys are here?" Song-yi greeted them, opening the door with Mira standing close behind her.
"Your parents around?" Jin-ah asked.
"They're not. You came with the chicken, right? Keke!"
"Oi, hands off the chicken," Jin-ah scolded, smacking Song-yi's green goblin hand. "Lucky you, Ken. Home alone with three girls how does that feel?"
Song-yi and Mira both cringed at Jin-ah's teasing, while Ken's attention shifted to something flashing on the news.
Breaking News: Dungeon break reported near Hapjung Station.
'Dungeon break! This is it!'
[New side quest has arrived]
[Quest: Clear D-rank dungeon break]
[Reward: 100 achievement points]
It even came with a reward! Ken wanted to rub his hands together in excitement, but this wasn't the time or place for that.
"Oi! Stop zoning out, Ken," Jin-ah said. "We're not doing anything weird. Just studying."
Ken sighed. "I forgot something. I'll be right back, okay?"
Jin-ah grinned and grabbed his shoulder. "You think I'm buying that bs?"
"Look, I'll even leave my bag here," he said, dropping it on the couch.
The girls exchanged doubtful looks, but Ken only smiled.
"Who wants soda?" he asked.
"Sneaky bastard. Me!" Jin-ah cheered.
"Um, one with no sugar, please," Mira added shyly.
"Can you grab me a beer instead? Take my ID," Song-yi said, handing him her Hunter card.
Everyone stared at her. Jin-ah then snorted. "Grow a beard first, minor."
Ken chuckled, taking the opportunity to slip away. After he closed the door, he walked toward the nearby window that led to a small veranda.
A golden-engraved mask materialized, covering his face.
Then he climbed over the railing and jumped.
As he fell, he pulled a red handkerchief from his pocket. It expanded into the Cloak of Levitation.
Sensing the change, Clark the cloak shifted its design. Its collar folded into a hood, and its deep red color faded black until it turns dirty white. The Slime spread over Ken's body, turn into a dirty white surcoat with black sleeves, golden tree patterns all over, and a gray chest plate. The Slime finished the transformation by forming gloves and boots with same pattern.
Ken hovered midair, gliding past a skyscraper.
'Wait...'
He slowed down beside a reflective window and caught sight of himself.
'That looks sick! Kind of elegant too'
It gave off the vibe of a divine magician from some holy city. Embarrassing? Not really. These days, every hunter looked like a cosplayer anyway. But to think, Clark had already mastered the slime!
He picked up speed again and muttered, "Clark, you've got good taste."
The cloak said nothing, but Ken could feel its pride.