Chapter 102: Chapter 102

On the day of the joint class for the Magic and Close Combat Divisions, Areum and Eunbyul met at the academy’s landmark—the enormous tree at its center. After exchanging their usual greetings, they headed toward the auditorium.

Upon arrival, they joined Jae-Woo, who had gotten there earlier.

“Jae-Woo! Eunbyul said she’s fine with it too!”

“You mean the D-rank dungeon?”

“Yes, yes!”

Jae-Woo quickly understood Areum’s shorthand. Lately, her sole focus had been on growth as a Hunter—relentless and unyielding.

Though Jae-Woo considered himself diligent, he couldn’t compete with Areum’s level of commitment.

It’s no wonder Areum’s at the top.

Not only did she lead in rank, but her grades also placed her alongside Eunbyul at the very top of the academy. The thought made Jae-Woo resolve to step up his own efforts—especially with finals approaching.

“Jae-Woo, how’s the shield coming along? Getting used to it yet?” Eunbyul asked, checking the time on her phone.

“A bit more than before. The more I use it, the more I see its benefits,” Jae-Woo replied.

“That’s good! You look a lot more stable now.”

“Yeah, I think so too.”

Jae-Woo nodded lightly, recalling Professor Jeong Si-Hyun’s passing advice:

"At this rate, you’d be better off with a shield."

Taking her words to heart, Jae-Woo had immediately acquired a beginner’s shield. He sought guidance from Professor Park and other instructors from the Close Combat Division. Additionally, he poured over online resources and dedicated himself to consistent practice.

Though awkward at first, repeated dungeon raids alongside Areum and Eunbyul helped him adjust. Now, the shield felt indispensable—he couldn’t imagine going into a fight without it.

“All right, attention! Gather around! Class is starting!”

“Once you’re here, keep quiet and pay attention!”

Two professors entered the auditorium, their commanding voices filling the space. Both were C-rank Hunters and well-known instructors in their respective divisions.

“You there! Yes, you! Go turn on the screen over there!”

“Y-yes, sir!”

The Magic Division’s Professor Yoo pointed out a student, who reluctantly moved to obey. Though annoyed, the student hid their displeasure, fearing the professor’s wrath.

Click

Hmph. So slow.

Professor Yoo clicked his tongue. Lately, his mood had been sour.

Ever since Professor Noh had humiliated him in a faculty meeting, Yoo’s reputation had been on a steady decline. His past criticisms of Jeong Si-Hyun, the adjunct professor, had backfired spectacularly as her popularity soared.

While he maintained alliances with a few close colleagues, others who had once been neutral were now avoiding him.

Making matters worse:

“You there! Stand up straight and stop mumbling!”

“S-sorry, sir!”

“No matter how promising you think you are, you’re still students! Understand? Ugh, kids these days.”

Professor Yoo’s irritation grew whenever he saw the trio of outstanding students—Areum, Eunbyul, and Jae-Woo. Their constant praise of Professor Jeong only amplified her already sterling reputation while tarnishing his own.

The three prodigies had become a thorn in his side, a daily reminder of his diminishing influence.

“Let’s get started with the lecture,” the Close Combat professor interjected, hoping to diffuse the tension.

“Fine, let’s begin,” Yoo grumbled.

Just as the lecture was about to commence:

Screams pierced the air.

“Ahhh!”

“A Gate! It’s a Gate!”

From the back of the auditorium, the cleaning staff burst out in panic.

But faster than anyone could react, a massive, crimson-tinged Gate appeared, radiating ominous energy.

Before anyone could resist, the Gate’s gravitational pull yanked everyone inside.

It was a Failed Observation Gate—unpredictable, and devastating.

***

A Shopping Outing

Si-Hyun and her younger sister, Si-Yoon, strolled through a clothing store, browsing for summer outfits. It had been a while since Si-Hyun shopped in person, preferring online orders. However, this time, she thought exploring the racks firsthand might be refreshing.

“Unnie, this would look great on you! Your figure is amazing. What do you think?” Si-Yoon held up a light sundress.

“Hmm… I’ll try it on. Looks good,” Si-Hyun replied, surprising her sister with her willingness.

“Whoa, you’re really up for it today. That’s new.”

Unlike their past shopping trips, where Si-Hyun hesitated at almost every suggestion, today, she was unusually open-minded.

“Well, I’ve already worn a dress and heels for an event before. This is nothing in comparison.”

“Ah, so that’s why!”

“But don’t get carried away and start suggesting weird outfits, okay?” Si-Hyun added with a mock-serious tone.

“When have I ever suggested anything weird? You just found them embarrassing,” Si-Yoon teased.

“…Ahem.”

Realizing her sister wasn’t wrong, Si-Hyun awkwardly cleared her throat and looked away.

Si-Yoon smirked, thoroughly enjoying her sister’s rare bashfulness.

As they continued browsing, Si-Yoon suddenly paused and turned toward her sister with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Unnie, unnie.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“If we go to a swimming pool or the beach this summer, you’re coming, right?”

“Oh, sure. I like swimming,” Si-Hyun answered casually.

Si-Yoon’s grin widened. “Great! So… what about your swimsuit?”

“Uh…”

Si-Hyun froze, caught off guard by the question. She hadn’t thought that far ahead.

In her otherworldly life, swimsuits weren’t exactly a thing. And since her return to Earth, the weather hadn’t called for one.

“…?”

Si-Yoon’s gaze grew more inquisitive as Si-Hyun fell into silent contemplation.

How hard could it be? Si-Hyun’s mind raced. Compared to wearing an elegant gown and high heels for an event, a swimsuit didn’t seem so daunting.@@novelbin@@

She scanned the store, her eyes catching glimpses of summer outfits, each more revealing than the last.

“Well… It’s doable,” she declared confidently.

“Whoa! Really?” Si-Yoon clapped her hands enthusiastically, genuinely impressed by her sister’s unexpected decisiveness.

After a while of hopping from store to store, Si-Hyun found her hands full of shopping bags. Just as she was about to suggest wrapping up for the day, her gaze caught a television displayed in one of the stores.

The breaking news banner flashed across the screen.

“Breaking News: A Failed Observation Gate has appeared in the academy’s auditorium.”

“Si-Yoon,” Si-Hyun called out, her voice suddenly tense.

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

“Reports indicate that the Gate is classified as an A-rank special dungeon with one-way entry. Let’s connect to the scene for further details.”

The sisters stood still, their eyes glued to the screen. The footage showed chaos outside the academy. Dozens of people had been pulled into the dungeon, and the formation of a raiding party was reportedly delayed due to recent challenges in recruitment.

“...I have to go,” Si-Hyun said, her voice resolute.

“Okay! Be careful, unnie!” Si-Yoon raised both hands in support.

Si-Hyun gently patted her sister’s head and handed over the shopping bags.

“Stay safe,” Si-Yoon added with a worried look.

As Si-Hyun stepped out of the store, she pulled out her smartphone and sent a quick message to Section Chief Jang Han-Soo.

Tension tightened her chest.

“Please, let everyone be okay…”

With her thoughts focused and her resolve set, Si-Hyun hailed a taxi and headed straight for the academy.

***

At the Academy

Near the gate where the incident had occurred, a crowd of professors and staff gathered, each trying to make sense of the chaos.

“How about you, Professor Kim? Any contacts who might be able to help?”

“This is an A-rank dungeon! My connections are all B-rank at best!”

“Exactly. If it weren’t for the conditional entry…”

Professors, lacking both courage and the necessary contacts, gave up quickly. Few even had acquaintances capable of handling such a situation.

Meanwhile, the academy's president was struggling against several professors restraining him.

“Let me go! I’ll enter myself!”

“You can’t, President! Please, control yourself!”

“You’re injured! You can’t even perform at half your peak! It would be suicide!”

“We’ve already sent Professors Noh and Park in! They’ll hold as long as they can!”

The news that two B-rank professors had entered the gate to rescue the students provided little comfort.

The gate had been hastily assessed as A-rank, and most saw their entry as a futile, suicidal gesture.

“We can’t do anything about this… Students or not, this is a disaster beyond our control!”

“This is a tragedy, but we must wait for the proper raid team to be formed.”

Some professors whispered grimly amongst themselves, already assuming the worst.

“By now, everyone inside must be…”

“…gone.”

The mood was heavy with resignation.

“…President, please calm down.”

A calm, clear voice cut through the tension.

Everyone turned toward the source.

“I’ll go. I’ll bring them all back within half a day.”

Standing confidently, Si-Hyun declared her intentions. Her composed tone and steady gaze carried an air of absolute conviction.

The president’s eyes widened, and several professors erupted in protest.

“You’re only C-rank! This isn’t a place for you!”

“Stop this reckless display and step back!”

Unmoved by their objections, Si-Hyun began walking toward the gate. Her steps were firm and determined.

A few professors moved to block her path.

“Are you telling me to abandon the students?” Si-Hyun asked quietly, her voice sharp and cutting.

“That’s not what we mean!” one professor retorted defensively.

“Then what are you doing?” Si-Hyun’s eyes bore into them.

“We’re… ensuring no further accidents occur!”

“Ensuring control? That’s all?”

She sighed deeply, her frustration palpable.

“You’re not searching for solutions. You’re just managing the situation?”

“A-level dungeons aren’t something we can just walk into!”

“And all those connections you bragged about? Useless now?”

Her pointed questions left the professors floundering for answers.

“You don’t even have the courage to act yourselves, do you?”

Her cold words struck like a whip. She scanned the crowd, her eyes piercing.

“Bragging about connections that can’t deliver. Professors who can’t step up for their students.”

Click!

A camera’s flash lit up the room, capturing the moment.

“I don’t want to be hindered by people without the resolve to fulfill their duties as educators. Frankly… you’re pathetic.”

Si-Hyun gently but firmly pushed past those blocking her path. None dared stop her this time.

“Reflect on your actions. You’ve been an embarrassment.”

Her words, though scathing, went unchallenged. Even as a mere adjunct instructor, her commanding presence left the room silent.

Step, step…

Without hesitation, Si-Hyun walked straight into the gate, her figure disappearing into the swirling red energy.

No one followed.

The silence hung heavy in her absence, broken only by the occasional whisper and the sound of another camera shutter.

Click!