Chapter 105: Chapter 105

Inside the Hunter Bureau’s Office

The atmosphere in the office was suffocating, as if a ticking time bomb were counting down right before their eyes.

Chief Jang Han-Soo’s eyes were wide open as he scanned through a towering stack of documents, his palms slick with sweat. Nearby, Team Leader Ko Jae-Yoon wasn’t faring any better. Holding his phone, he barked rapid orders into it, unable to stay still for even a moment.

“Chief! Did we miss anything?!”

Slamming down the receiver, the team leader shot a sharp question toward Jang Han-Soo. The chief, who had just finished reviewing the plan he’d devised with Si-Hyun, quickly nodded, his trembling hands placing the papers back on the desk.

“No, sir! Everything looks good!”

“Great! Then let’s move forward!”

Team Leader Ko’s voice boomed with determination. Originally, the plan he and Si-Hyun had crafted was entirely different. They had intended to secretly release footage of their S-rank dungeon raid at the most opportune moment, precisely when it would generate the maximum impact.

However, the gate that had opened at the Academy had upended everything. Their plans had been flipped on their head.

“Keep monitoring the situation at the Academy! As soon as the raid is completed, release everything at once!”

“Yes, sir!”

The chief responded energetically. Though the plan had changed, it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, considering Si-Hyun’s goals, this could actually work in their favor. The incident was unfolding at none other than the Academy itself—a location sure to garner immense attention.

"Finally... Finally, the moment has arrived..."

Jang Han-Soo had been eagerly anticipating this day for what felt like an eternity.

From the moment Si-Hyun and Ji-Ah had conquered the A-rank dungeon in Gangneung, to their most recent success in tackling an S-rank dungeon, he had barely been able to contain his excitement each time.

But this time was different.

This time, he could shout it to the world.

"South Korea has a returnee of its own! And not just any returnee—one even more remarkable than the ones in the United States! Hahaha!"

Despite the chaotic and relentless workload, Chief Jang Han-Soo felt no exhaustion. He was practically bursting with dopamine, exhilaration coursing through his veins as he anticipated the impact of the announcement.

***

“Hahhh…”

After Professor Yoo disappeared into the forest, Professor Noh wiped the sweat from his brow and approached the still-trembling students. He calmly tried to soothe them, reassuring them as best he could.

Meanwhile, Jeong Si-Hyun turned her attention to her three exhausted students. She approached them with a warm smile, offering heartfelt praise and embracing each of them in turn.

“Areum, you must have been scared, but you held out so well.”

“Hehe, I learned from you, Professor!”

Areum beamed with a wide grin, adjusting her glasses. Si-Hyun gently patted the head of her bright and cheerful student.

“Eunbyul, your hard work is really paying off. You did a great job.”

“Hmph, I couldn’t let Areum outshine me!”

Eunbyul lifted her chin proudly after the hug, her flushed face glowing with excitement.

“And Jae-Woo. You were such a reliable tank out there. You did great.”

“Ahem… T-thank you.”

Jae-Woo’s face turned a deep red, his expression soft and bashful.

Si-Hyun looked at her students with pride, nodding in satisfaction. Watching them grow so beautifully filled her heart with a warm glow. They were exceptional students, and she felt a deep sense of fulfillment and pride in their accomplishments.

“...It’s time for me to take over now. Leave this to me.”

“Uh, well… I know you’re incredible, Professor, but this is—”

“Thank you for your concern,” Si-Hyun interrupted gently, raising her hand toward Eunbyul in a calming gesture.

“The truth is, I’ve been on vacation until now.”

“...Vacation?”

“Yes. But I think it’s time to stop slacking. I’ll show you what I mean soon. It’ll be faster and clearer that way.”

“Hmm…?”

Eunbyul tilted her head in confusion, still not fully understanding. Jae-Woo had a similar reaction, tapping his shield lightly as he mulled over her words.

Areum, however, had a different reaction. Her eyes sparkled as she thought to herself, “Could it be?”

She’d always suspected it—what if her professor was one of those “hidden protagonist” types who concealed overwhelming power?

"Just imagining it is so cool…!"

A classic trope of a hero hiding their strength! Areum, an avid reader of web novels, was already envisioning a grand narrative in her mind.

“Oh, she’s going…”

Areum mumbled absentmindedly, watching Si-Hyun walk toward the two resting professors. Her professor’s white hair seemed to gleam even brighter today, catching the light as she moved.

“Thank you both for all your hard work,” Si-Hyun said warmly as she approached.

The two professors let out deep sighs and nodded in acknowledgment.

“Thanks to you, Professor Jeong, we managed to get through this.”

“We were able to protect the students because of your help. Truly, it’s a relief.”

“It’s the two of you and the students who deserve the credit,” Si-Hyun replied modestly, scratching her head.

In truth, the two professors had done most of the work in defeating the Wood Bears. She had arrived late and only helped finish things off.

Professor Noh, however, looked at her with admiration.

“For someone of your rank, entering this dungeon couldn’t have been an easy decision. It’s commendable, truly. A model for other professors.”

“Oh, about that…”

“Ah, are the other professors forming a second support team?”

“What? A support team?”

Si-Hyun hesitated, unsure how to respond. From what she’d seen, most of the other professors had been in complete disarray.

“Given that promising students were in danger, they must be preparing to send reinforcements, right?”

“Well, um…”

Si-Hyun averted her gaze awkwardly. She didn’t want to disappoint Professor Noh by admitting that no such preparations seemed to be underway.

"...Maybe it’s better to just let him believe otherwise."

A little white lie wouldn’t hurt, right? Si-Hyun cleared her throat and spoke calmly.

“I rushed in as soon as I heard what was happening, so I’m not sure about any reinforcements.”

“You didn’t even check the victim list?”

“No, I came running as soon as I saw the news.”

“Ohhh…”

Professor Noh was visibly moved, his admiration for Si-Hyun growing even stronger.

Compared to someone like Professor Yoo, who had bolted at the first chance…

"Actually, I don’t even need to compare him to Yoo."

Even Professor Noh himself had entered the dungeon with the students’ safety as his top priority. But Jeong Si-Hyun was different. She hadn’t even looked at the victim list. She had jumped into the fire purely out of concern for her students.

This, to him, was the mark of a true hero and an exemplary educator.

"Why is he looking at me like that?"

Si-Hyun glanced at Professor Noh and frowned slightly. He was gazing at her with sparkling eyes, much like Areum earlier.

That look of reverence and admiration from an elder was too much for her to handle. It felt awkward, especially since she hadn’t even explained much about her actions yet.

“Um…”

“Ahem! Anyway, we need to hold out until reinforcements arrive. Professor Park and I will handle the monsters, so please keep protecting the students like you’ve been doing.”

“Well…”

“It really lightens our burden, doesn’t it, Professor Park?”

“Yes, absolutely. Thanks to Professor Jeong, we can breathe easier now.”

Si-Hyun fiddled with the hem of her coat, feeling a little overwhelmed.

"Maybe I should just show my abilities when the next monster appears."

It seemed like a simpler option. She decided to wait and let her actions speak for themselves.

As the conversation began to wind down, a thought crossed her mind.

“Oh, by the way, that person who ran off earlier—was there some kind of argument?”

“Professor Yoo, you mean?”

“Yes, him.”

Si-Hyun nodded slowly. Based on his outfit and age, she’d guessed he was a professor, and now it was confirmed.

“Pfft! An argument? You could say that. He suggested abandoning the students to save himself.”@@novelbin@@

“…He said that?”

Even though she understood the implication, Si-Hyun asked again, disbelief coloring her voice.

Professor Noh frowned as he explained further.

“Yoo has always been critical of you, so don’t let it bother you. He’s closely tied to the Cheongrim Guild, after all.”

“Ah, that explains it.”

Si-Hyun nodded slowly in understanding. It made sense. She had openly sided against Kang Cheol-Min in the past, so anyone affiliated with the Cheongrim Guild would naturally dislike her.

Of course, it didn’t feel great to know she’d been badmouthed. Who wouldn’t be upset hearing that people talked behind their back?

"Well, at least I don’t need to care about him."

If she’d paid him any more attention, she’d probably have just received more criticism. Helping someone only to be insulted for it was one of the most frustrating experiences.

Now, Si-Hyun finally understood why Professor Yoo had looked at her with such disdain. It wasn’t just the tense situation—he genuinely despised her.

Then it happened.

ROOOAAARRR!

A ferocious roar echoed from the distance, sharp and beastly.

Everyone, including Si-Hyun, turned toward the source of the sound.

“Oh, come on! Damn it!”

Professor Yoo came sprinting toward them, panting heavily—and dragging an entire pack of monsters in his wake.

He was desperately trying to save himself, but his actions were clearly endangering everyone else.

The students erupted into panic, their fear hitting a breaking point.