"Tell her to come in right now!"

Yes.

A moment later, a woman knocked on the Chairman's office door and entered. She looked like she was in her mid-twenties, but she was Kim Somi, the Principal of the academy, in her mid-thirties. She was a retired S-rank hunter, but couldn't fully utilize her abilities due to injuries she sustained before retiring. Because she was young and her abilities were so outstanding before retirement, the general public believed she would soon be able to make a comeback. In other words, appointing her as the Principal of Alpha Academy was a move to attract attention. It was something that Park Seokcheol had planned, and it was also meant to fill the void left by Han Hyunho. Kim Somi's contract as Principal was for one year. It was supposed to be a form of talent donation before returning to her original career. Of course, her salary was more than double that of other principals.

There was only one thing that Park Seokcheol didn't like about her: she was too dedicated to her position for his liking.

Kim Somi opened the door, nodded, and sat down on the sofa. She was below Park Seokcheol in terms of position, but her attitude did not reflect that at all. S-rank hunters were always beings above the clouds. They were not bound by anyone, nor did they need to be.

Park Seokcheol felt uncomfortable by her attitude, but he tried to hide it and asked.

"There's a problem with the students, you said? What do you mean?"

"It's exactly what I said. More than half of the students have complained about feeling unwell and left early or haven't even come to class."

"Half?"

The total number of students at Alpha Academy increased every year, and now it was 100. So, more than 50 students were complaining about feeling unwell.

"How is that possible? Aren't they all hunters?"

"I need to observe a little longer, but I think it might be something like a contagious disease."

"A contagious disease?"

"There have been reports of a disease that only affects hunters in other countries."

"But there are even S-ranks among our students, right? I've never heard of an S-rank getting sick."

"That's what's strange to me. Do you have any idea, Chairman?"

"Any idea?"

Park Seokcheol stared blankly at Kim Somi. He wondered what she was talking about, but a certain person suddenly came to mind.

'Could it be that bastard...'

Han Hyunho.He was arrogant and had a strong sense of pride. He was also a hothead, the type you wouldn't want to mess with unless absolutely necessary.

Park Seokcheol quickly shook his head.No matter how outstanding Han Hyunho's abilities were, they were limited to teaching. It was too much of a stretch to say that he was responsible for this.

"Han Hyunho, he was fired, right?"

As if reading his mind, Kim Somi asked.

"Well, it's better to end things amicably, so I called him yesterday and quietly fired him."

"Amicably... did Han Hyunho take it well?"

"What could I do if he didn't listen? He should be grateful I didn't throw him in jail!"

"Hmm..."

"Are you saying that Principal, you think this happened because of Han Hyunho?"

"Well, it's unlikely, but it's right to investigate anything that raises suspicion."

"No. That bastard wouldn't... It's probably just a cold. They said there's a disease that only affects hunters, right? Make sure to disinfect thoroughly, and tell students who are feeling unwell to take a few days off. Try to keep this from leaking out."

"Do you know where Han Hyunho went after he was fired?"

"How would I know that!"

Park Seokcheol unconsciously raised his voice, but he coughed when he saw Kim Somi looking at him with an emotionless face.

"Ahem, anyway, I have an appointment so I'm going to leave now. Principal, don't worry too much about trivial matters, just do as I said."

"Yes."

Kim Somi got up and left the Chairman's office. Park Seokcheol watched her leave and quietly licked his lips.

'If only her personality was more docile...'

It was unfortunate that he couldn't control her, even though she was a valuable asset.

'It's probably just a cold... a cold...'

Even hunters aren't immune to viruses. He felt uneasy deep down, but Park Seokcheol tried to convince himself that it was nothing.

After leaving the Chairman's office, Kim Somi recalled what happened a few days ago.In fact, she had a secret worry. Her worry was so great that she considered leaving Korea or even killing herself. But because of her pride, she didn't tell anyone.

She was worried about never being able to return to her original career. The fact that she would never have the same overwhelming power again made her uneasy.

"Why are you so gloomy?"

"What?"

Han Hyunho spoke to her. She didn't realize how he approached her, but he was standing next to her on the rooftop, lost in thought. He threw away the cigarette he had in his mouth and grumbled, "This tastes bad, why do people smoke this?"

"Gloomy... me?"

"You don't need to hide it from me. You're worried that you won't regain your abilities, right?"

"What, what are you talking about? You should worry about your own business, Han Hyunho!"

She knew that Han Hyunho was a world-famous professor. But that was in the past. He was caught up in all sorts of scandalous rumors. He was also suspected of committing illegal acts like embezzlement and sexual harassment. He was in a situation where he could be thrown in jail at any moment. It was amazing that he could be so calm about it.

"Hmm... I understand. I was going to tell you about a cure, but I guess you don't want to hear it. I won't be nosy anymore."

Han Hyunho turned to leave.Kim Somi was startled and followed him. She instinctively grabbed his arm.

Han Hyunho slowly turned around.

"Why? Have you changed your mind?"

"I-is that true? You really know how to cure me?"

A way to regain her abilities. A way to become an S-rank hunter again. She thought there was no way. But if Han Hyunho said so... He was extraordinary in terms of ability, apart from his recent scandals. She couldn't just ignore his words.

"If I cure you, what can Kim Somi do for me?"

Han Hyunho put his hands in his pockets and raised a corner of his lips.

"You pervert!!"

Slap!

She slapped Han Hyunho's cheek. She was so surprised because she didn't realize how hard she hit him. He actually clutched his face and hunched over.

"Ouch..."

After a long time, Han Hyunho got up and said,

"You don't trust me. Well, it's understandable. If so, the pervert will leave now."

That was the end of it. Kim Somi regretted that day.

In fact, she knew about the whole scheme. She wasn't new to this world, and especially when you're in a high position, you tend to see things you don't want to. The rumors surrounding Han Hyunho were strange. If he did all those things, why was he silent all this time? Alpha Academy is a place where all the powerful people gather and pay attention. The scale of what he was accused of doing was too big to just cover up simply because he was skilled.

'I was careless.'

The content of his words might sound misconstrued, but his tone and expression were not like that. In fact, he was handsome, and also skilled. There was no need to take such a risk and make such a request to an S-rank hunter like her.

'If he's really a pervert, it's a different story.'

The price seemed too cheap for simply treating her injury so she could have his body.

'Where did he go?'

It wouldn't be difficult to find out if she looked for him. She wasn't in a position to hesitate. If she could regain her abilities, she needed to do whatever it took to reach the pinnacle of power again.

"Ah, was it that complicated? Anyway, I understand."

I hung up the phone. I wasn't kidding when I said I was going to make an academy. But I don't actually need to build it. In other words, it's important to give the impression that I can return to my teaching position.

Park Seokcheol framed me and drove me out. From his perspective, it would be best if I didn't return and quietly stayed put. He would feel uneasy if he knew I was building an academy or returning as a professor.

I knew the requirements for establishment weren't met. Even so, would it make sense for a professor to establish an academy alone in a remote location without a single student?

'He'll react.'

He wouldn't dare to touch me while I was still a professor. But what will he do when he finds out I'm alone in the countryside? Of course, he'll try to get rid of me. He'll jump at the opportunity, not realizing that he'll be the one who dies.

"Ah-haaaam..."

I suddenly felt hungry, so I took food out of my inventory. I wasn't used to cooking alone, so I packed as much instant food as possible. The good thing about inventory is that food doesn't go bad.

As I was preparing food, a message appeared in front of me.

• 1/100 of experience recovered.

"Oh!"

It's begun! I trained many students during my 7 years at the academy. All the students who passed through my hands grew.

'It's not just that.'

I saw many things. The condition of my fellow teachers and hunters who had nothing to do with me. I had helped them quite a bit.

'It was all experience.'

My ability was to make others grow, and I gained experience and grew when I used my ability. It means I did what I needed to do.

I checked the experience I just gained.

"Holy cow!"

I didn't expect it to be this much. I had received 1/100 of my experience, and it was much more than I imagined.

'It's not about becoming S-rank.'

Becoming an S-rank across all classes. That was my goal. In fact, there was something I was curious about from my personal research. Is the limit of a hunter's growth really S-rank? Is there really no level beyond that?

Now that I quit being a professor, I was going to find out what I was curious about for myself. It was impossible to test that on students. I had seen all the exceptionally talented students so far, but there was no one with as much potential as me. If such a level exists, it's only natural that I'd be the first to reach it.

"It's kind of lonely."

The countryside nights were quiet. It felt more dramatic because I had left the academy, which used to be bustling with students.

"Awooow!"

I suddenly heard a beast's sound from afar.

"Haha!"

A wolf's howl out of the blue. It felt different from the city. It also made me think that my prediction was right. The specialness of this place. Maybe I didn't need to worry about feeling lonely anymore.

"What?!"

Park Seokcheol jumped up when he received the call. The woman who was massaging him jumped off the bed in surprise.

"Are you serious? How can that bastard make an academy?!"

The caller was a government official, and he called urgently about Han Hyunho. Han Hyunho had inquired about establishing an academy.

"Ah... That's right. Of course it wouldn't be possible. He's such an idiot. Did he really think he could do it by himself? Is establishing a hunter academy a game?"

Park Seokcheol calmed down after listening to the official's explanation.

"So? Where is he now?"

Park Seokcheol hung up the phone and took a deep breath.

"That damn bastard..."

I thought he would just quietly stay put or leave Korea after everything that happened. But he's suddenly trying to set up an academy. I wonder how strong his mental state has to be to do something like this.

'Should I just eliminate him...'

I couldn't touch him when he was at Alpha. There were too many people watching. I fired him quietly for a reason. If it went to a full investigation and trial, the lack of evidence could be revealed. Of course, it wouldn't be difficult to put him in jail since many powerful people were involved in this. But it wasn't good to make a big deal out of it.

"Chairman, is something the matter?"

The semi-naked woman asked cautiously.

"Jung Madam, I'm sorry, but I'm going to leave it at that for today."

"Yes~"

Park Seokcheol made sure the woman left the room, then contacted someone with the phone in his hand.

'What is going on...'

Kim Somi tilted her head.

'Why did he go so far?'

She found out where Han Hyunho went after he got fired. But the location was unexpected.

Not only was it far from Seoul, it was a very remote location. More importantly, it was a place with three abandoned dungeons. The land price must have been cheap, but she couldn't understand why he went to such a shady place.

'Anyway.'

Kim Somi decided to go and see him.