The Abandoned Mage Hunter
Where did she go?
I thought I was right behind her, but Lee Hyo-eul was nowhere to be seen. Only the empty hallway stretched out in front of me, splitting left and right. I glanced down each path, then expanded my magical senses and heightened my hearing.
Soon enough, I picked up on two presences at the end of the right corridor.
I moved cautiously, making sure not to be noticed.
“Are you out of your mind? Do you even realize where you are? Do you have any idea of your role?”
“But… sister… the angels, the angels are after our Su-hyun…”
“Quiet! Can’t you keep it down?!”
A stern voice, though hushed, was followed by a trembling, tearful one.
A moment later, I heard a long sigh, presumably from Lee Hyo-eul.
“Sigh… Of all times, when that guy is around… He’s sharp as a tack. Did he notice?”
“Huh? You mean Mercenary Lord?”
“Yes, you fool. Anyway, hurry up…”
“Wow. Great. Can I say hi to him then?”
As soon as I heard Maeng Ara’s innocent voice, Lee Hyo-eul’s sharp yell followed. I quietly turned back, hearing the sound of Maeng Ara being forcibly ushered away.
I sat back in my chair, feigning ignorance, as Lee Hyo-eul returned, her breath quickly calming. She forced a smile and took her seat.
“Hoho. Sorry, sorry. My little sister is a bit clueless. Anyway, did you wait long?”
“Not really. So, shall we get to the point? What are your terms?”
“Huh? Oh, the terms are this. We’re thinking of reinstating the position of Special Instructor at the User Academy. Do you know about it?”
“Special Instructor. Yes, I’m aware.”
Lee Hyo-eul’s bargaining chip was offering me the position of Special Instructor.
A Special Instructor is brought in after the basic six-week training, unlike regular or lifestyle instructors, and isn’t bound by the usual restrictions of the User Academy. It’s arguably the best position, but not just anyone can fill it. You need exceptional skills and a reputation that everyone acknowledges.
In truth, the role of Special Instructor was a relic from the Golden Lion era, abolished when the Central Management took over due to frequent misuse over time.
Nevertheless, I decided to accept Lee Hyo-eul’s proposal. I wasn’t sure how she managed to revive the position, but it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Although I had to be the instructor, the Special Instructor role held the highest value among the positions.
After confirming each other’s terms, we exchanged a knowing smile and shook hands. We chatted briefly about who to recommend as an instructor, mentioning Jeong Ha-yeon, before I left the Central Management to head for the warp gate.
However.
Despite the unexpected gain of becoming a Special Instructor, my mind was still a whirlwind. The conversation between Lee Hyo-eul and Maeng Ara kept replaying in my head.
‘But… sister… the angels, the angels are after our Su-hyun…’
The angels are after our Su-hyun.
From the context, it was clear they weren’t referring to me.
I had my suspicions from the start. The term “Mage Hunter” referred to a renowned user from the first round.
Yes. A man with the secret class of Sword Expert, known as the Mage Hunter.
That man wasn’t user Kim Su-hyun, but Jin Su-hyun.
It was then.
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
As I was piecing everything together, I suddenly stopped in my tracks. I sensed someone stealthily following me…
Or maybe not?
It was confusing. If they were trying to be stealthy, they were doing a terrible job of it.
I calmly surveyed my surroundings. I was in a plaza, bustling with users, so it was possible our paths just overlapped.
With that thought, I resumed walking.
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
But before I took twenty steps, I stopped again. It was clear now—I was being followed.
The pursuit was so blatant that I turned around openly. I caught sight of a woman, startled, quickly turning her head toward a distant building. My face twisted into a frown.
The woman tailing me was none other than Maeng Ara, whom Lee Hyo-eul had tried so hard to keep hidden.
Did she really think I wouldn’t notice?
Maeng Ara blinked rapidly, occasionally sneaking glances at me while whistling. Curious to see how far she’d go, I kept my gaze fixed on her.
And then, suddenly.
“Oh~. What a lovely day~. The sun is shining so brightly~. Oh?! I’m hungry now? Hehe!”
Maeng Ara patted her stomach and flashed a bright smile.
I took a moment to analyze her behavior.
…Is she an idiot?
I had suspected as much from her voice, but she was indeed a complete fool.
Feeling a mix of disbelief and curiosity, I activated my Third Eye. I hadn’t fully checked her information earlier, and I was curious about what kind of personality led to such foolish behavior.
Name: Maeng Ara (1st Year)
Class
① Guardian of the Northern Continent: Active
② Normal Priest: Inactive
Nation: Barbara
Clan: Mage Hunter (Clan Rank: C Plus)
True Name & Nationality: Guide of Light • South Korea
Sex: Female (16)
Height & Weight: 161.7cm • 45.8kg
Disposition: Innocence • Pure
[Strength 16] [Endurance 12] [Agility 15] [Stamina 17] [Magic 91] [Luck 99]
Hmm?
This is… quite surprising.
As I reviewed her status, I felt my eyes widen. Despite her disposition, her magic and luck were exceptionally high for a first-year.
She wasn’t quite on An Sol’s level, but she was a decent downgrade. I reconsidered my earlier judgment as I slowly stroked my chin.
“Ugh, why are you just standing there? Move!”
“Eek!”
With a thud, Maeng Ara let out a scream. In the crowded plaza, a user with a foul temper had roughly shoved past her. Flailing her arms, Maeng Ara pitched forward, her face meeting the ground in an unceremonious kiss.
Three seconds passed in that position.
Then, her body twitched, and Maeng Ara’s head shot up.
“Ugh…”
Her face crumpled into a tearful expression, and soon she was wailing loudly.
“Waaah!”
…She’s like a child.
I had momentarily forgotten the immutable law of idiocy.
With a long sigh, I moved toward her.
A little while later.
“Nom nom nom nom. Yum yum yum yum.”
”…”
“Nom nom nom nom. Munch munch munch munch.”
”…”
Under the blue sky and bright sunlight in the plaza, I watched Maeng Ara, her small pink lips busily munching away. Her claim of hunger wasn’t a lie; she was devouring the food and drink I had bought her with gusto. A bite of sandwich, a sip of drink. She ate with such relish.
Sensing my gaze, Maeng Ara paused, her head ceasing its constant motion. Her chewing slowed, and she shyly extended her hands toward me, offering a bite.
Thinking about how often I’d been sighing lately, I shook my head. I gently wiped the crumbs from her messy mouth. I hadn’t intended to go this far, but her actions reminded me of someone.
“Chew slowly. You’ll choke.”
Maeng Ara’s already round eyes widened further as she looked at me. Her chubby cheeks flushed red, and she mumbled, shaking her head.
“N-no. I only have eyes for Su-hyun oppa.”
My name is Su-hyun too.
But knowing she wasn’t referring to me, I didn’t bother to correct her.
After pushing her trembling hands away, I leaned against the fountain and gazed at the sky.
“So, why were you following me?”
Maeng Ara, about to take another bite, looked at me with a face full of anxiety.
“Y-you knew?”
“Did you really think I wouldn’t notice? You were so obvious.”
“I-I thought I could hide in the crowd… Oh, that’s not the point. I’m really sorry!”
”…”
“Did it upset you a lot?”
“Of course it did.”
Maeng Ara asked cautiously, and I nodded in response.
Suddenly, a mischievous thought crossed my mind.
“So, just how bad was it?”
“Bad enough to want to kidnap you and try all sorts of things.”
“Eek! A pedo!”
”…”
Maeng Ara gasped dramatically and quickly put some distance between us.
Pedophilia, huh…
I imagined her innocent face twisting in horror, her tiny lips letting out a scream… No, no, that’s not it. Definitely not.
I slapped my forehead and shook my head vigorously.
“Just kidding. Now, tell me, why are you following me? You seem to know who I am.”
Maeng Ara’s shoulders slumped, and she mumbled in a whisper.
“Well, you see… I have a personal favor to ask. That’s why I followed you.”
“A favor?”
“Yes, a favor.”
“What kind of favor?”
Maeng Ara hesitated for a moment, but it didn’t take long for her to make up her mind. She looked at me with a determined gaze.
“Please, give up!”
I closed my eyes slowly.
Give up on what, exactly?
But before that…
…Why am I even here, doing this?
Maeng Ara seemed to realize how absurd it all sounded and continued hesitantly.
“Well, you know… you received a revelation recently, right?”
”…And?”
“So, did the angels tell you anything? Like about other users or something…”
“Other users?”
Finally, it seemed like we were getting somewhere, so I opened my eyes.
“Not that I recall.”
“Really? Nothing at all?”
“Yeah. But what exactly am I supposed to give up on? Start from the beginning and explain everything.”
“I can’t do that. It’s a secret.”
Maeng Ara’s face was resolute, her voice firm.
So, I stood up.
“Alright. Goodbye.”
“W-wait! Please don’t go!”
Maeng Ara dropped what she was holding to grab onto me.
…Impressed by her willingness to abandon her snacks and drinks, I decided to sit back down.
“Alright, then. Tell me everything, in detail.”
“Well, I want to, but… I have my own reasons.”
“So you won’t tell me.”
“But I really can’t help it. Because I’m the guardian of the Northern Continent…! Oops!”
This fool.
Before she could finish, I quickly covered her mouth. Maeng Ara looked shocked for a moment, then realized her slip-up, her face turning pale.
Feeling the soft touch of her lips under my hand, I quietly observed her.
How someone like her became the guardian of the Northern Continent was beyond me, but it seemed best to give up on understanding Maeng Ara. However, my curiosity about the truth remained.
Because something smelled fishy.
The sudden appearance of user Jin Soo-hyun, the new guardian of the Northern Continent by his side, the angels mentioning our Soo-hyun, the plea to give up, and the initial question about the angels’ intentions regarding Magia.
The information I had was still scattered, but my instincts told me they were all connected somehow.
And the person who could provide the answers was right in front of me.
I decided to give up on understanding Maeng Ara. But maybe her personality was a blessing in disguise. She seemed inexperienced compared to Lee Hyo-eul, which made her easier to manipulate or use.
Yes. If I wanted answers, I just needed to coax them out of her. She was just another user, a stranger to me.
With that thought, I slowly removed my hand. Then, releasing my magical energy with a gentle stomp, I spoke in the softest voice I could muster.
“How about we have a little chat, just you and me?”
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
With our bodies, I mean.
Hello, this is Ro Yujin. Sorry for the delay today. I had a meeting at Joara, which took up some time. Haha. (Please ignore the words at the top of the note.)
It was a very enjoyable and productive time.
Here’s a snippet of our conversation:
(1)
A (I can’t tell which one of you it is.): It’s Ro Yumi! Ro Yumi, please sign this!
Me: … … …
(2)
B (My former editor.): Oh, hello. I’ve been enjoying Memorize.
Me: Oh, thank you very much.
B: But I read your recent note…
Me: …Yes?
B: Ro-pervert…
Me: … … …
(3)
C (My new editor.): Oh my, there’s no manuscript? Oh my goodness. (Waving hands.) We need to proofread the Memorize e-book, but there’s no manuscript!
Me: ^_ㅠ
(4)
D (Someone I can’t reveal yet.): Oh, hello. I’ve been enjoying Memorize.
Me: Oh, thank you.
D: But I’m curious about something.
Me: Yes! Please, go ahead!
D: Why did the unicorn stick its butt out?
Me: … … …
I managed to laugh it off at the time, but I was dying of embarrassment inside.