"Right. The non-combatants...They really have it… tough. It's hard for them."

The Association President mused, swirling the wine in her glass.

"They say a player's value is a third of their Unique Ability, right? Some say it's half, others say it's everything. It's a damn shame. As someone in education, I keep accepting non-combatants through special admissions, but the kids just can't seem to develop. The Academy is a pure meritocracy, so their spirits just get crushed."

She gulped down the wine as if it were water. I quickly stood and politely refilled her empty glass.

"In the end, all the policies for non-combatants failed. I mean, I started out with a ridiculously strong Unique Ability. I guess I just lacked the sensibility to properly care for those kids." Her golden eyes fixed on me. "So how do you plan to help them, Hunter Kim Yusin?"

She must have tried countless approaches. But in South Korea, with its limited number of hunting grounds and dungeons relative to its population, fostering non-combatants was a practical impossibility. It was hundreds of times more efficient to spend that time nurturing combat-type Players with potential and turning them into functional members of society. That was how the Academy had developed its current cutthroat atmosphere.

"Ms. President." I put on a resolute expression. "I plan to share my abilities with the non-combatants."

Yeon, who had been listening quietly, gasped, her eyes widening to the size of saucers. The Association President hiccupped again.

"Share them? B-But your ability is a mana manipulation type, isn't it? You'd need that specific Unique Ability to use it…"

"I'm sorry, Yeon. That was a lie."

I opened my palm and conjured a magic circle. A shield shimmered into existence, followed by a mana arrow and a spectral gauntlet.

"You may find this hard to believe, but this is actually a simple mana manipulation technique. It's like the mana threads they teach at the Academy."

Both of their jaws dropped.

"Of course, I possess a Unique Ability that specializes in using this technique, which is why I progressed so quickly. But I plan to redefine the theory so that ordinary non-combatant players can learn it, too. I've already completed internal verifications, and we have confirmed success cases."

The two were so shocked they just stared at each other, speechless.

"…That's a wonderful idea, of course," Yeon finally said, "but wouldn't that put you at a huge disadvantage?"

I knew what she meant. The secrecy of a Unique Ability was paramount. If its mechanics were discovered, it would create too many variables in combat. That was why even pro hunters fought while carefully concealing the foundation of their abilities. Hunters didn't just fight monsters; inside dungeons, they fought other humans and even demonkin.

Nothing good came from your abilities being public knowledge. Furthermore, it would diminish a hunter's rarity and value. As it stood, I was the only true magician in the world. Having others with the same ability pop up like mushrooms was in no way beneficial to me. Yet, despite knowing all those risks, I was offering to codify my fundamental techniques and share them with everyone.

'Of course, that's just how it looks to others. The reality is different.'

I wouldn't have started this if it were a losing proposition. This venture would bring me an immeasurable profit. To put it simply: I was going to monopolize magic on Earth.

"…Yusin," the Association President said, her expression a mask of confusion.

"Have you really thought this through?"

"I have. My decision is firm."

"Why the sudden change of heart?"

I didn't answer right away. I closed my eyes and let out a deep, deliberate sigh. I heard them both gulp. Slipping into character, I began to speak, my voice trembling.

"The recent incident with Han Yoonjeong at the Academy… I'm not blameless."

"…Ah."

"Yoonjeong and I were both non-combatants, but we were friends for years. Then I had a stroke of luck and grew stronger, and I just… neglected her. She constantly compared herself to me and fell into a terrible spiral of self-loathing and despair, and it eventually turned her into a demonkin."

I clenched my fist. As I sank deeper into the role, my voice naturally began to quiver.

"I want to atone for my mistake."

"No, that's not your fault…"

"Even if everyone says it's not my fault, I'm the one who's suffering. I'm the one who feels guilty. I want to be able to hold my head higher. The root cause is the systemic, crippling alienation of non-combatants. If I make a sacrifice, perhaps I can break that chain and give them hope."

The two women were silent. I mustered every ounce of emotion I could and squeezed out the words.

"…I believe that is my final atonement to the late Han Yoonjeong."

…Wow. Even I think I sound pretty damn cool.

-The fact is that Han Yoonjeong is alive and well in Egypt, and this policy is part of the Tower Master's plan to monopolize magic and expand his influence.

'Quiet, Ea. You're pricking my conscience.'

I finished my speech and opened my eyes. The Association President was looking at me, her own eyes welling with tears.

"Ugh, Yusin! You really are…!"

Wait. It was good that she bought the act, but I had a very bad feeling about this.

"Yusin!"

'CRASH!'

I hit the floor with the force of a five-ton truck. The table overturned, sending food and dishes scattering everywhere.

"Yusin! Thank you so much! As the Association President and as the chancellor of the Academy, thank you! You're truly…! Hah, let me hug you one more time!"

'Crack!'

"Gah! Ms. President! My back! My back!"

A wave of murmurs swept through the restaurant as the other diners stood up to stare. A mortified Yeon rushed over and tugged at her sister's arm.

"Sis! Get up! Please, have some awareness of your position!"

"Waaah! Yusin!"

"Siiiiis!"

The Association President's brilliant golden eyes met mine. "Yes! Yusin! Do whatever you want! Spread your wings and fly! Your big sis will help you! I'll help you with anything I can!"

I cheered inwardly. Success! I may have sacrificed my spine, but the mission was a success. Was it a net gain? I wasn't so sure.

"Yul, please! People are watching!"

"Good!" she declared. "I've changed my mind! I was going to give you to Yeon, but I've decided I have to have you for myself!"

"What?"

"Yeon may be young, but I'm the one who's more desperate…!"

"Agh! What are you talking about?!" Yeon shrieked.

…Yeah, I definitely got the short end of the stick.

* * *

The Association President, who had been clinging to me and causing a scene, was eventually summoned by an urgent call from the Hunter Association. Apparently, another dungeon had opened. The woman was so busy she could have used three bodies, so I let it slide. She had already paid the bill.

Yeon and I finished our meal and left the hotel. The sky was gradually darkening, and Yeon was on the phone.

"Yes, it can't be helped. It's all right. Talk to you then." She hung up and looked at me.

"What's the word?"

"The driver, Mr. Choi said it will take him a while since he's dropping my sister off."

"Hmm." I crossed my arms. "That's a problem. I didn't bring my car either."

"It's fine. I can just take the subway in the morn—"

"Don't be ridiculous."

I cut her off. Yeon was a star at the absolute peak of her popularity. If she took the Seoul subway, she'd be mobbed. It would be a nightmare for her, and in the worst-case scenario, someone could get hurt.

"Call your guild or management."

"I'm a hunter directly under the Association."

"They don't have cars?"

"They do, but… I'd feel too guilty. It's not for work; I'm just trying to get home after a meal. Using a civil servant for that feels wrong."

She had a point. Taxis were hard to catch in this neighborhood, so we'd have to walk quite a distance. And in those high heels, that would be an ordeal.

"When do you think your driver can get here?"

"He said he's going all the way to Bucheon, so about two hours…"

"That's not too long. Since I got a free meal, I'll kill some time with you."

At that, Yeon flinched and leaned away slightly.

…What was that reaction?

"Together?"

"Yeah. Is there a problem?" I asked.

"…No."

I scratched my head, thinking. "So, where should we go? There's no movie theater around here, and with your outfit, anything too active is out. I guess a cafe…"

"I'm fine with anywhere. Let's go somewhere you usually go to relax."

I blinked. "A place I usually go? Are you sure about that?"

"Yes. You're taking time out of your day for me, after all."

"You might regret it."

"It's really fine."

Well, if she insisted. Without any further hesitation, I led her to one of my regular spots.

* * *

"Ugh, the owner left the lights off again."

I flicked on the switches one by one as I descended the stairs to the basement. The walls were covered in grimy, peeling wallpaper.

"This guy is so forgetful… Huh?"

Yeon was standing frozen at the top of the stairs.

"What are you doing?"

"…Where exactly are you taking me?"

Her reaction was so amusing I couldn't help but laugh. "It's not a weird place. I promise it'll be a unique experience. Come on."

I led the hesitant girl inside.

"This place is…" Her eyes darted around, taking in the endless rows of books.

I breathed in deeply, feeling like I'd come home. The scent of old paper, the musty basement air, a hint of stale cigarettes, and the lingering aroma of ramen and black bean noodles. I loved this old-school, retro atmosphere.

"Well, well, look who it is. It's been a while," the white-haired owner of the comic book cafe greeted me warmly.

"Haha! Been well? You forgot to turn on the staircase lights again."

"Did I? Well, the regulars know their way around. And who's this pretty young lady? Your girlfriend?"

"A junior from my academy."

"Ah, hello," Yeon said, bowing her head.

"Hello, hello. You don't look like the type to frequent a place like this. I don't know if you'll find anything to your taste, but take your time and relax."

"Thank you."

I walked over to an old-fashioned vending machine, inserted a bill, and selected a can of a pine needle-flavored soda. "What do you want?"

Her pupils wavered. To her, every option must have looked bizarre: canned coffee from a retro cafe, barley tea, grape juice with pulp, a makgeolli-americano hybrid, an energy drink.

"Uh, um… I'll just have a Coke."

I took a sip of my soda and picked up a leather clipboard with loose papers haphazardly stuck to it. The owner's distinct, crooked handwriting was comfortingly familiar.

"Oh, the new issue of the series I was reading is in!"

"…Pardon?"

"Ah, he writes down the new arrivals here. Let's find a spot first."

We slowly wandered through the cafe. Men were already sprawled on the sofas, completely lost in their own worlds. I recognized a few familiar faces. Some were fast asleep, comic books draped over their faces.

Yeon was dumbstruck.

And completely out of place in this scene, a red-haired girl in a fancy dress looked around frantically, like a heroine who had fallen into another dimension.

"This way."

"Ah, yes!"

* * *

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