"How do you know about serial killers?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

Eunsol beamed. "There were about three serial killers in my village! They were always telling me and my friends they were going to kill us!"

My grip on my chopsticks tightened. 'Those bastards. I should have finished them all off back then.'

"…Ah, haha! Speaking of which, why don't we turn on the news?" Bora suggested, forcing a brighter tone as she pulled up a news site.

'It has been confirmed that serial killer Armin Walter, 48, has entered the country. Police have established a joint investigation headquarters with the Executive Department to respond to the situation.'

'Neighboring countries, including China, Japan, and North Korea, are gripped by fear at the news of Armin Walter's appearance. Media outlets in each nation have made this their top story and have increased security personnel for all flights and ships arriving from Korea by more than fivefold.'

It was clearly a massive incident. Every channel was dominated by news of the killer.

'The joint investigation headquarters advises citizens to refrain from going out after dark. Particular caution is urged during the early morning hours, when the killer is most active.'

"Yusin."

"What?"

I turned to see Bora with her shoulders hunched, pretending to be terrified as she placed a finger to her lips. "I'm scared."

…Here we go again.

Normally, I would have brushed her off, but I owed her for a few things recently. I let out a small sigh. "I'll see you home."

"Yes!"

"Seojin, if you're leaving around the same time, give our potion specialist a ride."

Seojin, who was still scribbling on a contract while the rest of us ate, answered with a haggard expression. "I'll get a blanket."

"A blanket? Why?"

"I plan on pulling all-nighters at the Magic Tower until he's caught."

"Ugh! He always has to be so annoying about it!" Bora snapped. "Forget it! I'd rather get my own driver's license!"

"Says the miracle driver who's failed the practical exam for a Class 2 license six times?" Seojin retorted.

"Hey! Are you trying to start something?"

While the two bickered, I opened my phone and read an article about Armin Walter.

'Officially confirmed deaths exceed 300, with the actual number presumed to be much higher. Over half the victims were players or registered hunters. Walter himself is estimated to be a combatant on par with a rank-2 hunter.'

He was a monster. The thought of someone like that roaming Seoul sent a shiver down my spine.

Just then, a breaking news alert flashed across the screen.

[Breaking News: The Vatican's 'Holy Knights' are en route to Korea to apprehend Armin Walter. Archbishop Marcello leads the unit!]

[A 'Gravekeepers' unit from Egypt has been dispatched to the country to arrest Armin Walter. Their forces consist of registered Hunters, including the 3rd Pharaoh, Menes.]

Damn. This killer's influence was no joke, drawing in even those arrogant foreign factions. A quick scan of the articles suggested both the Vatican and Egypt had their own reasons for wanting Walter. The moment they heard he was in Korea, they moved without hesitation.

"This is scary. What's going to happen?" Bora asked, her voice laced with worry.

"What could happen?" I replied, spearing a sausage coated in tteokbokki sauce. "With the police, the Enforcement Bureau, and now foreign support, he'll be caught before long."

"I hope so."

* * *

The next day. Incheon Airport.

Im Namjin, head of the Enforcement Bureau, stood waiting with his agents. The 'guests' they were about to greet would be clearing customs and exiting through a rear entrance. Taking a drag from his e-cigarette, Namjin exhaled a puff of herb-scented vapor and chuckled. "Nervous?"

"N-no, sir!" an agent standing rigidly beside him stammered.

Namjin pocketed his e-cigarette. "No need to be intimidated. Just stick to the plan."

"Yes, sir!"

A short while later, two groups emerged from the back of the airport.

On the right stood figures dressed from head to toe in immaculate, flowing white suits, with crosses hanging from their necks. They were armed with priceless hunting devices—swords and hammers of the finest make.

From the opposite side approached a group of men with bronzed skin, their attire so minimal they were nearly naked. Their gold-crafted armor covered only the essentials, and their bodies were adorned with flashy jewelry. They carried no visible weapons.

The group in white was the Vatican's Holy Knights. The other was Egypt's Gravekeepers.

Namjin stepped forward. Both groups halted, and a representative from each came to the front.

"Ah, thank you for Korea's warm welcome," said a young man with stark white hair, making the sign of the cross.

Namjin smiled and shook his hand. "Welcome to Korea, Archbishop Marcello."

"Hahaha! We seem to have become a burden during such an unsettled time. Please, don't worry about Armin Walter. We will ensure his capture."

"What a joke," a new voice cut in. A tall woman with dark skin, a toned physique, and an arrogant expression stepped forward. "I am the 3rd Pharaoh, Menes."

"Im Namjin, of the Republic of Korea's Enforcement Bureau."

Namjin extended his hand, but Menes ignored it completely. "Where is she? Why did they send you?"

"The Association President is away on business."

"Hmph. A crisis indeed. This country is rather unimpressive without her, isn't it?" she muttered, completely disregarding diplomatic courtesy. Her gaze shifted to Marcello. "Well, a killer is a killer. But I'd like to exterminate the bugs while I'm here."

"Still spouting the same thick-headed nonsense, fledgling Pharaoh," Archbishop Marcello replied with a serene smile. "I'm thankful for the automatic translator. Hearing your deplorable speech unfiltered would surely make me sick."

"Is that your long-winded way of asking to die, you long-tongued insect?"

'Fshhh!'

Mana erupted from their bodies, making the very air tremble. As if on cue, the hunters on both sides bristled with hostility, assuming combat stances. Menes's eyes blazed as she gripped a golden staff, while Marcello smiled coolly and brought his hands together.

Just as the two powerhouses were about to collide, Namjin intervened.

"Please stop." He stepped swiftly between them. "If you two unleash your power here, the entire airport will be reduced to ruins."

Marcello's serene smile returned as he withdrew his mana. Menes, however, still seething, turned her back in frustration. "I refuse to breathe the same air as that trash for even a second. We will depart first."

Namjin's expression hardened. Menes and the Gravekeepers were leaving. He had hoped to discuss matters over a meal, but under the circumstances, he had no choice. "I have a proposal for both of our esteemed guests."

Menes and Marcello turned to him simultaneously.

"I propose we form a joint investigation headquarters with our Enforcement Bureau. Let us set aside our diplomatic issues and old grudges to join forces for the sole purpose of capturing Armin Walter. We will share all of our intelligence."

Menes scowled. "Join hands with those maggots? What an unpleasant suggestion. Besides, we will be the ones to catch Armin Walter. We have no intention of sharing the credit."

Marcello smiled gently. "I refuse as well. I find myself wondering, why bother?"

Namjin kept his expression neutral, but inside, he was boiling. 'These bastards.'

He wanted nothing more than to lash out, but both were figures of immense influence in the hunter world. One wrong move could spark a war.

In the end, Marcello and Menes departed in separate directions. With a grim expression, Namjin put the e-cigarette back to his lips.

'Haaah… I don't even care about results. Just please don't cause any trouble.'

* * *

I stopped by the Academy for the first time in a while. It wasn't for anything important; they just needed me to pick up my diploma, since my early graduation had been processed.

Familiar hallways, a familiar scent. It felt nostalgic. Just a few months ago, I was a student here—a tenacious underachiever fighting tooth and nail to avoid expulsion. Feeling grateful for the opportunities I'd been given, I glanced into a nearby classroom.

'First-year Mana Studies. I got chewed out so much in there.'

I could picture my past self struggling at one of those desks. If I could talk to first-year Kim Yusin now, I'd tell him that even if the sky falls, there's always a way out. Never give up.

'…Am I getting too sentimental?'

'I should probably see her while I'm here.'

I sent a text to Yoonjeong. I still thought of her as a friend, but she was still stuck in the same spot, still fighting, while I was racing ahead.

—Yusin: What're you up to? I'm at school, wanna meet up?

I waited, but no reply came. It was the middle of class, so I wasn't surprised. I turned and headed for my original destination: the student council office.

"E-e-excuse me!"

I turned around. A female student was staring at me, her face flushed. "You're Kim Yusin, right?"

I'd tried to be discreet, but her gaze was so certain that I could only give a slight nod.

"I knew it! Aaaah!" she shrieked, before clapping a hand over her mouth. After offering an embarrassed smile to the onlookers giving her strange looks, she rummaged through her bag for a pen and notebook. "Could I please have your autograph?"

"…Ah, sure."

She was shy, yet possessed an odd forcefulness. I felt like I'd get punched if I refused, so I quickly took the notebook. "What's your name?"

"Aaaah! It's Choi Yuram! I'm a huge fan!"

"Haha, thanks."

"Becoming a rank-4 hunter right after graduation is incredible! Oh, and I'm studying with the Kim Yusin Study Method!"

'…What? What the hell is the Kim Yusin Study Method?'

Seeing my clueless expression, she pulled a book from her bag. "You know this one, right?"

"A monster encyclopedia. I used that to study, too."

She nodded eagerly. "The books from your old dorm room are all the rage now! The 'Kim Yusin Study Method' is the new trend at the Academy. Everyone's trying to study exactly like you did!"

'Oh, for crying out loud.' This was mortifying. I'd only read those because I was broke and had to pick up whatever used books I could find.

"You're a legend! The hero of the Labyrinth Dungeon! Everyone wants to be like you, so they're copying your methods. A lot of people are even saying it works!"

'No, that's just a placebo effect.'

Desperate to escape, I signed my name as quickly as I could. "All done…"

"Ah, could you also write 'Good luck on graduating this year!' below my name?"

She was even dictating the message. "Graduating? Are you aiming to graduate early?"

"Ehehe, it's too late for that. I'm preparing for the final exams."

I paused, staring at her. 'She's a fourth-year? My senior?'

"You're… you seem to be my senior."

She waved her hands dismissively. "Oh my, no! The hunter world is based on class and rank, right? It doesn't matter who came to the Academy first. By the time I become an official hunter, you'll be on a completely different level."

She took the signed notebook, smiling with satisfaction. "Thank you so much!"

The upperclassman, who insisted on treating me like a senior despite being older, finally left. I let out a sigh of relief and glanced behind me.

About ten people were staring my way.

"I-it's really Kim Yusin!"

"I'm a huge fan, sir!"

"I even bought potions from your store!"

Hearing the commotion, students from the classroom across the hall came flooding out. In an instant, I was surrounded. This was a problem. Every time I tried to speak, my words were drowned out by their cheers. The bigger problem was that more than half of them were guys.

"Mr. President! I'm a huge fan!"

…Another gruff male voice. My head was starting to throb. As I desperately searched for an escape, I spotted Yoonjeong through the crowd. She must have been on her way to class.

"Hey! Yoon—!"

She saw me, too. But her expression immediately twisted, as if she'd just seen a ghost. Then she turned and bolted. 'What the hell? What's with her?'

A strange, unsettling feeling washed over me.

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