I Became an Academy Overpowered Growth Genius

I Became an Academy Overpowered Growth Genius – 039

EP.39 Prelude to War A (2)

The occult religion of the Demon. The Red Cross Society.

And Taesan Group, the authority figure in the Korean business community.

Provoking a war between these two colossal organizations to vie for ‘fish market’.

That was what Kang Seo-jun was tasked with from now on.

– Tap, tap! –

Kang Seo-jun first moved his steps to a secluded place with few people.

A corner of the park with no one around.

Confirming there were no people nearby, Kang Seo-jun called Seo Eun-ha on his smartwatch.

– Beep! Beep beep! –

She was the most important key card in this ‘fish market’ plan.

– Click… Click! –

Before the ringing tone could echo, Seo Eun-ha answered the call.

[Ah, uh, yes! Yes, this is Seo Eun-ha.]

“Yes. Eun-ha, it’s Kang Seo-jun. Can you talk?”

[Y-Yes! Of course! P-Please speak. Do you need anything?]

Her voice sounded like she would listen to whatever request he had.

“First, where are you right now?”

[I am currently…]

Seo Eun-ha’s voice trailed off for a moment as she spoke.

[I’m driving. I just left the company.]

In reality, she was on her way to Hunter Market.

It was to obtain any remedies or potions that could help Kang Seo-jun.

Now, all of Kang Seo-jun’s wounds and illnesses were tasks that she felt she must take responsibility for.

She wanted to search through both Hunter Market and online markets all weekend to find items that could help Kang Seo-jun, but

there was still an investigation remaining from Director Kim Hak-yong’s incident, so she had just finished work and had time now.

However, she refrained from telling Kang Seo-jun about this because she knew he would be reluctant if she mentioned giving medicine to a sick person.

“The timing is good, Eun-ha. Can you confirm one thing for me right now, I’m sorry?”

Seo Eun-ha responded promptly in a serious tone.

[Yes. Of course. Please, go ahead.]

“Did anyone happen to be following you right now?”

[……?]

Through the speaker, Seo Eun-ha’s audible gulp was heard.

With a somewhat serious tone, she responded after a brief silence.

[I will check.]

Seo Eun-ha didn’t ask for clarification or explanation.

So far, every piece of information he had provided had been nothing but unsettling, but none of them had been false.

– Squeak, squeak. –

For a while, only the sound of the car sliding on the road echoed from the watch.

One right turn. One left turn. And another left turn.

– Squeak, hmm… –

Seo Eun-ha sighed softly as if something troublesome had occurred.

[…………….One black van. And one black sedan. They definitely seem to be tailing me.]

“As expected.”

Although it was a serious situation where the heroine was being tailed, Kang Seo-jun felt relieved.

Kang Seo-jun’s plan was based on the plot of the original work, ’Grand Hunter Academy’.

Even in the original work, after the murder of Director Kim Hak-yong, the character who killed him was pursued by the Demon the next day.

He had worried about what would happen if the original and the current situation diverged, but fortunately, that didn’t happen.

[Who are they?]

“They are Demon. They had been following you to investigate how you found out about Director Kim Hak-yong’s identity.”

[I see… Although I was prepared after eliminating the important spy…]

“Now is the crucial moment. Could you please help me from now on?”

Kang Seo-jun sent Seo Eun-ha a map and coordinates.

– Ringing. –

[This is…]

“It’s an abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city. I’d like you to lure them in this direction.”

[Hmm…]

Seo Eun-ha hesitated in her response.

It was because she had a worrying premonition.

[Luring them won’t be difficult, but may I ask about the plan?]

“We’ll lure them and engage in a fight. Since you could also be dragged into combat, please make sure to check your equipment before getting off…”

[Wait, hold on! Just a moment!]

Seo Eun-ha interrupted Kang Seo-jun’s words with an urgent tone.

“Yes?”

[Aren’t you, aren’t you taking too much risk]

“I’ll make sure you doesn’t get hurt.”

[Oh, no… I-I’m not worried about… about me…]

After Seo Eun-ha let out a soft sigh, she continued speaking.

[Wouldn’t it be better to request support from headquarters?]

“No. That goes against my plan.”

Kang Seo-jun checked the time once and calmly explained.

“This matter should only be known by you and me.”

[That’s…! Mm…]

Seo Eun-ha let out a soft groan.

Their own secret.

[Understood.]

In the end, Seo Eun-ha had only one choice.

Although she was secretly worried about Kang Seo-jun, she didn’t want to argue with him anymore.

[Can you explain the operation?]

“Of course. First…”

Kang Seo-jun explained the rough plan to Seo Eun-ha until she arrived at the abandoned factory.

====

***

====

Late Sunday afternoon.

In a private room of a fancy restaurant.

Two women sat facing each other in a neatly decorated small room.

Jin Se-rin stared at Kim Ju-hee with sharp eyes, and Kim Ju-hee didn’t avoid that gaze with calm eyes.

The waiter taking their orders was in a dilemma due to their intense stare-off.

“C-Can I take your order…?”

“This, and this.”

Jin Se-rin ordered while keeping her eyes fixed on Kim Ju-hee, pointing at random places on the menu.

“I’ll have the same.”

Kim Ju-hee also ordered nonchalantly as if the menu wasn’t important.

“…Yes. I’ll get your order right away.”

The waiter mumbled quietly and left the room.

A brief, chilly silence.

Kim Ju-hee was the first to break the silence.

“So, what did you want to talk about?”

“My matters can wait. You mentioned you had something to ask me, right? Let’s start with that?”

“Alright then.”

After clearing her throat with a sip of water, Kim Ju-hee asked the question she wanted to ask.

“What’s the relationship between you and Kang Seo-jun?”

At her words, Jin Se-rin’s brow furrowed.

“Why do you want to know that?”

“Just curious.”

Kim Ju-hee toyed with her lips.

“Because I’m interested in Kang Seo-jun. Logically.”

“What!?”

Jin Se-rin’s expression turned to shock.

She didn’t expect it to be brought up so openly.

“You’re really bold, aren’t you!?”

– Shake, shake, shake. –

Jin Se-rin trembled as she refilled the empty glass with water.

“Are you aware of your position?! You’re an Academy instructor!”

“Why should that be a problem?”

“What!?”

– Clank! –

Jin Se-rin forcefully put down the glass.

“Are you out of your mind? Is it reasonable for an instructor to have personal feelings towards a student?”

“What’s wrong with it? Both the instructor and the student are adults.”

“No…! This kind of… in a teacher-student relationship…!”

“Tsk.”

“What?”

Kim Ju-hee smiled quietly and took another sip of water.

Jin Se-rin couldn’t shut her mouth at her brazen attitude.

“Why should it be a problem in a teacher-student relationship?”

“That, using the position of an instructor….”

“I haven’t forced anything on Kang Seo-jun.”

“But! Still, as an instructor….”

“No. Seems like you’re mistaken, Jin Se-rin.”

Kim Ju-hee interrupted Jin Se-rin’s words, showing her palm.

“What do you think is the purpose of this Academy?”

Suddenly, Kim Ju-hee asked a completely unrelated question.

Jin Se-rin tilted her head with a puzzled expression but answered as if it were obvious.

“The purpose of the Academy is to distribute the Fruit of Ascension fairly through a fair selection process. Since the production of the Fruit of Ascension is limited annually.”

Kim Ju-hee immediately shook her head.

“You’re wrong. The purpose of the Academy is not to distribute the Fruit of Ascension fairly. It exists to nurture and select hunters who can definitely excel in the next generation.”

Jin Se-rin pursed her lips.

She didn’t understand what Kim Ju-hee was trying to say.

“There’s a big difference between the two. It’s not about fair distribution, it’s about nurturing and selecting excellent hunters.”

“So what? What’s the intention behind saying that?”

Kim Ju-hee placed her hand on her chest.

“I’m explaining. My feelings towards Kang Seo-jun don’t contradict the purpose of the Academy and my duties at all.”

“……!!”

The essence of the Academy and the instructor’s existence is to select and produce hunters who can definitely excel in the next generation.

If Kim Ju-hee’s feelings towards Kang Seo-jun could foster his potential, allowing him to excel as a hunter in the next generation…

Kim Ju-hee could even consider herself as faithful to her duties as to sacrifice her own innocence.

Jin Se-rin felt a shiver run through her body.

“That’s sophistry!! Are you crazy!?”

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand.”

“Pay attention to your age!”

“Gasp!”

For the first time, Kim Ju-hee took damage from the age remark.

“I-I’m still in my twenties just like you!”

“Hmm. Still, you will be in your thirties soon anyway, right?”

“Gasp!”

Kim Ju-hee stuttered.

It was a kind of stunned state.

Jin Se-rin didn’t miss the opportunity and prepared for an additional blow.

“You asked earlier what kind of relationship Seo-jun and I have, right?”

Hoping Kim Ju-hee would give up, Jin Se-rin delivered the decisive blow.

“We’re in love with each other! Is it embarrassing to interfere in our dating, even at your age!? Do you feel embarrassed!”

“Ugh!”

Kim Ju-hee clutched her chest.

But she hadn’t been defeated yet.

Kim Ju-hee, soothing her wounds, spoke softly.

“You don’t understand. The potential of Kang Seo-jun… Only I can foster his potential by being by his side. And!”

Kim Ju-hee pointed at Jin Se-rin’s chest in retaliation.

“It’s better to be older than having a small chest!”

“Wha-What!?”

Jin Se-rin covered her chest with both arms.

“Is this a personal attack?! What’s this?! And me! I-I’m above average, you know!?”

“Don’t lie! How is that above average by any means! Are you talking about the average of middle schoolers?”

“Wha-What!!”

After that, it was an irrational war.

“@#$!@$%^$#!!!”

“&#%@#$%^&$%%!!!”

“…….”

Meanwhile, outside the private room, holding the ordered food, the waiter waited for the fight to end…

“Should I… call the police?”

He quietly reported to the police.