Morning - 6:15 AM - Campus Running Track
Jung Hye-jin's breath came in steady rhythms as her feet pounded the track. Five laps down, five more to go. Morning runs were part of her routine—had been since she'd started at the academy.
Where is Suho anyway? She thought to herself as she ran.
Usually, she ran alone.
Today, her best friend had joined her.
Kwon Min-seo. Fifth-ranked second year. B+ rank combat mage specializing in lightning techniques. Sharp-featured, a little overly competitive, and fiercely protective of her friends.
"So," Min-seo said, keeping pace beside her. "You and Suho."
Hye-jin nearly stumbled. "What about him?"
"You've been eating lunch with him. Helping him study. People are talking, Hye-jin."
"Since when do I care what people say?"
"Since it's affecting your reputation." Min-seo's tone was careful but firm. "He's the guy who tried to murder someone. The violent rich kid who got disowned for being a psycho. And you're the third-ranked second year. People look up to you. If you're not careful people could start emulating Suho's attitude since you have 'approved' of it."
"He's changed, Min-seo."
"Has he? Or is he just better at hiding who he really is?"
Hye-jin shook her head. "I've talked to him. Multiple times. He's nothing like the rumors say."
"Of course he's not going to act like a monster around you. You're A-rank and he has no assests." Min-seo glanced at her. "I'm worried he's using you."
"He's not—"
"How do you know? What if he's got some manipulation skill? Mind control Charm or something."
"That's ridiculous."
"Is it? Because from where I'm standing, the nicest girl in our year is suddenly hanging out with the most notorious guy in school." Min-seo slowed slightly. "That doesn't add up, Hye-jin."
Before Hye-jin could respond, a third voice cut in.
"She's right to be worried."
Both girls turned.
Lee Ye-jin was jogging toward them, her expression dark. Han Min-jae's girlfriend. C-rank support student. The girl who'd reported Suho's assassination attempt.
She fell into pace beside them, uninvited.
"You shouldn't be anywhere near Suho Park," Ye-jin said flatly. "He's the purest form of trash there is."
Hye-jin's jaw tightened. "You don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't I?" Ye-jin's voice rose. "I've known Su-ho since first year. I've seen what he's really like."
"Maybe he was like that before but he's changed."
"People don't change that easily. There is no 'old' Su-ho! He's the same person!" Ye-jin stopped running entirely, forcing them to stop too. Her hands were shaking. "Do you know what he did to us before the assassination attempt? Do you?"
Min-seo and Hye-jin exchanged glances.
"He made Min-jae's life hell," Ye-jin continued, voice cracking. "Bullied him constantly. Called him 'scholarship trash' and 'poor bastard' every chance he got. Destroyed his textbooks. Stole his meal card so he'd go hungry."
Hye-jin's expression wavered. "I didn't know—"
"Of course you didn't! Because people like you were never his targets!" Tears formed in Ye-jin's eyes now. "And you know what he did to me?"
Silence.
"He... he tried to touch me." Ye-jin's voice dropped to barely a whisper. "Said if I let him, he'd stop bothering Min-jae. Cornered me after class one day, tried to grab me..."
Hye-jin's face went pale.
"Min-jae found out. That's when he challenged Suho to that 'spar'. Beat him in front of everyone. And you know what Suho did?" Ye-jin wiped her eyes angrily. "Tried to murder him with because his ego couldn't handle losing."
"Ye-jin, I'm so sorry—" Hye-jin started.
"Don't apologize to me, you didn't do anything wrong. Just stay away from him for your own sake." Ye-jin looked at her seriously. "He's dangerous. And if you keep defending him, people will assume he's either blackmailing you or using some kind of mental manipulation skill."
"He wouldn't—"
"Wouldn't he?" Min-seo said quietly. "Hye-jin, you're brilliant and strong, but you're also very naive.
"I've talked to him," Hye-jin insisted. "He isn't like that now. I can tell."
"Or he's a good actor," Ye-jin said coldly. "Predators are good at seeming harmless to their next victim."
Hye-jin wanted to argue. Wanted to defend Suho.
But the conviction in Ye-jin's voice—the pain in her eyes—made her hesitate.
What if they were right?
What if she was being manipulated? She hadn't really known Suho for that long, so why was she defending him.
"Just... be careful," Min-seo said softly. "Please. For your own sake."
Ye-jin jogged away without another word.
Min-seo squeezed Hye-jin's shoulder once, then continued running.
Hye-jin stood alone on the track, doubt creeping in for the first time.
Same Morning - 6:20 AM - Training Ground F
I fired another Fire Lance.
The flaming projectile shot across the empty field and slammed into the concrete wall. Scorch marks joined dozens of others already blackening the surface.
"Hmm, I wonder where Hye-jin is, she said I should meet her at the training grounds.
[FIRE LANCE - LV 3]
Mana Cost: 5 per cast (Optimized)
Power: D+ Rank
Cooldown: None
Five mana per cast. Down from the original fifteen when I'd first created the skill.
I'd been practicing every morning for two weeks. Casting it over and over, studying the mana flow with Isolation, refining the technique through repetition.
Efficiency was improving.
Mana Lance was even better now.
[MANA LANCE - COMPLETE]
Mana Cost: 7 per cast (Fully mastered)
Power: C- Rank
Note: No longer "incomplete" Through observation and practice, understanding is now complete.
Seven mana per cast. The complete version Hyun-woo had used cost twelve. Mine was more efficient because I'd optimized it through Isolation's analysis.
I could fire roughly ten Fire Lances or nine Mana Lances before depleting my mana pool entirely.
Better than before. But still not enough.
I checked my status.
[STATUS - Suho Park]
STATS:
├─ Strength: 28 (D+)
├─ Agility: 30 (C-)
├─ Endurance: 29 (D+)
├─ Mana: 68/140 (C-)
├─ Intelligence: 28 (C)
└─ Luck: 7 (F)
COMBAT ABILITY: D+
SKILLS:
◆ Fission (SSS) - LV 2
◆ Fusion (SSS) - LV 1
◆ Isolation (SSS) - LV 1
◆ Bite (F) - LV 1
◆ Punch (F)- LV2
◆ Mana Lance (C-) - LV 4
◆ Basic Fire Manipulation (E) - LV 3
◆ Fire Lance (D+) - LV 3
My skills were improving. Mana pool was growing. Control was sharper.
But my base stats were the problem.
Strength: D+. Not enough to overpower opponents physically.
Endurance: D+. I'd get tired quickly in extended fights.
Agility was decent at C-. But everything else lagged behind.
In the tournament, I'd face B-ranks. Maybe even A-ranks if the brackets were unlucky.
My skills gave me an edge. But if my body couldn't keep up—if I ran out of stamina, if I couldn't dodge fast enough—skills wouldn't matter.
I needed to get stronger. Faster.
And there was only one reliable way to do that: real combat experience in dungeons.
The problem? First years weren't allowed solo dungeon access. Academy rules required supervision until second year, when students could get provisional hunter's licenses.
But second years could bring one person with them into C-rank dungeons or below.
I thought of Hye-jin.
She was second year. A-rank. Definitely had her provisional license by now.
And she'd offered to help me prepare.
This could work.
I fired one more Fire Lance—perfect form, minimal mana waste—and headed back to my apartment to shower before class.
Next Day - Lunch Period
I found Hye-jin at her usual table by the windows.
Alone today—her friends had been avoiding sitting with us lately. I'd noticed but hadn't commented.
"Hey," I said, setting my tray down. "Can I ask you something?"
She looked up. There was something different in her expression. Confusion, or maybe uncertainty.
"Sure," she said carefully. She completely forgot that she was supposed to help him train after the conversation with Min-seo and Ye-jin.
"Do you have a provisional hunter's license?"
She blinked, clearly not expecting that question. "Yes. All second and third years get them if they reach C-rank or higher."
"And the license lets you bring one person into dungeons, right? C-rank or below?"
"...Yes." She set down her chopsticks. "Why?"
"I need dungeon experience. Real combat, not academy sparring. My base stats are too low, I'd get myself sent to the ICU if I fought in the tournament as I am."
"Suho, dungeon diving is dangerous. Especially C-rank dungeons. If you're not properly prepared."
"I know the risks. I spent seven years cleaning dungeons in my..." I caught myself. "I mean, I've researched extensively. I know what I'm getting into."
She studied me for a long moment. "You want me to take you into a dungeon."
"If you're willing. I'd follow your lead completely. You'd be the party leader." I met her eyes. "I'm not asking you to babysit me. I can handle myself. I just need access."
"The academy doesn't allow first years in dungeons without instructor supervision for a reason."
"I know. But the academy also puts us in tournaments where D-ranks fight A-ranks. They don't really care about fair conditions—they care about results."
She couldn't argue with that.
"Please," I added. "I wouldn't ask if I had another option. But I'm out of time. Three weeks until the tournament, and I'm barely D+ rank. I need real combat experience."
Hye-jin was quiet for a long time.
Finally: "There's a C-rank dungeon about an hour outside the city. Stone Labyrinth. Mostly goblin variants and stone golems. It's relatively safe as C-ranks go."
"You'll take me?"
"On conditions." Her voice was firm now. "One: You follow my orders without question. I'm the experienced hunter here."
"Agreed."
"Two: We go through proper safety protocols. Gear check, emergency supplies, communication devices. No stupid risks."
"Agreed."
"Three: If I say we retreat, we retreat immediately. No arguments, no heroics."
"Agreed."
She searched my face, looking for something. "Why do you want this so badly?"
"Because I'm tired of being weak," I said simply. "Tired of being looked down on."
"And you think getting stronger will change that?"
"It's a start."
"I'll never understand your reasoning."
Another long pause.
"This Saturday," she said finally. "We'll go Saturday morning. Meet me at the west gate at seven AM."
"Thank you—"
"Don't thank me yet." She picked up her chopsticks again. "C-rank dungeons are still dangerous. There's a real chance you could get hurt. Or worse."
"I understand."
"Do you? Because people die in dungeons, Suho. Even experienced hunters. Even with proper preparation." Her eyes were serious. "I need to know you understand that."
"I understand," I said. "And I still want to go."
She nodded slowly. "Okay. Saturday. Seven AM. Don't be late."
"I won't."
We ate in silence for a while.
Then Hye-jin spoke again, quieter this time. "Suho... can I ask you something personal?"
"Sure."
"The things people say about you. About what you did before the suspension." She hesitated. "Are they true?"
My chest tightened. "What did you hear?"
"That you bullied Han Min-jae. Called him names. Destroyed his things. Made his life miserable." She looked at me directly. "That you tried to... umm... touch Lee Ye-jin inappropriately and threatened her."
Ah. So someone had talked to her. Probably Ye-jin herself.
The truth was complicated.
Suho had done those things. All of them. His memories were clear on that point—cruel, entitled, vicious behavior toward anyone he perceived as beneath him.
But I wasn't Suho. Not really. I was Jin-woo wearing Su-ho's body like an ill-fitting coat.
But how could I explain that without sounding insane?
"Yes," I said quietly. "Suho did those things."
"Suho? You're talking about yourself in third person."
"Shh, let me finish." I met her eyes. "I can't undo what he did. Can't take back the pain he caused. All I can do is try to be better going forward."
"That's not really an answer."
"It's the only answer I have."
She stared at me for a long time. "People think you're using some kind of manipulation skill on me. Mind control or charm magic or something."
"I'm not."
"How do I know that for sure?"
"You don't." I set down my spoon. "You have to decide for yourself whether to trust me or not. I can't prove a negative."
"That's a very rational answer for someone accused of such irrational stuff."
"Would you prefer I got emotional? Started protesting dramatically?"
"No. But it would be more normal." She sighed.
"I know. But hearing the specifics of what you—what 'Suho'—did..." She shook her head. "It's hard to reconcile it with the person sitting in front of me now."
"Then don't. Judge me based on what I do, not what Suho did."
"That's what I've been trying to do. But everyone keeps telling me I'm making a mistake."
"Maybe you are."
She blinked. "What?"
"Maybe they're right. Maybe I am dangerous. Maybe you should stay away from me." I stood up, grabbing my tray. "You don't owe me anything, Hye-jin. If being around me damages your reputation or makes your life harder, you should cut ties. I'll understand."
I started to walk away.
"Suho, wait."
I turned back.
She was standing now too. "Saturday. Seven AM. West gate."
"You sure?"
"No." She smiled slightly. "But I'm going to trust my instincts on this one. And my instincts say you're not the same person who did those horrible things."
"Your instincts might be wrong."
"They might be. But I'd rather make my own mistakes than let other people make my decisions for me."
Something in my chest loosened. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. If you die in that dungeon, I'm going to be really annoyed."
"Noted."
She sat back down. I took my tray to the return station and left.
As I walked out of the cafeteria, I caught sight of Lee Ye-jin and her friends across the room. They were watching. Whispering.
Ye-jin's expression was pure hatred.
I didn't blame her. Everything she'd said about Su-ho was true. He'd been a monster to her and Min-jae.
But I couldn't change the past. Only the future.
And right now, the future meant getting stronger.
Saturday couldn't come fast enough.
That Night - My Apartment
I laid out everything I'd need for the dungeon:
Combat boots (Su-ho's, barely used) Flexible clothing (nothing restrictive) Water bottle Energy bars (cheap but caloric) Basic first aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, painkillers) Flashlight (dungeons could be dark) Rope (always useful)
Not much. But I was broke, and most equipment required money I didn't have.
Hye-jin would probably have better gear. Potions, weapons, proper armor.
I had my skills.
That would have to be enough.
I practiced Fire Lance until my mana depleted. Rested. Practiced again.
By midnight, I'd improved my accuracy to nearly 100% against stationary targets.
Moving targets would be harder. Live combat always was.
But I was ready.
As ready as I could be, anyway.
Three days until Saturday.
Three days until my first real dungeon dive in this new body.
I thought about the quest objectives:
Path of Vengeance:
Reach B-rank within six months. Recruit allies. Destroy Steelheart Guild.
Redemption's Road: Apologize to Min-jae. Restore Su-ho's honor.
The tournament would help with both. Good performance meant ranking up, getting noticed, building a reputation.
But the tournament was three weeks away.
The dungeon was three days away.
Time to see what Suho—no, what I—was really capable of.