I Became the Academy’s Heroine Stalker – Chapter 90

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Chaos
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“Suddenly? You’re going on a training trip?”

“Yes.”

In the center of the grand, palace-like living room, Han Baek-ho sat on the main sofa and looked surprised by his daughter’s sudden announcement.

Han-na, however, looked as calm and composed as a general about to lead troops into battle.

She added a further explanation to appease her surprised father.

“Since the academy closure has been extended, I thought I’d take a trip to refresh myself, both physically and mentally.”

“…I see.”

Han Baek-ho hummed thoughtfully, not showing any displeasure.

He knew his daughter wasn’t a dreamer who spoke without thinking.

She must have carefully considered this decision.

Still, he couldn’t help but worry about her venturing outside the barrier alone.

Especially with the aftermath of the Illusion attack still fresh in everyone’s minds.

“Then I’ll assign some guild members to accompany you.”

Han-na didn’t object to his suggestion.

It wasn’t unusual for cadets to venture near the barrier for training trips.

These trips were meant to gain practical experience and skills not taught in the classroom.

However, solo trips were rare, and since they weren’t official party expeditions, entering dungeons was prohibited.

The fields near the barrier were regularly cleared of monsters by mercenaries, so cadets had to travel further out for proper training.

This, of course, increased the risks involved.

That’s why Han-na didn’t object.

If she refused, her father wouldn’t allow the trip, and she wouldn’t be able to follow Han Tae-jin and his party, who had just left the barrier.

“Alright. I’m planning to leave immediately. Is that okay?”

“You’re in a hurry.”

“I want to act while I’m motivated.”

“That’s a good attitude. Secretary Kim.”

At his call, a man standing behind him approached and bowed.

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Assemble two A-rank or higher Hunters who are available immediately and assign them to Han-na. Tell them I’ll take care of their compensation personally.”

“Understood. Then…”

Secretary Kim hurried away, leaving Han Baek-ho and Han-na alone in the living room.

“Then I’ll go get ready.”

“Alright. Be careful, and stay in touch. Call me every hour.”

“Yes.”

Han-na bowed her head and was about to leave.

She had to start her pursuit as soon as possible.

They were getting further away with each passing moment.

That strange party.

But her father’s voice stopped her.

“By the way, Han-na.”

“Yes?”

“How are things going with Tae-jin these days?”

The unexpected question caught her off guard.

Han-na averted her gaze and answered nervously,

“Ah, well. I actually planned this training trip with Tae-jin. We’re supposed to meet up at Namseo Village in the east.”

“Oh, really? Then why aren’t you leaving together?”

Oops.

Han-na hadn’t expected her father to be aware of Han Tae-jin’s movements.

She felt a pang of panic.

But for someone accustomed to social maneuvering, this was nothing.

“Tae-jin wanted to leave together, but I was a little late in making my decision.”

“Well… It’s not an easy decision to make. Alright. Have a safe trip.”

“Yes, Father.”

Han-na bowed again and practically fled the living room and headed to her room.

She grabbed the bag she had already packed and left the house.

She had someone to meet before she left.

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“What? A training trip?”

“Yeah. I want you to come with me.”

“Suddenly? Why?”

Mi-jin and Han-na sat facing each other in a cafe.

Unlike Han-na’s calm demeanor, Mi-jin’s eyes were wide with surprise.

She was dumbfounded by the unexpected proposal.

Han-na had suddenly asked her to meet for coffee, and now she was suddenly suggesting a training trip.

But when Mi-jin heard the reason, she tilted her head in confusion.

“…Really? Su-ah and Professor Park Na-yeon went on a training trip with Tae-jin? But why?”

“I don’t know. I understand Park Na-yeon going with him as his master, but I can’t figure out why Su-ah is involved.”

“That is strange… And a Holder from the Monster Management Bureau, too.”

“You think it’s weird too, right? It’s definitely not a normal training trip.”

“I agree… But why do you want to follow them?”

Mi-jin’s innocent question cut to the heart of the matter.

Han-na hesitated.

She couldn’t give a clear answer.

Even she wasn’t sure.

Was it jealousy towards Su-ah, who had somehow become close to Tae-jin, despite acting like a quiet, innocent girl who wasn’t interested in boys?

And hadn’t Tae-jin and Su-ah been together during the highly publicized incident at the gym, where they defeated a high-ranking villain?

In fact, all the members of this current party had been there.

Or was it suspicion and envy towards Park Na-yeon, who seemed overly supportive of Tae-jin?

Even for a master, accompanying a student on a training trip was unheard of.

Or perhaps it was a sense of possessiveness, a desperation to hold onto something that seemed to be slipping away?

Or maybe it was simple curiosity about the unusual party composition, a gut feeling that something big was about to happen, combined with her desire to be in the spotlight?

Being around Han Tae-jin always put her in the spotlight.

She was especially annoyed that she hadn’t been at the gym during the Illusion attack.

If she had been there, she would have received praise and attention.

Anyway,

It was a mix of complex reasons, making it difficult to pinpoint a single motive.

This decision was impulsive.

She was usually rational and calculating, but for some reason, she wanted to act on impulse this time.

So,

“Well… I want to find out what’s going on.”

She gave a vague answer.

“Find out what?”

“They’re definitely up to something.”

“Up to something? Even if they are… what do you gain from finding out…?”

Mi-jin couldn’t understand Han-na.

How could a third party understand an impulsive decision that the person herself couldn’t even rationalize?

‘What do I gain?’

The question, one she hadn’t asked herself, gave Han-na pause.

Why did she want to follow Han Tae-jin?

‘Hmm…’

She had lived a life of privilege, always getting what she wanted.

What was she lacking that made her want to investigate him?

Would she even gain anything from it?

Would it even be meaningful?

Countless questions surfaced, but she had no answers.

Perhaps she had sought out Mi-jin hoping for an answer.

But she hadn’t found one.

Han-na stood up.

And looked at Mi-jin.

“I thought you’d understand… It’s a shame.”

“But this is too reckless, and I have a mother and younger sibling to take care of…”

“Forget it. I’m leaving.”

Click-clack—

The sound of Han-na’s heels echoed through the cafe.

She hadn’t really expected Mi-jin to join her.

She had simply hoped for a clue to this inexplicable urge, for validation of her decision.

Mi-jin, however, had expressed disapproval instead of support.

But strangely, that only fueled her determination.

A stubborn desire to win Han Tae-jin, to earn her father’s praise, to monopolize the spotlight.

To satisfy that desire, she would figure out the reasons later.

Right now, she had to follow Han Tae-jin, who was slipping further away with each passing moment.

“It’s a great honor to escort you, Lady Han-na, daughter of the esteemed Great Hunter Guild.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Thirty minutes later, Han-na arrived at the barrier and met the S-rank ranged dealer, Do Jae-won, and Im Hyuk, a top-tier A-rank Hunter who was a healer with offensive capabilities rivaling a dealer.

“Let’s go.”

She brushed past Do Jae-won’s fawning greeting and addressed Im Hyuk, and Do Jae-won, scratching his head awkwardly, followed her.

About two hours after Han Tae-jin’s party had departed,

Another party began their pursuit.

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Gaikan.

The holy land and the highest honor all villains of the Illusion alliance dreamed of.

A place synonymous with God R’hell.

Those summoned there would receive infinite glory, eternal life, and reign supreme as the strongest.

Under the divine authority of God R’hell.

Thus, it was a sanctuary, a forbidden zone that could not be entered without a divine summons.

And in that forbidden zone,

“You summoned me.”

Lexa, one of the high-ranking executives, had arrived.

The space resembled a grand temple, with marble pillars lining the area beneath an impossibly high ceiling.

But as if to signify that the deity residing here was no ordinary god, the entire space was shrouded in darkness.

Lexa knelt before the towering throne, her long hair cascading to the floor, obscuring the countless steps leading up to it.

The only female among the high-ranking executives, she enjoyed God R’hell’s deep trust and served as their leader.

Her abilities were still unknown to the world.

Those who had witnessed them could no longer speak of them.

《Speak.》

An omnipotent voice echoed through the space from the darkened throne.

“As I reported earlier, De Roque’s death was clearly a suicide.”

《…I see.》

“Yes. We’re still investigating the reason, but there are suspicious aspects. We should uncover the truth soon.”

《That insolent fool. His crime of defying Illusion will not be forgiven, even in death. Capture all those associated with him and execute them before Illusion as an example.》

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

Lexa rose.

Her blue eyes, which matched the darkness of the chamber, turned towards the throne.

With a beauty mark on the right side of her lips, sharp eyes, alluring red lips, and long, flowing blue hair that reached her thighs, Lexa exuded a mystical aura.

She was known as the [Azure Witch].

Her blue eyes shimmered.

She prayed that she would once again successfully complete her mission and be rewarded with the embrace of her beloved, respected, and adored Majesty.

-Mwah!

Lexa blew a kiss towards the throne and winked before turning to leave.

Click-clack—

The sound of her high heels echoed through the death-filled Gaikan, the sole reminder that life still existed.

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