The late morning sun streamed through the classroom windows, casting long shadows across the polished floors of Itachi's high school. As he settled into his seat, the familiar buzz of pre-class chatter filled the air. Itachi's dark eyes, ever observant, scanned the room, taking in the familiar faces of his classmates. However, one seat remained conspicuously empty, drawing his attention like a loose thread in an otherwise perfect tapestry.
Han Song-yi, usually punctual and attentive, was nowhere to be seen. Her absence was a stark anomaly in the otherwise predictable routine of their school day. Curiosity piqued, Itachi turned to his friends, Park Min-woo and Jin-ah, who were engaged in a quiet conversation nearby, their heads bent close together in shared confidence.
"Min-woo, Jin-ah," Itachi called softly, his voice carrying just enough to catch their attention without disrupting the ambient chatter of the classroom. "Have you seen Song-yi today?"
Jin-ah looked up, her long hair swaying with the movement as she shook her head. "Not today, Itachi-kun. It's unusual for her to be absent, isn't it?"
Min-woo leaned in, a hint of excitement dancing in his eyes. "I heard she's on a dungeon raid. Pretty cool, right?" His voice held a mix of awe and envy, common among students their age when discussing the world of hunters and dungeons.
Itachi's eyebrows furrowed slightly, a small crease forming between them. "A dungeon raid? But aren't we underage for such activities?" The concept seemed alien to him, the idea of their classmate venturing into such dangerous territory sending a chill down his spine.
Min-woo chuckled, always eager to share his knowledge of the hunter world. "Anyone with a hunter's license can participate in a raid, regardless of age. It's all about skill and awakening, not how old you are." He spoke with the confidence of someone who had spent hours researching the subject, his words carrying a weight of authority.
Before Itachi could probe further, the classroom door slid open with a soft hiss. Their teacher, Mr. Kim, strode in, his presence immediately commanding attention. "Alright, class, settle down," he called out, his voice carrying across the room with the practiced ease of a seasoned educator. The students hurried to their seats, the previous conversations fading into a respectful silence as they prepared for the day's lessons.
As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Itachi began packing his books into his bag. The soft rustling of paper and the zipping of backpacks filled the air as students prepared to leave. Jin-ah approached his desk, a slight nervousness in her demeanor that Itachi didn't miss. Her fingers played with the hem of her uniform jacket, a telltale sign of her unease.
"Itachi-kun," she said, her voice soft but determined. "Could we talk after school? There's something I'd like to discuss with you."
Itachi nodded, his curiosity piqued by her unusual request. "Of course, Jin-ah. I'll wait for you outside."
As they exited the school building, the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the courtyard. Itachi noticed Jin-ah fidgeting with the strap of her bag, her knuckles white with tension. Concern welled up within him, and he decided to offer a gesture of comfort.
"Would you like me to walk you home?" he offered, sensing her unease and hoping to provide a calming presence.
Jin-ah's face brightened slightly, a small smile breaking through her worried expression. "That would be nice, thank you."
They set off together, the familiar streets of their neighborhood stretching out before them. They walked in companionable silence for a few minutes, the only sounds the distant hum of traffic and the chirping of birds in nearby trees.
Finally, Itachi gently broached the subject that hung between them like an invisible barrier. "Jin-ah, what did you want to talk about?"
Jin-ah took a deep breath, as if steeling herself for what was to come. Her eyes met Itachi's, a mix of curiosity and something deeper, more personal, in her gaze. "Itachi-kun, I've heard some... interesting things about you. Is it true that you were rescued from an A-Rank dungeon? And that you even defeated a magical beast yourself?"
Itachi's steps faltered for a moment, his mind racing. 'Why hasn't the Hunter's Association covered this up?' he thought, his face betraying nothing of his inner turmoil. He had assumed that such an incident would have been kept under wraps, yet here was Jin-ah, asking about it directly.
Recovering quickly, Itachi turned to Jin-ah, his expression carefully neutral. "That's quite a story," he said carefully, weighing each word. "May I ask why you're interested in this?"
Jin-ah's eyes met his, a mix of curiosity and something deeper, more personal, in her gaze. "I don't want to pry into your past, Itachi-kun, but... are you a hunter?"
Itachi remained silent for a moment, weighing his words carefully. The gentle rustling of leaves and the distant sounds of the city filled the pause between them. "That's an interesting question, Jin-ah. Why do you ask?"
Jin-ah's expression darkened, a shadow of grief passing over her features. The change was subtle but unmistakable, like storm clouds gathering on a sunny day. "You know about the 'double dungeon' incident two weeks ago, right?" Her voice trembled slightly, laden with emotion. "My brother... he was there."
The weight of her words hung heavy in the air between them. Itachi knew all too well the pain of losing a brother, even if the circumstances were vastly different. The memory of Sasuke, lost to him across dimensions, echoed in his heart.
"Jin-ah, I'm so sorry for your loss," Itachi said softly, genuine empathy in his voice. He resisted the urge to reach out and comfort her physically, unsure if such a gesture would be welcome.
Jin-ah shook her head, forcing a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "You don't have to feel sorry for me, Itachi-kun. In a way, I always knew something like this could happen." She paused, gathering her thoughts, her gaze distant as if looking into a painful past. "You know about my mother, right?"
Itachi nodded, remembering previous conversations about Jin-ah's ill mother. The pieces of Jin-ah's life were starting to come together in his mind, forming a picture of struggle and resilience.
"Her treatment... it's expensive. Very expensive," Jin-ah continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "I receive some money from the Hunter's Association because of my brother, and with my savings, I can barely make ends meet. But... I can only continue like this for a year or two at most."
Itachi's mind raced, considering the implications of Jin-ah's words. The weight of her responsibilities, the looming financial crisis, the loss of her brother - it all painted a picture of a young woman forced to grow up too quickly. "What are you planning to do, Jin-ah?" he asked, dreading the answer he suspected was coming.
She looked up at him, determination shining in her eyes like steel. "I think... I think I've awakened, Itachi-kun. I'm considering taking the Hunter Evaluation Exam."
Alarm bells rang in Itachi's mind. The dangers of dungeon raids flashed before his eyes - the monsters, the traps, the ever-present risk of death. "Jin-ah, perhaps you should wait," he said, trying to keep the urgency out of his voice. "Dungeon raids are incredibly dangerous, especially for new hunters."
"I know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, carried away by the gentle breeze. "That's... that's actually why I asked if you were a hunter. It's for security, you know? No one really knows what happens inside a dungeon."
Itachi nodded, understanding her concerns. The unpredictability of dungeons was legendary, a fact that both thrilled and terrified those who ventured into them. "I see. Your caution is wise, Jin-ah."
Their conversation shifted to lighter topics as they continued their walk. They discussed upcoming exams, shared jokes about their classmates' antics, and debated the merits of various study techniques. As they approached Jin-ah's apartment building, a modest structure of brick and glass, Itachi found himself enjoying the normalcy of their chat, a stark contrast to the weighty topics they'd discussed earlier.
"Thank you for walking me home, Itachi-kun," Jin-ah said as they reached her building, the setting sun casting long shadows across the street. "And... thank you for listening."
"Anytime, Jin-ah," Itachi replied, a small smile on his face. "Take care."
As Itachi made his way to his own apartment, his mind was abuzz with thoughts. Jin-ah's situation weighed heavily on him, reminding him of the precarious nature of this world. He pondered whether he should take the Hunter Evaluation Exam himself. With his skills and the System's help, he could potentially make a significant difference. But would that draw unwanted attention? The risks and benefits warred in his mind, each vying for dominance.
Entering his modest apartment, Itachi allowed himself a moment of rest, sinking into his couch as he reflected on the day's events. The soft cushions welcomed him, a small comfort after the emotional weight of his conversation with Jin-ah. After a simple dinner of rice and grilled mackerel, he glanced at the calendar on his wall. Tomorrow was Sunday – a day off from school and a perfect opportunity to practice his newly acquired lightning release.
As he prepared for bed, Itachi's mind drifted to the challenges ahead. The world of hunters and dungeons was fraught with danger, but also filled with possibilities. He thought of Jin-ah, of her determination in the face of adversity. Perhaps, he mused, there was more to this new life than mere survival. Perhaps there was a chance to make a real difference.
With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Itachi drifted off to sleep, the soft glow of moonlight filtering through his curtains. He was ready to face whatever challenges the next day might bring, his resolve strengthened by the day's revelations and the bonds he was forming in this new world.
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Main events will happen a little later because I want to develop this story slowly.