Baek Seo-jin’s eting with Choi Kang-in marked the beginning of his journey as the protagonist in the original story.
[He Beca the SSS-Class Heir of National Power.]
As the title suggested, gaining Choi Kang-in’s recognition and catching his eye was a pivotal mont in Baek Seo-jin’s story.
In the original narrative, the plot truly began after Baek Seo-jin entered Kangin Academy and was soon declared its heir. However, this decision by Choi Kang-in wasn’t sudden.
According to the prologue, Baek Seo-jin’s encounter with Choi Kang-in took place on his way to the entrance exam site. The incident revolved around a confrontation with Kang Nam-hoon, an SS-rank villain who had targeted Han Se-hee.
Kang Nam-hoon, temporarily empowered by the support of Ramisa, the Black Serpent That Devours the World, had gained strength far beyond his usual capabilities. Using this power, he attempted to kidnap Han Se-hee on her way to the exam.
It was revealed that Kang Nam-hoon had spent an entire month stalking Han Se-hee in secret, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.
When Kang Nam-hoon made his move after a month of preparation, Baek Seo-jin stepped in to fight him and rescued Han Se-hee. Watching from a discreet distance, Choi Kang-in witnessed the scene unfold and beca interested in Baek Seo-jin.
This was the prologue to the original story.
However, in this version, the events had already deviated from the original.
Unlike the original narrative, Han Se-hee was not Baek Seo-jin’s childhood friend. Though she pretended to get along with him, she secretly loathed him.
Moreover, Choi Kang-in had already chosen Baek Seo-jun as his successor, leaving no reason to actively search for a suitable heir. In contrast to the original, where he wandered around hoping to find a worthy candidate, Choi Kang-in now spent most of his ti handling guild affairs.
As for Kang Nam-hoon, the SS-rank villain, his fate had also changed. Last year, Han Se-hee and Lee Ha-yeon had captured him alive, and I had personally killed him, converting his soul into energy. Thus, there was no reason for him to reappear in this story.
From the mont Ramisa, the original world-threatening final boss, had beco a TV-obsessed shut-in, the possibility of the original events repeating was entirely off the table.
***
Choi Kang-in.
A man whose authority was so imnse that "state-level power" was often used as shorthand to describe him.
Outwardly, he appeared to be nothing more than a genial middle-aged man with red hair, but to anyone in South Korea—or anyone involved in the global hunter industry—he was an unmistakable figure.
Choi Kang-in was the greatest hunter, commanding all South Korean guilds, which themselves were considered the largest collective of mana awakeners in the world. Often referred to as the "Sanctuary of Mana," South Korea owed much of its order and stability to him.
Without his efforts, many believed the country would have fallen into chaos from the rampant destruction caused by villains.
And today, he was effectively the true master of Kangin Academy, the institution where Baek Seo-jin was about to take his entrance exam.
“I-It's an honor to et you, sir.”
Baek Seo-jin stamred slightly as he bowed deeply, offering his greeting.
“Haha, no need for such formality, young man. You seem to be working hard. Are you aiming to enroll in Kangin Academy?”
“Yes, sir! My entrance exam is this morning!”
“Ho! To think you’re already up and training at the crack of dawn, even on exam day. Hahaha, you’re a diligent young man,” Choi Kang-in remarked with a hearty laugh.
Baek Seo-jin’s chest swelled with nervous anticipation.
“To think I’d et him like this!”
He had fantasized about such a eting, but he had never truly believed it could happen. Now that it had, his mind raced with all the things he wanted to say and request, but he quickly cald himself.
He needed to remain composed, courteous, and respectful.
After all, this was Choi Kang-in—the hero who had preserved the nation’s order, a man Baek Seo-jin deeply admired for his achievents.
Of course, his respect was slightly marred by the fact that Choi Kang-in had made the grave error of appointing Kim Ho-jun, a reprehensible individual, as Kangin Academy’s president. Still, that one mistake didn’t erase his imnse contributions.
“I see. With your skills, I’m sure you’ll make a na for yourself at Kangin Academy in no ti,” Choi Kang-in remarked.
“Thank you, sir.”
Baek Seo-jin could feel the weight of Choi Kang-in’s gaze. It wasn’t rely a casual complint—it felt as though Choi Kang-in had taken note of him.
Seo-jin thought of Lee Ha-yeon, renowned as a prodigious hunter. She remained an SS-rank hunter, albeit one with power so exceptional that she was said to be on the cusp of SSS-rank.
Seo-jin had witnessed her abilities firsthand and knew how extraordinary she was. Yet, he believed he had already surpassed her.
Though he refrained from boasting out of consideration for his friend, he was confident that he had already stepped halfway into the realm of SSS-rank hunters.
“Your na is Baek Seo-jin, isn’t it? I believe I’ve co across information about you before,” Choi Kang-in said.
Baek Seo-jin’s heart raced. Could it be that Choi Kang-in had been aware of him all along?
As the heir to the Baekho Guild, one of the ten largest guilds, it wouldn’t have been surprising if Choi Kang-in had taken notice of him.
After all, Seo-jin’s parents, Baek Hyung-won and Kim Yoo-jung, were widely regarded as paragons of virtue—so clean and kind-hearted that their character could belong in a biography of great figures. Coupled with his own achievents and status, it made sense that Choi Kang-in had taken an interest in him.
“He’s been keeping an eye on !”
The thought filled Baek Seo-jin with pride. Perhaps, he could even find a way to express his concerns now and be heard.
“It’s an honor that you rember , sir,” Seo-jin said earnestly. Then, carefully, he added, “I read an article yesterday about the new president of Kangin Academy.”
“Ah, yes. Kim Ho-jun—an exceptionally talented young man. He’s quite remarkable. He beca an SSS-rank hunter at the age of fifteen and has only grown stronger since,” Choi Kang-in said with admiration.
Hearing this, Seo-jin felt a surge of irritation.
How could such a despicable man possess such power?
It wasn’t fair. Not to his kind and selfless parents. Not to him, who had devoted himself to being an upstanding person.
The unfairness of the world wasn’t new to Seo-jin—he had often felt it when encountering SS-rank or higher villains. Why was such strength granted to those who used it to harm others?
Still, he had resolved to live righteously, like his parents, to never harm others, and to help those in need.
And he had resolved to punish villains and wicked n like Kim Ho-jun.
“I can’t let this slide.”
Seo-jin clenched his fists. He wouldn’t avert his gaze or run away. His parents had always told him to stand firm in the path he believed was right.
“I have to save Ye-jin noona.”
More than anything, he needed to rescue Seomun Ye-jin—his first love since childhood.
“I have to be brave.”
He steeled his resolve. There was no turning back.
“I have sothing important to say,” Seo-jin declared.
“Is it important?” Choi Kang-in asked, his tone inviting.
“Yes, very important,” Seo-jin replied, steadying his trembling hands with a deep breath.
“Kim Ho-jun… he is no different from a villain. Entrusting such a man with the presidency of Kangin Academy is a grave mistake,” he said firmly.
He had just accused the most powerful man in South Korea of making a mistake.
But Seo-jin believed that a hero who upheld order would listen to reason. He had faith in that.
Choi Kang-in’s expression shifted—not to displeasure but to curiosity.
“A grave mistake? Are you saying that appointing him was an error on my part?”
“Yes.”
Seo-jin’s answer was unwavering, and Choi Kang-in’s face lit up with intrigue.
“Then tell —why do you think so?”
“Yes, of course!”
Choi Kang-in was listening! He was interested!
Perhaps there was a chance to correct this misstep and remove Kim Ho-jun as president of Kangin Academy.
“Kim Ho-jun… I saw his true nature nine years ago,” Seo-jin began.
“Oh? Go on.”
“Yes. Ye-jin noona—Seomun Ye-jin—was doing a photo shoot at the ti. I was only eleven years old, but I went to see her with my parents. That’s when I first encountered Kim Ho-jun.”
From the very first eting, sothing about Kim Ho-jun had rubbed him the wrong way.
At the ti, Seo-jin had dismissed it, believing it wrong to judge soone based on their appearance or deanor. But looking back now, his instincts had been correct.
“That man accused my parents of being villains the mont we t. He behaved rudely, interrupted their conversation with Ye-jin noona, and treated her as if she were his possession!”
“…Is that all?”
“No, there’s more. He threatened my parents, insinuated they were villains, and even mocked us by bringing up my brother’s na.”
“Your brother?”
“Yes. Baek Seo-jun—the disgraceful monster of a brother I have,” Seo-jin said, his voice trembling with anger.
Even now, recalling Kim Ho-jun’s actions filled him with rage.
There was no doubt in his mind. No room for hesitation.
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