———☆
After his friends left to go their separate ways, Yeon-hwa stood alone, frowning slightly.
"…How do I open that thing again?"
He scratched his head, trying to remember. This was basic stuff—something they had taught back in elementary school in case anyone ever awakened. And yet, his mind was completely blank.
"Wow. Amazing," he muttered. "I awaken as a Dream Hunter and immediately forget the most important step. Great start, Yeon. Truly inspiring."
He took a deep breath and tried to focus.
"…System."
Nothing.
He frowned.
"…System?"
Still nothing.
"Don't tell me it only works when I'm about to throw up—"
"System."
Ping.
A translucent window suddenly appeared in front of him.
Yeon-hwa blinked.
"…Oh. Okay. So now it works. Cool. Not embarrassing at all."
He glanced around quickly to make sure no one was watching him talk to thin air, then leaned closer to the floating screen.
"Alright… stats…"
He tapped the [Stats] button.
There was a brief pause.
Then—
"WHAT THE FUC—?!"
His voice echoed far louder than intended, making a passing student jump and stare at him. Yeon-hwa immediately slapped a hand over his mouth, eyes wide.
"…I'm fine," he mumbled awkwardly.
The student walked away faster.
Yeon-hwa slowly turned back to the screen.
"…No. No, no, no. This has to be broken."
His rank glowed brightly at the top.
S+++
He blinked.
Then blinked again.
"…There's no way."
That rank was higher than the current strongest Dream Hunter—
Han Jisung.
A fourth-year student. Twenty-two years old. The only known S++ rank in existence.
Until now.
Jisung was famous—not just for his power, but for his background. He came from an influential and controversial family. His mother, the former head of the Dream Doctor Academy (DDA), had been an S+ rank herself before her death just a year ago.
And now—
"Great," Yeon-hwa whispered, staring at his screen. "Just great. I'm stronger than that guy."
He slowly lowered the window, his expression turning serious.
"There's no way I'm registering."
Absolutely not.
Registering would ruin everything—his college life, his freedom, his peace. Not to mention the responsibilities. The expectations.
And the enemies.
"…Yeah, no thanks. I choose life."
Because if word got out?
He'd instantly become a target.
And worst of all—
He'd steal the spotlight from Han Jisung.
Yeon-hwa grimaced.
He didn't like Jisung.
Well… actually, he was probably the only person who didn't.
And honestly, the reason was… complicated.
It wasn't really about Jisung himself.
It was how Yeon-hwa had been raised.
His family had drilled into him one belief over and over again: people like that were wrong.
And Jisung—
Jisung didn't hide it.
He was openly gay. Confident. Unapologetic. He even wore feminine clothing without caring what anyone thought.
Everything Yeon-hwa had been taught to reject.
"…Tch."
He looked away.
There was a time, back in middle school…
When he had liked someone.
A boy.
But he had buried that memory so deeply it barely felt real anymore. His family had dismissed it as "confusion," something temporary, something to ignore.
So he did.
Or at least… he tried to.
Yeon-hwa clenched his fist slightly.
"…Doesn't matter."
He closed the system window with a flick.
Right now, he had a bigger problem.
An S+++ rank.
And absolutely no intention of letting anyone find out.
☆———☆
Later that day, after another exhausting lecture, Yeon-hwa found himself walking down the hallway toward the teachers' offices.
Specifically… his physics lecturer's office.
He grimaced.
"Why is his room always at the end of the corridor?" he muttered. "It feels like I'm walking to my execution."
Beside him, Kim snorted.
"Because he is your execution."
"Not funny," Yeon-hwa groaned. "You've seen how he looks at people. I swear he enjoys watching students suffer."
"Then why are you going?" Kim asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Because I don't understand anything from today's lecture," Yeon-hwa said, dragging his feet. "If I fail, my dad will probably disown me. Or worse—make me study more."
Kim gave him a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.
"Tragic."
"…You're not helping."
They continued walking, their footsteps echoing softly in the hallway.
After a moment, Kim leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"So… about your rank."
Yeon-hwa stiffened immediately.
"Shh! Do you want the walls to hear you?!"
Kim rolled his eyes.
"Oh yes, the walls are definitely going to report you to the DHO."
"You never know," Yeon-hwa muttered nervously, glancing around. "This place feels suspicious."
Kim sighed.
"Relax. No one's listening. Now tell me again—S+++? Are you serious?"
"I wish I wasn't," Yeon-hwa whispered. "I checked three times. Even hit the screen. It didn't change."
Kim stared at him.
"That's insane. Do you even realize what that means?"
"Yes," Yeon-hwa said flatly. "It means my peaceful, normal life is officially over."
"It means you're stronger than—"
"I know who I'm stronger than," Yeon-hwa cut in quickly. "Don't say his name."
Kim smirked.
"Han Ji—"
"Don't you dare." Yeon whisper-yelled
Kim laughed quietly.
"Okay, okay. But seriously, what are you going to do?"
"Simple," Yeon-hwa said. "I pretend this never happened. I stay quiet. I live normally. I graduate. Done."
Kim gave him a look.
"…You're in denial."
"I am trying to survive."
Before Kim could respond—
Thud.
Yeon-hwa walked straight into someone.
"Ah—! I'm so—"
He froze.
Kim froze.
The hallway suddenly felt ten times quieter.
Standing in front of them was none other than—
Han Jisung.
For a moment, Yeon-hwa's brain completely shut down.
Of all people.
Jisung looked down at him, blinking in mild surprise. Up close, he looked even more striking—effortlessly composed, his outfit slightly more on the feminine side, yet worn with complete confidence.
"…You okay?" Jisung asked, his voice calm.
Yeon-hwa's heart immediately started racing.
Fast.
Way too fast.
"I—uh—yes—I mean—no—I mean—yes, I'm fine!" he blurted out, words tripping over each other.
'What is wrong with me?!' Yeon thought.
Kim, traitor that he was, stayed completely silent.
Jisung tilted his head slightly, studying him for a second before giving a small nod.
"Alright. Be careful next time."
"Y-Yes," Yeon-hwa said quickly, stepping aside like his life depended on it.
As Jisung walked past them, calm as ever, Yeon-hwa remained frozen in place.
Only when Jisung was a good distance away did he finally exhale.
"…I almost died."
Kim stared at him.
"Your such a drama queen."
"No i am not! Plus i was just scared."
Kim raised an eyebrow.
"…Why are you acting like that?"
"I'm not acting," Yeon-hwa said, pressing a hand to his chest. "My heart is literally trying to escape my body."
Kim smirked slightly.
"Sure that's fear?"
"Yes," Yeon-hwa said immediately. "Obviously fear."
Kim didn't look convinced.
Yeon-hwa, on the other hand, refused to think any deeper about it.
"…Let's just go before I collapse."
And with that, he hurried off toward the physics office—completely ignoring the way his heart was still beating just a little too fast.