Some orphanages sponsored by the government and the Association functioned as a kind of public institution, and the man had come from one of them.
“Juhyeon.”
“Yes, Director.”
In accordance with the orphanage’s rules, his name was simply Juhyeon, without a family name.
“If you have some time, could you run an errand to the Association for me?”
“Of course. What should I deliver this time?”
“It’s the list of children who’ll be coming in. I need them to review it.”
He had been born four years before the Great Cataclysm.
In other words, he had lived through the Great Cataclysm when he was around four years old. The child, who had even lost his name, was clever and diligent. Showered with affection by the adults, he survived under the care of others. That was also why he had been able to remain at the orphanage.
“Understood. I’ll be back soon.”
“You really are a good boy, Juhyeon.”
“It’s something that needs to be done.”
Orphanages affiliated with the Association generally selected children who were intelligent, healthy, and diligent. Children raised there either Awakened and became Hunters before striking out on their own, or were given an opportunity to work for the Association.
Juhyeon was one of them, but unlike the other orphans who merely took life as it came, he had ambition.
“You said you wanted to join the Association’s research institute, didn’t you?”
“Yes. Even if I Awaken, I’d rather work at the research institute.”
He wanted to make the world a little better. He wanted to prevent as many tragedies as he possibly could.
“That way, I can help the Hunters.”
Having faced the Great Cataclysm with nothing to protect him, he had witnessed the misery of the world. He had seen just how far human beings could fall.
Juhyeon had been exceptionally fortunate amid it all. He wanted to share the good fortune he had received with others, so that the same tragedies would never happen again.
“I’m proud of you, Juhyeon.”
“Thank you.”
“The research institute is always…