Chapter 09 …
Became a Transcendent-Level Genius Trainer
Han Seok-yul’s voice, full of excitement, came through the phone.
“Unbelievable, unbelievable! You know Woo Ha-na, right? I put her in Yoo Jun’s hands, and it’s a total hit! She’s only had three training sessions, and it’s like she sprouted wings and flew!”
Our Yoo Jun.
In Han’s mind, Yoo Jun had already become the proud trainer of the Sky Guild.
It was only natural.
He had trained Woo Ha-na to reach her full potential—something no other trainer who had passed through or was currently in the Sky Guild had managed.
And he did it in just three days. Of course, it was impressive.
“I’ll treat you to a feast! See you next time!”
As soon as the call ended, Min-seok blinked several times.
“…What exactly is he doing? I’ve never seen Han praise anyone like this before.”
It hadn’t even been a week.
And already, he was receiving such high praise after just three days.
Han was known for being stingy with compliments.
Min-seok himself had only ever received praise from Han once.
“Is he really up to something extraordinary?”
He was certain when Yoo Jun had solved his knee problem in an instant.
Even if Yoo Jun had failed as an Awakened, the brilliance he had shown as a child was still there.
“Could he become an S-rank trainer at this rate?”
Before that happened, he had to meet him again.
“I need him to fix my knee!”
“Trainer Kang!”
At the Sky Guild training grounds, Woo Ha-na approached Yoo Jun with a bright smile.
“Thank you so much!”
“I heard about your debut.”
Yoo Jun looked at her with a satisfied smile.
“I did exactly what you said. And… I came in first place!”
Woo Ha-na’s evaluation among the called-up Awakened was unmatched.
And the gap between her and second place was overwhelming.
Thanks to this, she even received an award.
“I received the Vanguard Ace Award.”
She handed the award to Yoo Jun.
“This is all thanks to you, Trainer. I want to give this to you.”
“No, this belongs to Trainee Woo Ha-na.”
Yoo Jun politely declined the gift.
“Thank you for following so diligently.”
He didn’t tell her, but he had already received enough reward himself.
“Thanks to her, I gained a lot of points too.”
“The leader of Team 3 said he’d write a recommendation for me to go straight to Team 1. I think I’ll be moving there.”
Team 1 was the top climbing team.
Joining Team 1 meant being recognized as a true Awakened, not just a youth.
“What I did was nothing special. I just helped pull out a bit of the potential you already had. Everything was already within you.”
Woo Ha-na’s eyes welled up at Yoo Jun’s humble words.
“I….”
Her emotions surged.
“If it weren’t for Trainer Kang, I would have been expelled. Many trainers tried to teach me, but I was foolish. I didn’t understand. I had great ability, but I couldn’t use it… I was just causing trouble for the guild.”
She had great ability and even the support of excellent trainers. But she hadn’t been able to utilize it fully.
That’s why she had worked so hard.
“I tried my best, but it wasn’t working. I wanted to do well…”
She struggled to hold back the emotions rising inside her as she continued.
“I didn’t know what to do, but you showed me the way.”
Yoo Jun’s training had changed everything.
Meeting him, and this very moment, became the most important turning point in her life.
Would she soar, or fall without even spreading her wings?
Yoo Jun had given her wings. And today, she flew. It had been a short time, but it was decisive.
“You gave me the wings I needed. You showed me how to fly.”
Woo Ha-na expressed her gratitude with utmost sincerity.
Drop. Drop.
The floor was wet.
She probably didn’t want to show her crying face.
Yoo Jun didn’t lift her up or comfort her.
I feel the same way.
Yoo Jun had failed. That’s why he wanted others not to fail. At least those he trained should succeed.
Someone had to.
Shouldn’t I pull someone out of the pit of despair?
Watching her, Yoo Jun realized his path.
How many Awakened fall into despair while others shine beautifully?
He wanted to be the one to extend a hand to those people. He wanted to show the world that no Awakened is truly a failure.
“Woo Ha-na.”
He called her gently.
“Lift your head.”
She wiped her tears, but the redness of her nose and eyes remained. Yoo Jun stared directly at the tearful Woo Ha-na.
“This is just the beginning. The most important moment starts now. What I taught you isn’t absolute. I only corrected a small deviation. So, be even more alert.”
Yoo Jun spoke with a serious expression.
“But enjoy this moment. Rejoice fully. Make sure to tell your parents too.”
“Yes… yes!”
“Still, feel free to come anytime. I’ll see you as much as you want.”
“I definitely will!”
Woo Ha-na smiled brightly, tears glistening, and left, bowing repeatedly.
Yoo Jun watched her go with a satisfied smile.
Even he thought he had been the ideal trainer just now.
Clenching his fist, he thought:
“Woo Ha-na will succeed. And she’ll return as a grateful swallow.”
Yoo Jun smiled.
A good image brings good results.
Woo Ha-na would boost her reputation, and he would create another trainee like her.
“A positive cycle in motion.”
Sky Guild – Guildmaster’s Office
Knock, knock.
Yoo Jun entered.
“Yes, Guildmaster. I heard you called for me.”
“Good report, Trainer Kang!”
The Guildmaster wore a stern expression, but his eyes smiled. The corners of his mouth twitched; he clearly felt pleased seeing Yoo Jun.
“I heard Woo Ha-na’s training went exceptionally well! Even better than during the practice! Team 3’s leader praised her to the skies. His eyes practically popped out! He’s usually rough, but I’ve never seen him compliment like that.”
He handed an envelope to Yoo Jun.
“Performance bonus. Keep up the good work.”
Yoo Jun peeked inside.
About 5 million won. A significant amount for a trainer who had only joined three days ago.
“Thank you.”
“You pulled out Woo Ha-na’s potential. Previously, all our trainers tried to make her perform at least a standard level. But no one could. She had enormous potential, which is why we had so many trainers on her. You can see it yourself—she’s incredibly talented.”
The Guildmaster spoke with a bittersweet expression.
“We also invested a lot in Woo Ha-na, trying to save her. And still, we couldn’t succeed.”
Yoo Jun knew all too well. From the guild’s perspective, she had been a money pit they couldn’t give up on.
“You succeeded where no other trainer could. You did it alone.”
He then played a video for Yoo Jun.
It showed Woo Ha-na tackling the 5th floor of the Tower of Clouds.
Yoo Jun was very familiar with this floor.
“I trained here every day.”
He couldn’t enter the tower himself as he hadn’t awakened, so he had only done simulations.
Having repeatedly gone through the tower’s early floors on the VR simulation machines at the Promise Guild, he knew it inside out.
“I could probably clear the 5th floor blindfolded.”
Woo Ha-na moved exactly as Yoo Jun had trained her to. Mana flow. Movements. Everything was perfect.
“It’s not easy to replicate training exactly.”
Changing ingrained movements is tough with just a few sessions, but she executed perfectly.
“This is her first climb. And she moves like this?”
Anyone would freeze on their first climb. Even the Guildmaster had once frozen in front of weaker monsters. Movements learned through training can be forgotten, and everything falls apart.
But Woo Ha-na was different.
She had faith in her own abilities. Perhaps faith in her trainer too. With such certainty, she remained calm.
“This proves the trainer taught her excellently.”
“No, I just did my duty.”
Yoo Jun’s humility made the Guildmaster smile.
A talented trainer who’s also humble? Irresistible.
He could understand if Yoo Jun acted arrogantly, given his skill and results. That would have made keeping him easier.
But Yoo Jun’s clear gaze made the Guildmaster frown.
“So…”
Clearing his throat, the Guildmaster handed Yoo Jun some documents.
“I want to renew your contract. We’ll increase it substantially from the one signed a few days ago. And we’d like you to take care of our youths. What do you think?”
Yoo Jun shook his head. Expected.
He had no need to belong to the guild.
“Sorry. I’ll work under the current contract first and then decide. Thank you for the offer!”
It was too soon to renew, but Yoo Jun felt pleased. The immediate offer meant his abilities were recognized.
But he had no intention to permanently join the Sky Guild.
“Staying in one place too long isn’t wise.”
Being a guild-affiliated Awakened trainer wasn’t what he wanted.
“I’ve felt it.”
At the Promise Guild, early days were stable. Protected under a large guild, free from worries—it felt good.
But he couldn’t stay complacent now.
“I must aim higher.”
Sky Guild wasn’t bad, but he wouldn’t remain satisfied there.
“Achieve results quickly, then move to the next stage.”
More achievements would bring better offers.
But he didn’t want to join another guild either. Freelancing suited him perfectly.
“My Awakened training system grows only by teaching many Awakened.”
Being in one guild limited his teaching opportunities.
“Freelancing is different.”
With short-term contracts, he could train countless Awakened freely. This would accelerate his growth and influence, as his students became key figures in various guilds.
“I’d like to ask about Kim Kyo-jun, Guildmaster.”
After handling the contract, Yoo Jun inquired about the new trainee.
“Kim Kyo-jun?”
“Yes, any info?”
A weapon-enhancing Awakened, just trained yesterday.
“Perfect choice after Woo Ha-na.”
20th out of 20 in the Sky Guild trainees.
“But he has solid potential.”
Mental grade: A. Even if other stats were poor, strong mentality would allow him to absorb training.
“He can endure even harsh training.”
After that, only upward progress remained.
The Guildmaster sighed, seeing Yoo Jun jump straight into business. He wanted to keep him, but couldn’t persuade him. At least Woo Ha-na had succeeded spectacularly.
“Choosing Kim Kyo-jun… that’s tough. Are you ready?”
The Guildmaster knew all about the youths, especially Kim Kyo-jun.
“I like it.”
Yoo Jun’s sparkling eyes prompted the Guildmaster to share information.
“Thanks for the bonus!”
The Guildmaster felt he might have to prepare another bonus.
“Oh? Woo Ha-na has advanced?”
Scouter Community – Scout Board.
The official info post about Woo Ha-na caught the attention of many scouters.
“Hmm, but doesn’t she have a critical weakness?”
She had once drawn attention, but a significant flaw had left her off scouts’ radar. It wasn’t a flaw she could overcome quickly.
“Wait, she cleared the 5th floor alone?”
“How?”
“A-rank? She overcame all her weaknesses?”
Several scouts upgraded her evaluation from D to A. They believed she would inevitably become A-rank.
They questioned this sudden improvement.
“How did this happen?”
Soon, they obtained the video of Woo Ha-na clearing the 5th floor.
“Oh my god.”
“This is impossible. Her movements are completely different.”
“She’s on another level compared to other Awakened she joined with.”
She was no longer the Woo Ha-na who had been scouted for her flaws.
“This changes everything.”
Interest in her surged.
“I need a closer look.”
“But… what did she do to change overnight?”
Scouters gathered more information and soon understood.
“A new trainer…?”
“Uh?”
“I’ve seen that name before.”
“Why is he here?”
Fallen prodigy Kang Yoo Jun.
He had become an Awakened trainer and was training Woo Ha-na.
“Yoo Jun trained Woo Ha-na?”
