The World’s Strongest Daughter.

What does it mean to be the strongest in the world?

Literally, it probably means the most powerful person.

Then, what must one do to become the strongest in the world?

“…Heh.”

Given the situation, a hollow laugh escaped my mouth at the absurdity of having such thoughts.

Being the strongest in the world means being at the pinnacle of a field.

Reaching the peak cannot be achieved with ordinary effort and talent.

At least effort can be imitated to some extent, but the wall of talent cannot be overcome even in death and rebirth.

I can confidently say this because I know those who have reached a pinnacle higher than anyone.

“…”

Yes, this is really ridiculous.

I checked the message that appeared before my eyes once again with a heavy sigh.

[Make Min So-yeon the strongest in the world.]
[Failure will lead to the destruction of the world.]

How absurd, seriously.

In this era where monsters emerge from gates and people can breathe fire, seeing such a message is not strange.

But the content was the problem.

The Min So-yeon I know is the only one in this world.

My one and only daughter, So-yeon.

Telling me to make that fragile child the strongest in the world… Moreover, she’s not even my daughter anymore.

I, Min Sung-jae, the father of Min So-yeon, died long ago.

I died three years ago while carrying out a mission and was resurrected about two years ago.

After being suddenly resurrected, I spent futile time trying to prove my identity as “me.”

In the year after my death, my family’s contact information had all changed, and the house was already empty.

With a glimmer of hope, I visited a few close acquaintances, but I was ignored and treated as a young kid impersonating the dead “me.”

In a situation where even access was impossible, I could do nothing.

And so, just a few days ago, after accepting the bitter reality, I made up my mind to live a second life.

But now they’re telling me to go to So-yeon…

Isn’t this too much?

*

I casually glanced at the familiar school uniform hanging on one side of the wall.

When was the last time I wore this?

It felt somewhat overwhelming to see the uniform design largely unchanged despite a long time passing.

14 years.

It’s already been 14 years since I graduated from the “Academy.”

Who would have thought I’d wear this uniform again?

Life is too unpredictable.

“…”

With a short sigh, I lightly picked up the uniform.

After changing into the uniform with familiar yet somewhat awkward movements, I briefly glanced at the small mirror attached to the door.

“This is crazy…”

Seeing my appearance reflected in the mirror, the reality of attending the Academy began to sink in.

Compulsory Education Institution for Ability Users–or just simply, the Academy.

It is an educational institution operated by the nation. It is tailored to the current era where “gates” are embedded in everyday life.

Those with abilities must receive at least 3 years of mandatory education.

During the education period, they can carry out missions according to their assigned rank.

After completing their education and receiving a rank, they gain the authority to legally enter and exit “gates.”

They are called “Hunters” in society and can officially work.

In my previous life, I was an A-rank hunter, and I also achieved quite a lot with my wife, who was called the “strongest.”

But in the end, I died…

Having vowed to live a new life, I set out again to find information about my daughter after encountering the mysterious message.

Relying on the Internet as the only channel, I searched for information for several days and found out that she was entering the Academy.

When I calculated her age again, it was the right time for her to enter the Academy.

As a result of hurriedly preparing for admission, fortunately, I was able to enter the Academy together with my daughter.

If I had entered much earlier, it would have been fine, but if I entered just one year later, I, the parent, would have faced the strange situation of becoming my daughter’s junior.

“…”

Not knowing when I would meet my daughter, I was fixing my appearance in advance when the name tag on my chest suddenly caught my eye.

[Yoo Ji-hwan]

The name Yoo Ji-hwan is one that I have become accustomed to… My name…

Not Min Sung-jae, but the name Yoo Ji-hwan.

Fiddling with the name tag for no reason and letting out a heavy sigh, I soon steeled my resolve and set out to prepare for school.

*

On the way to the Academy.

While walking blankly staring at the ground, the students walking ahead of me suddenly stopped and began whispering in a small voice.

“… Let’s go that way.”
“Suddenly? Why?”

It was loud enough for me walking right behind them to hear.

“That alley is where delinquents smoke cigarettes.”
“…O-Oh, really?”

Cigarettes?

Like that, the students in front took a turn and disappeared into the side alley, and I continued walking without much thought.

And a little later.

I was able to find the alley the students had mentioned earlier.

A narrow alley with a strange shade.

It certainly seemed like a good place to secretly smoke cigarettes.

…Cigarettes are gentlemanly enough.

At least they’re not beating people up or extorting money, so they’re relatively well-behaved.

With those silly thoughts, I was about to quietly pass the alley when…

Clink-

A clear metallic sound came from inside the alley.

It sounded familiar, similar to the sound of opening a lighter.

Unconsciously reacting to the sound, I turned towards the alley and saw someone lighting a cigarette inside.

Long, flowing black hair and the flickering flame of the lighter.

She was wearing clothes that seemed familiar from somewhere, with a cigarette in her mouth.

…Huh?

She was also a student at the same Academy as me.

Tsk tsk, smoking already…

A student secretly smoking cigarettes right before going to the Academy, I think we need to be a bit wary.

I can’t let her have a bad influence on our So-yeon.

Clicking my tongue inwardly, I was about to take a step again when…

“…”

I made eye contact with her.

Slightly sharp impression with big eyes and a dot stamped on the corner of her mouth.

And…

The jacket proving she was an Academy student and the name tag on her chest caught my eye.

…What?

“Wh-What the…”

As I pointed at her with shock, she casually spit out the cigarette she had in her mouth.

“…What.”

A natural provoking tone.

This wasn’t her first or second time doing this.

On the chest of the girl who anyone could see was a natural delinquent, a name that should never be written was there.

[Min So-yeon]

The reunion with my daughter after a long time was the worst.