Chapter 6: Probability and Pain

[14:00] After Evaluation class

Hee-sung and Sang-pil, both 19 years old, are in their final year at the great hunters academy. In this world, upon graduation, students are scouted based on their academic performance and, more importantly, their Hunter classification. A system that ranks individuals according to their aura, combat, abilities, and potential. This classification plays a crucial role in determining their future opportunities and roles within society.

Hee-sung couldn't help but feel conflicted about the Hunter classification system.

Though he himself had a well upbringing after living with his Aunt who was for reasons she wouldn't tell him, rich, he couldn't forget where he started. What with him living with his mother all their years ago.

11 years ago, Hee-sung's home had been a tiny, worn-down studio apartment he shared with his mother.

The space was cramped, with a thin mattress on the floor instead of a proper bed and a rickety fold-out table that doubled as both a dining and study area. The kitchenette had only a single gas burner and a mini fridge, often half-empty.

In winter, the draft from the window made the whole room cold, but his mother always wrapped him in extra blankets, humming softly as she did. It wasn't much, but it had been warm because she was there.

These two vastly different experiences made him think that those with wealth and resources had an unfair advantage while others had to scrape by. Especially with technology advancing rapidly, many traditional civilian jobs were disappearing, leaving fewer opportunities for those without connections or wealth.

Not just that, the constant pressure to perform was starting to weigh on him, too. It wasn't just about being strong...it was about being perfect.

At that moment, Hee-sung remembered his Aunts warning.

"Unbalanced stats will get you killed. Strength without agility makes you a slow target. Agility without endurance means you'll become tired before the fight is over. Power means nothing if you can't control it."

She had seen it happen before. Hunters who relied too much on one strength, only to be overwhelmed when their weakness was exposed. A fighter with immense strength but no speed could be outmanoeuvred. A speed-focused hunter with no durability would crumble the moment they took a direct hit.

"A house built on one pillar collapses," she had told him once. "Balance is survival."

-----

[14:00]

The Mathematics and Statistics class begins with Professor Ji-Hoon at the front, introducing the day's lesson with a calm and focused tone.

He explains that today they'll explore dungeon analysis, probability, and survival strategies, focusing on how these concepts can help in team dynamics, decision-making, and evaluating risk in dangerous environments.

"Now, let's think about this," Professor Ji-Hoon says, pacing in front of the class. "If you were to form a team for a dungeon mission, how would you decide who leads?" He pauses, scanning the room. "Is it about strength? Experience? Or something else entirely?"

A few students raise their hands, eager to answer. "Yes, Min-Ji" he asked, nodding towards her.

Min-Ji thinks for a moment. "It could depend on the specific dungeon, sir. Some leaders might be better suited to fighting, while others might have stronger tactical skills."

"Exactly," Professor Ji-Hoon responds with a smile.

"It's about leveraging nthe unique strengths of each team member. Let's also consider probabilities.

He continues drawing diagrams on the board to explain the relationship between team composition and the risks they might face. The class listens intently, drawn in by his clear and structured approach.

"Next, how would you assess the likelihood of success in a dungeon with unknown monsters?"

A student raises his hand. "We'd have to rely on past data from similar dungeons, right? If we know the type of environment, we can estimate what kind of monsters might appear."

Professor Ji-Hoon nods approvingly. "Good thinking. Prior knowledge of similar dungeons can give us an edge. But what if no records exist? What, then?"

The class falls silent for a moment before Min-Ji hesitantly speaks up. "We could analyse the dungeon's entrance, if there are claw marks, bones, or remnants of past fights, it might hint at the type of monsters inside."

"Excellent observation," Professor Ji-Hoon says. "Environmental clues are crucial. Now, let's go deeper. Given zero information, we can still use probability models. We assume worst-case scenarios and prepare for a range of possible threats. What equipment and skills would give us the highest survival rate across multiple unknowns?"

The discussion continues as students debate different strategies, balancing risk and resource management

About an hour into the lesson, Hee-Sung begins to feel a familiar ache in his head. At first, it's a mild discomfort, but as the minutes pass, the pain intensifies. He briefly presses his hand to his forehead, trying to ignore it, but the throbbing only worsens. His focus starts to wane, and his voice becomes strained as he continues to follow Professor Ji-Hoon's instructions.

"Alright, now that we've covered basic team structures, let's consider the odds of surviving different dungeon environments," Professor Ji-Hoon continues, but his words blur slightly in Hee-Sung's mind

Sang-Pil, sitting next to him, notices Hee-Sung's discomfort. He leans over and whispers, "Hey, are you alright? You look a bit off."

Hee-Sung forces a small smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, just... a headache."

Sang-Pil frowns. "Again?"

Professor Ji-Hoon, overhearing the exchange, looks over with a concerned expression. "Hee-Sung, do you need to step out for a moment?"

Hee-Sung hesitates, fighting the urge to grimace. "I'm fine, Professor. Just a bit of a headache," he says, trying to sound nonchalant.

But the pain sharpens, and Hee-Sung realises he can't concentrate any longer. He quietly excused himself, slipping out of the classroom and heading towards the nurse's office to take the medication Aunt Cha has provided. The school is aware of his unknown condition, but it's something he rarely talks about.

----

Hee-Sung's POV:

The headaches started a year after the Great Cataclysm, which happened 11 years ago now. At first, they weren't anything I couldn't handle, just a dull ache here and there, nothing more than an annoying reminder that I wasn't invincible. But as time passed, they got worse. The pain would come in waves, unpredictable and sharp, leaving me drained, unable to focus, like my mind was under siege. I saw doctors, took the prescribed meds, but nothing helped. The cause remained a mystery, and the pain just... stayed.

Then one day, Aunt Cha found something. She didn't tell me where it came from, only handed it to me with a firm warning: "Never miss a dose."

The first time I took it, I could feel the relief almost immediately. The pain that had been gnawing at me seemed to vanish, and I could breathe again. Since then, those pills have become a necessity. I don't know what's in them or why they work when nothing else does. I've stopped asking myself why they're the only thing that keeps the pain at bay. All I know is that without them, the headaches return, worse than before.

As ive said before Aunt Cha Ji-Won is a woman of many secrets. The medication being just another one. She's always been kind to me, always cared for me when no one else did, but she doesn't like to share much about her past. She keeps it all locked away, and I don't press her for answers. I trust her. Completely. I respect her need for privacy, and I know, one day, she'll tell me everything. She's promised that, and I believe her. For now, all I need is the knowledge that, no matter what, I can rely on her in ways I can't with anyone else.

I've never questioned her decisions she's done so much for me, from the medication to the comfort of her presence. I don't need anything more than that. The gratitude I feel is enough to be patient, to wait for whatever she's holding back. After all, I know she'll tell me when the time's right.