The heavy clank of boots echoed down the corridor before the door burst open. Several of Ironwood's soldiers swept inside, rifles held tight, scanning the room.
"Mr. Kim," one of them said sharply, visor gleaming under the lights. "We had a security alert. Reports of an unauthorized visitor in this block. Did anyone come through here?"
Hyunwoo leaned lazily on his spear, meeting the soldier's gaze without a hint of worry. "Yeah. Just a normal visitor." He tilted his head toward Roman, who sat chained in his chair, looking amused. "Torchwick's got his fans, apparently."
Roman gave a lopsided grin, leaning back. "What can I say? I'm popular."
The soldier frowned, clearly unsatisfied. "Strange. No one logged in on the system."
Hyunwoo shrugged, tone flat. "Maybe your system's lagging behind. Not everyone leaves a neat paper trail." His eyes narrowed, voice carrying just enough weight to make the soldier hesitate. "But whoever it was, they're gone now."
For a beat, silence stretched. The soldier finally gave a curt nod. "Very well. We'll sweep the area again. General Ironwood will be informed."
The squad filed out, boots thudding back down the hall.
Roman whistled low. "Smooth. Almost believed you myself."
Hyunwoo lowered his spear, eyes still on the door. "...Almost."
____
By the time Hyunwoo stepped back through the gates of Beacon, dawn had already broken, painting the spires of the academy in gold. He had barely set foot on campus when the sound of gathering voices drew him toward the amphitheater.
Inside, rows of students were already assembled—hunters-in-training from Mistral, Vale, Vacuo, and Atlas, their uniforms and emblems mixing into a mosaic of colors and cultures. The air buzzed with anticipation.
On the stage stood Glynda Goodwitch, posture sharp as ever, her riding crop resting against her side. Beside her, Professor Ozpin leaned on his cane, expression calm but carrying the weight of authority. General Ironwood loomed behind them, silent but commanding, his white uniform standing out starkly against the rest.
"Students," Glynda began, her voice cutting through the chatter like a blade, "today marks your first step into the greater world beyond these walls. You have trained. You have fought. But now you will join veteran Huntsmen and Huntresses in the field. Real missions. Real dangers."
The room grew still. Even the most restless Vacuan students straightened in their seats.
Ozpin raised a hand, his gaze sweeping over the assembly. "Remember this: the strength of Huntsmen is not measured merely by how they fight, but by how they choose to stand together. Each of you comes from different kingdoms, different traditions, and different walks of life. It is precisely this individuality and diversity that makes our cause stronger."
His words carried weight—steady, reassuring, but layered with an undertone Hyunwoo didn't miss. Ozpin wasn't just speaking to inspire. He was preparing them for something.
The massive screens behind the stage flickered to life, displaying dozens of mission dossiers. Each file carried coordinates, threat levels, and the names of the veteran Huntsmen leading them.
"Form your teams," Glynda instructed. "Choose carefully. Each mission will test not only your skill, but your judgment."
The hall erupted with murmurs as students clustered together, pointing at the missions displayed.
Hyunwoo slipped quietly into the back of the crowd, arms folded, watching. His mind was already running through possibilities. Every assignment on the board was another chance—another thread in the web of whatever larger game was unfolding.
____
The mission board hummed faintly, its pale light casting a glow across eager faces. Ruby leaned forward, eyes bright as she jabbed at the screen.
"This is perfect! All we have to do is shadow a Huntsman in the southeast!"
Yang grinned at her sister's excitement. Weiss, arms crossed, tried to keep it grounded. Blake, quiet as ever, just followed the flow. But the screen's answer was less forgiving.
[FIRST YEARS NOT PERMITTED] blinked in sharp red letters.
Ruby's shoulders sank. "Oh come on..."
Weiss sighed. "Wonderful."
And then Ruby's voice came with a burst of ill-timed inspiration. "Wait, how about we mail ourselves there!"
A voice answered from behind them, calm, deliberate. "Well, that's one option."
They turned to see Professor Ozpin approaching, cane tapping gently on the floor. His eyes, as usual, seemed to see far more than anyone was comfortable with.
He studied the team in silence, then said, "That particular region is dangerous. Too dangerous for first years. Yet something tells me you four will end up there regardless of what I decide."
Yang and Weiss exchanged a look. Blake's gaze slid toward Ruby, who was already shrinking under their attention.
"Whatever makes you say that?" Ruby laughed weakly.
Ozpin's tone sharpened, just slightly. "I'm still curious how you found yourselves at the docks last semester... how you discovered a hideout in the southeast... and why witnesses reported rose petals scattered in a dance club."
Ruby had no answer. The silence was enough. Ozpin's expression softened. "Perhaps I'll never know the whole truth. So instead of waiting for you to break the rules, why don't I bend them?"
His scroll chimed, the mission board shifting. Ruby's face lit up with relief. "We won't let you down. Thank you, Professor!"
That was when Hyunwoo, who had been standing quietly at the edge of the area, finally stepped forward. He glanced at the hologram, then at Ozpin.
"...Aren't you being too easy giving them access like that?"
The words cut through the moment. Ruby froze mid-smile, her teammates staring at him as though he had just scolded their teacher.
Ozpin only chuckled, not offended in the slightest. "Perhaps. But I find that trust, even when it bends, teaches more than restriction ever could."
Hyunwoo didn't move from his spot. His voice cut in again, quiet but firm.
"...What if something happens to them? Sure, there are Huntsmen nearby, but that's not enough to secure their safety for a week. Not against the kind of enemies moving right now."
The room grew still.
Ruby glanced between Ozpin and Hyunwoo before blurting out, "W-We'll be fine! I mean... I know it's dangerous, but that's why we're here, right? To learn how to handle it. If we just sit around waiting until it's safe, then we'll never be ready."
Her words tumbled out quickly, but her eyes held steady.
Ozpin's gaze softened on her, then shifted back to Hyunwoo. "You see? Even in uncertainty, there is resolve. They must be allowed to face the storm, or they will never learn to stand in it."
Hyunwoo's frown deepened, though he didn't argue further. To him, it still sounded too much like gambling with lives.
Hyunwoo turned toward Ruby, the hard edge in his expression softening. He raised a hand and gently patted the top of her head.
"...You've got guts, I'll give you that. Just don't mistake recklessness for courage. Promise me you'll stay sharp out there."
Ruby blinked up at him, cheeks a little pink, but she nodded quickly. "I promise."
Yang's grin spread wide, arms crossing over her chest. "Well, would you look at that. Ruby's already got a bodyguard. Guess I don't need to worry as much."
Ruby's face heated up even more. "Yang!"
Weiss let out an exasperated huff, folding her arms tightly. "Honestly. She doesn't need her head patted like a child." But her voice carried more annoyance than real anger, her eyes flicking away as if to hide the faintest trace of relief.
Blake tilted her head slightly, watching quietly from the side. A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth before she murmured, "Still... it's nice to know someone else is looking out for her."
Ruby groaned, burying her face in her hands. "You guys are the worst..."
Ozpin chuckled softly behind his mug. "It seems, Miss Rose, you're surrounded by more guardians than you realize."
Before the tension could stretch, Hyunwoo stepped forward, breaking the line between team RWBY. He turned to Ozpin, his expression steady.
"However, professor. If Team RWBY is allowed to take this dangerous mission, then let my team compete in the same assignment. We've fought together before, we know how to manage. Whatever comes at them, we'll handle it too."
Ozpin studied the groups, silent for a long moment. Then he gave the faintest nod, voice calm but weighted.
"Two teams, one path. Consider it not only a mission... but a lesson. I expect you to return not only stronger, but wiser."
Ruby beamed. "We won't let you down!"
The courtyard outside Beacon hummed with the chatter of students, but Hyunwoo stood with Ozpin and Team RWBY at the center of it, the weight of the new mission hanging in the air.
Footsteps drew near.
"Hyunwoo," Jisoo's voice carried first—cool, even, as always. She stopped a few paces away, her jacket slung over one shoulder, sharp eyes flicking between him and Ruby's team. "So it's true. You volunteered us without warning."
Ruby perked up, waving quickly. "Hey! Jisoo, Jiwon, Jaemin—long time no see!"
Yang grinned, "Figures you three would show up. Things are never boring when you're around."
Jiwon, calm as ever, inclined his head politely. "It looks like we'll be working in the same direction again. That makes things simpler."
Jaemin cracked his knuckles with a smirk, glancing at Yang. "Simpler, sure. But I wouldn't mind making it a race. See which team finishes faster."
Yang's grin widened. "Oh, it's on."
Weiss exhaled, but there wasn't the usual sharpness in her tone. "Just don't get in our way."
Jisoo arched a brow at that, her smirk tugging just slightly. "Funny. I was about to say the same thing."
Jiwon gave a soft sigh, already bracing himself. "Looks like it'll be another long week."
Jaemin grinned wider. "All the better."
Jisoo crossed her arms, glancing at Hyunwoo with a quiet smirk. "You always know how to throw us into the fire, don't you?"
"Well they threw themselves first, I just want to make sure they didn't get burned too much."
___
Support my stories on p*treon.com/Jujukaka0 and get 12 early chapters,