[As the boss has been cleared, the dungeon's interior will return to its original state...]
The sensation of falling didn't last long. Suddenly, gravity reversed its direction, and he shot upward at the very speed he had been descending. His vision, previously shrouded in darkness, returned to normal in an instant.
'Where is this...?'
Jin-Woo looked around. Ticked, ticked. Streetlights with malfunctioning bulbs flickered, a rickshaw leaned against a wall, and telephone poles had half-torn advertisements plastered on them. It was a deserted alley he often passed through on his way home.
'It's my neighborhood.'
By a strange coincidence, it was the very spot where he had first instructed the five shadow soldiers to patrol the area.
'So my location really has changed.'
Though surprised, Jin-Woo calmly checked the ground beneath his feet. Just as when he summoned the shadow soldiers, he had risen from this same shadow. He gingerly stepped on the shadow with his toes.
'...'
When the skill was active, it had sunk like stepping onto the surface of water, but now it had returned to a normal shadow. Impressed, he checked the skill information. As described in the skill's details, exactly three hours of cooldown time were being applied.
[Skill: Shadow Exchange Lv.1] Class Exclusive... ...The skill will be usable in 2 hours, 59 minutes, and 57 seconds.
'Incredible.'
Having witnessed the skill's power firsthand with his own eyes, Jin-Woo's heart raced.
'Just like that, in an instant...'
He had maintained a state of concentration ever since he was pulled into the shadow. Considering how time feels slower when in that state, the movement had happened in the mere blink of an eye. He swallowed hard. Shadow Exchange. A skill with infinite potential, depending on how it was used.
'Ah, this isn't the time for that.'
Jin-Woo calmed his excitement and withdrew his mana. He had finally gotten his hands on the medicine to treat his mother; he couldn't waste time here. Growing anxious, he turned on his Hunter phone to check the time.
'It's already this late...'
Jin-Woo's brow furrowed. The numbers on the screen indicated it was 10 PM. Visiting hours were over, but there was no hesitation in his action to summon the shadow of the Kaisel.
'Kaisel.'
Kieeeek- Kaisel cried out joyfully at its master's call and poked its head above the ground. Soon, a truck-sized lizard with no arms but enormous wings revealed its entire body. When Kaisel spread its wings, the already narrow alley felt completely filled. It was a good thing no one was around. As Jin-Woo approached, Kaisel lowered its body to make it easy for him to mount. He climbed on lightly. Even though it was his first time, it felt familiar, as if he had been riding it for ages. At this rate, flying through the sky would be no problem.
'No one can stop me.'
Even if hospital staff, or even the police or military, blocked his way, he had the power to break through. And right now, he didn't want to be interrupted by anyone.
'Let's go.'
With a grim expression, Jin-Woo gave the order, and Kaisel began to move its massive wings. Kieeeek- Having quickly taken to the air, Kaisel flew rapidly in the direction Jin-Woo desired.
***
At the Hunter's Association, a meeting was in full swing late into the night. With the joint Korea-Japan team's raid imminent, Chairman Go Gun-Hee's Association was also putting forth maximum effort for a successful extermination of the Jeju Island ant monsters.
"Here are the materials sent from Japan."
A staff member pressed the remote button. Footage filmed by Japanese satellites using mana-detection cameras of the ant monsters played on the large screen. It was from the first, second, and third extermination operations. Chairman Go Gun-Hee narrowed his eyes.
'So all the ants are evacuating, except for the Queen Ant and her guards.'
Indeed. The ants were acting exactly as Japan had described. While the presence of the guard ants was concerning, any high-level dungeon would have a few boss-level monsters guarding the place. However, that didn't mean all danger had vanished. Chairman Go Gun-Hee, as the Korean person in charge, considered even the slightest possibility.
"What are the chances the ants, upon learning the Queen is in danger, will change course earlier than planned?"
Japan had prepared for this contingency as well.
"They say they'll use jamming waves." "Jamming waves?" "The ant monsters, unlike regular ants, communicate using their own special wavelengths."
To mobilize a legion of several thousand in perfect coordination, they would need some sort of command system. Chairman Go Gun-Hee nodded.
"So those can be disrupted by jamming waves?" "That's what they say, Chairman." "So we only need to worry about the Queen and her guards..."
The extermination operation was simple. Simple, and yet had a higher chance of success than any previous operation. So why did he still feel so uneasy? Chairman Go Gun-Hee rested his chin on his hand.
'Could it be that my unease comes from...'
At that moment. Chairman Go Gun-Hee sharply turned his wide-open eyes toward the window. Everyone in the conference room flinched at the Chairman's sudden movement. Department Head Woo Jin-Cheol, who was standing by the Chairman's side, quickly approached.
"What is it, sir?" "Just now..."
Chairman Go Gun-Hee looked at Woo Jin-Cheol. Woo Jin-Cheol's expression was the same as usual.
"You didn't feel it?" "Pardon? I'm not sure what you mean..." "..."
Just a moment ago, an immense mana wave had flowed in from somewhere far outside the window. The wave, which had been brief, vanished almost immediately, but Chairman Go Gun-Hee had clearly felt it.
'...'
Still staring out the window, a staff member conducting the meeting carefully asked.
"Chairman...?"
Only then did Chairman Go Gun-Hee shift his gaze, tilting his head. The source of the sudden, powerful mana wave was troubling, but now was the time to focus on the meeting. Deep in thought, he turned to the person in charge.
"Has there been any contact with Hunter Sung Jin-Woo?"
***
Baek Yoon-Ho asked without turning his head.
"You felt it too?"
Min Byung-Gu replied.
"He may have retired, but his rank hasn't dropped, has it?"
A heavy silence fell between the two, who were sharing a drink at their usual pojangmacha (street stall) for the first time in a while. Baek Yoon-Ho straightened his head.
"What was that just now?" "Maybe Choi Jong-In and Cha Hae-In got into a fistfight over the Hunters Guild's shares."
Min Byung-Gu, who had been frozen while holding his glass, snickered and tossed down his shot of soju. Baek Yoon-Ho looked at him incredulously.
"That was supposed to be a joke?" "Wasn't it funny, hyung?" "...Never mind. Forget it."
Well, when it came to his sense of humor, Min Byung-Gu was a bit of an oddball anyway.
'He's probably the world's first S-rank Hunter to retire while still in perfect health.'
He was the first in the world, and as far as they knew, the only one. How many people could make as much money as an S-rank Hunter and then just quit on a whim? Especially since his family wasn't particularly wealthy to begin with. Noticing Baek Yoon-Ho's gaze, Min Byung-Gu asked.
"Hyung, are you really going?" "Yeah." "You saw how hyung Eun-Suk died." "That's exactly why I have to go."
Min Byung-Gu looked at him in surprise. Baek Yoon-Ho finished his drink and answered.
"If we leave the ants alone, the whole of Korea will end up like that." "Since when did you become such a patriot..." "It's something that has to be done anyway; might as well attach a cool-sounding reason to it."
The Guilds couldn't refuse the Association's summons. Just as the Association considered the Guilds' convenience, the Guilds had to answer the Association's call. If they truly didn't want to go, the only option was to leave the country. But unfortunately, no advanced nation welcomed a high-ranking Hunter who had fled from a difficult raid. Who knew when they might turn around and run again?
'Not that I want to run either.'
Baek Yoon-Ho gave a faint smile. Min Byung-Gu stated flatly.
"I'm not going. Absolutely not. If you came here to take me, you've got the wrong address." "No."
Baek Yoon-Ho left money for the drinks and stood up. They had just finished all the bottles.
"I just came to say goodbye, since I don't know when we'll see each other again." "Hyung..."
Min Byung-Gu watched Baek Yoon-Ho, who was already walking away and waving, and gave up trying to persuade him. Baek Yoon-Ho surely understood the danger of this extermination operation well enough.
'And yet he's going.'
It wasn't the face of someone trembling in fear, being forcibly dragged along. Instead, it was the face of someone determined to crush every last one of the ant bastards this time. There was even a hint of anticipation in his expression. Min Byung-Gu, who had been chewing the remaining anju (drinking snacks) with a bewildered look, stopped his chopsticks.
'Wait... come to think of it, there aren't many Hunters who dislike fighting monsters, are there?'
Healers were an exception sometimes, but in return, they loved healing others. Min Byung-Gu, staring blankly at the oden broth, scratched the side of his head.
'Could it be that enjoying battle is a prerequisite for awakening?'
Nah, probably not. Min Byung-Gu chuckled to himself about something, then drank the remaining broth.
***
Jin-Woo arrived at the hospital shortly after.
'It was... Room 305, I'm sure.'
Having never intended to enter through the main gate from the start, Jin-Woo, still atop Kaisel, located his mother's hospital room window.
'Ruler's Touch.'
The curtains covering the window moved silently. His mother was sleeping peacefully on the bed, just as he had seen her the last time he visited. Using Ruler's Touch once more, Jin-Woo opened the window and quietly entered the room. Kaisel had already become his shadow and vanished. Jin-Woo stood beside the bed. Now that the moment to know the result had arrived, his heart began to pound wildly.
'If this goes wrong, there's no reversing it.'
His mother had been unconscious for a long time. The Life Essence might not even take effect, and even if it did, there was no guarantee she would be fine.
'But...'
Jin-Woo had witnessed many miracles brought about by the System. Stories he wouldn't have believed if he'd heard them from someone else. And the most undeniable proof wasn't right here?
'I, who was once an E-rank, have come this far.'
It was all thanks to the System. Silently looking down at his own two hands, Jin-Woo raised his head. His mother was before his eyes, looking as if she would wake up at any moment if called. Jin-Woo retrieved the 'Life Essence' item from his inventory. Swoosh. A wooden bottle appeared in his hand. Just in case he'd missed something, he read the item's information over and over again. Only after repeating it so many times that he had nearly memorized the details did he finally find the courage to uncork the wooden bottle. Pop. His hands, which had been steady even while fighting the Demon King for his life, were trembling. Jin-Woo exhaled a long breath to steady himself.
'If I make a mistake, it will harm my mother.'
The moment he resolved to make no errors, his usual determined gaze returned as if by magic. The trembling in his hands ceased.
'...Ready.'
Jin-Woo calmly supported the back of his mother Park Kyung-Hye's neck with his left arm. He then pressed the mouth of the bottle to her lips. The 'Life Essence' flowed gently through her parted lips. Jin-Woo did not rush, carefully letting only a small amount trickle in.
'This wound...'
Suddenly, burn marks on both sides of his mother's neck caught his eye. The burns extended toward the back of her neck. He couldn't see it from this angle, but Jin-Woo knew well that the burns scarred her entire nape and part of the back of her head.
'It's a wound because of me.'
He had only wanted to help wash his mother's hair, just as she had done for young Jin-A. But the young Jin-Woo, who had barely visited the bathhouse, had no ability to judge the water's temperature. Splash, splash, splash. Squeak. The bathhouse dipper was filled with water hot enough to be scalding. Trying not to spill the hot water he had painstakingly drawn, Jin-Woo approached his mother's back as carefully as possible. And then. Splash. The water from the dipper poured over her. His mother, who had flinched for a moment, clung tightly to her daughter Jin-A, not moving an inch until her skin turned bright red, afraid the water would splash on her face. She didn't make a sound. The screams came a moment later not from his mother, but from the mouths of other women nearby.
"Oh my, what happened!" "Jin-Woo's mom!"
Only then did Jin-Woo realize something was wrong. He had only wanted to help his mother. As Jin-Woo was about to drop the dipper and burst into tears, his mother firmly held his shoulders. And she asked.
"Jin-Woo, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"
Thinking he would be severely scolded even as a child, Jin-Woo could not forget that day's memory, nor his mother's words even now.
'I thought I had never been in anyone's debt.'
It was his mother who had raised Jin-Woo and Jin-A alone after their father disappeared. She hated being indebted and making others indebted, so he thought she would never have to repay a debt in her life. But she was the one to whom he owed an insurmountable debt. At that moment, the last drop fell into his mother's mouth. Tap. Jin-Woo set the bottle upright and laid his mother back down. Then, he stood quietly, waiting for the results with a prayerful heart. Thump, thump, thump! His heart pounded so fiercely it hurt. He swallowed hard.
'...'
But there was no change. Just as a drop of blood was about to fall from his tightly clenched fist.
"Gasp—!"
Like someone who had just been pulled from the water and finally taken a breath, his mother inhaled sharply with her eyes still closed.
'...!'
Jin-Woo's eyes widened. Color was returning to his mother's slightly pale face. As if color was spreading across a black-and-white screen, she was regaining her healthy appearance. One second felt like an hour. How much time had passed? His mother slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze, which had briefly looked around, soon stopped on Jin-Woo.
"Who... could it be, Jin-Woo?"
Jin-Woo nodded slightly. It was natural she wouldn't recognize him. Four years had already passed, and he had grown much larger than he was then. Jin-Woo did not rush her and waited calmly. Like water slowly filling an empty vessel, memories spanning the four-year gap gradually filled his mother Park Kyung-Hye's mind. It didn't take her long to realize why she was in the hospital.
"How long has Mom been lying here?" "Four years."
He could have added that a few more days had passed on top of the four, but he didn't. In order to keep her as stable as possible, he deliberately kept his tone and expression calm. His mother seemed startled to hear the word 'four years,' then asked.
"Jin-A? Is Jin-A okay?"
Jin-Woo felt something surge up from deep within him. That, after hovering between life and death for four years, the first thing she asked upon returning was about her younger sister. If he didn't bite his lip hard, tears would flow.
'This isn't the time to worry about your sister.'
He wanted to say that. But he suppressed his emotions as much as possible and offered a faint smile.
"Yeah, she's fine."
His mother let out a sigh with a genuinely relieved expression. Jin-Woo, who had wished she would think of herself a bit, was also secretly comforted by his mother's unchanging nature.
'Now everything is returning to normal.'
As the reality that his mother was cured sank in, his heart began to race with excitement. Then he was startled. At some point, his mother had taken hold of his left hand.
"Mom?" "Thank you, son. You kept your promise."
Promise? Ah, he had forgotten. Perhaps because he had taken it for granted all this time, he hadn't even thought of it as a promise. A disease that made one fall into ever-deeper sleep, never to awaken. 'Hypersomnia.' As the sleepiness that came with increasing frequency made her movements more difficult, his mother had asked him one day.
-If Mom can't get up like this, you'll take good care of your sister, right?
She had smiled lightly, as if giving a simple errand. That was why he had endured. He didn't blame her. He had only taken on the weight of the burden she had borne. But his mother, as if she knew everything, held his hand tightly.
"Son... it must have been so hard for you."
Jin-Woo wanted to smile and reassure her as if everything was fine, as he had always done. But he couldn't. The tears he had held back streamed down his cheeks, and his lips parted on their own.
"Yeah."