The Black Key—the one that had come from the Cursed Random Box—was glowing as if trying to reveal its location. Jin-Woo stared blankly at the strange sight, then carefully set down the weapons he was holding and reached into his Inventory to grab the key.
'...'
And when he opened his hand.
[Item: Key of the Cartenon Shrine] Acquisition Difficulty: ?? Type: Key 'Requirement met.' A key that grants access to the Cartenon Shrine. Can be used at a designated Gate. The location of the designated Gate will be revealed after a certain period of time. Time remaining: 417 hours 06 minutes 52 seconds
Information about the item appeared—something he hadn't been able to see before.
'Cartenon Shrine?'
For some reason, a name he had never heard before felt oddly familiar.
'No, I have heard it before.'
As Jin-Woo carefully retraced his memories, his eyes suddenly widened.
'The Double Dungeon!'
And at its end, the ancient shrine. The shrine, the statues, and the stone slab held by one of the statues. One by one, the memories came flooding back.
'I'm sure...'
He could faintly hear the voice of Uncle Song Chi-Yeol reading the first line inscribed on the stone slab.
—Regulations of the Cartenon Shrine.
The stone slab had revealed that the name of the shrine lined with those terrible statues was the Cartenon Shrine. So this—
'Is this a key that lets me go back there?'
As memories that had previously been as vague as shapes shrouded in fog gradually became clearer and took definite form, a chill ran down Jin-Woo's back and arms.
'Could it be...'
No, not "could it be." The System was calling him again. To the place where everything began. A glowing item, and the location mentioned in its description—no matter how he interpreted it, this was a summons from the System. But why now of all times? Jin-Woo remembered that he had obtained the 'Cursed Random Box' as his first Unknown Reward. So he checked the second Unknown Reward he had received in the Demon Castle.
'Title.'
Ding. With a mechanical chime, information appeared.
[Title: Demon Hunter] 'Requirement not met.'
No change.
'That's not it.'
Next, he checked the accessories of the Demon Monarch set that he had completed.
[Item: Demon Monarch's Ring] Acquisition Difficulty: S Type: Accessory Sensitivity +20, Intelligence +20 When worn together with the Demon Monarch's Earrings and the Demon Monarch's Necklace, a set effect is unlocked. Set Effect 1. All stats +5 Set Effect 2. All stats +10
The ring he had obtained last, after defeating the Demon King, from the Demon Monarch series accessories. He checked to see if another set effect had been unlocked, but that wasn't it either.
'Then...'
One possibility remained. Jin-Woo shifted his gaze to the information above the title.
[Level: 100]
'The requirement the item is talking about must be this.'
This was by far the most likely explanation. Since items stored in the warehouse could be summoned or stowed away just by thinking about them, he rarely had to check the inside of the warehouse directly. That was why he had only now—days after reaching Level 100—noticed the change in the key. If he hadn't decided to tidy up the warehouse today while he was at it, retrieving the Demon King's weapons, he might not have discovered the key today, or perhaps not for a long time to come. It was a blessing in disguise.
'As long as there's still more than two weeks left.'
The System had never lied. If it said a Gate would open at the key, then a Gate would surely open at the designated place and time.
'I should at least make minimal preparations...'—just as that thought crossed his mind, Jin-Woo was startled.
'Wait... am I seriously thinking about going back in there?'
Though they had only been lower-rank Hunters from the Association, more than half the raid team that had entered had died. He himself had nearly died multiple times.
'And my leg was cut off there.'
Even looking back, it was a horrific memory. The sight of the empty space below his knee still gave him chills. However.
'The me from back then and the me now are different.'
He had that conviction. Besides, if he declined the System's summons as he always had, there was no telling what penalty might be imposed. Sweat beaded heavily on the hand clutching the key. He swallowed hard. A rough gulp as the saliva slid down his esophagus.
'Don't get excited.'
As always, stay calm. He quietly composed himself, and Jin-Woo's heartbeat settled back into its rhythm. After waiting for his breathing to calm, he opened his eyes.
"Alright."
If the System had business with him, it might be another opportunity. The Cursed Random Box—hadn't it said it would give him what he needed?
'Still, I should at least prepare somewhat.'
At minimum, some preparation. Starting with the guild he had been putting off creating. That would make it easier to enter Gates and to Level Up himself and his Shadow Army.
'How much progress has there been?'
Jin-Woo was about to call Yoo Jin-Ho but checked the time and set the phone down.
'It's too late.'
It was too late now, and he had other things to do tomorrow anyway, so it would be better to go in person.
'I should stop by the office tomorrow.'
***
Yoo Jin-Ho's eyes narrowed. Like a hawk locking onto its prey, his gaze swept across the monitor—sharp, piercing. A spark flashed from his eyes.
'Anyone who stands in hyung-nim's way will not be forgiven!'
Yoo Jin-Ho quickly captured screenshots of the posts and comments, then swiftly drafted a formal complaint according to the proper format. Another one today.
"Hoo—"
With a look of deep satisfaction, Yoo Jin-Ho exhaled a long breath and wiped the thin line of sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. Hyung-nim was the face and the guiding light of the guild. Those who insulted hyung-nim or spread rumors were contemptible, unforgivable wretches on their own, but even for the sake of the guild's future, they couldn't be left unchecked. Wasn't he about to become the vice president of this guild? This wasn't a personal matter—it was a kind of official duty for the guild yet to be born. But wait.
'I still haven't asked hyung-nim about the guild name yet.'
Yoo Jin-Ho fell into thought. How about naming it Sung-Yu Guild, taking Sung from Sung Jin-Woo's surname and Yu from Yoo Jin-Ho's? Then he shook his head.
'The intention is good, but the sound of it is a bit...'
If they were going by sound, reversing the order to Yu-Sung would be better, but it was hard to accept the idea of the vice president's surname coming before the president's and hyung-nim's.
'I'll discuss it with hyung-nim when he arrives.'
It had been two days since they moved into the office. With hyung-nim drawing public attention because of the Jeju Island raid, Yoo Jin-Ho found himself alone in the empty office more often than not, guarding it by himself.
'Or I could take hyung-nim's surname and the last two characters of my name and call it Woo-Ho Guild.'
Just then.
"What are you thinking so hard about?" "Hah!"
Yoo Jin-Ho jumped. Startled, he sprang to his feet and spun around to find Jin-Woo standing right beside him.
"Hy-hyung-nim!"
When had he gotten here?
'He really doesn't make a sound—I wouldn't even know he was close by...'
He hadn't even been focusing particularly hard, yet he hadn't heard a single sound. Hyung-nim was as elusive as ever. Embarrassed by how badly he'd been startled, Yoo Jin-Ho scratched the back of his head and asked.
"When did you arrive, hyung-nim?" "Just now."
Jin-Woo answered briefly and glanced at the monitor Yoo Jin-Ho had been looking at. But Yoo Jin-Ho quickly stepped in front of it and declared with solemn determination.
"There's no need for you to worry about this, hyung-nim. I'll handle all of these types myself." "...It was you."
So the person who had been rushing in to demand removal whenever malicious comments or fake articles about him appeared lately—Yoo Jin-Ho's face flushed red.
"Oh, come on, hyung-nim... That's the bare minimum of what I'm supposed to do. Really."
Seeing Yoo Jin-Ho's eyes light up as if expecting praise, a small smile escaped Jin-Woo.
"Yeah. Good job."
Taking that smile as an expression of satisfaction, Yoo Jin-Ho silently vowed to be even more active going forward. Then.
"Huh? Hyung-nim, where are you going today?"
It was Yoo Jin-Ho's question, noticing that Jin-Woo's outfit had changed from the usual. Jin-Woo answered casually.
"I have some errands today." "Oh, I see..."
Yoo Jin-Ho silently marveled. Having only ever seen Jin-Woo in easy-to-move-in clothes, the sight of him in a head-to-toe black suit was unfamiliar yet impressive. But Jin-Woo didn't have time to explain in detail. He glanced down at the watch on his wrist.
'Already this late...'
Jin-Woo raised his head and asked.
"When I get the Guild Master license, there's nothing else I need to bring separately, right?" "No! Just go to the Association, take a simple test, and you'll get the license right away, hyung-nim." "Okay."
So he was going to the Association? Yoo Jin-Ho tilted his head for a moment, then quickly understood.
'Now that hyung-nim's become famous, he'll have to pay attention to his outfits all the time.'
Being well-known had its good sides, but also its exhausting ones. Yoo Jin-Ho, who knew plenty of people whose three-letter names were known nationwide, quietly let out a small sigh of sympathy in their stead. Jin-Woo pointed to a desk a short distance away.
"I'm taking the car."
His finger was aimed at the car keys.
"Use it whenever you like, hyung-nim!"
Yoo Jin-Ho reached for the keys, but his hand froze as the keys seemed to fly on their own into Jin-Woo's palm. His eyes went wide.
"Hyung-nim, what just...?" "Skill." "..."
Yoo Jin-Ho was speechless. At this point, he wouldn't even be surprised if hyung-nim could fly through the sky using a skill.
'What exactly can't hyung-nim do?'
Like an onion that revealed yet another layer every time he peeled one, hyung-nim was someone the more you learned about, the more astonishing he became.
'Right, now's not the time for this.'
Yoo Jin-Ho snapped back to his senses. There were a few things he needed to ask hyung-nim. Now, with hyung-nim here at the office, was his chance. Jin-Woo caught Yoo Jin-Ho's look and sensed there was something he wanted to say.
"Hm?" "Hyung-nim, we posted the recruitment notice just one day ago, and applicants for the founding members swarmed in like a horbe of bees, so I went ahead and made a list, but—" "Ah, that can wait until I'm back."
The timing was still awkward. Seeing Jin-Woo's haste, Yoo Jin-Ho grew anxious too.
"Ah, hyung-nim! Then have you decided on the guild name?"
Of course—this was the most important issue of all. Thump-thump, thump-thump, Yoo Jin-Ho's heart pounded as he waited for Jin-Woo's answer. If hyung-nim was having trouble deciding, he had been planning to suggest names he'd come up with.
'Sung-Yu, Jin-Jin, Woo-Ho... will any of them appeal to him?'
As Yoo Jin-Ho waited expectantly, Jin-Woo thought for a moment, then grinned and answered.
"How about Solo Play Guild?" "Excuse me?"
Yoo Jin-Ho blinked repeatedly. Was this where he was supposed to laugh? But the look on Jin-Woo's face didn't seem like a joke. Apparently not expecting a reaction, Jin-Woo turned toward the door.
"See you later."
Watching Jin-Woo's retreating back as he left the office, Yoo Jin-Ho thought.
'So hyung-nim... can't do something after all.'
As expected, hyung-nim was only human. Part of him was terrified that the guild name really would be "Solo Play," but another part felt slightly relieved to see hyung-nim's more human side.
***
The site of Hunter Min Byeong-Gu's memorial service. It had originally been planned as a private affair with only family in attendance, but it was changed to a public event because so many people wanted to pay their respects. Many people visited the funeral hall to honor Hunter Min Byeong-Gu's sacrifice. But.
Not everyone had gathered solely for Hunter Min Byeong-Gu's sake. There were more than a few people casting cautious glances, searching for someone. And after a short while, their eyes gleamed.
'Oh, over there...?' 'Finally, he's here.' 'It's really him.'
Whisper, whisper. The people who had spotted Jin-Woo began murmuring with excited eyes.