Chapter 25: The Thread of Fate （1）

Kang San, having returned to reality, immediately headed to the Hunter Management Bureau.

Hunters who participate in raids are obligated to report the results and the process after they are completed. This is to ensure that the hunting grounds have been properly cleared, to confirm whether there were any casualties, and to secure ‘data from the Other World.’ People say that without such a thorough reporting system, the Other World might have become a world of lawless individuals.

Upon seeing Kang San’s report,

the Hunter Management Bureau employee reacted with surprise.

“…How did you manage to come back alive?”

A blunt question, cutting straight to the point.

At first glance, it might seem like a rude reaction, but Kang San fully understood.

The variable of the fog?

That’s understandable.

But the ant nest was a variable that absolutely should not have occurred. And for a ragtag party, mostly consisting of E-ranks, to return without a single fatality after being dropped into the middle of a C-rank hunting ground was practically impossible. Furthermore, the result of having dealt with ‘dozens’ of monsters further fueled the employee’s surprise.

Kang San didn’t explain in detail.

He didn’t mention how great Yeon Woo-bin’s magic was or how he risked his life. There was no benefit in explaining the situation.

“I was just lucky.”

Luck.

That was enough.

The employee checked the report again and then spoke, his voice full of apology.

“First of all, I’m truly relieved that you returned safely. We sincerely apologize for the error that occurred regarding the hunting ground information. We will conduct a thorough investigation regarding this matter and provide you with sufficient compensation.”

“Understood.”

A few days later.

The Hunter Management Bureau admitted their mistake and provided Kang San with the right to choose C-rank or lower hunting grounds and a potion set for emergencies. On the surface, Kang San’s accident was the Hunter Management Bureau’s fault. As it is their role to thoroughly manage information about hunting grounds, Kang San accepted their apology along with sufficient compensation.

Of course.

In reality, it wasn’t their fault.

However, refusing compensation would also be unreasonable, so it seemed like the right thing to do to conclude the matter this way.

‘…If this kind of thing happens every time I go on a raid, the Hunter Management Bureau will be in a very difficult situation.’

That’s a problem for later.

For now, Kang San contacted his party members.

It was for the final settlement. Jo Han-byeol told him that Yeon Woo-bin was hospitalized.

While it was troublesome to visit each member individually, Kang San decided to go to the hospital to check on Yeon Woo-bin’s condition as well.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

A few days ago.

Yeon Woo-bin was taken to the hospital as soon as the raid ended.

Although there were no particular problems during the hunt, he became completely exhausted from excessive tension and using magic in succession. The hospital where Yeon Woo-bin was admitted was a large hospital in Seoul. It was also the ‘Hunter Emergency Center’, which specializes in treating Hunters, and he was hospitalized in the most luxurious VVIP room.

Drip, drip.

The IV fluid fell at regular intervals.

The IV fluid containing mana had an excellent effect on restoring the energy of Hunters.

“Why did you do that?”

In front of the hospital bed.

A middle-aged man was looking down at Yeon Woo-bin.

His face, which showed anger, was very similar to Yeon Woo-bin’s in appearance.

“The day you decided to become a Hunter, I clearly said. I respect your choice, but never create a dangerous situation for yourself. Your ability as a Hunter is for the purpose of protecting ‘yourself’, you don’t need to do anything as a Hunter. There are excellent Hunters in this hospital room to protect you, and they will take your risks for you, so why did you do this to upset your father?”

“…….”

He couldn’t answer.

No, he didn’t answer.

If his father was someone who could understand his heart, Yeon Woo-bin wouldn’t have gone on the raid without permission.

Father.

Yeon Gyu-seong said.

“Woo-bin. Your father knows why you’re being stubborn. It must be hard for you too. If a situation arises where you really can’t do anything, you want to try to protect yourself, right? But Woo-bin.”

He lowered his body.

Even though he scolded him sternly.

His anger stemmed from his love for his son.

If he wasn’t worried about his only son, Yeon Gyu-seong wouldn’t have made such a fuss.

“I don’t want to lose my only family in the world like your mother. Our son is smart, so you know what I mean, right?”

His father’s trembling voice.

Yeon Woo-bin clenched his fists.

It was always like this.

Knowing his father’s true feelings, Yeon Woo-bin had no choice but to confine himself within the fence.

Yeon Woo-bin nodded with a dejected face.

“……I understand. I’ll be careful next time.”

“Yes, that’s good. My son.”

His father stroked his head.

Yeon Woo-bin hugged him and said nothing more.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

That evening.

Jo Han-byeol visited.

Pulling up a chair and sitting down, he said with a sweat-drenched expression.

“Man, I almost died making excuses this time. The adults kept nagging me, saying that someone my age should be setting a good example instead of dragging his younger brother into dangerous situations. Wow, are my ears bleeding? I think they might be bleeding.”

“…I’m sorry, hyyeong.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s something I wanted to do aside from your request. Honestly, does it make sense to let your talent rot like this? Others struggle to climb one step at a time, from E-rank to D-rank, but you gained power that others can’t even dream of in an instant. I agree with you. If the time comes when the adults’ protection can’t save us, this rare blessing will become the power to protect us. That’s why I, albeit belatedly, walked the path of a Hunter.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

This incident.

It started with Yeon Woo-bin’s request.

Yeon Woo-bin and Jo Han-byeol’s parents were close friends, and just like Yeon Gyu-seong, Jo Han-byeol’s parents were also in an uproar.

Jo Han-byeol said.

“I don’t always think the adults are right. If everything had been resolved like they said, we wouldn’t have experienced losing someone. Back then and even now. It’s not that the adults were powerless. The problem was that a disaster occurred that exceeded the expected tolerance. Now, it’s a world where it’s natural for the people around me to d*e at any moment, so we have to struggle in our own way.”

He was a good person.

Yeon Woo-bin’s request.

He could have ignored it.

It wasn’t something he had to do, getting scolded in the process. But Jo Han-byeol didn’t ignore his younger brother’s words.

That’s why he trusted and followed him.

If it was a trustworthy person that Jo Han-byeol mentioned…

He felt like it would be different.

And indeed, thanks to Kang San’s protection, Yeon Woo-bin was able to properly fulfill his role in a hunting ground for the first time in his life.

“…So, will you go on a raid with me next time too?”

“Crazy.”

Jo Han-byeol chuckled.

“I was worried you might be feeling down, but I didn’t need to be. Of course, we’ll go together. From now on, you and I are a set. If we can properly fulfill the role of Dealers, wouldn’t any party be scrambling to take us? Actually, I had something prepared in case you were digging another hole, but you can check it out later. This is the reason why I decided to join this party.”

“…Huh?”

Jo Han-byeol handed him something.

It was a USB.

He wanted to check it out immediately, but he held back because of Jo Han-byeol’s words.

The two had a casual conversation.

They laughed and talked, reminiscing about the past raid and recalling the intense moments that were etched into their lives.

They survived.

That was enough.

The crises, fears, and pains they experienced in the raid.

Now that everything had passed, they were people who could laugh off the past with the single fact that they had survived.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Jo Han-byeol left.

Yeon Woo-bin immersed himself in his own world.

‘That was the first experience of its kind.’

Ant Cave.

It was a dangerous place where safety wasn’t guaranteed.

The moment he stepped outside the fence of his parents, Yeon Woo-bin was placed in a situation where it wouldn’t be strange if he died immediately.

Ants swarming from all directions.

The screams of Kang San and Jeong Chan-woo desperately holding on.

His heart pounded.

Just imagining it made his mouth dry.

‘If it were the usual me, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything. The reason my father overprotects me is because he knows I’m not bold. But this time was different. With the power I have, I protected myself.’

Whoosh.

Blazing flames.

Yeon Woo-bin was engulfed in flames.

Salamander’s Breath, manifested along with Magic Eye, proved that his power was very special.

It was a blessing from G*d.

Watching the ants being swept away at once, hope arose that if he used this power properly, he could protect his ‘precious people.’ The problem was that his power had prerequisites. If he were placed in the same situation with other people, he wasn’t confident he could perform as well as he did now.

Kang San.

It was thanks to Kang San.

If he hadn’t given him the assurance that he wasn’t in danger, he would have panicked and struggled as always.

‘…What kind of person is Kang San-nim? Listening to Jeong Chan-woo, it seems like he spent a long time at F-rank, but he has skills exceeding E-rank, and above all, he didn’t hesitate to make judgments to protect his colleagues. Is the image I saw really Kang San-nim’s true self? Is Kang San really the kind of person who doesn’t care about the pain he goes through?’

He couldn’t believe it.

In the world Yeon Woo-bin experienced, the essence of people wasn’t like that.

When faced with a truly dangerous situation, the essence of a person was to prioritize themselves, even if it meant trampling on others.

But what if.

What if the image he saw was truly real?

He wanted to be with him.

In a situation where Kang San was holding out in front, he felt like he could rely on him like a child and unleash his abilities.

“Ah.”

Suddenly.

Jo Han-byeol’s USB came to mind.

Jo Han-byeol clearly said he decided to form a party because of the data in this.

That meant there was another opportunity to judge not only the promotion test but also the person named Kang San.

He checked the USB.

When he connected it to his laptop, a video file started playing.

『Today evening, an E-rank Link incident occurred near M Hotel in Wangsimni. This incident, which could have resulted in a major loss of life, was prevented thanks to a citizen who bravely stepped forward, allowing people to escape safely. The video you are about to see is………….』

It was part of a news report.

And then, the news revealed the situation.

While the news showed a short edited version, the video attached by Jo Han-byeol contained the full video from beginning to end.

The quality wasn’t good.

To be precise, it was difficult to identify the person because it was CCTV footage taken from a long distance.

But.

Even with just a vague shape, Yeon Woo-bin could be sure.

When the E-rank Link occurred.

One person walking into the space that had turned into a chaotic h*ll.

He was definitely.

‘Kang San-nim?’

He was sure.

The one who had protected him had once again risked his life for others in another place.