That evening.
Korean and American hunters gathered together for dinner.
They chatted loudly, seemingly forgetting about the upcoming battle scheduled for the next day, as they enjoyed their meal.
Despite their different nationalities and guild affiliations, they shared a casual camaraderie.
Kang Chang-soo, renowned as the best spear user in Korea, was also familiar with some of them. Oh, by the way, his reputation as a master of spear techniques had been shattered during his duel with Jong-sik.
“Matthew, long time no see.”
In any case, Kang Chang-soo greeted Matthew warmly.
“I have something to tell you, Chang-soo. How have you been?”
“Just the same as always. The only difference is that I’ve decided to focus on domestic activities for a while, giving up overseas missions.”
“That explains why I haven’t seen your face around lately.”
“How about you? And Crystal?”
“Crystal is still the same.”
“Wasn’t she different the last time I saw her? I heard you developed some effective medication.”
“It only had temporary effects. Haha. There’s nothing much to see. But Crystal is still by my side.”
After saying that, Matthew raised the glass in front of him and drank it all down. There was a hint of awkwardness in his tone. Understandably so, since his daughter, Crystal, was suffering from a rare disease called Frostbite Syndrome.
Meanwhile, Pyeong-ari was whispering something to Jong-sik. Jong-sik’s gaze lingered on one side for a moment, which caught Pyeong-ari’s attention.
However, it was just Pyeong-ari’s misconception.
“Crystal is Matthew’s daughter who’s talking to Hunter Kang Chang-soo over there. She suffers from Frostbite Syndrome, perhaps due to her skill in manipulating ice. It’s a disease where her whole body gradually freezes. So, her father always charges artifacts with the conflicting power of fire to keep her warm. That’s why they always go around as a set.”
Jong-sik had only briefly seen Ramus sitting next to her, not Crystal. But he nodded without any further reaction. Then, he finally looked at the girl sitting next to Ramus.
She had curly golden hair and a skin tone as fair as seeing snow. It was almost as translucently pale as if she were a Caucasian.
‘She seems to be about the same age as Yeona This is not good.’
Jong-sik lowered his head slightly as he observed the girl. It was only natural, as she appeared quite fragile at first glance.
Moreover, Crystal was adorned with artifacts all over her body. Rings on each finger, a necklace, bracelets, and even thick clothing despite the cool weather.
Everything was a temporary measure to suppress the cold. Jong-sik couldn’t help but notice.
“Tsk.”
Was it because he has a niece with the same age as her? For some reason, it bothered him. But Crystal’s illness was beyond his abilities. If only there were a miracle-working saint like Odelia.
Or perhaps a fire deity… Ah!
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Jong-sik’s mind.
However, his contemplation was shattered by the voice that followed.
“Hehe. Don’t you think I’m pretty? Whenever people see me for the first time, they can’t take their eyes off me.”
Sensing the gaze directed at her, Crystal met Jong-sik’s eyes and spoke. She blinked her blue eyes and raised the corners of her mouth slightly. Then she took a piece of meat dripping with blood and chewed it vigorously.
She was saying without saying. She didn’t need sympathy. Despite her weak body, she was a girl with a strong spirit.
It was the type Jong-sik liked. Those who didn’t give up easily and had strong mental fortitude. So, Jong-sik responded with a cheerful smile.
“Sorry. Did I stare too much? I guess I was reminded of my niece, so I must have unconsciously stared.”
“Oh. This is an unusual reaction. Really? Am I similar to your niece?”
“It’s not about facial resemblance but about being similar in age.”
“Hmm. You don’t seem to have a lying look in your eyes. I thought you were just flirting with me for no reason.”
“There’s no reason to do that.”
With that, Jong-sik and Crystal began to engage in small talk. The conversation revolved around his absent niece, Yeona.
Meanwhile, as Matthew was deep in conversation with Kang Chang-soo, he glanced over at Crystal’s direction. She was chatting with a man she had just met. Curiously, he turned to Kang Chang-soo and asked.
“He’s a newcomer, right? Is he also going into the field? Is he a rookie?”
It was a simple curiosity. However, the response he received was enough to surprise him.
“Of course, he’s going in with us. It’s his first operation, so he’s technically a rookie, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be treated like one.”
“Hmm?”
“That guy. He’s our Captain.”
At the following words, Matthew furrowed his brow.
“Geez, Chang-soo. Why tell such blatant lies? Even if we’re fighting over loot, hiding the mission Commander is just ridiculous, isn’t it?”
“I’m not joking. It’s true. He’s the Captain we all acknowledge.”
Kang Chang-soo was telling the truth. But Matthew still grinned. Kang Chang-soo understood his reaction perfectly, smiling knowingly. Why wouldn’t he?
After all, he had seen him looking up to him when they first met.
“Well, then…”
“If you can’t believe it, then don’t. You’ll see with your own eyes tomorrow anyway.”
“Yeah, I guess I’ll see when I see.”
With that, Kang Chang-soo nodded and raised his glass.
Meanwhile, Ramus observed those approaching him, trying to identify the one searching for him. However, no significant gains were made despite his efforts. Midnight was approaching, and Ramus nervously bit his lip.
Then it happened again.
Once more, a voice echoed in his mind.
“It seems like you’re looking for me. But what now? Even if you roll your eyes like a rat, you won’t find me. So stop wasting your time and go wait.”
Ramus anxiously glanced around, but there was nothing different. Everyone was just laughing and eating.
“How many times do I have to say it for you to understand? Huh? Not getting up?”
With a sense of humiliation, he trembled as he rose from his seat. In the end, Ramus had no choice but to act according to Jong-sik’s will.
Hunter Talent Development Institute behind the mountain.
Arriving there, Ramus looked around anxiously. All he could see was trees illuminated by the moonlight.
“Who the hell is it? Who called me here? Damn it.”
‘And it had to be on the day before the mission!’
Ramus instinctively sensed danger.
At the same time, he remembered the day when his master disappeared.
The day of his lifetime of bad luck.
But he couldn’t go back to that day.
“This time, I absolutely can’t mess things up.”
There was a possibility that someone unknown might reveal his identity, risking Ramus not being able to see his master again. So Ramus had no choice but to stand there, waiting for his opponent.
‘How much time had passed?’
Jong-sik, who had finished his meal comfortably, strolled over casually.
“You were rolling your eyes like a rat. But now that I’m right in front of you, you don’t recognize me?”
At the sudden voice, Ramus, startled, narrowed his eyes and searched for the source of the sound. A man was walking towards him from the darkness.
It was the man who had been chatting with the woman in the restaurant earlier.
“That guy…”
Ramus instantly realized it was the man who had approached him without any prior contact.
“Ike!”
In that moment, Ramus felt anger rising within him as if he were a toy being played with. Yet, his eyes darted around anxiously.
Until he could confirm it with his own ears…
Until he could read the man’s intentions…
The man was clearly a skilled individual surpassing him in abilities.
“It’s okay. Even if he knows my identity, he hasn’t told anyone else. He must want something from me. For now, I’ll have to play along. I can repay this humiliation tomorrow. As long as my master wakes up…”
Ramus made a quick decision.
However, that decision was shattered in an instant.
“These bastards haven’t changed. They always have dangerous thoughts when given the chance.”
Jong-sik suddenly closed the distance, raising his palm as if to smack Ramus across the face. In that fleeting moment, Ramus could feel a familiar energy. Kindred spirits recognize each other.
It was undoubtedly the source of dark magic, the origin of black sorcery. And for some reason, it seemed like the man’s goal was his life. Caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events, Ramus desperately shouted:
“Wait! Are you my brother?”
But he shouldn’t have said those words.
“Brother? Bullshit. Why would I be your brother?”
“Just tell me why you’ve come to find me, and we can talk about it peacefully… Argh!”
There was no need for questions and answers. Jong-sik hadn’t called him here for a casual conversation with his ‘brother.’ He had summoned him here simply to avoid the gaze of others.
A moment later, he cast a spell he hadn’t used in a while.
It was a dark magic spell that bound the soul. It was a skill he had stolen through experiments conducted by a high-ranking black sorcerer who had once subjected Jong-sik to them.
“I really didn’t want to use this. But there’s no other way.”
“Argh!”
Ramus convulsed as if he had been electrocuted before collapsing to the ground.
Jong-sik lifted his hand from the man’s head. And then, his translucent soul emerged.
Ramus, or rather, his soul, looked down at his fallen body with wide eyes.
“What… what’s happening?”
“It’s a fucked-up situation, that’s what.”
“Am… Am I dead? Me? Ramus?”
“Would be lucky if you were just dead. But you can’t die so easily. I’ve captured your soul. Until I release it, you’ll be food for wandering spirits for the rest of your life.”
In that moment, Ramus realized the dire situation he was in. And he also understood Jong-sik’s curse.
Now, vengeful spirits filled with resentment towards him would come to devour his soul. Without a doubt. Ramus screamed in agony as he descended into despair.
“Argh!”
Eek!
Help!
“I thought as much, but this guy is complete garbage. How many dead people have been in your hands for so many wandering souls to flutter like this?”
Jong-sik looked at Ramus writhing in agony with disdain. Hundreds, no, thousands of souls surrounded Ramus. They tore at his soul as they had suffered themselves.
“Argh! P-please, spare me. Please, I’ll do anything if you spare me.”
Instinctively, Ramus cried out for Jong-sik. Only he could save him. But Jong-sik had no intention of doing so.
“No. Not yet.”
‘How much time had passed?’
Jong-sik, who had been silently observing the situation, intervened.
Though he would have preferred to leave things as they were, that guy could be of use. After all, he was recognized by a powerful nation as a prophet.
As Jong-sik released his power, countless souls screamed.
“Aaargh!”
“Help!”
This couldn’t end like this.
But it wouldn’t be easy to approach.
“I know what’s on your minds, but for today, it ends here. There’s plenty of time.”
Jong-sik said as he chased away the souls.
Ramus’ soul trembled on the ground like a frog.
Jong-sik looked at him and spoke.
“What’s this? You said you’d do anything, yet you’re lying there quietly?”
“N-no! What should I do? Just give me an order…”
“First, tell me how you knew about the Gate appearance. There’s no such thing in the black magic I know.”
