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Chapter Text

It was already late evening when they got the news. They had been waiting for a while in the stark white waiting area of the hospital when the doctor returned and beckoned them into his office. It was one thing for their mother to have fallen unconscious, a whole other for her to have contracted Eternal Sleep. Their situation was already grim with their father missing dead.

The next few months were a mess for the Sung siblings. Jinah was still in school and oh so young, so all the work fell on Jinwoo. Not that he'd ever blame his sister for it, in fact he was glad that she was too young, too inexperienced and uninformed to know the true weight of the situation. Glad that she was still happy and smiling despite everything, it made her akin to a beacon of light, bright and hopeful and rubbing off on him.

He'd do anything to keep that smile on her face, to see their mother smile again. Even though he knew, deep down, that there was no hope for the latter. But maybe, just maybe...

So he spent the time hopping from part-time job to part-time job, never able to earn quite enough for them to make it as their accumulated savings started to dwindle faster than he thought (He had always helped their mother, of course, but she never had him help with the finances aside from a small portion of his one job, never wanted to let him in on the bigger things until he finished college). After the first month and a half he dropped out of college to work more than the two jobs he already had but even so it was still never enough. He was unable to land a single stable job, much less one where he'd be able to earn enough while keeping his mother alive.

Three months in and the last of their savings was gone. Four months and he was barely able to make it because Jinah had wanted to take over the household chores (and that had hurt, knowing that he couldn't even do this much without having to worry her). Five and the landlord- bless the man- had given him an extension on the rent. But now it was really starting to get dark.

Just a little more and he'd have to choose between his sister and his mother and he didn't want to.

Didn't want to lose his mother like he had his father.

Didn't want to lose her if he could prevent it.

Didn't want Jinah to lose her.

Didn't want to lose Jinah.

That night he fell asleep with nothing but worry clouding his mind, tears brimming in his eyes.

He awoke to darkness, to the feeling of ice pricking his skin. He sat up groggily, one hand on the cold ground as he used the other to rub his eyes. His surroundings became a bit clearer as he adjusted to the darkness.

He was in a tunnel of sorts, stone walls on his sides and back, a stone ceiling above him and a stone ground beneath. In the distance he could make out an eerie purple light, the only real source of illumination present.

The last thing he remembers was falling asleep in his own bed, not wandering into a haunted mountainside. There was nothing and nobody else around and no way out so he reluctantly went towards the light. What greeted him at the end of the- quite frankly long- tunnel was a humongous door. He doubted he'd ever be able to open it but when he put his hand on it it opened as though he had pushed it.

Unlike the previous tunnel the room beyond was brightly lit by torches, casting onto the lifeless statues an uncanny orange glow. It looked strange, the grey statues overgrown with moss in that light and that was not even mentioning their sheer size. They formed a circle along the walls with an even bigger statue sitting atop a throne across the door.

The light flickered unevenly around one of the statues depicting an angel holding a stone tablet held with both hands. He could not read the words on it but something was whispering them to him, not quite a voice but more a feeling. A distorted cacophony of sound yet not that explained that the content.

Rules. Written atop the tablet was a set of rules.

And that was how it all began.

Chapter Text

The world spun as Jinwoo shot up, a silent scream on his lips, his shirt grasped tight as he struggled to breathe. His breath came out in heavy gulps as he took in the reality around him.

He exhaled slowly, letting go of his shirt, "It was a dream."

He carefully lifted his blanket to take a peek at his leg. It was still there, whole and untorn. It really had been a dream.

The statues, the weapons, his lost leg. The fear and despair that consumed him were fading now that he knew it was not real.

All the work must have really been driving him up the wall. He guiltily looked at his palms, a sinking feeling in his stomach.

It's not like he could stop working. His exhaustion be damned, his family needed to live. A little tiredness was unimportant in comparison. He rubbed his brow, sighed and laid back down in the hopes he could get more sleep before he had to get up.

It took him awhile but he eventually fell asleep, though it was no less disturbing as he dreamt of the axe rushing towards his face, reliving the fear of death.

Even after he awoke and went to work he was still distracted. In fact, he was hallucinating so hard that the shadows were not only moving strangely to him but also forming shapes reminiscent of blackened helmets. He could never see them clearly because as soon as he tried to get a closer look they would disappear as though they never existed. He was about to laugh at the sheer absurdity when he returned home and call it a day (Jinah would have his hide for not eating dinner but clearly he needed rest more) when one of the helmet-shadows started glowing blue in the middle. He yelped and jumped back, knocking into the door.

The helmets disappeared with his shout but Jinah seemed to have heard him as she poked her head into the hallway to see the last of them fade, "What's wrong, fell over your own- What was that?!"

Jinwoo paused, looked at the spot they vanished, at Jinah, back at the spot and whispered, horrified "You saw it, too?"

"Sure I do," she whispered back, hiding behind the wall, only her head poking out, "Oppa, what was that?"

"..." He couldn't really answer that. He wished he had a stick or something similar to poke the spot with, to see if it would do something, "I don't know. I thought I was seeing things because of stress but it suddenly started glowing."

"Glowing?"

"Yeah, blue. It looked like a pair of eyes."

"Is it sentient?"

"I don't know." He scrutinized the area further but there was nothing changing. It just remained still. He slowly stood back up and inched towards the wall, not letting it out of his sight. Creepily enough, the blue lights showed up again and followed his movement.

Jinah squeaked, "I think it is!"

Please don't fret, my liege, echoed around their apartment as another being emerged and Jinwoo rushed in front of his sister as she choked in fear.

At first it was just another helmet, if not more impressive in style, but then it continued to rise until a figure resembling a tall knight had ascended from the shadows.

"It speaks!" She yelled, hands raised and covering her mouth "It really sp- ...What did it say?"

The siblings glanced at each other, confusion in each of their eyes though for differing reasons.

Jinah was the first to speak, realizing that he had understood it, "Oppa, what the fuck?"

"..." He looked at her in shock, "Who taught you that!"

"Is that really what you should be asking about?!" Her voice rose as she hurriedly gesticulated at the apparently sentient being "It just spoke! To you!"

"I know, I'm not deaf." He shot back before looking directly at the being and gulped, "Who are you?"

My liege, we are your soldiers. It responded, We were not meant to meet like this, but they were eager to meet you.

"Soldiers? Like, summons?" He asked, deciding to ignore the latter part of his words.

"I've never heard of a summon speaking." Jinah reminded quietly behind his back, lightly holding his shirt as she peeked at the shadow. She was still wary but no longer as frightened as before, "Oppa, did you Awaken?"

There was a moment of silence before Jinwoo spoke "I don't know. And I've never heard of speaking summons either." He thought for a moment before addressing the helmet once more, "If you really are my... soldier. Can you, like... go away until I call you again. I'm really sorry but I'm a bit- this is a bit much right now..."

The knight stared for a moment before it disappeared together with the rest.

When nothing changed and came back out he took Jinah to the kitchen and made some cocoa for them both. Jinah eagerly took the cup as they rarely drank it to make sure it lasted long.

Once done, she happily quipped, "Figures that even if my oppa has an Awakening he doesn't know what's happening."

When Jinwoo fell asleep he thought that that was that and he could think about it the next day but god apparently hated him and made Jinwoo's dreams his new playground.

Well, not quite god but the guy before him. He looked impressive enough, all decked out in armor and purple flames and capable of manipulating his dreams.

"And you are...?" He asked with a slight tilt of his head, the days events still swimming around his mind. The timing was a little too close to be a coincidence, this man surely had something to do with it.

The man regarded him for a moment before speaking, tone solemn, "My name is Ashborn. I am here to guide you and to help you learn."

"Help me?" He was sceptical, "Why?"

He seemed to hesitate for a moment before he answered, "...I needed someone to pass my power to. I chose you."

"That soldier is yours?"

He nodded, "He was. I retain primary control for now but they are essentially yours. I am unable to move in your world, nor do I wish to."

He tensed, the implications of that statement burning themselves into his mind, "Are you a monster?"

"No. If I were to put it in your human terms I'm more akin to a fallen angel or minor deity." The world around them shifted from pure darkness to a barren field, still no other life in sight, "But I didn't bring you here to talk about the past. There are some things you do not need to know yet."

"Does that include why I was 'chosen'?"

"It does but there is one thing I can tell you about that." His tone seemed to become a bit lighter, as though it was trying to convey some sort of calm contentment, "I chose you because I liked the 'you' I saw."

He wanted to ask more but seeing that the man did not continue he figured he wouldn't get an answer anyway. But wasn't that laughable? He was chosen because he was liked but what was there to like about him? Him, who was barely able make ends meet and keep his family together and might not even be able to do that.

The man, as if knowing about his thoughts, resumed speaking, "If you take my power you'll be able to keep your family together. You might even be able to save your mother."

Jinwoo stared, and stared and could not quite stop staring. His voice was weak as he spoke, "My mother...?" It became quieter the longer he thought about it but when he spoke again, it had an edge to it, "My mother fell into Eternal Sleep, there is no cure!"

"Not among humans. But I have both the recipe and materials for it. It can't help them all but there is enough for your mother. Though I must admit I cannot tell you just yet. You're not yet strong enough to acquire the ingredients from me."

His heart skipped a beat, "So if I take your power, I'll be strong enough?" Would he have to fight him? Is that what he meant with acquiring them from him?

Ashborn shook his head, "You're much too weak to bear all of it right now but you already possess its foundation. Now you just need to grow into it and that is something I can help you with."

Jinwoo tried not to let that make him feel down, instead he steeled his resolve. If he could really save his mother... "Where's the catch?"

"There's no such thing. At most I have a request, though ultimately how you use my power is up to you." He paused and looked at him almost gently, "This is your world and I hope you won't aid in its destruction."

After that night, whenever he dreamed, he would see Ashborn and listen to the man speak about his powers, explaining what Jinwoo could already do. Unfortunately Jinwoo was weak and unable to do much just yet.

The month had just started and Jinwoo had some time before all the payments came rushing in. It may be foolish to trust a stranger haunting his dreams that may as well be a product of his subconscious but there was nothing else Jinwoo could do now, not if he wanted his mother to live. It was impossible to make this months payment to the hospital with just his work. The magic stones of the necessary equipment cost way too much. There was a reason they burnt through their savings so fast.

According to Ashborn as long as he puts in the effort he'll be strong enough to test for a good rank in a little over half a month.

"I already put too much power into you." He confessed, "First, you need to adjust to that before you can keep growing." He gestured towards their surroundings, "The good thing for you is that we're currently in my domain. It is perhaps not the best for such a purpose but it will have to suffice. Let's start with some exercises."

Hearing the word 'exercise' Jinwoo thought it would be something like stretching a bit of running and/or other things to be found in PE school classes. He was wrong. Not about the nature of the exercises but the amount.

Apparently running multiple kilometers worth was the best way to integrate his body and mana excess. Not the worst explanation as far as explanations go, in fact a bit expected, but every time he was about to collapse in exhaustion something would take a hold of him and restore his strength. Ashborn said it was his power at work to ensure that they used their available time to the maximum. Jinwoo wondered if he had ever heard of mental exhaustion.

Of course just exercising in Ashborn's realm would not be enough so he had been given a greatly reduced list to follow in reality. He didn't really have enough time to deal with it on top of everything if he made it an entire separate thing, so he got up earlier each morning and did his running exercises before using the last of it to get to work and back. Anything else he did in his room at home.

After the first week he was allowed to actively tap into his mana, to truly feel the connection and flow of it through him just not to start calling the summons yet. It was also then that he decided he really could trust Ashborn, if only about his words of making him stronger. He did not actually know much about mana except a few things the Association put out but with his current mana he would definitely be able to test for a good rank already. Maybe even C-Rank.

With a C-Rank he should be able to pay the bills and maybe even have some left over.

With a new and better- and infinitely more dangerous- source of money Jinwoo dropped some of his jobs, holding onto two of them just in case. He used the new-found time to get better control of his mana.

After two weeks had passed he felt more alive than ever before, mana thrumming through his veins like flowing lava. Yet Ashborn held him back a few days more without giving a reason.

During their last meeting before he went to his scheduled assessment Jinwoo dared ask what would have happened had he not exercised as was prescribed.

Ashborn tapped the lower end of his helmet, "Burned up, most likely? As I stated previously, I gave you too much. More than your body could bear." He pointed at Jinwoo, "While you were training I converted the mana trying to burst out to refresh you instead, actively making your body adapt to its presence while keeping it low enough not to hurt you."

"So I would have died?"

"Yes."

"...I see." Jinwoo gently closed his eyes for a moment before looking up at him with a smile, "Thank you."

"For what? Helping you live? I imbued you with that power in the first place."

"For everything." He replied, "Thanks to you my family's situation is looking up."

"My reasons, in the end, are selfish. Any benefit to you is simply a byproduct in ensuring your growth." He shook his head, "You seem to not be very good at remembering my power could have easily been your end."

Jinwoo snorted, "And you seem to not be very good at accepting gratitude." He seemed to remember something as he asked, "By the way, why did you hold me back a few more days than initially planned?"

Ashborn shrugged, "Didn't you say you hoped for a good rank? As limited as my understanding of your human measurements are, I've got a good grasp of the crystals you use for it. I've merely ensured you stepping into the next ranking."

So around A-Rank? Damn. Jinwoo wanted to cheer loudly.

"Thank you." He got out instead, chocking up, "Truly. I don't want to imagine what would have happened had I not met you."

The being did not grace that with a response.

Instead he changed the topic, "From now on, when we meet, you will not exercise here any longer. I'm sure you noticed but the mental strain is too much for you to bear long time. Not to mention that me converting your mana to refresh you would just be a waste by now."

Happy that his dreams were no longer a workout routine, he nodded.

"Oppa, you going now?"

"Yes," He ruffled his little sisters head, "Make sure to do your homework properly."

"Yeeees." She drawled and looked at him a little hesitant, "You know, that- that shadow thing could belong to someone else. Maybe you're not awakened after all..."

Jinah may be trying to hide it by making it sound like she was poking fun at him but he knew it was because she genuinely wished he wasn't, didn't want to lose him like their father.

He gently smiled at her, "I'm going to confirm it today. And if I do decide to be a hunter then, no matter what rank I am, I'll make sure to always return. Who else will remind you to pack your umbrella?"

She snorted and lightly punched his arm in a feeble protest against his words, "That was one time."

"One time and you came back looking like a drenched poodle." His eyes glinted as he recalled that time, "The only reason there wasn't a repeat is because I keep having to throw it at you half the time you leave."

"Yeah, yeah." She laughed and shooed him away with her hands, "Don't you have an appointment? Go, go. Shoo."

He chuckled as he left. As he was lost in thought on his way to the Association he happened to glance at a shop window. He stopped for a moment and looked at himself, 'Did I grow taller?'

Huh. He kept walking, not giving it too much thought. The changes in him since he met Ashborn were outward as well but not fast enough to seem strange. He looked fitter overall and healthier but that was all. The growth wasn't much either. While most stopped growing at 20, there were some who still had a little of growing left. Jinwoo must simply not have noticed with everything happening.

Once he had arrived and given the reception desk his information he sat down in Building B's waiting room. There were a few others waiting as well, much more nervous than he was. At least he had some sort of assurance that he wouldn't get a low rank but it was different for others.

'The results will determine their lives.' he thought grimly, 'Not that I'd have been any different, were I in their situation.'

Despite everything, Jinwoo was still nervous, even more so when the gazes of the other occupants were going over him from time to time. The man next to him was even more nervous than anyone else in the room, likely not in a good situation and needing a high-rank to get out, much like himself. The thought did not calm Jinwoo.

It did not help that the more people received their results, the more dejected faces he saw. When the person next to him was next, the man shook Jinwoo's sleeve.

"Are you alright?" He wondered, worried that the man had fallen sick from nervousness.

"N- Nothing like that. Could you go first? I need to collect my wits..."

He nodded, "Sure. Thank you."

He got up instead and went towards the employee who asked in a serious tone, "Name?"

"Sung Jinwoo."

She hummed and gestured towards the device, "Please place your hand on the black surface and wait."

He placed his hand and waited for the employee to turn on the device. It made a deep noise for a moment before it stopped. He looked at the young woman while removing his palm, expecting her to tell him the result but she had gone pale.

"A moment please," She did something with the control panel, "Can you put your hand on one more time?"

"Sure?" He placed his hand back and the device repeated the earlier sound.

If possible, the employee was even paler, "Please wait here for a moment while I get my superior."

He nodded as she left through the side door. When she returned, Jinwoo could already hear some murmurs from behind wondering what happened. A slightly older man was behind her, passed her, looked at the output monitor and then looked at Jinwoo.

"My apologies for the delay Sung... Hunter Sung Jinwoo-nim." He was speaking slowly, as though trying to piece something together from memory, "It is impossible to measure your magic power. In order to use our more accurate measuring device, we'll have to obtain the upper management's permission. Do you mind coming back to the Association in three days?"

They were unable to measure it? He was gobsmacked by this revelation. Sure, he thought he might be able to get a high Rank but didn't this mean he could possibly be S-Rank? If the other device couldn't measure him either it would be confirmed. Anyone with a bit of knowledge of the S-Rank knew this.

Dammit Ashborn, you call this a good Rank? Clearly it was beyond just that!

Realizing that he hadn't given an answer just yet, he nodded and the corners of his mouth lifted, "I will. Thank you."

It was only when he turned to leave that he realized that the building had descended into silence. All eyes on him. Great.

He quietly slinked out of the building, too embarrassed to pull up his hood and appear even more awkward. The walk home was thankfully quiet as he digested the news. He'd likely get called up soon by the Association to confirm a date and time for the reassessment.

When he arrived home, the first thing he saw was Jinah lounging around on the couch, quietly reading a book.

"Were you waiting?"

"Nope." She responded, not looking up from her book.

Jinwoo took it out of her hands, turned it around and handed it back, "If you're going try it this way again, at least make sure your book isn't upside down."

She grumbled and put it aside, "I wasn't waiting. I just didn't want you to see me doing nothing."

"Of course."

She glanced at him for a second before crossing her arms and stubbornly looking at the floor, "So, how was it?" She looked at him with a mischievous smirk, "Weren't awakened after all?"

He contemplated what to say, "They weren't sure, so I've got to go back in three days."

Jinah froze and he could see the gears turning in her head. She wasn't the most interested in Hunters but some of her classmates might be, so he gave her some time to think about it or remember what she had heard from them.

"No way, right..." He caught her muttering, "No way..." Her head swivelled towards him, "S-Rank?!"

He shrugged, "Probably, they still need another measurement."

"You're being way too casual about this!" She jabbed a finger against his nose, "This is S-Rank we're talking about here! S! Rank!" There was a pause and she started laughing, "S-Rank and can't even properly summon something!"

It was true that he hadn't summoned any of the shadows yet, mostly due to Ashborn's insistence to wait but Jinah didn't know that so he had just told her that he didn't know how.

"I can!" He protested, "...Just didn't feel like it." He knew how summoning worked, thank you very much. He just wasn't allowed to.

He sat down next to his sister and began to think. When he gets his reassessment he'd likely have to demonstrate what he is capable of, something he had already talked to Ashborn about. Since he was no longer in danger of death via mana Ashborn promised he could start summoning them but advised against doing so in the assessment.

Jinwoo had actually forgotten that the summons were essentially spirits of the dead and needed to be raised, so if he showed up to the assessment with some and the nature of his ability came out later, there would be lots of questions. Weren't Hunters supposed to be able to know how to use their abilities from the get go? Or at least have some idea about what they are?

He'd make do. Surely the Association would help him join a raid to 'get him started'. After all, what good is a S-Rank that can't use their abilities because they're missing the means to do so?

Chapter Text

The Association contacted him the day after with the details of the reassessment and a request to meet him before that, on the same day they contacted him in fact. Jinwoo agreed and left the house, heading towards the Association.

The building he headed towards this time was not the same as when he came for testing, instead he went towards the main building. After giving his name a Hunter he had seen on TV just once before greeted him and asked him to follow him. He couldn't believe someone like the Monitoring Department's Chief was guiding him. The man may not be well known but Jinwoo specifically watched any recent hunter related news and came across him. Just who wanted to meet him?

After passing quite a few doors and taking an elevator he couldn't take it any more, "Excuse me, can I know who wants to meet me? I wasn't told over the phone."

Woo Jinchul's hawk like gaze swept over him, assessing but not threatening, "The Hunter Association's President Go Gunhee-nim."

"P- president Go Gunhee?" Jinwoo stuttered in awe. Someone great like that wanted to meet him? Nervosity bubbled in his gut at the thought of meeting someone so great, the man called 'The Sky Above Skies'.

The Department Chief nodded sternly, "Yes." The man's eyes seemed to soften a little, looking at him, before turning serious once more as though it had just been an illusion.

The elevator moved up a bit more before coming to a halt and they stepped out, then Woo Jinchul proceeded to knock on the door to the President's office.

After entering, Jinwoo could see Go Gunhee rise from his seat at a large desk. Something inside him stirred, deep down and dark, as if warning him not to get too close. A sort of apprehension took a hold of him, as though he was standing underneath the executioner's sword once more.

"Sung Jinwoo-nim, I presume?" He asked and offered his hand as he stepped closer.

"Yes, sir." He replied, forcing the feeling down but unable to erase it as he took the man's hand, "It's a pleasure."

"The pleasure is mine." The elder replied and motioned for him to take a seat around the table in the middle of the office, "Please, have a seat."

"Thank you."

Jinwoo sat down and so did Go Gunhee, right across from him, while Woo Jinchul went to stand behind his superior.

The youngest of the three was still wondering why the president wanted to meet him when said man started to speak, "Congratulations on becoming an S-Rank Hunter."

This confused him, "I still have to undergo the more precise measurement."

Go Gunhee shook his head, "There is no meaning to the reassessment."

"There isn't?" Then why did they do this? The feeling returned with a vengeance and Jinwoo had the impression that if Go Gunhee made even a single wrong move, it would explode. Beneath it all, he could make out Ashborn's presence, angry and wary, as if ready to leap to his protection.

The thought warmed him a bit.

"You see," The man began, "We have nothing capable of measuring any more magic power than what you already used. The so-called accurate device is only used to breakdown the results."

"Then why-"

"Did we make something like this up?" His next words were straightforward, "It is to buy us time. What little time we could obtain to talk to people like you." Go Gunhee then looked a little embarrassed, "Despite our size we do not have many outstanding Hunters like our Chief here."

"You don't?"

"No, because of the large guilds. They can offer great money and fame unlike us, so who would work for us?"

It clicked in Jinwoo's mind, "That's why you created the remeasurement. To get to meet any new S-Ranker first."

He nodded, "That is correct. Allow me to get to the point." The ever present smile disappeared from the man's face, "As you now already know we can't promise you much money, but-" He took something out of his pocket and closed his fist around it, "We could help you go down another path. We can help you grow in other ways."

The fist opened and revealed the gold badge of the National Assembly.

'Authority, perhaps?', Jinwoo regarded the badge and looked up at him. He didn't really care about such things, "Why are you offering me this? You don't know anything about me."

They did likely know some things but they could not be aware of every aspect of his life.

"As you know, there are currently five top guilds in Korea. The more S-Ranks join any of them, the more delicate the balance becomes. Perhaps it will collapse completely if you join one and another one like you comes and does the same."

His brows furrowed "Because there's nothing that can hold them back. That's why the Association exists." Why Chief Woo's Department exists.

"That is correct." The man's eyes became stern, "That's why we need you."

'You don't even know what I can do?', Jinwoo scratched his cheek, "I'm sorry," He responded, "I can't do that."

Go Gunhee looked visibly disappointed, like he heard something he expected but held hope not to happen.

Jinwoo did not pay that much attention to him. While the Associations salary would be more than enough, Jinwoo didn't want to work an office job or similar. He put all that effort into becoming stronger and he knew he could grow even more. He might not know everything about his own new power, barely anything really, but he knew it would get stronger the longer he fought. From here he could only really grow from battle.

And the stronger he became the more he could protect Jinah and mom. He didn't think Ashborn gave him power just because he wanted to pass it off to someone, there must be something else. He didn't plan on destroying earth or he wouldn't have asked Jinwoo to not partake in its destruction. He could have made up any reason when asked about the catch but he chose that.

Go Gunhee put the badge away with a resigned sigh, "In the end-"

"I want to fight." Jinwoo replied, only realising after that he'd interrupted the man and blushed, "My apologies, I didn't mean to cut you off! Please continue."

The elder was astounded and ended up staring at him for a moment, making Jinwoo blush harder as he sunk in on himself a little.

The Chairman's face broke into a smile, "I see." He lifted his hand over his heart and the smile softened a little, "It wasn't important, don't worry. Since that's what you want, I won't stop you."

"Thank you. Thank you for the offer as well, but it is simply not the place for me." There was a moment of silence and Jinwoo felt that Go Gunhee had nothing more to say, "Is there anything else? My sister will be home from school soon. She knows where I went, but I'd like her not to be all alone if possible."

He really didn't want to leave her alone even before, but what could he do?

"There's nothing. Thank you for your time." After they both got up, he handed Jinwoo a card, "Here. If you need my help, please feel free to call me at any time." Despite his good mood, or perhaps because of it, he warned Jinwoo, "It'll be impossible for you to enter a high-level dungeon alone, so please be careful in what guild you join."

Hearing the voice filled with sincerity, he smiled, "Thank you."

He placed the card into his wallet- and isn't that unbelievable? He had the Go Gunhee's business card!! Right in his wallet!!!- and bid the two farewell.

The day had gone differently than Go Gunhee had imagined. It was already evening when Sung Jinwoo arrived (in time) for his appointment. Strangely, when the young man entered he felt strange for a moment. As though he had found something he had missed. Deep down, somewhere in the depth of his mana it felt like something was reacting. Like the source of his power was in chaos.

Maybe Sung Jinwoo knew it, too. Because the moment he rose from his seat to greet him, the young man had looked like he saw something, had apprehension on his face but it faded quickly. Hidden, but not gone.

The young man seemed smart, quickly realizing many things in their short conversation yet he also had an undeniable innocence, seeing how embarrassed he was after unintentionally interrupting him. A honest and good young man, it would be best to protect someone like him against the world but doing so would be futile. The world had its ways and the most innocent go first.

If Go Gunhee could help a little in his journey, to ensure the weight of time would not ruin him as much, he would.

Even more adorable was his face when he pocketed Go Gunhee's card. It reminded him of his grandson. There was also that feeling again, bright hot against his skin. He couldn't tell whether it was approval or disapproval.

But there was something he was not saying. What was the reason he wanted to fight in the gates?

He knew about Sung Jinwoo's situation and with how smart the child was the reason could not be the raid money. He should know that while it wasn't as much money as a guild would give, the Association salary wasn't low, never mind that it would be safer. It was enough for him to live comfortably while ensuring his mother's life.

There was definitely something and his mana wanted to leap out at the thought of it.

Ashborn was close to grumbling in his thoughts as he stared at the Chairman through Jinwoo's eyes. He may no longer want to fight his siblings but if they so much as touched his heir they'd be in for it!

After Ashborn left the battlefield that day he eventually rejoined with the Monarchs but the Rulers did not know that he did so for revenge. Did not know that he had grown tired of it all now, erased futures heavy on his mind. There was nothing left for him but there was no need for earth to suffer either.

Who better to protect it than one of its own inhabitants?

Even if Jinwoo decided the rest of this world could go to hell, that would be fine, too. It would be difficult to protect it anyway, he'd seen it often enough. Whatever Jinwoo decides was his own choice and his own guilt.

Once the child took control of his power, he could finally rest.

Still, the old human asking Jinwoo to call him if he needed help irked him. Did this human think Ashborn couldn't protect his own?! It hurts, knowing he already failed at that once, no matter how horrible a being their creator was.

But there was his brother's presence, just beneath the surface, glowing and bright and he wondered just what the Brightest Fragment's goal was. Lure this child into security and then strike?

When Jinwoo got home, his sister was already back. He decided not to disturb her this time and went to his room. Might as well get an early rest.

Once asleep, he came face to helmet with Ashborn. Neither spoke.

He decided he might as well be the first to speak, "Do you have something against the Chairman?" He couldn't have ignored the dark feelings if he tried.

"Not really," Ashborn denied, "I just dislike him. Be careful around him. It's not so much that old man I want you to be wary of as what stands behind him."

"The Association?" Jinwoo was horribly confused. Ashborn said he could not move in this world and that he wasn't even from here, so what could he have against the Organization?

Ashborn did not answer.

In fact, he did not talk any more at all that night, looking as if he was seriously thinking about something. It was the same the night after. Only on the final night before he was officially an S-Ranker did he speak.

"I cannot tell you anything just yet, so I'm just telling you to be careful. That president himself isn't very dangerous but if it ever looks like something... around him wants to attack you, use what you find in your bed tomorrow. I asked Igris to put it there."

Jinwoo knew about Igris. It was the tall knight that first spoke to him according to Ashborn, but as he was not allowed to summon anyone until recently he hadn't called any of them up even though he could now do so.

And true enough, when he opened his eyes he found something on his bedside.

"Is that a fu- is that a Rune Stone?!"

One of these days he was going to smack Ashborn.

The testing area was deep within the  building which had been almost deserted. It almost looked like the Association had blocked the whole building for the duration of his stay.

In the room there was only one man, an ordinary human, besides himself and Chairman Go Gunhee. The President was standing to the side, observing.

The unawakened human began to speak, "We will now determine Hunter-nim's category."

Jinwoo knew about this. Fighter, Mage, Healer and other classes. Hunters were divided into those.

"So, what can you do?"

He had to give a sheepish chuckle, feeling heat rushing up his face, "Yeah, about that..."

"You don't know?" The examiner looked a little lost but at least it seemed to be something within expectations.

Jinwoo shook his head, "That's not it. I do know, I just can't show it right now. I'm a... summoner, I guess? It's a little complicated." He rubbed his neck as the examiner stared at him promptingly, "I can create 'copies' of dead monsters? I can make a copy and summon it but I need the... uh... basic structure of the monster, hence why I would... you know..."

"Need an actual dead monster." The man concluded.

The young man doubted he could tell the two what his ability really did and that it could most likely raise more than monsters. The being he raised needed to have mana and Awakened humans had mana, too. He really didn't want people to start running at the sight of him, thinking he was going to turn them into some kind of undead. He wasn't even sure the shadows could be considered undead as the bodies remained, ghosts would be more likely. The ability to copy them sounded the most logical to him.

He nodded somewhat uncomfortable, "Yeah. But I haven't been in any dungeons yet. Obviously." He looked at Go Gunhee, "I was actually going to ask about that."

Go Gunhee seemed to consider his words and took a while to answer, "Would any monster corpse do?"

He actually didn't know that. He had never asked Ashborn, so he shrugged.

The President nodded sharply, "Give me a moment. I'd rather not have you in a dungeon without being able to use your abilities."

He made a call on his phone and a while later a few confused workers pulled in some monster corpses. Once they left, Go Gunhee motioned him over.

"Try to use your skill on these. The front two are Rank A and the latter two Rank B."

The younger man nodded and went towards the corpses, looking at them for a moment. He had never actually raised anyone himself so he didn't know what it would look like. Would his excuse hold up?

"Arise."

Black wisps of smoke were suddenly surrounding the corpses. From the black drenched husks figures started to emerge, coloured deep black with a few patches of blue. The examiner behind him made a strangled noise and came closer, stopping just behind Sung Jinwoo.

Jinwoo realised what he wanted to do and why he was hesitating, "You can go up, they won't attack you."

The man nodded and held a measurement device the workers brought with the corpses and held it out towards them, "T-they have similar mana levels as the originals. And you can just call these up anytime now?"

"That's correct." He nodded and pulled them into his shadow and called them up again, though to the other two it must have seemed like they just suddenly disappeared and reappeared.

The man took note of this on his clipboard and continued the examination, "Then, around how many of these can you make? How much mana does it take? Can you dismiss them completely?"

He thought about it for a moment, "I don't know how to accurately express this but let's start with this. Making them costs me no mana and neither does using them. But if they get hit, they need to regenerate which requires mana. I can also permanently dismiss them. How many..."

He stilled for a moment. Should he be truthful here? They would see it sooner or later anyway and he could always say he wasn't completely sure later due to the fact that holding them requires no mana. It's not like he could control that many yet anyway. The four new ones aside, Igris and his knights were barely more than fifty and his limit was a little under a hundred right now. Being honest was probably the best choice. It couldn't be that much more than an A-Rank summoner, right?

"I would say a little less than one hundred? But I'm not entirely sure, so don't hold me to it." There, now they couldn't say he lied.

If he thought the look on the examiner's face was funny, Go Gunhee's was priceless. Jinwoo was puzzled at seeing the man look at him with such raw surprise.

"That..." The chairman held his temple with a helpless look on his face, "Are you sure about that number?"

He nodded, "Not exactly." He replied and missed the looks of relief on both of them before throwing it back into their faces, "Might be more."

Go Gunhee sighed while the other, poor man, stifled a gasp.

Jinwoo was quite confused. Did he say something wrong?

The ensuing silence did not last long as the examiner cleared his throat, "Then, Hunter Sung Jinwoo-nim is a Mage-class." He recorded the results and raised his head, "We can head over to the measurement room now."

Shortly after, Jinwoo held up his license. Sung Jinwoo. S-Rank. Mage-Class.

Chapter Text

The next few days were going to be hectic for Sung Jinwoo and not because of reporters. Before leaving the Association he asked the Chairman for a moratorium on his information.

Go Gunhee seemed quite startled but appeared to understand when he said that he did not want to join a guild at the moment. Of course that was not completely able to stop people from contacting him.

No, the reason he was in such a hurry was that he asked the Association if they could place him in some raids to 'gather experience' as well as money. It wasn't entirely untrue after all, Jinwoo was new to this and had yet to go on a raid. They were quite understanding and helped him find a few raids he could attend as a chaperone of sorts. A S-Ranker was rather overkill for the gates they could get so he was basically just there to ensure his fellow newbies didn't get killed in E- or D-Rank dungeons.

Compared to the number of gates there were little hunters ready or even willing to take care of them and that was not counting the mortality rate. If Jinwoo was okay with helping? They were very happy.

Not to mention that all his payments were due soon, so he was basically going to attend a raid every day until then. The next month could be a lot more relaxed, not to mention that he'd start trying to get into private raids or organise them himself once he had enough money to reserve a gate. The mana crystals and essence stones usually offset the cost according to what he read.

He wanted to discuss with Ashborn about how he should move from here but the man hadn't shown up in his dreams since he gave him the Rune Stone. He had summoned Igris and asked him if he knew why Ashborn was suddenly silent, did getting the Rune Stone exhaust him somehow?

Igris had told him that it wasn't because of the stone but that he didn't know why Ashborn was being like this either. Since neither could contact him, Jinwoo gave up on doing so for the time being.

While pondering on this, he arrived on the site of his first ever raid. It was a raid for a D-Rank Dungeon that mostly consisted of new hunters. According to what he was told only the team leader had gone on raids before.

"Good morning." He greeted the only other person to have already arrived.

The man smiled and gave a little wave, "Good morning to you, too. Hunter Sung Jinwoo-nim, correct? I got your profile form the Association. I'm Song Chiyul, the leader to this raid. Nice to meet you."

The young hunter smiled back "It's nice to meet you too, Mr Song Chiyul. There is no need to address me so formally however. I'm both younger and inexperienced, so please take care of me."

"Sung Jinwoo-ssi, then. Feel free to address me the same." The man seemed rather lively to Jinwoo, contrary to what he expected from someone leading new recruits, "So, Korea's new S-Ranker. Can't say I ever expected to meet you."

He laughed lightly at that, "Well, I'm new to the hunting business. It's not like I can just start randomly popping in without knowing what I'm supposed to be doing. I also wanted to get to know how raids work in a more personal sense before going in deep."

"Few would be that careful. Not that I'm complaining!" He raised an eyebrow in good humor, "Having you here means less of us will die."

The new hunter rubbed his neck, "Well, I hope to meet your expectations."

They made some small talk after that, waiting for their teammates to arrive. Within half an hour, the rest were all present.

Perhaps it was because everyone was new or because it was a D-Rank dungeon where everyone would usually be around the same rank but no one spoke about what rank they were. So nobody looked at Sung Jinwoo, the S-Ranker in a D-Rank, strangely either.

Once everyone entered the gate they walked for a few minutes before encountering their first monsters, a group of goblins. It wasn't much of a problem until one of them nearly got one of the swordsmen in the back. The man was saved by Jinwoo's summon. To not arouse suspicion he called up one of the B-Rank monsters he was allowed to raise at the Association.

The monster group was completely wiped out soon after and the team began to awe over the summon.

"Sung-ssi, you're a summoner?" One of the mages uttered quietly, not taking his eyes of the shadow.

The swordsman from earlier grumbled, "If you could do that, why didn't you call that out earlier?"

"Jinwoo-ssi is a chaperone," Song Chiyul interjected, "He's here because he volunteered and the Association wants to cut down on deaths. How are you supposed to learn if he does everything?"

Suitably chastised, the man clammed up. Now realizing that he must be higher ranked than even their team leader, they kept glancing at him even after they continued to walk.

They encountered a couple more monster groups until they found the boss and there were quite a few close calls but Jinwoo prevented them well. Once the dungeon was cleared and they were on the way out, Song Chiyul struck a conversation.

"You did pretty well there even without summons to defend yourself but what do you think about using a weapon?"

Jinwoo thought about it. Was the way he punched the goblins away weird? It's not like he was a physical damage dealer but he was an S-Rank. Even as a Mage-class, it would be normal for him to have higher strength than low-Rankers even if not much. It was also possible that Song Chiyul thought it was better because using a weapon meant more distance to enemies and it would be easier to kill them.

"The Association lend me a short sword." he admitted, "I tried it out before coming but it feels awkward to use. Using my fists is easier. The length and weight are annoying."

"What about something shorter?" The other proposed, "Maybe a dagger. They're pretty versatile and don't way much. It will be easier to remove essence stones with them, too. Especially if it's a monster with a tougher hide."

"I'll think about it." Having a weapon would certainly be useful. If a dagger worked out, then he would get some daggers. If not he would just look for another weapon. That reminded him of something, "Say, did the Association not tell you about my skill? Even you seemed a little surprised earlier."

Song Chiyul shrugged, "I was told you're a Mage-Class but everyone knows that, given that it's part of your license. Rather, it's normal not to know. Quite a few of your Rank don't like others knowing too much about their skills."

He made a noise of understanding and shrugged, he could understand the sentiment, even if his reasons likely differed from that of other S-Ranks. Not like he can go telling people he's fundamentally a very strange kind of but ultimately more superior necromancer. Which isn't exactly true either. He's not making corpses move, after all.

"Well, I'm still getting used to my own skills, so I'm happy to get some practise in." He said, not telling the other hunter more.

They bade each other goodbye soon after once they left the dungeon. The next few days however led to Sung Jinwoo seeing him quite often.

"Do you think the Association is doing this on purpose or are there really that few hunters doing these raids?" He asked the tenth time they met.

"A bit of both, I'd reckon." quipped the older, "I've been doing a lot of newbie raids recently. Few like doing those so they're probably happy to have more people gather experience. I'm thankful, too." He nodded at Jinwoo, the corner of his lips lifted up, "Death is unavoidable here but that doesn't mean I like it when there's someone I can't save."

He rubbed his neck, "I'd say you're welcome but it's literally my job as chaperone."

"Job or not, thank you."

"Jinah, I'm home." He put his bag on the couch and started looking for the food as Jinah came to greet him.

She smiled at him as she sat herself down, "Welcome back. You cooking?"

"Yeah." He ruffled her hair, "How was school?"

"Great. Me and Songyi-"

"Songyi and I."

She didn't seem bothered by the interruption and corrected herself, "Songyi and I played hide-and-seek during recess with the rest of the class. I know, I know, what a childish game but you should have seen her face when I found her first!"

As Jinah excitedly prattled on about her day Jinwoo found what he needed for that day's dinner and started cooking all the while asking Jinah questions in between to make sure she knew he was listening.

Having been cooking their meals for the last few months he had already gotten somewhat decent at it. It wasn't quite as tasty as their mothers yet but that was fine.

"Oppa." Jinah started and Jinwoo stopped his musing and focused on her, "Are you going to be late tomorrow, too?"

He fought a frown and managed a small smile instead, "I will but I'll be home all day the day after. Why don't we go eat out once you're back from school?"

"Can we?!" She jumped up from her seat, "Really?!"

"Yes." This time his smile was genuine, "How about that one place your classmates have been talking about recently?"

"Yes, yes! Please!"

The young teenager was celebrating as she sat down again, the grin not leaving her face and Jinwoo's heart felt lighter than it had in a long time.

He had been in quite a few raids now and more of them D-Rank than E-Rank, so he was able to make quite a lot of money. Normally he wouldn't be making this much as the only essence stones he got were from stray monsters that got through the team's defence. But the Association was paying him separately for being a chaperone and given that not a single was dying, the pay wasn't exactly small.

He was able to pay this month's expenses and his mothers life support. Next month he would be helping with a few more raids and then go off on his own. He figured that if he had some extra time at the end of the month he would be able to help the Association a bit more or sell them some magic crystals for a cheaper price for all the help. Either way, he had a lot to be thankful for.

Now if only Ashborn would start talking to him again. Had he done something to make the older mad at him? It wasn't because President Go Gunhee was present at the reevaluation, right? Jinwoo had no control over that!

Lost in thought, he carried the finished food to the dining table and Jinah followed behind, sitting down on her stool, "Thanks for the food!"

It was another three days till he saw Ashborn again.

After that dinner, Jinwoo had taken Jinah out to eat as promised and even restocked the fridge with some of her favourite food. The day after that he attended another raid and it was only on the night of that day that Ashborn decided to show up.

The ancient being stared at him for a moment before sighing, "It's not because of that old man that I didn't show up."

Jinwoo flinched, "What-"

"I can hear what you're mumbling to yourself, you know." He crossed his arms, "I had a lot to think about. That's the only reason I didn't contact you. More importantly, did you like the gift I send you?"

"I did." Jinwoo responded, thinking back to when he tried it on his way home awhile ago, "It's really useful. Thank you."

The Rune Stone Ashborn gave him contained the Skill Quicksilver which increased his speed for a short period of time.

"Can I ask where you got it?"

"Hmm." Ashborn thought for a moment, "Similar to Magic Crystals, I know a lot more about them than you humans. My... siblings-" The word was spoken with great reluctance, "-they can create them, so I'm no different."

Picking up on the man's grave tone in regards to his family, Jinwoo decided not to ask how exactly his family was important in this. He could have just said that he could create them and left it at that.

Instead, he decided to ask something else before the man got lost in thought again, "I talked with someone a bit ago. What do you think about me using daggers as weapons? It would be helpful not to have to fight with my bare hands but I don't think a sword suits me. I wanted a second opinion."

Ashborn nodded, "Daggers seem like a good choice. You're very agile and nimble. I myself preferred swords so I can't help much but that doesn't mean I'm completely clueless about it."

"Thanks." He crossed his arms with a grin, "I'll get myself a pair to practise with tomorrow."

"Why not start with just one?" The older advised with a tilt of his head, "Less chance of injuring yourself. It's never good to overdo it right away."

He contemplated it for a moment before he shrugged, "Sure."

"There's also no need to get one, I have plenty of weapons if you want them. In fact, if you want to try something else, like a spear or axe, I have these, too. Though I don't recommend an axe, I don't think it would suit you."

"..." He was flung into silence, "What don't you have?"

"There are few things I lack in relation to your gates and how to combat them." He seemed almost proud, "In fact, why don't you start trying some daggers out now?"

Without so much as a flick of his wrist, a dagger appeared in mid-air. Jinwoo grasped the handle and looked it over. The blade wasn't straight- it was jagged- and looked unnaturally sharp. There was a green tint to its edges that reminded him of venom.

"It looks sharp." He stated the obvious.

"It is."

It was a couple of nights later, after literal hours where Ashborn had him practise with the daggers, that the other had asked him.

"In all those dungeons were dead monsters, why not make them summons?"

Jinwoo thought about it for a bit, careful not to cut himself as he laid one hand into the other arm's elbow, that hand touching his chin, "I figured I'd start with that later. I wanted to observe some monsters first. Plus, I was only entering E- and D-Ranks so the monsters are neither strong nor special in any way. I know it will be different once I grow a bit more but right now I still have a limit on how many summons I can store in my shadow. There are enough in one dungeon alone to fill the remaining space and I don't want to raise something and then just- throw it away, when there's no room and I find a stronger one."

"You humans and your strange thoughts. They are dead anyway and only given another chance to witness the world thanks to you. It's your right to take that away as well."

The younger shot him a critical look, "Don't you think you're being too harsh?"

"I never said I disagreed with you." Ashborn chuckled, "But that's what a lot of people would do in your place- they would think that way."

"You chose me though. Or would you prefer someone with that mindset? A mindset different than yours?"

"No, not at all. I chose you for a reason. This, perhaps, was part of it."

Chapter Text

Waking up three months after first meeting Ashborn, Jinwoo had woken up better rested than ever.

He'd woken up late, as he got to do more and more often. Aside from doing quite a few C-Ranked gates he still occasionally went out to help the Association take care of E- and D-Rank dungeons, leading most of the raids himself now, although he let Song Chiyul lead from time to time when the man was present. Those times were often spent discussing different strategies with him or catching up on the latest Hunter related news.

The latest scandal- though not only known to Hunters in this case- was Hwang Dongsoo's leaving South Korea for America.

Personally, he didn't care but everyone on the raids he went to the last few days wouldn't shut up about it. While he didn't care, it didn't mean he didn't understand. Hwang Dongsoo was an S-Rank, one of nine that South Korea had- or had had. Every S-Ranked hunter was valuable to a country. Not only did they embody security but it also meant the government had to spend less money on hiring outside help.

Not to mention the man was an attack type. To lose such an asset must sting.

Especially with the recent tragedy. Two months before Jinwoo awakened, a S-Ranked gate had appeared on Jeju Island and broken. Korea's S-Ranker were dispatched but ultimately lost though thankfully none of them died. The same could not be said of any lower ranked hunters that attended, not to mention citizens that they hadn't managed to evacuate.

Honestly, the major reason for all the dung being thrown on the man was due to this. The country had just suffered a major disaster and one of the people who might be able to help them recover from this fled. A lot of people also called him a coward, though that was more in private.

Jinwoo genuinely didn't know much about Korea's top Rankers. He knew about Choi Jongin, of course. Known as 'The Ultimate Soldier' and a fire-based Mage-Class.

Baek Yoonho, a front liner who was said to be able to transform into a beast.

Min Byunggyu, a healer and as such a rarity among S-Ranks.

Go Gunhee was an obvious one. He didn't actually know anything about the Chairman's abilities but he heard somewhere that he was also an attack type. Not that that mattered much, the man was too old for Korea to let him onto a battlefield.

Lim Taegyu, guild master of the Grim Reapers, an archer.

Ma Dongwook who lead the Fame guild.

A certain Eunseok, supposedly a friend of Min Byunggyu and Baek Yoonho.

Jinwoo himself.

Then lastly there was Hwang Dongsoo, nationally nicknamed 'The Traitor' now.

A colourful bunch, that's for sure. Now that he thought about it, the only real supporter-type was Min Byunggyu unless that friend of his was also one, though Jinwoo didn't think he had heard so. No wonder Korea was considered weak, they only knew how to punch or throw stuff (or set it alight, in a certain guild master's case). Not counting Hunter Min, they lacked any sort of support. Even Jinwoo knew you needed those and most of his knowledge regarding the importance of different classes came from Jinah's games.

He also didn't think that many were even Tanks. Could Hunters Beak or Ma be considered Tanks? Could the Chairman?

Maybe he should brush up his knowledge regarding his fellow S-Rankers.

No wonder they failed to contain the gate. Ten S-Ranks were needed to raid a S-Rank gate, they only had eight- seven of which could fight- and their team building was terrible. Not to mention that for any A-Ranked Hunters brought to compensate for this they needed to bring people to protect those.

It all spun into a vicious cycle.

Now the government was thinking of launching a raid to reclaim the island, to recover lost territory and more importantly (to them) to get rid of the stigma of being the only country to lose part of their territory to an S-Ranked gate.

Most of the Hunters didn't think there was much hope but the government had the public behind them. They wanted to do this and prove that losing Hwang Dongsoo meant nothing. Jinwoo thought it was stupid. Especially so when the Association called him up for a meeting.

It seems they wanted to get him in contact with some of the top guilds to get him stronger summons and put him on the attack force. Of course an agreement would be in place to keep the guild members from talking about Jinwoo's abilities. You'd think Jinwoo didn't mind helping but he very much did. What if he died and left Jinah alone? He couldn't do that to her. He wasn't strong enough to do this yet.

He had discussed these concerns with the Association as he declined. If the raid happened later than they planned he might be able to consider it, not only because he would have grown by then but because he'd be able to secure enough money for Jinah to last well until she wouldn't need it any more.

That's not to say he was planning on letting them go all alone. But nobody needed to know that. Even Ashborn had just given him a knowing look rather than acknowledge it verbally when Jinwoo had made his decision whilst training his reflexes in the being's realm. Having logs launched at you from nowhere wasn't easy to deal with on a good day. Never mind when lost in thought.

So that's why he woke up rested. He hadn't been able to sleep well while the raid was ongoing, though that didn't mean it was a success.

The number of victims of this attempt however was 0. Neither S- nor A-Rankers died. Not all S-Rankers went, some stayed to take care of other gates and respond to dungeon breaks, so the survival rate was surprising.

If the Association banned the media from asking detailed questions about the how, it was only to his benefit. It did, however, mean that Jinwoo was once more called to the Association where Chairman Go Gunhee just spent the first few minutes of their meeting looking at him all bemused.

After a few minutes, it was too much for the young man, "Look, I couldn't just... you know. Not do anything. It was emergency-only. If the ants hadn't dog piled them they would have never shown and come back to me."

The President leaned back in his chair, the amusement not faltering, "And you couldn't have warned us? These poor A-Ranker thought more monsters had shown up."

"They don't look very much like ants." Jinwoo had very nicely sent some of his knights into their shadows when their carrier took off as he hid in the shadows of the building. Ants and knights didn't really look alike. He was also fairly certain ants didn't glow.

"They couldn't see much in the tunnels, what else were they supposed to think?"

"That-..." Jinwoo had to admit, that was reasonable, "Alright, I should have warned someone. But if they weren't needed, I'd rather nobody know."

Go Gunhee chuckled, "I understand. Do put more thought into it next time, we don't want to scare people in the middle of a raid again."

"Yes sir." He responded, a little chastised.

The elder nodded as he pulled out some papers and started writing, "We've told the raid members to keep their secrecy for now. The media has been warned not to ask, too. All these hunters barely able to make it out must be scared, no need to make them relive it." The only thing betraying the true meaning of that sentence was the tone of his voice. Jinwoo wisely chose not to acknowledge it, as though the older wasn't lying about the reason the hunters made it out.

Instead Jinwoo nodded, "Thank you."

"No need." The man waved him off, "Thank you, for keeping them safe even when you wanted nothing to do with the raid."

It was another month later when one of the guilds contacted him, but not with a recruitment contract. That had gotten him interested as they usually only contacted him to get him to join their guild. Though he supposed it could still be considered a 'recruitment'.

The guild in question was the White Tiger guild which was looking for someone to help train new recruits. Jinwoo guessed that his previously constant chaperoning for the Association made him somewhat of a babysitter in all the guilds eyes.

It wasn't like he wasn't gaining something in exchange though.

The man opposite held a paper out to him and he took it. He was currently in the White Tiger Guild Master's office, discussing the details of the deal.

"And I'm allowed to raise the bodies?"

"That is correct." The man, Guild Master Baek Yoonho, nodded sternly.

He was on the Jeju Island raid and naturally saw his summons and now, with their potential deal, he was naturally let in on the details of Jinwoo's 'summons'.

The Guild Master didn't lose his serious look as he added, "Of course, we won't send you anywhere lower than C-Rank, though there will be quite a lot of B-Ranks as well. That should be good for you, too, right?"

"It is." Jinwoo acknowledged. B-Rank gates and higher were pretty much impossible to buy with the guilds taking them all. Never mind that B-Rank and higher Hunters generally entered guilds and either couldn't or wouldn't join private raids. It was a bit of a pain.

"Do we have a deal then?"

"Of course."

Following the White Tiger guilds offer came several more. Since the contract with Baek Yoonho's guild only lasted three months, the offers started swarming in after. Jinwoo quite liked this and accepted a few from the top ranked guilds and was able to grow quite a bit. He added more and more soldiers to his numbers and felt his own strength rising along with it the more he fought. Thankfully this included his mana and the number of shadows he could extract at once and store rose exponentially. It felt like he had an army at this point.

But something strange happened as well.

Sitting down for once on the ground of Ashborn's domain which currently resembled a grassy forest clearing, he looked up at the man who himself seemed unsure whether he should sit as well.

The ancient being finally decided to keep standing, "What plagues your mind?"

"I was just wondering about something." He wondered about how to word it, "When I was doing that raid earlier today I noticed something like... an extra ability? I was just cutting up some of the monsters as usual when it just- became easier, kind of. Like I was using a skill instead of my body."

"It's not impossible. When humans awaken they immediately receive abilities, sometimes they reawaken with different abilities or the ones they have strengthen. You continuously grow stronger. In the words of you humans I guess you could say you constantly reawaken and that as just stated, sometimes that means new abilities or 'skills'."

"Ooh." He considered it for a moment, "So this might happen more often?"

Ashborn shrugged, "If it does, it won't be often. It's more likely for your existing abilities and mana to grow."

The man seemed to go quiet after speaking, no longer having anything to say and the two spent what felt like hours like that. It was a pleasant silence.

After a while, Ashborn sat down next to Jinwoo and briefly ruffled his hair, "Don't worry too much about things like these, just take them as they come. Focus on growing for now and then I'll give you a little test."

Jinwoo gently tilted his head in Ashborn's direction, "A test?"

He nodded, "If you can pass, I'll give you the opportunity to acquire the ingredients for your mother's medicine."

That shocked Jinwoo. His eyes were wide as he exclaimed, "I can finally get them?!"

"Only if you get strong enough to take on the test. And only if you manage to pass it. As I said, it's an opportunity, I'm not just handing them to you."

Tears gathered in the corner or his eyes and he hugged Ashborn, burrowing his face into the man's armored shoulder, "Thank you- Thank you!"

If Ashborn clumsily patted Jinwoo's back, nobody mentioned it.

Chapter Text

Jinwoo threw himself into the next few gates with a lot of enthusiasm. Perhaps a little too much enthusiasm.

This became very evident when Baek Yoonho, whose guild he was partnering with again, pulled him aside and gave him a thirty minute lecture about both overconfidence and the importance of rest. Jinwoo knew about them very well, thank you very much.

When the Association did the same, though in a much milder tone, he decided that, alright, he'll dial it down a bit. Jinwoo didn't really understand why they had to send Woo Jinchul when the man should have more than enough on his plate but guessed it was because not only did they know each other but the older man was perhaps the strongest A-Rank in the Association and as such safer to send. S-Rankers were scary and few wanted to piss them off, so perhaps giving the responsibility to the man was easier than doing so yourself.

Not that Jinwoo was complaining. If he had to deal with anyone from the Association against his will he'd rather it be the Chief of the Monitoring Department. At least the man didn't start getting ridiculously nervous whenever he was near.

But that was how to next few weeks were being spent. He was entering dungeon after dungeon, taking just enough breaks that nobody got the idea they had to nag him again.

After the fourth week, Ashborn told him that it was time for him take on the test. It was scheduled for three days after and he was told to rest.

He got up on the first day, made breakfast for both his sister and himself and sent her off to school. When she came back from school, dinner was ready.

He put it in front of her and sat down with his own portion. Reaching for the water he poured himself a glass, "Do you want some, too?"

"Sure. Thank you." She pushed her glass over and quickly snatched it back when he was done, proceeding to dig into her meal.

He chuckled and focused on his own food. Jinah looked happy enough but he knew, they both knew, that someone was still missing. He wanted to tell her, make sure she knew that he might just be able to wake their mother up, but uncertainty hung over him.

What Ashborn was going to give him was an opportunity- nothing more. What if he told her and then failed to deliver? To have hope crash down around them? He couldn't do that to her, getting her hopes up and then smashing them.

He pushed the negative thoughts aside and concentrated on chewing.

After eating, Jinah went and changed into her pyjamas and they settled down on the couch.

Jinah seemed to be in a good mood as she draped herself over her brother's lap, playing with the remote in her hand. He slowly brushed over her hair in response.

He quietly got her attention, "What do you want to watch?"

"Something nice." She replied in a light tone, "Are there any good movies on?"

He reached for the television newspaper, careful not to jostle his sister's position, "There are a few. I guess it depends on what you want to watch. How about something romantic?" He teased, "You're at that age where you want to watch something like that, right?"

She reached for a cushion, threw it in his face and grumbled, "I'm not." She puffed up her cheeks and hit him with another one, "Put on something else. I want to see an adventure story."

"Okay," he responded, "An adventure movie it is."

Taking the remote from her hand and switching the channel, he felt Jinah adjust her position before she settled and began to gaze at the TV screen. He kept stroking her hair while they watched until she ended up falling asleep. His eyes softened as he looked at his sister.

Watching his sister he hoped it could always be like this. His sister carelessly lounging around at home, watching movies together or even going out to eat. Perhaps they could even visit an amusement park one of these days.

Turning off the TV he carefully lifted her up and put her in her bed.

Just two more days. Two days and their little world may begin to change back to normal.

On the second day he went over his equipment after sending off Jinah. He had no doubt Ashborn would sent him to fight something. His daggers- two, now that he had a lot of practise in- were in good condition. The second was gifted to him by Ashborn as well, a reward for saving the entire team after entering a Red Gate with a truly horrid environment. It was a harsh volcanic terrain that even melted peoples shoes and gave them blisters. He'd left the group with a few guards and went to eliminate the boss himself. It was still one of his greatest achievements to date.

He secured his daggers on the belt he always used when he entered gates. He also stuffed a roll of bandages and a small bottle of disinfectant into the pouch he hung on it. Checking the rest of his gear- a pair of reinforced shoes, a warm jacket (in case Ashborn dropped him in a frozen tundra or something)- he laid it aside with the belt. He didn't really have much other equipment, there was no need for it.

On the third day he went out of the city, telling Jinah he was going to go on a trip and that he'd be back soon and that food was in the fridge ready to be reheated. His exact destination was told to him by Ashborn the night before in their shared dream. Not wanting to cause a commotion he said he'd open a sort of 'gate' that only Jinwoo could see in the forest. Perhaps someone with a high sensitivity to mana would be able to sense it when close by but quite frankly, Korea's S-Rank Hunters had better things to do than hang around in a forest.

Upon arriving to a dense crowd of trees the air around him began to ripple and he could make out the faint outline of a gate in front of him. Making sure his daggers and pouch were still secured he stepped inside.

The world beyond the gate was steeped in fire and flames. Breathing made it feel as though his throat was burning. And the land was chock-full of monsters.

He had to hastily dodge backwards to escape a swipe from one of the beasts. Pulling up his mana he called for his soldiers-

to receive no answer.

If Ashborn wanted him to do this alone he could have warned him! Dodging another claw he moved to climb the burning rocks around them and observed the monsters. There were several hundred of them, the biggest around an average human's height.

Cursing, he let go of the rock and let himself fall back down, escaping the razor sharp talons of a monstrous bird and ramming his daggers into one of the apes' heads. Wolves, birds, apes and other animal like creatures were assembled before him.

Using the ape he just killed as a foot ladder he jumped back up and onto another, severing their head. Dropping down onto hard ground he sliced up another creature and slid underneath a wolf's front paws ready to strike him. He stabbed the beast's stomach and jumped back up, pulling the carcass in front of him to shield against another beast.

Diving into a roll he dodged another bird aiming for him. The airborne enemies were annoying.

He stabbed another ape in the eye, kicking it away to evade a leaping monster somewhat resembling a kangaroo. He sliced off its head the moment he stabilised and went after the next monster. About to stab another wolf he was thrown backwards by another one biting his shoulder. He shook it off, stabbed its cranium and tore through the other wolf's skull before it could strike as well.

Backing up, bounding up another set of rocks he took a moment to regain his bearings. Seeing another eagle monster speeding towards him, he jumped up the rest of the rocks and narrowly avoided collision, instead throwing himself onto the beast's back. His injured arm protested as he grabbed its wings and pulled, steering it into another bird's direction, causing them to collide. Not letting the chance slip away he swiftly killed both and once again used his fall to slay another beast. Activating Quicksilver he dashed towards the next one.

It was going to be a long day.

Sitting amongst the lifeless bodies exhausted and tired, he wrapped his last bandage around his leg. His shoulder still stung with untreated pain and he had poured most of the disinfectant over it. The monsters had also gotten his side and left leg, another narrowly missing his neck with a swipe and injuring his cheek instead. There was also his right arm and hand which had been struck against a boulder, causing him to accidentally drive his own dagger against his thigh. The wound wasn't very deep but it burned a bit. His arm was also feeling iffy ever since the adrenaline wore down. He was rather certain it wasn't broken, merely sprained but the strain of the continued fighting likely wasn't good for it.

His jacket, which he'd discarded pretty early on due to the high temperature, was ripped up by the trampling beasts but he was actually a bit thankful for it. Getting as much dirt off as possible he turned it into a very clumsy makeshift sling and slid his arm inside. The motion hurt more than he'd like to admit.

His throat was also completely parched, the high temperature and arid air was chaffing at him. He'd even briefly considered drinking some of the disinfectant but reason still won out so thankfully he did not, in fact, drink the disinfectant.

He also had to use some of the severed parts of his jacket to wipe as much of the blood that had splattered on him away as possible. Which wasn't much but hey, at least some was gone. He chucked the bloodied remnants into the surrounding fires and sat up, turning towards the portal back home that had popped up a few minutes prior.

This was finally over with.

Jinwoo hoped Ashborn's opportunity wasn't anywhere near as difficult as this, not if this was the man's idea of a 'test'.

Stepping through the gate he breathed in the cool outside air that forest could have, along with the foul stench of monster carcass.

...What?

Looking behind him he could see the hundreds of monsters he'd killed just lying around the forest floor. He let his head softly bump against one of the tree trunks and sighed, turning around and sliding down the wood and he was leaning against the tree with his back.

He'd left a bag containing his phone and other important things like his ID here with a shadow.

Calling the shadow up he gratefully took his bag, "Thanks." He fished out his phone and was about to make a call when it occurred to him. They were back now and he could use his shadow related powers again.

He looked at the hundreds of corpsed and smiled, "Arise."

Not a moment later, the darkness around them shifted as new shadows were born from them. Nearly chocking up at the overwhelming number he grinned and dismissed them before turning back to his phone.

It rang for a few moments before someone picked up, sounding rather tired,  "Hunter Sung Jinwoo?"

"Ah, hello." Jinwoo had forgotten to consider the time, "My apologies for calling so late, Chairman."

He had left in the early morning and didn't know how many hours he spent in the gate but gazing up between the dense tree branches and only seeing darkness he could guess it had gotten quite late.

He looked at the bodies for a moment and responded sheepishly, "There's been a dungeon break. Ah, but don't worry! I took care of it!"

The voice on the other end seemed a lot clearer instantly, "Where are you? Are you hurt?"

Jinwoo briefly explained his location and then reassured the man, "I'm not too hurt. Although I would appreciate a healer. And something to drink." Still smelling the stench of blood, he resigned himself to add one more thing, "And... maybe a change of clothes."

"Alright. We'll be there shortly. Are any monsters still alive?"

"No, they're all dead. But there's a lot of them. A lot."

"I see. Thank you for notifying us and dealing with the problem, Hunter Sung."

"It wasn't a problem at all. This is my job."

Hunting monsters was indeed his job, so it wasn't like he was lying. Still, he felt a bit bad about it.

The team dispatched by the Association arrived an hour later, no doubt slowed down by the narrow passages between the trees. Leading the team were President Go Gunhee and Chief Woo Jinchul. Upon seeing him and the mountains of bodies their eyes went large. The team, too, was in shock.

Go Gunhee was the first to recover and looked at Jinwoo who was still sitting against the tree with clear disapproval after looking him over. The man was clearly unhappy and even his voice had an edge to it, "You call that not too hurt?" He turned towards the men and commanded, "Where's the healer?"

The man in question, a B-Rank, jumped out of whatever stupor he was in and went forward, tending to his wounds. He started to look worried when he got to Jinwoo's shoulder and arm and addressed the Chairman, "I can perform some treatment to righten Hunter-nim's arm and help his shoulder but we'll need someone higher ranked to heal it fully. Otherwise it will take some time to do so naturally."

"Isn't it just sprained?" Jinwoo wondered.

The Healer shook his head, "No, your arm is lightly broken. There is also a lot of swelling."

"Oh."

The Chairman sighed, "I'll call up one of our A-Rank healers." He sternly gazed at Jinwoo as he waited for the call to connect, "We'll be having words later on your definition of 'alright'."

"It's really not that bad." He tried, "All of this would have healed easily after a while and if I had known my arm wasn't just sprained I would have said as much."

Woo Jinchul shook his head and joined the conversation as the call went through and the Chairman was occupied, "A sprained arm is still no laughing matter, Hunter-nim. The next time you receive injuries like these again, please tell us immediately."

Jinwoo grumbled, "Alright. But it's really not that bad, I didn't lose a single limb. That would have been far more concerning."

The man gritted his teeth to keep himself from shouting, "The intactness of your limbs is not a scale upon which you can judge how hurt you are."

Perhaps sensing the well-meant anger, the young man shrunk down a bit and mumbled a quick, "Sorry" and shut up.

The healer gave the Department Chief a well hidden thumbs up and continued his work.

By then, the call had ended and the Chairman focused on them again, "The healer will be here soon."

Both Jinwoo and the healer nodded in acknowledgement.

"We have some clothes for you in the vehicle we arrived in. I doubt you want to change here." Woo Jinchul commented, "By the way, here." He handed Jinwoo a water bottle which he gratefully took.

"Thank you." He replied sincerely and took a gulp. Finally having something to moisten his throat felt great. He breathed a sigh of relief.

A while later the new Healer arrived and finished fixing him up. By then the team had also begun to carry away the carcasses. Jinwoo had even lent out some of his shadows to help, otherwise they would be here for an unforeseeable amount of time.

Jinwoo could see the Chairman pick something up that had fallen from one of the monsters. He thought he saw the elders eyes flash for a moment when he noticed the essence stone the man was now holding with a hint of surprise. He didn't know why but he had somehow assumed these wouldn't have any.

Why had he thought that? Monsters always yielded essence stones.

He shook of his thoughts and returned to the matter at hand, which was explaining to Woo Jinchul why he hadn't called earlier. Lucky for him, he'd thought about that while waiting for them to arrive.

"I lost my bag while jumping down from one of the trees, I only asked the shadows to get if for me later." He pointed to the birds, "I couldn't really call with these around either, they were constantly trying to grab me, especially when I tried getting away from the other monsters."

Woo Jinchul pinched his brows and sighed, "Alright, I understand. Still, try to call us next time, even if it means leaving the area."

"Got it." he responded shortly.

They took him home after that and since it was still night Jinah was thankfully asleep. That meant he wouldn't have to explain anything to her. He took a shower, brushed his teeth, went to bed and then fell asleep immediately.

For once he was not very happy to wake up in Ashborn's realm. He was tired damn it!

He heard a snort and looked over to the armored man who looked at him in mild amusement.

"You won't get any less rest." The man offered.

"It's the principle of it." mumbled Jinwoo.

"Of course." The being shifted the realm so that it looked like a comfortable living room, "Sit down if you want."

Jinwoo did. He then looked up at Ashborn, expecting to hear about the next part. Instead, the man handed him a spherical vial filled with purple liquid.

"This is?" He questioned while holding it.

"That's not important." Ashborn shot back, "But that is one of the three ingredients needed to make your mother's medicine."

Jinwoo perked up immediately before a bout of confusion took a hold of him, "Wasn't I supposed to get this with the opportunity?"

"Yes and no." Ashborn admitted and waved his hand dismissingly, "You will still have to earn the remaining two but it's actually quite simple. As for that one, I'll give it to you for realizing that the monsters could be turned despite not being able to access your powers previously."

"That's... not much?" It really wasn't.

Ashborn shrugged, "I didn't want to make it too difficult. The real hurdle was the test, so this is part of the reward for passing it."

"Part?"

"You'll get a lot from the monsters, right? Especially with those numbers." Jinwoo was about to thank the man when he heard the next sentence, "That way you won't have to raid for a while and can focus on acquiring the other two ingredients."

So Ashborn wasn't done with him just yet.

"Wipe that look off your face," He chided lightly, "It won't be anywhere near as hard, it'll just take a while. Think of it as a game of hide-and-seek."

Marvelous.

When he woke up the next morning he didn't quite expect his phone to have blown up with messages. They weren't even from the Association but from different people he knew, each inquiring about his well-being.

Waiting until Jinah was gone, he turned on the TV and as expected, the 'Dungeon Break' incident from last night was all over the news. He should have honestly expected it. As it was his shadow soldiers helping bring in the monsters he could naturally not escape the attention for a moment. Not to mention that the Association would have to explain how exactly they came upon so many monsters that they could still be seen being brought in in the morning.

Along with the explanation was a picture the team had taken during the night when not a single body had been taken yet and more pictures during the morning, evidently farther into the forest, but still filled to the brim. There were so many monsters it was hard to see the end of them, especially because a few were strewn atop each other, making the forest seem more filled.

They could naturally not hide who had slain them, so his face and name were all over the media. The moratorium on the press had only just expired, too and they were taking full advantage on it.

By around lunchtime they had finalized the count and released the number of found monsters, 713.

There seemed to be a lot of fear if the various channels he looked at were any indication and he felt immense guilt at the thought. It's not like any dungeon would normally have so many monsters so the news of the final count sent a lot of people into a panic, afraid of another dungeon break like this.

Thankfully there were a few theories going around that it was merely a few dungeons close to each other that had broken simultaneously which wasn't necessarily better because it still meant a massive number of loose monsters but it calmed a lot of people afraid of dungeons filled with that many. The theory stemmed from the fact that there were multiple types of monsters present and not only those somewhat associated with each other as they usually are.

After looking through a few more channels Jinwoo checked his phone again and sighed. It would probably be best to reply to everyone that was worried about him. He slowly answered each of them. Some of them he even called while doing so, like Song Chiyul and Baek Yoonho as he knew them somewhat better.

He was suddenly very glad he hadn't given Jinah her new phone yet as he had gotten it for her birthday which had yet to pass. Her old one could only text and call, not peruse the internet. He unknowingly disregarded the fact that Jinah's classmates may have phones that could do so.

A fact that became glaringly obvious when Jinah came home and looked him over, continuously asking whether he was alright.

"Of course I'm alright." He tried to get her to calm down, "You saw me this morning, I'm completely fine and healthy."

"Hmph." Jinah was still stewing as she pinched her lips together, "Idiot oppa."

"Yes, oppa is an idiot."

"A big idiot."

"A big idiot, yes."

Her frown cracked up and she started chuckling, "Stop repeating after me."

"Okay," he acquiesced, "No longer mad?"

"I'm not mad to begin with." She countered and added, "But I was worried, so I want to get ice cream in compensation."

He laughed, "Okay. What ice cream do you want?"

She beamed, "Chocolate, at least five spoons!"

"Five?" He echoed and his mouth formed into a sly grin, "Only if Jinah promises to brush her teeth really well today."

"Deal!"

"Good." He grabbed his wallet and headed towards the door, Jinah close behind, "Where you want to get it?"

"At the old man's shop!" She replied brisk, "He always gives the biggest servings."

"Got it."

Chapter Text

Going out for ice cream was a bit more complicated than he thought. Jinah didn't seem to notice but people kept glancing at them.

He'd pulled up his hood and that had helped somewhat but people still kept recognizing him. He only got a break when they arrived. He wasn't too worried about being in danger, especially after Ashborn told him he could assign shadows to other people and hide them in their shadow. He'd already put some into Jinah's shadow to be safe.

It would all be fine. Once he goes looking for the last two ingredients she'll be protected. He'd even come back every day.

From what Ashborn told him their destinations were similar to Red Gates. Far less time would pass on the outside than inside so he would come back in time to make dinner, sleep and make breakfast. It wouldn't be all that different from when he goes on normal evening raids except that he wouldn't be present in the morning either.

The next day, after thorough preparation and a bag full of food and drink he left the apartment. He be gone for roughly 14 days inside, equivalent hours outside before returning each time.

Standing outside the 'gate' that would lead him to reunite his family, he belatedly realised that it had been nearly a year since his mother fell ill. He was 21 years old now and he had actually forgotten to celebrate it entirely. If his mother heard about this, she'd scold him for sure.

For once, he didn't feel himself mind at all.

The world behind the gate Ashborn spawned would be reminiscent of a vast plain if not for the humongous trees that could be seen every now and then, several tens of kilometers apart. It looked bizarre and filled him with a sense of oddness.

In the far distance he could make out the crown of another tree, far larger than all others from the looks of it. He had been told to look for fragments of the largest tree, was that the one? It couldn't be that easy, could it?

Of course not, Ashborn's voice came from the shadow behind him, I can only bring you this far from any side without being noticed. I would also recommend to look for fragments only under the outermost branches, they will be hard to find but nonetheless be there. The tree is protected.

That worried him, "Is it alright for us to be here if it is? Wouldn't it be stealing if I just grab them?"

Ashborn seemed to huff, No need to worry, they don't care much for the wooden fragments and the tree doesn't belong to them either.

"Couldn't I just go and ask for some then?"

There was a sharp inhale, Don't. Your presence raises too many questions, don't let them see you. I also won't be speaking with you once you set off, they'll realize I'm here.

Jinwoo tilted his head, "You don't get along?"

...Something like that. Ashborn's voice began to fade, Ask Igris if you have questions, but don't let him out of your shadow.

"Alright," he nodded, "I'll do that. Thank you."

There was no reply, so Jinwoo shrugged and began to walk towards the tree.

Only it wasn't as large as he thought, it was even larger. Despite running for four days, he was still hadn't reached it yet. He was very close, yes, but it would still take around two days.

"Hey, Igris." He called after drinking something in the shade of one of the monstrous trees, "I'll have to go back for Ashborn to send me back to earth, right?"

That would be correct, my liege. Igris responded from within the darkness.

"So I have roughly two days to look around each time?"

Yes. The knight replied, Though I would advise to learn when the patrol passes. If my memory serves me correctly, they circle the outer perimeter of the tree as well.

He absorbed the information calmly, "Do you know how long one such rotation is?"

It takes them roughly 30 days to make a full circle.

"So around a month. Thank you Igris."

Always, my lord.

Sufficiently rested he began to journey towards the tree again, looking out for any signs of life nearby. As the only real hiding places were the other trees, he climbed the closest one on the sixth day and watched the tree for its protectors. As luck would have it he saw them on the seventh day and they disappeared out of view later on the same day.

That would mean he had one day to begin looking for fragments and the rest to leave. Unfortunately he did not find any tree fragments on that day and had to return empty handed. The next few earthen days Ashborn dropped him off slightly more to the side every time so he could cover more ground.

This made a bit of a mess of his calculations concerning when the patrol would pass but so far he'd been able to evade them and was extra careful.

On the fourteenth trip to the tree he called Igris again, "How many fragments do I need to get anyway? Is there a required size?"

Size is not important but I would recommend to get as many pieces as possible. Igris paused for a moment, That way there would be no need to return should more be needed later.

"How am I supposed to carry that much at once? Tree branches aren't exactly comfortable to hold, never mind if they're as big as this." He looked up at the tree again, neck stiff.

You could drop them into your shadow.

"I can drop stuff into my shadow?"

Yes. Lord Ashborn does it all the time.

Jinwoo wondered why nobody had thought to mention this before. He slid his bag of his shoulder and looked at it for a moment before holding it over his shadow and... dropped it. As expected it fell inside. He crouched down and reached his hand in, finding it again almost immediately.

"Do I have to reach into my shadow to retrieve it?"

No but this isn't the time or place to try such.

"Alright. Thank you. Again." Jinwoo chuckled, "You've been a great help this entire time, I truly appreciate it."

I'm glad to be of help.

With that out of the way, Jinwoo chatted a bit more with Igris about other things. Most of it everyday human things he never thought he'd have to explain to another being someday.

It was within the second earthen week that he finally managed to find some fragments. There were still a lot by the time he had to turn back so he asked Ashborn to drop him off there again, so it wasn't long until he actually had quite a bit of it. The ancient being seemed to agree and told him to get ready to move to the next location.

There's no need to pack any water this time, he supplied as Jinwoo was about to pack a bottle. Ashborn had taken to speaking to him from the shadows after the trips instead of waiting for him to sleep as he used to do.

He didn't put the bottle away immediately, "Are we going somewhere with lots of water? Just so you know, humans can't drink a lot of natural water due to the salt. Awakened aren't different in that regard."

Ashborn huffed lightly, No need to worry, the liquid is safe for human consumption. And at this point, even if it was, it wouldn't affect you much.

"Wha...", so it wasn't even water. What was Ashborn planning on making him drink?

Don't worry about it.

Jinwoo wanted to ask whether he meant the not-water or him being able to drink what he shouldn't be able to? But Ashborn had begun to explain their next destination and he'd much rather listen to that.

It is a forest much like our previous location and this time it will actually look like one to your human perspective, too. If the man was visible right now and his face could be seen in general, Jinwoo was sure it would be smiling, It has a lot of ponds all over the place and they're nearly indistinguishable from one another. I do know where the pool we need is but you ought to find it yourself. I'll give you a hint: It glows under the darkness.

"You want me to test my manipulation of the shadows itself rather than the soldiers?"

That is correct.

He had a hunch about something like this coming up ever since Igris told him he could store stuff in there. As such, logically, he should be able to move the darkness of the shadows itself.

Ashborn seemed to sigh, You should have plenty of time to get used to it there, so feel free to play around with it as much as you like.

"There isn't anything for me to be wary of this time?"

Not at all.

The young man released a breath he didn't know he was holding and joked, "That's great. With how tense you were last time, it almost felt like how someone would react when they're stressed about meeting extended family."

...

Shut it.

The scenery was much more beautiful than Jinwoo could have ever imagined it. All the trees were a vivid, lush green and plants and flowers of all colours grew around him. The ponds scattered everywhere that was visible were glistening and reflecting light like crystals would. Honestly, if he wasn't standing there personally he would have never believed this.

It didn't feel like it was real at all.

He walked up to one of the pools of... something. He wanted to see if what the ancient being had told him was true and cupped his hands, scooping up a bit of liquid and realized that at least the consistency of it was the same as water. He closed his eyes and took a sip.

...Tastes like water, smells like water, feels like water. It was water.

No it is not! Ashborn rejected, instantly deciphering the utterly deadpan look on his face.

"Where's the difference?"

...

"There is no difference is there?"

It isn't water.

"...Sure." Jinwoo didn't believe him one bit.

Ashborn was still grumbling from within the shadows, It isn't.

Jinwoo chuckled lightly and got up again from where he was kneeling to get water, intent on exploring further. The cool air brushed against his face as he walked, the shadows around him dancing in bizarre arcs with the wind. As he sat down hours later to get some rest he thought about how peaceful and serene this place was. Despite the cool wind and unending ponds it all felt warm and cosy. Holy. Welcoming.

Don't close your eyes.

He startled out of his musings and realized with a start that he had began to doze off. Confused, he looked at his shadow.

Ashborn sounded like his usual self again, Don't think too much while resting, this place likes to enthral its occupants.

That sounded horrifying and yet Jinwoo couldn't really feel any dread or real awareness about it, with how... peaceful everything in this place was.

JINWOO!

Jinwoo startled again, his mind much clearer this time, "Sorry." He instinctively answered, "I'll be more careful."

If you want to sleep, don't think too much about the forest before doing so and you'll be fine.

"I'll do that." He nodded, heart still beating wildly, "Thanks."

Ashborn took a while to answer, ...You're welcome.

It took a while for Jinwoo to be able to actually sleep as he would still often fall into the forest's trap and Ashborn had to snap him out of it. But once he was awake again everything was fine. It seemed the forest would only trick people trying to sleep.

"Say," he begun, "What would happen if someone does fall asleep under the enthralment?"

Ashborn pondered on his words for a moment, They'll keep sleeping eternally and eventually turn into one of these trees.

A shiver ran down his back and he glanced at the wooden structures, "These are people?"

It would be more accurate to call them monsters. He paused, The trees and what becomes them, both.

"Oh." Although that was reassuring, it did little to soothe his fried nerves. The previously beautiful trees now seemed kind of sinister and sickening. Jinwoo had an inkling he wouldn't have trouble falling asleep any more. Or maybe he'd have more. Who could tell?

There is no need to fret so much. The trees themselves are harmless and really not different from normal ones when you count out how they came to be.

"I'll be taking your word for it."

Jinwoo was letting his shadows hover over the translucent and now glowing liquid and asked, "Is this the right pond?"

It is. Good work.

Jinwoo beamed at the praise.

There are a few containers in the shadows you can pull out and use to scoop it up.

"Got it!" Taking out the empty glass(?) bottles he began to fill them up. Once he had screwed the last shut and put it back inside his shadow he smiled brightly.

He now had everything he needed to save his mother. He was about to cry at the thought of it. His mother would be awake. She'd be back with them and this time he would be able to protect her. They could all go out and eat ice cream together this time, just the three of them.

It was like a weight had been lifted off his heart, he hadn't felt this unburdened and free in forever, "Should we leave?" He asked with an elated and cheerful laugh.

"Should you?" There was someone behind him, a weapon pointing at his neck.

Shit.

Chapter Text

Jinwoo didn't dare turn around with what he assumed to be a spear at his neck, hands raised up defensively.

After he swore, Ashborn fell silent as well but Jinwoo could feel an undercurrent of... something. It wasn't a pretty feeling, that's for sure.

"Can... I help you?" He tried.

"Can you?" The voice echoed and he briefly entertained the idea of it being some kind of mutated parrot that just happened to be able to hold weapons.

Extremely unlikely but he needed to calm down somehow so he could try to get out of this without problems.

"Could you put that... weapon... away? It's awfully hard to talk with it being pointed at my throat."

There was a moment of silence before both the weapon and the dangerous feeling accompanying it left. He slowly turned around, letting his hands sink.

Behind him stood a tall white being. It clearly wasn't human but it didn't resemble a monster either. It seemed sterile and strict, if that made sense. Like a messenger of god.

It reminded him somewhat of Ashborn, despite the man's general depiction of the exact opposite.

They both gave off the same strict air, but this being seemed pure light while Ashborn would be better described as unblemished darkness.

Like two halves of the same coin.

Despite this, Jinwoo failed to make the obvious connection.

The being spoke again, "How did you enter here? This is not a place humans have the ability to set foot in."

Although it was asking him, it didn't seem to expect an answer, not an honest one in any case. Rather, it appeared to be looking for something as it stared at Jinwoo.

...Or someone?

Jinwoo could feel Ashborn's agitation clearly. He had never seen the ancient being react like this so he was understandably wary of the newcomer. It didn't appear to be a monster but it must be a hostile force nonetheless.

"Isn't this a Red Gate?" He tried.

The being regarded him quietly, "Where's the rest of your team?"

Well, damn. It knew of human habits and rules.

Now that he thought about it, this guy looked somewhat like the silhouettes of the guards he saw while trying to get fragments of that tree. Did they see him after all...? No, they would have likely reacted sooner then.

How was he going to get out of this?

"They weren't there when I looked back." He explained with his best look of worry on his face, "I suspected that the gate only pulled me in but... that's not what they usually do? I guess it scattered us, so I'm looking for them."

The creature, despite having no discernible face, looked as though it had its brows scrunched together, clearly indicating that it couldn't believe the bull Jinwoo was spouting right in front of it. He really wanted to know how it knew he wasn't telling the truth. Look, who knows how Red Gates really work?

...On second thought, this wasn't a human and quite possibly knew exactly how Red Gates worked. He shot himself in the foot here, didn't he?

The figure sighed and its hand went towards him, Jinwoo flinched back and the shadows enveloped him. Before everything went black and he fell unconscious, he realized it wasn't him controlling the shadows.

Stay away from the child!

When Jinwoo came to again he was lying on his bed, the shadows around him dancing as if to comfort him.

"Ashborn?" He called out hesitantly, "Are you there?"

Of course I am.

"What was that?"

..., Ashborn seemed to think for a moment, A Fragment of Light. One of many. I admit I overreacted, a simple fragment would have been easy to handle and we'd be gone before backup could arrive.

He slightly titled his head at the information, "Did you kill it?"

No, I... I didn't. The beings voice seemed rather lost as he said so, a little soulless and tired.

"That's alright, no? I don't know what exactly a 'Fragment of Light' is but despite everything it didn't really seem all that hostile? It seemed a little wary even."

 He was wary of me. He likely suspected I was there but could not tell for certain. He inhaled a sharp breath, The Brilliant Fragments of Light will soon know of this, but it is of no concern.

"How so?"

Just like I can't enter your world 'in person' neither can they. Though I advise to carefully observe the people around you for a while.

He thought about that, "Have they made contact with humans like you did?"

There are differences. The humans in questions aren't aware at all but their powers are tremendous.

Humans with tremendous powers... "National hunters?" He asked a little nervous, "Is that why they're so much stronger?"

I've never met these so-called National Hunters but it should be them. But not only them. Ashborn added another part as though it was an afterthought, ...You know one.

Who was the strongest S-Rank Jinwoo knew? Choi Jongin, perhaps? But seemed wrong somehow. Guild Master Beak? No, that was also unlikely. ...Wait, did it have to be active S-Ranker Hunters? Furthermore...

"The Chairman? Is that why you don't like him?"

I believe I said it back then already but it isn't the Chairman I dislike.

"But it is the Chairman?"

Yes.

"Oh dear." The Chairman was someone he tended to see, well, not often but often enough.

Don't think too much. They don't really talk to the humans, they don't do things like that, however it would still be good to keep an eye out when they're near.

Jinwoo nodded, brows furrowed tight, "I understand."

Now, whatever the case, there are other things to talk about. You have attained all three ingredients to make your mothers medicine. Congratulations.

Only now did he remember where they had come back from and why they were there in the first place, his previous relief was back again as tears appeared in the corner of his eyes, "I know. Thank you."

Ashborn seemed to huff, I only did what I promised I'd do.

Jinwoo gave a wet laugh, "Still... If it weren't for you, I don't know where I'd be now, where Jinah would be, let alone mom. Thank you."

Stop saying thank you and I'll consider us even.

"Sure." He couldn't hide the grin as he said so and made himself calm down to continue, "So, how do I mix these ingredients? Do I need to turn a few fragments to sawdust?"

Nothing of the sort. The voice was amused, Just put all three ingredients in front of you and I'll tell you how to proceed.

He took all of them out of his shadow with a flick of his wrist, placing them on his bed, "Got it."

After having successfully made the medicine on his second try, he waited for Jinah to come home from school and got them to the hospital. He almost couldn't wait to feed her the medicine, there was no need to doubt Ashborn, he hadn't lied to him so far and he gained nothing from doing so on this matter. He waited for Jinah to go to the toilet before carefully making his mother drink it.

He held his breath as he did so, removing the bottle and letting it vanish. For a heart wrenching moment, nothing happened but then she begun to stir. It was at that moment that Jinah returned.

Seeing the elder woman's eyelids quiver, her breath hitched as she rushed next to him. She whispered, as if afraid anything louder would make her stop, "Mum?" There was a grunt in response and she grabbed her hand lying on the sheets, "Mum, it's us! My brother and I are here! Mum!"

"...Jin- Jinah?" The woman's voice sounded a little hoarse as she forced her eyes open.

"Mum!" Loudly wailing, she threw herself at their mother and begun to cry.

Jinwoo was smiling through the tears as well and Park Kyunghye looked at him, he looked her in the eyes, "...Mum."

"Jinwoo. My little Jinwoo." She reached for him and he let her pull him towards her, she was crying as well, "Look at you two, you've both grown taller."

They stayed like that for a while, embracing each other and relishing in their reunion. Still in his mother's arms, he mouthed a silent 'thank you' to the darkness.

I thought we had a deal, Ashborn grumbled.

Jinwoo just chuckled lightly.

The rest of the day couldn't have gone by quicker. After alerting a nurse and ensuring the hospitals silence, he brought their mother home to their old apartment. Settling her and his sister on the couch where Jinah was still clinging to her, he brought some refreshments.

"Here, I brought something lighter." Pouring everyone a glass he sat down as well.

"Thank you." His mother replied happily as she reached for one.

"Thank you." Jinah echoed from beside her.

He smiled at them.

After a short while, Park Kyunghye set her glass down and asked slowly, "How long was I out this time?"

"..." Jinah hummed quietly beside her and let herself fall against her again.

She looked at her daughter concerned before gazing at Jinwoo, her gaze questioning.

"You were out... longer. This time." He started, inhaling some air to gather strength, "A year. I-"

"Oh Jinwoo." She reached for his head and ruffled his hair, messing it up, "I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry. I'm your mother yet I've had you both all worried."

"No!" Jinah cried out, sitting up and clutching Park Kyunghye's arm with pleading eyes, "Mom didn't do anything wrong. It's not mom's fault."

"Jinah's right." He agreed, "Please don't say that."

"..." She sighed with a smile, "Alright. I won't say it. Then you tell me, how have you been? How is school Jinah?"

Jinah took over to tell her about school first, perhaps knowing Jinwoo needed some time to gather his thoughts on how to tell their mother that he... had done the same as their father.

It took a while for her to finish and then their mother looked at him expectantly though she had a hint of worry on her face. She had likely noticed his conflicted expression despite his best attempts to hide it.

"I-" he started, then stopped and begun anew, "Mum, you know I wouldn't do anything really serious without being sure I could do it." He took a breath as he noticed her stiffen, "A few months after you fell into Eternal Sleep, I-... I could just tell something was different and I was sure it was... enough. I swear I wouldn't have done if I hadn't been strong enough."

That... may be a lie, he thinks but doesn't mention it. He would have gone to the dungeons even if he had gotten an E-Rank.

"I have really only gotten hurt once and that was more exhaustion than anything." He won't mention the broken bone, not today, "I- Like dad, I-"

Suddenly arms were around him and he felt his mother's dark hair more than he saw it, "Jinwoo. My little Jinwoo... It's alright, I understand." Her tone wasn't entirely steady and he understood, "I'm not happy about it but... thank you. I'm sorry it came to this."

His breath was stuck in his throat, "Thank you." He cracked a dry laugh, "I was afraid you would be angry."

"I'm not angry." She replied softly, "I can't be angry about this with you. Not when you did this for your sister and me. Not when you're helping so many people."

Of course things wouldn't ever be simple. Though the hospital kept their word and didn't tell anyone about his mother, it was bound to be noticed by the neighbours but nobody commented much. Jinwoo was glad for this even though he and his sister received many pitying glances. There wasn't much known about Eternal Sleep but they all likely assumed she'd awakened by a stroke of luck and would soon fall asleep again, this time forever.

He did not correct them.

At the same time, in another continent there was a conference about him with him none the wiser.

Many big figures in the hunting industry were present, watching the photos of the time Jinwoo slew hundreds of monsters and the few videos that existed, mostly of the carcasses being brought back. Among all this was a small video shot were the camera panned in Jinwoo's direction for a moment. It was zoomed in on a rather particular spot- Jinwoo's singed clothes.

Chapter Text

That night in Ashborn's realm, the ancient being was rather silent and it was not his usual way of being quiet. It was contemplative and Jinwoo did not rush to disturb him, he also had some things to think about.

It was a while before the older deigned to speak, hesitant but firm, "Why?"

That ended up confusing the younger as he inclined his head, "Why what?"

"...", it seemed to take Ashborn a moment to find the right words, "I know I was the one who used it to make you accept my offer, but why were you so desperate? I don't understand humans all that well but death is still inevitable even to you and you accept it as a part of life. Why do absolutely anything to get her back?"

It took him a moment to process the question, "Because she's my mother. My family." Seeing the blank look of Ashborn eyes he tried to be clearer, "Well, she's the one who raised me, she's... always been there for me. It didn't feel right without her. That's what family is, no? People who are always around you and who you can trust. Even if you do something stupid or betray their trust, they'll still have your back."

The older looked like he was starting to gain some sort of understanding, so Jinwoo kept it up.

"Like when I became a hunter. I knew mom wouldn't like it, with what happened to our father and everything but I still did it, because it's what I needed to do to make everything better." He took a deep breath, "Sometimes family is to hurt each other with the best of intentions and to help even when you think it's unneeded or even harmful. We're all just one person with our own thoughts."

"Would you still help each other, even when it would cause the other person to hate you?" Ashborn whispered, "Even if that person ends up harming you in response again and again? Would you still forgive them and want to help them?"

"I suppose that would largely depend on the situation but essentially? Yes." He smiled dryly, "I mean, if I was the one who made them hate me then I must have a reason for it. I think I would understand why they would respond like this but in the end they are still family and so, someone I would love regardless."

"...I see." Ashborn inhaled slowly, "I have some things to think about, thank you answering my question."

"I'm happy to help." He responded steadily, "Take your time."

He removed himself from the realm to allow Ashborn his space. If the man was ruminating, it was better to give him his time and let him think. Jinwoo supposed the topic of family must be a heavy one for the man, he had mentioned siblings before. He knew that not everyone had it easy when it came to family and hoped that he hadn't somehow misled Ashborn into forgiving people he shouldn't. He had been careful with his word choices but he was still a bit worried.

A few had gone without hearing from the older and Jinwoo was returning from grocery shopping when he ran into a kidnapping. After dispatching his shadows to haul them around he went to the young man he had just saved.

The brunet had fallen to the floor and was now openly staring at his summons.

Jinwoo wasn't really sure how to start, "Hello...?"

"Ah, hello!" The young man's head swung over to him and he got up, "Thank you for saving me, I'm Yoo Jinho!"

"Yes. You're welcome?" He raised an eyebrow, "You don't seem very... surprised."

"Oh, this isn't the first time someone tried that. They just usually go for my brother."

Marvellous. So, a rich kid? Where had he heard the surname Yoo again?

"Well, it's good that you're well. You should call your parents, perhaps the police."

He turned away from him to give him the opportunity to call them while he observed his shadows tie up the criminals and neatly put them side by side. These people were just ordinary humans and clearly scared stiff by what was happening, Jinwoo felt they deserved it and wouldn't be doing anything to make them feel less scared.

After he was done calling his family and the police, Yoo Jinho begun to badger him, "Say, can I call you hyung-nim?"

"Whatever you want." It didn't really matter much to him how he was called.

"Alright, Hyung-nim!" The younger beamed, "Are you that famous hunter, Sung Jinwoo?"

"I am." He didn't know anything about being famous but being a S-Rank meant some recognition at least, "Do you need something?"

He shook his head, "No, no. I'm just really amazed to be able to see you myself. S-Rankers are supposed to be really hard to meet, especially for ordinary people like me."

"We're all just people." Jinwoo denied, "And I walk around normally fairly often, it's just that when you don't expect to see someone you're less likely to recognize them."

"I see!" Jinho replied with an enlightened expression and Jinwoo suppressed the urge to inquire just what he thought he understood.

Anyway, he seemed like a kid that was easy to get into trouble so he quietly slipped a singular soldier into the young boy's shadow.

While he was waiting with him for the police to arrive he was called by the Association and excused himself for a moment, moving a bit away but still being able to see him.

"Yes, this is Sung Jinwoo speaking?"

"Hunter-nim," came the simple reply and he identified the voice as Woo Jinchul's, "This is Woo Jinchul speaking, the Association would like your assistance if you are free?"

Jinwoo glanced at Jinho who was trying to talk to the summons, "I'm currently waiting for the police with the victim of an attempted kidnapping but I'll be free after that."

"The situation doesn't require your immediate presence. I would like to talk more in person, are you free tomorrow?"

He mentally checked the calendar, "I am. Would after lunch be alright?"

"Of course, thank you very much." The man replied, "I wish you a nice evening. Goodbye."

"You as well. Goodbye."

He turned his phone screen off again and went back to Jinho's side. They waited while Jinho took over most of the time talking and somehow even talked him into exchanging numbers. Jinwoo still didn't know how the young man accomplished that.

The next day, after seemingly having made a new friend outside the hunter business, he met up with Woo Jinchul in the Association's main building. Once there, the man told him of someone that had been working in their department for a few years now but was suspected of killing other hunters for money. While these people largely amounted to criminals it was nonetheless murder and they wanted his help in investigating.

"I suppose I could help." He admitted, "I can put a shadow on him, you just need to point him out to me and he won't be any the wiser that he's under surveillance."

The other was silent for a moment before he chuckled, "So Hunter-nim can even put his summons on other people. Well, it would help is immensely, so you have my thanks."

"The Association has helped me plenty when I started out, I don't mind helping out from time to time in return."

An agreement reached, Woo Jinchul pointed the man out to him and Jinwoo put a soldier in his shadow covertly.

In the end it took over a month for the man to do something. The case ended up handled neatly and Kang Taeshik ended up in a special hunter prison.

At roughly the same time, the president of the Federal Bureau of Hunter in the US was talking to a middle-aged woman by the name of Norma Selner, the US secret upgrader and greatest tool in negotiations when pulling in foreign hunters. They were trying to convince the woman to meet with Sung Jinwoo and convince him to join their country but she just kept shaking her head.

"We will not be able to move him." She stated firmly, "My ability will not work of him, I'm sure. But we will work with him, he might be our only chance."

As the president looked at her somewhat questioningly, he also had a hint of understanding in his eyes. What even the hunters who received her help often didn't know was her ability to predict the future, an ability many deemed to be a hoax but right now she was speaking with so much conviction of words even she could not completely understand.

Naturally some people would know that Miss Selner had been called in. Although Jinwoo neither knew of this nor who Norma Selner even was, the consequence of that meeting was now standing in front of him in the most ridiculous get up he could have ever imagined.

Seriously, who told this man these colours even remotely matched? Jinwoo was afraid his eyes might start to burn from looking at them.

The woman at the man's side began to speak, "It's a pleasure to meet you. You may call me Laura, the man beside me is my boss, Thomas Andre."

The corner of Jinwoo's mouth twitched before he proceeded to speak in english, "I appreciate the translation but I happen to speak english. This would be easier for you as well, right?" Though he spoke to Laura, his gaze went towards the goliath next to her.

The man grinned, "That's true. Well, you know who I am, what do you think about joining my Scavenger Guild?"

Jinwoo at least pretended to think about it for a short moment, "Thank you, but I quite like it here." Also, all of Asia might curse him if he went.

"Hm." The man pursed his lips before he bared his teeth, "Then, what about a spar?"

So that's how it happens, though several people from the Hunters Association would later complain to him that that could in no way be considered a spar. Look, it was hardly his fault if the forest ended up a bit... broken. The one who skidded through these trees like a snowman on sleighs was Thomas Andre, not him. If anything they should be glad he convinced the other to get out of the city because he seemed ready to duke it out right there.

And if Jinwoo slipped a shadow soldier in the National Rank Hunters shadow to see if he noticed and then let it stay there? That was his own business. Though it did disappoint him that the World's Best was unable to notice. Never mind that he actually put in several.

"When are you going to leave, Mr Andre?" He asked the man who was once again standing before him.

"Trying to get rid of me already?" Thomas Andre responded brisk, "And feel free to call me Thomas, Mr Andre sounds so stiff."

"Well?"

The man laughed, "I will stay for a bit. I'm already here, might as well look around. Besides, everyone already knows I'm here."

That was indeed true. Him being in Korea was now well known, though few knew that he had met with Jinwoo and that they had even fought, much to the younger's relief. He really didn't want or need that kind of attention.

"Should I introduce you to some friend of mine?"

"No thanks." The only people Jinwoo could think of that would be friends with this guy around this part of the world were those of similar strength to the man and the only one he could name was Liu Zhigang whom he had no intention of meeting. Thank you very much. One of those was enough for him.

"So quick!" The giant bared his teeth again, much more friendly than a few days prior.

Oddly enough, he thought Thomas might resemble the ancient being he met in the lake forest even though there was obviously nothing alike about the two. On the other hand, Ashborn did somewhat confirm that the National Level Hunters had something to do with these beings even if they did not know so themselves. That was also why he put his soldiers in the man's shadow. If he met any worthwhile hunters or others of National Authority, the summons would hop shadows.

He might be able to find something out that way.

While thinking about these things and continuing as usual when it came to his hunting routine, another three years passed by. He would occasionally speak with Thomas over the phone which ended up with him being introduced to the Chinese Hunter regardless because the American didn't want to call two people separately and 'You live so close together anyway'.

They didn't even live in the same country.

So what Jinwoo originally thought were two friends he had managed to make ended up being three with the occasional inclusion of a very irritated Christopher Reed whom Thomas Andre thought needed to be told twice that his opinion was bullshit by pressing a random number to call on his phone and expecting to be supported. The man should be glad he was on the other side of the world or Jinwoo would have kicked his ass again. Not that that could really stop him nowadays.

In these same three years there was another Raid on Jeju Island. He actually intended to help out with that one but it was decided that he would stay to protect Korea while all the other S-Rankers were gone. Shortly after that resounding failure a new S-Ranker appeared, named Cha Haein.

The raid itself ended in minimal casualties despite the fact that he had only send shadows to support the S-Rankers at the Associations request. The government seemingly didn't want to have him stand out too much and thought the others could do it on their own. He would admit, the result was somewhat disappointing. He would make sure to get landed on the team next time, Korea really didn't need this kind of reputation.

So, unbeknownst to Jinwoo, the real catastrophe was about to begin.

Though he might have had an inkling, with the way Jinho kept getting into trouble. Fishing him out of a dungeon in disgustingly flashy gear with the Association's help was ridiculous. If he hadn't put a soldier on him these years ago...

Jinwoo didn't want to imagine the result.

"What were you even doing there?" He questioned a little harshly and the young man flinched.

"Ah, well, you see Hyung-nim..." The man trailed off and looked anywhere but him.

Jinwoo pinched the bridge of his nose, "I see?"

Jinho visibly wilted, "I'm trying to earn a guild master licence. You know I awakened recently, right?"

He did know that, Jinho had called him to tell him about it, "I do, what about it?"

"My father wants to start a guild." He confessed, "He wants to invite a S-Rank as Guild Master and make my older brother the vice but..."

"You want to prove yourself and become Guild Master yourself."

"Something like that, yeah." He scratched his cheek, "I obviously can't ask Hyung-nim for help, my father would know right away and if I had your help I wouldn't be doing anything at all, just stand there while you hunt."

"That's true." He admitted, "But are you sure you want to do this? Not to discourage you but this was your first raid and you promptly encountered lizards."

"I did, didn't I..." He slouched with drooped eyes.

"Rather than that, why don't you just start one with me? I have a licence by default and you could be vice. My position is rather awkward as it is now."

That was true. Sung Jinwoo was an S-Ranker without a guild and he kept getting offers from everywhere. On the few occasions he went to other countries to help he would be endlessly badgered to join this or that guild. But he didn't want to join any of the already established ones either. He also wasn't very business savvy.

The young man promptly burst into tears, "Hyung-nim, you want me to establish a guild with me?"

"Think about it first." he advised, "The decision to try and get your licence mustn't have been an easy one so don't rush for an answer just because I'm the one asking. If you want to hunt in the meantime, whether to get your licence or for other reasons call me and I'll get in touch with some people I know."

He wouldn't mention that most of these people were other S-Rankers or experienced Hunters like Song Chiyul that he knew could be trusted.

After making sure the younger was fine he saw him off, only then did Woo Jinchul approach.

"It's been a while." He greeted.

"It has," the other nodded, "Good as it is to see Hunter-nim again, I would advise a word of caution for now."

"That lizard mentioned a brother, is that what this is about?"

"It is. We tried doing something before but with an S-Ranker behind him we couldn't really do anything."

"Aren't Korea's S-Rankers rather civil?" He asked confused, "I can't imagine them condoning something like this, even when it's family."

The look on Jinchul's face was twisted, "It's not a Korean any more."

"Ah," Jinwoo expressed understanding, "Hwang Dongsoo?"

The man nodded grimly.

"Well, it's not that much of a problem. If he comes, I'll just beat him up." He smirked, "If he can get through my summons, that is."

The last three years had really bolstered his shadow army, it was almost hilarious just how much.

Woo Jinchul stifled a groan, and shook his head, "In any case, please be careful, Hunter-nim."

With one last nod at him, the older left together with his team and once he was sure nobody was around any more he unlocked his phone and dialled.

"Do you know what time it is?" Came gruffly from the other side.

"Not later than when you usually call." he quipped back, "Anyway, Hwang Dongsoo is your guild member, right?"

"Yeah. Why, want him back?", came the amused reply.

Jinwoo shook his head even though Thomas Andre would not be able to see it, "No thanks, you keep that one. I just called to let you know his brother just got arrested and that if he tries to attack me or my friend I can't guarantee how he would end up."

Thomas yawned, "Yeah, yeah, I'll put him on a leash. Now let me sleep."

Chapter Text

Calling Thomas had been the right idea. Just a few days later there was a request from Hwang Dongsoo to enter Korea but before it could be denied it was retracted. He was honestly glad he wouldn't have to deal with the man. He didn't hear a peep in the following weeks either much to Jinho's relief.

The young man was beside himself when he heard who could potentially be coming for him.

But Jinwoo had stopped paying much attention after the second week, sure that the S-Ranker wouldn't dare do something easily and while they were in Korea. Instead he focused on a request he received a few days ago from his sister's teacher through his mother who had gone to the parent teacher meeting now that she had recovered significantly.

The request focused on Jinah's friend Han Songyi who had recently awakened as an E-Ranker. He had chaperoned enough of the Associations Dungeons to know just how dangerous it could be for those if there was nobody to save them, a role few people took on due to the risk to their own lives.

So the job of knocking some sense into her fell on his shoulders. That was entirely fine by him, he knew plenty of ways to show someone how terrifying a dungeon could be. So he contacted Baek Yoonho and got them a place in a training raid which promptly turned into a nightmare when the gate disappeared behind them. He could deal with this, it wasn't his first red gate and it was an adequate reason to assume control over the raid, especially considering the leader proposed to split up. He gave the guy a talking to and, after taking out a great amount of supplies and winter coats, brought them to a clearing before posting several shadow guards and going to get the boss.

While his original plan may be ruined, the suspense of not knowing what might come out of the woods and when might just scare Han Songyi enough, never mind if something did come out. The summons would make short work of it but it was bound to be terrifying nonetheless.

It took him two days to find the boss only to find that, apparently, this one could talk. It was a White Walker, not unusual considering there seemed to be nothing but Ice Bears and White Walkers in this Red Gate, but still. Behind him were many more of his kind, weapons at the ready.

"Is there only one of them?" The not-elf cackled with a twisted grin.

It was the first time Jinwoo had heard a monster talk, "I'm the only one necessary." He replied, squashing down the surprise.

The monster looked at him for a moment in confused silence before it regained it's previous facial expression, "You speak our language?"

He hadn't been aware they had been conversing in another language? He had been solely speaking Korean.

It might be because of me, Ashborn admitted from the darkness, My own understanding of their speech was transferred to you along with my power.

Absentmindedly nodding to the Ancient being, the monster seemed to have taken it to be meant for them. A logical conclusion given that they couldn't see or hear Ashborn.

The White Walker offered a hand, "Give us the humans you hid and we'll let you walk away. We ought to help each other, no?"

"I don't see any reason to help you. I'm not giving them to you."

He mentally nudged Ashborn for an explanation, the older responded immediately, You're surrounded by my power so they're unable to identify you as human. It also means they won't hear the voice near you.

"What voice?", he blurted out and the White Walker looked at him puzzled before a gave a short laugh.

"It is annoying, is it not?" The Hyakki acknowledged, "Always telling us to kill all humans, as if we need to be told."

Alright, that was unsettling.

He was glad to have an answer for that but he didn't heat whatever voice they heard and he wasn't about to hand over his charges, "I suppose." he responded, "But it doesn't change my answer, I'm not giving them to you."

"That's too bad." The monster drawled, "Attack!"

The monsters behind him began to charge and Jinwoo summoned his shadows, their numbers quickly overwhelming the enemies and threw himself into battle as well.

Not long after he reappeared at the campsite, had his shadows gather everyone and everything up and made for the exit. No one really commented or maybe even noticed the new additions to his troops, including all the Ice Bears that the shadows protecting the hunters killed.

Han Songyi, as expected, was a bit too spooked to continue. It came as a relief to Jinwoo who was wondering what other raid he should show her if this hadn't worked. He went home instantly, swapping with one of the shadows he had patrolling the neighbourhood, an ability he had unlocked in the last three years after experimenting with his storage ability.

It came in rather handy from time to time, like in the case of multiple dungeon breaks, a problem that was occurring more and more often. Ashborn had told him at the start the he hoped Jinwoo wouldn't aid the world's destruction, meaning that something was undeniably coming. He had the sinking feeling that the time for this was fast approaching but did not dare ask Ashborn. Yet.

It had only been a month since the Red Gate incident when Jinwoo was shook awake by his sister, a pinched look on her face, her brows knit together.

"They found out about mom." she grit out, "They noticed she really wasn't falling asleep any more and the media somehow got wind of it."

It was bound to happen, if anything it was surprising that it took this long.

"I understand," he patted her head as he sat up, "Give me a moment to get up and organize some things. Don't let mom out."

She nodded quietly and left the room, leaving Jinwoo alone. Good thing it was the weekend and Jinah didn't have school.

He shook of his sleepiness and got himself ready before checking the internet for news. Sure enough, it was a big topic. Not the biggest but pretty close. The problem was that what he currently had of the elixir wasn't enough for everyone that needed it. Even if he made more until his ingredients ran out, there still wouldn't be enough.

"Ashborn?" he called out, hoping the man would respond, "Is it feasible to get more of the wood and water? Of that purple liquid?"

The fragments and the water aren't very hard, you'll just have to gather more. The blood is a bit harder.

"How so?" Jinwoo really hoped he wouldn't have to do something super complicated to get it.

Ashborn seemed to sigh, I have more than I gave you but that is all I have. It might be enough for the people currently afflicted or not, I genuinely don't know.

"I see..." his shoulders sagged, "Is there another way?"

Theoretically, yes. But that is not something that can be discussed now.

He nodded with a frown and called the Association.

Although his mother's situation was all over the news it wasn't like anyone suspected Jinwoo had something to do with it. Some speculated that it simply meant that if people could wake up after being under Eternal Sleep for longer, then they wouldn't fall under it again.

He organized a meeting with Chairman Go Gunhee and left, thankful the man had time immediately. He used his shadows to appear closer to the Association, avoiding the reporters near the apartment that wished to interview his mother and them by association.

In the end, he managed to strike a deal with the Association. He would provide as many elixirs as he could while telling them he didn't know how many he could make and there would be no mention of him. Furthermore, while the use of them was permitted for poorer people right away, the news should only be spread a few months later when the excitement died down.

He handed over all the elixirs he had previously made and promised to hand over more soon. If he handed them over all at once it might seem to easy to make them. Once home he made as many as he possibly could which amounted to quite a staggering number already but the number of patients was even more so.

On top of that, the lake water had run out. He wasn't very happy at the thought of returning to the creepy forest.

But beggars can't be choosers and now that he had made up his mind he ought to see it through.

He didn't even get anywhere near the correct lake before he was utterly surrounded by silver soldiers. He readied himself to summon his daggers at a moments notice when Ashborn actually materialized before him, pushing him slightly backwards as he shielded him from view, glaring at the silver soldiers. Hidden from view, Jinwoo couldn't make out much himself. There were indeed many of the silver soldiers and heading them seemed to be seven in particular, hovering regally off the ground, all looking at him and Ashborn.

The silence was tense as one of the seven stopped to hover, coming a couple steps forward before stopping again. There was a hesitation in its steps, an uncertainty.

It took a deep breath and gazed straight at Ashborn, "Brother."

Brother?!

While Jinwoo was internally freaking out, Ashborn glowered at them, "What do you want. I thought I made myself clear the last time."

"Did you?" The being asked, though it did so slowly, "Greatest Fragment of Brilliant Light, elder brother, you just left and neither side heard from you again."

"Don't call me that!" The snarl that escaped Ashborn's throat was raw but- Jinwoo knew him enough by now to know it was fake, "I had lost, you were the ones who refused to end me!" The man huffed condescendingly, "I was just giving you your due respect as the victors."

"You say so, yet you are raising a successor."

"How is that any of your business?" He rasped out.

The silver soldier's wings twitched for a moment, "Please do not misunderstand us, we are not here to hurt either of you. We will admit that we were wary of your doings at first but realized there was no need to be. We hope to reach an understanding, a cooperation."

"Why would I want to work with you, Most Brilliant Fragment?" Ashborn was still clinging to denial as he retorted so.

"It need not be you." The Most Brilliant Fragment spoke, "You would not stop your heir from saving his world, correct? Isn't that why you gave him that power?"

Ashborn shot back, but the fire in his voice was mostly gone, "You be quiet."

"Am I wrong?" It asked.

Ashborn glared for a moment before he faltered and heaved a sigh, turning to Jinwoo, "The choice is yours. They work in Earth's interest so teaming up with them will make everything easier. They also know the most about what is happening in regards to the dungeons."

The young man hesitated for a moment, "Is that really alright with you? You... don't seem to want to be around them."

While it was true that Ashborn was just being difficult just now, it was also undeniable that he was rather awkward in their presence. Like he didn't know how to interact with them.

"It would have happened sooner or later." The ancient being shrugged, "I suppose this is actually preferable, have fun talking."

With that he vanished back into the shadows but only Jinwoo knew he was lingering around the surface. He glanced at the silver soldiers who began to disperse, leaving only the seven leaders behind, "So... can someone explain to me what exactly is going on here?"

And they did explain. About the Beginning, the Absolute Ruler and how Ashborn was the only one who remained loyal by his side, the Rulers and Monarchs, how Ashborn turned from their Greatest Fragment to the Shadow Monarch, the war and how the other Monarchs eventually betrayed Ashborn.

It was all a lot to take in, even with Ashborn's side commentary in his head that explained some things he didn't understand and filled in gaps the Rulers didn't know about.

It did explain Ashborn's behaviour at least. Jinwoo was sure the man had stopped hating his family long ago, if he ever truly hated them in the first place. Perhaps the man's complicated feelings were why he had asked Jinwoo about his desperation back then.

Ashborn must have been incredibly tired of it all, exhausted to the last shred. That kind of world weary exhaustion wasn't good and Jinwoo was worried Ashborn would do something stupid. If he hadn't already.

So if he coaxed his unwilling mentor out of the shadow he was hiding in while they were discussing things, it wasn't anyone else's business. He was, again, fairly certain Ashborn didn't hate them and just being there was a good first step.

After they explained their history they began to discuss the current affairs. Ashborn had been right when he assumed the Rulers had made some contact with humanity besides opening up the gates- and wasn't that a shock? That the gates were a last ditch effort to save them, as many as possible, but not everyone. Not everyone could be saved.- and that resulted among others in the National Hunters.

The only person with some knowledge of their existence was the Upgrader Norma Selner but she only really knew that humans were receiving their power from 'somewhere'.

Apart from that... apart from that he really didn't know what to think. He had been informed, at the end of their talk, that his father was among those who borrowed power from the Rulers, far more consciously than anyone else.

He was alive.

Jinwoo didn't know what to think of that. The glaring absence from his life was all the more clearer now and he didn't know whether to be happy or angry. His father was alive but had not yet contacted them, he couldn't. But according to the Rulers he had already been sent back to Earth as they hadn't expected to be able to talk with them so early. Through a dungeon.

He was certain that this was going to end up in a mess.

Chapter Text

After a long time of talking to the Fragments of Brilliant Light, his first action upon returning to Earth had been to call Thomas and ask him to see what he could find out. Unfortunately, it had already been too late.

Thomas voice on the other end of the phone was somewhat annoyed as he finished recounting what he found out, "In the end, we're no closer to knowing whether that man was a monster or not. It's not that I don't trust you but the Bureau won't take your word so easily, even with you knowing the guy exists in the first place when you really shouldn't." He sighed, "That idiot's in the hospital now, too. From the recording, I guess he flipped when he heard it was your son."

"That's possible." Jinwoo grumbled, "Did they really get the guy with a known grudge against me to interrogate what they assumed to be my father?"

"Yup." He could hear the other one's mirth, "Fat lot of good that did, too. The whole building was crushed and in the process of being grilled after. Ah, but there weren't any casualties, don't worry. Your father got everyone out while Hwang Dongsoo lied around like a beaten mop."

"I'll assume that that's because he was essentially a beaten mop."

"True, true. Less of a mop maybe, but you get the point." There was some rummaging of paper on the other side, "In any case, they don't know where your father is now."

Jinwoo sighed, "I guessed as much. Thank you for looking all that up."

The man snorted, "No problem, the US owes you more than they would like to admit."

Jinwoo had started lending out shadow soldiers to other countries around two years ago. They usually went to smaller countries as they needed more help and he didn't charge much- if anything at all. After roughly a year, bigger countries also started to request help in small batches. The US had the most hunters and the best structure when it came to response time concerning gates, likely a result of the Kamish Gate, but in the end there was too much ground to cover. His shadow were less to combat what monsters there were and more to help civilians evacuate in case of a dungeon break.

In the following months, while actively looking for any news of Sung Ilhwan, he spoke with Thomas and the other two National Rankers at length about what he'd been told. It was a bit of work because what he was saying was just too outlandish but after many, many tries they were able to establish some sort of connection with the Rulers lending them their power thanks to Ashborn's guidance through Jinwoo. They couldn't talk to each other yet but it was a great step forward and confirmed his words.

The question was how to tell the rest of the world about this. Reed proposed to present it at the International Guild Conference as a united front and get Jinwoo invited as a special guest. He told them to wait out on that as his guild was about to be established and hey, maybe he would be there by default.

They continued to discuss how to best present it and handle the inevitable fall out and wanted to meet before that to make a more physical plan. Liu Zhigang would however have to sit that one out considering China wasn't letting him go anywhere after Kamish. It was decided that they would go early to the conference and do it then.

Shortly before establishing his guild Jinwoo took on one last job to chaperone a dungeon by the Hunter Guild. The raid would be led by the B-Team and didn't seem to be much at first. That quickly changed when the raid leader made the decision to turn around, deducing that they wouldn't be able to finish the dungeon without heavily relying on Jinwoo. Alas, the gate to the outside was blocked and injured the mages.

Jinwoo thought that it was really wise to take on this one last job as he decimated the Orc Magician that was way out of the team's league. It would be a marvellous addition to his army on top of that. It was really lacking in the magic department.

And after the establishment of his guild with Jinho as Vice Guild Master and Chiyul as additional member, the number of tasks skyrocketed. He managed to negotiate his shadows presence as the required teammembers and began to clear gates faster and faster. He was careful not to go into the other Guilds territories and only did so when there were too many gates for the Guild, Association and private teams to handle.

Korea could be said to be the country dealing with the least damage right now.

Japan was also very glad at the moment, given how little damage they sustained at a recent event. His lend out summons were of use once again as an entire island was stopped from being massacred, although there were still a few causalities.

This is why Jinwoo wanted to come along the last time they raided Jeju Island. The raid already failed before that but they sent a similar team in again and lost again. He would be joining this time, forcefully if necessary. The shadow soldiers could protect his country without him watching over their shoulder.

Thankfully, it doesn't come to a forceful intervention as Go Gunhee calls him to offer a place in the raid. Japan offered aid but under the Chairman's scrutiny and Jinwoo's rejection of their presence, the offer is turned down. He later learns from the Chairman that he suspects Japan of wanting to see their S-Ranks die.

So that's how he was now standing in the Ant tunnels, his soldiers drawing out the ants by emitting great amounts of mana.

"Careful." He advised the archer as he cut threw one of the ants that came a little too close.

Lim Taegyu nodded in acknowledgement and shot the next one.

Surrounding by his own pile of burning live ants, Choi Jongin frowned, "There's so many of them..." He smiled as the last ants were exterminated and they had a clear view of the many tunnels around them "I'll look for the nest." and shot out his fire through all passages simultaneously.

After a few moments, Jinwoo spoke up, "Already an idea?"

"Just a moment," Jongin assured, before nodding and pointing at one entrance, "It's that one. Let's go."

With the Hunter Guild Master leading the front they continued to advance through the tunnels. After a while of walking and destroying more ants they found the hatchery. There was only a single broken egg in the middle, giant and looming.

Seeing the others about to destroy them all, he stopped them, "I'll leave a few soldiers to take care of them slowly. We don't know if the queen can sense if they get hurt, we might call back all the ants outside by accident." He looked them in the eye, "Let's conserve our energy and find the queen first."

The rest nodded and they all carried on. It wasn't long until they found the nest after that. The queen was obviously harder to handle than any of the ants but Jinwoo was content letting the others do that on their own while he took care of any of the soldier ants that decided they wanted a bite of the humans invading their nest.

It was in the middle of that battle that he felt it, his soldiers outside were getting destroyed at an alarming rate and once the queen let out it's death cry- it vanished.

"Everyone, towards the exit!" he yelled, "Something's coming and it's stronger than the queen."

"What?!" Cha Haein fumbled in surprise, "There's more?"

He nodded, "It should only be one but there's a strong ant bound towards us. Do you remember that giant broken egg in the hatchery? I think that belongs to it!"

It wasn't that Jinwoo himself was scared of it but he seldom had to fight in such an enclosed space with so many people. And if he was correct...

None of the others could handle this thing.

It was coming closer and he cursed under his breath, summoning his best soldiers, "Get behind them!" He commanded just as a large ant attacked Baek Yoonho only to be intercepted by Igris, the shockwave sending nearly everyone stumbling backwards.

The S-Ranker in question also stumbled a few steps back and went behind the summons with the others, heeding Jinwoo's advice.

The ant let out a hideous shriek as it lunged towards the hunters again, Jinwoo attacking it on its path. It swung around to face him, claws and daggers clashing. While doing so he noticed that he seemed to be getting a buff and nodded gratefully at Min Byunggyu.

Jinwoo was certain this thing had some amount of intelligence, like some of the other dungeon bosses before but there was a difference. Usually, dungeon monsters were captives from the war between the Rulers and Monarch but this one must be a new monster borne from the queen, so even if it could converse in some form, it would have no information to give.

But it was an ant, how could it talk?

Still, intelligent opponents were always the worst. As the two traded blows, he noticed the outside ants swarming back in and sent out more soldiers to deal with them.

"Lim Taegyu, Choi Jongin! Support my summons, there will be more ants in a bit! Don't overuse your fire!"

Both nodded and got into position, the shadows they were taking cover behind shifting to continue doing so while not interfering in their work. Calculating the exact amount of swarming ants, he sighed and decided he needed to cut this fight short.

Manipulating the shadows he bound the ant and focused his power on his right dagger, completely destroying the monsters exoskeleton and striking it through with the left one, killing it.

The aftermath wasn't nearly as thrilling. All things considered, the remaining ants were taken care of fairly quickly and there wasn't a single loss of life! On their side, anyway.

Jinwoo had a new shadow soldier as well and it wasn't a weak one by any means.

The issue of Jeju Island was finally resolved with this once and for all on top of that. He thought that with this he would have some time to think before the Guild conference but the world apparently hated him.

He was about to accept a request for a joint raid with the Knight Guild when Chairman Go called him about a dungeon that they didn't know the date of breakage for.

According to the older, he had had a nagging feeling since a while ago to increase patrols in public buildings and similar, with the help of said building staff if necessary. It turned out to be a good call as a gate had been found right in his sisters school.

Excusing himself from the conversation and letting Jinho handle everything he went towards the school. The building had been evacuated since it was found and Chief Woo Jinchul was already waiting there.

Together- or more accurately Jinwoo with the chief spectating- they made short work of the gate. But it once again reminded the young man that the rulers were sending more and more gates. Granted, the couldn't really control where those gates ended up entirely but situations like this would likely keep happening.

He was willing to bet that the nagging feeling the Chairman had was the Ruler connected to him. Something he was definitely grateful for.

In the entire hassle he had forgotten to bring the Chairman into the fold, a negligence he now regrets a little. But one easily rectified.

Setting up a meeting and explaining wasn't very hard, especially once he brought the National Hunters into it but did he feel bad? Yes. Go Gunhee tiredly pinching the bridge of his nose wasn't something he wanted to cause.

Naturally, good times do not last and all things will have their beginning. Even war. Especially war.

The gargantuan gate swirling above Japan like a cursed behemoth was the perfect example of this.

Japan seemed to think they could handle it alone with only their own S-Ranks but Jinwoo knew. Even if they threw all the S-Rankers in Asia at this sign, perhaps even all in the world, victory was not guaranteed. Or perhaps it was, considering Legia's bound state but Jinwoo had no desire to risk such a thing.

The Japanese refused any and all help so he thought 'Let the Japanese try and fail, then we'll see' and went on about his day while paying as much attention to the news as possible. It came as no surprise when Goto Ryuji emerged from the gate beaten and bloodied, half his team missing and the dungeon boss undefeated.

Despite this they refused to admit defeat and even hired a guy from overseas to contain the gate. Hearing this Jinwoo sighed and readied himself to go over whenever.

They seem considerably stupid, Ashborn commented when he heard of it.

"Who said they weren't?" he shot back amused, "Well, they must have their reason." It was an S-Rank gate and everyone basically knew not to mess with these.

Liu Zhigang seemed to want to go, if only to see how he measured up to a Monarch and his defenders, even if said Monarch could not fight. Of course, he was blocked from doing so.

Thomas Andre was stuck having to deal with his own gate in Maryland though it should be easier to deal with considering there wasn't a Monarch packed into it.

All he could do when the gate inevitably broke and the giants flooded out was once again offer his help and hope not to get rejected once more. Needless to say he was taken up on his offer and made his way over directly. Perhaps too directly as he looked at the startled men from the Japanese Hunters Association.

He gave them a cheery little wave and went outside, summoning his soldiers and sending them after the escaped monsters. It did take around a day to locate and deal with all the giants considering the way they had separated and moved, but that was about all of it. Zhigang did assure him that the one stray giant taking a swim would be dealt with appropriately.

With that all that was left were the giant sitting in front of the gate and Legia himself. Strangely enough, he actually felt a little excited.

The only Monarch he knew was Ashborn and he wasn't acting very much like one.

Making short work of the last giant he was about to head into the gate when he felt a presence nearby. Turning towards one of the few standing skyscrapers he saw the silhouette of a man, a very... familiar man.

The man seemed to notice his gaze and came forward with an uncharacteristic hesitance.

Seeing him clearer now that they were facing one another, his breath was caught in his throat and all the complaints he wanted to shout at the man vanished. He had really hated him at first, for leaving them behind, for not coming back, for dying on them.

With a shaky breath he looked at his father, "We'll... talk. Later."

Sung Ilhwan nodded, looking a little lost himself, "Yeah. Let's... let's do that."

Seeing the atmosphere get increasingly more awkward he cleared his throat, "Should we go together?"

The other had a perplexed look on his face, then it faded into a smile, "Yes."

They entered the gate at the same time, exiting on the other side that greatly reminded Jinwoo of an overly massive castle interior. Well, the giants had to get around somehow.

They wandered forwards for a very long time until they could start to hear Legia's faint laughter. Jinwoo wondered what the Monarch's face would look like when he realized that Ashborn had turned his back on them.

When they finally entered the last chamber which housed the King of Giants, it would be a lie to say Legia wasn't a sight to behold. Wrapped in chains and his powers suppressed and yet Jinwoo could still feel the echo of the power the giant possessed. No monster he had ever fought could hope to compare to this.

The giant fell into another bout of laughter, "Oh, how hilarious! Look, you detestable bastards, look who came to me!" Not noticing that Jinwoo obviously didn't share the same thought he continued on, "Hurry and undo these chains. I know what they're planning, we must let the others know! Hurry u-..."

The monster king ceased laughing and the young man could see the confusion.

"You're not the one I know." He said instead, laughter no longer in reach.

Jinwoo gave him his best vicious grin, "Took you long enough." He made of mocking bow, "Sung Jinwoo, heir to the Shadow Monarch. I'd say it's a pleasure but then I'd be lying."

"You-!" The giant bellowed in anger, the ground around them shaking.

"Me." Jinwoo smiled, "Well, there's not really much for me to say. Goodbye." and drove his dagger in the giant's heart.

Chapter Text

It was only once they were out of the gate and back in Korea that Jinwoo relaxed. His father was beside him and neither had any plans to return home just yet.

Both were just quietly standing in a remote park until Jinwoo spoke up, "So... you're back."

"I'm back." His father acknowledged while lowering his head slightly, "I'm sorry it took so long."

Jinwoo swallowed his breath before it could escape his lungs, "You've been back for a while, why did you never- never come home?"

Sung Ilhwan looked off into the distance, his voice quiet, "I felt like I couldn't do it if I saw any of you. I don't even know if my body will hold up through all of this." He looked at the ground in front of his son and let out a small sigh, "I'm only able to talk to you like this thanks to the Rulers."

"I know." he admitted, "They told me when I met them. They also said that as long as you don't overdo it, that your body won't break down. So- so, just leave everything to me. You're not the only one with powers from them and I'm also here so don't take on more than you can chew."

"Jinwoo..."

"Don't disappear on us again." He chocked out, tasting the salt in his mouth, "I really won't forgive you this time! You'll just make mom cry again, too!"

There were arms around him and he let himself fall into his father's embrace. The man was slowly rubbing his back, though clearly awkward in the action after such a long time.

"Jinah doesn't even remember what you look like." He breathed, "So, don't go again."

"I'll do my best." He promised, "I'm sorry I left you alone for all this time."

They stayed like this a while longer until Ilhwan let go and ruffled his hair.

He grinned at his child, "Let's go, I still have to apologize to your mother and sister."

While Sung Ilhwan was getting dog piled in his apartment, the Monarch's plot progressed in another part of the world.

The mansion standing beside the forest was burning brightly away as firefighters were doing their best to quell it. It took them several long and exhausting hours until the fire was extinguished and the house could be entered.

Had they looked inside before they began their effort to douse the mansion they would have noticed the crushed corpse disappearing among the flames. As it stands, they did not.

Around a week later it was time for the International Guild Conference. As Jinwoo predicted his Ahjin Guild was selected as Korea's representanive and he sat off early as planned to meet Thomas outside the airport. If anyone noticed the addition next to him, they didn't comment.

When they finally managed to gather together and even Zhigang showed up they began to discuss. Or, well, they would have, normally.

"Seriously, though, what the hell was that?!" Reed complained, banging his fist on the table, "These weird monsters just showed up like I invited them or something, can you believe this?!"

"Actually?" Jinwoo remarked, "Yes. I wouldn't exactly consider them polite."

"They just jumped at and tried to kill me! What did I do to them?!" He yelled further and Thomas couldn't hold back a retort.

"Exist." he quipped.

Reed glared at him, "You wanna go?!"

"No he doesn't." Jinwoo said, looking at Thomas and daring him to say the opposite, then he looked at Christopher, "You calm down, too. You're obviously fine. Honestly, the one in the most trouble here is me."

Liu Zhigang nodded, "Your shadow soldiers aren't exactly hard to miss, especially when being used to portal people around."

Jinwoo held back a groan, "I know. Honestly, there's eight of them, eight! And only two of them are dead."

Three, actually, Ashborn remarked and Jinwoo stared dumbly at nothing for a moment.

"Okay, so three, apparently."

"Ooh, did your Ruler tell you?" Thomas cheekily asked and Ashborn bristled from within the darkness.

"First of all, don't call him that, he doesn't like it. Second," he shrugged, "Yes, he did." He tilted his head towards the ground, addressing the oldest being in the room, "How do you know that? Last I knew the only dead Monarch besides Legia was Baran and Reed didn't manage to kill one."

Reed protested as though it had been a complaint, "There were three of them. Of course I couldn't!"

Ashborn seemed to hum before he responded, I managed to open a small gate to let one of my own shadows through who finished one off before I had him hide in another realm again.

"That's cool." The youngest remarked, "Which one are we rid of?"

The Iron Body Monarch.

"Marvellous."

Zhigang chuckled beside him, "Mind enlightening the rest of us who can't hear?"

"Sure." He piped up, "The Iron Body Monarch was offed by one of Ashborn's shadows. We officially only have to worry about five more."

"Great." Thomas said but his tone wasn't as cheery as the words implied.

With that topic finally behind them they began to discuss the conference to come. They were all in agreement that it wouldn't be easy even with what cards they had available. The next few days passed by rapidly and the conference finally began.

Before that was a rather hilarious incident where the Hunters Association tried to inform them of Reed's death only to see him standing there with an unhappy expression on his face.

"I'm not dead, damnit!" He yelled when they looked at him as though they were hallucinating.

As expected it wasn't easy to break the topic but they got a great opportunity when they began to open a slide showing the wreckage of Christopher Reed's house, obviously part of his previously prepared death announcement. Despite the man's displeasure at seeing it he allowed them to tear into the issue without complaint.

"Still not dead." he muttered under his breath.

As expected, the news wasn't taken well, even with all of them taking the stage. It wasn't until Jinwoo brought up the idea of memory sharing that the noise began to die down. Truthfully, he hadn't wanted to use this method and it was supposedly tedious to use it on more than one person at once, but it was something he could take.

Concentrating on the relevant information and memories, he injected his mana into the room, a hand on his shoulder keeping him upright to ensure his concentration wouldn't fail.

By the time he was done, everyone in the room was silent, digesting the news with varying degrees of horror.

Zhigang took the lead then, "We don't have to be alone in this." He began, catching the attention of several hunters, "We have acquired a tool to communicate with the Rulers that have supported us thus far. If there is no objection we will use it during this conference to start our retaliation against the Monarchs."

At his words Jinwoo retrieved the device he had been entrusted with from the shadows and placed it on the table.

The chinese hunter continued, "All you have to do is agree."

The result of Liu Zhigang's question was a call for recess as the hunters and leading scientists from all over the world deliberated over the choice. It was after the recess was over and before the decision would be voted on that the scientist in charge of the presentation, doctor Belzer, spoke out about what he called 'Magispheres' in the sky, saying that they likely connect to the Monarchs that have been brought up.

Jinwoo nodded in agreement, relaying Ashborn's words on the matter as best as he could and the assurance that the biggest gate over South Korea wouldn't be any problem.

Perhaps the decision was set in stone since the memories were shared with them, or maybe it was Doctor Belzer's words about the gates but in the end the decision to contact the Ruler's was made.

Jinwoo returned to his seat with the others as the device began to connect, sharing a triumphant smile with one another.

The preparation for the end was set in motion as soon as the conference ended. The press was restricted from talking for now as the news would be spread systematically to prevent unrest and panic.

The urgency was only increased when a Monarch tried and failed to kill the South Korean Hunters Association President Go Gunhee. It was as though they expected humanity to be completely unaware, just as the hunters hoped. After the attack on Reed, Jinwoo had strengthened the guards on all the high ranking hunters he knew to ensure that the attacked person could escape.

Unfortunately the Monarch that attempted the assassination wasn't killed, perhaps that would have been to easy.

Everyone was doing their best to prepare themselves and the people around them. Thomas even handed Jinwoo a pair of daggers made from Kamish's fang because 'who else would use it then? You see another dagger user here?'.

Jinwoo can't be said to be unhappy about this at all. On the one hand he got a new weapon, on the other even Ashborn admitted that they were better than what he had given him.

At nearly the same time, Kamish's runestone was handed over to him and Ashborn helped him raise the dragon's shadow. 'To annoy the Dragon Monarch as much as possible', he said. Honestly, he wanted to use the runestone for himself but handed it over to his father instead. It would make fighting easier for the man and he wouldn't have to worry so much about the man using up all his energy and disappearing.

Roughly a week after their operation were kickstarted, the first attack of the Monarchs came. Unsurprisingly, their target was the heir to the Shadow's throne.

"Do you have nothing better to do?" Jinwoo wondered uneasily as he was surrounded by three Monarch at once, not unlike Christopher Reed roughly three weeks ago, "One would think you to be busy with, I don't know, planning humanity's downfall?"

The lady among them grinned, "That would certainly more fun." She drawled happily, "But why do that when we can get rid of you instead."

"I think you're severely underestimating the situation." He advises, "You might not like the outcome of today's fight."

"You're merely human right now." The old White Walker had a smile on his face as he gestured at the frozen area and shadows around them, "There's nothing you can do to us, not without your shadow soldiers."

"That's what you think." He mumbled under his breath and charged towards the old looking monster. Dodging a strike from the Beast and Plague Monarchs he aimed at the last one among them, smirking as he evaded to his left only to get assaulted by the shadows turning sharp like blades and stabbing him.

Clearly having not expected that they lunged at him all at once, weapon and claws drawn to mince him to pieces. Jinwoo let his shadows dance around him, using their loss of concentration to break his soldiers out of the ice. The first to fall had been Querensha and he turned towards the Beast Monarch in turn.

He remembered that this was the one who had betrayed Ashborn alongside Baran. The Beast Monarch definitely wouldn't be leaving alive.

Perhaps the King of Beasts had noticed that things weren't quite the same as they had assumed and attempted to retreat but Jinwoo grabbed him by the fur of his neck and pulled.

Once he was finally done with the cowardly beast, he turned towards the Monarch of Frost who had begun to show signs of fear.

You're exhausted, Ashborn remarked in warning.

Jinwoo ignored the sweat running down his back and grinned menacingly at his opponent, pretending to wipe his mouth while whispering to Ashborn, "One more won't be a problem."

He would later unhappily recall this sentence while being scolded by his father for the gaping wounds along his arm and chest, Ashborn nodding along like an exasperated elder unseen.

Chapter Text

"Only the Dragon Monarch and the Monarch of Transfiguration are left." Jinwoo listed as they stared at the disturbance in the sky.

Despite knowing that it was only Ashborn's Shadow Army he felt a little apprehensive. The thing in the sky couldn't really be called a gate, it was too massive for that. It looked more akin to a brewing storm than anything else. He thought that description was really fitting.

While there may be nothing dangerous to humanity about to exit the gate, the surroundings had been evacuated nonetheless, if only to prevent civilians from thinking that the other gates were just as harmless.

They are the most dangerous of them all. The Shadow Monarch told him, They are also the most cautious. ...Well, as cautious as you can be when you have absolute strength.

"Sounds fun." he quipped sarcastically.

Believe me, it's not. Ashborn sounded a little tired, Just stick to the plan and we'll be fine.

"As fine as we can be, anyway."

Ashborn didn't respond to that.

Jinwoo could understand the tension, it was truly all or nothing now. The Rulers had admitted that they didn't know whether the Cup of Reincarnation could be used again to turn back time or even for all full ten years and if possible Jinwoo didn't want to subject humanity to all this all over again.

"To victory." he said solemnly as the sky began to crack, "May we win over our destined fate."

If one looked at the distribution of the world's hunters right now they would think that they were somewhat evenly distributed between each of the eight remaining gates swirling over the world. Civilians and weaker hunters too scared to fight were brought to the places farthest from the gates, underground if possible and even if not, still guarded by teams of hunters. Naturally these weren't the apex of humanity.

The only monsters capable of reaching the shelter would be strays that managed to escape death while coming out of the gates or... all of them, should the hunters fail. In that case even the greatest defence would be of no more use.

The hunters all stuck their heads together and theorised on where the impact would be at its worst. Where would the most monsters land?

It was decided early on that there would be at least one shadow soldier with every team should reinforcements be needed elsewhere and require to be moved. There was also the possibility that not every gate would contain monsters which reinforced their decision to do so.

The closer time ticked to the breaking of the gates, the tenser they were. This would be it. Their final stand.

Jinwoo, standing amidst the chinese hunters, had already called the remainder of his army. The moment the gates opened, Ashborn could appear on earth as well. His father, right beside him, squeezed his shoulder reassuringly.

He also looked at the distortion in the sky with the same apprehension as his son.

The last second ticked and the gate shattered with an audible crack. Inside it was nothing but an empty void. Jinwoo could feel his lips twitch with unhappy mirth.

The b*stards indeed tried to trick them. Linking himself to his soldiers he quickly determined that all gates but one were empty.

“Everyone!”, he called out around the world through the soldiers, “Prepare for battle, we're moving towards the Monarchs armies!”

Once he was done speaking he immediately teleported all the world's hunters to the same country, under the scarlet sky sodden with dragons and monsters.

Beside him, Liu Zhigang gulped and Jinwoo could not fault him for his fear. To one of the five hunters to have survived Kamish, a general of the Destruction Monarch, this ought to be a nightmare within nightmares.

Even within Ashborn's army, there weren't many dragons, proving their strength that far surpasses that of other monsters.

Leaving the National Hunters to organise and head the battles he moved towards the center of the storm alone. Beside him the shadows began to shift and twist as Ashborn appeared, moving towards the King of Dragons together.

The Monarch was waiting, hovering slightly above ground, smirking at them in a lazy manner as they landed. He cocked his head to the side, “How long were you planning to make me wait?”

Jinwoo resisted the urge to point out that they had set course for him immediately. It was then that the Dragon King shifted his attention to Jinwoo.

“I had heard, of course, of this little curiosity but I didn't think it really existed.” He glanced at Ashborn, his voice dripping with amusement, “Not to mention that you're still here. Since you've already chosen a successor, why do you remain? This isn't like you at all...”

The Monarch's voice mocked a concerned tone entirely incompatible with his grinning visage.

Ashborn glared at him, his longsword long since drawn, “I believe my decisions are none of your business. It's not like we're friends either, so how could you know what 'isn't like me at all'?”

The being just laughed in response.

A sound echoes then.

At the roar from the distance the monsters stilled and shook, fear etched deep into their bones. The Monarch snapped towards the direction of the source before looking at Jinwoo, correctly deducing that it wasn't Ashborn who planned this, “You dare?!”

The young man smirked, light dancing in his eyes as he watched Ashborn cloak the world in darkness before the scenery of a deserted island was unveiled. This had been the most important part of their plan. The Monarch wasn't someone easy to kill and doing so right in front of all the hunters would not only endanger them but also cause catastrophic destruction to the country they had been in.

Perhaps it would destroy that part of the land itself, giving way for the vast oceans to garner more territory. An island was the better choice in any case, not to mention that it would take some time for the Monarch's army to return to his side.

From their combined shadows, soldiers began to rise, turning everything around them into a tangible void. Jinwoo smiled, the roles had been reversed.

Despite this, the Monarch of Destruction did not appear to let go of his jovial mood. This turn of events surprised neither of them, with the being made for war, no matter what form said war might take. Whether it was one against a thousand or a thousand against one, it was all the same to the Monarch of Destruction.

“I see.” The leader of the Monarch's remarked as the side of his face began to change, followed by the rest of his body, “So this is a race to see what comes first. My defeat or my army.”

It wasn't long before the being's entire body began to expand and change shape. Sharp edges and scales burrowing themselves out. The island wasn't small by any means but compared to the Destruction Monarch it seemed pitifully so. The earth tremored under the dragon's might as it peered down on them, releasing a deafening roar.

The soldiers had already retreated thanks to Ashborn's fast response, Jinwoo could not have reacted that fast.

He jumped up then, attacking the Monarch from above, Ashborn from below. They tousled like this for a while as the earth around them was worn down more and more. In just a moment, half the island had ceased to exist.

The Dragon had taken to physically attacking them with his claws or pressing them around with his body weight, slamming on them and attacking them as every time he tried to blast one or both of them with his breath, one of them would use the shadows to bind his snout shout while the other counterattacked.

Shadow soldiers restrained the behemoth's body, restricting movement severely but in return, their mana was being worn down as the soldiers continued to regenerate endlessly.

Perhaps realising that this form was a disadvantage, the King of Dragon's returned to his humanoid form, though the arm he used to attack Ashborn was still a dragons, both in appearance and size. He kept changing his appendages to suit his needs, even evading injury this way by quickly changed them back to a more humanoid experience. It was quite annoying.

What was it? What was lacking? Power...? No, it was area. The Monarch slipped out of their attacks too fast, so they needed to make sure that even he did so, the attack was large enough to still hit.

Ashborn realized the same and Jinwoo could feel him transmitting power to him through their shared domain. If it was Ashborn, he could do something but then Jinwoo would be vulnerable. Furthermore... Jinwoo wasn't quite as human as he used to be. After Ashborn began to teach and the power of the shadows manifested inside the young man, his body changed- the inside was more affected than the outside.

The only reason the two were not one was that they did not share a body, but in their essence, they were identical. So when Ashborn enveloped himself inside the power of darkness, Jinwoo did the same.

No, to be more accurate, it was the power of death, not darkness, that they called upon themselves.

As the darkness cloaked them, expanding in size and height, Jinwoo observed his mentor and realized- this form looked a lot alike to the Brilliant Fragments. It was undoubtedly ominous and dark and the purple glow did not help in this at all but the shape this form took and the white light- the only light that was not purple- that now emitted from his eyes were like that of his siblings, rather than the glaring purple that showed from beneath his armour as the Shadow Monarch.

In retaliation, the Monarch of Destruction returned into a dragon and the three clashed.

In the end, after repeated blows and strikes, none could maintain their forms. For the Shadow Sovereigns, their Astralizations fell apart while the Dragon King could no longer maintain his Spiritual Body Manifestation.

They pulled out their weapons once more, the Monarch summoning a broadsword. One might think this fight would never end but they all knew better. This battle was nearing its end.

But the Monarch would never know just how close to the end it was, not until it happened.

Jinwoo grinned as he summoned his side of the shadows, grabbing and pulling at the humanoid dragon as mentor and student sliced through and stabbed him respectively. But those injuries weren't the important part.

As their attack finished, the sky that had been disturbed by the power emitting from both sides cleared and shone with brilliant light.

The silver soldiers and the Fragments of Brilliant Light had arrived.

The Monarch laughed, having realised just to what extent he'd been tricked to allow this turn of events. He laughed even harder, “Bastards...” He suddenly scowled at them and charged at Jinwoo who was far more exhausted than the other two, “You Bastards!”

Despite registering the attack, Jinwoo was unable to dodge, too exhausted and weary. He could feel arms wind around him as darkness obstructed his vision, then he heard the sound of impact. But unlike the metal-y sound he expected from coming into contact with Ashborn's armour, the noise was deafened, as if it had hit something soft.

Ashborn shifted around him, not letting go, but no longer so protective and Jinwoo could see what had blocked the attack in their stead.

The Most Brilliant Fragment of Brilliant Light stood right at their side with wings encircling them.

From behind the feathery appendages he could make out the sound of something- someone- being run through. His guesses were confirmed as the wings, too, stopped their shielding. The Monarch of Destruction, now thoroughly defeated staggered for a moment before falling backwards.

“Ha, hahaha.... ha...” the Dragon King's slowly dispersing body quacked with his laughter, “To think that I, of all beings, would fall like this... Hahaha!” He regarded Jinwoo- the only important factor in this vast assembly that he did not know- with an amused, yet grim smile, “I am the King of Dragons, Antares.”

Jinwoo smiled back, still exhausted, yet proud, “And I am Sung Jinwoo, Ashborn's heir.”

As the dragons body finished crumbling, he could swear he could still hear the faint laughter of the Monarch before it faded in the wind, never to be heard again.

After the Monarch of Destruction was struck down for eternity, the monsters, perhaps sensing the end of their last remaining leader, seemed to lose their vigour. With Jinwoo returning to the battlefield after a short rest, they were quickly taken care of, the Monarch of Transfiguration long slain earlier in the battle by Bellion and Beru working together.

Once everything had calmed down and hunters collapsed form relief and fatigue, Sung Ilhwan came up to him and patted him on the shoulder, his own eyes sunken from exhaustion. He leaned against his father, his exhaustion much clearer now. It was finally over.

He couldn't wait to see Jinah and his mom again now that the shelters were slowly being opened up. The US and Canada were going to have a bit of trouble for a while as the only places affected by the fight but other countries have long since expressed support for those living in affected areas.

Even among the hunters, the number of causalities wasn't high. In fact, it was much lower than he had expected.

After making sure that everything was alright and that the situation was handled, he returned to what remained of the island where Ashborn had stayed with the Fragments of Brilliant Light, the normal silver soldiers long gone.

He raised a hand in greeting, the others returning the gesture. He looked at Ashborn and despite the man's hard to tell expression he thought that the older looked happy, content.

“So, what now?” He asked his mentor, smile dancing on his lips.

The once Emissary seemed to have made up his mind about something.

“I think that... I'll stay with them.” Ashborn appeared to hesitate for a moment before letting out a cheerful huff, “I'll naturally be coming back to check up on you, and to be honest, this isn't what I planned at all, but starting anew with my family- With all of you- It doesn't sound bad at all.”