# Chepter 009

Mir and Gyungho spent a year in his lair for his recovery and my training. Looking back, staying alive for that year was like a miracle.

“Ugh, aaargh! M-Mir! I have a hole in my stomach!! AAAAARGH!”

Mir seemed to vent his anger at the wrong summoning of a hero under the guise of training. I was pretty sure of it. As such, Gyungho had to survive day by day against the threat of life by Mir’s anger.

[Here. Eat this.]

Mir handed over a bluish clear marble like a medicine ball.

“NO! No way! Just heal me!”

[I have to restore my Divine Energy and shouldn’t waste it.]

That’s a lie! Thought Gyungho. It was surely a psycho.

“I’d rather die than eat that thing, dammit!”

It was a spectacular medicine that can heal any traumatic wound, but Gyungho called it this way.

“Get rid of that ‘shitball’ out of my face!!”

***

The sun came through the crack in the broken window and dimly lit up the dark warehouse. A sobbing voice was heard inside the wasted factory, where equipment covered in white dust was piled up.

“P-Please don’t kill me,” said the voice.

“Please! I don’t want to die!” said another voice.

There was a man and woman who were in pretty bad shape from being beaten up, begging in a trembling voice. The person who they were begging too, seemed indifferent as if he wasn’t feeling so sympathetic.

“Who said I’m going to kill you? Stop making me beat you up again. I told you we should talk, didn’t I? I just want to see who loves more,” said the man.

“Please… please…”

Minsuk Kang. He used to be quite a successful high ranking hunter. But he began to go astray at some point and tainted, becoming a wanted villain for murder, rape and other felonies. Even now, he just abducted a young married couple off the street just because he was bored and was assaulting them.

“Ugh… will you let us go if I say it?” said the man, barely holding back his groans.

“You’re irritating me. Just say it,” said Minsuk as he cackled. The woman sobbed again and Minsuk raised his fist and slammed it into the floor with a frown.

“Ow, fuck! Stop whining! I don’t want to hear it!”

Minsuk, wearing loose sweatpants and glittering piercings on his nose, reached toward the woman.

“NNGH! NNGH!”

He then covered the woman’s mouth and growled in a husky voice.

“Or you can stop dragging on and just die! What is it going to be, huh? Do you all want to die? I really don’t want to swear, but you two are making me!”

Minsuk then took out a dark dagger with red mana stone from his pocket and softly scratched the neck of the trembling woman.

“Isn’t it hot? How about I make a hole into your throat to cool you off?”

The man then shouted in a trembling voice at the sight.

“I’ll say it! I’ll say it!”

Minsuk then scoffed and took the dagger off of her neck.

“Alright. So why did you fall in love with your wife here? Let’s hear who loves who more, shall we?” said Minsuk.

“I-I fell in love with her at first sight when we were in college. Then we got married,” said the man.

“Yeah, yeah. You seemed to have loved her a lot then. How about we hear it from the wife then? What do you say? Do you have anything to say?” I’m so curious,” said Minsuk.

The woman was barely holding back her tears, but she was shivering and was pale from fear.

“TALK!”

“I-I worked hard as a part time while he was in the army, and bought him a used car on the day of his discharge- KYAAAA!”

“AAAAAAARGH”

Man screamed as Minsuk, who was listening, stuck a dagger into the man’s thigh.

“Well well. That’s it then. She didn’t dump you while you were in the army and even bought you a car,” said Minsuk.

“AAARGH!”

“It hurts, doesn’t it? You wouldn’t have stabbed like this if you loved her more. Too bad,” Minsuk cracked and pulled the dagger. He then licked the blood on the blade. Fishy and salty taste of blood excited Minsuk more.

“Shall we continue then? Let’s change the topic this time. Let’s see who was the better kid between the two of you. Who wants to start?” asked Minsuk. Minsuk made a big smile and twirled his finger, then pointed at the woman.

“Yeah, you first.”

***

“Son, you shouldn’t just take the money this large,” said Jisook.

“I didn’t just take it. I tried to refuse, but they wanted to say thank you,” said Gyungho.

“But this is too much,” said Jisook.

“Let’s just consider that your good deed of keeping the price low has been paid back,” said Gyungho.

“I was already paid back when you returned safely,” said Jisook.

“I guess I worked as a lucky charm and brought luck with me. Just think of it that way, mom,” said Gyungho.

“Then you should take this, Mr. Lucky charm,” said Jisook.

“Huh?”

Jisook handed the check back to Gyungho.

“Go out and report to the police station that you are back, since you’re still reported missing. And go get yourself a phone and some clothes. There's a police station and shopping malls not too far from here. I can handle the restaurant alone fine,” said Jisook.

“Come on, it’s been ten years since we’re back together. We can deal with the police in a few days. And I have clothes,” said Gyungho.

“And you should listen to me if you come back in ten years. Go ahead,” said Jisook.

Gyungho sighed at his mom being stubborn again.

“Ugh, why don’t you understand that your son is trying to help you out?” said Gyungho.

“I don’t want my son to still be missing when he’s back. Go get yourself some clothes and renew your identification card. Get some good food while you’re out too,” said Jisook.

“Then you should go together,” said Gyungho.

“I’ll keep the restaurant open, so you go alone. We need it open,” said Jisook.

Gyungho wasn’t aware, but it has been a while since Lucky Diner had not received even one guest a day. But Jisook did not want to show she was sick while they went outside, so she made an excuse to stay back.

“Alright. I’ll be back by lunch time, so don’t push yourself too much,” said Gyungho.

“Of course,” said Jisook.

As Gyungho left the restaurant, he sent a telepathic message to Snowball.

[Send me a message right away if anything happens, okay?]

[Sure thing. Please bring back delicious Demonic Beasts meat on your way back.] said Snowball.

Gyungho knew that Snowball’s recovery was directly related to Jisook’s recovery so he nodded and got out. Today was April, and it was the spring season. Gyungho was a bit annoyed at the demonic energy mixed into the atmosphere, but the spring weather was nice.

After the 3rd Street of Jongro area, where the restaurant was located, was designated as a danger zone, it was neglected and became old, but busy streets were not too far away. This was the old Gwanghwamun Station area.

This place was also a bit empty compared to ten years ago, but at least this place was managed, demolishing damaged buildings and such, which helped to retain its old look. Gyungho then noticed a sign that said ‘B-2 District Police Precinct’.

“Let’s deal with the missing person list first,” said Gyungho.

The precinct looked busier than it looked from outside. Gyungho hesitated at the unexpected atmosphere, and a young policeman came up to him.

“Can I help you?” asked the police.

“I’m here to release the missing persons report, and renew my identification card. Am I in the right place for it?” asked Gyungho.

Then the police smiled and nodded.

“Of course. Let me help you with that.”

Gyungho was taken to the office where it handles administrative works. He was surprised how simple it took for the process.

“You only need a few minutes for a new ID?” asked Gyungho in disbelief.

“Yes. I need your finger on here. We’ll check your identity with a fingerprint first,” said the police.

There had been more than a million people missing after the Cataclysm, and the process of missing people or death had to become much quicker as a result. The fingerprint confirmation had been finished and the police asked Gyungho.

“Have you brought a picture?”

“No,” said Gyungho.

“Then I’ll take a picture for you so we can make the ID right away,” said the police as he used a small camera at the desk to take Gyungho’s picture. Gyungho then noticed a silver bracelet with red mana stone that the police were wearing on his arm.

‘It doesn’t seem like an artifact, but it still contains some mana. What is that? An artifact that contains demonic beasts’ mana stone?’ thought Gyungho at an unusual item. He had seen many artifacts back at the Spiritual Realm, but he had never seen anything like that.

“Here’s your ID, sir,” said the police. He seemed surprised as he handed the card over to Gyungho.

“You’re 35 years old? You look much younger than me,” said the police.

“Thank you.”

Gyungho smiled at the compliment, and the police lowered his voice and asked.

“Have you received a magien treatment? I’m actually looking into it myself,” said the police.

“Magien treatment? What is that? I have been living inside a remote mountain while I was missing, so I’m not aware,” said Gyungho.

“Oh, I see.”

Gyungho had realized that things had changed so much that he was finding it hard to understand many things.

“By magien treatment, it means magical engineering. It is a technology that uses demonic beasts’ mana stone. This too is made by that very technology,” said the police, showing off the bracelet on his arm.

“Oh, so is that bracelet an artifact?” asked Gyungho.

“No, it’s similar but different. ARtifact is an object that can only be used by Awakens who can handle mana. This item utilizes mana from the mana stone so ordinary people can use it. You can think of it as an imitation to an artifact. This bracelet allows you to use the magic ‘Mana Shield,’” said the police.

“Oh, I see,” said Gyungho. He thought it would be a good idea to buy something like this for his mom.

“Lot of people carry something like this for self defense these days. You need to be prepared for the sudden appearance of demonic beasts or you can even die. Of course, it only buys you some time, but it is still useful.”

“Where can I buy that?” asked Gyungho.

“There are a lot of items being sold at Hunters’ market. But that place is full of some bad people so you should be careful,” said the police.

“Thank you, sir.”

Gyungho then left the precinct, reminding himself about ‘Hunter’s Market.’

***

“I can’t help but to think that I’ve been tricked by that seller. Ugh,” said Gyungho who now had most expensive phone wrapped on his wrist, after spending over one hour at the electronic superstore. This so-called ‘Bangle Phone’ was a round, rollable phone that was wrapped over an arm. It was a model named Myth-31, the flagship model released by Shinhwa Group. It incorporated Magical Engineering technology that made it durable against mana or attack from demonic beasts.

“Yeah, I won’t die from the demonic beast but I don’t want my phone to be broken from my mana,” said Gyungho. But the cost of 3.99 million won was just pure evil.

“Ugh, now I only have a million,” said Gyungho.

He couldn’t get used to the bracelet-like shape, but the general interface was not too different from a smartphone from ten years ago.

“Okay, let’s get some items from Hunter’s market and eat lunch after,” said Gyungho. He wanted to buy any item that might have healing or protection ability for Jisook. After searching, he found Hunter’s market near City Hall of Seoul.

“The world has evolved quite a bit,” said Gyungho. He tested out with a fascinated look as he began walking toward his destination. He got to the Hunter’s market entrance when he was almost done getting familiar with the phone.

‘Korean Central Market, eh?’ thought Gyungho.

The place was busier than the street that was more empty compared to it.

“Oh-oh… Wow,” Gyungho let out astonishment as he looked around like a country man who just arrived at a city. There were stations of Awakener Military services and Guild Offices at the entrance.

“The time really changed,” said Gyungho.

He then stopped at a crossroad. There were signs set up by the crossroad and the Information Office. To the left was the market for by-products from demonic beasts, and to the right was the market for items or artifacts.

“Let’s go see some items then,” said Gyungho.

Gyungho then stopped after walking a while to the right road.

“What’s that?”

[International General Merchant Group]

The store itself looked to be a general pawn shop, unlike its grand name. Gyungho opened the door out of curiosity at the strange mana felt from within.

“Welcome, young man. Can I help you with anything?”

An old lady with an eye so slanted that it wasn’t sure if her eyes were opened or closed, greeted him in a clear voice. Gyungho then pointed to a dark, plain looking dagger.

“Ma’am, what is that?” asked Gyungho. He knew right away that it was that dagger that was radiating strange mana.

“I’m not sure. Some weird magic crafter came in with a few of them for cheap, so I bought it. That’s the last one now. I’ll give it away for cheap if you want,” said the old lady.

“How much?”

Gyungho was suspicious of the dagger that was radiating mana stronger than a mana stone, so he was planning to take it home and look into it.

“Five. I usually sell it for seven,” said the old lady.

Gyungho thought it seemed more expensive than he thought, so called out for a cheaper price to negotiate.

“Can you sell it to me for 300 thousand won? I’ll be a regular from now on,” said Gyungho.

“What? 300? You’re not a hunter, aren’t you?” asked the old lady.

Gyungho became confused.

“You can’t buy this if you are not a hunter?”

“No, mister. You’re telling me to sell it for 300 when it costs five million. Even the cheapest item is well over a million, and you’re telling me that,” said the lady.

‘So she wasn’t saying it's 500 thousand?’ Gyungho was shocked. It far exceeded the cost he thought.

“Lowest grade mana stone is over 500 thousand won. So it’s natural for an item that uses it to be at least a million. Artifacts from dungeons cost over hundreds of millions of dollars. Have you been living in the mountains for a few years?”

It was ten years, and at the Spiritual Realm instead of a mountain. But she was almost right.

‘Mana stone is that expensive?’ thought Gyungho. By-products and loots of demonic beasts were always a waste that was difficult to deal with due to its abundance. The mana stone was especially worthless, other than it was a bit dangerous because it contained mana.

“It uses mana stone from a middle grade Cautious Grade demonic beast, so it’s worth at least a million. In addition to the artwork and the craftsmanship of the dagger, 500 million is very cheap.”

If what she said was right, then it sure was cheap.

“I can’t understand everything, but I think I get it,” said Gyungho. He did not know what middle grade Cautious Grade demonic beast was, but that kind of mana stone was stones that were dropped from demonic beasts that even the lowest ranking spirits can easily deal with.

‘That kind of trash is worth 100 million… but that really is weird,’ said Gyungho as he looked at the dagger in curious look when he saw message popping up in front of his eyes.

[Gyungho, a villain appeared at the restaurant. I’ll hold him off, but I need your help at once.]

Villain? Gyungho turned to the old lady and asked in an urgent voice.

“Ma’am! What’s a villain?”

“Villain? Villain’s villain,” answered the old lady.

“So you mean, the villain is...”

Gyungho dragged in the middle of his speech in a curious look, so the old lady answered again.

“You young man really did come down from a mountain, did you? We call criminal Awakeners a villain- WHOA! MY BACK!”

The old lady shouted in shock and fell back at Gyungho who disappeared like magic.