Chapter 08
“Damn.”
I’d thought I was dead, but instead of a crushing, agonizing pain, what hit me was a low curse. Blinking my eyes open, I saw a broad back in front of me—Kang Kwon-hoo, who had been standing by as if only watching.
“I have no idea what you were thinking.”
Did I hear that first curse wrong? Please let me have heard it wrong.
Thanks for blocking the attack, but if you saved me just so you could kill me yourself, at least give me a moment to mentally prepare.
Contrary to my worries, Kang Kwon-hoo didn’t even glance my way, too busy dealing with the creature called Rezen. He pulled out his fifth weapon—a bow—and aimed at it.
Paaaak!
The instant the arrow struck, Rezen exploded and vanished without a trace. It happened so fast I couldn’t even gasp. Sure, I’d weakened Rezen beforehand, but finishing it off as easily as twisting a baby’s wrist left me frozen in shock.
He can handle not just one or two but five weapons like that?
Unlike most hunters, who specialized in a single weapon, Kang Kwon-hoo wielded five—guns, bows, and more—each with unmatched skill.
He amazed me even in the game, but seeing it in person is something else.
When he finally turned toward me, his face was unusually blank. The kind look he usually had turned icy in an instant, his eyes measuring something about me.
“Thank you.”
Whatever else, he had saved me, so I offered a small word of thanks. His sharp ears didn’t miss it.
“Your combat skills are worse than the rumors.”
It was true. Still, for my first real fight, I’d been congratulating myself—until that blunt assessment crushed me. I barely stopped myself from snapping back.
“Why did you rush forward like that?”
He ignored all the staring onlookers and came right up to me. Any suggestion to step aside and talk would clearly go nowhere.
“Because… I couldn’t let the kid get hurt.”
It was basic instinct. Adults protect children.
If there had been absolutely no chance, I’d have run too.
But I’d seen a chance, and my tiny conscience wouldn’t let me abandon the child in front of me.
“You were trembling like a scared little kid yourself, Woo-jin.”
I couldn’t very well retort, You don’t know, but I’m twenty-nine years old.
“It’s been a while, so I was nervous.”
“I heard you went on a subjugation mission just last week.”
Busted. I clamped my mouth shut.
“You’re more entertaining than I expected.”
His muttered words were soft but clear enough to reach me.
No way. You’re imagining things. Forbes would name me the most boring person alive.
And just like that, the grand plan I’d made yesterday came crashing down. I’d hoped to gather a few decent guild members, make peace with my younger sibling, then quietly buy a little house in a safe zone and live independently. That was my dream.
Tears welled up—tears I’d held back even while charging at a monster.
“Let’s go to the hospital.”
Apparently satisfied with watching my despair, Kang Kwon-hoo pulled his hand from his pocket.
“The hospital?”
I repeated blankly, then snapped to my senses and looked quickly at the child still on the ground. I should have checked on him first, but there’d been so many shocks I’d forgotten.
Hard to believe Kang Kwon-hoo is acting this… normal.
Before choosing a faction, he could play the role of a kind man well enough. But it was always an act, not genuine concern—he usually wouldn’t bother with such considerate details.
“You’re right. We should get him to a hospital before that leg injury gets worse.”
As I hurried toward the boy, Kang Kwon-hoo caught my shoulder, stopping me. His tightly pressed lips curved slowly.
“What are you talking about?”
A big hand pressed against the back of my neck.
“Ugh!”
A cry escaped me despite myself. A hot, stinging pain spread from my neck down to my toes, like a fresh burn.
“I meant we need to treat this on you.”
He traced the area of my wound with deliberate care. Feeling around with my fingers, it seemed no bigger than a thumbprint, yet it hurt enough to bring tears to my eyes.
It didn’t hurt at all a moment ago.
Why does a wound hurt more once you notice it? Still, objectively, the child’s serious injury mattered more than my small one.
I’m an adult; I can endure it. Kids can’t.
With no guardian in sight, it was best we all go to the hospital together.
“Can we take the boy too?”
“Do as you like.”
Kang Kwon-hoo pulled out his phone and made a call. I actually wanted to go with just the injured child, but I didn’t dare defy him. He was already showing flashes of his true nature; angering him might be fatal.
“You okay? Let’s go to the hospital.”
I knelt to meet the boy’s eyes. Helping him up by the arm, I asked, “What’s your name?”
“Joon. Kim Joon.”
It suited the brown-haired kid. My own younger brother in real life—and even my brother in the game—were tough and independent, so seeing a child who stirred such protective instincts felt refreshing.
If I’d had a little brother like this, maybe Baek Woo-jin wouldn’t have felt so insecure.
“What’s your name, hyung?”
“Baek Woo-jin.”
“Woo-jin hyung,” he repeated carefully, as if to memorize it.
“Hyung, a message popped up saying I just awakened my first skill. Does that mean I’m going to be a hunter too?”
“What?”
Maybe that’s why he seemed to be in less pain—not just time passing, but because of his awakening.
“Congrats. Sometimes awakening happens after a close call like this.”
That meant I’d changed his future. My chest tightened with an odd, happy thrill.
“What are you two talking about?”
My pride barely had time to bloom before Kang Kwon-hoo’s voice startled me from behind.
“Joon seems to have awakened,” I explained.
“Oh, really?”
His reaction made it obvious he didn’t care.
“Get in the car.”
A driver in black stepped out of the vehicle Kang Kwon-hoo had summoned, handing him the keys with both hands.
“I’ll drive. Mr. Baek, you take the passenger seat.”
I’d wanted to sit in back with Joon, but that was pre-empted.
“What about Joon…?”
“Put him in the trunk if you like.”
Kang Kwon-hoo said it casually as he moved to the driver’s seat. Joon stiffened with alarm.
“Just kidding. He’s the patient—of course he rides comfortably in back.”
He added the words belatedly and climbed in.
Pretty sure he meant it at first, that guy.
“Hyung, it really is okay for me to sit in the back, right?”
Joon glanced nervously between me and the already-seated Kang Kwon-hoo.
“It’ll be fine.”
I didn’t bother adding probably.
“I’ll head for the nearest hospital.”
Kang Kwon-hoo pressed the accelerator gently. Despite his personality, the ride was smooth. Relaxing into the seat, I felt my eyelids grow heavy. I shook my head quickly—couldn’t fall asleep in the tiger’s den—so I decided to at least watch the scenery.
“What are you looking at?”
Stopping at a light, Kang Kwon-hoo followed my gaze out the window.
“Ah—Dream Shop.”
He’d spotted it before I could answer. At the end of the long line of people stood a sign reading Dream Shop.
“Relying on something like that won’t change anything,” he said, openly showing his disdain for the crowd.
I’d almost forgotten—Dream Shops weren’t all that important in the game’s setting.
A Dream Shop… a place that lets you experience illusions as if they were real.
Most Dream Shops reflected reality but showed a fantasy world closest to the buyer’s desires. People’s wishes varied, but the most popular themes were always the same: a peaceful world without gates or monsters, or a life of dazzling success.
They even used it as temporary therapy for PTSD, with a legal maximum stay of about a week, if I remember right.
Seeing one up close felt like finding an Easter egg.
“Even illusions can help someone,” I murmured, awed.
Kang Kwon-hoo just shrugged. Of course he’d never understand the hearts of the vulnerable.
The light turned green and the car glided forward again. The hospital lay only about five minutes past the Dream Shop.
