Chapter 1
“Uwaaaaaah!”
Finally back in the Republic of Korea.
Ever since monsters started appearing and hunters emerged, I'd scraped by as an A-rank hunter, finally clawing my way up to S-rank and thinking my life was about to turn around.
But...
“That was so long......!”
Suddenly summoned to another world, I ended up living as a hero for a whopping six years. After every hardship imaginable, I finally took down the Demon King, and just moments ago, I'd returned to my original world.
Vroooom!
A dozen black vehicles emblazoned with the Hunter Association crest pulled up around me on the dark asphalt road.
“Returnee confirmed!”
Staff poured out, surrounding me and radioing in. So they recognized what a returnee was here too? No need for explanations—lucky break.
“Welcome back.”
One of them approached, and I flashed a smile. Yeah, my real life was just getting started.
Three years.
I'd spent six years in that other world, but only half that—three years—had passed here in reality.
During the car ride, they briefed me on what had gone down in Korea. By the time we pulled up to the local branch, I couldn't hide my shock.
“Besides me, there are only two other returnees?”
“Yes. And they're not even in Korea—one in the US, one in Japan.”
Returnees gained blessings or powers from their other worlds, making them stronger than regular hunters. Which meant Korea had high hopes for me.
“We'll do a basic physical exam at the branch today. We don't have equipment to fully measure otherworld powers yet, so your cooperation going forward will help with accurate assessments.”
They assigned me a guide: a woman in her mid-twenties, dressed in a suit with a clipboard tucked under her arm. She had a bright, approachable vibe. Probably picked for her people skills in case I turned out to be a handful.
“Mind if I ask something?”
My new handler, Seo Harin, looked curious.
“Returnees from other countries seem to have forged deep bonds in their summoned worlds. Did you...?”
“......”
The question hit out of nowhere. I couldn't answer right away.
'Connections made there.'
Of course there were.
I nodded, and Seo Harin's eyes widened.
“Then... was it hard saying goodbye?”
Hard? Yeah, it was.
'But...'
Not because of parting with them.
'They were grateful people, sure.'
The world I'd gone to wasn't some standard fantasy backdrop. It was the polar opposite of pastel tones—a full-on dark fantasy. Maybe that's why they were all a little... off. One screw loose, each of them.
There, I was treated like something special. Personality-wise.
'Ended up playing therapist too.'
No counselors in a place like that, and no one mentally stable enough anyway. So I naturally filled the role. Me, who'd only taken one intro psych class in college, became their full-on expert therapist.
The problem? Those I counseled grew way too dependent. I couldn't even sleep soundly until the Demon King was dead—not from raids, but because someone might barge into my room anytime.
“I'm fine.”
That was all I could say now. Sure, something tugged at me, but this world—modern sensibilities, atmosphere, common sense—this was home. I missed this more.
“You're holding up admirably.”
Seo Harin smiled.
“We're here.”
We'd reached the physical measurement room. She pointed to the scanner.
“Shall we check your health, Kim Siwoo-ssi?”
Kim Siwoo. Korea's returned S-rank hunter. Time to rediscover the me I'd forgotten.
Returnees were a massive deal worldwide. Layer otherworld powers on top of hunter abilities, and you had unbeatable firepower—common knowledge.
The Association's tests confirmed I had powers effective against darkness-attribute monsters. Makes sense; as a hero there, I'd been blessed with immense holy power. Darkness was weak to it, naturally.
“Hello, everyone!”
But the battlefield wasn't what lured me out first.
“Introducing Korea's hunters! We have a very special guest at our studio today—someone so hot-topic, you couldn't have missed him! Our precious new S-rank asset, fresh back in Korea!”
Entertainment circles valued me absurdly high. Sure, stronger S-ranks existed, but for buzz? Few could top me.
“Here he is—Korea's returned S-rank, Kim Siwoo!”
Thunderous cheers. The studio audience welcomed me warmly as I stepped onto the talk show set.
“Great to meet you, Kim Siwoo-ssi! Wow, hard to believe you just got back—your fashion sense is on point!”
Hahaha.
The host joked about my stylist-dressed, trendy outfit, and the audience laughed along. Everything was smooth sailing. Just spin some otherworld hero tales for the crowd, and done.
“Word is you played the hero role there. So curious! How'd it differ from here? No homesickness? Tell us everything!”
The host's playful nudge. I started answering his questions one by one.
“For starters, it wasn't as bright as here.”
Dark fantasy. Plants and animals corrupted by darkness roamed in twisted forms or set traps. Barren land meant food shortages. No fit place for people to live.
One mercy: purification magic kept water clean for washing and drinking.
“Nights were filled with screams.”
The capital where I first arrived was okay, but outside? Pure hell. The road to the Demon King meant constant torment from demon beasts.
“But I endured, clinging to the hope of returning home.”
The 'hero who slew the Demon King' title? Didn't matter. Getting back here did.
“Glad it all worked out.”
I'd used the magic stone from the Demon King to return. No need rehashing that mess now.
I smiled at the audience and cameras.
“Now that I'm back, time to live up to being an S-rank hunter.”
“Um, Kim Siwoo-ssi.”
The host pressed as I tried to wrap it up mildly.
“You haven't mentioned people you met there much. Any standouts you could share?”
“Ah.”
It came up.
“Well...”
Something stuck in my throat. The memories I'd sealed surged back.
"Don't go!"
"Without you, I'll die."
"You're cruel, cruel, cruel!"
The ones who'd tried to stop me before I left that world.
I swallowed hard, body stiffening.
“Kim Siwoo-ssi?”
The host stared. My forced smile trembled.
“Ah, there were... a few, yeah.”
“Ooh! Let's hear about the most memorable one first?”
All eyes on me, urging me to name names.
“Uh...”
Sweat beaded.
“Uh?”
The host tilted his head questioningly.
“You okay, Kim Siwoo-ssi?”
I had to answer. This wasn't that world. This was Earth, my home. No more chains binding me.
No need to tense up.
'Get it together...!'
I fought to calm down and open my mouth again—
Thud.
A sudden boom. The set shook; the audience screamed in surprise.
“What...”
The host whipped his head around, clueless.
Kaboom!
Another quake-like rumble hit. Cameras toppled, and right there—a purple portal ripped open.