Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: 7. Threads of Fate (1)
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Returning to reality, Kang San headed straight to the Hunter Management Bureau.
Hunters who set out on raids were obligated to report the results and the course of events once everything was over. It was to confirm whether the hunting grounds had been properly cleared, whether there were any casualties, and to thoroughly check for any issues while also securing data on the Backside World. People said that without this rigorous reporting system, the Backside World might have become a lawless realm for outlaws.
In Kang San's report.
The staff member at the Hunter Management Bureau jumped in surprise.
"......How on earth did you survive?"
A blunt question that cut straight to the point.
At first glance, it might seem rude, but Kang San fully understood the reaction.
The fog was a variable, sure.
But the ant nest was an absolute anomaly that shouldn't have happened, and an E-Rank-dominated ragtag party had dropped right into the middle of a C-Rank hunting ground—yet returned without a single casualty. It was practically impossible. On top of that, the claim of taking down "dozens" only fueled the staffer's reaction.
Kang San didn't go into lengthy explanations.
No need to detail Yeon Woo-bin's impressive magic or how he'd risked his life—there was no gain in justifying the situation.
"We just got lucky."
Luck.
That was enough.
The staffer double-checked the report, then spoke in a voice thick with apology.
"We're truly relieved you returned safely. We sincerely apologize for the error in the hunting ground information, and we'll conduct a thorough investigation before providing full compensation."
"Understood."
A few days later.
The Hunter Management Bureau acknowledged their mistake and granted him selection rights for C-Rank and lower hunting grounds, along with a potion set for emergencies. On the surface, Kang San's incident was their blunder. Managing hunting ground data was their job, so he accepted their ample compensation as their apology.
Of course.
In truth, it wasn't their fault.
But refusing the reward would be unreasonable, so wrapping it up like this seemed the right call.
'......If something like this happened every time I went on a raid, the Hunter Management Bureau would be in a real bind.'
A problem for later.
For now, Kang San contacted his party members to settle accounts. Jo Han-byeol said Yeon Woo-bin was hospitalized.
Visiting one by one was a hassle, but to check on Yeon Woo-bin's condition too, Kang San made his way to the hospital.
A few days earlier.
Yeon Woo-bin was rushed to the hospital right after the raid ended.
There hadn't been any special issues during the hunt, but the excessive tension and back-to-back spellcasting had left her completely drained. The hospital was a major facility in Seoul—a Hunter Emergency Center specializing in treating hunters—and she was in the most luxurious VVIP room.
Drip, drip.
The IV fluids fell at steady intervals.
The mana-infused fluids were excellent for restoring a hunter's vitality.
"Why would you do that?"
Standing by the bedside.
A middle-aged man looked down at Yeon Woo-bin.
His angry face bore a striking resemblance to hers.
"The day you decided to become a hunter, I told you clearly. I'd respect your choice, but never put yourself in danger. Your abilities as a hunter are for protecting yourself, not for you to take on any burdens. There are top hunters here to protect you—they'll handle any threats in your place. So why make your father worry like this?"
"......"
She couldn't respond.
Or rather, she wouldn't.
If her father were the type to understand her feelings, Yeon Woo-bin never would have sneaked out on that raid.
Father.
Yeon Gyu-seong said.
"Woo-bin. I know why you're so stubborn—your father gets it. It must be hard for you. If a situation ever arises where you truly can't do anything, you want to fight to protect yourself. But Woo-bin."
He lowered himself to her level.
Though his words were stern.
His anger stemmed from love for his son.
If he didn't worry about his only child, Yeon Gyu-seong wouldn't be making this fuss.
"I don't want to lose my one and only family like I lost your mother. You're smart—you know what I mean."
Her father's trembling voice.
Yeon Woo-bin clenched her fists.
It was always like this.
Knowing his sincerity, she had no choice but to stay within the protective fence.
Yeon Woo-bin nodded with a crestfallen expression.
"......I understand. I'll be more careful next time."
"Good girl. That's my child."
Her father stroked her hair.
Yeon Woo-bin leaned into his embrace and said no more.
That evening.
Jo Han-byeol visited.
He pulled up a chair and sat, wearing a sweat-drenched expression.
"Man, I thought I was gonna die making excuses this time. The adults chewed me out for luring their 'little brother' into danger—wow, blood was pouring from my ears. Feels like it still is."
"......Sorry, hyung."
"Nah. Forget your request—I wanted to do it anyway. Letting your talent rot like that? No way. Others grind for ages to climb from E to D, but you jumped straight to power they can't touch. I agree with you: when the adults' protection fails, this rare blessing becomes our shield. That's why I became a hunter late myself."
"Thanks for understanding."
This whole thing.
Had started with Yeon Woo-bin's request.
Their parents were close, and Jo Han-byeol's folks were just as furious as Yeon Gyu-seong.
Jo Han-byeol said.
"I don't think the adults are always right. If everything was solved like they say, we wouldn't have lost anyone—then or now. They weren't powerless; the disaster just exceeded expectations. In this world where anyone around us can die anytime, we gotta fight our own way."
He was a good guy.
Yeon Woo-bin's request.
He could've ignored it.
No need to take the heat, but Jo Han-byeol didn't brush off his young friend's plea.
That's why she trusted him.
If he vouched for someone as reliable.
It felt different—and indeed, thanks to Kang San's protection, Yeon Woo-bin had properly fulfilled her role in the hunting grounds for the first time.
"......So you'll raid with me next time too?"
"Crazy."
Jo Han-byeol chuckled.
"I was worried you'd be down, but no need. Of course we'll go together. From now on, you and I are a package deal. If we nail the DPS role, every party will beg for us. Actually, I prepped something in case you dug another tunnel—just check it later. That's why I committed to this party."
"......Huh?"
Jo Han-byeol handed something over.
A USB drive.
She wanted to check it right away, but held off per his words.
The two shared light conversation.
Reliving the raid, laughing over those intense life moments.
They had survived.
That was enough.
The crises, fear, pain of the raid.
Now in the past, the fact they'd lived let them laugh it off.
After Jo Han-byeol left.
Yeon Woo-bin sank into her own thoughts.
'That was my first time experiencing something like that.'
The ant nest.
A deadly place with no safety guaranteed.
Stepping out from her parents' protection, she'd been in a situation where death was imminent.
Ants swarming from all sides.
Kang San and Jeong Chan-woo's desperate stands, their screams.
Her heart pounded just recalling it.
Her mouth went dry.
'Normally, I couldn't have done a thing. Father overprotects me because he knows I'm not bold. But this time was different. I protected myself with my own power.'
Whoosh.
Flames roared.
Yeon Woo-bin was engulfed.
The Salamander's Breath, unleashed alongside her magic eyes, proved her power was truly special.
A divine blessing.
Watching it sweep the ants away in one go sparked hope: if she wielded it right, she could protect her "precious people." The issue? Her power had prerequisites. In the same situation with others, she doubted she'd perform like that again.
Kang San.
Thanks to him.
Without his assurance of safety, she'd have panicked as usual, flailing helplessly.
'......What kind of person is Kang San? Jeong Chan-woo says he's been stuck at F-Rank forever, but he outperformed E-Rank, protecting his teammates without hesitation. Was what I saw his true self? Is Kang San really someone who doesn't care about his own pain?'
Unbelievable.
In Yeon Woo-bin's world, people weren't like that.
In true danger, humans trampled others to save themselves first.
But if.
If that was his genuine nature.
She wanted to join him.
With Kang San tanking ahead, she could lean on him like a child and unleash her abilities.
"Ah."
Suddenly.
Jo Han-byeol's USB came to mind.
He'd said this data convinced him to join the party.
So it was another chance to judge Kang San—not just for promotion tests.
She checked the USB.
Plugging it into her laptop played a video file.
[This evening, an E-Rank link incident occurred near Wangsimni M Hotel. What could have been a massive casualty disaster was averted thanks to one brave citizen who stepped up, buying time for people to escape safely. Here's the footage...]
A news segment.
Then it showed the scene.
The broadcast had a short clip, but Jo Han-byeol's full version captured everything from start to finish.
Video quality was poor.
Far-off CCTV footage made identifying anyone precisely difficult.
Yet.
From the vague silhouette alone, Yeon Woo-bin was certain.
An E-Rank link erupts.
One man steps into the hellish chaos.
It was definitely.
'Kang San?'
No doubt.
The man who'd protected her had risked his life for others elsewhere.