Sister's Visit and the Lure of the Portal
That afternoon, lost in tales of the Territory War without realizing how quickly time was passing, a welcome guest arrived at his home.
“Oppa.”
It was Taejeong's younger sister, So-young.
“What? Why are you here...?”
“I was just passing by and missed you. Am I bothering you when you're busy?”
“Nah, busy my ass. I was actually thinking of heading over to see you. Come on in.”
His bewilderment at the sudden visit lasted only a moment before he ushered her inside.
“Hello, unni.”
“Welcome, miss.”
After a quick exchange of greetings, So-young followed Taejeong into his room.
“This is your room, oppa?”
“Yeah. Kinda sparse, huh?”
“You should come home. It'd be nicer.”
“Why? Scared being home alone?”
“Not that. It just feels like I'm the only one living it up.”
“I like it better here than there. It's bustling with people, and way more convenient for getting around and staying active. Anyway, how's the academy? Treating you okay?”
“Yeah. But it's huge? Bigger than my old school, even. All the instructors are professors with master's and PhDs from top universities.”
“For real? I didn't know that. Professors, huh? Made any friends yet?”
“It's only been a day. But everyone seems nice.”
“And you? Tried any... hunting yet?”
“A few times.”
“Isn't it tough? On the way here, I saw hunters getting off the bus up front—looked totally wrecked. Some seemed hurt too.”
“Can't be helped in this line of work. We're beating down monsters, after all. But don't worry about me. I stick to the weak spots.”
“You're just saying that to ease my worries, right?”
“Silly. Why would I worry about you? You're all grown up now.”
Taejeong ruffled her hair affectionately, then suddenly spoke up as if a question had just occurred to him.
“So how'd you get up here? They should've blocked the entrance.”
“They let me through with my ID card. Uncle Tae-ho made a special one for me.”
“Huh. The manager's on the ball.”
“Hey, oppa. I've got something I'm curious about.”
“Shoot.”
“You and Se-ah unni living together here?”
“Huh? Yeah. Why?”
“You like her?”
“What!?”
Taejeong stared at So-young in utter bewilderment at the out-of-nowhere question. She continued without missing a beat.
“I mean, living together means you're always stuck side by side. One room means sharing a bed too. How's that work if you're not a couple?”
“Hey, just because there's one room doesn't mean we sleep together. There's a living room. And Se-ah's here as my secretary. I didn't bring her along for fun.”
“Why would a secretary live with you?”
“I was weirded out at first too. What, you jealous? Scared she'll steal your oppa?”
“Pfft. As if. I'd totally cheer if you got a girlfriend. Se-ah unni seems like a great person.”
“She is nice. But you can't judge people that quick. I've always told you—people reveal themselves over time. So don't go trusting everyone who seems nice at the academy, got it?”
“Okay. But can I crash here tonight?”
“Why?”
“Just wanna. Since I'm here, stay the night at oppa's place. I can bunk with unni. That cool?”
“Might be awkward. Fine, whatever. I'll clear out the master bedroom for you.”
“Thanks, oppa.”
That evening, a little party broke out at Taejeong's place. Carefully prepared dishes, beer, and wine too. It was the first time drinking together since So-young had become an adult.
One glass, two, three. Even Park Se-ah, who'd politely refused until the end, joined in and polished off a bottle, then two. Before they knew it, the alcohol hit them hard, faces flushing red.
“So-young, you should stop. Your face is beet red.”
“Mmm...? I'm fiiine...? Right, unniii?”
Park Se-ah slurred back through her ramblings.
“Y-yes, miss. I'm fine. Don't mind me.”
“See? She's fine. More for meee.”
“Fine my foot. You two are wrecked. Se-ah, you too—cut it out.”
As Taejeong snatched the bottle away, So-young grabbed it back with both hands and poured herself another.
“Oppa, isn't it kinda awkward?”
“What is?”
“You and unni. You don't seem close. Like, too businesslike? You gotta drop the formal talk to get friendly. 'Boss. Se-ah-ssi.' What is this, a drama shoot?”
“Well, it's work...”
Taejeong paused as if rethinking his response, then turned to Park Se-ah.
“Wanna switch to casual?”
“Pfft. How could I? Sure, why not?”
“...?”
“Oppa. Taejeong oppa.”
“This is chaos.”
She was definitely drunk. The ever-poised woman crumbling like this. But he wasn't exactly sober either.
“Fine. From today, you're my little sis too. Whatever.”
“Yay.”
The mood was cheerfully chaotic(?) as the gathering warmed up—until the doorbell rang.
Ding-dong!
“Huh? Who's that, oppa?”
“Beats me. No one's supposed to come.”
Taejeong tilted his head and headed to the door. He opened it to find a familiar face.
“Hi.”
“Whoa, Ju-ah? What brings you...?”
It was Seo Ju-ah, the Superhuman Club leader's sister and his next-door neighbor.
“Just dropping this off.”
She handed him a shopping bag. Taejeong took it, looking puzzled.
“What's this?”
“We all chipped in a bit. Couldn't properly thank you back then.”
“Aw, you didn't have to. I had a blast too.”
“It's a token of our appreciation. Please take it.”
“Makes me feel bad... So what's inside?”
“Breath of the Earth potions. Only five, but I figured they'd come in handy for you.”
“Whoa, these rare ones. They're not even on the market—where'd you get them?”
“Picked them up at the Seoul auction house. Meant to get ten, but only managed five.”
“Five's more than enough. Thanks, I'll put 'em to good use. Pass on my thanks to everyone else too.”
“Sure. Have a good night.”
As she turned to leave, Taejeong called out, a hint of reluctance in his voice.
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“Got time for a drink? My sister's visiting after ages—we're just having a casual one.”
She smiled as if it was no big deal.
“Nah, I'd just cramp your style with your sister.”
“She won't mind. She's not shy. Come on in—neighbors should get along. Plus, we're comrades with the same goal. Club.”
“Feels rude...”
As she hesitated, So-young poked her head out.
“Oppa, who's—? Wow, she's gorgeous. Who is she? Girlfriend?”
“Just a teammate, same path. My sister's a sweetheart, right? Come in.”
“Join us, unni!”
The slightly tipsy So-young grabbed Seo Ju-ah's arm and pulled her in. Reluctantly dragged inside(?), she took a seat, and the drinks flowed even freer.
The party stretched into the late night, finally winding down at 1 a.m. So-young had conked out amid her chatter long ago, and Park Se-ah—still somewhat alert till the end—was slumped over with eyes half-shut. Only Seo Ju-ah and Taejeong were relatively compos mentis.
“I overstayed.”
“Nah. Loved hearing your hunting stories. Swing by anytime—right next door. We're not strangers. Comrades who've shared life and death.”
“Thanks. I'll head out.”
“Get home safe. And definitely pass on my thanks.”
After seeing Seo Ju-ah off, Taejeong returned to find Park Se-ah asleep beside So-young.
“Go crash in the bedroom.”
Having unintentionally claimed the bed, Taejeong brushed his teeth and flopped down. Sleep crashed over him the moment his eyes closed.
The next morning.
“You're up? You're weaker to booze than I thought.”
Taejeong tossed the words at Park Se-ah, who was already up and prepping breakfast. She poured something into a cup and brought it over.
“Honey water. Drink it before eating—it'll settle your stomach.”
Taejeong downed the cup she offered and handed it back.
“But didn't we agree to drop the formal talk?”
“Drop it? Last night was the vibe, but a secretary's a secretary, and the boss is the boss.”
Her calm delivery left Taejeong feeling oddly embarrassed. But having already gone casual, reverting to formal would be weird too.
“Alright. Looking forward to it.”
“Yes, boss. Breakfast's ready—should I wake the miss?”
“I'll do it.”
After rousing the still-dreaming So-young for breakfast, Taejeong saw her off.
“I can go alone. Call the driver—he'll be quick.”
“Just get in. You'd have to wait. I was gonna take a drive around anyway.”
As they pulled out of the lodging in the car, the southbound road was inexplicably fenced off. Kim Hyung-sik glanced back at Taejeong.
“Looks like we gotta loop around, sir.”
“Why's it blocked?”
“Probably the Territory War. Thought they'd all cleared out from yesterday's report, but guess not. Turning now.”
The car detoured, heading toward So-young's southern district. Below, Taejeong spotted an endless stream of buses. Vehicles packed with hunters heading to the war. The sheer scale had traffic controllers directing flow everywhere.
How many are going? No end in sight.
The jam cleared only upon entering the civilian zone.
“Here we are. Head to the academy safe.”
“Yeah. Thanks, oppa. Thanks, sir.”
After dropping So-young, they headed home.
Check quests when I get back. Damn, it's quiet. Everyone gone?
Unlike the trip there, the roads were deserted—not a soul in sight. Like a ghost town.
Once fully out of the southern district, Central Square 2 came into view—the one blocked earlier. And a shimmering portal flickering faintly.
Taejeong pulled over instinctively.
“Hold up.”
“Pardon? Yes, sir.”
“I'll walk from here.”
“Here? Lodging's still 5km away.”
“Gonna look around. Head back and rest.”
Taejeong got out and approached the square. Now fully visible, the portal was enormous—just as Park Se-ah had described. Big enough to swallow a building whole. Dazed by its overwhelming scale for a moment.
Should I go in?
A pointless urge bubbled up. His first shot at a massive event. Next chance? Months away.
Torn, he called Park Se-ah.
"Yes, boss."
“The Territory War. Gotta be registered or trained to join, right?”
-“Staff or defense units aside, no real restrictions.”
“So I could just waltz in?”
-“Well, yeah... but you'd be solo? Everyone's probably gone by now.”
“Cool. Rest up.”
-“Hello? Hel—...”
Click.
Hanging up, Taejeong stood before the portal, pondering. Skip it now, and it'd be at least three months. A chance to taste the action right there—how could he pass?
Least I can sample it.
With bold resolve, his figure vanished into the portal.