Reconstruction
Riding on Nok's back as they emerged from the rift, Cheon Ji-hoo turned to look behind him. The black rift that had been there vanished in an instant, the space warping before disappearing without a trace. The demonic energy that had blanketed Mungapdo seemed to be slowly lifting. With only that one rift containing the Demon King on Cheonmungapdo, the monsters tainted by the demonic energy would probably return to normal after some time passed. Say, about 200 years. Not a long time at all. A mere instant, really. Cheon Ji-hoo gave a small nod and patted Nok's flank. Nok yawned and began plodding along.
* * *
[Corporate Executives Vanish Overnight!]
[A Situation That Would Make Ghosts Weep]
[S-rank Hunter Lee Woo-joo: 'This Is Definitely a Kidnapping']
"That guy's got no chill."
"Who? Lee Woo-joo?"
"Yeah."
"He's famous for being a total attention whore."
The day after Cheon Ji-hoo took down the Demon King, South Korea was in an uproar. Over ten corporate executives had vanished into thin air. Some claimed it looked like a kidnapping based on the scene, but the authorities just kept repeating that the investigation was ongoing and they couldn't provide specifics yet. Leaning back on the sofa with her knees pulled up, Cheon Ji-yoon shook her head as she watched the news on TV.
"The world's getting so dangerous. How do all those people just disappear overnight?"
"Tell me about it."
Yeah, tell me about it... How exactly had fourteen people vanished in a single day? He was genuinely curious. Scratching the back of his head, Cheon Ji-hoo looked at Cheon Ji-yoon and said,
"And you look like you've got something to say."
She was fidgeting, hemming and hawing. She'd come home from school today acting like she wanted to talk about something. He wouldn't care if it were anyone else, but this was his little sister. At his words, Cheon Ji-yoon finally spoke up.
"Um, Oppa. Can you come to school tomorrow?"
"No reason I can't."
"They're holding a tournament for current students."
"Tournament? What kind?"
"Awakened students among the re-enrollees compete in spars, and they rank them based on that. This one's open to outside observers, so... I was wondering if you could come, Oppa."
"Of course I'll go."
What was she hesitating about? Cheon Ji-hoo reached out and patted her head. If there was a tournament like that, she'd definitely shine—she had to go, obviously.
"No, but Oppa, you're an SS-rank hunter. Is it really okay for you to just show up like that? The news is calling you a 'strategic weapon' and stuff..."
"There's nowhere I can't go."
If someone tried to stop him, he'd just smash through. At his promise to attend, Cheon Ji-yoon broke into a beaming smile. Yeah, this was peaceful living. 'But I feel like I'm forgetting something.' Oh, right—it was about time to check the trackers he'd planted. He snapped his fingers to activate the magic circle. Checking the locations of the Liberation Front remnants he'd let go alive...
"......Where the hell did they come from?"
"What?"
"Ji-yoon, what country is it if you go... about 8,000 kilometers in that direction?"
Cheon Ji-hoo pointed in one direction. Cheon Ji-yoon pulled out her phone, confirmed it was west, opened a map, roughly measured the distance, and said,
"......The UK?"
"The UK?"
"They went pretty far..."
"Who went to the UK?"
As she tilted her head curiously, Cheon Ji-hoo nodded. His old acquaintance had headed to the UK. She'd said she was going to meet the leader of the Liberation Front, but damn—8,000 kilometers away?
"How'd they even get there? You can't go to the UK right now."
"You can't?"
"Yeah. It officially fell a few years ago."
What the hell? Cheon Ji-hoo frowned, and Cheon Ji-yoon blinked, thinking it over before explaining what she'd learned in school.
"During the Second Great Rift outbreak, a bunch of high-grade rifts hit the UK hard. They didn't have enough manpower, so S-rank rifts burst open and wiped out most of the population. The survivors fled to neighboring countries."
"And then?"
"No one's had the manpower or funds to reclaim it since, so it's just been left alone. Rifts kept spawning, so probably no one's left alive now."
"No way to get there at all?"
"Pretty much. No flights or ships, obviously. You'd have to take a boat from France, but sea monsters make that impossible."
Cheon Ji-hoo smacked his lips at her detailed explanation—she must've studied world history hard. So that's how it was. The UK was the birthplace of Celtic and Welsh myths, among others. And when it came to magic, the Brits were the biggest fans—plenty of movies about it too. Briefly reminiscing on childhood memories, he dismissed the magic. No way to get to the UK right now, huh. So how had that guy made it there? He wanted to visit himself, so he'd have to look into options slowly. Worst case, he could ask the government to send him.
"Any other countries that fell like the UK?"
"Tons. The Great Rifts slashed populations everywhere..."
"Among the decent-sized ones?"
"Hmm, Russia and China lost everything except a few big cities, I learned."
"Earth's spinning real nice, huh."
"Korea's not much better. Outside cities with solid infrastructure, most lost all function..."
......The country was doing great. To think it'd fallen this far while he was away. Well, he had been shocked seeing a Soderia burger—famous for value—cost over 5,000 won for a single patty.
"That's why cores from rifts are so crucial. They power most power plants now."
"I see."
What a bizarre setup. Surviving on the byproducts from the very rifts dragging Earth to ruin—like some twisted ouroboros. He clicked his tongue briefly before asking,
"So, when does that tournament start?"
Demon King down, should be quiet for a bit. Time to boost his little sister's spirits as her big bro.
* * *
"What's the chance Cheon Ji-hoo is involved in this?"
"I'd bet over 50%."
"If you're right, it's thanks to you. If wrong, no harm done, eh?"
"Pretty much."
Hong Ji-hwa nodded at the Association Chairman's words. Fourteen corporate execs gone in one night. One was even the Vice Chairman of the Hunter Association. The only common thread was that they were all non-hunter civilians. Experts and the Association judged it had to be third-party intervention.
"What about interrogating those who attacked the S-rank rift?"
"All they'll say is they belong to something called the 'Liberation Front' that Cheon Ji-hoo mentioned. Otherwise, they won't talk. Experts say it seems physically impossible—like brainwashing or hypnosis."
"Hoo... Why's everything dragging on? Old age is nothing but hassle."
"My condolences, Chairman. Thanks for the continued hard work."
"Wonder when I can retire."
Muttering that, the Chairman gazed out at the city through the blinds. Far off, he spotted Hunter Academy. He knew they were holding a tournament for re-enrolled students today. He'd planned to attend, but last night's mess prevented it.
"......You go instead?"
"I have to assist you, sir. Can't go anywhere."
"Fine. Send Lee Joo-hwan then. Cheon Ji-hoo's sister is a student there, so he'll probably show for the tournament."
"Understood."
"Alright, let's grind through today too."
Hong Ji-hwa silently raised her hand in salute.
* * *
Cheon Ji-hoo pondered. What could he do to hype up his sister? Even at the archmage level, this wasn't easy to answer.
'A flashy entrance, maybe.'
The birth of an SS-rank hunter was still hot news, but his face wasn't public. S-rank hunters who knew him vaguely described him as 'insanely handsome' or 'not even human.' Public curiosity only grew. What could make even those visual S-ranks say that? A dramatic entrance would draw all eyes.
"Alright then..."
Time to let his face go public anyway. Two hours till the tournament, he lounged on the sofa, searching his phone for details. He found videos of S-rank hunters making heroic entrances to hype students—like a show.
"Oh..."
They pulled huge crowds. One featured familiar face Baek Sung-jun bursting from the earth. An earth hunter smoothed it after.
"Nice."
The sister of the first SS-rank hunter. Perfect title to boost Cheon Ji-yoon's vibe. Surfing the net like that, time dwindled to 30 minutes. He got up from the sofa, swapped his baggy tee and jeans for the outfit she'd insisted on: black slacks, gray V-neck, thin white open-collar shirt over it. Shoes too, as instructed—not barefoot. Converse on. Summoned Nok, hopped on, nudged its side with his heel, and cast Space Transfer.
His view shifted from home to the apartment rooftop in a blink. Nok ambled toward the Academy at a leisurely pace.
* * *
'Oppa will come, right?'
In gym clothes with a wooden sword at her waist, Cheon Ji-yoon sat in the waiting room, a strange unease creeping over her. He'd promised to reach the stands safely, but her unpredictable brother made her worry what stunt he'd pull. Soon, the opening ceremony began. She watched the main arena on the waiting room monitor. The training grounds turned venue was familiar, but packed stands gave it a different vibe. Cheers erupted next. S-rank hunters entering.
Idols of the era, they appeared like superheroes with flair. The Flame Emperor descended in brilliant flames, landing and raising fiery phoenix hands high. The Guardian Knight leaped from the Academy roof, slamming his shield center-stage, kicking up dust. A windstorm hit; spectators spat dirt and clapped. Other S-ranks followed with spectacles. As planned entries wrapped and the next segment started...
The arena fell silent. Cameras swiveled skyward. There, a massive emerald-tinged stag walked gracefully from sky to ground, hooves clicking elegantly. Mystical, with vines draping its antlers...
Cheon Ji-yoon recognized it instantly.
'......That wasn't a dream?'
The deer she'd slept with on Cheon Ji-hoo's bed. She'd only entered his room to wake him, so she'd dismissed it as a sleepy hallucination. Wondering if she was dreaming now, the rider on its back proved otherwise. White hair whipping, Cheon Ji-hoo sat sidesaddle with a faint smile.
"......Insane."