Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 03
Chapter Title: Awakening (1)
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By the time they arrived at his house, day had broken.
It was morning.
Clear Lake.
The neighborhood where Seo Dae-hyun would live from now on.
Kim Hyun-jun's house evoked the image of a middle-class home straight out of an American movie.
"Whoa..."
An exclamation slipped from Seo Dae-hyun's lips before he could stop it.
Having lived in a dingy semi-basement back in Korea, staying in a place like this felt utterly surreal.
He'd known Hyun-jun's family was well-off, but this exceeded his expectations.
Kim Hyun-jun opened the door and stepped inside, shoes still on.
Seo Dae-hyun was mildly shocked.
A middle-aged man sat on the sofa, sipping coffee while reading the newspaper.
"That's my dad. This is the big brother Dae-hyun hyung I've told you about."
Kim Hyun-jun introduced his father and Seo Dae-hyun.
"Hello. I'm Seo Dae-hyun."
"...Yeah. Must've been a long trip. Good work."
Unlike his son, Kim Tae-seok was the taciturn type, not one for many words.
His hands and face bore the marks of a hard life from years of farming.
"Dad's a bit shy."
That was a shy face? Seo Dae-hyun swallowed his words.
That's when Kim Hyun-jun's mother, Park Mi-ju, emerged from the kitchen.
"Oh? Is that our Dae-hyun?"
She called him by name with warm familiarity.
This was the first time they'd met face-to-face; until now, it had only been phone calls.
She grabbed his hand like a long-lost eldest son had returned.
Warm.
He'd thought such warmth was gone forever after leaving Korea.
Though he'd left home, it felt like returning to family.
Beaming, she welcomed him with open arms.
"Make yourself at home, dear."
"Thank you."
Seo Dae-hyun handed over the gifts he'd brought from Korea.
"Oh my! You didn't have to bring anything. Just showing up is enough. Thank you so much."
He couldn't very well arrive empty-handed after all their help getting him here.
"It's nothing much."
Paltry compared to what they'd done for him.
Instant ramen, kimchi, seaweed, and K-beauty products from the PX.
"How'd you know he was craving ramen? Let's have some together next time."
She seemed delighted with the gifts—relief washed over him.
Kim Hyun-jun showed Seo Dae-hyun to the room where he'd be staying.
Up on the second floor.
"This'll be your spot. Let me know if anything's off."
It was at least three times larger than his old semi-basement.
"All to myself?"
"Too small? I thought it'd be plenty. Wanna swap with my room?"
He shook his head.
"No, it's bigger than I expected."
This was one of the best guest rooms.
"Like Mom said, make yourself at home. Treat it like your own place. You're my benefactor, hyung."
......
After unpacking, he came back downstairs.
They brought out corn with butter, beef steak, tenderloin sandwiches, and the kimchi he'd gifted.
"Thanks for the meal."
"Dig in, eat plenty."
He'd gone nearly a full day without food.
The American home cooking won over his taste buds.
Surprisingly good.
Paired with kimchi, even the richness faded away.
She watched him eat heartily, a pleased smile on her lips.
I was worried it wouldn't suit him. Glad it does.
Over breakfast, they chatted.
"When do you want to start work?"
"I can jump in right now, no problem."
Dae-hyun answered his mother's question with confidence.
"...Then let's head out after eating."
"Honey!" "Dad!"
Kim Hyun-jun and his mother scolded the father in unison.
"What kind of work are you making the poor boy do when he hasn't even adjusted to the time difference?!"
"He hasn't even seen the neighborhood yet, and you're putting him to work? At least let him rest a month before starting."
He'd only taken Dae-hyun at his word.
Though Seo Dae-hyun insisted he was fine starting immediately, Kim Hyun-jun and his mother insisted he spend at least a week getting familiar with the area first.
The father couldn't stand up to his wife's words.
A man of Korean birth who'd lived decades in the American Midwest—stoic and straightforward.
Yet even such a tough guy melted before love. It was amusing.
"Hyung, why the grin?"
A peaceful family.
That night.
Lying in bed, he stared at the ceiling.
He opened his status window.
👤 Player:Seo Dae-hyun
⚙ Class:■■■■■ (Locked)
⭐ Rank:D / ■■■ (Locked)
🛡️ Skills:■+ (Locked)
📜 Special:* Chosen by the King of the Dead. (Locked)
As payment for clearing the dungeon, he'd been cursed and lost nearly 80% of his abilities.
Potions to lift the curse, healing skills from healers—nothing worked.
The Ministry of National Defense deemed him hopeless, releasing him without proper treatment.
The moment he dropped from A-Rank to D-Rank.
The officers turned cold overnight.
All blame for the dungeon incident fell squarely on him.
Seo Dae-hyun yearned to reclaim that power.
Revenge against the military that abandoned him simmered in his heart.
Knock knock.
"Dae-hyun hyung. You up?"
It was Kim Hyun-jun.
"Nah."
He came in with a bright smile, bottle of soju and kimchi in hand.
"Let's have a drink for old times' sake."
Seo Dae-hyun chuckled.
Memories flooded back.
"Sure."
He'd been craving one anyway.
"This takes me back."
A couple shots in, Kim Hyun-jun's face grew serious.
"Hyung, that wasn't your fault."
Kim Hyun-jun knew every detail of what happened in Korea.
"...I know better than anyone you're not the type to abandon a comrade."
Even taking all the blame alone.
"I'll help you. Hell, let's sue them."
Seo Dae-hyun ruffled his hair.
"Thanks for saying that."
It felt solid. Genuine reassurance.
"No joke—"
"I know you mean it."
But that was as far as it went.
He was already deeply indebted.
Couldn't impose more.
If there's a fight, I'll handle it myself.
He shared drinks with his old comrade.
Clink!
Unlike back then, the soju tasted sweet tonight.
Sunlight filtered through the curtain gap, gently rousing him from sleep.
PTSD-fueled nightmares and insomnia had plagued him, but this refreshing rest was long overdue.
Yesterday's events felt real now.
Life in America lay ahead.
To help him adjust, Kim Hyun-jun introduced the local geography and neighbors.
"Bro, this is the hyung I told you about."
The way guys bond: booze, sports, games.
They shot hoops on an empty court, getting acquainted through sweat.
No Asian discrimination here.
These were Hyun-jun's friends, and the neighborhood was solidly middle-class.
"See? Told you."
When Kim Hyun-jun mentioned Seo Dae-hyun's military background, they treated him with extra respect and kindness.
"Whoa! You're that guy from last time?!"
One foreign friend spoke as if he knew him.
Hyun-jun had regaled his American buddies with army tales, Dae-hyun's stories a staple.
What the hell did he tell them...
Their gazes shifted, filled with admiration.
"Korean military must be brutal, right? That's impressive."
"How're the beasts coming down from the north?"
"You infiltrated a horde of hundreds and rescued your comrades alone? For real?"
Back in Korea, this would've been unthinkable.
Respect and admiration instead of scorn and discrimination?
For a soldier from another country, no less.
Seo Dae-hyun was flustered.
He'd never heard a single "thank you" during his service.
Civilians took it for granted that hunters slew monsters.
Their sacrifices were quickly forgotten.
Yet here, in distant America, they honored him.
After parting with Hyun-jun's acquaintances, they headed to Walmart.
"Hyung, got your discharge papers?"
"Yeah."
"Show 'em for 10% off. Bring 'em."
"...I served in Korea?"
"Doesn't matter."
Monsters had invaded from the North, with U.S. forces and hunters from various nations aiding.
For six months now, North Korean beasts hadn't crossed south—armistice held.
With monsters confined north, nations celebrated victories with events for veterans.
Korea stayed quiet, offering nothing.
But serving there qualified him for U.S. benefits.
He'd run ops alongside U.S. and foreign hunters in the field.
Wonder if they're all discharged now.
Being in America, he should reach out if chances arose.
They bought essentials at Walmart.
Seo Dae-hyun flashed his discharge papers for the discount.
"10% off applied. Thank you for your service."
He'd half-joked, but it actually worked.
This was real.
The cashier even thanked him for serving his country as he left.
America hit home again.
"...It's so different."
He muttered while driving.
"Huh?"
Kim Hyun-jun beside him had caught his soliloquy.
"Ah, just... feels different from Korea."
He softened the bittersweet feelings.
Kim Hyun-jun got it immediately.
He'd felt the same at first.
A U.S. citizen, exempt from Korean service, he'd volunteered anyway.
His father wished every Korean-rooted son serve; Hyun-jun agreed, honoring his heritage.
But Dad regretted it later.
Hyun-jun had nearly died in service.
Ministry of National Defense and Military Manpower Administration pointed fingers, dodging blame.
Seo Dae-hyun saved him.
That factored into Dad offering a job and Mom's warm welcome.
Kim Hyun-jun grinned.
"Better than you thought, huh?"
"Yeah. It's good."
The neighborhood, the people, the way they looked at him.
Window down, cool breeze in his face, he let the past fade.
Six months later.
Half a year had flown by in America.
Autumn, the season of harvest frenzy.
America's fall was the world's busiest time—reaping rewards of the year.
Kim Hyun-jun's father was even more impressive than expected.
One of Iowa's top ten farm owners, a true landowner.
Seo Dae-hyun worked like an ant, tirelessly.
He wouldn't deny it was thanks to his bond with Hyun-jun. Facts were facts.
Slacking would tarnish their name.
They called him relentless for his work ethic.
Before awakening, he'd scraped by with convenience store gigs, retail, factory work, day labor.
Those honed skills let him adapt quickly to farming, new as it was.
These days, machines handled most; his role was operating them.
Seo Dae-hyun handled maintenance and supplies.
Kim Hyun-jun took a frantic call.
"What? Hospital? What's going on?"
The combine drivers had all come down with food poisoning, hospitalized suddenly.
As site manager, Hyun-jun figured they'd halt operations.
"I'll do it."
Seo Dae-hyun stepped up.
"You? You've never driven one."
A bit trickier than a car, that's all.
Six months of watching over shoulders had taught him the ropes.
"Hm..."
Kim Hyun-jun pondered, stroking his chin, then nodded.
"Alright. If you're saying it, you must be confident."
Combines cost hundreds of millions to billions. Botch the controls, and they'd break.
Hence pro drivers.
Hyun-jun trusted him enough to hand over such valuables.
Knew pride wouldn't get in the way.
Six-man crew rolled out.
Combines harvested corn; grain cart drivers collected and loaded trucks.
One other could drive combine: Kim Hyun-jun.
"Hyung, when'd you learn? You handled it smoother than me."
"Picked it up watching."
"Wanna switch jobs if you like?"
"Fine by me."
"I'll talk to Dad tonight."
"Nah, I'll do it."
Combine drivers earned at least 1.5x his maintenance pay.
And he could still handle repairs and supplies.
His skills kept the schedule on track.
"Nice, Seo."
"Wrapping up earlier than before."
Sunset painted the horizon; golden fields gleamed where earth met sky.
"Let's hustle before dark."
Night raised monster odds.
They prowled more during harvest, or so they said.
Never encountered any, but caution prevailed.
Then.
A signal and faint alarm blared inside the combine.
"What the fuck!"
Hayes in the passenger seat cursed.
The signal indicated a dungeon gate spawn.
Magical beasts nearby.
Dungeon gate mana waves jammed the radio.
"Hyun-jun!"
- Ar... arrive... stop... Static fuck! Help! Gaaah!!
...A scream echoed from the radio.
Seo Dae-hyun's tractor led; he checked the rearview—vehicles behind swerved drunkenly.
Something was wrong.
He grabbed his sickle, took a deep breath, steeled himself.
"Hayes, take the wheel."
"Wait! Seo."
Seo Dae-hyun leaped from the driver's seat, sprinting to Kim Hyun-jun's combine.
A 3-meter black wolf perched on the roof, crunching the driver's upper body.
Vehicles halted.
For a split second, thinking it Hyun-jun, rage surged.
[Bear Wolf (C-Rank)]
[Iron Wolf (D-Rank)] × 5
A pack of six wolves.
They charged fearlessly.
No longer A-Rank, the terror of losing a comrade overrode fear.
He swung the sickle, slicing an Iron Wolf's nape.
Caught off-guard, the curved blade sank into its carotid; it writhed in agony.
"Michael!"
The wolf spat out the mangled remains—not Kim Hyun-jun.
Different build, height, dark skin.
No relief. Michael was a comrade too.
When Seo started, he'd shared tips without hazing.
Lightened tough days with jokes, lifting team spirits...
Another foreigner working to pay his sibling's tuition, like Dae-hyun.
"Ah."
A short sigh escaped.
His eyes quaked like in an earthquake.
Upper body crushed, face unrecognizable—gruesome.
He stared at the bloodied corpse.
Buried memories unearthed from his chest's depths.
Like a grave's corpse clawing through soil.
He'd thought he was over it, but military PTSD flared anew.
His body trembled like aspen leaves.
Fallen comrades materialized.
Hallucinations from extreme stress.
"Ah... sorry. I'm sorry."
The wolves sensed his abnormality, licking their chops.
"Hyung! Dodge!"
Kim Hyun-jun burst from behind the combine wheel, shoving Seo Dae-hyun aside.
Before Seo Dae-hyun left for America.
Cheorwon, Republic of Korea.
Spring hadn't arrived; 'white trash' blanketed the ground.
Still the same here.
A high-ranking U.S. military official stepped into the hunter special forces base.
Monsters invading South Korea had stilled months ago.
Foreign hunters save U.S. withdrew fully; U.S. hunters left at 10% strength.
War wasn't over.
They'd only blocked the invasion; beast leaders remained unkilled.
Korea's Military Manpower Chief and Defense Minister greeted the U.S. hunter.
Silver-white hair, snow-pale skin, sapphire-blue eyes.
She evoked a beachside vibe.
Could you believe this fragile-looking woman was S-Rank?
New commander of the U.S. hunter special forces unit, White Eagle.
Post-meeting, before leaving, she visited Cheorwon's special forces, claiming business.
Undying battalion commander, company commanders, officers trailed her.
A tad annoying, but unavoidable now.
First time in Korea, yet she patrolled the base like a pro.
"Have you been here before, by chance?"
The battalion commander asked.
"Ah, heard from my subordinates."
U.S. hunter unit commander.
Claire smiled brightly.
Glancing around like searching for someone.
"Claire, looking for a specific soldier?"
"Could you call Sergeant Seo Dae-hyun?"
At his name, the officers' eyes flickered wildly.