Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: My Hands and Feet Are Trembling
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One peaceful day, my brother—who'd said he was going to meet up with friends after being discharged from the military—vanished.
His phone rang endlessly without answer. Even his friends said they hadn't seen him. My parents, who both worked full-time and realized the situation late, turned pale and reported him missing to the police.
My brother, who had come home unscathed from the army and left with a playful grin, disappeared overnight as if he'd never existed.
The CCTV footage we checked with the police showed him entering an alley near the PC bang. For some reason, he didn't appear in any footage after that.
These days, my parents take time off work to search for him everywhere. They post missing person flyers and comb every corner of the neighborhood. Yet they come home empty-handed—no evidence, no phone, no clothes—and break down in tears.
About two weeks after my brother went missing, a strange tunnel-like thing appeared in the middle of the city. It looked like a black hole ready to suck everything in, sending people into a panic. The government issued an emergency statement.
"Strange phenomena are occurring worldwide. These dimensional gates, which we're calling gates, are opening. We urge all citizens to stay away from them."
They said the weird black hole in our neighborhood was one of these gates. The fear of the unknown, with nothing revealed about it, was palpable. I decided to steer clear.
But my parents didn't. The anomaly appearing so soon after my brother's disappearance... They must have seen hope in that swirling portal that looked like it could swallow him whole. They probably thought he'd been pulled into one like it.
And so, my parents started researching gates. Despite having no background in it, they spent hours near them every day, conducting their own investigations.
A few days into their research, the world changed again. People transcending human limits emerged—flaunting fantasy-like powers and physical abilities far surpassing ordinary folks or even athletes. Later, the Hunter Association would classify them as hunters.
Whether moved by their determination, my parents awakened powers too. I can't remember now what they were. They never showed them anyway. Looking back, they probably weren't that strong.
But my parents clung desperately to that sliver of hope. Undaunted by the unknown terror, they plunged into the gate without hesitation, armed only with the basic gear issued to hunters. They told me to eat well and went in together.
Luckily, the gate was low-rank, and they returned safely. But they weren't happy at all. They'd searched everywhere inside but found no trace of anyone—just stubby little monsters to kill on the way out.
From then on, every time a new gate popped up nearby, my parents dove in, desperately hunting for my brother. They spent days inside, fueling their obsession.
Leaving me to eat alone, to stay home alone. Time passed like that.
Six months.
The world adapted to the gates. The Hunter Association formed to manage hunters. Guilds sprang up from major corporations. Gate byproducts became a new source of income.
Even amid all that, my parents never lost hope. They even pushed into high-rank gates.
I just begged them to stop. Those gates were too dangerous. The odds of my brother being in one were slim anyway.
But my parents, eyes puffy from crying, forced smiles. Emotions overrode logic, even though they surely knew better. They'd still say, "Eat well," and leave.
All I wanted was one meal together. Just those times at home with them. Weekend outings to our favorite spots.
Just that.
They left me behind in my hardship.
More precious than me, eating lonely meals after they'd vanished for half a year like my brother.
Was their missing son—even after half a year—more important than their daughter left alone?
That's what I thought about every day.
Two days. Three days. A week passed.
My parents never came back.
They vanished from my life forever, just like my brother.
Hope... hope was nothing but the parent of disappointment and despair.
It dragged people into the abyss with its flimsy thread.
"That's how it happened. My parents went missing in a gate too. Well... they were eventually declared dead, so I just think of them as gone."
On the way to the columbarium, Sihyun recounted everything calmly, her face expressionless—like she was telling someone else's story, unbothered now.
"So I've been living alone since then. Half a year after my brother vanished, right when I turned adult, so I couldn't lean on relatives."
Which happened to coincide with my own awakening, by the way.
Sihyun wrapped up her story and walked on silently. Her stride was that of a perfectly mature adult.
The wounds from childhood, before adulthood, showed no sign. She bore the bitterness of ten years alone with quiet acceptance.
"Want a hug?"
"What're you saying? I'm fine. Quit with the weird talk and keep walking. The columbarium's almost here."
"Alright."
We arrived near the columbarium and strolled slowly, taking in the surroundings. Walking side by side down a path lined with green trees, a cool breeze blew. It felt refreshing to escape the city noise for once.
"So why didn't you get any help from relatives? If you'd asked, wouldn't they have?"
I picked up the thread of our conversation. It puzzled me that no one had helped my poor little sister left alone.
"Uh... well, just... somehow?"
"You did ask."
"Haha, yeah... I did ask for help. They refused. No different from strangers. I don't really wanna see them. Oh, but..."
"Yeah? What's up, some problem?"
"Nah, you'll see when we get there. Come on! We're almost there."
Sihyun cut herself off and quickened her pace. Soon, the columbarium came into view, standing quietly. I followed wordlessly as she headed straight for the entrance.
"It's around this corner."
She said that and turned into the inner path.
"What's the rush? Match my pace...?"
"Oh my~ Sihyun, is that you? Long time no see~ How've you been? Auntie here's been struggling lately—the world's so tough~"
The moment we rounded the corner, Sihyun froze, her face twisting in disgust. Like she'd spotted something repulsive. I stepped up and blocked the way.
That must be why she'd hesitated. The ones who'd ignored her pleas for help now crawling back after her success. It was revolting.
Even as a third party, it made me grimace.
"Stop right there."
My voice came out ice-cold. Shielding Sihyun behind me, I cut off their approach.
"Hmm? And who are you? Sihyun's boyfriend? It's rude to meddle in family matters~"
They'd already forgotten my face. Fair enough—not like they'd seen me in ten years, thinking I was dead. And honestly, they looked like strangers to me too.
"I'm her brother. If anything, I'm closer family, so butt out and leave."
"Don't lie to adults, kid. A fresh-faced young thing like you bringing up the dead."
"Thirty-one's plenty old, don't you think? What should we do, Sihyun?"
"Ooh, dressed up sharp and suddenly so reliable. Finally playing the big brother role?"
"Hey, I've always been a sturdy bro."
"Bullshitting's your talent."
Way too much.
"Anyway, outsiders stay out of this. It's between us and Sihyun. Keep blocking, and we'll call security."
At the auntie's words, I pulled out my phone first. Dialed the number I'd checked earlier and waited for the connect.
"Hey, what the hell are you doing?"
"Hello, security office? I'm here to visit my parents, but some strange lady's threatening me. I'm so scared my hands and feet are trembling, tears are about to fall. Please help quick."
"This guy's nuts!"
"Pfft! What a total psycho~ Ah, this is bliss~"
Sihyun burst out laughing, caught off guard, and patted my back.
In today's world, you can't just throw your weight around carelessly.