#9 Everyone, Greet Him Warmly

"Yeah, Kang-ho. It's not much, but it's to celebrate your kid being born."

"Hm?"

Looking closer, it was a fairy stone. A fairy stone, but far bigger than he'd expected. Much larger than the ones in Kang-ho's orchard.

"Found a land fairy dungeon not long ago, but it was already a popular spot—totally cleaned out, so all I salvaged was this fairy stone."

"Oh ho."

"Would've ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠been great if ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I'd snagged a fairy too, but no such luck. Been saving it for you."

A fairy stone. There couldn't be a better gift for Kang-ho. He gave a small smile and nodded.

"I'll take it."

The team leader bowed his head and left. Im Cheol-bae tossed back his drink and asked,

"You know what that is, right?"

"What?"

"My world ranking's 40th this year."

"Not bad."

"Still 6th in Korea."

"Impressive for an old-timer."

"Yeah, tell me about it. Everything else is rising every year—inflation, birth rates, new jobs—but my ranking's the only thing dropping."

Kang-ho smiled wryly instead of answering. Nothing could stop the flow of time.

"Kids these days level up so fast. The ones coming up from below scare me sometimes. No matter how hard I try, my rank won't budge anymore. Hit a wall, and it's been 30 years since."

Im Cheol-bae chuckled deeply. He poured another round and continued,

"This country keeps producing ridiculously strong Awakeners. No idea why."

"The mystery of the East."

The nickname the world had given to the phenomenon of Korea churning out top-tier Awakeners.

"While you're here, get measured before you go."

"What's the point now?"

"Just for fun. Call it payment for the fairy stone."

Kang-ho stared at Im Cheol-bae. He soon chuckled and nodded.

"Fine."

Im Cheol-bae jumped up, went to his desk, and pulled a bracelet from a drawer.

"Tech's come a long way. This is the latest measurement device—no need to climb into one of those old giant capsules."

Kang-ho took the bracelet without protest. It looked like a wristwatch, but with a large screen for easy reading.

"How do I use it?"

"Put it on."

As he slipped it on, click! A crisp sound rang out.

"Channel some mana into it."

He infused mana. It trickled from his heart core into the bracelet.

Beep—

Light emanated from the bracelet, soon enveloping his entire body.

Kang-ho stared at it impassively. Im Cheol-bae just watched in silence. Then, with a dumbfounded look, he muttered,

"Higher than 30 years ago?"

"Looks like it."

"What've you been up to?"

"......"

"Share the secret. I wanna break through my wall too."

"Dunno... Just been farming and raising beasts."

"Jesus..."

Im Cheol-bae rubbed his forehead. An Awakener's strength was quantified as combat power—a composite of mana reserves, ability proficiency, and physical stats. But combat power wasn't everything. In the Awakener world, experience and skill mastery could flip battles even against higher numbers. That's why "water-rankers"—pure stat paper tigers—were a thing back in the day.

Modern rankings factored in achievements and official ranking matches. Countries issued certification exams from SS to FF rank too.

Im Cheol-bae knew Choi Kang-ho's legendary feats from the past. Even then, the guy was a monster. Combat power around 90,000—but synergizing with Seolhwa, it blew past that. An SS-rank Fantasy Beast paired with Beast Master was a tiger with wings.

"Incredible. Still in your prime."

Im Cheol-bae looked genuinely impressed. There was a wall. Once you hit a certain power level, you needed enlightenment to advance. Without it, no breakthrough. He'd been stuck at that wall for 30 years, treading water since the war ended.

"I'm jealous."

"Jealous, huh."

Kang-ho, utterly unmoved, started removing the bracelet.

"Keep it. A gift."

Kang-ho nodded, and Im Cheol-bae shrugged, refilling their glasses.

"Still got your cert?"

"Awakener certification?"

"Yeah."

"Somewhere at home, probably."

"You're the only one who treats an SS-rank cert like trash. Want me to put you back on the rankings?"

Kang-ho shook his head.

"Nah. Keep this measurement quiet too."

"Same old you."

"Change, and you're dead."

The two clinked glasses. They traded stories—light banter to deep talks—laughing heartily at times. The drinking went on until the moon peaked and began its descent.

"Time to head out."

Kang-ho stood. Im Cheol-bae called after him, voice slurred but cheerful from the booze.

"Kang-ho!"

"Yeah."

"My friend, Choi Kang-ho!"

"......Yeah."

Im Cheol-bae took a deep breath, then bellowed,

"I've got your back!"

"......"

"The Mercenary Guild Master has it! You get me?"

Kang-ho looked at Im Cheol-bae. That booming voice overlaid the young man from the past. The youthful warrior was now a white-haired elder. One era had ended peacefully, ushering in the next.

But they were all still here. For now.

So their era hadn't ended yet.

"See ya."

Kang-ho offered his fist. Im Cheol-bae bumped his thick one against it.

"Again soon."

"You bet!"

The hearty shout was followed by,

"Wait—one sec!"

"Hm?"

"You got a smartphone?"

Kang-ho pulled out his newly activated phone.

"Gimme."

Im Cheol-bae tapped away, installing apps, then handed it back.

"Stay in touch. Us old folks could drop anytime—no regrets."

"......"

"Kids and grandkids? Useless. They bolt once they're grown. Only friends check in."

Kang-ho smiled wryly.

"Got it."

Kang-ho left. Staring at the empty spot, Im Cheol-bae lit a fresh cigar. Remembering something, he pulled another bracelet from his drawer and measured himself.

The same number. As 30 years ago, and now. Im Cheol-bae nodded, eyes lingering on where Kang-ho had been.

Beast King...

The world called him the Beast King. He murmured slowly,

"You're back."

The Beast King had awakened from his long winter sleep.

......

"Furball."

Krreung!

"Behave yourself?"

Krreung! Krreung!

Furball nodded emphatically. In front of him stood Yoon Jung-woo, the Awakener on rooftop duty, looking far more at ease now.

"Ah, y-you're back, sir!"

He snapped to attention and saluted at the sight of Kang-ho. Kang-ho waved it off.

"Cut that out."

"Sp-speak casually, senior!"

"You sure?"

"Yes, sir!"

Kang-ho nodded lightly. He didn't mind.

"No trouble from him?"

"N-no, sir. Never seen a Shabel Tiger this gentle."

Yoon Jung-woo eyed Furball in awe.

"A fully grown one like this... first time too."

"Thanks. Furball, c'mere."

Furball panted happily as it approached. Its massive frame moved without a tremor, widening Yoon Jung-woo's eyes further.

"Catch you later."

"T-take care, sir!"

Kang-ho mounted Furball lightly. Thud! It shot forward like a shadow—silent and swift. One blink, and they were on the next building's roof; another, atop a distant high-rise. Gone in seconds.

* * *

Warriors' Cemetery

Furball stopped before the national cemetery on Yongsan's outskirts. It set Kang-ho down familiarly, then pressed against the massive wall, peeking with just its eyes.

"This guy."

Kang-ho scratched his head with a wry smile. He entered slowly through the main gate.

Countless graves filled the grounds. Kang-ho's eyes darkened heavily as he gazed at them.

Comrades and family lay here. So many had died. A war that seemed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠endless, no matter how many fell.

"Time flies, doesn't it."

He murmured. Since the war's end, those from his era dwindled. War dreams haunted him sometimes—vivid enough to wake in cold sweats.

Monsters? Not scary. Just losing comrades, family, friends.

Kang-ho stood blankly at the entrance, staring at the graves under the brilliant moonlight.

What did the world want? Why grant him eternal youth? What twisted it like this?

Thoughts swirled. Maybe the new winds blowing through the world tied to him. Maybe answers to his questions lay ahead.

Kiiing—

Suddenly, Seol-a lifted her head from his pocket, looking at him. Kang-ho stroked her gently.

"Why'd you have to be born now."

Kiiing—

He smiled wryly down at her. Seeing it, she grinned back.

'Hwa-ya.'

He tickled her grinning chin.

'I might not be a good friend to you... or your child.'

SS-rank Fantasy Beasts wielded immense power—beings on another level entirely.

Maybe he couldn't raise her innocently forever.

He hoped that day never came. Closing his eyes with a heavy heart,

'But Hwa-ya.'

Like a vow, he repeated,

'If your child ever follows in your footsteps...'

Kang-ho bowed toward the graves. Seol-a hopped down, bowed her head, and closed her eyes too—as if she understood.

After a long silence, he exited.

'I'll go with you.'

Then—

Bzzz— Bzzz— Bzzzz— Bzz—

His pocket vibrated.

"......?"

Kang-ho pulled out his smartphone. Yellow Messenger notifications flooded in.

"What the—?"

Thinking back, Im Cheol-bae's tapping came to mind. He checked the screen.

"Hm..."

Kang-ho stared at the screen, then rubbed his forehead. It was a group chat. He hesitated, then typed.

He flinched.

"......?"