Si-hun was rushed to the hospital, accompanied by Jae-Un. Despite looking physically unwell, the results of his examination were shocking: he had no broken bones or any internal or external injuries. This seemed very strange, especially since everyone had witnessed him getting crushed by the goblin. It felt like a miracle.
He opened his eyes slightly and found himself in a laboratory.
"You're awake already? Maybe the anesthesia didn't work well on you," a nurse said.
"Why am I here? Where is Jae-Un? Did the other predators survive?" he asked.
"Yes, they are doing fine," she assured him.
"Hmm."
"Here, these are your results," she said, handing him a document.
He examined it carefully, searching for any signs of injury or something else, but... nothing.
"I remember being in critical condition, almost dying. How is it possible that I don't have any injuries?" he thought to himself. He checked his body for any marks or wounds, but there was nothing.
"Are you sure I didn't have any injuries after the portal?" he inquired.
"No, sir. We also found it unusual that you don't even have a single fracture or scratch," the nurse replied.
"Strange," he murmured under his breath.
"So, am I free to go now? Can I have the bill?"
"Um, because you were injured during a raid, we won't charge you. It's free for predators hurt in a raid."
"Oh, thanks then." He stood up and left the hospital.
On his way home, he couldn't help but replay the events in his mind, feeling the sting of abandonment by those he risked his life for. "People sure are selfish; everyone turned their backs on me except for my one companion—Jae-Un… Jae-Un, I need to check on him."
He tried calling Jae-Un.
~Ring~
No answer.
"He must be busy after the raid; he was hurt too during the merging process," he thought.
He sent Jae-Un a message: "Are you free tonight?"
Then he went home.
"Where have you been for so long, Han Si-Hun!? It's been almost two days!" his mother exclaimed.
"I was trapped in a portal fight, Mom."
"Ugh! This petty job of yours."
"I'm going to my room, Mom."
His mother didn't even ask how he was or if he had been injured. He expected at least some concern, but there was nothing.
"She didn't even ask me how I was," he whispered to himself, feeling the reality of his isolation.
His birthday was in three days; he would turn 22 this year.
"It's my birthday in a few days. I will be 22—another year of dealing with this bullshit," he sighed.
~Ding~
He checked his phone to see who had texted. It was Jae-Un.
"Yeah, I'm free today, but I will be going out of town tomorrow, so let's meet right now."
"Where?"
"Let's meet at the soju shop downtown."
"Okay, I'm coming. Bye."
"Bye."
He left his house again.
When he arrived at the soju shop, he saw Jae-Un waving at him. Si-Hun waved back.
"Hey Si-Hun! What's up??" Jae-Un asked.
"Not much. How are you feeling now?"
"I should be asking YOU that."
"I'm doing fine, surprisingly."
"But didn't you have a few broken bones? I was surprised you wanted to go out in that condition."
"I don't know. My results said I have no injuries, and I'm feeling fine too."
"Weird."
"Hey! Waiter, come here!"
"Your order, sir?"
"Two large bottles of soju, please!"
"Done. Anything else?"
"No, just this."
"You remember you still have to treat me to ramen!"
"I sure do, bud."
Their drinks arrived at the table. They spent the next two hours drinking and talking. Si-Hun had consumed over two bottles, but he was surprised to find that the soju had no effect on him.
"This is getting really strange. I've drunk over two bottles and I'm not even slightly drunk. What is happening to me?" he thought.
"Umm, Si-Hun, I gotta go now! My mom must be waiting for me. I have to prepare for the trip, so bye for now," Jae-Un said in a raspy voice, clearly affected by the alcohol.
"Already?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, bye. See you later!"
"Bye, Si-Hun!"
After that, they went their separate ways.
The following two days passed by in the blink of an eye, and today was Si-Hun's birthday. Naturally, he didn't expect any birthday messages except from his brother and Jae-Un.
He woke up to his brother chanting his name.
"Hyung! Hyung! Wake up!"
"Let me be, Ji-Ho!"
"No, brother, you have to get up with me and treat me to ice cream. Come on! Get up now."
"Fine, you win! Get ready, and I will take you to the new ice cream parlor in town."
Amused by his brother's childishness despite being 14, Si-Hun said, "Finally."
Ji-Ho left to get ready.
Si-Hun freshened up as well and got ready. While scrolling through his phone, he received a message from Jae-Un.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUDD!!"
"Thanks, bud :)"
"You're getting older ;)."
"I'M AWARE OF THAT!"
"Haha, you sure are."
"Come on, brother, I'm ready! Let's go now!"
"Okay, okay, lil bro."
"I gotta go, Jae-Un. Bye."
"Okay, okay. Go ahead, bye."
"Let's go, Ji-Ho."
They both left for the ice cream parlor.
On their way, Ji-Ho asked Si-Hun, "Aren't you going out with your friends today?"
"Umm, no. I don't have any plans."
Deep down, Si-Hun felt sad that even on his birthday he was alone, but he found joy in spending time with his brother.
They reached the parlor and enjoyed Ji-Ho's favorite flavor—vanilla.