The humid air of the vortex is cold and freezing. In the distance, the distorted and frightening howls of the wolf-like creatures fill the air.
A lone sharp-teethed wolf wanders around the vortex, drooling from smelling its prey and then —
SWIIIISHHHH!!
Yang Semyon attacks it with his scythe swiftly, slicing the creature open as it bleeds out on the ground helplessly after letting out a wolfish howl.
"Man, still no sign of the vortex boss?" he lifts his head up, casually resting his weapon on his shoulder before wiping the blood off from his cheek.
Han Ruby shifts her eyes to Yang Semyon and nods, sheathing her sword after killing the same creature as him.
"This is an A-ranked vortex, so it's not easy to find the
[ GUILD CHAT: Cheonbyeol Guild ]
[ Emma: no signs here! ]
[ Junseo: Nothing here either. ]
[ Seyun: same here... ]
Yang Semyon sniffs the air, his ear and tail twitch in suspicion. "Could it be that it's hiding from us?"
"I don't think so, bosses aren't aware that someone's in their world unless we cross paths with it." she dismisses the hologram screen as she gestures ahead.
"Let's keep exploring, the
The land looks dead but pulses with life underneath — this vortex doesn't make sense at all.
"Waa... Do you think I can find any alternative for the
"And you're bringing that up again? I told you to figure it out yourself," Han Ruby sighs, slightly smiling from amusement of seeing Yang Semyon whine over something like that.
"Besides, whoever listed it probably just wanted attention. Taking it down that fast? Sounds like someone playing games."
Yang Semyon winces at the reality and possibility. "Ugh... I hate that you might be right."
While they walk through the barren landscape, Yang Semyon steps on an insect that looks like a disturbing mix of a fly and cockroach — he scoffs in disgust before wiping his shoe to the dry grass.
"I thought Boss is joining us today?"
"A vortex came up in the city, near some café and the hunter from
"And I'm just hearing this now!? Man, if only I didn't spend all my time in the car hating on someone from the
"From
Yang Semyon instantly flushes and shakes his head frantically, "O-Oy! I told you not to mention that stupid's name anywhere!"
After a beat, Han Ruby decides to redirect back to their topic. "Hah. Anyway, Dohyun had been suspicious lately... ever since the vortexes had started to frequently appear," she murmurs, her hand unconsciously tugging her bracelet beneath the sleeve of her clothing.
"Are you worried? Surely it's just some glitch in the
'I guess I'm worried over nothing... But something is really not right.' Han Ruby sighs, dismissing her thoughts as she follows Yang Semyon's lead.
"I wonder who's the newbie you've mentioned, I'll be sure to check it on my fyp."
"Actually, I heard his name is Yujun. I don't know the first name."
( "[A+] Insightful Instinct" is activated! )
"Yujun sounds interesting, I mean... clearing a B-ranked vortex is impressive for a new awakener." Yang Semyon chuckles.
Yang Semyon uses his skill, heightening all of his senses as he leaps onto the tree, sniffing the air.
"All I smell is dirt, fire, blood, and..." Yang Semyon continues to sniff the air, something really doesn't smell right and Han Ruby catches it first earlier.
"There's something in that direction," he points to the trees where it's all huddled together and it's too dark since it's night time too in the vortex.
"I'll call the others, it's too risky since it looks like a big forest." Han Ruby swipes up the hologram screen and starts typing to the
[ GUILD CHAT: Cheonbyeol Guild ]
[ Ruby: There's something here we haven't explored, need backup. ]
[ Seyun: On it! Wait for us and send your coordinates. ]
Han Ruby sends the coordinates of their location and when she looks up, Yang Semyon is already gone — possibly gone alone to the forest.
'That boy...'
"Semyon!" Han Ruby shouts for him at the entrance of the forest, her voice swallowed by the wistful humid air between the trees like an echoing cry.
'I have to get in...'
As much as she knows the risk, she has to move forward because of the reckless and stubborn leopard hybrid.
She's not here to babysit!
Han Ruby reluctantly enters the forest and unsheathes her sword from her hip, now on high alert as she walks through the dark path.
"It's way too dark here..." she mutters before taking something out of her inventory system, a ring that provides light and she slips it on her finger while walking.
( The effects of the "[B+] Comforting Light" is now activated! )
It became her flashlight through the path and she continues her cautious exploration. Suddenly —
AWWWOOOOOOOO!!!
The loud and rumbling howl fills the entire vortex, Han Ruby could've sworn the ground shook because of it as a notification screen pops out in front of her.
[ Semyon: FOUND THE WOLF! ]
Han Ruby wastes no time rushing towards the howling sounds of the
When Han Ruby arrives, Yang Semyon and the others are already fighting the giant wolf as it hisses and barks — using its claw to fight them.
"Everyone, stand back!" Han Ruby shouts as she sprints towards in front of them and stabs her sword into the soil, activating her skill before the
( "[SS] Defense into the Frontline" skill is now in effect! )
A huge transparent barrier fills around them, separately, protecting them from the great wolf's attacks as it tries clawing and biting the shield.
"Must've been soooo nice having a luminary skill." Yang Semyon teases and Han Ruby just rolls her eyes, "Maybe if you gain a favor from one of the Gods, you'll get a nice luminary skill. Focus!"
"Let's finish this one!" Yang Semyon laughs as the others charge right to the
Han Ruby takes her sword out of the soil and lunges towards the monster too, slicing and stabbing the creature till it weakens.
Han Ruby lands the final blow as the
[ YOU CLEARED THE VORTEX. ]
The notification screen appears and Han Ruby dismisses it with a swipe, she lifts her head and sheathes her sword the moment the portal opens for them.
Yang Semyon gives everyone a high-five with a confident grin as his eyes flicker back at Han Ruby, "We've done it! Let's go and report back to Boss!" he chuckles, already leaving the vortex first.
Han Ruby just stands there even after Yang Semyon and the others collected the vortex loots, she takes one glance at the world around her before crossing the threshold.
'I should find out more about the new awakener.'
***
'Damn!'
Yeon Yujun stands on the doorstep of Kim Misook's house, carrying some Korean fried chicken he bought after escaping from the crowd.
'Seolji must've definitely seen the news...' he runs his hand over his hair before shaking his head, preparing himself for what's to come.
Once he opens the door, he puts on his fake warm smile and goes inside the house, closing the door behind him with a thud — Lee Seolji comes out of the living room with a shock expression then comes the elderly couple, Shin Jongsu and Kim Misook with concerned looks on their faces.
"Sur...prise?" Yeon Yujun murmurs awkwardly, standing there while the plastic bag dangles in his hand, Lee Seolji is the one to break the tension.
"O-Oppa! You're an awakener!? Y-You just awakened today!?" Lee Seolji says frantically, running towards Yeon Yujun as she looks up at him with a pout then slaps his shoulder.
"And give me that!" She snatches the takeout from Yeon Yujun and stomps off to the kitchen to probably eat her feelings out.
"Dear... We saw the news, are you okay?" Kim Misook approaches him, taking Yeon Yujun's hand and rubbing it gently, clearly worried.
Yeon Yujun just smiles at her, reassuring the old woman, "Of course, why wouldn't I be? Shouldn't you guys be proud of me that I'm... an awakener?" he chuckles, as if in an attempt to laugh it all off.
"Hey now, young man. Being an awakener is no joke, I heard they do dangerous jobs that civilians like us can't do!" The old man sighs, rubbing the back of his neck with frowned brows. "Surely there's a choice not to be a hunter, right?"
Yeon Yujun shakes his head, "Unfortunately, no... once you're awakened, there's no turning back. I have to be registered as a hunter and I won't be a normal civilian anymore. I'll be fine, I promise."
"We're just concerned, sweetie. Now you've got a long day, get some rest. We'll be leaving tomorrow." Kim Misook lets go of his hand gently, already returning back to their room with her husband.
"Wait, why?"
"We're going to Boseong, it has been a while since we've visited your grandpa's hometown!" Kim Misook chuckles, holding her husband's arm.
Shin Jongsu nods, "It has been a while indeed, we'll be gone for just a month. I trust that you and Seolji can look after the café and the house, right?"
"You can trust us with that."
As the elderly couple returns back to their room, Yeon Yujun takes a shower and goes straight to his room where Pouch has been waiting for him.
"PUPU!!!!" Pouch cries as it clings onto Yeon Yujun like a little bug, rubbing and sobbing against his grey sweatshirt as Yeon Yujun just sits there at his chair — he couldn't focus on writing down the monthly payments he needs to pay on the notebook.
"Alright, I'll bring you anywhere I go then. Just stop crying, I've only been gone for hours," he sighs, patting the small fluffy creature's back as it wails.
Good thing no one could hear Pouch.
With a groan of surrender, Yeon Yujun plops down the bed with Pouch on top of his chest, now calming down as it sniffles and hiccuping like a little kid who just finished crying.
'Reminds me of the little girl I saved earlier...' Yeon Yujun rubs Pouch's fur, helping it drift to sleep as he closes his eyes, letting the comfortable bed pull him back to his slumber.
"The real thing begins tomorrow..." he murmurs, stopping his soothing motions before staring up at the ceiling of his room, remembering Seo Hwigeon's words to him.
'Why the hell does he want me to be a hunter again? Because of the Great Vortex appearing again...?'
He really hopes that it's just a false prophecy, something that could be falsified, but... considering the frequent appearance of vortexes around the cities and other countries... it could really be possible.
"What does he even gain from it... and why does it matter to him this much?"