Chapter 15 - Piercing Through (1)

A familiar landscape came into view, yet slightly different.

The hospital corridors were filled with screams and harsh breathing.

Looking back, Han Taemin saw the monsters still chasing, seemingly driven by curiosity after witnessing his swift running.

Since he had no intention of leading them to the hospital, Han Taemin drew his sword. Swiftly navigating the rough asphalt road, he carved through the blind spots of the monsters.

He planted his foot on a lamppost, spun around once to change direction, then extended his arm forward.

Bump.

The sword slipped out through the gaps between scales, leaving only a slight breath behind as it exited.

Ideally, the monsters would have resembled empty tin cans like Raymara, but the ones that appeared were all densely packed with muscle.

But that wasn't a problem.

If once didn't suffice, he could keep striking until it did.

There was no reason why running water couldn't pierce a stone.

Han Taemin, with his sword raised, delved into the same spot. The same trajectory, without any deviation, pierced through the wound from earlier.

And once again, and again, and again.

Three strikes, perfectly timed, created an opening. His determination and skill penetrated through the sturdy scales and precisely struck the heart.

Though hot blood splattered on his face, Han Taemin paid no mind and thrust his sword into the belly of another leaping monster.

Moving like in his past life was impossible, but there was no sound of weakness coming from his lips.

Times had changed, and the world had changed.

He knew better than anyone that he was the challenger.

So, wasn't he efficiently slaughtering the monsters by relying on his skill? Without wasting a drop of mana, without wasting a bit of energy, Han Taemin ruthlessly eliminated the monsters he chased.

As he wiped the blood off his blade, a voice grated on his ears.

"You seem to be quite skilled. Why don't you come help with the cleanup? We're all hunters, right?"

As the man approached, Han Taemin furrowed his brow.

Was that all he had to say when approaching someone out of the blue? He had felt this way even when he operated as a scavenger, but among hunters, many had lost their minds.

Perhaps it was because they were so blatant.

Seeing the man's gaze from top to bottom, Han Taemin felt like laughing bitterly.

"Kang Inho, that's enough. Can't you see there's something urgent going on? Don't go catching innocent people."

The bespectacled man tapped his shoulder with a pistol and added as the staff member holding a staff hurriedly interjected,

"We'll get into trouble if Sora hears about this. Wouldn't you hate that too?"

For Han Taemin, who had to abruptly stop, it was a rather amusing sight. People are serious amongst themselves in front of someone.

It seemed the man didn't want to be bothered by the reassurance from the bespectacled man and the woman, as he sighed heavily and clicked his tongue.

"Alright, fine, just go. But still, I thought it would've been better to gather to handle the Fissure's Flood."

He approached, trying to placate the bespectacled man and the woman.

"Anyway, having some skill doesn't mean you can act all high and mighty."

The grumbling words brushed past his ears. Was it something he wanted to say without anyone knowing? If it were another hunter, they might have been intrigued by the man's mana, but it seemed more juvenile than childish pranks to Han Taemin.

Moreover, he wasn't the type to brush it off with a smile.

"You idiot."

"What?"

"Don't boast if you've got no ability. You might end up dead without a trace."

Having no intention of waiting for a reply, Han Taemin casually turned away.

Though shouts came from behind, he ignored them completely and focused on moving forward. There was no room for thoughts of chance encounters with strengthened rookies or blushing faces.

Time was precious.

Now was the time to save Cha Yeri. Confusing duty with private matters was out of the question.

Upon arriving at Korea University Hospital, Han Taemin quickly advanced beyond the first ward to the second ward.

In the process, he encountered some monsters, but nothing changed.

Most of the monsters were small enough, almost human-sized, to enter the hospital, so there wasn't much difficulty in dispatching them.

[Level up]

He reached Level 8, but his anxiety remained unchanged.

The number of monsters encountered on the way here wasn't large.

Nevertheless, leveling up meant he was at a higher standard. It was unknown how patients who could barely lift a spoon in the transformed hospital managed to endure.

As Han Taemin walked through the familiar corridor, he arrived at Cha Yeri's room, and his heart sank.

The room was empty. The gaping wall only indirectly hinted at the carnage that had just occurred.

"Yeri?"

He reflexively called out, knowing there would be no answer.

"Oh, Taemin?"

But to his surprise, she came out from under the bed. She must have hidden there using her wit. He hugged her tightly, overwhelmed with relief.

"I'm so relieved."

"Y-Yes? Yes!"

"Then let's get out of here quickly."

The Association must be dealing with the Fissure's Flood. It was unpleasant, but the hunters he had just encountered probably rushed here in response to the call.

Han Taemin skillfully lifted Cha Yeri.

Supporting her buttocks with one arm, she fit snugly into his embrace. It had been 10 years since she had been bedridden. The toll of time was evident in her appearance.

"You need to gain a little more weight."

"Taemin, this position..."

It was a princess carry. As their breaths intertwined and their faces drew closer, Cha Yeri, unable to contain her embarrassment, blushed and squirmed.

Though it was a blush of embarrassment, Han Taemin remained serious.

"It might be uncomfortable with the smell of the monsters' blood, but bear with it a little longer."

"It's not about that..."

Han Taemin passed through the Fissure's Flood through the gaping wall.

With one hand supporting Cha Yeri and the other wielding his sword.

As a cheerful rhythm accompanied his movements, a monster approaching was split in two. The destructive power wielded by the tip of his sword was genuine, even without the aid of abilities.

As the surroundings disappeared like lines as seen from a moving car, Cha Yeri, surprised, stuttered.

"Didn't you say you were a scavenger, Taemin?"

"I don't have a hunter's license. I've only just awakened recently."

"Really?"

Cha Yeri didn't delve deeper. It was because she intuitively sensed that Raymara's Labyrinth was the reason for his awakening. There wouldn't have been any room for joy when a close friend had died.

Not knowing Han Taemin's sentiments, she had no choice but to judge it as she saw it.

How far had they run after leaving the hospital? The number of passing hunters began to increase.

The main actors who emerged to combat the disaster of the Fissure's Flood. However, in places beyond their reach, screams still echoed.

"Those people are someone's fathers and sons too."

It was almost drowned out by the sound of the wind, but Han Taemin didn't miss it.

Surely they must be projecting themselves onto him. From her parents to Cha Seokdae who she had recently bid farewell to. He knew the scars etched into her, but what came out of his mouth was a harsh reality.

"Turn away and endure. Rushing to sympathize when you're not ready is nothing but arrogance. Helping others is a generosity only strong people can afford. If you step forward without looking back at yourself, both sides will suffer. Eventually, neither the rescuer nor the rescued will be saved."

"It sounds like you've experienced it yourself."

"You don't know until you've experienced it firsthand, right?"

Han Taemin replied reflexively with a bitter smile.

He knew he had to protect the weak. He also knew he had to uphold justice.

Having once borne the hopes of everyone, he couldn't help but understand the weight of it.

"Still, if I had the strength, I wouldn't hesitate."

It was the pure gaze of someone who believed in themselves. Perhaps it was a coincidence. It seemed as if he could see a child who believed that simply wielding a sword could save people.

"Me too."

The conversation was brief but enough to recall the past.

"I'll be fine at the shelter, so please do what you can, Taemin."

Of course, if Han Taemin's strength had been lacking, such words wouldn't have come out. But Cha Yeri had witnessed an extraordinary strength and could confidently assert it, having frequently watched channels related to hunters.

In her eyes, Han Taemin was alien, yet strong.

Strong enough to shatter all the records Yoo Sora had set as a lower-rank hunter. It didn't make sense for a newly awakened hunter to be this strong without a bestowed mission.

"Moreover, I think Seokdae would be proud if Taemin oppa were to make a mark here."

"You're quite persuasive."

It was hard to refuse when she spoke so convincingly. Han Taemin, who had made up his mind inwardly, turned his body.

Towards Han Jewelry.

"So, you brought me here for that reason?"

Kim Ildong scratched his chin as if uncertain after hearing the explanation.

"Yes, since there's nowhere else suitable to leave her anyway."

Even though she seemed fine now, Cha Yeri was still a patient. She needed someone to watch over her.

"This isn't a playground for children."

"It's better than the nearby shelter. Plus, isn't that room not your average material?"

He was about to say something in response, but once again, Han Taemin's reaction was quicker.

"I'll only ask this once."

"Fine, then handle your business."

Bowing his head, there was probably no point in refusing. Moreover, Kim Ildong wasn't inclined to just sit there and reject someone who only wanted to sit there.

As Han Taemin put out the cigarette he was smoking as if to signal his understanding, he could leave with a lighter heart.

Rising abruptly, Cha Yeri approached Han Taemin and bowed her head.

"Take care."

She knew she was asking too much. To risk one's life to save others. It wasn't a joke.

"Yeah. Don't worry, just wait for me. I'll definitely come back."

Seemingly understanding such thoughts, Han Taemin didn't say much and tapped her shoulder.

Han Taemin rushes out towards where the Fissure's Flood is happening. The world has changed, and the main actors have changed, but what remains in the heart has not changed.

"The duty of a knight."

It had been forgotten for a long time, but reciting it provided a little comfort to the heart.

* * *

Despite the deployment of hunters, it seemed that the rank of the Fissure's Flood had been assessed as high, as few could intervene. The situation was rapidly getting worse.