Chapter 2: Reunion (1)

After such a long time of seclusion in that hell hole, I've learned so much, be it in combat, or my ruthlessly crazy assistant.

But little do I know how long those times were, and to think that I've been there for 5 years. And during those years, my family has been investigating my whereabouts, despite concluding that I was involved in the explosion of that gas station I've been working at.

The government might have been helping them look for me, since my father's a sergeant, but I think they've long lost hope of finding me. Funeral service providers might have also persuaded my family, but they won't argue if they are persistent of finding a family member.

So now that I'm back, should I go pay a visit? I missed them too, but I think I'll have to check on the situation first. I'll try not to stand out, especially if I want to quietly level up so I can more authority.

*WARNING SOUNDS*

"Ahh, there seems to be trouble. I should see first how they'll be able to fight back."

But it seems that they'll have a problem, since they're defending against a Lvl. 9 Helldog, C Rank monster.

Back at the void, X taught me all about the monsters, he daid that they'll appear from dungeons, which are like portals connecting to another dimension. He said I can know a monsters name, level, and rank with my [APPRAISAL] skill, and I can get more details when I level up my [AUTHORITY].

*GUNSHOTS*

"Ahh, I guess they've met now. Hmm... Soldiers with rifles? Don't they have other hunters?"

X told me that I'm not the only one who was transported during that dungeon break, and they'll have improved capabilities as well, but why aren't they here? If X was the one handling them, they must have also been forced to fight some monster, considering what he did to me. But I can't see anyone, it's possible that those soldiers are, but I mustn't jump to conclusions.

*GUNSHOTS*

"Crap! We can't even leave a scratch! Colonel, let's retreat!"

"Tch, damn monster! Let's go!"

"Hmm... They're retreating? But Helldogs can chase them, right?"

*AWWOOOOO*

"See? It even called for reinforcements. Sigh, I guess I should help now."

I guess they aren't hunters. But what are they doing here if they can't even beat a Helldog?

*SWOOSH*

"Let's get to it, shall we?"

*BOOM*

As I thought, they're that weak. The monsters at my workspace are much more powerful, I'm glad I can beat them though, despite the fact that they're way too much for a tutorial battle.

"Hey you there!"

I thought they left...

"D-did you kill them?!"

"Ahh, yes, why?"

"Are you a hunter?!"

Ahh, I guess there really are other hunters...

"Yes, I am."

"A-are you that reinforcement?"

Hmm... Reinforcement? They need to summon the hunters first before they can help?

"No, I was just passing by."

"Oh? B-but h-how d-did you beat those wolves?"

Why is he staggering? Did it scare them?

"Uhm, I guess how you normally kill them?"

"But those wolves are B ranked monsters!"

"So?"

"You can't normally kill that many singlehandedly! I guess high ranked hunters can, but, are you one?!"

Hmm... I guess since it's been 5 years, they've leveled up quite a notch. But I can't make assumptions right now...

"Nope, I just came out so..."

"WHAT?! Your a hunter that came from the void?!"

The void? Did they get a workspace too?

*PING*

"Notice: All the other hunters were also in your workspace, but since you just started that time, so I took over your role..."

Ahh, so that's wh... Wait, what do you mean my role?

*PING*

"Information unavailable. Authority level is too low."

Damn it...

"Yes, I did come from the void."

"WHAT?! SHOULDN'T THE VOID HAVE STOPPED TAKING IN NEW HUNTERS 2 YEARS AGO?!"

What? Stopped? 2 years ago?

*PING*

"Notice: Since Boss fought a powerful monster, I took a large amount of power to maintain it, and had to redirect the workspace's power. So I soon started to stop taking in new hunters to continue your battle, please don't fire me."

If I could I would've... Then why didn't you just change my opponent?

*PING*

"Any monster weaker than that wouldn't be a fair fight now, would it?"

As if!

"Ahh, I was in the void for 5 years so..."

"5 YEARS?! SO YOU'RE A FIRST GEN?!"

Guild? No it sounds like something else.

"First gen? Is that some kind of guild or something?"

"You don't know the First Gens? They're the first to become hunters, the first hunters of the void. They returned a year after the first dungeon break, and brought a sense of hope to humanity, and since you said that you were taken to the void 5 years ago, it means you're one of the First Gens, but why did you only return now?"

It's because of my damned assistant. I wonder if those First Gen guys are as powerful as me...

*PING*

"Nope"

As I thought...

"Ahh, about that, it's because I faced a very powerful monster at the start, so it took me 5 years to defeat it."

Now that I think of it, I think it was called a boss monster or something. It was Lvl. 95, so yeah, it's that damn hard.

"Oh, so that's why... Must've been lonely, eh?"

You have no idea...

"Very. Anyway I want to end that loneliness now, so could you tell me where the survivors are?"

"If you're looking for your family, they're probably at Sector E, City C. Tell us your name so we can help you look for them."

"Really? You could? Thanks! I'm Seok Jin-woo, nice to meet you Colonel..."

"Lee Dong-tae, nice to meet you t-... WAIT DID YOU JUST YOUR NAME WAS SEOK JIN-WOO?!"

Ugh, so much screaming...

"Y-yes, why?

"We know where your family is, I'll explain while we go there."

"Oh, okay, thanks!"

Tell me what exactly...?

On the way there, Colonel Lee told me that they were part of the rescue, and my family had given up on looking for me about a year ago and already had my funeral.

It's painful to think that they gave up on me, but I guess it can't be helped since I've been gone for 5 years.

Mom, Dad, Jin-ah, don't you worry anymore, I'm back now.