Good Days

"This rift is in Namyangju. Although its size is not that large, the grade is high, so only a limited number of hunters can be deployed. Therefore, we are asking for your help, J…"

The ensuing words were the same usual repertoire J had always heard. The rescue team was on standby, so once J arrived, they could immediately begin the rescue operations and deal with the rift. J was to wait, dealing with the monsters until the rescue team finished, and then kill the rift's owner when the signal was given. J nodded mechanically. Song Jo-heon smiled contentedly and patted J on the shoulder.

"We always trust you, J. We're counting on you again this time."

Well, who knows if they truly trust him? J was aware that most of the work was falling on him. It was impossible not to notice. But he endured it. Because that was the way to save more people.

"J!"

As J was leaving the conference room and crossing the hallway, he heard a familiar voice and looked up quickly. At the end of the hall, a middle-aged woman with a friendly face was standing with her arms wide open, smiling broadly.

After checking that no one was around, J quickened his pace a bit. His voice carried a hint of a smile.

"Aunt."

The ID card hanging from the woman's neck swung. Park Hye-kyung. As J approached her, he momentarily stiffened before stepping back. He recalled the frown of the new hunter earlier.

'If there's a smell of blood…'

But Park Hye-kyung stepped forward without hesitation and hugged J. There was no sign of displeasure. Her warm hands gently patted his back. Only then did J relax his tense body.

"Oh dear, I called you knowing there was no one around. You always worry too much."

"Yes."

"Oh my, you've grown. Have you gotten taller again?"

"Yes, a bit."

"You grow so quickly every time I see you. Aren't you working too much? Hmm?"

"Yeah, since you moved to the Incheon branch, we haven't seen each other much."

The conversation was affectionate, typical of relatives meeting after a long time. However, they were not real relatives but only used the terms aunt and nephew.

They were the only two survivors from a rift where they lost their families. But the bond between survivors can be stronger than any other.

J looked at Park Hye-kyung's face. Her complexion was much better than when she was at the headquarters. It was natural that managing a specific region was more comfortable than traveling around the country. It was a relief. J smiled.

"What brings you to the headquarters?"

"Seok-jeong called me over for a chat."

The short hug ended. Worried brown eyes scanned J from head to toe.

"Are you hurt anywhere? Are you sleeping well? Eating well? I read that you've been traveling all over the country lately."

"I'm fine."

"Seriously, they should know their limits… Making a barely twenty-year-old kid work so hard."

Park Hye-kyung clicked her tongue and sighed deeply.

"I'm thinking of talking to Seok-jeong about returning to headquarters. I can't leave you alone like this; it's too worrying."

"Oh no, you don't have to come back. Incheon is much more comfortable for you. I'm really okay."

"…"

Despite his sincere words, the worry did not leave Park Hye-kyung's face. At that moment, J's wristwatch buzzed loudly. It was probably the helicopter team urging him to hurry up. J pressed the earpiece and bowed his head.

"Sorry, I'd like to chat more, but I have to go."

"…Where are you headed this time?"

"Namyangju. It's close by."

Park Hye-kyung opened her mouth as if wanting to say something, but J was quicker. He grabbed her hand and spoke firmly.

"I'm really okay."

Even as he said this, the watch's vibrations didn't cease.

***

I'm okay.

"Kieeek!"

'I'm okay.'

The giant bird flapped its wings before collapsing. J expertly retracted his spear. The bird, with a large hole in its heart, fell to the ground.

He stood before the tightly shut door of a massive ruin. Around him, monster corpses were piled like mountains. Blood from the bodies formed small pools that continued to spread. J stepped back to avoid the flowing blood and gazed beyond the forest.

He could faintly hear cries, groans, and screams. He felt the urge to cover his ears.

'…I have to be okay.'

J placed his fist near his heart and steadied his breathing.

At that moment,

Boom! Something exploded, accompanied by red flames bursting beyond the forest. A signal flare. It indicated that the rescue team had completed their mission.

This was mainly J's role in the mission. He was to wait, killing monsters until the rescue team finished rescuing people, and then deal with the rift's owner.

J lightly leaped over the pile of corpses and stood before the closed door. He then kicked the door with all his might. Crash! The stone door shattered into pieces with a loud noise.

Roar…

The rift's owner, crouched in the dark temple, roared. Its bright red eyes shone fiercely in the darkness. Not just the temple but the ground also shook.

J felt a chill run through his body, but he did not back down. He merely readjusted his spear and charged. He could feel the blood circulating through his body. J bared his teeth and smiled.

"…"

…After that, his memory was hazy.

A moment later, J blinked slowly. The dark temple was gone, replaced by a collapsed street. Hunters wearing white armbands were moving busily. He saw bodies covered with white cloth and people weeping over them.

"…"

J held his head. His temples throbbed. Lately, he has been experiencing more blackouts. Perhaps it was due to adrenaline, excitement, or some trance-like state akin to those in martial arts novels.

When he came to his senses, he often found himself sitting at the rift's entrance, drenched in blood.

'This time too…'

He slowly clenched and unclenched his hand. Though it was soaked in blood, it was intact. His spear lay next to him. His limbs moved without issue, and there were no significant wounds.

'…That's enough.'

Even thinking deeply was exhausting. He just wanted to be alone in a quiet place. As J closed his eyes again, someone approached him.

"G-Great work, J! You were amazing today!"

It was the new hunter he had seen on the stairs. Covered in dust, he looked a mess. J didn't bother to respond. The hunter hesitated.

"Are you hurt? Do you need a potion? I don't have much since it's from the supplies, but…"

J figured that if he didn't reply, the hunter would keep hovering around. He slowly opened his mouth.

"…No, I'm fine."

At that moment, a mechanical voice came through the earpiece.

—A dungeon has appeared in Chungju. Support is needed. A helicopter is ready at headquarters. J.

It was time to go save more people. He wanted to just lie down and not move, but he was already moving mechanically. As he stood up, the new hunter spoke worriedly.

"But J, you're bleeding…"

"It's not my blood."

J replied shortly and stumbled forward, pressing the earpiece.

"I'll head back immediately."

His spear hit the ground with a thud. Blood droplets dripped from the tip of the spear.

***

After a quick rinse in the shower, J headed straight to the outdoor stairs. He needed some time alone, even if it was brief.

However, it seemed someone was already there. Peeking out, he saw a familiar silhouette. The back of a man in a black suit was recognizable.

His golden hair fluttered in the casual breeze. A small sigh escaped the man, white smoke dispersing into the air. J propped his chin on the outdoor stair railing and spoke.

"Jung Bin."

"Yes?"

Startled by the sudden call, Jung Bin straightened up and turned around. Despite being in the police academy, his actions were still precise. Recognizing J, Jung Bin relaxed slightly. He took out a portable ashtray from his pocket and extinguished his cigarette with an awkward smile.

"It's you, J. I didn't sense anyone. Sorry."

"What are you doing here?"

"I had some free time, so I was resting."

"Why not rest in the break room?"

"Well…"

Jung Bin glanced around and shrugged.

"It's a bit… crowded there."

His unfinished sentence was clear. J, who also sought the less populated outdoor stairs, understood.

"Is it uncomfortable?"

Jung Bin didn't respond verbally, just gave a vague smile.

Three years had passed since the Day of the Rift. Despite the continued chaos with monsters appearing everywhere, South Korea seemed to have regained its stability, thanks to two meteoric S-grade hunters.

J and Jung Bin. They traveled across the country, handling dungeons, rifts, and awakened criminal cases. However, the interior was still a mess, despite the outward calm.

Even with the Awakened Management Bureau established, awakened crimes were rampant. Only Jung Bin could arrest these criminals. Moreover, there were more monsters, dungeons, and rifts than hunters, leading to a chronic manpower shortage.

The first-generation awakeners were mostly dead or incapacitated from fighting monsters, and the newly awakened lacked experience. Monster battles were wars of attrition. With such numbers, gaps were inevitable.

But it wasn't a situation where they could just leave things as they were. Someone had to fill in those gaps.

'That would be the two of us.'

J gazed blankly at Jung Bin.