CHAPTER 26

Chapter 26

After a long flight, Choi finally arrived back in Korea. Just as he stepped out of the airport, his phone rang urgently. The caller ID displayed "Jongsoon." Sensing something was wrong, Choi quickly answered.

"Choi! Something is wrong with the gate that Son Kihoon was leading!" Jongsoon's panicked voice came through the line.

Hearing those words, Choi's thoughts raced. "So, it's finally about to happen?" He mused internally. "This must be the event before Jinwoo's rank evaluation. Things are moving faster than I expected."

Remaining calm, he asked, "Jongsoon, who else was there to provide support to Kihoon?"

"Chae Hae-In was present, so she went inside. A few minutes later, some people from the association arrived as well."

Choi nodded to himself. "Hmmm… Alright. There's no need to panic. They'll handle it." He then instructed, "However, prepare a medic team. I'm heading over now."

Jongsoon sighed in relief. "Understood. I'll make the necessary preparations."

Ending the call, Choi turned to Sung Ilhwan, who had been standing beside him, listening to the conversation with curiosity.

"Ilhwan-nim," Choi addressed him, "I think it's best if you visit your wife in the hospital."

Ilhwan's expression turned solemn at the mention of his wife.

Choi continued, "Since your disappearance, your family has suffered. They've struggled emotionally and financially." He took a deep breath before revealing, "For years, I've been secretly supporting them—paying for medical expenses, ensuring your son and daughter didn't have to worry about money."

Ilhwan's eyes widened, and he clenched his fists. Tears welled up in his eyes as he looked at Choi with deep gratitude.

"Thank you, Choi… I don't even know how to repay you."

Choi simply waved a hand dismissively. "You don't have to. Just focus on your family now. But…" He eyed Ilhwan from head to toe. "You look terrible. The hospital staff might not let you in looking like this."

Ilhwan chuckled weakly, realizing how disheveled he must seem after being trapped in another dimension for so long.

Choi quickly called one of his hunters. "Come over and help Sung Ilhwan with his appearance. Treat him with the utmost respect."

A few minutes later, a hunter arrived, guiding Ilhwan away to clean up. Before leaving, Ilhwan turned back. "Choi, be careful. Something big is coming. I can feel it."

Choi smirked. "I know. That's why I'm preparing."

With that, they parted ways.

Upon arriving at the site, Choi was met with an uneasy atmosphere. The miners who worked at the site immediately recognized him and greeted him with deep respect.

"Guild Master Choi!" The leader of the miners approached him. "We didn't expect you here so soon."

"I came as soon as I heard. Fill me in on the situation."

The miner nodded and quickly explained everything—how the gate had been behaving strangely, how Chae Hae-In had rushed inside without any proper equipment to provide support, and how members of the Hunter Association followed shortly after.

Choi sighed, rubbing his temples. "Typical of her… but at least she made the right call."

He then glanced around and gestured toward a nearby chair. "Bring me a chair. I'll wait."

The miners quickly complied, setting up a sturdy chair for him. Choi sat down, crossing his legs and resting his hands on his knees, calmly waiting for the team to return.

Minutes passed.

Then—

A shift in the air.

The gate trembled slightly before opening, and the group emerged, looking battered but alive.

Choi stood up immediately and called out to the medics. "Check on them. Make sure everyone is okay."

The medical team rushed in, assessing the injuries and treating those who needed attention. Choi approached the returning hunters and asked, "Are you all okay?"

His guild members averted their gazes, clearly embarrassed. They had failed to manage the dungeon and had to be rescued by some outsider, Chae Hae-In and members of the association. To make matters worse, they had troubled their guild master, who had just returned from an important trip overseas.

Choi sighed, reading the guilt on their faces. He placed a reassuring hand on Kihoon's shoulder, who was barely standing and being supported by his teammates due to exhaustion.

"You guys are worrying over the stupidest things," Choi said, shaking his head. "I'm just glad you're safe and that there were no casualties. Take this as a lesson." He patted Kihoon's shoulder lightly. "Rest up. Consider this a vacation. This won't affect your salary."

The exhausted hunters looked at him with grateful eyes, relieved by his understanding nature.

Choi then turned his attention to Chae Hae-In, who had also just been checked by the medics. "So, how was it inside?"

Chae Hae-In took a deep breath before answering. "The gate felt… different. I sensed something ominous from the moment I arrived, which is why I went inside to support Kihoon's team. But what I saw…" She paused, her golden eyes sharp with focus. "There was a hunter inside. A very unusual one."

Choi's expression remained neutral, but he already knew who she was referring to. "Sung Jinwoo."

Chae Hae-In blinked in surprise. "How did you—?"

Choi smirked. "He's already an S-rank hunter."

Her shock deepened. "But… how can you tell? The evaluation hasn't even happened yet."

Choi's smirk widened slightly. "Because I can read his aura very well."

On the other side of the city, inside a quiet apartment, Sung Jinwoo's phone rang. He picked it up without much thought.

"Hello?"

"Jinwoo!" A voice rang through the receiver. It was his younger sister, Jinah. "Dad is back!"

Jinwoo's eyes widened in shock. "What…?" His grip on the phone tightened. "Did you say… Dad?"

Jinah's voice was filled with excitement. "Yes! He just showed up at the hospital and went straight to visit Mom!"

Jinwoo felt his heartbeat quicken. His father… after all these years… is back?

End of Chapter