CHAPTER 8

Bzzzzzzzz—

The sound of a power drill buzzed in my ears all day long.

It's been two days since I started staying at Dr. Jin's house.

During that time, I spent my hours either browsing hunter-related materials on his computer or practicing control over the Black Aether in my body.

"Phew..."

Now that I've fully awakened, I understand.

Just how intense and dangerous the toxicity rampaging inside my body really is.

Only a tiny fraction of that overwhelming energy gets converted into Black Aether each day.

The one small relief is that I no longer feel any special pain.

Strangely, ever since I entered Dr. Jin's home, my condition has noticeably improved.

Slurp.

I've been living on canned food, three meals a day.

It's not that Dr. Jin is a bad host.

There just isn't anything else to eat here except canned food.

Despite all the fancy equipment and cutting-edge devices hanging on the walls, Dr. Jin's food situation is severely lacking.

The reason? It's due to a trauma he carries.

"Since settling here, I haven't set foot outside in five years."

Maybe he felt a bit guilty.

While I was finishing off the last bits of canned pineapple, Dr. Jin gave a bitter smile and said,

"After barely surviving thanks to the Hunter Association, I developed a case of paranoia."

"Paranoia…?"

"It felt like everyone in the world was out to kill me. Even people with no ill will—I just kept suspecting them and running away. I couldn't live a normal life anymore."

"So that's why… you started avoiding people entirely."

"Exactly. To avoid any contact, I stocked up on long-lasting food—hence the stockpile of canned goods."

Even in the short time I've known him, Dr. Jin struck me as a warmhearted person.

For someone like that to isolate himself so extremely…

Those years must've been truly harsh.

"Didn't you get lonely?"

"Lonely? Not really… Once I got immersed in developing devices, the days just flew by. And besides—there's also your little pet, sitting right there."

Pet?

What is he talking about?

I turned to where Dr. Jin's gaze was pointed—my left shoulder.

Kkuwang!

"Gah!"

Shit, that scared me.

I almost cursed out loud.

I mean, sure, it's small—but how the hell did it get on my shoulder without me noticing?

Kkuwang?

Even when I flinched, the thing stayed perched on my shoulder like it was nothing.

What even is this creature?

A black, thumb-sized body with peanut-sized legs.

Tiny wings and dazzling yellow eyes that sparkled.

If you shrank a dragon from fantasy down to toy size, it might look like this.

One thing's for sure—it definitely doesn't exist in this world.

"Pffft, haha! The guy who didn't even blink at lethal poison jumps out of his skin over this?"

Dr. Jin burst into laughter, holding his stomach. I guess my reaction was hilarious to him.

But honestly, I think it was fair.

Ever since absorbing Black Aether from that toad's core, my senses had become sharper than a normal human's.

Unless someone was a trained stealth-type hunter, I could usually pick up on nearby presences pretty easily.

But this? I didn't even know it was on my shoulder.

Of course I was shocked.

"Well, I suppose it is true that this little guy is freakishly stealthy. His name is Ppori."

"His name's as cute as he looks."

Maybe the word cute triggered him.

The tiny dragon-like creature, Ppori, tapped my shoulder lightly with a claw-sized tail.

"That doesn't hurt, you little rascal."

Kkuwang!

"Ppori was brought back by Kiril from one of the dungeons. Technically, he's a poison-type monster."

"Wait, then… Dr. Jin, aren't you…"

Kiril and I might be resistant, but there's no way Dr. Jin has any resistance to poison.

But he waved it off like it was nothing.

"Ppori is a breed that can be raised by humans. He's extremely loyal to his owner. And his poison? At most it causes a little itch."

"Ohh…"

Kkuwang!

He really was unlike any monster I'd ever heard of.

If we lived in a world where humans and monsters peacefully coexisted, this little guy would definitely top the list of most-wanted pets.

Not only did he suppress his presence, he also didn't release his toxins unless he wanted to.

What a fascinating creature.

"Seems like he really likes you. He hasn't left your side for two whole days now."

"W-Wait, two days?!"

I nearly choked on my own shock.

Suppressing a laugh, I slowly reached up and gently stroked the little guy with my finger.

Kkuurrr...

He let out a different kind of sound this time, one that clearly meant he was enjoying it.

Dr. Jin looked at us with a warm smile—then suddenly clapped his hands together.

"Oh! Now that I look closely, your spots have faded a little."

"Really? I hadn't noticed."

"No, really. You've definitely improved since I first saw you. Hmm… by the way."

"Yes?"

"Since coming to my house, have you noticed any changes? Like, feeling more energetic or something like that?"

"Hmm… Yeah, actually. I've been feeling more refreshed lately. Especially this morning—I felt amazing when I woke up."

"Hahaha! I knew it. That's what I thought."

Whatever he found so funny, Dr. Jin's grin stretched practically ear to ear.

Come on, Dr. Jin—let me in on the joke too!

"I think Ppori's found a new owner. I mean, it's pretty obvious with how he's been stuck to you like glue."

"Owner?"

Is he seriously telling me to take this little guy home?

I had to point out just how absurd that idea sounded.

"You're telling me… to bring a monster into Gaebang-dong, the place that turned into a slaughterhouse when the gate opened?"

"Ha! Don't worry. This little guy can vanish anytime he wants."

Kkuwang!

Ppori let out a little cry as if to confirm it.

Wait… where'd he go?

The creature that had been sitting on my shoulder had disappeared without a trace.

"Where'd he go?"

"He's probably still right there—on your shoulder."

And sure enough, I could still faintly feel his weight.

Even though I couldn't see him, Ppori was definitely still perched there.

"Unbelievable…"

So basically, he's a monster that can use stealth.

A rare skill that even top-tier Espers can only access through epic-grade items.

And this tiny little thing can do it effortlessly?

"What the heck are you gonna grow up to be, huh?"

Kkuwang!

With a triumphant cry (not that it was all that loud), he reappeared.

"Your improved condition is probably thanks to him. Kiril went through the same thing."

Back when Kiril had just awakened—when her body was still covered in spots.

After she met Ppori, her symptoms began to disappear rapidly.

"That's when we came to a conclusion—this little guy can absorb his master's toxicity."

Absorb, huh…

"Then… is he currently eating up all the leftover toxins in me that I couldn't convert into Black Aether?"

"That's highly likely. Your spots are fading, and you said you're feeling better, right?"

Kkuwang!

Ppori gave another enthusiastic cry, like he was proud of himself and telling me to treat him well.

Huh.

If what Dr. Jin says is true, then I really have no reason not to keep this little guy.

"You're a little on the scruffy side, but still… Haeseon, you've got one handsome face. Once those spots disappear, I'm sure you'll have girls lining up for you."

With that comment, Dr. Jin stood up from his seat.

He said the device work would be finished tonight.

Until then, he told me to study as much information from his PC as I could.

"Hmm…"

Even without his prompting, I'd already absorbed a ton of knowledge over the past two days—basic hunter-related info and even some advanced insights that only insiders would know.

After awakening, the mental fog caused by the fever had completely cleared.

I crammed as much of the data into my brain as possible and took notes when needed.

These were the pieces that would shape how I'd live going forward.

—Noona. How's your body feeling? Any aches or pain?

—I'm okay. I know you're worried, but don't you think you're calling a bit too often? Hehe.

Kiril had already healed my sister's poisoning.

Even though Dr. Jin had reassured me, I couldn't help but worry.

I called her every morning and evening, and just from the sound of her voice, I could tell she was recovering.

—I think I'll be able to come home tomorrow. Looks like we can have dinner together for once.

—Right? Since you're coming, we should have something delicious.

Kimchi stir-fry made with pork leg.

It's our favorite special dish—well, "special" more because of circumstance than luxury.

It's made with the cheapest cut of pork, but we'd always loved it.

And right now, I craved it more than anything.

How many meals in a row had I had canned food now?

How did Dr. Jin survive five whole years like this?

—Just watch. I'm eating three bowls.

—Hehe. If you can even finish one, I'll count that as a miracle.

She ended the call with a laugh, saying she'd make sure to buy extra meat this time.

"…"

Such a thoughtful person.

Right after barely surviving a life-threatening situation at the gate, her younger brother suddenly spent the night out—something he never did.

She must be full of questions and doubts, yet my sister didn't ask me a single thing.

The only thing we asked each other was—

Whether we were okay.

I gave her a vague explanation, saying I was staying at the home of a Hunter I met during the gate incident.

"Hmm… is that so?"

She didn't seem to fully believe me. But she didn't press either.

She chose to trust what her only little brother was saying—no matter what it was.

Dr. Jin's PC held data from the Hunter Association that ordinary citizens had no access to.

I didn't have time to go through all of it.

But one thing was clear.

Now I knew exactly what I needed to do next.

'From now on, I…'

"You're leaving?"

"Yes. This is the first time I've ever left home like this."

I wanted to keep talking with Dr. Jin, but first and foremost, I had to ease my sister's worries.

Also… to be honest, if I had to hear the sound of one more can of preserved food opening, I might actually throw up.

While I was getting ready to leave, I noticed Dr. Jin looked visibly disappointed.

Maybe it was because his first guest in five years was going away.

Well, technically, Ppori's coming with me too.

"I'll visit often, Dr. Jin. I'll bring you tons of tasty food."

"Haha, the offer alone warms my heart. But we won't be seeing each other for a while."

"Huh?"

"Now that an outsider has stepped foot into this place, I need to relocate. I'll send word through the device once I settle somewhere new."

"Ah… But you really don't have to worry about me. I'm good at keeping my mouth shut."

"Haha, that's not the issue. Quite a few of the Hunter Association's spies have gone missing near this area. It won't be long before they catch on."

"Then at least let me help. I could—"

"There's nothing to help with. I just need to pack the devices into boxes and move them to another location. There are over ten places like this across the country."

Over ten locations with traps capable of killing people?

Dr. Jin's paranoia was even worse than I thought.

"The devices I gave you are top-of-the-line. Not just in Korea—there's not a guild in the world that can outdo their quality."

Dr. Jin said this with real pride, his chest puffed out. I nodded in agreement.

Even without him saying it, I already knew.

The three devices he'd given me—

No matter how much I searched, I couldn't find anything even close.

That's because they were all made specifically for Poisoners.

"So… what will you do now?"

"I'll train up until the next Hunter qualification test."

"A Hunter, huh… But as you know, the Hunter Association isn't exactly fond of Poisoners."

Exactly.

Which is why I plan to hide the fact that I am one.

"I'm going to take the exam under a different class."

"Hmm… Well, with your body enhanced by Black Aether, maybe a low-tier Knight could work…"

"No."

That was the plan at first.

But now—with this strange little creature sitting on my shoulder—

Now that I have Ppori, my plans have changed.

"I'll test under a different class."

"Not even a Knight?"

"No."

The most important role in any Hunter team.

But also, the one least likely to be suspected of anything.

Because they're usually the weakest.

"I'm going to become a Healer."