Chapter 101:

While my other initial novels have their share, none has contributed as much as this; I'm very grateful for you loyal readers. I haven't updated the adv chapters for some time, and I'm sure everyone's itching to know what other madness Seora will take part in. I'm now focusing on finishing shorter novels I'd been delaying since 2020 so I can focus better on finishing the longer ones when I'm free, and I promise you: I will finish Seora's adventures before the end of 2024. Once again thank you so much, and I'd hope you continue to enjoy our administrator's pettiness~!

“Do you remember when the Hunting Guild got caught up in the Rift Dungeon? It turned into a Ghost Town.”

“Ah.”

While Jeong Hoyeong took down the Boss Monster, Headbang rescued the guild members engulfed by ghosts. And at that time, Seora had pretended not to be involved.

“Now that you mention it, that did happen. I had forgotten because your acting skills were so good.”

Seora ignored the comment and glanced at Do Junyeong. “If I use my skill, I can save those who were affected. I’ve never unleashed the power of a Level 1 spirit before, but I’ll give it a try. Guild Master, please take care of the surrounding monsters in the meantime.”

【Activating skill “Spatial Domination”!】

【A field has been generated in the designated area.】

【Current Domination Power: 80%】

Perhaps due to the battle with the Phantom Overlord that resulted in destruction, the domination power was not at 100%. Nevertheless, it didn’t matter.

As the red cube enveloped Do Junyeong’s entire body, Seora closed her eyes and focused. Through the cube, she felt the solid, intense, yet gentle aura that was unique to Do Junyeong.

However, an extremely unpleasant and oppressive force was blocking her energy, hindering the gathering of his aura. Especially the black smoke concentrated in his head that was slowly consuming his brain with nightmares.

How could she remove it without causing significant harm? Seora carefully observed Do Junyeong’s condition more than ever before, hoping that he could escape from the dreadful nightmare.

***

Murasaki, who had severed a Phantom’s neck, stared intently with narrowed eyes. Headbang stood alongside the Korean Hunters.

“I can’t believe she managed to take down Phantom Overlord alone.”

The aura she radiated on the ship, the tremendous explosion that occurred within the red cube.

Rather than being amazed as fellow Hunters, Murasaki felt a complex mix of emotions. It was already unsettling enough that there were three L-class Awakened in a neighboring country, but to think that one of them was this strong…

If assassination was impossible, persuasion was the right approach. Murasaki didn’t care about some unwritten rule that said they couldn’t target government officials. Japan couldn’t afford to become the weakest link in Northeast Asia.

“We need to prepare something worthwhile to entice her.”

While facing off against Phantom, Murasaki never took his eyes off Headbang.

And because of that, he didn’t notice. The assassin cloaked in shadows had infiltrated between them.

“Aaaagh!”

“Oh no, Shirabu!”

Murasaki hurriedly turned his head at Harune’s cry. However, Healer Shirabu had already been attacked by Phantom.

Although Harune quickly killed the Phantom, they couldn’t rescue Shirabu from the clutches of the nightmare.

“Why Shirabu?”

As the Healer, he had the strongest mental barrier among the three. So why did he suddenly get hit by Phantom in a situation that wasn’t even dangerous?

“I have no idea what happened…” Harune was equally baffled by the situation. Both of their faces hardened.

While they were focused on Shirabu, a shadow that was quietly smiling slipped away from its position.

***

Do Junyeong blinked, feeling a sense of unease. Something was off, but he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was. His friend Yun Jaeheon, who was leading the way, appeared the same as always, yet there was an underlying peculiarity.

“We’ve arrived.”

“Huh?”

No, that’s not it. He hasn’t changed.

But when Jaeheon turned back, his face seemed unusually youthful. It resembled that of a child transitioning from kindergarten to elementary school.

‘No, wait. I’m an elementary school student too.’

Why did that thought suddenly cross his mind? Do Junyeong tilted his head in confusion.

“Seora.”

Seora. The mention of that name triggered an instinctive response in his body. Do Junyeong quickly shifted his gaze.

Ah, now he remembered. Today, right after starting elementary school, he had come to play at Yun Jaeheon’s house, where he met his new friend’s younger sister, Yun Seora.

“Junyeong, say hello. She’s my younger sister, Yun Seora.”

Clasped to Jaeheon’s leg was a little child who perfectly embodied the image of a baby. Her chubby cheeks wobbled with every movement of her lips. Her moist black eyes seemed unusually intense for a child.

“I guess there’s quite an age difference.”

“Yeah. She’s two years old now. She’s quite a greedy one. Mom worries about what she’ll be like when she grows up.” As Jaeheon held his baby sister in his arms, a soft chuckle escaped his lips. It was evident that he was completely enamored with her.

“It’s good to be greedy. That way she won’t live her life constantly having things taken away from her.”

For some reason, those words had slipped out spontaneously. As Jaeheon widened his eyes, Junyeong became flustered and waved his hands. “Sorry, that was a strange thing to say…”

“Yeah! That’s right, that’s right. It’s better to strive for things than to lose them.” Jaeheon had a somewhat wise demeanor, like an old soul. That’s why he could laugh even at Junyeong’s abrupt words. “I should make an effort to ensure that my sister can have whatever she wants.”

When Yun Jaeheon planted a gentle kiss on Seora’s chubby cheeks, the child giggled and smiled. Her face, as she called him “Brother,” revealed an unmistakable affection.

The two of them cherished each other as siblings. Their peaceful interactions were so heartwarming that Junyeong often found himself visiting their house. The house where the contented family lived always seemed to sparkle with stardust, radiating a gentle glow. Junyeong often thought that they were a family that embraced the light.

However, when did that light disappear without a trace?

The house, once filled with the warmth of summer sunlight, had been engulfed by the harshness of winter rain.

“Brother’s friend.”

When he blinked, Junyeong found himself standing in that house once again. However, the atmosphere was completely different from before. The starlight had vanished, leaving behind darkness veiled by a hazy mist.

Amidst it all, there was a child who no longer smiled.

“Hello.”

Seora, who had recently turned eleven, had lost her smile completely due to a single incident. Her once moist black eyes had turned dry, and her once chatty lips had grown pale.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“My brother is gone. He went somewhere.”

How had he ended up here in this house if Jaeheon was not present? He couldn’t recall. Since earlier, something had felt off, but seeing Seora, whose light had been obscured by dark clouds, Junyeong thought it didn’t matter anymore.

“What are you doing here alone? It’s cold. Let’s go inside the room.”

The living room, void of warmth, felt chilling. The two adults who used to fill the house with warmth had become lifeless corpses, forever gone.

Leaving only the children behind.

“You used to hide behind my brother and only greet me. But today, you’re speaking.”

It wasn’t because he didn’t like it. It was just that the radiant light had been so awe-inspiring that he couldn’t help but be rendered speechless. He longed to see that light again.

“If you want, I’ll talk more often from now on.”

Seora’s eyes widened in surprise, but soon her despondency returned. At the age of eleven, she had learned to give up far too easily.

“You’re alone at home?”

“Yeah. Brother and Auntie are busy. I don’t like being busy, so I stay alone.”

They mentioned that she had taken a break from school due to the heightened attention following her parents’ death. It was too much. Subjecting a traumatized child, who had lost her parents, to such cruel treatment.

Without asking any further questions, Do Junyeong quietly sat next to Seora. The sound of their breathing filled the room with a sense of solace. Finally, it seemed that Seora realized something was amiss.

“Brother’s friend, my brother isn’t here.”

“I know.”

“But why don’t you leave?”

“It’s cold when you’re alone. If there are two of us, it won’t be as cold.”

Despite the blanket right next to them, Junyeong didn’t simply hand it to Seora and leave. There were times when even such gestures couldn’t provide warmth.

“It’s not cold. I don’t really know what being cold feels like.” Seora tilted her head and gazed out the window. It was still winter. “Maybe I’ll never know what it feels like to be cold.”

Watching Seora in silence, Junyeong took out a wrapped gift from his bag. He should have given it to her earlier, but the timing was never right, and he had been carrying it around all this time. It would have been better if he had given it to her before her parents left. They departed too soon.

“It’s late, but happy birthday.”

Seora’s mouth hung open in disbelief. Junyeong’s ears turned red as he watched her alternate between the wrapped gift and him.

“Brother’s friend, do you know it’s been over a month since my birthday?”

“…I’m sorry. I wanted to give it to you sooner.”

“Do you think it will change if you give it to me now? I’m already eleven.”

“I’m truly sorry.”

Seora, who had been staring blankly for a while, burst into laughter as if she found the situation funny. Junyeong’s eyes widened at the smile he saw for the first time since her parents’ death.

“Haha. Hahaha. You’re really funny.”

Inside the wrapping paper, a mix of red and green like a Christmas gift, was an ivory-colored scarf. It was warm enough to ward off the cold.

“Thank you. It’s the first gift I’ve received since Mom and Dad gave me one.” Seora’s gaze turned toward one side of the living room. Even though a month had passed, the Christmas tree was still there.

December 25th.

That was Seora’s birthday.

A week after her parents had celebrated her birthday, they passed away. Christmas, which had been a very special day for Seora, had now turned into the cruelest day.

“Your brother and aunt will protect you, so you don’t have to worry,” Junyeong assured Seora, hesitating for a moment before gently patting her head. The child’s eyes widened at his words. “I will protect you too. You don’t have to be alone in this. If it’s alright with you, you can call me anytime, and I’ll come running.”

Seora’s small hand clenched tightly around the scarf as tears streamed down her face. She had been holding back her emotions, but now they were pouring out.

How could an eleven-year-old child endure loneliness on her own? It was impossible.

“…Really? You’ll come if I call?”

“Yeah. You can call me anytime, even if Jaeheon isn’t around. If you tell me you need me, I’ll be there.”

With sobs, Seora nodded, her head hanging low. Finally, Do Junyeong felt a weight lift off his heart, and his chest eased.

“But, you’ve never protected me.”

The smile that had unconsciously adorned his face froze. Do Junyeong’s eyes widened in surprise.

Seora’s tear-stained face, which had been trying to hide her joy, suddenly transformed into something eerie. His heart sank.

“What did you do when I died in the Werewolf’s Dungeon, Brother’s friend?”

A calloused hand tightened around Do Junyeong’s neck.