Chapter 12 – Toward Evolution
The morning sun spilled gently through the curtains, casting golden beams across the room as Ha-Joon stirred awake. A faint soreness lingered in his muscles from the previous day's power use, but his mind was alert—sharper than ever.
He sat up, stretched slowly, and let out a quiet breath. The memory of yesterday's events returned in vivid flashes. After a quick shower, he headed downstairs, the scent of fresh toast and coffee grounding him in the present. As he sat at the table and took his first bite, his thoughts spun with urgency.
Now that I understand how my power works... I need to grow stronger, fast. What happened yesterday wasn't just a fight—it was a warning. Even knowing the plot, one unexpected twist could kill me. This world is far too dangerous to rely on knowledge alone.
He downed the last sip of his coffee and rose to his feet with resolve in his eyes.
I won't let that happen again.
Grabbing his bag, he stepped outside. The crisp morning air filled his lungs, and with quick strides, he made his way to the publishing company.
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Upon reaching the tall, glass-fronted building, he walked straight to the reception desk, his steps filled with purpose.
"Good morning. Could you call the editor for me?" he asked politely.
The secretary blinked, surprised by the sudden visit, but nodded professionally. "Of course. Please wait just a moment."
She led him to a quiet waiting room. After a few minutes, the door opened, and the chief editor stepped inside with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Ha-Joon? I thought you'd be resting after what happened yesterday."
Ha-Joon gave a faint smile. "Sir... I thought the same about you."
The editor chuckled. "Working with manga is what I live for. But you? Why come back so soon?"
"It's about the manga. I heard it's doing well, and I'm grateful. But… I have a bit of an unusual request."
"Go on."
Ha-Joon reached into his backpack and carefully pulled out a set of drafts, handing them over.
"I'd like you to look at these. They're new series I've been working on. I know we haven't even finished publishing the first one, but... I need these to be released too."
The editor's eyes widened.
"You want to launch more titles already? Wouldn't it be better to focus on finishing the current one?"
"I understand, truly. But I have my reasons. I can't afford to wait. Please—just give them a chance."
There was a long silence as the editor sat down and began to read. Ha-Joon watched him anxiously, every second dragging. After several tense minutes, the editor looked up.
"They're excellent. Distinct styles, vivid characters... You've got something special here. Alright, I'll approve them for publication. But—do you really think you can handle writing all of them at once?"
"You can count on me. Thanks to my hunter's physique, I can manage the workload. I'll make it work."
The editor gave a small nod. "Alright. I'll assign someone to pick up the next chapters regularly."
"Thank you. Really. This means everything to me."
With gratitude in his chest, Ha-Joon stepped out of the building. One burden had been lifted—but a far heavier one now pressed on his shoulders: responsibility.
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As he walked through the bustling streets, thoughts swirled in his mind.
I tried channeling the power of my characters... but what if I went further? What if I summoned them as an army—like Sung Jin-Woo did?
Soon, he reached a quiet park on the edge of the city—a peaceful place with few people. The perfect spot to test something bold.
He stood beneath the trees, drawing in a slow, focused breath.
Alright… concentrate.
His fingers tightened slightly, and a faint energy began to stir around him.
"Summon!"
A bright light flared before him. The sudden surge drained his strength, sending him to one knee, gasping for air.
Idiot... trying to summon Natsu again with an E-rank body... Not smart.
After steadying his breath, he stood again and tried with a lower-tier character.
"Summon!"
This time, the glow was gentler. When it faded, a small blue figure hovered in the air—Happy, with his cheerful wings and familiar feline face. But something wasn't right.
Happy floated silently. His eyes were dull. Empty.
Ha-Joon stepped closer, heart sinking.
"He doesn't speak... doesn't react. He's just a copy. A puppet without a soul."
He gently touched Happy's form, and the little summon dissolved into particles of light.
"I'm still too weak... I can't create real life yet."
But then, a smile formed on his lips. A flicker of determination lit his gaze.
"That means... it's possible. They grow stronger with me. The more I evolve... the more real they become."
He rose to his feet, body still aching, but now filled with a new certainty.
"One day... they won't be just summons. They'll have souls. Consciousness. And they'll fight beside me as allies—not puppets."
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Thank you for following this fanfic. I invite you to discover my original work, Spirit of Gods and Demons: The Legend Continues, where a new and powerful journey awaits you."