Chapter 14 – The Meeting of Destinies
Ha-Joon left his house, his thoughts swirling like leaves in the wind. The sky above was clear, but clouds were forming in his mind. He was still trying to process everything that had happened recently—his powers, the summons, the risks. Every step he took felt heavier than the last. As he walked through the city streets, surrounded by ordinary people going about their lives, he wondered if he'd ever be able to live like that again—simply, without fear or responsibility.
With a tired sigh, Ha-Joon arrived at the neighborhood park. The breeze blew gently, rustling the leaves in the trees and easing a bit of his tension. He walked over to a wooden bench, sat down, and watched the world move. Children played in the distance, running between trees and laughing. There was something comforting in that scene.
Ha-Joon (thinking):
"I need to be more strategic. I can't waste my emotional power carelessly—after all, it's not infinite... After summoning Natsu, who else can I bring to life? I have to choose wisely. Each character has their own energy cost and requires a sacrifice—I can't afford to waste that power."
Lost in deep thought, his eyes became fixed on a distant point. The world seemed to slow around him. His heart pounded, as if reminding him that every decision from now on came with a price.
On the other side of the park, hidden among the trees, Cha Hae-In was silently watching Ha-Joon. She had seen him fight a few days ago, and the image of that battle was still vivid in her mind. Since then, a question had taken root inside her—a question that kept her up at night. So she used her resources and contacts to find out everything she could about the young man.
Cha Hae-In (thinking):
"This doesn't make sense… The power he used was way stronger than this. Is he a fake rank? How can an E-rank hunter fight like that?"
She had obtained basic info—his name, address, official ranking. None of it matched what she had witnessed on the battlefield. And now, right before her eyes, stood the same young man who intrigued her so much.
Suddenly, a sharp, desperate scream broke the peaceful silence of the park. Ha-Joon snapped out of his thoughts as if jolted by electricity. He stood up quickly and looked toward the sound. His eyes widened as he saw a truck speeding down the road, out of control. It was heading straight for a group of children playing near the sidewalk, unaware of the danger.
Time seemed to stop.
Ha-Joon (thinking):
"There's no time to think."
He ran with everything he had, instincts taking over. Along the way, he summoned Natsu's power—intense flames erupted from his hands, covering his arms in blazing fire. With a determined shout, he launched a fiery blast toward the truck, slightly altering its course. Still, the impact force reached him. Pain burned through his hand, but he barely noticed.
He stopped in front of the children, now safe, and dropped to one knee. A small cut bled on his wrist, but he didn't care.
Ha-Joon (smiling):
— "Are you all okay?"
The children, initially scared, slowly nodded. Moments later, their mothers arrived, panicked but relieved. One of them hugged her son tightly, while another thanked Ha-Joon with tears in her eyes.
One of the children, holding a manga in his tiny hands, looked at Ha-Joon with wide-eyed admiration and exclaimed:
Child:
— "Big brother, you're strong like Natsu!"
Ha-Joon smiled at the comparison, touched by the boy's sincerity.
Ha-Joon:
— "Thank you."
Those simple words lit something within him. For the first time, he saw how having power in this world could mean protecting the people you love. He thought about the mothers desperately trying to save their children but lacking the strength. He remembered Jin-Ah—how he might have watched her die helplessly if he hadn't awakened.
Ha-Joon (thinking):
"So that I'm never powerless again… so that I can protect the people I love… I'll keep getting stronger."
His face hardened with new resolve and a fresh goal in mind.
Cha Hae-In was still watching, now with a completely different expression. What was once suspicion had turned into genuine curiosity—and maybe, admiration.
Cha Hae-In (thinking):
"No matter how much he's hiding his strength… there must be a reason. That smile, that joy from saving someone… it can't be fake. I'll wait for you at the top, with the other S-rank hunters. I don't know why, but I think you'll make it there."
As she turned to leave, a soft breeze swept through the park. Her cloak fluttered slightly, and with it came a scent she had never smelled before. It was unlike any hunter she had known. It was light, comforting—almost like… hope.
She glanced back discreetly and saw Ha-Joon walking past. The scent was coming from him.
Cha Hae-In (thinking):
"This scent… it's completely different from other hunters. It makes me feel happy."
On his way home, Ha-Joon took out his phone and called the only contact who could help him at that moment: Sung Jin-Woo.
Ha-Joon:
— "Hey, Jin-Woo. Got any raids going on? I need something urgent. The manga payment hasn't come through yet, and I need quick cash for some bills..."
On the other end, Jin-Woo responded with his usual calm. He gave Ha-Joon the coordinates for a dungeon and set a time.
Ha-Joon:
— "Alright. I'll be there. See you."
After hanging up, Ha-Joon took a deep breath and looked up at the sky.
Ha-Joon (thinking):
"There's no turning back now. I'm fully in this world."
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