….
[Next Day]
The matte-black SUV headed out of Gangnam District, where Jin-Ho's household - polished high-rise wrapped in glass is located.
He sat sprawled in the backseat as the car wove through traffic toward Yeongdeungpo District.
Soon, the car drove through traffic toward Yeongdeungpo District, and stopped near a weather-stained apartment block, the kind with peeling paint, rusted balcony rails as laundry hung.
Jin-Ho stepped out of the SUV, one hand in his pocket, phone pressed to his ear. He gave the apartment building a once-over, smirking–
"So this is where our broke protagonist lives."
On the other end, Jin-Woo's voice came sharp. ["What protagonist?"]
"Well, everyone is the protagonist of their own life." Jin-Ho said easily, brushing off his slip-up.
["..."] Ignoring the fact that he was just called broke, Jin-Woo sighed. ["I told you I would meet you at the Gate. You didn't have to come here."]
"Traveling alone's boring, and besides, your place was on the way."
["Gangnam to Yeongdeungpo isn't 'on the way'."]
"Details, details." Jin-Ho rapped his knuckles on the SUV's roof. "Now, are you coming down, or should I knock on every door until I find you?"
["…One minute."] Jin-Woo gave up.
"Perfect. Don't hang up, I get bored fast—"
Click–!
The line clicked dead.
Jin-Ho stared at his phone. "Ungrateful protagonist."
Moments later, Jin-Woo walked out of the apartment entrance. Behind him followed a girl in a middle school uniform, her brownish-black hair cut in bob cut.
She looked around twelve years old - young, bright-eyed, and clearly curious about the sleek SUV and the well-dressed stranger, but with a rowdy look waiting beside it.
Jin-Ho grinned immediately. "Well, well. Our hero has got a little sister."
Jin-Woo's look warned him to shut it.
Alas, he ignored it entirely, striding forward and clapping an arm around Jin-Woo's shoulder like they were old friends.
"Jin-Woo!"
Jin-Woo stiffened. "What are you—!"
"Come on, don't be shy. This is how close comrades greet each other." Jin-Ho's grin widened. "Or do you prefer a handshake, Mr. Introvert?"
From the sideline, Jin-Ah watched with wide eyes, clearly questioning the relationship between her stiff, introverted brother and this overly friendly blonde and pierced stranger. But she seemed to enjoy watching her brother being manhandled.
Despite Jin-Ho's rather hard appearance, she burst into giggles. "Oppa... you have friends?"
Jin-Woo's eyes narrowed, but she leaned closer, voice loud enough for Jin-Ho to hear. "So... did you scam him, or did he scammed you?"
"Make sure to eat something in the cafeteria and stop talking nonsense." Jin-Woo said flatly.
She only laughed harder.
Jin-Ho grinned at her. "So... that's your sister?"
Jin-Woo was finally able to brush off Jin-Ho. "Yeah. Jin-Ah, this is Yoo Jin-Ho. A… Colleague. We are working together today."
"Colleague, huh?" Her suspicious look softened. "Nice to meet you, colleague."
"My pleasure." Jin-Ho ignored her slightly offensive stare. He added. "On your way to school? Tell you what, your brother and I can drop you off. It must be on the way, and even if it isn't - don't worry, we will make it work."
"No." Jin-Woo cut in flatly. "We are already late."
"My car is fast—"
"No."
Jin-Ho just sighed.
Jin-Ah adjusted her bag, smiling. "Thanks, but I like walking! Be careful today, oppa. Try not to tear your clothes again."
Before Jin-Woo could reply, Jin-Ho cut in. "No worries. I will just buy him new ones."
Jin-Ah arched his brow. "You are supposed to say, 'that won't happen.'"
Jin-Ho's tone shifted, sharper. "That depends on how well he keeps up. Don't expect me to carry him."
Jin-Woo's gaze snapped sideways, cold. "Won't happen."
Jin-Ho chuckled, amused by the quiet pride.
Jin-Ah began backing away with a smirk. "Alright, I will leave you two colleagues for now."
"Text me once you get to school." Jin-Woo said.
"Not a chance!" She waved and skipped down the street, humming.
Just before rounding the corner, she spun and shouted. "Don't let your colleague hug you too much, oppa!"
Jin-Woo's jaw tightened.
Jin-Ho, grinning, shook his head. "Such a shame… If only I had such a caring sister."
"Don't you have one?" Jin-Woo cut him off instantly.
Jin-Ho tilted his head with mock surprise. "Hmm? Did you go digging behind my back?"
"....." Jin-Woo turned silent.
Honestly, he did. But it wasn't much - a minute of quick browsing did the trick.
Jin-Ho chuckled and shook his head.
"Alright, alright." He slipped back into his usual casual tone as they walked toward the SUV. "Man, you are no fun in the mornings."
The two Hunters slipped into the backseat, and immediately as the doors shut, the engine turned on.
Jin-Ho couldn't help but poke again. "We could have at least dropped her at the bus stop. It would have been five minutes."
"The school is a ten-minute walk." Jin-Woo replied, eyes fixed on the passing buildings. "And she has got friends she goes with."
Jin-Ho smirked. "…So you do have a soft spot after all. A responsible big brother."
Jin-Woo didn't answer, but the faintest twitch of his mouth gave him away.
The SUV glided away from the worn apartment complex, carrying the unlikely pair deeper into Seoul's traffic.
Soon the vehicle stopped at the edge of Yeongdeungpo District, where a cordoned-off construction site hid the gateway.
Even at a glance, Jin-Woo could tell it was small, no bigger than a doorway cracked open against the air, its faint glow leaking out like a warning.
An E-rank gate.
Jin-Ho climbed out first.
Jin-Woo followed, gaze sweeping over the people already gathered.
There were five of them waiting:
A swordsman | Rank - C
A Healer | Rank - D
A Scout | Rank - D
A Mage | Rank - D
And finally a Porter | Rank - E
Undoubtedly, it was a modest but balanced party, and with little effort, they alone should be capable of clearing an E-rank gate comfortably.
But with Jin-Ho, a certified B-rank, and word that an A-rank might join them, the group's odds weren't just comfortable - they were overwhelming.
And then there was Jin-Woo, standing at Jin-Ho's side, carrying nothing but a faint scowl from all the teasing during the whole ride.
An E-rank.
Normally, this was the kind of moment where the veterans would sneer, mutter about dead weight, maybe even laugh at the rookie dragged along.
But no one said a word.
Their eyes flickered, yes, but not a sound. Everyone here knew Yoo Jin-Ho's name, and more importantly, his family name.
His presence was enough to silence any resentment.
"Morning, everyone!" Jin-Ho's tone was bright, easy, and disarming.
He clapped one hand against the E-Rank porter's shoulder, startling the young man.
"Thanks for carrying us today. Don't worry, we will keep it clean so you are not dragging too much weight back, alright?"
The porter blinked, clearly not used to being addressed like a real team member, then nodded quickly. "Y-Yes, sir."
"Sir? Nah, just Jin-Ho." He grinned, and for a moment the tension around the group seemed to ease.
Jin-Woo glanced at him sideways.
For all his ridiculous antics and now his appearance, Jin-Ho had a way of leveling the atmosphere, of making people feel lighter just by acting like it was normal to be kind.
It was irritating.
But also, maybe, a little impressive.
The Hunters Association official standing by the gate raised his clipboard. "Ten minutes. Make final checks."
Weapons were unsheathed, straps tightened, potions tucked into belts.
The healer muttered a quiet prayer under her breath.
The portal shimmered faintly, as though impatient to swallow them whole.
Jin-Ho leaned toward Jin-Woo. "If she doesn't show in five minutes, we are going in without her."
He straightened, about to call out to the official, when Jin-Woo's hand landed lightly on his shoulder.
Jin-Ho blinked, surprised by the touch. Jin-Woo nodded once toward the far end of the street.
A figure was running up, her ponytail swinging, a blue cap pulled low over her head.
As she drew closer, her figure became clear.
Cha Hae-In.
She slowed only as she reached them, tugging the cap off and brushing a strand of hair from her cheek.
Her breaths came steady, not labored.
"Sorry for the delay."
Her gaze flicked once across the team, then settled briefly on Jin-Woo, lingering in silence before shifting to Jin-Ho.
Jin-Ho, ever the showman, spread his arms wide like she had just saved the day. "Perfect timing! We were just about to cry without you."
The team was complete now.
The portal hummed louder, the glow deepening.
Eight hunters stood ready on the edge of the unknown.
….
.
[To be continued…]
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