Ji-Kai had succeeded in preventing the assassination of Park Yoon-Suk. Though the Chinese assassin escaped, the mission ended with minimal casualties.
But the victory was incomplete.
Park had been injected with something unknown—an electronic dart that delivered a strange liquid into his bloodstream.
When Ji-Kai rushed him to the emergency ward at the Guild Tower, what awaited him was far from reassuring.
Park lay in a private room, surrounded by familiar Guild members. His usual smile was still etched on his face—calm, composed, as always.
But Ji-Kai, now walking alone toward his distant apartment, chose to go on foot.
Despite the success, his expression was grim. Something had gone wrong. Something he hadn't anticipated.
My goal was to save Park Yoon-Suk from an assassination attempt orchestrated by a Chinese agent.
And I did. He's alive. But not for long. Because now, something has appeared—something I never wanted to see.
[ New Mission ]
[ Special Mission: Cure Park Yoon-Suk ]
[ Details: Park Yoon-Suk survived a fatal attack, but was exposed to a complex demonic toxin. Its symptoms are subtle at first, but will evolve over time. If left untreated, he will transform into a demon. ]
[ Objective: Cure Park Yoon-Suk ]
[ Time Limit: 365 days ]
[ Reward: Random Legendary Item ]
Of all possible missions, I got this?. I would've preferred an S-rank dungeon raid. But no—this is a quest to find a cure for demonic poison.
The one thing I never managed to solve in my past life. I have no idea where to begin. This mission could become a disaster.
As he walked, Ji-Kai passed a rusted, abandoned streetlamp.
To vent his frustration, he punched it hard, knocking it to the ground. Nearby workers flinched, startled—but then thanked him for speeding up the demolition.
The pavement was slightly damaged, but Ji-Kai didn't care. He was in a dark place. Right now, he was likely the only one who knew what Park's transformation could mean.
He clenched his jaw.
We've never defeated a demon before. The strongest hunter I knew once faced a low-tier demon—and died.
So how are we supposed to fight one who was once Park Yoon-Suk? A man of immense potential. If he turns… he'll be a high-tier demon.
« FACK!!!!! » Ji-Kai tilted his head skyward and screamed, as if trying to purge the storm inside him before it exploded.
That night passed. A new morning broke.
Sunlight crept into Ji-Kai's apartment through the window. He was already awake, his face grim, his eyes cold.
He washed up, dressed, and headed out to a nearby store. There, he bought instant noodles and a few other items.
He ate without appetite—just survival instinct. Fuel for a body that couldn't afford to collapse.
Hmm…
[ Special Mission: Cure Park Yoon-Suk ]
[ Tap to view details… ]
[ Time Limit: 365 days ]
[ Reward: Random Legendary Item ]
The reward is tempting. But at what cost? By what means? How do I complete a mission like this when I don't even know where to start? And what if the worst happens—if Park transforms? What then? How do I face him? If the strongest adventurer I knew—Song Hyun-Jung—died fighting a demon , normal one!, then how…
how… how… How ...How ... HO–
« Excuse me, sir. You dropped this at the entrance. Mr. Kim Ji-Kai? Kai! It's you? And You became an ADVENTURER? »
The voice belonged to a woman in her mid-thirties, visibly tired from working in the store, but still graceful. It was Kim Yao-Ha, the shop owner Ji-Kai often visited.
« huh? Yao-Ha... noona? Ah, yes, that's mine. And yeah… I became an ... adventurer yesterday. » He replied calmly.
«It's still new, so no need to ask why I didn't tell you earlier haha, » Ji-Kai said, trying to mask the pressure in his voice—but failing.
« Kai? Is something wrong? You look… exhausted. Different. More than usual. » She pulled up a chair and sat across from him, her eyes searching his.
« Kai… talk to me. What's going on? Is it about becoming an adventurer? Or… is it your family again? »
Kim Yao-Ha. She's like an older sister to me. I used to turn to her when I needed someone to listen. She was one of the people I lost in my past life.
She died of an illness—lung cancer. It could've been treated with surgery.
I could've helped her. But I didn't. I was too caught up in my status as a high-ranking adventurer. I need to make that right.
« I just have one question… » Ji-Kai began, gathering his thoughts.
« If you were forced to do something you don't know how to do, and you had a limited time to do it—or things would get worse… what would you do? »
He phrased it vaguely, hoping she'd offer something useful.
Yao-Ha pondered. The question was complex, but she wasn't foolish. She was educated, thoughtful. Ji-Kai hadn't asked her by accident.
« Well… if I were in a situation where I had to do something I didn't know how to do—even if I was capable but lacked the knowledge—I'd just do it my way and see what happens. »
« If I succeed, great. If I fail, I take full responsibility. Even if the outcome is… hard to accept. » She spoke gently, pressing her hand to her chest, then smiled.
« Don't fear the outcome if you've tried. If you've worked hard up to the moment you see the result, then you can stand tall and say, 'I gave it my best.' I don't know if this is about your adventuring or your family, but remember—fearing the result without trying will make it worse than you imagine. »
She stood, still smiling.
« I need to get back to work. The shop gets busy in an hour, so I have to prepare. And Kai… take care of yourself. Don't carry more than you can bear. »
« You're not a robot. Even if you have special powers as an adventurer who fights monsters, in the end… you're human.»
With that, she waved and headed downstairs, to the fast-food prep area of the shop.
Yao-Ha. Despite her lung cancer, she still smiles. Despite her pain, her broken marriage—her husband left her for someone healthier—she remains strong.
Determined. Refusing to surrender. I respect her deeply. And I want to help her beat this disease.
[ New Side Mission ]
[ Mission: Help Kim Yao-Ha Overcome Her Illness ]
[ Details: Kim Yao-Ha has endured much. She suffers daily from the ravages of lung cancer, where every breath feels like a rare and precious gift. ]
[ Objective: Cure Kim Yao-Ha ]
[ Time Limit: 100 days ]
[ Reward: Unlock Mana ]
The system just gave me a powerful incentive to help noona.
Unlocking mana attributes is something I desperately need—to grow stronger, to find a cure for Park Yoon-Suk, and to prevent disaster.
Right now, I need money. And I know exactly how to get it.
So, system… how about a simple mission to help with that? I remember you offered one before—and I turned it down.
[ … ]
[ New Side Mission ]
[ Mission: Restore Your Family Standing ]
[ Details: The family of Mr. Kim Ji-Hwan, CEO of one of Korea's largest companies specializing in weapons made from monster cores and dungeon materials—and a major investor in the Adventurers' Guild. Your relationship with him, and the family as a whole, is strained. ]
[ Objective: Reclaim your rightful place in the family ]
[ Time Limit: None ]
[ Reward: Consumable Item – Rank C ]
Well then… as they say, the sun always rises—even after the darkest night.
Now I know what I have to do. Side missions… I think I'm starting to fall in love with them.