"Can the kids go alone at night? It's close from here, so I'll take them with me."
Ki Yoo-hyun smiled wryly.
"They are young, but they are hunters. A night walk is nothing to them."
"No. They are still kids, even if they are hunters."
The image of the twins she had seen before the regression flashed before her eyes. Their eyes, devoid of any life, as if they had lost all hope in the world.
She couldn't let them become like that. She wanted to protect their liveliness and innocence that still remained.
After all, kids should be able to watch children's anime after school at 5 PM and wonder about the evening meal.
While it might be difficult for guild-affiliated hunters, they are still kids.
"Hunter Ki Yoo-hyun is right."
"We can go by ourselves."
"Really? That's a shame. I was going to make you some warm vanilla latte if you came by."
"…Vanilla latte?"
The twins' eyes widened. Their faces clearly showed their desire to have it.
'I've never had vanilla latte. They said I'm too young to have it.'
'Hold it, you idiot! I've never had it either.'
She could hear their whispers.
"Oh, and I have some butter cookies too."
"…!"
For a few seconds, they wavered between desire and patience.
"…It's fine."
"Right, we won't be a bother!"
In the end, patience won.
The twins walked away with bustling steps, just as they had arrived.
Well, there's nothing to be done. Next time I see them, I'll definitely give them some sweet drinks and snacks.
* * *
She walked back to the shop alongside Ki Yoo-hyun.
The area around the dungeon gate gradually had fewer buildings and cars. The streetlights, spaced far apart, barely illuminated the path. Shadows lengthened and shortened with each step.
It was eerily quiet. To think such a desolate place could be in the heart of Seoul.
Strictly speaking, the dungeon gate of the Great Dungeon 《Abyss》 was not in "Seoul." The massive dungeon had appeared by tearing and distorting the surrounding space.
Thus, the map of Seoul before and after the creation of 《Abyss》 was different. The space between City Hall Station and Huexian Station had widened as if someone had pulled the ends apart. The area painted black was the Dungeon Gate 3.
Despite being within Seoul, it was clear why no convenience stores had been built here, even though it seemed like a prime location for development.
As she walked toward the city center, the air began to smell different. The color of the soil underfoot was also different. Within it lay the unknown dungeon.
The massive stone wall at the end, with its unknown contents, instilled fear in those with sensitive dispositions just by looking at it.
'But I didn't have any problems with it…'
I slept well, ate well, and played well, yes.
The silence made her more aware of the footsteps beside her.
"…"
Ki Yoo-hyun, who had taken her bag and walked, remained silent for a while.
Now that she thought about it, it had been quite a while since she had seen Ki Yoo-hyun. It was the first time since they parted in front of Grandma Kim Deok's workshop the day after the fire.
For a moment, her gaze was drawn to the shadow that fell diagonally across his face.
"Leeul."
A calm voice reached her ear.
"Yes?"
"Remember what you said earlier?"
"What did I say?"
"That even hunters are still kids."
"…Yes."
She turned her head to look at him. Behind the glasses that did nothing to hide his bright face, his eyes, filled with light, looked at her.
"Do you really think so?"
The answer to the question came quickly.
"Of course. Just because their bodies are strong doesn't mean their minds are strong too."
Twenty years since the appearance of the Great Dungeon. Young Awakeners were no longer rare or special.
Awakening could happen to anyone, regardless of age, by chance or fate.
Cracks continued to appear, and the world needed hunters. In a situation where failing to handle a crack in time could mean death, such thoughts might seem unrealistic.
But still, I think it's cruel for kids who watch children's anime after school and wonder about the evening meal to have to face monsters.
Of course, there are some basic safety measures. Awakeners under 12 cannot join the guild and are protected by the <Dungeon Management Bureau>. But that's not enough.
Some kids are pushed by their parents. Some do it out of a mistaken sense of will. Some do it to receive praise.
The twins, Joo Shin-woo and Joo Shin-hee, are no different.
If my memory serves, they are 14 this year. Still young.
What could have happened in those three years to change their personalities so much? Did the <Cheongra Guild> overwork them? Was the top-ranked hunter, whom I didn't think much of, actually a tyrannical guild leader?
While silently criticizing the top-ranked hunter, whom she had never met, Ki Yoo-hyun spoke again.
"You might be different, but… hunters are often said to lack some humanity."
His words made sense. The human mind is more influenced by the body than one might think. Strong power, dungeon experience, and changes in the environment certainly leave marks on the mind.
Wait, what was that first part? Was he saying I wouldn't know because I'm still an F-rank?
Ki Yoo-hyun continued.
"The same goes for those kids. They may look tough, but they have worn and dulled parts in their hearts. Do you still think that way?"
His tone was cautious, as if confirming an important fact. His eyes, filled with light, looked at her.
I don't know why he's asking this, but my answer is the same.
"Of course, they should be treated better. Awakening doesn't make them a completely different being. That's what adults should do."
I can't let this go. Next time I see the twins, I'll not only give them snacks but also watch some children's anime VOD with them. I'll prepare something exciting and engaging.
Ding.
Suddenly, a system notification sounded.
[A quest has been triggered.]
[Side Quest: Innocent Voyage
You, who value children. Give a good memory to [1].
Feed the target a snack: 0/1
[1] Joo Shin-woo, Joo Shin-hee
Reward: None]
It was a unique quest with no reward.
Well, I'll do it out of pure goodwill, not for the reward. If I can help the twins' mental state even a little in three years, that's enough.
When should I meet the twins again to complete this quest? This system, which usually just shows annoying things, sometimes does good things.
While closing the quest window, she noticed Ki Yoo-hyun was still looking at her.
"Why? Are you moved by what I said?"
To be clear, it was just a joke. I didn't say anything particularly profound, just a light conversation to pass the time.
But it seems my intention didn't get across to Ki Yoo-hyun at all. After a moment of silence, as if searching his memory, he spoke.
"Yes, that's how it seems. No, I am. I'm moved."
"…"
No, this guy is serious.
It was a perfect setup for a joke. Suddenly getting serious, what am I supposed to do? No rhythm?
I lost my words and just opened and closed my mouth.
"…"
"…"
What do I do with this atmosphere?
* * *
Fortunately, it wasn't far to the shop. In the chilly early winter wind, I walked, talking to Ki Yoo-hyun about recent events.
There wasn't much to say about recent events. I couldn't talk about Choi E-chan, who had volunteered as a temporary part-timer to avoid pressure from his surroundings, so I talked about the new regular customers.
"…So I was on my way back from getting the ingredients for lemonade."
At the shop door, I held out my hand for my bag.
"Leeul, was that customer… a middle-aged man wearing a fishing vest?"
"Ah, yes, why do you ask?"
Ki Yoo-hyun was looking at the opposite side of the shop, toward the bushes.
There was no need to face each other, but why was he looking that way? Was there something there?
"Does he have a scar on his face?"
"Um… now that you mention it, he did have a scar…"
"When did you plan to let him try the new menu?"
"It's the 7th… Why?"
"I happen to be free that day, so I really want to try your new menu."
It was strange. He was smiling, but why did it feel so cold?
The next day.
After waking up leisurely and having breakfast, I entered the Other Space to find a place to plant the purification tree sapling.
The Other Space was narrow due to the presence of Yggdrasil, but with a bit of searching, I could find a spot to plant a tree.
"Ah, this will do."
Looking around the Other Space, I found a perfect spot. Next to the field where I planted the dungeon sugarcane, there was an empty space just right for a tree.
I squatted down, dug a hole with a small spade, and planted the sapling. While gently covering it with soil, I asked Meeum, who was rolling around beside me.
"Hey, do hunters sometimes lose their humanity?"
I was curious about what Ki Yoo-hyun had said yesterday.
"Hunters are often said to lack some humanity."
His voice was unusually calm and deep, which left a strange impression.
But Meeum drew a firm line with a decisive tone.
"That doesn't happen!"
"Really?"
"Of course, some people's personalities might change. But it's similar to how a poor person might reveal their true nature when they become rich, or how someone at the bottom might show their true colors when they gain power."
"So it depends on the individual's character?"
"Yes. However…"
Meeum, I get nervous when you trail off like that.
"When an Awakened person makes a 'contract' with a Great Being, if they align too much with the Great Being, they might lose their original self due to the influence."
What? Two unfamiliar words just came up.
"Who is this Great Being?"
"Kyaoh! Don't you know? It's common knowledge!"
"Our common sense seems to be different."
"Do you think Awakened people can just use skills? All abilities are granted by Great Beings! Among them, some give special powers to their 'contractors' through a 'contract,' meow!"
"Hmm… So, an incredibly powerful being gives power? Like a patron or a throne?"
"That's one way to call it, meow!"
It sounds pretty good just from the explanation.
"Can I do that too?"
It was a casual question out of curiosity. But Meeum and Lime fell silent at the same time.
"…"
"…"
"Why…?"
For a moment, there was silence.
"Meow! Meow!"
Lime started crying loudly.
"Uh, uh, what's wrong?"
"Meow! Meow! Meow!"
She seemed frustrated, raising her voice and bouncing her body. But I couldn't understand anything other than "meow."
Sorry, Lime, I don't understand what you're saying.
"Meow!"
I wish there was a slime language translator…
* * *
After gently covering the roots with soil and watering them with the water in the PET bottle, the planting of the purification tree was complete.
The sun was warm, the wind was gentle, and the soil was moist. It should grow well here.
Since there was a bit of space left, I also transplanted the tooth carrot.
I didn't want to keep it anymore. No, I didn't want to keep it at all.
'Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish, swish.'
Mom, the carrot is making strange sounds and crying…
Let it grow or not.
I immediately checked the status window of the purification tree.