The Forsaken Awakening

The sun had barely risen when Jinhyuk entered Taesuk's hospital room. The steady beeping of the heart monitor filled the otherwise silent space. Taesuk lay unconscious, his face pale, his body wrapped in bandages.

Jinhyuk pulled up a chair beside the bed, staring at the man who had saved his life.

A lump formed in his throat.

He had made up his mind.

---

Later That Morning

Jinhyuk stood outside the hospital room, facing Taesuk's wife and daughter.

"The hospital fees will be covered by the Hunter Insurance Program since the injury happened during an official dungeon raid," he explained. "You don't have to worry about the medical costs."

Taesuk's wife let out a shaky breath. "Thank God…"

"But…" Jinhyuk continued, his hands tightening into fists, "I know that isn't enough."

Both mother and daughter looked at him with confusion.

Jinhyuk took a deep breath.

"I know Taesuk was the only one providing for your family. And now… he can't."

Taesuk's wife bit her lip, her eyes welling up with tears. The teenage girl looked away, clenching her fists.

Jinhyuk bowed deeply.

"I will take responsibility."

Their eyes widened.

Jinhyuk straightened, his expression firm. "I will take care of your family's financial needs. Food, rent, education—whatever you need, I will make sure you have it."

Taesuk's wife shook her head. "Jinhyuk, you don't have to—"

"I do," he interrupted. "Taesuk saved my life. If not for him, I would be in that bed instead of him."

His voice trembled slightly. "This is the least I can do."

A heavy silence hung between them.

Then, Taesuk's daughter wiped her tears and stepped forward.

"Then promise me."

Jinhyuk blinked.

"Promise me that you'll also find a way to help my dad recover. That you won't just take care of us out of guilt—but because you truly want him to get better."

Jinhyuk stared at the girl—her eyes were just like Taesuk's. Full of quiet determination.

Slowly, he nodded.

"I promise."

---

Jinhyuk arrived home just before sunset, dragging his exhausted body through the door. His clothes still had a faint scent of blood and sweat from the dungeon raid, but all he wanted right now was food and sleep.

As soon as he stepped inside, his mother, Seo Mira, rushed over.

"Jinhyuk! You're finally back!" She grabbed his arms, inspecting him for injuries. "Are you hurt anywhere? You look so pale! Did you eat anything at all?"

Jinhyuk forced a weak smile. "I'm fine, Mom. Just tired."

His father, Jin Sangho, stood behind her, arms crossed. "You don't look fine. Did something bad happen?"

Jinhyuk hesitated. He didn't want to burden them with what happened to Taesuk—not yet.

"No, nothing too bad," he said, stretching his arms. "Just a long day."

Before his father could question him further, Jin Jinhwan, his younger brother, peeked out from the living room.

"Oh? The mighty hunter has returned!" Jinhwan grinned. "Did you finally kill a goblin without screaming this time?"

Jinhyuk shot him a glare. "I never screamed."

Jinhwan smirked. "You totally did. Jinhee, back me up!"

His twin sister, Jin Jinhee, sat on the couch, flipping through a book. Without looking up, she casually said, "He definitely screamed at least once."

Jinhyuk groaned, dragging himself to the dining table as his mother set down a hot meal. "I hate you both."

Jinhwan chuckled, sitting across from him. "We love you too, hyung."

---

After Dinner

Jinhyuk leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling while rubbing his stomach. "That was amazing, Mom."

Seo Mira smiled. "Eat properly every day, not just when you come home."

Jinhyuk nodded lazily. "Yes, ma'am…"

Jinhwan suddenly leaned in. "So, tell us. How was the dungeon? Did anything crazy happen?"

Jinhyuk paused, his mind flashing back to Taesuk's unconscious body, the blood pooling beneath him. The feeling of helplessness.

His grip tightened around his glass of water.

"It was… intense," he admitted. "A lot happened."

Jinhee finally put her book down and looked at him closely. "You're acting different. What's wrong?"

Jinhyuk forced a grin. "Nothing! I'm just exhausted. I'm going to get some fresh air."

Before they could pry further, he stood up and slipped outside.

---

A Walk in the Night

The air was crisp, the streets quiet. Jinhyuk walked aimlessly, his hands stuffed in his pockets. His mind was spinning with thoughts.

The mission from Seongjun.

Joining the DHR.

Taesuk's condition.

His own strength—or lack of it.

He clenched his fists.

"I have to get stronger."

His new Shadow Manipulation skill had potential, but it wasn't enough. His Lord of Illusions ability was powerful, but unreliable in long fights. He had to find a way to grow.

Jinhyuk exhaled, looking up at the sky.

He had two months remaining to infiltrate the Department of Hunter Regulations.

He had two months to reach a level where he could actually qualify for the entrance exam.

And right now…

He was still too weak.