The street is dark at two in the morning.

Standing on the side of the road, Yiseon takes a deep breath of the cool morning air. Seoul is indeed a money paradise and Yiseon usually stayed away from the city because of its large population. But this time he ventures out despite coming at dawn.

The area around the damaged office annex is relatively quiet. Earlier, Yiseon had asked Mr. Won to make sure first that the area is completely empty. The man grumbled in annoyance for being told so but still did it anyway. He said he didn't even find a single ant here.

Yiseon stands before the ruins of the building with his hood on. The annex's class B damage made the building collapse in half. It feels strange standing in front of a collapsed building like this. Because usually, Yiseon only handled class D damage where the damage is not noticeable.

Letting out a long sigh, Yiseon glances around again. After confirming there is no one there, he places his hand on the damaged annex wall.

Swoosh. Crackle. Crackle.

There is a rumbling sound as the debris on the floor rises one by one. Heavy debris floats in the air. Yiseon's eyes squint in focus. The wind starts to swirl around him. At first, it swirls clockwise, but then it swirls in the opposite direction, sucking the air around it strongly. It is like turning back the time to when this building was still in a good condition.

In front of the unrealistic scene, Yiseon's eyes do not waver. His pale brown eyes are reflecting the moonlight. At the same time, the debris starts to stick to the building. They piece together like an array of puzzles. Filling every empty gap. Swirling together with the wind.

The gust of the wind only stops again when Yiseon finishes restoring the building. His hood slips open with it.

Yiseon let out a long heavy breath.

"Huff...huff..."

His head hurt. It has been a long time since he used this much of his power. Although the restoration rate he had just completed is only 50%, it sure is still much better because the general restoration company can only do 20%. Damage like this building will be impossible to fix without the help of his class S restoration powers.

Yiseon should have immediately put his hood back on, but instead, he clutches his severely aching forehead.

When he is finally about to pull back his hood, there is suddenly a sound of someone clapping not far behind him. Yiseon's face goes pale, he turns his head almost too quickly.

"Mr. Yiseon Jeong, you're indeed amazing."

It's Hyeon Sa. Standing under the dim night sky and clucking praising him. Yiseon frantically looks around, but there is no one else in sight. Only Hyeon alone, as if he had been here from the beginning.

"Since when have you been watching?" asks Yiseon frowning.

"No idea. Maybe from the beginning?"

"I'm sure there was no one around..."

Hyeon smiles looking at Yiseon muttering to himself. And it makes him annoyed as hell. Annoyed at how stupid he is for saying that. Hyeon is Korea's number one Hunter with shadow possessing ability. The darker the shadow he possesses, the stronger his power becomes.

Truly the right powers for stalking.

The faint light of street lamps and the point where Hyeon is standing facing the dark, make Yiseon more vigilant.

"How did you know I was here?"

Yiseon asks angrily. Did Hyeon bribe Mr. Won? Because on the phone earlier, the man sounded overemphasized that this place was empty with no one around. 

"Truly amazing, Mr. Jeong," Hyeon smiles.

"What do you want?"

"That's a funny question coming from you."

"......"

"Ah, no, no. I'm not making fun of you. I'm just fascinated by how non-Hunters such as yourself think."

An awakened who enters a dungeon is called a Hunter, while people like Yiseon who use their powers outside the dungeon have different titles depending on their abilities.

So Hyeon, who meets fellow Hunters more often, is probably surprised by this conversation with Yiseon. His face does show pure bewilderment, but still, Yiseon feels strange.

The two of them had only had two conversations, but Yiseon already understands that this man is very good at leading a conversation. And since Yiseon does not want to be swept away by him again, he hurriedly steps out of the building's courtyard he had just restored. Hyeon does not get in the way. This time he walks along by his side instead.

"By the way, Mr. Jeong. Why was the building only half restored? It's you, I'm pretty sure you're capable of making it as good as new."

Hyeon bends the top half of his body forward and turns his head to stare at Yiseon. Yiseon doesn't return the stare, so Hyeon continues to run his mouth.

"I watched a lot of videos about you, you know. You used to restore much bigger buildings, but why was the annex building only half restored? Is it to prevent rumors that the one and only class S Restorer, Yiseon Jeong, has returned?"

"......"

"You seem to have gotten a severe headache after restoring the building. I guess you lost some of your restoration abilities, Yiseon?"

Yiseon's steps stop abruptly. Hyeon takes a step forward and turns around to face Yiseon. 

"Though it's quite rare, I have met Hunters who have lost some of their powers. It was usually due to PTSD. I think you got that too."

Hyeon's voice sounds too gentle as if calming a child. Yiseon frowns at that. He suddenly remembers Mr. Won's words, "The way he talked...it's like he already knew..."

Yiseon had lost both his parents in the First Great Dungeon, followed by the deaths of his friends in the Second Great Dungeon a year ago. Hyeon is right. It is highly possible for him to have PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). However, Yiseon does not want to affirm what Hyeon just said.

"I don't know how much you know about me."

"I told you because I want to know more about you. But please correct me if I'm wrong."

Looking at Hyeon's gentle curved eyes, Yiseon finally explodes.

"Yes, you're right. Just as you said, I've lost some of my powers. I can only use half of what I had in the past. At times, even 30% restoration made me tired and lose my mind. Class A can restore about 30% of damage, so there's no reason for you to stalk me, no? I'm sure there are tons of class A Restorers in the HN Guild. Ask them to help you instead. Please, leave me alone."

"I'm glad you're aware of my hard efforts to scout you."

Yiseon gives up. He wonders why he would get this frustrated over a conversation. Is it because he hadn't really talked to anyone in the past year? But he guesses not. The problem indeed lies in Hyeon.

"It is not true. Their maximum is your minimum even in your current state. Their powers don't come close to yours. You are irreplaceable."

Yiseon knows there is no point in fleeing from Hyeon in this darkness, but he continues on. Surprisingly, Hyeon does not stick right next to him and only follows a couple of steps back.

"No need to worry, Yiseon. You're still an S-class who can make use of 100% of your powers. As long as you are under the right care, you'll be able to recover what you've lost."

His words are unnecessarily sweet and tender. Yiseon has no idea if it is sincere, mere acting, or a mixture of both, but it does get him to turn around and ask, "So, what are you trying to say?"

"Members with PTSD can get psychological treatment. Continuous mental treatment, counseling, etc."

"So you say, you'll have a top psychiatrist in Chord?"

"No, I'll take care of you personally."

“You're crazy! No way in hell... Are you out of your mind?"

"So please change your mind and join my team?"

Hyeon laughs as if it's funny. Yiseon is silent. A gust of wind blows in their direction. The corners of Yiseon's eyes catch Hyeon's coat fluttering before he lowers his head and holds his hood to keep it from falling off. Only a split second. But as soon as he looks up again, Hyeon is already standing right in front of his face. Without a sound, without any other signs. 

At the same time, Yiseon's eyes are suddenly trapped in Hyeon's. Beyond his will. He does not know why. He can't even breathe for a moment.

"I'm pretty good at caring for people," Hyeon whispers in a low tone.

His warm breath touches Yiseon's neck, making him step back in fear. He is scared. Scared of the warmth of other humans because all this year, he had been living with the dead.

That strange feeling torments him so much.

In the end, Yiseon turns his back and starts walking away. Hyeon does not follow him any further. He just stands there and says in a voice filled with laughter.

"I'll see you again soon, Mr. Jeong."

Yiseon does not respond back. He thinks, it's better for them not to meet again.




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