Declaration Of Extra Strike

 

At Han Seo-jin’s suggestion to leave, I quickly jumped up and changed my clothes. I petted Cloud, who was following me and trotting around my feet.

 

“Cloud, wait inside for a bit.”

 

“Baaaah.”

 

Once I confirmed Cloud had entered the tattoo pattern, I stepped out of the room with Han Seo-jin. As we walked down the hotel corridor, I occasionally crossed paths with some Espers and a few other Hunters in their distinctive white uniforms, likely members of the Cheon Rang Guild. The sight of their attire made my gaze involuntarily wander.

 

‘Where’s Seong San-ha?’

 

“…Hyung, this way.”

 

“Oh, right!”

 

Prompted by Han Seo-jin, I hurriedly changed direction. The place where I was supposed to meet the others was the lounge bar inside the hotel. As I approached and saw the group gathered inside, I excitedly made my way toward them. However, as soon as they noticed me, everyone stood up and rushed toward me.

 

“B-Boss!!”

 

“You really came back…!”

 

“It’s been a while, everyone.”

 

While I checked to make sure no one was missing, someone suddenly dashed toward me and jumped into my arms. Without thinking, I caught them, and soon my chest was soaked with the weight of their embrace.

 

“Hey, Seung-yeon ah… I’m sorry.”

 

I awkwardly patted the trembling shoulders, unable to say a word. Just as I thought my legs were getting heavy, Da-hye and Ha-jeong also clung to me, crying loudly.

 

“Huaaaang! Uncle, you idiot! Dummy!”

 

“Daddy said that boss be back soon…..but you didn’t come, so…”

 

With the three of them clinging and crying, I was completely overwhelmed. I didn’t know whether to comfort Seung-yeon or calm down the two kids, and I was unsure what to do with my hands, but Baek Da-in and Song Jeong-hyeok quickly pulled the kids away.

 

“Da-hye yah! Let go. The boss just got back.”

 

“No! You know! Uncle said he wasn’t going to come before, but now he went again!”

 

“Ha-jeong ah, don’t make it harder for the boss. I’m sorry, boss. These kids… they saw you disappear that day, so…”

 

“Ha-jeong ah, come to your dad now.”

 

“…Yes.”

 

“It’s okay. I can understand how they’d be startled.”

 

After managing to calm them down, at least ten minutes had passed. I sat down and looked around the room. Seung-yeon, Su-cheol, Yoon Ha-yan’s family, the Baek sisters, and Jin-myung were all there. Seeing their concerned faces, a sense of relief washed over me, but with that came a natural curiosity.

 

“How did everyone end up here?”

 

“The day after you were

gone

…. not long after, someone from Cheon Rang came.”

 

“Gone? Someone would think I was dead with the way you’re saying.”

 

At Jin-myung’s words, I responded in disbelief, but seeing Ha-jeong starting to cry again at the mention of death, I quickly waved my hands to calm her down.

 

“W-wait. Go on, what happened?”

 

“They said we’re being monitored, that we need to move immediately… We packed up quickly and came here. Everyone was already here when we arrived.”

 

“You came here just like that? What if it was a trap?”

 

Although it wasn’t a typical move by Nox, I muttered out of concern. But everyone quickly rushed to defend their actions.

 

“But it’s not just anywhere, it’s Cheon Rang!”

 

“Plus, Misty… the Cheon Rang guild leader personally came to get us.”

 

“You don’t know? San-ha nim treats us so well. And we’re all using everything here! It’s all free and he said it’s ours!”

 

I tapped Baek Da-hye’s head, who was proudly bragging, lightly.

 

“Why do you call him San-ha nim and not ‘Boss’? Call me ‘Ho-hyun nim’ from now on.”

 

Baek Da-hye, with her hands raised to protect her head, pouted her lips.

 

“No way! And that’s not even your name!”

 

“Da-hye!!”

 

Baek Da-in urgently pulled Baek Da-hye into his arms and covered her mouth, but it was already too late. A heavy silence fell, like cold water being poured.

 

“W-what… did you say?”

 

As I slowly pieced together the situation, my mouth fell open without realizing it. Tae Jae-heon had called me “Kang Eui-jin.” Even if the media had erased that name, those close to me had clearly heard it.

 

After being taken by Tae Jae-heon, I had been so focused on escaping that I hadn’t considered what would happen after returning. The realization left me completely flustered.

 

Damn it, what do I do… Wait, since Tae Jae-heon already knows, there’s no point in hiding the fact that I’m alive anymore, is there?

 

Could I reclaim my name? That possibility felt like an incredibly sweet temptation. Everyone seemed to suspect the truth already, so why not just reveal it outright? The thought took over my mind.

 

The idea of declaring who I was straightened my shoulders, and a confident smile spread across my face. I cleared my throat and prepared to speak.

 

“Yes, that’s right. I am—”

 

“Let’s cut the unnecessary talk here.”

 

A hand suddenly rested on my shoulder, interrupting my grand declaration. It was Han Seo-jin, who had spoken with such perfect timing that my plan fell apart.

 

Surprised by the unexpectedly stern tone, I glanced up. Han Seo-jin’s expression was as composed as ever.

 

Did I imagine it?

 

He looked down at me and, still holding my gaze, began to speak.

 

“It’s been a while since everyone gathered together like this. Once Ho-hyun hyung gets busier, it’ll be even harder to meet like this.”

 

Han Seo-jin said, clearly emphasizing the name “Ho-hyun.”

 

I bit my lip at the deliberate choice of the name. With even Baek Da-in and Kim Jin-myung starting to suspect the truth, it was obvious why Han Seo-jin insisted on calling me Joo Ho-hyun. He didn’t want to face reality.

 

Well, that makes sense. Han Seo-jin knew him from back when he was alive…

 

For the people I met after inhabiting Joo Ho-hyun’s body, it didn’t matter as much. But Han Seo-jin was the only one who had known Joo Ho-hyun both before and after his death. 

 

Telling him that Joo Ho-hyun was gone and that I was someone else would hit differently. Only now did I understand how much it might affect him. I had been too hasty in thinking about revealing my identity and hadn’t considered

Han Seo-jin’s feelings.

 

Poor guy…

 

Feeling a twinge of guilt, I reached out and gently stroked his back as if to comfort him. I wanted to pat his shoulder, but since he was standing, this was the best I could do.

 

Each time my hand brushed against him, Han Seo-jin flinched slightly, his body stiffening. Finally, he gritted his teeth and muttered in a low voice, 

 

“…Hyung. Stop it. What are you doing?”

 

“I am not doing anything. I’m just happy to see everyone again after so long.”

 

Han Seo-jin’s face turned red, and he hastily swatted my hand away before storming off somewhere, his retreating figure resembling someone fleeing the scene. I found myself staring after him curiously, wondering why he seemed so flustered.

 

Those who had been watching the interaction awkwardly started apologizing.

 

“Uh, boss. We weren’t thinking. We’re really sorry.”

 

“Yeah… Boss, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have—”

 

“It’s fine. You didn’t do anything wrong. I’ll explain everything later. Come here.”

 

When I beckoned Baek Da-hye over, she hesitantly approached, and Ha-jeong tagged along as if part of a two-for-one deal. I scooped them both up and settled them on my lap. Feeling a little more at ease, Yeon Seung-yeon also shuffled closer and took a seat next to me.

 

As the others began chatting and the mood lightened, Seung-yeon leaned in close and whispered, “Uh, boss… The workshop is safe. I thought you’d want to know.”

 

“That’s a relief. Those Nox bastards didn’t try anything, right?”

 

“Some suspicious people have been spotted nearby, but thanks to the Elfwood, they haven’t been able to get inside. But, since there haven’t been any customers, I took the liberty of disposing of ingredients that were at risk of spoiling. I apologize for acting on my own.”

 

“You did well. Thanks to you, I’ve been less worried about the workshop.”

 

“Ho-h….Boss!” 

 

Seung-yeon’s eyes grew misty with emotion as he sniffled. Then, with a hesitant tone, he added.

 

“Uh, boss… I have a request. Would it be okay if I moved to the room next to yours? Right now, my room is on a different floor, and it’s a bit far….”

 

“Sure, move over. Actually, there’s another bed in my room—why don’t you just join me there?”

 

“R-Really? In that case… yes!”

 

“Huh? Our room only has one bed! I wanna come too!” Baek Da-hye interjected with wide, hopeful eyes.

 

“Me too! Can I come with Da-hye unnie?”

 

“Fine, all three of you come. Let’s order some chicken while we’re at it.”

 

“Humph, it’s not like that, okay? You don’t know anything, ahjussi. Want me to tell you? Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. Are you curious?”

 

“Nope, not at all. And I told you, call me boss.”

 

Da-hye’s expression turned fiery as her frustration mounted. But suddenly, as if deciding to take the high road, she folded her short arms in a mock display of maturity and raised her chin with a haughty air.

 

“Boss, you’re weak, so I’ll protect you!”

 

“Yeah! Da-hye unnie is super strong!”

 

“Where is all this coming from?”

 

I tilted my head in confusion as Ha-jeong joined in, speaking in a way that made no sense to me. Da-in came closer to explain.

 

“Oh, boss, you didn’t hear? Da-hye has awakened.”

 

“What? Awakened?”

 

I almost jumped up in surprise. The kids sitting on my lap giggled, and my head spun. Kids awakening at such a young age wasn’t unheard of, but Da-hye was still several years younger than most who went through it.

 

“What… how? She’s still too young!”

 

“Well, it’s not a full awakening yet. Da-hye also received a quest. Turns out, there are quite a few kids who awakened early because of the recent incident.”

 

“Right, boss. What quest did you get? It seems related to your job.”

 

I blinked at the sudden question, my thoughts still racing from Da-hye’s unexpected awakening. There was a lot going on, but my attention was now split between the overwhelming news and the curiosity about my own quest.

 

“What are you talking about? What’s this about quests and an incident?”

 

I asked in frustration, and Yeon Seung-yeon calmly began to explain.

 

“It’s… well, the day you returned, the countdown on the tower began to decrease, and strange changes started happening.”

 

“Are you talking about the dark clouds in the sky?”

 

“Not just that. All the dungeon gates were opening up.”

 

“That…?”

 

I stared at Yeon Seung-yeon with a serious expression, caught off guard by this unexpected information. Yoon Ha-yan also nodded in agreement, looking worried.

 

“It was truly horrifying. Every existing gate was opening, and we didn’t know which one to block first.”

 

The idea that every dungeon gate was opening was terrifying. If we hadn’t succeeded in the quest…

 

I quickly urged them to continue, eager to hear more about what happened next. Yeon Seung-yeon took a deep breath before continuing.

 

“Everyone was bracing for a monster wave because of the unstoppable movement and violent waves, but the moment the countdown ended, all of that suddenly disappeared.

We barely managed to relax, but then, at that very moment, every awakened person in the world received the same quest. It was an S-rank party quest, and everyone was connected.”

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