Devour My Own Path

Areum immediately ran out without heeding Oliver's orders not to leave the room. But before that, Areum summoned the soul dragon to protect the three who were still asleep.

"Milord..."

Along the way, the passageway is filled with glass on both sides. Because she was too focused on running, Areum didn't realize that someone was watching her from the reflection of the glass. The figure was exactly what Areum had seen before.

"Why..."

"Why is this lane so long"

The longer Areum runs, the end of the alley seems to move away. At the end of there it was very dark. There are no signs such as doors or turns, just straight.

Several times Areum checked her back, feeling that she was being watched. But there was no one there. Areum stopped running to catch her breath. She looked at the mirror next to her that reflected her reflection.

No creepy face of her appeared.

As soon as her breathing was under control, Areum ran back by calling her master.

Feeling that it was useless to keep running, Areum summoned a bat monster that could make a sound to detect every location. Once called, the bat emits an ultrasonic sound for echolocation.

Areum divided her vision and interpreted everything. Even though she could see the location of the passage, the end was still undetectable.

However, when Areum almost gave up, her echolocation found someone sitting not far ahead. Soon Areum ran and hoped that it was her master, Oliver.

From a distance, the silhouette of the person in front of her was visible. However, what made Areum confused was that the person sitting in front of her was not wearing the stamp that her master was wearing, but the clothes that Areum was wearing.

How could it be?!

Areum was cautious when approaching while preparing with her spear. And when the two were only a few meters away, Areum was really shocked and afraid that the one in front of her was herself complete with a spear of faith.

"You... Who are you?!"

Tap!

A touch patted Areum's shoulder. "Who?!"

However, when Areum looked back, there was no one. And when Areum turned around to look at her clone, she was still sitting there.

Wait, where's the spear?!

Trang!!

Areum's Spear of faith moved quickly to fend off the attacks coming from the glass.

"It's not fair..."

A whisper again sounded from behind Areum, right in her ear.

Areum threw a spear that attacked her and turned to attack her back.

"Who are you!? Show yourself, hurry!!"

"From the beginning I was always in front of you..."

When Areum turned her body around, the face she saw in the mirror, was right in front of Areum's face. Her pale skin and her look that seemed to hate and envy adorned her fragile face.

Without a doubt, Areum slashed her shadow. Just as spear of faith resisted the attack of her clone, the shadow spear also swiftly resisted Areum's attack.

"It's not fair..."

"Why do you live in peace when I don't..."

Areum didn't understand what her shadow was saying. "What do you mean...?"

Not answering Areum's question, shadow spear disappeared and reappeared from the mirror next door. Areum, which lost its balance because shadow was lost, almost fell down. And quickly Areum's spear held back and suppressed shadow attack.

"You should have died then..." said shadow as she unleashed a few punches towards Areum.

What was she talking about?

Areum removed her spear and quickly parried the blows aimed at her.

The battle is divided into two, where the two spears attack and deflect each other. Meanwhile, Areum was busy withholding shadow attacks.

"Die..."

"You don't deserve to live..."

Angry because she didn't understand and continued to be ignored, Areum tried to attack back.

"From earlier.... What are you talking about, impersonator?!"

Although the passageway was wide enough for a fight, several attacks from both Areum and her spear, shattered the glass that was around her.

The fight continued until Areum's shadow suddenly retreated.

What is-

No wait, that movement...

"Stop her!!"

Areum ordered her spear and summoned several wolves and monsters that had high speed to attack shadow.

"Can she really bring out all my skills?!"

Late.

Although Areum attacked quickly, the mock spear and several monsters coming from the mirror stopped them. "Damn! Since when did she summon this monsters?!"

There, Areum's shadow was finished with her summons. The soul dragon was now standing right next to her.

Impossible!

"Can she summon him with the full power of-"

Trang!!

Areum hadn't even blinked her eyes when the soul dragon's attack almost hit her neck. Also the spear of faith was unable react to the attack.

Luckily, Oliver left his angel to Areum earlier. One of Oliver's angels of death managed to withstand the deadly attack.

"Again, you were saved by him...!!"

Finally, Areum knew who the clone was in front of her. That was her before she met Oliver.

That when Areum was 19 years old, three years earlier. The moment where she was destroyed because of her family. Her father and mother who almost never returned home. And when one of them comes home, it must bring her affair. They have always ignored Areum and have never considered its existence.

All of that happens when the two become hunters. A relationship that was not based on love from the beginning, just fell apart.

Areum is an unexpected child from the relationship between her parents. Even since childhood, Areum has never been given affection because the two are busy with their respective jobs.

Areum's father and mother are not married, they only live under one roof and live their respective lives. And when there was an incident 10 years ago where people had a chance to gain power, Areum's situation became even worse.

Unlike those who lose affection from parents and vent it by seeking the attention of others, little Areum has no one to lean on.

Because of her shy nature and coming from an ordinary family, little Areum often received unpleasant actions from her friends. Even until the age of 19, Areum didn't have anyone to call friends or bestfriends.

When choosing a job, Areum chooses something that requires her to trust someone to be her master. Hoping that one day she could find someone who deserved all her trust.

However, 2 years passed without being able to find a suitable one. Areum really almost gave up then. She sat quietly on the side of the bridge. Her mind wandered far away. Asking why she had to go through all this. Is it true that God's destiny is best?

Areum has really reached the threshold of patience. Feel like she wants to jump and all suffering will end as soon as she closes her eyes.

But, Areum was surprised when a hot coffee was offered to her.

Curious, Areum saw who handed coffee. It was Oliver. At that time, Areum didn't know who Oliver was and why the person had gotten here.

"It's just ordinary warm coffee," Oliver said when he saw Areum who was just staring at him.

Although still confused, Areum accepted the coffee. "Thank you"

Oliver then sat down beside her. The two were silent in the silence of the night. Enjoy a warm coffee.

Unable to stand the silence, Areum asked, "I'm sorry, but what are you doing here?"

"No, I'm just looking for trust..."

Belief?

"Sorry, if I may know, what is your name? Looks like I've seen you before?"

Oliver stares at the sky full of stars. "Oliver…"

"Eh?! Aren't you that No. 1 hunter?!" Areum was shocked to see Korea's strongest hunter currently sitting beside her.

"It seems so..."

"What do you mean it seems like that?! you are a hero to Korean society!!"

….

"How can I be called a hero when someone is not doing well just sit here"

"That..."

How could I meet the hunter no. 1 out of so many people, Areum thought.

The two chatted while enjoying the beauty of the city at night greeting. Although this was the first time they met, Areum didn't feel awkward and talked a lot.

Hearing Areum's story, Oliver listens to it carefully and sometimes chimes in with it. A warm feeling that Areum had never felt before, was now warming her heart and mind.

It was the beginning of their meeting and the turning point of Areum's transformation.

Back to the present.

With the help of  Oliver's angel of death, Areum managed to suppress her shadow. During battles, the thing that annoyed Areum the most was her shadow's ability to enter and exit mirrors anytime and anywhere. Although Areum smashes mirror, this seemingly endless passage makes it even more difficult.

However, Areum knew one of her master's angel of death skills, which was that he could kill anything as long as that thing was hit by his slashes. She came up with a plan.

"Annoying..." Areum's shadow was seen which seemed overwhelmed to withstand the attack.

And when the shadow was about to enter the mirror, Areum launched her plan.

"Now!!"

Soon the angel of death created a barrier and restricted the surrounding area to darkness.

Due to the absence of light, the mirror cannot reflect the shadow. Which made Areum's shadow unable to use her powers.

When cornered, Areum's shadow tries to create light from the friction of the colliding metals. Areum's shadow also summons bats and uses its echolocation abilities.

Once a light was created from the friction of the metal, Areum's shadow immediately used its ability to enter the mirror.

However, when shadow could see the light of the spark, Areum could also see it and know what her shadow would do.

"Now..."

Just as Areum's shadow entered the mirror, Areum ordered the angel of death to slash all the mirrors there.

One slash and all the mirrors in the barrier area were destroyed.

Areum didn't know if the angel of death's slash had an effect on her shadow or not. So, Areum ordered him to remove the barrier and see if shadow would appear again.

1 minute passed, but Areum's shadow still showed no sign of attack. So, Areum concluded that her shadow was dead.

Areum ran again to catch up with her master. While running, along the hallway Areum found scattered mirror fragments. And thanks to the angel of death, Areum knew that her master was not far from her.

....

Trang!

Behind a door, the mirror held by the little girl shattered.

"Interesting toys..."

....

Thanks to her echolocation, Areum clearly saw that there was someone in front of her. But strangely, there are 2 figures that are visible. One of them is standing and the other is sitting. Areum did not know who was standing, but the one who was sitting was her master.

"Look at yourself, pathetic..."

"You should have died..."

Oliver sat there quietly as his shadow cursed him. He did not respond to those words as if he did not have the spirit of life. He who has lost his footing, is not suitable when juxtaposed with his name as the world's strongest hunter.

The look in his blank eyes, signified how mentally destroyed a strongest hunter was.

From a distance, Areum's voice was heard calling out to Oliver. Oliver's shadow that was ready to drop his sword, stopped.

"It so pathetic that you are helped by the person you have helped..."

"If you have this weak determination, immediately stop being a hero..."

Then Oliver's shadow disappeared.

"Milordd!!"

Areum touched Oliver's shoulder but there was no response. Then Areum moved to Oliver's face and was shocked to see her master bowed.

"Milord!! what happened to you?!" said Areum while raising Oliver's face.

But what was seen was not the face of her master, but the same face as when Areum was desperate. Areum looked around to make sure there were no enemies lurking. But the hallway was empty and there were only shards of mirrors scattered.

"Milord...why..."

It took a few seconds for Areum to realize what was really happening. Looking at her surroundings and what she had experienced before, Areum understood why her master could be like this. Although Areum knows nothing about her master's past, it is Oliver who has saved and made Areum find purpose in her life.

Although not very smart, Areum knew what she had to do as her master's knight. She lifted Oliver's face to look at her even though his gaze was blank.

Dugh!!

Areum banged her head on Oliver. Oliver still looked unmoved.

"Please, wake up..."

Dugh!!

This time Areum with all her might banged her head. Makes blood drip on her forehead. So did Oliver's bloody forehead. But because of his passive skills, the wound healed quickly.

Dugh!

The third time Areum tried to resuscitate her master. Seeing her master who was still unconscious of her efforts, made Areum feel disappointed in her. Even though her master is there when she needs someone.

Areum leaned her head against Oliver's head. I don't know how to wake up her master anymore.

"No! I can't give up!"

Areum again prepared to awaken her master.

"With all my strength, please be aware milord"

"Haaa...!!"

Areum closed her eyes as if it was all the power she used.

Tap!

A touch of hand stopped Areum's full header.

"Didn't I tell you to stay there..."

"Milordd...!!"

Hearing her master's conscious voice, Areum hugged him tightly as if she didn't want to lose him.

Oliver accepted the hug. "Am I worrying you? forgive me."

"..." Areum was still crying in Oliver's arms.

"Areum doesn't know what the past milord is like"

"But if you need someone to tell you a story, Areum is ready at any time..."

Areum paused for a moment, "... Seo Yeon also includes"

"Haha, alright" Oliver pulled Areum's body out of his hug and treated the wound on her forehead.

"Are you feeling good?"

"Hum"

Oliver stroked Areum's head, "You come back! I'll take care of the rest."

"Thank you for worrying me and... Good work has beaten your past"

Areum smiled broadly at her master's praise. "Thank you, milord!"

"I pray for your safety and of course your victory"

After saying that, Areum turned to return to the room where the other three members were asleep.

"It's time to face the past..."

Oliver walked back down the long hallway. The mirror that projected his past, he destroyed without hesitation.

Oliver wrote a message on his bracelet. "I await your presence"

In the room where Hyun was still asleep, the beautiful dream still continued.

Hyun was in a mall with his family.

While at one of the food courts, Hyun felt a déjà vu. He felt that he had experienced a similar incident but could not remember it. Hyun also felt that someone kept calling him but when he looked around, there was no source of the sound.

Seeing Hyun who was acting strangely, Sera asked what happened. Hyun replied that he just felt a strange feeling that couldn't be explained.

"Sera, where is Sylv?"

"Sylv?" Who is it? Exactly what am I talking about?

...

"Hyun, do you feel unwell?" there seemed to be worry covering his mother's face.

"Should we go home, Hyun?" his father was also worried about Hyun's condition.

"No, Hyun is fine"

Since Hyun said it was okay, they continued eating.

After eating, they continued walking around the mall and gave some groceries. While at the mall, the feeling like something is wrong continues to haunt Hyun. He could not explain why these feelings arose. There was even a name that Hyun had never met before.

When he was about to leave the mall, Hyun couldn't help but be curious. "Hey Sera, do you love oppa?" asked Hyun to Sera she was holding with him.

Hearing her oppa's question, Sera smiled.

"Of course, Sera loves oppa"

"Of course, Sera loves oppa d#n k@k 5y7v"

What....

"Arrghhh!!"

Suddenly Hyun's head was shaken violently.

"Oppaa!!"

"Hyun!! What happened to you?!"

"Kyaaa! Hurry up, there's a monster outside!"

Hyun's head seemed to spin and there was a screaming sound that came out of nowhere.

"HYUN! SERA! You guys hurry up and go with Mom! Dad will be able to-"

"Kaaa!! DAD!!"

What really happened?

"Hyun! Keep Your Sister Safe! you go first"

Hyun faintly looked at his mother's frightened face. He didn't know what really happened. His head was very dizzy. But as ordered by his mother, Hyun, who was still dizzy, immediately invited Sera to run away.

In the middle of escape, Hyun took the time to look back to see what happened. But, what he saw were human bodies scattered and some that were eaten by a strange creature like a monster. What is it?

Hyun is looking for where his mother is. In the corner of his eye, he saw the silhouette of his smiling mother. Behind her was a monster ready to pounce.

"NO!!"

"MOM...!!"

Hyun woke up. In front of him, there was a dragon staring at him.

"Aaaa...!!"

Suddenly Hyun stepped back and hit his head on the head of the bed.

"Aw!"

"Y-you!! "Fking dragon! you surprised me"

Krieett...

A sound of an open door startled Hyun for the second time.

Areum appeared behind him. "Oh Hyun, you've come to your senses"

Seeing one of her members wake up, Areum orders her dragon to retreat and approach Hyun.

"Are you alright, Hyun?"

"Oh yea, I'm fine"

"Just having good and bad dreams at the same time," Hyun said while holding his still aching head.

Hyun was still curious as to why the soul dragon was here. "By the way, isn't this the dragon that Oliver once defeated? Why is it here?"

"Oh this? Actually I can summon the monsters that I and milord have defeated."

Hyun nodded, "Then, where is Oliver? Why is there only the two of us and... two people who are asleep?"

"That's actually..."

"Ah no need to explain, I know the outline"

Hyun checked his bracelet which had accumulated several messages from his unnie Sylv and also Oliver.

MASTER!! Finally Master comes back to life!

"Are you worried about me? I'm sorry, it seems like a beautiful dream I can't get through"

It's okay what master is, as long as master is fine, it's enough.

"Sunbae! Is there a body-sized mirror here?"

"Yes, it's there," said Areum while pointing to the mirror in the corner of the room.

"Good! now it's time to live up to Oliver's expectations"

"Hey system, swallow the three sunbae"

Sure master!

"Hyun! what do you want to do?" asked Areum when she saw Hyun walking towards the mirror.

"Just a few small affairs, sunbae"

It seems like Areum understands, "I pray for your victory, Hyun"

"Of course, sunbae!"

Hyun turned his ring into a sword. "Are you ready, Danjo?!"

Hyun touched his hand on the mirror. Miraculously, Hyun's hand was able to penetrate it. "I'm going first, sunbae!"

Seeing Hyun's completely lost body, Areum prayed in her heart, "You are our hope, Hyun. Please take care of the master for us"

Absorption complete, master!