Two figures blocked Lee Si-woo's path. A man and a woman, both draped in oversized hoodies decorated with cartoon animals. They weren't just casual designs—Si-woo recognized them as characters from a Japanese anime his younger sister adored. To be wearing such clothing outside so boldly, these two were unmistakably otaku—deeply immersed in a world others often dismissed as childish.
But that detail hardly mattered now. Si-woo's expression remained unreadable as he stopped before them. The man fumbled nervously, clearly lacking confidence, while the woman gave him a sharp nudge to push him forward. At last, words spilled out, clumsy and apologetic.
The pair confessed that they had followed Si-woo ever since seeing him on a broadcast interview. Not because he fought with glory or stood as a flawless hero, but because he had shown his weakness openly. His fear of monsters, something the world would mock, had been revealed without shame. To them, that was strength. Where others hid their flaws, Si-woo had faced the world without shrinking back.
The sincerity in their eyes was strange. At first glance, they had seemed sly, almost suspicious, the sort of outsiders from the café who lurked in shadows. Yet now it became clear—they admired him. Not for power, but for courage of a different kind.
Even so, Si-woo couldn't help but question. With countless heroic hunters broadcasted daily, why chase after someone like him? The woman's answer was firm. Heroes shown on screens were too perfect, too polished. They flaunted only their brilliance. But Si-woo had turned down the offers of mighty guilds, stood firm in his choices, and declared his flaws without flinching. That was why outsiders like them, who lived in hiding with their own imperfections, saw hope in him.
For the first time, Si-woo understood. These café members weren't parasites or opportunists—they were people weighed down by their own shadows, yet drawn to someone who dared to live unashamed. Their admiration wasn't mockery. It was genuine.
Even so, Si-woo warned them gently. Their constant filming, their stalking—it had been improper. The two lowered their heads, shamefaced. Still, since they had confessed and sought forgiveness honestly, Si-woo allowed it. They could record him, but not invade his privacy or spread videos recklessly on public platforms. The siblings introduced themselves—Yeon Ji-young and Yeon Jong-seok—before retreating quickly, as though terrified of being discovered by others in their group.
Watching their small figures vanish, Si-woo felt an odd tug of sympathy. They were like shivering puppies abandoned under a roof, desperate yet fragile. But he knew better than to let emotions entangle him. He had larger tasks ahead—growth, revenge, and the dangerous black market. These siblings might draw pity, but they were not his responsibility.
Later, Si-woo returned home. The door clicked open, and Do Min-jun greeted him cheerfully, eyes glued to the television. On the screen played the recorded hunt of Galaxy Guild's assault squad, ranked fourth in Korea. Hunters marched in organized formation, magic raining down, blades clashing, and curses echoing through the chaos. Even through censorship, their violent shouts painted the brutal truth of monster hunts.
Si-woo couldn't deny their power. Such disciplined guilds could bring down colossal beasts that no lone hunter could ever hope to face. Compared to them, even high-ranked individuals seemed small.
Min-jun bragged in childlike fashion, waving his arms as though recalling past glories—slaying monsters with ease, defeating titans single-handedly. But Si-woo could sense the exaggeration. Under gentle pressure, Min-jun admitted the truth: he had only slain dying creatures, already crippled and near death.
A faint laugh escaped Si-woo. For all his boasting, Min-jun remained honest at heart. Still, one question lingered deeply within Si-woo. What was his true potential? In Min-jun's world, among other races and hunters, where could he reach with the abilities he possessed?
As silence fell, anticipation sharpened in Si-woo's eyes. He waited for Min-jun's answer.