The vacation was over and Jinwoo was back in Korea.
The shadow units that represent the Ahjin Guild have kept the hunters in control and the world safe. In fact, the crime rates have been nearly zero since it is near impossible to hide crimes from them, much less fight and defeat them. S-Rank hunters mark the strength of the country they represent, and there are as many s-rank shadows as there are s-rank hunters in the country, as agreed between the governments and Sung Jinwoo. Even if all of the country's s-rank hunters band together, the shadows can hold them off until more s-rank shadows arrive as reinforcements. Such is the might of the Ahjin Guild that nearly none dares to commit a crime.
"We are thankful for the shadows that keep our world completely safe from crimes, Mr Sung. The peace we have right now is unbelievable, and the nations have been united at heart from when you stopped the monster invasion yourself, so conflicts are minimal. Though, they act like real law enforcers and have been catching criminals left and right, and our police officers do not have to do a thing. Now I am worried that our future generations would not be able to keep the world safe like now once you pass on, Mr Sung. We have been relying too much on your powers alone."
(I don't think that matters, since I basically don't age. But it's not like I can tell them that.)
"Good timing. I have something that would solve that. The method would involve having each country handle things on their own, but it is safe."
"What is it?"
"Gates. Dungeons. I can create them and spread them to the entire world."
"What? Is that even possible? And how is that safe?"
"It is similar to how I can summon shadow soldiers. I can create many "shadow" dungeons and have them spawn throughout the entire world for hunters to handle. Actually, the shadow dungeons come from the same dimension where I summoned my shadows. I can also have my shadows accompany the hunters on their raid to watch over them and protect them where necessary. This way there would be no casualties."
"Well, I can at least guess that your shadows are not summoned by normal means , so I can somewhat understand, but this is... shocking, to say the least. But will that solve the issue? What will happen when you pass on from old age years later?"
"I don't use mana when summoning shadows, but only to regenerate them. It is the same for the gates as well. I can set the gates to be independent on their own, and if a dungeon break occurs I can set it in a way that the monsters would only attack those stronger than them."
It seems that there were still traces of the system left even after Jinwoo had deleted it, and he had the demonic spirit shadows study and research it. Other than the use of the concept of using bloodstones to make demons stronger to allow the player to level up from receiving nutrients, the system is a medium to precisely control the shadow power. Upon recreating the system, they set it so that it can automatically operate the shadow dungeons and the gates by itself.
"A-amazing. I can only imagine peoples' reactions if they hear that you can summon your shadows without using mana, but thank you – though we still have to rely on you to solve our problem."
"It's fine."
(This should be good enough for me to keep track of the entire world. Even if I have to leave Earth to fight Itarim, it would be safe enough with the hunter gaining experience from the gates. This is perfect for collecting intel in case anything unusual happens. I don't believe that the Itarim would only use straightforward methods to deal with Earth with me in their way.)
A few days later.
Back to the Sea of Afterlife.
[You have entered the realm of the Sea of Afterlife]
[The "Death" status effect is in effect]
[The King of the Dead is immune to the status effect "Death".]
"And here we are. How does your body feel?"
"Not so bad I guess. That serpent-like thing is the one I am supposed to fight right?"
"Yes. Here are your daggers. Good luck."
"Right, thanks. Here I go."
Some moments later.
Slash!
[The succession trial for the primordial darkness has been completed]
[a new monarch has been born]
"Looks like you did it. You should be back to normal and be able to feel the same as when you were alive. Monarchs have their own free will after all."
"Sure am. Now we can return home, right?"
"You should change your form to how you used to look first."
"I can do that?"
"Yes you can. Just try to have a feel of your entire body and imagine the appearance you want to take."
"...Whoa! It actually works!"
"Now then, let's go home. The two of them will be in for a surprise."
"Haha! I bet that was your plan all along!"