The hospital doors opened quietly.
Cold morning air met Jin as he stepped outside.
He stopped for a moment just beyond the entrance.
Behind him—
the hospital tower rose high into the sky.
White walls.
Rows of silent windows.
Too large.
Already distant.
He adjusted the sleeve of the clean black jacket William had left for him earlier in the bag.
New clothes.
Prepared.
Expected.
"Finally."
William's voice came from nearby.
Jin turned.
William stood beside the car at the edge of the entrance lane, watching him carefully. His eyes moved once—from Jin's face, to his shoulders, then to the way he walked.
"…You're standing straighter than I expected."
"I'm fine."
William reached into his coat and pulled something out.
A small black object rested in his hand.
The monster core.
He extended it toward him.
"Min Ji gave it to me yesterday."
"…Min Ji?"
William nodded once.
"She handed it to me after we brought you here."
For a moment—
the memory returned.
Night.
Hospital lights behind him.
The street quiet.
William walking out through the entrance.
Min Ji waiting for him beside the road.
She looked at him.
"I forgot something."
William stopped beside her.
"…What?"
She tossed the core lightly toward him.
"I took it earlier."
He caught it easily.
"Didn't feel right keeping it," she added.
William studied her briefly.
"You came all the way back just to return it?"
"My bike's still where we stopped earlier," she said.
A pause.
"…Get on."
She smiled slightly.
"I like your decisions."
A few minutes later—
he stopped beside her parked motorcycle.
She stepped off the passenger seat.
Adjusted her gloves.
Then looked back once.
"Jin has been through more than he shows," she said quietly.
"You're close enough to see that. Protect him."
A short pause.
"…Especially from himself."
William didn't answer.
But he remembered the words.
She started the engine—
and disappeared into the night.
Back in the present—
Jin took the core.
He glanced around.
No one was watching.
The core vanished instantly into his inventory.
William watched that happen without comment.
"…Where to?"
"A restaurant."
William nodded once.
"And after that?"
"Home."
The restaurant was quiet.
Late morning.
Only a few tables were occupied.
Warm air replaced the cold outside as William opened the door.
They sat near the window.
Food arrived quickly.
Smoked meat.
Rice.
Vegetables.
Soup.
Jin started eating immediately.
Not rushed.
Not careless.
Efficient.
Like someone rebuilding strength piece by piece.
William watched him for a moment.
"…Your appetite came back fast."
"Yes."
Silence settled between them.
Comfortable.
Then—
"I'll focus on hunting monsters for the next few months."
William looked up.
"I expected that."
"I need to finish the system task."
A short pause.
"One thousand."
William leaned back slightly.
"…How many do you have left?"
"Four hundred thirty-six."
William exhaled quietly.
"…Still a long way."
Jin didn't look up.
"I'll finish it."
A pause.
Then—
"You'll start descending with me."
William stilled.
Just for a second.
Then a small smile formed.
"You refused that before."
"I know."
William nodded once.
"Then we'll move faster."