INHO 06

END AND BEGINNING (6)

“What the—where am I?”

I shot upright, instantly alert. A strange ceiling loomed above me. My eyes darted around, searching for any hint of danger—but all I saw was a white curtain fluttering gently in the breeze from an open window.

The peaceful quiet was so disarming that I instinctively withdrew the mana I’d wrapped around myself.

Once calm returned, I realized I was lying on a soft bed. The blanket smelled faintly of sunlight and clean linen.

‘Guess the regression wasn’t a dream, huh.’

It was such a small thing, but one I could never have dreamed of before—and I felt genuine relief at that.

‘Status window.’

Name: Kang Yuha
Rank: B
Titles: Last Survivor, Regressor
Skills: Absorption (S), Physical Enhancement (B), Purification (E)

※ Due to abnormal skill acquisition, rank update is unavailable.

A new skill had appeared in the list.

‘…I did take it in a rush, but still.’

Ah, seriously. What the hell happened?

I checked my inventory and the rest of the system windows, trying to see what exactly I’d absorbed before passing out—and when I finally saw it, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“Are you kidding me?”

My mana pool was overflowing—beyond full. I’d never seen numbers like that before. This wasn’t something that could be replenished through ordinary rest. The scale itself was completely different.

At this point, I could probably maintain full-body enhancement nonstop and still go about my daily life.

‘Did I absorb mana from that core?’

That was the only explanation that made sense. And sure enough, there was a new note related to rank limitations.

So that’s why, even with an S-rank skill and a ridiculous amount of mana, I was still listed as B-rank.

Which, honestly, was a relief. I had no desire to draw attention by suddenly jumping up to S-rank.

“Oh? You’re awake?”

At the sound of a familiar voice, I turned. Min Hajun stood in the doorway.

He looked far more relaxed than he had in the Gate.

‘The atmosphere’s totally different.’

Inside the Gate, his tight combat suit had emphasized his tall, lean frame. Today, dressed in a light beige cardigan and dark pants, he gave off a calm, gentle vibe. His features were fine and elegant—more delicate than I’d realized before.

Well, good timing. I needed him anyway.

“Can you come here for a sec?”

He looked puzzled but obeyed, sitting on a small chair beside my bed.

“Your hand.”

He placed his large, pale hand over mine without hesitation. Maybe because of his ice ability, his skin felt slightly cool to the touch.

He didn’t even question me—that was impressive. I’d thought from the start that he was the obedient type.

Sorry to use you for testing, but you’re practically brimming with mana, so… you’ll forgive me.

I focused my power.

‘〈Absorption〉.’

You currently possess mana beyond your capacity. Skill use restricted.

Capacity?

You currently possess mana beyond your capacity. Skill use restricted.

No matter how many times I tried, the same message repeated. It seemed the abnormal mana level was exceeding my normal limit. I was at capacity.

Well, if I could absorb mana infinitely, my body would’ve exploded by now. Guess this was the system’s way of keeping me alive.

While I was silently nodding to myself in understanding—

“Do I… just keep holding your hand like this?”

His soft voice cut through my thoughts. When I looked up, his clear eyes were fixed intently on me.

I must’ve looked strange, sitting there clutching his hand and nodding to myself.

“It’s fine now. Thank you.”

I released his hand. But instead of pulling away, his fingers hesitated mid-air, following mine as if unwilling to let go. There was even a hint of longing in that gesture.

‘What’s that about?’

We’d only fought side by side once—far too little time for that kind of sentiment.

I glanced at him, but his expression was the same—gentle smile, nothing more.

Maybe I was just overthinking things. Probably exhaustion dulling my instincts.

Still, since the situation could’ve been awkward for him, I offered an apology.

“Sorry, I just needed to test something.”

“No, it’s fine. Actually…”

He suddenly stopped mid-sentence, then smoothly changed the topic.

“Anyway, how are you feeling?”

Not my place to pry, so I let it go.

“I’m fine.”

“No soreness or discomfort?”

“None at all.”

He seemed to think for a moment, then nodded.

“I brought you here because I thought you might need treatment.”

“Here?”

“This is the Transcendence building.”

Ah. No wonder it looked so fancy.

I never imagined I’d end up in the medical wing of Korea’s top guild.

Well, considering I cleared the Gate alongside their guildmaster, it made sense.

I looked at Min Hajun—Guildmaster of Transcendence—sitting quietly in front of me, and reality began to sink in.

“Oh, and just to be clear, I wasn’t the one who changed your clothes. In case you were wondering.”

“You don’t seem like that kind of degenerate anyway.”

“…That was a compliment, right?”

Technically, yes. So I nodded.

Only then did I notice the unfamiliar clothes I was wearing—slightly loose, but definitely women’s clothing.

Hopefully not his.

My old outfit had been soaked in monster fluids and sand; keeping it would’ve been disgusting.

“Actually, there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask since yesterday…”

He waited until I’d finished checking my outfit before speaking—but one word snagged my attention.

“Yesterday?”

“You were unconscious the entire day.”

That explained why the sunlight looked so bright.

“Nothing important happened while I was out, right?”

“…Nothing urgent.”

There were things I needed to do, sure—but nothing as critical as what I’d already done: saving the man in front of me.

Min Hajun’s face relaxed in relief.

“That’s good.”

“So what did you want to ask?”

There were so many possibilities—why I was at that Gate, how I knew his condition, what I did to the core… all of them awkward to explain.

But instead, he asked,

“What’s your name?”

“…What?”

“Your name. I just realized we never properly introduced ourselves.”

Surely he didn’t think I didn’t know him.

“I’m guessing you already know mine—Min Hajun.”

“…Kang Yuha.”

“Yuha… Yuha Hunter.”

He repeated my name softly, then smiled brightly.

“Then there’s something I need to say first.”

“What is it?”

“Thank you. For saving my life.”

“…”

There were reasons I did it—but I didn’t mind the gratitude. After all, I had saved him, and it’s hard to dislike sincerity like that.

“So, if it’s alright with you, may I treat you to a meal? As thanks.”

I nodded easily. Definitely not because I was hungry.

‘Though… it’s been a while since I’ve had a real meal.’

Something warm. Seasoned. Cooked.

Before leaving home yesterday, I’d eaten nothing but a piece of stale bread. I told myself it was for mobility, but really, my fridge had been empty. I couldn’t help resenting my past self for taking food for granted.

So this time, I followed him willingly.

He even handed me a new pair of shoes, perfectly my size.

Guess you don’t become rank #1 without being thorough.

But—

“Sorry… I really talked big earlier…”

“It’s fine. This porridge is actually really good.”

Instead of some high-end restaurant he’d hinted at, we ended up at a well-known porridge chain.

I spooned up a mouthful of bland white porridge and quietly nursed my disappointment. At least it was warm and seasoned.

People really are never satisfied.

The sudden change of plans was simple enough to explain.

Just as we were leaving, the Transcendence healer returned—saw us heading out—and immediately kicked Min Hajun in the shin.

“Are you insane, taking a patient out?!”

Her furious voice still echoed in my ears.

Apparently, after being unconscious for an entire day without water, greasy food was off-limits. Hence, porridge for both of us.

While I ate quietly, Min Hajun sat across from me, shoulders slumped, expression woeful—like a scolded puppy.

‘How old is he again?’

I knew everything about his death—when, why, how—but personal details? None.

“Do you like meat? I know a really good place.”

“Yes, I do.”

He brightened immediately.

“Then let’s go together sometime. Their steak is amazing.”

As he said it, a halo of light seemed to glow behind him. Once I noticed it, I couldn’t not see how absurdly good-looking he was—sharp yet gentle features, kind eyes.

Come to think of it, he wasn’t just rank #1 by strength; he’d also topped the annual “Hunter Popularity Poll” every single year.

I’d awakened too late to care about such things. Not that a B-rank hunter would’ve made the rankings anyway.

‘Now I see why he was number one.’

Too kind, maybe—but I could see how that helped.

“I’ll think about it. I might be busy for a while.”

“Of course. Whenever you’re free. Just contact me anytime.”

He offered his phone, completely natural. His tone was pure, straightforward, almost impossible to misinterpret. I entered my number and handed it back.

“I’ll text you later. And if anything happens—anything at all—please contact me.”

Probably nothing would happen, but I nodded anyway.

Maybe being a guild leader made him this used to looking after others.

“Isn’t it tiring, worrying about everyone all the time?”

“Huh? Not at all. I don’t usually do this.”

Then what was this supposed to be?

Habitual kindness—wasn’t that a kind of crime in itself?

“I’m only like this with you. You’re… special.”

I blinked. That was way too romantic for a porridge shop.

“You saved me, for one thing. And whatever your skill is, it seems to work really well with mine.”

Ah. So that’s what he meant.

His eyes weren’t filled with romance—they were filled with recruitment potential.

I’d underestimated him.

If this was how he treated potential guild assets, I’d have to stay sharp.