With a slow approach, Haneul madeway to his mountainous abode, trodding through the city as he saw a pack of Martial Artists frantically running to the school he had just left.
The group sported uniforms adorned with various symbols on their backs, most were for clans and some even schools, with a singular one with a full sect symbol on it.
"They react fast huh, well at least this world isn't hopeless then," He said as he let out a small scoff as strolled towards his towering dwelling.
Observing the environment as he walked through, he saw civilians gawking at a Squads of Martial Artist drinking coffee in a fairly large cafe whilst others held those little pads for signatures as they met with a small band of hunters…
The various sights he saw had interested him a bit, before the shadow of his abode's wall-like gates arrived in front of him. Looking both directions, he observed the premises, looking if people were around the area before jumping over the border like walls with a single leap, landing in front of the other side of the entrance, as he pressed the doorbell of the actual door to the building.
The resonating bell tolled with a force that seemed to shake the very ground beneath them, as a hundred banshee like screams brought fort with a figure responding to it…clad in a garment that blended the regal elements of a traditional kimono with the refined finesse of a butler's attire, greeted the young child behind the now ajared door.
"Why hello there young master, I believe we sent the driver to pick you up, sir." The man's voice, softly tinged with Chinese intonation echoed.
"Yeah yeah…in any case, has everything been sent today?" Haneul asked impatiently.
"Indeed sir, and shall I ask once more why you're sending so much to that fa—" The Man tried to say before being cut off with…
"Again, it's nothing for you to worry about…" He dismissively said.
"Now to ark!" Haneul exclaimed, running in as he threw his bag at the man.
The Man sighed deeply as he caught the container. "Can't believe that child is the master's son."
He huffed as he followed Haneul inside as he shut the door.
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As the school bell resounded, I swiftly rose from my seat and respectfully- well tried at least, bowed to the Norwegian b- woman that was my teacher before making my way out.
Walking through the hall, Hyun soon started to follow me, with a tap on my shoulder.
"Heya desk neighbour!~ Mind if we hang out together?" He said with a ditzy smile.
Eui glanced at Hyun. 'Hm, very awkwardly forward route, I see.'
"I guess why not, do you know a place?" I answered in an expected monotone.
"Oh there's a great stall around, that serves Japanese ramen! It's delicious, trust me!" Hyun responds with joyousness.
"Then…shall you lead the way?" Querying in a more or less casual way.
"Oh! Right! Follow me!" Hyun said as he hopped through the hall, as I followed closely behind.
As we walked, we heard of the commotion in the gates of the school.
Arriving at them, I held a sigh as we looked at the…mess that was made…
"I wonder what happened here-….wait is that a martial squad-"
"It's probably nothing......let's just keep going." I said as I pulled him away from the scene, couldn't really hide the tiredness of my voice though- huh I guess I am a noona…
'That kid..,huff…can't control himself at all.' It was obvious that this was from that stupid dongsaeng of mine! Ugh…'
We kept just walking along from the gates through the streets to a peculiar stall, as I ignored that splitting headache and the trouble he caused.
Arriving at the booth, Hyun happily looked at it whilst I, in admittedly a lapse of bliss, had a more sombre expression, but hey- can you blame a girl for reminiscing?
Entering the little version of a restaurant, grabbing our seats as Hyun waved at the servers as I observed the store.
'It really does look like the first time we met…'
"So you've been here a lot? It seems you're quite friendly to them." A common question in a facade of interest for him to observe.
"Hmmm, yeah, you meet a lot of people on the ground level heh." He'd say with an awkward laughing tone.
"Ohoh, that sounds quite nice." Did I pull off that indiscernible smirk? I think so…
"Oh well, you know-" Before his finishing thought came the menu as a waiter handed it towards him.
"Op! Thank you miss!" He gave gratitude with a smile as he looked at the staff, a tall figure with her hair as black and ears of elven liking by her sides…he really doesn't know how to hide his expressions when gawking at something he likes huh?...tsk..
"Oh! M-Miss?" They queried with their eyes held a bit wide while pointing to herself…
"Uhhh yes…" He said as he tilted his head ever slightly, "Is there a proble–"
"Oh! Uuuh! It's nothing! Heheh!" They responded with a wide smile, "I-In any case! Call me when you're ready to order young sir!"
She said while running back…bit too ditzy to be fit to be a waiter in my opinion…
"Hmmm, what a nice lady! In anycase, shall we order? What do you think we should have? Maybe something spicy!" He asked with a glittering tone and a smile of curiosity.
"Hmmmm maybe something with a surprise one may say, ey captain?" I responded with a small giggle…but damn, even seven years of preparing still doesn't make habits die huh?
"Wow there! Captain already? Don't we know each other too little to have nicknames already? Heh" He'd question coyly with a smile though knowing him, his thoughts were bound to be less bright.
'What the? It was already a surprise for her to accept this invite…why would she suddenly-…damnit, I might need to change my plan–'
But his thought was cut suddenly with my response. "Oh it's because you remind me of a certain legendary huntsman, y'know the one who somehow left something in a dungeon permanently..."
'I wonder if this seasoning is making him wonder about the main course…'
His face grew still for a short moment, probably over panic mode again…so I just tapped his shoulder to make him snap out of it. "Now! how about we order and eat?"
"H-huh? Oh-oh yeah let's..ehe..." He'd reply awkwardly, laughing. 'N-no one should have known about that relic!'
With contemplation in place, we ordered, with Hyun already trying to get information out of me! Aw! who knew he could get countered by me though…maybe it's just a difference of experience…
Finishing our meals, we'd started to stand up, giving bows towards each other as an internal grin plastered inside me juxtaposed to the happy smile I gave out.
"It was quite a meal! Never knew cupcakes could be that good! Nor mozzarella sticks! I hope we can have another one of these later!"
"Yeah it was…uhm uh, see you later!..." Aww cute! Who knew he could make such an awkward face so consistently!
"Mhmm! yeah see you later." I replied with a witty tone as well parted ways, if not productive, it was at least the most worthwhile day of my two lives!
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As the moon ascended into the sky and the vast darkness shimmered with specks of stars, I sleeped atop our towering mountain-like home.
My body contorted in my bed, beads of sweat glistening on my skin as I tossed and turned, caught in the throes of a deep slumber. My eyes tightly shut…not one of these again…struggling to find solace as my restless limbs twisted and turned, refusing to be still.
'No!…' As I slumbered in a deep sleep, my thoughts…gave me one of these again, screaming within my own mind, while my forehead trickled with beads of perspiration and breaths growing laboured.
'E-escape…go...We need to go!...' My eyes narrowed with increased intensity as tears welled up in them and then…suddenly jolting myself awake with a blood-curdling scream of terror loud enough to silence the cry of an infant.
"AAAAH!!" The piercing sound echoed through the house as my bedroom door burst open with a foot going past it, revealing him…that bastar- no, my little brother Haneul.
"Shut it! You f#ck!" He shouted as he looked at me intensely, my eyes making contact with him as I started to carefully slow down my breathing- well tried to, wiping the sweat off my face.
"S sorry—" I tried to say but was stopped by him shoving his finger on top of my lips.
"Another terror?" He said with a tired voice as he sat next to his sister.
"Y-yeah…" Didn't know I could say something so timidly to him anymore, as I looked away from my brother whilst his eyes focused on me.
"Still not gonna tell me what's it about?" He'd say as he cracked his neck to the ground and he looked at the concrete floor.
"S sorry…" Gulping whilst rubbing my hand against my left arm…how weak,
He'd sigh as he looked at me and then stood up.
"Well it's not like I can help with my words, so c'mon I'll cook you something." He'd say in a monotone voice with a rather straightforward fashion of tone…like always this past new years.
"T thanks, kinda embarr-rassing that a kid that's way more years younger than me is still m-making meals for me.." Trying to joke but he had already started to walk away, with it, I stood and quickly tried to catch up to him.
We walked through the halls of our home as we arrived at their kitchen, he'd go to the fridge to try to find and grab ingredients. "What ya want this time? Kimchi? Chikin? Or maybe Galbi Tang?"
"Just kimchi this time…the help has been noticing when those ingredients were used too much…" I sat at the dining table.
"Right right…you should stop worrying about that stuff." He'd say dismissively as he started to pull out some beef, napa cabbage, and various other ingredients.
"Hey...not everyone could be as ignorant as you…" I retorted in a sarcastic soft tone while stretching.
"Uhuh...in any case how's the arm?" He'd say as he started to make the Kimchi while he whistled, cooking as he'd pull out his phone to watch videos. Clearly attempting to take my mind off…of my mind…I guess it worked somewhat…
"Hm? Oh it's going great, the synergy is starting to stabilise, if I can make the circuit right the progress would be exponential, thanks to the metal plating you made it's also making it easier to conduct….." I rambled as my brother cooked.
He'd sigh a bit as he just let her talk with a soft smile for quite some time until he finally finished the Kimchi, pouring it onto a bowl and placing it down on the table.
"Make sure to not spill any, I'm not cleaning after you." He'd say as he walked back to the sink, turning on the faucet and washing his arms and hands, then going back to his room.
I let out a loud sigh as I responded whilst starting to eat the Kimchi as night went to dawn."Yeah don't worry and also watch that quietly."
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Haneul entered his room immediately jumping on his king size bed, as he laid down he'd slowly scrolled through his phone to find something to entertain himself.
As he scrolled he'd hear a notification ring into his mind, but not from his phone as he looked up with a bright blue glow placed on his face.
"Well you certainly appear at the weirdest time." He said with a snicker.
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The Northern Continent's Protector to Grief greets the small soul with a smile.
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"Hm, what do you want? I think your title really doesn't apply to me." He responded as he sat up.
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The Northern Continent's Protector to Grief responds by calling you Consoler.
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"I feel as if you're overestimating what I did." He said as he scrolled through his phone again.
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The Northern Continent's Protector to Grief giggles as they question if it is what the Prince of Kudara refers to as 'being tsundere'.
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"No, it is not what you're referring to, that's called—" He was about to correct but before he could, another notification appeared quickly.
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The Northern Continent's Protector to Grief says she needs to leave before she gets another lesson of characterization by Prince of Kudara.
--——————————————————--
"Oh well see you next time then." He said as he laid down scrolling through his phone again.
--——————————————————--
The Northern Continent's Protector to Grief says goodbye to the hunter.
--——————————————————--
The blue glowing box then disappeared as Haneul would watch YouTube through the night.
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As the veil of night descended, the Mistress of the House, Hae-won Seungcheon, was engaged in deep meditation in her private gym. She focused on her breath as the subtle energy of Qi coursed through her body's meridians, her sweat glistening in the dim light.
As she assumed a seated position, the Master of the House's raven tresses cascaded down to her waist, reminiscent of the flowing rivers of the underworld. Clad in a modest workout ensemble, featuring a crop top that revealed her chiselled abdomen, and sporting forearms that glistened like divine radiance, she exuded an otherworldly allure. Her complexion, akin to an ivory with a tinge of tan, glimmered like a blade of celestial steel, while each breath she took seemed to weigh as much as a mountain.
Suddenly, in front of her, a shadowed human figure emerged from the dark spewing black smoke from its mouth, Hae-won remained unperturbed though as if it didn't exist as she continued her meditation with steadfast concentration.
As the figure scowled it launched an attack, spikes shot out from its shadowy form and aimed straight at Hae-won, but to the attacker's dismay the spikes dissipated into nothingness before making contact with her body it seemed. It was as if her body was impervious to any harm as his attack disappeared from reality, leaving the assailant frustrated and fearful of her and her unshakable composure.
"How?..." The man would question in a desperate tone whilst he still tried to grit his expression.
Hae-won simply opened her eyes and within not even a quarter of a moment the man disappeared, as if he never existed.
She sighed as she stood up from her place. "Hey old man…culling again? Don't you remember that's my husband's job not mine."
As she talked to the air a voice with no discernible origin would respond. "An awakened can't manage the Awakeners." The voice said with a sullen tone.
"Y'know you're only saying that because I won't let him kill you right?" She said in a sarcastically exasperated manner.
A silence would befall the room for some time until the voice responded once more. "Matriarch, you know you can stop me from doing this, but checking the levels of the unofficial S Ranks is a must and you know it."
She'd sigh as she stretches. "Only because I can't use my power."
"Because if you do, our plane of existence will be twisted." The voice would say continuing with. "Only at Absolute Master remember."
"Yeah yeah, but why do I have to be grouped with those two? I mean, I should at least have respect through all the other planes but because of those guys destroying only 5—" She tried to complain but the voice interrupted her.
"Don't...it's because those are the only other one's to defeat an ancestor, if you're complaining, get a disciple." The voice said scoldingly.
"Hey fuck you old man!—" She started to exclaim profanities until silence came to the room.
"Really leaving immediately? Coward…" She sighed as she went back to her meditation.
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As the clock struck the seventh hour, Haneul drifted into a deep slumber, his snores echoing through the peaceful silence. But the tranquillity was short-lived, for suddenly, the door was viciously smashed open, interrupting his much-needed rest.
As the door burst open, a striking figure appeared before Haneul. He donned a puffy sweater layered over a white undershirt, with his skin radiating an ethereal glow. His eyes were a deep shade of black that sparkled, and his cheeks were adorned with delicate freckles. His lips shone a brilliant crimson, drawing the eye towards his face.
His legs were bare, clad only in simple shorts that revealed their toned yet fair structure, and fluffy pink slippers adorned his feet. Despite his tall, lean frame, his chest and hips had a feminine curvature, while his muscular physique was apparent through the unassuming clothing.
"Papa's here!" The man, Sin-ui exclaimed with a bright enormous smile as he tried to jump on top of his son.
Haneul sighed whilst dodging his father, with Sin-ui crashing into a seemingly red blanket on the bed.
"Bleh— you should really learn how to clean up Hanny." Sin-ui said as he started spitting some red liquid from his mouth.
"Did they prepare breakfast?" He'd say dismissively as he patted himself off while he stretched.
"Yup they did, and I hope the 'sinigang' you wanted satisfies you well." His father responded as he scratched the back of his head with a smile.
"I hope so too." Haneul commented as he yawned while he started to pass through the door and into the halls, walking to the dining area.
"Heh, I hope adding spices worked." Sin-ui said as he jolted off to follow his son.
As they walked through the hall a passing maid bowed to the two whilst they walked away as she entered his room picking up the red stained blanket it would reveal a severed hand underneath it, the maid simply picked up the body part and started 'cleaning' the room as she opened the lights revealing a crimson red space.
Haneul walked to the dining table that was adorned with the soup he had wanted to taste again for so long, he'd look at the spot where he had prepared food for his sister, it had been completely cleaned whilst her seat was empty.
"Huh down at the lab already, she should thank me for having school stalled."
He'd say as he sighed while noticing a man waiting at the side for him, he'd let out a weary sigh upon spotting the gentleman nearby, dressed in a loosely fitted unbuttoned suit.
Auburn bangs cascaded down his cheeks, while his eyes shimmered with a fiery orange hue in the bright sunlight. Though his physique appeared relatively toned beneath the unfastened shirt, there was something unsettling about the expression on his face for Haneul…
"Gregory, don't tell me those guys are…" Hanuel shakily tried to ask…
"They made another proposal for you young master, this time the healing pills formula to use for the Founders grandchildren." Gregory responded as he bowed.
He sighed as he looked at the man. "Just make sure they produce it and send the product properly."
"I will inform the organisation, I'll update you if they do it." Gregory bowed as he walked about to leave the room but…
"You're allowed to break free if they don't follow the deal." Haneul said nonchalantly to him as he started to consume the rice and soup.
Gregory stopped, forming a dark smile for a mere second before immediately stiffening his expression again. "Yes sir and thank you."
With that, Gregory continued to walk, disappearing out of sight as Haneul just yawned and sat on the table, continuing to eat.