Chereads / Leveling up by Claiming souls / Chapter 6 - CHAPTER 6

Chapter 6 - CHAPTER 6

As Ji woo finished his meal , cleaned up the house and sat on the sofa, his mind drifting through the labyrinth of memories, weaving through the threads of the past. The apartment he now called home held its own secrets, whispered stories of a life left behind. As he touched the walls, he couldn't help but feel the weight of his lost memories bearing down on him.

"Here, in these stairs," he murmured, his voice filled with nostalgia. "I once fell down and hit my head so hard. I still remember how Mom would get so agitated that she would rush me to the hospital."

The apartment's corners echoed with the memories of family, laughter, and love. Each step he took in this space unveiled fragments of his life, now locked away in time.

Ji Woo's thoughts delved deeper, the shadows of the past casting an emotional pall over him. "I still can't forget them," he admitted, his voice quivering with the weight of the unspoken. The memories were bittersweet, a reminder of what had been lost.

His mind wandered further, recalling the time when everything had changed. The monsters from the dungeons had emerged, and security had tightened. The value of hunters had skyrocketed, and his family's fate had been irrevocably altered.

"After that incident," Ji Woo mused, "everyone, my entire family, was deemed to be hunters." He paused, his thoughts lingering on the significance of those times. "Including Mom and Dad, and my little sisters. They all became well-known after they saved the lives of everyone."

A quiet sigh escaped his lips as he pondered the meteoric rise of his sisters, Hee Jin and Ye Jun, who had become the youngest S-rank twins. The status of his parents had also climbed, earning them high rankings among the esteemed hunters.

"Han did not blame his parents and sisters for leaving him ,he had always blamed himself for being weak

"where silence matched the emptiness insidehim and his apartment, he saw a photo. It showed everyone of family smiling together ji woo, his twin sisters, Han Hee Jin and Han Ye Jun, and his parents. That warmth felt like a distant memory , tears still glistened on his cheeks as he made his way to the kitchen, determined to fill the gnawing emptiness the stomach .

"I grabbed a pack of ramyun, the instant noodles I often turned to in times of solitude. With practiced ease, I started cooking them, the sound of boiling water providing a comforting backdrop.

"while the noodles simmered, he prepared a fiery Chinese-style egg, the sizzle of hot oil filling the air with a smoky aroma. As I served the ramyun, I drizzled chili oil on top and sprinkled it with fresh green onions. A small side of kimchi completed the meal , he slurped the noodles, finding solace in their familiar taste. It was a rare moment of tranquility amidst the chaos of his life. But then, my phone chimed with a message notification, disrupting my temporary peace.

"Your request for a small apartment near Seoul's alleyways has been found. Monthly rent: 350,000 won."

Seeing the price, he choked on my food. The reality his cureent financial situation hit him like a sledgehammer, as earning a meager 600,000 won from cleaning up monsters in dungeons and when combined with my food expenses, it was a daily struggle to make ends meet, but I couldn't continue living in this apartment, a place where my nightmares seemed to take on a life of their own.

Han put down my half-eaten meal, determined to make a change ,he cleaned up the apartment leaving no trace of my presence behind. Then, he dialed the number of the apartment broker.

[Phone ringing] 

"Hello how can i help you ?" , It was from someone who sounded like he was in his 40's or something. 

"I want to sell the apartment," Ji woo said, his voice unwavering.

"Few minutes later someone came and rang the door bell to the apartment,as steped outside to look infront of was an middle aged man wearing asuit , at a single glance he noticed it was the broker he called earlier'

"Please come inside "

"Thank you ?"

The broker came inside the apartment , as he looked through everything and then looked at ji woo's face .

"Mr Han this is a very luxuroius and well maintained apartment and the exterior nieghbour hood is also very friendly , surely a place one would love to aquire'.'

Han was not surprised as he lived there for so many year's but the feeling that it was a home had alredy been ripped of from his heart as every night spend on that apartment was a nightmare.

" Well , thanks i guess!''

It was an moment of awkwardness for both.

'As he said it was a perfect area exept one think that the area around the apartment is High-Risk zone which means In a city or location where frequent monster attacks or dungeon appearances occur, the demand for safe housing would be high. As a result, even a small and modest apartment in a relatively safe area might be relatively expensive. Prices could range from a few hundred thousand Korean Won (KRW) per month to over a million KRW or more."

"Then shall we move to paper works " said the broker.

Han nodded in agreement.

The broker took out his stash of papers and gave it to han , han after recieving the paper's read throughly and then looked at the price he was getting, it was a wooping 3,300,000,000 KRW (3.3 billion KRW) around 3 million US dollars , as guessed inflation was a skyrocketing due to the appearances of dungeons and the price of everything gradually increased.

"Han gulping down his dried spit!"

"surely this is a double storry apartment and was in a high risk zone still is this really how much it cost's ?" Han question's the broker about the credibility of the price.

The broker smiled and continued at ji woo saying ,Mr han this is the real price , when you called and told us about how it was a two storry apartment our boss said that a client is eagerly waiting to buy such a specimen and so the price is justicable at today's inflation and exchange rate's. 

" Han was still shocked beacuse him who was struggling cleaning dungeon's suddenly became a millionare!"

Before han could sign the paper's the broker began cautiously, glancing at him with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, "May I ask why you want to sell it?"

Ji woo's expression hardened as I met the broker's inquisitive gaze. "Don't pry into my life," he replied firmly, a subtle warning lacing in his words.

Sensing my discomfort, the broker hastily returned to the paperwork, eager to finalize the transaction and take everything that still belonged to him.

Ji woo swiftly signed the documents, my penmanship steady, as if by doing so, I could sever all ties with this place, a place that held nothing but painful memories.

With the paperwork completed, ji woo prepared to make to the exit , but just as I turned to leave, something compelled me to reach for the framed family photo sitting on the table. It was a tangible connection to a past that had once been filled with laughter and warmth.

Clutching the photo tightly in my hand, he walked away from the apartment without uttering another word. The weight of the frame felt heavier than ever, a reminder of what was lost.

Outside, on the busy sidewalk, the harsh reality of the transaction that had just completed was punctuated by a notification on my phone. It was a message from the broker, confirming the financial aspect of the deal. The message read, " 3,300,000,000 KRW has been sent to your account. Please confirm the transaction."

Han Ji Woo's gaze lingered on the sky for a moment, his mind lost in contemplation. The world had become a chaotic place, with monsters and dungeons lurking in the shadows, and now he is in need of a new place to stay. As he weighed his options, he turned his attention to his trusty phone, fingers dancing across the screen as he navigated through a barrage of messages.

Amidst the digital clutter, he finally stumbled upon the one message that seemed to hold the promise of change—an alert for a rental property. The number of the owner beckoned from the screen, daring him to make the call.

Without hesitation, he tapped the screen, initiating the call that would set his course on a new adventure. The ringtone filled the air, and a curious voice on the other end inquired, "Hello, who's this?"

Han's tone was firm and resolute as he introduced himself, "I'm calling about the apartment for rent."

The girl on the line, seemingly a liaison for the property, explained the deal had been arranged by her father. She extended an invitation for him to come and see the place for himself. "I'll send you the location through Kakao. Are you up for it?"

Han's response was swift and affirmative.

"Sure, I'll be there."

With the call ended, a message with the apartment's location popped up on his screen. He wasted no time, hailing a taxi to carry him to the place that could soon become his new sanctuary. Inside the cab, he conveyed the destination to the driver, and the vehicle smoothly navigated through the bustling city streets, edging closer to the apartment's elusive address.

As the taxi pulled up to the destination, Han settled the fare with the driver and stepped out onto the sidewalk. His eyes landed on the apartment building, its exterior unassuming but promising. It boasted a multitude of rooms, making it the perfect spot for a temporary abode, a safe haven in these tumultuous times.

Approaching the building's entrance, Han Ji Woo faced the doorbell, hesitating for a moment before giving it a firm press. Anticipation hung thick in the air as he awaited a response.

In the blink of an eye, the door opened, revealing the girl he had conversed with on the phone. Their gazes locked, and a shared surprise filled the moment. "You're...?" he started.

She echoed his curiosity, her voice laced with intrigue. "And you are...?" 

"You're... the one who helped me," she said, her voice soft, with a touch of surprise and gratitude.

Han Ji Woo couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. He nodded, acknowledging her statement. "Yeah, that was me. I'm sorry for leaving you alone back then. I didn't want to grab any unnessary attention!"

She shook her head, her expression softening. "It's okay. You did what you had to do. You saved me, after all."

Despite her understanding, Han Ji Woo couldn't shake the feeling that he could have done more.

The girl continued, her voice filled with curiosity. "What brings you here today? Did you come to see the apartment?"

Han Ji Woo cleared his throat, refocusing on the present. "Yeah, I'm here to check out the place. I'm looking for a new place to stay. With everything happening lately, it's been a bit chaotic."

She nodded in understanding. "I get that. "

As they conversed, Han Ji Woo couldn't help but notice the resilience in her demeanor. She had been through the same chaotic world he had, and she had come out of it strong.

The girl extended her hand, offering a friendly smile. "I'm Eun Mi, by the way. Nice to meet you."

Han Ji Woo accepted her hand with a warm smile of his own. "Han Ji Woo. Likewise.

Han Ji Woo observed the place, taking in the details. "Cozy is what I'm looking for. I don't need anything too extravagant."

She laughed lightly. "Who does these days? It's all about surviving, right?"

Han Ji Woo nodded, the weight of their shared reality hanging between them. "You're right. Survival comes first."

As they entered the apartment, Eun Mi's voice carried a note of curiosity. "So, Han Ji Woo, what brought you here? 

Han Ji Woo hesitated for a moment.

seeing him struggle to tell the truth Eun Mi's expression grew serious, her gaze locked onto his. "My father was a dungeon cleaner too."

Han Ji Woo's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Your father?

Eun Mi's tone turned solemn. "He was in the hospital a day ago, recovering from an accident happened at a dungeon site. He's been sleeping in his room for a while now, the doctor said it'll take time before he's back on his feet."

"Han Ji Woo couldn't help but draw a connection to his own past. "I... I was in the hospital too, not too long ago. It sounds familiar."

For a moment, he thought of Mr. Jung, . Could Eun Mi's father be the same Mr. Jung who had guided him? No, that was too much of a coincidence, he thought, dismissing the idea from his mind.

Eun Mi noticed the flicker of surprise in Han Ji Woo's eyes. "Something on your mind?"

He shook his head. "No, just... thinking about the past. It's strange how our worlds collide sometimes."

As they continued their tour of the apartment, Han Ji Woo couldn't shake the feeling of an unusual connection with Eun Mi.

As they concluded their exploration of the apartment, Eun Mi handed the keys to Han Ji Woo, her fingers brushing lightly against his hand. "Here are the keys. It's all yours now."

Han Ji Woo accepted the keys with a grateful smile, his gaze locked onto Eun Mi's. "Thanks for showing me around. I appreciate it."

Her cheeks flushed a light shade of pink as she met his eyes, and she stammered, "It's... it's no problem. I'm glad you like it."

As Han Ji Woo turned to head back into the apartment, he was halted by a sudden realization. Eun Mi remembered something and quickly fished out a small card from her bag. "Oh, wait! I almost forgot. Your hunter license."

She handed him the card, and Han Ji Woo was genuinely surprised. "You have it?"

Han Ji Woo couldn't help but be surprised. He hadn't even realized he'd lost it

 "I thought you might need it."

His heart warmed at her thoughtfulness, and he expressed his gratitude with a warm smile. "Thank you, Eun Mi. You're really kind."

Eun Mi's blush deepened, and she looked away, her voice soft, She shrugged, feigning nonchalance, though her heart raced. "It's nothing, really."

Just as he was about to step inside the apartment, Eun Mi reached out and grabbed onto the fabric of his t-shirt, her touch gentle but filled with a certain shyness.

"Hey, Han Ji Woo, um... I was wondering if you'd like to go shopping with me sometime ."

Han Ji Woo blinked in surprise, his heart skipping a beat. It was the first time a cute girl around his age had asked him to do something like that. He blushed, caught off guard by the unexpected request, and stammered,

"Uh, well, I... I guess... yeah, sure."

It was a moment of delightful awkwardness, as both of them blushed and exchanged uncertain glances, neither sure how to proceed.

Eun Mi finally broke the silence with a smile, her eyes sparkling. "Great! I'll text you the details. See you later, Han Ji Woo."

Han Ji Woo nodded, his heart still racing. "Yeah, looking forward to it."

As they went their separate ways, both Han Ji Woo and Eun Mi couldn't help but think about the upcoming date and thier fate of meeting each other as they both had a smile on their faces and a sense of anticipation in their hearts.

Han settled onto the bed, his thoughts consumed by the enigmatic power that lay dormant within him. It was a puzzle, a force he couldn't fully comprehend. In a world teeming with monsters and hunters, this strange power was his most elusive adversary.

With a sense of determination, Han decided to call out to the strange power residing within him.

"Hey !''

"where are you?"

Silence greeted him

"This damn thing"

It was as if the power slumbered, indifferent to his calls. ji woo pondered for a moment, his mind racing. Then, he remembered the words from earlier, something about opening a status.

With a voice that was both soothing and commanding, he repeated the phrase, "Open status."