"Why are you vanishing?!" Lee Seung shouted in panic as he watched the fading figure of his clone. Just then, a bluish screen flickered before his eyes:
[When the energy of the subject's clone gets depleted, it vanishes and takes time to regenerate.]
Lee Seung exhaled a sigh of relief. "Oh, so it's not permanent…" he muttered, sinking into the soft cushions of his worn-out white sofa. He kept his eyes locked on the clone until it dissolved into shimmering particles that disappeared in the air. As the last trace vanished, the screen updated:
[Cooldown: five hours]
He threw his head back and stared at the ceiling. "A few hours ago, I thought I wouldn't be alone anymore… only to find out there's a time limit. Life really knows how to throw curveballs." His voice trailed off into silence as he closed his eyes, lost in thought.
Three weeks later…
The silence in Lee Seung's small, cluttered apartment was shattered by a notification on his phone. An unread message popped up from an unknown sender:
Notice: Your apartment will be demolished in four days.
His eyes widened as he quickly checked his bank account balance. The numbers glared back at him:
[Balance: 1,200,000 won]
(About $906)
Lee Seung slumped onto the floor, clutching his head. He had been scraping by, earning only a few thousand dollars from sporadic 'jobs' at Woosung Industries. Despite working three times during those weeks, he barely managed to cover his daily expenses. The money drained faster than it came in, leaving him teetering on the edge of desperation.
'I could have saved enough to rent another place if I hadn't dipped into my earnings… But what choice did I have? I need to eat,' he thought bitterly, staring at the dim lightbulb above.
With a deep sigh, he grabbed his jacket and left the apartment. The sun was already low in the sky, casting long shadows across the narrow streets as he made his way through the neighborhood. His steps echoed faintly as he walked past familiar stores and alleyways, the warm breeze brushing against his face.
As he approached Mr. Song's shop, the bustling sounds of the city faded into the background. The old wooden door creaked as he pushed it open, a bell chiming softly above him. The shop's warm interior was a comforting contrast to the chaotic world outside. Shelves lined with various knick-knacks, herbs, and snacks gave the place a cozy, lived-in feel.
Mr. Song, the elderly owner, looked up from behind the counter as Lee Seung entered. "Ah, Seung-ah, you look like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders. Sit, sit," he said, motioning to a small wooden table by the window.
Lee Seung offered a weak smile as he sat down heavily. "It's nothing, ahjussi. Just… the government has sent a notice. The building will be demolished in four days."
Mr. Song joined him at the table, sliding a cup of hot coffee across. "Why don't you move in with me, eh? It's better than worrying about being homeless," Mr. Song offered with genuine concern.
Lee Seung shook his head, forcing a smile. "No, ahjussi. I'll figure something out before the deadline. I just need to… I don't know, maybe go back to part-time jobs or find another way. I just..."
Mr. Song chuckled softly, though his tone was laced with worry. "You? Earn enough in four days? Resume a part-time job? The money you'd make wouldn't even cover a storage unit, let alone rent." He leaned closer, lowering his voice, "Listen, kid, just—"
Ding!
Lee Seung's phone vibrated in his pocket, interrupting the conversation. Without glancing at the caller ID, he answered, "Hello, who's this?"
The voice on the other end was soft, professional. "I'm calling from Hanyang Hospital…"
Lee Seung's heart skipped a beat. His expression turned tense as he gripped the phone tighter. "Oh… really? Alright, I'll come by and sign the forms. Yes, I'll be there soon."
He hung up, staring blankly at the screen, his thoughts racing. The news weighed heavily on his chest, and his hands trembled slightly as he tried to regain composure. Turning to Mr. Song, he forced another smile. "It was just a call from school. I need to handle some paperwork."
Before Mr. Song could ask further, Lee Seung quickly left the shop, his mind spiraling. Within minutes, he was at Hanyang Hospital, his face pale and taut with anxiety. The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed faintly as he marched through the corridors, heading straight to the reception desk.
"Excuse me, I'm here to see the doctor," he said, his voice steady but strained.
The receptionist, recognizing his face, directed him to the second floor. As he stepped into the doctor's office, a pang of familiarity hit him. The scent of antiseptic, the faint hum of medical equipment—he knew this place all too well. Six years ago, after their parents passed away, this same hospital became his sister's lifeline when she was admitted for food poisoning. She had spent their meager earnings to ensure he had decent meals, secretly consuming spoiled leftovers herself until it took a toll on her health.
The doctor, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes behind thick glasses, handed him a stack of papers. "The government's support for your sister ends now that you've turned sixteen. Can you manage her medical expenses from here on out? Or you need some help?"
Lee Seung nodded mechanically, barely hearing the words. "Yes, I can… Please show me where to sign."
He scrawled his signature on each form, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. When he finished, he glanced up, a spark of desperation in his eyes. "Is there any chance to cure her? Completely?"
The doctor hesitated. "There is… but—"
"Tell me, doctor. How can I cure her illness? I'll do anything."
---
The rhythmic beeping of the life support machine echoed in the small, sterile ward. Lee Seung stood at his sister's bedside, watching her pale face as she lay unconscious, her fragile frame nearly swallowed by the thick blankets. He gently took her cold hand, squeezing it as a tear slid down his cheek.
"Soon, I'll have a chance to bring you back. I've missed you so much. You risked everything for me… now it's my turn." His voice wavered, but determination burned in his eyes.
After leaving the hospital, he hailed a taxi and pulled out his phone, his fingers trembling as he typed "Hunter Wiki" into the browser.
> Information:
[Six years ago, mysterious portals appeared worldwide, unleashing monstrous beings resistant to conventional weapons. Humanity was on the brink of collapse until extraterrestrial beings provided advanced technology, giving birth to superhumans—metahumans. These metahumans, initially trained soldiers, managed to push back the monsters and stabilize society. However, many soldiers vanished into the portals during their missions. The survivors formed the World Hunter Association, responsible for protecting humanity against remaining threats.]
Lee Seung felt a shiver run down his spine as he read. 'This is insane. But if there's even a chance… I'll take it. I'm not just a bodyguard—I have abilities. Real abilities. And a metahuman doesn't run when faced with danger. If the cure for my sister's illness lies within a monster's body, then I'll become a Hunter.'
The taxi pulled up in front of a gleaming skyscraper with glass walls reflecting the city's lights. Lee Seung handed the driver the fare and stepped out, his heart pounding as he gazed up at the towering structure.
"This is it… the Hunter Centre."
His footsteps echoed on the pavement as he walked toward the entrance. Here, people like him registered to become Hunters—those willing to risk everything to face the monsters head-on. He wasn't sure what awaited him inside, but he was ready to find out. For his sister, for the life they once had, and for a future that might finally offer hope.