It had been a week since the dungeon break had happened.
Some information had been broadcast to the public about the dungeon break that happened in the middle of the city, even inside a company's building.
The information shared with the public only told about the range on its rank, the process of evacuation, and the total casualties. No information was shared about any mutation that happened there or what caused the break to happen.
Because of that, the public had a lot of speculation, but the association remained tight-lipped. Even the survivors only knew the bare minimum, but we were also asked to remain silent and not share any of the abnormalities we might experience.
At first, the public tried to keep on digging for the information they could get. But the association moved the attention of the public towards another thing that was also quite interesting. Which was the hero of the dungeon evacuation, Ryu Hyunwoo.
As one of the top 5 S-rank awakeners, he was quite famous. Especially with the amount of power he had and his good looks, he was one of the talk of the town. But as always the info for each of the high-ranking awakeners remained secret. Only this time some of his info and pics got leaked to evert the public attention.
"...from the insider during the evacuation, Ryu Hyunwoo led the evacuation process. He directly went in the direction of the boss' dungeon…"
The sound of the news about the evacuation process played on the TV in the hospital room.
"I wonder when the news will stop mentioning the incident?" Mirae asked as she kept hearing the same information for at least the last 4 days.
"Well, this is the first dungeon break that appears in the middle of the city in the last 10 years. So you know the public will grill on this topic for at least a month." I answered while packing the belongings that I used during hospitalization.
"Yeah, it is making an uproar," Mirae said as she kept switching the TV to other channels.
"So… what is your plan?" I'm thinking of going back to my hometown for a while. I haven't seen my family in 2 years since working in the company." Mirae who was still cycling through the channel asked in passing.
"My plan… I don't know." I answered her honestly.
"Well, since the incident, I've been thinking that life can go at any moment, and I don't want to regret living my life," Mirae said looking at me warmly.
"That's true. That's why I envy your choice. I hope I have somewhere I can go back to." I looked out of the window into the distance
Unlike Mirae, I don't have anywhere to go. No family and relatives, as Eomma (mom) already died a month ago. At a time like this, I miss her.
Suddenly I could feel Mirae hugging me from the side.
"Maybe if you want, you can come with me," she said while still hugging me.
"No, it's okay. I need to think about it. Before I just pushed it to the back of my mind, because I didn't have the energy, time, and desire to go on with my life. Now, I need to go on and continue my life. As mom would also prefer me to be happy," I said with resolute determination.
"Just remember, I'll always be by your side whenever you need me. Okay?" She took my hand and looked at me directly.
"Yeah, I know." I hugged her back, and we stayed for quite a while.
If before we were close colleagues, after what we had been through now we felt more bond between us. A bond that let us know that we had each other's back.
After a while, we were done packing our stuff and getting ready to go our separate ways.
"Don't forget to check the compensation money. Don't ignore my chat and keep in touch with me." She kept nagging the same thing for the last 10 minutes.
"I know, I know, and I will not ignore you." I kept answering the same thing to her.
"I'll go now. I'm gonna miss you a lot." She hugged me for the last time.
"Be careful, I'll see you Mirae-ya."
After she let go of me, she took her suitcase with her and opened the hospital door. Before she closed it again, she waved and said the same thing for the last time.
Then she was gone.
To a new chapter of life.
After she left, I also started to drag the suitcase I had to the door and left the hospital room.
While walking out of the hospital, my steps got lighter and lighter as I let go of some of my sorrow.
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I went back to my apartment. It had been a week since I went back home, so the house was dirty enough. The first thing I needed to do was clean up the entire house.
As I was cleaning, I started to pack up some of Mom's belongings too. Because I've been pushing the idea of it since the end of the funeral. Her clothes, painting kit, and album photos all get packed into boxes that will be stored. Leaving out only some of the important ones for me to keep as her memoir.
I smiled looking through her pictures. Some of the old ones showed her childhood home and her parents' tea shop. There were also many of her picture paintings, but all of them were either very old photos or a very new one. Because she was only able to do her dream of painting again after the death of her husband.
Ring ring ring
The sound of a phone rang out, breaking the silence in the room.
"Hello, who's this?" I asked as I picked up the phone.
"Aerin, it's me Aunty Jihyun. I just heard the news about you. Are you okay, Aerin-ah?" the soft but firm voice sounded out of the phone.
Aunty Jihyun was Mom's friend. She was an awakener. After the death of my mom, she was the only one who kept checking up on me.
"Yeah, I'm okay Aunty," I answered trying to lessen her worry.
"Sorry, Aunty just knew about your situation a moment ago as I was in the tower dungeon for around a week ago. But are you really okay? Wait for me, I'm on my way to your apartment." she said not believing my answer.
"Yes, aunt. Stay safe on the road. I'm making you some dinner, okay?" I knew that no matter how hard I convinced her, she would not believe it until she saw me.
"Hmm… wait for me. I'll arrive in about 15 minutes. See you, Aerin-ah," she said and she disconnected the call.
Within 15 minutes I needed to finish making dinner for Aunty Jihyun and me. So, I started to prepare some ramyun and kimchi pancakes for us to eat. Simple but hearty enough.
Ding dong
At exactly 15 minutes, the doorbell rang.
I walked in and opened it, and suddenly a big and well-toned body rushed out and hugged me.
"Thank God you're okay. Or else I don't know how to face your mom," she said as she kept patting my back with her warm hand.
"Yeah Aunty, I'm also glad to be okay. I'll disappoint Mom if I meet her too soon."