Lucian could not even have an hour of sleep, but for some reason, he remained invigorated.
It was not because his sister, Samantha, crashed into his bedroom who occupied the bed to fall asleep in his presence without batting an eye, but rather that he spent all night researching until dawn in order to navigate his ways in fulfilling the wandering soul's last desire before the seemingly inevitable rest to eternity.
According to publicly available information regarding the guild master of the Black Rose Guild, this person had some notable reputation and was known as the Wise King of Zone 4 of District 5 due to his excellent leadership, especially during every Shadow Wave.
Unfortunately, he was overshadowed by some talented individuals, and they weren't alone in facing the Shadow Waves, making his and his guild's achievements similar to a layer of cement being topped upon by another layer.
Nonetheless, the Black Rose Guild, though not entirely newbie in its own right, was a guild constantly scouting potentially talented awakeners, which included Kim Sana, the white ghost girl.
As the sun was about to peek through the ashen clouds, Lucian stretched his arms wide, yawned, and subconsciously looked at his sister from behind, who was sleeping serenely; worries weren't evident in her expression.
What time is she leaving? Should I wake her up?
After pondering for some time, Lucian rejected the idea as he turned off the PC before standing from his seat, and then went outside his bedroom with slowly, considerable steps.
I should make her something.
***
"T-this is... Are you truly my brother?"
Groggy, with traces of morning glory as she rubbed her eyes, Samantha glanced at the table in the dining room filled with steaming hot delicacies, a few pieces of fruit, and cold drinks; a trace of a smile was on her lips.
"Just take a seat and help yourself."
Facing her with his back, Lucian continued to wash the filthy dishes from last night.
"What do you mean? I won't be eating without you. Finish that up first."
Lucian didn't mutter a single word, his expression remained concealed from her. Although the two siblings were used to eating together, that was not exactly the case all the time, especially when he began to seclude himself from the rest of the world a few years ago.
Even then, it didn't mean he couldn't try again to become a proper brother this time around. After all, it's better late than never.
"..."
As Lucian didn't respond, Samantha asked.
"Oppa... you're not the new Eternal-Class Awakener, are you? Sigh."
"I am. Is there a problem with that?
Lucian succinctly spoke.
But Samantha didn't believe him because of his demeanor alone.
Just what kind of new Eternal-Class Awakener wouldn't be jumping in joy?
That's only possible if that person received a curse-like class or didn't know its significance at all!
Also, what's the point of hiding it if it would eventually come to light later?
"Nice joke, Oppa."
"Why are you even asking?"
Lucian snorted as he flailed his hands before turning around.
As the two faced each other, eating in peace, Lucian broke the silence.
"Where are you going to sleep tonight?"
Samantha Morgath, one of the important and influential members of the Phantasm Clan, one of the twelve Great Clans, was an occupied person and had her own villa to stay in near the main headquarters of the clan, which resembled that of a massive tower erected in the middle of Seoul, a few kilometers from the fortified headquarters of the Awakener Association.
That being said, her visit to this apartment was merely occasional.
If not for Lucian's incident last night, it's highly likely she wouldn't come home.
Hearing her brother's query, as she was munching a tender hot piece of bacon, savoring its very protein, Samantha gazed at him and casually blurted out.
"Why? You have a girl to come over?"
Lucian snorted.
"I guess we both have jokes to laugh at."
When I thought about it, I already had a girl come over... Just not what I expected.
Samantha chuckled as she reached for the glass of cold water. After gulping it to half, as she felt refreshed, prompting her to smack her lips, she then added,
"I'll stay in the villa tonight. There are some things needed to be finished, so yeah, I'm going to be busy."
"I see."
After some time, the two of them finished and began their separate journey for the day.
***
Nodding at her, who just entered a car to leave for her duties, Lucian said,
"Call me if you need anything."
"All right, Oppa! I'll take my leave... And!"
"...?"
"Don't bring any girl or I'll stop sending your allowance! Check your bank account! See ya!"
With her car receding from his vision, Lucian opened his mouth as if he were talking to the air since he remained standing alone from where Samantha had taken off.
"My sister really couldn't see you, huh?"
"You two sure are close."
Kim Sana, who, in fact, never left Lucian's side and helped him with his research to pull off something absurd, replied.
The truth was... Lucian was momentarily shaken when Samantha barged into his bedroom; he didn't expect it at all, considering their sibling relationship was just in the initial process of reconstruction.
Fortunately, it served as proof that even an S-Rank Awakener couldn't perceive a ghost aside from those found within certain dungeons.
Of course, Lucian never ruled out the possibility that there might be special cases; he just got lucky, to say the least.
"Tell me about it. By the way, let's go shopping, shall we?"
He then went back to the apartment, took a morning shower, dressed casually and neatly, and drove to the nearest general market that sold almost everything.
With the car Samantha bought for him, Lucian quickly arrived at the marketplace and quickly started with his shopping spree; traversing beside him was the ghost in a white dress, whose expression seemed elated for some reason.
***
After the initial and irreversible aftermath of the Era of Heaven, as the ruined society was eventually getting back on its feet, the Korean Peninsula and other surviving nations housed migrants from all over the world.
This caused the revision of district names and alike, in which the Awakener Association also factored the unpredictable manifestation of dungeons.
Now, the cities were broken and categorized into district numbers composed of numerous [ Zones ] instead of their original district names making up these cities.
In Seoul, Districts were divided into 12, with each district having 7 zones. This way, the awakeners, especially those who weren't familiar with geography during the time of chaos and utter disorder, could easily pinpoint the corresponding locations based on this now standard positioning system.
That being said, near Zone 5 of District 5, Southwest of Seoul, Lucian arrived at a particular hospital filled with both patients and guardians in waiting alike.
Compared to Seoul Association Hospital (SAH), this hospital was not particularly well off. However, it didn't mean that it was incapable or depraved of medical technologies that could save lives.
Since the arrival of the Era of Heaven, at the unavoidable expense of billions of lives, human technology had further advanced because of the unusual monster parts and items dropped from their dead bodies.
What's more, the items found within dungeons and rewards every Shadow Wave were things that altered the known science that demanded for reformation of absolutely everything.
Anyway.
Lucian, now within this particular hospital, went to the bathroom found at the end of the fifth floor.
From his casual attire, as he exited the cubicle, he now donned a white laboratory coat similar to the ones normally being used by doctors.
At that moment, he faced the rectangular mirror and whispered.
"I'm ready."
Kim Sana, who heard this, raised both her hands towards him and said,
"Skill, Chameleon's Disguise."
In the next moment, based on the image in Kim Sana's mind, Lucian's physique gradually transformed and now resembled the very same doctor responsible for a single patient.
"It will wear off in five minutes."
"That's more than enough time."
Due to his research from midnight to early morning, along with the white ghost girl's assistance and additional information she had provided, everything was set.
Steeling his resolve, Lucian exited the bathroom, and confidence was felt in his strides.
***
Headquarters of the Black Rose Guild.
Sitting at the table of his luxurious office, a well-built man in his late thirties, with his back facing his secretary, asked.
"Is there any news about the girl, Kim Sana?"
"She's dead beyond recognition, Master Rowan."
Guild Master Rowan of the Black Rose Guild, after puffing a cigarette, chuckled.
Turning around with his office chair, revealing his brown eyes like a jungle's tiger, fur-like brown hair, and sand-colored rough skin, Rowan stood up, faced his secretary, and then said with a smug look,
"What a pity. I haven't been able to touch her down there since she managed to run away. Her disguise skill is indeed troublesome at right circumstances, but utterly useless when facing monsters in the dungeon."
"Master, about the-"
Just as his secretary was about to speak, the office phone at the table vibrated.
Reaching for it as he momentarily looked at his secretary, he answered the call...
Only for his expression to darken.
"What...?! The Mist Squad Captain?! Stall her if you don't want to die!"
Hearing this, the man in his early thirties, Rowan's secretary, had contorted expression.
"W-we have to run, Master."
"Indeed. Let's go!"
It only meant one thing: one of his illegal businesses was busted.
Just then, as he grabbed his jacket, something rang in his pocket, not from an office phone but something personal.
Answering it, Rowan screamed.
"I told you to only call me—!"
However, the voice from the other side delivered horrific news, cutting him off.
"Master, y-your father is dead!"