Gi Min Ji paused at the door to the room, adjusting her jacket with meticulous care before taking a deep breath. Her face remained expressionless, though internally, she was bracing herself for the forthcoming exchange. She knocked three times on the door and spoke with a commanding, assured tone.
Gi Min Ji: "Park Hyun Woo, this is Officer Gi Min Ji of Delta Squad. May I come in?"
A brief silence ensued, followed by a muffled response from within.
Hyun Woo: "Please, come in."
Gi Min Ji opened the door and stepped inside. Her gaze immediately settled on the young man positioned in the middle of the room, rigorously performing push-ups on the floor. His movements were sharp, rapid, and deliberate, as if he had been training for hours. Sweat trickled down his face, his shirt adhered to his back, and his breathing, while fast, remained steady.
She surveyed the room briefly. The bed was immaculately made, while the table was cluttered with papers and empty water bottles. Nonetheless, her attention swiftly returned to Hyun Woo, who appeared oblivious to her presence.
Gi Min Ji (calmly): "Am I interrupting your regimen?"
Hyun Woo rose to his feet, using a towel nearby to wipe his face before turning to face her. Though initially taken aback, he quickly regained his composure.
Hyun Woo: "My apologies, I was just... training."
Gi Min Ji (skeptically): "Training, given your current condition? Are you certain this isn't a risk to your recovery?"
Her eyes moved to his hands, noting the faint tremor from fatigue, and the slight redness at his neck, evidence of the strain he was under.
Hyun Woo (with a faint smile): "Honestly, I feel better than I ever have."
Gi Min Ji leaned against the wall, arms crossed over her chest, her gaze scrutinizing. Her cold, unblinking eyes seemed to pierce him, as if she were searching for something concealed beneath the surface.
Gi Min Ji: "I'm here to ask you some questions. I trust you understand why."
Hyun Woo (calmly): "Yes, of course. Please, take a seat."
He gestured toward a chair beside the table, then seated himself on the edge of the bed, wiping the residual sweat from his face. Though his expression was serious, a hint of unease lingered in his eyes.
Gi Min Ji moved slowly towards the table, taking a seat and placing her tablet on the tabletop. She activated the screen, briefly scanning the displayed data before turning her attention back to Hyun Woo.
Gi Min Ji (firmly): "Let's start from the beginning. What exactly do you remember about those Gates?"
Her voice, though soft, carried an undeniable edge. It was clear she had no patience for evasions or pleasantries.
Hyun Woo leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees. His gaze grew distant, his lips pursed as though he were struggling to recall something significant. After several moments of silence, he spoke.
Hyun Woo: "To be honest, I can't remember much. It's like everything's been wiped away. The last thing I clearly recall is when we entered the boss's chamber. Beyond that... everything's blurred, like trying to see through thick fog."
Gi Min Ji studied him intently, her gaze never wavering. She noted the sincerity in his tone but kept her face impassive. Whatever had happened in those Gates, it had left an indelible mark on Hyun Woo's mind — one that might take considerable effort to unravel.
She tapped her finger thoughtfully against the tablet, her eyes narrowing slightly as she considered her next move.
Hyun Woo: "To be frank, I recall almost nothing. It feels as though everything has been wiped clean. The last distinct memory I have is of us stepping into the boss's chamber. Beyond that... everything is just a haze, as if shrouded in fog."
Gi Min Ji scrutinized him, her gaze carefully evaluating his facial expressions and tone of voice. Her extensive professional experience suggested that he was telling the truth, but it did little to reassure her. She picked up her tablet, activating the screen to display images captured within the dungeon, then turned it towards Hyun Woo.
Gi Min Ji: "These photos were taken in that very chamber. Do you recognize anything? Perhaps this might help jog your memory."
The screen displayed images of the aftermath of the battle: shattered walls, collapsed crystals, fallen Hunters, and a blood-soaked floor. Hyun Woo suppressed a heavy sigh as he examined the images. His fingers involuntarily tightened into fists, though he maintained his composure.
Hyun Woo (seriously): "This place... yes, I remember it. The boss was there. But... I can't recall the details of the fight. What I do remember is that something felt off. It was too quiet, too... unnatural."
Gi Min Ji (leaning forward): "What exactly felt off? Try to remember, even the smallest detail might be crucial."
Hyun Woo closed his eyes, focusing intensely. Fragments of imagery began to surface: the chamber, a podium, infected Hunters with vacant, ice-cold stares. His brow furrowed, and he began to whisper, almost as if speaking only to himself.
Hyun Woo: "Crystals... and light. Ice. The infected... they moved as if someone was controlling them."
Gi Min Ji frowned, swiftly making notes on her tablet. Her voice became more detached, carrying a glacial edge.
Gi Min Ji: "You said 'someone was controlling them.' Are you certain? Did you see anyone, or are you assuming?"
Hyun Woo opened his eyes, his face clouded with uncertainty.
Hyun Woo: "No... no, I'm not certain. It's just... a feeling. As though some force was orchestrating it all. But I can't articulate why I feel that way."
Gi Min Ji clenched her teeth, though her face remained composed. She deactivated the tablet, placing it back on the table in front of her.
Gi Min Ji: "Alright. That's useful information nonetheless. But there's one more thing I need to ask. Why were you the only one who survived, while everyone else either perished or became infected?"
Her gaze grew steely, and a charged silence descended over the room. Hyun Woo tensed slightly, as if he had anticipated this line of questioning.
Hyun Woo (slowly): "I... I truly don't know. Honestly, it's something I've been struggling with myself. The only thing I remember is Mi Ra shielding me... and then everything went dark."
The mention of Choi Mi Ra's name caused a brief flicker in Gi Min Ji's expression, but she quickly regained her usual stoic demeanor. She folded her hands, fixing Hyun Woo with a penetrating stare.
Gi Min Ji: "Choi Mi Ra... she shielded you. Are you absolutely certain? Describe what you remember."
Hyun Woo closed his eyes again, his face reflecting the strain of reliving that moment.
Hyun Woo: "Yes. She shielded me with her body. I... I can't find the right words to describe it. I could feel her warmth, hear her voice. She told me she wouldn't let anything harm me. And then... everything went black."
Gi Min Ji listened without interruption, but inwardly, an ache twisted in her chest. She remembered Choi Mi Ra's lifeless, battered body recovered from the dungeon, her unyielding resolve evident even in death. Taking a deep breath, Gi Min Ji rose from her seat.
Gi Min Ji: "Park Hyun Woo, I will be straightforward with you. Your survival is an anomaly. Your rapid regeneration only deepens the mystery. We are monitoring you closely, and that will not change until I have the answers I need. You are to remain here until further notice."
Hyun Woo said nothing, merely nodding in acknowledgment. His eyes followed Gi Min Ji as she made her way to the door. Before leaving, she paused and cast one final comment over her shoulder.
Gi Min Ji: "One more thing. If anything comes back to you — no matter how small or insignificant — inform me immediately."
She exited the room, leaving Hyun Woo alone with his thoughts. He sat down heavily on the bed, rubbing his face with both hands, and exhaled deeply.
Hyun Woo (whispering): "What really happened back there?"