Chapter : 3
The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air as Choi Jong-In—formerly Daryl Evangelista—gradually regained consciousness. The soft beeping of medical equipment confirmed his location: a hospital room. Sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting striped patterns on the pristine sheets covering him. As he adjusted to his surroundings, the door creaked open, revealing two familiar figures.
Chairman Go Gun-Hee of the Korean Hunters Association entered, accompanied by his ever-present assistant. The chairman's imposing stature was softened by the somber expression etched across his face. Pulling up a chair beside the bed, he settled in, his eyes reflecting a mix of relief and sorrow.
"How are you feeling, Jong-In?" the chairman inquired, his voice gentle yet laden with concern.
Choi Jong-In mustered a faint smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "I'm managing... physically, at least."
Go Gun-Hee nodded, understanding the unspoken weight behind those words. "The loss of your comrades is a heavy burden. The enemies we face now are formidable beyond expectation. Many hunters, even those of S-Rank, have fallen in this raid. While the mission was unsuccessful, I'm grateful that some of you made it back."
The chairman's gaze dropped, the gravity of the situation pressing down on him. Choi Jong-In remained silent, his eyes distant, reflecting on the harrowing events and the lives lost under his command.
Sensing the need for solitude, Go Gun-Hee rose. "Rest for now, Jong-In. We'll speak more later." With a respectful nod, he exited the room, leaving Choi Jong-In to his thoughts.
Turning his attention to the window, Choi Jong-In watched the world outside, a tapestry of life continuing unabated. Yet, within him, a storm brewed. An unfamiliar sensation coursed through his veins—a burgeoning energy, raw and potent. Alarmed, he focused inward, attempting to discern its origin.
Suddenly, a surge of power erupted from within, threatening to overwhelm him. Instinctively, he harnessed his mastery over mana, a skill honed through years of discipline, to suppress the outburst. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he wrestled with the volatile force. After a tense moment, the energy subsided, retreating to a dormant state.
Breathing heavily, Choi Jong-In's vision was abruptly filled with an ethereal display. Translucent panels materialized before him, reminiscent of a game's interface. They detailed his status: his rank, abilities, and class. His primary designation remained as a Grand Mage, specializing in fire magic—a testament to his renowned prowess. However, a new addition caught his eye: a secondary class labeled "Swordmaster," marked with an S-Rank designation.
Perplexed, he delved deeper into this newfound class. The title of Swordmaster implied unparalleled skill in swordsmanship, a discipline he had never pursued. Yet, the information before him suggested a seamless integration of melee combat with his existing magical abilities. The concept of a Magic Swordsman—a hybrid warrior wielding both arcane and martial prowess—began to take shape in his mind.
Contemplating this development, Choi Jong-In theorized that the fusion of his soul with Daryl's had triggered a reawakening. The amalgamation of their essences had not only preserved his original abilities but had also unlocked latent potential, resulting in this dual-class evolution.
Chapater end.