Morning sunlight spilled across the apartment floor as Jin Hwan stepped out of his room, hair still slightly messy and wearing a loose hoodie.
He found Isumi already in the kitchen, tying up her long silver hair into a high ponytail while her nine tails lazily curled behind her like flowing silk.
"Morning, Rabbit Boy."She didn't even look up as she spoke, sipping green tea.
"Morning," Jin Hwan mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
They shared a quiet breakfast—eggs, toast, and leftover rice balls Isumi had made during their time in Japan.
Soon after, Jin Hwan received a message on his hunter communicator:
[Incoming Message – Ryu Hae-Rin]"Can we meet today? I've been thinking about something."
❖ A Park Bench Reunion
He met Ryu Hae-Rin at a quiet park near the Seoul Tower, where the breeze smelled faintly of spring flowers.
She stood beneath a sakura tree, her fiery red hair tied up, though her usual confident presence seemed dimmer.
As he approached, she turned, offering a faint smile.
"Hey, Hwan."
"Hae-Rin noona," he said, nodding.
They sat on a nearby bench overlooking the city. Hae-Rin's eyes were distant.
"So…" Jin Hwan began, "Your fire ability is still sealed?"
She sighed, brushing a few strands of hair from her eyes."Yeah. Still can't ignite a spark. Not even a flicker. It's like… someone turned off my flame inside."
Jin Hwan frowned."The one who did that… was from the One Hand Guild, right?"
Her jaw tightened."Yeah. That bastard—Do-Hyun. He's an S-rank hunter from One Hand. During the last dungeon run, we had a disagreement over how to handle the boss. I told him we shouldn't kill the spirit monster. He got angry... sealed my fire on the spot using some kind of ancient system rune. Then he left me to die inside the dungeon."
Her voice was calm, but her hands clenched into fists.
❖ [System Mood: FURY DETECTED. FLAME OF JUSTICE IGNITING.]
Jin Hwan stood up slowly, his gaze narrowing.
"That's not something we can just ignore."
Hae-Rin blinked."It's fine, really—"
"No, it's not."He clenched his fist."You're my teammate. My friend. I won't forgive a guild that abuses their power like that."
Hae-Rin's eyes widened slightly, touched by his sincerity.
"Hwan… You've really changed."
He smiled sheepishly."Have I? Maybe a little."
She looked at him for a moment longer, then stood beside him."Be careful. One Hand Guild isn't just powerful—they're influential. Corrupt, too. But no one dares to go against them."
"Then maybe it's time someone did." Jin Hwan's eyes shone with quiet resolve.
❖ Late-Night Research
Back at his apartment, Jin Hwan dove into a sea of screens, news archives, and underground hunter forums.
He cross-referenced names, hunted for testimonies, and read every scandal that had ever been buried by media spin.
The deeper he dug, the more the truth began to show:
One Hand Guild wasn't just powerful. They were rotten to the core.
They had intimidated smaller guilds to dissolve.
Sealed abilities of those who opposed them.
Suppressed awakening reports that could threaten their dominance.
Possibly even altered dungeon clear reports to claim credit.
❖ [System Alert – Hidden Reputation Quest Unlocked]"Expose the Hand That Strangles the Flame."Objective: Uncover the corruption of the One Hand Guild.Reward: ???Penalty: Possible hostility from powerful guilds.
❖ [System Mood: DETECTIVE RABBIT MODE – ACTIVATED.]
Jin Hwan leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowed in thought.
"So that's who they really are… sealing Hae-Rin's fire was just the beginning, huh?"
His gaze shifted to a photo of Do-Hyun—slick black hair, arrogant smile, and a badge with the symbol of a single skeletal hand.
"I'll make sure your crimes come to light."
As the night deepened and the moon rose high, Jin Hwan saved the last of the files to a secure folder.
Isumi peeked into the room, dressed in an oversized hoodie, her tails swaying lazily.
"Still awake, Bunny Boy?"
"Yeah. Got some... fire to reignite."
She didn't ask more. But she lingered in the doorway, watching him with quiet curiosity.