Two Days Later
Min-Jae sat across from Guild Master Choi Jong-In in his office as they watched the news regarding the S-Rank Dungeon Break in Japan, which had turned into a catastrophic failure.
Japan originally had a total of sixteen S-Ranks, including Goto Ryuji, who had been confident enough to handle the Dungeon Break without outside help.
But when the Dungeon Break actually took place, Goto, who stood at the frontline, perished almost immediately, along with several other Japanese S-Ranks.
In no time, the entire country turned into chaos and destruction.
The monsters coming out of the gate began spreading throughout Japan, rampaging without restraint.
Japan asked for assistance from many countries' S-Rank hunters, but only after their failure to contain the chaos. More than four foreign S-Ranks lost their lives during the attempted raid.
"So that's the whole situation," Choi Jong-In said, turning off the TV. "Japan, after two days of chaos, has finally asked for assistance from South Korea. Specifically from Hunter Min-Jae and Hunter Sung Jin-Woo."
"Me and Hunter Sung Jin-Woo?"
"Yes. They've asked for both of you specifically. Though Sung Jin-Woo is currently in the hospital, unconscious."
"I see. Then it's just me."
"Yes. But it's completely up to you. If you want to go and need any guild assistance—in terms of support from other hunters—we'll try to provide it."
"Nope. I'll go, and I'll go alone."
Choi Jong-In studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. When do you plan to leave?"
"Today."
"Understood. We'll make all the necessary preparations for you—travel arrangements, contact with the Japanese Hunter Association, whatever you need."
"Thanks."
Min-Jae stood up and headed for the door.
---
Before leaving the building, Min-Jae ran into Han Semi in the hallway. She was carrying a stack of documents, probably heading to one of the administrative offices.
"Min-Jae?" She stopped when she saw him. "What are you doing here?"
"Just finished a meeting with the Guild Master."
"Oh. About what?"
"I'm heading to Japan. There's an S-Rank Dungeon Break situation."
Her expression shifted immediately. "Japan? Isn't that the one all over the news? The one where Goto Ryuji died?"
"Yeah, that one."
"And you're going alone?"
"That's the plan."
She looked at him for a moment, then sighed. "Be careful."
"I will."
"I mean it. Don't do anything reckless."
He smiled slightly. "When have I ever done anything reckless?"
"Should I start listing?"
"Fair point."
She shook her head but smiled a little. "Just... come back in one piece, okay?"
"I will. See you when I get back."
"Yeah. See you."
---
Min-Jae drove home, the city streets relatively quiet in the morning. When he arrived, Cha Hae-In was home—she didn't have any raids scheduled for the day.
She was sitting at the dining table, reading something on her tablet when he walked in.
"You're back early," she said, glancing up.
"Yeah. I need to pack."
She raised an eyebrow. "Pack? For what?"
"I'm going to Japan. S-Rank Dungeon Break. They requested me specifically."
Her expression grew serious. "The one from the news?"
"Yeah."
She set down her tablet and stood up. "I'll come with you."
"No need. I think I've got it covered."
"Min-Jae—"
"I'm serious. It'll be faster if I go alone. Plus, you've got your own schedule with the guild."
She looked at him for a long moment, clearly not entirely convinced, but eventually nodded. "Alright. But if things get bad, call for backup."
"I will."
"And don't do anything stupid."
"I'll try my best."
She sighed. "That's not reassuring."
He smiled slightly, then headed upstairs to pack.