Omer Jin-Hoo and Ae-Cha, settles into a flashy, high-tech residence in one of Seoul's most prestigious districts. From the outside, the building's modern architecture and glass facade made it look like the headquarters of a large, successful international company. However, beneath this luxurious exterior lay a hidden base for Omer's new guild. The spacious halls, state-of-the-art equipment, and advanced security systems inside whispered that this was no ordinary workplace.Yet, a single problem preoccupied Omer's mind: finding a guild assistant. He had built a powerful army, but he lacked a right-hand man to manage the guild. Worse still, he had no friends. This feeling of loneliness bothered him even in his most powerful moments. As he was lost in these thoughts, his loyal general Neroth approached him. Despite his massive, monstrous form, he spoke with a sincere voice, "My King, I can be your guild assistant." Omer smiled at the thoughtful offer. "That's very considerate of you, Neroth, but we need a human, not a monster like you," he said, half-jokingly, rejecting the offer. At these words, Antaios immediately chimed in, "Our King is right, you're a monster," which irritated Neroth. Neroth didn't hold back, retorting, "Look who's talking; you're not valuable to our King either." As the tension between the two escalated, Omer intervened with a clear voice: "Enough, this is no time for arguments." This brief squabble once again highlighted Omer's loneliness and his desperate struggle to form human connections.After his attempts to find a guild assistant proved fruitless, Omer refused to sit idle. He began systematically clearing dungeons across Korea. This period was a major test not only for him but also for the army he had built. The lower-level dungeons (E, D, and C-tier) were assigned to his less-experienced soldiers, who used these missions to hone their skills. Meanwhile, Omer focused on the more dangerous tasks.
The B-tier dungeons were delegated to the army under the command of Baran. As a ruthless and powerful leader, Baran's soldiers cleared these dungeons with great discipline. The A-tier dungeons were entrusted to the army commanded by Ignarion, known for his strategic mind and prowess. Ignarion meticulously planned each mission, leading his army from one victory to another.
However, the most formidable challenges the S-tier dungeons were handled by Omer himself, accompanied by Jin-Hoo. In the depths of these dungeons, Omer faced off against monsters that other hunters wouldn't dare to confront. With each victory, his name echoed throughout the world. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, and Omer's reputation spread like a legend not just in Korea but across the entire Hunter's World.His achievements were so great that hunters of all ranks, from D-tier to S-tier, were practically lining up to join his guild. Serving him and fighting alongside him was considered a great honor. Omer had become a Z-tier hunter, his power was limitless, and his name opened every door.Yet, this fame and power were not enough to fill the void within him. Omer still hadn't found a guild assistant, and more importantly, he had no friends. While hundreds of hunters followed him, he remained alone in the crowd. Even at his most powerful, the most desperate feeling he experienced was the lack of a true friend he could talk to. This was his paradox, his curse.At the peak of his fame and power, Omer is shattered by a heartbreaking piece of news: his beloved grandmother has passed away. The news feels like a torrent of scalding water poured over him. Without a moment's hesitation, he rushes to Busan, the city of his happiest childhood memories, now to face the greatest loss of his life.Upon entering his grandmother's home, he finds his grandfather, whom he always remembered as cheerful, desperately waiting by her grave. Time has placed a heavy burden on the old man's shoulders. Since his childhood, when everyone called him a "monster," his grandmother was the only person who loved and raised him unconditionally. Faced with this reality, Omer breaks down and sobs with his grandfather. The two men embrace, sharing their profound grief. That gentle voice and warm embrace are gone forever. Omer is alone once again.In the dead of night, Omer returns to the graveyard and cries out, "Vatra!" The cry summons his grandmother's spirit, which appears in a shadow form. Seeing her, Omer begins to weep anew and holds her tightly. "Why did you leave me alone, Grandma? What will I do without you? Only you and Grandpa understood me. Don't leave me; I'm so helpless," he whispers.
His grandmother's shadow form responds with a voice full of tenderness: "My child, I have lived my life in this world. Now I wish to find peace. But I am also deeply saddened to part with you, yet this is life. You are my only grandchild. You didn't love me much when you were little, but as you grew, you always checked on us and visited. I was lonely, but you became my reason for living. Now I pray for you every night. But don't be sad, I am going to a beautiful place. Find good friends for yourself, be kind and gentle to people, and help the poor. May God be with you, my dear grandchild; I will be waiting for you. I love you, take care."With these final words, his grandmother's shadow form slowly dissipates, and her spirit ascends to the sky. Omer looks up at the sky, feeling helpless. As a child, whenever he felt hopeless, he would look at the sky and wish to be one of the stars. Now, knowing that his grandmother's spirit is one of those stars, he is left once more with his loneliness.The profound grief of his grandmother's final farewell leads Omer to the same cliff overlooking the sea where he once contemplated suicide as a child. As the cold wind whips across his face, the tough, invincible mask he's worn his entire life finally crumbles. Crushed by the weight of his loneliness and helplessness, he summons the only people he trusts: his generals.
Ignarion, Baran, Virdal, Antaios, Sigrun, and Neroth gather immediately, sensing the sorrow in their king's voice. Omer turns to them, his voice stripped of all pretense. "You are not just my generals, you are the only ones I can talk to. I have always tried to be strong and tough in this life, but I have always been lonely, always betrayed. Tell me, what should I do?"This confession profoundly affects the generals. To them, Omer is more than just a king; he is a leader they respect and love. Ignarion steps forward and speaks. "My King, we apologize that we could not heal your heart. But we love you very much, and we will always be by your side." These words echo the feelings of all the generals. Baran, Virdal, Antaios, Sigrun, and Neroth nod in unison, affirming Ignarion's statement. Their unconditional support thaws some of the ice around Omer's heart.A faint smile appears on his face. "I'm glad you're here," he says. "But I need to clear my head now. I won't be returning to Seoul." He takes a deep breath and turns to the two generals he trusts most. "Neroth and Baran, you will always protect my mother and my sister. I need some time to get my mind right." Neroth and Baran bow their heads with the seriousness of receiving a royal command. "As you wish, my lord," they respond. This decision shows that Omer is not just a leader, but a man burdened by the weariness of being human. Even at his most powerful, his greatest need is to find a moment of solitude to rediscover himself.
Omer finds himself lost in childhood memories, specifically in a small village house. The memory is of the days spent at his grandmother's home, a time of peace yet profound loneliness. His father's voice calls out, "Come on, Omer, go inside and see your grandparents." But little Omer resists, "No, Dad, I don't want to. I'm leaving." He was a withdrawn child who couldn't feel like he belonged, even in the warmth of his own family.Wandering alone in the village square, he sees a group of children playing joyfully. Driven by a deep sense of loneliness, he approaches them and says in a timid voice, "Hi, can I be your friend? I don't have any." But one of the kids rudely scoffs, "Look at the weirdo. No one talks to you. Don't talk to him," and they walk away, leaving him behind. Little Omer continues on, his head bowed in the pain of rejection.
As he walks with a sense of helplessness, he spots a thirsty dog. He immediately gets it some water and approaches it gently. "So you're lonely too, sweet dog. Let's play together." From that day on, little Omer and the dog begin to spend their days together in Busan. The dog becomes Omer's only friend and confidant.Weeks later, his father returns and says, "Come on, Omer, call your sister. We're going back to Seoul." Omer objects, "No, Dad, I can't leave my dog." His father tries to force him, saying, "You'll come whether you want to or not. Stop bothering your grandparents." But his grandmother steps in. "What kind of talk is that? Omer can stay whenever he wants. Come here, let me hug you. You two go; my grandson will stay with me," she says, embracing Omer. Her warmth melts the ice around his heart.
Omer stays in Busan for weeks with his grandmother, grandfather, and the dog. They laugh, play, and joke together. One day, his grandmother asks, "What's the dog's name?" Omer replies, "Oh, I guess I haven't thought of one," feeling a bit embarrassed. Smiling, his grandmother says, "How could you not think of one after all this time, my naive grandson?" and names the dog "Ace." Omer loves the name and hugs his grandmother tightly.Ace and Omer spend their days playing, confiding in each other, and swimming in the sea. One day, Omer pours his heart out to Ace: "Ace, does your family love you? No one wants me. Maybe your mom and dad would love me." Unaware of the profound words, Ace runs off to chase birds, pulling Omer along with him. "So you're not listening to me, Ace. Oh well, let's go chase the birds together, come on!" Omer says with a laugh, chasing after him. These memories were the purest and happiest times of Omer's life.
The happy days in Busan tragically ended afternoon, turning into a horrific nightmare. Omer and Ace were in the village square when a group of bullies ganged up on Ace, kicking him mercilessly. Little Omer pleaded, "Stop, please! He's my only friend!" But the bullies ignored him. Their leader knocked Omer to the ground with a kick. As Omer lay there in pain, he screamed for help, but no one came. The bullies tortured and killed Ace before running off. Overwhelmed with grief, Omer fainted next to his best friend's lifeless body and was rushed to the hospital.
For months, he underwent psychological treatment. The traumatic event left a deep wound in his heart. But with time, the little boy slowly began to recover. To protect himself and never experience such pain again, he enrolled in a boxing gym and started bodybuilding. This process strengthened him, both physically and mentally.
Several years later, at the age of 14, Omer returned to Busan to visit his grandparents. On the street, he spotted the bullies who had killed Ace. The moment he saw them, his eyes filled with a murderous aura. The suppressed rage inside him erupted. He ran from the house, grabbed the leader of the bullies, and slammed his head into the pavement. Remembering the torment Ace endured, he started smashing the boy's head. His rage was so immense that he used every technique he had learned to mercilessly beat the other bullies, leaving them all unconscious. Omer was arrested and spent several weeks in a detention center. The incident had unleashed the monster within him, but it had also delivered justice for Ace.The story then returns to the present, centering on Omer and his generals. Ignarion, reflecting on Omer's childhood memory, says, "My King, you went through such tough times. We honor Ace with our deepest respect." He then adds jokingly, "If you'd like, we can find a similar pet for you. I think Neroth would be a great fit." This quip sends Omer and all the generals into a fit of laughter. Omer, still chuckling, defends Neroth, "Don't pick on Neroth too much; he might have been bad in his past life, but he's a good general now. Or are you just jealous of him, Ignarion?" Everyone laughs again. Omer turns to all of his generals and says, "You are all my soldiers, and each of you is special to me." They all respond in unison, "Thank you, My King." Just then, his grandfather appears behind Omer and asks, "What's going on here?" Omer laughs, "Oh no, I guess we got caught, didn't we, my generals?" with the sound of their laughter.