Chapter 11: Time-Skip
25 days later.
Almost two month since Double Dungeon incident, 57 days later.
Change of POV: Sung Jin-Woo
In apartment.
'Many things happened since [Job-Change Quest]. For example, I'm Level 65 now. Comparable to S-Ranks, Mid-Tier S-Ranks probably.' I though before summoning my {Stats}
Stats}
[ Primary Character: [Sung Jin-Woo] [Equipped]
[Secondary Character: [Querehsha] [Expand]
[Level: 65]
[Titles: Goblin Slayer [Expand] ]
]Job Class: [Knight King ] ]
[HP: 13,500]
[MP: 1,230]
[Strength: 150] [+20] [Class+ 30]
[Vitality: 80 ]
[Agility: 110]
[Intelligence: 100]
[Sense: 80] [+20]
[Un-Added Points: 0]
[Active Skills: [Bloodlust LVL- 2 ], [Dash LVL- 2]
[Passive Skills: [ Advanced Swordsmanship LVL-2], [ Dagger Wielding LVL-2]
[Class Skills:]
[ [Active Skill: Last Stand LVL-1] : Increases all stats by 30% for two minutes. 500 MP-Needed to Activate.
[ [Active Skill: Sword Art LVL-1] : Next 10 attacks will be two times faster! 100 MP-Needed to Activate!
I looked at my {Stats} proudly.
"I'm physically stronger than Jin-Woo was at my level, but again. He then started pumping his points in everything and Intelligence as his main stats, can't blame him. He had shadow army, I don't. But i'm at least Low S-Rank right now.' I though as I flipped a cain.
Today is big event.
Today Kang Tae-Shik is going to kill prisoners, and we are going to D-Rank Dungeon.
I picked up my phone.
In one hour we are need to re-group at construction site for D-Rank Dungeon.
"And In 20 days or so 'original' would have undergone Job-Change quest, so I need to deal with Demon Castle in that time, get Demon King's longsword. That sword looks too good for me to pass on but.." I muttered to myself before standing up from my bed to dress myself.
My appearance has drastically changed once again.
This time I have been letting my hair grow out so I will once tie it in ponytail, but my face is obviously way different right now. It's not that of level 18 Sung Jin-Woo, but of that Level 97.
And my outfit for today is black tracksuit! Don't question it, I just love it.
And unfortunately for me, I didn't get any good looking armor, but just Gladiator one after my [Job-Change Quest].
I found one I liked aesthetically, and it's only A-Rank but I like it.
But it's costly, so i'll have to save up since I used 3 million gold to buy myself a good sword though from {Store}. I'll show it later, now I have to go to find that construction site.
"It's 1 PM right now, Jin-Ah will be coming home after 2 PM or maybe 3 PM after she goes out with her friends. " I glanced at watch on my hand before nodding myself.
"I got time for Ice-Cream too."
Some time later.
Change of POV: No one's.
As Sung JIn-Woo walked in direction of Construction Site, he couldn't help thinking about his further plans.
He still needs to heal [Monster's Lair], due to food and his weak strength at that time, he had to stop at 40th floor, there are still 10th floors to clear.
40th floor ended up being full of weak B-Rank Monsters, so next ten floors should be A-Ranks or Strong B-Ranks.
'Probably enough for me to level up to 70th level.' He though to himself before he felt a 'stare' from someone behind him, he turned in direction where 'stare' came from.
Sung Jin-Woo smiled at seeing the person who stared at him.
After all, it has been a very long time since they saw each other, 'that' incident was the last time.
An old man, in his forties, wearing brown jacket and pants, but underneath that brown jacket is white shirt. His hair styled into ponytail. And a sword strapped on his shoulder.
But sadly, that man only has right arm.
As you guessed, it's none other than Song Chi-Yul.
"Sung Jin-Woo... Is that really you?" He asked uncertainly, it's fine. It has passed two months since they last saw each other, and Sung Jin-Woo's appearance changed too much.
"Song Chi-Yul, it has been a long time." Sung Jin-Woo commented before walking closer to one armed mage.
They shock hands.
"Truly, but you changed too much..." Said Song Chi-Yul as he gazed into Sung Jin-Woo's eyes. It's not Sung Jin-Woo's appearance that caught his attention, it was his Aura.
In Hunter's World, there are two types of hunters. Physical and Mage. Mage hunters don't have typical Aura but that one full of Mana.
But normal Aura is 'energy' of physical oriented Hunters. It's their presence they radiate with. They can sometimes 'hide' their Aura, and sometimes let it out as violent explosion around them. And each Hunter has different color for mana or aura.
But for Song Chi-Yul, who trained an S-Rank ranker, he can perfectly guess the rank of people by their aura's.
And Sung Jin-Woo's aura elapses that of Cha Hae In. It's too much.. And the amount of mana he has is above average for S-Rank too.
"Oh you noticed it? Sometimes I forgot you are one of the sharper Mage's. After all, there are only few people like you who can analyze someone's strength so sharply." Replied Sung Jin-Woo with a grin before laughing at Song Chi-Yul's expression.
"Since when..?"
Sung Jin-Woo appeared to be thinking how to reply.
"After Double Dungeon, re-awakening."
Song Chi-Yul's eyes lit up with realization before he glanced at Sung Jin-Woo's leg. Sighing in relief. "Ah at least someone young like you did not end up as invalid. But when are you planning to get re-evaluation?" He asked him as they both continued walking to Construction Site, they were near it after all.
"I'll get it later, probably in following week or so. It doesn't matter for now. I just want to analyze how people would have with me as E-Rank and then later as higher rank." Replied Sung Jin-Woo, trying not to sound arrogant and say S-Rank, despite knowing it will be like that and no other way around.
"I see.." He sighed, " Did you also get called for D-Rank raid ?"
"Indeed."
"With you here, I won't need worry for anyone's safety!" Song Chi-Yul chuckled at that small joke along with Sung Jin-Woo. " You know, you are S-Rank, albeit unofficial."
Sung Jin-Woo curious at his analysis had to ask. "How are you so sure of that?
Song Chi-Yul looked at Sung Jin-Woo straight into eyes mid-walk. " I have an S-Rank disciple in my Dojo, Cha Hae In. And she is...Weaker than you from aura alone.." It pained him to admit it, but that's how world works, the ones gifted will always prevail over hard work. But Sung Jin-Woo deserved his re-awakening after all his tough battle he suffered through.
"Hmph"
"But it indeed has been a while since we last saw each other." Stated Sung Jin-Woo.
"Indeed, what about your leg?"
"Since I woke up in hospital it has regrown. " Sung Jin-Woo said before continuing " There was probably a high ranking healer among Hunters who came to collect me."
A tense atmosphere soon formed into one happy one as Song Chi-Yul gripped Sung Jin-Woo's shoulder. " Whatever happened, it's a good thing that a young man like you didn't end up similarly like old man such as myself." While smiling warmly.
Old Sung Jin-Woo always regarded Song Chi-Yul with respect, the old man was C-Rank Mage who knew a lot of things and was someone Sung Jin-Woo respected truly. Current Sung Jin-Woo does too.
"Indeed but your arm unfortunately." Said Jin-Woo as he glanced at old man's left arm.
"It's a pity but they wouldn't be able to help anymore, I'm afraid. Too much time has passed since then."
"But it's good to see you once more." Song Jin-Woo added as they finally turned a corner, corner leading to their D-Rank Gate.
And people already are there, waiting.
"What a nice meet-up once again." Sung Jin-Woo said as he glanced at two 'run-aways' from Double Dungeon before he pulled up the yellow track for Song Chi-Yul so he could step inside the forbidden zone.
"Indeed, what a reunion." Added Song Chi-Yul as he stared with wry smile on his face at three familiar individuals.
A young woman with orange like colored hair and beautiful blue eyes, in mid 20s. She is wearing t shirt and buggy pants with sneakers. All white in color. She is Lee Joo-Hee. A B-Rank healer.
Kang Jeongho, a bulky, over two meter tall man. A tanker class, he is wearing winter cap, closed black jacket and brown pants. With war hammer strapped on his back. D-Rank Tank.
If Sung Jin-Woo remembers right, he should be Tanker class.
Change of POV: Sung Jin-Woo
And last but not least, the main actor of the show. Kim Sangshik, a D-Rank fighter. He is old man in his forties too, short black hair and eyes. He is wearing blue jacket with white t-shirt underneath it and brown pants.
And of course, a sword strapped on his hip.
"Remember that meal I promised you Lee Joo-Hee? Wanna go for a meal with me after the raid?" I asked her with a warm smile, I liked her in show. I want to help her with her trauma, I want her to be with me on Yoo Jin-Hoo's raids if he calls me, but he should have done that days ago, I suppose a butterfly effect?
"Jin-Woo? You changed so much.. You look a lot different and taller.."She commented with slight redness on her cheeks after my 'unofficial date' for a meal.
I glanced at Kim and Jeongho. At my glance their head were shot downcast in shame.
"And you two. Do you have anything to say?"
They both looked at each other, both sure of what to say, but unsure on how to say.
"Sung Jin-Woo... I.." Began Kim, not managing to look me into eyes." I apologize.." He finally made eye contact with me. " I know that my excuses are not adequate, I was not the only one who had family... And I can only apologize despite knowing it can't fix anything. These past months, regret eat me inside.."
I glanced at Kang Jeongho, Kim was truly sorry, I can feel it from his every movement. But the other one..
"I too, I'm sorry. I know my actions were cowardly, and I am a coward. I'm orphan and I don't have family. I did something selfish compared to all others. And I know you won't forgive me but I just wanted you to hear it one last time." Spoke he, Kim looked at him with shock evident in his eyes. But he was not the only one. Everyone did.
Good.
I like honest people, they both are honest but big guy was direct. Even original Sung Jin-Woo understood their actions at the end of the day..
"I forgive you both."
Gasp was let out from Lee Joo-Hee as she covered her mouth with a hand.
"I wouldn't hold a grudge over you for wanting to survive. But still, it was not that 'instinct' of wanting to survive what hurt me, but from people i worked with for years. Contributed together for raid, that's what hurt me the most."
Both of them lowered their heads down at that.
Song Chi-Yul just cat a disapproving gaze at them.
"So you two, owe me a meal at least." I gave them a smile, they indeed betrayed 'me' but, one was honest, other one had family, both regretted betraying me too. I couldn't hold a grudge against them, original Sung Jin-Woo might.. But I'm not him.
I'm better.
AUTHOR NOTE: Okay, this route is over too! I won't be posting here anything for some time since I'm out of deas!
Chapter Word Count: 1858