Chapter 64: To Suwon (1)

Right after annihilating the militia.

Han-seong moved the Phantom towards City Hall.

He had witnessed the blue dots on the map all moving towards City Hall.

After quite some time had passed.

A familiar face greeted him in front of City Hall. It was Yoon Sang-min, the Druid who had participated in the Wolf King subjugation operation with him earlier that day.

“Thank you.”

Sang-min bowed his head abruptly.

Puzzled by this sudden greeting, Han-seong soon learned the reason for Sang-min’s bow.

“I thought I’d never see you again, but thanks to you, I was able to reunite with my father.”

“Thank you so much.”

Though his tone was gruff, his voice was filled with sincere gratitude. On the other hand, Han-seong didn’t think it was something to be particularly thanked for.

It was merely a byproduct of the process of rescuing his own father. So he casually waved his hand and changed the subject.

“More importantly, my parents…”

“We’ve placed them on the first floor of the Public Health Center building. We’ve prepared a room where you can talk comfortably.”

After finishing his words, Sang-min turned around.

Shortly after, they arrived at their destination.

‘My parents are beyond this door.’

Thinking this, he felt his heart flutter again. As he was swallowing dryly with a nervous feeling, Sang-min knocked on the door.

Knock knock!

“I’m coming in.”

The door opened immediately.

Then he saw his parents sitting on the hospital bed, chatting quietly. The moment he faced his father again, his words got stuck in his throat.

There was so much he wanted to say, but he felt his voice wouldn’t come out as his words got caught. His father also just stared at the Phantom with wide eyes.

“Then please have a comfortable conversation.”

Sang-min’s voice broke the silence.

After bowing politely, he closed the door and went outside. Another moment of awkward silence followed.

His father, who seemed to have already heard the whole story from his mother, looked at the Phantom with a surprised expression.

“You…”

After a considerable amount of time had passed.

The first to speak was his father.

“Is, is that really you, Han-seong…?”

“…Yes, Father.”

His father’s voice, heard after so long.

Han-seong bit his lip hard as he answered. His father, who had risen from the hospital bed, narrowed the distance and tightly embraced the Phantom’s body.

“You’re really safe. Thank goodness. I’m so relieved…”

A voice mixed with tears.

Shoulders that had become smaller than 10 years ago. A wrinkled face and hands bearing the traces of time.

Seeing how much they had changed, Han-seong also silently swallowed his tears. His mother, who had been watching this, also wiped away the tears that had formed in her eyes.

After the joyful reunion was over.

Han-seong briefly explained his situation, just as he had told his mother earlier.

That the Phantom was like a robot he controlled remotely, and that his real self was in a different region.

“Then where are you staying now?”

“I’m staying near Cheonan Station.”

“Ch-Cheonan?! You’re controlling this robot-like thing remotely from there to here?”

“Yes, it’s one of my skills.”

Han-seong nodded.

After pondering for a moment, his father looked at the abandoned vehicles in the parking lot in front of City Hall and muttered:

“Then to meet you, we’d have to go to Cheonan.”

“Ah, you don’t need to worry about that.”

“Hmm?”

“There’s a way.”

He took out a stone from the Phantom’s pocket. It was the Return Stone he had put in the Phantom’s pocket before sending it to Daejeon.

“That pebble is…”

“It’s a Return Stone. If we use this, I can bring both of you to where I am.”

Their eyes widened.

“So if there’s nothing urgent, I’d like to bring you both right away, if that’s alright?”

“Of course.”

“Let’s see our son’s face after so long.”

His parents readily accepted the proposal.

Han-seong also wanted to see his parents’ faces up close, so he immediately activated the Return Stone.

[Using Return Stone.]

[Summon Range: 5m radius]

[Time until return: 60 seconds]

A light emanating from around the Phantom.

The pure white light that spread like a fog enveloped his father and mother, and they looked at this phenomenon with wonder.

How much time had passed like that?

[Beginning return.]

With a flash of light.

His parents’ figures disappeared like smoke.

All that remained was the Phantom. Since the Return Stone only transports living beings, the Phantom, composed of an assembly of objects, was not included in the target.

But there was no need to worry.

Han-seong also had a method to bring non-living beings.

[Remote: Inventory activated]

[Replica: Living Armor-Phantom]

[Storing designated target.]

The Phantom stored in the inventory.

After everyone had disappeared like that, a knock was heard from beyond the door where there was no longer any presence.

“Excuse me.”

Pigeon Trainer, Baek So-hyun.

She carefully opened the door. She had come to check on the situation under orders from the command.

“Would you like some coffee while… Oh?”

So-hyun made a blank expression.

As if possessed by a ghost.

She couldn’t help it. The room that had clearly contained three people now showed no signs of life at all.

Meanwhile, at that time.

Near Cheonan Station in an apartment complex.

Han-seong, who was at the additional base, watched the magic circle being drawn on the floor with a tense face.

After some time had passed.

Flash!

Along with a burst of light, he sensed a presence.

Soon his parents appeared.

Looking around, they soon spotted Han-seong and their eyes widened.

“Han-seong!”

His parents approached Han-seong without hesitation and embraced him.

The familiar warmth he felt after 10 years.

Han-seong burst into tears.

He thought he had sorted out his emotions enough while talking earlier, but it seems he was mistaken.

“Why are you so thin? You should eat better.”

“You’ve grown so much while we haven’t seen you.”

They also wiped away tears while stroking Han-seong’s hair and cheeks.

After the tearful reunion was over.

Once emotions had settled somewhat, they began to have conversations they couldn’t have until now. The first topic that came up was about before and after the Upheaval.

“Your mother and I came down to Daejeon a day before the Upheaval occurred.”

And on the day of the Upheaval.

After finishing their ancestral rites, his parents didn’t return home immediately, but went to visit an orphanage, he said.

It was a place they usually visited every weekend, to deliver snacks since they were in Daejeon anyway.

But that evening, the Upheaval occurred.

The Chaos that Swallows Stars swept over Earth, and people with low aether aptitude turned into zombies.

“The situation at the time was so horrific that I never want to recall it again. Especially seeing innocent children change like that was truly…”

His mother closed her eyes tightly.

If there was any fortunate aspect in the misfortune, it was that there were more people who didn’t turn into zombies around his parents at the time than those who did.

The two of them managed to survive the initial stages of the Upheaval through various hardships, and adapted to the changed world by forming groups with other survivors, he said.

But the peace was short-lived.

“That’s when those guys calling themselves the militia appeared.”

Criminals, thugs, escaped prisoners, and so on.

A group composed of vicious individuals. Armed with firearms, tanks, and armored vehicles, they quickly expanded their forces and took control of the outskirts.

They forcibly detained citizens and oppressed and mistreated them unfairly under the pretext of protecting them from monsters, he said.

“…It was like hell.”

His father’s fist clenched tightly as he recalled those times. Watching this, Han-seong silently thought to himself.

Indeed, it’s fortunate that I dealt with them all.

After explaining everything that had happened until now, his parents turned to look at Han-seong again.

“I thought if I could just see my son and daughter’s faces once before I died, I would have no regrets…”

“I’m so glad we were able to meet like this.”

A smile blooming on their wrinkled lips.

Han-seong also didn’t hide his joyful smile. Then suddenly, a question occurred to him.

“Ah, come to think of it, didn’t you say Yuna was in Suwon? What’s the name of her university?”

“It’s Seryu University.”

Her major was veterinary medicine.

She had even entered as the top student, they said.

Meanwhile, he focused on the name Seryu University. Judging by the name, he thought it must be close to Seryu Station.

Sure enough?

Checking the map, he found that the university Yuna attended was not far from Seryu Station.

‘The Suwon Provisional Government is at Seryu Station.’

To be precise, it was at Suwon Airfield, but.

Anyway, that means it’s that close. So there’s a high chance Yuna is also at the provisional government.

And currently, Han-seong’s vassal Jihye is there. Soon he would need to contact Jihye and ask for cooperation in the search.

As he was thinking that.

“By the way, how has our son been doing?”

“Yes, we’d like to hear your story too.”

His parents addressed him.

Han-seong only then realized he hadn’t told his own story yet and hurriedly opened his mouth.

“Ah, I…”

After taking a short deep breath.

Han-seong carefully recounted how he had lived before and after the Upheaval. Of course, he omitted any events that might worry his parents.

The conversation that started like that continued endlessly, and he spent the night talking with his parents he had met after 10 years.

The next morning.

Han-seong opened his eyes.

“…Mmm.”

When did I fall asleep? I can’t remember.

It seems he had unknowingly closed his eyes while talking with his parents for a long time yesterday.

Han-seong, who had been lying in bed, controlled the Phantom to get on the wheelchair. Then as he passed through the master bedroom towards the living room, he saw his mother.

“Oh? Are you already up?”

His mother was in the kitchen.

Portable burner. Pot. Butane gas, etc.

Along with the tools Han-seong had taken out of his inventory while they were chatting yesterday.

“You could have slept a bit more.”

“No, it’s just… I’ve gotten into the habit.”

“Hehe, our son has grown up.”

His mother, who had been smiling faintly, woke up his father who was sleeping in the small room. Then she set the prepared food on the table.

“I’ve made rice, so let’s eat quickly.”

Rice with ham, kimchi and mackerel, and soy sauce braised side dishes.

Although all the side dishes except the rice were canned, it was still the most luxurious meal since the Upheaval.

“I’ll eat well, Mother.”

“Yes, eat slowly.”

Seeing him wolfing down the food, his mother handed him a glass of water. After the dreamlike meal was over, Han-seong spoke words he hadn’t been able to say yesterday as he had fallen asleep with his parents.

“From now on, don’t worry.”

Father, and Mother.

Facing both of them, Han-seong spoke with a voice etched with firm resolve.

“I’ll take care of both of you from now on. You don’t need to worry about zombies, monsters, or groups like the militia anymore.”

Han-seong had decided.

If any forces appeared that threatened or oppressed his parents in the future, he would pour out skills without hesitation.

Even if it wasn’t a group of criminals, but a large organization like the provisional government. Meanwhile, the two of them made slightly awkward expressions at this declaration.

“Ah, about that…”

“If it’s alright with you, we were thinking of going back to Daejeon to stay.”

“…What?”

An unexpected answer.

Han-seong’s eyes widened.

“Wh-what do you mean…”

“Actually, we’re worried about the children.”

His mother and father honestly expressed that they were concerned about the orphanage children.

Along with saying that there was no one suitable to take care of the children who had lost their parents after the Upheaval. And that the children also relied on Han-seong’s parents the most.

‘Right, they were always like this.’

At first he felt a bit hurt, but Han-seong soon understood. Respecting what his parents wanted was also a child’s duty.

So he silently nodded.

“Yes, I understand what you mean.”

“I’m sorry. We finally met after so long…”

“No, it’s not like we’re parting forever.”

He has the Return Stone.

Meaning he can meet his parents again anytime by using the Return Stone, just like yesterday. The only downside was that the cooldown time was long, but.

‘Also, I can feel at ease if it’s Daejeon.’

Daejeon has now become quite a livable place.

All the threatening monsters have been subjugated, and the vicious organization called the militia has been eliminated. His parents should be able to reside there with peace of mind.

“Leave Yuna to me. I’ll definitely find her and bring her back, no matter what it takes.”

“Alright. She used to follow you around a lot when she was little, so I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you again.”

Han-seong smiled awkwardly at those words.

Is that really so? If she’s gone from ten to twenty years old, there’s a high chance she won’t even recognize my face.

Of course, he didn’t express this outwardly.

And that afternoon.

Han-seong found a usable car in the apartment parking lot and loaded his parents in. The vehicle carrying his parents headed towards Daejeon with the Phantom sitting in the back.

The two of them didn’t encounter any zombies or other monsters even once until they arrived in Daejeon.

[Activating skill.]

[Remote: Call Lightning]

[Remote: Tinder]

[Remote: Wind Cutter]

This was because Han-seong had predicted the vehicle’s route and cleared away everything that could be an obstacle in advance.

About an hour later.

The vehicle that had been driving on the highway entered the access road leading to downtown Daejeon. Soon they encountered familiar attire at the place where the toll gate was.

Men wearing armbands. It was the vigilante group.

“Stop! Stop! Where is this vehicle… Gasp!”

“C-could it be Mage-nim? The one who participated in the Wolf King subjugation operation last time…”

As the vehicle came to a stop.

The members discovered the Phantom poking its head out the window and were startled.

Judging by their reaction, they seemed to be those who had participated in the wolf herding operation.

“That’s correct.”

The members’ eyes widened.

They talked among themselves for a moment, then addressed him in a cautious tone.

“Um, we have orders from the command to escort you to headquarters if we find you, Mage-nim…”

“If you’ll allow us, we’d like to escort you.”

He could roughly guess what the situation was.

It was probably because he had disappeared without a word. After all, the vigilante group didn’t know about the existence of the Return Stone.

“Please do.”

Since he had to go to City Hall anyway, Han-seong readily accepted the offer. Shortly after, two motorcycles flanked the vehicle in front and behind.

Just as they were arriving at Daejeon City Hall like that.

“Mr. Kang Han-seong!”

Someone ran towards the vehicle.

She approached the Phantom getting out of the car and asked with a surprised face.

“You suddenly disappeared and I was really shocked. Where on earth did you go? Even when I released all the pigeons, I couldn’t see where you were at all…”

“I’m on my way back from Cheonan.”

“Ch-Cheonan?”

So-hyun’s eyes widened.

“If you were going so far, it would have been nice if you had given us a heads up…”

“Do I need to get permission?”

“What? Ah, no! That’s not what I meant…”

Perhaps flustered by his dry tone?

So-hyun waved her hands frantically with a startled face. Han-seong turned away from her and looked around the City Hall buildings as he asked.

“More importantly, where are the orphanage children rescued from the militia’s base yesterday?”

“Ah! They’re in the Children’s Protection Center on the 5th floor of City Hall’s annex building. I’ll guide you there.”

So-hyun volunteered to lead the way.

His parents following behind her.

Han-seong said he had separate business to attend to and left his parents’ side. Instead, he assigned the Vampire Tree as an escort just in case.

Just then.

“Ah! There he is.”

“We’d like to talk to you about what happened yesterday, do you have a moment?”

Familiar faces appeared.

Ye-eun and Sang-min. The two approached the Phantom and pointed to the commander’s office. They probably wanted to ask about yesterday’s battle with the militia.

“Perfect timing. I had something to say to you as well.”

“Hmm? To us?”

“Yes, I have a proposal.”

Some time later.

About a dozen people gathered in one place.

Hunters including the vigilante group leader Seok-hwan. They were all figures corresponding to the command of the vigilante group.