Chapter 70: Eyewitness Account (2)

moment Han-seong turned the Phantom’s body to look behind,

A petite woman entered his view.

Then Han-seong was considerably surprised.

‘Huh?’

Because the person who appeared before his eyes looked completely different from the sister in his memories.

Of course, he expected her appearance to have changed somewhat after 10 years. But her current appearance far exceeded his expectations.

‘…Is that really Yuna?’

First of all, her hair was different.

While Yuna had dark brown hair from birth, the woman who appeared before him had hair that was nearly white, almost silver.

Moreover, her eyelashes were silver and her eyes were a color close to sky blue. Faced with such an exotic appearance, Han-seong wore a blank expression once again.

‘But still…’

As he kept looking, he could faintly see traces of her childhood appearance. Her overall facial features matched, as did her physical characteristics.

The mole below her right eye and under her lip.

Slightly protruding canine teeth. Even her unusually small ears. Putting all this together, he finally felt a sense of certainty.

‘It seems to be Yuna, but…’

An awkward feeling still prevailed.

Perhaps because her appearance had changed so much, he didn’t experience the dramatic emotional change like when he reunited with his parents.

And there was one more thing that had been bothering him since he first saw Yuna. It was the various animals that were attached to her side.

Hiss! Hisss!

A white snake coiled around her left leg.

The two-headed snake flicked its thin tongue and made threatening sounds.

Additionally, a silver-feathered eagle owl was perched on her shoulder, uniquely possessing six wings.

‘And also…’

A lizard as large as a big dog.

A ferret peeking its head out from Yuna’s shadow. A wolf breathing fire from its mouth and a golden toad sitting on top of her head.

Animals with clearly unusual appearances were guarding Yuna’s side. As he was blankly staring at this sight that made it difficult to easily approach,

“By the way, who are these people?”

Yuna suddenly addressed them.

She stared intently at the Phantom. Caught off guard by the sudden gaze, Han-seong was momentarily at a loss for words.

At this, Ji-hye stepped forward.

“I’m Captain Lee Ji-hye of the Suwon Air Base Special Operations Unit. We arranged this meeting because we have some questions for these people.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Yes, and…”

Ji-hye glanced at the Phantom.

As if giving time to reveal his identity.

On the other hand, Han-seong couldn’t easily open his mouth. Because he hadn’t decided what to say.

Just as a moment of awkward silence fell,

“Hey, why did you come back here anyway?”

“Yeah, didn’t you say you were going to Seoul?”

Yuna’s classmates spoke up.

Along with voices full of questions. Then, as if realizing something, they asked again.

“Ah! Did you perhaps already go and come back?”

“Hmm, that could be possible.”

“Or maybe you got lost on the way and came back…”

At those words, everyone fell silent.

If heard normally, one might think it was a joke, but if the subject was Yuna, it wasn’t a joke. Her classmates looked at her with disbelieving expressions.

Yuna burst into laughter.

“Come on, that’s not possible.”

“Then why are you here?”

“On my way to Seoul, I suddenly encountered extremely thick fog and got lost… Ah!”

As she was answering straightforwardly,

Suddenly Yuna’s eyes widened. As if she had just remembered something she had forgotten. With a hardened expression, she spoke to her classmates apologetically.

“Sorry, now’s not the time for this.”

“Huh? What do you mean…”

Her classmates asked back with puzzled tones.

But no answer came. Turning her body, Yuna suddenly shouted towards Ji-hye.

“Hey, soldier sister!”

“Yes?”

“Captain is a high rank, right?”

“Oh, yes. At least…”

An abrupt question.

Ji-hye nodded with a bewildered face. Along with this, Yuna’s expression brightened considerably.

“Phew, that’s a relief. Then could you please arrange a meeting with the highest-ranking person here?”

“…Pardon?”

Ji-hye blankly asked back.

Because she couldn’t immediately understand the situation.

“Why…?”

“I have something to tell them.”

A face devoid of any trace of a smile.

Then an unexpected answer followed.

“It’s about Hwaseong.”

“…! H-Hwaseong, you say?”

“Yes, I have information to share about the strange phenomena occurring in Hwaseong and their cause. It’s a very important matter with countless lives at stake.”

Ji-hye’s eyes grew wide.

The same was true for Han-seong.

He never imagined that talk of Hwaseong would come from Yuna’s mouth. Meanwhile, Yuna stamped her feet impatiently, urging a decision.

“We need to hurry. If we waste time, not only Hwaseong but this place will be in danger too.”

A tone filled with strong conviction.

There was no trembling in her eyes or voice. Seeing this, Han-seong activated his Magic Eye to check.

Soon a blue light enveloped Yuna’s body.

Meaning her words just now were the truth.

‘How on earth…’

How does Yuna know about Hwaseong?

Countless questions arose in his mind.

Questions that would never be resolved until he heard the story. However, as long as it wasn’t a lie, the deliberation wasn’t long.

“Let’s hear what she has to say first.”

“…Alright, I’ll contact my uncle.”

Ji-hye answered with a hardened expression.

After all, the Hwaseong matter was the biggest concern for the Suwon Provisional Government as well.

How much time passed like that? Ji-hye, who had left her seat, returned with good news.

“Let’s go in.”

Along with the words that entry permission had been granted.

The isolation zone on the west side of the air base.

A place where survivors who had just entered the air base stayed. Normally, one had to pass a simple examination to enter, but the Phantom and Yuna were exceptions.

That’s because Ji-hye was with them.

Additionally, Yuna’s classmates were sent back to the shelter where they had been staying. There was no further business with them now that they had reunited with Yuna.

“Would you like something to drink?”

“Ah, just water is fine for me.”

A container building on the outskirts of the isolation zone.

It was originally used as a warehouse, but they had no choice but to enter due to outside gazes.

After all, the animals Yuna was dragging along were eye-catching to anyone. At that moment, Ji-hye took out a bottle of water from the shelf and handed it to Yuna.

“Someone will come to escort you soon. So please wait here for a little while.”

“Alright. Thank you.”

Yuna smiled brightly.

Ji-hye also grinned slightly.

“And I’m not your sister.”

“Huh? That means…”

“I’m the same age as Yuna.”

“Really?”

Yuna made a surprised expression.

“Wow, then we’re friends!”

“Umm, usually people say they’re the same age.”

“Should we start speaking casually then?”

“…Maybe after we get to know each other better.”

Ji-hye stepped back slightly.

She probably felt burdened by Yuna’s bulldozer-like attitude. Seeing this scene, Han-seong couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

‘Well, she wasn’t shy with strangers in the past either.’

Yuna had always been sociable.

She would quickly become friends with someone she just met after talking for a few minutes, and she had no shyness. So unlike Han-seong, she always had people following her wherever she went.

Now she was dragging animals along instead of people. Laughing once again, Han-seong then gazed intently at Yuna.

[Activating skill.]

[Remote: Detection]

To view Yuna’s information.

Shortly after, the information was revealed before his eyes.

[Name]: Kang Yuna

[Job]: Eternal Beast Tamer

[Owned Skills]:

▷Beast Summon (+Spirit Beast Summon)

▷Taming Art (+Word of Obedience)

-Gather, Disperse, Charge, Rage, Bond, Pack, Protect, All-out Attack, Resummon, Affinity, Roar of the Wild, Circle of Life, Enhance: Swift, Enhance: Fierce Attack, Subordination Contract

Yuna’s job was Beast Tamer.

Judging by the word ‘Eternal’ attached before her job, it seems she had received a special blessing like Han-seong.

Though he wasn’t sure what kind of effect the blessing had.

‘Her level is surprisingly high.’

She must have gone through quite a few battles since the Upheaval. That means she probably experienced considerable hardship as well.

Just as he was feeling somewhat sorry for her,

‘Hm?’

There were more beings detected by Detection along with Yuna. The twin-headed snake coiled around Yuna’s left leg. And the eagle owl perched on her shoulder.

The information for the other animals wasn’t displayed. This meant the snake and owl were special beings. Curious, Han-seong examined the two.

First, the twin-headed snake.

[Name]: Amsa & Baekyeon

[Type]: Spirit Beast

▷Unique: Immunity to All Poisons

-Immune to all types of poison

▷Unique: Clear Mirror, Still Water

-Immune to all status effects

(However, Amsa and Baekyeon’s unique skills are only effective when in physical contact with their master.)

After examining the twin-headed snake’s information, Han-seong’s eyes inadvertently widened. An effect that grants immunity to all poisons and status effects.

It’s a very good skill for defense.

And there was one more thing he learned.

To receive the effects of all skills, one must be in physical contact with the twin-headed snake.

‘Ah, so that’s why she goes around like that.’

The reason why she keeps the twin-headed snake coiled around her leg was revealed. With a curious expression, Han-seong then looked at the eagle owl.

[Name]: Boundary Guide

▷Unique: Dimensional Boundary

-Can freely traverse the boundaries of all multidimensional spaces that exist in the world.

(However, entry is not possible into Isolation Dimensions, Concealment Dimensions, Closed Dimensions, and Unique Dimensions.)

The owl’s skill was also quite impressive.

The ability to freely cross the boundaries of dimensions and spaces sounded like it could even enable something like spatial movement.

As he was silently examining the information of the two spirit beasts,

Suddenly a whispering voice was heard.

“Mage.”

It was Ji-hye. She pointed outside the building as if she had something to say, and Han-seong moved the Phantom to go outside with Ji-hye.

Some time later, after the container door closed.

Ji-hye narrowed her eyes.

“Why are you just standing still?”

“What do you mean all of a sudden?”

“I’m talking about your sister. If you wanted to meet her so badly, why are you pretending not to know her?”

Ah, so that’s what she meant.

Han-seong smiled awkwardly.

“I just feel a bit awkward.”

“Awkward? Why?”

“She didn’t originally look like that.”

Sighing, he explained about Yuna’s previous appearance. After listening to the whole story, Ji-hye nodded briefly and replied.

“Hmm, now that I hear it, certainly…”

“And since it’s been quite a while since we met, I was wondering how to approach her. Before I knew it, I missed the chance to reveal my identity.”

“How long has it been since you last met?”

“Exactly 10 years this year.”

Ji-hye blinked her wide eyes.

She asked back as if dumbfounded.

“No, what were you doing for so long… Ah!”

But she quickly shut her mouth.

She must have recalled Han-seong’s past. After all, Han-seong had told her his story after the battle with the Vampiric Wood ended.

About how his lower body was paralyzed in an accident 10 years ago, and how he consequently became a shut-in, living an isolated life.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that…”

“No, it’s fine.”

Han-seong shook his head.

He truly didn’t mind. And the reason he couldn’t reveal his identity wasn’t just because he felt awkward meeting his sister after so long.

There was more hesitation than awkwardness.

‘Her classmates said earlier…’

That Yuna never talked about her family.

So they thought she was an only child. From this, Han-seong was gripped by the thought that Yuna might be denying his existence.

‘In a way, it’s understandable.’

A brother who didn’t leave his room for 10 years.

She might think it’s pathetic and embarrassing.

So he hesitated.

Worried that if he revealed his identity in front of everyone, Yuna might be flustered. He was also concerned about what kind of reaction he would get.

‘But I can’t hide it forever.’

He needs to reveal his identity soon.

Han-seong had an obligation to tell Yuna that their parents were safe.

And if she knows the whole family is safe, she’ll have no reason to go to Seoul. Han-seong opened his mouth towards Ji-hye, who was making an apologetic expression.

“I’ll reveal my identity when I’ve made up my mind. So for now…”

“Yes, I won’t say anything.”

Ji-hye made a gesture of zipping her lips.

Her quick wit is really appreciated. Han-seong smiled, saying thanks for understanding.

As the conversation about Yuna was wrapping up, Ji-hye brought up a new topic.

“By the way, what do you think?”

“Hm? About what?”

“About what your sister said.”

“You mean about Hwaseong?”

“Yes, she seemed to know something, but I wonder how much she knows? And I’m also curious how she knows.”

Han-seong had the same thoughts.

Currently, Hwaseong City is shrouded in fog.

Unless one goes in directly, nothing can be seen from the outside. Even Han-seong’s Precise Observation couldn’t confirm the detailed situation.

‘But for her to say she knows what’s happening in Hwaseong…’

Could she have gone in and come out?

It was entirely possible.

After all, Yuna currently had a spirit beast by her side that granted immunity to all status effects.

As he was continuing his speculation,

Screech!

A sound interrupted his thoughts.

Suddenly a black military vehicle stopped in front of them. After a moment, someone got out of the driver’s seat.

A soldier in his early 30s. With neatly trimmed hair, he saluted Ji-hye as soon as he saw her.

“Victory. I’ve come to escort you, Captain.”

A man with the rank of Sergeant First Class. The name tag on his left chest read ‘Park Seong-cheol’.

After returning the salute, Ji-hye immediately called Yuna out from the container. Then everyone got into the military vehicle together.

But a problem arose.

“Um, I’m sorry but…”

“There’s not enough room for the children to sit.”

There wasn’t enough space to accommodate Yuna’s animals. Belatedly realizing this, Ji-hye looked at the animals with a troubled expression.

“Is there no way to unsummon them or something?”

“Unfortunately, there’s no such convenient function. Even if there was, I couldn’t use it.”

“Huh? What do you mean…”

“I have the Blessing of Eternity, you see.”

The Blessing of Eternity.

According to her explanation, it’s an ability that allows her to keep summoned animals or spirit beasts by her side indefinitely, regardless of duration or energy consumption.

It was the ultimate blessing for a job that deals with summons. As she explained this, Yuna smiled sheepishly while petting her animals.

“So I have no choice but to go everywhere with them. I don’t mind since I like animals, but still.”

Anyway, the conclusion was that they had to move with the animals. Just as they were troubled by the lack of space, the problem was unexpectedly solved easily.

Sergeant Park, who had been listening to the conversation, had contacted the Transport Battalion.

“I’ve requested them to send another vehicle.”

“Oh, really? Thank you.”

Grateful for the considerate gesture, Yuna bowed her head and expressed her thanks. And shortly after, a new vehicle arrived at the isolation zone.

A military truck of about 2.5 tons. It was large enough to carry all the animals in the cargo area with room to spare.

“Then we’ll depart now.”

With those final words from Sergeant Park.

The military truck carrying the group left the isolation zone and moved towards the inner part of the air base. Heading towards the headquarters, the heart of the Suwon Provisional Government.