Kapitel 38: Mr. Choi's Past

The scene transitioned to a cavernous passage. The floor was paved with black rocks, which absorbed the dim light from the flame lamps fixed to the walls. The walls were damp, adorned with moss and sporadic plant growth. Droplets of water dripped rhythmically from the concave ceiling, creating a haunting melody. The air was thick with the scents of decay and rust, contributing to an almost suffocating atmosphere.

Seung's clones emerged from a bud-shaped entrance, stepping into the passage. Moss and black flowers clung to the entrance, hinting at the clones' journey through the penumbral darkness outside.

Snarl!

An icy draft swept past them, accompanied by the angry snarls reverberating through the cavern. The flames flickered violently before stabilizing. A goblin emerged from the shadows, charging towards them with thundering steps that made the ground tremble.

First stepped forward, fists clenched, eyes narrowing at the approaching creature. As the goblin leaped towards him, he met it mid-air with a powerful punch to the throat. The force of the blow decapitated the goblin, its body crumpling to the ground in a bloody heap.

Splash!

Blood splattered the walls and lamps, intensifying the flames. Suddenly, a pack of goblins emerged from the darkness, their glowing eyes filled with malice. Their scarred, green skin glistened under the lamp light as they snarled, mucus dripping from their sharp fangs.

Second summoned a dagger to his hand, and the clones charged at the goblins. First clone, with enhanced strength, smashed through the enemies, crushing bones with every strike. Second clone used Light Speed to dart around, slicing through the goblins with deadly precision.

Whack! Flash! Slash!

The sounds of bones breaking and flesh tearing filled the passage. Within minutes, the goblins lay defeated, their bodies dissolving into pools of blood. The clones gathered the loot and extracted valuable resources, completing their mission successfully.

-------

The life monitor beeped steadily. Seung was seated on a chair, while Mr. Choi placed a bowl of cookies on the small desk and sat down, a drink in his hand. He loosened his tie and sighed audibly.

Lee Seung smiled, uncovering the bowl. "Ahjussi, how did you know I was craving this?"

Mr. Choi smiled slightly, taking a sip of his drink. "Do you drink too?" he asked.

Seung shook his head. "No, it's not good for a teenager's health. And besides, it's unlawful." He munched a cookie, savoring the taste.

Mr. Choi smirked, "How holy." Seung grinned, continuing to eat. He glanced at Mr. Choi and asked, "Wow, these are delicious. Did your wife make them?"

Mr. Choi's smile faded as he looked away, sighing and tightening his suit around him. Seung's stomach knotted with guilt, his fingers twitching nervously.

Mr. Choi turned to him, "Do you remember when I promised to tell you about my past and my encounter with the Dongwon guild?"

Seung nodded, "Yes, I remember. Why?"

"Let me fulfill that promise now," he said, gazing at the ceiling. He began, "I was happily married with a daughter in Busan. Both my wife and I were breadwinners. I graduated with a degree in science and technology, but there were no jobs in Busan, which was then a rural area. After years of struggling, I left my family for employment in Seoul. I got a job as a science lecturer and didn't return home for two years. During the monster invasion, I reunited with my family at a safe camp, and we settled in Seoul. Seeing that hunting personnel earned more, I joined the Dongwon guild as a manager. I was successful, but then, one day, I received a call from someone who had kidnapped my daughter."

Mr. Choi gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with pain. "The kidnapper demanded a ransom of thirty billion won."

"Th-thirty billion?" Seung stuttered, wide-eyed.

"There was no way I could gather that amount. I took a loan from my guild, but when the money was sent, my daughter's dead body was returned instead. Those bastards took my money and her life."

He stared intensely at Seung, "My wife thought I didn't try hard enough to save our daughter and divorced me. A month later, the guild demanded repayment. Unable to pay, I was fired and have been working hard to repay the loan ever since. That's why I've been so invested in your hunting."

Seung asked, "How much have you paid back?"

Mr. Choi sighed, "Ten billion won. That's all I've managed in five years."

Seung realized the depth of Mr. Choi's struggles. He thought, 'He's been living alone, suffering in silence, and working tirelessly to repay the loan.'

Ding! Ding!

Mr. Choi's phone rang. The caller was Kang Wonsik, the department head. He stood up, telling Seung he had to go to work.

"You have a new job?" Seung asked, his brows furrowed.

"Yes, at Dongwon guild," Mr. Choi replied weakly.

"Crap! Those bastards must have forced you because of the loan," Seung groaned.

Mr. Choi smirked, imagining Seung's reaction if he knew what had happened in the past year. At the door, Seung reassured him, "Hang in there, Mr. Choi. I'll make sure your loan gets cleared."

Mr. Choi gave him a faint smile and left.

Seung lay back on the bed, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. 'I must get discharged soon.'

BRIM!

The system screen opened at eye level. There was something there that widened his eyes. This must be why the system emphasized the mode of hunting earlier!