บท 15: Chapter 15: The Return Home
Joon-Oh and Ji-Hoon led Jin to the makeshift hunter headquarters.
The building, once a thriving community center, now served as a hub for weary hunters.
"Welcome back, Jin," a familiar voice greeted.
It was Lee Yoon-Ah, a seasoned hunter.
"Yoon-Ah," Jin nodded.
"We've heard about your victory," Yoon-Ah said.
"The behemoth's gone," Jin confirmed.
"But the real battle's far from over," Joon-Oh added.
"Amen to that," Ji-Hoon agreed.
Yoon-Ah's expression turned somber.
"Eridoria's in shambles."
"What's the situation?" Jin asked.
"Monsters have rampaged throughout Korea," Yoon-Ah replied.
"Entire cities lie in ruins."
"And it's not just Korea," a nearby hunter, Choi Min-Soo, added.
"The world's gone mad."
"Reports from Europe, America, China – monsters everywhere," Min-Soo continued.
"Governments are scrambling to respond."
"But they're no match for these creatures," Ji-Hoon muttered.
"We're the only ones who can stop them," Jin declared.
Yoon-Ah nodded.
"That's why we need to regroup, strategize."
"And find the source," Joon-Oh emphasized.
"The one controlling the monsters," Jin agreed.
Rumors swirled among the hunters, speculating about the controller's identity.
"Some say it's a powerful sorcerer," Min-Soo whispered.
"Others claim it's a rogue organization," another hunter, Kim Hye-Jin, added.
Jin's eyes narrowed.
"We'll find out soon enough."
A hooded figure entered the room, drawing attention.
"Who's that?" Ji-Hoon asked.
"New recruit," Yoon-Ah replied.
"Name's Park Se-Hyun."
Se-Hyun approached Jin.
"I've heard about your skills," Se-Hyun said.
"I have information about Eridoria."
"What kind of information?" Jin asked.
Se-Hyun hesitated.
"I used to work for a secret organization."
"One that studied Eridoria."
Jin's interest piqued.
"Tell me more."
Se-Hyun's voice dropped to a whisper.
"Eridoria's not just a city."
"It's a gateway."
"A gateway to what?" Jin pressed.
Se-Hyun's eyes locked onto Jin's.
"Something big."
Jin's eyes locked onto Se-Hyun's.
"Tell me more about Eridoria," Jin demanded.
Se-Hyun hesitated, glancing around the room.
"Eridoria's a city, hidden from the world," Se-Hyun explained.
"A city?" Joon-Oh repeated.
"Yes," Se-Hyun confirmed.
"It's been around for centuries, hidden by powerful magic."
Ji-Hoon's eyes widened.
"That's incredible."
Se-Hyun nodded.
"I've studied Eridoria extensively."
Yoon-Ah leaned forward.
"What's its connection to the monster invasion?"
Se-Hyun's voice dropped to a whisper.
"I'm not entirely sure."
"But I think Eridoria's the key to stopping the invasion."
Jin's grip on his daggers tightened.
"Explain."
Se-Hyun took a deep breath.
"Eridoria's...different.
Its energy signature matches the monsters."
Min-Soo frowned.
"You think Eridoria's the source?"
Se-Hyun nodded.
"I do."
Joon-Oh's face hardened.
"We need to investigate."
Ji-Hoon stood.
"Let's gather our gear."
Yoon-Ah nodded.
"We'll head to Eridoria."
Se-Hyun's eyes locked onto Jin's.
"I'll guide you."
Jin's gaze softened.
"Welcome to the team."
As the hunters prepared to depart, Jin's mind whirled with questions.
Jin's expression turned contemplative.
"Eridoria...that's where I grew up," Jin said.
Se-Hyun's eyes widened.
"Really?"
Jin nodded.
"I don't remember anything out of the ordinary happening there."
Yoon-Ah's brow furrowed.
"Maybe it was hidden from you."
Jin's gaze drifted off.
"Possible."
Jin's thoughts shifted to his friends.
"Have you heard from Ryker, Aria, or Lila?" Jin asked.
Joon-Oh's expression turned somber.
"They returned to Eridoria."
"But after the beasts were released...we lost contact," Joon-Oh continued.
Ji-Hoon's face hardened.
"We've tried reaching out."
"No response," Ji-Hoon added.
Jin's grip on his daggers tightened.
"I need to find them."
Se-Hyun's voice softened.
"We'll help you."
Yoon-Ah nodded.
"We'll find out what's happening in Eridoria."
Min-Soo's eyes narrowed.
"And put an end to this invasion."
Jin's determination intensified.
"I'll get answers."
Ji-Hoon placed a hand on Jin's shoulder.
"We're with you."
Joon-Oh's voice turned resolute.
"Together, we'll uncover Eridoria's secrets."
The group set out for Eridoria, their determination palpable.
As they traversed the ravaged landscape, Jin's thoughts lingered on Ryker, Aria, and Lila.
"Jin, you okay?" Joon-Oh asked, noticing Jin's distant gaze.
"I'm fine," Jin replied, shaking off the concern.
"Just worried about my friends."
Se-Hyun nodded sympathetically.
"We'll find them."
The group pressed on, navigating through ruined cities and desolate forests.
Days passed, and the landscape shifted from urban decay to rural devastation.
"We're getting close," Se-Hyun said, consulting her map.
"Eridoria's just ahead."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the world in a fiery glow, the group encountered a makeshift camp.
Refugees huddled together, sharing stories of lost loved ones and ravaged homes.
Jin's heart ached, recognizing the pain and fear etched on their faces.
"We'll stop here for the night," Yoon-Ah decided.
"Regroup and recharge."
As they settled in, Jin approached a refugee, an elderly woman.
"Ma'am, what's your story?" Jin asked gently.
The woman's eyes welled up with tears.
"My family...gone," she whispered.
"Taken by those...monsters."
Jin's grip on his daggers tightened.
"We'll stop this," Jin promised.
The woman's gaze locked onto Jin's.
"You're from Eridoria, aren't you?"
Jin nodded.
"I am."
The woman's voice dropped to a whisper.
"Be careful, child."
"Eridoria's not what it seems."
Jin's curiosity piqued.
"What do you mean?"
The woman's eyes darted around the camp.
"I've heard whispers...of an ancient power."
"One that's been awakened."
Jin's mind reeled with questions.
"What power?"
But the woman's eyes clouded, and she shook her head.
"I've said too much."
As Jin retreated, his thoughts swirled with unease.
The group departed the refugee camp, their resolve strengthened.
As they journeyed on, the landscape shifted from desolate forests to rolling hills.
"Eridoria's just ahead," Se-Hyun announced, consulting her map.
"Prepare yourselves."
Jin's heart quickened, anticipation building.
"What can we expect?" Ji-Hoon asked.
"Unknown," Se-Hyun replied.
"Eridoria's been hidden for centuries."
Yoon-Ah drew her sword.
"We'll face whatever comes our way."
As they crested a hill, Eridoria's silhouette emerged, shrouded in mist.
"By the gods..." Joon-Oh breathed.
Eridoria's architecture was unlike anything Jin had seen.
Towers pierced the sky, their spires twisting like ethereal tendrils.
"It's beautiful," Se-Hyun whispered.
"And ominous," Jin added.
A chill ran down his spine as they approached the city gates.
They were sealed, adorned with ancient runes.
"What do these symbols mean?" Ji-Hoon asked.
Se-Hyun's eyes narrowed.
"They're warnings."
"Against what?" Yoon-Ah pressed.
Se-Hyun's voice dropped to a whisper.
"The Devouring."
Jin's grip on his daggers tightened.
"What's the Devouring?"
Se-Hyun's gaze locked onto Jin's.
"I'm not entirely sure."
"But I think it's connected to the ancient power."
Suddenly, the runes flared, and the gates creaked open.
"Welcome to Eridoria," a low, ominous voice echoed.
The group exchanged uneasy glances.
"Let's proceed with caution," Yoon-Ah advised.
As they entered Eridoria, an unsettling silence enveloped them.
The streets were empty, the buildings looming like sentinels.
"Where is everyone?" Joon-Oh asked.
Se-Hyun's eyes scanned the surroundings.
"I don't know."
Jin's instincts screamed warning.
Something was off.
As they ventured deeper into Eridoria, a sudden roar shook the air.
"A beast!" Ji-Hoon warned.
"Get ready!" Yoon-Ah shouted.
The group turned to face the threat, and their eyes widened in unison.
A colossal creature, its body a blur of scales and fur, charged towards them at supersonic speed.
"By the gods..." Joon-Oh breathed.
"That's a Devourer!" Se-Hyun exclaimed.
Jin's eyes locked onto the beast.
"I've got this."
Without hesitation, Jin charged forward, his daggers at the ready.
"Jin, wait!" Yoon-Ah called out.
But Jin was already gone, vanished into a burst of speed.
The beast and Jin collided in a flash of steel and claws.
Time seemed to slow as the two forces clashed.
The beast's jaws snapped shut mere inches from Jin's face.
But Jin's daggers danced, weaving a deadly pattern.
Aether Blade sliced through the air, biting deep into the beast's scales.
Phantom Strike followed, striking true.
Apocalypse unleashed a maelstrom of energy.
The beast's roar turned to a scream.
And in an instant, it was over.
The beast lay motionless, its body cratering the ground.
Jin stood victorious, his chest heaving with exertion.
The group stared, awestruck.
"Jin...how?" Ji-Hoon stammered.
Jin sheathed his daggers.
"Years of training."
Yoon-Ah approached Jin, a mix of concern and admiration on her face.
"Jin, you're...incredible."
Se-Hyun's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"But how did you know you could defeat it?"
Jin's gaze drifted back to the beast.
"I didn't."
"I just knew I had to try."
Joon-Oh chuckled.
"Only you, Jin."
Ji-Hoon nodded.
"We make a good team."
As they caught their breath, Se-Hyun examined the beast's corpse.
"This is a Devourer, all right."
"An ancient creature."
"Thought to be extinct."
Yoon-Ah's eyes narrowed.
"What's its connection to Eridoria?"
Se-Hyun's expression turned thoughtful.
"I think it's tied to the ancient power."
"The one the woman mentioned."
Jin's eyes locked onto Se-Hyun's.
"Let's find out."
Jin's gaze lingered on the beast's lifeless body.
"Xarath, what is this creature?" Jin asked telepathically.
Xarath's voice resonated in Jin's mind.
"A Devourer, Master Jin."
"A creature of legend."
"Born from the void, forged in darkness."
Jin's curiosity piqued.
"Explain."
"Devourers are ancient beings, Master Jin," Xarath began.
"Feeding on the life force of entire worlds. They roam the realms, seeking sustenance leaving desolation in their wake."
Jin's eyes narrowed.
"Why Eridoria?"
"Ah, Master Jin," Xarath's tone turned somber.
"Eridoria holds a secret. A source of immense power. The Heart of Eridoria."
Jin's mind reeled.
"What is the Heart?"
"A crystal, Master Jin," Xarath replied.
"Channeling the planet's energy and amplifying its user's power."
Jin's grip on his daggers tightened.
"We need to find it before others do."
Xarath's agreement echoed in Jin's mind.
"Yes, Master Jin."
"Protecting Eridoria's Heart is crucial."
Jin turned to the group.
"We have a lead."
"The Heart of Eridoria."
Yoon-Ah's eyes sparkled.
"What is it?"
Jin summarized Xarath's explanation.
Se-Hyun's face lit up with curiosity.
"This could be the key to understanding Eridoria's connection to the monster invasion."
Ji-Hoon nodded.
"And stopping it."
Joon-Oh grinned.
"Time to get moving."
As they prepared to proceed, Jin's thoughts lingered on Xarath's words.
What secrets lay hidden in Eridoria? And who else sought the Heart?
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