Chapter 60: The Returnee from the Demon Realm (2)

There were several reasons why Yunho got stuck with PTSD.

First of all, it started with the disappearance of Minseok, who was not just his teacher, but also like an older brother.

In front of others, he always insisted that Minseok would be back soon and told them not to worry, but the longer the wait, the greater his fear grew.

What if he got lost in a dungeon? What if he died? What if I lose another comrade?

These worries and anxieties gradually began to consume him.

And then, the incident happened a year ago.

A comrade who had gone on a subjugation raid with him died right before his eyes.

Since then, whenever he saw a monster or even just approached a dungeon, the memory of that day would come back, and he would find it hard to breathe from panic attacks.

Becoming a Hunter had been his lifelong dream, but at some point, he lost sight of that dream. Once driven by a sense of duty, he ended up losing everything.

On top of that, his Trait was that of a Healer. He was a Healer, but could also use magic, and yet, unable to save his comrade directly, he was overcome with self-loathing.

That’s why he barely got through each day, drinking himself numb.

“Hyung! Fight with me!”

As he struggled to breathe, another voice rang out. It was Jinwoo’s voice. After Jinwoo ate the Divine Apple, some of his anxiety disappeared, and he even found it easier to breathe. Suddenly, a new goal came into view.

Alpha Orcs pouring out through the Gate, citizens fleeing in panic,

Sirens blaring everywhere.

The Hunters hadn’t even arrived yet, but Jinwoo had already drawn his sword and was charging alone at the monsters.

‘…Wasn’t Jinwoo a Rank-0 Hunter?’

A Rank-0 Hunter was rushing at a group of ten Alpha Orcs.

At this rate, I’m about to lose someone I know again. The Golden Apple had helped a bit with his anxiety, and just as he began to feel he really wanted to save Jinwoo—

Pa-at—!

Before he knew it, he had leapt forward and stretched out his hand.

He was stumbling, tipsy from alcohol, but both his hands pointed precisely where they needed to.

Healing magic shot out from his right hand, the light flying straight toward Jinwoo.

He cast Heal on Jinwoo preemptively in case he got hurt by the orcs, while with his left hand, he cast a curse spell to debuff the orcs.

At that moment—

Pa-at—!

Jinwoo’s sword cleaved two orcs at once. After that, the Alpha Orcs’ attacks naturally veered away from Jinwoo.

Watching Jinwoo’s movements, Yunho wondered if he’d been worrying too much. Even after a strong slap with his own hands, Jinwoo was still cutting down orcs with his sword.

(Anonymous 1): So now he can take down Alpha Orcs easily, even without my help.

(God of Rain and Sunshine): Jinwoo’s talent is top-tier.

(Father of Crops): Jinwoo’s not using any magic skills on purpose, right?

(Endless Waiting): Looks like it? Maybe he’s doing it so nobody gets suspicious. Ruthless guy.

(Liberated Swordsman): The world only knows the secret Hunters as those who use magic skills.

(The Returnee from the Demon Realm): …He’s even better with a sword than I thought.

(Liberated Swordsman): Jinwoo’s like a sponge. Even if you only teach him a little, if you show him one thing, he’ll figure out ten.

(Anonymous 1): That’s right, and who’s his teacher anyway?

So far, Jinwoo had gone on countless subjugation raids.

He had even fought the hero-grade Constellation, Liberated Swordsman, and with all his subjugation raids, he’d gained plenty of experience and stat growth.

Even just his base stats were well beyond a Rank-4 Hunter, so Alpha Orcs were nothing to him.

Pa-at, pa-at—!

And watching this, Yunho felt at peace.

He felt like Jinwoo wasn’t going to die.

As a Healer, he’d worked in emergency rooms and as a Hunter as well. He was always most afraid of watching others die, but now that he felt Jinwoo would survive, he couldn’t help but feel at ease.

“If only there were more people like Jinwoo, I’d even consider being a Hunter again.”

That thought came to him naturally.

Just as all the Alpha Orcs were down, phase two began. At that moment, the Hunters who had come to deal with the wave finally arrived on the scene.

*****

I introduced myself to the late-arriving Hunters.

Since I’d recently updated my rank to Rank-4, there was nothing suspicious about me.

My real rank was 4, and I was registered at the Association as a Rank-4 Swordsman and a Rank-8 Spirit Shaman.

“Thank you for blocking the first phase. The government will handle the reward.”

“Thank you.”

After revealing my identity to the government-affiliated Hunter, I also gave my account number to receive the reward. No need to run away and make things unnecessarily complicated; it was a relief.

Using only swordsmanship was the right call.

Leaving the remaining subjugation to the Hunters, I moved to another location with Yunho hyung.

“Jinwoo, what happened?”

He was asking how I managed to clear the first phase alone. I told him I’d become an A-rank Hunter.

“Really? How did you get so strong? That’s amazing.”

After the subjugation ended and the effect of the Golden Apple peaked, he looked relaxed, even in the way he dressed and spoke. I felt like I was seeing a side of him for the first time today. He used to be a person who rarely smiled, and now, even a single smile was hard to come by.

(The Returnee from the Demon Realm): The effect of the Alpha Golden Apple is pretty impressive. Father of Crops, you’ve earned my respect.

(Father of Crops): Hahaha, finally a Constellation who recognizes my true worth! Good, good! Returnee from the Demon Realm, I’ll give you a 30% discount on my crops.

(The Returnee from the Demon Realm): I’ll make sure to buy a little more, then.

(Father of Crops): Thank you, valued customer. Hehe.

(Anonymous 1): That guy’s business sense is top-notch.

(God of Rain and Sunshine): Returnee from the Demon Realm, how do you have so many Coins? Even for a legendary Constellation, that’s not easy.

(Endless Waiting): Well, it makes sense. He’s only recently become a Constellation. Stories about Kang Minseok must still be circulating in the Demon Realm.

(Liberated Swordsman): True, so you must be getting a lot of Coins for now, but in a hundred years, they’ll all dry up.

(Anonymous 1): You guys barely count as Constellations and you’re already complaining. How petty.

(Receiver of Cheongha): Agreed. Anyway, Returnee from the Demon Realm, if I can give one piece of advice for your descendants, figure out a way to earn Coins.

(The Blacksmith of Last Night): Just like I make weapons to earn Coins.

(Anonymous 1): It’s been a while, Julian. I felt a bit betrayed when you didn’t chat for a whole day.

(God of Rain and Sunshine): You said you’d come often, you said you’d come often!

(The Blacksmith of Last Night): I’m glad to see everyone happy to have me. I’ve been watching the stream steadily. I saw the Demon King from Earth arrive, and I’ve been watching everything.

Julian said he couldn’t chat because he was teaching Sangho hyung some advanced techniques. While Kang Minseok and Julian chatted, I continued my conversation with Yunho hyung.

“Jinwoo, it’s so good to see you after such a long time. I’m a little embarrassed to be like this… haha.”

It’s been a while, hyung. I’m glad to see you too. It reminds me of the old days.

“Right. Actually, I heard you’d retired recently, and I was really worried. There’s nobody as diligent as you.”

I was never the kind of Hunter to slack off, even if I sometimes heard I had no talent.

Because I’d gone on more subjugations than most Hunters, I was physically confident, and I always put in my full effort.

That’s why, even if I was lacking in skill, I was never disliked by the Hunters I teamed up with.

That’s probably why they say you’ll never regret working hard.

“Hyung, have you thought about returning as a Hunter?”

“Honestly, I’d rather join the Hunter Fire Brigade.”

That sounds good!

I said that sincerely.

Yunho hyung is basically someone who specializes in rescue. He has a sense of duty and is always ready to risk his life to save others.

(The Returnee from the Demon Realm): I knew he had that kind of character, that’s why I always looked out for him. He’s a good guy. So, I hope Yunho can overcome his trauma and keep chasing his dream.

The Returnee from the Demon Realm, Kang Minseok, was right.

Drowning himself in alcohol every day because of trauma was just wasting his talent and life.

A talented young man with dreams should not waste his time like this.

That’s why I really wanted to help Yunho hyung.

“How was the apple I gave you earlier?”

“Oh, right. What was that? I’ve been meaning to ask… Ever since I ate it, I’ve been strangely calm, not even nervous anymore.”

(Father of Crops): Hahaha! You really understand the true worth of my crops!

Father of Crops, in a good mood, sponsored me with ten more Alpha Golden Apples.

[Rank-18 Item, Alpha Golden Apple]
— Description: A crop one level above the Golden Apple.
— Effect: Alleviates anxiety and trauma. Temporarily relieves anxiety. Continued use brings even greater results.

I started telling a white lie for Yunho hyung’s sake.

…Somehow, telling little white lies has become familiar to me.

Sometimes I feel guilty, but I rationalize that I have no other choice.

I handed the Alpha Golden Apple to Yunho hyung.

“What is this? I didn’t get a chance to see the description earlier, but this thing’s effect is incredible! Where did you get this?”

“I’m a spirit shaman, remember? After retiring as a Hunter, I did some farming with the spirits. Thanks to these crops, my rank went up really fast.”

“I’ve heard about that. Sometimes spirit shamans grow buff-type food items!”

“That’s right.”

Yunho hyung was overjoyed, like someone who’d found an oasis in a desert.

Having lived like a bum, he must’ve dreamed more than anyone of returning as a Hunter and joining the fire brigade.

It must have been tough when his body wouldn’t cooperate, so it was only natural for him to be happy now that he’d found a way to treat his trauma.

“Thank you, thank you so much, Jinwoo.”

Yunho hyung kept thanking me, calling me his benefactor, even tearing up in gratitude.

Watching this, I felt a bit sorry for him too.

(The Returnee from the Demon Realm): …Looks like it worked out well. Thank you, Jinwoo and Father of Crops.

(Anonymous 1): Are you not going to make an Incarnation contract with that Yunho human?

(The Returnee from the Demon Realm): To be honest, it crossed my mind. I even thought about revealing to Yunho that I’m a Constellation and making a contract, but… I think it’s too soon.

(Anonymous 1): Is that so.

(The Returnee from the Demon Realm): If I send a contract now, it could make things complicated for Jinwoo in many ways, right? And it wouldn’t be the best for Yunho either. Rather than making a contract with me, it’d be better for him to overcome his pain through training.

Reading the chat, I nodded deeply.

I thought it was the wise choice.

[You have cleared the mission.]

And so, I received a skill from the Returnee from the Demon Realm, Kang Minseok.

Jackpot!

As expected, the reward was just as amazing as I’d imagined.

No, even better than I imagined.