Jin-woo opened his eyes to find himself in his own home. He found himself lying in his bed beside his wife. With a sudden jolt, Jin-woo began to sit up as he rubbed his temples. He never thought this would work. Did he really go back in time? But by how much did he go back?
The sun was already creeping over the horizon, its streaks of light beginning to seep through the curtains, slightly lighting the bedroom. It is exactly as he remembered it years ago. Hae-In had always had the habit of making sure every room was neatly clean.
The nightstand right beside him still had a picture of him and Hae-In, from the moment of their second date. He still remembered it so vividly. How would he ever forget the life he built over the years?
Hae-In began to stir out of sleep beside him. Hae-In had never seen him wake up this early, and soon expected that something had gone wrong. She snuggles up to her husband to hug and comfort him.
Jin-woo was overwhelmed with emotions as he embraced her. Hae-In was the first one to talk. "Dear, did you have a nightmare?" Jin-woo let the conversation hand for a bit before answering back. "No..., I did not. I think I have sent myself a decade back in time."
Hae-In was shocked at the revelation, but decided against questioning and told him to continue. She has come to love the man in her last timeline; he must have had his reason to turn back time.
"There will be war in the future, a war where there is no end in sight. A war with cosmic beings who want this world for their own." Jin-woo released himself from her embrace and stared right into her eyes. "And this war will happen within this decade."
"I never wished for magic to return to this world, but for this upcoming war, I have no choice."
Hae-In nudged back into his arms, "I know that you are strong, but... It is not good to bear all the burden alone. So please, whenever the weight is too heavy to bear, rely on me sometimes."
"I will..."
Neither of them lingered for long and decided it was best to start the day earlier. Hae-In went downstairs, heading for the kitchen to make something to eat. Jin-woo, on the other hand, went to the bathroom to refresh himself.
After he was done, he went to stand before the sink, where an oval mirror was mounted on the bathroom wall. He splashed cold water on his face before wiping it off with a towel. As the water slowly drained into the sink, he found himself staring at his own hands. The grievous burn on his left hand is still there.
This scar was a stark reminder that even the strongest being could be hurt. He was perhaps invincible but not invulnerable. He received the grievous wound when he blocked Antares's attack with his bare hands to prevent the worst possible outcome for his loyal servant, Igris.
While his loyal servants grieved and wailed for the wounds inflicted on their lord. It did not bother Jin-woo in the slightest. This wound is not a reminder of what he could become, but of who he is.
Jin-woo threw the towel into the wash bin. He went downstairs into the living room, where he noticed several of Suho's board games lying on the ground. Jin-woo suddenly remembered that day. He couldn't help but reminisce, which left him chuckling. He remembered how Chacha teased their son for bringing home a cute little red-haired girl. If his memories served him right, both Suho and that girl went to the same school. Although in later years, Suho would not see her again.
Jin-woo neatly stowed the board games before he joined his wife at the dinner table. As he reached the kitchen. He could already smell that Hae-In went above and beyond to prepare his favorite dish. And decided to enter the kitchen to give her a proper reward. Hae-In was about to ready the dish when she was suddenly attacked from behind.
Jin-woo came close to her as he put his hands on her hips, while making a soft breeze behind her ears, before biting on it. Hae-In really seems to like it, as she turned around for a passionate kiss. "Breakfast is ready, dear."
Both of them went on to bring the food to the table and began to eat. Hae-In finally let out a question. She held up this morning. "Jin, when is the cataclysm going to reappear again?" Jin-woo's gaze shifted towards Hae-In as he put down his chopsticks. "I intend to initiate it after informing the ones closest to us."
"Woo Jinchul is the first one that comes to mind."
"Director Woo? Does he perhaps have some political connections to make something happen?" Hae-in asks.
"Not necessarily. But he knows how hunter politics works; if he can awaken first, he can force things through before anything is set in stone."
"So you intend to reinitiate the Korean Hunters Association as soon as possible."
"Yes, he already knows those who will become S or A rank hunters in the future. If he can recruit them sooner, we will become more united for what's to come."
Hae-in interrupts Jin-woo's train of thought as she seamlessly switches to another topic. "Jin, if you ever want to reestablish your guild again," Jin-woo starts to notice Hae-in fidgeting with her hair as she gazes averted, Jin's eyes, "Can I join your guild?"
This left him absolutely dumbfounded. It appears that even the strongest hunter in the world could be stunned into silence. Luckily for him, he was able to snap out of it and answer his wife's question. "I have only built that guild to grow myself stronger. I don't think I would need something like this in the future."
Hae-in pouts in disappointment. "Fine." She spoke. Hae-in stood up and began to clean to table.
Jin-woo also stood up and walked up to Hae-in at the table, and hugged her. "Sorry for disappointing you, Chacha."
Hae-in's ears went red slightly. "How about you wake up our little boy, Suho, before you get to work?"
Her husband seems to like that reaction and could not help to press more of her buttons. Jin-woo begins to act like an abandoned puppy left behind on a side street. "Chacha, why are you being so cold to me?"
Hae-in's demeanor became stern. "Jin, get Suho, NOW!"
"Yes, ma'am."
Jin-woo went upstairs towards Suho's room. His tone shifted; he called up Beru and Igris from his shadow realm. Beru was the first one to speak. "My liege, it is not wise to anger your queen."
Igris couldn't help from give his colleague a side eye, while their lord ignored Beru's advice completely. "Beru, watch over Suho and release him from his seal when you think he is ready."
Beru lowered his head deeply, "As you command, my liege. I will watch over the young master once more as he grows. I will not fail you this time."
"You don't have to feel sorry, Beru. When you came back to earth, your strength was already drained. I am aware of your circumstances."
The ant's eyes began to tear up, its voice began to tremble, "My liege!"
Their lord's attention shifted towards Igris. "Igris, release Yoo Jinho's memories and request him to aid Jinchul in his endeavors."
This left Igris. slightly puzzled."My liege, I do not wish to be disrespectful, but what does my liege have to gain from releasing his memories from the previous timeline?"
"Jinchul lacks the political capital to push things forward, but with Jinho's financial backing, Jinchul may sail a bit smoother," Jin-woo answered.
"Forgive me for my lack of understanding, my liege. I will carry it out without fail."
"Good, both of you are dismissed."
Both of the shadows give their lord one last bow before disappearing, but only Beru appears to linger a bit longer. Jin-woo senses Beru's unease, "Beru, is there something on your mind?"
"Forgive me for the late informing. The apostle of the Itarim, who was sent to earth, had shown a great understanding of human nature... the young master had a hard time dealing with him, as he could blend very well in with the masses." Beru bows deeper, refusing to make eye contact with his master. "My liege, this failure of mine... is my greatest sin, I have let the young monarch down."
His lord's magic flares, alongside his anger, he knows very well what this implies. Beru, who is kneeling, has already seemingly accepted his fate. Beru closes his eyes, but nothing seems to happen.
Jin-woo spoke up, "I do not blame you for your failure, Beru. I am just furious that those to dare to harm my son." Beru opened his eyes with surprise, but before he could speak, "Don't blame yourself, Beru, do not let those dark thoughts linger. And correct your mistake."
Beru, overwhelmed and lost for words, could only answer, "As you command, my liege," and proceeded to sink into the floor.
Jin-woo let a deep sigh. This complicates things further, but on the bright side, this so-called apostle will not appear in the following few years, unless the Itarim changes their plans. He will become their hell.
He finally reached Suho's room and knocked on the door. "Suho! It is already past bedtime. You need to wake up!
The response was immediate. "But dad, it's the weekend!"
"Son, you already know that your mother and I had talked about this. It doesn't hurt to have some semblance of discipline in your life." His tone became more mischievous, " Or could it be you were unable to sleep because you were thinking about your crush? You know, you could have at least introduced this little lady of yours to us."
The bedroom door sprang wide open, and the little Suho, still in his pajamas, was in front of it. His face went red as he yelled at his dad, "IT IS NOT LIKE THAT!" Realizing he raised his voice, he made the tone more subtle while averting his father's gaze. "Miho and I are just... friends."
Jin-woo, satisfied with ragebaiting his own son, now shifts to a more neutral tone. "Since you have woken up, you should change yourself into something proper before you go downstairs. Your mother has already prepared breakfast for you."
Before Jin-woo went his own way, Suho went ahead to ask a question. "Dad, could it be you're here because of the pecking order?"
His father feigned ignorance. "I don't know what you're talking about, son."
["My liege, the young master does have a point."] Beru's little anthead popped out of nowhere besides Jin-woo.
"Shut up, Beru, go back into my shadow," Jin-woo said, as he looked, annoyed at the anthead. From Suho's point of view, it only seems his dad went schizophrenic.
"Dad... are you alright?"
"Suho, just get downstairs."