An awkward silence flows as I remove and sort the teeth embedded in my side. Looking at them, the expressions on Gu Geon-yi and Maria's faces are quite a sight. How a healer like me could possess such killing ability.

How I alone could remain unscathed amidst those hellish flames. They must also be wondering why I'm wearing such a calm expression.

“You...!!”

Gu Geon-yi, having barely finished his healing, struggled to speak.

“What happened? Since when did you have such an ability...”

“As I said before.”

“?”

“I have no obligation to explain.”

I said, flicking one of Yoo Ji-won's teeth at Maria.

“This is all that's left of him. Whether you investigate it or treat it as a memento, do as you please.”

“......”

She, too, looked as though she couldn't comprehend the current situation, but she appeared quite composed compared to Gu Geon-yi.

“Thank you... for your help.”

She must have had many questions, but she offered her thanks instead. I'd felt it before, but she is a different person from Gu Geon-yi in many ways. Though they're both S-rankers, she shows no signs of arrogance or entitlement, and her thoughtful nature is evident in her actions.

Not to mention the difference in their appearances. I spoke in a firm tone, as if to make sure Gu Geon-yi heard me.

“I will be watching to see how Glory Guild reports this incident from now on.”

“...!”

How I usually thought of Yoo Ji-won is a separate issue. Glory Guild must take responsibility and uncover the reason why this guy became so broken. Before, he was a bit of a jerk, but he had never crossed the boundary of being 'human'.

Seeing Gu Geon-yi grinding his teeth, though, I doubt they will. 'I'll have to investigate on my end as well.' The battle with Yoo Ji-won was quite a shock to me as well.

I, who was fine even after clearing high-difficulty Poison Dungeons, felt dizzy from just a small bite.

'Some substance' in him was a material that posed a threat even to me, a Poison-type Hunter.

'I hope some of the substance remains.' The teeth I threw to them were only about half the total number. They might think they received all of them, but in truth, there was no reason for me to do that.

I gave Maria a slight nod, then turned and left the building. With Yoo Ji-won's teeth stuffed in my pocket.

Once you become a Hunter, situations where you cannot avoid killing will arise. Such as when subduing a Hunter who has entered a state of Rampage like Yoo Ji-won, or when facing a Hunter who has committed a crime. A situation comes when you must kill the other person, even if you don't want to.

They say a considerable number of Hunters suffer from aftereffects after killing someone. The grand cause of saving the world is the same, but they perceive 'hunting' and 'murder' differently. The trauma a soldier experiences after killing a person for the first time on the battlefield.

A similar mental anguish befalls Hunters as well. But for some reason, I seem to be an exception.

“Hwaaam....”

Is it because Yoo Ji-won had lost his humanity? It was my first time killing a person, but I don't feel much difference from when I kill a Monster. I thought I might have nightmares, but perhaps because I used Poison Flame repeatedly, I was able to sleep soundly.

It's to the point where I have to reflect (?) on whether I'm this much of an inhuman person. In fact, as I once told someone, I sometimes find people more frightening than Monsters. The people who walked past, staring with indifference, when I had collapsed and was convulsing on the street.

The doctors who delivered my terminal diagnosis with dry, emotionless eyes. Guys like Gu Geon-yi, who abandon the people of an entire district. People like that are far more terrifying than a Giant Treasure.

Well, that's not to say I'll kill people as easily as I kill Monsters. Because I have no desire to become like the people I despise.

'Status check.'

I was worried that the substance from the teeth might have lingered, but thankfully, it seems to have been completely cleansed. Therefore, the day to finally use this item has come.

Ssk.

The Soul Seperating Water, which I had planned to use after absorbing the Gold Core. The incident has come to a close, and my condition is normal, so there was no reason to delay any longer. An experience in the Spirit Realm, which most people don't even know exists.

Yaksha had said with a meaningful expression that I might discover something there.

Gulp.

I don't taste anything special. It just makes me sleepy. It hasn't been long since I woke up, but drowsiness washes over me like a tidal wave.

Kkuwang.

Is it worried about my condition? Ppori cried out fiercely from my shoulder. And when I opened my eyes at the sound of its cry, -???!!!

I had to rub my eyes with the back of my hand. -This can't be... Indeed, the effect of the Soul Seperating Water was certain. A jungle (?), the likes of which I had never seen before, spread out before my eyes.

I was definitely lying on the sofa just a moment ago; it was an incredibly strange occurrence. Moreover, my body was floating in the air, not on the ground. As if I had become a ghost, my body began to drift here and there through the jungle. -Ppuuuu.

A somehow alien cry comes from beyond the bushes. The plants scattered all around were also species far removed from the real world. Like giant clovers with seven large leaves, or sunflowers that boasted a dazzling white light.

A world that seemed as if a child had colored it at will was spread out before me. -How fascinating. For me, who had never even been abroad, let alone to the Spirit Realm, due to my poisoning symptoms, it was an exceptionally rare experience.

I can see mammals with fierce horns like a triceratops, and birds of prey with extremely short legs like a corgi. Can they even hunt properly like that? Just as I was having such useless thoughts, I heard Ppori's cry again. -Kkuwang!

It's very cheerful today.

Wait.

Ppori was definitely with me on the sofa. I had no memory of feeding it the Soul Seperating Water. Does that mean... it entered the Spirit Realm on its own power?

Flap, flap.

As if it had found its home, Ppori flapped its wings with a happy expression. And then it quickly hid among the pink trees. -Hey, don't go too far. I said that, but it should have no problem coming back on its own.

I focused once again on observing the Spirit Realm. The creatures of the Spirit Realm definitely felt different from Monsters. They didn't seem inherently aggressive, and every aspect of their appearance felt somehow intelligent. -They're similar to Daebeom, whom I met before. -Are you talking about me? -Yeah.

Huh?

Having answered absentmindedly, I immediately turned around. There stood the spirit beast that humans knew as a Monster. It was the Imperial Tiger that I had healed during the Hunter Qualification Test. -Daebeom! -...

It seems you've settled on that name after all. A large species that I had to tilt my head up just to meet its eyes. The ash-gray fur and jet-black stripes covering its entire body were enough to make any observer feel overwhelmed.

It stood before me. -Wow, it's been a while. I heard you escaped. -It is all thanks to you. -Huh? -The healing you provided was fundamental. It not only healed my physical wounds but also restored my damaged inner Core to normal. -Ooh...

I did that? -... You did not do it knowingly? -I just thought I had to heal you. After that, the healing energy inside me took care of the rest. -A blessed ability.

It seems you are a bit different from other humans. -Anyway, how did you know I was here? I'm just visiting for a bit after taking a strange medicine. -I can tell just by looking. You appear to be in a type of spiritual form.

A friend told me you were here. I guess I don't need to ask who that friend is. The small dragon, stuck like a piece of gum on Daebeom's solemn face, cried out. -Kkuwang! -Anyway, I'm glad we could meet after so long.

I'm glad I came to the Spirit Realm. I can see you looking healthy. -You are in a spiritual form now, so it is not possible, but if you and I were in the same world, you could call me anytime. -You can do that? -It is not my ability. It is yours.

Eh.

Could it be that the skill 'Resonance' that the V1 told me about had such an ability? -I see. I feel reassured, like I've gained an ally. Is it because I feel like this one, at least, will never harm me?

For some reason, I feel more joyful than when I talk to people.

Jjirit. -Ugh...!!

But then, I suddenly feel a pressure as if my entire body is being crushed. I didn't even feel this way when I faced the Giant Treasure. -What is this? From somewhere beyond the mountains, I can feel an overwhelming presence on my skin.

To think I could feel such fear just by sensing something's energy... As if noticing my stiff expression, Daebeom gestures with its head. -Crassus Dragon. One of the masters of this Spirit Realm. -Whew...

It has every right to act like a master... This is the first time in my life I've felt such terror. -Since you have come this far, would you not like to see it before you go? Just sensing the dragon from a distance is making it hard to breathe; if I witness it directly, won't I suffocate?

But contrary to that, a strong curiosity flickers in the back of my mind. The dragon, one of the masters of the Spirit Realm. The chance to see the greatest of spirit beasts is not common. -By the looks of it, you do not have much time.

Get on.

Just as Daebeom said, my consciousness is slowly fading. Is the effect (?) of the Soul Seperating Water wearing off? This is for the best.

If I were to gaze upon the Crassus Dragon with a clear mind, I might lose my sanity from the sheer terror. Daebeom lowers its upper body, bringing its head down. Stepping on the head of a noble spirit beast to climb on feels somewhat awkward. -Kku...

Ppori returns to its usual spot (?) on my shoulder and nuzzles my face. Perhaps because we're in the Spirit Realm, it seems to have gotten more affectionate. -By the way, when you grow up... are you going to become a terrifying creature like that? -Kkuwang.

Thudududu...

Riding on the back of an Imperial Tiger. I can guarantee that I'm probably the only human to have this experience. Its tremendous speed is enough to create the illusion of my hair flying back, even in my spiritual form.

The only regrettable thing is that my consciousness feels like it's about to cut off any moment. Daebeom is running hard, but I might return to the real world before I even see the dragon. -I'll say my goodbyes in advance.

I hope we can see each other again someday. -That may happen sooner than you think. -Huh? -We are almost there. If we get too close, your spiritual form might dissipate, so it will be best to watch from here. Daebeom stopped at the edge of a distant cliff.

On the other side of the cliff, there was a noble creature that looked to be dozens of meters tall. A dragon, thought to only exist in legends. Words like 'large' and 'magnificent' must have been made for times like this.

Its scales, covered in a dark color, looked harder than steel, and its vast wings, which seemed capable of covering the entire sun, breathed slowly. The four horns rising from its head looked like a crown, symbolizing its supreme dignity here.

Even I, who has conquered an 8-star Monster, wouldn't even have my bones left if I fought something like that. It has the image of something that would roar 'Kwaa' at any moment, but for some reason, the dragon's actions are quiet. From afar, I admired its flawless form.

A being that is huge yet delicate, terrifying yet beautiful. It was gazing at something standing on the ground with arrogant eyes. I thought it was quiet, but it was talking to someone.

I focused my vision and identified the being standing on the ground. And I froze, as if struck by lightning. -Huh...? That someone had tanned skin and a confident smile.

Flutter.

Just like when we first met, one sleeve of his coat fluttered in the wind. A Poison-type like me, and the person who made me who I am today. The one-armed human meeting with the Crassus Dragon was— -Kiril!!!!!!!!!

My savior and my master. It was Kiril.