Chapter 26

Choi Jong-in arrived at the entrance to Seol Citi Centre Mall. He saw a lot of ambulances parked. Several black SUVs pulled up behind him.

From the lead SUV emerged Woo Jinchul, leader of Hunter Association's Special Squad, an A-rank hunter, and the righthand man of the Association's Chairman.

 'Huh? why is Mr. Choi here?' Jinchul approached with a polite bow. "Mr Choi, we came as soon as we got news of the gate changing to B-rank—"

Choi acknowledged him with a nod before turning to the gate. "Save the pleasantries, Jinchul. There's no time to waste." Without another word, he strode inside.

Jinchul fell in step behind the S-rank hunter, signaling his squad to follow. "Mr Choi, if I may ask - why do you look so panicked?"

He didn't answer.

As they passed the entry gates, Choi surveyed the people present inside the plaza with a stern gaze, they were all the low-rank hunters and injured civilians who were being treated by the healers and were taken to the ambulances.

"Why is it taking this much time to empty the building!?" Jong-in asked with a tone Jinchul had never heard him using.

He quickened his pace, trench coat billowing, "This is an abnormal Gate, clear the building immediately..."

Jinchul's eyes narrowed, "It's because it has only been a few minutes and the team is escorting them at a steady pace, I'm sure the place will be vacant in no time—"

Choi said nothing as they headed further toward the second floor.

When the school girls on the 2nd floor saw Choi Jong-in arrive with a group of elite hunters in tow, looks of relief washed over their faces.

"I.. It's Master Choi!!"

"H-He will save Azaroth!"

Jinah, who had been trying hard to stay calm after her oppa went in felt her tired shoulders lighten at the S-rank hunter's imposing form.

 Choi and Woo Jinchul strode right past without a second glance.

Choi Jong-in took a calming breath before striding directly through the Dungeon Gate. Woo Jinchul followed, still wondering why one of the top S-Ranks had come personally.

It seems he didn't know about Choi Jong-in's nephew being inside.

He ordered the Association members to escort the civilians to safety. Then, with his elite squad, Jinchul passed through the Gate as well.

"Oh my god!" Many of the members shared gazes after looking at Yoo Jin's perfectly sliced-up body on the ground.

"Look over there! someone is fighting!"

What they witnessed inside made even the battle-hardened hunters' eyes widen in shock.

"What the...?"

A lone man was fiercely engaging an Arachnid Queen, through its mana signature the beast was a borderline A-Rank boss monster.

The man's longsword danced with astounding power and precision. Where others would have fallen, this mystery fighter held his own against the arachnid's ferocious attacks and he alone was keeping the Queen on its back toes.

Choi Jong-in was looking at the scene with a stupefied expression, "...."

"Captain look, there is another person a..and he seems to be protecting him." One of the team members said to Jinchul pointing towards Jinwoo.

Jinchul panicked, "Mr. Choi, I think we should help them..." He said but as soon as he was about to run in the middle of the battle, Choi Jong stopped him by placing his hand in front of him.

"Mr. Choi! What's the meaning of this!" Jinchul asked a bit hesitant.

If the Association hunters were able to see the battle, Choi Jong-in was able to even grasp the expressions of the person battling.

He saw the expressions of Azaroth and Azaroth looked like he was having fun,

 'From when did this boy become this strong?' He thought.

If the Association members needed a tool to check someone's rank, for Jong-in, it was a different case.

He couldn't certainly pinpoint the amount but looking at Azaroth's aura, he was sure enough that his nephew was far beyond the A-rank.

"Heh, can't you see... he is having fun..?" Jong-in said with a smirk as he continued looking at Azaroth.

Jinchul saw how easily Azaroth had cut the 3 legs of the Arachnid and was also seemed like he was talking to the fallen hunter.

I know you well enough to know that... If there was one thing you wanted since you were born, it was gaining power...

I don't know when you became this strong... When Father informed me this noon about you wanting to take an awakening test, I was not happy...

I was worried... worried if you held high hopes of becoming an A or S rank and then got a low ranking...

After all those years of you being depressed, I was happy to see you making new friends...

Even if I was worried, I had planned to give you all my support, all the resources and support items to make you as strong as a B-rank...

But when I found out, that you were stuck inside a B-rank dungeon.. I don't wanna recall about that...

But heh, Choi Jong chuckled,

"Nobody, nobody will disturb him..." Choi Jong said in a deep tone as he pushed his glasses with his index finger.

All the present hunters gulped down including Jinchul.

I know what you must be feeling right now... And I don't want anyone to spoil your fun... kekeke..

'Pfft.. I wonder, what kind of face your old man will make after finding out that his despised son is probably an S-rank.. kekeke' Choi Jong laughed in his mind thinking of all the possibilities.

"I think he is a warrior class," Jinchul commented as he saw Azaroth fight in a daze.

Then suddenly Azaroth set the incoming web on fire, "!!!"

"...." Choi Jong was also at a loss of words, he also thought that Azaroth was a warrior class.

"Bahahaha... he used Fire! what great precision! I think my sister's genes and that fuckers genes have given him Fire as well as physical abilities! Splendid!" Choi Jong started laughing.

He totally neglected his image, he was truly happy that his nephew had inherited the Fire magic.

Azaroth's physique and eyes were like his father but his looks and hair color were inherited from the Choi family.

It seemed like he also got a mixture of gifts from both of his heritages.

(A/N: Nope Azaroth's mom is not a hunter but his Uncle Choi was a Fire mage so he said he got this gift from his mother's side....)

"So.. he is like Eun Seok-Si..." Jinchul muttered remembering the great late S-rank hunter.

Choi's face fell after hearing that name.

Eunseok, a Korean S-Rank Hunter who died during the 3rd Jeju Island Raid.

One of the strongest S-rankers after the association Chairman. Able to fight like an assassin class and able to use lightning magic like a mage.

Seeing the face of Choi Jong, Jinchul realized his mistake, "I-I'm sorry. But if you are saying that he inherited from your family... May I presume that he is Azaroth Morningstar..?"

Choi Jong-in just nodded and Jinchul refrained from making more comments.

It seemed like Jinchul's remark had successfully fucked the whole moment.

And with that, they saw Azaroth defeating the Arachnid Queen with a big blast of fire as Choi Jong laughed at the display of power to which Jinchul sighed, it seemed Mr. Choi's mood had recovered.

♣♣♣

Soon enough everyone emerged from inside the Gate.

Jinwoo was also healed up with the help of the association's healers. 

"O..oppa!" Jin-ah rushed forward and pushed past the crowds.

"You! Here! here!" She pounded her fists against Jinwoo's chest as sobs wracked her body.

"Oppa, you idiot!" She started crying.

 Jinwoo enveloped her in a comforting hug, gently stroking her hair. "I'm sorry, Jin-ah.."

"No, you are not sorry! *sob* W...Why did you go in alone? I *sob* was so worried!" her sobs wracked her body.

Meanwhile, Song-Yi hesitantly approached Azaroth, "A..zaroth...?"

She was trembling nonstop, her body was shaking at seeing him again, her face was pale with teary lines, and she looked like she was on the verge of collapsing.

Azaroth opened his mouth to greet her, "Song..? What happe—"

 But before he could complete his sentence, she threw her arms around him and broke down.

"Azaroth... Azaroth... Azaroth..." She muttered while crying.

He held her protectively, "Yes, Song... I'm here..." he said gently, letting her pour out all the pent-up fear and relief.

"Azaroth... Azaroth.. P..please.. I d..on't want you... to go f..from my l.life.. please, d..don't leave me.." She said while choking on her own tears and saliva.

 "It's alright, I'm here. No need to cry," he soothed.

Choi Jong's eyes became teary upon witnessing the lovely scene.

"I'll not leave you, ok? You trust me right?" He said as he patted her head while still hugging her.

"Mhm," She nodded.

'Heh, this will do...' Azaroth thought.....

♦♦♦♦

Fin.

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