The Subtitute

Early in the morning, The female S-rank hunter was circling her table stomping while biting her thumbnail concerning her decision over the boy who was about to leave alone the house with no people around watching overdue to her coming raid at the A-Class Gate from Daego city with no time to call someone this early. 

... Back from last night...

She was called last night the time they have their dinner. Choi Jong-in called her.

"Hunter Cha, do you have time?"

"Yes, why?"

"There's A-Class Gate in Daego city and it has the highest rate compared to other Gates, we need your aid tomorrow at 7:00 am"

"Ok, but who will take care Su-ho for me? "

"Su-ho?"

"Oh, I almost forgot... His name is Su-ho the boy from yesterday"

"That boy? Did you name him Hunter cha?"

"No, I just found his name on his jacket when we were buying groceries"

"You founded his name on his jacket?"

"Yes"

"OK then, what about you bring him along with us"

"NO WAY AM NOT GONNA PUT HIM NEAR THE GATE, IT'S WAY DANGEROUS!"

"Chill down I was suggesting, I have someone here are available to take care of Su-ho for you when we're done with our raid"

"Can I even trust this person?"

"Sure probably but she can't stay at your house tomorrow though"

"Why?"

"She told me that she has a family problem in her hometown, she doesn't want to go anywhere far away from the terminal so she gonna stay until the raid is over"

"Why can't she go right now instead of waiting for the raid"

"Well I don't know her reasons but I know she has a lot of pressure to work hard for her family"

"But I can't put Su-ho near the gate, what if we failed"

"You don't have to worry about that"

"?"

"I know someone who can stop that gate easily than us, he probably swoop in and save us *chuckled*... Nah probably sound stupid" the moment cha hae-in said his coffee was dropped to the floor and broke into pieces. He pick up each broken piece and put it in the trashcan.

"I can see your point there, it's true, (slowly said) that why I like him in the first place"*blushing*

"Did you say something?"

"No! I didn't say anything I swear"

"Well anyway, I know there will be someone out there who can take care of Su-ho for you"

"OK thanks"

"Alright I have other things to do from here on out, see you tomorrow"

"Yeah see yah"

*Call ended*

Later on, she called every single friend who have the will to help her out but sadly they were unavailable.

"Is there anybody who can watch over him for me"Groaning*

 She was now exhaustedly tired with her eyes twinkling and fell asleep early on her bed.

....

 In the morning she was doing her daily routine taking a shower, doing formal hygiene until wearing her equipment. Now and that moment she was very concerned about the blackish hair boy that no one is looking out for him left alone at the empty house, she put her nail on her mouth and bite it while walking in circles.

"What am gonna do now? Now I'm very concerned about him" till she murmured along the way.

 She has out option while kept on circling with dripping sweats falling on her armor but a sudden sound came from her front door knocking for 3 times from the outside of her house.

"Coming!" She shouted.

 "Is there a delivery? but I didn't order anything? " she said in her thoughts.

When she opened the door and look at the person in front of her. It was no other than Sung jin-woo himself standing in front of her at her own house. She was blushing all of a sudden and shouted.

"SUNG JIN-WOO!"

"Hey, calm down now your neighbors will hear you"

"Sorry I was surprised that... why are you here?"

"You don't remember... I did tell you Last morning"

Then she started to have flashbacks on her head.

"Oh, I remembered but how did you know where I live? "

Then suddenly he panics with a lot of sweats in his head. He knows where she lives because one of his summonses was assigned to Guard Cha hae-in but of course she's not the only one other hunters as well.

He did also committed a grave mistake by using his Shadow sense to sense every assigned shadow soldier in check for every person he knows till he accidentally saw a blonde woman showering naked in the bathroom without a sense of disturbance.

"Shit... How can I explain this? " in his thoughts with sweats.

She looks at him in pail sweating roughly to his wet face like he's been working hard lately. She wondered if he knew something shadow soldier who shown up last night but no clue when she's gonna ask since the mood is very different.

"Well, anyway come in we don't have all day"

"Ok?"

He went inside her house looking at his surroundings of how refreshing and well-arranged is her living room be.

"You have a nice home for someone like you"

"Thanks, I appreciate it, do you want some coffee or tea?"

"Coffee will be great"

"Coming right up"

She went to the kitchen to make coffee while the guest was just wandering around the place, also looking at her pictures.

"How did she manage this place well clean due to her hunter activities are very busy... She must be good at it being alone rather than my sister who was lazing around the couch doing nothing"

He grabs one of her picture frames and looks silently.

remain silent for 5 seconds.

"You have a nice family picture, Hunter Cha. lucky you"

The mood felt sad all of a sudden thinking about His father who went missing for 8 years and no one has ever found him yet until he was founded inside the gate at the U. S.

He gritted his teeth, gripping his bare hand harder than steel. At the time of the incident were all hunters are invited this year gathered one place just to tell them to find the "Suspect S"  due for the death of Christopher Reid in the U. S.

He wanted to forget it all but his mood right now was extremely vicious and very piss off just like back then. Then for a few seconds has pass when someone has come out of the room while carrying a teddy bear going to the kitchen but then he confronted a strange hoody man holding a picture frame looking resentful instead. The boy wonder about this person so greeted him.

"Helo"

The person in front of him turned his neck towards the little boy with sparkling eyes, wondering.

"Wait who is he.. Must be the boy from the grocery store" his thoughts

Both of them were staring at each other eye to the eye feeling awkward. The hoody black hair man changes his mood and begun to wonder about the boy because of another day his shadows went crazy when they sense his presence. He said.

"Hello there"

"?"

"My name is Sung Jin-woo"

Remain silent.

"What about yours, what is your name?"

"Su-ho"

"Su-ho... that's a nice name"

The woman came out of the kitchen bringing coffee for the guest.

"Sung Jin-woo thank you for"

Then she saw a man named Jin-woo talking to the little boy.

"Ah, I see"

The boy was shy and couldn't able to speak because of his nervousness.

"I'll just wait"

She stayed standing while observe them with a smile on her face, putting the coffee on the table.

"Ummm" the boy nervously speak looking at the younger vision of his father.

The boy saw insight the blonde woman standing in front of them smiling. He rushes towards her back between her legs hiding away from him. Sung Jin-woo was strike by lightning at his mind shocking the shy boy. He said.

"It looks like he doesn't like me"

"No, he's just shy that all"

"Well, I don't blame him because am still a stranger to him"

"Don't act like that" She checks her time on her phone "wait.. "

"What is it?"

"It's almost 7:00 am"

"?"

"My guild master called me last night about the raid at Daego city"

"Oh, You're going to raid the Gate"

"Yeah, what about you, do you have plans to raid a Gate?"

"No, my vice guild master will be raiding since he's planning to do it by himself"

"Really, but would it be more dangerous if you left him alone"

"Don't worry one of my trusted summonses will be joining his aid"

"Oh?"

... Current time...

At the Gate where the vice guild master was raiding alone with the shadow soldiers for protection. Inside the Gate was a jungle, full of lizard monsters but then...

"HYYYUUUNNNGGNIIIMMM!!"

He was screaming while running for his life being chased by a Four-Legged Giant Lizard with giant fins on its back and feet, green spiky scales, and a pair of V shape horns that shoots poison on its mouth trying to eat him.

"WHY DID YOU LEAVE ME!!"

He continued running for his life till that moment fell from the roots of the giant tree, and hit the ground.

"Ouch! that's hurt"When he turn slowly at his back. The monster stared at him with a growl, hungered for flesh.

Grrrrr...

The monster opens slowly widen its mouth with sharp teeth, dripping saliva trying to eat him alive.

"So this is my fate, well... I have a good short life....father sorry for everything for being a useless son till the end and Hyungnim thank you for being my best brother😢"

The monster runs towards him and opens more widely its mouth going straight to the kill.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!'

Whoooosh!

The former ant Monarch came out from the branches of the giant tree, trying to save him, the ant flew straight at the giant lizard and slice through his entire body like cake, spilled with blood everywhere around the trees before the other summons arrived.

"KKKHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKK!"

"Am saved good grieve, thanks to his summons, I manage to survived but where is he anyway?"

Back at Cha hae-in house...

"Can I ask you for a favor?" the woman asked.

"What is it?"he replied.

"Can you take care Su-ho for me"

"Why?"

"Well... my friends are unavailable right now because they're busy so.."

"Sure why not"

"Wait... really?!" becoming confused for a moment.

"Yeah" he crosses his both arms stare at her.

"You're not gonna refuse?"

"Why I would do that"

"Umm.."

"Well am not look it but I've been looking after my sister many times now since we're kids so yeah I can take care of a kid like him"

"Umm... Am gonna be late, sorry for taking care of him while I was gone"

"No, it's fine you have nothing to apologize"

"Am sorry for visiting me while I don't have the time it was bad timing but I will ask permission from my guild master for a day-off tomorrow"

"OK sure"

"But I should be free at noon when the raid is over and few paperwork"

"It's OK either"

"Well anyway see you later and thank you"

"Bye"

The blonde woman went towards the entrance door and left. The Monarch has begun to concern about her going to the raid so he called one of his trusted shadows.

"Igris"

He appeared and bow down before him.

"I want you to switch the assigned shadow who is currently guarding Cha Hae-in now... when it gets hairy your top priority is to protect the hunters at all cost can you do it?"

Igris nodded

"Great, you can start now"

Igris left turning into a shadow step going straight at The Female hunter's shadow and switch the assigned shadow.

"OK what should I do now"

The boy walk towards him and said.

"Papa"

"?"

The monarch heard the boy phrase but in deep confused that why the boy treated him like he was his father.

"Why did you call me Papa?"

"Papa"

"OK, I don't know why you calling me papa suddenly but sure I can act like one"

He smiled and he showed his teddy bear.

"What is it?"

"Papa, it's tank"

"Tank?"

One of his summonses shows up before him.

"What the?!"

It was tank who shown up while bowing before him. He was shocked from seeing that. The Shadow Monarch was confused so he ask.

"How can you do that?"

"... they're my friends.."

"Friends?"

"Is it possible that... This boy has the same ability as I am, no I should not jumping to conclusions maybe it was a coincidence but I kinda can't leave him alone without knowing what's the cause of this... Good thing I decided to visit at her house and left me with su-ho, this is a good opportunity" his thoughts

"Tank return to my shadow now, "shadow Monarch said.

The shadow bear nodded and return immediately to his shadow.

"So Su-ho, what do you want to do?"

"The park, Su-ho want go their"the boy said.

"Why?"

Remain silent.

He's curiosity came for the boy wanted to go to the park of all places.

"OK? let's go then..."

"YAY!"

...at the other location...

At the raid at Daego city in the morning. Blonde female hunter made it on time because of her ability to run faster as a hunter.

"Your almost late Hunter Cha"

"Sorry there was traffic on my way"

"Then how is Su-ho doing"

"Well his fine kid to be honest"

"So did you found someone to babysit your Su-ho"

"He's not mine sir and yeah I found someone to do it for me"

"Oh, let me guess, is it  Hunter Sung Jin-woo"

"How do you know anyway?"

"Because I just saw him passing by, flying with a wyvern going straight to your house, do you think I don't know that, furthermore hunter sung told me the other day that he's not planning to raid the gate this today"

"How did you know that one too?"

"at first I have no idea why he's not planning to raid at the time like this, well anyway it's a secret between guildmasters Hunter Cha" with a suspicious smile on his face.

"💢Anyway are we starting?"

"Yes, you just made it in time so let's get started"

At the park where sung Jin-woo and su-ho spent their the remaining time. The black hair man hold the boy's hand, avoiding lose sight of him, where many people gathered. 

When they walk together, the people are staring at the  S-rank male hunter and a young boy walking together in brought delight, they start whispering to each other ears.

"Hey look"

"Is that Hunter Sung jin woo?"

"Why is he on the park does he not planning to raid or something"

"I don't know?"

"Is that a boy beside him"

"Really"

"Why I got this feeling I saw him from somewhere"

"My thoughts are the same as yours"

"Yeah me too"

"Omg, so sweet and handsome," girl 1 said.

"I know right" girl 2 said.

"It's like father and son so sweet" girl 3 said.

"Hey, he is still single even though he is so handsome," girl 4 said.

"Of course I know that but look at them they're so adorable," girl 3 said.

"I wish I could be his girlfriend," girl 1 said.

People kept on whispering to each other opinions. The monarch ignored all gossiping around him. the two monarchs walk through the park, minding their own business. The boy stares at him.

"What is it, Su-ho?"

He pointed at the water fountain.

"You want to go there?"

The boy nodded.

"OK then"

They walk towards the fountain and the black hair man uses both of his arms to carry the boy and went closer to the fountain water. 

The boy put one finger on the fountain water with a very small wave came out across the fountain. The monarch glance at his cheering face with his cute sparkle eyes.

"Looks like you having fun," said with a smile

He nodded with a smile.

"You wanna keep going?"

He nodded again.

"Ok"

Suddenly many people ran towards two monarchs with excitement, grabbing pictures of flashing lights coming from everyone's phone while shouting towards them.

"Hunter Sung jin-woo am your biggest fan, can I have an autograph"

"Me too"

"Me as well"

"Look here Hunter sung"

"Over here too"

"Hunter sung what kind relationship with that boy"

"Is that your nephew?"

"Hunter sung why are you not raiding a gate?"

"Sung Jin-woo!"

The crowd keeps on gathering around them little by little, The monarch got annoyed by the crowd. He just wanted peace for once for a while with no fighting monsters and no press conference.

...

He summons out his shadows from the ground similar time when he was dating the Blonde woman name Cha hae-in at the amusement park. This time it's iron with seven knights blocking among the crowd, then they continue walking along the stone tiles road.

"That was pretty loud wasn't"

He nodded in a shy mood.

"Your pretty shy hah... I can't blame you for that"

"Papa"

"?"

The shadow monarch sense something powerful behind the bush, knowing that it's not a hunter nor human hiding, it was a powerful dark like aura coming behind that bush. The boy pointed out the bush where he notice the aura.

"Papa" He pointed out.

"Did you notice it too?"

He nodded.

"Stay here for a bit... I'll be back for a second"

When he walked slowly to the bush, he uses his right hand to push away the leaves of the bush. The moment he push the bush away, he saw a dragon toy laying on the ground.

"?"

 He became confused for he didn't found out, he was looking for. He was sure it's not human nor hunter but a monster but instead it was a toy.

"Strange did anyone left it here... Am pretty sure it has to be out there somewhere"

He grabbed the toy to his palm, the moment he touched it, he felt a powerful power dwelt within the toy.

 He felt the same thing when he brought the corps into a shadow similar to Beru. The one he felt was a shadow stronger than any shadow, he has now but he didn't know what shadow is much stronger than beru. He can sense it again but can't tell who. He used the system to make sure.

-Dragon Kamish toy

-No information

-Unknown rank

-Unknown status

-No skill available

"This toy... It does feel like there was a powerful being inside it but the system tells me there's nothing special about it...Probably just an illusion"

He returns to the young boy with the toy. 

"Su-ho I'm bac-"

The moment he arrived, the boy disappeared in his sight with a trace left behind unto the ground. It was a teddy bear lying down on the grass.

"Dammit! am such a fool, why didn't I expect this to happen!!"

The black hair man becomes furious with a bad temper in his mind, that some idiot kidnaps an innocent boy from the most dangerous hunter in the world that no one wanted to mess with a person like him.

"DAMMIT!!" He releases the raging aura throughout the atmosphere. The shadows within in him sense the angry king inside his shadow.

[My liege, is in rage]

He uses his shadow sense from every hunter nor person, he knows across Korea but In the end, he didn't found him. 

"I got nothing"

Till that moment, he called out multiple shadow high orcs and knights, given them an order.

"Every one of you finds that boy no matter what!"

They nodded.

"Now get started"

The Shadows began to scout the whole south Korean, looking at the boy who just got kidnap by an unknown person. 

The Shadow Monarch became mad and worried.

"These bastards, think they got away from me but they don't"

At the gate was the female hunter currently raid on. 

The monsters they face were five golems with giant arms that cause a small magnitude but unfortunately for them, the female hunter quickly ran towards the monsters and slice through them.

Slice*

 Her face is far harder than that, her sword can't penetrate the double dungeon golems the place where Hunter Sung Jin-woo fought alone. Compare to them, they were nothing like that. She slice each golem into bits until they were exterminated.

"Good job Hunter Cha"

"Thank you, sir"

"OK, Hunter Cha just cleared the path for us, let's move shall we"

"Right"

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