The courses at the National Hunter Academy were generally split into theoretical lessons and practical training. As students advanced to higher years, the emphasis shifted from theory to practice. Especially in the second year, the percentage of practical lessons increased from ten to thirty, making both minor and major injuries more common for students. It looked like it was Yoon-Hee’s turn to be injured. Her hand was visibly swollen. Today’s practical lesson involved infusing mana into weapons. Not feeling her best, she ended up injuring her hand when a troll’s club struck her. Thanks to the Academy’s on-site medical staff, the pain had subsided somewhat, but the injury remained, and her hand still throbbed. “It should heal in three days,” the doctor reassured her as they wrapped a special bandage with a healing effect around her swollen hand. Just a few years ago, a bruise like Yoon-Hee’s would never have healed in such a short time, but with the advent of Healers and advanced healing skills, medical technology had made significant progress. “Looks is your first injury,” the doctor remarked while examining her medical chart. “Your record is clean.” For students at the Academy, getting injured during training was almost an expectation, especially on days with practical lessons against monsters. It wasn’t unusual for dozens of students to visit the on-campus clinic in a single day, which was why the doctor found it remarkable that this was Yoon-Hee’s first visit. “Be more careful next time,” the doctor advised. “I know the suit offers good protection, but it doesn’t make you invincible.” “I’m back,” Do-Jun said, entering the apartment. Just like any other weekday evening, Yoon-Hee paused her dinner preparations and hurried to greet him. “Welcome home, Father,” she said with a smile, naturally holding out her hand for his coat. Although Do-Jun had never once asked her to take his coat, it had become such a daily routine that he now handed it over instinctively. Her smile didn’t waver as she took the coat, but Do-Jun’s eyes were immediately drawn to the bandage wrapped around her hand. Without a word, he grabbed her wrist, causing her to drop the coat in surprise. The suddenness of his action left her wide-eyed and blinking. Follow current novels on novel★fire.net “Father...?” she asked, surprised. Upon closer inspection, he saw it was just a bruise and was wrapped in a special bandage. “What happened?” he asked. “Oh... I got hurt during today’s training, but it doesn’t hurt anymore. The doctor said the swelling will go down, and I’ll be fully healed in three days.” Injuries were a normal part of the training process. Do-Jun understood this; it was an academy for Hunters, after all. The idea of graduating without ever getting injured was practically unthinkable. Still, this was the first time Yoon-Hee had come home injured. “Alright...” Muttering that, Do-Jun let go of her wrist. That night, Do-Jun sat alone at the dining table, deep in thought. He replayed the events of the day in his mind, his focus drifting to Yoon-Hee’s injury. He found himself reading the description of the skill Pocket Watch over and over again. The skill could rewind time by a day. It was thanks to this skill that Do-Jun had grown stronger and survived in the Central Plains. It even had the potential to save lives. However, whenever he used Pocket Watch to prevent a death, it felt as if parts of his emotions inside him died instead. He no longer wanted to rely on it. He refused to view tragedy or death as trivial topics just because he could easily reverse time to undo them. Do-Jun quietly entered the bedroom and examined Yoon-Hee’s injured hand as she slept. Her small, delicate hand was slightly red and swollen from where she’d been bruised. With a soft hum, faint traces of celestial energy flowed from Do-Jun’s fingertips, and within moments, her injury had healed completely. Living as a Hunter inevitably came with injuries—and, in many cases, death. Yoon-Hee was not exempt from those risks. Do-Jun thought back to the day he returned from the Central Plains to Earth, the day he invited her into his home. He remembered her plea about losing her parents in a car accident and needing someone to act as her father until she graduated from the Academy and could stand on her own. He remembered her argument, making sure she could stay. “You said you have amnesia. It will be hard for you to live alone. Cleaning, laundry, cooking—I’ll do the household chores. All I ask in return is that you let me live here just until I graduate...” She was right; he would have found it difficult to manage daily life on his own. However, even with this understanding, he did not accept her offer out of pity or sympathy. By that time, Do-Jun no longer experienced such insignificant emotions. He looked at Yoon-Hee sleeping with light snores, then shifted his gaze to Yong-Yong, Karsiel, and Byeol. He used to enjoy the quiet life, but now his home was lively and full. If I had turned her away back then... Had he done that, he would still be living alone. He would never have met Yong-Yong, Karsiel, or Byeol, let alone invite them into his home. The clock ticked as it pointed toward 2 AM. Do-Jun pulled on a leather jacket over his T-shirt. Grabbing the Core Talisman, he prepared to walk into the living room when he saw a small shadow wriggling toward him and climbing into the hood of his jacket. The Six Blood Valley had six official trials. When Do-Jun overcame all six trials, a hidden stage appeared before him: the forge of the ancient Greek god, Hephaestus. Standing over fifty meters tall, the massive blacksmith looked at the intruder in his domain with obvious hostility. It was only natural, as no outsider had ever set foot in this forge. When Do-Jun entered, Hephaestus swung his massive hammer with a loud woosh to threaten him. “How dare a mere human crawl in here!” Do-Jun didn’t even flinch. Hephaestus scowled at his lack of reaction. Just as the hammer was about to hit Do-Jun, it stopped mid-swing. The strong gust accompanying the hammer’s movement made Do-Jun’s clothes flutter and his hair whip around. Still, his eyes remained serene, devoid of fear or panic. Behind him, the aftermath of Hephaestus’s attack could be seen: cliffs had collapsed, and the ground was deeply gouged. Hephaestus lowered his hammer, looking at Do-Jun with curiosity. “Why didn’t you dodge?” As the wind subsided, Do-Jun’s hair settled. He straightened his clothes and responded matter-of-factly, “Because I sensed no murderous intent.” Hephaestus’s eyes narrowed. It was true, he had no intention of killing the human in front of him. But for someone to not even attempt to dodge the attack of an ancient god just because they sensed no killing intent? It was almost absurd. Maybe he couldn’t move out of fear—that would make more sense. “You’re an amusing human.” Hephaestus’s expression softened. “Leave. I’ll pretend this never happened.” He reached into the air and opened a dimensional gate back to the Six Blood Valley. It was entirely fair to punish a mortal for intruding on a god’s territory, but he decided to let this one go. But instead of walking toward the gate, Do-Jun walked toward Hephaestus and pulled out a small, translucent gemstone from his pocket. The gemstone sparkled with an almost otherworldly brilliance. At the sight of it, Hephaestus’s eyes twitched. It might look like a topaz to the untrained eye, but Hephaestus knew better. “W-where did you... get that?” “I want you to craft a ring using this. Match its design and size to this one,” Do-Jun said, tossing the gemstone—the Heavenly Soul Stone—and an Elder Elf’s Ring to Hephaestus. Hephaestus instinctively caught them and examined the gemstone. It was genuine. The Heavenly Soul Stone was an extraordinary gemstone, one even Hephaestus had rarely encountered. How did a mere human come to possess a treasure of the gods? “How long will it take?” Do-Jun asked. “Do you really think I’ll fulfill your request? Sure, it’s true that I was surprised to see a Heavenly Soul Stone again, but that doesn’t mean I’ll craft an artifact for a mere human,” Hephaestus growled, making sure to exude murderous intent this time. Despite the palpable threat, Do-Jun remained unfazed. No fear, no hesitation—only composure. How could a human stand so calmly in the presence of an ancient god? “I’m not asking you to do it for free. In exchange, I’ll grant you one request,” Do-Jun offered, causing Hephaestus to burst out laughing. A foolish mortal daring to bargain with a god—it was definitely absurd enough to warrant a burst of laughter. “Fine. I doubt you’ll succeed, but if you complete my request, I’ll craft a ring identical to this Elder Elf trinket using the Heavenly Soul Stone. Well, I can’t start the job until you fulfill it, anyway.” Do-Jun nodded. He didn’t know what the request would be, but he was willing to consider it within reason. Forcing the blacksmith into compliance might result in a lackluster artifact. Do-Jun wanted Hephaestus to forge the ring with genuine care and dedication. “I don’t care how long it takes, so take all the time you need,” Hephaestus said, glancing toward a dusty forge in the corner of the room. It was covered in grime, untouched for ages. Hephaestus closed his eyes briefly. “Bring me Ignium,” he said, opening his eyes again. The essence of fire, said to burn everything it touched. Born in the hottest depths of the Deep Realm, Ignium was the only flame capable of powering Hephaestus’ forge. Ordinary flames would not suffice. Without Ignium, the forge could not be lit. “According to rumors, Ignium is in the hands of the Flame King of the Deep Realm. If you bring me Ignium, I’ll fulfill your request,” Hephaestus said once more. He expected Do-Jun to abandon the task. After all, the Deep Realm was far too dangerous for humans. And the Flame King was formidable enough that even the strongest in the Deep Realm dared not confront. “That won’t be possible,” Do-Jun replied. “Hah, wise choice. As you said, retrieving Ignium from the Flame King is nearly impossible.” Hephaestus moved to return the Heavenly Soul Stone and ring, but Do-Jun’s next words stopped him in his tracks. “The Flame King has already perished, and Ignium went with him.” Before Hephaestus could respond, a small black flame flickered to life on Do-Jun’s index finger. “Here, how about I give you this instead?” Do-Jun flicked the black flame into the forge. Compared to the massive forge, the flame looked pitifully small, no more than a spark. Hephaestus frowned. What was this human doing? Then, with a loud woosh, the forge roared to life, engulfed in flames. Hephaestus’s eyes widened in disbelief. The forge, which couldn’t operate without Ignium, was now ablaze. “This... This can’t be happening.” He suddenly remembered Do-Jun’s earlier words. “The Flame King has already perished.” W-wait, the one responsible for the Flame King’s demise was... huh? As Hephaestus stared blankly at the forge, his gaze shifted to Do-Jun—and to the hood of his jumper, which began to move. “Yaaaawn.” Poking his head out of the hood was Yong-Yong, yawning lazily. Yong-Yong briefly locked eyes with Hephaestus. “H-huh?!” Hephaestus rubbed his eyes in disbelief.