Chapter 89

“The test results show a few unusual findings.”

As Dr. Park Hyun-jong formed the Alpha Team, Star Pharmaceuticals steadily recruited talented individuals in the medical field.

A medical team, including the Alpha Team and dedicated to fully supporting it, was on standby at all times. The nation’s top doctors worked in three shifts, ensuring the Alpha Team always had access to the best medical support.

Kang Yuseong entrusted Gil Ji-yeon’s health check-up to the Beta Team, the most skilled among them.

The results were delivered immediately.

Dr. Jo Won-seok, the head of the Beta Team, brought the findings and presented them to Kang Yuseong.

At the mention of “unusual findings,” Kang Yuseong slightly furrowed his brow.

Gil Hyeok-jun, standing beside him, also looked at the results with a serious expression.

However, Dr. Jo Won-seok smiled and continued.

“Well, her general physical condition appears to have fully recovered. The unusual findings, however… it seems the patient has awakened Chakra Force, but it has developed in a rather peculiar way…”

“What do you mean by that?”

At Kang Yuseong’s question, Dr. Jo Won-seok displayed several MRI scans.

He pointed to a typical human MRI alongside a contrasting one, and began to explain.

“This is an MRI of a normal person. And this is an MRI of special beings, commonly known as Hunters. In Hunters’ MRIs, Chakra Force is uniquely captured, like an aura.”

Indeed, the Hunter’s MRI showed something peculiar.

A faint, hazy aura enveloped the Hunter’s entire body, evenly spread throughout.

Then, Dr. Jo Won-seok displayed another MRI scan on the monitor.

“Now, let’s look at this screen.”

Another image appeared.

This one was quite strange.

It was distinctly different from the previous two MRIs.

The image captured in this MRI showed Chakra Force, but it was concentrated entirely in the head area.

‘This is…!’

Kang Yuseong scowled.

“What is this?”

As Gil Hyeok-jun asked with a hardened face, Dr. Jo Won-seok nodded and replied.

“This is the MRI result for Miss Gil Ji-yeon.”

“Ji-yeon’s?”

Gil Hyeok-jun’s eyes widened.

“Typically, when Hunters undergo an MRI, their Chakra Force appears evenly distributed throughout their entire body. No, in ninety-nine out of a hundred cases, that’s the normal appearance. That’s how we can tell if someone is an ordinary person or a Hunter just by looking at their MRI.”

“But… why is Ji-yeon like this?”

Dr. Jo Won-seok tilted his head slightly at that question.

“I’m not sure. I also can’t understand it. Why Chakra Force is concentrated only in the head, specifically the brain, is an area that modern medicine cannot comprehend.”

Dr. Jo Won-seok looked between Gil Hyeok-jun and Kang Yuseong with sharp eyes.

“However, despite that, this Chakra Force isn’t affecting her physical abilities. Miss Gil Ji-yeon is very healthy, and it’s accurate to say that all her past ailments have completely disappeared.”

“Hmm…”

Kang Yuseong’s expression also became somewhat grim as he looked at the MRI image.

He was already aware of this.

That when Hunters had an MRI, their Chakra Force would also be captured.

But this was the first time he had seen such a case.

For Chakra Users who convert Chakra Force into physical abilities, it’s normal for it to appear evenly spread throughout the body.

Magic Users are a bit different; compared to Chakra Users, they have a thinner, more diffused layer across their entire body, with a distinct concentration around the heart.

That leaves one more.

Psychic Users.

These were extremely rare Hunters who used psychokinesis. Kang Yuseong had only seen two such Hunters. Coincidentally, one of them had been severely injured and brought to the hospital, so he had seen their MRI with his own eyes.

Their Chakra Force was spread in a thin layer across their entire body, like Magic Users, but it was densely concentrated around the head.

In other words, in all three cases, the Chakra Force was common in that it was spread throughout the entire body.

But Gil Ji-yeon’s Chakra Force was gathered entirely in her head.

“Does… Ji-yeon have psychokinesis, by any chance?”

Kang Yuseong asked Gil Hyeok-jun.

Gil Hyeok-jun immediately shook his head.

Gil Ji-yeon had grown up perfectly ordinary, a woman who simply enjoyed listening to music and reading.

If she had psychokinesis, she would surely have awakened during the Mega Shock.

“As I thought. Hmm…”

It was a sight Kang Yuseong had never seen before either.

After the examination, Gil Ji-yeon had been given a sedative and was in a deep sleep.

“So, it’s safe to say there are no other health issues, then.”

Dr. Jo Won-seok nodded.

“Yes, you no longer need to worry much.”

“Thank you. You’ve worked hard.”

“Don’t mention it. We are actually grateful for your continuous support, CEO. Well then, I’ll take my leave now.”

“Of course.”

Dr. Jo Won-seok left the room, and Gil Hyeok-jun and Kang Yuseong remained silent for a moment.

It was peculiar.

To think there was a case where Chakra Force was concentrated only in the head…

And that it could happen even to someone without psychokinesis.

“Anyway, thank you, truly. I’ll never forget this.”

Gil Hyeok-jun extended a thick hand.

Now that she had received confirmation from specialists, Gil Ji-yeon would no longer have to suffer from illness.

“I’m the one who should be grateful for your trust.”

A broad smile spread across Gil Hyeok-jun’s lips.

“Damn, you’re still a mystery.”

Kang Yuseong also smiled faintly at him.

“What’s a mystery?”

Gil Hyeok-jun looked directly at him and spoke.

“That inexplicable confidence. It makes people unable to resist following you.”

“Is that so? Well, I’m flattered beyond words.”

“But you know…”

Suddenly, the smile vanished from Gil Hyeok-jun’s lips.

His intense eyes, spitting fire, were fixed on Kang Yuseong.

“I haven’t heard about the ‘price’ yet. Shouldn’t we settle things?”

Kang Yuseong looked at him and slowly nodded.

The smile had also faded from his own lips.

“It seems you already know the answer to that… or am I wrong?”

Gil Hyeok-jun stared silently at Kang Yuseong, then spoke.

“You want me? Then you must have approached me with that in mind from the beginning, correct?”

Kang Yuseong nodded, meeting his gaze.

Despite Gil Hyeok-jun’s piercing glare, he remained composed and unshaken.

“It would be a lie to say no. Yes, I need your strength.”

“What if I refuse?”

Kang Yuseong let out a short laugh.

“That would also be your decision, so I wouldn’t be able to say anything. But just one thing.”

Kang Yuseong paused to take a breath, then continued.

“You would never refuse, would you?”

Gil Hyeok-jun’s brow twitched.

Kang Yuseong looked at him and smirked.

“You and I. We are both destined to live like beasts, drinking blood and tearing flesh on the battlefield. Eventually, you will take my hand.”

Gil Hyeok-jun chuckled.

“You’re overly confident.”

He then stood up and paced the room.

Suddenly, he blurted out.

“I cut down anyone who blocks my path, even if they’re an ally. It’s better not to have troublesome allies.”

Kang Yuseong replied with a smile.

“Then that won’t happen from now on. I intend to place you at the forefront of my attack unit.”

At those words, Gil Hyeok-jun grinned, showing his white teeth.

“Kukuku…”

But a terrifying light burst forth from his eyes as he looked at Kang Yuseong.

“Arrogant, rude, and even haughty. But…”

His lips twisted.

“That’s why I like it. Alright, I, Gil Hyeok-jun, will join you. I will pay the price for saving Ji-yeon’s life with my body.”

Kang Yuseong smiled gently.

“Let’s be clear about one thing. I’m the leader.”

Gil Hyeok-jun burst into a hearty, incredulous laugh.

“Haha, you got me there! Yes, you’re the leader. Feel free to work me as hard as you want.”

Kang Yuseong extended his hand.

“Welcome to the world of mad hounds.”

Gil Hyeok-jun also extended his thick hand and firmly grasped it.

“I look forward to working with you.”

The two men held each other’s hands for a long time.

‘Captain Gil Hyeok-jun…’

Kang Yuseong felt a surge of emotion as he once again sensed the deep and strong will of conviction emanating from the hand he held.

In the past, he was one of the people he trusted the most.

Gil Hyeok-jun.

His fierce spear had returned to his command.

The Butcher of the Battlefield.

It was a moment that made him look forward to the exploits of Gil Hyeok-jun, who was once called that.

Gil Ji-yeon, who had been in a long sleep, woke up.

The pure beauty, once her complexion returned, looked truly stunning.

“Dad!”

She was twenty-three this year.

Having lost her mother at a young age and raised by her father, Gil Hyeok-jun, his presence was incredibly precious to her.

The tearful devotion Gil Hyeok-jun had shown when she was afflicted with an incurable disease was something she would never forget.

When Gil Ji-yeon called out to him, Gil Hyeok-jun clenched his fist, then released it, and embraced her.

“My girl…”

He stroked Gil Ji-yeon’s hair and said softly.

“You’re not hurting anymore, right? Hmm?”

Gil Ji-yeon giggled in his arms and nodded.

“Yeah. My head feels clear, and my chest doesn’t hurt anymore. Oh, but Dad!”

“Hmm?”

Gil Ji-yeon pulled her head away from Gil Hyeok-jun’s embrace, stuck out her tongue, and laughed.

“I’m hungry! Really, really hungry!”

At her endearing act, like a child complaining to her father, Gil Hyeok-jun beamed with a bright expression.

Since she had fallen ill and been confined to bed, she had never once told him she was hungry.

Every day, her only words were, “Dad, it hurts.”

But now, she was whining about being hungry, just like she used to as a child.

Gil Hyeok-jun’s eyes grew misty, as if he were seeing the Ji-yeon of her childhood, a time when she was so precious he wouldn’t have felt a thing if he’d poked her in the eye.

“Alright, my girl! You must be very hungry, huh? Let’s go get something delicious to eat.”

Kang Yuseong, watching from behind, smiled faintly.

“Dr. Jo Won-seok said it’s fine, so let’s all go out together. On such a happy day, it’s my treat.”

Gil Hyeok-jun gave a broad smile and shook his head.

“No, today, I’d like the chance for a father to treat his daughter.”

“Ah, then let’s do that. I was being inconsiderate. Haha.”

Gil Hyeok-jun looked at Kang Yuseong and smiled once more.

Then he looked at Gil Ji-yeon and said.

“Let’s go, Ji-yeon. I’ve brought you clothes to change into. You can walk, can’t you?”

“Yes, Dad.”

Gil Ji-yeon stood up from her seat.

As she, who had been confined to bed until now because her legs lacked strength, stood up, the room seemed to brighten.

‘She was this beautiful…’

Kang Yuseong inwardly admired her as he watched.

And seeing her healthy, he also felt a sense of accomplishment.

“Alright, we’ll wait outside. It’s only polite.”

At Kang Yuseong’s words, Gil Hyeok-jun shrugged.

“Indeed. See you in a bit, Ji-yeon.”

Instead of answering, Gil Ji-yeon smiled brightly.

Like a blooming flower, her appearance was truly beautiful.

Click-

The two closed the door and stepped outside.

As they stood there, Gil Hyeok-jun suddenly spoke.

“Isn’t she pretty? My daughter.”

Kang Yuseong chuckled.

“Are you being a doting father?”

Gil Hyeok-jun glanced at him and said.

“She takes after me.”

Kang Yuseong looked at him incredulously.

Gil Hyeok-jun shrugged.

“It’s true.”

“Good grief…”

As Kang Yuseong was frowning, the door opened and Gil Ji-yeon emerged.

Dressed in simple but beautiful everyday clothes instead of a hospital gown, she was stunning, enough to surprise even Gil Hyeok-jun. It had been years since he had seen the real Gil Ji-yeon.

She had grown so much in that time.

He stared blankly at Gil Ji-yeon and murmured softly.

“Ji-yeon… you’re the spitting image of your mother!”

Kang Yuseong shook his head.

“Let’s go.”

A smile had already appeared on his lips.

“A beautiful lady is hungry, after all.”