Chapter 75

“Why is the traffic so bad?”

I checked the time and looked up at the sky.

Even though evening was falling, the sky looked grim and unsettled.

“Is it going to snow?”

It was already early December, so it was about time for snow.

I let go of the steering wheel and stretched my stiff back from the long drive.

As I massaged my neck and turned on the radio, the news was in full swing.

“Dr. Yoon, could you give us a brief explanation of the newly unveiled drug?”

“Are you aware that some low-grade monsters with cores can regenerate their wounds?”

“Isn’t that common knowledge? We’re already entering the fourth year of the apocalypse.”

“That’s right. It was also discovered that the cores have healing properties. We wanted to harness that ability for humanity.”

“Hmm, so that’s why you began your research. And what were the results?”

“To put it simply, we found that the cores of low-grade monsters can heal wounds, and the cores of the highest-grade monsters can even cure diseases.”

“So you’re saying it works on humans as well. Is that the effect of the drug announced a short while ago?”

“Correct. Priest-rank Hunters use powerful energy to heal wounds instantly. Now, ordinary people can experience a similar effect.”

“That’s truly incredible. Does this mean there’s hope for those suffering from incurable diseases?”

“Unfortunately, no. It’s nearly impossible to acquire the cores of the highest-grade monsters.”

Changing the station didn’t help. Every channel was buzzing about the newly released drug.

It was only natural that the world was in an uproar.

The process of getting treated at a hospital and waiting for a full recovery could now be replaced by a single pill. It was bound to be astonishing.

For ordinary people living through the strange phenomenon of an apocalypse, it was undoubtedly a miraculous event.

But for me, it was neither miraculous nor surprising.

I knew from the early days of the apocalypse that a pharmaceutical company was researching the cores.

Because I was the one who provided them with the monster corpses.

Thanks to that connection, I was able to secretly obtain information that they had succeeded in developing the new drug about half a year ago.

“That was around the time Shinwoo collapsed…”

Recalling that day, I gripped the steering wheel.

Six months ago, Shinwoo was found unconscious in his room.

“How could he have only been found after a full day had passed?”

Something like that would have been impossible before. I was always by Shinwoo’s side.

But at some point, Shinwoo started to distance himself from me.

Whenever I tried to talk to him, he would either respond coldly or ignore me completely.

‘He used to follow me around so much when we were little…’

Honestly, I was hurt. I wondered if he didn’t need me anymore.

Then, an incident occurred where I was severely injured while clearing a gate.

“You’re hurt again? Why are you always getting hurt? Are you the only Hunter there is? Everyone else is fine, so why is it always you who gets hurt?!”

“Whoa! What’s this? My Shinwoo is actually talking to his noona. Maybe I should get hurt next time, too?”

“Do you think I’m joking right now?”

“Huh? Oh, no, that’s not what I meant…”

“Do you have any idea how I feel every time you go out on a mission? I spend the whole day wondering where you’ll get hurt, how badly, and what if you end up dying? That’s all I can think about! Do you know how gut-wrenching that feels?”

“Hey, Shinwoo, you seem really worked up. Let’s just calm down a little…”

“And you think I’m just sulking? Hah… You still see me as a little kid, don’t you? Fine, I’m sulking, so don’t even think about seeing my face until I’m over it!”

I never knew Shinwoo was that worried about me.

He had mentioned wanting to become a Hunter several times, but I just thought it was admirable. I never took him seriously.

To think he was so anxious I might get hurt, or even die.

After that incident, Shinwoo shut himself in his room.

I didn’t make much of an effort to talk to him either.

Not only was it not something I could solve, but I just assumed that my sweet Shinwoo would understand this time, too.

“Like a goddamn idiot…”

About a week passed like that, and then Shinwoo collapsed.

The moment I found him collapsed in his room, I rushed him to the hospital, but he never regained consciousness.

The day I returned home to pack his things after admitting him to the hospital.

I found a letter in Shinwoo’s room.

Noona, I’m sorry.

I’m sorry for being so cold. I’m sorry for saying such cruel things.

But I can’t help it.

You’ll cry if I’m not here, won’t you?

You’ll be sad for days. Wallowing all by yourself somewhere.

So even if I’m cruel, please just bear with me a little longer. It really won’t be for much longer, just a little.

And when that day comes, I have one favor to ask.

Give up on me.

You’ve done more than enough. It’s time for you to live your own life.

I love you, noona.

It wasn’t a letter; it was a will.

“Fuck…”

I fiercely wiped my tear-filled eyes with the back of my hand and gripped the steering wheel tight.

“You little bastard… How could you ask that of me?”

Just as he seemed to have predicted, Shinwoo fell into a coma.

He couldn’t even breathe on his own without a life support machine.

There was no hope. Maybe doing as his will asked was the kindest thing I could do for him.

But I went to the pharmaceutical company.

Over the past four years, S-rank bosses have appeared a total of ten times worldwide. I participated in seven of those raids.

I poured every single core I obtained into commissioning the creation of the new drug.

Six months have passed since then, and now, the result I had been desperately waiting for was finally ready.

I stared at the silver case on the passenger seat.

Shinwoo, you might want to give up…

“But your sister will never give up.”

* * *

The moment I entered the hospital room, I threw off my coat.

The black coat, soaked from the downpour, landed on the leather sofa.

“The weather is unbelievable… Rain in December, of all things.”

The caregiver’s eyes widened.

“Oh! Hunter Ryu, is it raining outside?”

“It’s coming down pretty hard.”

“They said it would snow, so I didn’t bring an umbrella… The weather service got it wrong again.”

“Go buy an umbrella at the convenience store downstairs. You’ll catch a cold if you walk in this.”

“I have so many umbrellas at home… but I guess I have no choice. Goodness, you’re soaked. Here, use this to dry off.”

I took the towel from the caregiver and ruffled my hair dry as I approached the bed.

“Anything unusual happen?”

“When I measured him this morning, he’d grown again. He’s 189 cm now. I’m starting to worry what we’ll do if he reaches two meters.”

“If that happens, I’ll hire another person to help you.”

“Hunter Ryu, really… You should be saying he’ll wake up before then!”

“Ah…”

It seemed I had subconsciously assumed Shinwoo wouldn’t wake up.

When I fell silent, the caregiver spoke with forced cheerfulness.

“The doctors said so, didn’t they? That his body is being reconstructed. Once that’s finished, he’ll wake up naturally. So you must never give up. Understood?”

“…I won’t.”

“I should get going now. Ugh, just thinking about the traffic makes my knees ache.”

“I can give you a ride.”

“You should stay by your brother’s side. Well, see you tomorrow morning!”

“Take care.”

Once the caregiver left, the room fell silent.

Fifteen days since the drug was administered.

Shinwoo hadn’t regained consciousness, but he was changing rapidly.

He could breathe on his own without life support, and sometimes his hands and feet would twitch.

That wasn’t the only change. He was growing taller and gaining weight with each passing day.

For a person to grow so quickly.

Something that should have been impossible for a human was happening to Shinwoo.

The doctors said the drug was the cause.

That the seven S-rank monster cores had not only cured Shinwoo’s illness but were now reconstructing his body.

Similar to how a living creature evolves into an optimal version for survival, they said. Except the speed was incredibly fast.

‘Once the reconstruction is complete, Shinwoo will naturally regain consciousness.’

That was the extent of the doctors’ explanation.

‘I hope so…’

I gazed quietly at Shinwoo.

The boyish Shinwoo had grown into a full-fledged adult man over the past year.

But that was only his body; his angelic face remained the same.

‘But why does he feel like a different person?’

What’s the reason he feels so unfamiliar? I have no idea.

“Constellations, I didn’t do something wrong, did I? I feel strangely anxious.”

— Anonymous Constellation: How would we know? There’s never been a human who shoved seven S-rank monster cores into another human like you did.

— Anonymous Constellation: Don’t be anxious. It’s just his body that’s changed, so what.

— Anonymous Constellation: But damn, how can a guy be that pretty?

— Anonymous Constellation: Uh, excuse me? That’s sexist. Screw you.

— Anonymous Constellation: ???Why are we talking about sexism all of a sudden???

As this was a first for them, the Constellations were full of conflicting opinions but offered no real help.

“I’m the idiot for asking. Ugh, just stop it! Why are higher beings always fighting? If you keep this up, I’m going to ban you!”

I rubbed my weary face and shot to my feet.

Then I walked around the bed to the window and raised the blinds.

The rain had turned to snow. White snowflakes fluttered wildly against the black night.

“My Shinwoo loves the snow, too…”

I rested my chin on my hand, looking up at the sky, before lowering my gaze.

“Wow, look at that traffic. It’s insane.”

With it being late December and snowing on top of that, the road conditions were a complete mess.

“Looks like I’ll have to sleep here tonight.”

“Sleep next to me.”

“What are you talking about? You’ve gotten so big there’s no room to lie down…!”

For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. I held my breath and slowly turned around.

Pitch-black eyes.

Shinwoo was gazing at me with eyes darker than the night sky.

“Hello, noona.”

And then, he smiled silently.

Thump.

My heart trembled.