Two Days Later – Sector 9, Yeong-su's Safehouse Rooftop
The morning mist clung to the city like static. From high above, Seoul didn't look like it was at war—with monsters, with gates, or with its own heroes.
But Yeong-su knew better.
He sat quietly on the edge of the rooftop, hoodie up, watching the rising sun through cracked glass lenses.
Beside him sat Nari—barefoot, legs drawn to her chest, wearing an oversized cloak that didn't fit her.
She hadn't spoken much since they escaped the Blood-Eye Dungeon.
Her system was still… unstable.
Sometimes she whispered things to herself. Sometimes she forgot her own name. Sometimes her golden eyes flickered red.
---
[System Alert – Companion Detected]
Name: Nari (Echoborne – Fragmented)
Status: Unstable System Host
Link Sync: 14%
Relationship: Neutral / Trust Building
---
> "You're still here," Yeong-su said quietly.
Nari shrugged. "There's nowhere else to go. The system won't let me leave you."
He turned to her. "You have a system like mine?"
She nodded slowly. "No. Not like yours. Mine isn't… mine. It talks too much. Shows me people who aren't alive anymore. Sometimes it tries to control me."
> "Like the Eye did?"
Her hands trembled.
> "Worse."
---
Baekho Guild – Internal Surveillance Room
Vice Captain Seo Rina watched the live feed from one of their skybound microdrones.
> "They're together now," said Min Soo-jin. "Shall I dispatch a recovery squad?"
Rina shook her head.
> "No. Not yet. He just survived Blood-Eye. She's unregistered and unstable. If we move too fast, they'll run."
> "Then what?"
She turned to her assistant and handed over a sealed file.
> "Deploy her. She'll gain his trust… or eliminate him if he steps beyond control."
The file read:
ASSIGNED TRAINEE: Jin Ah-reum – C-Rank Healer Class, SpecOps Agent
---
Same Day – Sector 9
Yeong-su returned to the Baekho training complex with Nari cloaked behind him. She didn't want to be seen, but the Guild—perhaps for appearances—allowed her access with his clearance.
A week ago, that would've been impossible.
Now he had official recognition as the "Phantom of Sector 8." A decorated low-rank Hunter. A survivor of Blood-Eye.
A lie.
He passed several trainees whispering.
> "Is that the girl who came out of the rogue dungeon?"
"She's not even listed in the database."
"How did he survive that break and just come back like nothing happened?"
In the training garden, a voice called out.
> "Yeong-su!"
He turned.
A young woman approached—mid-20s, kind face, short-cut hair, and healing runes glowing softly across her arms.
> "My name's Jin Ah-reum," she said with a practiced smile. "I'm a healer assigned to monitor rogue-affiliated Hunters."
> "The Guild wants me to assist your squad. Especially after Blood-Eye."
Nari narrowed her eyes from under her hood.
Yeong-su didn't speak.
His system buzzed—
---
[Caution – Presence Mask Detected]
Jin Ah-reum: Affiliated with Baekho Internal Division
Intent: Observation / Contingency Elimination
Recommended Action: Maintain Low Threat Level
---
> 'So they sent a spy already.'
He forced a nod.
> "We could use a healer."
---
That Night – System Change Detected
While Yeong-su slept in the safehouse, the system flickered strangely.
[NEW GLOBAL UPDATE DETECTED]
Cross-Synchronization Event Logged
System Hosts Worldwide: Reacting to the death of the Seer]
A voice—cold and genderless—spoke inside his mind.
> "You are not the only one evolving."
"The Seer of Grief's fall has marked you."
"And others have seen it."
A constellation map appeared before his eyes.
Glowing red dots lit up all across the globe.
Some pulsed.
Some were already moving.
One burned brighter than the others.
> "The next phase begins when the Devourer wakes."
"You have one month."
---
Elsewhere – Underground Black Fang Stronghold
The rogue agent slammed his hand on the war table.
> "The Devourer is stirring already?"
"He wasn't supposed to awaken for another year."
> "Then Yeong-su broke the timeline," said the woman beside him. "And now we're all off the map."
---
Back at the Safehouse
Yeong-su opened his eyes in the middle of the night, breathing heavily.
Nari sat across the room, eyes glowing.
> "Did you feel it?" she whispered.
He nodded slowly.
> "Something's coming."
> "And this time…"
Her voice broke.
> "It doesn't want a dungeon. It wants us."