The thought didn't stop him from continuing life anyway.
Si-Hun pushed himself up from where he sat, reaching for his leather jacket. He slipped it on without much thought, the familiar weight settling over his shoulders. Slinging his bag over one shoulder, he stepped outside with Kuro walking beside him.
Kuro's lips curved into a faint smirk, his eyes gleaming with quiet satisfaction."As it should be."
The bike ride to the portal was calm in its own way.
Si-Hun didn't bother wearing a helmet today. The cold air rushed freely through his hair, sending it flowing back as the city lights blurred past. His grip on the bike's handles was relaxed, yet firm, controlled, and confident. He weaved through the streets without hesitation, avoiding attention, slipping past the city unnoticed.
No sirens.No interference.
He didn't have the patience for cop drama anymore.
When they arrived, the portal immediately stood out.
It was two ranks higher than the ones he usually entered.
Si-Hun studied it silently, eyes narrowing just a little. The energy spilling from it was heavier, denser, alive in a way that weaker portals weren't. He had agreed to take this one for a simple reason: he needed more mana. With how fast he was growing, E-rank portals had become nothing more than chores. They barely slowed him down anymore.
"Better to use my time here," he muttered, "than waste it on those crappy goblins in E-rank portals."
"Leveling up has gotten faster, huh?" Kuro said, the smirk never leaving his face.
"Aha," Si-Hun replied quietly.
"Check your stats," Kuro told him.
Si-Hun nodded and stepped away from the group, finding an unnoticed corner. His voice dropped as he muttered a single word.
"Stats."
The translucent screen appeared before him.
Every value had climbed significantly. Strength sat at the top, overwhelming and refined. Perception followed close behind, sharp and precise. Reflexes, explosive power, and combat insight filled the ranks below, each number reflecting battles fought and instincts sharpened.
His power progressed fast.
But one thing stood out.
A new ability.
Body Transfer.
His gaze lingered on it.
The description was brief, but the implications were anything but. He could enter another person's body, control it. But there were limits. Strong-willed targets would resist, making control difficult. And if the host body took damage, that damage could reflect onto him.
Kuro's expression changed the moment he saw it.
His smirk faded, eyes widening slightly.
"How… did you get that ability?" Kuro asked, genuine surprise slipping through his voice.
"How would I know?" Si-Hun replied casually.
Kuro clicked his tongue. "That ability is top-tier. It's only granted once the heir fulfills specific conditions."
Si-Hun stared at the screen for a moment longer before letting it fade."…I want to try it."
"On who?" Kuro paused, then added, "And what happens to your real body when you're inside someone else's?"
"Your physical self stays behind," Kuro answered. "It turns into a shadow state. Untouchable. No physical damage."
"Ahm…" Si-Hun hummed, processing it.
Then his eyes lifted toward the portal.
"Then… let's go inside."
The moment they stepped closer, the pressure increased.
The mana pouring out of the portal was thick, heavy enough to crawl under his skin.
"Strong mana smell," Si-Hun muttered. "It's a C-rank, isn't it?"
One of the examiners glanced at him, clearly surprised. "It is…"
"He must be at least B-rank…" the man whispered under his breath.
Si-Hun didn't react.
The truth was, ranks meant very little to him now.
He wasn't growing according to systems or labels. He was growing through internal intelligence, sharpened instincts, and insight earned the hard way, far faster than even Eravus had anticipated.
Eravus knew exactly how his progression was unfolding.
And he was satisfied.
The title — The Void, had chosen Si-Hun on its own. Eravus hadn't interfered with that.
Si-Hun stepped through the portal.
He carried his sword and revolver, every skill and ability at his disposal. The moment he crossed over, silence swallowed him whole.
Not peaceful silence.
The kind that pressed against your ears.The kind that made your instincts scream.
His face shifted instantly, calm, emotionless, razor-focused. The expression he wore was only in battle.
After moving deeper inside, they reached a massive chamber.
But it wasn't a boss room.
A large gate blocked the path ahead, unmoving no matter how much force was applied.
"Let's all push together," the team leader ordered.
They gathered, pressing against the gate.
"Hey, you!" the leader barked at Si-Hun. "Come help!"
Si-Hun stepped forward without complaint. "Right."
They pushed.
This time, the gate slid open far too easily.
No one noticed.
No one except Si-Hun.
He had barely applied any effort at all.
As the chamber opened, even the monsters inside reacted.
They could feel him.
The room was filled with D-class creatures: goblins, cupids, and others twisted by mana. Weapons were raised. Guards tightened.
Si-Hun lowered his gaze and glanced toward one goblin.
Just once.
The creature flinched, stepping back instinctively, its expression warped by confusion and fear.
It didn't understand why.
But its instincts did.