In the office of the President of the Korean Hunters Association, Jin sat with Detective Park and President Go Hyun.
"It has only been a few months this time," the President said, "yet it seems the situation was far harsher."
Jin did not answer. His face was dim, drained of life, as he held his cup of coffee in silence.
"…Where did the enthusiastic teenager I used to know go?" the Detective asked quietly.
Jin stayed silent for a moment. He no longer liked speaking the way he once did.
"I want a re-evaluation of my rank."
"My boy," Go Hyun said gently, "won't you go see your friends? Perhaps they could ease this burden, even a little."
"Continuing like this…" Jin said, his voice low, "it will lose its taste."
The President and the Detective exchanged glances.
This young man was no longer the person they once knew.
Later, at the Evaluation Center.
"We will begin by measuring your magical power," Park explained. "Then we will test your skills and actual combat strength."
They entered the magic measurement room.
A massive device stood there, connected to an advanced computer.
Before it rested a crystal.
"This is different from before," Jin said. "Is the measurement done through this device now?"
"Yes. Place your hand on it."
Jin placed his hand on the crystal and merged his energy with it.
He did not pour power into it.
Nor did he allow it to measure freely.
Instead, he extended his energy outward, aligning it perfectly with his body.
The official stared.
Then shock spread across his face.
His voice trembled as he spoke.
"Sir… it's [S+]."
"It's fine," Jin replied.
Later, in the main training hall.
Cameras were active. Officials surrounded the area.
Standing opposite Jin was the Korean S-Rank Hunter, Lee Do-yun.
After a brief exchange, the preparations ended.
"Why did you request that 100 sheathed swords be placed throughout the room?" Detective Park asked.
"…You'll know," Jin said.
"Good luck," Lee Do-yun said.
As a combat mage, he carried no weapons beyond his magical gauntlets.
Lee Do-yun was about to move—
But then—
A crushing pressure flooded the hall.
A terrifying killing intent followed.
From behind the reinforced glass, the observers felt it press down on their chests.
Yet what truly shocked them was—
Every sheathed sword in the room was drawn.
They rose into the air, wrapped in energy, and aligned behind Jin.
One hundred swords.
Hovering.
Waiting.
The tension became unbearable.
Jin's expression did not change.
Slowly, he raised his hand.
Then closed his fist.
The swords shot forward.
All of them struck a single point.
Panic erupted.
They believed Jin had killed him.
But moments later, the dust settled.
The swords were embedded everywhere around the Hunter.
The floor.The walls.Steel pierced by steel.
Not a single blade had touched him.
A short time later.
"Why didn't you complete the test?" the President asked.
"He isn't someone I should fight seriously," Jin replied.
"In the past two years, I've faced powerful mages, exceptional duelists, and people who do not fear death."
"But a man like him…"
"If I fought him seriously, his senses wouldn't keep up."
Go Hyun said nothing.
He understood.
The boy had reached the level of a Sword Master.
He was no longer bound by the human scale.
A normal S-Rank Hunter could neither read his movements nor endure the pressure of standing before him.
Detective Park entered, carrying a new card and the evaluation file.
Jin looked at the card.
Kim Su-ho
Rank: [SS]
"So," Jin asked calmly, "does this mean I'm two ranks below National Level?"
"Yes," the President said. "Congratulations."
Later that night.
Jin stood at the highest point of Origin Academy.
He looked down at the silent grounds.
He remembered when everything had been simpler.
Director Elder appeared behind him.
"You were never like this," the Director said.
"Hello, Director," Jin replied. "It's been a long time."
"You really do speak like a man from the Middle Ages now."
They spoke briefly. Time passed quietly.
"Is that truly a good enough reason not to see your friends?" Elder asked.
"Yes," Jin said. "I shouldn't rely on them every time I break."
"…That may be true."
"But it doesn't apply to the child."
"You must see her."
"For her sake. Not yours."
Jin paused. Then nodded.
"You're right."
He moved through the shadows.
Ailin's residence was empty.
He went to Shuang's place.
The living room was dark. Only the television cast a faint glow.
On the couch— Lily was asleep.
Jin sat beside her. He said nothing.
He gently placed his hand on her head.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
"I know I neglected you."
"I hope you can forgive me."
A sudden shout came from the kitchen.
The two girls were arguing, as always.
They stormed into the room— And froze.
Jin stood there. Silent.
Before anyone could speak, he stepped forward and pulled them into his arms.
Tightly.
He didn't say a word.
They saw his face. The exhaustion. The grief.
In that moment, words were meaningless. Silence was enough.
The boy did not need guidance.He did not need friendship.
He only needed his Family.