Jihoon wakes up again, this time he is in a hospital bed. He can still remember himself yelling to the sky above after Jin’s passing. Then, at the corner of the room, sits the veteran D-ranker who has been waiting for him all this time.

“You’re finally awake, kid. Quite a dramatic scene that befit some soap opera that you just performed there though I understand your sentiment. Now, we have a lot to discuss about everything that has transpired in the meantime”. The D-ranker said as a lot of things have transpired in the meantime.

Jihoon situates himself properly for comfort. A lot of things that has happened.

"You'll be relieved to know that the collateral damage from your...deflection of Jin's final shot actually worked in our favor," the grizzled D-ranker began, settling into the visitor's chair. "When that corrupted energy discharged, it tore straight through into the Gate's inner sanctum and obliterated whatever monstrosity was waiting as the boss."

Jihoon absorbed this numbly, his mind still reeling from Jin's tragic demise. To learn that his final, desperate gambit had inadvertently solved the Gate crisis almost seemed like a hollow victory in light of such loss.

"As for your friend..." The D-ranker's expression grew somber. "We've traced Der Freischutz's origins back nearly a decade back into the time of chaos, cross-referencing cases where entire Hunter teams were overwhelmed by mysterious, high-threat entities. Seems Jin somehow stumbled into one such encounter while doing civilian conscription work during the initial Gate events."

"What's more, our investigation has uncovered deeply disturbing connections between Jin and the cell of corrupt Hunters overseeing these sacrificial atrocities," the D-ranker continued gravely. "Seems they were using his obsession with Der Freischutz, manipulating him into serving as their go-to solution for the most catastrophically mutated Gate bosses."

The veteran's face was etched in disgusted outrage. "Those soulless bastards treated your friend like an expendable munition, luring him into compromised Gates under false briefings, then leaving him to fend off the empowered aberrations alone with that devil's gun of his. All to mitigate their own risks and losses."

He shook his head, jaw clenched. "Jin was just the latest in a long line of compromised souls they've exploited and discarded over the years. And by god, if we don't burn out this diseased rot from within, there'll only be more victims caught in their web of sacrificial rites, fed to the ever-escalating Gate threats."

"We're just scraping the surface of this conspiracy's tendrils, kid. Gonna take a lotta more work before we can uproot the whole dammed thing for good." He let out a weary sigh yet his fist clenched white-knuckled. "Kid must've gotten his hands on that accursed gun amidst the chaos, started down his dark path right then and there without even realizing it. The investigation's still ongoing, but one thing's clear - that firearm's woven a trail of misery and sacrifice across its entire bloodstained history. Jin was just its latest...victim, I suppose."

Jihoon felt a lump form in his throat, his chest tightening with a fresh surge of grief and regret. But he knew that by the time of their reunion, it was all too late either way.

His jaw tightened grimly. "But you did the next best thing - you honored his wish to confront the truth, to not lose yourself to the same corruption. That's damn heroic in my books, however small a consolation that might be right now."

A firm hand clasped Jihoon's shoulder, the D-ranker's stare boring into him with an intensity that allowed no argument. "What's important now is how you choose to carry on from here, kid. Jin's story might be over, but yours has only just begun. The question is, what path will you walk from this crossroad?"

"I'll honor Jin's memory by staying true to the values and dreams we once shared," he said, barely registering the renewed resolve thrumming in his voice.

The D-ranker smiled then, a rare gesture that made his weathered features seem years younger. "Well said, lad. Looks like we managed to forge a true Hunter out of you after all."

He rose from his seat, straightening his coat. "The Association's top brass has already begun instituting new oversights and personnel vetting procedures in light of this whole fiasco. Should help mitigate anymore 'enterprising' individuals from compromising operations for their own self-interests again."

His gaze sharpened meaningfully. "But even with those new policies in place...it'll be Hunters like you holding the true line against the darkness lying in wait, Jihoon. Staying vigilante, keeping your morals and codes uncompromised no matter what fresh hells emerge from the Gates."

With a solemn nod, Jihoon accepted the unspoken charge. Jin's tragedy would not be in vain - it would serve as a constant reminder to always walk the higher path, no matter how temptations of expedience and easy power shadowed his steps.

The D-ranker cleared his throat, a thoughtful look crossing his weathered features. "Speaking of connections from the past...I couldn't help but notice Jiwoon's reaction when you were brought up during the initial briefing."

Jihoon stilled at the mention of the formidable knife-wielder, his brow furrowing slightly.

He exhaled slowly, allowing the memories to resurface. "Back during my Arisen Studio days, Jiwoon had just been hired as a fledgling composer and musician. She showed incredible raw talent, but also quite a fiery temperament to match."

A wistful smile played across his lips. "We only worked together briefly before...well, before the Gates turned everything upside down. But I remember her being full of vim and passion, so very much the antithesis of the icy persona she projects now as a Hunter."

Jihoon's smile faded as he considered Jiwoon's transformation. "I can only imagine what nightmarish trials she must have endured to trade in that spark of emotion for such calculated detachment. She's fortunate in a way - at least she managed to persevere and forge a new path, unlike poor Jin."

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

The D-ranker grunted in reluctant agreement. "She's one of the most capable Hunters in my unit for a reason. Jiwoon's made of sterner stuff than most, I'll give her that."

His expression turned pensive. "Although now that you mention it, maybe there's a sliver of her old self still flickering under that frosty exterior. Could explain her...determination during the op, pushing all the way through to you no matter the odds."

Letting the thought hang, the D-ranker rose and moved toward the door. "In any case, I'll make sure her files are updated with your status. Could be she'll want to hear the full story from you herself at some point, process whatever memories are resurfacing."

He paused in the doorway, jerking his chin toward the bedside table where Jin's battered acoustic guitar rested. "I've also gone ahead and released your friend's remaining effects into your custody. Figured you'd want to properly look after that one link to your shared past."

Jihoon felt his throat tighten at the sight of the beloved instrument, a profound melancholy washing over him. "Thank you...I'll ensure it's well cared for, a proper legacy honoring Jin's unfading passion for music."

The D-ranker grunted again. "Sure you will, kid." His gruff tone softened ever so slightly. "Now get some rest. You've more than earned a reprieve after the hell you've been through. We'll be in touch once you're discharged and ready to go over your next deployment briefing."

With those parting words, he was gone, leaving Jihoon alone with the lingering silence and his kaleidoscope of swirling memories and emotions.

His fingers traced reverently over Jin's guitar, feeling the worn wooden grain and slightly frayed strings. He could almost picture his friend hunched over the instrument in their studio, entirely lost in the midst of a creative trance as a new melody and lyrics flowed through his fingertips.

A lump rose in Jihoon's throat as he recalled the requiem Jin had played in his final moments, each mournful note weighted with the full gravity of a life's worth of hardships and regrets. What he wouldn't give to have one last jam session with his dearest friend, chasing the fleeting joys and artistic fulfillment they had once shared so freely...

Before he could stop himself, Jihoon's fingers began picking out the bass line of Jin's requiem, the melody's sorrowful strains filling the air. Yet even as the mournful tune spilled forth, part of Jihoon instinctively began layering a countermelody over the top, brighter and more uplifting tones offering a counterpoint to the melancholic lament.

Jihoon's fingers stilled over the guitar strings as he gazed out the window, fresh perspective warming his eyes. Today, it may have been sorrowful turn of events but he would not allow himself to be disheartened any longer. Jin wouldn’t have wanted that.

The past may never return again. But from the ashes of Arisen Studio, Jihoon will build something greater in commemoration of its memory. An ensemble of like-minded people who shared their passion for music together much like he did then.

Leaving the bed while carrying his possession again. Even though he wasn’t in mortal danger or that he miraculously healed, he just finds more solace in his old apartment than here right now. After making his registry to discharge, Jihoon left the hospital.

The night wind blew serenely as he took in the sight once more. It was similar to when he first received Jin’s message. Awaiting at the hospital’s bus stop, a single bus whose route that will take him to his home conveniently comes for him and he is the sole passenger on this ride.

“That’s fine… I have a lot of things to keep to myself right now”. Jihoon said as he broad the bus.

Sitting on the furthest back while gazing contemplatively toward the outside. Both electric guitar and acoustic in possession, what’s there left for him to do?

A duet, one that he and Jin never had a chance again. The last song that they made together back in Arisen Studio, never able to show to their own client.

Jihoon used his Doppelganger skill again and thanks to the recent expenditure and transpire of events, that skill of his ranked up and removed the duration limitation out of it. Unfortunately, it still doesn’t have any stat at all but that’s not the main use that he has of it in the first place.

______-----{////\\\\}-----______

Doppelganger

Classification: Illusion Magic

Rank: Advanced

Effect:

-Create a temporary clone that has no stats but can interact with mundane objects with equal proficiency as the user.

No duration limitation. Cooldown: 6 hours. Can't deploy another clone when one already existed.

------_____{\\\\////}_____------

Because after all, he needed a partner for a duet and he simply only has his lonesome self. The doppelganger took the acoustic guitar while the real him played the electric. Without any further words to say, the duet started in earnest.

The acoustic guitar first played in melancholic backing chord while the electric guitar played in countermelody with an unyielding hope before its chord progression come to a decrescendo.

The old days of chasing down shadows

All that remains are vain memories

As if a great fire swept over me

All that remains in my hand are ashen gray

The scenery around him change, the neon billboards, the buildings showcasing, all of that glamour before felt so distant from what has transpired to him.

As both him and the doppelganger performs their duet, the acoustic guitar still playing melancholic underneath. The electric guitar picked its pace as the introspective melody played together with acoustic melancholy.

I have run for so long without rest

Those times gone by got me choked up.

Will I end up missing them too?

A very long, long ways from now

When I look back upon those memories again

I sure hope that I can smile.

The electric guitar entered its climax as the melody progression is composed of numerous chord progressions, all expressing self-reflection and introspection. As if expressing all the unspoken words and emotions should have been expressed earlier but too late. And then the chord progression continuously rise until it ends on a hopeful note.

The song entered its verse section as the electric guitar paused its playing momentarily, letting the acoustic guitar have the spotlight as Jihoon continues to sing. Then, the electric guitar returned to its role as central instrument again.

With whatever time I have left to me now

I need to take my steps forward

Burning myself up until I'm no more

I must look just like a candle

Without a moment to breathe

I was thrown into the turbulent days

I can only hope that I can take on my path

A very long, long ways from now

When I look back on those memories again

I sure wish that I can smile.

Jihoon made it home as the bus journey takes him close to where his apartment complex is. Still playing his instrument as his doppelganger disengaged. Leaving him to himself as he continues the song. It felt parallel to what has happened before that Jihoon felt the irony behind it.

The song entered its decrescendo again as only the electric guitar played its nostalgic chord in the background. All of this to setup the following climax.

Let me, let me! Fly far so far away!

Jihoon climbs the stairwell as the song proceeds its climax.

So I can reach the stars like… a bird upon the night sky.

Reaching the front door of his apartment, Jihoon grabbed his key, one hand is still in playing the instrument but now only he hears.

The instruments paused so that the vocal can accentuate. Then the instrument proceed its crescendo again.

This night, this night. Will visit me again, I'm sure. but... It's alright, since I can live on

Everything briefly stopped but the passing ticking of a nearby clock. Jihoon enters his room in solemn.

It's alright.

The door to his apartment closed as the song came to an end.

Somewhere unseen to him, his hard work is recognized for what it is.

______-----{////\\\\}-----______

+Musical Prowess: Mid-Intermediate -> Late-Intermediate.

------_____{\\\\////}_____------