By the time they exited the F-rank Gate, it was already nighttime. And not only Jihoon has to retell everything that has occurred so far to the Association’s briefers while they make their report. He can only hope that the pay is handsome enough to make all these pains worth it.
After a grueling session of talking and writing for like 3 hours on end. He exited the Association’s branch office completely exhausted, and his limbs didn’t even respond as they should. Jihoon thought as he definitely is going to take a break tomorrow.
Well, at least that all of it wasn’t just fruitless and all that. He also obtained the contact of the D-ranker so that if there’s anything, he could ask for help within said capacity. Having a reliable connection is paramount in Hunter business in general.
The night today was calm as the moon has never been so clear at all. The world around seemed unchanged at surface as he gazed into the hollow distance away while the cold wind of the night blew past him.
While waiting for his cab to arrive, his phone suddenly rang as it received an incoming call from an unknown number. Questioning whether he should answer the number, he initially declined but he received the number again which means the caller is deliberate. Tired as he may have, he decided to get it done as soon as he can.
“Who’s there”. Jihoon said as he placed his phone on the ears.
“Jihoon. It’s been a while.” A familiar voice spoke through the line, but Jihoon remained cautious at this unknown contact.
“Don’t try to fool me. Tell me something that only I would know”. Jihoon said as he doesn’t let down his guard just yet.
A moment of silence lingered before he received a reply. “Arisen Studio. Meet me at the address that I sent you tomorrow and you will understand”.
Jihoon groaned in annoyance. He hopes that he can delay the meeting time as long as possible because he is simply not in the right state of mind right now.
The cab arrived and Jihoon listlessly climbed in. The rest of the day became a blur that he simply has no recollection of.
The next day, in the afternoon. He came to the location that the message sent him. Of course, he didn’t come in unprepared as he asked for the help of the D-ranker before. He is obviously annoyed that Jihoon used his request this early but, better safe than sorry.
At their location is an office building. Looks like one of the many Association’s branch offices that is established in this province. When Jihoon approached the place, the receptionist proactively invited him in as they guided Jihoon toward the upper meeting room of the office branch. Of course, this is only for Jihoon himself thus the D-ranker felt like he just appeared here for no reason at all.
“Sir, this way”. The receptionist guides him into the further part of the building.
Arriving at the designated room, sat an empty meeting table. He simply placed himself in one of the empty seats and awaited the meeting with this unknown contact.
Arisen Studio. Was his old place of occupation. It wasn’t the most prestigious thing to exist, but he has enjoyed his time there making musical compositions and lived life like he should. Until all of it collapsed when Gates appeared.
It is impossible for one to know exactly what it is unless one has worked there. Because of it, whoever is contacting him must be someone close enough to him back then to bother making contact.
Finally, the one behind the unknown number appeared. And Jihoon recognized it even if time has changed them unrecognizably.
“Jin Sarae”. Jihoon spoke as he recognized the person behind it.
“It’s been a long while. To see that you have become an Awakener and joining the Hunter is an interesting development, isn’t it?”. Jin spoke as if the two of them have never once lost contact with one another.
Jihoon gazed at Jin as memories of the past flooded back toward him. The vision within his eyes started to move toward the past itself, back to the simpler time of his life.
Jin was his assigned junior at the time. Already learning the acoustic guitar at the time, the two would have spent their time making melodies, discussing music theory and the like. If permitted, he too can join Jihoon with the composing. Sometimes, they get to work together as Jin layered the backing with his acoustic while Jihoon played the melody with his electric.
Lots of the time, it was in the spirit of cooperative creativity more than competitiveness. No pride in being better than your junior.
Jin returned the smile, though there was a melancholic edge to it. "Yes, those were...difficult times. Arisen Studio was one of the first casualties, I'm afraid. Most of us scattered to the winds, just trying to survive in the new world order."
Leaning back in his chair, Jin appraised Jihoon with an assessing gaze. "But it seems you've found your new calling as a Hunter. An awakened ability involving music - how peculiarly fitting for you."
Jihoon chuckled ruefully. "Yeah, you could say the universe has a weird sense of humor sometimes. I almost didn't make it this far, to be honest. If not for a strange encounter..." His voice trailed off, wondering how much to pulge about the mysterious goddess who bestowed the Song Magic upon him.
"Well, I'm just glad to see you're still kicking, my friend," Jin said earnestly. "We composers and musicians have to stick together in this Hunters' world, don't we?" There was a sly glint in his eye that Jihoon didn't miss.
Sensing there was more to this reunion than just catching up, Jihoon raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "You've piqued my curiosity now, Jin. What exactly did you have in mind by calling me here?"
Jin's smile stretched into a grin. "How would you like to join a little...ensemble, shall we say? A musical partnership, but one with adventures and melodies unlike anything we knew back at Arisen."
Jihoon sorts of knew that he had just gotten dragged into another job before he could enjoy the fruit of labor from the previous one.
Exiting the branch office once more, he met the D-ranker who is waiting for him outside. This time, he has a lot more to discuss, particularly the peculiar traits that the previous F-rank Gate they cleared before.
"A grimace flickered across the D-ranker's grizzled features as Jihoon recounted the harrowing details of their Gate delve. "Knew there was something fishy about that bug-ugly bastard," he growled. "Ain't the first time the eggheads at HQ got the threat levels screwed up."
Jihoon nodded, falling into step beside the veteran Hunter. "It was like that spider horror shrugged off everything we threw at it until my Song Magic started landing blows. I've never seen anything so...tenacious."
The D-ranker snorted derisively. "Gets worse the higher up you go, kid. C, B ranks - you'll face abominations that'll make that glorified insects seem like a stroll in the park." His gaze grew distant, no doubt revisiting unpleasant memories. "Me and my squad've had to put down our fair share of misidentified nasties before. The kind that chew through rookie Hunters like a yakitori skewer."
Jihoon suppressed a shudder at the ominous implications. If that monstrosity they faced was just an opening salvo, stronger threats undoubtedly awaited. His brand new path as a Hunter, already perging onto rockier terrain than anticipated.
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"In any case, this little snafu still needs to be properly filed, The Association hasn't lasted this long by ignoring warning signs, no matter how small. You make sure to give a full, accurate account while it's still fresh, you hear?" the D-ranker stated, turning to face Jihoon fully.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure every detail is documented to the letter. Maybe they can cross-reference it against other anomalous Gate activities, uncover some larger pattern." Jihoon nodded resolutely.
The D-ranker grunted in approval. "Smart lad. You've got the right mindset for this work - suspicious 'bout everything, but analytical too." A ghost of a smirk played across his weathered features. "Keep that up and who knows? Might just take you under my wing, show you a few tricks of the trade."
While the nuggets of hard-won experience was appreciated, Jihoon couldn't help but feel a slight sense of trepidation. He had barely taken his first fledgling steps into the wider world of Hunters and Gates, yet here was the cold truth - his journey was only going to become more arduous from here on out.
Steeling his resolve, Jihoon gave the D-ranker a firm nod. "I look forward to learning whatever you're willing to share, sir. After an encounter like that...I've got a feeling I'm going to need all the help I can get."
Remembering that he still hasn’t yet processed the reward from the clearing of F-rank Gate before, he opened his System panel discreetly.
______-----{////\\\\}-----______
Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon
Level: 4
EXP: 26/224
Class: None
+Physical Attributes:
-STR: 3.6
-END: 3.7
-AGI: 3.5
-DEX: 3.4
+Non-physical Attributes:
-INT: 4.2
-CHA: 4
-MAG: 3
Attribute Points: 3
+Musical Prowess: Mid-Intermediate
------_____{\\\\////}_____------
This is the result he obtained from clearing that spider den of a Gate. And as he ponders how to distribute the Attribute Points, something that nagged him from when he first entered that Gate resurfaced again.
He recognized a familiar face then yet had no chance to confirm who it was. He couldn’t tell if he could trust his own memory and its recall. He couldn’t exactly make his accusation with just a hunch let alone a vague thought.
After a moment of thinking, he decided to put one point into INT. Physical Attributes can be trained, no such chance with Non-physical Attributes without herculean efforts or pervasive treatment.
Then, he immediately feels the effect of his INT increased by one suddenly. The difference between a 3 and a 4 in INT is like that of a normal human compared with someone who has natural learning comprehension. Then the difference between a 4 and a 5 would be that of a gifted to the previous mentioning.
As if a veil was lifted from his mind, granting him enhanced cognition compared to before. Memories that were indistinct or hazy suddenly become sharp focus. Patterns and connections previously overlooked become more pronounced.
Letting his mind’s eyes perceive his own recollection, recounting each peripheral detail with heightened intelligence. There was no mistaking it, that instinct he felt when gazed upon the familiar face amongst the greenhorns rallied by the D-ranker.
Jin, was whom he spotted amongst the ranks of F-ranker that day.
Jihoon rifled through the events of the F-rank Gate and made his confirmation of Jin’s presence throughout.
But why? Why would Jin, his former colleague and friend from their Arisen Studio days, have any reason to become a newly-minted Hunter himself?
Striding back into the Association building with renewed purpose, Jihoon quickly requested access to the personnel roster from that day's Gate deployment. His eyes scanned the lists with laser-focused intensity, finally landing on the name he sought - Jin Sarae, registered F-rank Hunter as of three months ago.
A maelstrom of questions and conflicting emotions roiled within Jihoon's mind. Part of him was elated to have found his long-lost friend after so many years of paths perged from one another. Yet that elation was tinged with apprehension over the circumstances that could have possibly driven Jin, always the creative free spirit, to take up the brutal profession of Hunter.
One thing was certain - Jihoon needed answers. He would get to the bottom of this puzzling reunion, one way or another. One month until the next Gate raid. It is also another F-rank but designated for subjugation instead of training. Not letting himself to be left behind so easily, he made his following plan of training until that fateful day to come.
Also…
“Assign two remaining Attribute Points to MAG.” Jihoon commanded the System through his thought.
Something spiritual is changing in him but he can’t put it into words. The transformation was minor by comparison to increasing of INT. But he could feel that his pre-existing Song Magics have become stronger in its effect than before.
He needs information about Jin and what he was doing in the past before their reunion, so an information broker is also needed. The comparison between him during their reunion and at the Gate was stark that Jihoon couldn’t tell where to proceed from.
Where did he get the money to rent an Association’s meeting room when he has to enlist as a Hunter in the first place?
Jihoon knew that he was bound for a brand-new kind of suffering.
…
“Alright, this is the place that the D-rank Hunter recommended me to train my halberd skill”. Jihoon said as he looked at the dojo atop the mountain and a stairway that lead to it. Supposedly, he is to stay here to train and there will be instructors who will guide him along the way.
Seeing the length of the stairway alone is almost enough to deter him but, if he wants to have the strength to protect what belongs to him then he must not hesitate. With a deep breath, he marched the entire length toward the dojo undaunted.
Bless that he has ‘Exceed!’ to enhance his own Physical Attributes. He thought to himself of how he is quite pathetic that he needed such motivation boost to climb a flight of stairs.
By the time he reached the actual dojo, he was already feeling exhausted despite all the exercise and training before that he booked the room first before any actual training can be done. Apparently, this is what a lot of trainee Hunters done to accustom themselves to the future of their careers.
Without a hint of restraint, Jihoon collapsed to his slumber. Yet as deep into his sleep as he could be, his body was restless all the night long while his mind steered itself toward the past. The last time that Jihoon and Jin talked to one another, right before Gates appeared.
Memories of Arisen Studio resurface. Jihoon stared frustratedly at the electric guitar in his hands, unable to compose the perfect ending song he envisioned. The bright, metallic tones of the electric guitar clashed against the melancholic, wistful emotions he hoped to convey.
Jin observed his friend's struggle from across the studio, idly strumming his own acoustic guitar. "You seem to be hitting a creative block there, my friend," he remarked.
Jihoon sighed heavily. "It's this blasted electric guitar. I can't get it to capture the bittersweet feeling of an ending, of saying farewell. The sounds are too..." he waved his hands vaguely, "bold and in-your-face, if that makes sense."
Nodding sagely, Jin set down his guitar. "The acoustic definitely lends itself better to introspective, elegiac pieces," he agreed. "But don't sell the electric of yours short just yet."
He moved to sit beside Jihoon, resting a hand on the electric guitar's body. "Think of it this way, an ending isn't just about sadness or melancholy. It's a culmination, a final crescendo of all the energy and emotion that came before it. The electric guitar so too has the power to embody that complexity like any other instruments. That’s what I learned, saw and believed."
Jin's fingers danced across the strings, coaxing out a series of bright, vibrant notes that morphed into a more somber melody as the tones stretched and bent. All just on his intuition and experience with his acoustic guitar.
"It's all about how you shape the music, how you blend the different emotional textures together. With the right touch, you can make this so-called 'bold' instrument sing of heartache and closure just as authentically as any acoustic ballad." Jin said as he felt the expression of emotions a bit more natural than Jihoon did.
He has only come to Arisen Studio for like 4 years and under the tutoring of Jihoon as a musician and composer. But his talent is undeniable as he guides his own senior with his own enlightened wisdom.
Jihoon follows the path that Jin treaded but ultimately unable to replicate the same feeling that Jin did.
He smiled encouragingly at his friend. "You have that artistic vision, Jihoon. I've no doubt you'll find a way to make the electric guitar cry its own unique farewell song."
Then, Jihoon’s recollection ceased as he opened his eyes wide. As his back stood up and gazed toward the distance ahead despite being in the confine of his room, the thousand-yard stare within his eyes can’t dissipate so easily.
“Jin…” Jihoon said as the vivid recall likely come about as a result of his enhanced INT.
When the Gates occurred, it took humanity itself and its Awakeners 5 years in total to restabilize the world order into something stable from the chaos and destruction.
Yet within those 5 years, so many unspeakable losses were inflicted that one can change unrecognizably within that time span. And it was another 5 years since then into restabilization era thus marking the full 10 years since the Gates broke.
Jihoon himself was in a slump until he came across that fated encounter that give him the ability of Song Magic. It was only that he managed to change his life around.
Then what about Jin who has nothing but only his human being? By that point, he couldn’t speak for him anymore. Unless he hears the story directly from Jin’s side, he will never know the depth of suffering that Jin endured to live until now. And his joining of the Hunters as a F-rank only reinforces it.
Silence permeated Jihoon. Finally, with a slow inhalation to center himself, Jihoon rose and made his way to the training grounds, his movements tinged with a solemn heaviness.