Rover was unconscious, slumped over the mangled remains of the chimera's molten skull, steam rising around his battered body like smoke after a war. His arms were torn with torn ligaments and crushed bones, his hands barely recognizable—shredded from the relentless blows he delivered. And yet, despite it all, he stood victorious.
As the backup hunters from Floor 36 rushed into the chamber, their eyes widened in disbelief.
"W-Wait a minute… isn't that…"
One of the hunters stepped back. "That's the guy. The unranked hunter who killed the Calamity Dragon…"
A hush swept through the group.
"He… took down the boss of this double dungeon?"
Yoon Ara stepped forward, her face stern but her voice calm. "Please. Don't let this out. Keep it to yourselves."
The hunters glanced at each other, confused. "What do you mean?"
"That man saved all of us," she said. "And I don't want the world putting him on trial again like they did after the dragon incident. He doesn't need the attention. He needs rest… not chains."
"Understood, guild leader," one of the backup hunters said, bowing his head.
Juno nodded, walking toward Rover's motionless body. "We carry him out. Gently."
Yoon Ara reached out, carefully lifting Rover with her arms. "Let's take him to the hospital. And let the Agency think we were the ones who finished the boss. It's better that way… for him."
---
Hospital - Seoul Central Healing Ward
It had been three hours since Rover was stabilized. The doctors were stunned that his body had held together after such intense internal and external trauma. His vitals were weak, but steady. The regenerative treatments were barely enough to keep his bones from completely collapsing.
Ayaka burst through the hospital room doors. "Where is he?! Where's Rover?!"
Professor Kuroda followed behind, coat flapping. "Room 308. Down the hall."
Mina and Vex were right behind, their faces pale.
Ayaka flung the door open. "Rover!!"
There he lay. Wrapped in bandages, IVs in both arms, breathing steadily. His face was bruised, lips cracked, hair damp with sweat. But he was alive.
Mina covered her mouth. "How… how did this happen to him?"
Vex's voice cracked, uncharacteristically soft. "Who the hell did this to him?"
Professor Kuroda stepped forward, placing a hand on the edge of the bed. "He fought alone… again. Pushed beyond the limit of a normal human. No buffs. No magic. No borrowed power. Just him."
Ayaka clenched her fists, tears forming. "He always carries it alone…"
---
An hour passed. Then, a faint cough.
Rover's eyes opened slightly. Blurred. Dry. He winced.
Ayaka rushed to him. "Rover!"
He turned slowly. "Ayaka…?"
"You stupid idiot," she whispered, sobbing. "Why do you always try to die on your own?"
He blinked slowly. "I… didn't want anyone else to get hurt…"
She buried her face beside his arm.
Juno and Yoon Ara stepped into the room quietly. They waited for a moment before Juno finally spoke.
"You're awake, huh?"
Rover turned his head.
Juno lowered himself to one knee.
"I'm not the type to bow easily… but thank you, Rover Cheon. You saved us. You saved everyone in that dungeon. There's no question about it."
Yoon Ara stepped forward. "You don't have to fight like that anymore. You don't have to carry everything alone. You're one of us now… whether you like it or not."
Rover looked at them. "I… I'm just an Unmarked…"
"No," Juno said firmly. "You're more than any rank. And I'll be damned if I let anyone treat you like less ever again."
Mina, tears in her eyes, whispered, "They finally see it too…"
Yoon gently touched his shoulder. "Rest, hero. We'll guard the world while you heal."
---
As night fell over the hospital, and the city buzzed beyond its walls, Rover lay awake. The pain was unbearable—but the warmth in his chest was undeniable. For the first time in years, he wasn't just a shadow. He wasn't forgotten.
He was seen.
And respected.
But deep within him, a voice stirred again.
"So you still choose pain over my gift. Impressive… stubborn… foolish."
Rover closed his eyes, smirking weakly.
"I told you already… I don't need your power."
To be continue...