The car ride home was quiet.
Not awkward—just heavy.
Kang Woo sat beside his wife, staring out the window as the streets of modern Seoul passed them by.
Neon-lit buildings. Holograms on glass.
People in hunter armor walking casually with swords at their hips.
A massive floating billboard showed the face of Korea's top S-Rank hunter.
The world had moved on.
And he…
He was just now catching up.
---
Coming Home
As they stepped into their modest apartment, his wife whispered,
> "Welcome home."
Kang Woo looked around.
Familiar shelves.
Old cracked teacup still on the windowsill.
Framed photos — one of their wedding, one of the kids as toddlers.
The same hallway…
Yet, everything had changed.
He placed his hand on the wall.
Closed his eyes.
> "I'm back…"
But deep inside, he felt something stir.
Not emotion.
Power.
Even in his fragile, recovering body — the Qi pulsed.
Dormant, hidden deep like a slumbering beast… but still there.
> "So… even this world can't suppress me," he murmured.
---
Training Begins
The very next day, he started training.
Slow at first — walking the small apartment.
Then push-ups.
Then breathing techniques.
Then silent meditations at sunrise.
His body groaned, ached, burned.
But he forced it forward.
> "Ten years of sleep... no excuse."
Every night, his wife brought him tea, a towel, and a smile.
> "You'll hurt yourself."
> "Pain is my oldest friend," he said with a half-grin.
---
One Week Later — The Final Day
He stood in their small courtyard behind the building.
His stance firm.
His breathing calm.
The flow of Qi was smoother now.
Not perfect — but sharp enough to kill if needed.
> "I'm ready…"
Today, his children were supposed to return.
His heart beat faster than when he'd fought immortals.
He wore a plain button-up shirt, clean trousers.
Even combed his hair.
> I wonder what they look like now…
---
Then the TV flickered in the corner.
BREAKING NEWS.
His wife turned up the volume.
> "We interrupt with an urgent update from Japan—"
> "A high-tier dungeon in Kyoto has gone abnormal. All known hunters inside, including Korea's elite pair 'Twin Thunderstorm,' are now presumed trapped."
His wife's hand trembled.
> "T–Twin Thunderstorm… that's them… that's our kids—"
Kang Woo stood silently.
The image on screen showed a chaotic sky over Kyoto.
Lightning storms.
Rift distortion.
Massive beast shadows flickering behind the veil.
---
> "Kang Woo…"
His wife turned to him, eyes wide, tears building.
> "You can't… your body isn't…"
He placed a hand on her shoulder.
> "They're our children."
> "And I promised I'd protect them."
---
His voice wasn't angry.
Not furious.
Just… unchallenged.
> "Rest. I'll bring them home."
He turned toward the door—
And the faint hum of power returned to his steps.
The demon who burned the heavens…
was once again walking into hell.
But this time—
> As a father.