[Translator - Helga ]

    [Proofreader - Starfall ]

    Chapter 163: The Procedure (1)

    Since then, Kwon Hanul had been admitted to Takamine Hospital and began undergoing various tests.

    “We need to adjust the Coffin of Mutual Life according to your body. It’s a very delicate artifact, so we have to be extremely careful.”

    Because of this, Kwon Hanul had to undergo physical exams or take mysterious medications every three hours.

    About three days passed like this.

    “I’m bored...”

    Kwon Hanul was suffering from intense boredom.

    Come to think of it, this was the first time he had rested for such a long time.

    After finishing a mission, he would return to the Hyukcheon family and stay at the mansion, but he focused on training to prepare for the next mission.

    Of course, Takamine Hospital was also a hospital specialized for hunters and was equipped with a training room. The facilities were excellent.

    The problem was that Kwon Hanul couldn’t engage in any rough activity.

    “The medication Kwon Hanul took will slowly and gradually alter his body. But if he trains? If he sweats? The effect of the drug will increase. Do you know what that means? We would have to recalibrate the Coffin of Mutual Life all over again from scratch.”

    So Takamine Ryoko’s explanation was clear: absolutely no strenuous movement.

    Given those circumstances, how could he move recklessly?

    “Ah, I’m so bored.”

    Even watching TV was no fun since it was all Japanese channels that didn’t fit his mood. He didn’t have a hobby for reading either.

    So Kwon Hanul had no choice but to pass time by walking around the hospital grounds.

    These damn pests!

    When he arrived at the training room out of boredom, Kwon Hanul saw a strange sight.

    Kwon Mi was angrily shouting with a furious expression.

    “You guys are already tired even though you haven’t even touched my body? Are you really part of the Hyukcheon family?”

    Around Kwon Mi, Kwon Hudon, Mei Hong, and Gael Garcia lay collapsed, gasping for breath. They were covered in dust from how hard they had been beaten.

    “I’ll give you one minute! Get up and charge at me immediately! If not, I’ll train you all night!”

    At Kwon Mi’s threat, the three reluctantly stood up and charged, weakly shouting. Then, they were beaten again by Kwon Mi and thrown down.

    “Lord Kwon Hanul?”

    At that moment, a familiar voice called out. Joou Hayun stood there holding a towel and a water bottle.

    “What’s going on here?”

    “Oh, Lady Kwon Mi said the level of the Dark Shade Unit is too low and decided to personally train them this time.”

    “I see...”

    So that’s why they were going through such hell.

    Kwon Mi was strict even with her own son, Kwon Hudon. That was just like her.

    “I’m jealous.”

    It would be hard on the body, but it was a priceless opportunity. Not just anyone, but Kwon Mi herself was personally training them.

    Kwon Hanul felt an itch to move. He wanted to ask Kwon Mi for some tips himself.

    “Please calm down.”

    Suddenly, a cold water bottle touched his cheek. The chill woke Kwon Hanul up.

    “You’re about to have the procedure, aren’t you? You shouldn’t move recklessly.”

    “Oh, right.”

    Kwon Hanul swallowed his disappointment, opened the bottle cap, and drank. The ice-cold water helped him regain some composure.

    “But Hayun.”

    “Yes?”

    “Is something wrong? You look gloomy.”

    At those words, Joo Hayun’s face stiffened slightly. She caressed her cheek and said, “...It’s nothing.”

    It didn’t seem like nothing.

    Kwon Hanul thought so but held back inside. He felt it was better not to ask any further.

    “Lord Kwon Hanul, don’t worry about me and focus on resting. You have a major procedure ahead, right?”

    “I’m resting all the time. I have Aunt Kwon Mi and Dark Shade Unit here, right? There’s nowhere safer in the world than here.”

    Kwon Hanul smiled.

    Even though Mei Xiao was trying to take his life, he wasn’t too worried. Kwon Mi could definitely stop Mei Xiao.

    Even if Mei Xiao was stronger than Kwon Mi, there was no need to worry.

    This was Japan, not far from the Hyukcheon family. If an emergency happened, Kwon Seonwoo would surely help.

    Who’s going to get distracted now? Stay focused!

    At that moment, Kwon Mi’s sharp voice echoed. Kwon Hanul turned his gaze back to Dark Shade Unit.

    “Well, I’ll be going now.”

    “Enjoy your walk.”

    “Want to come with me?”

    “Hmm...”

    Joo Hayun hesitated briefly but then put down her things.

    “Then I’ll take a moment of your time, Lord Kwon Hanul.”

    So Kwon Hanul spent some time with Joo Hayun before returning to his hospital room.

    * * *

    A few days later, the procedure date was set.

    It had been a week since Kwon Hanul arrived at Takamine Hospital.

    On the day of the procedure, he was in the medical room where the Coffin of Mutual Life was located.

    “This is the final medicine.”

    Takamine Ryoko handed over a large cup. Inside, a rainbow-colored liquid churned wildly.

    “It’s a medicine made by combining S-class elixirs. You could say this is the core of today’s procedure.”

    Kwon Hanul couldn’t help but frown.

    Was this the medicine that melts internal organs?

    Never mind the color, the fact that it was a boiling liquid on its own gave him ominous feelings.

    “Drink it all at once.”

    Whether she understood his thoughts or not, Takamine Ryoko smiled brightly and urged him on.

    He thought,’ I won’t die if I drink it. Oh, wait, I heard if you don’t have the Coffin of Mutual Life, you’d die.’

    With such useless thoughts, he swallowed the liquid in one go.

    He could clearly feel a thick substance sliding down his esophagus and settling in his stomach.

    As expected, it wasn’t tasty.

    “How do you feel?”

    “Nothing unusual right now.”

    “How does it taste?”

    “Terrible.”

    “Right after ingestion... no... changes... medicine... taste... none...”

    Takamine Ryoko recorded Kwon Hanul’s words on a sheet of paper. Kwon Hanul, feeling incredulous, asked, “Why are you writing that down?”

    “It might be useful later. Now, please lie down inside the stone coffin.”

    Following Takamine Ryoko’s instructions, Kwon Hanul lay down inside the stone coffin. There was nothing cushioning the floor, so it was hard and uncomfortable.

    As soon as Kwon Hanul lay down, doctors struggled to close the lid.

    Then, complete darkness that didn’t let in a single ray of light enveloped Kwon Hanul’s vision.

    “Lord Kwon Hanul, can you hear me?”

    “Yes, I can.”

    “Now, don’t worry and get a good sleep. We’ll handle adjusting your body from here.”

    ‘Sleep, huh.’

    Kwon Hanul gave a bitter smile. To lie down and sleep inside a coffin—what a horrible request.

    But what else could he do? His life depended on Takamine Ryoko from now on, so he had no choice but to obey her.

    He closed his eyes. The inside of the coffin was pitch black anyway, so it didn’t matter if his eyes were open or closed.

    How long had passed?

    A cold chill began spreading deep inside his body. At first, it felt refreshing, but as time passed, it grew so cold that he started shivering.

    But it didn’t feel painful. His consciousness was becoming hazy, as if it was drifting away into the void.

    ‘Am I falling asleep now?’

    Consciousness of falling asleep? There was no more ridiculous notion than that.

    But that was the only way to describe Kwon Hanul’s current state.

    Just as his consciousness was about to completely disperse—

    You have connected to the deep layer of ‘???’.

    A message appeared before his eyes.

    Startled, his scattered awareness sharpened again, but he had no sensation in his body. He couldn’t move his arms or legs.

    What on earth is happening?

    Just as he thought that internally—

    ‘???’ @!$!%! is @!$!%!! now.

    @!$!%!#$#!! by !$!$! on !$#!!%@!$!%!$.

    @!%#@!%^%&$%^$&%^%&.

    Messages kept flooding in, but none formed a coherent sentence.

    Initiating recollection.

    The moment a proper message finally came through, suddenly the scene before him brightened.

    Kwon Hanul was flustered, unable to think clearly for a moment.

    It made sense—what he saw now wasn’t the inside of the stone coffin. It wasn’t Takamine Hospital either.

    He was in a golden palace.

    Walls, pillars, and ceiling—all shining gold. The brilliance was almost blinding.

    But Kwon Hanul wasn’t surprised by the splendor of the place.

    ‘Who are those...?’

    Many figures wandered around the palace. They were all either pitch black from head to toe or a dark crimson.

    He had seen them several times before.

    ‘...They’re demons.’

    Countless demons appeared here and there. They were chatting casually, sipping drinks—spending peaceful time.

    That was what confused him the most. The demons he knew were all brutal and terrifying beings.

    “Hey, why are you standing there like an idiot?”

    A voice came from nearby. Kwon Hanul turned around in surprise.

    And he couldn’t help but be shocked.

    ‘...Beruel?’

    The King of Demons, Beruel, was standing there.

    He was human-sized but unmistakable. The demon king stood right before him.

    Kwon Hanul pointed at Beruel and shouted, “Is it you who messed with me?!”

    But Beruel said nothing. Kwon Hanul could only get angrier.

    “Answer me! What have you done to me...? Why aren’t you answering?”

    Suddenly, Beruel stepped closer. Kwon Hanul jumped back in surprise.

    But Beruel’s steps were faster than his retreat.

    Then Beruel passed right through Kwon Hanul and went behind him.

    ‘...What?’

    Shocked, Kwon Hanul looked back. Beruel had his arm around another demon’s shoulder.

    “How dare you ignore the king’s words? Do you want to be executed?”

    “Try it. The Ark won’t survive if you do.”

    “Hey, no jokes? You boring guy.”

    Beruel pinched the demon’s cheek mischievously. The demon shook his head irritably and pushed Beruel’s finger away.

    “Why so nervous?”

    “I have no choice. Our kind might get trapped in this dimension like this.”

    “Haha, even you get scared sometimes. What a rare sight. Guess you gotta live long to see this.”

    The demon sighed deeply.

    “You’re way too relaxed. I’m worried whether the Ark can arrive safely. And...” The demon took a breath and continued, “I’m also worried about what kind of place this Earth we’re arriving at really is.”

    * * *

    “Just now, Kwon Hanul’s procedure has begun.”

    At Secretary Kim’s report, Kwon Mi nodded.

    “How long did they say it will take until the procedure finishes?”

    “About ten hours.”

    “That’s long. We have to stay sharp all that time.”

    “I’ve already informed the entire Dark Shade Unit.”

    “As expected of Secretary Kim.”

    Kwon Mi smiled and patted Secretary Kim’s shoulder. Kim bowed more deeply.

    “Seems Hayun is quite worried too?”

    Kwon Mi glanced sideways as she said this. Joo Hayun hurriedly lowered her head.

    “No, with you here, how could I be worried?”

    “There’s no need to hide it. You’re uneasy whether Hanul will endure the procedure, aren’t you?”

    Joo Hayun’s eyes flickered, as if her inner thoughts had been exposed.

    “You’re really something these days. When did that stiff girl become so emotional? Is this all because of Hanul?”

    Joo Hayun’s face flushed slightly. Kwon Mi felt a strange sadistic urge to tease her more but held back.

    At that moment, Kwon Mi suddenly lifted her head, staring at the sky outside the window.

    “What is that?”

    A faint veil began to cover the area around the hospital.

    Kwon Mi furrowed her brows at this unfamiliar phenomenon.

    “What the...?”

    At that instant, the wall next to Kwon Mi trembled. A naked man burst out from the wall.

    “Lady Kwon Mi!”

    Secretary Kim rushed forward. But even before Kim could, Kwon Mi’s hand grabbed the man’s throat, slamming him to the ground.

    “What’s your identity?”

    The man, his face flushed red from choking, didn’t speak. In frustration, Kwon Mi gave up waiting for an answer and snapped his neck.

    “Secretary Kim, contact the main family immediately.”

    Without hesitation, Kwon Mi spoke.

    They had attacked despite knowing that the Hyukcheon family was guarding this place. That meant the enemy knew they were here.

    If Kwon Mi and the Dark Shade Unit weren’t here, they would have charged straight ahead.

    But Kwon Hanul was here. They couldn’t allow even a small variable.

    “It’s useless.”

    At that moment, Joo Hayun spoke. Her eyes, full of hostility, were fixed on the veil outside.

    “It’s a magical barrier. Judging from the wavelength of the magic power, it’s a spell to isolate and block the surroundings.”

    “Magic? Could it be...”

    Flustered, Kwon Mi was told by Joo Hayun, “It looks like the Aeon have come.”

    [Translator - Helga ]

    [Proofreader - Starfall ]