The aftermath of the S-rank dungeon break left Jaehwon's apartment in ruins, but there was no time to dwell on it. The monstrous creature that had burst into his home was only a precursor to the chaos that had begun to unfold across the city. As sirens wailed in the distance and the sounds of panicked voices filled the air, Jaehwon knew he had to act quickly.
He activated the Shadow Ring, summoning his Shadow Clones to assist in the crisis. Multiple versions of himself materialized, their forms shifting and blending with the darkness around them.
“Alright, clones, we’ve got a job to do,” Jaehwon commanded. “We need to evacuate the civilians and keep them safe from the monster. I’ll take care of the fight.”
The Shadow Clones nodded in unison and sprang into action, dispersing throughout the area to help guide people away from the danger. Jaehwon watched as the clones efficiently moved through the chaos, their efforts creating a semblance of order amid the pandemonium.
Jaehwon’s gaze shifted to the towering, grotesque monster wreaking havoc on the streets. It was a fearsome sight: a creature of immense size and power, with armored plating and a series of writhing, snake-like appendages. The monster roared defiantly, its presence a palpable threat.
Taking a deep breath, Jaehwon summoned his own courage and readied himself for battle. The Shadow Cloak rippled around him, enhancing his strength and agility. He could feel the power surging through him, a stark contrast to the fear and uncertainty that had initially gripped him.
He approached the monster with careful steps, his heart pounding in his chest. The creature's eyes locked onto him, and it let out a thunderous roar as it charged.
Jaehwon dodged to the side, his movements fluid and precise. He created shadowy illusions to distract the monster, using his enhanced agility to stay out of its grasp. With each strike and maneuver, he felt more in control, his confidence growing with every successful hit.
“Come on, you overgrown lizard!” Jaehwon shouted, trying to keep his focus. “Is that all you’ve got?”
The battle raged on, with Jaehwon utilizing his Shadow Clones to create additional distractions and opportunities for attacks. The monster’s strength was formidable, but Jaehwon’s newly acquired skills and the support from his shadows proved to be a significant advantage.
Finally, after a grueling fight, Jaehwon managed to find an opening. He concentrated his energy and unleashed a powerful shadow blast directly at the monster’s core. The blast struck with devastating force, causing the creature to convulse and collapse.
Breathing heavily, Jaehwon approached the fallen monster, his senses still tingling from the adrenaline of the battle. The beast was defeated, its massive form now still and lifeless.
“Is it over?” Jaehwon muttered to himself, wiping sweat from his brow. He could hear the distant hum of helicopters and the excited chatter of reporters.
He looked up and saw a news helicopter hovering above, its camera focused on him. Through the live broadcast, Jaehwon noticed that the civilians, who had been safely evacuated by his Shadow Clones, were watching the scene unfold on their televisions.
“This is incredible!” a reporter’s voice came through the helicopter’s broadcast. “We’re witnessing a hero in action! Jaehwon, the E-rank hunter, has just single-handedly defeated an S-rank dungeon monster! Unbelievable!”
Jaehwon’s heart raced as he absorbed the weight of the situation. He wasn’t just a hunter battling a monster; he was now being hailed as a hero. The attention felt overwhelming, and the exhaustion from the fight began to take its toll on him.
As the helicopter continued to broadcast the scene, Jaehwon felt his legs growing weak. He staggered slightly, his vision blurring with fatigue. The adrenaline that had fueled him through the battle began to wane, leaving him feeling drained and weary.
“I… I did it,” Jaehwon said softly, trying to steady himself. “It’s over.”
He collapsed to the ground, the strain of the fight catching up with him. The reporters’ voices grew distant as he lay there, his body finally succumbing to exhaustion. The last thing he saw before his vision darkened was the concerned faces of the civilians and the flashing lights of the news cameras.
---
When Jaehwon awoke, he was in a hospital bed, his body aching and his mind hazy. He blinked slowly, trying to piece together what had happened. The room was filled with the beeping of medical equipment and the soft murmur of voices outside.
“Welcome back,” a nurse said as she entered the room. She smiled warmly, though her eyes were filled with concern. “You had quite a fight out there. You’re a real hero, you know.”
Jaehwon tried to sit up but winced at the pain. “How… how long was I out?”
The nurse checked his vitals and adjusted the IV drip. “Just a few hours. You collapsed after the battle. You’ve been given some rest, but you’ll need to stay here for a while to recover.”
Jaehwon nodded weakly. “I understand. I guess I’ve made quite an impression.”
The nurse chuckled softly. “You certainly have. The entire city saw you in action. You’ve become quite the legend overnight.”
Jaehwon sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. “I didn’t expect all this. I was just doing what needed to be done.”
“You did more than that,” the nurse said reassuringly. “You saved lives and became a symbol of hope for many. You should be proud.”
Jaehwon opened his eyes and gave a small, tired smile. “I’ll try to remember that. Thanks.”
As the nurse left the room, Jaehwon lay back on his bed, his mind racing with thoughts of the future. The Shadow Trials were still ahead of him, and there were more challenges to come. But for now, he was content to rest and recover, knowing that he had taken a significant step forward in his journey.
With the shadowy cloak draped over the back of his chair and the shadowy ring resting on his finger, Jaehwon felt a renewed sense of purpose. He had faced a monumental challenge and emerged victorious. Now, as he lay in the hospital bed, he knew that the trials ahead would be just as daunting, but he was ready to face them head-on.