Chapter 56. It Has a Purpose

After nearly running the entire day, Kim Do-Joon and Karlish arrived at a wide clearing. Behind and ahead of them were endless flights of stairs. On either side of the clearing stood two enormous statues, each about five meters tall.

These statues look like something you would find at a temple.

The statues had grotesquely distorted faces, long ears, and each held a massive crescent blade taller than themselves.

The clearing was otherwise empty, hinting it was a place for rest. Despite the apparent emptiness, Kim Do-Joon decided to inspect the area thoroughly. He approached and touched the statues with caution. In the end, he found nothing.

"I guess there's really nothing here," Kim Do-Joon said to Karlish.

— Yeah, there really is nothing.

There was still no sign of anything unusual. At the very least, it wasn’t another staircase.

— How about we take a break here?

"Sounds good," Kim Do-Joon replied.

Thus, Kim Do-Joon and Karlish chatted in the middle of the clearing. Something occurred just out of their sight. The two statues started moving silently, targeting Kim Do-Joon’s defenseless back.

The statues swung their crescent blades at him with all their might.

Boom!

The ground shook violently as dust billowed into the air. The statues raised their heads, trying to confirm their kill.

"Can’t really rest without dealing with these first.”

However, Kim Do-Joon's voice came from the side.

When the statues turned their heads, instead of a bloody mess, they saw him standing with his spear, unscathed.

— So, these are the monsters of this labyrinth.

"Yes.”

[Statue of the Unyielding God]

Compatibility

- 61%

The Compatibility of these monsters were a full twenty percent higher than the orcs. Instead of relying on numbers, each statue seemed to be powerful on its own.

— I’m quite impressed that you noticed. They made no sound as they approached.

"Actually, I knew from the start," Kim Do-Joon replied.

He’d used his Insight skill on the statues from the beginning. As expected, their Compatibility showed up immediately, indicating they were monsters.

— What will you do? Are you going to fight?

Listening to Karlish, Kim Do-Joon glared at the statues, assessing his condition.

I ran at full speed for over twenty hours to get here. My stamina and mana are depleted.

Moreover, not just running, he’d been practicing a new running technique, further draining his focus and energy. His choice was obvious.

"We'll retreat for now," Kim Do-Joon decided.

There was no reason to take unnecessary risk, so he decided to return to Earth.

[Skill: You have used the return skill.]

With a flash of light, Kim Do-Joon found himself in the underground workshop of his store.

“

Phew

,” Kim Do-Joon sighed in relief.

— You made a wise decision. If we fought and attracted more monsters, it could have been troublesome.

Kim Do-Joon nodded and checked his skill window.

[Labyrinth Entry: Tier 5 Sky Road. Cooldown of 167 hours.]

Kim Do-Joon had to wait seven days before he could re-enter. By then, taking down the two statues should be no problem. Despite facing a monster with a sixty percent Compatibility for the first time, he wasn’t afraid. They couldn’t be stronger than the elf he had previously encountered?

“You did well. Now, get some rest,” Kim Do-Joon said to Karlish.

— Sure. Call me when it’s time to train again. It’s best to review what you’ve learned right away.

“Yes, sir,” Kim Do-Joon replied, smiling at the familiar advice reminiscent of his school days.

Indeed, learning aligned with discipline, whether in academics or martial arts.

After storing Karlish in his inventory, Kim Do-Joon ascended the stairs. It was still early evening, but it seemed like Kim So-Eun had gone to bed already.

"...”

Meanwhile, Siwelin was at the store counter, propping her chin and watching a small TV set.

“I’m back,” Kim Do-Joon said to Siwelin.

— Oh, you’re back early this time!

Siwelin was surprised to see him. Typically, when Kim Do-Joon entered the labyrinth, he stayed for at least two to three days. But unusually this time, he returned in just a day.

“This labyrinth was different. There were no monsters, but just endless stairs...” Kim Do-Joon briefly explained the Sky Road to Siwelin.

Since there was barely any encounter, there wasn’t much to describe.

Siwelin listened intently, blinking her eyes. She was very curious about Kim Do-Joon’s ability to enter labyrinths. After all, thanks to that ability, she was freed from her curse and could now enjoy a peaceful life.

“Anyway, it looks like I’ll be climbing stairs for a while. Leaving the statues aside, the stairs seemed endless.”

— The fresh air must be nice, though!

Siwelin remarked optimistically, so Kim Do-Joon chuckled at her positive outlook.

“I’ll go wash up and then take over. It seems like So-Eun is sleeping, so you should get some rest, too.”

— Okay.

Siwelin agreed and seeing her keep glancing at the TV, she must have been engrossed in a drama.

Though television was once called the boob tube, Kim Do-Joon was glad Siwelin watched it. It helped her quickly learn about the world’s norms.

Kim Do-Joon took a shower to wash off the sweat and dust. Then, he returned to find Siwelin already prepared for the shift change. She’d neatly folded her apron, changed into comfortable training clothes. Moreover, she’d also set a tray with potato chips and coke in front of the sofa in her room.

— Thanks for covering. I’ll just watch this one episode and then come help. It's a crucial scene where Ye-Na’s parentage is revealed.

“There’s no need. It’s almost closing time, anyway,” Kim Do-Joon replied as he settled at the counter.

Since there were not many customers at this hour, he didn’t need much help. He kept an eye on the shop while grinding some dried herbs. By the time he had finished grinding about five roots, the bell chimed as a customer entered.

Ding—!

Kim Do-Joon stood up to greet them, but the customer had a very familiar face.

"President Son?” Kim Do-Joon said, recognizing the man instantly.

It was Son Chang-Il, the association president.

"I have something I need to discuss in person," Son Chang-Ilsaid, looking a bit serious.

"Oh, you have something you can’t discuss over the phone? Then please have a seat," Kim Do-Joon offered, guiding him to a seat. He quickly prepared some tea using a simple bag.

Son Chang-Il took a sip and began to explain.

"It's about your special promotion. There's been a proposal..."

His words that continued were surprising.

"What? You want me to join the first expedition into the stem?"

"Yes. If you perform well there, no one will oppose you becoming an A-rank Hunter.”

Son Chang-Il continued to explain the rationale behind the proposal. The rapid developments overseas necessitated forming an expedition team on their side as well. Many guilds were very eager to participate, with the four major guilds still observing but likely to join. He also shared that the Karma Guild, in particular, showed the most enthusiasm.

"It was Oh Tae-Jin, the representative of the guild master of Karma, who suggested that you join. He’s considered the strongest among domestic A-rank Hunters," Son Chang-Il explained.

"Karma..." Kim Do-Joon muttered, thinking back to his not-so-great past interactions with them.

He was curious why they would recommend him.

"Oh Tae-Jin’s reasoning was sound. You’re the only one in the country who has personally taken down an elf. Not even Oh Tae-Jin or Shin Yoo-Sung have done that," Son Chang-Il continued.

Shin Yoo-Sung had focused on treating the wounded from mid-battle onward, and by the time Oh Tae-Jin arrived at Hwaseong, the elf had already fled. Regardless of the circumstances, Kim Do-Joon remained the only Hunter in the country who had defeated an elf.

"So I guess that's why this proposal came up," Kim Do-Joon acknowledged, understanding the situation better.

Despite his reservations about Karma, his name being mentioned in this context was plausible. Even if Oh Tae-Jin had not suggested him joining, someone else probably would have.

"So, what do you think?" Son Chang-Il asked.

“...”

Kim Do-Joon fell silent, contemplating the offer. Son Chang-Il, feeling a bit parched, took another sip of his tea. He knew this could be an excellent opportunity for Kim Do-Joon, especially as he operated solo without any guild affiliation. Such a chance to join a large-scale expedition was rare.

If he handles this well... he might truly become a Hunter representing our nation.

Son Chang-Il saw great potential in Kim Do-Joon and attributed high value to this opportunity. He took another sip, then a third, when Kim Do-Joon finally spoke.

"I’m sorry, but I must decline," Kim Do-Joon said.

Son Chang-Il’s eyes widened in surprise. "You want to decline...?"

"Yes. No matter how I think about it, I don’t think I can accept this offer," Kim Do-Joon replied calmly.

Son Chang-Il put his cup down with a soft click, and a faint hint of disappointment appeared on his face. He had expected Kim Do-Joon to be more eager, given the video of him defeating the elf. That video, with Kim Do-Joon’s desperate expression, ability, and determination had moved Son Chang-Il deeply, so much so that he watched it occasionally.

"I see...” Son Chang-Il muttered because he could not blame him.

Everyone valued their life, and Son Chang-Il understood this well. Reflecting on his own beliefs, he found Kim Do-Joon's decision commendable, albeit slightly disappointing.

“Daddy!”

Just then, the door to the back room opened, and Kim So-Eun came out. She drowsily rubbed her eyes as she walked toward Kim Do-Joon.

“Oh, So-Eun. You're awake?” Kim Do-Joon asked, lifting her up.

“

Yeah...

” Kim So-Eun replied.

His strong arms wrapped around the child, gently patting her back.

Feeling secure in her father's embrace, Kim So-Eun began to doze off again.

Watching this, Son Chang-Il could not help but ask, “Is she your daughter?”

“Yes,” Kim Do-Joon replied.

Son Chang-Il was quite surprised. Kim Do-Joon was known to be stoic, but it wasn’t that he lacked emotions or was cold-hearted. He smiled when happy and frowned when upset, but his usual expression was rather stern.

But now, that smile was different—it was tender and genuine.

Wait a second... That child is...

Son Chang-Il recognized the familiar face. It was the same child that had been hugged by the store assistant in the video! How could he forget such an adorable child?

Ah...

Watching the man soothe his daughter, Son Chang-Il realized the source of the unknown emotion in Kim Do-Joon's expression in the video. He realized the reason why Kim Do-Joon declined the offer.

“Thank you for the offer, but the first expedition will be quite dangerous, right?” Kim Do-Joon asked.

“Yes. Honestly, it's uncertain how many from the expedition team will return safely,” Son Chang-Il admitted.

Kim Do-Joon gently stroked Kim So-Eun's hair, smoothing out the tangles. A faint smile appeared on his face.

“My life has a purpose, and I'm not sure the stem is where I should be risking it right now.”

“...”

“And that’s why, I am declining the offer,” Kim Do-Joon explained.

Son Chang-Il nodded. It was a clear and unequivocal refusal. He didn’t even feel the need to persuade Kim Do-Joon any further.

“Understood. We'll arrange your promotion test in a standard A-rank dungeon, as usual.”

Kim Do-Joon chuckled at Son Chang-Il who called an A-rank dungeon a standard. Compared to the unknown dangers of the stem, it did seem rather ordinary.

“Is that alright with you?” Kim Do-Joon asked.

“Of course. Who am I? I’m the head of the Association, after all,” Son Chang-Il replied with a hearty laugh.

Kim Do-Joon smiled, and they chatted about mundane topics after that. Son Chang-Il mentioned he had been living alone since parting ways with his wife long ago, with no children to speak of.

He eventually left after he emptied two more cups of tea.

***

The next day, for once, Kim Do-Joon took his daughter, Kim So-Eun, to kindergarten himself.

“See you later!”

Usually, she took the bus, but a day like this once in a while was a nice change.

Kim So-Eun ran to Kwon Soo-Young, waving her hand. Kwon Soo-Young received the child and gave a polite nod toward Kim Do-Joon. He returned the gesture and left.

Then, Kim Do-Joon wandered around the academy grounds without any particular destination. It was just a way to clear his mind.

“Hey, you finally here?”

“

Hehe.

How are you going to handle the practical exam today looking like that?”

“I don't know. I guess I'll have to skip it.”

In the distance, Kim Do-Joon saw some students arriving. Judging by their uniforms, they were high school students.

From high school onward, they receive combat training, right?

Kim Do-Joon thought.

While middle school provided a standard education, high school was geared toward students who aspired to become Hunters, offering specialized training. Many of the academy's teachers were retired Hunters. Even Kwon Soo-Young, who had retired early, came here.

It's been almost 20 years...

Kim Do-Joon thought with a chuckle, feeling a wave of nostalgia. It had been over twenty years since he was a high school student, but the memories remained vivid.

As he strolled in a pleasant mood, he overheard a conversation.

“Hey, I'm telling you, she was an elf!”

“Yeah, yeah. A girl in cosplay, right?”

“No! I’m being serious right now! It was not cosplay! Even if I'm just a student, I’m still an Awakener. So, do you think I'd get beaten up so badly by a cosplayer?”

“Maybe she was a Hunter in cosplay.”

Kim Do-Joon's expression hardened as he overheard the conversation. Despite the distance, his almost sensory stats nearing level fifty allowed him to hear everything.

In the next moment, Kim Do-Joon vanished from his spot and reappeared behind the students who were talking.

"Hey, you guys," Kim Do-Joon said.

"

Whoa

, what the...!"

The two students jumped in surprise as Kim Do-Joon tapped their shoulders.

"W-who are you?"

A hint of tension flickered in their eyes as they looked at him. Although they trained daily, they had not sensed Kim Do-Joon until he touched them.

If he were an enemy or a monster...

They would have been defeated in that instant. Of course, Kim Do-Joon had no hostile intentions toward the students he saw for the first time.

"Can you tell me more about what you were just talking about?" Kim Do-Joon asked.

"Talking about what?" The students asked.

"The elf," Kim Do-Joon replied.

A random adult asking about their conversation might seem strange, but the recent events had them on edge, making them more willing to talk.

"Well, as you can see, this guy here is all bandaged up. He says he got beaten up by an elf."

"I’m not kidding. She was a real elf! She had long ears, brown skin, and was stunningly beautiful. But she beat me and my friends to a pulp."

Some might have ignored the student, saying that it makes no sense, but Kim Do-Joon listened seriously. Basically, they’d been attacked by a woman who looked like the recently infamous elf impostor.

Long ears and brown skin... The skin color is one thing, but long ears would be a giveaway.

Kim Do-Joon was skeptical, because he knew more about the elves than the media had reported. Their hostility toward humanity, which had harmed the World Tree, was something he had experienced firsthand.

But she just knocked them out and left?

The student's injuries would probably take some time to heal, but otherwise not life-threatening. They were unlike the brutal attacks Kim Do-Joon had experienced and heard about from others, including Son Chang-Il.

"

Um

, can we go now? We're going to be late."

"Oh, right. Sorry for holding you up."

The students, eyeing Kim Do-Joon cautiously, left.

Kim Do-Joon sat down on a nearby bench, frowning contemplatively.

Could she really be a Hunter in cosplay, or just a difference in personality?

If it was the former, it was a harmless incident, but a serious matter if it was the latter.

Because that would mean there's still one more elf hiding somewhere.

With a determined expression, Kim Do-Joon took out his phone.