Sung Jinwoo has received many flashes of memories since the Black Heart settled in his body.
And he decided to pick up Cale to calm this Black Heart's beat.

.... or his heartbeat?

.
.
.

Don't forget to FOLLOW, VOTE and COMMENTS guys~! ❤✨

[Sung Jinwoo's POV]

The second heartbeat the dark-haired man felt was so intense that it made Sung Jinwoo fall to his knees on the cracked ground. His eyes gazed around for a moment at the statues he had managed to destroy, and looked up at the ceiling of the dungeon. The place he once thought would be his last.

The beat intensified, sending a rush of mana into his brain and making Jinwoo's head throb painfully.

"Sshhhh, what is this? Why does it hurt so much?" Even the cries of his shadows deafened Jinwoo from the pain.

The tap on his shoulder from the other Hunter took away his sense of touch.

His head felt very heavy now, there was something that entered his memory forcefully.

"Get out! What are you doing to my mind-ugh!" His right hand rose up to grip his head and clenched his hair tightly.

"Hunter Sung-?!"

"Are you okay-?!"

So heavy.

It felt like a huge memory was passed down to him forcibly.

"-Ash-ya-!"

"Who?" Jinwoo looked around him warily, as the voice echoed around him. It was in his Black Heart's memory and heartbeat.

"-le, what are you doing?"

"Hmm nothing, just sleeping, staring at the sky-"

"Where?! Get out! Whoever it is! Ugh-!"

"-human, has the chef made a new cake yet?!"

"-aon, don't bother Ash from the documents-"

"Huwaaa, my lover is being cruel-!"

Memories went back and forth, making Jinwoo hiss at the pain.

"-oi Han, it looks like an enemy attack is lurking-"

"-beru-nim, in this barracks there will be-"

"-consider-"

"-No way, you have to stay with the kids-"

"-but-!"

Unable to bear the pain, total darkness greeted Jinwoo as his memory was cut off at the red haired figure calling out someone's name.

"Ash-ya."

.
.
.

[Third Person's POV]

Park Kyunghye looked worriedly at Sung Jinwoo who had picked up a new habit lately, after finishing his business last week. Her eldest son did not stop staring at the moon.

Something about the moon had hypnotized the man and wouldn't stop staring at it if it wasn't Kyunghye or Jinah calling him.

Even the call from the Hunter's Association went unheeded.

Leaving Jinwoo in solitude with the night and the moon.

" Oppa ." Unable to bear her mother's worried gaze, Jinah called out to her older brother and touched his shoulder.

"Huh?" Only to be confronted with Jinwoo who had tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Jinwoo-ah." Like a lost child, Jinwoo accepted Kyunghye's embrace. His normally sturdy body suddenly felt smaller and more fragile. The mother of two raised a hand to pat her son's shoulder. Jinah, meanwhile, just stared worriedly at Jinwoo's unusual condition.

"I don't know what's happening to me." Jinwoo pulled back from the embrace. His eyes were glazed over as he gave a wet, painful laugh. It made Kyunghye's heart ache to see the scene.

The memory of Jinwoo crying as a child showing pictures and searching for someone with red hair flashed through her mind.

"My heart..." Jinwoo pointed at his heart with a pained expression and trembling lips.

"It hurts here, Eomma ," Jinwoo whispered in pain. Unconsciously, Kyunghye's eyes welled up with tears, her hands trying to wipe her eldest son's face. Her fingers moved to wipe away tears and tidy up his soft black hair.

Then, they saw Jinwoo's eyes widen and the man seemed lost in thought, with tears starting to flow again.

"Who is he? Why does he look lonely? And in pain? Help him, Eomma ... help him ..."

Kyunghye, who couldn't stand it anymore, could only hug her son. Hoping and praying to be able to ease whatever pain Jinwoo was suffering.

Jinah, on the other hand, picked up a blanket to wrap around her brother's usually sturdy shoulders and hugged him too. She hoped to get those shoulders back upright and as confident as ever.

But, for now, let the Sung family soothe Jinwoo's aching soul.

Let their warmth lull Jinwoo to sleep.

*****

Staring at the moon has now become Sung Jinwoo's new hobby in the days after getting out of the double dungeon.

After the painful night had passed, Jinwoo was grateful that his mother and younger sister didn't bring up the incident much. It seemed that his mother was more cautious and served him whatever he liked, while Jinah, on the other hand, reduced her confinement in the room, and started giving skinship for comfort.

Jinwoo was grateful that they understood and didn't bother him.

Then, the Black Heart started beating again, showing memories from 'Ashborn' about his lover 'Altalune'.

Jinwoo's eyes closed, so that the visuals of the dreams became clearer.

"Ash-ya," called a red-haired man. His outfit this time was different from the military uniform that he usually wore. The man with the jeweled reddish-brown pupils wore a simple white outfit, with soft, quality cotton brown pants.

His hairstyle was also different from last time. It was braided back with some silver flower ornaments, typical of the Ashborn kingdom, that were intricately arranged.

"Ah, did Cassie do your hair?" The frown given in response answered Ashborn's question, as he organized his documents.

"I appreciate it. Compared to Raon, On and Hong, Princess Cassiopeia is better at styling it," The figure walked over, approached the balcony window and looked up at the clear sky of the Velaris Kingdom.

The pale hand then lifted up, touching the flower before turning his head with a sweet grin.

"Isn't this a nice braid, Ash-ya?" With the sun shining in the background, it created an angelic atmosphere. It took Ashborn's breath away to see the beauty displayed in front of him.

How beautiful, Commander of the Roan Kingdom.

He already managed to steal the heart of the King of the Star Kingdom with just a small smile.

"Yes. Very beautiful, Cale." Not as beautiful as you.

The memory ended, leaving Jinwoo daydreaming again, pondering the memories that had haunted him for a week after receiving this Black Heart.

At first, Jinwoo was repulsed.

Sick of seeing, hearing, and feeling memories that didn't belong to him. How dare they enter his head, messing with his memories and feelings? The dungeon then became a means of venting his frustration, which if not stopped by Igris, might have been completely destroyed.

Then, he decided to accept and let the memories flow.

He accepted all the feelings of 'Ashborn'.

He felt happy.

Happy.

Delighted.

Loving.

Full of smiles.

And full of love.

Then he felt pain.

Painful.

Shattered.

Far away.

And full of longing.

Hands moved to clamp down on his beating heart with a complicated expression on his handsome face.

"Cale..."

The real name of 'Altalune', the lover of 'Ashborn', who Jinwoo believed to be the original owner of the Black Heart.

Gradually, accepting the memories of 'Ashborn' made Jinwoo recognize this red-haired youth, 'Cale Henituse'. His eyes closed for a moment, remembering all the memories of the owner of those jeweled reddish-brown eyes with full appreciation.

Those memories grew into a strong desire.

His hands clenched tightly as his eyes opened and began emitting a blue light.

His desire grew into a mild obsession. To meet in person with Cale, who the Black Heart believed still existed in this world. Only hidden in the darkness, which 'Ashborn' had not been able to reach until now.

"Where are you, Cale?" Gray eyes flashed with sadness and longing.

"I will look for you."

"No matter how long it takes me, I will look for you, Altalune."

.
.
.

[Third Person's POV]

The world's call to Jinwoo regarding the Dungeon breaking out in Japan echoed.

Grayish eyes stared apathetically for a moment at the news that appeared on TV with indistinct voices echoing in his mind.

A day had passed and the memories of 'Ashborn' were absent. It made Jinwoo upset, not being able to recall any other memories with the redhead.

But, the situation in Japan further worsened his mood. If this continued, Asia would be in danger, considering that the potential was just as severe as the previous Raid on Jeju Island. And if that happened, he could not search for 'Cale Henituse'.

He also couldn't calm his mind, which was very messy at the moment. It made Jinwoo's mood even worse.

"Don't go, Oppa ." Turning his head toward the bedroom door, Jinwoo saw his younger sister clutching the door frame with a gloomy face. Clearly, the orc attack at her school was still affecting Jinah.

"You've been suffering lately. Don't occupy yourself with that Dungeon Raid ," Jinah whispered with trembling lips. Jinwoo's eyes flickered momentarily, staring in shock at the image of another white-haired girl with silver eyes staring at him tearfully, who disappeared in the next blink.

Who was that?

Looks like the figure of his little sister Cass-

"-ugh!" And his head felt heavy again as Jinwoo tried to remember something. The thing that he had come to hate these past three days.

" Oppa !" Jinah rushed out of the room with a worried look on her face.

Sighing, Jinwoo stood up and tried to calm his little sister. An ominous glitch appeared, ruining Jinah's image with the white hair and silver eyes again, before it disappeared completely and there was only his little sister.

"I'm fine, Jinah. And don't worry about that Dungeon Raid." A large hand rose to stroke his younger sister's head. Despite being plagued by unpleasant visions, his feelings were still the same.

Still the same.

"Rest, Jinah."

*****

Sitting in the garden calmed Jinwoo's mind for a moment.

He sorted his thoughts for a while, from the Dungeon that reunited him with The Architect, getting the Black Heart, which contained a lot of mana, and the memories of the figure of 'Ashborn'. Squinting, Jinwoo couldn't even sort out the memories properly, as they were given and appeared randomly.

It could be a time full of laughter.

It could be when he was full of sadness.

It can be when fighting.

It can be a time full of destruction.

It brought up the same question over and over again in his mind. The question he had asked the Architect. He was once a vessel, for something. However, the Shadow Monarch, Ashborn, outside of the Architect's expectations, merged with him. He also recalled flashes of memories about the war waged by the Shadow Monarch, along with thousands of his shadow soldiers.

" Oh my beloved... where are you? "

Behind his voice that was so majestic and great, there was a sliver of his heart that was filled with the stabbing sword of longing.

Despite facing a powerful enemy, all Jinwoo saw was a young man with bright white hair and a pair of silver eyes that were always filled with tears, hugging the waist of a red-haired man. The king who had been weakened and was being strengthened by his lover.

Jinwoo's heart ached at the memory.

Unconsciously, his hand rose to clutch his heart.

"My Liege." Beru suddenly appeared unexpectedly. There was a feeling of concern that Jinwoo could sense from the shadow chimera.

"Are you all right, My Liege?" hearing his voice full of formality and respect made Jinwoo snort.

"Watching dramas with Jinah seems to have changed your accent, huh?" Beru was nervous but did not deny it.

"How is Jinah doing while I'm gone?" The image gave him a calming feeling.

"So far so good, My Liege. Your sister is just resting and sleeping." Nodding, Jinwoo sighed again and covered his face.

"On behalf of the other shadows, may I ask a question, My Liege?" Twitching at Beru's strange accent, Jinwoo nodded briefly.

"What?"

"Are you okay? After receiving those memories?" Grayish eyes widened for a moment, then stared intently at the other shadow.

"You guys-?"

"It is as Igris-nim once said, My Liege, that we shadows can also feel what you feel, My Liege," Beru explained in a careful voice, afraid to spoil Jinwoo's current mood.

"Hmm, continue." Restraining himself from breathing a sigh of relief, Beru continued.

"After you received this heart. There was something strange, other than the memories given by the previous owner, my Liege." Jinwoo's eyes widened. He then gave his full attention to the ant's shadow and could feel the nervousness of some of his other shadows.

"...what is it?"

"An item, my Liege." Trembling hands moved into fists. He received an item? And was not notified by the system?

"What is that item? Why wasn't I told anything? Why didn't I feel it?" Beru was silent for a moment. Vaguely, the jet-black-haired man could feel his shadows murmuring and vocalizing.

"This item is invisible, my Liege. It exists, but deep in the darkness of this mana heart." Jinwoo's hand automatically moved to the area where the heart was located and was now beating rapidly, sending more mana throughout his body.

"But, this item is in the Black Heart, right?" Beru nodded. Jinwoo stared at the night moon for a moment before looking around. He had to find another place to learn about this item.

So, he walked away from the park, only to be stopped by the CEO of Yoojin Construction, Jinho's father.

.
.
.

[Sung Jinwoo's POV]

The glowing purplish eyes stared coldly at the night skyline for a moment from the top of a tall building. The discussion with Jinho's father slightly worsened his mood, as he searched for the whereabouts of the item referred to by his shadows.

After being given some time alone, Jinwoo wasted no time in climbing up to the building in the middle of nowhere and standing there in silence. The wind blew, billowing his long black coat. His eyes then gazed at the city shining at night and the stars in the sky. As he felt an ominous glitch coming on, the shadow of the modern city turned into the shadow of the royal era city, with the scenery dramatically different, and the sky filled with thousands of stars.

"-ugh!"

"My Liege!" Beru, as usual, was always the first to come out without his permission.

"Calm down, Beru. This memory just got out of control for a moment." Jinwoo tried to calm himself down.

"Now, explain to me, Beru. How do I find this item?" Because he felt the system wouldn't help him this time. Remembering how silent the system had been after the Architect incident and when the memories had attacked.

"I think my Liege, all you need to do is look for it," The tall man's brows furrowed in confusion.

"You must dive into the darkness of this heart, my Liege. Feel this item and grasp it firmly, my Liege." Following Beru's instructions, Jinwoo sat on the edge of the tall building and closed his eyes, trying to meditate. The Black Heart then began to beat rapidly, sending out large amounts of mana and in the instant Jinwoo opened his eyes, only darkness greeted him.

It was so dark here.

There was no light.

Total darkness.

Is this the infinity that Mrs. Selner had been talking about? Shaking his head, Jinwoo tried to follow Beru's directions again. All he needed to do was to sense the item.

The memories of the 'Ashborn' then swirled by themselves. Vaguely, he could see images moving in the darkness. Taking turns showing various memories that Jinwoo had previously seen.

However, the largest image was the young man with long red hair.

Such great and powerful love . Jinwoo's heart was filled with strange feelings. And the strongest one now was just the longing to meet.

Then, a small speck of light broke his reverie. Jinwoo wanted to grab that little light. Please, let him reach that fragment of light. Let him resolve this longing. Let Ashborn reach for it-

"Who... am I?" Jinwoo paused as he realized his mind was referring to itself as 'Ashborn'.

Who is he? Why are these memories synchronizing with his feelings? It was as if he felt deja vu as he dived into the memories. It was as if he had once lived those memories.

Please, reach out to him.

Save him.

An unfamiliar voice echoed in his soul. Hypnotizing Jinwoo to reach for the small light that was getting closer and bigger, now present between his hands.

"How warm...," Jinwoo whispered to the light with teary eyes. The feeling that 'Ashborn' sent through him was overwhelming.

"I feel like Hiraeth ." The words he had heard from 'Altalune'. Missing the home he could no longer visit.

He grasped the light tightly and turned it into a key.

Like finding the treasure of the world, Jinwoo fell silent. Staring intently at the carved, white-colored key with a million feelings welling up in his chest. There was a shield on the tip of the key, with two wings encircling it and small chains decorating it.

"A Dungeon key?" Jinwoo said with an incredulous look on his face.

Not just any dungeon... that voice echoed back.

Then what?

He was there... I managed to get the key. The voice whispered again, now filled with sadness.

Why didn't you save him?

My time is up... save him...

My Altalune...

My lonely Cale... alone...

Forgive me, dear...

"I'm coming," both voices merged and resonated.

*****

"My Liege! Something has appeared in front of you!" Opening his eyes, Jinwoo saw in his lap, the same key floating against gravity. The moon shone brighter and brighter, as Jinwoo's two hands rose to grab it.

"I can feel it, my Liege." Grasping the key tightly, Jinwoo stared at his reflection.

"There is someone waiting for you, my Liege."

"He's waiting..."

"He's waiting..."

"Save him, my King..." The cries of the other shadows began to echo and Black Heart skipped a beat for a moment.

"Location."

Writing appeared on the key, indicating Russia, in a city called Yakutsk. Gray eyes glowed purple for a moment, as he refrained from rushing to the location the key referred to. His eyes stared at the big screen of a mall for a moment, at the news about Japan that was blaring everywhere.

Japan needed the world's help now.

Jinwoo stood up from his seat and put the white key back into his Black Heart. Promising the owner of the heart and the red-haired figure that he would come to get him back.

"I promise to come and save you, Cale."

*****

[Japan]

Glowing purple gray eyes stared coldly at the ruined city. The sound of the helicopter was ignored, as Jinwoo's gaze focused on the Giants roaming the city.

He cast all his shadows.

Watching apathetically as his troops charged the Giants ruthlessly and mercilessly. Flashes of memory momentarily transformed the scene into a war zone, before coming to a halt. Jinwoo chuckled in annoyance. His mood was ruined again.

The Black Heart didn't stop beating fast either. In a way, it was agonizing to Jinwoo how much this longing was suffocating him.

"Be patient... I'll come and get him," Jinwoo whispered, trying to calm his heart-or himself-with a trembling voice.

"My liege, I've killed another one of these giants." Staring at Beru, and the collected corpses of the giants, Jinwoo nodded. He raised his hand before saying,

"Arise."

The shadows of six giants towered in front of him. Jinwoo's eyes flattened in exasperation, thinking of having to name these six giants in such a short time, ugh.

"Okay, now your name is Hana, Dul, Set ..."

After naming the giants, Jinwoo's eyes closed, to sense his shadows that had scattered across Japan to help the Hunters. His eyes twitched in annoyance as one reported the appearance of several other Dungeons, which further complicated the monster-filled situation.

"Jinho, I'll go."

"A-ah, okay, hyung-nim !"

Let's get this over with quickly, Jinwoo. The faster he went, the closer he got to Cale.

*****

[Day 7 of Dungeon Break, Japan]

Jinwoo's eyes stared at the giant in front of the large gate with a cold gleam. After making sure Hanekawa and Jinho were away from him. The shadows began to gather around him.

"Come out." Towering above him, all the giants he had turned into shadows appeared. As far as the eye could see, the ruined city had even its sky filled with his shadow soldiers.

Jinwoo grinned as he gazed at all of them for a moment before settling on the last giant.

"You're on your own," muttered the dark-haired man. Sending another Black Heart pulse through his body.

"Now, you have to die," Beru and Igris stood tall behind him, each emitting powerful auras ,respectively. Heightening the atmosphere around the Shadow Monarch's heir.

"I have someone to pick up." The monster remained silent, making Jinwoo snort. The man then raised his hand.

"Everyone...," -and shouted in a strong voice.

"Attack!"

*****

"What are Rulers?"

The man, he could call him a monster, chuckled. His eyes glowed red as he looked at Jinwoo with an annoying gaze. He refrained from poking those eyes. His patience was being tested by this man's disgusting attitude and laughter.

"Rulers are the old enemies of Kings." The King's enemy... does that mean my enemy too? Staring at the chains binding the man in front of him, that meant-

"-you're one of the Kings." The vexing figure chuckled.

"Yes. That's right, I am a King." After the chuckling stopped, the face of one of the Monarchs became serious, though his grin remained.

"The Rulers and Monarchs will definitely come after you. You-"

"Do you know who 'Altalune' is?" asked Jinwoo immediately. Hoping for more information, given that the owner of the Black Heart himself was once a King.

"You... where did you get that name?" The laughter disappeared as the monster in the guise of a man started trying to move its body.

"You know it-?"

"WHO DOESN'T KNOW HIM?! THE ABSOLUTE ONE'S FUCKING GRACE! THE OBSESSION OF THAT MOTHERFUCKE-UGRH!" Jinwoo could see sparks of electricity appear from the chain, making the figure scream in pain. It went on for almost 10 minutes and Jinwoo watched apathetically.

"Damn Rulers... still shouldn't be discussed." Sighing, the former Monarch then looked at Jinwoo, and grinned weakly.

"Release me and I'll help you." Jinwoo grinned dismissively.

"You expect me to believe that, asshole? Monsters helping humans?" Surprisingly, the man was silent. He changed completely after Jinwoo asked him about 'Altalune'.

Shortly after, the King figure said something in a language he didn't understand and in front of Jinwoo, the writing of the System appeared.

[The King of Giants, Monarch of the Beginning 'Legia' uses the skill 'Pledge of Trust (Negotiable)']

[When receiving 'Pledge of Trust (Negotiable)', the Initiator and Recipient must not lie to each other.]

[Do you receive 'Pledge of Trust (Negotiable)?']

[Y/N]

Jinwoo's eyes sparkled with interest. He had to accept this. If it could help give him more information about the war situation he was about to face and of course, about the 'Altalune', Cale Henituse, that he was looking for now.

"Alright, who is 'Altalune', anyway? And why do the Rulers seem to forbid you from talking about him?" Silent for a moment, Legia, the Monarch of the Beginning just stared at Jinwoo intently.

"You... really seem to only care about Altalune." Squinting, Jinwoo grew increasingly annoyed that the curious direction that had nearly killed him all week was being held back from being said outright.

"I can only tell you a little."

"Altalune is The Absolute One's last fragment ." Huh? That's a bit different from 'Ashborn's' memories? Or maybe he hadn't seen it?

"And he was his lover when Ashborn, the Shadow Monarch, became human. Maybe even until now," Legia muttered, sighing. Remembering the times gone by when Ashborn would not stop searching for his lover.

"Since you are here, with a power that is not yours, surely Altalune is approaching as well. The Absolute One's prophecy is true."

"What prophecy is that?" Legia shrugged.

"You can find out for yourself. The power will remember it for you."

"To be sure, the other Rulers and Monarchs will pursue Altalune, because he is the last fragment of The Absolute One's power."

"And you, because you have the power of a traitor."

Jinwoo was silent for a moment, trying to digest everything before nodding 10 minutes later.

"Why... can you speak, unlike the other creatures?"

"Other creatures?"

"The ones that came out of the Gate."

A long conversation ensued. Jinwoo held back, tried, tried and kept trying to hold back. The more info Legia provided, the stronger his desire to meet 'Altalune' or Cale Henituse became. Even if the war between the Rulers and Monarchs was touched upon, it was not as great as his desire to find Cale.

"Then you're on the human side?" Legia was silent as Jinwoo smiled dismissively.

[You defeated the Dungeon Boss]

[You defeated one of the 9 Monarchs, Monarch of the Beginning 'Legia'.]

.
.
.

"Kaisel." Summoning the wyvern, Jinwoo mounted it and headed to the location where Altalune 'Cale Henituse' was being held.

He had left a message for Igris to give to Jinho and the people waiting for him. Even to his family in case he stayed in the Dungeon for a long time.

Arriving at the location, Kaisel dropped him off far from the Yakutsk settlement, close to the sea. The shadowy wyvern took flight, holding Jinwoo above the vast ocean in the deadly cold. It was piercing at first glance, but Jinwoo was warmed by the mana surrounding his body.

"So, whoever it is, has locked him in here." Jinwoo's eyes gazed quietly at the sea at night. Far away, from the city and the lights, only the lapping of the waves proved that this total darkness below Jinwoo was the sea.

Hands clenched into fists. Thinking of Cale Henituse, a figure with such a kind and beautiful soul locked up alone in the depths of the terrifying sea.

Then, he called the key out. In the stillness of nature, a beautiful light emerged from Jinwoo's right side, forming a familiar, shining white key.

"Kaisel, explore this sea slowly." Obeying, the shadowy wyvern began to fly around the sea around Yakutsk. It came to a point far from the city and a sea Jinwoo believed to be very deep.

The light of the lock was suddenly very bright, signaling that it was close to its intended location.

"Here, Kaisel," whispered Jinwoo crouching on the back of his shadowy wyvern. Just as he was about to coat his mana to create an air bubble or barrier, the key light grew brighter, showing the sea beneath him beginning to form a powerful vortex that separated the sea and made a path for him.

The scent of strange natural forces wafted to him.

Save... him...

The whisper of a different voice, a female voice perhaps, made Jinwoo nod. Kaisel slowly descended to the bottom of the ocean, where the figure of 'Altalune' was being held. The key then slipped out of Jinwoo's hand and floated on its own, illuminating the darkness of the ocean around it, bringing Jinwoo a feeling of melancholy for some reason.

Then, there was another strange force as he reached the bottom. Jinwoo's eyes watched the ground rumble and reveal a door from below. The door faced horizontally upwards, with intricate carvings that Jinwoo looked at intently.

Around it, there was a picture of two people, with two hands trying to reach each other. Then there were several symbols unknown to him, but each circled the shape of the two people. The carvings had aged and had coral around them, but were still preserved and identifiable to him.

Below... there, below...

Another voice whispered, now sounding like that of an old man. Making Jinwoo nod again, now with a strong feeling of nostalgia and longing that was growing in his heart.

"Key." It floated into his hand, and Jinwoo went down to the door, Kaisel standing behind him, just in case.

As if hypnotized, he brought the key into place and it took only a push, emitting a subtle 'click' sound that echoed throughout the ocean.

He then retreated from his steps, watching as the door opened on its own, the strong smell of nature emanated from it. There was an audible chorus of voices. The sound of the ocean, the wind, the smell of the land, even fire. It was as if everything echoed, from his hearing to his soul.

There was a joy that Sung Jinwoo felt from nature itself.

The ocean in the night somehow looked even brighter, having spots like starlight. Creating a beautiful moving landscape of the Galaxy.

The Absolute One's Last Fragment.

That was what came to the dark-haired man's mind as he looked at the surrounding atmosphere. Like the presence of a much-loved figure had returned to welcome the world into his arms.

So, he walked slowly to the door and crouched down. His eyes narrowed momentarily at the ominous pile of chains circling the entire strange space. Sending a strong sense of hatred through his heart for some reason.

Must be 'Ashborn' feelings.

"Calm down. I promised to save him."

That feeling turned into mild regret. The black mana then fluctuated, exiting on its own from Jinwoo and heading towards the chains.

With a quivering feeling of longing, Jinwoo watched the chains disintegrate, as if they were being eaten away by age. It must have been a long time ago that this had been prepared by 'Ashborn', only that the opportunity to free him was not given. Because of the war between the Rulers and Monarchs that happened in the past.

"You must have been waiting for this moment for a long time," Jinwoo whispered to the power fragment that buzzed in agreement filled with sadness and longing.

A rare soft smile appeared on Jinwoo's face.

"I will take care of him." The buzzing of power gave a nod of gratitude that was returned by the man dressed all in dark clothes.

"Kaisel, guard here." The shadow took his position.

Staring once more at the scene in front of him, determination shone strongly and his gentle smile became a wide grin.

"It's time to wake up, Cale."

The black-haired man then jumped into the dungeon.

.
.
.

[On the Other Side of the World *****]

Slit blue eyes opened as he felt a familiar surge enter his spell rune.

A huge head scaled black like a new ray of burning embers rose with a now upright body.

Trying to focus once more on the feeling and it remained the same, his spell runes gave the same signal.

"Strong Choi Han." On the other side of the majestic being, was a black-robed man who had long been covered by plants and moss, having stayed in the same position for many years. Under his long black hair, a pair of jet-black pupils without light were exposed.

"...Raon-nim." The black-scaled dragon moved its huge body with wings that began to open wide, capable of covering an entire human city.

"One of my runes is giving the same signal. It's been 5 minutes and it's not stopping." The dragon's heavy voice echoed in the giant cave. Staring at the rune carving in front of them that was still shining just as strongly. Gradually, a smile appeared on the face of the creature of nature.

"You were right, Raon-nim," whispered the swordsman, Choi Han, staring wide-eyed at the sight they had been waiting for for hundreds of years. The man slowly stood up from his seat with the help of the sword.

Shaky, but strong.

Hands moved to remove the plants and moss that surrounded him.

"Father was found." Raon Miru, the adult Dragon said with a trembling voice. Choi Han's small hand rose up, to stroke his sharp-nailed paw with a gentle smile.

"We must go there, Raon-nim."

"Right, Strong Choi Han... Father's lover must also be waiting there." Raon then began to unleash his power, making the runes glow even stronger and forming a Galaxy vortex, which connected them to the world where Cale Henituse had been held for years.

"After making sure Father and Father's lover are fine, we will take revenge on them , Strong Choi Han."

Black eyes glowed terrifyingly as the human nodded with a burning power full of vengeance.

"We will, Raon-nim."

Wait for us to come... Cale-nim.

At the sound of the door opening, the body locked by the chains jerked.

Deep in the darkness, a red mane could be seen shining with a golden glow. There were golden spots surrounding the man. It did not lose its light even in the darkness.

And a pair of reddish-brown eyes that glittered like gems were exposed.

"... Ash-ya? "

SEE YOU IN THE NEXT CHAPTER

NOTE :

Btw, I forgot SoLev's plot because it's been a long time since I finished reading this story! It's time to re-read it again ಥ_ಥ)👉👈
And you know what? Solo Leveling is my first love for Manhwa 🥺💙✨
Back in the early days of the Hunter genre, Dungeons weren't that popular, SoLev came along and voila, I became addicted to characters that were OP, always Solo Raiding, anti-romantic and so on 🤧

... regarding Solo Leveling : Side Story, I don't think I can read their stories 😭😭😭
Since Jinwoo is married and has kids... let me let this ff be my ideal story ehehehe 🤣
Hope u like this story, guys! We'll see Cale in the next chapter ><

Once again, thank you for visiting this fic! ❤🌹✨
PS. Guess who the guy is in the first picture and become a visual for who he is in this story? (¬‿¬)