~Knock!
~Knock!
~Knock!
Chang of POV: Woo Jin-Chul
It has been tough day for me today, but there might be something good coming from it once.
As I knocked on the door three times, a voice was heard from the other side, allowing me to enter. So without further ado I entered inside with my colleague.
But once we stepped inside, my breath got stuck in my throat as I composed myself.
I heard what happened in Double Dungeon from other survivors, and reports from Hospital regarding status and possible re-awakening of Sung Jin-Woo due to his appearance changes, especially gender change.
I had read reports regarding such cases, people who undergone gender change at awakening or re-awakening would look drastically different from their previous form, and since I read report on Sung Jin-Woo's new appearance I was mentally prepared.
Or that was what I though because this exceeded my expectations, I came here in hope for new S-Rank or very strong A-Rank Hunter re-awakening due to previous similar changes to other Hunters high-ranked Hunters.
Maybe with some hope, Sung Jin-Woo would turn out to be A-Rank or maybe even S-Rank. But I squashed those hopes and payed my full attention on former man sitting on the bed.
Sung Jin-Woo's face enough was quite the surprise I must say, I worked with countless A-Rank Hunters and Cha Hae-In too but.. They don't even come close to Sung Jin-Woo new found level of beauty.
I straightened my tie before introducing myself, I cannot ogle her! I must hold my composure and present myself adequately and not behave like an street dog!
"I'm Woo Jin-Chul, Director of South Korea's Hunter Association's Surveillance Team. I believe you have been notified by Hospital for our arrival?" I questioned, Sung Jin-Woo nodded. "Do you prefer Miss or Mr honorific?"
Sung Jin-Woo opened her red lips, as Woo Jin-Chul noted and spoke. "Mr would be adequate ~Sigh." And she sighed, allowing Woo Jin-Chul to process the tone of her voice.
'I see.'
"As you are aware, you have been unconscious for three straight days." I motioned for my Assistant, So Li to put the bag on the table. " We will first test your Mana Capacity before we proceed with questioning if that is alright with you?"
Woo Jin-Chul noted a small smile forming on Sung Jin-Woo beautiful face as her eyes shone with excitement, Woo Jin-Chul also noted Sung Jin-Woo extraordinary eyes that shone with multitude of emotions completely different from normal people and..
Is that excitement I see? I couldn't help let out a soft chuckle at that, under such traumatic experience the only solace she could find would be possible re-awakening. With that in mind I opened my bag before pulling a small statue like device with small black orb on it.
This is Miniature Mana Reading device, a miniature variant of course and thus is capable of reading less mana than the actual one.
I brought it and put in the bed near Sung Jin-Woo before taking out my phone and connecting it with Mana Reading Device.
"All you are required to do is to place your palm over that" I pointed at black orb in the middle of the device "And my phone will show me your Mana Capacity." I explained before patiently waiting for Sung Jin-Woo to place her hand on the orb.
Results were instant, results exceeded A-Rank and skyrocketed into S-Rank Range with red 'Error' reading on my phone.
I let a pleased smile to cross my face, and my assistant So Li couldn't help but also raise her tip toes to look at results over my shoulder before releasing a soft gasp and 'Oh my' words.
"So, what are results Mr.Woo Jin-Chul?" Sung Jin-Woo questioned as she nervously chuckled, I finally took of my eyes from my phone before putting it back into my pockets and motioning for So Li to put the Mana Reading Device back into it's palm.
I let pleased smile to over-take my face once again.
"Congratulations Mr. Sung Jin-Woo, you exceeded our expectations, you are 10th South Korea's S-Rank Hunter." I extended my right for her, for obvious hand shake. She accepted it before a smile bloomed on her face, surprising me once more.
But..
I noticed how much delicate her hands are, in her file they should be rough, but her new body truly changed everything about her to molecule level..
But I also noticed Soulmate Mark on her right hand, a flame.. Soulmate Marks are not rare, about 70% of Humans have it, and her Soulmate mar is colored red, just like her hair.
It is not my place to meddle in with but..
"This is my number." I took my business card with my number on it before extending it to Sung Jin-Woo who took it before placing it on small desk near her table. "Because of your Identity as S-Rank Hunter, I will be your main contact with Hunter Association just like I am with other S-Ranks in our country."
She nodded, listening and waiting for me to continue.
"Your re-awakening as S-Rank will be under wraps for a week or two till you get adapted to your new body, strength and any ability you may have gained from Re-Awakening, but any informations regarding you in our System will be sealed off and nothing would be published but..." I paused slowly, waiting to see if she is still Listening, her nod was enough of a confirmation. " You will be required to complete full re-evaluation in Hunter Association's Headquarters with better Mana Reading Device so we could potentially gain more attentive and correct numbers on your Mana Capacity."
"When would I be required to?" She asked me with worry filled tone.
I shock my head for a moment.
"Take your time, I would recommend in a week or two when you get adapted to your body and discover your new abilities. Otherwise if you re-evaluate unprepared, your reputation would go down as S-Rank. Take as much time as you can to get accustomed to your abilities first. " I reassured her before I pushed the sunglasses on my face further in. "Even thought this is not my place to meddle in, I advice you to cover up your Soulmate Mark, later when it's get announced of your status as S-Rank, numerous people would try to get close to you and some of them may use your Soulmate Mark in their advantage and fake their own."
Change of POV: No One.
Sung Jin-Woo proceeded to listen to report from Woo Jin-Chul about other survivors and how they are doing.
Sung Jin-Woo is obviously disappointed at them.
But yet..
She couldn't bring herself to resent them, hate them.
She could pretend so, but it wouldn't be the same.
And yet, she doesn't know.
She doesn't know if she would have run too if she had her leg.
She is not delusional enough to outright say 'NO I wouldn't run!'
She understands their reasons for running, they had families, and most of them became Hunters to support those families, and if they died then that meant doom for these families.
Same thing goes for her too.
She understands it but yet..
Even if she doesn't resent them, it doesn't stop her from disliking them.
And for Song Chi-Yul.. She viewed him as a mentor figure, someone who taught her a lot of things about Dungeons, and even how to survive in Dungeons as the 'Weakest Hunter of all Mankind'.
And since Song Chi-Yul lost his arm, it's logical assumption that he would plan to retire sooner or later.
Sung Jin-Woo couldn't help sighing at that, she would miss him on raids.
Wait, Lee Joo-Hee is also going to retire too. Apparently trauma she underwent in the Double Dungeon was horrific enough to shake her whole foundation.
Sung Jin-Woo couldn't blame her for that either, those damn statues are something she doubts even now she would have been able to take on, despite supposedly being S-Rank Hunter.
She still doesn't know what type of Hunter she is.
And that 'Statue of God' was just built different.
It was horrifying and Sung Jin-Woo couldn't blame Lee Joo-Hee for retiring either, and maybe that is best decision she could have made. Despite being B-Rank Healer, a healer sough after for B-Rank Gates, she couldn't bring herself to participate in them due to her fidgety and fearful nature.
And maybe, that's for the best..
But also...
Just as Sung Jin-Woo continued to enjoy her prolonged rest time in hospital and her new room given to her due to her status, someone barged into her room.
~THUD~
~CRASH!
"Wah! You are awake, are you really Sung Jin-Woo!" Exclaimed Sung Jin-Ah, Sung Jin-Woo's sister as she run into the room, not even knocking on the door three times. Sung Jin-Ah is 17 year old girl with purple hair and eyes, hair styled in ponytail and she is currently wearing her usual blue school uniform. Signifying her status.
Sung Jin-Woo locked eyes with Sung Jin-Ah. Yeah, she was afraid of meeting her sister in this body. How she was supposed to explain her body changes to her younger sister?
"Jin-Ah." Was the only thing he could say as he awkwardly shock his head.
Sung Jin-Ah just suspiciously looked at woman who was supposed to be her brother. For instance, she couldn't believe it, even if Doctors says that the woman's DNA matches her brothers, it's unbelievable but yet..
They allowed her to see DNA results herself when compared to woman laying on bed right now, but even with that, something like this is unbelievable, if her brother at least looked like a girl version of himself she would have had easier time to believe it but this...
"When is my birthday?!" She quested her supposed 'brother', if she is indeed her brother then she is going to test her herself!
"1st may." Instant reply, Jin-Ah actually raised her eyebrows at this, maybe she is indeed her 'brother'.
"Tell me something only I and my brother would know!" She ordered her 'brother' as she walked forward till she was in front of her 'brother' as she put her hands on her hips and leaned forward.
Sung Jin-Woo brought her right hand to her chin as she took famous thinking pose, and flashing her right hand to Jin-Ah.
It didn't escape Jin-Ah eyes the Soulmate Mark on right hand, it's the exact same one her brother had but even with that, she was skeptical, after all there are many Soulmate marks almost identical to others and the only way to be sure that the other person possessing the same Soulmate Mark would be if both of their Mark's glow and throb with slight pain and they feel pull towards each other.
That's how it works, with no pull nor glowing mark, they are not soulmates.
"Ah, there was one time when you were ten year old and you broke our mothers vase and you were afraid of being scolded from her for it so you asked me to take blame for you!"
That was indeed enough of proof to prove her identity.
And with tears in her eyes, Sung Jin-Ah jumped with all her might on her 'brother'. Hugging her with all her strength as she continued crying..
She couldn't believe it.
Chapter Word Count: 1836