Chapter 24 – Secrets Kept in Silence
Ha-Joon stood face to face with Cha Hae-In, the air between them thick with tension. Inside, his mind spun in a hundred directions.
"Now what... how do I even begin to explain this?"
She had just witnessed him fighting a monster without fear, without hesitation—calm, confident, and powerful. But now, all she saw was a boy frozen, eyes darting with unease. His body was still, but his thoughts raced like wildfire.
Cha Hae-In stepped forward slowly, her expression a mixture of curiosity and something gentler—respect.
— "You're the hunter who defeated those monsters..." she said, her voice calm and clear.
— "You stopped them from hurting the civilians. Thank you."
She bowed slightly, her long hair swaying gently with the motion.
— "If you ever need my help, all you have to do is ask."
Ha-Joon blinked, startled by her gratitude. He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, trying not to meet her eyes.
— "You don't have to thank me like that. I only did what I could..."
His voice trailed off, not knowing what else to say. He wasn't used to praise—especially not from someone like her.
Cha Hae-In smiled faintly, tilting her head just a little. There was something in her eyes—curiosity, yes, but also a quiet sense of admiration.
"Even while hiding his power... he rushed in to help. He didn't run. He didn't hesitate."
"That kind of bravery... it's not common."
Meanwhile, Ha-Joon made a subtle gesture with his hand. High above them, his clones of Happy—magical beings created for support—began their descent, carrying Jin-Ah and Song-Yi safely in their arms. As they landed on the ground a few moments later, the two girls immediately ran toward him.
— "Ha-Joon!" Jin-Ah cried out, her voice trembling.
— "Are you okay?! That thing was gigantic!"
— "Yeah, are you hurt?" Song-Yi added, her eyes wide with concern.
Their reactions made something in Ha-Joon's chest tighten. These were people who genuinely cared. He gave them a soft smile, trying to ease their fears.
— "I'm fine. Really. I promise."
— "A little tired maybe... but still standing."
He gently patted their shoulders as they clung to him, trying to make them feel safe. After a minute, their breathing began to slow. The tension in their bodies faded.
Once the panic passed, the group started walking toward the exit of the dungeon. The adrenaline from the battle was wearing off, replaced by the weight of everything Ha-Joon had to keep hidden. After a few steps, he slowed and turned back toward Cha Hae-In.
There was something he needed to say—something important.
He bowed his head respectfully.
— "Miss Cha... may I ask you a favor?"
She looked surprised for a moment but nodded.
— "Of course. What is it?"
He hesitated. For a second, he felt the fear rising again—fear not of battle, but of judgment.
— "Could you... not tell anyone that I was the one who closed this dungeon?"
— "I know it sounds strange. Maybe even rude. But... please."
His voice was low, sincere, almost vulnerable. He wasn't used to asking for this kind of trust.
Cha Hae-In looked at him in silence for a moment. Then, to his surprise, she smiled. It wasn't the polite smile of formality—it was warm, real.
— "Alright."
Ha-Joon blinked.
— "Really?"
She nodded.
— "I don't know why you want to keep it a secret... but I saw what you did. Even while hiding your power, you chose to help strangers. You risked exposure. That tells me enough about what kind of person you are."
Ha-Joon felt a lump in his throat. No one had ever seen through him like that—seen not just his strength, but his heart.
— "Thank you... really," he said softly.
As they walked beneath the fading light of the sky, the weight on Ha-Joon's shoulders didn't disappear—but it felt lighter. For a brief moment, he had been seen and still accepted.
But as silence returned, his thoughts darkened again.
"I wish I could show the world what I can do... but I can't."
"My power isn't something that can be revealed without consequences."
"I can materialize anything I write. Entire manga worlds, legendary characters, impossible abilities."
"If anyone knew... they'd do anything to control it."
"With a few strokes of a pen, I could create dragon balls, divine relics, wishes that defy life and death. Armor that makes mortals into gods."
"No matter how good people seem... they'd be tempted."
"And temptation leads to conflict. To war. To betrayal."
"Humanity has gone to war over far less."
His fists clenched at his sides, not in anger—but in resolve.
"That's why I have to keep hiding this. Until I'm strong enough... until no one can take it from me."
"That strength won't come from fighting monsters alone."
"It'll come from creation."
"The first step is that manga."
"If I can publish it... if I can fuel it with enough emotion and belief from readers..."
"Then I'll be able to summon the heroes of my childhood. Dragon Ball. Knights of the Zodiac. Legends born from ink and passion."
"The power to change this world..."
"...starts with my hands."