Requiem Of A Failed Hero

Before Raith had gone into the ant gate after he had received his money for raiding the gate that killed Sung Min. He had placed an order for a house through Mok Jae-Hwa.

Mok Jae-Hwa spent. 12.3 billion dollars procuring Raith the best of the estate. Nestled deep amidst rolling hills and majestic mountains, with a single large house sitting in the middle, but right now, the wide expanse of green land was bustling and juggling with people, and was being used as a shelter that sprawled across the landscape like a self-contained city.

A patchwork of improvised structures and tents woven together with hope and determination formed a labyrinthine network, creating a tapestry of humanity against the backdrop of nature’s beauty. The architecture was a proof of resourcefulness, blending modern innovation with the ancient wisdom of Therut, these people used anything they could find to build a semblance of home.

Raith and Mok Jae-Hwa slowly walked around while Mok Jae-Hwa explained and pointed out things to him. The atmosphere inside the shelter was a symphony of emotions.

Laughter echoed through the air, serving as a reminder that even in the darkest times, joy could still blossom. The way adults and children greeted Raith each time was amazing, some even came bearing gifts.

A child walked up to him with a wrapped box. He looked down, so shy and trembling but he managed to stretch the box to Raith.

“Chris… Christmas” he said shakily.

His mother then backed him up, “He kept a Christmas present for you sir” the woman added with a smile, patting the head of her young boy.

Raith didn’t know how to respond to this, he was dumbfounded until Mok Jae-Hwa slapped his back.

“Accept it!”

“Ah, of course. Thank you” Raith said as he collected the box from the child and rubbed his hair, smiling. “Thank you so much, what’s your name?” 𝒷𝒹ℴ𝓿𝓁.𝓬𝓸𝓂

“Wilhelm,” the young boy responded.

“Okay, Wilhelm. I guess I will see you around.” Raith said and nodded at his mother.

The young boy’s eyes widened with a blush evident on his cheek.

“Waaaahhhh, he said my name.” He shouted as he ran away to meet his friends. His mother was filled with so much joy. She bowed as Raith and Mok Jae-Hwa continued the tour.

“I don’t know how to respond to this level of respect. I’m not used to it.” Raith said, pocketing his hands and looking at the way people would stop what they were doing to bow st him.

“You are their hero. Their one true hero.” Mok Jae-Hwa said.

“Eww, that irks me.”

Upon entering the shelter, Raith was shocked to find a bustling marketplace at its heart, where people traded goods and services, and the vibrant colors of diverse cultures merged. Fragrances of exotic spices and flavors from all corners of the world wafted through the air, creating an intoxicating melange of scents, they were all things that have been brought from Therut and even though the inhabitants of the earth were sought of angry at their presence in Korea, a lot of humans were allowed to mix with them, trade and converse, but under strict surveillance.

Mok Jae-Hwa took Raith further, where he now began to see the myriad of sections within the shelter, each organized by a particular group of survivors. The dormitories carved out from the land and covered with earthy tones, housed families and individuals alike.

“Wow, you guys did amazing work with this place.” Raith complimented.

“You are right, but it won’t last. The new Chairman has given us an ultimatum of twenty-one days to get them out of South Korea or else he will send an assault team. And before you talk, don’t even say you are just going to fight them and defeat them. That is unacceptable, we have to find permanent help for these people, not one that will furtherly jeopardize their acceptance.”

Raith lazily looked at Mok Jae-Hwa as he finished talking. “That’s a hassle, we can just go to war with South Korea, ill defeat them and then you or your father can become the president. How’s that?”

“No Hunter Raven, no. We are not going to go to war.” Mok Jae-Hwa refused.

“Are you sure, I have the army and the power? I alone could single-handedly do it.” Raith pressed further looking at Mok Jae-Hwa whose eyes had lost focus, he was seriously considering it. It was a tempting offer.

“N…No, no. We are not doing that. We are not going to war. We should look for another solution.”

Raith looked at him with a broad smile, a smile that sat beautifully on his face, changing Raith’s aura for a moment.

“My lord…” Someone approached him from behind, speaking slowly and bowing his head.

Raith turned to see. It was a red-haired guy with dark skin, bright red eyes, and shark teeth. He was looking at Raith too enthusiastically.

“Sorry, who… are you?” Raith asked squinting his eyes.

Raith’s question stabbed right into the heart of the guy.

“My lord. You remember me not? It is I, your great servant Balam.”

“Ahhh!! The guy I fought in Therut, demon king Balam!” Raith exclaimed as he came to sudden remembrance.

‘Demon King?’ The word left Mok Jae-Hwa looking in confusion. He has known this guy since they came to South Korea, in fact, he was one of the most resourceful guys that helped out a lot but no one ever mentioned anything about demon king.

“My lord please do not address me as such, I am ashamed of that identity.” Balam refuted with sheepish laughter.

“Wait what do you mean?” Mok Jae-Hwa inquired with the ‘I want to know’ kind of eyes.

“Oh, Balam here is a demon that was summoned to Therut and I happen to defeat and he pledged allegiance to me,” Raith explained.

It was still hard for Mok Jae-Hwa to comprehend what was happening but given the recent happenings due to the stories he had heard from the people. He guessed this was rather not far-fetched.

But still, for a demon to pledge allegiance to Raith. It was a big deal for Mok Jae-Hwa, not just Mok Jae-Hwa but any other human who would have heard of this feat. Demons were a part of folklore, myths, legends, and superstitions that had existed even before humans started getting powers and becoming hunters.

To say an entity like that serves Raith.

‘Just how amazing will this guy continue to be?’ Mok Jae-Hwa wondered.

BOOOOOMM!!

A loud explosion resounded very close to where they were.