Reversing Life With Item Copy

Chapter 122: A Promise From Back Then

Just as Jecheon Seong and Siwelin stepped out of the store, a small, playful growl came from behind them.

“Rawr—!”

Bo-Mi greeted them with his usual energy, purring once before leaping into Jecheon Seong’s arms.

“Seems like your master’s gotten involved in something strange. Are you coming along too?” Jecheon Seong asked.

Bo-Mi nestled comfortably into his arms—that was all the confirmation Jecheon Seong needed. With the little creature content in his embrace, the three set off toward the academy.

A short while later, they arrived at the academy—now unrecognizable. Massive black roots coiled across the landscape where the school building once stood.

“Run a scan over this section!”

“What about here? Doesn’t it seem like something’s pulsing here?”

Workers from the Association, along with soldiers, bustled around the site, trying to make sense of the chaos. Barricades had been set up to keep onlookers away, and investigators combed through the remains, trying to piece together what had happened.

Despite their efforts, they hadn't made any headway. Even with a detailed search, there was no dungeon gate—only an impenetrable mass of roots. Heavy machinery was used to dig through, but the roots wouldn't budge.

“So, who’s trapped in there again?” asked the team leader.

“They are mostly students, but there’s a few teachers and security guards too,” a subordinate replied.

“They’ve got the snack bar inside, so thankfully they won’t starve right away…” said another subordinate, handing over a file to Team Leader Park.

The file contained the names of the people who were locked inside.

“Tsk.”

Leader Park clicked his tongue and frowned as he scanned the list, which consisted mostly of students' names. It had only been a month since the Giant Woodland disaster, and before they could finish cleaning up the aftermath, another catastrophe struck, involving even more innocent lives.

This time, the situation was far worse, with actual victims. Furthermore, they had no idea what was happening inside. If they had known students were among those trapped inside, they would’ve sent rescue teams from Hwaseong. Now, they were truly at a loss.

“Please, Hunter, save my grandson!” a desperate voice cried out.

"Don't worry! Please trust us and wait. We'll make sure to bring everyone back safely."

Parents who’d heard the news approached, holding onto staff members and soldiers for answers. Watching the commotion, Team Leader Park bit his lip. How was he going to rescue them? He didn’t even know the first thing to do in such an unprecedented situation.

"Excuse us.”

"Huh? What?"

At that moment, some people casually stepped over the barricade. It was an elderly man with graying hair, holding a small cat, followed by a young woman.

Without a second thought, they brushed past Team Leader Park and headed toward the academy entangled in roots. Their calm, almost nonchalant demeanor left Team Leader Park frozen in place for a moment.

"W-wait, hold on! This area is restricted to authorized personnel only!"

Finally snapping out of it, Team Leader Park hurried to block their path.

The old man blinked a couple of times, then spoke.

"We’re authorized."

Team Leader Park's eyes widened in confusion as he tried to think quickly.

They’re authorized? Who are they?

He didn’t recall ever seeing this elderly man among the Association’s officials. His mind raced, trying to place the man, but nothing came up.

After a moment, he asked cautiously, “Uh, which department are you from?”

"Department? I don’t know about that. But my son and granddaughter are trapped in there," the old man said, pointing toward the roots.

Hearing that, Team Leader Park realized that he was just another concerned parent. The young woman next to him was probably his daughter, or perhaps a relative.

Now feeling a bit more confident, Team Leader Park straightened up and blocked the old man’s way again. Instead of threatening the old man, he wanted to reassure him.

“Sir, I understand how you feel, but we’ll rescue your family. Please wait outside like everyone else,” Team Leader Park said.

“There’s probably a proper way to do things around here, and I’m not saying I don’t trust you, but…” the old man said with a shrug.

Then, with a slight flick of his wrist, the old man placed a hand on Team Leader Park’s shoulder.

Huh? W-what the heck?

Before Team Leader Park even realized what was happening, he found himself pushed to the side like nothing. His eyes widened in shock. How did this old man move a B-rank Hunter with a mana shield up so easily?!

“Sorry, we’re in a bit of a hurry,” the old man said apologetically.

Then, the woman behind him added, flashing a small card with a cute illustration on it that read, “Apologies!” in neat handwriting.

Team Leader Park had no time to process the bizarre turn of events. He quickly pulled out his phone and called the headquarters.

“Emergency! Two people, who are likely the relatives of the missing, are approaching the roots!”

— What? You let them through?

“I-I’m sorry, President! One of them appears to be a Hunter, at least A-rank or higher!”

— An A-rank Hunter?

Upon receiving the report, Son Chang-Il, the association president, quickly issued urgent orders to his subordinates. An individual, who appeared to be A-rank, had breached the barricades, so they had to act swiftly!

"If the Hunter refuses to cooperate, you have permission to subdue him! No, wait—this is no time for me to stay behind. I’m going too," Son Chang-Il said with determination.

He’d been overseeing the investigation at the nearby control tower. Son Chang-Il figured it might be necessary to step in himself. Although he’d retired from active duty, Son Chang-Il had once been a renowned A-rank Hunter in his prime.

When he arrived at the scene, what he saw was a tense situation. His employees and soldiers had formed a loose perimeter around two individuals who had clearly breached the area. As he approached the group, he felt a chill run down his spine. He recognized that young woman!

Wait a second… Isn’t she Kim Do-Joon’s cousin?

He’d heard that she worked at Kim Do-Joon’s store. In fact, he had even met her there once.

Didn’t Shin Yoo-Sung mention she was an exceptional Healer?

Shin Yoo-Sung had spoken highly of her, even touting her as his benefactor when they were dealing with the Stem. For Shin Yoo-Sung to sing her praises, she had to be extraordinary. If she was here, then the old man accompanying her was likely connected to Kim Do-Joon as well.

“Hold your positions!” Son Chang-Il shouted to his staff.

Anything involving Kim Do-Joon wasn’t to be handled lightly. Then, he approached the elderly man, intending to have a conversation before things escalated.

Meanwhile, Jecheon Seong was standing near the academy’s massive root barrier, seemingly oblivious to the mounting tension around him. He calmly ran his hand over the black roots, paying no heed to the soldiers and Association staff surrounding him—or even the approaching Son Chang-Il.

In spite of that, Son Chang-Il wasn’t offended. In fact, the old man’s calmness only amplified his presence. Was this confidence born from immense skill, or was it just his personality?

“Excuse me sir, are you by any chance an acquaintance of Hunter Kim Do-Joon?” Son Chang-Il asked as he approached cautiously.

As the two men got closer, the surrounding soldiers immediately tensed. They were ready to leap into action if the intruder made any move against the President.

Jecheon Seong simply muttered, “You should all step back. It’s dangerous.”

Then, with a fluid motion, he unsheathed the sword that hung at his waist.

“President, get back!”

“It’s dangerous!”

The staff shouted in alarm as they prepared to rush in. However, what they saw stopped them in their tracks. The old man swung his sword downward, presenting his skill: Skycleaver - One Blade One Strike.

With that single swing, it was as if the sky itself had been split open. For a moment, they all stood in stunned silence, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Even Son Chang-Il held his breath, his mind trapped in what felt like an illusion—one that had been all too real.

Amidst the awestruck group, Jecheon Seong muttered, “Not even a scratch.”

He examined the roots thoughtfully, muttering that the entrance was even tougher than his temple’s gates. A gleam of excitement flickered in his eyes due to a feeling he hadn’t experienced in a long, long time.

***

Meanwhile, Kim Do-Joon did his regular patrol around the vicinity of the auditorium. As he moved, he felt multiple eyes on him, probably those of the elves lurking around. They observed him closely without making any moves. They were probably still trying to figure out what to do about him.

Kim Do-Joon was also in no position to chase them away. The delicate balance between them continued. Nevertheless, things were certainly not in his favor. His group had limited food supplies, and there was no telling when help would arrive.

I need to think of something…

His mind raced with strategies as he wandered the perimeter. Suddenly, he spotted something unusual.

“Huh?”

There was a tiny, palm-sized fairy with a red, cone hat that seemed to be on fire.

“It’s you, Human!” the little creature shouted excitedly.

It was Sallyon, the fairy who had once guided him to Vulcanus’ domain.

“Sallyon?” Kim Do-Joon blinked in surprise.

What on earth is she doing here?

Before he could even ask, the little fairy started babbling away, eager to explain everything on her own.

"I sensed some strange fluctuations from this area, so I was told to check it out… and of course, it’s you! What have you gotten yourself into this time?" Sallyon grumbled, her small voice tinged with a mix of annoyance and curiosity.

Strange fluctuations?Could that be from the moment when the academy was suddenly captured?

Though Sallyon's words seemed accusatory, her expression was anything but angry. If anything, her face lit up when she first saw him, clearly happy to see him again.

"Perfect timing," Kim Do-Joon said with a grin.

"Perfect? What do you mean?" Sallyon asked, tilting her head in confusion.

Kim Do-Joon's smile grew wider as he reached out and grabbed Sallyon, holding her firmly in place.

“W-what are you doing?” Sallyon stammered, sensing the strength in Kim Do-Joon’s grip.

Despite the friendly smile on the man’s face, his grip made it clear that he didn’t intend to let her escape.

"I have a favor to ask," Kim Do-Joon said with a serious tone. "It involves Vulcanus."

***

Soon after, Kim Do-Joon returned to the auditorium, with Sallyon perched on his shoulder. He stood by the entrance, watching over the area.

A few students, who had been keeping an eye out for him, noticed the tiny figure on his shoulder and quickly approached.

"Oh my gosh!”

“What is that?"

"She looks so cute!"

Hearing their excited outbursts, Kim Do-Joon chuckled and answered with a wry smile, "She’s a Fire Spirit I met in the forest."

"A spirit?"

"Wow, she’s a spirit!

“I've never seen a spirit before!"

As the curious students closed in, Sallyon instinctively clung tighter to Kim Do-Joon's neck, clearly uncomfortable with all the attention. Then, she made eye contact with one of the children.

"That’s my daughter," Kim Do-Joon explained casually.

"Oh, that makes sense," Sallyon muttered, relaxing a little.

No wonder that little girl seems familiar.

Sallyon simply assumed it was because she was the daughter of someone she already felt close to. Unbeknownst to her, Kim Do-Joon had increased his daughter’s Spirit Affinity as well.

Kim Do-Joon gently patted Kim So-Eun’s head before stepping to the side. Then, he turned his attention back to Sallyon.

"It’s time to begin."

"Alright," Sallyon replied, raising her hand.

In an instant, flames flickered into existence in mid-air, the fiery aura almost identical to the intense energy Kim Do-Joon had mastered with his Heart of Flame.

"What’s going on?" Park Do-Yeol asked, stepping forward.

The commotion had drawn the attention of the people inside the auditorium. Soon, they all gathered near the entrance to see what was happening.

Meanwhile, the flames in the air continued to grow larger. They went from the size of a fist to that of a basketball, still expanding. Soon, the fiery mass rivaled the size of a house.

“Woah!”

"Hunter Kim Do-Joon!"

"Everyone, stay calm," Kim Do-Joon reassured them, albeit many had retreated in alarm.

The enormous ball of fire ascended into the air, beginning to take shape. Then, from within the flames, a booming voice echoed.

— Long time no see, Human.

From the fiery mass, the Dragon of Blazing Flame appeared, descending from the sky. The sight was so overwhelming that everyone fell silent, their gazes locked upward in awe. They couldn’t even think of running.

Meanwhile, Kim Do-Joon remained calm. His heightened senses picked up on the shifting presence of the elves that watched him from the shadows. Even they were clearly unsettled by the sudden appearance of the fire dragon.

With a composed smile, Kim Do-Joon spoke to the Flame Lord, Vulcanus, who had graced him with his presence once again.

"About that promise we made last time," Kim Do-Joon said calmly, "I’d like to call it in now."