The temporal barrier in the Sahara Desert split open after eight full months of intensive training. Eight months of internal time, while the outside world had only moved a few moments. The scene inside the barrier was completely different from what it had been upon entry. Deep craters stretching for thousands of meters, lakes of glass formed from molten sand, and new mountains born from volcanic lava that had erupted from the earth's depths.
Anas stood in the middle of this destruction, looking at the sky where Ji-won was flying like a shooting star. He let her fly for a while, then she landed beside him quietly, as if she wasn't touching the ground.
Anas: (Smiling) "Finally... you've mastered flight."
Ji-won: (Landing gracefully, then stumbling slightly) "Finally! After seven and a half months of failed attempts! Remember when I crashed into those three mountains in the second month?"
Anas: (Laughing) "I remember. Nothing was left of them after that."
Ji-won: (Hitting him on the shoulder) "And you! You were laughing at me instead of helping!"
Anas: "I was helping. I was laughing and encouraging at the same time."
Ji-won: (Putting her hands on her hips) "And the fourth month? When you tried to teach me 'Cosmic Flicker' and threw me into the Atlantic Ocean?"
Anas: (Raising an eyebrow) "You said you wanted to test the maximum range."
Ji-won: (Screaming) "I didn't mean half the planet! It took me three hours to come back!"
Anas: "But you came back. And that was the turning point."
Ji-won: (Sighing) "Well... maybe."
Silence reigned for a moment, then they looked at each other. A wide smile spread across both their faces.
Ji-won: (Jumping to hug him) "Anas! I can fly! I can teleport instantly! I can do everything!"
Anas: (Hugging her) "You're now the strongest being in the world after me."
Ji-won: (Laughing) "Only after you? That's unfair!"
Anas: "You'll settle for that."
Ji-won looked at her hands, where the golden-red energy glowed faintly.
Ji-won: (Seriously) "But... I feel something different. The new skills aren't as hard as they used to be."
Anas: "Because you've mastered them. The skills we learned in the last few months have become part of you."
Ji-won: "Tell me about them again. What did you add for me?"
Anas: (Raising his hand, a blue screen appears)
```
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ [SYSTEM ALERT: Displaying New Skills - Park Ji-won] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ [New Skills - EX RANK (Destructive Offensive)] │ ║
║ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ ║
║ │ │ ║
║ │ ■ [EX] Absolute Annihilation Fist │ ║
║ │ ├─ Type: Offensive / Total Destruction │ ║
║ │ ├─ Description: One punch that pulverizes anything │ ║
║ │ │ down to the atomic level │ ║
║ │ ├─ Effect: Creates a void in the target location │ ║
║ │ ├─ Range: 5 km │ ║
║ │ └─ Mana Cost: 40,000,000 │ ║
║ │ │ ║
║ │ ■ [EX] Roar of the End │ ║
║ │ ├─ Type: Offensive / Sonic / Destructive │ ║
║ │ ├─ Description: A destructive roar that shakes │ ║
║ │ │ continents │ ║
║ │ ├─ Effect: Turns rocks to dust, splits the earth │ ║
║ │ ├─ Range: 100 km │ ║
║ │ └─ Mana Cost: 50,000,000 │ ║
║ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ ║
║ │ [New Skills - SSS RANK (Mobility)] │ ║
║ ├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤ ║
║ │ │ ║
║ │ ■ [SSS] Phoenix Wings │ ║
║ │ ├─ Type: Flight / Soaring │ ║
║ │ ├─ Description: Fiery wings allowing flight at │ ║
║ │ │ incredible speeds │ ║
║ │ ├─ Max Speed: Mach 10 │ ║
║ │ └─ Mana Cost: 1,000,000/hour │ ║
║ │ │ ║
║ │ ■ [SSS] Lightning Flicker │ ║
║ │ ├─ Type: Instant Teleportation │ ║
║ │ ├─ Description: Instant teleportation over medium │ ║
║ │ │ distances like lightning │ ║
║ │ ├─ Range: 10 km │ ║
║ │ └─ Mana Cost: 500,000/use │ ║
║ │ │ ║
║ │ ■ [SSS] Meteor Dash │ ║
║ │ ├─ Type: Super Speed │ ║
║ │ ├─ Description: A dash at tremendous speed leaving │ ║
║ │ │ a trail of fire │ ║
║ │ ├─ Max Speed: Mach 50 │ ║
║ │ └─ Mana Cost: 2,000,000/minute │ ║
║ │ │ ║
║ │ ■ [SSS] Infinite Presence │ ║
║ │ ├─ Type: Perception / Existence │ ║
║ │ ├─ Description: Can be in two places at once │ ║
║ │ ├─ Max Duration: 10 minutes │ ║
║ │ └─ Mana Cost: 3,000,000/use │ ║
║ └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ ║
║ ║
║ [Total New Skills: 6] ║
║ [EX: 2 | SSS: 4] ║
║ [Total Ji-won's Skills Now: 28] ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
```
Ji-won: (Reading in amazement) "Absolute Annihilation Fist? Roar of the End? Phoenix Wings? Anas... I can do all this?"
Anas: "Not only can you. You've done it during training."
Ji-won: (Jumping with joy) "I can't believe it! I really have become like a goddess!"
Anas: (Laughing) "Almost."
Ji-won: (Suddenly stopping) "By the way... how much time has passed in the outside world?"
Anas: "Only eight hours. Don't worry, Nayun is still at kindergarten."
Ji-won: (Her eyes tearing up) "Nayun... I missed her so much. Eight months here, but only eight hours there... I feel nostalgic."
Anas: (Putting his hand on her shoulder) "We'll see her in minutes. Let's go."
They headed towards the luxury car that was still standing where they left it, surrounded by the dust of time but perfectly intact thanks to the protective barrier. They got in, and Anas started the engine.
Anas: (Smiling) "Get ready."
FWOOOOOSH!
The car disappeared in a flash, leaving behind a vortex of sand. When it reappeared, it was in another desert, but this time the scene was different. Deep craters, glass lakes, new mountains, and clouds of dust still hanging in the air.
Ji-won: (Looking out the window) "Look... we completely destroyed the place."
Anas: "That's what happens when beings with our power train for eight months."
The car moved at tremendous speed across the desert, leaving behind a trail of destruction that no ordinary human could imagine.
---
On the streets of Seoul, traffic was normal as every day. People on their way to work, students to their schools, life going on as usual. Suddenly, a luxurious black car appeared out of nowhere in the middle of the highway.
Taxi Driver: (Almost crashing into it) "Aaaah! Where did this car come from?!"
Another Driver: (Shouting) "Did you see that? It appeared suddenly!"
But the car moved quickly before anyone could notice it further.
Inside the car, Ji-won was staring out the window in amazement.
Ji-won: "How I missed this city. Even traffic looks beautiful now."
Anas: (Smiling) "I didn't know you liked traffic."
Ji-won: "After eight months in a desolate desert, even traffic becomes beautiful."
Silence reigned for a moment, then Anas turned to his wife seriously.
Anas: "Ji-won... I have a plan."
Ji-won: (Looking at him) "What is it?"
Anas: "Today, we're going to become official hunters."
Ji-won: (Her eyes widening) "What?!"
Anas: "Today is the rank evaluation test appointment. I'm going, and you're coming with me."
Ji-won: "But... I'm not registered! I've never taken the test before!"
Anas: "It doesn't matter. You'll take it today."
Ji-won: "And what will my rank be?"
Anas: (Smiling) "You'll see for yourself. But approximately... SS+."
Ji-won: (Pausing for a moment) "And you?"
Anas: "I'll... take SSS rank."
Ji-won: (Screaming) "What?! You'll take SSS and I'll take SS+?! That's unfair!"
Anas: (Laughing) "Why is it unfair?"
Ji-won: "Because I deserve to be SSS too! I'm now stronger than any hunter in the world!"
Anas: "That's true. But think for a moment... if an ordinary couple suddenly appeared and became SSS rank, what would happen?"
Ji-won: (Thinking) "They'd become the talk of the world... the press... investigations..."
Anas: "Exactly. We'd attract unwanted attention. I don't want that. I want to move in the shadows, I want to play as I please without anyone watching me."
Ji-won: (Sighing) "Then why don't we completely hide our power and take low ranks?"
Anas: "Because low ranks don't give us the authority we need. SS+ rank gives you respect without putting you in the spotlight. And SSS rank... is what I need for my goals."
Ji-won: (Looking at him challengingly) "And what are your goals?"
Anas: (Smiling mysteriously) "You'll know soon."
Ji-won: (Fidgeting with her hair) "Fine... I'll accept. But on one condition."
Anas: "What is it?"
Ji-won: "When we get home, you'll bring me my favorite food for a whole week."
Anas: (Laughing) "Deal."
Ji-won: (Looking out the window) "But... how will I appear with only SS+ power? My real power is immense."
Anas: "You'll control it. You'll only use a small part of your power. Think of it as setting a maximum limit. No matter what happens, don't exceed 50 billion in any stat."
Ji-won: (Nervously) "I know! I'm not stupid! I trained with you for eight months, remember?"
Anas: (Raising his hands) "Okay, okay. I'm just making sure."
Ji-won: (Muttering) "Men..."
---
The car arrived at the kindergarten in Jongno District. The sun was still high, and children were playing in the outdoor playground. Among them was Nayun, running with her friends in her beautiful red dress. When the luxurious car stopped in front of the gate, all eyes turned to it.
Anas got out of the car first in his elegant suit, then Ji-won got out...
Silence fell.
Ji-won was wearing a simple elegant black dress, but what amazed everyone wasn't the dress. It was her bright red hair glowing like fire, her sparkling golden-red eyes, her fresh skin with golden undertones. She was like a phoenix descending from the sky.
One of the Teachers: (Muttering) "Who... who is that?"
A Mother: (Pulling her child's hand) "Oh my... she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
A Child: (Pointing his finger) "Mom! Look! Her hair is red like fire!"
Another Girl: "She's like the princesses in stories!"
As for Nayun, she suddenly stopped playing and looked at the car. She saw Anas first and smiled. Then she saw Ji-won. Her smile stopped. She stared at the strange woman's face with red hair and golden eyes. She stepped back.
Nayun: (In a frightened voice) "D... Dad? Who is this?"
Anas approached her and crouched down to her eye level.
Anas: "Nayun... this is your mother."
Nayun: (Shaking her head vigorously) "No! Mom has black hair! Mom has brown eyes! This... this is a beautiful lady but she's not my mom!"
Ji-won slowly approached, tears streaming from her golden eyes.
Ji-won: (In a choked voice) "Nayun... my love... I'm your mother. I changed a little, like when you grew up. Like when you became more beautiful every day."
Nayun: (Looking at her) "But... your hair... and your eyes..."
Ji-won: "I became like the phoenix. Like the bird that is born from fire. Don't you remember? You used to say the phoenix is the most beautiful bird in the world."
Nayun: (Remembering) "You used to tell me phoenix stories every night..."
Ji-won: (Crying) "Yes. And you used to say you wanted to see it someday. And now... I've become like it."
Nayun: (Approaching cautiously, touching Ji-won's hair) "Your hair... so soft... and really red like fire!"
Ji-won: (Laughing through tears) "Do you like it?"
Nayun: (Jumping into her arms) "Mom! It's really you! You're the most beautiful mom in the world!"
Ji-won: (Hugging her tightly) "I missed you so much, Nayun."
Nayun: (Crying with joy) "I missed you too! But... why did you change? And how?"
Ji-won: "A long story. But the important thing is we're together now, and we'll never be apart."
Nayun: (Looking at Anas then Ji-won) "You... you two are so beautiful! I'll be the most beautiful child in the world!"
Anas: (Laughing) "You already are."
They all entered the kindergarten to get permission for Nayun to leave early. The teachers, mothers, and children were looking at them with amazement and admiration.
The Principal: (Stammering) "Of... of course. You can take her. No problem at all."
The small family left the kindergarten amidst looks of admiration and astonishment from everyone.
---
They then headed to the Seoul branch building of the Global Awakening and Hunters Association. The same towering glass building, the same spacious hall. But this time, everything was different.
When the family of three entered, the entire hall stopped moving. Anas in his elegant suit and white hair, Ji-won in her black dress and glowing red hair, and little Nayun in her red dress looking like their little princess.
One Hunter: (Whispering to his friend) "Who are they?"
Another Hunter: "I don't know... but they look... different."
An Employee: (Dropping his file) "Oh my..."
A man in his forties approached them, wearing a formal suit, carrying a professional smile with clear respect.
The Man: "Hello. I'm Park Jeung-soo, deputy director of the Seoul branch. How can I help you?"
Anas: (Calmly) "I'm Anas Sharif Yazeed. This is my wife Park Ji-won, and my daughter Nayun. We're here for the rank evaluation test."
Park Jeung-soo: (His eyes widening slightly) "Ah! Mr. Anas! Director Kang Dae-ho has been waiting for you since morning. But... (looking at Ji-won) did you say your wife too?"
Anas: "Yes. I want her to take the test as well."
Park Jeung-soo: (Astonished) "But... she's never registered with the association. Is she awakened?"
Ji-won: (Confidently) "Yes. I'm awakened."
Park Jeung-soo: (Trying to hide his surprise) "Well... please, follow me."
He led them to the test room on the fifth floor. It was the same room Anas had destroyed last time, but it had been rebuilt with newer devices.
Park Jeung-soo: (Pointing to the device) "Mrs. Park, please. Place your hand on the glass panel."
Ji-won looked at Anas, who nodded to her. She placed her hand on the panel and closed her eyes.
The blue lights began to flash, and sounds started emitting.
[Measuring Stats...]
HP: Measuring...
MP: Measuring...
STR: Measuring...
AGI: Measuring...
Then suddenly, the lights turned to deep red. A sharp alarm sounded.
```
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ [SYSTEM ALERT: Measurement Error] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ [Error Details] ║
║ ║
║ • Unable to read HP value ║
║ • Unable to read MP value ║
║ • Unable to read STR value ║
║ • Unable to read AGI value ║
║ • Unable to read STA value ║
║ • Unable to read INT value ║
║ • Unable to read PER value ║
║ • Unable to read LUK value ║
║ ║
║ [Final Result] ║
║ Unmeasurable ║
║ [UNMEASURABLE] ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
```
Park Jeung-soo: (Stepping back) "What?! This... this is impossible!"
He looked at the screen, then at Ji-won, then at Anas.
Park Jeung-soo: "Again?! The same thing happened with you last time, and now with your wife?!"
Anas: (Calmly) "It seems your devices don't work well with our family."
Park Jeung-soo: (Immediately calling on the phone) "Director... yes... he's here... and his wife with him... she gave the same result... unmeasurable... yes... yes... I'll take them to you immediately."
He hung up and looked at them.
Park Jeung-soo: "The director is waiting for you at the training ground. Please, follow me."
---
He led them through long corridors, until they reached a huge iron door. He opened it, revealing a massive training ground, its area equivalent to several football fields, surrounded by high insulated walls.
In the middle of the ground, stood Director Kang Dae-ho, in his formal suit, his glasses, and his confident smile.
Director Kang: (Raising his hand in greeting) "Mr. Anas. Pleased to meet you again. And this... your wife?"
Anas: "Yes. Park Ji-won."
Director Kang: (Looking at Ji-won with admiration) "Pleased to meet you. My deputy told me you also gave an unmeasurable result."
Ji-won: "That's correct."
Director Kang: "This is interesting. A whole family of unmeasurable beings? That's very rare."
He looked around, then pointed to another entrance in the ground.
Director Kang: "Mr. Anas... as you know, the only way to measure your true power is by facing a high-rank hunter. I've brought you those who can do that."
The doors opened, and five people came out. They were wearing combat clothes and carrying various weapons. They stood in a row, looking at Anas with challenging eyes.
Director Kang: "These are the best S-rank hunters in Korea. Five of the strongest fighters. They will face you one by one, until we determine your true level."
Anas looked at them. He saw in their eyes confidence, arrogance, and readiness to fight. He smiled.
Anas: (To himself) "Finally... the fun will begin."
He stood in his place, looking at his five opponents, at his wife and daughter who were looking at him with confidence, and at the director who was waiting eagerly.
The scene was set for the first real test of the Absolute Manipulator in the hunter world.
And the fun was about to start.
```
╔══════════════════════════════════════╗
║ [SYSTEM ALERT: Beginning of Battle] ║
╠══════════════════════════════════════╣
║ [Location: Association Training Ground] ║
║ [Opponents: 5 S-rank Hunters] ║
║ [Attendees: Ji-won, Nayun, Director] ║
║ ║
║ [The fun... has just begun.] ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════╝
```