* * *
The ‘Gray Coat’ never revealed much about himself and operated under a veil of secrecy.
He walked his own path like a lone wolf, never interacting with anyone.
It wasn’t just that he refused to cooperate with any group—no one had even heard of him initiating a conversation.
So what kind of wind had blown his way to change his behavior?
Had he decided to work differently after taking such a long break?
Either way, it seemed like a positive change that ‘Gray Coat’ had let go of his rigid secrecy and started interacting with others.
After all, good things were meant to be shared, and this would only broaden the scope of what he could accomplish.
‘Ah, right. Should I write a letter?’
This might be a good opportunity for me too. I should practice writing, and once my handwriting looks decent enough, I’ll write a letter.
A fan letter for the Hunter known as ‘Gray Coat’—and a thank-you letter for Taehwan.
I had never thought of writing Taehwan a letter before.
He visited me every day, we talked so much, and he understood me so well that I never even needed to say things out loud—he just knew.
I had written letters to my family before, but only with Taehwan’s help.
I grabbed a notebook and a pencil.
“Teacher, could you buy me some stationery? Something with textured lines would be best.”
“A letter? Are you… writing to that friend who visits you all the time? I heard he wouldn’t be able to come for a few days.”
“Yes! I’ll write to Taehwan. And if I can, to my family too. Later, could you check if I wrote it well?”
“Of course, of course. Anytime.”
“Thank you!”
The caregiver immediately declared that she’d go buy it right away and left.
Excited, I pulled up my folding table.
I wondered what Taehwan would say when I gave him the letter.
Would he smile brightly again?
I had no idea what was coming next.
I was simply caught up in anticipation.
It had been a long time since I last held a pencil.
As expected, it wasn’t easy.
Even though I couldn’t see the result, I could tell my writing was a mess—crooked and clumsy.
My hands had sensation, but they refused to move the way I wanted them to.
It was frustrating.
Anxious thoughts crept in.
‘I need to finish this on time…’
It had been four days since Taehwan last came to the hospital.
And no, I wasn’t counting from the day he said, “I won’t be able to visit for a while.”
—Jehee. I bought snacks from your favorite bakery.
—You… You… Why are you here?! You said you wouldn’t be able to come!
—I had some time, so I dropped by. Just wanted to see your face for a bit. What were you up to?
—N-nothing! I wasn’t doing anything!
—…Something definitely happened. Spill it. Now.
—Nothing! I swear, nothing happened!
So much for “not being able to come.”
The very next day, at his usual time, Taehwan had burst into my hospital room.
It gave me chills.
Even remembering that moment now made me shudder.
I had planned a surprise, but I almost got caught on the first day.
If it weren’t for the caregiver’s help, my plan would have been completely ruined.
—I’ll finish my work as fast as I can and come back. Don’t cry because you miss me too much.
—If you wait patiently, I’ll bring something delicious, just the way you like it.
But that was the last time.
After that day, Taehwan really didn’t show up.
I figured he must be waiting until he finished his work.
But whenever it was around the time he usually visited, I couldn’t help but get nervous and keep my ears open.
Maybe I’d hear his footsteps.
Maybe the door would open. Maybe…
He had said it would take about a week. I knew I had to wait longer.
—Today marks the third day of the [Sanctuary of White Flames] raid. According to the strike team’s predictions, they’ll be facing the mid-boss soon. The mood inside seems rather optimistic. It’s probably because the Bureau’s trump card, ‘Gray Coat,’ is standing firm at their side.
—“The ‘Sun’ Guild may not be large, but it has always been reliable. Plus, thanks to the generous advice and cooperation of previous guilds who attempted the raid, there’s even more hope…”
At least, I wasn’t completely lonely.
News kept coming in about the Hunter ‘Gray Coat’’ who had joined the Sun Guild’s dungeon raid.
And Taehwan must have contacted my family in advance because they had been visiting me in turns.
In a way, it felt refreshing.
Usually, when Taehwan was here, my family would leave early.
But since he wasn’t coming, they stayed longer by my side.
“Jehee, take a break. Staying in the same position for too long isn’t good for you.”
“Oh, right! I’ll do that.”
As soon as the caregiver spoke, I put the pencil down and stretched.
I had been so tense, trying to write neatly, that my entire body was stiff.
Rolling my shoulders, I loosened up my arms.
The caregiver also massaged my legs, helping with circulation.
“You’ve improved a lot. Why not start writing the actual letter now?”
“Do you think I should? I was feeling a little impatient, thinking Taehwan might come back earlier than expected.”
“Yes! Your handwriting is super neat and pretty. He’ll be shocked—‘How did you even write this?!’”
She even mimicked Taehwan’s voice, making me laugh.
“Alright, I’ll start the real letter now.”
I had already thought about what to write while practicing my handwriting.
All I had to do was refine the sentences in my mind and put them together properly.
But my fingers were sore from gripping the pencil for too long.
I clenched and unclenched my hands.
I wasn’t sure if I could write immediately, but before I could decide, the caregiver seemed to read my mind.
“Jehee, how about getting some fresh air? The sky’s a bit cloudy, so it’d be good to go out and come back quickly.”
“Y-yes! Please!”
“Alright, I’ll go get your wheelchair.”
I had been longing to breathe in the outside air, so I answered enthusiastically.
Maybe a little too enthusiastically.
Embarrassed, I let out an awkward laugh.
As I waited for the caregiver to bring the wheelchair, I tidied up the table and put on my cardigan.
‘I’ll start with Taehwan’s letter first. He might get here earlier than planned. If he’s happy about receiving a letter, maybe he won’t tease me for writing a fan letter. Maybe he’ll even help me deliver it… Well, it’s just a matter of when he finds out, anyway… Hm?’
Lost in thought, I suddenly tuned in to my surroundings, wondering when the caregiver would return.
Something felt off.
The sound of footsteps.
The voices of doctors, nurses, and hospital staff exchanging words.
It was a subtle difference, but after spending over ten years in this hospital, I could tell.
This wasn’t the usual atmosphere.
It wasn’t normal—it felt urgent.
People were trying to suppress their unease, but I could sense their distress.
The air carried traces of anxiety and alarm.
I could hear the sound of wheels—hospital beds, carts—being moved more frequently than usual.
‘What’s going on?’
The radio wasn’t broadcasting any emergency announcements.
So… was something happening inside the hospital?
“Jehee, I brought your wheelchair.”
“Is something happening outside?”
“Huh? …No? Nothing particularly special. Why do you ask?”
Was it just my imagination?
But… even now, hurried footsteps echoed through the halls.
The air felt strangely heavy.
A chill of unease crept down my spine.
I decided to go out and check.
Just as the caregiver helped me into the wheelchair—
—Chizizizik!
“Ah! That scared me! What’s wrong with this thing?”
A sharp, grating noise scratched through the radio I had left on.
Startled, the caregiver rushed to turn it off.
But as if passing the baton, another ear-piercing sound rang out.
—WEEEEEEEEENG!
A deafening siren that painted my mind blood-red.
Then, a broadcast announcement followed.
—This is a Dungeon Creation Alert. Please gather essential survival items and proceed to the underground bunker as instructed by the staff. Caregivers or guardians, please assist patients in moving. If you can walk, use the stairs; elevators will be prioritized for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility…
—”Repeating the announcement. This is a Dungeon Creation Alert. All personnel, please…”
A Dungeon Creation Alert.
That meant this hospital might be absorbed into a newly formed dungeon.
Goosebumps spread across my entire body.
A monstrous cry, one I had heard inside a gate as a child, seemed to echo in my ears.
My whole body turned ice-cold, trembling uncontrollably.
“J-Jehee… D-Did they just say… a dungeon…?”
It was only when I heard the caregiver’s voice, even more terrified than mine, that I snapped back to reality.
* * *
