A creature with six legs.
A magical being, the size of a bull, with jagged, blade-like horns protruding from its head.
And the same mysterious beast that had shown him visions inside the Gate.
That's right.
There was no doubt about it.
The child standing before him was Fantaura.
Yet, something felt off.
"Why am I so certain this kid is that monster?"
The thought suddenly struck Siwoo.
And then—
A wave of heat surged through his body, as if his entire being was responding.
Blood.
That faint sensation from when the monster's transparent blood had drenched him.
"Yeah. This kid is definitely Fantaura."
His body's reaction made everything clear.
But how?
How had it taken on human form?
And why a child's form, of all things?
Siwoo eyed the boy warily.
"How did this happen? And how did you find me?"
Even as he asked, he braced himself for an attack—just in case.
But as if expecting his suspicion, the child simply nodded and replied,
"Don't worry. I have no intention of attacking you."
"You expect me to believe that? You tried to kill me the first time we met."
"T-That was a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding? You went straight for my throat with those sharp teeth of yours."
"Sigh… Look, I know it's hard to explain, but I never intended to kill you."
Siwoo locked eyes with the boy.
Clear. Unwavering.
There was confidence in the way he spoke.
And more than that—
"I can feel it. His emotions."
A strange, invisible connection tethered them together.
Maybe that's why...
"I can sense the truth in his words."
Just as he began to wrap his head around it, the boy spoke again.
"You feel it too, don't you? That connection between us?"
Siwoo hesitated, still wary. But there was no point in lying.
"…Yeah. It's a weird feeling."
"Exactly. I'll explain, but not here."
"Why not?"
"Can't you tell? There are quite a few people interested in our conversation right now."
"Huh. Not bad."
The boy was perceptive—he was referring to the spies keeping an eye on Siwoo's house.
Kang Myungjun's informants.
Park Samjung's hidden watchers, sent to protect Lee Jinho.
This kid… he was sharper than he looked.
Siwoo narrowed his eyes. "Fine. Let's talk inside. But if you try anything—"
"Are you part goblin or something? Why are you so suspicious?"
"…What?"
"Never mind. I swear on my honor—I won't try anything against you."
"Alright."
Siwoo wasn't about to trust him completely.
But that connection between them? That was real.
And because of it, he was starting to believe—at least a little—that the boy meant no harm.
"Yeah. There's no malice in him."
With a click, he unlocked the door and stepped inside.
"This way."
He led the boy upstairs, setting a mug on the table.
Sweet steam curled into the air.
The boy's eyes gleamed with curiosity. "What's this?"
"Hot cocoa. Perfect for a kid like you."
"Ki-Kid?! I'm not a kid!"
"Well, you sure look like one."
"This is Polymorph magic!"
"Oh, you mean that spell that changes appearances?"
"Not bad… for a human."
Of course, Siwoo knew about it. He never slacked on his Hunter studies.
But what surprised him was—
"Wait. You used magic? On Earth?"
Magic was nearly nonexistent on Earth, yet this boy had cast a spell?
"It took a while to gather enough mana, but I made it work."
Siwoo narrowed his eyes.
The boy huffed. "What? Don't look at me like that when you don't even know my species."
Siwoo thought back to the vision he'd seen in the Gate—of Fantaura's people.
They were powerful beings. Magic was as natural to them as breathing.
Nodding, he changed the subject. "Fair enough. But how come you speak Korean so well?"
"Our species is naturally adept at languages. Your human tongues are simple, based on basic logic."
Basic logic?
What did he think they spoke, some kind of divine language?
Siwoo let it go. "Right. Got it."
For a moment, silence settled.
The boy kept glancing at the mug of cocoa.
Siwoo smirked. "It's not poisoned. Go ahead. But be careful—it's hot."
"I-I wasn't suspicious or anything! I can sense your sincerity because of our bond."
"You trust that feeling so easily?"
"You wouldn't understand. For my species, the first one we share blood with is… important."
"…And?"
"…And I don't like that a human was the one who injured me!"
The boy clenched his fists, trembling in frustration.
"So he's still holding a grudge for what happened that day."
Eleven days ago, the monster had appeared in the middle of Seoul.
That monster… was this kid.
And to survive, Siwoo had fought back—stabbing the boy in the eye and throat with his fountain pen.
The same moment he awakened as a Hunter.
"You're a pretty honest kid, huh?"
"I told you, I'm NOT a kid!"
"Oh yeah? Then what's your name?"
The boy straightened, his voice firm.
"I am Mia'injuun Oarian Urioa Qursia."
"…Come again?"
"I just told you my name!"
"You're kidding, right?"
"Agh!"
Siwoo chuckled. No wonder he needed a nickname.
"Alright, let's make this easier. Your name starts with 'Mia'injuun,' and you look Korean, so… how about Minjun?"
"Minjun?"
"Yeah. From now on, you're Minjun."
The boy tilted his head, considering it.
He didn't seem to hate it.
"Minjun. Not bad, I guess."
"There you go."
Minjun sipped his cocoa, his expression brightening. "This is… delicious."
Siwoo smiled. "Want another cup?"
Minjun hesitated, then tried to play it cool. "…Sure. If you insist."
Heh. He likes it.
Siwoo stood, picking up the empty mug—
Then froze.
The front door creaked open.
This late at night?
Siwoo turned, eyes narrowing.
Someone was here.