After Ichirou left, Izuku was quickly surrounded by many investors who wanted to establish a relationship with the Dawn guild, especially Izuku. Even though he was overwhelmed by the number of people approaching him, Izuku was still able to handle it well. and after an hour of talking, Izuku was finally able to get away from them.

Once he was out of the crowd, Izuku went to lean against one side of the room. He sighed tiredly, before realizing the presence of someone approaching him.

He then turned toward the person who was approaching him, and he immediately recognized that person. The man was none other than Choi Jong-In, the guild master of the Hunter guild, the best guild in South Korea.

" It's been a long time since I saw guild master Choi "

Choi Jong-In approached Izuku with a glass of cold drink in his hand. He then offered the glass he brought to Izuku which he gladly accepted.

" Yeah, long time no see vice guild master Izuku, by the way, good job for handling that crowd well "

" Please don't mention that, I still need to learn a lot. "

" Yeah, that's true, especially your habit of wearing a business smile is still quite visible. "

" so you notice it "

" Well yes, since it's too obvious I can't help but notice it. "

" Is that so "

Izuku and Choi Jong-In chatted again, they talked a lot about what they had experienced after the S-rank gate raid that day. In the middle of the conversation, Izuku suddenly thought of Ichirou, and for some reason, he felt uneasy feeling as if something bad was going to happen.

For a moment the image of Ichirou lying covered in blood flashed in his head. Izuku quickly erased the image from his head thinking he was probably just imagining it. Izuku then checks on Ichirou's condition through the shadow soldiers he placed on him to ease his worries. But it didn't take long for Izuku's face to change in confusion.

For some reason, he couldn't connect with the shadow army he placed on him. Even after trying several times he still couldn't connect. His face quickly turned worried, Izuku was afraid that he would see that scene before his eyes again.

Noticing Izuku's unusual facial changes, Choi Jong-In then approached him and asked what happened. But instead of answering, Izuku just stayed there. His face had a shocked expression and his eyes were shaking violently as if he was seeing something extremely surprising.

Seeing Izuku like that, Choi Jong-In approached him again and tried to pat Izuku on the shoulder to wake him up. However, before his hand had time to touch him, he suddenly felt a wave of intense bloodlust radiating from Izuku. His eyes were already glowing a cold purple, emitting a killing intent that made the entire party room flinch.

But before Choi Jong-In could approach him again, Izuku had disappeared from his place, replaced by a shadow knight. And in the next moment, all the Hunters gathered in the room suddenly felt a huge mana wave coming from outside the building.

Realizing this, the Hunters rushed out of the room. And when they almost reached the exit, they all stopped simultaneously because they felt an incredible wave of bloodlust from outside the room.

At once they all realized the gravity of the situation outside the building and rushed out, but when they arrived, the sight in front of them made them all tremble.

Waves of dark mana filled with bloodlust swirled around one juvenile figure, while the figure in front of him stood with a shocked expression with one of his arms cut off.

They were initially confused by the sight, but soon after seeing the figures of Ichirou and Thomas who were also lying weakly behind Izuku, they finally realized the situation in front of them.

A few minutes before the Hunters arrived there, Izuku received a message from the shadow soldier he placed with Ichirou. Through his reflection, Izuku can see the figure of Ichirou whose chest was punched through by the figure of an old, blue-skinned man.

As soon as he saw this he felt shock, anger, and sadness all at the same time. Without caring about anything else, Izuku immediately switched places with his soldiers and instantly destroyed the black barrier before his eyes.

Izuku didn't care about anything, he just focused on the figure of the old man in front of him. His eyes were blinded by killing intent, he even forgot the figure of Ichirou who was covered in blood.

The bloodlust swirling around Izuku was so thick that it would make anyone choke, and it even affected the Frost Monarch. Even though he is currently in spirit form, the Frost Monarch can feel his hands shaking due to the Shadow Monarch pressure he feels from Izuku.

Knowing it would be a waste if he fought with the Shadow Monarch now, Frost Monarch decided to retreat, after all, he had already eliminated one of his targets. However, this was prevented by Izuku who immediately attacked him blindly.

Izuku, who was overcome by his anger, immediately attacked the Frost Monarch. He summoned a dagger in each hand and immediately attacked the Frost Monarch wildly. Even though Izuku attacked him with his anger consuming him, all the attacks that Izuku launched were enough to overwhelm the Frost Monarch with all his protective efforts being in vain amidst the wave of the Shadow Monarch's raging mana. Even his efforts to lock Izuku in an ice prison were also in vain.

Frost Monarch also repeatedly tried to block Izuku's attacks, but several attacks managed to injure him because of the speed of Izuku's attacks. Thanks to Izuku's continuous attacks, he managed to take one of the Frost Monarch's arms.

Realizing his disadvantage in this fight, the Frost Monarch distanced himself from him and tried to distract Izuku by pointing at Ichirou who was almost out of blood.

" Let's stop this fight, I have no problem continuing this fight, but if we leave it any longer the human will die. "

Hearing the Frost Monarch's words made Izuku tremble again, he was confused between his anger and his desire to save Ichirou. Noticing Izuku's reaction, a frightening grin formed on the Frost Monarch's face, an ice needle formed in his hand and he aimed it at Ichirou.

" Now choose, you will fight me, or save that human "

As soon as he finished his words, the needle in his hand shot towards Ichirou. Izuku, who saw this, also shot after the needle before it reached Ichirou. To increase his speed, Izuku activated the 'Dash' skill and quickly appeared in front of the needle-crossing path. He immediately deflected the needle, sending it flying into a nearby building.

But when Izuku looked back at the enemy, he could see an open gate nearby. Izuku immediately knew the enemy's intention to escape, he immediately took out all his daggers from his inventory and immediately attacked the Frost Monarch using 'Dagger Rush'. Thanks to that, one of his daggers managed to get stuck in the Frost Monarch's shoulder. This of course again sparked the Monarch's anger.

" Just remember, vessel of the Shadow Monarch, I am the Monarch of The Frost, I will step back now, and wait until your shadow opens again. Just think of the almost-dead human as an additional gift for your shadow army. "

After saying that, the gate that the Frost Monarch entered closed completely. Izuku who was chasing him could only stare blankly at the place where the gate disappeared. But before he had time to vent his anger, he was again distracted by the sound of coughing coming from behind him.

Realizing that Ichirou's condition was getting worse, Izuku immediately ran towards Ichirou who was lying weak with a hole in his chest and thick blood pooling beneath him. Izuku's hands trembled at the sight, he frantically tried to close the hole in Ichirou's chest while trying to hold back the tears that were welling up.

Izuku repeatedly called Ichirou's name begging him to hold on and not let him give up.

" Ichiou-san! Ichirou-san! Please hold on! Beru! "

Izuku also immediately called Beru, Beru quickly rose from Izuku's shadow to respond to his king's call.

" You call my king "

" Heal Him At All Cost! "

Izuku frantically orders Beru to heal Ichirou. However, thanks to the condition and magic energy in his body, Beru's healing did not affect Ichirou. With his head bowed, Beru apologized to his king.

" I'm sorry my king, my healing doesn't work on him "

By what Beru said, blood flowed again from the wound, making his breathing weaker and his face increasingly pale. Realizing this, Izuku frantically looked around, he then called the healers who were also there.

" HEALER! COME HERE HURRY! "

The healers who heard Izuku's order immediately rushed to Ichirou's place. Izuku, who realized that ordinary healing would not work, immediately took out the Holy Water of Life, the only hope for Ichirou's salvation.

But before Izuku gave it to Ichirou, Ichirou's hand immediately stopped him. In a weak voice, he spoke to Izuku.

" ...Please don't "

" Ichirou-san?! Please don't talk anymore, the healers will be here soon, so- "

" forget it, it's no use "

" PLEASE DON'T SAY THAT! "

Even though Izuku shouted angrily beside him, Ichirou smiled. With his face pale and voice low, Ichirou spoke again.

" I know my body best, there's nothing that can be done after receiving damage from an attack like that... "

Izuku could no longer hold back his tears when he saw Ichirou's figure who remained strong even in the face of death.

" Ichirou-san... "

" ... besides, I'm still lucky to have the chance to come into contact with the supreme beings. Their plans, and the rest of their fight with us... as well as the things we have to do- cough~ cough~ "

" ICHIROU-SAN! "

While maintaining his smile, Ichirou held Izuku's hand. Even though his strength was almost gone, he still tried to calm Izuku who was crying.

" I'm relieved that you're here... I'm, really happy that you were the one who was by my side until the end... "

" Please don't say that! "

" ...Izuku, listen to me. Gates and dungeons are not for them. They are just ways they use to protect us...

...one day, you will encounter a moment where you have to choose which side you stand on. And when that time comes,

please... please stay by humanity's side. Cough~ Cough~ "

" I-Ichirou-san! "

Tears continued to flow down Izuku's face as he saw Ichirou's figure struggling to maintain his weak consciousness.

" ...don't cry, a man shouldn't cry. "

Despite saying that, tears also flowed from Ichirou's cheeks. With his voice getting weaker, Ichirou spoke again.

" Izuku... I entrusted the guild and Kiyoko to you, please look after them after I leave, and convey my apologies... to Kiyoko, I'm sorry for not being able to go home "

" No! Please don't say that! You must do it and say it yourself, don't throw your responsibility on other people!

that's why... please... please... please stay alive "

Seeing Izuku who was desperate for his imminent death, Ichirou couldn't help but smile. He then raised his hand and patted Izuku's head.

" I'm... sorry Izuku, I don't have much time... so please grant my last wish so I can go. "

While continuing to cry, Izuku continued to look at Ichirou. And Izuku reluctantly nodded at Ichirou's last request and will. Seeing this, Ichirou smiled again.

" ...then, I have a final request...

...for the last time...

could you... could you call me...

father "

Ichirou knew that this request might be burdensome for Izuku considering his past. But even so, he hopes that at least Izuku can have one good memory of a father figure, and Ichirou hopes that figure is him.

Izuku, who heard Ichirou's unexpected request, raised his face and saw Ichirou's eyes which had almost lost their light. Realizing that Ichirou's time was running out, with a clumsy tongue, Izuku finally opened his mouth.

" f... father "

Hearing Izuku call him father even though it was a bit awkward, a relieved smile formed again on Ichirou's pale face.

" I'm grateful... I'm very grateful...

Thank you...

my son... "

When he said his last words, his vision had already slowly faded. Before his eyes there was only the figure of Izuku who was flooded with tears, crying over his death. Seeing his figure like that, Ichirou once again smiled in relief. He felt lucky to have someone who was by his side in his final moments.

And when the end of his life had arrived, his wife's face suddenly appeared in front of him. The sight of his wife, whom he loved so much, smiling warmly at him. Seeing her like that, tears streamed down his face.

All the pain he felt disappeared, replaced by regret and sadness because he had to leave the woman he loved and their unborn child. However, that feeling quickly disappeared because he knew he had left them in right hands.

' I'm sorry Kiyoko, I can't see our baby's face, but please take care of... our problematic adopted son '

Right after Ichirou said his last sentence, the light in his eyes finally disappeared and the hand that Izuku was holding finally fell. At the same time, a drop of water fell, followed by heavy rain which rained down on everyone gathered there.

Izuku, who witnessed Ichirou's final moments, finally cried loudly while hugging Ichirou's lifeless body. Even though the rain wiped away his tears, his wailing could not hide his sadness.

Izuku's anguished cries quickly spread throughout the place. Those gathered there that day witnessed the death of one of the best Hunters. Sadness quickly took over the place. They all looked down at the same time, mourning Ichirou's departure.

That night, one of the best hunters had to close his eyes forever, leaving those he loved with a smile on his face.

.