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Han Yoojin sat up in his bed, drenched in sweat. The shadows of the night seemed to cling to his skin, the echoes of the cursed dungeon still ringing in his ears. It had been a month since he had returned to the past, a chance to rewrite the horrors of the future, but the nightmares hadn't left him. Each night, he was trapped again, reliving the moments that had nearly broken him.
He ran a hand through his hair, taking deep breaths to calm his racing heart. The clock read 3:27 AM. He had slept for barely two hours. With a groan, he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, his body protesting with a familiar ache.
The first few days after his return had been blissful, a second chance to save his brother and his friends. But as the days went by, a creeping malaise had started to settle in. It was subtle at first—a headache here, a bout of dizziness there—but it had grown worse. Now, every day brought a new symptom. Pain flared in his chest, his limbs felt heavy, and a constant fatigue plagued him.
Yoojin stumbled to the bathroom, flicking on the light. He stared at his reflection, noting the dark circles under his eyes and the pallor of his skin. He splashed cold water on his face, hoping to wake himself up. But as he straightened, a sharp pain shot through his chest, and he doubled over, gasping for breath.
"This can't be happening," he whispered, clutching the sink. The realization had hit him a few days ago—these symptoms were the same as the internal injuries he had sustained in the cursed dungeon. Injuries that should have been left behind when he returned to the past.
He had tried to ignore it, hoping it was just residual trauma, but it was clear now. The curse had followed him back, latching onto his very being. He needed treatment, but how could he seek help without alerting anyone to his condition? If his brother, Han Yoohyun, or any of his friends found out, they would tell worry, and their concern would hinder his plans to change the future.
Sneaking out was not an option. Yoohyun's senses were too sharp, and he always had someone tailing him. Yoojin had to wait for the perfect moment, when Yoohyun was occupied with guild business and his usual guards were elsewhere.
Finally, an opportunity presented itself. Yoohyun had a critical meeting with the guild leaders, one that would last several hours. Yoojin seized the moment, slipping out of the apartment and moving quickly through the city streets.
He headed for the clinic of Doctor Lee, a healer known for his discretion and skill. Yoojin had heard about him through whispers among hunters—Doctor Lee was a retired healer who had once served on the front lines, treating the most grievous of injuries. He had a reputation for being able to handle delicate situations without raising alarms.
The clinic was tucked away in a quiet corner of the city, and Yoojin knocked softly on the door. After a few tense moments, it opened to reveal a middle-aged man with greying hair and kind eyes.
"Han Yoojin? It's quite late. What brings you here?" Doctor Lee asked, ushering him inside.
"I need your help, Doctor. And I need your discretion," Yoojin replied, his voice strained. He explained his symptoms, leaving out the details of his regression and the dungeon. The doctor listened carefully, his expression growing more serious by the minute.
"These symptoms... they sound like a curse, not just physical injuries. Have you encountered any cursed items or places recently?" Doctor Lee asked, his brow furrowed.
Yoojin hesitated before nodding. "Yes, but I can't go into details. Can you help me?"
Doctor Lee sighed, rubbing his temples. "Curses are tricky. I can try to alleviate the symptoms, but fully removing a curse requires specialized knowledge. You'll need someone with expertise in curse-breaking."
Yoojin's heart sank. He had hoped for a quick solution, but it seemed his struggle was far from over. "Do what you can, please. I'll find a curse-breaker."
The doctor worked quickly, using his healing abilities to ease some of the pain and fatigue. Yoojin felt a bit better, but he knew it was only temporary. As he left the clinic, the weight of his situation pressed down on him. He had to keep moving forward, despite the pain, despite the fear.
For the next few weeks, Yoojin balanced his efforts to change the future with his search for a curse-breaker. Each day was a battle, his body growing weaker even as he fought to stay strong. He avoided his brother and friends as much as possible, not wanting them to see his suffering. But Yoohyun was perceptive, and it wasn’t long before he noticed something was wrong.
One morning, as they were having breakfast, Yoojin's hand trembled as he tried to lift his spoon. It slipped from his grasp, clattering onto the table. Yoohyun's eyes immediately zeroed in on his brother.
"Hyung, are you okay?" Yoohyun asked, his voice laced with concern.
"Yeah, just a bit tired," Yoojin replied, forcing a smile.
But the signs continued. Yoojin would stumble while walking, his steps unsteady. He would wince and clutch his chest when he thought no one was looking. Yoohyun's worry grew each day, but he decided to wait, hoping his hyung would recover on his own. He tried to help out, taking on more tasks and giving Yoojin more time to rest, but Yoojin's condition only worsened.
After several days of watching his brother struggle, Yoohyun could no longer stand by. One evening, he confronted Yoojin in his room.
"Hyung, what's going on? You've been acting strange, and you look like you're in pain. Please, tell me."
Yoojin hesitated, but he couldn't hide the truth any longer. "Yoohyun, I've been cursed. It's from a dungeon I encountered... before. I've been trying to find a way to break it without worrying you."
Yoohyun's expression darkened with concern. "Why didn't you tell me? We could have found help together."
"I didn't want to burden you. You're already dealing with so much," Yoojin replied, his voice trembling. "But I need your help now. We need to find a curse-breaker."
Yoohyun nodded, determination in his eyes. "We'll get through this together, Hyung. We'll find the best curse-breaker out there."
With Yoohyun's support, Yoojin felt a renewed sense of hope. They worked together, contacting various experts and following leads. It wasn't long before they found Seo Jina, a renowned curse-breaker with a reputation for taking on the most challenging cases.
The meeting was arranged in secret, late at night in a secluded location to avoid drawing attention. Jina examined Yoojin's condition and confirmed the severity of the curse.
"This is a powerful curse, born of deep suffering. It won't be easy to remove, but I can do it," she said, her voice firm. "However, it will take time and great effort. Are you prepared for that?"
Yoojin nodded. "I'll do whatever it takes."
The ritual began, a complex series of incantations and rituals that left Yoojin feeling drained but hopeful. Jina worked tirelessly, her power clashing with the curse that had haunted him for so long. The pain was excruciating, but Yoojin bit back his cries, determined to see it through.
Hours later, Jina stepped back, sweat pouring down her face. "It's done. The curse is broken, but you'll need time to heal fully. Rest and take care of yourself."
Yoojin collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down his face. The weight of the curse had lifted, and for the first time in weeks, he felt a glimmer of hope. He thanked Jina profusely, promising to repay her kindness.
As they made their way back home, with Yoohyun by his side, Yoojin felt a renewed sense of purpose. The battle was far from over, but he had taken the first step towards healing. He would continue to fight, for his brother, for his friends, and for the future he was determined to change.
Once they reached home, Yoohyun turned to him with a serious expression. "Hyung, I need to know everything. What happened in that dungeon? How did you get cursed?"
Yoojin, barely able to stay upright, placed a hand on Yoohyun's shoulder. "I'll tell you everything, Yoohyun. But not now. I need to rest."
Yoohyun nodded reluctantly, concern etched in his features. "Okay, Hyung. I'll wait. Just promise me you'll be okay."
"I promise," Yoojin said, his voice barely above a whisper.
But as soon as he entered his room, the strain and trauma finally caught up with him. His legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the floor, unconscious. Yoohyun, who had been following closely behind, caught him before he hit the ground.
"Hyung!" Yoohyun's voice was frantic as he lifted Yoojin onto the bed. He could see the toll the curse had taken on his brother's body.
The medical team in the guild was called immediately, arriving within minutes. The doctor examined Yoojin, his expression grave. "The curse may be broken, but his body has been under immense strain. He needs time to heal, and right now, his body is forcing him to rest."
"How long will he be like this?" Yoohyun asked, his voice shaking with worry.
"It's hard to say. It could be days, weeks, maybe even longer. But he will recover," the medical staff assured him.
Yoohyun sat by his brother's side, holding his hand. "Rest well, Hyung. I'll be here when you wake up."
Yoojin's coma lasted for several weeks, during which time Yoohyun and their friends took turns watching over him. They ensured he received the best care, never leaving him alone. And when Yoojin finally awoke, weak but alive, he saw the faces of his loved ones surrounding him.
"Welcome back, Hyung," Yoohyun said, tears of relief in his eyes.
Yoojin smiled weakly. "I'm back. And I promise, I'll tell you everything."