Chapter 56

For the first time, Yoo Jinho gapes at Jinwoo's shadow army as the black soldiers slice through magic beasts and gather essence stones with machine-like precision, turning the dungeon into a scene of methodical slaughter. Far off in a lantern-lit dungeon, a shaking American Hunter is backed against the wall by a ragged, hollow-eyed man who edges closer and rasps, "I want to go home." With their guild raid requirements met, Jinwoo and Jinho toast over barbecue and beer, the cozy mood a sharp departure from the lethal fights just hours behind them.

Loose from drink, Jinho admits he and his older brother were never close, that the family always cast him as the black sheep, and blurts out a wish for Jinwoo to be his sibling instead. Jinwoo laughs softly and tells him that from this day he will count Jinho as his younger brother. Jinwoo also draws out the Demon Castle Key, his next target, aware it will pull him away for some time. A broadcast then catches their eyes: Baek Yoonho declaring the Hunters' Association investigation finished. Worn out at his White Tiger office, Yoonho hears troubling news brought back from Japan by Min Byeong-Gu. Korea has been quietly approached by Japan's Hunters' Association with an urgent plea, because the ant-type creatures dwelling on Jeju are mutating and sprouting wings. A winged ant's corpse has already drifted onto a Japanese beach, stoking fears that others may have crossed the sea and that the once-contained Jeju disaster could break loose again.

Jinho watches the shadow army efficiently clear a dungeon and collect essence stones. A disturbed man corners an American Hunter in a faraway dungeon, repeating that he wants to go home. Jinwoo and Jinho finish their guild raid requirements and bond as brothers over barbecue. Jinwoo reveals the Demon Castle Key as his next destination. Baek Yoonho learns that Jeju Island's ants are growing wings, with a winged corpse found in Japan.

This entry maps to anime Episode 15 and carries the story from the Red Gate Arc into the Demon Castle Arc. Both the cornered American Hunter and the winged-ant reveal seed later arcs, while the brotherly pact between Jinwoo and Jinho strengthens their bond heading into the Demon Castle.