Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Out of Dungeon(Earth)

They finally got out of the dungeon and into the bright sunlight. Seojun covered his eyes as the sun hit him and took in the familiar city smell. "I'm... really back," he muttered, feeling a mix of relief and disbelief.

"Follow us, Master!" Hannah shouted. Min-Seok and Jin-Hyu joined her, leading the way. Seojun followed them out into the busy streets of Seoul. As he walked, Seojun saw a group of reporters crowding around someone.

And noticed that this Three people looked scared especially Min-seok as if they are running from someone. Curious, Seojun followed these three away from the crowd.

They ended up on a bridge over the Han River, leaning against the railing. They were breathing heavily, clearly exhausted.

Seojun looked around. The bridge was a well-known part of Seoul, with the river flowing beneath and tall buildings in the distance. The sun cast long shadows, and a light breeze came from the river, making the air feel fresh. The city buzzed with activity below, but up on the bridge, it was quiet and calm.

Seojun looked up at the clear blue sky, feeling the cold air on his face. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the sensation sink in. "We're really back, System," he muttered softly.

He waited, but there was no response.

Opening his eyes, Seojun felt a growing unease. "System, find my mom's location," he said again, but still, there was nothing. He called for the System several more times, but the silence only deepened his worry.

What's going on? he thought, looking around. He noticed he was near his old house. Without hesitation, he started running towards it.

As he moved through the streets, he felt something was wrong with his body. His strength was fading, and each step became harder. His breath grew heavy, and exhaustion hit him like a wave.

I almost forgot this feeling, he muttered to himself.

Suddenly, his legs gave out, and he fell to his knees on the hard pavement. People around him glanced his way but quickly looked away, continuing on their way as if nothing had happened.

Seojun struggled to stay conscious, the world around him blurring. He tried to push himself up, but his body wouldn't respond. What's happening to me? he thought,

Seojun's vision dimmed as he struggled to stay conscious. Just as he was about to collapse completely, a woman rushed over to him.

"Are you okay?" she asked, concern clear in her voice as she reached out to help him.

Suddenly, a faint static sound, like an old radio, buzzed in his head.

"System?" Seojun muttered, barely able to keep his eyes open.

Then, clear as day, he heard it. [I'm back, Host.]

"Wait, what?" Seojun whispered, confusion cutting through the haze of his fatigue.

Summoning what little strength he had left, Seojun pushed himself to his feet. The woman, startled by his sudden movement, stepped back.

"Hey! Let me take you to the hospital!" she called after him, her voice tinged with worry.

But Seojun didn't stop. He moved through the crowd, ignoring her shouts until she finally lost sight of him.

As he navigated the busy streets, his mind raced. The System had always communicated with him through text—he had never heard it speak before. But now, there was no mistaking it. The voice in his head was clear and systematic, leaving him more confused than ever.

What is going on? he wondered, the weight of the unknown pressing down on him as he continued through the city.

Seojun stumbled through the streets, his mind racing. The voice he had heard moments ago, clear and unfamiliar, echoed in his thoughts. He needed a place to gather himself, somewhere away from the busy city. Spotting a narrow, dimly lit alley, he made his way toward it.

The alley was quiet, far from the noise of Seoul's streets. Seojun leaned against the cold, rough wall, sliding down until he was sitting on the ground. Exhaustion weighed on him, making it hard to think clearly.

As he sat there, trying to catch his breath, a faint glow caught his attention. The holographic screen appeared above him, flickering as if it was struggling to stay on. The familiar blue of the System's interface greeted him, bringing a bit of relief. But the words on the screen only made him more worried at the same time it's speaking in his head.

[Adjusting to Environment... Synchronization in Progress...]

Seojun squinted at the screen, trying to understand. "What do you mean, 'synchronization'?" he muttered, hoping for an explanation. The screen flickered again, the words changing slightly.

[Synchronization Required for Optimal Functioning in Current Realm. Estimated Time: Unknown.]

A cold knot of anxiety formed in Seojun's chest. "System, explain this. What's going on?" he asked, his voice echoing in the empty alley.

For a moment, there was only silence. Then, the same voice he had heard before spoke directly into his mind, this time sounding urgent.

[Host, the sudden return to Earth has disrupted my usual functions. The environment here is very different from the Abyss Realm. I need time to fully adapt to this world's conditions.]

Seojun felt his heart sink. The System had always been his reliable guide, but now, it was struggling, leaving him vulnerable in an unfamiliar place.

"How long will this take?" Seojun asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

[I can't give a precise time, Host. The synchronization process is complex, and this world's conditions are unpredictable.]

As he sat there, lost in thought, the holographic screen continued to display various codes and progress bars, showing that the System was working hard to stabilize itself. The alley remained quiet, the only sound being the distant hum of the city beyond.

After what felt like forever, Seojun's breathing began to calm. He couldn't afford to let this setback stop him. He had faced many challenges before, and this would be no different. seaʀᴄh thё nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Just then, the System's voice returned, a hint of concern in its tone.

[Host, given the current situation, it is advisable to summon Huno. You may need someone with you.]

Seojun considered this for a moment. The idea of having Huno by his side brought some comfort. With a deep breath, he nodded to himself.

"You've never failed me before," Seojun said softly, his resolve hardening.

The System didn't respond right away, but after a brief pause, the voice returned, calmer this time.

[Understood, Host. I will continue to adapt and restore full functionality as quickly as possible. Please proceed with caution in the meantime.]

Seojun nodded again, even though he knew the System couldn't see him. Pushing himself up from the ground, he took a deep breath, letting the cool air fill his lungs.