The Top Omega Hunter Wants a Quiet Life [BL]-Chapter 181: Ch : Toward the End- Part 1

Time passed quickly after that. Even if I wanted things to slow down, the world was not obligated to stop for me. I kept clearing one dungeon after another. I did not want to stop for even a single second...

Or rather, I felt like I could not stop. My body needed to keep moving in order to keep me busy. This almost felt like a curse I was under.

I did not feel tired, and I could surely keep on going for a long time. But just because I felt like this did not mean that everyone else felt like that as well.

Some people were more than concerned about my health.

Lynn was the first one to openly confront me about it.

He caught me just as I came back from clearing another dungeon, standing near the guild’s entrance with that same unreadable expression. His eyes, however, carried an edge of frustration that made me pause.

"You haven’t slept properly in three days. And don’t even think about lying to me. Everyone’s been talking about it."

He said flatly, crossing his arms.

I blinked at him, not knowing what to say. The truth was, I hadn’t noticed the passage of time at all. The moment I stopped moving, the silence crept in, and with it came the thoughts I tried so hard to bury.

"I’m fine. You don’t need to worry. I’m used to this pace."

I replied, giving him a tired smile.

Lynn’s expression hardened.

"Used to it? That’s not an excuse. You look like you’ll collapse any moment. What are you trying to prove?"

I wanted to tell him that I wasn’t trying to prove anything. I just wanted to fill the void inside me with something—anything—that wasn’t the ache that refused to fade.

But words wouldn’t come. My throat felt tight, and instead of answering, I simply turned away.

"I’ll rest after the next one."

I said softly, knowing full well it was a lie.

Lynn sighed and muttered something under his breath, but he didn’t stop me. He knew I wouldn’t listen.

The next few days blurred together again. Every dungeon I entered felt the same—dark, damp, filled with monsters that screamed and lunged at me like echoes of my guilt.

I cut through them mechanically, my sword moving faster than my thoughts.

People cheered whenever I came back. They called me a hero, the strongest hunter, the savior who never failed. But none of those words reached my heart. They felt hollow, meaningless.

One night, after finishing another mission, I found myself standing in front of the guild hall window.

The moonlight reflected faintly against the glass, and my reflection stared back—tired eyes, pale face, a faint tremor in my hand.

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

The voice startled me. It was Rhiner. He leaned against the wall, arms folded, looking unusually serious.

"What do you mean?"

I asked, though I already knew what he meant.

"You wouldn’t want to destroy yourself like this. You keep saying you’re fine, but I can see it. You’re not fighting for the people anymore—you’re fighting your own emptiness."

Rhiner said quietly.

I froze. His words hit deeper than I expected. For a moment, I wanted to shout, to deny it—but I couldn’t. He was right. Every dungeon I cleared was an attempt to outrun the silence inside me.

"...Maybe I am. But if I stop, I’ll fall apart. I don’t know what else to do, Rhiner."

I whispered.

He sighed and stepped closer, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Then let us carry some of that burden with you. You don’t have to do everything alone."

I didn’t answer. I just stared out the window, watching the moon fade behind the clouds.

Maybe someday, I would allow myself to rest. But not yet. Not until I could finally feel whole again.

________

"So, how close are we to our goal? I cannot take it anymore."

Theo looked at the swirling colors around him with a calm look on his face. The alpha inside him was roaring at the separation it had felt recently.

But Theo was able to push it back down and look at the other half that was slowly starting to form a physical form.

The doll in front of him did not open its eyes, but it was clear that it had consciousness and was trying to awaken.

His other self’s voice reached him slowly but softly.

"Don’t worry about it. I feel the same emptiness that you feel, and I can assure you that it won’t be long before we have to head out and get what we want. Just have some patience."

The man told Theo, and Theo let out a sigh of relief at those words.

But just because he felt better did not mean that the alpha inside him did as well.

"Good. That’s good. I don’t think I can hold on for much longer. My emotions have started to slip away. There is no telling what else can happen."

Theo wanted to feel happiness and joy. He wanted to feel the embrace of love. But it all felt dull and lifeless.

Every time he closed his eyes, he could feel the cold embrace of the world around him trying to bite him.

Imaginary arms wrapped around him and huddled him in their warmth.

"Don’t worry about it too much. Soon, it will be all over. Just you wait and watch. The world is going to change soon. For now, you can trust Rudy and Rina to take care of the dungeon for you."

Theo’s other half told him, and he sighed in relief. He could feel his sleep trying to claim him, and he closed his eyes and allowed it to claim him.

Finally, he did not have to think anymore.

’Please, be over soon. I cannot take it anymore. It hurts so bad. What should I do?"’

Theo prayed before sleep claimed him, and he knew no more.