Jiwon returned to his apartment just before midnight.
The room was small and quiet. A single window looked out over the city, lights flickering in the distance. He closed the door behind him and leaned against it for a moment.
Only then did he let out a slow breath.
"Dismiss."
The skeleton froze, then collapsed into fragments of bone. The pieces sank into the floor and vanished.
The room felt empty again.
Jiwon sat on the edge of his bed.
Another message appeared.
[Summon Dismissed]
[Active Summons: 0 / 3]
[Daily Mana Recovery in progress]
He rubbed his temples. His head felt slightly heavy, like he hadn't slept enough. It wasn't pain, just pressure.
"So this is the cost," he murmured.
His phone vibrated.
Unknown Number.
He stared at it for a second, then answered.
"This is Han Jiwon," he said.
"Mr. Han," a calm voice replied. "This is the Gate Management Bureau. Your dungeon activity has been reviewed."
Jiwon's grip tightened.
"We would like to ask you a few questions," the voice continued. "Nothing serious. Just routine."
"When?" Jiwon asked.
"Tomorrow morning."
The call ended.
Jiwon lowered the phone slowly.
Another system message appeared, almost as if it had been waiting.
[Notice]
[Your actions have drawn attention]
[Current Threat Level: Low]
He lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
Necromancer activity logged.
Government attention.
This was only his first dungeon.
A soft knock echoed in his mind.
The system opened again.
[New Option Available]
[Skill Enhancement Unlocked]
Jiwon sat up.
"Enhancement?"
He didn't select it yet.
Instead, he stood and walked to the window. Somewhere out there, gates were opening. Hunters were fighting. People were dying.
And now, people were watching him.
Jiwon clenched his fist.
"If this is the path," he said quietly, "then I'll walk it properly."
Outside, a distant siren wailed.
Another gate.
Jiwon turned back toward the room.
Tomorrow would not be simple.