The modern era is called the age of superhumans.
The concept of Awakening had become inseparable from humanity for a full decade already.
Homo sapiens endured countless pains under this new power unseen for tens of thousands of years.
But they adapted. And began to explore it further.
Ten years.
Research on Gates, which appeared alongside Awakening, had progressed significantly by now.
The Hunter Association classified Gates into two main types.
At least for now.
In roughly nine years, a divine-grade Gate would upend the very concept of Gates entirely.
New? No—truly god-grade.
Named the Millennium Gate, but explaining it would fill volumes.
Still, one key point: that Millennium Gate was my long-term goal.
The R&Y Guild is the immediate task.
Anyway.
Back to the main topic.
The first type: Abyss Gates.
The most common variety.
Clear method: subjugate the boss monster.
Difficulty varies wildly by monster grade, from E-grade to S-grade.
Rewards are mostly mana stones.
They could instantly replace Earth's core energy sources as the primary resource.
Every guild's utmost obsession.
It's their lifeline of cash.
The second type: Chaos Gates.
Chaos, as in disorder.
The name alone exudes power.
It's not.
Chaotic in a different way.
Chaos Gates are a phenomenon humanity can manage. Long past labeling them "unknown."
In the early days of the superhuman era.
Humanity conquered this anomaly, sparking fierce debates on management—who should control it? Any nation, regardless.
As mutual destruction loomed, compromise became necessary.
Under guilds led by international organizations, they formed a new body solely for oversight.
Thus, the Hunter Association was born.
And here I was.
"Welcome to the Hunter Association."
Exact address: Yeouido 64 Building.
Oh, and Chaos Gates are nestled inside this building too.
As mentioned, humanity controls nearly 90% of Chaos Gates. The remaining 10% is the chaotic part.
Anyway.
"I'm here to register as a Hunter."
My Awakener status was confirmed the moment we entered. That revolving door we passed? A tiny Chaos Gate. Non-Awakeners can't even step inside.
What a rotten organization.
I've felt it before, but it hits anew.
A staff member flashed a bright sales smile at me.
"Understood. Please wait a moment. I'll fetch the team leader."
The front desk attendant was politely professional. Though her eyes kept drifting to my side.
"Yes, Team Leader. An Awakener here for Hunter registration."
A glance.
"Oh, and they're with 'Code One' too."
Of course.
Being Seo Boseok's acquaintance meant genuine warmth seeped through the formal treatment...
If I'd come alone, it'd be door-in-the-face treatment... no, slightly better than door-after-the-face.
Soon, an elevator near the desk dinged open.
A man in a tailored suit approached, guided by the staff.
Pale-faced, but your standard office worker.
After a quick whisper with the staff, he greeted us.
"Hello. I'm Yuneobyeon from HR Team 4."
"Seo Wonseok."
Eyes darted busily behind his glasses.
"...If it's not rude, what relation are you to Hunter Seo Boseok...?"
I shot back flatly.
"Is that mandatory?"
"Not at all. But people are people—there's bound to be some influence."
"I see."
"Yes. Entirely up to the Awakener."
"I'll keep it confidential."
"...?"
Problem?
"...My apologies."
A vein twitched on the team leader's forehead, brushing a stray hair.
"Have you tried a self-grade test by any chance?"
Side note: The Association sells official self-test kits at select stores. Their desperate measure to cut wasted time.
Silent warning: Don't bother below D-grade.
I had.
"Yes."
"And the result?"
"E-grade."
"...??"
What was that look, like beholding a new human species?
Visibly moved.
But Team Leader Yuneobyeon regained composure with professional poise.
"Right this way."
As he turned to lead,
my brother nudged me with an elbow. Encouragement?
"Here."
In his hand: a dagger, oddly shaped. A groove in the blade's center—where the blood channel should be—was hollow.
"Good luck gift for passing. Nothing special—dropped from a random box in a D-grade Gate recently."
"...?"
Speechless.
I knew this unassuming dagger's true value.
...It's Blood Shadow.
Blood Shadow.
Weapon grade: high.
Mythic. Legendary. Heroic.
Rare. High. Common.
Second from the bottom of six tiers, seemingly ordinary at a glance.
The key isn't the grade.
It can be engraved with a specific effect of your choice. No random gacha—your discretion!
This drops from ghouls.
Knowledge from my past life as a farmer Hunter.
Ghouls inhabit B-grade or higher Abyss Gates at minimum. No way it came from D-grade...
Ah.
I pocketed the Blood Shadow and said,
"The world's gotten rough lately. Even ghouls in D-grades."
"...! How'd you know it's from a ghoul?"
"Thanks. I'll put it to good use."
The team leader jabbed the elevator open button. Irritation clear.
I quickened my pace to stand beside him, waving to my brother.
His figure faded as doors closed.
A familiar scene.
Just like college entrance exam day.
If so, good vibes.
Brightest moment of my life.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
About ten minutes later.
Team Leader Yuneobyeon returned from escorting me, stepping out of the elevator. Face twisted in annoyance.
He snatched the bottled water from the desk staff irritably. Then spotted Hunter Seo Boseok in view.
Whispering to the staff:
"Has Seo Hunter not left yet?"
"...No. He's been staring at the board since earlier."
Yuneobyeon glanced at the massive electronic board dominating one wall.
=======================
2F 212. KimXX : Qwert-23
2F 217. ParkXX : Qwryt-37
2F 266. SeoXX : Sityletr-66
....
....
=======================
The board listed which Awakener was tackling what Chaos Dungeon and its type. Coded language only Association staff could decipher.
Hunter Seo Boseok seemed fixated on his companion's dungeon.
The two staff stole glances at Korea's top Hunter, whispering.
"What're they to each other?"
"Dunno. Never heard Seo Hunter mention family... but too close for cousins."
Hmm...
Should I chat him up?
Returning the water bottle, Yuneobyeon straightened his hair and approached Seo Hunter.
"Sorry I couldn't greet you properly earlier, haha. Can't skimp on hospitality when Korea's pride visits. Haven't eaten yet...?"
"I have."
Short reply.
Yuneobyeon's smile froze, then he pressed on.
"Gotta eat on time! You're our national treasure...!"
"I have a question."
Yuneobyeon's face lit up.
"Ask away!"
"What kind of Chaos Gate is Sityletr-66?"
Chaos Gates' chaotic nature: utter randomness.
These days, humanity manages even them.
Gates sorted by low grades per floor.
One unsolved flaw: unknown type until entry.
Random within a fixed table, but pre-entry? Pure luck.
Low-floor Chaos Gates hugely impact grade assessment for rookies and newbies.
"Hmm... that code... your companion drew the short straw."
"What do you mean short straw?"
"No offense to Seo Boseok Hunter."
He raised a finger.
"Dunno their ability, but that Gate's too much for E-grade patience. Like fighting yourself!"
"Patience... a battle of endurance?"
"Exactly! Regrettably, no one's cleared it below B+."
"I see."
"...?"
Why?
Hunter Seo Boseok sighed in relief. Then eyed Yuneobyeon.
"I might seem like a meddler, but care to hear?"
"...Ah, yes. If it's you, Seo Hunter."
"My friend's from Korea University Medical School."
"...Whoa... impressive."
In this era where Awakening specs trump academics, what use? But Yuneobyeon skipped the tactless remark. Listened intently.
"Once asked him 'Manageable?' since he was just sitting. Guess what he said?"
"'Tough, but hanging in' or something."
"Wrong."
Shook his head.
"'Sitting around—what's tough?'"
Seo Hunter smirked.
"Guy's got endurance for days."
"...?"
Only then did Yuneobyeon sense the oddity.
Hunter Seo Boseok hadn't glanced his way once.
His eyes stayed glued to the board.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Meanwhile, in room 266 of the Association building.
Crossing a hotel-like corridor, he stopped at a door.
Opening it: pitch darkness at first. Seconds later, a quest window assaulted his retinas.
📜 QUEST ALERT 📜
Survive as long as possible!
📍 Gate time flows significantly slower than reality.
📍 All food and drinks from outside evaporate. Returned upon clear.
📍 For extra rewards, consecutively slay gate monsters in minimal time!
A brutally harsh quest for someone with acquired anemia.
Of all monsters, these guys too.
Luck wasn't -44 for nothing.