Two years prior, the world irrevocably changed. The Portals, enigmatic rifts in reality, had erupted, spewing forth a torrent of terrifying monsters that threatened the very fabric of human existence. These weren't mere animals; they were behemoths, creatures of nightmare, their forms twisted and grotesque, their power overwhelming. Initial attempts to combat this monstrous invasion were met with catastrophic failure. Military might, even the most advanced weaponry, proved utterly ineffective. The most powerful missiles, designed to obliterate entire cities, could only inflict superficial wounds upon these colossal beings. Expeditions into the Portals, bravely undertaken by the world's finest soldiers, ended in utter annihilation; every single member returned dead, their remains often too mangled to identify. Hope, it seemed, was dwindling.

Then, a glimmer of light pierced the encroaching darkness. Individuals with extraordinary abilities, dubbed "Hunters," emerged from the shadows, their skills and powers a desperate counterpoint to the encroaching horror. These Hunters, the world's last, best hope, were classified into a rigid hierarchy, a spectrum of power ranging from the weakest Grade E to the almost mythical Grade S. The fate of humanity now rested precariously upon the shoulders of these elite warriors, these extraordinary individuals who dared to face the unfathomable horrors lurking within the Portals.

"I am Kim Jin-Hyuk, a Grade-E Hunter," he muttered, the words barely audible above the cacophony of his own racing heartbeat. "Currently inside a Grade-E dungeon, working my ass off for money to save my dying sister." The weight of his words pressed down on him, heavy and suffocating. The harsh reality of his situation was a crushing burden, a constant, gnawing anxiety that never seemed to leave him.

He found himself trapped, utterly alone, within the confines of a Grade-E Portal, a claustrophobic prison of twisted rock and shadow. His supposed companions, the team he had trusted with his life, had betrayed him, abandoning him to face the horrors within the Portal alone. He crouched behind a large boulder, his body pressed close to the cold, unyielding stone, his breath held captive in his chest. Silence was his only ally, a fragile shield against the lurking dangers. Any sound, any movement, could mean the difference between life and death.

"I knew it," he whispered, the words lost in the oppressive silence of the dungeon. "I shouldn't have trusted them. How am I supposed to get out now?" The question hung in the air, unanswered, a testament to his despair. Despite the chilling realization that a Grade-D Steel-wolf lurked just beyond his hiding place, a strange calm settled over him, a paradoxical tranquility born of utter desperation.

A low growl, guttural and menacing, echoed through the Portal, shattering the fragile silence. The Steel-wolf, its senses keenly attuned to the slightest disturbance, had sensed Kim Jin-Hyuk's presence behind the rock. Slowly, cautiously, it approached, its massive form silhouetted against the dim, flickering light of the Portal. It reached the boulder, its massive head lowered, sniffing the air, its senses searching for its prey. Then, it saw him. Kim Jin-Hyuk, standing there, exposed, vulnerable. Yet, the Steel-wolf didn't attack. It paused, a flicker of something akin to surprise in its eyes, before adopting a stance of confident expectation. Unbeknownst to the beast, the tables had turned; Kim Jin-Hyuk held the upper hand.

A smirk played on his lips, a grim, almost cruel smile that belied the terror he felt. He raised his right arm, a simple movement that held the weight of his desperation. A purple aura, vibrant and pulsating with raw energy, began to emanate from his hand, coalescing into a tangible form. A sword, shimmering with an ethereal light, materialized in his grasp, a weapon of immense power, a blade forged from the very essence of his despair. Without wasting a second, he unleashed the full force of his newfound power, slashing through the Steel-wolf's head with brutal efficiency. The beast collapsed, its life force extinguished in an instant.

The system notifications appeared, stark and clinical, a stark contrast to the brutal reality of his victory:

[You leveled up]

[You leveled up]

[You have defeated the boss of the Grade-E Portal. You are to receive your rewards later.]

A new portal shimmered into existence before him, a gateway to escape, a beacon of hope in the oppressive darkness. He stepped through, emerging into the harsh sunlight of the outside world. There, his former companions stood, their faces etched with a mixture of shock, disbelief, and a hint of guilt.

"What?" he asked, his voice laced with a potent blend of anger and weariness. "Are you all surprised I made it out alive? Clearly, you didn't read my resume. Although I am a Grade-E Hunter, I possess the physical power of a Grade-D Hunter. I will make sure to contact the Hunter Association about this. About how you all left, leaving me to take care of all the monsters inside the Portal." His words were sharp, precise, each syllable dripping with contempt. He turned and walked away, leaving his former companions to grapple with the consequences of their actions, their explanations hanging unspoken in the air.

He made his way to the hospital, his heart heavy with a mixture of relief and profound sorrow. He found his sister, Kimberly, lying in her bed, her face pale and drawn, a victim of the rare and incurable "Boundless Slumber."

"Just hold on, Kimberly," he whispered, his voice thick with unshed tears. "I'll get the money soon. Just wait for me, alright?" Tears streamed down his face, a stark contrast to the stoic warrior he had become. He clung to the hope that his newfound strength, his newfound power, would be enough to save her life.

Earlier, while hiding behind the huge rock, a profound change had occurred. He had received a new power, a mysterious gift from the depths of the Portal – the "System." This wasn't just a simple interface; it was a complex AI, capable of analyzing his surroundings, assessing his opponents, and providing real-time tactical advice. Its capabilities extended beyond simple combat analysis. It could track his stats, monitor his health, and even predict enemy movements with surprising accuracy. The System also possessed a vast database of information on monsters, providing detailed descriptions of their strengths, weaknesses, and attack patterns. This knowledge proved invaluable in the fight against the Steel-wolf, allowing Kim Jin-Hyuk to exploit its weaknesses and achieve a swift victory. Furthermore, the System could be used to enhance his abilities, temporarily boosting his strength and speed, making him a more formidable opponent. It also provided access to a skill tree, allowing him to unlock new abilities and further enhance his combat capabilities. The System was more than just a tool; it was a partner, a guide, and a lifeline in the harsh, unforgiving world of the Portals. Along with the System came the "Shadow Sword," a Grade-B weapon that materialized in his hand, boosting his strength by 10%.

[Shadow Sword - Can be used if the Player wants to use it. It boosts the Player's Strength Stats by 10% • Weapon Grade - Grade-B] The notification, a cold, clinical statement of fact, held the promise of a brighter future, a future where he could save his sister, a future where he could face the horrors of the Portals, not as a victim, but as a victor. The road ahead remained long and arduous, but for the first time in a long time, Kim Jin-Hyuk felt a flicker of hope, a fragile spark in the encroaching darkness.

A month had passed since Kim Jin-Hyuk had discovered his new abilities, each day marked by both a sense of wonder and trepidation. As he lounged in his small, rented apartment, the afternoon sun filtered in through the half-drawn curtains, casting a warm glow around the room. The tranquility of the moment was abruptly shattered when an email notification chimed on his laptop. He leaned forward, squinting at the screen, eyes widening as he read the sender: the Portals and Hunters Management Association, commonly referred to as PHMA.

"Greetings, Sir Kim Jin-Hyuk. The Chief, Woo Yung-Suk, would like to talk to you regarding the Hunter's betrayal last month; we hope to see you soon."

A chill ran down his spine. "Could it be that they found out about my new abilities?" he pondered, his heart racing. The adrenaline surged through him, making him momentarily forget the soft couch under him and the lingering scent of cheap takeout in the air. He glanced around as if the four walls could betray his secrets.

"No, that must not be it. I made sure no one saw," he whispered under his breath, trying to quell the unease tightening his chest. With each passing moment, he worked to steady himself, focusing on the sound of his breath and the rhythmic ticking of a clock on the wall. Slowly, he recited a mantra in his mind, reassuring himself that he was not in danger and that he had control over his life for the first time in a while.

After calming his nerves, he felt compelled to check his status. "Status Open."

The familiar holographic display lit up before him:

[Kim Jin-Hyuk]

[Title - None]

[Fatigue - 0]

[MP - 120]

[Strength - 5pts]

[Endurance - 5pts]

[Agility - 3pts]

[Mana - 1pts]

[Intelligence - 0pts]

[Available Points - 1]

[Shadow Sword]

[System]

[Unknown]

His brow furrowed at the sight of his Intelligence score. "My Intelligence is zero points? That’s too mean; I am not that dumb!" The frustration bubbled up, a mixture of anger at the system and his own insecurities.

A brief silence fell over the room as he contemplated his situation. "If that’s so, then put one point into Intelligence."

As soon as the command left his lips, he felt a subtle shift within him. It was as if a veil had lifted, though he did notice that the change was slight; it didn’t give him a sudden burst of wisdom, just a flicker of clarity. With a sigh, he acknowledged the reality of his situation. He needed more money to save his sister, and to do that, he had to become a higher-grade hunter. His gaze drifted back to the screen, his mind whirring with questions and strategies.

Just then, a sudden surge of energy surged through his being as a system message blinked into existence before him:

[You received a title! Courage of the Weak.]

Before he could fully process it, countless other messages flooded his vision.

[You have leveled up]

[You have leveled up]

[You have leveled up]

[You have leveled up]

[You have leveled up]

[You received a 'buff'!]

[Resistance to Poison]

[Resistance to Heat]

[Resistance to Cold]

[Resistance to Curse]

Kim Jin-Hyuk sat there in stunned silence, his heart racing again—this time with joy. The weight of despair and loss he had been carrying for weeks felt a little lighter. "What the hell—" he muttered, disbelief and happiness dancing across his features.

"Status Open!" he commanded, and eagerly observed the changes:

[Kim Jin-Hyuk]

[Title - Courage of The Weak]

[Level - 7]

[Fatigue - 0]

[MP - 120]

[Strength - 5pts]

[Endurance - 5pts]

[Agility - 3pts]

[Mana - 1pts]

[Intelligence - 1pts]

[Available Points - 14]

[Shadow Sword]

[System]

[Unknown]

He couldn’t comprehend it; the sudden surge of strength invigorated him. Just weeks before, he had been weak—pushed around by bullies who called themselves hunters and mocked for his failures.

Without hesitating, he unleashed his determination, quickly allocating his newly acquired points. "Add ten to Strength," he declared, fueled by a newfound resolve.

[Added 10 to Strength, now 15.]

The change was immediate and exhilarating. He felt lighter like his body was shedding layers of burden. His muscles tingled with power as he instinctively turned toward the stark wall of his apartment. "Hiya!" he shouted, throwing a punch that connected with the surface. A crack ran down the plaster, a testament to his newfound strength, though the wall stood resolute.

Suddenly, his phone buzzed to life with an incoming call from the hospital—the grim specter of his sister’s condition loomed over him once again. His stomach churned as he answered, a mix of hope and dread flooding his senses.

"Yes?" he said, struggling to keep his voice steady.

"Hello, Mr. Kim Jin-Hyuk, I have... bad news for you." The voice on the other end was somber as if the weight of the message was tangible.

"Your sister, Kimberly Clark... She passed away earlier this morning. We tried everything we could, but she still didn't make it. I am very sorry for your loss."

Before he could even process the words, the call ended, leaving him in a deafening silence that engulfed his apartment. He crumpled to his knees, the sudden gust of despair overwhelming him.

"This is all my fault..." His voice cracked as he raged against himself, the bitterness rising like bile in his throat. "If only I had—if only I could have saved her! If I had a perfect ability back then, then she wouldn’t have suffered at the hands of 'those' shitty hunters!"

He felt as though the air had been sucked out of the room. A hollow ache blossomed within his chest, a void where hope once resided. Tears refused to fall; he was paralyzed by his grief, an emptiness that felt like an eternal abyss.

[You have received a skill. "No Emotion."]

The revelation landed like a stone. He was aware of his desolation, yet he couldn’t weep. He simply sat there, staring blankly at the floor, consciousness fading in and out as his thoughts spiraled. "I know she wasn't my real sister, but I wish I could have made her feel like she was. When she was alive, I wanted her to know she meant the world to me," he lamented, his heart aching with regret and remorse.

[The System has been updated; the visual will be different from last time.]

[Skill - No Emotion: The user no longer feels emotion after having this skill, but he will receive a fifty percent buff on all his stats.]

[Skill Grade - N/A]

He felt the tug of a numbing force settle over him, guarding him from the tidal wave of sorrow that threatened to consume him. As he sat in his dim apartment, the light fading with the sun, he realized he was forever changed—not just by his abilities or the title he carried, but by a loss that would haunt him for the rest of his days. In that moment, he resolved to honor his sister by becoming stronger, by making sure no one else would endure the torment he had witnessed. This was just the beginning of a path shrouded in darkness and vengeance.

A month had passed since the searing grief of his sister's death. Kim Jin-Hyuk stood alone within the desolate confines of the Portal, a digital chasm echoing with the silence of his sorrow. The air hung heavy, thick with the unspoken weight of his loss. Yet, a steely resolve hardened his gaze. "I am going to become stronger," he declared, his voice a low, unwavering murmur. The No Emotion skill, a chillingly effective technique, masked the turmoil within, though not entirely. A flicker of thought, a brief hesitation, preceded his descent into the dungeon's depths.

His journey began with a series of skirmishes against steel wolves, their metallic howls swallowed by the dungeon's oppressive silence. He dispatched them with swift, brutal efficiency, his movements honed to a lethal precision born of relentless training. Each fallen wolf was a small victory, a tiny step on the long road to his self-imposed penance. He moved through the twisting corridors, unscathed, his progress marked only by the rhythmic clang of his blade against steel.

Then, the earth trembled. A surge of mana, raw and potent, pulsed through the dungeon, a palpable wave of energy that washed over him, leaving him breathless. "What is this?" he muttered, his hand instinctively reaching for his Shadow Sword, its obsidian surface gleaming faintly in the dim light.

The source of the mana revealed itself in a terrifying flash. A figure materialized behind him, a blur of motion that ended with a near-fatal strike. The woman's blade, a whisper of death, grazed his neck, leaving a burning scar as a stark reminder of his near demise.

He spun around, his Shadow Sword held high, ready to meet his attacker. Before him stood a vision of striking beauty and lethal grace: a woman with hair like spun gold, eyes that held the cold fire of a winter storm, clad in a black long-sleeved top and slightly baggy pants. Her presence radiated power, an aura of chilling authority that spoke of honed skill and ruthless efficiency.

"Who are you?" he demanded, his voice tight with barely controlled fury.

"This Portal is owned by the Reapers Guild," she replied her voice a silken whisper that belied the deadly intent in her eyes. She began to circle him, a predator sizing up its prey, her movements fluid and graceful, yet laced with a palpable threat. "And you," she continued, her gaze unwavering, "are trespassing."

"It doesn't matter," Jin-Hyuk responded, his grip tightening on his dagger. "I am clearing this dungeon by myself."

A low chuckle escaped the woman's lips. "You are funny," she said, the amusement laced with contempt. "Clear a dungeon by yourself? Have you gone mad? That is not possible." Her eyes narrowed, assessing him with a chilling precision. "And are you thinking of fighting back? I am Yoo Yeonhee, the 8th Grade-S Hunter of the Republic of Korea. Judging by your mana signature, you're probably a Grade-C Hunter. I can defeat you in mere seconds."

The revelation hit him like a physical blow. Yoo Yeonhee. The name was synonymous with a legend in the Hunter community. A master swordsman, blessed with exceptional abilities, and the Guild Master of the Reapers Guild herself. This was no ordinary encounter; this was a clash with a force of nature.

"Do not underestimate me," Jin-Hyuk retorted, his voice betraying none of the fear that gnawed at him. He launched himself at her, his dagger a blur of motion.

She moved with a speed that defied belief, effortlessly avoiding his attack. A swift, brutal punch landed squarely in his stomach, doubling him over in agony. "Keuk—!" he gasped, the air knocked from his lungs.

Yoo Yeonhee chuckled, her eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. "Do not underestimate me either, young man," she taunted. "I may look fragile, but that doesn't mean I am not strong."

As she moved to deliver another blow, a surge of adrenaline coursed through Jin-Hyuk's veins. He reacted instinctively, blocking her punch, but the force of the impact sent him sprawling to the ground. In that moment of vulnerability, he focused his will, his mind a whirlwind of calculation. "Allocate the remaining points to… Endurance!" he gritted out, his voice strained.

[All the remaining points have been transferred to Endurance. It is now 8]

He pushed himself up, his body aching, but his spirit unbroken. His endurance, now significantly boosted, allowed him to withstand the punishment. He launched another attack, his movements less precise, but fueled by a desperate determination. He managed to cut her right arm, momentarily disabling her swordsmanship. She retaliated with a flurry of punches, one connecting squarely with his face, sending a wave of dizziness washing over him. But he held on, his enhanced endurance preventing him from being knocked unconscious. He retaliated, slashing her left leg and right shoulder.

"Your mana might be strong," Jin-Hyuk panted, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "but your body isn't." He pressed his advantage, his attacks relentless, his fury a driving force. With a final, desperate lunge, he plunged his dagger into her face, ending the fight.

[Level points couldn't be obtained, since the entity you killed is not a living being.]

The message hung in the air, a chilling revelation. "Huh? What does it mean by 'not a living being'—" His question was cut short by a voice, cold and resonant, echoing through the dungeon.

"I will haunt you for the rest of your life, Kim Jin-Hyuk."

The voice faded, leaving Jin-Hyuk alone in the echoing silence. He looked around, the dungeon walls unchanged, the only evidence of the battle the faint scent of blood and the lingering tremor in his hands.

"Could it be… it was just a clone?" he whispered, a shiver running down his spine. The chilling implication hung in the air, heavier than the silence of the dungeon itself. His victory felt hollow, a pyrrhic triumph over a phantom. The road to becoming stronger, he realized, was far longer and far more treacherous than he had ever imagined.