Everything was broken.

The street was filled with fire and smoke. Buildings had fallen over each other like they were made of paper. Screams echoed in the air loud at first, then quiet, fading into silence. Blood ran down the cracked ground. Some people were running, others were crying, and many were just.. gone. The whole city was falling apart.

Under one broken building, crushed between chunks of stone and metal, there was a small open space. Inside it, a man was crouched. His white shirt was dirty and torn, with blood stains across the chest. His black hair was sticking to his forehead, and a fresh cut above his eyebrow was bleeding down his cheek. His breathing was heavy, but his eyes were focused.

Next to him, a woman lay on the ground. Her long purple hair was messy and covered her face. She was unconscious. A deep wound in her stomach was bleeding badly. Her skin was pale. Her breaths were weak shallow and slow, like she was slipping away.

A little boy, maybe five years old, sat beside her. His arms were wrapped around her, holding her like she might disappear. He was crying softly, his voice almost lost in the noise outside. His purple hair, messy like his mother’s, covered his face. On his small wrist, there was something strange, a black watch that looked like smooth glass. It didn’t shine. cold and quiet.

The man placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder. His voice was low and gentle.

"Listen, Jin.. don’t cry. Don’t make any noise, okay? The hunters will come. They’ll find you. I’ll lead the monsters away. You stay here with your mother. Stay hidden."

But the boy grabbed his hand tightly, not letting him go.

"No.. Dad, please don’t go," he whispered through his tears.

"Stay with us... please."

The man knelt down again. He moved the boy’s hair away from his face, revealing big, tear-filled blue eyes. His heart ached seeing that face, so scared, so small.

He gave the boy a soft smile.

"I know you’re scared. But Dad has to do this. The monsters can smell the blood. If I don’t leave, they’ll come here. I’ll distract them. I’ll run fast. I’ll be back soon."

He wiped his son’s tears with his thumb and gently kissed his forehead. His hand trembled, just a little. He didn’t want to leave. But he had to.

With one last pat on the boy’s head, he stood up, turned away, and ran. He didn’t look back.

When he was far enough from them, far from the broken building, far from the blood, he stopped.

He looked into the flames. His voice cracked as he screamed:

"COME ON, YOU MONSTERS!"

"I’M RIGHT HERE! COME AND GET ME!"

"DAD, COME BACK!"

The boy screamed, his right hand reaching out into the air. The black watch on his wrist caught the light as he jolted up from the bed.

He was breathing hard. His white t-shirt was soaked in sweat, even though the air conditioner was running. His blue eyes were wide open, filled with tears. He sat there for a moment, frozen. Just breathing. That dream again.

A nightmare.

He stayed like that for a few minutes, trying to calm his heartbeat. Then slowly, he took a long breath and got off the bed. His steps were quiet as he walked toward the balcony. He pulled the curtain aside.

The soft morning sunlight spilled into the room, bright and golden.

His room was big way too big for someone his age. One wall had a tall shelf packed with books, all neatly placed. On the other side was a huge wooden closet that looked heavy and expensive. In the far corner was something that didn’t fit the room’s vibe at all a bright, flashy gaming setup. Dual monitors, consoles, controllers.. all in loud pinks and reds. The gaming chair had cartoon stickers all over it. It felt out of place, too cheerful for a room that felt so.... quiet.

He walked to a door in his room, opened it, and stepped into the bathroom. The lights came on with a soft hum. He pulled off his t-shirt and dropped it in the basket. His body was lean but strong he had a good build, not too bulky. But there was one thing that stood out.

A large scar on the left side of his chest, near his heart. It was shaped like a perfect circle. Dark, rough like a burn that never healed right.

He looked at it for a second in the mirror. Just stared. Then he stepped into the shower and let the water run over him. He stayed there for a while. Not moving much. Just.. breathing.

A few minutes later, he walked out, drying his hair with a towel. He headed to the closet and opened it. Neatly hung inside were rows of different clothes, jackets, shirts, pants, everything organized by color.

He picked out a clean white shirt, dark blue pants, and a matching jacket. His school uniform.

Once he was dressed, he left his room and walked down the long stairs. The house was quiet except for the soft footsteps of the people working there. A few maids and butlers passed by. Each one bowed slightly and greeted him with polite smiles.

He gave them a small nod in return, not saying much.

He sat down on one of the chairs near the end of the massive dining table. The table stretched far across the room, fancier than anything he needed, really.

In front of him was a cup of milk tea. He dipped a slice of bread into it and quietly took a bite. No one else was eating. The room was quiet except for the faint clink of the cup and plate.

Once he finished, he stood up and glanced toward the main maid standing nearby.

"Why haven’t you all eaten yet?" he asked, his voice cold and sharp. "You don’t need to wait for me every morning."

The maid, a woman in her forties with soft features and neatly tied hair, smiled gently.

"We can’t eat before you, young master. You’re our first priority," she replied calmly, like it was simply a fact.

He looked at her for a moment, expression unreadable. Then he turned away.

"Whatever. I'm going. Bye."

He walked out through the mansion’s grand doors. Parked in the circular driveway was a sleek black Audi A8. The driver stepped out quickly, opened the back door, and bowed slightly.

He slid into the back seat without a word. The driver got back behind the wheel, started the engine, and they rolled out through the iron gates.

The morning sun filtered through the tinted windows. He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes, trying to relax.

After a minute, the driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror. His voice was soft.

"So, young master.... it’s the first day of your last year in high school. How are you feeling?"

He opened his eyes slowly. "Not feeling great today, Uncle Joon."

Joon’s eyes sharpened, and without a word, he gently pressed the gas pedal a little harder. The car sped up.

The boy noticed. He raised an eyebrow and smirked a little. "Whoa, whoa. I'm fine. Relax. I just had that dream again. That's all."

Joon’s shoulders relaxed slightly. He nodded, easing off the gas. "I see.."

A small silence followed.

"Then how about this?" Joon said with a light smile. "Let’s skip school today. I’ll take you somewhere better. Somewhere you can feel a little more alive."

After that, Joon made a quiet turn and started driving out of Seoul.

They didn’t speak much during the ride. The city slowly faded behind them, replaced by open roads and a clearer sky. After about an hour, they reached Incheon.

Joon finally stopped the car near a quiet beach. The sound of waves filled the air as the boy stepped out, his shoes crunching gently against the sand.

He spent the next few hours alone, walking along the shoreline. The cool wind brushed against his face, and the salty breeze carried a strange kind of peace. He watched the water come and go at his feet, like it was trying to wash something away.

Joon stayed in the car the whole time, just keeping watch from a distance.

By afternoon, they stopped by a small restaurant not far from the coast and had lunch together, nothing fancy, just something warm and filling. After that, they returned to the beach and stayed there for the rest of the day.

Now, the sun was low, casting a golden glow over the water. The sky was starting to turn orange and purple. It was already past 7 p.m.

"Let's go, young master. It's getting late," Joon called out from near the car.

Jinhwan heard him and slowly stood up, brushing off the sand from his clothes. He turned to walk back... but suddenly

"Hello, hello, is this working?"

A voice echoed from nowhere. Familiar. Too familiar.

He froze in place.

His eyes darted around the beach, looking for where it came from but there was no one else there.

"Of course it’s working. Who do you think built this thing?"

This time, it was a woman’s voice. Soft, sweet, warm.

"..Mom?" he whispered.

He looked down and then noticed it.

The voice wasn’t coming from around him.

It was coming from his watch.

"Happy birthday, Jinhwan," his mother’s voice came again, gentle like a lullaby.

A single tear slipped from his eye.

Then another voice joined hers stronger, steadier.

"Let me talk too! Happy birthday, son. If you’re hearing this... it means it’s your 18th birthday."

He stood there, frozen in the fading light, the watch glowing faintly as his father’s voice continued.

"You probably have a lot of questions.... but don’t ask them now. This is just a recording."

"Ask me instead," his mother added playfully, "just because it’s a recording doesn’t mean we’re dead in the future, silly."

Jinhwan’s lips trembled as the tears rolled down faster, silently. His shoulders shook.

"This watch.. the one you’ve never been able to take off it’s not just any watch. Your dad and I made it. For your safety."

"We couldn’t fit much into it, this was the best we could do with what we had. But if we're not there with you in the future.."

There was a pause. A gentle sigh. Then her voice came again, barely above a whisper.

"Live happily, my sunshine."

And together, both voices said one final thing:

"Bye bye. Take care."

Jinhwan couldn’t speak. He dropped to his knees, clutching his chest.

"I.... I miss you, Mom.. Dad..." he whispered through hiccups, crying so hard it hurt.

Then, the watch let out a soft beep.

The screen on its surface lit up for the first time in his life.

[Activation complete.]

[Player: Lee Jinhwan.]

[Verification: Success.]

[Level: 01]

[Episode 1 End]

After a few minutes Jinhwan wiped his tears, using the back of his hand. His expression slowly shifted back to normal, like he hadn’t just been crying. He took a deep breath, steadying himself.

Suddenly, his wristwatch beeped.

BEEP.

A strange sensation washed over him. His body felt lighter than before. His limbs, once heavy with exhaustion, now carried a subtle strength. He clenched his fist, feeling a faint power pulsing through his veins.

His eyes drifted to the watch screen, which flickered to life for the first time.

[Activation complete.]

[Player: Lee Jinhwan.]

[Verification: Success.]

[Level: 01]

[Mana Points: 10]

"What is this...?" he muttered, eyes narrowing. "Looks like some kind of webtoon system."

A grin slowly spread across his face. Did I finally awaken?

He stood up from the sand, brushing off his clothes, and made his way to the car. Sliding into the back seat, he leaned his head back and let out a satisfied breath.

"Uncle Joon, let’s go to the Hunter Association first."

Joon glanced at him through the rearview mirror as he started the engine.

"May I ask why, young master?" he said, eyes still focused on the road.

Jinhwan looked at him and smirked.

"I’m awakened now. Gotta get my rank measured."

Joon’s brows shot up in surprise.

"Really, young master?" he said, his tone rising with excitement. "Then let’s go."

Without hesitation, his foot slammed on the accelerator, and the car surged forward, faster than before.

On the way to the Hunter Association, Jinhwan rested his head against the window, watching the city lights blur past.

The Hunter Association.

This was the real deal. Every country had its own Hunter Association, each one established to manage and monitor awakened individuals people who can use magic.

Hunters.

It was created to keep them in check, rank them, and assign them jobs. Not just anyone could join. You had to awaken. You had to have power.

And in Korea, the Association wasn’t just some background organization it was the powerhouse. With more manpower than any major guild and the kind of funding that put even the top corporations to shame, only a handful of elite guilds could match its level. Most didn’t even come close.

"Young master, we’re here," Joon said, breaking Jinhwan’s thoughts.

He stepped out of the car as Joon opened the door for him.

Jinhwan stood still for a moment, eyes on the tall, sleek building in front of him. Its glass exterior shimmered under the night lights, looking more like a luxury skyscraper than a government facility.

Without a word, he walked toward the entrance, with Joon following close behind. They stepped into the elevator, and Joon pressed the button for the sixth floor. The doors slid shut with a quiet hum.

"So, what rank do you expect, young master?" Joon asked, glancing at him with a half-smile.

Jinhwan grinned.

"Well, if you ask me, I’d say Z, easily." His voice oozed confidence.

Joon blinked.

"Isn’t that the top level?"

He pulled out his phone, typed something quickly, then tucked it back into his pocket.

"Who was that?" Jinhwan asked.

"Miss Cha. It’s already past dinner time."

The elevator doors opened with a soft ding. They stepped out onto a wide floor with bright lighting, a few people working behind desks, and several others waiting outside a room ahead.

Jinhwan looked around.

"So, where should we go now?"

"This way." Joon walked toward the room. Jinhwan followed him. The people who were waiting just glanced at them but didn’t say anything since the guard didn’t stop them.

As they entered the room, it was a huge one with lots of monitors and cameras. A man gave a small bow.

"This way," he said and guided Jinhwan to a large purple box-shaped crystal.

"Place your hand on it," the man said and took a few steps back.

Jinhwan placed his left hand on the crystal. Its color began to change again and again.

Looks like I’m a Z Ranker after all, he thought and waited for the rank to be announced.

Then a voice came from the device.

"Rank: E-"

As Jinhwan heard that, the proud look on his face disappeared, replaced with a cold expression.

"What the fuck is this shit saying?" His tone was ice cold.

"It looks like you have the lowest rank, sir," the man said, trying hard not to laugh.

Jinhwan saw that and got more pissed.

"You think it’s funny, asshole?" He walked toward the man and kicked his leg, making him lose balance. Then he raised his hand and swung it down, hitting the man in the chest and sending him to the ground, clutching his chest in pain.

"I think we should get going, young master." Joon stopped him and guided him out.

"That fucker was laughing at me. I’ll kill him." Jinhwan screamed in frustration. "And what the hell is E-?. Since when did ranks have plus and minus?"

Joon picked him up like a kid and took him outside the building. Then they drove back home. As they entered the mansion, Jinhwan headed straight to his room and slammed the door shut.

[Next morning]

Jinhwan was in the gym, relentlessly punching a thick iron wall over and over. The place was massive, packed with every kind of training equipment imaginable, from weight benches to sword dummies and even high-tech combat machines. It was located at the backside of the mansion, away from the main building.

His fists slammed into the iron, again and again, leaving smears of blood behind but the wounds healed just as fast as they formed, thanks to Miss Cha behind him. Still, the pain didn’t fade.

Why.. Why... why....

I finally awakened..... I thought I could enter a gate and rip those monsters apart with my bare hands. So why the fuck is my rank the lowest of the low?

CRACK.

"AAHHH!!" Jinhwan screamed in pain as his left arm gave out and snapped from the force.

Without saying a word, Miss Cha walked up behind him, calm and steady. She placed her hand gently on his broken wrist. A green dust-like aura flowed from her palm, swirling around the injury. Within seconds, the arm healed completely, and the glow faded into nothing.

"Try to control your anger, young master." she said softly as she wiped the sweat from his face with a clean white cotton towel.

Beep.

The watch on his wrist lit up. Jinhwan glanced at it, eyes narrowing.

[Quest: Hunt in an E Rank Gate.]

[Reward: Level Up]

So I can grow stronger.

[Episode 2 End]

Jinhwan got up from the floor, still flexing his freshly healed arm, and walked out of the gym without saying much.

"Tell Uncle Joon to be ready. I wanna go outside," he said to Miss Cha, then disappeared into the hallway.

A few minutes later, he came down freshly showered and changed plain black t-shirt, cotton jeans, and a pair of dark sports shoes. He stepped out of the mansion and slid into the back seat of the sleek black car already waiting for him.

"So, where do you wanna go, young master?" Joon asked from the driver’s seat, glancing back in the mirror.

"An E rank gate. Buy it. And take me there,” Jinhwan said coldly, eyes fixed on the glowing quest screen on his watch.

Joon paused for a second, then gave a firm nod. "As you wish, young master."

Twenty minutes later, the car came to a halt in the middle of a road that had been blocked off. Several people in black suits stood guard, and behind them, a swirling green portal pulsed with energy an active E Rank ank gate.

Joon stepped out and approached the group, stopping in front of a tall man who seemed to be in charge.

"Is this gate under the Hunter Association or some guild?" he asked casually.

The man looked at him for a moment before his eyes lit up with recognition. He gave a polite bow.

"It’s under the Hunter Association. What can I do for you, Hunter Lee Joon?"

"I want access. Do the paperwork, I’ll transfer the payment." Joon said, already typing something on his phone before slipping it back into his pocket.

"Understood. I’ll take care of it. The gate is yours," the man replied, then turned around and ordered to the others to step aside.

"Let’s go, young master." Joon called out.

Jinhwan stepped out of the car, calm as ever, and walked over to him.

"I need a weapon," he said, holding out his hand.

Joon went back to the car, popped the trunk, and pulled out a simple silver sword wrapped in cloth. He returned and handed it over.

"Will this do, or should I have someone fetch something better?" Joon asked.

Jinhwan took the sword, gave it a quick look. "It’s fine. Let’s go."

And with that, both of them walked straight into the gate and vanished.

A few seconds later, a woman in a ponytail who had been watching them from the side spoke up, concern on her face.

"Mr. Min.. I know it’s just a low-level gate, but still. A teenager and one man alone. Isn’t that risky?"

The tall man-Min kept his eyes on the gate. "You didn’t recognize him?"

"Who?"

"That man. That was Lee Joon one of Korea’s X-rank hunters."

Her eyes widened in shock.

"Wait, the Lee Joon? I thought he was just the kid’s driver. Since he was calling him young master."

An hour passed inside the dungeon.

Joon was effortlessly taking down Poisoned Wolves one after another swift strikes, clean kills then tossing their bodies toward Jinhwan, who delivered the final blow each time.

Poisoned Wolves were low-class beasts, they're barely more than oversized wild wolves twice the size of a normal one, with the added danger of venom in every attack. While their poison could be lethal to low-rank hunters or regular people, for someone like Joon, they were nothing more than training dummies.

Now, inside the boss room, a truck-sized wolf lay barely breathing, already defeated by Joon’s brutal offense. Its blood soaked the mossy stone floor.

Jinhwan stood still, staring at the glowing screen of his watch with a deep frown.

"Is something wrong, young master?" Joon asked, noticing the frustration on his face.

"Why didn’t the quest complete even after all this?" Jinhwan muttered under his breath.

Then, without hesitation, he drove the sword straight into the boss wolf’s skull. The beast let out a final whimper before collapsing fully but still, no system sound, no update, nothing.

The watch stayed quiet.

His eyes narrowed. His frustration deepened.

"Let’s go." Jinhwan said coldly, turning around and walking toward the exit.

Joon didn’t ask any questions. He simply followed. As they stepped out of the gate, the portal behind them flickered once and then collapsed in on itself, vanishing completely.

But just a few steps ahead of them stood a man in his 40s, tall, with a visible scar slashed across his left cheek. He wore a clean white suit that contrasted sharply with the gritty surroundings. There was a strange calm in his presence.

"Hello, Mr. Joon." the man greeted with a gentle tone, his gaze focused on Joon.

Joon stepped forward until he stood in front of him, eyes locked.

"What brings you here, Chairman Kim Myungsoo."

Myungsoo gave him a small smile.

"You see, I heard someone beat up one of my employees last night."

His tone stayed pleasant, but the edge behind his words was clear.

"I can’t just let anyone walk around freely after laying hands on my people." he continued, his gaze slowly shifting to Jinhwan. "If I do, others might start thinking the Hunter Association is getting weak."

Myungsoo and Jinhwan eye's made contact they're looking to each other.

"So what do you want? Say it clearly."

Joon was staring at Myungsoo, but then his eyes shifted to someone standing behind him, the same man Jinhwan had beaten last night in a fit of rage.

"Just apologize to him. That’s all," Myungsoo said calmly, his gaze fixed on Jinhwan.

Hearing that, Jinhwan let out a quiet laugh and shook his head.

"That’s all? Then where is he?"

His voice was sharp and cold, as always.

Myungsoo tilted his head slightly. The man behind him nodded and stepped forward.

Jinhwan walked up to him, stopping just inches away.

Then, before anyone could react, he smirked and swung his right leg high into the air.

With a swift motion, his foot came crashing down onto the man’s neck, knocking him out instantly.

[Episode 3 End]