Chapter One - The Merciless Betrayal (Remake)

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.

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