Despair gnawed at Min Joon like a starved beast. The memory of his comrades, crushed by the monstrous statues, was a fresh wound on his psyche. Yet, this new threat loomed before him, a colossal god radiating an aura of power that made Min Joon's breath catch in his throat. His newfound confidence, the thrill of discovering his awakened power, seemed laughably naive now. Where was the unwavering resolve to become strong? Doubt, a bitter worm, burrowed into his mind. Was all this struggle, all this sacrifice, even worth it?
A torrent of questions flooded him.
Was this reality or a twisted nightmare? The memories of his past life bled into the present, blurring the lines of existence. Was he even truly alive, or just a specter trapped in this purgatory?
The faces of his fallen comrades echoed in his mind. Was he no different from the monsters he fought? The life he took, the raw anger that fueled the attack, still sent shivers down his spine. Could he ever reconcile with that act? Would anyone ever accept him as anything other than a killer?
Memories of his sisters surfaced – their laughter, their warmth a stark contrast to the cold stone of the cavern. He feared their rejection, their fear turned into disgust. Would they even recognize the monster staring back at them?
But amidst the despair, a spark of defiance ignited. He wouldn't succumb to self-pity. He remembered the torture he endured in his past life, the challenges that honed him into a weapon.
He wouldn't die a whimpering coward again. The reflection on the altar wasn't just Sung Jin Woo, the high hunter.
It was Min Joon, reborn with the memories of his past life fueling his determination. He wouldn't let his past define him. He would carve his own path in this new world.
A mocking voice, perhaps a manifestation of his own anxieties, slithered into his thoughts. It questioned his very existence, and his right to fight for a future.
"Why don't you simply die peacefully?" it taunted.
But Min Joon refused to give in. He wouldn't let it diminish him. He had faced trials harder than this inner critic's jeers.
"Don't fuck with me," he thought, a steely resolve replacing the self-doubt.
He recounted the betrayal he suffered in his past life, the pain that scarred him. The anger wasn't just for the woman who betrayed him, but for the system that allowed such injustice to flourish. He wouldn't let that happen again. This world offered an escape.
Here, raw power dictated the rules. Forget justification, forget seeking acceptance – he would build his own reality. This power wasn't about revenge, it was about expressing his will. It was about creating a world where his strength guaranteed his safety and, maybe, someday, someone would love him for who he truly was.
"So what if I killed them?" he challenged the inner voice.
"Everyone dies someday. I only hastened it."
This wasn't about playing hero; this was about survival, about taking control of his own fate. The voice was silenced, replaced by a sense of purpose. He would become strong enough, not just for himself, but for his sisters. He owed them that, at least.
With newfound resolve fueling his weakened body, Min Joon opened his eyes to the sterile white of a hospital room. The rhythmic buzz of a ventilator filled the air. His head throbbed, a constant reminder of the brutal battle.
A wave of relief washed over him when he saw Jin-Ah and Ha-Na rush to his bedside. He saw the raw fear and worry etched on their faces, a testament to the pain he had caused.
He had a long way to go, not just in terms of strength, but in mending the bonds he had almost shattered. He embraced Jin-Ah, vowing to fulfill at least one of her wishes.
A playful tease softened the tension, followed by a sincere apology for causing them pain. He knew the path he was on wouldn't be easy, but he wouldn't let them down again.
Ha-Na's presence, her quiet strength, offered a different kind of solace. Her words, "It's good you're alive or I would have killed you myself," were tinged with a fierce love that warmed him.
He wouldn't let her worry in vain. He would train, he would grow stronger, and he would return from every hunt, safe and sound.
The journey had just begun, but for the first time in a long time, Min Joon felt a flicker of hope. He wasn't just Min Joon with a tragic past and regrets. He is Sun Jin Woo, reborn with a purpose, a world where he will gain the strength to take control of his fate.
A translucent blue screen shimmered before Jin Woo's eyes, a beacon of possibility in the sterile white hospital room. His lips curved into a genuine smile, a stark contrast to the forced cheer he usually offered.
His sisters, Ha Na, and Jin Ah, caught his expression."Jin Woo, did something happen?" Ha Na asked, her voice laced with concern.
"Just happy," he replied, deflecting slightly. "Blessed to have two amazing sisters who worry about me."
Jin Ah and Ha Na both pinched his ears. Seeing him nursing his ears both of them smiled at each other. A playful pinch from each sister earned a chuckle from Jin Woo. At that moment, a quiet vow settled within him – to become strong enough to protect their smiles forever.
Unlike other hunters, Jin Woo wasn't just physically scarred from the dungeon incident. He possessed a secret weapon – a wealth of knowledge gleaned from countless novels detailing the use of mana and skills. This broader understanding fueled his hunger for improvement, a determination to surpass even the fictional characters he'd read about.
His meeting with the Korean Hunter Association Inspector was a disappointment. Their mana test confirmed his low level, leaving them unimpressed. Jin Woo kept his cards close, sticking to the fabricated story he shared with the other hunters.
Discharged from the hospital, he returned home, his resolve burning bright. Stepping into the gym, he closed his eyes and focused on the screen. A warm rush flooded him as the words materialized:
[Welcome Player]
Excitement thrummed through him. He experimented, focusing his thoughts.
The words changed:
[You have received a notification]
Following an intuitive urge, he reached out, not physically, but with his mind, towards the message box.
[Quest]
0/100 Push-Ups
0/100 Sit-Ups
0/100 Curl-Ups
0/10 Km Running
A grin split his face. A training quest – the perfect stepping stone. This wasn't just about acquiring power; it was about proving his resolve, demonstrating to himself, and maybe even the system, that he wouldn't be another fallen pawn.
Fueled by this newfound purpose, he threw himself into the workout. Hours melted away, sweat dripping onto the floor as he pushed his limits. Memories of his past life, the grueling training that honed him into a weapon, flickered through his mind, urging him on.
By evening, exhaustion claimed him, his body a symphony of aches and pains. Yet, on the screen, a satisfying message awaited:
[Quest Completed]
[You have received 3 S.P]
He delved into his profile, a touch of amusement playing on his lips despite the meager starting stats:
Hunter Name: Sung Jin Woo
Level: 1 HP: 35
Stats:
Strength: 14
Dexterity: 11
Intelligence: 9
Defense: 10
Magic Power: 20
"Level 1, huh," he muttered, a hint of steel in his voice. "Every king starts as a pawn, every legend begins with a single step."
With a strategic plan in mind, he allocated the earned points. "Balanced but focused," he murmured, distributing the points to strengthen his core stats: Dexterity and Strength.
He envisioned himself – a whirlwind of controlled power, a dance of agility and raw strength, a fusion of swordsman and warrior. He wouldn't be just another hunter. He'd become the architect of his destiny, a force to be reckoned with in this new world.
Jin Woo, cloaked in a worn baseball cap, navigated the bustling streets, his eyes scanning the cityscape with a newfound awareness. He stopped abruptly before a subway gate, a tremor of anticipation coursing through him. Reaching into his pocket, he produced a curious key – a simple object radiating otherworldly energy.
[Item]
Name: E-Rank Dungeon Key
Description: A key that unlocks a portal to a hidden E-Rank dungeon, teeming with low-level monsters. This gateway exists in a separate dimension, invisible to the human eye.
With a deep breath, Jin Woo pressed the key against the metallic surface of the gate. A ripple of shimmering energy engulfed him, transporting him in an instant. The familiar subway station dissolved around him, replaced by a hollow, dimly lit chamber. The air crackled with a strange energy, and the metallic tang of blood hung heavy.
He was no longer in Seoul. This was the E-Rank dungeon, a desolate wasteland mirroring the one he'd barely escaped. But here, he was invisible, an unseen observer. He couldn't interact with the physical world, but he could see everything.
A pang of frustration lanced through him as he tried to push past a massive stone door leading deeper into the dungeon. It was an impassable barrier for him in this spectral form.
A holographic message flickered into existence before his eyes.
[Quest]
Defeat the Dungeon Boss
Reward: 30 S.P and 35K Gold coins
A thrill of anticipation surged through him. This was it. His first test. A predatory grin stretched across Jin Woo's face. "It's time to grind," he murmured, his voice echoing eerily in the silent chamber. No longer a helpless victim, he was a player now. And in this game, he was determined to level up.