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Chapter 1: The Ordinary Life of Jihoon Kang
The sun was just beginning to set over the city of Seoul, casting a golden glow across the bustling streets. Jihoon Kang stood at the edge of the sidewalk, watching the crowds rush by, each person wrapped up in their own world. He was no different. A college student, struggling to keep up with his courses, his life feeling like a series of mundane routines. But today, something was different.
He had always known he was different from the others—his peers, his classmates, everyone. His life felt like it was meant for something greater, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't seem to break free from the ordinary.
"Jihoon, you're late again," a voice broke his thoughts. It was Eunji Lee, his classmate and friend. She wasn't much older than him, but her presence always felt more mature, more composed.
"Sorry, Eunji," Jihoon muttered, glancing at the time. "I've just... been thinking a lot."
Eunji raised an eyebrow. "You always say that. Come on, we're going to be late for the raid. Get your head in the game."
Jihoon nodded, following her toward the underground Hunter's guild. As they descended into the cool, dimly lit space, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change.
The guild was bustling with Hunters gearing up for their next mission, each wearing a mix of protective gear and weapons. It wasn't uncommon to see people preparing for a dungeon raid, but today, Jihoon couldn't ignore the feeling that something ominous hung in the air. He glanced around, but all the other Hunters seemed absorbed in their own business.
"Jihoon, stop spacing out," Eunji called, leading him toward a large group gathered around a table covered in maps and documents. The team leader, a tall man with short black hair and sharp eyes, was briefing the group on their next mission.
"Alright, listen up," he began, "We've got a raid scheduled in Sector 7. There's a dungeon opening nearby, and we need to clear it out before any monsters spill over into the city. Stay sharp, and don't underestimate anything in there."
Jihoon nodded, adjusting the straps on his gear. Despite the cool exterior of the guild, he could feel the unease gnawing at him. Maybe it was the weight of the day, or maybe it was just the looming sense of something new, but something about this raid felt different.
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As the team made their way toward the dungeon, Jihoon couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. The streets were busy, the sounds of honking cars and chatter filling the air. Yet, beneath all the noise, Jihoon's senses were heightened. His heart raced with anticipation, but for reasons he couldn't explain.
Eunji walked beside him, her pace steady, her eyes scanning the surroundings as usual. "Are you alright?" she asked, noticing his tense posture.
"Yeah," Jihoon said, forcing a smile. "Just... not sure what to expect."
"Don't worry," she replied. "You've trained for this. Just stick close to me, and you'll be fine."
The team arrived at the entrance of the dungeon—an abandoned building in the outskirts of the city. The air around it felt colder, almost unnatural. Jihoon felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as they stepped inside, the low hum of energy filling the space.
As the team descended deeper into the building, the shadows seemed to grow longer, darker. Jihoon had been through dungeons before, but nothing like this. The usual glowing stones that lit the path flickered and dimmed as they walked further. It felt like the very walls were alive, shifting and closing in on them.
"Stay alert," the team leader warned, his voice tense. "Something's not right."
Just as he spoke, the floor beneath them trembled, and the walls cracked open. Out of the cracks, dark, monstrous shapes emerged—creatures of shadow, with glowing red eyes and twisted forms. They were unlike anything Jihoon had ever seen, and the air was thick with their presence.
"Get ready!" the leader shouted.
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In that instant, Jihoon's body moved on instinct. His breath quickened, his hands trembling. But as the shadows around him seemed to press in, something inside him snapped. It was as though a switch had been flipped. His body surged with energy, the air around him rippling as if something dark was awakening within.
A sudden wave of power rushed through Jihoon's limbs. His hand shot out, and before he even knew what he was doing, a dark tendril of shadow exploded from his fingertips, slicing through one of the creatures in a clean strike. The monster let out an ear-splitting screech as it dissolved into nothingness, leaving behind only the faintest trace of smoke.
Jihoon stared in shock at his hand. His heart pounded in his chest. What... what just happened?
Eunji was at his side in an instant, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Jihoon... what was that?"
Jihoon couldn't answer. He had no words. His hand shook, and the shadows around him pulsed, as if they were alive, waiting for his command.
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End of Chapter 1
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