A Summons from Authority
Kyung-min sat in the back of the sleek black sedan, watching the cityscape blur past him. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the armrest, his mind still preoccupied with the events of the past few days.
He had grown stronger—faster than expected.
But was it fast enough?
His thoughts were interrupted as his butler glanced at him through the rearview mirror.
"Young Master," he said smoothly, "a formal invitation arrived this morning."
Kyung-min's eyes flickered with interest. "From?"
"The Awakener Association."
A pause.
His fingers stopped tapping.
"The Association?" he echoed, his voice unreadable.
"Yes," the butler confirmed. "It was sent directly by Choi Tae-hyun. He requests your presence for a 'discussion regarding recent activities.'"
Kyung-min smirked. 'Recent activities'—they mean the dungeon.
It made sense. Solo-clearing a Gate wasn't normal. The Association had to investigate. But their approach was polite, not forceful. That meant they weren't treating him as a threat… yet.
"They're curious about you," the butler continued. "Would you like to refuse?"
Kyung-min leaned back in his seat, considering.
He could ignore the invitation. The Association couldn't force him to come. He had no official guild, no mandatory obligations.
But—
If he rejected them, they might start monitoring him more aggressively.
Better to face them directly.
He exhaled. "Let's go."
"As you wish," the butler said, smoothly changing the car's course.
Arrival at the Association
The Awakener Association headquarters was an imposing skyscraper, towering above the surrounding buildings. Massive holographic screens displayed recent dungeon reports, guild rankings, and news about emerging Gates.
Hunters of various ranks moved in and out of the building, some in full combat gear, others in business attire.
Kyung-min's entrance drew attention—not because people recognized him, but because of his mask.
"…Who the hell wears a mask to the Association?" someone muttered.
"Isn't that the guy from the Rotting Fields Gate?"
"No way—that guy cleared it solo? Bullshit."
Kyung-min ignored them, stepping through the grand entrance with measured steps.
The receptionist, a young woman with sharp eyes, looked up from her screen.
"Do you have an appointment?" she asked.
He placed the summons letter on the desk.
Her eyes flickered to the name.
"…Ah. You're K4Yos."
The murmurs in the lobby grew louder.
"So he does exist."
"They called him in already?"
Kyung-min remained silent, waiting.
The receptionist quickly regained her composure and pressed a button. "Choi Tae-hyun is expecting you. Take the elevator to Floor 17."
With a nod, Kyung-min entered the elevator.
Meeting Choi Tae-hyun
The doors slid open, revealing a spacious, minimalist office. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, casting long shadows over the polished desk.
And behind that desk—
Choi Tae-hyun sat, hands clasped, waiting.
The man radiated calm authority—not overwhelming, not oppressive, but controlled. A man who had seen much, who had judged many.
"K4Yos," he greeted smoothly. "Please, have a seat."
Kyung-min approached but didn't sit.
Choi raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
After a pause, he leaned back slightly. "I won't waste time. You've caught the Association's attention."
Kyung-min tilted his head. "Because I cleared a Gate?"
Choi's lips twitched into a half-smile. "Because you cleared it alone."
A moment of silence.
"…And?" Kyung-min prompted.
Choi studied him carefully. "Official records state that an E-rank awakener requires at least a five-man team to clear a Gate. Yet, you did it solo."
He tapped a file on his desk.
"No guild. No history of prior awakenings. No records of dungeon participation. Then, suddenly—a masked man walks into a Gate and wipes out an entire field of undead?"
Kyung-min remained impassive. "And?"
Choi's expression didn't change. "I'm curious."
A pause.
Then—he leaned forward.
"Who are you, really?"
A Strategic Answer
Kyung-min exhaled through his nose, his posture casual yet deliberate.
Choi Tae-hyun wasn't an enemy. If he were, the Association would've detained him, not invited him.
But that didn't mean he wasn't a problem.
"Who am I, really?" he echoed, tilting his head slightly. "Isn't it obvious?"
Choi Tae-hyun raised an eyebrow, waiting.
Kyung-min took a step closer, resting a gloved hand on the chair in front of him—but he didn't sit.
"I'm just an E-rank awakener," he said smoothly. "No guild. No official records. No history." His tone was steady, neutral—offering nothing but facts. "I trained. I entered a Gate. I cleared it."
Choi's expression remained unreadable.
"Trained?" he repeated.
Kyung-min nodded. "For the past month and a half, I've been preparing."
Choi leaned back slightly, tapping his fingers against his desk. "And yet, no training records exist. No mentors. No guides. You emerged from nowhere."
Kyung-min smirked under his mask. "That's not illegal, is it?"
Choi let out a quiet chuckle.
"No," he admitted. "But it is… unusual."
A pause.
Then—Choi slid a thin file across the desk.
Kyung-min glanced down.
Inside was a photo. A grainy, low-quality image of him exiting the dungeon portal—his masked face the only defining feature.
"We keep track of potential outliers," Choi said calmly. "And you, K4Yos, are an outlier."
Kyung-min lifted his gaze. "And?"
Choi studied him. "You're not a threat to the Association—at least, not yet. But the way you're moving…" He trailed off, then exhaled. "You don't feel like a beginner."
Kyung-min didn't reply.
Choi tapped the file. "So, I'll ask again. Who trained you?"
A dangerous question.
But Kyung-min was already prepared.
He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice just enough to carry weight.
"No one."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Then—he smirked.
"You don't need a teacher when you've already survived worse than any of them could teach."
Choi's gaze sharpened.
That statement carried too much weight. Too much certainty.
Kyung-min's meaning was clear. He had survived something beyond a normal awakening.
For a moment, Choi simply watched him.
Then—he exhaled, shaking his head slightly.
"You're interesting," he admitted. "I won't push further. For now."
Kyung-min didn't relax. He knew this was far from over.
Then—Choi reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a small envelope.
"Regardless of how you trained, the Association wants to keep an eye on you." He slid the envelope forward. "Consider this an opportunity."
Kyung-min narrowed his eyes.
"What is it?"
Choi leaned back. "An invitation."
Kyung-min picked it up, flipping it open.
Inside—
A temporary Awakener License.
His fingers stilled.
"This lets you officially enter Gates and Dungeons without being tied to a guild," Choi explained. "It's limited-use, but… for someone like you, it's a way to prove yourself without unnecessary restrictions."
A pause.
Then—Choi smirked.
"Unless you'd rather join a guild?"
Kyung-min chuckled. "Pass."
Choi wasn't surprised. "Figured as much."
He tapped the desk once.
"One last thing."
Kyung-min raised an eyebrow.
"You will be monitored," Choi said, his voice calm but firm. "Not because we suspect you. But because people are watching. Your clear speed—your solo success—it's already spread."
Kyung-min exhaled slowly.
So it had begun.
"Got it," he said.
He turned to leave—
Then paused at the door.
He glanced back. "Was that all?"
Choi studied him for a moment. Then, with a small smirk, he said—
"For now."
Kyung-min chuckled softly.
"Then I'll be going."
With that, he stepped out of the office—his new license in hand.
And behind him, Choi Tae-hyun watched, his expression unreadable.
"Just what are you really hiding, K4Yos?"