Dungeon Break.
If the monsters inside aren’t dealt with in time, the Dungeon spits them out.
My parents died because of that Dungeon Break.
It happened ten years ago, when I was sixteen.
Rage.
Once the sadness and confusion settled a bit, I was consumed by anger.
I was furious, resentful, and filled with grief.
But time went on.
Even my anger faded a little.
Maybe my feelings shifted direction.
Around that time, I made a decision.
I would become a Hunter.
Using my parents’ Legacy and the pitiful Compensation Money, I enrolled in the Hunter Training Academy.
I trained.
If there was anything I could do to raise my chances of Awakening, I did it.
I poured in all the money I had.
But I failed.
I didn’t Awaken.
Eventually, even my anger and resentment faded, and I sank into despair.
I simply kept on living.
That’s when my grandfather came to see me.
He hugged me and cried.
I’ll never forget what he said, patting my back.
“It’s all right now. You can stop being angry.”
By now, your parents surely understand how you feel.
I cried too.
And that’s how my wandering ended.
***
Gyeonggi Province, outskirts of Yongin City, New Hunter Training Institute.
Inside a moving truck, Suho recalled the past.
‘When I desperately wanted it, it never happened. But the moment I let go, I Awakened.’
There was a time when I longed to be a Hunter…
Now, seeing the sign for the training institute, the fact that I’ve finally Awakened feels real.
“Well, since it’s come to this.”
I’ve Awakened, at least.
I have a better start than most.
Even without comparing, I can tell that much.
“Let’s do this right. With a bang!”
I’ll work hard and become an outstanding Hunter.
So I can finally do what I decided long ago.
And, if possible, live well and eat well too.
‘That’ll also make it easier to hide the Dwarves.’
Even if someone gets suspicious about the Dwarven items, if I become a powerful Hunter, I can brush it off.
People will just think I got it from raiding some Dungeon.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
After steeling his resolve one last time, Suho got off the truck.
In the training institute lobby, dozens of people had gathered.
Some came empty-handed.
Some wrapped themselves in armor made from monster hides.
Some only brought weapons—there was every kind of person.
Among them, one person stood out.
“Tsk tsk, this sword is top-tier even among high-grade weapons. My father gifted it to me after I Awakened.”
A man boasting loudly with an arrogant look.
He was Park Dongsik, son of the Yeongil Guild Master.
“Oh, so the Guild Master gave you that as a gift? No wonder the shine is on another level, hyung-nim. The options must be top-notch too, right?”
His sly companion chimed in.
“Of course, not just attack power—every option is outstanding. Heh. The junk equipment these guys brought? My sword could slice it all in one swing.”
Park Dongsik blustered on, completely self-absorbed.
He’d had everything since he was young.
He always got what he wanted, always played the main character wherever he went.
He even Awakened at just the right time.
So, Park Dongsik didn’t care about the annoyed glances from other Hunters.
Suho quietly headed for an empty seat.
That caught Park Dongsik’s eye.
“What’s with that guy? Carrying that weird pot lid on his back? Don’t tell me he’s planning to use that hunk of iron as a shield?”
Is he an idiot?
It was a direct insult, loud enough for the whole lobby to hear.
Everyone’s eyes turned toward Suho.
“Tch, getting unwanted attention because of that guy.”
He didn’t care about the insults.
He was used to burying his anger.
Besides, the thing on his back wasn’t just any old thing.
[Sturdy Iron Pot Lid]
- An iron pot lid used by the Red Hammer Tribe. Round and flat. Crafted thick to last long. Heavy but solid—might be excellent as a shield substitute?
- Item Grade: High
- Physical Defense 450
- [Intermediate Shock Absorption]
- Stamina +5
- Durability 500
He’d gotten the pot lid from a Dwarf for just 20 boxes.
Tarunga had looked apologetic, and Bold just snickered.
And Suho?
‘So this is the pot lid’s performance.’
He was impressed.
Trading ramen for a ‘high-grade’ item was an absolute bargain.
So he could just laugh off the taunts of idiots like that.
But Suho’s composure only irritated Park Dongsik further.
“You even brought a crowbar? What, you think this is a construction site?”
Park Dongsik was annoyed that some loser, dressed like that, was on the same stage as him.
“Seriously, hyung-nim. All sorts of riffraff are gathered here. But just bear with it. Guys like that get weeded out quick anyway.”
“True, we’re not even in the same league. Heh.”
“Exactly. Guys like that are bottom feeders. You, hyung-nim, are on another level! And I’m your right hand! Hehehe.”
“Right, just stick with me.”
“Yes, thank you, hyung-nim.”
The annoying banter went on.
Suho didn’t respond.
Soon, an instructor appeared.
“Everyone, please move to the auditorium.”
At the instructor’s guidance, the new Hunters headed to the auditorium.
Rows of seats were prepared.
Once everyone was seated, the instructor on stage began to speak.
“I’m Kim Jintae, the instructor for this training session. It’s a short period, but your lives and futures are at stake, so I hope you’ll follow along.”
Kim Jintae was a seasoned Hunter in his mid-forties.
After introducing himself, he explained about the training.
“The training will last one night and two days. This morning, you’ll receive the basic education required of all Hunters, and afterward, you’ll have time to learn basic combat techniques.”
So, it starts with a mental education?
“Let’s watch a video as I explain.”
A video played on the screen behind the podium.
It covered how to act and what mindset to have inside a Dungeon.
The video was long—almost boringly so.
‘They have to drill the basics in, I guess.’
Inside a Dungeon, except for items recognized as ‘items’ by the System, nothing works as it should.
Electronics don’t function properly.
Communications get cut off.
The Dungeon interior becomes a lawless zone.
That’s why they have to thoroughly instill these basics from the very start.
‘Though, who knows how useful it’ll actually be.’
Time dragged on, and the basic education finally ended.
“Now, we’ll learn basic combat techniques.”
Kim Jintae and the instructors demonstrated how to handle cold weapons.
Simple, basic moves.
It was a crash course, just enough to meet the minimum standard.
For Suho, the stances were already familiar.
They were the same as what he’d learned back at the academy, back when he dreamed of being a Hunter.
It could have been boring, but Suho didn’t have time for that.
“What’s this? My body…”
Suho was startled.
His body was moving perfectly under his control.
From the soles of his feet to the tips of his fingers.
Not a single mistake.
As much as he wanted, just the way he wanted!
‘I can move exactly as I imagine. This is amazing!’
And he could read the movements of the other Hunters beside him as clearly as the lines on his palm.
‘My senses have gotten incredibly sharp too… Ah!’
Suho realized what was happening to him.
‘It’s because of Sensory Boost!’
He’d noticed his five senses sharpen after drinking the Fire Blossom Water.
But now, after moving his body intensely, he could confirm it for sure.
It was all thanks to Sensory Boost.
‘This is incredible.’
Information about his surroundings was picked up automatically, without even trying.
His body moved exactly as he wished.
Overcome with excitement, Suho followed the combat drills until the morning class ended.
And someone was watching him with a strange look in their eyes.
***
The afternoon class was held in another building next to the auditorium.
Once again, Instructor Kim Jintae began to explain.
“This afternoon, you’ll practice the combat skills you learned this morning. It’s a practical session using the Virtual Combat System, so there’s no need to be afraid.”
Kim Jintae gestured toward a booth made of magic-reinforced glass.
“When you enter the practice room, a hologram monster will appear. Your job is to fight and defeat that monster.”
Victory or defeat is judged by sensors that detect attacks and hits.
After explaining this, Kim Jintae pointed to the screen behind him.
“The monster you’ll be facing is the Ratman. Before the practical, let’s learn its habits and weaknesses.”
A video about the Ratman played.
A bipedal monster, about waist-high, resembling a giant rat.
Its main weapons were the claws on its front paws and its long, exposed fangs.
It was a weak monster, among the lowest in a 1-star Dungeon.
“Now, you’ve learned all about how to deal with the Ratman. Don’t worry if you get hit; you won’t get hurt. Just think of it as a chance to experience a hunt in advance.”
The practice proceeded in order of roll call.
“Ah, damn, I died.”
“I died too. Knowing the strategy is different from real combat.”
“Yeah, especially the claws—they’re tricky.”
“Right, the fangs aren’t as threatening as they look, but the claws are a problem.”
Dropouts kept piling up.
But failing against the Ratman didn’t mean you couldn’t register as a Hunter.
As the instructor said, the point was to get experience in advance.
But not everyone thought that way.
“Idiots. How can you lose to something like a Ratman? Guys like that drag down the whole Hunter community.”
It was Park Dongsik again.
He made sure everyone could hear him.
“Of course, hyung-nim, you’ll take care of it in one blow.”
“Obviously.”
Park Dongsik was confident.
He’d taken an expensive potion as soon as he Awakened.
The gear on his body was worth tens of millions of won.
‘Heh, time to show them the difference in class.’
He dreamed of a flashy debut.
His father was the Yeongil Guild Master, so he wouldn’t get scout offers, but he still wanted the whole world’s attention.
For him, that was only natural.
“Next, Park Dongsik. Please enter the practice room.”
It was his turn.
Park Dongsik entered the practice room brimming with confidence.
“He’s pretty good. Thought he was all talk.”
“His stats must be crazy high?”
“Tsk, guess he took some rich kid potion or something.”
“I was hoping he’d fail since he was so obnoxious, but no chance.”
People whispered.
Soon, Park Dongsik’s practice was over.
“Took you ten minutes. Good work.”
The instructor praised Park Dongsik.
His combat was quite impressive.
“Tsk tsk, this is basic. If you can’t even do this, you shouldn’t even think about becoming a Hunter.”
With a crooked grin, Park Dongsik strutted out of the practice room.
“Next, Won Suho.”
Of all times, Suho was up next.
Suho and Park Dongsik crossed paths.
“Wow, that pot lid strap is just pathetic, isn’t it? You look like a beggar.”
Park Dongsik muttered loudly enough for all to hear.
Suho just smirked and walked past him.
“You laughing? You think my words are funny?”
Ignoring Park Dongsik’s bluster, Suho entered the practice room.
“Begin.”
At the instructor’s signal, the session started….
PAPAK-!
And it was over just like that.