The next day, Gong-heo slowly opened his eyes. The softness of the bed clung to his body like a cocoon, warm and safe—but he couldn't afford to stay in it forever. With a quiet groan, he sat up, stretching his arms high before rubbing the sleep from his face.
Even in this new world, some things didn't change. He moved on autopilot, mimicking what he'd always done in Gaeia. The rhythm of his morning routine was strangely comforting.
He got up and headed straight to the bathroom for a bath. The water was slightly cold, but it helped wake him up. After drying off, he picked a baggy outfit from the wardrobe—the entire closet was full of clothes that looked like they belonged to someone bigger. Oversized hoodies, wide pants, droopy sleeves. It was the original Gong-heo's style, and for now, he had no plans of changing it.
Breakfast was simple but delicious—some hot rice, eggs, and leftover beef stew. He took his time chewing, enjoying the flavor, before brushing his teeth and rinsing with cold water.
Before heading out, Gong-heo double-checked everything. He turned off all the lights, slung a small black bag over his shoulder, slipped ₩10,000 and his fully charged phone inside, and gently closed the door behind him.
Then he bounced lightly on his feet—like a kid psyching himself up—before briskly walking toward his destination.
It took about thirty minutes of fast-paced walking before he arrived at an unusual building tucked away in a shady district of Seoul. At first glance, it looked like a fancy office—tinted glass walls, a sleek entrance—but anyone with half a clue knew what this place really was.
This was the Rogue Hunter Guild.
An illegal, unregistered guild that operated in the shadows. It didn't follow the law. It didn't ask for licenses. And it didn't care about anyone's past. The bulletin board inside offered missions that no other legal guild would dare take—missions that were too dangerous, too shady, or too forbidden.
Gong-heo stood in front of the building, staring at the polished glass door for a moment. He let out a quiet chuckle, the corners of his lips curling.
"If the original Gong-heo can't become an Awakener," he muttered, "then I'll just register as an unregistered one... or should I say, a Hunter?"
He scoffed, amused by his own stubbornness.
With both hands gripping the strap of his sling bag, he stepped forward and gently pushed the door open.
Inside, the lighting was dim, the walls dark. The hum of quiet conversation and the distant beep of mission scanners filled the air. Some people glanced at him—probably because of how young he looked—but no one said a word. This was a place where no one asked questions, and that was exactly why he chose it.
He approached the counter slowly. Behind it stood a man dressed in black, his expression calm and professional. A name tag on his chest read: Jeo Hyun.
"Excuse me," Gong-heo said, tilting his head like a polite schoolboy, "is this the reception desk?"
Hyun looked up and smiled, a kind but unreadable smile. "Yes, young man. You're in the right place. Are you here to register?"
Gong-heo nodded.
Hyun reached under the desk and handed him a paper form and a pen. "You don't need to fill out everything. Just write your age, birthday, and name. You can make one up if you want. As for height and weight, leave it blank if you don't know."
Gong-heo nodded again, this time more confidently. He took the pen and began to write.
Name: Niero
It was the name he once carried in Gaeia. It felt distant, yet still a part of him.
Age: 13
Birthday: January 1, 2000
He left the height and weight blank. He truly had no idea what the original Gong-heo's body measured.
After double-checking, he handed the form and pen back to the receptionist.
Hyun glanced at the paper, then smiled again. "Alright. Wait a few seconds while I create your card."
Gong-heo stood quietly, watching as Hyun typed something into a small machine. A few metallic clicks and a quiet beep later, a freshly printed card slid out.
Hyun handed it to him.
The card was sleek and simple—solid black, with red lettering that glowed faintly under the light.
Name: Niero
Age: 13
Birthday: Jan 1, 2000
Rank: F
Status: Bronze
"You're F-rank for now," Hyun explained. "Since you're new. Everyone starts somewhere. Missions will raise your rank over time."
Gong-heo nodded one last time. He slipped the card into his bag, bowed slightly, and turned to leave.
But the moment he stepped outside, the mood inside the guild changed.
The man who had introduced himself as Jeo Hyun let out a low chuckle. He leaned back against the counter and watched the door slowly close behind the boy.
"Heh... So it begins," he whispered. "Things just got interesting again."
Then, with a smirk, he added under his breath, "Let's see what you've got, kid... or should I say, the first young man of our Rogue Hunter Guild?"
Suddenly, his face shimmered—almost like a disguise lifting—and shifted into a sharper, more handsome version. His aura grew heavier.
Not long after, someone rushed into the room, panting.
"Master! Master Gyeoul Byeolbam!"
Byeolbam—now fully revealed—grinned and crossed his arms.
"Calm down, William," he said, his tone playful. "Just tell Hyun I borrowed his name for a little while. Give him a bonus, too. Something special happened today."
William, or William Smith, blinked in confusion and rubbed his forehead. "Master... what happened?"
Byeolbam placed a hand on William's shoulder. "I need you to watch someone for me. That's all."
William's eyes widened slightly. Master asking to watch someone? That's new.
Byeolbam flicked William's forehead with one finger. "Don't say it. I can hear your thoughts, remember?"
William winced. "R-Right! Understood, Master!"
He grabbed Gong-heo's registration form and took off running, yelling back, "I'll handle it immediately!"
Byeolbam turned his gaze toward the door once more.
"My mind-reading didn't work on him," he said softly. "That's never happened before."
A chill ran down his spine—but not from fear. From curiosity. From the thrill of the unknown.
"How wonderful," he whispered. "I should expect something special from you, Niero. No... Gong-heo."
—
Meanwhile, just a few streets away, Gong-heo came to a sudden stop in front of a 7-Eleven.
He paused, sniffled, then sneezed loudly.
"Ugh," he muttered, rubbing his nose. "Is someone talking about me behind my back?"
He glanced over his shoulder, but the street was quiet. Shaking his head, he walked into the convenience store to grab some snacks and drinks.
He had no idea the small step he'd taken today—registering under the name Niero—was already stirring the tides of fate.
In a world filled with Hunters, awakeners, and shadows... he had just been marked.
Not as a threat.
Not as prey.
But as something unknown.
And the unknown always brings change.
End of Chapter 3