After the successful dungeon raid, Sung Daeho returned home in high spirits. His heart still beat with excitement, the feeling of combat and accomplishment lingering in his blood. But the weight of the fight had also caught up to his body.
He let Kali return to his summoning space and stepped into the bathroom. The warm water flowed over his skin as he scrubbed away the grime and sweat. Twenty minutes later, he emerged in fresh clothes, warm and clean.
A simple lunch of rice, kimchi, and stew waited for him on the table. After finishing it with quiet satisfaction, he walked into his room, stretched across the bed—and drifted into a deep two-hour nap.
When he woke up, the sky was already leaning toward orange. Daeho sat up, blinking the sleep from his eyes, and immediately remembered what he had to do next.
He summoned Kali again and hopped on.
"Time to get recognized."
---
They sped through the streets, the city a blur around them, and soon the towering glass building of the Korean Awakeners Association Headquarters came into view. Eighty floors of polished metal and magic-reinforced glass pierced the skyline. It was the dream destination of every new hunter—and the gatekeeper of rank and rights.
As he entered through the massive automatic gates, the front lobby buzzed with life. Rows of chairs were filled with people.
Some sat nervously, clutching forms—youngsters and adults alike, hoping to find out if they had the spark to awaken. Others were confident hunters, laughing and chatting as they awaited their rank re-evaluation.
A digital sign above the reception desk scrolled:
> 🛡️ "Awakening & Rank Assessment – Now Serving #384" 🛡️
Daeho took a number and waited.
About 30 minutes passed before his number was called. During that time, he watched one or two people walk out crying, and a few others walk out grinning with their upgraded IDs.
Finally, a staff member in a black vest waved to him. "Sung Daeho?"
He nodded and stepped inside.
The evaluation chamber was sleek, covered in white and silver metal panels. At the center stood a mana density meter—a pod-like device with swirling blue light.
"First, place your hand on the orb," the staffer said.
He complied.
> [Mana Output: High Intermediate Tier]
Next came a physical scan machine. He stepped onto the pad, and red light traced across his body.
> [Strength: Above Average]
[Agility: Exceptional]
[Muscle-Magic Synchronization: High]
"Good base metrics," the staffer said. "Next is reflex testing."
Daeho stepped into a simulation chamber where drones launched small padded spheres at him from all angles. With his super speed, dodging them was effortless.
The screen buzzed.
> [Reflexes: Outstanding - A Tier]
Finally, the last step.
"Do you have a beast companion?" the staffer asked.
"Yes. I want to register it under my profile."
With a small nod, Daeho summoned Kali, who appeared in his smaller, controlled form.
The evaluator's eyes widened. "Is that… a Dire Wolf-class summon?"
"Something like that."
The staffer scanned Kali. The system buzzed for a while before approving.
> [Beast Companion Registered – C-Rank Contributive Score Added]
"And your special ability?"
"Super Speed," Daeho answered.
The staffer raised a brow. "Speed-type awakeners are rare."
"It's my awakening skill."
"Understood. It'll be included in the final evaluation. Please wait ten minutes."
---
Daeho sat on a leather bench outside the test chamber, legs bouncing with anticipation.
Ten minutes passed.
A tone rang out.
> [Hunter Registration Completed]
A woman in a blazer handed him a sealed black envelope.
"Congratulations, Mr. Sung. You've officially been registered as a C-rank hunter."
Daeho opened the envelope.
Inside was a shiny new Hunter ID card, dark gray with a red C on it.
But that wasn't all. He also received a voucher for a basic gear kit: one free armor set and weapon, suitable for his rank.
Daeho followed the instructions, walked to the armory on the third floor, and selected his items.
> Armor: C-Rank Light Hunter Suit
Weapon: Basic Dual Daggers (Speed-compatible type)
He held the daggers in his hands, their weight comfortable and balanced.
"Perfect," he whispered.
At the front desk, he paid ₩500,000 as the evaluation fee.
Expensive—but worth every won.
---
As the sky turned purple, Daeho stood outside the building with Kali beside him.
"Let's bring them something good."
He stopped by a nearby convenience store and ordered a box of hot chicken nuggets, a medium pizza, and a bottle of cold coke. Packed them up. Then dashed home.
---
The moment he opened the door, the smell hit everyone.
"Omo! You brought food?" Sung EunJi came out from the kitchen, surprised.
Daeho smiled. "Yeah. A little celebration."
EunHee looked over from the couch. "What's the occasion?"
Daeho pulled out his brand-new C-rank Hunter ID.
Their jaws dropped.
"You… You ranked up?!" his sister gasped.
"Yep. C-rank. Officially."
EunJi covered her mouth, clearly overwhelmed. "I'm so proud of you, Daeho…"
They gathered around the small dining table, eating happily. For the first time, Daeho saw both his mother and sister truly relax.
For the first time, he felt like he'd given something back.
---
Later that night, after cleaning up, Daeho returned to his room. He changed into light clothes and lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
The red interface shimmered faintly in the corner of his vision.
> [Super Speed – Cooldown Ready]
[Clone – Ready]
[Corpse Copy – 24 Days Remaining]
He swiped open the dungeon portal app and searched solo listings.
There it was.
> [Solo Dungeon | D-Rank | Individual Combat Scenario | Entry: Tomorrow 10:00 AM]
Location: Shincheon Substation Gate #27
Fee: Paid (₩200,000)
He booked it without hesitation.
"Tomorrow," he muttered. "I level up the hard way."
Kali rested quietly by the window, eyes half-closed.
And Daeho, smiling, finally drifted off to sleep.
---