---
In the depths of Seoul's bustling chaos, beneath the flashing signs and roaring subways, something had begun to stir.
It wasn't just whispers anymore.
It was curiosity… and fear.
An E-rank Hunter who walked out of a death-class Denguen.
An unregistered power surge that fried three surveillance devices.
A mutated dungeon cleared—without a single casualty—by a "nobody."
Too many coincidences.
And the big names had noticed.
---
The Azure Blade Guild Headquarters – Gangnam, 32nd Floor
"Lee Jin-Soo," the Guild executive repeated, setting down his glass of water. "No family beyond a younger sister. No guild affiliation. No sponsor. Previously ranked E. No magic affinity. No core stats worth mentioning."
He turned the tablet toward his companion—Han Do-Kyun, head of recruitment.
"But this nobody keeps walking out of places where others die."
Do-Kyun leaned forward. "So you want him?"
"Bring him in. Offer money, warmth, whatever. If he refuses… keep him close."
Do-Kyun smirked. "Understood."
---
Back in a quiet part of Seoul – Morning
Jin-Soo woke early as usual. Ha-Eun was still asleep, her small frame curled up under the blanket he'd patched with sewing thread. He quietly left the apartment after leaving her a note:
> "Got a small job. Back before lunch. Don't burn the rice. – Oppa"
The moment he stepped into the alley behind their apartment, a man in a navy coat approached him.
He looked average—too average. Slicked-back hair, friendly smile, hands in his coat pockets. But his shoes were too clean. His posture too confident.
"Lee Jin-Soo, right?" the man asked warmly.
Jin-Soo didn't answer immediately.
"Who's asking?"
The man chuckled. "Ah, sorry. Han Do-Kyun. Recruiter for Azure Blade Guild. We've been keeping an eye on your recent… activities."
Jin-Soo narrowed his eyes slightly.
"I'm E-rank," he said simply. "You must have the wrong person."
"See, that's what we thought, too," Do-Kyun replied. "But then our scouts saw you exit a high-threat Denguen without a scratch. That's a little impressive for someone ranked lower than a dog."
He held up a small crystal disk.
"Your reaction time, your power suppression, even your kill efficiency. You don't belong in the bottom ranks. You're hiding something."
> [System Alert: Magical Recording Device Detected – Level: A]
[Countermeasures Active: Visual distortion enabled.]
Jin-Soo stayed calm. "You spying on me?"
"We watch everyone," Do-Kyun said smoothly. "Especially those who survive what should have killed them."
He extended a business card. "We're offering a test contract. No strings. Just one week. Clean pay, decent meals. Access to higher gates. Medical for your sister. The works."
Jin-Soo stared at the card.
He smiled faintly, but his eyes didn't.
"Sounds generous."
Do-Kyun grinned. "We like investing early in talent. It's just smart business."
Jin-Soo took the card.
"I'll think about it."
---
That Night – Rooftop
The wind was sharp as Jin-Soo sat beneath the sky again.
The system pulsed.
> [New Interaction Logged: Guild Recruiter – Azure Blade]
[Hidden Objective: Infiltration Path Unlocked]
[If you accept the Guild's offer and uncover their secrets from within, reward path 'Silent Storm' will activate.]
He stared at the glowing blue card.
Inside the plastic shimmer was not opportunity.
It was a trap wrapped in silk.
But maybe… he needed to step into the lion's mouth.
> "If I join them," he whispered, "I'll learn who's watching me. Who wants to use me. And how far they'll go to control what they don't understand."
He looked toward his apartment window. Light flickered gently behind it.
> "But if they touch her…"
"…I'll become the nightmare they were right to fear."
---
Elsewhere – A Darker Guild Room
Across the city, within the shadows of an illegal Hunter cartel known as Black Halo, a man in red robes stared at a wall of faces.
Jin-Soo's profile had no rank color.
Only black ink.
"Find him," the robed man said. "Bring him to me before the Association does."
"And if he refuses?"
"Break him," the man whispered. "Or bury him where no portal can find his bones."
---
Final Scene – Decision Made
The next morning, Jin-Soo stood outside the Azure Blade Guild tower in Gangnam.
He was dressed in the same patched jacket. No blade. No armor. Just a man walking calmly into a building full of sharks.
> "Time to play weak again."
> "And learn how deep this world's rot really goes."
---