The Guild Master leaned back in his chair, fingers interlocked behind his head.
It was a small habit of his—something he only did when he was amused.
Across from him sat Min Byung-Gyu, arms relaxed, posture calm, expression unreadable.
But something was different.
"You've been smiling since morning," the Guild Master said at last."That doesn't happen often. Especially not before a raid briefing."
Byung-Gyu didn't deny it.
He didn't even try to hide it.
"My younger brother awakened," he said quietly."We're going to have his rank evaluated today."
The Guild Master froze for half a second.
"…Your brother?"
"Yes."
A short silence followed—then the man burst into laughter.
"Well then, why didn't you say so earlier?" he said, standing up and grabbing his coat."We were just about to finalize a raid team."
He paused at the door and glanced back.
"We're missing one tanker and one buffer," he continued casually."If someone like that suddenly appeared, things would become a lot easier."
Byung-Gyu's lips curved slightly.
"…Who knows," he replied."Maybe today is your lucky day."
The Guild Master narrowed his eyes.
"That confident, huh?"Then he grinned. "Alright. Let's go. Surprise me."
🛍️ A Moment That Should Have Been Ordinary
Far away from guild politics and hunter power struggles, Min Joon-Hyuk stood awkwardly in front of a mirror inside a clothing store.
He tugged at the sleeve of an expensive jacket.
"These are… too much," he muttered."I don't need things like this."
Min Han-Seo waved her hand dismissively.
"Your older brother is an S-Rank Healer," she said lightly."Do you know how much he earns in one raid?"
Min Tae-Joon nodded in agreement.
"More than we earned in years combined."
Joon-Hyuk looked away.
"…That still doesn't mean I need luxury clothes."
His mother's expression softened.
"You spent years in a hospital bed," she said gently."You missed school. You missed life. Let us do this."
Before he could respond—
His phone rang.
Joon-Hyuk glanced at the screen.
And froze.
"Brother…?"
"Get ready," Min Byung-Gyu said on the other end."We're checking your rank."
"…Now?"
"Yes. Now."
Joon-Hyuk slowly looked at his parents.
"I'm coming too," Min Han-Seo said instantly.
Min Tae-Joon nodded."We're not missing this."
🏛️ Hunter Association — Seoul Branch
The Hunter Association building was never quiet.
Awakenings were being evaluated.Names were being called.Lives were being classified.
Rank decided everything.
When Min Joon-Hyuk entered, nothing should have changed.
He was young.Unregistered.Unknown.
But the atmosphere shifted.
Not because of him—
But because of who walked beside him.
Min Byung-Gyu.
Behind them followed guild executives and elite hunters.
And at the center stood the Guild Master himself, hands in his pockets, eyes sharp.
Whispers spread instantly.
"That's him…"
"The S-Rank Healer…"
"Why is he here?"
Joon-Hyuk spotted his brother and waved.
"Brother! Over here!"
Byung-Gyu walked calmly and gestured.
"This is my Guild Master," he said."One of Korea's top Hunters."
Joon-Hyuk bowed politely.
"Nice to meet you, sir."
The man laughed and waved his hand.
"Don't be so formal," he said."If you're Byung-Gyu's brother, call me Big Brother."
"…Big Brother?" Joon-Hyuk blinked.
"See?" the man chuckled. "Already family."
Byung-Gyu coughed lightly.
"Don't get comfortable yet," he warned."Check your rank first."
🪨 The Awakening Stone
Joon-Hyuk stepped forward.
An association officer raised his hand.
"Please wait. Others are—"
"We're in a hurry," the Guild Master interrupted flatly.
The senior manager hesitated.
Then nodded.
"…Understood."
Joon-Hyuk placed his hand on the stone.
⚡ The First Collapse
Light exploded outward.
A golden aura surged behind him.
Not chaotic.
Not violent.
But solemn.
A towering silhouette formed—A Paladin clad in radiant armor, sword raised toward the sky.
The measuring device screamed.
Then—
Crack.
The stone shattered.
Dead silence.
The Guild Master's expression hardened.
"…That's S-Rank potential," he muttered."But why do I feel pressure?"
He clenched his fist unconsciously.
I'm a top-ranked Hunter.So why does my body feel suppressed?
A senior official rushed forward.
"This stone measures only up to A-rank potential," he said nervously."That's why it broke. Please use the second one."
🌟 When History Was Forced to Rewrite Itself
Joon-Hyuk touched the second stone.
The air became heavy.
Not overwhelming—
Authoritative.
The aura expanded, dense and absolute.
Numbers surged.
Then stopped.
The screen went blank.
The official stared.
"…Triple S."
The room exploded.
"Triple S-Rank?!"
"On first awakening?!"
"Korea has never—"
Phones came out.Emergency calls were made.
Elite guilds arrived.
But something was missing.
No international presence.
Korea sealed the information immediately.
🧠 The Question Everyone Feared
Reporters flooded the hall.
"Which guild will you choose?"
"What's your family background?"
"Your records don't exist!"
Joon-Hyuk glanced sideways.
"…Brother?"
Byung-Gyu sighed quietly.
"I erased his records," he said."He was in a coma after a dungeon incident. He only recently woke up."
Gasps echoed.
"An S-Rank Healer…"
"…and a Triple S-Rank brother?"
Someone asked carefully,
"Will you form a new guild?"
Byung-Gyu looked at his Guild Master.
Then shook his head.
"No."
"My leader trusts me," he said firmly."I don't want politics."
He placed a hand on Joon-Hyuk's shoulder.
"My brother will join my guild.""He'll work under me."
The Guild Master smiled.
"Decision accepted."
No one argued.
They couldn't.
🌍 That Night
All of Korea knew.
A new rank had appeared.A sealed existence had awakened.
And somewhere beyond the borders—
The world had begun to pay attention.