📰 Breaking NewsI got so freaked out for a second thinking he might bail on being a hunter—massive upvote lmao, count me in first💬 Comments— AnonymousFuck yeah, upvote lmao— AnonymousThought he'd get insta-cut at the entrance from the first post;— Paper Enthusiast*Got super scared— AnonymousEven the band got spooked lmaooooooo— Aged Wine is...*Eh, it's a relief that the newbie decided to become a hunter somehow~◇◇◇◆◇◇◇📰 Breaking NewsThis newbie bastard💬 Comments— AnonymousNo fucking brains lmao
This level of concept dedication has to be extreme, right?
A human shows up here, and he pulls off a near-pro level backflip show.
— AnonymousPro goblin power show ㄷㄷ— AnonymousNow that he's a hunter, we gonna see it soon?— AnonymousOh, sounds plausible?— Paper Enthusiast*Nah; probably won't see it that fast— Paper Enthusiast*The tower's current state makes it structurally hard for a newbie to survive anyway— Aged Wine is...*Hoe~ ㅠㅠ I wanna see the newbie so bad...! Means treat the newbie quick!— AnonymousTrue, shit's been crazy chaotic lately— AnonymousWhat's Earth's tower progress at now?— AnonymousLike 48th floor or something. Been stuck there for years again— AnonymousFuck lmao so fucking bleak— AnonymousAt this rate, it's just gonna burst and hell party time, no?◇◇◇◆◇◇◇📰 Breaking NewsIt's all because of that fucking species discrimination💬 Comments— AnonymousDumbasses hoarding resources, controlling and assassinating hunters from low-progress backgrounds— AnonymousWoo... baby boss lost his job again...— AnonymousWhat's boss?— AnonymousBoss mob ㅇㅇ— AnonymousWhatever dude;— AnonymousYou again, goblin?— Short-Eared Goblin*Why drag me into this? There are tons of other species— AnonymousNot cuz you're a goblin, but when we check...— Paper Enthusiast*Anyway, it's not about avoiding us—gotta watch out for not getting screwed by hunters from other worlds— AnonymousThat's first priority;— AnonymousYeah that's right— AnonymousBand's usually spot on unless it's bullshit lmao— AnonymousBoss mob sponsoring newbie ㄷㄷ— AnonymousBut why go this hard?— Paper Enthusiast*Cuz it's fun— AnonymousFr lmao— AnonymousLmaoooooooo honest af
While Kim Do-yoon was off signing papers, the gallery users kicked off their own dopamine party among themselves, generating fresh bait within the gallery.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Phew..."
I set the pen down, my heart pounding.
On the document, the characters 'Kim Do-yoon' were inscribed in neat handwriting.
It had been worth practicing my penmanship relentlessly to avoid looking uneducated.
"Have you... made up your mind?"
Kim Do-yoon nodded with a resolute expression to Choi Geon-woo, who asked cautiously.
"Yes."
"You've made the right choice. We promise to provide maximum support so that Kim Do-yoon can proudly step forward as a hunter from here on."
Even hearing that didn't exactly lift my spirits.
Maybe because I'd just realized my identity was half-owned by a government agency.
Rather than joy at my life turning around, a vague sense of bewilderment dominated.
"What now?"
Kim Do-yoon asked.
Choi Geon-woo replied with his usual affable smile.
"First, let me introduce you to the colleagues you'll be teaming up with going forward."
"Ah."
They'd already gotten familiar.
The group that had swarmed him with curious eyes when he first emerged from the simulation room.
No malice in their gazes, but their otherworldly energy had drained him considerably.
"Oh."
Following Choi Geon-woo's guidance through the association's interior, he soon encountered those familiar faces.
"Hey, hey!"
"Newbie's here!"
"Welcome aboard, rookie!"
"Idiot. That's what they say."
"Oh... right...?"
Stepping into the room amid an awkward vibe, the group couldn't hold back any longer and began creeping toward Do-yoon.
"I'll handle the paperwork separately for a bit."
Choi Geon-woo neatly ignored Do-yoon's pleading look, grabbed the documents he'd signed, and left the room.
Left behind: four veteran hunters and one newbie.
"...Ah."
Three shadows on the verge of devouring the fragile newbie.
"Back off, all of you."
A savior appeared, blocking the hunters.
"What! Why!"
"Come on, sis! Hogging him solo?!"
"I met him first anyway, so it'll be easier to talk. Introductions first."
"W-We can do that too-"
"Hey, you gonna move or not?"
Jo Ha-rin.
The cool beauty from their first encounter stood firmly in front of Kim Do-yoon.
The other hunters grumbled faintly at Jo Ha-rin but tucked tail and backed off under her sharp glare.
"Do-yoon, come here a sec."
"Ah, sure."
Letting Jo Ha-rin naturally take his hand, Do-yoon finally caught his breath.
-Clunk.
Jo Ha-rin entered the room with Do-yoon.
"They're not usually this aggressive, but you're such a rare case, Do-yoon."
"Rare case?"
"Just like Korea's thirsty for talent, we've been waiting for a capable newbie hunter."
Newbie hunter.
His heart raced involuntarily at those words.
"Anyway. I'll give you a quick rundown here first, then help you greet them casually."
Do-yoon felt relieved at that.
Had he stayed there, the barrage of questions from all sides would've fried his brain.
"As you know, they're all hunters."
"Yes."
"All have skills like you, Do-yoon, and they're active inside the tower with their strengths. And."
Jo Ha-rin paused a beat before continuing.
"There are other hunters operating in Korea, but they're all solo operators or deep in raids, so not here now."
"Uh..."
"Or they might be dead."
"...?"
Did I mishear that last part?
"Tower comms with the outside are tough. Unless they come out themselves, confirming life or death is hard."
I hadn't misheard.
Hunter. As expected, not an easy gig.
Not just anyone could do it, and chasing money and fame meant risking your life like paper in the wind.
"You've already awakened, so quitting's off the table, but since it's come to this, let's give it our best. Treatment here's decent anyway."
Hunters had to conquer the tower that sprouted in Korea.
Otherwise, it'd collapse and kill everyone.
In the end, everyone's lives hung on Do-yoon and the hunters' hands.
"And-"
Jo Ha-rin started to say more, lips parting, then closed them.
"...Never mind. Later for that."
Silence fell briefly, then Do-yoon spoke first.
"So, we'll be working together ongoing, right?"
"Well... yeah?"
"Looking forward to it, then."
He'd lost count of how many greetings this was, but it was perfect for easing awkwardness.
"I'll be green at everything since it's my first time, but I'll learn my best."
Before Do-yoon wasn't just a cool pretty woman.
A true senior with real hunter experience.
Now in the same boat, Do-yoon resolved to focus on learning to survive as a hunter.
'And.'
Not fully revealed yet, but he had solid allies.
Without one of them, he wouldn't have passed the awakener exam.
"You're awfully calm, Do-yoon."
"Pardon?"
"Most freak out in this situation and zone out for a week."
Jo Ha-rin gave a wry smile as she said it.
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
Maybe thanks to the Boss Mob Gallery.
Chatting there made tower life seem normal.
"Greet the others slowly, ask anytime if you're unsure."
"Got it."
"The faster you grow, Do-yoon, the better for us."
Jo Ha-rin's eyes gleamed with talent-hunter's hunger.
Someone wanting him didn't feel bad.
Better than feeling forced into this; easier to think positively.
"Tower entries usually require at least two people."
What followed was a bit shocking.
Otherworld hunters operated inside too, and their gazes weren't friendly.
Thus, comrades to watch your back in emergencies were essential.
"Gotta stick close, then."
"Exactly."
Jo Ha-rin nodded matter-of-factly.
Ultimate goal: enter the tower, conquer it.
To do that, hone survival skills.
'Boss Mob Gallery.'
They'd soon wonder about his skills.
'Survive.'
Do-yoon steeled himself.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇📰 Breaking NewsSo what's up with newbie now?💬 Comments— AnonymousIf we helped, report back quick
Why do I have to wait anxiously alone?
Am I the only one serious again
— AnonymousThis guy's dating?— AnonymousLmaooooooooo— AnonymousWtf is this— Aged Wine is...*Newbie needs to report status quick..!— AnonymousEven band anxiously waiting◇◇◇◆◇◇◇📰 Breaking News
They say he passed the exam
Nick: Paper Enthusiast*
💬 Comments— Paper Enthusiast*Probably did paperwork and got official hunter badge— AnonymousOh 'real' hunter ㄷㄷ— AnonymousWhat if he failed?— AnonymousProbably shunted to some production job— AnonymousFr, after mana awakening they ain't letting that go ㅇㅇ— AnonymousFact: newbie ain't like those losers...— AnonymousAh when's he entering the tower? Want a fanmeet— AnonymousFirst ever hunter fanmeet ㄷㄷ— AnonymousIf I meet him irl I can go out in a legendary blaze of glory... ㅇㅇ;— AnonymousStuntman? Lmao◇◇◇◆◇◇◇📰 Breaking NewsSo what's the next plan?💬 Comments— AnonymousUrgent fire (awakener exam) put out
Now gotta build up for tower entry, right?
— AnonymousHe's a hunter now, so soon-ish— AnonymousThat's not the issue;— AnonymousThen what— Paper Enthusiast*Newbie lives in Korea, right? Whose tower is open there?— Aged Wine is...*Hoe~...! Hope it's my tower...!— AnonymousWine Lord's tower = instant permadeath ㅇㅇ— AnonymousFr lmao— AnonymousOne of the tougher towers, no?— Short-Eared Goblin*Would be nice if it was ours~ Then I'd guide him sweetly~— AnonymousEye contactttt— AnonymousGuide me too pls.◇◇◇◆◇◇◇📰 Breaking NewsWho we be?💬 Comments— AnonymousGal with six tower lord boss mobs
Come at us fuckers lmao
Gonna straight up gate break this bitch
— AnonymousTower lord your buddy?— AnonymousDrop the ego. Getting wrecked— War God**beep boop*— AnonymousTop commenter's tower out ㅇㅇ— AnonymousYeah that's a no-go lmao— AnonymousGo there and comms break, lost child guaranteed— AnonymousWhich tower works then fuck— AnonymousGoblin Lord's at least. Boss mobs there kinda mild, no?— Anonymousㅇㅇ— AnonymousI'm on goblin lord tower side. True ㅇㅇ◇◇◇◆◇◇◇📰 Breaking NewsSo these band guys here💬 Comments— AnonymousAll tower lords?— AnonymousNah probably not— AnonymousBoss gal bands ain't handed out lightly— OPㄷㄷ Ego maxed— AnonymousTower lords openly favoritism toward hunters ok?— Paper Enthusiast*What's not to? Newbie entering here was nonsense from the start— AnonymousAgreed— AnonymousOwners do jack anyway, we might as well have fun— AnonymousFr lmaoooooooooo— AnonymousAh full dopamine party lmaoooooooooo