After awakening his abilities and creating his first toy soldiers, Damien decided it was time to take his first steps as a hunter. While searching for a suitable dungeon raid, he stumbled upon a recruitment post for a familiar team—the same one destined to enter the infamous Double Dungeon with Sung Jin-Woo. Knowing what awaited them, Damien was left with a crucial decision: Should he join the raid and risk changing the course of fate, or let history unfold as it was meant to?
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Damien scrolled through the Hunter Association's app, searching for a C-rank independent team that would accept new members. After some time, he came across a familiar group—the same one that would eventually raid the Double Dungeon with Sung Jin-Woo.
Without hesitation, he sent a request. It wasn't long before he received a response from their team captain, Song Chiyul.
The conversation was straightforward—they needed strong Hunters, and Damien, being a Summoner-type, was a valuable asset. Upon describing his summons—a knight with death-related abilities and a soldier with strong defensive capabilities—they quickly agreed to take him in.
However, when Damien mentioned his E-rank brother, Sung Jin-Woo, the mood changed. Chiyul was hesitant, stating the obvious—an E-rank was a liability in a C-rank dungeon. But Damien knew how much his brother wanted to join a raid, so he insisted.
"He's experienced," Damien explained. "He knows how to survive in dungeons, and he was planning to enter as a porter anyway."
After some reluctance, Chiyul finally agreed—with the condition that Jin-Woo strictly follow orders and stay out of danger.
With the deal settled, Damien sent a message to his brother:
"Hey, found a team. You're in. We raid tomorrow."
Sung Jin-Woo had spent the entire day trying to find a party willing to take him in, but it was the same rejection every time.
Some Hunters dismissed him outright. Others gave fake excuses, clearly not wanting to waste a spot on an E-rank Hunter.
With no other option, he had started considering joining as a miner—the lowest position in dungeon raids. Low risk, low pay, and whatever he earned depended on how much he could extract. Given his small and weak frame, it wasn't promising.
Just as he was about to finalize his decision, a message popped up.
"Hey, found a team. You're in. We raid tomorrow."
Jin-Woo stared at the screen in disbelief. Had Damien really managed to get him into a C-rank raid?
Late Night at Home
By the time Damien arrived home, the smell of freshly cooked food filled the small apartment. He found his little sister, Jinah, finishing up in the kitchen.
"You're cooking today?" he asked, stepping inside.
Jinah nodded. "Since Oppa is always out, I figured I'd help more."
Damien decided to assist, cutting vegetables while they talked about their day. The peaceful moment reminded him of how normal life could still feel—something he knew wouldn't last for long.
Shortly after, the door opened, and Sung Jin-Woo walked in, looking exhausted.
"I'm home," he said, kicking off his shoes.
Jinah beamed. "Welcome back, Oppa! We made dinner!"
Jin-Woo's tired expression softened as he sat down with them. Damien didn't mention the raid right away—there was no need to ruin the moment.
They enjoyed dinner together, sharing stories and laughter, but deep down, Damien and Jin-Woo both knew—this could be the last peaceful night for a while.
As of tomorrow, their journey as Hunters would begin—a path that could finally bring their family the stability they had longed for. Ever since their father's disappearance in a dungeon, their lives had taken a downward spiral. With no solid income, Jin-Woo and Damien had to shoulder the burden of survival while their mother remained in a coma, her body unable to withstand the rising mana concentration in the world.
The official records stated that their father had died—lost within a high-rank dungeon, his body never recovered. But the truth was far more terrifying. He wasn't dead. Somewhere, in the depths of the abyss, he was still alive. And one day, he would return—not just as a father, but as one of the strongest vessels of the Rulers.
When the Monarchs inevitably descended upon their homeworld, the war between cosmic forces would tear reality apart. And when that time came, the two brothers, Damien and Jin-Woo, would have to choose—stand as mere mortals, or rise to power and fight.
But for now, all they could do was prepare for tomorrow—the day that would mark the beginning of their new lives as Hunters.
The Next Day
With their decision made, Damien and Jin-Woo set out for the C-rank dungeon location, which was about an hour away from their home. Though the rank of the dungeon was not too high, it was still a challenge—especially for Jin-Woo, who was officially an E-rank Hunter.
Both brothers had equipped simple leather armor, providing basic protection with armguards, chest guards, and shin guards—a practical but affordable choice for newcomers.
Before heading out, Damien had crafted himself a wooden bow infused with his power, allowing him to fire elemental arrows at will, consuming only mana instead of actual arrows. As for Jin-Woo, Damien had initially given him a dagger, but his brother dismissed it with a shake of his head.
"I appreciate it, but a dagger alone won't do much for me," Jin-Woo admitted.
Understanding his brother's concern, Damien adjusted the weapon, making it capable of shifting between a dagger and a sword. This time, Jin-Woo accepted it with a satisfied nod.
The night before, upon receiving Damien's confirmation about joining a dungeon raid, Jin-Woo had gone out to purchase armor for both of them. Though it wasn't anything fancy, just sturdy leather gear, it was enough for their first real dive into a dungeon.
As they approached their destination, the atmosphere around them grew tense. This was it—their first step into the world of Hunters.