─── Arc 2 Begins: The Forgotten Catastrophe ───
It was 9 a.m. when Joon-seok's eyes slowly opened. The room was unusually quiet. His sister had already left for school.
He got out of bed and went straight downstairs. He took a shower, brushed his teeth, got dressed, and walked into the kitchen.
"Mom, I told you to wake me up early. I have to meet someone today."
Han Soo-jin looked at him and let out a small sigh.
"Son, that's not why I didn't wake you up. You're already putting too much pressure on yourself."
"It's nothing like that…" Joon-seok replied, avoiding her gaze.
"Alright, have breakfast first," she said.
In no time, he finished his meal and left the house.
As he walked, his mind wandered back to last night… the shadow figure… standing on the building across.
Who was that?
A guild member… or something else entirely?
He immediately took out his phone and called Baek Do-hyun.
"I'm on my way. I'm going to meet the Guild Master."
A soft laugh came from the other side.
"Alright… you've made up your mind. But I could have picked you up if you told me."
"No problem. Just share the location."
A few seconds later, the location popped up — Silver Lion Guild.
Soon after, Joon-seok arrived.
Before him stood a massive, imposing building. Right at the center was a huge silver lion's head, looking down as if staring straight at him.
"Yes… this must be the place."
Outside the gate, Baek Do-hyun was already waiting. "Welcome to the Silver Lion Guild."
Joon-seok looked straight at him.
"Don't be so polite… let's go inside."
Without wasting any time, the two entered.
Inside, the guild was completely different — people were moving in all directions, some were training, others delivering reports… there was constant motion everywhere.
From somewhere nearby, a few girls' voices reached his ears.
"Who is that guy with Mr. Baek Do-hyun?"
"Seriously… so handsome. I wish my boyfriend looked like that…"
"Should I go ask for his number?"
"Don't… he'll reject you immediately."
Joon-seok didn't react, as if he hadn't even heard them. Baek Do-Hyun gave a small smile.
"You're quite popular with the girls."
Joon-seok remained silent.
Both stepped into the elevator. As soon as the doors closed, the atmosphere shifted. Baek Do-Hyun's face turned serious, his voice cold and direct.
"Listen, Kang Joon-seok. When you speak to the Guild Master, show him the utmost respect. Pay attention to everything he says… consider this a warning."
A warning…?
Joon-seok didn't reply.
The elevator stopped, and the doors slowly opened.
Sitting in front of him was a middle-aged man. Straight posture, piercing eyes, yet a calm expression.
Joon-seok's gaze fixed on him instantly.
This… is him? Guild Master… Lee Hyun-jin?
The presence alone was different. Powerful, undeniably so — no wonder he held this position.
The man spoke, his voice cold and controlled.
"So… we finally meet, Kang Joon-seok."
Joon-seok's full attention shifted to him.
"You look exactly like your father, Kang Min-jun."
Joon-seok flinched inwardly. How… does he know about my dad?
"Come," Lee Hyun-jin gestured with his hand. "Sit. Let's talk."
Joon-seok quietly sat down.
Lee Hyun-jin looked straight into his eyes.
"I'll get straight to the point, Kang Joon-seok."
A brief pause.
"I'm inviting you to join my guild. Would you accept?"
A soft silence fell over the room.
"I will give you everything you want… money, resources… and even protection for your family."
His voice was steady, yet each word carried weight.
"You know your family is in danger. By joining here, you will be able to take care of your mother and sister properly." Joon-seok stayed silent.
So… this was all for this.
They wanted to bring me into the guild…
He lowered his eyes slightly.
I had an idea even before this…
And the deal isn't bad.
I need money… for my family.
And security… that's the most important.
But…
Do I accept or reject?
After a few seconds, he lifted his head.
"I will accept this offer… on one condition."
Lee Hyun-jin's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Speak."
Baek Do-hyun thought silently — people die to join the Silver Lion Guild, and this guy is making a condition… what a fool.
Then Joon-seok said,
"Tell me… how do you know about my father?
What kind of person was he… and where is he now?"
For a moment, silence filled the room.
"Is that all?" Lee Hyun-jin asked.
"Yes."
Lee Hyun-jin let out a quiet breath, as if old memories were returning.
"Kang Min-jun… and I were very old friends.
This was back when… there were no dungeons, no gates.
He was a truly good man.
We fought… yes, there was violence at times… but our friendship was just as deep."
Then his voice softened further.
"Then… twelve years ago.
A gate opened in Seoul.
Monsters began to come out. No one knew what was happening.
The government, the army, even the Special Forces… none could stop them."
Joon-seok listened without blinking.
"Then… certain people began to develop powers.
They became hunters.
Among them… were Min-jun and I."
A faint pride shone in his eyes.
"Min-jun… he was incredibly powerful.
Every gate that opened in South Korea… the two of us cleared together."
A short pause.
"But… it didn't last long.
The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy.
"One day… a gate opened… the kind that shook the entire world.
All of South Korea's top hunters mobilized to clear it."Joon-seok's lips parted slightly.
"W-what… a gate so dangerous that all of South Korea's top hunters went in to stop it?"
Lee Hyun-jin responded calmly, without hesitation.
"Yes.
Eleven years ago… that gate opened.
All of Korea's top hunters entered.
Everyone said… nothing would go wrong.
They would clear the gate and return."
His voice lowered, colder now.
"…But."
"We knew what happened that day," Lee Hyun-jin said quietly.
"After that… Kang Min-jun disappeared.
To this day, I don't know where he went."
Joon-seok's throat went dry.
"Then… what happened to the gate?"
Lee Hyun-jin's gaze shifted directly to him.
"We'll stick to the matter at hand for now.
When the time comes… I will tell you the full story."
Joon-seok stayed silent.
So… my father wasn't an ordinary man either.
He was a hunter… from the early days.
Meaning… he must have been incredibly strong.
And that gate… what happened inside it…?
He exhaled slowly.
"Like I said… I'll accept your offer."
A faint smile appeared on Lee Hyun-jin's lips.
"Interesting.
The whole world knows you as an E-rank hunter.
Do you want a rank re-evaluation?"
"Not right now," Joon-seok answered firmly.
"I'll think about it in the future."
Then—
Ring.
Lee Hyun-jin's phone vibrated. He glanced at the screen.
"Association…?"
He answered the call.
A cold, authoritative voice came through.
"Mr. Lee.
An A-rank gate has just opened near your guild.
Send hunters immediately."
"Understood, Mr. Kim," Lee Hyun-jin replied calmly.
"I'll send someone."
The call ended.
Joon-seok's eyes narrowed slightly.
That voice…
I've heard it somewhere before…
Could it… be Kim Tae-Jun? "Yes," Lee Hyun-jin said flatly, as if he had read Joon-seok's thoughts.
"Kim Tae-Jun.
An A-rank gate has opened nearby."
Joon-seok felt a slight jolt inside.
An A-rank gate…?
This isn't a joke.
Lee Hyun-jin looked at him.
"Perfect timing.
Will you go?"
Joon-seok hesitated for a moment.
"Me…?"
Now…?
Am I strong enough to clear an A-rank dungeon…?
"I'm not putting any pressure on you," Lee Hyun-jin said calmly.
"The decision is yours.
And you won't go alone… a party will be with you."
A brief silence followed.
"Alright," Joon-seok finally said.
"I'll go."
"Good.
Take some equipment or gear," Lee Hyun-jin suggested.
"No need," Joon-seok replied firmly.
"I have my weapon."
Lee Hyun-jin sent him the location.
A short while later, Joon-seok arrived at the site.
Eight people were already standing near the gate.
One man stepped forward.
He casually placed a hand on Joon-seok's head.
"So, this is the kid… Silver Lion Guild sent?"
He laughed loudly.
"What happened to Silver Lion… sending a child?"
"Listen, kid," he said with a slight bow.
"My name is Park Tae-min. B-rank hunter.
I'm the DPS of this party.
Now tell me your name and rank."
Joon-seok looked straight into his eyes.
"My name is Kang Joon-seok.
E-rank hunter."
There was a second of silence… then—
"Hahaha!"
Park Tae-min laughed loudly.
"E-rank?
Kid, you'll die in this dungeon, and no one will even know."
At that moment, another man stepped forward.
"Tae-min, stop it. Don't bother him."
He extended his hand toward Joon-seok.
"My name is Ryu Jin-woo. I'm the leader of this party and a B-rank hunter.
Nice to meet you."
"Likewise," Joon-seok replied curtly.
"Let's go," Ryu Jin-woo signaled to everyone.
"The gate is about to close. No time to waste."
The group began moving.
Joon-seok glanced once at the gate.
This is it… the A-rank gate.
Without another word, he followed the rest into the dungeon.