New Identity

The next day

Akira was sleeping at one of his father houses in Seoul but he couldn't stay longer there because all those houses now belonged to Eri he needed to figured it out fast what to do but...

It was the shrill buzz of Akira's phone that cut into his early morning now 

It was Hiroshi-the message curt

"Meet me in my office."

"I have what you need."

Wasting no time, Akira finished up, changed into a black overalls with a hooded top, and made his way to Hiroshi's office.

As he stepped inside, Hiroshi looked up, holding a small, official-looking card between his fingers, glancing at it with a faint sigh before handing it to Akira.

"Here it is,"

Hiroshi said, handing the ID over.

"With this, you can enter and raid dungeons under your new name."

"Remember this is temporary."

"Construction is so it can fly under the radar, meaning you can only raid up to E and D ranks dungeons.

"Anything above that may raise suspicions."

Akira took the card, his fingers tracing across its holographic surface, the name and identity that once was his now buried beneath fabricated details.

He met Hiroshi's gaze, nodding silently.

"Thanks, Hiroshi."

"This is exactly what I was after.".

Hiroshi's face softened, but the look of concern didn't quit his face.

"Akira, let me remind i don't know how much power you have awakened or what your currect level and growth potential is but these low-level dungeons may feel like they aren't so dangerous, but never be fooled by that."

"Complacency is dangerous."

"Never underestimate what you are walking into."

Akira gave a small smirk. 

"Don't worry."

"I'll have my guard up."

Hiroshi leaned back in his chair, a small tablet in hand as he swiped through the interface, stopping at a particular application.

He glanced up at Akira, his tone firm but informative.

"Before you go running headfirst into any dungeon, there's something you'll need."

He tapped the screen, sending a file to Akira's phone.

A soft ding echoed from Akira's pocket as he checked his device.

"This app is called 'StarNet'.

"It's used worldwide by registered STARS to reserve dungeons for raids.

"Unowned dungeons—ones without active guild claims—get listed here."

"It's the only legitimate way to access them without raising red flags."

Akira raising an eyebrow, tilting his head slightly

"So it's a glorified booking system?"

Hiroshi smirking faintly

"More or less."

"But don't underestimate it—it's how you'll find the dungeons you're looking for. "

"It assigns raid schedules, updates dungeon conditions, and tracks your clear times."

"The global system ensures no one clashes for the same dungeon… well, most of the time."

Akira flicking through the app's sleek, minimalist interface, his thumb hovering over a list of glowing dungeon titles

"And this will keep me under the radar?"

Hiroshi nodding

"Yes."

"The new identity I set up for you—'E.B.'—is registered on StarNet."

"And you are counted as a C-Rank Hunter"

"As long as you stick to E and D-rank dungeons, you won't draw any unwanted attention."

He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing with concern.

But Akira, listen to me carefully. Once you're in a dungeon, you're on your own. This app doesn't monitor you inside—it's just a gatekeeper for access. If something goes wrong, no one's coming to save you."

"That's fine."

"I don't care at all"

Hiroshi sighed, shaking his head.

"You always were full of confidence, even as a kid."

"But listen, there's something else you ought to know.

Akira raised an eyebrow

"What is it?

It's less calculative than that, really," - Hiroshi said seriously.

"It bugs out sometimes."

"A lower-ranked dungeon might well have higher-ranked monsters in them-usually much further inside."

"Just be on your guard."

"Walk into every dungeon expecting it to turn into a death trap at any moment."

Akira nodded, understanding the gravity in Hiroshi's words.

"Understood."

"I'll be careful."

Hiroshi nodded weakly, his eyes sticking to Akira's.

"Good."

"You already know this, but almost all of the dungeons—once a person enters, the exit disappears.

"Until it's cleared, you can never leave."

He paused, before adding,

"The number of people who can enter isn't fixed, but the price for failure is steep."

Akira nodded curtly.

"I understand thanks, Hiroshi-san."

"Really."

Hiroshi sighed, softening.

"I just want you to stay alive, Akira."

"Remember that."

Akira firmed his grip on the ID, the cold solid reality of the first step ahead.

"I will."

"For me, this isn't the end this is just the beginning."

Akira gave some firm handshakes before leaving the office, while his mind was already racing in anticipation; he just spent a whole year training, studying and learning all the tricks that Eri and her team who betrayed him could teach him.

Finally, it was time to test himself, to try all the things he learned so far in a real dungeon.

Akira froze for a moment, allowing the eerie silence of the entrance to settle around him.

The new ID hung off his belt, the name "E.B." glinting faintly in the dim light.

"I choose this E-Rank dungeon from the application StarNet that Hiroshi-san told me to reserve the dungeons"

The entrance was rough, a jagged tear in the earth that seemed to exhale darkness.

Mist curled around his feet and drifted inward, pulled into the dungeon's gaping maw as though even the fog had a mind to disappear.

"So… this is what it's like,"

He muttered, running a hand along the cool, damp stone.

The walls seemed to vibrate with a strange energy.

This was what STARS had to deal to earn the respect they have.

He exhaled, feeling his heart quicken with the rush of anticipation and a flicker of doubt.

That it was low-ranked didn't matter-it was a first step toward a greater purpose, a first trial outside the rigorous sterile confines of training.

A real test.

"Let's do this,"

He muttered quietly to himself, his voice steeled with resolution as he moved forward, slipping into the shadows.