Chapter 2: First Ever God-Class Hunter?!

The Chairman of the Korea Hunter Association lowered his head slightly, gazing at Luo Fan with an expression that bordered on reverence. There was something in Luo Fan's presence—something not wholly human, yet not entirely otherworldly—that commanded this reaction. It was an eerie coldness, a detachment, and the complete absence of any fluctuation that would mark a human existence. It was as though he existed beyond the realm of ordinary mortals.

"Then what rank should I get?" Luo Fan's voice sliced through the air—calm, measured, and as effortless as if the question carried no significance at all.

Madman Junior, the self-proclaimed arrogant rookie, sneered and looked at Luo Fan with disdain. "For you, being an E-rank would be a blessing."

Luo Fan's lips curled into a faint smile, the expression neither kind nor cruel. "Not only is your face ugly, but your words are even worse. Compared to a dog's incessant barking, your mouth is downright rancid."

Madman Junior's sneer faltered, his face stiffening. He had never been insulted so openly before—let alone by someone so seemingly inconspicuous.

"You bastard, do you think—"

Before Madman Junior could finish his threat, Luo Fan's voice interrupted him, cutting through the tension with a chilling edge. "Do you wish to disappear from existence?"

Luo Fan barely moved, yet his presence alone sent a ripple through the atmosphere. In an almost instinctive reaction, the Chairman moved with unparalleled speed, delivering a crushing blow to Madman Junior's head. The impact was so intense that Madman Junior was sent crashing into the floor, which shattered under the force. He lay unconscious, unable to comprehend the magnitude of what had just transpired.

Without hesitation, the Chairman bowed his head, his voice thick with reverence. "I apologize on behalf of all the fools, Lord Luo Fan."

Luo Fan barely acknowledged the apology, his thoughts elsewhere. What intrigued him more was the Chairman's reaction. Why such extreme deference? Luo Fan hadn't even exerted any effort—no power had been used. Was it his appearance? A possibility, but unlikely. Or perhaps it was the aura that surrounded him—a presence so overwhelming that even the most seasoned individuals, like the Chairman, were forced to yield to it. It could also be the Chairman's own perception, his ability to read subtle energies that others could not.

Or maybe... maybe it was something far greater, an indescribable force that made all things—even the very atoms—bow to him.

"So, what is my rank?" Luo Fan asked again, his tone smooth and calm, as though this were a trivial matter.

The Chairman answered without hesitation. "God-Class Hunter."

Luo Fan's expression remained unchanged. He had expected no less. The God-Class rank was the highest achievable, a title reserved for those who surpassed all other Hunters in the world. It was a rank that required confirmation from all the major Associations, but with the Chairman's World-Class Hunter status, he was more than capable of making such a declaration himself, without needing to consult anyone else.

The Chairman, of course, understood the gravity of this declaration. There would be an outcry, certainly, but that was a concern for another time. At present, his duty was to simply recognize and honor the undeniable truth.

Luo Fan's voice remained calm as he posed his next question. "How much money will I receive?"

The Chairman's brow furrowed slightly. Was this his goal? Money? Or was it some pretense? Nevertheless, he dared not question Luo Fan's motives. His instincts told him not to challenge the unknown power before him.

With a slight smile, the Chairman produced a sleek card from his pocket, holding it out respectfully. "This is a limitless card," he explained. "It carries unlimited financial power in the world."

Luo Fan took the card effortlessly, his fingers brushing against the cool surface. He examined it briefly before speaking once more. "Having a secretary accompany me isn't bad, but she seems quite young, doesn't she?"

The Chairman froze, taken aback. How did Luo Fan know? Their gazes met, and in that instant, the Chairman felt a profound shift. He realized that he was no longer in control of the situation. Luo Fan's eyes held something far beyond ordinary perception—an infinite, terrifying vastness that threatened to overwhelm him. It was as though he had become nothing before Luo Fan, utterly insignificant in the face of his presence. There was no escape from it, no rational explanation for the feeling of helplessness that gripped him.

Luo Fan's smile remained small and subtle as he turned to leave. "If the opportunity arises, we may meet again."

In the blink of an eye, Luo Fan vanished, his presence lingering in the air like a haunting memory—distant, intangible, but undeniable.

The Chairman exhaled deeply, a mixture of relief and awe washing over him. He couldn't comprehend it, couldn't explain it—but one thing was certain: he had just encountered something beyond the scope of human understanding.

Meanwhile, at the Kim family mansion—one of the four great families that controlled the Plum Blossom Guild—there was a sense of celebration in the air. The main hall was alive with music, laughter, and elegant conversations. It was an event fit for nobility, the kind of gathering where power and influence were displayed in full.

At the center of the gathering stood a middle-aged man known as the Plum Blossom Guardian Sword. He was a direct descendant of the world-renowned Plum Blossom Sword and the head of the Plum Blossom Guild, a title synonymous with power and prestige in the world of Hunters.

"Lord Plum Blossom Guardian, you are one of the most formidable Hunters in Korea," a soft voice asked, drawing the attention of the gathered guests. "What are your plans for your daughter's awakening today?"

The Plum Blossom Guardian Sword smiled thoughtfully. "I believe our daughter will awaken with extraordinary power, continuing the legacy of the Plum Blossom."

"But before that, I must take my leave," he added, offering a warm and gracious smile as he excused himself.

In the bedroom of Kim Jiwon, the Plum Blossom Guardian's daughter, the atmosphere was different. Her mother's voice, filled with anticipation, rang out as she prepared her daughter for the upcoming awakening.

"Don't worry, my daughter," her mother said. "Our bloodline is strong, and your awakening will be nothing less than remarkable."

Kim Jiwon sat quietly, her face expressionless, her smile a mask. "Yes, mother."

The door closed behind her mother, and Kim Jiwon was left alone, her mind already clouded with anxiety. As she sat in the room, a strange blue window appeared in front of her, pulsing with light.

The light didn't hurt her eyes, but it seemed to reach into her very soul.

[Awakening....]

Kim Jiwon's eyes widened, her heart racing as the Awakening System window materialized before her.

"Awakening?" she whispered, confused and intrigued.

The system responded almost immediately:

[Awakening Successful]

[Awakening Name: Darkness | Rank: E]

[Explanation: The Only Darkness in the Realm of Light]

Kim Jiwon's body froze, shock evident on her face. E-rank? How was this possible?

Her hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms, but the pain did nothing to alleviate the terror that surged within her.

This couldn't be real. It couldn't.

I have to hide this... or I'll die.

Panic swept over her, her mind racing with thoughts of her father—a man who would never tolerate weakness, let alone allow his daughter to be branded as "trash."

"What do I do?" Her voice trembled, the fear palpable in every word. I don't want to die...

But then—

[??? - Looking at you]

Kim Jiwon froze, a cold chill running down her spine. She felt as though something—or someone—was watching her from afar.

God?

She understood the implications. Only those worthy of divine attention were seen by the gods. But she... she was just an E-rank.

It was impossible.

A voice—a strange, unfamiliar voice—rang out in her mind.

[??? - Little brat, are you interested in becoming my disciple?]

Jiwon's heart pounded in her chest. What? The offer was unexpected, confusing, and terrifying.

"Why me?" Her voice was barely a whisper, her mind swirling with questions.

[??? - I don't have to answer your question...]

A silence fell, heavy and unnerving, before the voice spoke again.

[??? - But to put your mind at ease... You are the one closest to darkness and death.]

A cold shiver ran down Jiwon's spine as the words hit her.

Jiwon frowned, unease flooding her chest as she tried to make sense of the situation. Something far beyond her understanding was at play here, and yet...

This might be her only chance to survive.

"Who... who are you?" she asked, her voice trembling.

[??? - Ah, sorry, this system can't detect my existence.]

[??? revealed his name.]

[The Devourer of the Infinite Abyss]

The moment the name appeared, Jiwon felt her mind being sucked into a bottomless abyss. "The Devourer of the Infinite Abyss...?" she whispered, utterly baffled. "I've never heard of it..."

Perhaps she thought too loudly.

[The Devourer of the Infinite Abyss was slightly annoyed - Of course, even high-level gods—or most imaginary gods—cannot detect my existence.]

Jiwon was stunned. High-level gods were the ones with whom world-class hunters made contracts. They were revered, untouchable.

"Does that mean you're stronger than the Plum Sword God?"

[The Devourer of the Infinite Abyss frowned - How can you compare me to such a weak god? Let me tell you, every god that has ever contracted with a human is nothing compared to me.]

[The Devourer of the Infinite Abyss proudly proclaimed - No god even comes close to my shoes.]

Kim Ji Won looked at the system window before making a decision.

"I accept your offer."