So we are a perty now

Lan tian rushed toward the skeleton with raged attack...

SLASH!

Lan Tian collapsed to the ground, clutching his side, blood pouring from his deep wounds. His breaths were shallow, and his vision blurred as his mind spiraled into despair. I'm such a fool. How could I even think I stood a chance?

His body trembled as his own thoughts mocked him. A level 6 newbie against a level 20 skeleton… What was I thinking? I failed my master... I failed humanity… His thoughts began to fade into darkness.

But suddenly, he was jolted back by the sound of the man's voice, shouting angrily, "Hey boy, RUN! What are you waiting for? You thick-headed brat, you want me to die for you? If we make it out of this alive, I swear I'll teach you a lesson you'll never forget! NOW RUN!"

Lan Tian's blurry vision snapped into focus. He saw the man, his body trembling under the weight of the skeleton's strike, his face contorted with pain but filled with resolve.

No... not again. A surge of determination coursed through Lan Tian's veins. He clenched his fists and shouted, "Attack its head! Aim for its head!"

The man hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Fine! I'll trust you!" he shouted back, gripping his sword tightly. With a roar, he lunged forward and swung his weapon with all his might, aiming directly at the skeleton's head.

The blade struck true, slamming into the side of the skeleton's skull with a thunderous crack! The creature screeched in agony, its glowing red eyes flickering wildly as it staggered backward.

Lan Tian saw his chance. With his last ounce of strength, he pushed himself off the ground and charged forward, his blood-soaked clothes clinging to his battered body. Gripping his sword tightly, he leaped into the air, aiming for the already-cracked head.

"Die!" he roared, bringing the blade down with all his might.

The skeleton's skull shattered completely, fragments scattering across the dungeon floor as its glowing eyes dimmed and went out. The massive creature crumbled into a heap of bones, its sword falling to the ground with a loud clang.

Lan Tian landed awkwardly, his legs giving out beneath him. He gasped for air, his vision darkening again.

"LEVEL UP! CONGRATULATIONS, YOU HAVE LEVELED UP TO 10!"

Lan Tian stared at the notification in disbelief. "What?! I leveled up… and not just one or two levels, but four in one go? I didn't expect that... So all that effort was worth it after all."

The man beside him grinned, his expression tired but triumphant. "So, you leveled up too, huh? I went from level 11 to 13. Guess I have you to thank for that. If it weren't for your guidance, I might've ended up dead."

Before Lan Tian could respond, he suddenly felt warmth course through his body as his wounds closed up. He stretched, blinking in surprise. "I'm healed? Oh… I forgot. When a newbie hits level 10, they get an additional reward: an instant full heal. That's convenient."

Lan Tian turned to the man, his expression softening. "But you don't need to thank me. If anything, I should be thanking you. You saved me. Without you, I would've died on the spot."

The man crossed his arms, shaking his head. "No, no, kid. It's because of you I even survived. You told me to aim for the skeleton's head, and that's what saved both our skins." Then, as if remembering something, his expression darkened.

"BAM!"

Lan Tian yelped, holding his head where the man had smacked him. "Ow! Why'd you hit me?!"

The man scowled, pointing an accusatory finger at him. "You brat! I told you before, a dungeon isn't a playground for kids! Why the hell did you come here in the first place? And when I told you to run, you ignored me completely! Do you have any idea how close I was to dying because of your stupidity?"

Lan Tian made a strange face, trying to hold back laughter. But the more he thought about the man's scolding tone and flustered expression, the harder it became to hold it in. Finally, he burst into laughter, clutching his stomach.

"You… you always act so bold and tough, like you're some grumpy veteran! But deep down, you're just a big softy with a kind heart!"

The man's face turned red, his jaw tightening in embarrassment. "Hey! Why are you laughing, you little punk? Stop laughing! I mean it!"

But Lan Tian only laughed harder, tears forming in his eyes. "You're always the same, huh? Even from the beginning!"

The man muttered something under his breath, clearly flustered, as they continued walking toward the dungeon gate.

Their laughter and banter echoed through the corridor, a sign of the bond that had formed between them after their harrowing battle. As they approached the gate, the tension of the fight was left behind, replaced by lighthearted chatter and a growing sense of camaraderie.

Even after everything they had been through, Lan Tian couldn't help but think: This is only the start of my journey… but with allies like this, maybe I'll truly stand a chance.

Out side the doungoun,At registration office....

"What?! You two killed a D-level skeleton? Are you kidding me?" The receptionist looked at Lan Tian and the man skeptically, her eyebrows raised in disbelief.

Lan Tian calmly placed the magic stone on the counter, the one he had taken from the skeleton before leaving the dungeon. Its faint glow confirmed its high value.

"This is proof," Lan Tian said with a smirk.

The receptionist's eyes widened in shock as she inspected the magic stone. "This… this is from the skeleton you killed? A magic stone of this quality must be worth at least 100,000 Won !"

Lan Tian waved dismissively. "No, this isn't mine. It belongs to that old man standing over there."

The receptionist turned to the man. "Oh, so it's yours, Uncle? That's incredible!"

The man blinked in confusion. "Wait… what? This isn't mine! Who told you that?"

"The young boy over there," the receptionist said, pointing at Lan Tian.

The man's face twisted with frustration as he stormed over to Lan Tian. "You little punk! Why are you lying? This isn't my stone at all!"

Lan Tian grinned mischievously, shrugging. "Well, you fought hard, didn't you? Consider it a gift."

"A gift?! I nearly died because of you, and now you're making it sound like I earned it?! You're trying to annoy me on purpose, aren't you?

Okay, if you don't want this, then throw it in the trash. If you don't want it, I don't want it either.

Fine, I'm going to sell it, but I want you to also get a part of the money since you helped me kill the skeleton.

Okay, old man. I'll also take a part of the money.

Hey, brat! What did you just call me? You shitty punk… I'm not an old man! I'm a middle-aged man—a prideful man! And you'd better call me Uncle Shin! My name is Shin Baek. Got it? What's your name you better tell me

My name..My name is Kim lan tian hao...

"So, what are you going to do now, Lan Tian Hao? Since you climbed up to level 10, you can finally call yourself an F-rank hunter. Go and register yourself at the Hunter Association."

"Oh… thanks for the reminder. I totally forgot about that. Thank you again!" Lan Tian said, standing up quickly. "I'll just go and come back. Wait for me a moment, Mr. Shin."

"You brat!" Shin Baek growled, glaring at him. "You called me that again! How many times do I have to tell you? It's Uncle Shin!"

Half an hour later…

"So, you're back. Congratulations on becoming an F-rank hunter."

"Thank you, Mr. Shin."

"You brat!" Shin Baek shouted, clenching his fist.

"Oh, sorry, sorry… Uncle Shin," Lan Tian quickly corrected himself with a sheepish grin.

"Good, you learned quickly. Otherwise, I was just thinking of giving you a lesson you wouldn't forget," Shin muttered, narrowing his eyes.

"Uncle Shin," Lan Tian started hesitantly, "I was thinking of joining a hunter party… you know, to clear dungeons and grind experience. What do you think? Which party would be a good fit?"

Shin Baek froze for a moment, staring at Lan Tian in disbelief before letting out an exaggerated groan. "Are you mad? There isn't a single party on Earth that would accept an F-ranker! Oh my god, what kind of dumbhead have I gotten myself involved with? I swear, I'm going to die from frustration because of you!"

"Oh, sorry... I forgot I'm just an F-ranker," Lan Tian muttered, a hint of disappointment in his voice. Deep in his mind, a storm of doubt brewed. How foolish I am… I can't change myself. How can someone like me ever hope to save humanity?

But then, an idea sparked. His eyes lit up as he took off his hat and extended it toward Shin Baek. "Mr. Shin, what do you think about us starting our own party?"

Shin Baek froze, his expression a mixture of shock and disbelief. "What... our own party?"

As the thought settled, Shin began to think to himself. This boy… he's more capable than he seems. With his knowledge, we even managed to kill a D-rank monster. Maybe this isn't such a crazy idea after all.

Lan Tian's voice broke through his thoughts. "What are you thinking, Mr. Shin? With my knowledge and your strength, we can create history together."

For a moment, Shin was stunned. But then, he extended his hand toward Lan Tian with a smirk. "You know what, kid? It's not a bad deal at all. Alright, from now on, we're a party."

Lan Tian grinned from ear to ear, shaking Shin's hand enthusiastically. "Then it's settled!"

But just as the mood lightened, Shin raised an eyebrow. "Wait… what did you just call me again?"

"Bam!"

Lan Tian winced, clutching his head. "Oh, sorry, sorry… I meant Uncle Shin! Is that better, Mr. Shin?"

"Bam!"

"Ahh! I mean Uncle Shin! Uncle Shin!"

Shin sighed, shaking his head in mock frustration as Lan Tian laughed uncontrollably. The two bickered all the way home, their banter echoing in the streets as they walked under the setting sun. Despite their antics, a new bond had been forged—one that might just change both their fates.