Chapter 51 – Choosing the First Hunt

8:45 AM – A Butler's Inquiry

The black luxury sedan rolled smoothly through the city, gliding past towering skyscrapers and bustling streets. Kyung-min sat in the back seat, eyes half-lidded, deep in thought.

His butler, an older gentleman with sharp eyes and a composed demeanor, spoke from the front seat.

"Young Master," the butler began, his voice steady, respectful. "Before we proceed, may I ask which type of hunt you would prefer? A Gate? Or a Tower?"

Kyung-min glanced up.

"Explain the difference."

The butler gave a small nod, as if expecting the question.

8:46 AM – The Nature of Gates

"Gates," the butler began, "are tears in reality. Shimmering scars of unstable energy. They hover midair, forming breaches between this world and others."

Kyung-min listened silently as the butler continued.

"Each Gate is unique. A fragment of a world leaking into ours. Singular in terrain, fixed in its eerie consistency."

The butler's voice remained composed, but there was a weight to his words.

"Some are wastelands of scorched earth. Others—jungles teeming with unknown life. Some lead to depths of eternal darkness where even the bravest hunters refuse to step."

Kyung-min exhaled slowly.

"And dungeons?"

8:47 AM – The Depths of Dungeons

"Dungeons are… different."

The butler's hands folded neatly in his lap.

"They do not end with one world. They rise—monolithic structures defying logic. Floors stacked like layers of reality, each with its own rules, ecosystem, and horrors."

Unlike Gates, which were unstable and temporary, dungeons were structured, deliberate.

"A Tower Dungeon, for example, does not simply contain one environment. Each floor may be a frozen tundra, a desert wasteland, or an ancient ruin. Each with different monsters, different hazards."

The butler turned slightly, meeting Kyung-min's gaze in the rearview mirror.

"Regardless of which you choose, once inside, you'll need a Return Rune to come back. Unless, of course…"

Kyung-min tilted his head.

"Unless?"

The butler's lips pressed into a thin line.

"Unless you die."

8:50 AM – The First Selection

Kyung-min exhaled through his nose, eyes flickering in thought.

"So Gates are breaches—random fragments of another world," he murmured. "While Dungeons are structured trials."

The butler nodded.

"Correct. Dungeons are often safer due to their structure, but they grow exponentially harder with each floor. Meanwhile, Gates are unpredictable—what lies beyond is often unknown until someone enters."

Kyung-min leaned back in his seat.

"What's available?"

The butler adjusted the tablet in his hands.

"Currently, several low-rank Gates have appeared within city limits. The E-Rank Goblin Nest Gate and the E-Rank Rotting Fields Gate are both accessible for beginners."

"Goblins?" Kyung-min echoed, raising an eyebrow.

The butler scrolled down, reading aloud.

8:51 AM – The Monsters of Gates1. Goblins (E-Rank) – Inhabitants of the Goblin Nest GateAppearance: Small, green-skinned humanoids with sharp teeth and mischievous grins.Abilities: Ambush tactics, crude weapon use, minor intelligence.Weaknesses: Fragile bodies, low morale, easily scared.Threat Level: Dangerous in swarms but weak individually.

"Goblins operate in packs," the butler noted. "Cowardly alone, but bold in numbers. Many beginners start with them."

Kyung-min said nothing.

The butler continued.

2. Undead Thralls (E-Rank) – Inhabitants of the Rotting Fields GateAppearance: Decomposing humanoid corpses, animated by weak necromantic magic.Abilities: Relentless attacks, no pain, simple clubbing strikes.Weaknesses: Fire, holy magic, slow movement.Threat Level: Scary for beginners, trivial for experienced fighters.

"Undead," Kyung-min muttered.

A flicker of something unreadable crossed his face.

The butler observed him quietly.

"Which one will it be, Young Master?"

8:55 AM – The Decision

Kyung-min tapped his fingers against his knee.

If he chose Goblins, it would be standard combat experience. A test of his physical ability, his reaction time.

If he chose the Undead Thralls, it would be a direct test of his necromancy.

A chance to see if his abilities had any real effect on other undead.

A small smirk crossed his lips.

"The Rotting Fields Gate."

The butler gave a knowing nod.

"A wise choice."

The car turned onto the highway, heading toward the Awakener Association checkpoint.

Kyung-min sat back.

His first real battle was about to begin.

And this time—

He wasn't going in blind.