Chapter 58 – The Road to Strength

The Weight of Recognition

Kyung-min sat in the backseat of the sedan, fingers flipping his temporary awakener license over absently. His gaze remained fixed on the city passing by—bright, modern, alive.

Yet, he felt distant from it.

His name—K4Yos—had already begun to stir curiosity.

Whispers. Rumors. Speculation.

It was inevitable after his solo dungeon clear.

But Kyung-min wasn't concerned about recognition. He needed more strength.

"This changes things," he murmured.

His butler, seated in the front, cast a glance through the rearview mirror. "Is that so, Young Master?"

Kyung-min exhaled. "I need to enter another dungeon. Soon."

The butler adjusted his gloves slightly—his version of a contemplative sigh. "And how do you plan to approach it?"

The world was watching now.

If he soloed another dungeon, his notoriety would only grow.

Instead—

"I'll join a party," Kyung-min decided.

A slight pause. Then—a knowing nod.

"A change of pace," the butler mused. "Shall I take you to the recruitment hub?"

"No need."

Kyung-min tapped his tablet, bringing up a digital list of dungeon recruitment postings.

Technology had long since integrated into the hunter world. Awakeners no longer needed to visit recruitment centers physically. They could register and accept party requests remotely.

A simple interface. Dozens of teams looking for an extra member.

His finger scrolled down.

🔹 [E-Rank Tower Dungeon Party – Last Slot Available]— A structured dungeon spanning multiple floors.

— Monsters: Goblins, Lesser Demonic Beasts.

— Difficulty Scaling: Moderate.

🔹 [D-Rank Gate Dungeon – Emergency Replacement Needed]

— An unstable battlefield. High unpredictability.

— Monsters: Mutant Beasts.

— Difficulty Scaling: High Risk.

🔹 [E-Rank Field Dungeon – Beginner's Hunt]

— A low-risk dungeon, good for training.

— Monsters: Low-tier undead.

— Difficulty Scaling: Minimal.

Each had its advantages.

The Tower Dungeon meant structured, multi-layered combat. A test of endurance rather than brute force.

The Gate Dungeon was chaos. Unknown threats, high risk, high reward.

The Field Dungeon was a cover, but not a challenge.

He tapped the Tower Dungeon listing.

"I'm taking this one."

The butler, ever composed, didn't react immediately.

Instead, he folded his hands over the wheel, his voice calm.

"A Tower Dungeon, Young Master?"

A simple question.

But one that carried weight.

Kyung-min glanced up. "Problem?"

"A dangerous choice," the butler said. "Do you know why lower-ranked hunters avoid them?"

Kyung-min smirked. "Scaling difficulty?"

The butler gave a slight nod. "That, and something far worse. Time in a Tower Dungeon is... inconsistent."

A pause.

"Inconsistent?"

"Yes," the butler continued. "Sometimes, an hour inside might only be a few minutes in the real world. Other times, days pass within while mere hours tick by outside. The deeper you go, the less predictable it becomes."

Kyung-min's fingers stilled.

That explains it.

The sensation of spending days in Floor 0… only for the outside world to have passed through an entire year.

It wasn't just the abyssal nature of that place—it followed the same rules as Tower Dungeons, but in reverse.

Then—was Floor 0 not just a dungeon, but something far worse?

A prison?

The butler continued, "If you insist on this, I highly advise preparing supplies. Food. Potions. Basic necessities."

Kyung-min exhaled. "Fine. Get what you think is necessary."

A knowing nod. "Give me ten minutes."

The butler stepped out, heading toward an awakener supply store.

Prepared for War

The engine hummed softly as the sleek black sedan pulled onto the main road. Sunlight reflected off the tinted windows, concealing Kyung-min's masked expression as he reclined in his seat.

The Tower Dungeon registration notification still flickered on his tablet screen.

🔹 [Registration Confirmed – Tower Dungeon Group Assigned]

🔹 Location: Awakener Association's Dungeon Terminal, Sector 3.

🔹 Check-in Time: 2:30 PM.

The butler sat in the driver's seat, his posture as disciplined as ever. He maneuvered through the streets of Seoul's Awakener district effortlessly, the congestion of morning traffic parting before them like waves.

Kyung-min remained silent for a while, his fingers tapping idly against the storage bag resting on his lap.

Food. Potions. Antidotes.

More than enough to survive for several days inside.

He exhaled slowly.

"You don't approve, do you?"

The butler, without taking his eyes off the road, adjusted his gloves slightly—his version of a sigh.

"Would it matter if I didn't?"

A smirk tugged at the corner of Kyung-min's lips. "Not really."

"Then my opinion is irrelevant."

A dry chuckle. "You don't usually speak like that."

The butler glanced at him through the rearview mirror. "You don't usually make reckless decisions."

Silence settled between them.

The cityscape blurred past, towering skyscrapers interwoven with massive digital screens displaying hunter rankings, dungeon alerts, and guild advertisements.

Kyung-min caught a glimpse of one particular broadcast flashing across the skyline—

🔹 [Breaking News – Mysterious Solo Awakener Clears E-Rank Dungeon in Record Time!]

🔹 [Unknown Individual 'K4Yos' Sparks Speculation in the Awakener Community]

His fingers curled against the edge of the storage bag.

He had expected it.

The moment the Gate vanished behind him, it was inevitable that rumors would start.

People feared what they didn't understand.

And they always feared what was stronger than them.

The butler's voice cut through his thoughts.

"Young Master," he said, his tone careful but firm. "I will not question your abilities. Nor will I tell you not to take this path."

A pause.

"But I will remind you—Tower Dungeons are not the same as standard Gates."

Kyung-min glanced up.

"Elaborate."

The butler didn't hesitate.

"You already know the Inconsistency of time inside the dungeon."

Kyung-min nodded.

"But there's more," the butler continued. "Unlike normal dungeons, Tower Dungeons do not allow instant exits. You cannot use a Return Rune unless your entire party is at a designated checkpoint."

Kyung-min's brows furrowed slightly.

That was new information.

"No instant escape?" he murmured.

"Correct," the butler affirmed. "Once inside, you are bound to the dungeon's progression system. Floors must be cleared before advancement or retreat is impossible."

"...Interesting."

Another risk to consider.

The butler studied him through the mirror.

"I assume this does not change your decision?"

Kyung-min smirked. "Of course not."

The butler exhaled through his nose. "Then allow me to offer one last piece of advice."

"Go on."

"You are no longer invisible. The world is watching."

Kyung-min didn't respond.

Because he already knew.

Sector 3, Awakener Association's Dungeon Terminal

The sedan rolled to a stop in front of a towering, fortified structure.

Awakener Associations weren't just administrative buildings—they also functioned as military-grade strongholds.

The Dungeon Terminal was one such structure.

Massive steel-reinforced gates loomed overhead, leading into a sprawling compound where hunters of all ranks prepared for dungeon expeditions.

The area was bustling with activity.

Teams were checking gear, conducting final strategy briefings, and exchanging banter filled with both excitement and anxiety.

The butler stepped out first, moving to open Kyung-min's door.

As Kyung-min stepped out, his presence barely made a ripple.

Unlike at the last Gate, where his solo entry had sparked immediate attention, here—

He was just another hunter.

Another masked figure among hundreds.

Exactly what he wanted.

2:05 PM – Party Registration Terminal

Kyung-min walked toward the registration booths, scanning the various awakeners gathered in different groups.

A digital screen above the booths displayed ongoing and upcoming expeditions.

His eyes flicked to the one he had signed up for.

🔹 [Tower Dungeon – Floor Limit: 10]

🔹 [Registered Party Members: 4/5]

🔹 [Status: Awaiting Final Member]

His slot was still empty.

Perfect.

He approached the party verification terminal, placing his temporary Awakener ID against the scanner.

🔹 [Identity Confirmed – K4Yos]

🔹 [Party Assignment: Team 17 – Registered]

A chime signaled confirmation.

Then—

A new message appeared.

🔹 [Awaiting Party Leader for Final Confirmation]

Kyung-min tilted his head slightly.

So the leader had to approve before he officially joined?

Interesting.

A voice suddenly called out—

"Yo, you the last slot?"

Kyung-min turned.

Four awakeners stood before him.

Each distinct. Each unique.

And their expressions?

Some curious. Some suspicious.

One even looked annoyed.

First impressions had already begun.

Kyung-min smirked beneath his mask.

This was going to be interesting.