CHAPTER 5

Chapter 5

Choi Jong-In had spent years adjusting to this new world, making acquaintances along the way. One of the most notable among them was Park Jong-Soo. At this point in time, Park Jong-Soo had yet to become the Guild Master of the Knights Guild. Their relationship was merely that of acquaintances, meeting occasionally at the Association headquarters or during various hunter-related activities.

One particular day, Choi Jong-In took the initiative to approach Park Jong-Soo.

"Park Jong-Soo-nim," he called out, his voice firm yet composed.

Park Jong-Soo, slightly taken aback, turned around to face the renowned S-Class hunter. Thoughts immediately began racing through his mind. What does this guy want with an A-Class hunter like me? He quickly composed himself and responded, "Choi Jong-In-nim, what's the matter?"

Without hesitation, Choi Jong-In got straight to the point. "I am planning to create a guild, Park-nim, and I was planning to appoint you as the vice guild master of my guild."

Park Jong-Soo stood frozen for a moment, completely caught off guard by the proposition. One of the strongest S-Class hunters in the country, a double-class hunter who was both feared and respected, had just asked him, an A-Class hunter, to be his second-in-command. The weight of such an offer was overwhelming. His eyes widened as he processed the words.

"Are you serious, Mr. Choi?" he asked, disbelief evident in his voice.

Choi Jong-In nodded. "Yes, I'm serious about making you my vice guild master."

Park Jong-Soo still couldn't believe what he was hearing. His mind raced, contemplating the implications of such a decision. He was flattered, certainly, but he also knew this was not something to take lightly. "Let me think about this thoroughly, Mr. Choi," he finally responded.

Choi Jong-In gave him an understanding nod. "Sure, Mr. Park. Just think about it. I'm not rushing you, so take your time. I'm still planning the structure of my guild, as well as our guild's building."

With that, their conversation ended, and Park Jong-Soo walked away, deep in thought. Meanwhile, Choi Jong-In watched him leave, reflecting on his own reasoning behind the decision. The answer was simple.

This man will become the Guild Master of the Knights Guild in the future. He managed to lead his guild successfully despite being an A-Class. So, what would happen if I made that guy my vice guild master?

A slight smirk tugged at the corner of his lips before he exited the Association building, heading towards his car.

Choi Jong-In drove through the bustling streets of Seoul in his sleek black Lamborghini. The city lights reflected against the car's glossy surface as he navigated the road, his mind still occupied with thoughts about his future guild.

Just as he neared his neighborhood, the traffic light ahead turned red, bringing his car to a stop. He tapped his fingers rhythmically against the steering wheel, waiting for the light to change. But then, something unusual caught his attention.

A loud cracking noise reverberated through the air, followed by the appearance of a swirling vortex in the middle of the road. Within seconds, a massive gate materialized. The once-orderly traffic turned to chaos as panicked citizens began fleeing in all directions.

A dungeon break? Here? Choi Jong-In narrowed his eyes.

Screams filled the air as civilians scrambled to get away. The ominous energy emanating from the gate sent shivers down the spines of those nearby.

Then, something unexpected happened.

Instead of running away like everyone else, Choi Jong-In calmly stepped out of his car. He adjusted the cuffs of his black long-sleeve shirt and reached into his pocket, pulling out a cigarette. With one smooth motion, he placed it between his lips and lit it.

The crowd, who had been consumed by panic, suddenly fell into an eerie silence as they noticed the lone figure walking toward the gate. Their shock only grew when they recognized him.

"Wait… isn't that Choi Jong-In?"

"What is he doing?! He's walking straight into the gate!"

"Why is he carrying a sword? Isn't he a mage?!"

A hushed murmur spread through the crowd as they watched in awe. Choi Jong-In, dressed in his sharp black attire, exuded an aura of unshakable confidence. The way he carried himself—unfazed and composed—was unlike anything they had ever seen.

He took a long drag from his cigarette before exhaling slowly. Without breaking stride, he pulled out his phone and made a quick call to the Hunter Association.

"This is Choi Jong-In. There's an active gate here," he reported, his tone calm yet authoritative. "Send someone to assess its rank."

Before the operator could respond, he hung up.

Then, without another word, he unsheathed his sword, resting it against his shoulder as he approached the swirling portal. The onlookers watched in stunned silence as he stepped forward, their breaths held in anticipation.

And then, without hesitation, he entered the gate alone.

Inside the dungeon, Choi Jong-In surveyed his surroundings. The air was thick with mana, and the landscape resembled a barren wasteland, with towering rock formations and deep crevices littering the ground. The eerie silence was broken only by the occasional growl of lurking monsters.

He smirked. "Let's see what kind of prey awaits me here."

The moment he took a step forward, the earth trembled as creatures began to emerge from the shadows. Hideous beasts with razor-sharp claws and glowing eyes locked onto him, their snarls filling the air.

Choi Jong-In exhaled another cloud of smoke before flicking away his cigarette. "Time to do some light exercise."

In a blur of motion, he vanished from sight, reappearing instantly in the middle of the monstrous horde. His sword gleamed under the dim light, and with one swift motion, he swung it downward.

A single slash.

In the next second, countless creatures were sliced apart, their bodies collapsing to the ground in pieces. The sheer precision and speed of his attack were astonishing.

Choi Jong-In cracked his neck and tightened his grip on his sword. "Not bad."

The remaining monsters hesitated for a moment, as if realizing they had underestimated their opponent. But it was too late. Before they could react, Choi Jong-In launched forward, cutting through them with effortless grace.

His movements were fluid yet devastatingly powerful. He was a mage, yes—but now, he was also a fighter. The combination of both classes made him a force beyond comprehension.

As the last monster fell, Choi Jong-In stood amidst the carnage, completely unscathed. He sheathed his sword and let out a deep breath, his expression unreadable.

"I guess that was a good warm-up."

With that, he turned toward the dungeon's core, ready to clear it completely.

Meanwhile, outside the gate, the gathered crowd and the arriving Association staff anxiously awaited news of the dungeon's rank. But more than that, they were eager to see the outcome of Choi Jong-In's fearless venture into the unknown.