Chapter 9: Raiding A Dungeon.

The world seems to have stabilized. Days after the dungeons appeared.

People awakened. Hunters emerged. From E-rank nobodies to S-rank legends, they became humanity's shield—and sometimes, its idols.

Now, being a Hunter was the dream. Not doctors. Not astronauts. Kids didn't play superheroes anymore—they played Awakeners.

And Choi Seojun?

He was ten. And walking home with a kid who just wouldn't stop talking.

"—and then she said I couldn't eat five rice cakes in one minute. But I did! I mean, almost—okay, I choked, but still!"

Seojun gave Minjae a sidelong glance, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You nearly died trying to prove a point."

"It was worth it," Minjae grinned, practically skipping at Seojun's side. "You coming tomorrow?"

"Obviously."

"You know, people still talk about how you made those bullies cry like babies. You're like… a Hunter? Like your dad?."

Seojun just chuckled and gave no reply, his dad appears on TV every now and then, and someone like Minjae knows his parents.

They reached a corner where their paths split. Minjae raised a hand for a high-five.

"Same time tomorrow?"

Seojun smacked his palm with a lazy grin. "Sure. Don't get beat up."

"Pfft! Like I would—oh wait, I probably would. Byeee!"

---

Yuna was chopping vegetables when she heard the door creak open.

"Jun-ah! You're home?"

"Yeah," Seojun called from the hallway, slipping off his shoes. "Minjae wouldn't shut up all the way."

"He's sweet," Yuna said, peeking from the kitchen. "Talkative, but sweet."

"Talkative, definitely," Seojun muttered.

A shrill, tiny squeal echoed from the living room.

"Oppaaaaa!"

Mina, in her dinosaur pajamas, came charging like a waddling rocket.

Seojun caught her mid-charge and spun her around. "Whoa there, terror-saurus! You planning to knock me out?"

"Rawrrr!!" she shouted, drooling on his shoulder.

Yuna peeked in. "No eating your brother, Mina!"

Mina giggled and clung tighter. Seojun rubbed her back affectionately before plopping onto the couch with her.

"Where's Dad?" he asked, eyeing the empty spot at the dinner table.

"Gate opened this afternoon. Probably raiding with his guild."

"Again, huh... Hope he doesn't get nuked."

"Language."

"Technically not a bad word," Seojun mumbled.

They all ate together—well, Mina threw more food than she ate. After helping clean up, Seojun retired to his room. As the house quieted, the walls of his bedroom seemed to pulse with that familiar, subtle hum.

He lay on his bed and whispered with a grin.

"Yo, system."

[Host! Do you need something?]

"Nah. Just bored."

[Quest Initiated!]

"Wait, huh?" He sat up instantly.

[Raid a dungeon solo.

Time Limit: 5 hours.

Reward: Void Step]

"Void Step?"

[The ability to phase briefly out of reality. Enhanced evasion and Teleportation.]

Seojun whistled low. "Okay, that's actually sick."

He bit his lip, thinking fast. A five-hour timer. That means I need to leave soon. But how without Mom noticing...

He grinned suddenly.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu."

With a puff of smoke, an identical copy of himself appeared on the bed, snoring.

"Nice. You know what to do."

The clone nodded lazily and tucked itself into the blanket.

---

Minutes later, Seojun crept through the hallway like a seasoned ninja. Mina's soft snoring drifted from her room. His mom's light was still on, but her humming said she was deep into her romance drama.

Front window. No creaks.

Once outside, Seojun sprinted down the back alleys. His hoodie flapped behind him, and a breeze carried the faint hum of magical energy.

He knew where to go.

There was a neglected construction site on the city's edge—a known location for the occasional rogue dungeon spawn. Tonight, it shimmered with eerie blue light.

"A Blue Gate," Seojun whispered. "Perfect."

Guards in black Hunter Corps uniforms stood at a distance, lazily chatting. Clearly not expecting real activity.

With a deep breath, Seojun activated Shunpo.

Within seconds, he bypassed them completely.

Inside the gate, the world shimmered into shades of frost and shadow. Ice-crusted trees loomed in a frozen forest.

"So this is a gate..."

He clenched his fists.

"System, what rank is this?"

[B-Rank, Host.]

"Not high... but perfect for a warm-up."

From the woods, low growls echoed.

A pack of frostwolves emerged, baring fangs. Seojun exhaled slowly, fists tightening.

Armament Haki: On.

His fists turned sleek black, shining like obsidian.

One wolf leapt.

He sidestepped with ease, eyes glowing faintly.

Observation Haki.

To the wolves, he was a blur. He weaved between their bites, countered with brutal precision, each strike sending them flying.

The forest was littered with groaning monsters.

"Too easy," he muttered, cracking his neck.

As he moved deeper, the air turned colder. Trees became crystal spires.

And then... the boss.

A towering Ice Golem, ten feet tall, rose from a frozen altar. Its eyes glowed blue with hate.

Seojun thought of his long term reward, Ryujin Jakka.

He grinned as he summoned the Zanpakuto, gripping the hilt of a sword no one had seen him draw before.

"Time to bring the heat."

He pulled it free.

The blade ignited, the world turning crimson.

The flames danced like dragons.

The Ice Golem roared—

__

I forgot about him having Observation Haki, My bad...

Send Powerstones, It motivates me.