Chapter Text
When Haein first told her friends about the possibility of her awakening as an s-class – still a possibility to her because despite after being visited by the chairman of hunter association himself, she still can’t fathom the idea of her being an s-class hunter-, all of their eyes sparkled. It’s eyes full of wonder and excitement as gasps escaped their mouth. This seems to be the normal reaction someone would have when they first realized that someone they know will become a high raking hunter. Though, after years of friendship, Haein knew that the reason of their excitement is not because of her being an s-class, but-
“Does that mean you’re going to meet Hunter Sung!?”
-that.
Yeah.
Haein is not even that surprised that the first thing that they decided to focus on is the possibility of her meeting the elusive hunter.
She knew that her friends – and probably everyone in South Korea or even maybe the world – admire Hunter Sung Jinwoo. Despite the man introverted nature that seems to prefer the company of no one or his famous shadows, the man himself is the most recognizable person on earth – according to Forbes December issue at least.
Daily and prime time news, internet posts, billboards, or even a cup sleeve event somewhere in the country, there are countless articles and news regarding the man. She once even stumbled upon fansites of Hunter Sung. Haein does not know how that will work out considering the man is hard to catch – even to the hunter monitoring department according to one of their ex-worker.
Not that she blamed them, considering the man is the country’s strongest hunter. A lot of times, he was often dubbed as the strongest hunter in the world – something that Haein and the rest of South Korea vehemently agree, no matter how strong the US or China denies.
“I mean…” she started, mind still numb and confused. The incident at the testing site earlier still tinging into her mind. Not to mention her private meeting with Go Gunhee himself. Everything is still so surreal to her who was only a normal university student a few days ago. “Hunter Sung is known to be someone reclusive, even to his fellow s-ranks and the hunter association, so I don’t know if I will ever meet him-“
“Don’t be silly!” cut one of her friends, Jia. “I’m sure that there must be some sort of s-ranks meeting? Or something like that!” She said, clinking her empty glass – it was full of soju just a few seconds ago, where did it go?- towards the table.
Another one of her friends, Soonyoung, also nodded. “No matter how reclusive Hunter Sung is, he may go to the association sometimes! You can meet him there!” she exclaimed.
The sound of the sizzling meat that’s being grilled in front of them filled the sudden silence that appeared after both exclamations. “Honestly…” muttered Haein, narrowing her eyes. “Can’t you guys be more excited for me? You guys are my friends, not Hunter Sung’s”
Jia waved her hand. “I saw you almost everyday Haein-ah” muttered the girl. “The novelty of you being an s-rank faded when I remembered how you tripped in front of the whole school during high school graduation” At the reminder of her dark history, Haein flushed, eyes glaring at the girl in front of her.
Soonyoung too, merely laughed. “Don’t forget us lowly people okay when you get officially announced as an s-rank!” said the girl. “I know you will be hanging out with all the cool s-ranks but don’t let our 8 years of friendship goes to waste!”
Well, of course Haein will never forget them. Both Jia and Soonyoung are her closest friends after all. They’ve known each other since years ago. They both went to the same middle school and high school together. Hell, the three of them even went to the same university despite entering different faculties! Not even the temptation of being an s-rank will make her forget these two girls that has been present for so long in her life.
“Of course, I won’t” she said, smiling a bit. “I will even tell you guys the latest gossips of the country’s strongest hunters” At this, both of her friends stared at each other, eyes glinting with something. It seems her attempt to reassure them backfired horribly. Internally, she massaged her forehead as she watched her friend’s antic.
“Haein, I’m begging you” said Soonyoung as she plastered herself towards Haein, a smile on her face. “Please ask for Hunter Sung autograph for me!”
“Yeah!” agreed on Jia. “Please please please!”
Haein immediately flushed at that. “What- no!” she said. Just thinking about it made her embarrassed. There’s no way she could just walked up towards the strongest hunter in the world and just asked him his autograph! Especially if she indeed became his fellow s-ranker.
“Haein-ah” said Jia as she too, plastered herself on Haein. “I’m begging you! This will be my last request! You don’t have to give me any birthday gifts anymore for the rest of my life if you really gave me his autograph!”
“Yeah!” agreed on Soonyoung. “Please!”
“No!”
2nd of February 20XX
MYSTERIOUS LIKE PHENOMENON APPEARED ON VARIOUS LOCATION ALL AROUND THE WORLD?
Is this the end of the world or the start of a new civilization? It seems, that question has been the most asked questions all around the world currently.
Just a mere week ago, a mysterious phenomenon had appeared in the street of New York, United States of America. While it shown an ominous appearance – akin to what many assumed to be a portal – the phenomenon itself seems harmless. This phenomenon has been thought to be related to what we now refer as ‘Awakening’. After all, just a few weeks before the sudden appearance of the phenomenon, many people found themselves to be ‘awakened’ with strengths that could rival no other.
Despite all of the public urge for the ‘awakened’ people to see what lays beyond the gate, the government has advised everyone to stay clear.
2569 comments…
XXkissm
Dude we’re seriously going to die
Parkjiminownthy
No, seriously this sounds like a plot from a novel lmaoo. Is this even real life or are we in another government simulation???
RobertHeynes
Can someone please explore those things before it’s too late…
Jokeingss
The government is seriously useless. What’s the point of keeping everyone away from it? We should see what’s in it!
CathieMcgregor replied
How about you go there yourself? Considering how brave you act
31ST of March 20XX
AWAKENED PEOPLE TO BE CALLED AS ‘HUNTERS’ AND THE UNITED NATIONS URGE FOR ALL THE COUNTRIES TO SET UP THEIR OWN NATIONAL HUNTER ASSOCIATION
After the first exploration to what we know are called gates in the United Kingdom, leaders from all around the world has agreed to create what is now called ‘hunters’. Hunters will be tasked to explore and conquer dungeons in exchange of monetary compensation.
This announcement has enraged many, especially those who failed to ‘awaken’. Though, the government will not budge and will still instill the monetary compensation to hunters that has the bravery and the skill to conquer all of these dungeons.
In relation to the creation of a new workforce, the United Nations has urged for all of the countries to start and create their own national hunter association. This organization will help each country to monitor all of the awakened individuals.
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1st of July 20XX
“HUNTERS ARE NOW DIVIDED WITH CLASS RANKING” SAYS THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM UNITED NATIONS. “THE SAME RANKING SYSTEM WILL ALSO BE APPLIED TO GATES”
In order to measure and properly classify all of the hunters, the United Nations will start to implement ranking system into the hunter program. The measurement itself will be made from a still developed magic tools made from the crystals that came from the dungeon.
According to the United Nations representative, a hunter rank will start from E, to D, C, B, and A. The weaker an individual magic power, the lower ranking they will get. The ranking system will be implemented in two weeks from now on.
678 comments…
3RD of August 20XX
THE BIRTH OF AN S-RANK HUNTER HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED AS AN INDIVIDUAL MANAGED TO SCORE ‘UNMEASUREABLE’ IN THE RANKING TESTING SYSTEM
1704 comments…
Ukissote
Nah man for real???
Ilovenewyork
Imagine being an s-class hunter. Easy fucking money.
00xxreal
Well, thankfully there’s no s-rank gate or we’re all will be fucked.
Jinwoo was fourteen, almost fifteen, when he first awakened.
It’s not something grand, or dramatic. The realization that he became one of the awakened individuals happened accidentally when he crushed the pen he’s holding. He didn’t even put much pressure. Said pen crumbled when he casually took it from the hunter association secretary in front of him.
His father, the reason why both are even in the newly established South Korea’s hunter association, stared at him in shock.
The reason why he’s even here was just to accompany his father. A few days ago, the older man had been laid off from his construction job – the sole moneymaker of their family. Such news had brought a big distress towards the older man considering his sickly wife and small children. Jinwoo may have been only fourteen, but he understands that he needs to help his family one way or another.
Though, his attempt to get any part time job has been downright rejected by his father. Chiding that he must focus on his study and get into a good university. That statement had resulted in a shouting match between the two of them. That very shouting match too, was the moment when his father realized that he has awakened.
Knowing that hunters has been promised for a monetary compensation for every raid that they did, it didn’t take long for the older man to decided that he’s going to be a hunter. His mother had been worried, of course, how could she not? After all, despite the monetary compensation, hunters’ death rate is at its all-time high.
Not that his father would back down, considering how tight the current job market is what with the arrival of a new era and all. At this point, the only hope for them to earn money for a living was to become a hunter.
And so, that’s how he found himself accompanying his father at the hunter association head office. It’s a small building, located somewhere in Seoul. Considering that it’s a newly established constitution, calling it a building will be an overstatement. Though, he could see some construction works are being done on the area near it.
Back to his current predicament, Jinwoo could only stare at the pen in shock.
The secretary though, let out a laugh. As if, she had seen this predicament thousands of times before. Maybe she had, who knows. Though, she immediately brought out another pen from one of the drawers on her table. This one looks a bit sturdier compared to the one before.
“It’s a new kind of pen, specifically made for a high-ranking hunters” said the secretary with a smile on her face. “I’m still new on this job but you won’t believe just how many pens broke when a newly awakened hunters used it”
Jinwoo stared at her. Newly awakened hunters?
“Huh?” said his father who’s also stared at the secretary with clear shock on his eyes. “Wait do you mean-“
“Congratulations sir” spoked the secretary, eyes crinkling with mirth. “It seems you’re not the only hunter in the family”
Both Jinwoo and his father stared at the measurement device blankly.
While his father new status as an A-rank hunter surprised the both of them, Jinwoo won’t even lie that it does not delight him. After all, A-rank hunter means that his father can earn some money and strong enough to fend off any monsters inside the dungeon.
It’s a safety precaution as well as a silent promise that his father will always be there in their family, despite undertaking such dangerous job.
Though, when it’s Jinwoo’s own turn to be measured, both of them can only stared at it silently. The noona who’s in charge of their measurement seems flustered at the turn of event too.
“Is it broken?” he asked as he turned his head towards his father. “Dad what should we do?”
His dad scratched the back of his neck. “Damn, we don’t have any extra expense to replace it” he grumbled. “Hey, but I don’t think it’s your fault. Cause the measurement device is still really new right? Maybe it’s only a prototype-“
“I’ll call my supervisor!” exclaimed the older female, standing up and turned her attention away from the ‘error’ that appeared on the measurement device. “He’ll know what to do-“
“If we really have to replace the measurement device, we really don’t have the budget to-“
“No” piped another unfamiliar voice, cutting what his father about to say. “No sir, I think you don’t have to replace anything”
At that, Jinwoo could feel his eyes widened at the newly arrived man. He knows that man, he thinks that everyone in South Korea will know about the man. After all, this man that stood in front of them is South Korea’s first s-rank hunter, Hunter Go Gunhee.
When the news first broke, about South Korea’s first s-rank hunter, the whole country celebrated. Just a mere weeks ago the government had been worried upon the continuous appearance of the newly classified s-rank hunters in other countries. They had continuously hope that South Korea too, will have a hunter with a strength on par with those s-rank hunters.
And then, Go Gunhee appeared. Previously a chairman of a company that he founded himself, Go Gunhee seems to be the ray of hope to the South Korean government. Despite the fact that he’s far older than other s-ranks and has long past his prime age, no one can doubt his strength.
He dedicated a lot of his wealth and his earnings as a hunter to help build the South Korea’s hunter association. An act that was highly praised by the government who in return, awarded her many medals and honorary titles.
Go Gunhee, is the idealistic hunter in the eye of many.
The savior of South Korea. The hunter to all hunters. The sky above the skies.
And the man who stood in front of them.
A chuckle escaped the elder lips at the sudden silent room. “Now, don’t be nervous” said the older man as he walked towards the measurement device. “I decided to come when I heard a really interesting news after all” at this, he stared at the error on the measurement device.
“Um” spoke up Jinwoo’s father, gaining all of their attention. It seems all the happiness at the news of him being an a-rank disappeared at the mere prospect of replacing the no doubt expensive measurement device. “You said that we don’t have to pay for anything?”
It seems that question broke whatever trance that the elder was in as he turned towards his father and let out a nod. “Yes, yes… you don’t have to pay for anything” answered the hunter. “Though…” he trailed off, as he turned his head towards where Jinwoo stood. “This measurement… is yours correct?”
Jinwoo nodded. “Yeah?” he replied.
“Amazing” breathed out Hunter Go Gunhee. “And still so young… how old are you?”
He silently casted a look on his father who raised his eyebrows. “Jinwoo is fourteen” replied the man.
“Almost fifteen” added Jinwoo, not wanting to be seen as a child by the strongest hunter in the country right now. “In just a few months”
“A young man then” laughed the elder. “I see, it’s a great news indeed”
The delight that’s reflected on the elder eyes is clearly reflected. Both Jinwoo and his father shared a look, confused at the happiness and an almost proud look on the s-rank hunter face. Some news said that s-ranks are weird and borderline crazy, is that what’s currently happening?
They both still stared at the elder with confusion clear on their face when the hunter let out a large grin on his face.
“After all, it’s time for South Korea to have an s-rank hunter other than this old man”
3rd of October 20XX
A TOO OLD S-RANK AND A TOO YOUNG S-RANK. IS THIS A CLEAR SIGN OF THE DECLINING HUNTER INDUSTRY IN SOUTH KOREA?
The country was taken by surprise at the announcement of a new s-rank hunter last month. While South Korea already boasted an s-rank hunter, Hunter Go Gunhee, the appearance of another s-rank hunter was a delightful news to many citizens of the republic of South Korea.
Hunter Sung Jinwoo is a fourteen – almost fifteen, as stated by the young hunter himself during press conference – years old teen that attended a normal middle school. He’s one of the top students in his class and his teachers had stated that the young man himself had a good chance of entering a prestigious university. That is, of course, if he’s not South Korea’s second awakened individual to gain the s-rank title.
While this itself is an amazing news, many started to question the young man capability as a hunter. Alongside of that worry, many too, has doubted the prospect of being a hunter in South Korea due to the two s-rank that the country possessed.
Other countries such as the United States and Japan, also has their own share of s-rank individuals. Though what differentiate South Korea is the age of their s-ranks. Hunter Go Gunhee, while he’s an amazing hunter with capabilities that everyone could ever dreamt of, is someone far passed their prime age. The hunter is entering his 70s soon and many started to worry about his ability to become a hunter.
On the other end of the spectrum there is Hunter Sung Jinwoo, the country’s newest s-rank. While he is not someone that has well past their prime age, the young man is not even a high school student. A far too young individual that many feared to be far too naïve to comprehend the true nature of the world.
While it is a great news that South Korea now has two s-ranks, can we catch up to other countries?
3570 comments…
1306bgtn
We should just be grateful that we have s-ranks
Kimxxx34 replied
Well, what’s the use of having s-ranks if they’re a grandpa and a kid?
JiyeonPark
Out of topic but can’t help but laugh when Hunter Sung always said “Almost fifteen” when everyone mentioned his age.
Queendom3344 replied
It’s cute lol.
Youmademef33l replied
Idk but it just showed me that he’s clearly far too immature
Myaccountgtlcked
For anyone doubting Hunter Sung, he literally just solo cleared an a-rank dungeon a few days ago lmaoo.
SunghwanJi
Hunter Sung’s father is also a hunter, right? Their genetics is scary
15th of December 20XX
FATHER OF SOUTH KOREA’S S-RANK HUNTER HAD GONE MIA IN A DUNGEON. NATION WIDE SEARCH LED BY HUNTER SUNG JINWOO COMMENCED AND HUNTER GO GUNHEE COMMENCED
1490 comments…
Jinwoo doesn’t have the face to look at his family.
He could hear Jinah’s sobs as well as his mom cries as they both watched the news. Jinwoo himself had just only been called by the hunter association one hour ago.
His father was missing in one of the dungeons. It’s not even a strong one in particular, a dungeon that he was confident that his father could cleared easily, especially with other strong hunters. Though, he almost forgot that the world is an unjust place and there’s nothing that is set in stone.
The disappearance of his father is one of them.
Taking a deep breath, he finally gathered enough courage to approach his family.
“Mom, Jinah” he called out. The both of them turned and he could see the red that’s rimming their eyes.
It was Jinah that broke the otherwise silent house.
“Oppa!” yelled the girl as she leaped towards him. “Oppa! Dad is not- he’s not dead right!?” She asked, voice wobbly and tears streaming down her face. Jinwoo could feel his heart clenched at the sight. His sister is only seven years old. She’s still too young to be left without a father figure.
“He’s not” he found himself replying as he hugged the younger girl who only sobbed on his shoulder. “I’ll find him Jinah, don’t worry”
All of a sudden, he could feel another set of arms encircled around both him and Jinah. Her mother also cried, though it seems that she’s trying to suppress it in order to ease both of her children. His mother is the strongest person on earth after all. Someone that would do anything for her family.
“Please, Jinwoo” said the older woman softly. “Please don’t push yourself too hard”
“I know I won’t-“
A hand grabbed his cheek and he found himself staring right at his mother’s tear-stricken face. “I know you Jinwoo, I know that somehow you’re blaming yourself,” said the woman. “But please, whatever you will do to find your father, I beg you please, come home”
He can only stood there in silence.
“I don’t want to lose someone from my family again”
And Jinwoo, had always been a filial child.
“I promise, mom”
16th of January 20XX
THE DEATH OF UNITED STATES S-RANK HUNTER “LIAM MORENO” IS A HARSH REMINDER THAT NOT EVEN AN S-RANK HUNTER IS IMMORTAL
40981 comments…
29th of August 20XX
HARSH CRITISIM HAS BEEN POURING FOR S-CLASS HUNTERS THAT HAS BEEN ON THE RECEIVING END OF MANY BENEFITS. NOT JUST MONETARY, BUT ALSO MANY OTHER THINGS. IS THIS A CLEAR SIGN THAT HUNTERS HOLD MORE POWER THAN ANY POLITICAL PARTIES?
1003 comments…
25th of December 20XX
A GATE WITH UNMEASUREABLE POWER HAS APPEARED IN THE STREETS OF SAN FRANSISCO. S-RANKS HAS BEEN DISPATCHED TO CLEAR IT IN FEAR OF A DUNGEON BREAK.
10458 comments…
1ST of January 20XX
BREAKING NEWS, THE FIRST S-RANK DUNGEON BREAK HAS OCCURRED
50903 comments…
When monsters poured out of the gate for the first time, it was a scene that everyone will always remember.
The agonizing screams of the civillians, the bodies that has been thrown haphazardly across the street, the smokes and rubbles that has now turned San Francisco into nothing but a destroyed city.
A dungeon break is an occurrence where gates failed to be cleared in the span of 7 days. Such thing had happened before. Though, it was to a much weaker and smaller gates. After all, to never let this happened to a stronger gate, many safety precautions have been implemented by the hunter association and the government.
How an a-rank dungeon should be conquered within the first three days. How a-ranks hunter will be given a large monetary compensation if they did so. How the association keep their eyes everywhere all around the world to monitor all the strong dungeons.
Such devastating calamity should had never happen.
After so many security protocols, after so many hunters being trained and being invested with the best equipment to have been ever made, such occurrence should have never happened.
But alas, the sudden appearance of an s-rank dungeon caught them off guard.
And now, what left of San Francisco is nothing but heaps of rubbles and dead bodies.
While most of the civilians had been evacuated when a dungeon break was set to occur, no one could fathom how large the devastation will truly be. After all, many s-ranks and other high-ranking hunters has been stationed just outside the dungeon to anticipate a dungeon break.
Though, it seems, the sheer power from the monsters turned all those extra precautions into nothing but dust.
It was such a horrifying calamity that had been said to be the worst disaster to ever occurred in mankind. The dungeon boss, a red scaled dragon called Kamish, managed to turn an entire block with a simple roar. The moment he flaps his wings, a tornado would occur and destroyed everything on his path.
Kamish, is the very nightmare for humanity.
The dragon managed to destroy half of the West Coast before the allied force arrived.
It was such a fancy name for such a haphazardly made group of people. The group itself was made from gathering the s-ranks all around the world in order to destroy Kamish. After all, Kamish will not stop after he destroyed the United States. It has the ability to fly, so after he’s done with the country, other countries will be the next target.
The so-called allied force arrived to an already destroyed west coast and to the army of dragons and large lizards.
Many high-ranking hunters fell in this battle against Kamish and his army. As more and more s-ranks fell, it was a harsh reminder to humanity that they are only a dot in this large universe. That there is someone better than stronger than them. Kamish, is one of them and who knows how many monsters out there that could rival or even surpass Kamish’s power.
Though, while the fight against Kamish itself is a calamity that will forever etch itself in everyone’s memory, what happened during the end of the battle will be the most prominent memory regarding the incident.
After all, it’s not every day that you would see a teen standing over the corpse of Kamish with five other hunters around him. The teen himself looked beat up and winded. His casual hoodie is on tatters and there are wounds littered across his body. Both of his hands are holding bloodied daggers. Though, despite all of that, what caught most people attention is how his shadow expanded all around him.
Yes, the teen looked beat up. Though, his wound is nothing compared to the other remaining hunters.
The scenery all around the teen seems to have been bathed with darkness. Glowing purplish eyes could be seen as the teen silently stared at the now dead dragon in front of him. A large knight, bathed in shadows, could be seen standing next to him. The sword that said knight held seems to have been flickering with lightning as his blood red mane fluttered across the wind.
Despite the five other hunters around him, no one doubt who killed the monstrous dragon. After all, the fight has been recorded and livestreamed all across the world by an amateur camera brought by an a-rank hunter. The whole world had watched with a bated breath how the teen had slayed the dragon alone. They all had watched, how his shadows exploded under him, and an army of shadows appeared around him as if the teen is a king of hell himself.
They all had watched how the teen extended his hand and muttered something. Too low for the camera to catch and how the teen is not facing the camera, whatever he muttered in that moment will forever be a mystery to everyone. Though, almost immediately, wisps of shadow could be seen emerging from the deceased dragon’s body. All five hunters around the teen seems to be alerted though the teen himself still remained composed.
It was not long, that the wisps of shadow that emerged from Kamish now became a shadow shaped like a dragon.
“No way…” mumbled the man behind the camera as the recording seemed to shake. “There’s no fucking way…”
The shadow dragon let out a loud roar as he flapped his mighty wings. Rubbles flew all around the place from that as one of the remaining hunters, an s-rank hunter from the United States, Thomas Andre, approached the teen and yelled.
“You-!” he said, yanking the teen shoulder so he could face him. “What is the meaning of this!?”
Hunter Sung Jinwoo stared at him blankly. Eyes no longer glowing as he cocked his head sideways. His orbs turned towards the shadow dragon besides him, and the other hunter in front of him. He blinked.
“I always want a dragon” he replied frankly, still staring at the other hunter.
In the distance, a loud laugh from Hunter Liu Zhigang could be heard.
In the years to come, this recording will be the highest viewed video in social media. The final battle against Kamish where the name of Hunter Sung Jinwoo made its wave all across the world. That incident also birthed a new rank for s-rank hunters. The six hunters that had faced Kamish head on are now called National Level Hunters. Hunters, that could elevate a whole country with their power.
And Hunter Sung Jinwoo stood on top.