Episode 1
For several years now, monsters have been disappearing from this continent.
At first I thought it was disappearing, but upon investigation I found out that wasn’t the case.
All the disappeared monsters have moved to another dimension.
Travel between dimensions.
It is a long-cherished wish of wizards like me.
I don’t know why this phenomenon happened to the monsters.
It didn’t matter why now, because it helped me with my research.
“The coordinates are set… … and the magic connection is perfect!”
I stretched out my arms toward the ceiling on top of the magic circle that had been completed over a long period of time.
It was a great stroke of luck that I was able to use this dungeon, known as the Great Labyrinth.
If you use the magic power here, crossing dimensions will be no problem.
“let’s go!”
As I shouted loudly and started the magic circle, the surrounding area became filled with blue light.
It was like the phenomenon that monsters see right before they fly to another dimension.
I closed my eyes tightly, convinced that my research was not wrong.
When I opened my eyes again, I was sure I would have arrived in another dimension.
But as time passed, the surroundings remained quiet.
I felt the chilly wind brushing against my sleeves and opened my slightly closed eyes.
When the vision cleared again, only an empty field was visible, not a dungeon.
What does that mean?
It didn’t take long to come to mind.
“No way… … is it just the dungeon that has gone beyond the dimension?!”
Same time.
The wizard wasn’t the only one who felt bewildered.
Hunter Kang Jin-hyeok, who returned home and opened the attic door, was also more bewildered than the wizard who failed to move through dimensions.
“What the f*ck is this?”
A labyrinth that looks like something out of a movie.
Anyone would be shocked if they found it in the attic of their own home.
* * *
The dawn air is cold.
It was still a little early in October to call it winter.
The sun had set and the cold dawn was so cool that white breath came out on its own.
Olympic Park, Gymnasium 1, Songpa-gu, Seoul.
In front of it, many people were lined up, not caring about the cold weather.
People were lining up from the crack of dawn just to see their favorite celebrities.
Kang Jin-hyeok was visiting sales booths nearby and carrying water jugs needed for business.
As he was walking to his truck, he saw a line filling up in front of the gym.
And then I stopped walking and admired it inwardly.
I just live each day without any goals.
It was really enviable that someone could be so absorbed in something.
Someone tapped Kang Jin-hyeok on the back as he stood still for a moment.
I turned my head and saw my senior at part-time job.
“Why are you staring blankly like that?”
“Just a moment… … .”
“We have to hurry. We’re not even halfway done yet.”
“yes.”
As the senior got on the truck carrying the water jug, Kang Jin-hyeok also got into the passenger seat.
The senior, who felt bored inside the truck that started and started moving, glanced at Kang Jin-hyeok.
While I was thinking of a topic, Kang Jin-hyeok’s short-sleeved outfit caught my eye.
“Aren’t you cold in this weather?”
“I’m a hunter. Have you forgotten that hunters can withstand both hot and cold?”
“Was that a story that even D-class could understand?”
“Luckily, thanks to that, I was able to save on heating costs.”
“Wow, I’m really jealous of that.”
An awkward silence followed as the conversation paused for a moment.
My senior couldn’t stand this kind of thing, so he just said whatever came to mind.
“Why is a hunter working part-time in a place like this?”
“… …Why? Because I don’t have money.”
The senior realized belatedly that it was a somewhat rude question.
Trying to end the conversation quickly with an awkward laugh would be like spilling the milk.
Instead, the senior thought of some comforting words.
“It would be nice if the guild guys would loosen up their monopoly a bit, right?”
“Those damn guys are probably like that.”
The areas where monsters mostly appear were monopolized by the upper guilds.
Since they were not even willing to give in to the monsters that appeared randomly in other places, there was no way they could break their monopoly now.
For powerless D-class hunters like Kang Jin-hyeok, who had no way to hunt monsters, they had no choice but to find another way besides being a hunter or to work part-time.
Kang Jin-hyeok sighed softly.
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“These days, it’s gotten so bad that I can’t live like this.”
“Why? Did something happen between the guilds?”
Kang Jin-hyeok looked puzzled as he saw his senior showing curiosity.
His eyes seemed to ask how I could not know that.
“Haven’t you heard the news?”
“What’s the news?”
“For the past month, some crazy killer has been running wild with a crazy concept of only hunting and killing hunters belonging to large guilds.”
After hearing Kang Jin-hyeok’s explanation, the senior let out a hollow laugh.
“Are you saying that those gentlemen who are good at something are taking out their anger on useless places because they couldn’t catch a single murderer?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
They make excuses saying that it is to catch the culprit, but that is not the case.
The existence of a murderer is merely an excuse to trample on an irritating opponent.
They had no real intention of catching the culprit.
Thinking that it’s something that happens to stupid, weak people or murderers.
They seemed to firmly believe that they would not be harmed.
“The more I listen to them, the crazier they seem.”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
If I had known that Hunter’s job would be like this, I would have looked for other employment opportunities a long time ago.
Kang Jin-hyeok had a dream of becoming a successful hunter for no reason, and he was disappointed in his situation of standing still for over three years.
Normally, if you go through this much trouble, something good will happen.
Why haven’t there been any sunny days in my life?
When on earth will the opportunity come?
While he was thinking like that, Kang Jin-hyeok heard a scream in his ear.
It was not the scream of one person, but of many.
The senior also seemed greatly shaken when he heard that.
“Hey, is the concert still far from starting?”
“You call that talking?”
That scream didn’t sound like a scream of pleasure.
It was definitely a terrified scream, crying out for help.
Usually, the reason you hear screams like that in places like this is either because of a terrorist attack or because a monster has appeared. One of the two.
Either way, it was a great opportunity for Kang Jin-hyeok.
“at las!”
This happened at the place where I was working part-time.
This incident also happened at a time when other people were busy sleeping.
They say heroes are made in times of crisis.
Kang Jin-hyeok felt that his turn had come.
Kang Jin-hyeok took out an aluminum bat from the worn-out, cheap inventory he had brought just in case.
“Senior, run away.”
“What about you? Are you going to go there?”
“of course.”
“by yourself?”
“If you want to make money, it’s better to be alone.”
Even if the number of other hunters increases, they will only end up competing with each other.
In that case, it would be better to hunt alone.
“Should I help you? I’ve been working out a lot lately, so I’m confident I can use my strength.”
Kang Jin-hyeok laughed in vain at his senior’s words.
“You know that only hunters can catch monsters.”
It wasn’t a question of strength.
There was a special wavelength around the monster that made it impervious to attacks from ordinary people and even conventional weapons.
The only ones who could attack through that wave were hunters who had been granted stats.
“Don’t do anything useless and evacuate.”
Kang Jin-hyeok ran toward the direction where the scream came from without hesitation.
As expected, when I saw the monsters attacking people, a smile came to my face without me knowing.
With so many of them, you could probably live off of just the little guys for a whole year without worrying about money.
“Good!”
Kang Jin-hyeok stepped forward with great momentum, but before he could reach the monster, an old man blocked his way.
Kang Jin-hyeok stopped walking when he realized that the man was the president of the company that hired him.
Kang Jin-hyeok couldn’t understand at all why the president was blocking his path.
“What are you doing now?”
“Can’t you see it? I’m just stopping you from going.”
“No, so why?”
Kang Jin-hyeok, who was thinking about the reason, thought that the president was trying to prevent ordinary people from entering.
So I took out my wallet and showed him my hunter license.
“I’m a hunter, so I can catch it. Get out of the way.”
“I can’t let you go because you’re a hunter. This place is already occupied.”
“You’re the owner?”
“Yes, all the monsters that appear around here are from the ‘Titans’.”
Kang Jin-hyeok was dumbfounded when he heard that.
I was fully aware that many companies had contracts with large guilds.
Who would have thought that its influence would reach this far?
Kang Jin-hyeok began to feel the control of the large guilds, which was becoming increasingly severe with each passing day.
“I’ve already contacted Titan. You just continue doing your part-time job.”
“What nonsense are you talking about! I discovered it and came first before anyone else!”
“Don’t be stubborn and go. Have you forgotten what kind of guild Titan is? They’re one of the top five in Korea.”
“What’s wrong with that?! Get out of the way right now!”
Kang Jin-hyeok couldn’t just suck his thumb like this.
You were selected as a hunter and your stats were created.
I went to the Hunter Association and even got a license.
I am fully prepared and qualified to hunt monsters.
What is lacking that makes you retreat without catching even one?
Kang Jin-hyeok pushed aside the president who was blocking his way.
Even though it was only a D-class, it was able to shake off the power of an ordinary person.
“Oh my!”
While the person who was interfering was falling on his butt, Kang Jin-hyeok tried to run towards the monster.
But I couldn’t take another step forward.
Someone’s hand stretched out from behind and grabbed Kang Jin-hyeok’s shoulder tightly.
“uh?”
The hand that grabbed his shoulder immediately pulled Kang Jin-hyeok towards him.
As if I had been hit head-on by a huge wave.
Kang Jin-hyeok’s body was pulled back without any resistance.
Then he was thrown cruelly on the floor and rolled around.
“Ugh!”
The person who had grabbed Kang Jin-hyeok spoke to him in a cold tone as he fell.
“Don’t even think about putting a spoon in it and get out.”
Kang Jin-hyeok raised his head and saw a group of hunters gathered around him.
All they wore were black jackets with the same pattern drawn on their shoulders.
Kang Jin-hyeok also knew that it symbolized one of the large guilds, ‘Titan’.
“You guys are the ones who want to put the spoon on! I got here first!”
“What does it matter who came first? This is our territory.”
“Where is there such a law!”
“Of course it has no legal effect. But that applies to you too.”
“what?”
“The first come first served rule is yours, isn’t it? Has the association ever made such a rule?”
The words of the person who pulled Kang Jin-hyeok, the Titan’s vice-guild leader ‘Andoyoon’, were simple.
If neither opinion is established by law, then the stronger one is correct.
That’s what Andoyoon was trying to say.
“What kind of nonsensical logic is that… …!”
Kang Jin-hyeok suddenly stood up from his seat.
When I saw the Titan Hunters hunting the monsters, I couldn’t bear it any longer.
“Eat in moderation, kids!”
Kang Jin-hyeok, overcome by emotions, grabbed the bat and ran towards Ahn Do-yoon.
If I were to lose all my monsters, I would at least hit that unlucky face once.
But it was he who got hit.
I was hit in the left cheek by a fist that I didn’t even know when I swung, and I fell to the ground once again.
The familiar feel of asphalt scratched Kang Jin-hyeok’s skin mercilessly.
“All the scumbags are rushing in.”
Andoyoon Ahn clicked his tongue as if he was displeased and gave an order to the hunter right next to him.
“If that guy tries to attack again, beat him up and chase him away.”
“All right.”
Kang Jin-hyeok, who had been listening to the entire conversation, fell to the floor and clenched his fists.
I knew it in my head.
Titan was a guild that only hunters of at least B rank or higher could join.
It was common sense that a D-rank hunter couldn’t handle a member of such a guild.
Today was the first time I realized it firsthand.
Kang Jin-hyeok realized anew that this was the position of a D-class hunter.
Once I knew it with my body, I had no more thoughts of trying.
The president, who had been watching everything, picked Kang Jin-hyeok up and helped him up.
“I told you to just go, Inseok.”
The president brushed the dirt off Kang Jin-hyeok’s clothes with his hands and offered words of comfort.
But now, none of those words made sense to Kang Jin-hyeok.
I thought now was the time.
I’ve been living a hard life because I’ve been waiting for this moment.
Even though he had such high hopes, what Kang Jin-hyeok faced was the wall of reality.
Even though they are all hunters, some of them achieve great feats by catching monsters.
Some people carry water buckets and earn a small daily wage.
Kang Jin-hyeok, whose expectations and dreams had all been shattered, simply moved like a machine.
He didn’t even answer his senior’s question about what happened.
He just silently focused on what was allowed for him at the moment.
“shit……!”
At this moment, Kang Jin-hyeok wanted to cheer on the murderer who only targets large guilds.
Even though he knew it was a wrong idea, the only way for a D-class hunter to appease his resentment was through such a twisted curse.
* * *
After some time had passed like that.
The monsters were quickly subdued by the Titan’s skilled response.
It was great news for those preparing for the concert.
Thanks to that, Kang Jin-hyeok was also able to receive his daily wages safely.
But Kang Jin-hyeok wasn’t happy at all.
The daily wage deposited into the account is only a few tens of thousands of won.
If I had caught even one monster, this amount of money would have been like the price of a piece of gum.
Kang Jin-hyeok felt sorry for himself, having to do part-time work while facing monsters even though he was a hunter.
But there was nothing I could do.
I learned this for sure today.
This is the reality of a D-class hunter.
If you feel wronged, you have no choice but to bow down and join a large guild.
However, the problem was that even that required a minimum of 30 million won in bribes.
Kang Jin-hyeok’s savings were all the daily wages he received today.
A life where it’s hard to pay rent every month.
For him, it was impossible to raise more than 30 million won even with private loans.
“I will go in first.”
Kang Jin-hyeok ignored his senior’s suggestion to go for a drink and headed straight home.
I had a strong desire to drink a lot of alcohol, but I couldn’t do it.
Kang Jin-hyeok had to go to another part-time job in two hours.
There was absolutely no time to get drunk.
Besides, I felt like being alone right now.
“F*ck… … .”
As soon as I got home, the first thing that came out was a sigh that was almost like a curse.
Kang Jin-hyeok, who came in stumbling, ended up lying down on the floor.
Kang Jin-hyeok, who was looking around the 12-pyeong old house, let out a sigh.
The house I live in now is spacious enough for me to live alone.
It was difficult for me to afford the rent with my body surviving day by day with part-time jobs.
However, the reason Kang Jin-hyeok continued to live in this house despite the hardships was because he still had a vague hope that he might succeed someday.
But that hope also ended today.
A D-class hunter without any support or capital can never succeed.
“I think it would be better to just rent a room this month.”
Let’s go to a place that fits the topic.
Kang Jin-hyeok thought so.
Now, it was a realistic choice to stop being a hunter and slowly save up money while finding a job.
“Phew… … .”
Kang Jin-hyeok made a decision, but his mood became even more depressed because it was not what he wanted.
At that time, as time went by, my frustration only grew.
Kang Jin-hyeok heard a loud thud as something fell in the attic.
“What, what is it?”
Did something I had piled up fall down?
Kang Jin-hyeok got up in a hurry and opened the attic door.
“Uh uh… … ?”
Kang Jin-hyeok was speechless when he saw the scenery inside the attic.
A complex maze of stone walls, like those seen in games or movies.
Kang Jin-hyeok had no idea why something like this had appeared in the attic.
As he approached to get a closer look, he was startled when he suddenly discovered a goblin appearing.
“Eww!”
I was so surprised that I fell on my butt and bumped into things piled up in the attic, making a loud noise.
But even then, the goblin did not turn his gaze towards Kang Jin-hyeok.
The goblin simply continued on his way.
The same was true of the group of goblins that appeared afterward.
Of the more than ten goblins, not a single one looked this way.
“Could it be… that I’m invisible?”
It seemed like the structure was such that even though you could see into the labyrinth from the outside, you couldn’t see this side from inside the labyrinth.
As Kang Jin-hyeok cautiously reached out toward the labyrinth, his hand naturally went inside.
There was no resistance whatsoever.
Kang Jin-hyeok pulled his hand away again and burst into laughter.
The labyrinth and the monsters inside it.
Kang Jin-hyeok knew what it meant.
“A dungeon… a dungeon appeared in my attic?”
