Lee Jaehyuk moved through the final corridor, his blade humming faintly, streaks of blue energy dripping from the Aegis enhancement.
Cracked stones glowed under his boots, each step echoing in the quiet ruin. Around him, the remnants of fallen creatures dissolved into soft shards of light, fading one by one until the silence felt almost sacred.
> [Dungeon Clear: Class D — "Hollow Veins"]
[Soulmarks Earned: +1,870 Silver]
[Skill Acquired: Data Trace]
[Description: Allows the user to read the final combat rhythm, energy flow, and potential of any observed target.]
Jaehyuk let out a slow breath as the interface dissolved into the air. Data Trace, huh.
He dismissed the system window with a quiet scoff.
"Still not enough."
His voice disappeared into the night, swallowed by the hum of distant generators. The reward wouldn't even cover a week's worth of food. He needed more Soulmarks, more strength, more everything.
A faint blue shimmer flickered at the end of the alley, painting the wet pavement in ghostly color.
A dungeon gate weak, unregistered, pulsing like liquid glass.
"C+ rank," he murmured, adjusting his gloves. "No patrols. Unregistered."
He smiled faintly. "Perfect."
He reached for his blade then froze.
A soft rustle came from near the gate. Someone else was there.
Through the mist, a cloaked figure moved carefully, trying to stay out of sight. The faint aura she gave off marked her as a registered player.
A hunter.
Jaehyuk's eyes narrowed.
> [Skill: Data trace — Activated]
The world dimmed for a moment, and lines of data scrolled across his vision like a cascade of code.
> Name: Han Nayeon
Level: 9
Potential: S+
Class: Undefined (Hybrid — Lightblade / Healer)
Strength: 12/80
Agility: 19/85
Endurance: 21/90
Perception: 15/85
Intelligence: 23/90
Core Skills: [Light Infusion Lv.1], [Minor Heal Lv.2], [Combat Recovery Lv.1], [Radiant Step Lv.1]
Evaluation: High potential / Untrained / Imbalance detected
Jaehyuk tilted his head, almost impressed.
"A hybrid," he muttered under his breath. "Close combat and support… that's rare."
Her stance was raw, unrefined but the flow of mana inside her was potent, clean. If her physical stats weren't so low, she could rival a mid-tier hunter.
And yet she was alone. Unarmored. Walking straight toward a C+ dungeon.
Is she insane?
At those numbers, she'd be dead before she even screams.
Before she could step through the gate, Jaehyuk grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
"Hey." His voice was calm, almost lazy, but heavy with authority. "You lost? Or just trying to die in a C+ dungeon that needs eight people minimum?"
She twisted in his grip, struggling. "H-hey! Let me go!"
He didn't. His gaze met hers sharp, cold, precise.
"You don't have a guild badge," he said evenly. "No armor. No backup. What exactly are you planning to do?"
Her jaw tightened. "It's none of your business."
He released her wrist at last, his tone turning matter-of-fact. "You've got potential, but your stats are terrible. Strength twelve, agility nineteen you wouldn't last five minutes."
Her eyes widened. "W–what? How do you- how do you know that?"
He gave a faint, humorless smirk. "Oh? I was just guessing, did I guess that right? ."
The silence that followed was awkward, the only sound the soft hum of the gate.
Then she whispered, barely audible, "…I need the money."
He raised an eyebrow. "Money?"
"My brother's sick," she said, voice trembling. "He needs treatment. The hospital won't take unpaid cases. The Regime cut our aid last month."
Jaehyuk's expression didn't change, but a flicker of something pity, maybe passed through his eyes.
He looked away, exhaling through his nose. "So you'd rather throw your life away than wait for help?"
She met his gaze again, eyes bright with defiance. "What other choice do I have?"
He studied her for a moment. Then said quietly,
"…Follow me."
She blinked. "What?"
"I'm running that dungeon," he said, turning toward the gate. "You're coming with me."
"I don't need your pity."
"This isn't pity," he replied, tone clipped. "It's efficiency. You'll heal me when I say so, and I'll make sure you don't die. Simple as that."
Her lips parted torn between pride and desperation. "Why would you help me?"
"Because wasting potential like yours in a gutter is irritating," he said without looking back. "And I don't like wasting things."
The portal shivered, reacting to their combined mana.
He glanced at her over his shoulder. "Stay close. If you fall behind, I won't drag you out."
Then he stepped through.
She hesitated for only a heartbeat before following him into the light.
> [Entering Dungeon: Cave of the Fallen Howlers]
[Difficulty: C+]
[Recommended Party: 8+]
[Special Notice: Unregistered Pair Detected]
The air shifted instantly. Darkness closed in, thick and heavy.
Jaehyuk glanced at the girl beside him small, nervous, clutching her blade with trembling hands yet still standing her ground.
He looked forward again, his voice low.
"…Let's see if you're worth saving."