The Path to Calm
The team exited the gate.
Reality felt comforting. Everyone began to gather themselves again.
The leader stepped forward with steady strides toward the Association's desk.
Dried blood still clung to his armor, his expression weary but composed.
Association Staff:
"Your report, please."
The leader took a deep breath.
Leader:
"The gate was classified as High C-rank."
The staff member looked up and nodded.
Leader (seriously):
"But the monster density…
and the presence of a boss-level creature rivaling A-rank…
effectively makes it an A-."
The staff member froze.
Association Staff (confused):
"A-…?
How many casualties?"
A brief silence.
Then—
Leader:
"None."
The staff member snapped his head up.
Association Staff:
"…What?"
The leader smiled and glanced to the side.
Toward Jin.
A confident smile—genuine and firm.
Around Jin
The atmosphere was unexpectedly warm.
The entire team surrounded him.
Soft laughter, words of gratitude, hands patting his shoulders.
Hunter:
"If it weren't for you… we wouldn't have made it out."
Another:
"You really saved our lives."
It had been a brutal day.
But something had changed.
The leader stepped forward.
Leader:
"My name is… Han Do-yoon."
He bowed.
A real bow.
Han Do-yoon:
"I apologize.
I was blinded by my arrogance."
He raised his head, eyes steady.
Han Do-yoon:
"You broadened my perspective…
and saved my life and my comrades'.
How can I thank you?"
Jin waved his hand.
Jin:
"No need."
Then added calmly:
Jin:
"And don't thank me.
It was my duty."
He paused.
Jin:
"And I apologize for how I treated you inside the dungeon.
You needed to be shocked…
to pull yourself together in that situation.
I hope you don't take it personally."
Han Do-yoon's eyes widened slightly—
then he laughed.
Han Do-yoon:
"I actually needed that."
He bowed again.
Han Do-yoon:
"Ask for anything.
Anything at all."
Jin shook his head.
Jin:
It's enough that everyone is safe.
And don't forget…
my share of the operation."
They both laughed.
They exchanged contact information, and Jin waved goodbye.
As he walked away…
The team looked at one another.
No one spoke, but the thought was the same.
The core team would give up their entire share.
The remaining members would give up half.
The porters wanted to do the same…
but life was not that kind.
There was no other way for them to thank him.
Before Jin Fully Left
The healer called out.
Healer:
"Jin…
I'm Lee Seong-min."
Jin stopped.
Seong-min:
"Inside…
it felt like you knew what would happen before it happened.
Was I mistaken?"
Jin smiled.
Jin:
"No."
Then added:
Jin:
"Spread your energy around you.
Not with force…
but with awareness."
He waved—and left.
After the Operation
The team met with the inspector.
The loot was massive.
Over 650 monster corpses.
Low-grade relic materials.
Han Do-yoon exhaled.
Han Do-yoon:
"A huge profit…"
Then looked at everyone.
Han Do-yoon:
"But it's nothing compared to our lives."
Everyone nodded.
One Week Later
Jin lay sprawled on his couch.
Half-asleep, half-aware.
A shawarma sandwich in one hand.
A tablet in the other.
Jin (sighing):
"A whole week…
studying Newland, the academy, history…"
He stopped.
Jin:
"Damn it… this is boring."
The device rang.
A message.
Han Do-yoon:
"I sent the money.
Let's meet soon."
Jin opened his account.
He froze.
100,000,000 won.
His mouth slowly opened.
Jin:
"…They're insane."
He understood.
He smiled.
He replied with thanks.
Newland
A few days later.
A beachfront hotel.
Jin lounged on the sofa, frowning.
Jin (thinking):
"This city…
isn't a city.
It's an entire country."
He thought about transportation.
Then—
A memory.
Seoul Airport – Flashback
Instant transfer gates…
and airplanes still in operation.
Jin:
"Why not just use gates?"
Receptionist:
"They're extremely expensive.
And they don't operate constantly."
Present
A car showroom.
Jin stared at a silver Corvette sports car.
Price: $30,000
He signed.
Jin (internally crying):
"Goodbye… my money."
Beach Apartment
Another signature.
$70,000
Jin (broken voice):
"Damn it… goodbye again."
Academy Plaza – Final Day of the Test
Jin stopped his car in front of the academy's massive gate and looked up.
Towering buildings stretched across the horizon—
a strange blend of classical luxury and modern technology.
The academy's emblems were engraved into the pillars,
and the faint aura in the air made the place feel… alive.
Jin (whispering):
"So… the final day."
He stepped inside, surrounded by dozens of students.
Voices, whispers, tension.
Student 1:
"Did you see the first-stage results?
They say the family heirs got terrifying scores."
Student 2 (mocking):
"As if we ever came here to win."
Jin smiled faintly and continued walking calmly.
Evaluation Hall
The supervisor stood before him—a blond man in his mid-thirties, well-built, sharp-eyed.
Supervisor:
"My name is Lucas Steiner.
Five-star swordsman, combat test supervisor."
Jin extended his hand.
Jin:
"Jin. Nice to meet you."
Lucas glanced at the electronic board.
Lucas:
"Your preliminary ranking…
undefined."
He raised an eyebrow.
Lucas:
"That's strange.
Are you sure you registered your data correctly?"
Jin (calmly):
"Maybe the system didn't care about me."
Lucas chuckled lightly.
Lucas:
"Alright.
This is just a qualification test.
I'll attack three times, and—"
Jin (interrupting, yawning):
"You start.
I'm feeling lazy today."
A heavy silence fell.
Lucas:
"…What did you say?"
Jin:
"I mean,
it'd be better if you take the initiative."
A sharp smile appeared on Lucas's face.
Lucas:
"Don't regret it."
The Fight Begins
Lucas charged.
A clean, calculated strike—years of experience behind it.
Jin blocked it with a single step.
Lucas (shocked):
"Huh?"
Second attack.
Third.
Jin retreated, evaded—no clear technique.
Lucas (thinking):
"No style…?
But he's reading me!"
Lucas (aloud):
"You're not using any martial art!"
Jin:
"I never learned one."
Lucas:
"Then how are you fighting?"
Jin smiled.
Jin:
"The same way I move…
when I want to stay alive."
Aura ignited around them both.
Observation Room
Professor Kang Yura stood before the screen, eyes unblinking.
Professor:
"Who is this kid?"
Another Professor:
"No combat record…
Is he a commoner?"
Kang Yura:
"Be quiet.
Watch carefully."
On-screen, Jin was pushing the supervisor back step by step.
Professor:
"Lucas is enjoying himself."
Kang Yura:
"No…
He's starting to take this seriously."
Escalation
Lucas raised his sword and used a real technique.
Lucas:
"Now…
let's test your reaction!"
Aura surged.
Jin didn't retreat.
He released his own aura, reinforced his body, moved on instinct.
Lucas (stunned):
"This…
isn't a test anymore!"
Jin (calm smile):
"And I'm fighting seriously."
Observation Room – Climax
One professor slammed the table.
Professor:
"This student…
He's overwhelming him!"
Kang Yura:
"Bring me his file. Now."
They opened it.
Nothing.
Professor:
"No history…
No family…
No school!"
Then his status window appeared.
Silence fell.
Then the room erupted.
Professor:
"What is this?! He's already entered the Tower?!
And the Tower accepted him?!"
Another Professor:
"Look again, idiot—he's already a registered hunter!"
All Professors:
"This is truly strange."
End of the Fight
Lucas stepped back.
Lowered his sword.
Lucas:
"I admit defeat."
He looked at Jin with open admiration.
Lucas:
"You pass.
You won't need the next stage."
The surrounding students exhaled sharply.
Student:
"Did you see that?"
Another:
"Who… is he?"
Farewell
Jin approached.
Jin:
"Thank you.
And sorry for provoking you earlier."
Lucas laughed.
Lucas:
"No.
You made me enjoy myself."
Jin paused before leaving.
Jin:
"Please…
don't rank my name among the top.
A mid-level score is enough."
Lucas stared at him for a long moment.
Lucas:
"…Strange."
Then smiled.
Lucas:
"But I understand.
I'll do it."
Academy Epilogue
In the observation room, Kang Yura murmured:
Kang Yura:
"Calm…
but truly powerful."
She closed the file.
Kang Yura:
"This boy…
will definitely cause an uproar."
End of the Chapter