[Quest: Enter your first dungeon.]
[Objective: Clear an F-Rank Gate.]
[Reward: Random Skill Book, +2 Levels, +20 Stat Points.]
I stared at the glowing quest panel as my heart pounded in my chest.
A dungeon — at my age? At my level?
Insane.
But if I wanted to grow before the storm hit, this was how it had to be. Every day wasted was a chance lost. And besides… the risk was low if I picked the right target.
Most F-rank dungeons weren't deadly. Some were barely more dangerous than a haunted house.
Still, I wasn't about to walk into one unprepared.
The next morning, I woke up early — long before my parents. I dressed in layers of black workout clothes, laced up my running shoes, and packed a cheap flashlight, some snacks, a wooden training sword from my dad's old hobby collection, and a school bag filled with supplies.
I slipped out of the house just as the sun began to rise over Seoul.
Hongdae District – Abandoned Arcade Hall
I remembered this place from the forums in my old life. A small F-rank Gate opened here before the government started regulating things more tightly. A minor dungeon, half-forgotten, supposedly inactive.
But I could see it — a faint, shimmering ripple in the air in the back alley behind the boarded-up building.
[Gate Detected.]
[Difficulty: F-Rank]
[Status: Unclaimed]
I touched the air, and it felt like water — cool, dense. My system pinged again.
[Do you wish to enter the Gate?]
[Yes] [No]
I hesitated. One last time, I thought about my family. About my mother's gentle smile. About my father's steady hand on my shoulder.
But I had no time to be a child.
[Yes.]
Inside the Dungeon
Darkness. The air was musty and cold.
The inside looked like a cave — narrow walls, stone floors, and eerie silence. Glowing blue moss coated the walls, providing dim visibility.
I tightened my grip on the wooden sword. It was a joke compared to what real Hunters used, but it was all I had.
A faint skittering sound echoed.
I froze.
Something crawled out of the shadows — the size of a small dog, with sharp legs and black, glossy skin.
[Enemy Detected: Cave Spider (F-Rank)]
[HP: 60]
[Warning: First Combat Encounter]
I stepped back, raising my weapon.
It hissed, then lunged.
[You have activated: Beginner Physical Reinforcement (Lv. 1)]
The moment the skill activated, strength surged into my arms. My senses sharpened. I swung the sword with both hands.
CRACK!
The wood hit the spider's carapace, throwing it back. It screeched, legs twitching.
It rushed again.
I ducked under its leap, spun, and slammed the sword down — this time, squarely on its head.
[Critical Hit!]
[Enemy Defeated.]
The spider twitched once… then went still.
I stood there, chest heaving.
My arms shook. Not from fear — from excitement.
[You have gained +15 EXP.]
[Progress to Level 3: 85/100]
I did it.
I killed it.
It wasn't impossible.
I could fight.
Over the next hour, I moved carefully through the dungeon. Avoiding nests, staying low, striking only when I had the advantage.
By the time I reached the dungeon's end, I had taken down seven spiders and a small Spider Matriarch guarding a cocooned chest.
[Mini-Boss Defeated: F-Rank Matriarch Spider]
[You have cleared the dungeon.]
[Quest Complete!]
[Reward: +2 Levels, +20 Stat Points]
[Random Skill Book Acquired: Shadow Step (Lv. 1)]
I stared at the loot screen in shock.
Shadow Step?
A movement skill — rare for someone at my level.
My system chimed again.
[Skill: Shadow Step (Lv. 1)]
Allows instant dash up to 3 meters. Can be chained twice. Cooldown: 10 seconds.
I smiled, wiping sweat and blood from my forehead.
Now we're talking.
Back at the dungeon entrance, the air shimmered again, and I stepped out into the early afternoon sun.
No one saw me.
No one even knew I was gone.
But inside, I felt different.
Stronger, and sharper
I believed it — I could reach National Level.
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