In a quiet, private hospital room in Busan, Kang Joon-seok's eyes snapped open.
His chest heaved, ragged breaths shaking him. The sharp tang of disinfectant stung his nose as he jerked upright, one hand instinctively clutching at his throat. He traced the skin frantically, expecting the fatal gash he remembered so vividly—the monster general's blade swinging down, ready to separate his head from his body.
Nothing. No wound. No blood. Just warm, unbroken skin.
"Alive…?" His voice was hoarse, barely more than a whisper. "That thing killed me. Nightmare? Or… did I somehow turn back time?"
Before he could process it, the translucent blue screen from the dungeon shimmered into existence before him, glowing with cold, ethereal light.
[Hidden Quest Completed: 'The Mortal Who Survived']
SYSTEM INTEGRATION: 100%
Character Status
Kang Joon-seok
Level: 1 → 5
Health: 100 → 150
Strength: 10 → 25
Speed: 8 → 20
Endurance: 12 → 30
Reflexes: 10 → 22
Focus: 5 → 18
New Skill Unlocked: "Survivor's Instinct"
• Reacts automatically to lethal threats.
• Grants short-term combat advantage.
[Claim Rewards] [Ignore]
Joon-seok's heart slammed against his ribs. "Stats… strength jumped from 10 to 25? Health… 100 to 150? Is this some kind of… game?"
The thought barely formed before the door swung open.
A tall, broad-shouldered man entered. His presence pressed down on the room like gravity itself. Joon-seok stiffened; the aura radiating off this man screamed danger.
"Finally awake," the man said, calm yet heavy with authority. "Kang Joon-seok."
Joon-seok narrowed his eyes. "Who… are you? How do you know my name?"
The stranger gave a small, professional smile. "Kim Tae-jun, Hunter Association. We need to discuss what really happened inside that hidden dungeon."
The word "dungeon" drained the color from Joon-seok's face. Cold sweat prickled at his forehead. Screams echoed in his memory—Jung Soo-bin and Lee Tae-sik being torn apart, the monster general's horrifying face looming, the blade descending.
Tae-jun's gaze sharpened. "You alright? You look like death just walked over your grave."
Joon-seok forced a steady breath. "I… I'm fine. Just remembering something."
"You've been out for a week. Your surviving party reported you died there. So tell me… how are you sitting here?" Tae-jun's voice was calm, but his eyes were calculating.
I did die, Joon-seok thought bitterly. That sword was inches from my head when the blue screen appeared. And then… I woke up here.
"I… I don't know," he said aloud. "Everything after that point is blurry."
Anger flared hot in his chest. "That monster general… I'll kill it. No matter how weak I am, I'll make sure it dies. It took Jung Soo-bin…He was like an older brother To me. And Lee Tae-sik… my closest friend. I will have revenge."
Tae-jun's eyes sharpened. "Monster general? Care to explain?"
Joon-seok shook his head quickly. "Nothing. Just… muttering."
Tae-jun studied him a moment, suspicion clear, but he chose not to press further. "The guild thinks you might have experienced an Awakening. It happens when a hunter is trapped between life and death—the body shatters its limits. That's why I'm here."
He glanced at the sharp-eyed woman waiting silently by the door. "Lee Hae-in, bring the Awakening Crystal."
She returned with a glowing crystal sphere, setting it before Joon-seok.
"Place your hand on it," Tae-jun instructed. "It will determine if you've truly awakened."
Joon-seok hesitated. This… thing? What if it reacts? But he pressed his palm against the cool surface. The crystal pulsed once, then dimmed into darkness.
Tae-jun exhaled softly. "Guild was wrong this time. Sorry for wasting your time. Take care, Kang Joon-seok."
He and Hae-in left, the door clicking shut.
Joon-seok sat alone, fists clenched. He didn't understand how he was alive, but one thing was clear—he'd been given a second chance. He wouldn't waste it. Whatever the monster general was… whatever those humanoid creatures were, he would grow strong enough to destroy them all.
He rose, seeking fresh air. As he reached the door, a nurse stepped in.
"Oh! Already up?" she asked, pleasantly surprised.
"Yeah… just want to walk a bit."
"Alright, but don't overdo it," she warned, smiling.
As he moved down the corridor, a group of young nurses whispered excitedly behind him.
"He's… handsome!" one said. "I'm asking for his number later."
Joon-seok ignored them, stepping into the hospital garden. The afternoon sun warmed his skin. He found an empty bench and sat, finally allowing himself a moment of quiet.
Until the peace shattered.
Rapid footsteps pounded the path.
"Joon-seok!"
Kim Ji-eun came sprinting, throwing herself into his arms, sobs wracking her body. "You're awake… thank God!"
Behind her, Park Min-ho, Choi Hyun-woo, and Han Ji-hoon followed, faces heavy with relief and guilt. They had left him behind in the dungeon.
Ji-eun pulled back, wiping tears. "I… I'm sorry. I got carried away."
The three men bowed low, voices thick with shame.
"We're sorry, Joon-seok," Min-ho said quietly. "We made a horrible mistake. We shouldn't have left you."
A flicker of anger rose, but he swallowed it. "It's done. I'm alive. Let's not dwell on it."
They lingered a while, awkwardly talking about small things—weather, hospital food—before leaving, shoulders heavy.
Joon-seok leaned back, breathing slow. For the first time, the garden felt truly quiet.
He closed his eyes.
The blue screen shimmered again.
[Quest Completed: 'The Mortal Who Survived']
The familiar status window floated before him. Joon-seok's pulse quickened. Survivor's Instinct… Claim Rewards… Should I accept?
After several tense seconds, he drew a deep breath and chose.
[Claim Rewards]
Blue light exploded across his vision. Raw energy surged like liquid lightning, every muscle locking tight as his sight blurred.
[Rewards Claimed Successfully!]
New Passive Skill Unlocked: "Tenacious Will"
• Reduces pain and mental exhaustion by 30%.
• Significantly increases natural HP and stamina recovery speed when injured or exhausted.
Item Received: "Shadow Steel Sword" (Low Grade)
A lightweight, durable sword infused with faint dark energy. Increases cutting power and slightly enhances stealth in darkness.
Title Unlocked: "Survivor of the Hidden Gate"
• Facing hidden threats or near-death situations temporarily increases all stats by 12%.
• Greatly improves mental resistance against fear, despair, and illusions.
The screen faded. Joon-seok sat, breathing hard. His body felt lighter, senses sharper. A quiet, burning determination had taken root.
Survivor of the Hidden Gate… I survived. I'm not useless anymore.
A spark of hope ignited. Maybe… I can truly become stronger.
Then distant screams shattered the moment.
Joon-seok's head snapped up. People were shouting and running. He bolted toward the noise.
An elderly man rushed past. "A D-rank Gate opened nearby! No hunters yet—the guild is on the way, but it'll take time!"
Joon-seok's eyes narrowed. Without hesitation, he ran straight for the Gate.
Soldiers formed a defensive line, trying to contain the red energy leaking from the unstable portal.
"Kid! Stay back!" an officer barked.
"I'm a C-rank hunter," Joon-seok said firmly. "Let me through."
"Guild pass first," the officer frowned.
Damn… only an E-rank pass. I left it in my room. People could die while we wait—let me through!
The officer hesitated, scanning his face. Then, finally, he waved him forward. "Fine… but stay alive."
Joon-seok exhaled. That was close.
Crossing the barrier, doubt crept in. Can I really solo a D-rank Gate at Level 5? But his new skills and sword gave a thread of confidence. He had to try.
A deep, guttural growl rumbled from the shadows.
A pack of orcs emerged—hulking, green-skinned monsters, axes and clubs in hand, blood-red eyes fixed on him.
Joon-seok raised his hand. The Shadow Steel Sword materialized, faint shadows curling along its edge.
Survivor's Instinct triggered, senses sharpening.
This… is where my second life begins.
The orcs charged.
To Be Continued…