The Portals appeared without warning.

One day, the world was normal. Then, glowing rifts in space tore open in cities across the globe, floating, swirling gateways that seemed to defy logic and reason. People stared in confusion. Scientists scrambled to study them. No one knew where they came from or why they had appeared.

Then, the monsters came through.

Seoul was one of the first to suffer. A C-Rank portal opened in Gangnam, and nightmarish creatures poured into the city streets from its swirling depths.

Goblins with jagged weapons, their eyes filled with malice, leaped onto fleeing civilians, cutting them down with crude blades.

Trolls, massive and hulking, smashed through cars and buildings with terrifying strength, their roars shaking the ground.

Winged beasts swooped down from the sky, plucking people off the streets and dropping them from deadly heights.

Chaos unfolded in seconds.

The police fought back, but their bullets barely slowed the creatures down. The military arrived soon after, unleashing gunfire, tanks, and explosives, but it wasn't enough. The monsters rampaged through the city, leaving destruction in their wake. By the time they were finally stopped, over five thousand people lay dead in Seoul alone.

And that was just the beginning.

Within hours, portals began appearing all across the world. Tokyo, New York, London, Beijing, Moscow, and dozens of other cities were all attacked by creatures of nightmare. Some portals released small hordes of monsters, manageable but deadly. Others unleashed unstoppable waves, turning entire districts into slaughterhouses. Death tolls skyrocketed into the millions in just a few days. Governments collapsed. Nations were paralyzed by fear.

Humanity was on the brink of extinction.

Then, the Awakening happened.

Out of nowhere, people all over the world changed. Thousands of individuals, ordinary civilians, soldiers, and students, suddenly gained superhuman abilities. Some discovered they were stronger, faster, and more durable. Others found they could conjure fire, manipulate ice, or even bend reality to their will.

These people became known as Hunters, and they were humanity's last hope.

With the newly Awakened Hunters fighting back, civilization didn't fall, and within a year, it started to thrive and prosper.

With dungeons came wealth. Rare materials, magical artifacts, new energy sources, and everything inside the dungeons were valuable. And so, the strongest Hunters formed Guilds, influential organizations that took control of the dungeon industry.

In just a few years, Guilds became more powerful than the military. They ruled the cities, their influence stretching into politics, business, and even the government itself. All over the world, the most powerful Guilds in each nation acted as its de facto protectors.

Over time, nations worldwide started standardizing the ranking of their Hunters, typically based on their strength. The ranking system might vary, though many countries adopted the International Hunter Association (IHA) standard, where Hunters were ranked from F-Rank, the weakest, to S-Rank, the strongest.

Even so, one type of portal terrified even the strongest Hunters.

The Abyssal Gates.

Unlike regular dungeons, Abyssal Gates didn't just lead to dangerous hunting grounds. They were unlike typical dungeons that were usually manageable.

They were nightmares given form.

They were endless black voids filled with creatures so monstrous that even the strongest S-Rank Hunters barely survived encounters with them. The few teams that had entered spoke of horrors beyond human understanding, things that should not exist, should not be fought, should not be seen.

The only blessing was that Abyssal Gates were rare. Unlike normal dungeons, they did not appear often, and so far, no creatures had emerged from them into the real world. But the Guilds feared the day when that would change.

Because if an Abyssal Gate ever fully opened…

No Hunter would be strong enough to stop what came through.

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"Man… I went through all the trouble just for these?"

Jin Tae-woo sighed after he checked the envelope containing his paycheck for his participation in an E-Rank dungeon raid from which he had just returned. Currently sitting on a hospital bed, he had his body bandaged from the injuries he received from the raid.

600,000 won.

It was barely enough for him to pay the rent for the studio apartment where he and his younger sister, Jin Ha-rin, lived. Ever since their parents died nine years ago due to the first emergence of the monsters in Seoul, Tae-woo had become his sister's legal guardian. He was lucky that Ha-rin was a bright and gifted student, which allowed her to receive a scholarship; otherwise, he might even have to pay for her education, too.

Tae-woo had to drop out of school to support his sister, taking back-breaking work to make ends meet. One day, Tae-woo himself Awakened, and in his eagerness to gain more money to support his sister, he signed up to become a Hunter.

Unfortunately, he was an F-Rank Hunter, the weakest among the weakest.

Upon awakening, Hunters gained their own Classes, which determined their skills and abilities in combat. There were common Classes like Warrior, Priest, Mage and Thief, in addition to uncommon ones like Engineer, Merchant, Scribe and many others.

Like other Hunters, Tae-woo also received a Class, but it was so laughably bad and was often derided by the Hunter community worldwide.

Trainee.

There were many Classes that were considered to be bad due to how useless they were in conquering dungeons, but Trainee could be regarded as the king of bad Classes everywhere.

On paper, Trainees should be considered to be the Class with the most potential because, with enough training and investment, they could evolve into a more powerful Class. However, all Classes had the potential to evolve into their much better versions, and training Trainees often involved spending a lot of resources and manpower, and the end results typically weren't even worth it.

At best, if he managed to level up and evolve his Class, he would only receive a paltry power-up that wouldn't be worth all the trouble.

During the first years after the appearance of the Portals and the Awakening of the Hunters, when someone Awakened with the Trainee Class, some believed they might have found someone with immense potential, but after seeing the cost required for it, it had been decided that Trainee belonged in the trash pile of weak and useless Classes.

So, Tae-woo could understand why some top guilds out there didn't bother to recruit him. He wasn't a good investment for them because of his low rank and useless Class.

"Oh well… I guess once I'm out, I'm going to apply for another raid, then," Tae-woo muttered to himself as he set aside the envelope. 600,000 won alone wouldn't be enough for him to cover his and Ha-rin's monthly costs. At the very least, another successful raid would be enough for him and his younger sister to survive the month.

The door of his hospital ward was opened before a young woman with long auburn hair stepped into the room, carrying a basket of fruits. She wore a pink cardigan, a dark brown skirt, and a scarf around her neck. Upon entering the wardroom, the young woman smiled softly.

"Good afternoon, Tae-woo," the young woman spoke to him softly as she put down the basket on the bedside drawer. "I'm glad that you're awake."

Tae-woo smiled as he looked at the young woman, his childhood friend, Han Seo-yeon. Her presence was always comforting for him, as she often showed kindness to him despite his often-receiving ridicule due to his rank and Class.

Not only that, Seo-yeon was also a Hunter. She was not a typical Hunter either, as she was one of a few S-Rank Hunters who belonged to one of the Great Guilds in South Korea, the White Lotus Guild.

Being an S-Rank Hunter, Seo-Yeon was popular among the people, being a powerful Hunter capable of using healing and holy magic. Awakening a few years after Tae-woo, Seo-yeon was discovered to have a very sought-after Class, Saint, whose potent healing and holy magic could be valuable assets in conquering dungeons. Eventually, she was recruited by the White Lotus Guild, making a name for herself and earning herself a title [The Saintess].

"Well, I didn't get hurt much like before," Tae-woo stated. "And are you thinking it's the right idea to visit me? I mean, you're a popular S-Rank Hunter with a dedicated fanbase, and I don't think your fans will appreciate you visiting another boy." He smiled teasingly at Seo-yeon.

Seo-yeon laughed.

"I'm not too worried about that. At most, they'll complain on internet forums and make a fuss among themselves, but they'll think twice before causing you trouble," Seo-yeon reassured Tae-woo, brushing a few strands of hair off her forehead.

White Lotus Guild was one of the Six Great Guilds in the Republic of Korea, thus holding immense power in the nation. While they might not bother dealing with mean comments online, the White Lotus Guild would set their sight on those who tried to harass anyone associated with its members, especially the S-Rank ones.

So, despite his closeness with one of the most important people in Korea, Tae-woo wouldn't have to worry about being harassed or receiving death threats from The Saintess' diehard fans.

"Anyway…" Seo-yeon gazed at Tae-woo, resting her arms against the bedrail. "I see that you've been working too hard, Tae-woo. You know that you can just ask me if you're short on money, right?"

Being a weak F-Rank Hunter, Tae-woo couldn't get many work opportunities and couldn't earn much money whenever he was working. But for Seo-yeon, as an accomplished S-Rank Hunter, she wouldn't have to worry about money at all. One billion won was like spare change for her.

"Yeah, but…" Tae-woo trailed off and looked to the side. He had relied on Seo-yeon's kindness on multiple occasions before but was always filled with a sense of shame afterward.

Tae-woo considered himself a provider for his family, yet he still needed to rely on another person's kindness.

"Please, you can take it," Seo-yeon insisted as she took out her phone and banked in some money for Tae-woo, who just sighed as he listened to the jingle from his phone as his bank received the money Seo-yeon transferred.

"I promise I'll pay you later, Seo-yeon…" Tae-woo said, feeling both ashamed and grateful in equal measure. She had done this to him many times, and he couldn't quite recall how much he owed her.

Seo-yeon just shook her head.

"No need for that. I'm doing this for you and Ha-rin. And a growing girl like your sister needs lots of food to grow up."

Seo-yeon smiled playfully as she reminded Tae-woo.

Sighing in resignation, Tae-woo smiled and nodded. "Thanks, Seo-yeon."

"You're welcome," Seo-yeon replied, smiling warmly at Tae-woo.

Just as Tae-woo was about to say something, the door of his hospital room swung open.

A woman in a sleek black business suit stepped inside, her posture rigid and professional. She had sharp eyes framed by thin-rimmed glasses and a no-nonsense expression that made it clear she wasn't here for small talk. Her black hair was neatly tied in a bun, and a White Lotus Guild emblem was pinned to her lapel.

Seo-yeon sighed the moment she saw her.

"Ugh… what now, Yoon Ji-seon?" she groaned, already knowing why the woman had come.

Yoon Ji-seon, Seo-yeon's handler and one of the high-ranking officials in White Lotus Guild, adjusted her glasses before speaking. "Apologies for interrupting your visit, Miss Han, but you're needed for an upcoming dungeon raid."

Seo-yeon crossed her arms. "And you couldn't just call me?"

Ji-seon didn't even blink. "I was in the area, so I figured it would be more efficient to inform you in person."

Seo-yeon stared at her, unimpressed. "You just like making things difficult for me, don't you?"

"I prefer handling things properly," Ji-seon replied with the tone of someone who had no patience for complaints.

With a dramatic sigh, Seo-yeon turned back to Tae-woo. "Well, I guess duty calls. I'll come visit you again soon, okay?"

Tae-woo gave her a small smile. "Try not to die."

Seo-yeon laughed. "I should be saying that to you."

As she turned to leave, Ji-seon bowed curtly to Tae-woo, offering no words before following Seo-yeon out the door.

Tae-woo watched them go, the room suddenly feeling a little colder without Seo-yeon's warmth.

He leaned back against his pillow, staring at the ceiling.

"…A dungeon raid, huh?" Tae-woo muttered to himself.

If only he were stronger. If only he had a higher rank. Then maybe he could accompany Seo-yeon into a dungeon, not just to see what she was capable of, but to fight alongside her.

But the reality was cruel.

He was an F-Rank Hunter with the worst possible Class. A Trainee.

No matter how much he wanted to change that, right now, it was nothing more than a pipe dream.

Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

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The screen flickered to life, displaying a sleek, modern newsroom bathed in cool blue lighting. The Azure Sky Guild emblem shimmered in the background; a sigil of a crescent moon surrounded by swirling arcane symbols. Across the screen, bold white text introduced the segment:

"Exclusive Interview: Azure Sky Guild's Cha Min-soo on the State of Hunters Today."

The camera panned to reveal Cha Min-soo, the Guild Leader of the Azure Sky Guild, an S-Rank Archmage and one of the most powerful Hunters in the Republic of Korea. He was a man in his late thirties, his short silver-streaked hair neatly combed back, sharp features framed by thin glasses. Dressed in a deep blue high-collared coat adorned with intricate magical sigils, he exuded both intellect and authority.

Seated beside him was Park Eun-ha, the guild's deputy leader and another S-Rank Mage. Unlike Min-soo, she was younger, in her late twenties, with dark, shoulder-length hair and piercing eyes that seemed to analyze everything in the room. She wore a simple black outfit with a silver brooch shaped like a star, but despite her presence, she remained silent.

The interviewer, a polished man in a gray suit, smiled professionally as he turned to Min-soo.

"Guildmaster Cha, thank you for joining us today. With Hunters playing such an essential role in our world, the public is always eager to hear from those at the top."

Min-soo gave a slight nod, his expression calm and measured. "It's my pleasure. The more people understand how our world works now, the safer they'll be."

The interviewer leaned forward. "Let's talk about the Six Great Guilds of Korea. Everyone knows they are the backbone of our Hunter society, but what exactly makes them so important?"

Min-soo adjusted his glasses before responding. "Each of the Six Great Guilds plays a vital role in managing dungeons and ensuring national security. While there are many smaller guilds, the Great Guilds have the resources, manpower and expertise to handle the most dangerous dungeons and prevent large-scale disasters. They also contribute heavily to research, dungeon economy and even public safety."

The interviewer nodded. "Could you give us a brief rundown of each?"

Min-soo leaned back slightly in his chair, smiling. "Of course."

He motioned to the screen displaying six emblems of the Great Guilds.

"First, we have the White Lotus Guild, the guardians of Korea, known for their strong moral values and top-tier support Hunters. If you've ever been healed during a dungeon breakout, chances are, it was one of theirs. They are also one of the most publicly beloved guilds, thanks to their humanitarian efforts."

The interviewer nodded. "That would be the guild of Han Seo-yeon, the famous [Saintess]."

Min-soo chuckled. "Yes, she's practically the face of White Lotus at this point."

He then continued.

"Next, we have the Black Titan Guild. They're Korea's most aggressive combat guild, filled with the strongest frontline warriors. Their Hunters are known for their brutal efficiency in dungeon clearing, and they're often the first to respond to monster outbreaks. They may seem intimidating, but they get the job done."

Min-soo smiled as he gestured at the emblem of his guild.

"Then there's my own guild, the Azure Sky Guild, where we specialize in magic-based combat and arcane research. We prioritize developing magical artifacts, training the best Mages and researching how to enhance Hunter's abilities. Unlike the more combat-oriented guilds, we focus on strategy and precision over brute force."

The interviewer turned toward Park Eun-ha. "Miss Park, as Deputy Leader of Azure Sky, would you like to add anything to that?"

A long pause filled the studio.

Park Eun-ha simply gazed at him; her face unreadable. She did not answer.

Min-soo, unfazed, smiled and spoke instead. "Eun-ha prefers to let her actions speak for her."

The interviewer gave an awkward chuckle before turning back to Min-soo. "Please, continue."

Min-soo nodded. "Right. Then there's the Iron Fang Guild, known for their specialty in covert operations, dungeon reconnaissance and assassination-type combat. They're highly efficient, and while some people like to whisper about their methods, they are officially one of Korea's top guilds." He paused for a moment before adding with a casual smile, "Of course, they only use their assassination skills on monsters in dungeons, not people."

Then, with a playful glint in his eye, he tacked on, "Hopefully."

The interviewer let out a nervous chuckle but didn't press further. Min-soo simply maintained his relaxed smile as if he hadn't just made a comment that would set conspiracy theorists buzzing.

"Next, we have Thunder Beast Guild, a guild of elite speed-based fighters, beast tamers and high-mobility combatants. Their Hunters are known for their reckless yet highly effective battle styles, and while they may not be as structured as the others, they are a force to be reckoned with."

He adjusted his posture a little before he continued.

"And finally, there's the Scarlet Moon Guild, the most mysterious of the Six Great Guilds. Their Hunters specialize in forbidden magic, dungeon experimentation and ancient artifact research. If there's a relic no one understands, chances are, Scarlet Moon is already studying it. While their methods are unconventional, their knowledge has advanced our understanding of dungeons more than any other guild."

The interviewer leaned in slightly. "It sounds like all six guilds work well together despite their differences."

Min-soo nodded. "For the most part, yes. While we occasionally have disagreements, especially when it comes to who gets priority over high-value dungeons, we coexist peacefully. At the end of the day, we all have the same goal: keeping Korea safe and advancing the Hunter industry."

The interviewer nodded. "Each guild has its own area of expertise, but when it comes to dungeon raids, how do they structure their teams?"

Min-soo smiled slightly. "Regardless of specialization, all guilds send balanced teams into dungeons. A well-formed team always includes Vanguards, Strikers, Casters and Medics, along with a mix of Scouts and Support Specialists, depending on the dungeon type.

Vanguards are the frontline fighters, acting as the team's shield and holding the enemy's attention. Strikers are the main offensive force, specializing in overwhelming firepower or precision attacks to eliminate threats quickly. Casters provide ranged magical support, offering destructive spells, battlefield control or reinforcement magic. Medics keep everyone alive, ensuring that injuries don't become fatal.

In addition, many teams include Scouts, who excel in tracking and gathering intel on enemy movements, and Support Specialists, who handle enchantments, utility spells or specialized equipment to aid the team. Even a guild like Black Titan, known for their melee fighters, or Azure Sky, known for our Mages, wouldn't send an unbalanced team into a dungeon. That would be suicide."

The interviewer chuckled. "So even the strongest guilds need teamwork."

"Absolutely," Min-soo replied. "No matter how strong a Hunter is, if they act alone, they will die."

The interviewer nodded. "And is there any possibility that some of the guilds operate in... lawfully grey areas?"

Min-soo's lips curled into a slight, playful smirk. He leaned back slightly in his chair, tilting his head as if considering the question.

"Hmm… I wonder…" he mused, his tone light and teasing.

The interviewer let out a small chuckle but quickly straightened. "Well, I suppose that's as much of an answer as we're going to get."

Min-soo only smiled knowingly, offering no further clarification.

The interviewer cleared his throat and moved on. "Let's talk about dungeon threats. Recently, there have been rumors about a rise in high-risk dungeons. Some claim that even S-Rank Hunters are struggling. Could you clarify the truth behind these claims?"

Min-soo's expression remained calm, but his fingers lightly tapped against the desk. "The difficulty of dungeons fluctuates over time. We are seeing an increase in higher-ranked portals, which means more dangerous monsters, higher casualties, and more unstable environments. However, as long as Hunters remain disciplined, we can manage these risks."

The interviewer hesitated before asking his next question. "That brings me to my final topic. The Abyssal Gates. The public has heard unsettling rumors about them. What exactly are they?"

Min-soo froze.

For the first time in the interview, his carefully composed expression cracked. His jaw tensed, and his usually sharp gaze flickered with something else. Something haunted.

The silence stretched.

The interviewer pressed cautiously. "Guildmaster Cha?"

Min-soo exhaled slowly, but his eyes no longer carried the same calm authority they had moments before.

"I'm afraid I can't answer that."

The interviewer blinked in surprise. "Is there something you're not allowed to disclose?"

Min-soo looked away, staring at nothing. His fingers curled slightly as if recalling something deeply unsettling.

"…Next question," he said quietly.

As the interview neared its end, Min-soo turned back toward the camera, his professional mask slipping back into place.

"To all prospective Hunters out there, I offer this one piece of advice," he said, his voice steady once more. "Stay cautious. Always work with a team. And above all…"

His gaze darkened slightly.

"…Make sure you stay alive."

The broadcast ended.

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Jin Tae-woo barely had time to rest before the door to his hospital room swung open.

His younger sister, Jin Ha-rin, stood in the doorway, her face twisted with frustration. Her school uniform was slightly wrinkled as if she had run all the way here, and her usually bright eyes were clouded with worry. Without a word, she stomped up to his bedside, glaring down at him with a mix of anger and fear.

"You got hurt again?" Her voice was sharp, but there was a tremble underneath. "How many times is this now, Oppa? Five? Six?"

Tae-woo sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "It's just a few bruises. Nothing serious."

Ha-rin's fists clenched at her sides. "That's what you always say! And then I get a call saying you're in the hospital again!" Her voice cracked slightly, and she quickly looked away, trying to hold herself together. "What if... what if one day it's not just a few bruises? What if you don't come back at all?"

Tae-woo's heart ached as he watched his little sister struggle to keep her emotions in check. She was trying so hard to act tough, to be mature, but she was still just a young girl who had already lost too much.

"I don't want to lose you too," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. "Mom and Dad... they're gone, and if something happens to you, I'll be alone..."

Tears welled in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

Tae-woo reached out and gently ruffled her hair. "You're not going to lose me, Ha-rin," he said softly. "I might not be a strong Hunter, but I know my limits. I'll be careful."

She sniffled, glaring up at him. "You always say that too."

He chuckled. "Yeah, well, this time, I mean it."

Ha-rin didn't look convinced, but she let out a shaky sigh and sat down beside his bed. "You're so stupid, Oppa…" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. "But you're my only family, so… just try not to die, okay?"

"I promise," Tae-woo said, smiling.

For the first time since entering the room, Ha-rin let out a small, tired laugh.

But before the moment could last, a loud, blaring alarm rang through the hospital.

A voice came over the emergency announcement system, tense and urgent.

"Attention, citizens of Seoul. This is an emergency broadcast from the National Disaster Response Agency."

Ha-rin and Tae-woo froze.

"An Abyssal Gate has manifested at Jongno Avenue in central Seoul. All civilians are to evacuate the area immediately. I repeat, an Abyssal Gate has appeared in the city. This is not a drill."

The words alone sent a chill down Tae-woo's spine.

Ha-rin covered her mouth, eyes wide with fear. Even Tae-woo, who had been through plenty of dangerous situations, felt an instinctive dread settle into his bones.

From outside the hospital window, the city began to unravel.

The distant hum of traffic was quickly replaced by the blaring of car horns and the sharp screech of tires. People were screaming, their voices frantic and overlapping. Police sirens howled as emergency vehicles rushed toward the scene. Overhead, a military helicopter flew past, its blades chopping through the air as it headed toward the gate's location.

Even though no monsters had ever emerged from an Abyssal Gate, the sheer terror they instilled was absolute.

People ran not because they had seen anything yet, but because of the possibility of what could happen.

Because no one knew what truly lay beyond those gates.

And no one wanted to be there if that ever changed.