The group emerged from the dungeon portal, their bodies still thrumming with the aftereffects of battle. The fresh night air hit them as they stepped onto solid ground again, the artificial glow of streetlights replacing the eerie illumination of the dungeon's caverns.

Outside, a mining crew was already waiting to begin their work. Equipped with heavy machinery and tools, the workers prepared to strip the dungeon bare of its resources.

Once a dungeon boss was defeated, the portal would remain for approximately twelve hours before collapsing entirely. This window allowed mining teams to extract valuable materials, from mana-rich ores to crystals infused with magical energy. These resources were essential for weapon and armor enchantments, magitech development, and even as a pollution-free energy source used to power multiple cities.

The Hunters' job was done, at least for now.

And yet, as the team disbanded, two figures lingered near the portal's edge.

Jin Tae-woo and Go Min-kyung.

They walked in silence, their usual ease replaced by a palpable awkwardness.

Min-kyung seemed unable to meet Tae-woo's gaze, her fingers idly fidgeting at her sides, while Tae-woo himself was still processing the events in the dungeon.

More specifically, what Min-kyung had said to him after the battle.

"W-would you like to form a guild with me?"

The question had caught him completely off-guard, and before he could properly respond, the other Hunters had erupted into cheers, celebrating their victory over the cyclops.

And Min-kyung…

Well, she had barely looked at him since.

Even now, as they stood just outside the dungeon, with the mining crew working in the background, she still refused to meet his eyes.

Tae-woo finally exhaled and broke the silence.

"So, Min-kyung-ssi…" he started, rubbing the back of his neck. "About what you said earlier…"

Min-kyung tensed but didn't respond immediately.

"You asked if I wanted to form a guild with you." He hesitated for a moment. "Was that… serious?"

There was a brief pause before she answered.

"Forget I said anything, Tae-woo-ssi."

Her voice was quiet, almost muted.

Tae-woo blinked. "Huh?"

"I didn't mean to say that." Min-kyung shook her head, her jaw tight. "It was just… a stupid slip of the tongue."

She looked away, her expression unreadable.

"It wouldn't work out anyway."

Tae-woo frowned. He wasn't entirely sure what she meant by that, but before he could press further, Min-kyung stepped back.

Their conversation was effectively over.

With the dungeon raid complete and all Hunters having survived relatively unscathed, the group began to scatter.

Some stayed behind to chat, exchanging contact information for future raids, while others immediately left for home, eager to rest after the long battle.

Min-kyung was among those leaving early.

A black limousine rolled up to the site, drawing the curious whispers of other Hunters.

"Damn, is that a limo?"

"I heard she's a CEO's daughter."

"Then why the hell is she working as a Hunter? It's not like she needs the money."

"I don't know about you guys, but that skimpy armored bikini is doing it for me."

Tae-woo ignored the last comment.

Instead, he simply watched as Min-kyung slipped into the luxurious vehicle, the door closing behind her without another word.

A few moments later, the limo pulled away, disappearing into the city streets.

Tae-woo sighed before turning his attention back to the dungeon portal.

Unlike some others, he wasn't leaving just yet.

Without hesitation, he stepped toward the entrance, reentering the dungeon.

He had something important to do.

----------------------------------------

Sitting in the backseat of the limousine, Min-kyung gazed out the window, her face set in an expression of quiet resignation. The city lights flickered past, but she wasn't really seeing them.

She was still in her Hunter gear, her exposed skin cooling under the air conditioning, starkly contrasting the blood and battle she had emerged from the dungeon site.

But unlike in the dungeon, where she had felt alive, she now felt small and stifled, as if an invisible chain had wrapped itself around her throat.

The driver's voice broke through the silence.

"Your father would like to see you, young mistress."

Min-kyung stilled.

She had expected this.

Suppressing the urge to sigh, she simply nodded and returned her gaze to the window, saying nothing else for the rest of the drive.

The limousine pulled up to a massive corporate building, the headquarters of Gojin Group, her father's industrial empire.

As soon as she stepped out, men in sharp black suits surrounded her, their presence more suffocating than protective. Without a word, they escorted her inside, past the pristine marble floors, past the extravagant chandeliers, past the world built from her father's wealth and control.

The elevator ride was silent.

Then, they reached the top floor, and Min-kyung found herself standing before a grand mahogany door.

The door to her father's office.

She took a deep breath for a brief second, mentally bracing herself before stepping inside.

Behind a large desk, surrounded by neatly stacked documents and reports, was Go Haneul.

The CEO of Gojin Group.

Her father.

The middle-aged man barely looked up at her arrival, his graying hair neatly combed, his expensive suit pristine. He radiated an aura of quiet authority that could make powerful men lean in to listen.

Yet, Min-kyung felt no warmth a daughter should feel when seeing her father.

She carefully approached him, stopping just a few feet from his desk.

The men in suits who had accompanied her bowed before stepping back and closing the door behind them.

The moment they were gone, Haneul finally spoke.

"Min-kyung."

His voice was low, devoid of affection.

"Father."

Their eyes met, neither blinking nor flinching.

There was a beat of silence as Haneul's gaze swept over her, taking in her appearance. She was still in her bikini armor, with most of her skin exposed.

His lips pressed into a thin line.

"I heard you went into the dungeon again." He set aside the document he was reading, folding his hands over his desk. "Just a week after that horrible accident, you decided to enter such a place again?"

Min-kyung's fingers curled into her palm. She lowered her gaze, unwilling to meet his stare.

Haneul's voice remained calm, but his words had a distinct edge.

"You are aware that those places are filled with monsters. That casualties are not unheard of." His eyes hardened. "Sometimes, those who die in the dungeon don't even leave a corpse behind."

Min-kyung said nothing.

Haneul sighed quietly, rubbing his temple as if exasperated by her silence.

Then, his following words struck like a blade.

"Do you wish to bring shame to our family by dying like a fool in some filthy dungeon?"

Min-kyung clenched her fists. She remained quiet for a moment, then finally spoke.

"No, father."

Haneul let out a grunt, leaning back in his chair. "Do not forget my kindness, daughter."

His voice was smooth, but there was no mistaking the weight behind his words.

"I picked you and your mother up from the gutter. Gave you a life you otherwise wouldn't have had." His gaze bore into hers. "You carry my blood. Your beauty is an asset. A proper woman should be groomed to be a proper bride."

A beat.

Then, he rapped his knuckles against the desk.

"The better you understand your place, the easier this will be for both of us."

Min-kyung's stomach twisted, but she kept her expression blank.

Haneul continued, his tone crisp and absolute.

"We will find a suitable match for you. Someone who will strengthen Gojin Group's alliances. That is what is expected of you."

He narrowed his eyes.

"I have no use for damaged goods."

The words felt like ice slipping down her spine, but Min-kyung didn't flinch.

She bit the inside of her cheek before lowering her head slightly.

"I… understand, father."

A satisfied nod.

"That's the least I expect from you."

Then, his sharp gaze flickered to her outfit.

"And cover yourself properly."

Min-kyung stiffened.

"My daughter is not some harlot flaunting herself in public."

She curled her fingers into her palm, forcing herself to nod again.

"I apologize, father."

Haneul huffed before leaning back into his chair.

"For now, I will tolerate your… hobby." He waved a dismissive hand. "As long as you do not get yourself injured. The moment you do, you are forbidden from ever entering a dungeon again."

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Min-kyung felt something tighten in her chest, but she bowed her head lower.

"I understand, father."

Satisfied, Haneul picked up his document again.

"You are excused."

Min-kyung left the office, closing the door behind her.

She walked for a few steps, each one heavy with restraint.

Then, without warning, she drove her fist into the wall.

The impact sent a sharp crack through the hall, splintering the pristine surface, a small crater forming beneath her knuckles.

The entire floor trembled from the sheer force.

The men in suits around her startled, eyes widening in alarm.

"Y-young mistress?!"

Min-kyung slowly pulled back her hand, shaking off the dust and debris.

She barely acknowledged their panic, her expression unreadable.

Instead, she simply tilted her head, glancing at the damage as if she had merely swatted a fly.

Then, with calm indifference, she turned to one of the nearby men.

"Have this wall fixed."

She rolled her shoulders, stretching her fingers as if nothing had happened.

"I'll pay for it."

The man stammered. "U-understood!"

Without another word, Min-kyung strode away, her heels clicking softly against the polished floors.

The men in black stood there, staring at the cracked wall in stunned silence, left to process what had just happened.

----------------------------------------

Tae-woo stood at the edge of the boss room, watching as the mining crew worked diligently, chiseling away at the dungeon walls and digging deep into the floor. The once-dangerous domain of monsters had become a bustling excavation site, where men and women in protective suits and gear methodically harvested the dungeon's precious resources.

Chunks of mana-rich minerals, crystalline deposits, and other valuable materials were extracted with practiced efficiency. These materials would soon be refined, repurposed, and sold, fueling the world's industries, from weapons and armor enhancement to magitech development and even pollution-free energy production.

Some Hunters who had fought in the dungeon raid remained behind to assist the miners. Not every Hunter sought only battle, as some found equal satisfaction in ensuring their work's rewards were properly secured. Dungeon mining wasn't glamorous, but it was just as crucial to the industry as the Hunters who fought on the frontlines.

However, Tae-woo wasn't particularly interested in mining or resource gathering. At least not now.

He had something else in mind.

Turning away from the mining operation, he made his way toward the center of the boss room, where the corpse of the cyclops still remained.

The massive body of the cyclops lay where it had fallen, its skull cleaved open and single eye ruptured by Min-kyung's axe strike.

Despite its grisly condition, the corpse was largely untouched. The rest of the body was still intact, its thick red hide and colossal limbs sprawled across the cold stone floor.

Tae-woo narrowed his eyes.

Monster parts were highly sought-after in the dungeon industry. The cyclops' thick hide, resistant to magic, would be used to craft anti-magic armor. Its bones and tendons would likely be reforged into powerful reinforced weapons. And its blood, rich in mana, could be processed into various alchemical ingredients.

But Tae-woo had no interest in any of that.

Kneeling down next to the corpse, he glanced around to ensure that none of the workers were paying him attention. Most were still focused on their excavation, too busy hauling minerals and cores to notice him.

Satisfied, he conjured a small crystallite knife from his palm and carefully sliced it into the monster's flesh.

The purple-hued meat glistened under the dungeon's dim lighting.

The pungent smell hit him even before bringing it to his mouth, and Tae-woo had to suppress a grimace.

The flesh was thick, leathery, and barely edible, but Tae-woo had eaten worse.

Gritting his teeth, he quickly shoved it into his mouth and started chewing.

Immediately, he regretted it.

The taste was atrocious.

It was like chewing on a slab of overcooked rubber left to rot in sewage for a week. The texture was stringy and tough, requiring considerable effort to chew. Tae-woo's jaw ached as he worked through the meat, and every second he spent chewing felt like pure suffering.

But eventually, after what felt like an eternity, he swallowed it.

He exhaled sharply, wiping the back of his hand across his lips.

"Ugh…" Tae-woo groaned, feeling a wave of disgust settle in his stomach. "That was horrible."

Then, as expected, Alice's voice chimed in his mind.

[Congratulations, Master. You have received a new ability by Devouring a cyclops.]

Tae-woo let out a tired laugh. At least the suffering was worth it.

He hoped to gain the cyclops' regeneration, a trait that allowed it to heal from even grievous wounds. If he could gain that ability, he wouldn't have to rely on his lesser healing anymore.

"Alright, tell me. What did I get?" Tae-woo muttered, keeping his voice low so as not to draw suspicion from the workers nearby.

[You have received Etherskin, an ability that grants resistance to magic attacks. You will now take less damage from all forms of magic.]

Tae-woo blinked.

"Wait… so I didn't get the healing factor?"

[No, Master. However, if you consume more of the cyclops' flesh, you may obtain it.]

Hearing that, Tae-woo's narrowed his eyes. He glanced at the corpse, considering whether he could sneak another bite.

But with the workers still present, it was too risky. Even if they weren't paying attention now, someone would definitely notice if he suddenly ripped off another chunk of flesh like some kind of savage.

With a sigh, Tae-woo let the matter drop.

"I guess Etherskin's fine for now," he muttered.

It wasn't the ability he was aiming for, but it was still useful. Magic resistance meant he would be less affected by offensive spells, status effects, and even mind-altering magic.

"So, does this work against all kinds of magic?" Tae-woo asked, still keeping his voice low.

[Yes. Offensive magic will be less effective, magical debuffs will have diminished effects, and mental suggestion-based spells will no longer work on you.]

Tae-woo nodded in approval.

"Neat."

As he mulled over his new ability, he noticed some workers finally turning their attention to the cyclops' corpse. It looked like they were preparing to transport it, likely to be processed and dismantled.

Soon enough, a team of workers began securing the body, using enchanted ropes and restraints to start moving the colossal corpse. It would be cut apart, sorted, and sold like any other monster remains.

Watching them work, Tae-woo reflected on how normal this had become.

Dungeons had long since become a part of everyday life, and with it, so had the industry of harvesting resources from the creatures within them. The process had become so routine that there was no hesitation or second thought given to breaking down once-living beings into materials.

It was just business as usual.

By the time the mining and harvesting were finished, the dungeon portal began to flicker, which was a sign that its remaining time was running out.

The moment the last of the workers exited, the portal let out a soft hum before collapsing inward, disappearing into nothingness.

Cheers erupted from the gathered workers and Hunters, celebrating another successful raid and resource extraction.

Tae-woo simply stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders as he looked at the now-empty dungeon entrance.

With his work here done, there was only one thing left.

It was time to go home.

----------------------------------------

When Tae-woo arrived home, the first thing he noticed was the presence of a guest. A pair of unfamiliar shoes sat neatly in the entryway, a clear sign that someone had come to visit.

He slipped off his shoes and stepped inside, going toward the living room, where he could hear voices in conversation.

Sure enough, sitting comfortably on the couch, chatting with his sister, was Han Seo-yeon.

Tae-woo's childhood friend.

And one of Korea's strongest Hunters.

"Ah, you're back, Oppa." Ha-rin was the first to notice him, smiling brightly as she looked at him. "Look who decided to visit."

Seo-yeon, seated beside Ha-rin, glanced in his direction and smiled.

"Welcome back, Tae-woo," she greeted him warmly.

Her long, auburn hair cascaded over her shoulders, framing her delicate yet refined features. Despite her calm and graceful demeanor, Tae-woo knew that behind that serene expression was an S-Rank Healer, one of the most powerful Hunters in the country and the deputy leader of White Lotus Guild.

"Seo-yeon," Tae-woo said, stepping further into the room. "It's been a while."

"It has," Seo-yeon nodded, still smiling. "I finally got some free time, so I thought I'd drop by."

That was understandable. Being one of the top Hunters in Korea, Seo-yeon's schedule was insanely packed. Unlike Tae-woo, who had only recently reached B-Rank, Seo-yeon was at the top of the Hunter hierarchy.

Even so, she still made time to visit.

She tilted her head slightly, eyes sweeping over him before her smile turned a little knowing.

"So, you went into a dungeon today?"

Tae-woo glanced down at himself, a black jacket, denim pants, and a single-shoulder pauldron still strapped onto him. His clothes had a few scuff marks from battle, though nothing too noticeable.

"Yeah," he confirmed. "A C-Rank dungeon raid. After we finished, I stuck around to watch the mining crew strip the dungeon bare."

Seo-yeon hummed in understanding before her gaze softened.

"It doesn't look like you're hurt," she noted, a slight look of approval flashing across her face. "I guess you really have gotten stronger."

Tae-woo gave a small chuckle and sat on the couch across from her.

"Well, I'm a B-Rank Hunter now," he said with a wry smile. "Not as impressive as you, but at least I'm no longer a helpless Trainee."

Just saying that reminded him of his humiliating days as an F-Rank Hunter, when he was so weak that even the smallest monsters could injure him.

"I'm so glad," Seo-yeon said, her smile still warm, but there was something else in her expression, a subtle trace of sadness that Tae-woo couldn't quite place.

But before he could dwell on it, Ha-rin stood up, stretching her arms.

"Well, I should prepare something for Unnie to drink." She glanced knowingly at the two of them before heading toward the kitchen. "You two go ahead and talk."

Tae-woo quirked an eyebrow at her but said nothing.

Now, with Ha-rin gone, there were only two of them left.

Seo-yeon fidgeted slightly. Something was on her mind, and Tae-woo immediately picked up on it.

"…So," he began, leaning back slightly. "What's on your mind, Seo-yeon?"

Seo-yeon hesitated briefly, glancing aside before meeting his eyes directly.

Then, with a serious expression, she finally spoke.

"Tae-woo," she said, her voice firm. "Will you consider joining White Lotus Guild?"

Tae-woo looked at Seo-yeon, taking a moment to fully process what he had just heard. His childhood friend, the S-Rank Healer of White Lotus Guild, had just personally invited him to join one of Korea's biggest and most prestigious Hunter guilds.

A few months ago, when he was an F-Rank Hunter, this would have been a far-fetched dream. White Lotus Guild was not a place for weaklings. Someone like him, who had struggled to survive in E-Rank dungeons, wouldn't have even been considered.

But now, things were different.

His unprecedented rise from F-Rank to B-Rank was practically unheard of. And he knew that behind closed doors, the major guilds were watching him closely, eager to pull him into their ranks.

Still, despite knowing all that, something was nagging at him.

"By joining White Lotus Guild," Tae-woo finally spoke, his voice steady, "does that mean I'll be in the same guild as Kang Joon-seok?"

Seo-yeon's expression shifted immediately. Her eyes darted downward as if trying to avoid his gaze.

Tae-woo's jaw clenched slightly.

It had been a while since that incident, but he still hadn't forgotten. He couldn't forget.

Kang Joon-seok.

An A-Rank Hunter with the Bushi Class.

And the arrogant bastard who had confronted him that day, demanding to know what his relationship with Seo-yeon was.

The same idiot who had pushed him into the Abyssal Gate.

That man was why he had fallen into the Abyss in the first place.

Tae-woo remembered it vividly; the shock, the moment his foot slipped, the horrifying realization as he tumbled through the gate.

And what happened next?

The incident had been swept under the rug.

Joon-seok's role in almost killing him had been downplayed to the point of being erased entirely. When the media reported on the Abyssal Gate incident, Joon-seok's name wasn't even mentioned.

And in the end, he wasn't even held accountable.

"It's… complicated," Seo-yeon finally spoke, her voice softer now. She hesitated before continuing. "Joon-seok is the son of one of White Lotus' executives, and…"

Her fingers tightened slightly around the hem of her sleeve.

"We'd rather not… deal with bad press during an Abyssal Gate crisis," she admitted, her voice almost reluctant.

Tae-woo's fingers curled into a tight fist, a flicker of anger bubbling inside him.

He immediately smothered it.

It wasn't Seo-yeon's fault.

But it was still unfair.

"And while it's not public knowledge…" Seo-yeon added, her voice quieter, "Joon-seok was properly disciplined for his misconduct."

Tae-woo's eyes flicked up to her, silent.

"He should have reflected on his mistakes by now," she finished.

Tae-woo exhaled sharply through his nose.

Of course.

Properly disciplined?

Tae-woo doubted it.

Maybe they gave him a slap on the wrist. Maybe they scolded him behind closed doors. But at the end of the day, Joon-seok was still in White Lotus, living his life as if nothing had happened.

And yet, Tae-woo was supposed to just forget about it?

Seo-yeon was clearly trying to smooth things over and keep the peace. He could see that.

And deep down, he knew she was genuinely looking out for him.

But still.

The bitterness was there.

Seeing his expression, Seo-yeon let out a small sigh of defeat.

"I understand if you don't want to join because of him," she murmured. She hesitated as if debating whether to continue.

Then, in a much quieter voice, she finally spoke.

"…But we could spend more time together."

Tae-woo blinked.

There was a faint redness creeping up her cheeks, a subtle warmth that hadn't been there before.

The idea of spending more time with Seo-yeon was… not unappealing.

She was one of the few people in his life that had always been there. Someone who had never turned her back on him, even when he was a weak and struggling F-Rank.

But was that enough of a reason to join White Lotus?

Tae-woo wasn't sure.

In the end, he chose the diplomatic answer.

"…I'll think about it."

Seo-yeon exhaled softly, looking almost relieved.

But the issue was far from resolved.

Before either of them could continue the discussion, Ha-rin returned from the kitchen, carrying a tray of drinks.

Tae-woo and Seo-yeon instinctively dropped the conversation as Ha-rin set the drinks before them.

Seo-yeon decided to leave the topic for another time.

----------------------------------------

After spending time with Tae-woo and Ha-rin, Seo-yeon finally excused herself and left the apartment. Now, walking down the dimly lit streets, she was left alone with her thoughts, her mind occupied with the frustrating reality of the situation.

She had expected Tae-woo to be hesitant about joining White Lotus, but seeing how his expression hardened when Joon-seok's name was mentioned, she knew that convincing him would be an uphill battle.

And she couldn't blame him.

White Lotus had screwed things up big time.

There was no way Tae-woo would even consider joining them as long as Kang Joon-seok remained unpunished. The only reason he even entertained the thought in the first place was because she personally asked him.

But punishing Joon-seok? That was impossible.

Not without the guild losing face in front of the entire Hunter community.

Expelling him wasn't an option either. If they kicked Joon-seok out, other guilds would immediately try to recruit him, which could sour relations between them.

White Lotus Guild wasn't just a Hunter organization. It was also a political entity. A power player in the Hunter world. And no matter how "moral" a guild claimed to be, none of them could avoid politicking.

Seo-yeon sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly.

She hated this.

A small part of her wished Joon-seok would be punished for what he did to Tae-woo. She would be delighted to see him gone from White Lotus entirely.

But it wasn't that simple.

Even Im Seong-ho, the saintly Guildmaster of White Lotus, ultimately chose to sweep the issue under the rug. It was the lesser evil in his eyes.

Seo-yeon understood why he made that decision.

But that didn't mean she liked it.

She sighed as she walked, the cool night air whispering against her skin.

And then, her thoughts drifted back to Tae-woo.

She had been relieved to see that, despite everything, he was still the same Tae-woo she remembered. The same easygoing, kindhearted young man.

And yet…

She couldn't shake the memory of that other side of him.

The feral beast that she had seen in the Abyss.

The one that had sunk its teeth into her shoulder when she tried to pull him back from the brink.

Seo-yeon stopped walking.

She could still remember it clearly, the look in his eyes, the inhuman growl that escaped his lips, the heat of his breath against her skin before his teeth pierced her flesh.

It was supposed to be a nightmare.

Something that should have shaken her to her core.

And yet…

She slowly raised a hand, her fingers tracing the spot on her shoulder, which was long healed, yet somehow, still lingering.

Her face flushed slightly as an unbidden thought entered her mind.

"Sheesh… what's wrong with me?" she muttered, shaking her head as if to chase away the thoughts.

But no matter how hard she tried to forget, she simply couldn't.

The sensation of his teeth sinking into her flesh.

It made her shudder.

And not just in fear.

Seo-yeon let out a deep exhale, her fingers pressing against her temple.

"I'm such a perverted girl…" she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

With that thought lingering uncomfortably in her mind, she continued walking, the night air doing little to cool the heat creeping up her neck.