The Forsaken Awakening

Jinhyuk's fingers tensed around the photograph.

> The missing S-Class hunter… is looking for me?

He had never met this man before, but the moment he saw those dark red eyes, something inside him stirred—a feeling both foreign and familiar.

Jinhyuk kept his voice steady. "What do you mean he's looking for me?"

Minji tapped the table. "We don't know the details. But a few days ago, a black-ranked dungeon opened in Japan."

Jinhyuk's eyes widened. "Black-ranked?"

Dungeons were categorized from D to S. But on rare occasions, a dungeon would defy classification—so powerful and unpredictable that the DHR labeled it "Black Rank."

Minji nodded. "Japan mobilized their best hunters. But before they could enter, this guy showed up." She pointed at the photo.

"And then?" Jinhyuk asked.

Minji's gaze darkened. "He went in alone. And three hours later, the dungeon… vanished."

Jinhyuk's breath hitched. "Vanished?"

Minji leaned forward. "No mana residue. No core. No trace of monsters. Just… gone."

Jinhyuk's stomach twisted.

That was exactly what happened with the mine dungeon.

> That means… he might be connected to the Forgotten One.

Minji studied him carefully. "The last thing he said before disappearing was this: 'He has awakened. I must find him.'"

She met Jinhyuk's gaze. "And we think he was talking about you."

---

A Dangerous Proposal

Silence stretched between them. Jinhyuk's mind raced.

A missing S-Class hunter—one of only eight in the country—was hunting for him.

Why?

Did this man know about his illusions? About the power of the Forgotten One?

And more importantly—was he a threat?

Minji finally broke the silence. "That's why I brought you here, Jinhyuk."

Jinhyuk narrowed his eyes. "What do you want from me?"

She smirked. "Join us."

Jinhyuk blinked. "Us?"

A new voice cut through the air.

"The Black Wolf Syndicate."

Jinhyuk turned sharply.

A man in his late 30s approached, his footsteps silent despite his heavy boots. He had a rugged face, a scar running from his forehead to his cheek, and an aura of pure danger.

Minji straightened. "Jinhyuk, meet Baek Seongjun. He's the leader of our little group."

Jinhyuk's chest tightened.

He had heard the name before.

Baek Seongjun—a former S-Class hunter who vanished five years ago.

Officially, he was dead.

But here he was, very much alive.

Seongjun sat across from Jinhyuk, his sharp eyes analyzing him. "You're interesting, kid."

Jinhyuk forced himself to stay calm. "Why would an S-Class hunter be interested in a D-Class like me?"

Seongjun chuckled. "Because you're not just a D-Class. Are you?"

Jinhyuk didn't answer.

Minji smirked. "We don't work for the DHR, Jinhyuk. We don't follow their rules. We investigate what they ignore or hide. And right now, we know something big is coming."

She tapped the photo.

"And we think you're in the middle of it."

Seongjun leaned forward, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

"You have two choices."

"Walk away, pretend this conversation never happened."

"Or join us—and start finding the answers you need."

Jinhyuk exhaled slowly.

A choice.

Stay in the shadows and remain an unknown hunter.

Or step into the unknown—where danger and secrets waited.

His fingers brushed the photo of the missing S-Class hunter.

And deep inside, something told him that this man held the key to everything.

Jinhyuk looked up, eyes sharp.

"What's my first job?"

---

The moment Jinhyuk agreed, Seongjun smirked. "Good choice."

Minji leaned back. "You're going to regret it, though."

Jinhyuk raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Seongjun stood up. "We don't let just anyone in. If you want to be part of us, you have to pass a test."

Jinhyuk felt a familiar sense of dread creeping up his spine. "Let me guess—"

Seongjun interrupted, grinning. "You fight."

Jinhyuk sighed. "Of course."

Minji smirked. "You're a hunter, aren't you? Time to prove it."

---

The Arena

The Black Wolf Syndicate's underground base was hidden beneath a run-down warehouse. As they descended into the depths, the air became thick with mana.

They arrived at an arena—a circular, stone-floored battleground surrounded by high walls and dim lighting. Jinhyuk could feel eyes watching him from the shadows.

Other hunters—syndicate members.

Seongjun walked to the center and turned to Jinhyuk. "The rules are simple."

"Win."

Jinhyuk crossed his arms. "Against who?"

A massive iron gate rumbled open.

And out stepped a monster.

At first glance, it looked human—until Jinhyuk noticed its gray skin, elongated claws, and glowing red eyes.

Minji whistled. "A mutated berserker. Lucky you."

Jinhyuk's stomach twisted.

> That's not a normal berserker. It's been tampered with—enhanced.

The mutated berserker roared, its muscles rippling unnaturally.

Seongjun clapped his hands. "Fight starts… now."

The berserker charged.

Jinhyuk barely had time to react. He jumped back, avoiding the first swipe of its claws. The sheer force of the swing cracked the stone floor.

> Shit. If that hits me, I'm dead.

Jinhyuk needed a strategy. He couldn't fight head-on—his strength and endurance were too low.

But he had his illusions.

He exhaled, focusing. "Lord of Illusions."

The berserker froze.

For a brief second, it saw a dozen copies of Jinhyuk surrounding it.

It hesitated.

That was enough.

Jinhyuk moved. He dashed behind the berserker and slashed his dagger across its Achilles tendon.

The berserker roared in pain, stumbling.

> Good. That'll slow it down.

But before he could attack again, the berserker ignored its wound and lunged.

Jinhyuk's eyes widened.

> It's still fast?!

He barely managed to dodge, rolling to the side.

Minji clicked her tongue. "Not bad. But he's too cautious."

Seongjun smiled. "He's adapting."

Jinhyuk's mind raced. The berserker was resisting his illusions faster than normal monsters.

> That means it's already experienced illusion magic before.

He gritted his teeth. "Then I'll just have to be smarter."

Jinhyuk raised his hand—his illusions shifting.

The berserker saw its own reflection.

> A mirror image.

For a split second, the berserker hesitated, confused by the illusion.

That was the moment Jinhyuk needed.

He lunged, plunging his dagger straight into its eye.

The berserker shrieked.

Jinhyuk twisted the blade—and drove it deeper.

Blood exploded from the wound. The berserker spasmed, collapsing.

Silence filled the arena.

Then—clapping.

Seongjun grinned. "Not bad."

Jinhyuk exhaled heavily, pulling his dagger free. "That was a test?"

Minji chuckled. "That was the warm-up."

Jinhyuk groaned.

> What the hell did I just sign up for?