Before the real dungeon phase began. The Association took the chance to inspect the dungeon. And at the entrance, small, floating devices were deployed. Monitoring drones.
They hovered silently, then entered the dungeon ahead of the trainees. Visual feeds established, mana fluctuation tracking active, and emergency extraction on standby.
Inside the central observation chamber, massive screens lit up once again, and outside the dungeon, screens were also placed to observe the situation in the dungeon in order for any emergency. And watching closely were the authorities: Chairman Min Jae-woo, the four foundational masters, and the top guilds.
The atmosphere was serious because this was no simulation.
It began the grouping. The list of the twenty participants showed on the screen.
Han Seo-jun
Kang Ji-won
Yoon Se-ah
Park Min-jae
Lee Hyun-woo
Yoon Ji-Han
Kim Tae-min
Seok-Jin
Lee Hae-in
Baek Joon-ho
Shin Woo-jin
Kang Dae-hyun
Lim Ji-soo
Park Soo-min
Oh Seung-tae
Jang Min-ho
Yoo Seung-yeon
Chae Hyun-ki
Nam Do-yun
Hwang Ji-hoon
An instructor stepped forward.
"You will now be divided into four groups of five."
"No interference, simulation. So be careful, once you are careless, your life will be put in danger."
"And if you know you can't continue, the watch in your hands, press them, and you will be teleported right here. Understood!"
"Yes, sir!!!" they answered.
"Also, the number of monsters you kill is the number of points you get."
Groups were assigned.
Ji-Han's Group Yoon Ji-Han• Yoon Se-ah• Kim Tae-min• Seok-Jin
• Lee Hae-in
And each groups have balanced teams in defense, offense, support, and long range.
After groups were selected. Each group entered the dungeon. The air around it was heavy and real, different from simulation.
Tae-min exhaled.
"This feels different."
Seok-Jin tightened his grip.
"Stay sharp."
Hae-in nodded nervously.
Se-ah remained silent.
Ji-Han stepped forward, his eyes calm and focused.
"…this is where it begins." He sighed.
Everyone was focused as they entered. The gate closed behind them. On the screens above, their feed stabilized. And their raid began, and was watched by the Association, guild-masters, and those outside.
The raid began the moment they stepped into the dungeon. It was an outer area with dense mana, and the smell of danger
"Stay in formation," Seok-Jin said, raising his shield.
Tae-Min moved ahead slightly. And Se-ah disappeared into the shadows, Hae-in stayed close to the center. Ji-Han watched everything across the dungeon and supported his group.
Each group performed well, and some awakeners within each group stood out, earned points, and led. Monsters emerged, goblin variants, armored beasts, and fast-moving predators.
Each group fought intensely.
Group 2 dominated with raw power—
Seo-jun cutting through enemies effortlessly.
Ji-won burning entire waves.
Group 3 advanced with overwhelming force—
Min-jae smashing through everything.
Hyun-woo destabilizing enemies with unpredictable bursts.
Group 4 relied on coordination
Clean. Efficient. Calculated.
And then Ji-Han's group. At first glance, nothing flashy. But they never faltered.
Every attack blocked at the right moment. Every movement supported, and every opening created.
"…left side," Ji-Han said loudly but with calm expression.
He wasn't tensed. Barrier was formed, blocking an incoming strike.
"Tae-min now."
A gap opened and spear thrust with clean hit. Se-ah moved, finishing what remained.
Watching from above, the observers leaned forward and their interest were caught.
"…again," Han Mi-ra whispered.
"Perfect timing."
Jin Tae-kyung's gaze sharpened.
"…he's controlling the entire flow."
But to others it was still not impressive.
"No dominance," one muttered.
Back inside the dungeon.
Time passed.
Monsters fell.
Points accumulated.
Eventually, every groups got to the boss gathering.
"…this is it?" one of them said.
"Stay focus!" another brought their attention.
At that moment, Ji-Han stood still for a moment. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"...too easy."
But he said nothing.
The boss moved. A massive roar shook the entire space. And mana surged violently.
"FORM UP!" Someone shouted.
And instantly, they adapted. Not as separate teams, but as one unit. Because it was much for one group to take on. It was a Mutated C rank boss with other monsters under it.
The monsters rushed and formation was set immediately. The frontline came up (THE TANKERS), midline, the supporters and long range users, and the attackers.
The boss servants charged.
Park Min-jae and others met it head.
BOOM
The ground shattered.
"Hold it!"
Time pass after clearing the monsters, the others joined others who were fighting the boss.
Ji-Han stepped forward.
"Stellar Barrier."
A wide barrier spread, reinforcing the frontline.
Those who were watching were amazed and leaned in.
"Show me more." One said in excitement.
Seo-jun moved—
A flash—
Clean cuts landed across the boss.
Ji-won followed—
Flames engulfed its side.
Se-ah—
Appeared behind it.
Struck—
Gone again.
Hyun-woo's energy surged—
Unstable bursts tearing through its defenses.
The coordination—
Was flawless.
"…this is beyond expectation," one guild master muttered.
Even the Foundational Master,
Watched in silence.
Ji-Han stood at the center of it all.
Not leading—
But controlling.
"Left side collapsing—reinforce!"
Barrier—
Shift.
"Backline—duck."
Explosion avoided.
Every move—
Timed.
Precise.
"…he's directing them," Jin Tae-kyung said quietly.
Min Jae-woo's gaze didn't move.
The battle dragged
Injuries piled up.
Breathing grew heavier.
But no one fell.
Then
"Now!"
Everything aligned.
Seo-jun's strike-
Ji-won's flames-
Park Min-jae's impact-
Se-ah's finishing blow—
BOOM!!
The Boss collapsed.
Silence fell through, heavy breathing and relief.
"…we did it."
Above…
Applause broke out.
"Excellent teamwork."
"They adapted instantly…"
Even the guild masters nodded. But Min Jae-woo did not.
Back in the dungeon, Ji-Han stood still. His eyes locked ahead while he was in thought.
"…hmm is it different?" he thought.
"I thought it would be same like in the past. Or has it changed?" while he was thinking.
The others were smiling and relaxing as it was over. But Ji-Han had a doubt.
DING
[YOU HAVE LEVELED UP]
[YOU HAVE LEVELED UP]
[YOU HAVE LEVELED UP]
Ji-Han's eyes sharpened slightly.
[LEVEL 49]
"…49 already. Leveled up from 48 to 49 tsk tsk to low." He mutters
"Well I guess I didn't put much effort."
Then another notification appeared.
DING!!
[SKILL EVOLUTION IN PROGRESS]
Ji-Han's eyes narrowed.
"…again?"
Two of his skills began to react.
Barrier Reinforcement
• His offensive barrier application
They… merged.
Energy around him shifted subtly.
Not visible to others. But within him, something changed.
[NEW SKILL ACQUIRED]
[AETHER BARRIER STRIKE (LV1)]
Ji-Han's pupils trembled slightly.
[DESCRIPTION:]
A fused barrier technique that converts defensive energy into offensive force.
[ABILITY:]
Forms compressed barrier constructs for attack Can release reinforced barrier energy as impact waves Scales with durability and absorbed damage
[SPECIAL EFFECT:]
Passive synergy with Barrier Reinforcement Stored defensive energy increases attack output
"…a barrier… as an attack…"
As he was going through his status, suddenly there was a faint crack in the dungeon, then it spread. The dungeon wall trembled and the air distorted violently.
Outside.
In the observation chamber, alarms blared instantly.
"Mana fluctuation spike!"
"Readings unstable, no, increasing."
The screens flickered. Data poured in rapidly.
"…this... This isn't normal."
Kwon Mu-jin's expression hardened.
"Recalculate."
A pause—
Then—
The result appeared.
[WARNING: DOUBLE DUNGEON DETECTED]
[RANK: S-RANK]
Silence.
Then.
Shock.
"…S-rank?"
"That's impossible—!"
Min Jae-woo stood up instantly.
"…mobilize all available forces."
Outside
High-ranking awakeners rushed toward the dungeon.
The Guild Masters moved.
The Foundational Masters rose.
But
The moment they approached, the dungeon was sealed. It was a thick barrier formed and absolute. Even after so many trials, it didn't open. Even the foundational masters tried it didn't change anything.
"…We can't enter?"
But they were able to see what was going on in the dungeon.
The crack widened. Mana surged in violently, heavy and oppressive. And it became unbearable.
"Ugh-!"
All dropped to one knee.
Han Seo-Jun struggled to stand.
"…what… is this pressure?
Hae-in collapsed.
"…I can't… breathe."
All their movement lowered, and was forced down.
Except one
Ji-Han.
Ji-han whose eyes was fixed on the crack with steady and calm expression.
"…so it's here already."
"I have waited so long." He sighed in excitement.