Jin-hyuk reached out with trembling fingers, feeling a strange heat emanating from within him. His senses sharpened as if everything around him had been dialed up to an impossible level. He could hear the faintest sounds from the hallway, see the tiniest details on the room's surface, and feel the hum of energy coursing through his veins.
[System: Congratulations.]
[Player has completed Wrath's Trial. Your level has increased by 100. Power surges detected.]
Jin-Hyuk's eyes widened in shock. His fingers clenched the sheets as a rush of energy surged through him, almost overwhelming. His entire body vibrated with an unnatural force, and his senses felt heightened to an almost unbearable degree.
"..Status Window!!" he hummed sofltly.
[Name: Lee Jin-Hyuk | Level: 167]
[Class: Heir To The Demon Kings' Will]
[HP: 13712 | MP: 11900]
[STR: 2684 | AGI: 1769]
[STA: ERROR!! | INT: 1650]
[Stat Points: 294]
[Class Effect: All attacks against Demonkin will be quadrupled]
"...Is this even real??" He looked down at himself, trembling. His body was still confined within the hospital bed, but the aura radiating from him was unlike anything he had ever experienced.
[System: Power levels are now calibrated to your new potential. You are now capable of wrrath's power.]
Jin-Hyuk's breath hitched. His hands trembled uncontrollably as he stared at his palms, which seemed to glow faintly with a crimson hue. His mana—his energy—had skyrocketed like a bat out of hell. Literally.
He pressed a hand to his chest, feeling the pounding of his heart. His mind was a storm of questions—what had he become? How had he gained so much power in such a short time? The visions from earlier—the celestial battle, Satanus— flashed through his mind like fractured images.
He remembered Satanus's words: Your awakening has stirred forces beyond your understanding. Was this part of that awakening? Was he truly destined for something greater?
His thoughts were interrupted by a gentle knock at the door. Two figures entered quietly—well-dressed men in dark suits, their expressions serious yet composed. One was tall, with sharp eyes and an air of authority. The other was slightly shorter, but with a calm demeanor and piercing gaze. Both had badges clipped to their pockets—officials from the Hunter's Association.
The taller man spoke first. "Hunter Lee Jin-Hyuk, I'm agent Kim Yoojun from the Hunter's Association. We found you in a warehouse… belonging to the AIDAN Guild."
Jin-Hyuk's brow furrowed. "A warehouse? How…?"
The second man nodded. "We've been monitoring activities taking place among the dungeons under the AIDAN guild. You were found passed out where a gate had supposedly opened." He held up a small, glowing sphere that shimmered with faint runes.
"Kindly place your palm and insert mana into this orb."
Jin-Hyuk hesitated, then slowly reached out. His mind was still buzzing with the aftereffects of his powers. Carefully, he focused on his mana, channeling it into the orb.
The room instantly felt charged as a surge of dark crimson energy flooded the sphere. The orb flickered violently, unable to contain the immense flow of mana. The room's sensors went haywire—lights flickered, and the air grew thick with tension.
The two agents stared in disbelief.
"Impossible!!!" Agent Kim muttered, eyes wide. "Your mana… The orb can't read your rank."
Two figures rushed in—urgently, with purpose. The first was a tall man dressed in a sleek, black suit—his face sharp and commanding. His eyes gleamed with authority; his aura radiated power.
"What in the world is going on...? I sensed dense mana from this room!!!"
"Han Tae-Joon," Agent Kim whispered, recognizing him instantly. "Guildmaster of the AIDAN guild."
The second was a woman—confident, with a calm but fierce presence. She wore a hunter's attire, her hair tied back. Agent Kim's eyes widened as she saw her. "Hunter Park Seo-Ah," he said softly.
Park Seo-Ah, looked stunned. She was a familiar face—Jin-Hyuk's former partner, a skilled and respected S-Rank hunter, vice guildmaster of the AIDAN Guild. Her expression was tense, eyes flickering with curiosity and shock.
Jin-Hyuk drew his mana back, feeling the sudden emptiness in his core. The room returned to normal, but the atmosphere remained electric.
"Your mana… it's not just high," Seo-Ah whispered. "It's… unfarmiliar... almost... dangerous. Association Agent Kim, please explain what just happened."
Agent Kim, wiping a cold sweat from his forehead, briefly explained everything that took place, highlighting that Jin-Hyuk is a D-Rank Hunter.
"Th-That can be... the amount of mana we felt was..." Han Tae-Joon stuttered as he spoke.
Jin-Hyuk's heart pounded. His voice trembled as he looked at Seo-Ah. "Seo-Ah…"
He saw the two hunters approaching—his eyes filled with not curiosity, not suspicion, but something else—something softer. His mind flooded with memories—past memories.
He remembered their faces vividly—Seo-Ah, the woman who had believed in him, supported him and always there when he looked on his side. Tae-Joon, the stern but kind guildmaster who had once mentored him. They had fought side by side, shared victories and losses.
And then, the images flickered—visions of their deaths. Tae-Joon, struck down in a fierce battle defending the hunters. Seo-Ah, sacrificing herself to same him. His tears blurred his vision as he stared at them.
His voice cracked. "Seo-Ah… Tae-Joon…"
Tears welled up uncontrollably. His body trembled, and a lump formed in his throat. He wanted to reach out—call them back, hold them— but his voice was caught in his throat.
The two hunters hesitated. Their expressions softened, but they quickly exchanged glances—signaling urgency.
Without a word, they turned and left the room.
Jin-Hyuk was left trembling, tears streaming down his face. The memories hit him like a tidal wave—pain, loss, longing. His past life—the life he'd fought so hard to forget—had come crashing back in a flood of emotion.
He clenched his fists, struggling to breathe. The room spun around him. He felt a terrible emptiness—an ache that no amount of power could fill. His sat there as silent tears streamed down his face, a tumult of grief and regret.
***