[Translator - Helga ]

    [Proofreader - Starfall ]

    Chapter 1: The Power of Bloodline

    "I''m sorry, but there are no D-rank dungeons left."

    Early in the morning, when Lee Hanul arrived at the Hunter Association, he was met with an absurd statement from a staff member.

    "But I was issued an entry permit for the D-rank dungeon that appeared in Seo-gu, Daejeon, just yesterday."

    To enter a dungeon, a hunter must have an entry permit sold by the association. Securing one in advance was a basic necessity.

    Hanul may have been young, but he wasn’t nai?ve enough to neglect such a fundamental rule.

    "Ah, that one? I’m really sorry, but it was reassigned to someone who needed it more than you."

    "What are you saying? I applied first, and now you''re telling me you canceled it and gave it to someone else?"

    As Hanul protested, the staff member sighed, clearly annoyed. With a voice laced with irritation, they responded, "That’s why I’m apologizing, aren’t I?"

    "And you think an apology is enough?"

    "If another D-rank dungeon appears, we’ll make sure you get the first entry permit. Satisfied?"

    "I''m going to file a formal complaint with the association."

    Any employee would have been alarmed by such a statement, but the staff member simply scoffed.

    "Do you even know where this order came from? This was a direct command from higher up."

    A look of confusion crossed Hanul’s face. Why would they go this far?

    "You''ve heard of Iron Fang, right? The guild master’s second son needed a dungeon for experience, so they asked the association to find a D-rank one for him. But as you know, D-rank dungeons have been in short supply lately."

    "...So you''re saying you just handed over my reserved dungeon to him?"

    "There was no other choice. Just let it go."

    Hanul let out a dry chuckle. The staff member, indifferent, simply pointed at the door.

    "If you understand, then leave. Don’t waste my time."

    * * *

    "Damn it."

    Cursing under his breath, Hanul slumped onto a bench outside.

    "Corrupt bastards. As if the association wasn’t already a cancer on the industry."

    Like many other organizations in Korea, the Hunter Association was no exception—

    Corruption, fraud, and collusion with top guilds.

    It was a place riddled with problems, but its power was so overwhelming that no one dared to challenge it.

    "I spent so much money preparing for this dungeon run..."

    Hanul had even taken on debt for this.

    He had no choice. During his last dungeon raid, he had the misfortune of encountering a dangerous monster, which completely wrecked all his gear.

    At 22 years old, hunting was the only skill he had. It was too late to switch careers now.

    So, he borrowed money to rent equipment and buy essential supplies.

    "This is bad. I can’t even go to another dungeon."

    D-rank dungeons were the lowest tier. There was nothing below them.

    And as the staff mentioned, D-rank dungeon appearances had significantly decreased lately. Hanul had already waited days just to secure a permit for one.

    But a C-rank dungeon? That was too dangerous. He knew his limits.

    "How the hell am I supposed to pay off my debt?"

    But against his expectations, she stopped right in front of him and gave a polite bow.

    "Hello. Are you Lee Hanul?"

    Hanul scanned the woman with wary eyes.

    Anyone would be startled if a stranger arrived in broad daylight with luxury cars and over ten bodyguards.

    "And who might you be, knowing my name so casually?"

    "My name is Hayun Ju. I''m from Hyukcheon Group."

    "Hyukcheon Group?"

    Hanul''s face twisted in confusion.

    Hyukcheon Group— A global corporate giant whose influence stretched across the world.

    No, corporation didn''t quite cut it.

    With their wealth and private military forces, Hyukcheon was known to rival entire nations.

    Even Iron Fang, Korea''s number-one guild, was nothing more than a speck of dust in front of Hyukcheon.

    "And what does such an important group want from me? Don''t tell me you''re here to scout me or something."

    "Oh, it''s nothing like that."

    "Figures. Why would Hyukcheon Group bother with a third-rate hunter like me?"

    Hanul smirked bitterly.

    "Then what business do you have? You wouldn''t stop me just to ask for directions. If you''re going to talk, get to the point. Don''t waste my time."

    "Mr. Lee Hanul, do you remember your parents?"

    It was such an out-of-the-blue question that Hanul couldn''t hide his discomfort.

    "Are you trying to pick a fight?"

    "Your father was Mr. Kwon Cheon, the second son of Hyukcheon Group''s chairman, Kwon Sunwoo."

    For the first time in a long while, Hanul''s face froze.

    "...What kind of nonsense—"

    "It''s not nonsense."

    "It is nonsense. I grew up in an orphanage. There''s no way my father was someone like that—"

    "Mr. Kwon Cheon left Hyukcheon Group long ago and disappeared. Afterward, he married and had you, Mr. Hanul."

    Hayun''s voice remained composed as she continued.

    "Unfortunately, Mr. Cheon and his wife passed away from illness. After that, you were entrusted to an orphanage."

    Hanul was speechless.

    He rubbed his lips absentmindedly, trying to find the right words but nothing came out.

    "Hyukcheon Group has been searching for Mr. Kwon Cheon for a long time. Only recently did we discover both of your parents had passed away... and that you existed."

    Hayun bowed once again.

    "Your grandfather, Chairman Kwon Sunwoo of Hyukcheon Group, has instructed us to bring you back to Hyukcheon."

    She gestured toward the convoy.

    The bodyguards in perfect alignment all bowed in unison.

    "Mr. Lee Hanul, please come with me to Hyukcheon."

    That day, Lee Hanul''s life changed forever.

    [Translator - Helga ]

    [Proofreader - Starfall ]