Ascensional Protocol

Tae-min sat in the center of the dungeon chamber, his chest heaving as the remnants of the Archfiend's ashes dissipated into the air. His hands trembled, still gripping the obsidian blade. It pulsed faintly in his grip, alive with a rhythmic thrum that matched his heartbeat.

The notifications continued to flood his vision, stark and unrelenting.

[System Notification: Protocol Integration at 5%. Core Status: Stabilizing.]

"Integration? Stabilizing?" he muttered, his voice echoing in the hollow chamber. His head pounded, his senses heightened beyond recognition. Every sound was sharper, every scent more vivid, and his mana surged violently, threatening to tear him apart.

It wasn't just power—it was something ancient, primal, clawing to break free.

Another notification blinked to life, demanding his attention.

[Adaptive Sequence Complete: Combat Efficiency Analyzed.]

[New Skill Unlocked: Shadow Flux Blade – Manipulate mana into a volatile energy that tears through physical and magical defenses.]

The obsidian blade responded, dark energy curling around its edges like living smoke. Tae-min swung it instinctively, and a crescent wave of black energy erupted from the blade. The wave ripped through the air, slamming into the dungeon walls with a deafening crack and carving deep fissures into the stone.

Tae-min stumbled back, staring in disbelief at the destruction. This wasn't just an improvement; it was a transformation.

But the system wasn't finished.

[Warning: Dungeon Stabilization Failure Detected.]

[Exit Timer: 59 Seconds.]

The ground beneath him trembled as the dungeon began to collapse. Chunks of stone crashed to the floor, and the oppressive darkness grew heavier.

"No, no, no!" Tae-min forced his exhausted body to move, his boots slipping in pools of monster blood and debris.

The glowing portal to the outside world shimmered in the distance, a beacon of salvation. Tae-min pushed himself harder, ignoring the burning in his legs, and dove through the portal just as the dungeon crumbled behind him.

The fresh air of Seoul hit him like a tidal wave. He collapsed onto the pavement, gasping for breath, his battered form drenched in blood and sweat. Behind him, the Gate shimmered violently before folding into itself, disappearing with a faint hum.

"He's alive!"

Tae-min lifted his head weakly, his vision swimming. A crowd of hunters, medics, and curious onlookers surrounded him, their eyes wide with disbelief.

From the crowd emerged Kang Min-ji, a B-Class hunter and a prominent figure in one of the city's strongest guilds. Her sharp gaze swept over him, taking in his tattered armor and blood-soaked appearance.

"What the hell happened in there?" she demanded, her tone firm. "Where's the rest of your party?"

Tae-min froze, the memory of the Archfiend tearing through his teammates flashing in his mind. Their screams, the splatter of blood, the hopelessness—they played on an endless loop, louder than the murmurs of the crowd.

"They're all gone," he said finally, his voice hollow. "Dead."

The crowd erupted into a frenzy of murmurs.

"All dead?"

"Do-hyun was one of the best hunters in his rank!"

"If they're all dead, how did he survive?"

The whispers cut into him, each word like a dagger. Tae-min slowly rose to his feet, his body swaying. He turned to face the crowd, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

"It was unexpected," he began, his tone carrying both guilt and exhaustion. "Under normal circumstances, we weren't supposed to encounter an Archfiend in that dungeon. They stood their ground while I… I hid like a coward."

The crowd's murmur grew louder, a mix of scorn and disbelief.

"Look at him—some nobody."

"He didn't even fight for himself."

"Pathetic."

"If it was really an Archfiend, how did he survive?"

Tae-min let their words wash over him, his face unreadable. Turning away, he said quietly, "I guess it showed me mercy."

He began walking off, his steps slow and deliberate.

Behind him, Kang Min-ji's eyes narrowed, her sharp mind racing. She ignored the noise of the crowd and focused on the one statement that didn't add up.

"Mercy?" she whispered to herself. "Archfiends don't show mercy. They don't spare anyone." Her gaze lingered on Tae-min's retreating figure, a mix of curiosity and suspicion growing within her.

"What really happened inside that Gate?"

That night, Tae-min sat alone in his small apartment, staring at the weapon resting on his table. The city lights flickered through the window, casting long shadows across the room.

"What is this… inside me?" Tae-min muttered, his voice trembling with both fear and curiosity.

He raised his hands before his face, turning them over as if he didn't recognize them anymore. His fingers quivered slightly, yet they held an unfamiliar strength.

"What is this power? What am I now?" he whispered, his words hanging in the stillness of the room.

His thoughts spiraled. He clenched his fists, shaking his head. "WHAT IS THIS?" Tae-min's voice broke, frustration and confusion echoing off the walls. "Who… who am I now?"

As he wrestled with his thoughts, a sudden glow illuminated his vision. Text appeared out of nowhere, hovering in the air before him.

[System Notification: Protocol Integration at 10%. New Features Available.]

"New features?" Tae-min murmured, his voice filled with disbelief. The glowing text shimmered and transformed into a white interface.

[Status Window]

Name: Jin Tae-min 

Level: 1 

Class: [Undefined]

Abilities: 

Shadow Flux Blades (Active) 

Adaptive Combat Protocol (passive)

"Undefined?" Tae-min frowned and tapped on the word. A new message replaced the screen.

[Class evolution locked until Protocol Integration reaches 50%. Proceed with caution.]

"50%?" Tae-min muttered, his brow furrowing. "What the hell are you?"

As if responding to his question, the glowing interface vanished, leaving only the dim light of his room. Tae-min stared at the empty space where the text had been, his heart pounding.

Before he could process what had happened, a knock broke the silence. Tae-min jolted, his instincts kicking in as he grabbed the obsidian blade and hid it beneath a pile of clothes on the table.

"Who's there?" he called out cautiously.

"It's Ju-won, you dummy!" came the familiar voice from outside.

Relief washed over Tae-min as he exhaled deeply. He walked to the door and opened it, greeting his closest friend with their signature handshake.

"Bro, how's Ji-a doing?" Ju-won asked, stepping inside. "I'm really sorry I haven't been around. Work's been crazy, you know?"

Tae-min sighed, closing the door. "The doctors said it's 80/20. She has a slim chance, but… it's not impossible."

"Damn," Ju-won muttered, his face darkening. "Ji-a's tough. She's the strongest person I know. She'll beat those odds."

Tae-min forced a small smile. "Thanks. So, what brings you here?"

Ju-won grinned and leaned against the counter. "I was just passing by, and I started hearing these wild rumors about a D-Class healer who survived an Archfiend. And guess whose name is making the rounds? Jin Tae-min."

Tae-min stiffened but kept his face neutral. "Rumors spread fast."

Ju-won's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Bro, I gotta know. How did you survive an Archfiend? What does one even look like? You have to tell me everything."

Tae-min hesitated, then sat down. "Honestly, I don't remember much. It moved so fast, faster than anything I've ever seen. I knew my healing wouldn't help in a fight, so I hid. And… somehow, it spared me."

Ju-won gaped at him. "It spared you? An Archfiend? Those things are like killing machines—they don't leave survivors."

Tae-min shrugged, avoiding his friend's gaze. "I don't know why. Maybe it didn't see me as a threat."

Ju-won whistled, shaking his head. "Man, I wish I could've been there. To see a real Archfiend? That's insane."

Tae-min stood up, eager to change the subject. "You want a drink or something?"

"Sure," Ju-won said, grinning. "But I still can't believe you saw a real Archfiend and made it out alive."

At a small Diner in the streets of Seoul 

The soft hum of conversation filled the air as Hak-kun, dressed impeccably in a white-and-gold suit, sat at a private table. His silver hair gleamed under the warm lights, and his gold-rimmed sunglasses reflected the gleam of the chandeliers.

Across from him stood a subordinate, dressed in all black, head bowed in deference.

"Rumors are spreading quickly," the subordinate said. "A young hunter named Jin Tae-min reportedly survived an encounter with an Archfiend. He was the only survivor out of six."

Hak-kun leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. He tapped a gloved finger on the table as if deep in thought.

"One survivor," he repeated, his voice calm yet calculating. "Do we know how he managed it?"

"Not yet, sir. Witnesses say he claimed the Archfiend spared him."

Hak-kun let out a low chuckle, adjusting his sunglasses. "An Archfiend? Showing mercy? Now that's an interesting story."

The subordinate hesitated. "What are your orders, sir?"

Hak-kun stood, his imposing frame drawing the attention of nearby diners. "Find him. Bring him to me. Alive."

"Yes, sir."

As his subordinate hurried away, Hak-kun smiled faintly. "Jin Tae-min… let's see what makes you so special that an Archfiend decide to spare you."