The next morning, Jinhyuk stepped into the academy lounge and immediately felt the shift in energy.
People noticed him now.
The silent guy who dropped a dungeon boss without lifting a finger? Yeah—whispers followed him.
> "He took down the Bone Widow?"
"No awakening record. No official rank. But the instructors won't touch him."
"Maybe he's a sleeper-type awakened?"
"More like a secret weapon."
He hated attention. But he wasn't surprised.
And then came the envelopes.
---
At his locker, three sealed invitations waited.
He opened them one by one.
1. Red Fang Guild – aggressive mid-tier guild known for violent raids.
2. Silver Ark – a high-ranking guild with political ties.
3. Phantom Moon – a mysterious, secretive guild with no known base.
Each one said the same thing in different ways:
> "We saw your performance. We want to meet. Let's talk."
He crumpled them and tossed them in the trash.
"I work alone."
---
Meanwhile, in a dark office in downtown Seoul…
A man with silver-rimmed glasses stared at Jinhyuk's academy footage. His expression was unreadable.
"He's dangerous."
Another figure nodded. "He's hiding his rank. Possibly high-tier."
The man's lips curled into a cold smile. "Let's test him, then."
---
Back at the academy, Jinhyuk strolled toward the rooftop to nap—but someone was already there.
Jeong Yura.
She was leaning against the railing, wind blowing through her hair, staring at the city skyline.
"You're early," he said.
"You're hiding something," she replied. "Still."
He leaned against the wall. "You keep saying that."
"I ran your name through four different networks. You don't exist."
He smiled faintly. "Maybe I'm a ghost."
She turned to him, eyes sharp. "No. You're a hunter. Not officially awakened, but you fight like someone who's been through war."
She stepped closer, barely a foot between them.
"I don't like mysteries."
He tilted his head. "Then stop chasing one."
She stared at him… then turned away, annoyed and confused.
"…I'll figure you out."
---
That night, Jinhyuk walked through the backstreets of Gangseo district.
He sensed it a second too late.
The air twisted. Shadows moved.
Assassins.
> [Multiple Hostiles Detected: Rank B+ and Below]
[Ambush Imminent – Defensive Mode Activated]
Four men surrounded him, wearing masks and wielding weapons laced with mana.
"The guilds offered you chances," one growled. "But you threw it away."
Jinhyuk's expression didn't change.
"You're not from a guild. You're from them."
A blade came for his throat.
He moved.
No flash. No shout. Just a silent flick of his wrist—
And one attacker dropped, neck snapped like a twig.
Another came in from behind.
> [Skill Activated: Flow Break – Pulse Echo]
[Technique: Two-Fold Disarm]
Crack. Smash.
Two more bodies fell.
The last one stepped back, terrified.
"Y-You… You're not normal…"
Jinhyuk walked up to him.
"You know who killed my father?"
The man froze.
"You're… his son?"
Jinhyuk's hand glowed faintly as he reached into the man's mind.
> [System Technique: Soul Needle – Memory Extraction (Limited)]
Screams. Twitching.
Then silence.
Jinhyuk dropped the body.
His eyes were cold. Dead calm.
"Red Lotus Syndicate…"
So they were still active.
And they'd just made the worst mistake of their lives.