Beneath Seoul's polished skyline, in a forgotten subway tunnel choked with graffiti and dust, an illegal hunter arena pulsed with energy.
Crowds packed the bleachers, shouting bets and slamming drinks. No rules. No restrictions. No mercy.
The perfect place to start.
Jinhyuk leaned against a rusted pillar, hoodie drawn low over his face. His eyes flicked toward the blood-stained stage below.
There—stood a fighter.
Barefoot. Bandaged hands. Ragged hair. And one arm… completely limp.
But his eyes burned like fire.
They called him Broken Fist.
A D-rank hunter with no known abilities.
But he'd taken down four C-ranks and two B-ranks in a row—without killing. Just breaking bones.
---
> [Target Identified: Name – Kang Dohun]
[Hidden Trait: Martial Body – S-Rank Growth Potential]
[Condition: Cursed Arm Sealed by Internal Qi Blockage]
[System Message: Ideal Candidate for Guild Recruitment]
Perfect.
---
The bell rang.
Dohun's opponent, a bulky B-rank with a warhammer, charged at him laughing.
"You're done, freak!"
Dohun didn't flinch.
He waited until the last second—then stepped in.
One palm strike. Silent. Subtle.
The sound of ribs snapping echoed louder than the cheering crowd.
The warhammer wielder hit the wall and didn't get up.
---
Jinhyuk moved.
He walked straight into the center of the ring as the announcer screamed, "Get out, kid—what the hell are you doing?!"
"I'm challenging him," Jinhyuk said, voice cold and calm.
The crowd went still.
Dohun's eyes narrowed. "You serious?"
Jinhyuk smiled.
"Serious enough to offer you a spot."
---
They clashed.
No real weapons—just fists and instincts.
Dohun's blows were fast. Brutal. Years of rage behind them.
But Jinhyuk dodged effortlessly. His movements were smoother than any hunter they'd ever seen.
He didn't attack.
He just avoided.
Until—
He touched Dohun's cursed arm.
> [Qi Manipulation Activated: Flow Reversal]
[System Alert: Internal Seal Removed – Arm Restored]
[Temporary Pain Surge Applied]
Dohun staggered—then looked at his arm.
It moved.
Freely.
For the first time in three years.
"…What did you do to me?"
"I fixed you," Jinhyuk said. "Now I'm offering you something better."
He reached into his jacket and tossed a small card.
Shadow Eclipse Guild – Founder: Lee Jinhyuk
Dohun stared at it in silence.
Then nodded once.
---
Outside, under the flickering neon lights, Dohun followed Jinhyuk into the night.
"So where's your base?"
"We build it next."
---