The Dinosaur Rampage Begins!
I'd become a total mess; come to think of it, my clothing issue still wasn't resolved. I mean, right now I was rocking a baggy T-shirt with no pants at all.
"Wh-what should I wear??"
The top was whatever—I could throw something on—but pants were the problem. No matter what I tried, they just slid right off with a whoosh, bunching up around my ankles.
― Pffft!
"That one?"
Absolmi pecked at my head, then flitted up to the closet and grabbed the white puffer jacket with her beak. It was a short puffer I'd bought before, but its length made it look almost like a long coat on my current body. And the sleeves? Way too long. Not cute-long like girls sometimes wear on purpose, but full-on dancing inflatable doll at a storefront long.
I rummaged for something else... but nothing better, so I grudgingly squeezed into it, tears in my eyes. Absolmi bobbed her head approvingly—now it covered my thighs, at least—but going out without pants still felt wrong. So I grabbed some rubber-banded shorts, shoved my legs in, and yanked them tight.
"These were kinda short before!"
Now they felt long. Weirdly, this body's proportions were good, so my legs didn't look that short. Sure, nothing compared to my old 177cm-tall guy self, but the gap wasn't as bad? It worked out okay.
Anyway, armed and ready, I fired up the Gamja Market app again and dove into the chat. Had to check the convo with the job poster and head to the spot.
Typos everywhere when I looked back. Every single chat. But what could I do? This ultra-sized phone was comically huge for a nine-year-old's hands.
Mokdong Station was a 10-minute walk from home. Nailed the local gig. Subway would've been tricky in this body anyway.
Goal set—time to move. Better than dawdling. ...And honestly, I hated being alone in this wallpaper-peeling dump.
"Alright! Let's go!"
― Pffft!
"That one's got a unique way of talking."
"Dad! Meeting another neighborhood buddy?"
The middle-aged man in his green lightweight puffer hummed his signature tune—that classic uncle vibe. He was the one chatting with Shiro, heading to the BBQ joint together. And his identity was...
"People you eat with keep posting online! Aren't you embarrassed?!"
"Aw, c'mon~ It's just a meal. Getting along with the locals is great."
Vanguard, Striker, Backguard, Seeker, Wildcard—the positions in modern hunter society. Among them, Korea's Vanguard ranking #6: White Shark, Kang Yong-su.
"You're lucky your rep's so good nothing bad gets said... But 'silver fox' rumors are floating—be careful!"
"Got it~ You eat well too, sweetie."
During the Seoul Children's Grand Park massive gate incident, he'd fought tooth and nail alongside his daughter, earning hero-of-the-nation status. Nicknamed the modern Yi Sun-sin, no less. One of the most beloved hunters among the public.
His latest hobby? Gamja Market gigs to meet locals for meals. Over 60, wife passed, grown daughter always "busy." Life's lonely, but I learned something good.
Known for his warm heart and looking out for folks, he wanted neighborhood ties. He had money to spare—treat the young ones to eats. Daughter nagged him to quit, but he was stubborn as hell. Most Vanguards were; they led raids, charging frontlines, barking orders—it toughened the voice.
"Wonder who I'll meet today."
Kang Yong-su stepped out with puffed-up excitement. His house sat next to the Mokdong Association branch—one of Seoul's five. Semi-retired or not, S-rank #6—he wanted to guard his turf.
He hopped on his bike for the short trip—eco-friendly habit.
"Let's roll, bike-y~"
Aunties waved hellos; he nodded back with a grin. Beloved local grandpa. Nice weather, good vibes—sure felt like a fated encounter.
"...!"
His smile vanished, eyes sharpening in an instant. Brakes screeched; he ditched the bike, shed his jacket, and bolted. Faster than a bike—faster than most cars.
Why the sudden shift? Simple.
Gate... an instant-burst one!
He'd sensed it nearby.
"Hmm~ hm-hmm~ hmm~ yo~"
― Pffft~
Free pork belly and cash? Humming came naturally. I love samgyeopsal—tastes double good when someone else pays. Free food's always better, but pork belly hits different. Warm family vibes? Orphan here, so who knows.
"But why can't I shake this speech pattern?"
I'd given up, but curiosity hit—asked Absolmi. She flapped on my shoulder, tilting her head. Smart bird, gets everything... so why play dumb now? Guess she didn't know.
"Anyway, after this gig, I'll think about hunter registration~"
Strolling along. Awakening and not hunting felt wasteful. Kid hunters? Rare stories, but minors existed worldwide—us and everywhere. Gates popping up more; hunters rake cash. Demand's booming.
"Never seen a gate IRL. Curious?"
They say you spot one naturally in life. Bad luck? Never crossed mine. Orphanage life—no outings. But tales everywhere, internet buzzing.
Gates: pitch-black holes. Pure void circle, like Vantablack painted in air.
"Oh! Like that one!"
Whoa—right there in the sky ahead.
"...Wh-whoa!"
No, a real gate!
Never expected this. Computer explosion kicked off the surprises; nonstop chaos.
I-It's fine. Not instant-burst, so monsters take 2-3 hours, right?
Woooong—
Sirens wailed; panic erupted. Pedestrians fled the opposite way, screaming.
Instant-burst gate detected. Nearby residents, please evacuate immediately. This is not a drill.
"Wha...? U-ugh—!"
Instant-burst gate: Spits monsters right away. Disaster. Right in front of me.
I tripped into a fleeing arm, tumbling back.
"R-Run—"
Boom!—!
Before I finished, something burst from the black hole, shaking the ground. Gates summon one big boss and minions under it, then vanish. Grade by boss threat.
3rd-grade gate detected. Nearby residents, evacuate swiftly. This is not a drill. 3rd-grade gate.
3rd-grade: Needs at least three A-rank hunters for safe raid. Terror froze my legs; couldn't stand.
Gate gone. Left behind: monsters.
'D-Dino...!'
A massive Triceratops in black armor plating, plus dozens of small Velociraptors.
― GRRROOOOAAARRR—!!!!
"Eek, whoaaa...!"
The Triceratops roared wildly on the road, swinging its horns. Velociraptors kyaa-ed, chomping cars and lampposts.
Crunch—
Loved dinos as a kid... but up close? Terrifying, hated it.
No one helped me up amid the chaos.
Monsters: Everything from gates. No exceptions. Even familiar-looking dinos—treat as otherworldly beasts. Modern logic didn't apply.
― Pffft! Pffft!
Absolmi grabbed my hair with her feet, flapping to lift me. Sweet try, but too tiny—no strength.
"Ugh...."
Armored Triceratops. Every step cracked the road with menace. Felt like death imminent.
Then—a bear-sized grandpa charged from behind at the Triceratops.
BOOM—!!!!!!!
Insane: One leap, soaring through air—nailed the head. Fisted up (my face-sized), arm wrapped in blue water. Thrust—massive wave formed midair, crashing as a fist!
"Sha... Shark Wave yo!!"
Horn met fist—shockwave shattered nearby buildings.