F-Rank Awakening and the Black Dragon's Legacy
In the heart of Seoul's chaotic downtown, standing tall and proud like a solitary noble figure, was a building with blindingly white, smooth walls. It was the Hunter Association HQ, swiftly constructed back when bizarre towers sprouted across the world and gates teeming with monsters kept popping up everywhere. To be more precise, it was built to manage the awakeners who appeared alongside them.
Ever since the law required all awakened individuals to register at the Hunter Association and get their hunter ID, I'd come here—but from the moment I left home until now, waiting for the results, I felt absolutely nothing.
'Well... it's just too obvious what the outcome will be.'
It was common knowledge that awakeners instinctively knew they'd awakened. Even I, who hadn't felt any changes in my body, had come for the test. That said it all.
"Lee Ha-neul? Your test results are in."
The moment of truth that would kill me twice had arrived. My insides were boiling, but I didn't want to cause a scene, so I plastered on a smile and approached the receptionist.
She handed me the paper with my results, looking a bit awkward.
"...."
The absolute worst of the worst. Could you even call someone with these specs an awakener? Probably even a consistently trained athlete would outdo this.
Reading the blank expression on my face as I took the paper, the receptionist—a total stranger I'd just met today—offered the best consolation she could muster.
"D-don't get too down. Just awakening opens up more job opportunities...."
She wasn't wrong. The problem was that those "opportunities" topped out at porter gigs.
Who the hell would want that?! If my strength and durability were decent, I could've aimed for porter work in higher gates, but reality wouldn't even allow that much.
'Even F-rank gate porters would be a stretch...'
And that'd mean risking my life for a pittance of a cut. No thanks. I'd rather do something safe like convenience store clerk work.
I trudged out of the Hunter Association HQ and immediately turned on my phone, opening the banking app. It was a habit I'd picked up when jobs were nowhere to be found.
Lee Ha-neul's Account Balance: 160,780 won
"Haa...."
Sitting in an empty subway car, staring at my balance that was barely enough for rent, a pang hit my heart. I'd expected this outcome, but facing it head-on wasn't pleasant.
I naturally closed the banking app and headed to the Hunter Gallery online. Despite the name, it was mostly frequented by non-awakeners—people envying those who struck it lucky with awakening while turning their own misery into jokes.
"Ah.... This is killing my vibe...."
- This station is Geobong. Doors will open on the right.
Lost in a daze, the subway had already reached my stop before I knew it.
Checking my phone as I exited, it was 11:48 a.m. Not a bad time for lunch, but eating out was a luxury I couldn't afford.
"Ramen it is again today...."
I passed the flashy shops near the station, heading into quieter neighborhood streets. After a long walk, I reached my rundown monthly rental. Whatever, as long as it kept out the rain and wind.
The moment I got home, I grabbed instant noodles from the cupboard and started boiling them.
"Ah.... An egg would be nice."
As I set the perfectly cooked ramen on my small table and went to sit, someone knocked on the door.
"No one should be visiting. The landlady maybe?"
Peeking through the peephole just in case, I saw a pitch-black night sky spread out, filled with an endless Milky Way and shooting stars—an incredibly beautiful sight.
'It's.... lunchtime right now?'
Backing away from the inexplicable phenomenon, the door suddenly burst open, and a fierce wind howled in.
"Wh-what wind is this...!!"
"Finally found you."
The wind pushed me out the door into the night sky, and I was helplessly flung outside. Even after, the gale kept driving me onward relentlessly.
After being shoved along for a while, the wind finally died down, and I realized this wasn't my neighborhood anymore.
'No way, a gate...?'
There was only one explanation for this anomaly: a gate. These mysterious phenomena appeared out of nowhere or with precursors, serving as doors to other worlds. Anything could come through, and it wouldn't be strange.
"St-still. A gate popping up this suddenly has to be F-rank, right?"
The government had announced that lower dimensional density made connections to Earth easier and faster. Meaning, it probably wasn't home to vastly superior lifeforms.
'Get it together, Lee Ha-neul! Even if you're dragged into a tiger's den, keep your wits and you can survive...!'
As I scanned for cover to narrow my alert range, a massive shadow loomed over me, drawing my gaze upward.
The owner of the shadow was none other than a dragon. Sleek yet sturdy horns curved gracefully, claws that could shred a truck effortlessly, wings like twin 63 Buildings exuding sheer intimidation just by existing. Whether it matched Earth's media depictions was unknown, but it was unmistakably a dragon.
"Ha.... This is insane."
Its reptilian eyes locked onto me sharply.
Government bastards.... What do you mean low-level creature...!! This thing could sneeze Seoul off the map!!
"...."
Blame wouldn't change anything. The dragon was already shoving its terrifying face right up to mine. Escaping something this huge was impossible. All that was left was hoping for a quick end.
I just lay flat on the ground. Whether crushed, eaten, or burned—whatever this dragon dished out, it'd be over in one hit.
As its head drew closer, I squeezed my eyes shut. I didn't want to see my end.
"Hmm.... This one's decent enough."
"Uh, huh?"
"Mind your manners, successor. The inheritance rite begins now."
What situation was this? Inheritance? Inherit what?
I cracked my eyes open at the baffling words, and that intimidating face was inches from my nose.
"Gahhh!!!"
"Hm. Not sapient after all. Pity."
"A t-talking dragon?"
"Oh, just startled? Good. Sit, and I'll explain."
The dragon calmly explained why it had summoned me close. Dragons, a cut above other beings, had wills to match—even as their flesh decayed toward death, their power and will lingered in the world. The one who claimed it became dragon-equivalent, so to prevent chaos, they sought a fated successor. And the successor before it was...
"So I'm your successor?"
"Indeed. You will inherit the power and will of I, the Black Dragon Tenebris. As you see, my life hangs by a thread."
As the black dragon said, his body was crumbling from the edges. Cracks spiderwebbed everywhere, and those intimidating wings were now skeletal.
"Th-that's...."
"Don't worry. I've lived long enough."
Tenebris gazed at the star-strewn sky, then closed his eyes.
"Ready, successor?"
His expression had already accepted death.
"...Yes."
"Then, let us begin."
Crunch--!!
Tenebris slowly touched his chest, then clawed it open.
"Wh-what are you doing...?!"
"Don't talk. Ngh.... I'm focusing."
No sooner said, he yanked his hand out. At its tip gleamed a crimson, jewel-like heart.
"That is...."
"The Dragon Heart. The essence of a dragon."
Breathing raggedly, Tenebris thrust it toward me. I reached out, but instead, he slammed it roughly into my chest.
In that instant, indescribable agony surged from my heart to my toes along my veins.
"Guh, grraaaahh-!!"
"En-endure.... successor."
After ripping out his heart, Tenebris's body decayed rapidly. Cracks accelerated, his form disintegrating into dust in moments. He could no longer even stand.
"Ughhh!!!"
"To think my final sight is this beautiful.... Not bad."
"Kkh.... Ugh. Urgh...."
How much time passed? As the pain ebbed and my vision cleared, Tenebris was in ruins.
"...."
"Composed now? Before I go, tell me your name...."
"...Lee Ha-neul."
"Ahh. A name as splendid as this vista...."
With that, Tenebris closed his eyes forever. I watched quietly, then set off. Relying on instinct, finding the gate home was easy.
"...."
What? My brain couldn't process—the flood of info, witnessing a dragon's death, the Dragon Heart embedded, the horrific pain.
'Too much all at once.... I need a break.'
Heading to bed, my eyes drifted to the ramen. Stone-cold, no steam. A shame, but no appetite. Too exhausted for anything but crashing.
"Mm.... What time is it?"
Huh? Did I leave YouTube on before bed? No other way a girl's voice would be in this macho-smelling room.
I reached for my phone on the nightstand to check, but before lighting the screen, I spotted the source.
A youthful face stared back from the dark screen. Big, round eyes with an innocent gaze. Unkempt but neat wavy long hair. Unmistakably a little girl's face.