Chapter 1
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Golden Key
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“Keeek!”
A grotesque green monster was lumbering toward me.
Its yellow eyes gleamed, and between its half-rotted teeth, a dark red tongue lurked like a snake.
It was a 1★ monster—a goblin.
‘Damn it, how the hell did I end up like this?’
It was all because of this key. The golden key embedded with a red gem.
The dungeon’s master key.
Because of it, I’d become a dungeon master when I never asked for the job.
‘No, actually, this was probably my fate all along.’
I had a secret backstory that wouldn’t even show up in the trashiest soap opera.
And that was...
‘The Demon King...’
I was a descendant of the Demon King.
* * *
Ding-dong-dang—
At a high school in Yangyang, Gangwon Province.
Even long after the end bell had rung, not a single student in the classroom had their eyes open. The teacher walked in, saw the scene, and clicked his tongue in mild annoyance.
“Enough sleeping, you punks. Isn’t your time precious?”
“Cut us some slack, Teach. We’re catching up on all the sleep we’ve missed.”
“Yeah, the college entrance exam’s over anyway. Nothing else to do.”
The students rubbed their eyes and whined. I sat up late myself, adjusting my glasses. I’d binged anime all night, so I wasn’t feeling great.
“Don’t just play around all day. At least pick up a book or something.”
“We don’t need books, Teach. I’m gonna be a hunter anyway.”
A student with dyed yellow hair shrugged and grinned. It was Kim Cheol-min, the class bully.
“Then look up a monster guide or something. Hunters risk their lives—doesn’t that worry you?”
“No worries. I’m prepping properly.”
“Jeez. How’d the world come to this...”
Twenty years ago, gates opened on Earth, and everything changed.
What used to be a job from video games—monster hunter—had become a hot career. Academies training hunters exclusively were swamped with applicants.
‘Why’s everyone so eager to risk their necks?’
Personally, I was skeptical about being a hunter.
Forget the rest—the death rate was insane. While other jobs saw about 500 deaths per 100,000 people, hunters were dying at three times that: around 1,500 a year.
TV paraded the glamorous lives of successful hunters daily, but the reality was a profession with a death rate like chum bait.
‘Of course, it’s different for Awakeners.’
Awakeners.
Those who transcended humanity.
They hunted monsters using superhuman strength, speed, and abilities.
When regular hunters had to pour everything into landing a hit, Awakeners smashed monsters barehanded.
Superhumans, plain and simple. Real-life superheroes.
‘If I got powers like that, maybe I’d give hunting a shot.’
I briefly fantasized about awakening as a hunter battling monsters, then shook my head to dispel the delusion.
Even if I awakened, fighting monsters was a no-go. It wasn’t about ability—it was about resolve.
Awakener or not, they weren’t invincible. A single spear could end anyone.
No matter how strong, a bad hit from a monster meant death. News of fallen Awakener hunters wasn’t rare.
“Ugh! If I could just awaken outta nowhere like bam! Dream come true.”
Kim Cheol-min stretched with a yell. Everyone jumped at the sudden shout, but no one said a word. I kept my eyes on my desk, staying quiet.
“Word is Awakeners level up like in games. For real?”
“No way... You’re not some otaku—why say crap like that?”
The word “otaku” made me flinch. I ducked my head, pretending to sleep.
‘Please, just let it slide today.’
No such luck—Kim Cheol-min was already beside me. He lightly smacked my head and asked.
“Hey, Cha In-hyeok! What do you think? If you awaken, do you get a status window like in games?”
“Pr-Probably? I’ve seen interviews like that.”
I recalled something from a hunter magazine. Laughter erupted immediately.
“Loser. Figures an otaku would say that. Live in reality for once, dude. All you do is watch weird anime.”
‘I’m the one you asked!’ nearly slipped out. But I just laughed it off like an idiot.
Graduation was close. No point provoking him and getting beat.
“Anyway, you got cash, right?”
“N-No.”
“No? You serious?”
“Really. I gave you all my allowance the other day.”
“Fuck, if you don’t have it, make it. Wait, don’t you have those... toys? Some expensive ones?”
“They’re figures, not toys...”
“Whatever. You have ’em. Wanna keep interrupting? Wanna die?”
“N-No.”
“Sell that crap on the secondhand market. Get me 500,000 won by tomorrow.”
He tapped my cheek with his knuckles. When I hesitated, the taps quickened.
“Y-Yeah.”
I nodded. Dragging it out would just mean a beating—nothing changed.
Teachers and cops didn’t help.
The world had gone to hell; security was a joke. Everyone focused on surviving monsters; other issues got ignored. School violence was one.
I got it. Gates opening daily, monsters attacking—kids beating each other and extorting cash seemed trivial.
But to me, bullies and monsters were the same: both out to ruin my life.
‘Sigh. Sell my figures? No way. How long did it take to collect those...’
Anger surged; my fist clenched. I imagined decking Kim Cheol-min in the nose.
...Pure fantasy, of course. I quietly relaxed my grip, heart pounding in case he’d seen.
‘Whew.’
Still, the imaginary punch eased my anger. Good call holding back.
Fight a guy whose daily routine was brawling and extortion, when my hobby was anime? That’d be begging for a thrashing.
“This idiot sang an anime song in music class when told to pick a favorite. Fucking hilarious. Pfft!”
‘Damn, dredging up my dark history!’
My fist clenched again. This time, it was hard to hold back. I stood, slamming a “shadow slash” from Kage Gatsu into his jaw.
...All in my head, of course. (Kage Gatsu’s my favorite anime protag, FYI.)
Ninja by trade, but no stealth or assassinations. True to battle manga, he fought fair and square. Unless no witnesses—then it’s an assassination?
“Urk!”
Silly thoughts failed to smother my rage. My damn left hand started hurting.
‘Guhhh. Calm down, Black Flame Dragon.’
It felt like needles pricking my hand’s back. Sometimes like a knife stab or flesh burning.
It’d been like this since I was little. Whenever emotions flared, the weird scar on my left hand throbbed.
I once thought a real black flame dragon slept in my hand, but the doc said it was probably nerve damage.
‘Whew. Deep breaths. Deep breaths.’
Regulating my breathing eased the pain. Meanwhile, Kim Cheol-min stopped teasing when I didn’t react, chatting with his crew instead. Bored without a response.
Enduring was the way. Cool comebacks stayed in fantasy.
Rationalizing away the foul mood, I searched for new anime.
Plenty: two magical girl shows, one mecha, one idol, three isekai. So many. When to watch them all?
‘Hmm? Can’t watch at school.’
Mecha was safer, but magical girl, idol, isekai? Instant “otaku,” “weeaboo,” or worse—“homo” label.
‘Not that. What would the girls think?’
A fountain pen rolled off the desk next to me. I snatched it and handed it back to the girl with a gentlemanly smile.
“You dropped this, Ji-hye.”
“Huh? Oh, uh, thanks.”
Ji-hye took it gingerly with thumb and forefinger, face uncomfortable.
What? That look and handling—like it was filthy?
Confusing, but secretly thrilling. Especially that near-contemptuous expression...
‘Kinda like it.’
Hmm. Perverted?
Whatever. It’s me.
* * *
School ended; I headed straight home. Friends went to karaoke or PC bangs in groups, but model student me? School or home only.
Not because I had no friends. I did—they just shared my hobbies.
“Sweet. Magical Girl Lilia season 3 drops at 10, so recap 1 and 2 in between.”
Dinner at my desk again. Full seasons would take at least four hours.
Prepping, I opened the fridge—then a text from Dad.
[Son. Samgyeopsal and soju tonight?]
“Huh? Booze out of nowhere?”
Dad rarely drank. Very occasionally, a bottle of soju—usually when missing Mom.
Vivid memory: pre-elementary me, up for the bathroom at night. Dad murmuring “Honey...” over his glass.
I’d wanted to drink with him then.
Maybe tonight. Drown grief in a shot, thank him for being my dad, smile through happy tears.
‘Ugh! Total death flag! Stop, stop! Take it back!’
Skipped Lilia recap for groceries. Gut feeling: adult talk with Dad incoming.
(Obviously, Lilia S3 after dinner. New releases wait for no one.)
“Dad’s home!”
Groceries done, grill set—Dad arrived. He yanked off his loosened tie, grinned at me.
I was his energy boost, clearly.
“Oho! Nice marbling on that pork.”
‘...Grinning at the meat?!’
Anyway! I hated worrying Dad. Enduring bullies? For him.
Yeah, I’d overcome any despair.
Like Kage Gatsu—born and raised in darkness, yet became the light.
* * *
“When receiving a drink from an elder, bow and use both hands. When drinking, turn your head to the right...”
I followed Dad’s etiquette to the letter. Felt grown-up just doing it.
Dad felt awkward to call him now. Father?
As I pondered, Dad fetched a small box from the master bedroom.
“What’s that?”
“Open it.”
Gift?
Ji-hye’s pen flashed in mind. Wanted a new smartphone, but a pen seemed meaningful. Better, even.
Assuming it was a present, I opened it.
“Huh? A key?”
Golden, red gem on the grip. Luxurious, treasure-like.
But keys opened things. Real gift was whatever it unlocked.
“What’s this key for?”
“Your mom left it. Said give it when you’re an adult.”
“Mom’s keepsake?”
“Yeah. Truth is...”
Dad hesitated long, then steeled himself.
“You’re grown now; time you knew. Don’t freak out. Your mom’s alive. Just... circumstances keep her from us.”
“Mom’s alive? Where?”
“Find out yourself.”
“How...?”
“With that key.”
Dad eyed the golden key with complex emotion. My face mirrored his gravity.
What was this thing? Why’d Mom leave?
‘Whatever it is, I’ll find out.’
I gripped the key tight.