First Car and Desert Debut
Taemin couldn't tear his eyes away from his bank balance for a good while. Eventually, he hailed a nearby taxi and headed somewhere.
The place he got out was a used car market in Seoul. He'd been feeling the need for a car for some time now and had been steadily checking out listings. And today was the day. The day he'd finally buy the car he'd been eagerly waiting for.
He met the dealer he'd contacted in advance at the entrance and meticulously inspected the car he'd spotted online. The one he chose was an off-road pickup truck perfect for rough terrain. It was a bit older, but since it was his first car and he'd only use it for work, it was a perfect fit for him.
"No issues or breakdowns with this one, right?"
"Full service, polish, everything's done. Consumables are still solid, so just fill it with gas and you're good to go."
"The used car market these days has way too much talk..."
"Aigoo. No worries with ours at all. It's backed by a big corporation's warranty, so if anything pops up within three months, pretty much everything's 100% free repair. If you're still uneasy, you can add a six-month warranty."
"Hmm. I'll sign the contract. How much for that extra warranty again?"
Taemin, drawing on info he'd researched beforehand, scrutinized the contract too before taking ownership for 9 million won. It was a big chunk of change, but since this thing would be his ride from now on, the investment wasn't the least bit regrettable.
"Boss, if anything comes up, just give me a call right away."
"Got it. Thanks. Take care."
As he drove out of the used car market, Taemin couldn't control his trembling body. His first car ever in life. His arms shook from his closet license, but hey, who cared. He had a car.
Driving like a turtle, slowly but surely, he made it home safely. He parked precisely in the lot of his one-room building, then got out, hyper-aware of his surroundings.
Of course, no one was watching.
"Parked okay?"
He circled the car unnecessarily, checking every angle, and even as he left the lot, he kept glancing back.
'Maybe it's mine, but damn, it looks sleek as hell.'
Taemin grinned ear to ear right up to the end.
Back home, he fired up his computer and logged into the hunter site.
"Time to scout some other spots."
With experience requirements skyrocketing after level 10, leveling up had gotten tough for Taemin. He decided to look for higher dungeons.
Browsing the community site's party recruitment board, he clicked a random post.
Recruiting folks to hunt in Desert Zone together.
Knight (tank) excluded—one per class.
Time: about 8 hours (flexible depending on situation).
Drops divided equally (discuss in person).
Field hunting only, no level restrictions.
Gear irrelevant—level 30+ welcome. Contact us!
A sigh escaped him as he read it.
"Phew. No level limit, but 30+? What kinda wall is this?"
He clicked another post right away.
Urgently recruiting for EXP and mining.
Clearing one dungeon end-to-end, so need folks who can commit a full day.
Tank applicants: Defense 300+ only (can tank warrior too if beefy).
Healer (32) and Warrior (33) waiting.
"Not this one either... Defense 300? What kinda gear is that?"
He clicked through more posts, but none matched his specs. Level 10s were nowhere, and even 20s were rare.
It made sense—awakenings in Korea had peaked three years ago. Early birds were mid-to-high level, in guilds, holding spots. The ones left here were the tail-end stragglers.
Summing up the posts, the newest awakeners were a year old. No hunters matching his level was normal.
So his options boiled down to two: rot in Beginner Dungeon longer, or push solo into higher ones.
His call.
'No way around agonizing over this.'
Growth screamed higher dungeon. But soloing unknown turf? Risky as hell.
Lower dungeon monsters all aggro on sight—unlike Beginner. Blink or loosen your bowstring, and you're express to the afterlife.
But rotting in Beginner forever? No dice. Projections: three months to 20. Even then, no party buddies.
'Gotta find a way. With my skills... Invisible makes hunting doable-ish.'
Issue: MP, or mana. His pool lasted eight seconds on Invisible. Potions had 50-second cooldowns. Leftover 42 seconds? Hell if the mob lived.
'Need 1,000 mana for smooth runs... When's that happening?'
Pacing his room in frustration, he suddenly stopped, resolved.
"Yeah. No point agonizing—let's just check it out. Worst case, Arrainba outta there if it's too rough."
Scouting decided, he searched lower dungeon info on the site.
"Gotta pick the weakest."
Unlike Beginner, lowers split into three: Desert Zone, Mine, Underground Hot Zone.
Mine and Hot Zone had ranged mobs, so he picked safer Desert Zone.
Researching deep into the night, he crashed from endless image training.
Next morning, up early, he packed a simple lunchbox and water, headed to the lot.
There sat his trusty steed, parked proud.
"Sleep well?"
Grinning at it fondly, he hopped in and activated the map. For Desert Zone.
"Lemme see. Lower... Oh, here. Alright, let's roll."
Following the light, he drove slow. Still awkward—roads felt unfamiliar.
After a few flubs, he hit Gwanghwamun Street. Portal right by Chungmugong Statue.
Barricades up, government hunters on guard.
'Of all places.'
Twenty years back, Seoul streets crawled with monsters daily. Endless war, bodies piling. Then they thinned—rare by ten years ago, gone now.
But they could pop anytime, so feds posted public hunters for contingencies. Entry required official license.
He parked in a quiet spot, reactivated map.
"Mountains good for sneaking."
As hoped, second stop: Achasan in Gwangjin-gu.
Unlike life-or-death city, mountains had lax watch. Booths at trailheads controlled crowds—but skirt around, slip in easy.
He circled the booth, climbed the opposite side.
Deep in, he spotted the lone portal in a valley.
Before it, same routine: armor on, dual swords out. Deep breath, step in.
First sight: endless sand dunes. Sahara from a travel mag.
"Whoa, wild."
Like Beginner, he just found it fascinating. How one portal birthed whole worlds. Still hard to believe.
"Not time to gawk. String up."
Snapping to, he scanned warily. All aggro mobs here—leagues beyond non-aggro Beginner. His spot looked clear.
'Slow and steady. Real slow.'
He crept forward cautiously.
♦ Achasan.
A group climbed the same path someone had just taken. Burly guy leading, two fit women behind. Massive greatsword, full gear—hunters out hunting.
The lagging woman yelled ahead.
"Hey! Choi Dong-chan!"
Choi Dong-chan halted, turned.
"What?"
"Hey, you picked this route on purpose, right?"
Outta nowhere. He scowled.
"On purpose? Explain properly."
"Hey. Because I ditched you last time? You dragged us here for revenge?"
"What nonsense. You know we can't go elsewhere? Quit acting amateur."
"No, out of everywhere, why here? I'm dying."
Choi Dong-chan pointed at the other woman.
"Song Min-ji, quit whining. Seung-mi's frailer than you and she's not bitching. Train your stamina sometime."
She glanced at Seung-mi.
"Hey, she's a natural athlete. I'm..."
Park Seung-mi cut in gently.
"Unnie, aside from track in elementary, I haven't done much."
"Whatever! Can't do this. Buff me or something. Can't breathe."
Choi Dong-chan shook his head firmly.
"No magic. Booth sensors catch it, pursuit. For Seung-mi's sake, quit whining. You always complain, dodge hard work—that's why your level's stuck. Your startmates are past 30."
Song Min-ji bristled.
"You done?"
He shook his head, walked off. No point engaging.
Park Seung-mi soothed her.
"Unnie, wanna rest?"
"Nah. No break. See if I join next time."
Brusque, Song Min-ji stormed past after him. Park Seung-mi sighed softly.
"She's great usually."