Straight to the Ruins
The next day, early in the morning. After checking out of the motel, they grabbed breakfast at a nearby restaurant and headed straight to headquarters.
"Honey, lend me your phone."
Taemin took Yoon Ji-young's cellphone and dialed a number while steering with one hand.
"Yeah, Ji-hoon? It's me, Taemin hyung. Yeah. What're you up to today? Got time? Get ready for a hunt. Today's the day. Yeah. It's the real deal, not some fake. It'll take about thirty minutes. Alright. See you soon."
"What? We're going right now?"
"Yeah. You don't have work today anyway. Soon as we get there, we'll grab the passes and head out. You got the ruins coordinates saved?"
"No, not yet... The ruins? Won't it be dangerous just for the three of us?"
"Don't worry. Ruins are barely a warm-up for me. You already forget I'm A-rank now? Just trust me."
They arrived at Wolfsrein Headquarters while chatting back and forth.
After contacting Seo Ji-hoon to come down to the management office, Taemin headed up with Yoon Ji-young to get their passes.
Seo Ji-hoon, who arrived first, greeted them at the entrance.
"Hyung. Oh? Ji-young noona's here too? Hi."
"Oh, hi."
"You guys going together?"
Taemin stepped forward at Seo Ji-hoon's question.
"Yeah, didn't I mention? It's the three of us. You gotta protect Ji-young well."
"Don't worry. Hunting's one thing, but protecting people? That's my specialty. So, where we headed?"
"To the ruins."
"Huh? Ruins won't have permission approved... Is that even possible?"
"Just trust hyung. I got promoted to A-rank yesterday."
"Whoa, for real? Your level's that high already? Insane..."
"Nah, level 65... I'll explain later. Let's get the passes first."
"Got it. Here."
Taemin handed over Yoon Ji-young and Seo Ji-hoon's hunter IDs along with his own to the staff.
"Passes for the nearest ruins, please. I'm going with them, so level doesn't matter, right?"
"One moment. Here are your passes."
"Thanks."
Taemin led Yoon Ji-young and Seo Ji-hoon straight to the mart on the first floor after grabbing the passes.
No matter how skilled he was, a long hunt meant packing essentials for stamina—boiled eggs, smoked sausages, drinks, and such.
They stepped out of the building with their haul.
As Taemin headed for the parking lot, he spotted a familiar group clustered in the open lot.
Hunters gathered for a hunt—Yoo-hyuk's team.
"You two wait here. I'll be right back."
Leaving Yoon Ji-young and Seo Ji-hoon behind, Taemin approached Yoo-hyuk with a friendly greeting.
"Yoo-hyuk, out hunting again today?"
Yoo-hyuk, noticing him late, returned the greeting.
"Oh, yeah. We go every day we're not on duty. You too, Taemin?"
"Yep, same here."
"Heard about it yesterday. Congrats on A-rank. You've been A-rank material for a while."
"Thanks. How'd you hear?"
"Guild network shows it right away. Not many A-ranks, so it pops up."
"Makes sense. You can check rankings too, huh. If you don't mind, anyone here got these coordinates?"
Taemin showed his pass.
"Yongsan-gu... Feels familiar. Hang on."
Yoo-hyuk went into the group and returned with a man.
"This guy's got 'em."
"Ah. Sorry to ask, but could you open a portal for us?"
The man nodded eagerly at Taemin's request.
"No problem at all. For you, Taemin? Absolutely."
The man overdid it with a little song and dance, leaving Yoo-hyuk and Taemin awkwardly amused.
"Ah, sorry. Over there okay?"
"Yeah, thanks."
He opened the portal where Yoon Ji-young and Seo Ji-hoon waited, gave a quick nod, and headed back.
"Hyung's got connections. Those guys look high-level."
"We've hunted together before. All hit A-rank recently. C'mon, let's go."
At Taemin's urging, they stepped through the portal.
Taemin gave Yoon Ji-young and Seo Ji-hoon a quick rundown on the other side.
"I'll handle all the kills. You two stick close, don't get separated. I'll keep mobs off you as much as possible, but stay alert just in case. Ji-young, save these coordinates. Might come back."
"Got it, oppa. Hyung."
"Yeah, done. But really, just us three?"
She eyed Taemin with worry.
The ruins were way beyond their levels—suicidal for most. And their party was laughably underpowered.
"Don't stress. I've soloed here plenty. No danger if you follow me."
Seo Ji-hoon chimed in.
"He's right. You think hyung brought us without a plan? Let's go, Ji-young noona."
He said it confidently, but even Seo Ji-hoon wondered if it was possible. Still, something about Taemin made him want to believe—those plateau skills hinted at answers.
"Alright, let's move."
After a quick greeting to the portal guards, Taemin's group flashed their passes and vanished inside.
Yoon Ji-young and Seo Ji-hoon gripped their weapons tightly upon entering the ruins, senses on high alert.
Taemin smiled at how cute they looked tensed up.
"No need to freeze like that. Mobs start next room."
The experienced Taemin led them through the maze.
They zigzagged out to the first room, where a majestic Stone Golem—the ruins' mascot—stood guard.
Yoon Ji-young tensed at the obviously tough foe.
"Haste?"
Taemin shook his head.
"Nah, it'll be over quick. And if only I speed up, you can't keep up. Here we go. Ji-hoon, watch Ji-young."
"Got it, hyung."
With that, Taemin launched at the monsters.
Two up front, three behind. One at the exit. Six total.
Papap! Pat!
His twin swords, gleaming white, battered the Stone Golem mercilessly.
With near-40% evasion, his attack speed dwarfed normal hunters'.
In under ten seconds, the golem crumbled after dozens of hits.
He shifted targets, ramped Defensive Critical, and cleaved its neck.
Swish! Thunk!
The famed tough stone head rolled.
Stone Golems were no match for Taemin.
Criticals dropped them like flies, flooding him with EXP.
In under three minutes, all six were wiped.
Yoon Ji-young and Seo Ji-hoon gaped from behind, stunned.
They figured he'd win, but this easy?
Taemin approached their dumbfounded faces.
"What? On to the next room."
"Hyung... You this strong, or these guys just weaklings?"
"Both."
"Whoa... These are like toys. Can I film this for the intranet?"
"Why bother filming trash like this."
"Trash? You know what these are... Right, Ji-young noona?"
"Huh? Ah..."
"Enough, man. No overreacting. Next room. Long way to go. Oh, and leave junk drops. Stone shards ain't worth it. I'll call out valuables."
Ignoring Seo Ji-hoon's hype, they pressed on.
Deeper in, mobs grew varied and numerous—and so did their awe.
Taemin didn't seem human. Ten minutes max per room, no matter the odds. Soloing party-level power.
"That's unique class prestige. If only I'd awakened like that..."
Seo Ji-hoon muttered, watching Taemin smash monsters. Envy hit hard—but pride swelled too, knowing this legend as a friend. Gratitude on top.
Yoon Ji-young felt much the same. Her lover's unimaginable growth, sharing this moment—pure bliss.
Mid-hunt, their spectator vibes relaxed. His skill meant no danger.
The sweep was one-sided.
Taemin returned post-fight, pointing ahead.
"Boss room next. Lunchtime. Eat quick, then finish."
No real meal—just enough to refuel.
Stuffed, they entered the boss room.
A massive Stone Knight loomed alone.
One-shot time?
Taemin charged without hesitation.
Up close, he deployed his trap.
Dark energy bound it from his feet, vanishing him from sight—Invisible.
He leaped into the air, struck with Ambush, swords plunging into its torso.
Kaboom!
The chamber shook with a thunderous roar. Dust clouded vision.
Moments later, the half-destroyed Stone Knight emerged from settling haze.
You have defeated the Ancient Stone Knight.
Acquired 1.33 million EXP.
"One-shot. Clean."