D-Rank Dungeon Raid
As a result of the discussion, we decided on a D-rank dungeon.
I'd thought that with Kim Seol-bi and Kim Eun-bi along, we could probably handle up to a B-rank dungeon no problem. But Kim Seol-bi was firm on the matter. A D-rank hunter could die to a B-rank monster from even the tiniest mistake. And she was absolutely right.
Lately, I'd been hanging out with S-rank hunters—not to mention A-rank ones too—so I'd realized my senses had gone numb. Hunter and monster ranks weren't divided up for nothing. The gap between my abilities as a regular awakener and after becoming a hunter was night and day, and the same went for each hunter rank. There was a real chasm between them.
That made me wonder: how the hell had my body gone from E-rank hunter one day to D-rank the next? If word got out, it'd be a massive sensation. Academia would lose its mind with research. The current understanding of hunters and dungeons owed a lot to those scholars—refining classes, optimizing skill use, ideal party sizes and compositions. All that research was still going strong.
A hunter growing fast enough to leap ranks overnight? Every eye would be on them. I'd rake in fame and fortune just for existing.
But no, I can't let that happen.
The core of my power was the unprecedented skill Unreasonable Favor. Not the skill itself, but the beings it drew in—that was the problem. For some reason, S-rankers, A-rankers, and shamanesses on par with S-rankers were getting pulled my way. All women, every one a stunning beauty. Coincidence? Hardly.
If I got famous, Kim Seol-bi and Kim Eun-bi would take heat right away. We were inseparable now. Two cousins glued to me? Plenty of room for misunderstandings. People wouldn't bash me—they'd slap "pervert" on them.
And it took ten whole years, too. Even I didn't fully understand my power. No way I wanted to flaunt something so mysterious.
Reservation was a breeze. One call from Kim Seol-bi, and nothing was off-limits. She was thrilled I'd hit D-rank and tried dragging me to the department store. My E-rank gear from just yesterday was obsolete now; time for new stuff, she said.
Made sense on paper, but it was a massive waste. The E-rank gear from the store was labeled that way, sure, but it held up against D-rank no sweat—probably better than average D-rank pieces. New stuff loses value the second you use it. Selling barely worn items? Straight-up flushing money down the toilet.
She'd bought the first set, and she'd cover the new one too, but it still bugged me. Showing up with an S-rank beauty, now dragging her cute cousin along? The store folks would be curious. Rumors of me being a gold-digging player? With an S- and A-rank—cousins, no less? Legendary status.
Those were reasons enough, but I had another ace: my explosive growth. General awakener to D-rank in two days? Who's to say I wouldn't level up again soon? Then it'd be sell D-rank, buy C-rank. She'd love spending, sure, but it'd be a hassle.
And my abilities aren't even pinned down yet.
Last raid, I'd copied Kim Seol-bi's speed and Hand Blade Cut. Who knew what I'd snag today with Kim Eun-bi? Sketchy, but more skills could pop up anytime. Gear shines brightest when it fits your kit. Too early to commit now.
"Sung-gi, be careful," Kim Seol-bi cautioned.
"Don't worry, sis. I'll protect Sung-gi oppa."
Kim Eun-bi twisted around from the passenger seat. Kim Seol-bi said nothing, but her displeasure radiated to the back. Whoever guarded me, it was reassuring as hell. An S-rank and A-rank escorting me into a D-rank dungeon? Overkill.
Kim Eun-bi lacked experience, but D-rank monsters threatening an A-rank? Laughable. I'd seen her skills yesterday: near-cheat-level Stealth. And full-body invisibility. If her cousin weren't Kim Seol-bi, she'd make waves on talent alone.
Most top clans and guilds were led by A-rankers. Some S-rankers headed them in name only—they were too lofty for grunt work. Anything below A-rank was kid stuff by comparison.
Kim Eun-bi joining the party had perks. At the Dungeon Management Office, flashing her license flipped the staffer's attitude to fawning. The 30s guy was smitten at first glance. I'd been there days ago—totally got it. High-rank hunters had that aura. A gorgeous one like her? Come on.
Even as a regular awakener, Kim Eun-bi outshone idols. Add hunter aura? Intoxicating. I'd felt that warm thrill seeing her back then. Never dreamed we'd end up like this.
The clerk eyed me enviously from behind. Masked, sunglasses on, facing away—but Kim Seol-bi's silhouette was killer. Partying with two stunners for a dungeon run? He'd see me as owning the world.
I was happy, yeah. But the tension between them, orbiting me? Felt eternal. Kim Seol-bi hung back to avoid the director rushing down—huge hassle.
Reservation confirmed, we plunged in.
This D-rank had four floors. Main mobs: animal-types. Deer- and rabbit-like—Monster Deer, Monster Rabbit. Boss was bear-shaped. They vaguely resembled the animals, but don't mistake habits. Regular deer and rabbits? Cute herbivores. These? Vicious carnivores. Packs even turned cannibalistic.
And I'd thought B-rank was fine? Talk about reckless. Self-reflection hit hard.
"Wrap it quick and grab dinner out?" Kim Seol-bi said casually. She had the cred—I'd seen her prowess. Not just "strong S-rank." Her agility made raids a blur. Today'd be no different. I'd copied her speed too, and D-rank should amp me up.
But Kim Eun-bi... She wasn't slow, but...
My guess was wrong fast. Her hunting style blew my mind.
Perfect Stealth, Full Body Transparency. Not just invisible—phasing through walls, anything. She carved shortcuts at will, zipped between floors instantly.
Cheat skills like this...
S-rankers couldn't tag her; D-rank trash had no shot. Short knife as main weapon, she ghosted through, slitting throats, stabbing hearts.
Watching the cousins hunt? Jaw-dropping. Kim Eun-bi was clan bait—straight to leadership. Guild in years? With Kim Seol-bi's backing, faster.
They might've planned it—before one guy sparked their rivalry.
I'm the sinner here. Solemn vibe settled in.
Stealth
Full Body Transparency