Chapter 3
Chapter 3
The day after the Great Cataclysm.
Anyone on Earth could now become an Awakened.
The method was simple.
Just shout "Enter Dungeon" anywhere, anytime.
Unless specifying a destination, you'd be randomly assigned to a dungeon where your profession would be generated.
That completed the awakening process.
Joo Do-gyeom was no exception.
『User Joo Do-gyeom confirmed for first dungeon entry.』
『Profession assignment complete.』
『Check your status window for details.』
Separately, the Mansion of the Cannibal that Do-gyeom had chosen was no beginner-friendly dungeon.
To be more precise, it proudly ranked among the Hunter Community's "50 Worst Dungeons for Newbies."
Even veterans with years of experience avoided this headache-inducing dungeon.
His reason for choosing it as his first?
This was the pinpoint location to obtain Heaven-Slaying Star—the absolute power to kill anything.
Even as a regressor, he wasn't invincible, so he naturally had his own safeguards.
Namely, the dungeon's tutorial mode.
Right on cue.
A series of system messages flashed through Do-gyeom's mind as he opened his eyes.
『System privilege activated: Tutorial initiated.』
『Enemy levels adjusted to user's capabilities.』
『For the first 10 minutes, the Cannibal cannot detect your presence.』
A newbie-exclusive perk—tutorializing your first dungeon entry.
This was common knowledge even in the present timeline, not just the future.
Thanks to this, the dungeon's normally overwhelming difficulty would be drastically scaled down to a level even a fresh Hunter could clear.
Though given its infamy as one of the 50 worst, "easy" was relative.
But for a regressor like Do-gyeom?
'Clearing it is hardly an issue.'
His eyes gleamed as he first assessed his condition.
He was naked.
Though he'd been fully clothed when shouting the entry command at home, this was expected under the dungeon's core rules.
Dungeon Decree #3:
"No items from reality may be brought into a dungeon."
(For reference, #4 was its inverse:
"Items from dungeons may be taken into reality. Dungeon-originated items may be re-entered.")
In short, Hunters could only use gear acquired within dungeons.
The silver lining? A starter supply box would always spawn nearby—another tutorial courtesy.
"...".
Do-gyeom located it without a word.
In one corner of the mansion's grand central hall sat an incongruously small wooden crate.
Inside lay a dingy gray short-sleeved shirt and shorts.
He dressed immediately.
No stats or defensive properties, but better than running around nude.
Next, he checked his status:
『Name: Joo Do-gyeom
Age: 26
Profession: Universal Chef
Stats:
Strength: E-
Stamina: E
Agility: F+』
His eyebrow twitched.
Only three base stats.
Compared to his pre-regression self, these ratings were pitiful.
The rest was unremarkable—except his profession.
'Universal Chef?'
A flicker of confusion arose.
In his original timeline, his first profession had been Martial Artist, later evolving into Divine Martial Artist.
He'd assumed regression wouldn't change this.
Future Hunter researchers had concluded that while professions were randomly assigned, they were somewhat influenced by individual traits and capabilities.
Yet here he was, a chef instead of a martial artist.
An involuntary chuckle nearly escaped him before he nodded in acceptance.
Hadn't he already learned this lesson with Oh Jin-seok?
Minor actions could trigger unforeseen changes.
Besides, he'd become a Hunter five years earlier than before.
A profession shift wasn't unbelievable.
More importantly—
'It doesn't affect the plan.'
Experience also taught him that a Hunter's profession couldn't be judged by name alone.
'Might be unexpectedly useful.'
Or harbor hidden strengths.
The mission proceeded unchanged.
As this conclusion solidified, another system message appeared:
『9 minutes remain until the Cannibal detects you.』
The countdown had begun.
Do-gyeom moved swiftly, first exiting the vaulted central hall to locate a kitchen.
The mansion had several.
He chose the largest.
『6 minutes remain until detection.』
Though ceiling here was high, not insurmountably so.
After scanning the kitchen, his eyes locked onto a spot and gleamed.
Approaching, he scaled the wall using hands and feet.
『3 minutes remain until detection.』
Reaching a ceiling panel, he lifted it aside with a clunk, revealing a hollow space.
Without hesitation, he entered and replaced the panel.
Darkness enveloped him, but the cavity was surprisingly spacious—befitting the mansion's scale.
Do-gyeom settled into a cross-legged meditation pose.
By now:
『60 seconds until detection.』
The grace period was ending.
Ignoring the alert, he focused on his breathing—inhaling, exhaling—channeling inner energy cultivation.
Time became irrelevant.
Long after the protection expired, the energy circulating through his meridians finally coalesced below his navel, at the dantian.
Confirming this, he opened his eyes to new system messages:
『Magic stat added to system attributes. Current rank: F-』
『Skill acquired: Heaven-Binding Qi Art (1-Star)』
'Done.'
Smiling, Do-gyeom gave a satisfied nod.
After receiving their profession, Hunters acquired skills.
But unlike webtoons or novels where skills activate with a click, reality differed.
Here, "acquiring" a skill meant receiving its knowledge directly into your mind.
Mastery required personal practice.
Proficiency increased skill levels.
(Yes, skills could be taught—by verbally explaining the knowledge—though the learner's talent mattered.)
Pre-regression, Do-gyeom had taught martial arts to many, just as Vivien Ashcroft had taught him basic magic.
(Alas, his magic peaked at 1st-Class—"No talent there," though he'd been content with fire-starting and water-conjuring.)
Regardless:
Skills ranged from Level 1 to 10 (or "Master" level at 10).
Martial arts used "Stars" instead, but the principle was identical.
Naturally, pre-regression Do-gyeom had mastered numerous martial skills—hence his "Divine Martial Artist" title.
The long explanation boiled down to:
'Even as a Universal Chef, my retained knowledge lets me learn martial arts.'
Hence prioritizing Heaven-Binding Qi Art—the foundational internal energy technique.
(Note: This was impossible on Earth. Only dungeons granted skills—until that distant future when Earth and dungeons became indistinguishable.)
Heaven-Binding Qi Art—Do-gyeom's first post-regression internal art—was one of two pillars required to master Heaven and Earth Boundless Divine Art, the divine technique he'd used to slay the Demon King of Annihilation.
Its hallmark was rapid energy accumulation and superb control, with stability surpassing other martial Hunters he'd known.
Its counterpart, Earth-Binding Qi Art, offered no energy growth.
Instead, it fortified the body—enhancing durability, wound regeneration, and fatigue recovery.
This was critical.
Containing immense energy output required an equally resilient vessel—lest the body break under strain.
Combined, they formed Heaven and Earth Boundless Divine Art—a supreme art with high floor and limitless ceiling.
Thus, after securing Cheon-Gyeol, Do-gyeom immediately acquired Ji-Gyeol:
『Skill acquired: Earth-Binding Qi Art (1-Star)』
Merging them required both arts reaching at least 5-Stars.
For now, he focused on Cheon-Gyeol.
His body was already trained from Earthly conditioning, with room for more.
But for Hunters, magic (or "inner energy" for martial artists) was paramount.
So he hid, expanding his energy reserves while awaiting opportunity.
Patience was key.
'Even tutorialized, that Cannibal won't be pushovers.'
Had anyone known his thoughts, they'd have gasped.
Because the dungeon's strategy—accessible only in certain dungeons—was clear:
〖Dungeon: Mansion of the Cannibal
A powerful cannibal's dwelling.
Hide. Wait. Move silently to escape.
Key details:
- Find the front door key hidden in the study.
- Avoid the Cannibal's gaze to return to the central hall.
- Unlock the door to open the exit.
- Rewards granted upon escape.
※WARNING: NEVER—NEVER—engage the Cannibal. Death is guaranteed.※〗
In short: Find key → Escape.
Fighting was strictly forbidden.
Yet Do-gyeom planned to fight—no, utterly crush the Cannibal.
Why?
One reason:
'It's the only way to obtain Heaven-Slaying Star.'
No alternatives existed.
Just then—
THUD!
The kitchen door below was violently thrown open.