Crack—

Silence hung in the counseling room.

“Oh my!”

“Master!”

Chu Mihyun was startled, and Mimic beamed.

Ha Gangwoo clamped down with all his strength on the arm of the man who’d tried to strike Mimic.

‘Who the hell is this guy.’

None of it made sense.

He’d just arrived at the academy—no idea who this man was or why he’d tried to hit Mimic. But one thing was certain.

“Master!”

Mimic spotted Ha Gangwoo, hopped over, and grabbed his leg.

He could feel exactly what she was feeling right now.

And that made his mood turn sour.

“What the—?! You little shit, let go!”

Kim Honggu strained to pull his captured arm free. But a sharp, grinding grip climbed up his wrist.

‘This brat’s guardian? How’s he this strong.’

Kim Honggu had once been a Ranker. Most Players knew better than to cross him.

A spot on the Rankings was a badge that followed you for life.

‘Cheeky bastard.’

Yet this kid, barely of age, was audaciously locking strength with him.

As if trying to crush him with raw power.

Fssss—

A blue Mana seeped from Kim Honggu’s entire body.

‘I’ll show you what it means to be crushed by strength.’

He had to make it clear what happened when someone mouthed off without knowing their place.

Ding—

[High-Density Muscle Fiber activated.]

The skill notification rang in Kim Honggu’s ear, and with a groan, the hand that Ha Gangwoo had trapped began to move slowly.

With his boosted Strength, Kim Honggu seized Ha Gangwoo by the collar—tight.

In that instant—Crack!!!—the building floor beneath Ha Gangwoo’s feet began to splinter.

Kim Honggu was pressing Ha Gangwoo’s body down with sheer force.

“W-wait!!”

Chu Mihyun had been watching everything unfold. She grabbed Kim Honggu’s arm urgently, but—

“Kyaaak!!!”

Her level was barely 100. Nowhere near enough to stop the Strength of Kim Honggu—a man who had once climbed to Ranker status.

Mihyun toppled backward from the force of Honggu’s Mana. Lying there, dazed, she watched the building crack and split under the two men’s standoff. *Crrrack—kkrrrk.* She stared in despair.

“Why… did it come to this?”

She’d contacted Yuna’s parents specifically because of Kim Honggu.

What would a man with a personality like *that* do—when he eventually learned his daughter had been hurt?

The arrows would *obviously* come straight back at her, the person in charge.

So Chu Mihyun had called the father in.

She’d expected the situation to end fast, naturally.

Wasn’t Yuna’s father a man who’d once climbed all the way to Rank 999 on the world Ranking?

Whoever Mik’s parents were, she’d figured Honggu would just bow his head and wrap things up on his own.

She’d never imagined he’d fight back—even using skills.

“We’re in deep trouble.”

With the look of a woman who’d lost her country, Chu Mihyun watched the building crumbling down with a *Kwa-rrrr-rash—*

But the tremor was brief. Suddenly, silence fell.

*Krrr-unch—*

The strength contest between Ha Gangwoo and Kim Honggu had reached a stalemate.

That balance, though, broke fast.

*Krrr-zzzzt—*The ground beneath Honggu’s feet began to tear apart.

‘This bastard.’

He’d used a skill—and was *still* losing on Strength.

What pissed him off most was that bastard’s expression. Cold, serene—like Honggu himself didn’t even exist in his world.

“YOU WIPE THAT LOOK OFF YOUR FACE!!!!!”

In a flash of lost reason, Kim Honggu swung his fist toward Ha Gangwoo’s face.

The massive fist arced down toward the slender man.

‘It’s over.’

Chu Mihyun stared at the scene in blank shock.

A Ranker, lashing out in rage. Was there any Player alive who could withstand *that* fist? At this rate, Mik’s father might die from that blow.

And what would happen if murder got added to the mess the Association President had personally asked her to handle?

They’d definitely hold her responsible.

“Ah…”

Already picturing herself fired from the Association and blacklisted, Chu Mihyun etched every frame of the scene into her pupils.

Kim Honggu’s enormous fist drew closer and closer to Gangwoo’s temple. She thought it was finished, right at that moment—

*Ding-*

[Realm of Transcendence has activated.]

*Crack!!!!*

[Force Discharge has been used.]

A tremendous explosive sound erupted from Kim Honggu’s solar plexus—and—

*Kwa-rrrrr-rash-*

Kim Honggu’s body hurtled backward, plowing through the building.

“Huh?!”

Chu Mihyun rubbed her eyes at the impossible sight.

Because where Kim Honggu had definitely been standing—a completely unexpected figure now stood motionless.

“Impossible…”

No matter how she turned it over in her mind, none of it made sense — until she saw his face through the haze of rising dust, and Chu Mihyun’s mouth went dry.

“H-Ha Gangwoo Player?!!!”

Mik’s guardian was a Player whose name she’d only heard in rumors. An L-Grade. Ha Gangwoo.

“Whoa…”

That was the moment Chu Mihyun caught sight of Ha Gangwoo and found herself unable to hide her astonishment.

“Ah, Dad…”

Kim Yuna stepped into the rubble of the building where Kim Honggu had been pinned, while Ha Gangwoo leaned down toward Mimic.

“Master! That was so cool!”

Mimic clenched her small hand into a tight fist, a delighted smile blooming across her face.

Ha Gangwoo watched her expression and let out a satisfied smile of his own.

Things had gotten more complicated, but seeing Mik’s face made him feel like he’d made the right choice.

But the real problem was only just beginning.

Ha Gangwoo looked down at the fist that had struck Kim Honggu. A dull, metallic resonance—ziiing—vibrated through the marrow of his bones.

Yes — that last strike had been insufficient.

So Ha Gangwoo turned to Mimic with a request.

“Let me borrow a weapon.”

“Mik!”

Mimic readily produced a weapon from inside her mouth, and Gangwoo grabbed hold of a dagger gleaming with seven colors before stepping out into the hazy smoke rising from the building’s rubble.

***

“Whoa… Sunbae-nim! That was Ranking 8th, Mr. Lee Hwi who just went in, right? To actually see world-class figures like this in person—it feels like a dream.”

The new recruit who’d just joined the Association this time had her eyes sparkling.

Her direct senior at work watched her and said firmly,

“Get your head on straight. The President’s coming today too. Focus up.”

“What?! The Association President? Wow… I definitely made the right decision joining the Association.”

The new employee’s heart raced.

The Association President was the hero who, at the brink of humanity’s extinction, founded the Association and saved mankind.

To think she’d get a chance to see that hero of humanity in person.

“I can’t wait to see him.”

The rookie felt like asking for an autograph, but he forced himself to calm down.

Had ten minutes passed like that?

Just as he was facing the leaders of various famous guilds, a boy of about eight years old strode briskly toward the rookie.

‘What the—how did he get in here?’

This place was the venue for a global summit.

It wasn’t a place just anyone could waltz into.

He had no idea how the kid had gotten in, but he needed to be sent out.

So the rookie lowered himself to meet the child’s eyes.

“Hey, kid. You can’t just barge in here. It’s dangerous. Can you head out that way?”

“……”

But despite the rookie’s warning, the kid stood his ground, planted firmly in front of the door without a care.

“Kid? You listening? Want me to take you out?”

The rookie had no choice. To escort the kid out himself, he slowly reached out a hand.

Just as the rookie’s hand was about to pat the kid’s shoulder—

Thump—

A massive figure appeared from nowhere and clamped down on the rookie’s wrist.

“Aaah!”

The rookie flinched and stumbled back, and only then did the senior, catching on, hurry over.

The senior suddenly bowed his head deeply toward the kid.

“W-What’s this all of a sudden?”

The rookie was utterly bewildered.

A mysterious kid, a giant who’d popped out of nowhere, and now his sunbae-nim bowing to the child.

As the rookie cocked his head in confusion, the senior’s words rang in his ears.

“Greetings, Mr. President.”

“P-President?!?!”

The President of the Hunter Association. He’d heard rumors before.

That despite being over eighty, his appearance seemed young—but he never imagined it was this young, barely eight years old.

The rookie finally realized who the kid standing before him really was.

He shot up from his seat, bowing deeply.

“I-I’m so sorry, Mr. President! It’s my first day, so…”

The rookie could barely breathe under the pressure he’d never felt before in his life.

He’d ordered the President himself to get out, calling him a kid.

Thump-thump—

His heart hammered wildly.

The little kid slowly walked up beside the trembling rookie.

Thump-thump—

‘I’m gonna get fired…’

In that brief moment, a chilling vision flashed through the rookie’s mind, and then—pat. The President’s small hand tapped his shoulder.

“Why so tense? You’ve worked hard.”

Squeak—thud—

With those short words, the President turned and walked into the conference room.

The rookie and the team leader kept their heads bowed toward the sealed door before finally straightening up.

“Whew… That scared me half to death.”

The senior adjusted his tie with relief, while the rookie still looked pale with tension.

“I-I’m so sorry… I should’ve known beforehand…”

Because there was still someone left to scold him.

Not only had he failed to recognize the President—he’d treated him like a mere child. Even if his senior cursed him out, he’d have no excuse.

“It’s fine. I didn’t recognize him today either. He’s gotten even younger. The President’s not that strict of a person. Just forget what happened and focus on your work from now on.”

But the answer that came back was unexpected.

“Huh? Oh, yes!”

Gotten even younger today? Did that mean the President’s appearance kept changing?

The rookie had countless questions, but he kept his mouth shut and resumed his post.

***

“Did you hear? Another Legend-class awakener popped up yesterday!”

“For real?! I heard the System was updating—guess it’s true. That’s insane. I wanna be a Legend too!”

The academy’s quiet commissary.

“But is that rumor even true?”

“What rumor?”

The students were buzzing with lively chatter.

“The rumor that Mik from Class 1-A has a dad named Ha Gangwoo.”

“Oh, that. It’s obviously a lie, didn’t you see her? She comes in with unwashed hair every day, always looking grubby—didn’t she spread that rumor to avoid being bullied?”

“Maybe? It’s pretty unbelievable, honestly.”

At the academy, Ha Gangwoo was a star on par with Rank-1 Cha Yuseong.

And no wonder—in just a few months since his Awakening, he’d racked up over three major achievements, all while remaining a Player shrouded in mystery.

Rumors bred more rumors, so whenever students mentioned Ha Gangwoo’s name, his feats grew even grander.

To think that such a star’s child was Mik—of course, the students dismissed it as nonsense.

Just as they began discussing their next class and started moving, that was the moment.

*BOOM!!!!*

A massive explosion rang out. *Groooooan*—the ground began to shudder.

“W-What the hell?!”

Startled, the students instantly turned toward the source of the blast.

*Crackle—*

The origin of the explosion wasn’t hard to find.

In the center of the vast athletic field, thick smoke was rising from the blast.

A man’s silhouette emerged from the heart of the dust cloud.

*Drip… drip…*

Crimson blood trickled from the man’s mouth.

“What?! No way, did a Gate pop open?!”

“I don’t see any monsters—hurry, get the Instructor!”

Just as the students grew uneasy from the sudden explosion—

“SHIIIT~!!!!!!!!!”

From the center of the blast, Kim Honggu let out a roar of fury.

*CRAAAACK*—

The tremendous shout rode the ground, spreading thickly through the surroundings.

The roar was so intense that—

“Ugh!”

The students instinctively covered their ears, wincing in pain, and—

*CRASH!!!* *Clatter-*

The building’s windows shattered and rained down in pieces.

*Pattering—*

From the center of the cascading glass shards, Ha Gangwoo trudged forward.

*Ding-*

[You have acquired Rainbow Buff [Red].]

[Attack Power increased by 100%.]

A red aura rippled across Ha Gangwoo’s entire body.

“Not bad.”

[Ruin-Imbued Rainbow Dagger]

Grade: L

Crafted by: Violet

Durability: 610/610

Attack Power: 1520

Strength: +510

Agility: +600

Vitality: +410

Mana: +450

Description: The magnum opus of the legendary Violet. It is imbued with the power of Rainbow, spoken of only in legends.

Effects

-Grants a random Rainbow Buff. (Duration: 1 minute)

-Mana is converted into Ruin energy.

The L-Grade weapon he’d gifted to Mimic.

He already knew it was good. But feeling the effect firsthand made him instantly grasp why everyone coveted high-grade weapons.

Still, this fight didn’t look easy.

Ha Gangwoo felt the lingering pain in his hand and fixed his gaze straight ahead.

“You reckless son of a bitch, throwing the first punch without knowing your place?!”

A man gnashed his teeth in fury.

Ha Gangwoo had thrown a full-powered fist at that man.

But the bastard only bled a little—no real damage.

‘At least Max Level, then.’

That was why Gangwoo had borrowed Mimic’s dagger.

*Squelch—*

Before anyone noticed, Gangwoo had already reached Kim Honggu’s front.

Honggu spat blood onto the ground, then shoved his arm into empty space.

*Shrrrk—* A massive blade emerged, and then *THUD!!!* A colossal axe slammed into the earth.

In an instant, an overwhelming surge of Mana coiled up from Kim Honggu’s body.

The weapon had boosted his Stats.

‘And his gear’s good too.’

Just equipping a single weapon had sent his aura soaring to that extent.

‘S-Rank?’

This was no item an ordinary Player could ever wield.

*Crackle—*

Ha Gangwoo gripped the small dagger and lowered his stance.

“Fine. So this is how it’s going to be.”

Kim Honggu looked back at Gangwoo and tightened his grip on the massive axe.

*Thump—thump—*

Gangwoo’s heart pounded wildly.

The man who had been swinging his palm at Mimic—Gangwoo had known he wasn’t ordinary from the start.

Just the energy he exuded, the way he looked down on everyone around him.

It reminded him of Yoon Jeonghyuk, a high-ranking Player.

But even so, Gangwoo didn’t feel entirely bad about this situation.

*Ding—*

[Attack Stance has been activated.]

[Your next attack will have 2x destructive power.]

[Swift Movements] [ON]

[Increases movement speed by 50%.]

This fight was both a moment to prove how much he had grown, and a time for revenge for what had been done to Mimic.

As a crimson aura began rising from Gangwoo’s rage-filled body, he took a light step forward, and *BANG!!!*

The explosion that signaled the start of the fight filled the training ground.