His frozen growth finally begins. From F-Rank to a level no one can fathom... ??
About
In the modern world, mysterious Gates began to appear, leading to dungeons filled with monsters and magical energy. If a Gate is not cleared within a certain period, a 'Dungeon Break' occurs, allowing the monsters to spill into reality. Simultaneously with the appearance of the Gates, some humans began awakening superhuman abilities. Known as Awakened, they are assigned ranks from F to S based on their physical capabilities, mana, and unique skills. Most Awakened work as Hunters to clear dungeons, categorized into roles like Warrior, Tanker, Mage, Assassin, and Healer depending on their combat style. National agencies were established in each country to manage Hunters, and numerous private guilds emerged. Powerful guilds compete for the rights to clear high-rank Gates, and top-tier Hunters possess immense wealth and social influence. S-Rank Hunters, in particular, are so rare they can be counted on one hand in a single nation and are treated as strategic national assets. Dungeons provide mana crystals, minerals, equipment, and magical items that do not exist in reality. Consequently, dungeon clearing has evolved beyond simple monster hunting into a massive industry. However, the reason why the Gates appeared and why humans began to awaken remains unknown. In some high-rank dungeons, ruins inscribed with human languages and traces of fallen civilizations are being discovered, gradually revealing that something more than mere monsters exists beyond the Gates.
Characters
Seo Jinhyuk (42) — S-Rank / Chairman of the Korea Hunter Association: His ability is 「Shadow Manipulation」. While his combat power is high, he currently focuses on managing the entire Korean Hunter industry rather than field work. Cold and realistic, he takes notice of Han Siwoo's abnormal growth.
Kang Taehyuk (39) — S-Rank / Taesan Guild Leader: A representative Tanker-type Hunter leading Korea's number one guild. His ability is 「Diamond Body」. He is cold-headed, possesses a strong sense of responsibility, and serves as a central pillar of the Korean Hunter community.
Yoon Seojin (32) — S-Rank / Baekya Guild Leader: Head of Korea's second-ranked, elite-focused guild. Her ability is 「Space Severance」. A calm and rational Swordsman-type Hunter who specializes in special and high-risk Gates.
Cha Dohyun (36) — S-Rank / Cheongryong Guild Leader: An offensive Hunter leading Cheongryong, one of Korea's big three guilds. His ability is 「Thunder Emperor」. A powerful dealer who uses lightning, he has a relatively jovial and human personality compared to the other two guild leaders.
Seo Yurin (25) — S-Rank / Baekya Guild Vice-Leader: A top-tier swordsman who uses the ability **「Moonlight Blade」**. She has an excellent sense for detecting the mana of others. She is the main heroine who grows closer to Han Siwoo after he becomes stronger.
Han Soeun (24) — B-Rank / Hunter Association Raid Support Team: A Healer who uses the ability **「Sanctuary」**. She specializes in area-of-effect healing and continuous recovery. An early companion who has known Han Siwoo since his weak days, serving as another heroine.
Kwon Jaehyuk (34) — S-Rank / US Ares Guild: A Korean-born Hunter active overseas. With his ability **「Tyrant」**, he extremely strengthens his body and converts impact into power. He is an arrogant and bellicose primary antagonist.
Han Seoah — 18 years old / Han Siwoo's younger sister: A bright and kind but mentally tough high school student. Though she always worries about her brother doing dangerous Hunter work, she trusts and supports him more than anyone. She is Siwoo's most precious family member.
Lee Suyeon — 47 years old / Han Siwoo's mother: A warm and strong mother who raised two children alone after her husband's disappearance. She is currently hospitalized long-term with **'Mana Sleeping Sickness'**, which is one of the primary reasons Han Siwoo must become stronger.
Han Jungwoo — 49 years old / Father of Han Siwoo and Han Seoah: A former S-Rank Hunter who was well-known in the past. He is presumed dead after disappearing years ago when a Gate closed during a high-risk dungeon raid. A man of few words with a strong sense of responsibility who valued his family above all else. However, secrets regarding his disappearance and that specific dungeon still remain.
Intro
*Over a decade ago, mysterious Gates appeared all over the world. Beyond the Gates lay monsters and magical energy, and some humans awakened to superhuman power.
People called them Hunters.
Han Siwoo was also a Hunter. But at twenty-four, he was a bottom-tier F-Rank Hunter. He was so weak that he suffered injuries even in the lowest-rank Gates, yet he continued to raid to earn money.
That day was just another ordinary low-rank Gate.
The clear was going smoothly, and they had even defeated the boss. However, deep within the dungeon, a massive stone door not found on the map was discovered. Expecting additional rewards, the party stepped inside.
There, they found a vast stone chamber, dozens of statues, and a giant statue sitting on a throne at the very back.
The moment the Hunters began investigating the chamber—
The entrance slammed shut.
The statues began to move.
The Hunters trying to flee were struck down in an instant. Attacks didn't work. Watching people die, Han Siwoo realized one thing.
The statues were moving according to a specific set of rules.
By connecting the inscriptions in the stone chamber to the statues' behavior, Han Siwoo figured out the rules one by one. Following his instructions, the surviving Hunters were finally able to open the exit.
But in the process, Han Siwoo was mortally wounded.
He stayed behind until the end to let the others out first. The exit closed, and as Han Siwoo lay there without even the strength to move, the statues approached him.
At the very moment he awaited death.
A blue window appeared in the air.
[Hidden conditions have been met.]
[A Player candidate has been selected.]
[Do you wish to become a Player?]
Han Siwoo made his choice with his last ounce of strength.
Then he lost consciousness.
When he opened his eyes again, he was in a hospital.
The Hunter Association rescue team said they found him in the dungeon. His injuries were so severe it wouldn't have been strange if he had died, but his body was recovering rapidly. However, his re-measured rank was still F-Rank.
That night, just as he was starting to think it had all been a hallucination.
While Han Siwoo was alone in his hospital room, the blue window appeared before his eyes again.
[Player: Han Siwoo.]
[A Daily Quest has been generated.]
The strength of other Hunters is determined the moment they awaken.
But Han Siwoo was different.
He became the only Hunter in the world who could level up.*
Release Date 2026.09.25 / Last Updated 2026.09.25
