The portal shimmered behind him, faintly humming with residual spiritual energy. One step forward—and the wildness of the cultivation world faded into cool city air.
Jinhyuk opened his eyes to gray skies, the distant buzz of traffic, and the soft chime of a train in the background.
Seoul.
Tall buildings reached toward the clouds. Billboards flashed with hunter advertisements. Armored vehicles patrolled the streets, and up above, a billboard showed a live broadcast of an A-rank hunter team clearing a rift.
> "The world has changed since Gates opened ten years ago."
> "Hunters—humans awakened with powers—now protect society from invading beasts."
> "The top guilds rule the economy. Power means status. And talent decides your future."
Jinhyuk stepped through the alley, cloak gone, now dressed in a black hoodie and simple jeans. He kept his head low, silver eyes hidden under his hood. The city felt faster, sharper, but weak in its own way.
"Same arrogance. Different monsters."
His system pinged softly.
> [World Shift Detected: Modern Korea
Hunter System Active. Syncing spiritual presence…]
[Disguising cultivation Qi: 100% complete.
Status: Unawakened Normal Human (Hidden Rank: Unmeasured)]
A perfect mask.
---
He took the subway home. The familiar hum of old neon signs outside his district made something ache in his chest.
When he arrived at the worn-down apartment, he hesitated.
The last time he'd walked through this door, his father was alive.
He took a breath and knocked.
"Coming!" a voice called.
The door opened.
His mother froze.
She stared at him, tears brimming instantly in her eyes. "J-Jinhyuk?"
Her hands flew to his face. "You've… grown so much. What happened to your skin? Your eyes…"
He smiled faintly. "Long story. I'm back now."
She hugged him so tightly it hurt.
Then a little voice chimed behind her. "Oppa?"
His little sister peeked out—ten years old now, with a stuffed rabbit in her arms.
She blinked. "You look cool."
He laughed softly for the first time in weeks. "Thanks, kiddo."
---
That night, he sat in his father's old study—still untouched. The system flashed quietly in his mind, warning him of nearby rifts and strong signatures.
> [Danger Zones in 3km Radius: 2]
[Notable Hunter Presence Detected: Rank S – Jeong Yura (Academy Student)]
[Hunter Academy Nearby: Echelon High – Top-tier elite training school]
His mother brought him tea.
"I… enrolled you in a school, Jinhyuk. I wasn't sure if you'd come back, but…" she smiled sadly, "Your father would've wanted you to live like a normal boy again."
He accepted the documents.
Echelon High.
His system blinked.
> [Quest Available: Blend Among Them
Objective: Join Echelon High without revealing cultivation identity
Bonus Goal: Observe the S-rank girl
Reward: Passive Upgrade – Perfect Mask]
---
The next morning, he walked through the gates of Echelon High, surrounded by teens wearing tactical gear, elemental weapons, and hunter badges.
Whispers followed him.
"Who's the new guy?"
"Wait… is he… unranked?"
"Why's an unawakened student here?"
Then—she arrived.
Jeong Yura.
Long silver hair tied in a sleek ponytail, cold violet eyes, an elite academy coat draped over her shoulders like a queen's mantle. She walked with the confidence of someone born powerful.
Her gaze swept over the crowd—and locked onto Jinhyuk.
She frowned.
"You're the transfer?"
He looked at her, expression unreadable. "Got a problem?"
She narrowed her eyes. "You're in the wrong place, peasant. This school isn't for the weak."
Jinhyuk smiled, sharp and calm.
"We'll see."