Inside the quiet side room of the Seoul Hunter Raid Center, Cain Arven stood across from Rover, arms crossed, posture relaxed but sharp-eyed.
Rover, still uneasy from the attention outside, finally broke the silence.
> "If this is a recruitment pitch, I'll have to pass. I'm not ready to join any guild."
Cain cracked a grin. "Relax. I'm not here to slap a guild crest on you."
He walked to the side, picking up a folded paper from a nearby table and handing it over.
> "I'm just offering you a spot as support. Azure Dagger will be raiding a double gate on Floor 40. Heard of it?"
Rover blinked, looking at the map. "Double gate?"
Cain nodded. "Yeah. Most hunters can't get past the second seal. They say it's cursed. Traps, shifting dimensions, weird pressure zones—hell, one guy came back screaming about a mirror version of himself."
He gave a half-laugh. "Honestly, I don't even believe half of it. But just in case it is serious, I figured a wildcard like you might be useful."
Rover hesitated, then answered honestly.
> "I… don't even know if I'll be any help. I don't understand what's inside me… or what I am."
Cain shrugged. "Good. That means if something unexpected happens, you might be the only one who can do something."
Rover looked down, clenched his fist… then nodded.
> "Alright. I'll try."
Cain smiled. "Thanks. That's all I ask."
He turned toward the door. "Yoon Ara should be arriving soon—our guild leader. Park Juno too, he's with Red Wolf Guild. We're going in as a strike alliance."
---
A Few Moments Later – Lobby
The doors slid open with a soft hiss. A graceful woman stepped inside—long black hair tied behind her head, sharp silver eyes that scanned the room with poise and authority. She wore Azure Dagger's elite uniform: sleek, reinforced hunter tech woven with ceremonial design. Yoon Ara.
She stopped when her gaze landed on Rover.
> "Cain… care to introduce your new friend?"
Cain stepped forward casually. "Ah, right. Guild Leader, meet Rover Cheon. He's coming with us as support."
Rover gave a respectful nod. "Hello. I'm Rover. Pleasure to meet you… and thank you for letting me be part of your team."
Yoon Ara smiled faintly. "Pleasure's mine. We've heard your name quite a bit lately."
She extended a hand and shook his lightly. "We'll be departing once the Red Wolf Guild arrives."
But even as she smiled… inwardly, she watched him closely.
> "So this is the Demon of Seoul? But… I feel nothing. No pressure. No surge. It's like shaking hands with fog. Is he suppressing himself? Or is the media exaggerating?"
---
Arrival of Red Wolf Guild
The lobby stirred as another squad entered. Tall, broad-shouldered, wrapped in red-tinted armor, the leader of Red Wolf strode ahead.
> "Good to see you again, Miss Yoon Ara."
His voice was deep, warm, and firm. Park Juno.
Then his eyes landed on Rover… and lit up.
> "Wait a second—you're him, aren't you? The one who killed the Calamity Dragon?! Man, it's so cool to meet you in person!"
Yoon Ara chuckled. "Yes, this is Rover. He'll be joining us for today's raid."
Rover bowed politely. "Hello, sir. Nice to meet you."
Juno grinned. "Likewise. And hey—if the floor gets too crazy, please take care of us, yeah?"
Rover forced a small, awkward laugh. "Heh… yeah. I'll… try."
> "Take care of them? I don't even know how to take care of myself," Rover thought, his smile twitching. "What if I blow up again? Or summon another dragon by accident or something?"
---
Tower Gate – Floor 40
An hour later, the strike team stood before the shimmering gate leading to Floor 40.
Yoon Ara, Cain Arven, and Park Juno stood at the front of their assembled teams.
Behind them was Rover, now in a borrowed light armor vest, standing awkwardly between elite hunters—some giving him curious glances, others whispering behind his back.
Cain nudged his shoulder.
> "Ready?"
Rover exhaled slowly.
> "Nope."
Cain laughed. "Good. That's how I know you're not arrogant."
The gate pulsed with strange red light… a double seal shimmered deep inside, faintly glowing.
The moment they passed the threshold, everything would change again—for better or worse.
> "This time," Rover told himself, "I'm not running from it."
---
To Be Continued...