Shadow protocol

Predator in the mist

The blue barrier shattered like glass, and the humid, smog-filled air of Neo-Seoul rushed back into Jin-Woo’s lungs. He stood on the regular subway platform, the station looking exactly as it had before—except for the piles of monster ash slowly dissolving into the wind.

He quickly pulled his hoodie up, concealing the Architect’s Grip pulsing on his wrist. He was Level 7 now, and his senses were screaming. He could hear heartbeats from two floors up. He could smell the ozone of mana being channeled nearby.

"Clear the area! This is a Grade-B containment zone!"

A flash of bright white light illuminated the stairs. A team of five Hunters descended, their gear sleek, expensive, and glowing with high-tier enchantments. These weren't scavengers; they were The Silver Aegis, a mid-tier guild known for their efficiency.

At their head was Kang-Dae, a Rank-B Tanker standing nearly seven feet tall, clad in heavy chrome armor.

"Hey, kid!" Kang-Dae barked, his eyes narrowing at Jin-Woo’s tattered, blood-stained clothes. "What are you doing down here? There was a massive mana spike reported at Guro Station. Did a Rift open?"

Jin-Woo kept his head down, his heart racing. If they appraised him and saw his stats growing in real-time, the government would take him to a lab within the hour.

> [Passive Skill: 'Stealth' has been automatically triggered.]

> [Your presence is being masked from higher-ranked Hunters.]

>

Jin-Woo felt a cold shroud wrap around his mana. "I... I was just sleeping here," he stammered, playing the part of a terrified scavenger. "There was a loud noise, a big flash... and then it was quiet."

A woman behind Kang-Dae, a Rank-B Mage named Mina, held up a glowing crystal. "Cap, the mana readings are weird. It’s like a Rank-D Boss was killed here, but the signature is... distorted. It doesn't match any known Awakened."

She turned her gaze to Jin-Woo, her eyes glowing faint blue as she scanned him. Jin-Woo held his breath.

"He’s just an E-Rank," Mina sighed, the glow in her eyes fading. "Pathetic mana levels. He probably just tripped in the dark and got some monster blood on him from the surface. Kid, get out of here before the real monsters show up."

"Yes... thank you," Jin-Woo said, bowing slightly and scurrying past them.

As he reached the top of the stairs, he heard Kang-Dae mutter, "Weird. If an E-Rank was here when that spike hit, he should be a smear on the wall. Keep your eyes sharp, team."

Jin-Woo didn't stop until he was three blocks away, hidden in a dark alleyway behind a row of vending machines. He leaned against the brick wall, his breath hitching. He looked at his hands. They were shaking—not from fear, but from a strange, buzzing energy.

He pulled up his status.

> [Warning: You have encountered 'Hostile Intent'.]

> [New Quest: The Path to Power]

> * Objective: Reach Level 20 to unlock your Class.

> * Current Progress: 7/20

> * Reward: Class Promotion, New Weapon.

>

"They called me pathetic," Jin-Woo whispered.

He remembered the way Mina had looked at him—like he was a bug she didn't want to step on. For years, that look had defined his life. But as he looked at the Architect’s Grip on his hand, he felt the Dominator's Touch skill humming.

He focused on a heavy, discarded steel pipe across the alley. He didn't move a muscle. He simply willed it to move.

The pipe groaned, vibrated, and then flew into his hand with a violent c***k.

Jin-Woo gripped the pipe, his eyes glowing with a faint, obsidian light. The "Silver Aegis" guild thought they were the predators of this city. They had no idea that the "bug" they just dismissed was already starting to evolve into something that would eventually devour the entire Grid.

"Level 20," Jin-Woo said, a cold smile forming. "I need to find a bigger dungeon.