He was on the bus heading to Gwanghwamun.
The KHA (Korea Hunter Agency) headquarters was located there.
RUMBLE-
The bus was quite full.
WHISPER-WHISPER-
Passengers kept glancing at Shi-woo's face, whispering among themselves.
"Ahem."
Shi-woo pulled up the collar of his suit jacket to cover as much of his face as possible.
'I forgot to buy a mask.'
He'd rushed out, anxious to get to work, and this was the result.
He cautiously listened to the people's chatter.
"Look at that. He must be really sick."
"Goodness, what's wrong with his face?"
"Is it a skin disease?"
Their words reached his ears.
'Great.'
Shi-woo pulled his collar up even higher.
How could he not understand their reactions?
His face, reflected in the window, was a reddish hue, like someone with burns.
Anyone would think it was strange.
'I'll buy a mask as soon as I get off.'
He kept looking at his reflection in the window.
Then a thought struck him.
'Is this really a sign of Hunter awakening?'
Shi-woo had been collecting information about Hunters for the past seven years.
Like many, he dreamed of becoming one.
He knew his condition wasn't typical of energy exposure.
The symptoms of energy exposure were, as the KHA staff had said yesterday, a mild fever and red rashes on the limbs.
But what about him?
He had red spots all over his body.
And this kind of reaction had never been reported.
So, why did the doctor say he was awakening as a Hunter?
Did the doctor see something special?
Another thought crossed his mind.
'Could it be from the liquid that monster sprayed?'
That meant yesterday's events might not have been a hallucination.
'Hmm.'
Shi-woo took out his smartphone and searched for news.
If a monster had really appeared yesterday, it would be all over the news.
But,
'Nothing.'
There was no article about a monster in Seoul on any portal site.
Only a few articles were discussing,
[Energy Leak in Itaewon, Seoul: Could a New Hunter Be Born?]
[Small Energy Leak Reported. Experts Say Not Enough for Hunter Awakening.]
[Disappointing Energy Leak Incident: Just a Small Disturbance?]
Only negative news.
'What if I'm not awakening as a Hunter?'
Shi-woo touched his face.
A bumpy, red-spotted face.
Was he going to live like this?
His anxiety grew.
'No, maybe…'
He still had hope.
Hunter.
Just the name made his heart race.
A profession that involved traversing other dimensions and hunting monsters worth unimaginable amounts of money!
In this era, there was no better chance for a life-changing opportunity.
An E-Rank Hunter, the lowest rank, could earn about 50 to 60 million won a year.
And as you climbed the ranks, the amounts you could earn were beyond imagination.
Compared to his salary of 28 million won as a deputy manager at Kiri & Tech, it was staggering.
Moreover, in 2025, the average monthly living expenses for a three-person family were about 2.4 million won.
With his current income, he could barely cover the deficit at his father's dojo and the rent for their house.
That's why he was so hopeful for a Hunter awakening.
"Hmm."
Shi-woo took a deep breath.
'Money isn't everything.'
Of course, his desire to become a Hunter wasn't just about money.
'Mother.'
Shi-woo thought of his beloved mother.
If he gained power.
If he had the chance to succeed as a Hunter!
He felt he could finally repay the debt he felt he owed his mother.
'Yes, someday.'
He clenched his fist.
THUMP-THUMP-
Bringing up those buried thoughts made his heart race.
"Phew."
Shi-woo took a deep breath and clasped his hands together.
Please.
Please, let this be his chance!
Let him awaken as a Hunter.
Shi-woo prayed earnestly.
After getting off the bus, Shi-woo bought a mask at a pharmacy.
Then he hurried to the KHA building.
It was a tall building.
'This entire building is KHA's?'
KHA was currently the most profitable agency in South Korea.
It was no surprise they used the whole building.
GLANCE-
Shi-woo took out his phone to check the time.
10:30 AM.
He had to be at work by 1 PM.
He still had time.
Of course, it would be better to get there early.
But that wouldn't reduce the scolding he'd get from his boss.
He decided to put work out of his mind for now.
'Okay. Let's get this checked.'
Determined, Shi-woo confidently entered the KHA building.
"What? Where?"
The security guard at the information desk frowned.
He was quite rude.
Shi-woo calmly composed himself.
He knew what to expect.
KHA was known for having the most arrogant people in South Korea.
The top dogs of the era.
'The one who's desperate has to endure.'
He asked again.
"Where do I go for an energy measurement?"
"Ah, you're here for a Hunter awakening check. Go to the third floor, use that elevator. That's the testing room. And you can't wear masks or hats in the building. No unauthorized people allowed."
If that's what the guard said, there was nothing he could do.
SWISH-
Shi-woo took off his mask.
The guard's jaw dropped when he saw Shi-woo's red face.
He didn't care.
He'd seen those expressions all the way here.
He was used to people staring.
"If you have nothing else to say, I'll be going."
Shi-woo turned and headed to the elevator.
DING-
SLIDE-
The elevator doors opened, and he saw a sign that read "Testing Room."
THUMP-THUMP-
Shi-woo quickly approached the door and,
KNOCK-KNOCK-
Knocked.
(Come in.)
A dry voice came from inside.
CREAK-
He opened the door and saw three or four people waiting in chairs.
"You, the new one. Fill out this form and wait."
It was a woman with horn-rimmed glasses.
She handed him a form without even looking at him.
She was wearing a black skirt suit, probably a KHA employee, and her name tag read "Ji-eun Cha."
RUSTLE-
Shi-woo took the form and started filling it out from the top.
Then Ji-eun looked up and asked,
"You were at the Itaewon incident last night, right?"
"Yes."
"Oh? But your face… when did that happen?"
Ji-eun, having finally noticed Shi-woo's face, asked in a different tone.
"I found out this morning."
"Did you check your whole body?"
"Yes. I'm like this all over."
"That's odd. We haven't had a case like this…"
The initially indifferent employee seemed a bit intrigued.
Just then,
(Hey! Send the next person in. We're wasting time all morning. Tsk.)
An irritated voice came from inside the testing room.
'Huh? That voice?'
Shi-woo knew who it was.
'The guy from yesterday.'
The KHA officer he'd met in Itaewon.
The one who'd spoken to him rudely.
"Phew. Okay. Let's see. Shi-woo? Fill out the rest and wait here."
She seemed to be the most polite of the rude employees.
"Okay."
Shi-woo smiled gently and filled out the form at the desk.
About 30 minutes later.
(How many are left?)
The voice was full of irritation.
"Just one."
Ji-eun's response prompted,
(Ugh. All these unqualified people wasting my time.)
The words, not caring about Shi-woo, echoed again.
Was this how a public official should behave?
'Hmm.'
He wasn't pleased.
Then,
(Send in the last one.)
It was his turn.
"Phew."
Shi-woo stood up, trying to calm his nerves.
Ji-eun said, looking a bit apologetic,
"This way. Go in here."
She clearly felt sorry for her boss's rud