The penthouse suite of the Skyfall Hotel smelled of antiseptic and iron, the aftermath of Seun's latest dungeon crawl still clinging to his skin. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of Seoul's neon-lit skyline, the city's pulse thrumming in time with the ache in his muscles. The System's latest notification pulsed in his vision, a cold blue reminder of what awaited him tomorrow:
---
### **[SYSTEM STATUS UPDATE]**
**Host:** Seun Kim
**Rank:** C → **B (Evaluation Pending)**
**Shadowmancer Integration:** 44.3%
**DP (Dungeon Points):** 39,200
**SP (Stat Points):** 26 (Unallocated)
**Physical Attributes:**
- **Strength:** 85/120 ▲▲▲◯◯
- **Agility:** 93/120 ▲▲▲▲◯
- **Vitality:** 82/120 ▲▲◯◯◯
- **Perception:** 96/120 ▲▲▲▲▲
**Shadow Metrics:**
- **Affinity:** 105/200 ▲▲▲▲◯
- **Corruption Resistance:** 68%
- **Soldier Stability:** Yuri (89%) | Enforcer (92%)
**Current Debuffs:**
- **Mana Sensitivity (-15%)** – 32hr remaining
- **Adrenaline Crash (Imminent)**
---
A knock at the door.
Seun didn't move. His **Perception 96** had already catalogued the visitor—female, early twenties, elevated heart rate. The scent of jasmine and something synthetic lingered in the air. Pheromone enhancers. Expensive ones.
"Mr. Kim," a voice purred through the door. "Your *post-hunt recovery* has been arranged."
Seun's shadow stretched toward the door before he did.
---
### **THE TRANSACTION**
The woman who stepped inside wore the hotel's signature black uniform, though hers was tailored tighter than regulation allowed. **Min-ji**, according to her nametag. Her pupils dilated when she saw him—bare-chested, fresh scars still knitting together under the influence of regeneration potions.
"You're… larger than I expected," she murmured, her gaze lingering on the shadow veins creeping up his forearms.
Seun said nothing. He'd seen that look before—the mix of fear and fascination. The hotel's "recovery specialists" were trained to handle hunters, especially those who'd just crawled out of high-rank dungeons.
Min-ji set down a polished black case, clicking it open to reveal vials of shimmering liquid. "Standard package includes muscle relaxants, endorphin stimulants, and," her eyes flicked to his waistline, "*optional* stress relief."
The System pinged:
**[Stress Accumulation: 87%]**
**[Recommendation: Physiological Release Will Improve Tomorrow's Performance]**
Seun exhaled. He'd learned long ago that the body was just another system to optimize.
"Just the mouth," he said.
Min-ji smirked, already unbuttoning her blouse. "You hunters are all the same."
---
### **THE AFTERMATH**
Later, when the room smelled of sweat and ozone, Seun stood at the window, watching the city lights flicker. Min-ji dressed in silence, her fingers trembling slightly as she fastened her skirt.
"You're different," she said suddenly. "The others… they're either animals or corpses after a dungeon run. But you're just… cold."
Seun flexed his hand, watching the shadows coil between his fingers. "How much?"
"50,000 DP. Standard rate for B-rank adjacents."
He transferred the funds without a word. Min-ji paused at the door, holding up a black business card between two fingers.
"You ever want the *deluxe* package, come to the Red Lantern District. Ask for **Madam Ji-eun**." Then she was gone, leaving only the ghost of her perfume behind.
The System updated:
**[Stress Levels: Reduced to 12%]**
**[Vitality +3]**
**[Shadow Affinity +1]**
Seun's reflection in the window showed darker veins, his eyes glowing faintly even in the ambient light.
---
### **THE HUNTER ASSOCIATION**
Dawn painted the Association's headquarters in blood-red hues. The guards at the door stiffened as Seun approached, his **Nightveil Cloak** billowing behind him. Inside, the evaluation chamber buzzed with energy.
Three judges observed from behind reinforced glass:
1. **Director Ko** – The Association's ruthless leader
2. **Hunter Ayomide** – Nigeria's S-rank, his mechanical arm crackling with energy
3. **Agent Kwan** – Seun's ever-watchful handler
"Initiate Trial B-07," Director Ko announced. The floor shuddered, revealing a chained **A-rank Void Panther**—a creature that had slaughtered three B-rank teams last month.
The restraints released.
The panther lunged.
Seun's shadows *exploded* outward.