[Prologue]
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The moment had finally arrived.
In pitch-black darkness without a single speck of light, the man grinned.
How long had he waited for this instant?
Whoosh!
With a snap of his fingers, dark red flames erupted around him.
An ancient tome floated before him and opened on its own.
His eyes, scanning the book, brimmed with joy and anticipation.
His flickering gaze suddenly halted at one particular passage.
'Found it.'
He clenched his fist, and sharp nails dug into his palm.
Blood flowed from the wound, soaking the floor.
Shwoosh!
His lips parted, filling the room with a guttural, eerie voice.
And then, a voice echoed in his mind.
⚙ VOICE IN THE MIND ⚙
Please.
Please, someone help me!
The man's lips curved into a broad, radiant smile.
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[EP1. Mana Level MAX?]
A year ago, Choi Jae-jun had awakened as an F-rank hunter.
His ability was The Gamer.
Like in a game, he could view his stats in a system window and grow stronger through leveling up.
Yet even after a year, Jae-jun remained an F-rank hunter.
The reason he hadn't grown stronger despite possessing such an excellent ability was simple.
'Combat phobia.'
Just standing before a monster made his whole body tremble, his mind going blank.
And if he forced himself to fight, he'd faint on the spot.
The weakest hunter who collapsed at the mere sight of monsters.
'Fainting Hunter.'
That was the nickname people called him.
No one wanted to hunt with a so-called Fainting Hunter.
Jae-jun had no choice but to give up the hunter's path.
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"Hey!
Over here!"
These days, Jae-jun was more familiar with being called "Hey" than his own name. He worked as a gate porter.
"Huff... huff..."
Hot breaths burst from his mouth, sweat pouring down his face like rain.
His legs trembled, already at their limit.
Gate porters were people who carried the byproducts after hunters cleared a gate.
It was simply transporting goods, but they often got caught in battles and died—or suffered the hunters' contempt.
Still, the reason Jae-jun kept doing it was money.
Three years ago, his parents had passed away, leaving behind over 100 million won in debt.
And his only sister was still in high school, needing his care.
Jae-jun was in a position where he had to make money somehow.
"Urk."
Already teetering on the edge, Jae-jun finally couldn't hold out and collapsed to the side.
"What the hell are you doing?"
The hunter glared at him with an irritated face.
His name was Choi Sung-woo.
People just frowned at his behavior but said nothing.
Because his older brother was the vice-guild master of Korea's top guild, Another Guild.
"Can't you see we're falling behind because of you?"
Feeling all eyes on him, Jae-jun scrambled to his feet.
Lately, Choi Sung-woo had been relentlessly targeting and harassing only Jae-jun.
Dumping all the luggage on him on purpose or not letting him rest during breaks.
Tormenting porters in dungeons was one of his twisted hobbies, but he was especially vicious toward Jae-jun.
"Boss is coming up soon.
Everyone, get it together!"
Choi Sung-woo egged on the group as if he were the raid leader.
The actual raid leader frowned beside him but said nothing.
The gate conquest proceeded without issues.
This was an E-rank gate, but the Another Guild members were mostly D-rank to C-rank, so they faced no difficulties.
'Just kill the boss and we're done.'
A massive cavern came into Jae-jun's view.
Inside was a huge goblin that seemed to be the boss.
The hunters stopped before the boss room for a short rest and regroup.
Thud.
'Whew.'
Jae-jun set down his heavy bag and sighed in relief.
The porters gathered, pulling out water or coffee to loosen up.
Park Uncle, the oldest among the porters, handed Jae-jun a warm coffee.
"You okay?
Have this at least."
"Thank you."
Park Uncle looked down at the bag full of magical cores with a pitying expression.
"Sigh.
You've got it rough!
A lot."
"No, it's fine."
"Alright, let's move!"
The raid leader's shout came from afar.
Jae-jun regretted not finishing his coffee but poured it on the ground and stood.
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"You've all fought goblins plenty, so you know the drill, right?
Just watch out for the poison stingers, and it'll be easy."
The leader glanced at the porters and added,
"Porters, stick to the walls the moment you enter the boss room."
"Got it."
And so the boss room assault began.
The hunters moved swiftly.
Upon entering, they quickly eliminated the lesser monsters around the boss.
Slash!
Kieeeek!
Kieeeek!
Every swing of their weapons sent monsters crumpling in sprays of blood.
'If only I could fight like that!'
Even just watching from afar, his hands shook uncontrollably.
It wasn't excitement—it was fear.
Jae-jun gritted his teeth to hide it.
"Whoa!
What the hell!"
Suddenly, Choi Sung-woo charged ahead alone.
The leader and a few hunters followed with displeased looks.
"Hyaah!"
Kieeeek!
A blue aura poured from Choi Sung-woo's swinging sword, wounding the goblin.
But his clumsy attack only enraged it.
The frenzied goblin rampaged wildly.
Kieeeek!
Kiek!
And worst of all, it was heading straight for the porters' side.
The other porters beside Jae-jun dropped their loads and fled in all directions.
But Jae-jun alone stood frozen in place.
'M-move!'
Despite his inner screams,
his body went limp, unable to take a single step.
Thud thud—
The goblin's massive form loomed closer in his vision.
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Jae-jun's body trembled violently.
His mind grew hazy, on the verge of fainting.
In contrast, the goblin's hunting instincts surged at the sight of its quivering prey.
Much easier than the bloodthirsty humans.
The goblin lunged at Jae-jun.
Kieeeek!
It swung its rusted spear.
Puuk—
"Gahk!"
A foreign sensation plunged deep into his chest, twisting Jae-jun's face in agony.
But that wasn't the end.
The goblin hoisted him, still impaled, and slammed him to the ground.
Boom!
Jae-jun bounced and rolled across the floor several times.
His chest burned like fire.
He tried to rise, but his body wouldn't obey.
'What...?'
Hot blood gushed from his chest.
He felt Park Uncle's shocked gaze—the man who'd given him coffee.
'Why's he looking at me like that?'
Jae-jun looked down at his chest.
Where his heart should be was a gaping hole.
'N-no!'
He struggled desperately, but strength drained from his limbs.
His vision blurred, consciousness fading.
'I don't want to die!'
Blood from his heart soaked the floor, pooling around him.
Please.
Please, someone help me!
I can't die like this!
Please!
Someone!
I'll even offer my soul!
⚙ DEMONIC VOICE ⚙
You'll offer even your soul?
A hallucination as he died?
A chilling yet irresistibly sweet voice resounded in Jae-jun's mind.
At that moment, time around Jae-jun froze as if by magic.
Shwaaah—
His blood surged up, gradually forming a human shape.
Skin whiter than Jae-jun's pallid face.
And gleaming red eyes.
The man before him was no human.
But Jae-jun didn't care if he was a demon or an angel.
The man looked down at Jae-jun from midair and spoke.
⚙ DEMONIC OFFER ⚙
In exchange for your soul, I'll save you.
No, not just save you—I'll grant you immense power.
"...Really?"
⚙ CONFIRMATION ⚙
Yes.
It's real.
The man's eyes gleamed ominously.
Jae-jun started to nod but hesitated.
'Just for an invisible soul? He'll do all that?'
Biting down hard, Jae-jun opened his mouth.
"...Is a soul all you want from me?"
His lips trembled from excessive blood loss.
The man curled his red lips in amusement.
⚙ MOCKING RESPONSE ⚙
What else?
Do you have anything else to offer me?
At the man's sneering words, Jae-jun bowed his head.
⚙ ASSURANCE ⚙
Your soul!
That's all I need.
The man whispered firmly.
"Then..."
Jae-jun met the man's eyes squarely.
"I offer my soul.
In exchange...
Power so no one can look down on me!"
⚙ ECHOED DESIRE ⚙
Power so no one can look down on you?
A glint flashed in the man's eyes.
"Y-yes...
Power stronger than anyone!"
Blood poured from Jae-jun's mouth.
His eyes clouded to a dull gray as he finished.
The red-eyed man beamed down at him.
⚡ CONTRACT SEALED ⚡
The contract with you...
Is complete!
— Author's Note — Nice to meet you.