The forest trembled violently.
Cracks spread across the ground as the hidden dungeon began collapsing.
Kai Draven ran through the fog-covered forest toward the glowing gate in the distance.
Large chunks of earth collapsed behind him.
Trees snapped and fell as the dungeon destabilized.
The system warning continued flashing.
Dungeon Collapse in Progress
Time Remaining: 01:32
Kai increased his speed.
His new stats made a huge difference.
His body felt lighter.
Stronger.
Faster.
He reached the gate just as the forest behind him completely shattered.
Without hesitation—
Kai jumped through.
Back to the Real World
The alley returned instantly.
City lights.
Car sounds.
Distant voices.
Kai stumbled forward and grabbed the wall to steady himself.
Behind him, the small hidden gate flickered violently.
Then it disappeared.
As if it had never existed.
Kai exhaled slowly.
"Made it…"
He checked the system again.
Host: Kai Draven
Level: 9
Strength: 33
Agility: 34
Vitality: 34
Intelligence: 12
Skills:
• Abyss Devour
• Predator Instinct
• Shadow Storage
Abyss Level: 2%
Kai stared at the numbers.
Just one day ago he had been the weakest hunter in the raid team.
Now…
He might already be stronger than most D-Rank hunters.
And he had done it completely alone.
Kai smiled slightly.
But suddenly—
His Predator Instinct reacted again.
Someone was watching him.
Kai slowly turned.
Across the street…
A man in a black coat stood under a streetlight.
He was looking directly at Kai.
The moment their eyes met—
The man turned and walked away.
Kai frowned.
"That was strange…"
He didn't know it yet.
But that man worked for the Hunter Association surveillance team.
And Kai had just been marked as a person of interest.
The Hunter Association
Elsewhere in the city.
Inside the tall glass building of the Hunter Association Headquarters.
Director Han stared at a monitor.
Security footage from the street played on the screen.
The camera showed Kai walking out of the alley.
Then the hidden gate briefly flickering behind him.
Han's eyes narrowed.
"Zoom in."
The technician adjusted the footage.
The small vortex became visible.
One of the analysts gasped.
"That's a hidden gate."
Han nodded slowly.
"And he came out of it."
Another analyst spoke.
"But he's only registered as an E-Rank hunter."
Han crossed his arms.
"Not anymore."
He looked at the screen carefully.
"A hunter who survives two dungeon incidents in one day…"
"…is never ordinary."
***
Meanwhile — Kai's Apartment
Kai finally reached his small apartment building.
It was old and worn.
The paint on the walls had faded long ago.
But it was home.
Kai unlocked the door quietly.
Inside, the lights were dim.
A young girl sat on the couch reading a book.
She looked up immediately.
"Kai!"
His little sister ran toward him.
"You're late again!"
Kai smiled warmly.
"Sorry."
She looked at the scratches on his clothes.
"Another dungeon?"
Kai nodded.
"But it went well."
The girl sighed.
"Just be careful."
Kai gently ruffled her hair.
"I will."
But inside…
He was already thinking about his next hunt.
Because the system appeared again.
New Quest Available
Quest: Grow the Abyss
Objective:
Devour stronger enemies.
Reach Abyss Level 2%.
Reward: Evolution Opportunity
Kai stared at the message.
Evolution.
What would that even mean?
Before he could think further—
Another message appeared.
Urgent News Alert
A C-Rank Dungeon Gate has appeared in the city.
Raid Team Recruitment Starting Tomorrow.
Kai's eyes widened slightly.
C-Rank dungeons were extremely dangerous.
Normally only C-Rank hunters and above could enter.
But Kai smiled.
Because the stronger the monsters…
The more power he could devour.
Kai closed the system window.
And whispered quietly.
"Looks like…"
"The real hunt begins tomorrow."
END OF CHAPTER 7