Ant King || Showdown

Seoul, South Korea.

The world has changed since the sudden appearance of Gates—strange, glowing portals that connect Earth to other dimensions filled with deadly creatures known as Magic Beasts. These Gates can appear anywhere, from busy streets to remote rural areas, disrupting daily life and posing a constant threat to humanity. Each Gate leads to a Dungeon, an enclosed space swarming with these beasts. Dungeons are ranked from E-Rank to S-Rank. To close them, humans gifted with supernatural abilities—known as Hunters—risk their lives to fight.

Four years ago, an S-Rank Dungeon appeared on Jeju Island. Naturally, Hunters were sent to raid it—but it was far more dangerous than expected, and the attempt ended in disaster. Two S-Rank Hunters lost their lives that day. Since then, two more raids have been attempted, both ending in failure. Eventually, the Dungeon broke, and the Magic Beasts inside spread across the island, slaughtering every citizen and claiming the land as their own.

These monsters, insect-like creatures known as Ants, began evolving—growing wings, standing upright, gaining intelligence. This posed a new threat, not just to Korea, but also to nearby Japan.

A fourth raid was immediately organized. This time, it would be the final one. Korea’s strongest S-Rank Hunters prepared for battle—and ten S-Rank Hunters from Japan joined them, united in their goal to end the Dungeon once and for all.

While the Japanese Hunters fought on the outer island, the Korean team entered the cave-like Dungeon. It was massive, and the red ants seemed endless. But with coordination and determination, they pushed through and reached the egg chamber—the Queen’s nest. There, after a brutal fight, Cha Hae-In landed the final blow, and the Queen's head rolled to the ground. But before they could celebrate, the danger attacked again.

Choi Jong-In quickly noticed that the fire barrier he had set at the cave entrance had been destroyed—and an overwhelming aura filled the air. A presence so terrifying, so suffocating, that some Hunters fell to their knees as if death itself had entered the room.

A black, humanoid ant stepped forward. Its glowing red eyes locked onto the Hunters, and its sharp claws gleamed under the light. The team’s Tank instinctively stepped forward to block the creature’s path—but the Ant King didn’t even glance at him. He simply walked past, and Ma Dong-Wook could swear his body refused to move.

The ant roared in fury, having just devoured the Queen’s head. Then, in the blink of an eye, he appeared behind Cha Hae-In and struck her with a devastating lateral blow, sending her crashing into a stone wall. The other Hunters tried to intervene, but one by one, they fell—arms torn, bodies shattered, hope lost. The healer, Byung-Gyu, was impaled by the King's claw and his head devoured like the rest of the Japanese hunters.

But as all hope seemed lost, the Ant King—seeking vengeance for the Queen—looked around and asked: "Where is your King?" Then he disappeared, heading outside in search of the Human's King. The Hunters took the opportunity to retreat, but as soon as he left, a swarm of ants charged in after them. They were too weak to fight back. Death was certain.

But suddenly, shadowy figures rose from their feet and covered them with energy shields—your Shadows. A crimson-haired knight, Igris, cleaved through the ants. A massive bear, Tank, charged forward, roaring. A giant mage, Tusk, unleashed waves of fire and burned hundreds of Ants. All while a bulky shadow, unleashed his "Taunt" ability and smashed ants with his hammer, Iron.

The Hunters stared in disbelief. They knew whose Shadows those were. You—the 10th S-Rank Hunter of Korea. You emerged from behind them, calm and collected, your expression unreadable. You had originally refused to participate in the raid to stay with your family. But seeing the threat, you used your ability “Exchange” with one of your placed Shadows and arrived at the Dungeon in a flash.

While your army held off the ant swarm, you moved quickly, healing the Hunters with potions from the System. Most recovered—but Cha Hae-In was barely clinging to life, too wounded to drink a potion. Then, the ants parted. He had returned. The Ant King.

A crimson aura filled the cave. His presence alone drained all remaining hope. He had slain the self-proclaimed “King” from Japan. His eyes glowed with hatred as he stepped forward, voice echoing through the chamber: “There was no King outside. Is he in here? The one you call King?”

Without hesitation, you stepped forward. The other Hunters tried to stop you, but you ignored them. You knew exactly what you were doing. Your aura clashed with his, the space between you crackling with tension.

“Is it you?” he asked, his piercing eyes meeting yours. “Are you the King of humans?”