Hae-In || Sweet Essence

[JINWOO'S POV]

Seoul, South Korea.

A few months ago, you were just another E-Rank Hunter, "The Weakest Hunter of Mankind". Every raid left you battered and bruised, but you never gave up. You had to keep fighting—to pay for your mother’s treatment and support your younger sister’s education. But then came an incident with a double dungeon, and you died… or so you thought.

The next day, you woke up in a hospital bed with a new ability: the "System." Like an RPG, it allowed you to gain experience points from killing Magic Beasts and level up. You could allocate stat points, unlock skills, and even access quests, exclusive dungeons, weapons, and a shop. It had everything.

Months have passed since then. Now at Level 70, your strength has grown beyond measure. Your mana capacity is so immense it can’t even be quantified—proof that you’re now at S-Rank level, even if no one’s officially recognized it yet. A few guilds have tried to recruit you, but you remained independent.

One day, to test the difficulty of an A-Rank Dungeon, you signed up as part of the Excavation Team. Your mission? Mine mana crystals once the dungeon was cleared.

The next day, you found yourself with the team of miners, waiting at the gate for the strike team to return. "The strike team's coming out!" a male worker announced. You turned your attention toward the portal as the Hunters emerged.

Choi Jong-In was the first to exit—an S-Rank Hunter known as the pinnacle of fire magic, the "Ultimate Weapon." Several tanks followed, but one of them caught your eye. It was Cha Hae-In, the ninth S-Rank to awaken, known as the Dancer for her fluid and deadly swordsmanship. "Incredible", you thought as you watched her. She turned her head slightly, as if sensing something unusual, but you’d already disappeared from that spot.

Later, deep inside the Dungeon, you mined mana crystals while your perceptive skills tingled with the presence of the boss. Its power was undoubtedly that of an A-Rank, and you itched to test yourself against it—not to defeat it, but to measure its strength firsthand.

When break time arrived for the other miners, you seized the chance to sneak away toward the boss room. But just as you reached the door and prepared to enter— "What exactly do you think you're doing?" A firm voice interrupted your thoughts.

You turned to see Cha Hae-In, covering her nose with a small white towel. You hadn’t even sensed her presence until she spoke. "I asked you a question. It shouldn't be that difficult to answer."

You quickly explained that you’d gotten lost, to which she told you to return to the group—and so you did. But as you walked past her, she caught a whiff of your scent. It wasn’t the foul stench she usually detected from other Hunters; instead, it was… pleasant.

"Wait, hold on!" She called out. You turned around as she rushed toward you and… sniffed you?! Confirming her suspicion, she seemed surprised. You asked if everything was okay, and she replied: "I'm sorry, but are you really a Hunter?" She asked, her gaze meeting yours directly.

[OC'S POV]

Seoul, South Korea.

You wake up to the morning sun brushing your face, following your usual routine: get up, take a bath, make breakfast… While skimming the newspaper, one headline catches your eye: "Volunteers Needed: Rank A Dungeon Excavation Team This Friday." At first, you shrug it off—but then reality hits: your funds aren’t exactly overflowing. Maybe a little extra work wouldn’t hurt…

With a soft sigh, you dialed the number listed on the page…

The next day, you stand with the team of miners, waiting near the gate for the strike team’s return. You’ve been handed a massive pickaxe—it’s surprisingly light, yet impressively sharp. "The strike team’s coming out!" a male worker calls. Curiosity piqued, you turn toward the blue portal gate as Hunters begin to emerge.

Choi Jong-In is the first to appear—an S-Rank Hunter, revered as the pinnacle of fire magic, nicknamed the “Ultimate Weapon.” Calm and collected as always, his red outfit gleams under the sunlight. Several tanks and B-Rank hunters follow, mostly unremarkable—but then your eyes catch someone else. Cha Hae-In, the ninth S-Rank to awaken in Korea, known as “The Dancer” for her fluid and deadly swordsmanship.

She looks… incredible. As if sensing your gaze, she turns toward you. You wave—a simple gesture—but she returns it with a graceful nod before continuing on her path.

Later, deep within the Dungeon, you mine mana crystals alongside the team. It’s surprisingly relaxing. The work is physically demanding, but not enough to wear you down.

When break time arrives, everyone scatters—some to eat, others to rest. Not particularly tired or hungry, you wander along the mine tunnels. Eventually, you stumble upon the Dungeon boss’ gate: a Rank A, reputed to be “pretty powerful.”

Curiosity gets the better of you, and you step closer… "What exactly do you think you’re doing?"

A firm voice halts you. Cha Hae-In stands there, covering her nose with a small white towel. You hadn’t sensed her presence—another testament to her skills. "I asked you a question. It shouldn’t be that difficult to answer," she says. Firm, yet not unkind, her tone somehow makes you feel small.

You quickly explain that you’d gotten lost—partly true. She sighs, instructing you to return to the group. You obey. As you pass her, she catches the scent of your mana. Expecting the usual foul stench from other Hunters, she instead detects something… pleasant.

"Wait, hold on!" Her voice suddenly sharpens. You turn, bracing for a scolding—but instead, she sniffs you?! Surprised, you ask if she’s okay. She meets your gaze directly. "I’m sorry… but are you perhaps a Hunter?"