Within the Association headquarters, schemes and strategies were already being drawn. Vice President Go Tae-hyun knew better than anyone that reports alone could not be trusted in a world filled with betrayal and hidden motives. Informants had been planted everywhere, even regarding the mysterious returnee, Lee Seong-jun.
Although doubts had lingered at first, Go Tae-hyun had already confirmed the truth through his own hidden channels. The man who had survived the Frenzy Gate was no fraud—he was real, and his existence carried weight the Association could no longer ignore. Compensation was inevitable, yet Go Tae-hyun admitted that he struggled to think of a reward great enough for someone like Seong-jun.
At that moment, Team Leader Jo Kang-hyun seized his chance. He requested authority to form a dedicated team solely for managing and supporting the returnee. His intent was clear: to monopolize the connection to Seong-jun before other ambitious hunters and officials could. After a moment of silence, Go Tae-hyun agreed on one condition—clear results must be shown. With a bright smile, Jo Kang-hyun accepted, vowing to ensure Seong-jun would be completely satisfied.
Meanwhile, inside a quiet car heading home, Lee Seong-jun sat in silence. A shadow lingered across his pale face. The toll of wielding strength beyond his realm had been far heavier than expected. His body screamed in protest, and full recovery would demand at least a week. It was frustrating, but unavoidable.
Yet, even this setback brought hidden rewards. The Association now clearly understood his value, giving him leverage for the future. More importantly, the battle with the Earth Worm had gifted him treasures that no one else could see.
A new title appeared in his status window: [Lower Survivor], earned by enduring the chaos of the Frenzy Gate alone. The effect was astonishing—every one of his core attributes rose by five points. For a hunter at his level, it was the same as absorbing the energy of a rare spiritual vein.
His stats now rivaled what should have been unreachable at level 36, but that was only the beginning. The true prize was something greater:
[S-Rank Skill: Unbreakable Will] – a skill granting resistance to mental corruption.
This was a divine gift for someone like Seong-jun, who had once walked the path of the Blood Demon. The Blood Sect's martial arts were unmatched in destructive power, but they carried an unavoidable curse—madness. Using them recklessly would consume the mind faster than any blade.
Now, with Unbreakable Will, that weakness was gone. The mental strain that once chained him was lifted. As long as his inner energy could endure, he could unleash techniques like the Heaven-Destroying Blood Art or even the dreaded Ten Thousand Demon Asura Fist without fear of losing himself. It meant he was no longer bound by fear, even when facing opponents stronger than himself.
His lips curved in satisfaction. Power was returning to him, piece by piece.
When the car stopped at his home, Seong-jun's body nearly gave out. Ten meters to the front door felt like a mountain path, his legs trembling and cold sweat soaking his back. He was grateful that his parents were working late, sparing them the sight of his condition. But his younger sister, Lee Seo-yoon, quickly noticed his weakness despite his attempt to hide it.
Once in his room, his strength failed him. Seo-yoon, worried beyond reason, brought medicine and water. Though Seong-jun tried to reassure her, the truth was plain—he was in pain. Her care allowed him to rest, the fever slowly easing as the medicine took hold. For the first time since the Frenzy Gate, he finally found warmth not in battle, but in the presence of family.
A full week passed. During that time, Seong-jun did not set foot in a gate. His injuries, though hidden, were like venom lingering in his body. Forcing himself to move would only tear him apart further. Instead, he focused on recovery and the life he once dreamed of—dinners with family, walks along the Han River, simple moments of happiness that felt more precious than any battle.
But the world outside never stopped moving. After five days of quiet joy, a call came from Jo Kang-hyun. It was a request for reevaluation. Though not mandatory, it was strongly tied to contract renewal and rank reassessment. Since Seong-jun was already resting, he accepted.
The next morning, he visited the Hunter Association headquarters. But what awaited him there was unlike anything he had imagined.