After the wave of memories faded, Sung Jinwoo's breathing steadied. His heartbeat echoed in his ears, but his mind was sharper than ever.
When he raised his head, his eyes widened — the rest of the hunting party was already gathering near the massive stone door at the end of the chamber. A faint, ominous glow seeped through its cracks.
His expression hardened.
He knew this scene too well.
Once that gate opened… the massacre would begin.
Without hesitation, he rushed forward.
"Mr. Song, please wait a moment!" he called out.
The group paused, turning toward him.
At the front, Song Chi-Yul, the party's oldest and most experienced hunter, turned with a puzzled look. His graying hair glinted under the torchlight.
"Mr. Sung?" Mr. Song asked, brows furrowed. "What is it now?"
Jinwoo stopped a few steps away, still catching his breath. "Mr. Song… I think we shouldn't go in there."
The hunters around him blinked in surprise.
Then, a ripple of laughter spread through the group.
"Not go in? You scared already, Jinwoo?" one sneered.
"Of course he is. What else can you expect from an F-rank?" another chuckled.
"Maybe he wants to wait outside again like last time!"
Their mocking voices echoed off the stone walls, each word digging into him like knives.
Mr. Song sighed. "Jinwoo… I appreciate your concern, but we've come this far. The gate's energy level is low — it's probably just a C-rank boss room."
Jinwoo clenched his fists. He wanted to yell, to tell them they were walking straight into hell. But he knew it was useless. No one would believe him — not him, the weakest hunter in Korea.
When Mr. Song turned and began pushing the heavy doors open, Jinwoo lowered his eyes. "I warned them," he muttered quietly. "That's all I can do."
Then his gaze shifted — to Ju-Hee, the young healer standing behind the group, nervously clutching her staff. Her soft brown eyes met his for a moment. She was one of the kind few who never mocked him.
And he remembered…
In the original timeline, she would survive this dungeon — but it would break her spirit. She would never hunt again.
He couldn't let her face that again.
"Miss Ju-Hee, wait."
She paused, startled. "Eh? M-Mr. Jinwoo?"
"I have something to say," he said gently, stepping closer. His voice carried a quiet seriousness that made her frown in confusion.
"Please," he continued, lowering his tone. "Whatever happens, don't go in there. Go back while you still can."
Her eyes widened. "W-what are you talking about? You're scaring me…"
"I'm serious. I think That gate isn't safe. You'll… regret it if you go in."
Ju-Hee bit her lip. She could feel something different in his voice — something heavy, like desperate pledge.
After a moment's hesitation, she nodded slightly. "…Then, I'll leave. But only if you come too."
Jinwoo blinked. "You'll leave… with me?"
She smiled nervously, though her hands trembled. "You think I'd just run away alone? No way. If you're staying, I'm staying. If you're leaving, I'm leaving too."
For a second, Jinwoo felt warmth in his chest — an echo of the original Jinwoo's feelings. But he quickly pushed it down and forced a small smile.
"No ," he said softly. "I will go because I need money to save my mother so if anything happen to me please look after her and my sister."
Ju-Hee hesitated but after hearing his words she nodded . "Okay."
As the massive gate creaked open and a blinding golden light spilled into the chamber, Jinwoo's expression darkened.
But seeing ju-hee leaving the gate he breath a sigh of relief and and move toward gate.