Chapter 1: The One Who Returned from the Void
In the heart of the capital, "Seoul," hunters stood in a state of routine alert before a newly formed gate. There was nothing to worry about; the initial classification indicated Rank C, a common task for purification professionals.
But, before the invasion sirens could blare... the unexpected happened.
The nature of the gate suddenly shifted; its pitch-black darkness vanished, replaced by a brilliant white. A deathly silence fell, broken only by the shout of one of the hunters:
"How was it cleared?! Not a single soul has set foot inside yet!"
"Is this even normal?!"
Inspectors from the "Hunters Association" arrived within minutes to evaluate this anomaly. Suddenly, the gate shook violently, and something emerged from it. Everyone retreated, brandishing their weapons, thinking a disaster-rank monster had broken its restraints.
But what came out... was not a monster.
It was a human boy, staggering with heavy steps. His clothes were nothing but tattered rags, and his body was a map of scars and dried blood. In the grip of his right hand, he held a sword whose blade was worn and had lost its luster from the sheer amount of flesh and bone it had carved through.
He stood nearly one hundred and eighty centimeters tall, with a solid build forged by horrors. His facial features carried an innate nobility and refinement that stood in stark contrast to his wretched condition. His hair was black as night, and his eyes were red like embers that had not yet burned out. Despite his appearance, he did not seem to be over twenty years of age.
He looked around in bewilderment, shock etched in his eyes as he muttered words no one understood:
"...Impossible."
"Humans?! Are they truly... humans?!"
Later, at the Korean Hunters Association Headquarters – Interrogation Room.
The boy sat with an unsettling calmness after receiving first aid and consuming a hearty meal. He wore clean clothes, and despite the strangeness of the equipment and the place, he showed no sign of panic. Investigator "Park Chul" entered and sat opposite him, observing him in silence.
Strange... the investigator thought. Even though we haven't understood his language yet, his calmness is unnatural. He isn't afraid; rather, it seems like he is the one observing us.
Park pulled out a magical item, placed it on the table, and said: "This is a translation tool."
The boy did not hesitate; he picked up the corresponding piece and inspected it quickly. Park infused mana into the device, and the words began to flow.
"Can you hear me now?" Park asked.
The boy replied in a calm, deep voice: "Yes... I hear you. A remarkable piece; it seems magic here has reached a high level of technical development."
Park laughed softly: "It's not our creation; it's an artifact from the Tower."
The boy's eyes roamed the room with curiosity: "So... there are gates here too? It seems I ended up in a completely different world." Then he smiled coldly: "Put my questions aside for now; I suspect your quiver is full of questions."
"Your name?"
"Jin. No family name. I am seventeen years old."
Park's eyes widened: "Only seventeen?!" Then he regained his composure: "Tell me, what happened to you?"
Jin sighed, and a look of estrangement returned to his eyes: "In my world, gates appeared as well. Guilds and noble families controlled everything, and technology there relied entirely on magic." He stopped suddenly, pointing to the metallic object on the desk: "But this... what is it?"
"This is a phone... we will explain to you later. Continue."
Jin continued his narration: "I entered a gate with a team, but I was separated from them, and the entrance closed behind me. I stayed trapped there... for nearly two years."
"Two years? Inside a Rank C gate?!" Park shouted.
"It wasn't just a gate... it was a vast world." Jin elaborated, looking at his palms: "In the beginning, I was weak; I possessed nothing but a simple and rigorous method of refining mana. But I wanted only one thing... survival."
Investigator Park fell silent, lost in thought. Two years of solitary hell had not broken this boy. He looked at him with hidden admiration he couldn't quite mask.
And so... the journey of the "Gate Survivor" began.
End of Chapter 1.