Minhae sat quietly at his desk, a book open in front of him. Sunlight filtered through the window, casting soft golden lines across the pages, but his eyes didn't truly follow the words.
An adult woman stood beside him, watching over his work.
Even outside a dungeon, Minhae kept his skill active. Faint, feather-like lights hovered around his face, veiling his features in a soft, sacred glow — a barrier between him and the world.
"Not bad, Luciel," the woman said with a gentle smile. "Your academic improvement compared to last week is impressive. We only started this subject recently, and… honestly, there's nothing more I can teach you here."
She was Sohee — his tutor and at the same time his manager. The person assigned to guide both his education and his life.
Minhae didn't respond. He simply turned toward the window, staring at the bright sky beyond the glass.
"Because there's nothing else I can do… except study and raid dungeons", Minhae replied without expression and keep staring outside the window.
No one could see his expression, but Sohee understood the meaning of his silence. She had seen it many times before — the quiet of a child with nowhere to go.
Since becoming a national asset, Minhae had never stepped into a real classroom again. No friends. No school festivals. No normal childhood memories. Even his walks outside were monitored by Association agents from a distance.
(Poor Luciel… he's still just a child…)
Her chest tightened.
Then her phone rang, the sharp sound cutting through the still air.
"Excuse me," she said softly, stepping away.
Minhae's gaze followed her movements.
"(Doesn't she know S-Class Hunters have enhanced hearing?)"
He looked back out the window, face turned away — but his senses remained locked on her voice.
"…Yes… near breaking? …An S-Class gate? …But Luciel is— Another S-Class will join? …I understand, sir."
Her voice grew more strained with every sentence.
When she returned, her usual gentle expression was shadowed with guilt.
"I'm sorry, Luciel," she said quietly. "Officer Kang requested your participation in a dungeon exploration tomorrow. It's an S-Class gate, close to breaking. No one else is willing to enter."
She paused.
"But… another S-Class Hunter will be joining you."
Minhae didn't turn around.
"No need to apologize," he said calmly. "It'll be over quickly. Just like usual."
The way he said it — like he was talking about finishing homework — made Sohee's heart ache.
The Next Day – At the Gate Site.....
The dungeon gate twisted in the air like a spiral galaxy made of golden mana, humming with unstable energy. The light it emitted flickered against the metal barricades surrounding the site.
Association staff rushed around, voices tense. Some wore formal suits probably office worker from Hunter Association, while the others field uniforms dusted with dirt and mana residue.
An older man in his forties approached with a polite smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Hello, Luciel.", he reach his hand as if asked minhae for a handshake
"Luciel, this is Officer Kang," Sohee said gently. "You may not have met him before, but he holds a high position in the Hunter Association."
Minhae gave no visible response and somewhat that make Officer Kang disappointed a bit. Officer Kang put down his hand that was hangin on the air waiting for minhae's hand that never accept it.
Officer Kang's smile faltered for a split second. "Sohee, may I speak with you for a moment?"
"Of course."
They stepped away, leaving Minhae standing alone before the glowing gate, wind tugging lightly at his clothes.
Then—
A large hand suddenly ruffled his hair.
"So you're the government's hidden youngest S-Class, huh?"
A tall, broad-shouldered man grinned down at him.
"Well, nice to meet you, kid. I'm Oh Hyunseok. Just call me hyung."
Minhae smacked his hand away instantly. "Don't touch me."
"Whoa, feisty," Hyunseok laughed, sliding his hands into his pockets. "Officer Kang said you've got a bit of a temper. Guess he wasn't wrong."
His smile slowly faded.
"There's a reason I'm here. This raid's success depends on you. I'll stay in the rear, maintaining barriers to protect everyone from monster attacks…"
His gaze sharpened.
"…and from your attacks."
Minhae's voice remained flat. "As long as no one gets hurt on purpose, there's nothing to discuss. You're wasting time."
He walked off, steps light but distant.
Hyunseok watched the boy's back, his playful expression gone, replaced with quiet concern.
Soon, the raid team gathered before the gate. Armor clinked softly. Mana weapons glowed faintly in the morning light.
A field worker cleared his throat. "Before entry, I'll summarize the gate's information. This is an S-Class cave-type dungeon with multiple branching paths, similar to a maze. As for the boss—"
"No need," Minhae interrupted. "We already received the briefing yesterday."
Without waiting, he stepped through the gate.
"That brat…" someone muttered.
Officer Kang observed from afar, brows furrowed.
"He thinks he owns the world because he's strong."
"At least we've got decent S-Classes like Hyunseok," another said. "Not some kid with an attitude problem. Right, Hyunseok?"
Hyunseok gave a small sigh. "I wouldn't say that… Come on, guys. He's still just a kid. Cut him some slack."
Then he followed Minhae into the gate.
The others exchanged looks before stepping through one by one.
Inside the Dungeon.....
Darkness swallowed them.
The cave air was thick and damp, clinging to their lungs. Water dripped from jagged stone ceilings, echoing like distant footsteps. The ground was layered with wet sand that shifted underfoot, and a heavy heat pressed in from all sides.
At the entrance, the tunnel split into several shadowy paths.
Minhae stood still, senses spreading outward like invisible threads. He could feel the mana currents, the faint tremors of movement deep within the earth.
He waited for the others to catch up.
A hand landed on his shoulder.
"…Waiting for me, little one?" Hyunseok said, that familiar teasing grin returning.
Minhae glanced at him briefly, then looked past him at the Hunters still entering.
"You're too slow."
And without another word, he stepped into one of the dark tunnels alone, his small figure quickly swallowed by the shadows.