Work Text:
Jin-woo did try to be the best hunter he could with his frankly pathetic mana. Everything you could think of and he is doing it. He jogged daily. Used weights. Followed exercise routines he found on YouTube.
The problem was that knowing how to move your body so as to not get clawed in the face was useless unless you could actually make your body move the way it needed to. He simply didn't have the speed to dodge the way he knows he should, nor the strength to take advantage of the defensive holes in front of him.
As proven by the bandages covering his left arm on his usual jog.
He enjoyed that side of the park for attempting exercise. A little bit on the wild side, with the dense woods, but also on the cusp of civilisation, with the elementary school both he and his sister had attended just across the road.
He often found himself waving at the stooped figure of Jin-ah's old teacher. She was entirely unchanged in the four years since he'd attended her graduation alone, their mother having just fallen asleep for the last time.
Zing. A feeling like icy fingers danced across his spine.
Jin-woo stopped dead in his tracks, turning towards that feeling even as his stomach dropped into his shoes. He knew that feeling. Was intimately familiar with that zing of dread.
A single scream was all it took to confirm the very worst case scenario.
"Dungeon break!"
Immediately the area became a stampede of panicking deer. Helpless unawakened scattering as fast as possible from the desperate shouts for help even as they cut off.
The woods. Those wild and beautiful woods that he ran beside day after day had somehow hidden a dangerous gate. Hidden it for the full seven days necessary to break open.
The monsters were here. In Seoul.
The panic in the air was infectious, spreading around in circles and multiplying in on itself every time. Jin-woo was almost swept away in the initial pandemonium. So many people flooding in the same direction pulling him along with sheer gravity.
But even the weakest hunter in the world was stronger than any ordinary person.
A single glimpse of the children still climbing down from their playset had him setting his feet and refusing to be moved. Pushing against the grain to get out of the crowd. He'd just about made it out when the next shout went up.
"I see them, they're knights!"
Well, that explained why so many people had had time to run. Knights were generally some of the most disciplined of magical beasts, marching at their own rhythm rather than mindlessly chasing down anything with a pulse.
They were also C-ranked. So far above him in power he'd be a smear on the ground before any hunters could arrive. Speaking of which, surely someone had called this in by now.
Which guild was the closest? How close?
Most of the crowd had made it to their vehicles before more than the first knight broke the treeline. The rest sprinting away with barely a glance thrown over their shoulder, animal panic driving their legs.
Jin-woo was standing alone between a C-rank dungeon break and over 500 children under 13.
He knew that school, every corridor and classrom. The fragility of the walls, the many breakable windows. Every teacher who had helped him those first few awful weeks when Jin-ah was so angry at him for not being who she wanted there. Who believed in him when he took custody and took the only job available to make ends meet.
He knew about the basements, with their locks and barricades. Their reinforced walls. The evacuation procedures drilled into every child's head after the countless tragedies of a decade prior. Just a handful of seconds would get more kids underground. More kids still breathing when the closest guild arrived to pick up the pieces.
He tore pointed steel bars from the fence behind him. He would give them as much time as he could.
-----
The footage hit the news in minutes. A rich kid's drone hovering over the park and streaming live on Instagram the only source of information. Hunters across the city mobilised in seconds knowing it was already too late.
The feed flickered into life across an eerie forest, the glow of a gate just visible between the leaves and the loudest sound rhythmic thuds. It caught the desperate sea of fleeing civilians, the abandoned belongings of hundreds strewn on the ground. The bloodied corpses of the dozens too slow to get away.
And one man - was he even a man? - was the only hope of a thousand worried parents.
He looked too young was their first thought. He was all alone, was the second. Was he even a hunter, was the third. It took seconds for a former raid mate to give them a name.
Sung Jin-woo, the weakest hunter of all mankind.
There wasn't any time for despair to sink in before the drone focused in on what was expected to be a quick and violent death. A low E-rank armed with scrap metal against C-rank warriors? Be real.
But somehow that end didn't come.
He ducked under the first sword, darting in close to jab steel up into its throat before immediately tearing it loose to retreat. The second and third came from the sides, a sword barely halted by shakily crossed pikes in front of vulnerable flesh before with a visible clench of teeth he diverted it's tip through the plated chest of the other.
More than a few viewers felt their jaws drop.
He used the precious seconds earned to take in the rest of the field, the camera panning to share the view. Three armed knights approaching from over ten feet away, and one sans sword an imminent threat.
The now named Hunter Sung looked at the metal poles in his hands, looked at the weapons coming for him and made a decision, launching the first like a dart through the visor of the closest enemy. He dived for the fallen bodies, pillaging them for the knives at their waists which looked comically more like short swords with his stature.
A much wiser choice than a sword as long as your whole body, someone whispered with deep respect.
When the armour at his feet twitched, fingers tightening around one ankle the tip of its own dagger followed iron pole through the eye socket with enough force to make it still even as the rest of the magical beasts kept coming. They did not stop, or think, or change tactics, just marched on. A blessing for any hunter with more than two braincells to rub together.
Sung proved brain over brawn in that moment, backing across the road, stepping carefully over the fallen armour on dodgy ankle at the last second and watching the first of three go sprawling. A blade to the back of the neck ensuring it wouldn't get back up.
Someone had clearly done their homework on armoured beasts.
It was at about that time when an anonymous leak let slip Sung Jin-woo's dungeon record. A mind boggling 748 successful raids across 4 years. All D and E rank true, with more injuries than should be survivable, but the sheer scale more than any of the best career hunters in Korea who had been at it for up to a decade.
Could experience have made up for weakness in this case?
The last two knights came at Sung in perfect sync, blades whistling through the air but hitting... nothing? Somehow he'd squeezed through the gap between them mid swing and gone immediately for the back of the knee on both sides, bringing them down to his own height.
Though not without cost.
Fortunately the elbow that caught him across the shoulders sent him sprawling out of reach of the other knight, however the damage was already done. As he scrambled to his feet with a yell, it was clear Hunter Sung's left arm hung uselessly at his side and only one knife remained in hand.
Thousands watching felt fear and then confusion settle in as the E-rank looked between his arm and the knights in indecision. That confusion becoming disbelief as he created distance between them, shoved the knife in his waistband, and twisted the arm back into its socket with a pained wheeze.
Was this the acclaimed hunter insanity?
The two disabled knights went down relatively quickly after that, the hunter feeling no need to get closer than necessary to almost immobile foes. Instead he was seen taking as many metal poles from the railings as needed to shoot them down at a distance, only getting close enough to stab through by hand when the movement stopped.
And there he stood, panting but victorious. A formerly dislocated arm, bruised back and messed up ankle the only things to show for a fight against six magical beasts two rankings above his own.
What a showing.
Except...oh no.
Hunter Sung's back stiffened out of nowhere a half second before the feed flickered out. When it returned seconds later, from a much higher angle, the hunter's attention was focused directly towards the gate. A look of horror making itself known.
As the camera panned around, audiences all over Seoul crossed their fingers and prayed. Prayed for it to be more C-rank soldiers. For thugs and gangs. For dinosaurs or even an approaching meteor.
For anything except a high ranking boss.
The blood red armour of a two and as half meter tall and broad frame emerging from the woods dashed those hopes. Its crimson cape and plume painting a bloody tale as it stepped out onto the field where somehow only Hunter Sung awaited it.
E defeating C is a miracle. E against A? Against S? Sung Jin-woo would have better chances trapped alone inside a B-ranked red gate.
And if the way it took in the battlefield was any indication, this was no dumb brute or mindless armour. It was a general assessing it's fallen and sizing up the opponent that had slain them. A boss like that? It would take an S-rank hunter to beat one on one. And the closest one of those had just stepped out of a gate halfway across the city.
This time there was no hope.
A single blow threw hunter Sung crashing through brick walls, barely clinging to his blade as he collapsed in a heap. A second, after he miraculously pulled himself to his feet, had his ankle giving out as maybe 8 inches of steel held off six feet of sharpened death.
It was all over for the thousands who wouldn't last until back up arrived. The wails of mourning were already beginning, led by a sixteen year old girl collapsing into the arms of her best friend as her classmates could only watch her devastation unfold. "O-oppa."
A faint glimmer of light in the feed caught the attention of the most eagle eyed.
The rhythmic pulsing of a strengthening blue glow had the undivided attention of audiences everywhere. From the scrambling hunters to the desperate parents at home, seeing that light awaken in the eyes of Hunter Sung, seeing it flare with every breath, set hearts alight with hope.
Was this really happening?
A storm of mana erupted from his body, shadowy blacks intertwined with glowing foxfire blue spinning around him like a tornado, throwing the red knight clear across the street and through an unfortunate tree. But no one saw that.
Every eye in the nation was watching Sung Jin-woo climb to his feet amidst the roaring of his own magical energy. Watching him stand taller than he ever had before as it sank back beneath his skin. They saw the C-rank dagger in his hand crumpled into scrap before dropping to the ground.
A double awakening, a powerful one. Live before their eyes.
Looking up from his own now empty hand, brightly shining eyes found the red knight watching from a distance, sword in hand but patient. As if re-assessing the threat he posed and strategising accordingly.
The footage captured the second Hunter Sung decided he would not give him that chance as nothing more than the crack of concrete as the road he vanished from shattered from the force of the move. It caught him as he reappeared inches from the magic beast with his fingers wrapped around it's throat and the image of an A-rank boss coming apart at the seams under that hold.
Speed or magic none could be sure.
In an instant there was nothing left to see as armour collapsed into the grass and the hunter vanished once more. Presumably into the woods to check for any other beasts since the portal could remain open for up to another hour
It was to this that the first hunters arrived to. Baek Yoon-ho skidding to a stop after what everyone understood to be a full on sprint across the city. He barely glanced at the body of the red knight before his head snapped towards the woods and he too disappeared.
And then it was over.
Hunters of all ranks swept onto the scene as the portal's glow faded from between the leaves. Ambulances given the all clear pulled up onto the grass to look over the fallen with little hope of finding survivors.
And two hunters emerged from the woods side by side deep in conversation. A number of viewers scowled at the scene, before perking up as the drone got noticeably lower and closer to the duo.
"-for real, what possessed you to stay? I have B-ranks who would've run instead of face a dungeon break alone like that. Especially without any gear."
It was quiet for a moment before Sung answered.
"I stood in front of that school assuming, no hoping, that I might buy those kids the moments they needed to get into hiding with my blood."
Crude, but undoubtedly the truth.
"But not for any selfless reason. My baby sister graduated from there four years ago now. But I looked at those frightened kids scrambling for shelter, and just saw a dozen tiny Jin-ah's... I had to try, because god forbid it's ever my Jin-ah scared like that, I'd want someone, anyone, to try for her too."
A handful of miles away, one girl sobbed into her hands before sprinting from her classroom.
"Well fuck. No matter your rank, anyone with a heart as big as that is welcome with the Tigers. The signing bonus will be well worth it. A billion won upfront."
"I'm afraid I'll have to decline."
"Oh? Looking to shop around for a better offer? Completely understandable, of course, you'll no doubt have every guild in the country after you when the news crews arrive."
"Its not that. It's just that I've already decided where I'll be applying. If they'll have me I'll be signing up with the KHA."
Baek tripped on nothing, steadying himself on Hunter Sung's arm. Around the country, guildmasters and ordinary people alike spat out their drinks, spluttering in shock. At the association headquarters, one old man shattered the arms of his desk chair with his grip.
"What...why?" It was the question on everyone's mind.
"You know, I went into this career assuming I'd die quickly. In a gate, to a beast or lizard, it's a miracle I lasted this long, everyone knows." He stopped and turned to face the S-rank head on.
"My life insurance covers quite the sum. Enough for Jin-ah to live comfortably for years, to cover her to graduation, through six years of med school and expenses if used wisely.
"But it wouldn't replace having an adult she trusted to come home to. If I'd died here, she'd have been sixteen with enough money to paint a bullseye on her back and no one to shield her from it.
"No one except them. The KHA."
He paused and took a deep breath before continuing in a subdued tone. "They took care of us when my dad dissapeared into a gate ten years ago. Helped me get back on my feet when mum fell asleep for the last time. When I filed my will, four years ago, I could only think of one person in the entire country I would trust with my baby sister. With her future."
And as if by magic, three black KHA vehicles pulled into the road, the twelve agents who emerged clad in their signature suit and shades. Immediately they disbursed onto the scene, taking over crowd control, directing paramedics where they were needed, and evacuating the unnecessary individuals.
The chief inspector at the helm.
The White Tiger president followed his gaze and choked. A very understandable reaction considering. "You...him? You named Chief Inspector Woo Jin-chul the executive of your will? Are you clinically insane? Does he even know?"
Hunter Sung turned back to the S-rank at his side, brow raised and lips upturned for the first time since the whole thing started. "Hunter Baek," he started slowly as if speaking to a small child, "he's the head of the monitoring division - do you honestly think there's anything that man doesn't know?"
"Indeed."
The millions of people watching were treated to the sight of two of the most powerful hunters in the country jumping out of their skins with a yelp. Somehow, the subject of their conversation had made it within three feet of them without being noticed, and not just by them. Most everyone at home could've sworn he was over by the ambulances a moment before.
Back at the association, the collective cheer of every monitor in the building radiated a sense of pride only eclipsed by the yell of the chairman himself. That was their chief inspector finally getting the recognition, the respect, he deserved.
"Hunter Baek," he nodded, before turning to the man of the hour with a bow. "Hunter Sung. My deepest thanks for all your help today, we will process the scene and forward along any earnings, no need for a statement. Also, our congratulations on your second awakening - you will be required to present yourself for formal re-assessment at the association within the month."
A shriek in the distance caught the attention of all present, their heads turning, "Oppa!"
"I'll leave you to your family, Hunter Sung. Do give Sung Jin-ah my best - I hope her maths test this morning was undisturbed." He bowed again before turning to walk away. "And Hunter Sung? The KHA would be honored to have you."
If President Baek whispered "scary" as the chief left then that was between him and Seoul.
Jin-woo Sung didn't even flinch, just nodding as if the head of the monitoring division acting like the godfather was entirely within his expectations for the day. Probably a good thing for someone apparently hoping to work for the association in the near future.
"Oppa!"
A teenage girl came hurtling past the barricade, KHA agents backing off to let her through at some unknown signal. Windswept hair and school uniform slightly crooked, the girl who could only be Sung Jin-ah slammed into her sibling with a sob and enough force to rock him back a step.
"Jin-ah? Sweetheart, you're crying."
The footage started to move away, pilot apparently realising that recording a minor having a breakdown was neither a good look nor particularly legal. The last thing seen of the pair was as Hunter Sung wrapped his arms around his sister oh so carefully and followed her down to the ground when her legs gave out.
"Everything's okay now, I promise."