The morning air was cold, yet something about it felt different. Rover stood in front of the school gate, hands clenched, breath steady. He wasn't heading into the classroom today.
Professor Kuroda had received a call from the Hunter Association the night before.
"They need a porter," the voice had said. "Someone quiet. Observant. Willing."
Kuroda had known immediately who they meant.
Now, driving Rover through the city, he cast a glance toward the young man beside him.
"You nervous?"
Rover gave a small smile. "A little."
They arrived at a non-flashy, steel-gray building with a wide emblem of the Korean Hunter Bureau etched into the front. Inside, they were guided to the hunter waiting room.
It buzzed with quiet tension.
There, Rover met his team.
---
Rover's Raid Team (Floor 24 Squad)
1. Jin Dae Ho – A-Rank Fighter
Tall and muscular with a massive axe slung over his back. He gave Rover a single nod.
"Don't get in my way, and we'll get along."
2. Eun Ji – B-Rank Healer
Short teal hair, silver staff, gentle eyes.
"I'll be behind you the whole way—don't worry."
3. Bo-Gun – B-Rank Tank
Older, heavy-built with a round shield. Calm.
"If I say fall back, you fall back."
4. Sera Moon – B-Rank Mage
Long scarf, messy hair, flames flickering from her fingers.
"I burn stuff."
5. Nox – C-Rank Assassin
Youthful, cocky, flipping a dagger between his fingers.
"Quick hands, quicker feet."
6. Rover Cheon – Unranked Porter
Tattered gloves, old boots, eyes burning with resolve.
"I may be unawakened, but I'll give everything I have."
They shook hands, exchanged glances, and prepared.
---
Meanwhile, back at the campus…
A group of students sat huddled around their lunch tables, buzzing with gossip.
Student 1: "I heard Rover got accepted into the Hunter Association."
Student 2: "No way. As what? A janitor?"
Gan, lounging in his seat with an apple in hand, laughed aloud.
Gan: "That guy? A hunter? For God's sake—as if he'll exit that tower alive. He doesn't even have powers. The moment that gate seals, he's a corpse walking."
Some laughed. Some looked uncomfortable.
Ayaka stood beside Mina near the classroom windows, silent.
Mina: "Do you think… he'll be okay?"
Ayaka: "I don't know. But I hope he comes back alive."
They watched the horizon.
---
Inside the tower.
Korean Tower – Floor 19
Dark stone walls. Muffled echoes. Dripping water. The air felt like ash.
The team moved in formation, Bo-Gun leading with his shield raised.
Jin Dae Ho: "Keep eyes sharp. This floor's filled with lurkers."
Rover followed at the back, pack filled with potions, scrolls, and spare gear.
Nox jogged beside him, whispering, "You hear about that guild that failed on Floor 36?"
Sera snorted. "Tempest Hounds. Overconfident. They underestimated the boss."
Bo-Gun: "Five dead. All B-Rank."
Eun Ji: "They said something about strange echoes. Some think it was a trial beast."
Rover: "Trial beast?"
Jin Dae Ho: "One of those things the Celestial Order fights. We're not supposed to see them this low."
Sera: "Just be glad we're not on Floor 80. That's their domain."
They walked on. Lights shimmered from magical crystals embedded in the walls.
The team shared quiet banter. Sera mocked Nox's height. Nox stole a snack from Bo-Gun's pocket. Jin kept them on task.
Even Rover found himself smiling.
But as they stepped onto the next floor—
Floor 24 – Korean Tower
The air grew heavy.
A sound echoed—a deep, rumbling snort.
Then they saw it.
A massive, hulking creature with horns like spears and crimson eyes.
A Taurus.
Its hooves cracked the stone. Its roar shook the chamber.
Bo-Gun raised his shield.
Bo-Gun: "Positions! Now!"
Jin readied his axe.
Eun Ji whispered a prayer.
Sera's hands lit with fire.
Nox vanished into the shadows.
And Rover…
He stayed close, watching. Learning. Heart pounding.
To be continue...