Alec diligently completed each quest as they appeared, always succeeding despite frequent failures. Not once did he think of giving up. He had staked his life on the ultimate reward of this world.

He was determined to return to Louise and make her truly happy.

“I’m not a useless person. I can start again. I won’t just die like that. I’ll restore the honor of House Brent…”

Discovering that he possessed an incredible amount of magic power further encouraged him. Though the quests were challenging and grueling, he focused solely on the fact that he was becoming stronger and continued to press forward.

People eagerly awaited the return of Ian Jung, whose sudden reappearance became a hot topic. Even foreign journalists were closely watching his movements, as his magical outbursts were so intense they could elevate him to the top rank of hunters in the country—no, the entire world.

In a world plagued by sudden Gates, people were desperately hoping for a hero to protect them. Alec felt pity for them.

“How unfortunate… To live in a world where terrifying monsters appear… I must end this world’s tragedy quickly, too…”

After two months, Alec had leveled up to 10, ready for real combat. However, to join Gate battles, he needed an ID card and a Hunter Association membership. Not wanting to reveal his identity just yet, he visited the Hunter Association leader to create a fake ID.

The leader couldn’t contain his excitement upon seeing him.

“Hunter Ian Jung! I knew you’d show up eventually. Where have you been all this time? Everyone’s been waiting for your return.”

“Uh—”

“That mana explosion was shocking! I still remember it vividly! Didn’t you blow away dozens of nearby buildings? Hahaha!”

“…”

That wasn’t something to laugh about. That incident not only cost Ian his family, but countless others lost their lives as well. Disappearing for three years was perfectly understandable.

Alec cut to the chase, firmly stating his request.

“Do you, do you find this funny? Ju-just make me a fa-fake ID.”

“Huh? Wait, your manner of speaking—?”

Interrupting the leader, Alec continued more threateningly.

“I, I plan to en-enter a Gate. The mo-moment others find out I’m Ian Jung… the Hunter’s Association leader mi-might not survive my outburst.”

“…!”

He was frustrated with his speech and the association leader. He felt like something inside him was about to explode. Thankfully, the leader complied and created a fake ID for an F-rank hunter.

“You must have gone through a lot. To think someone beyond S-rank would use an F-rank ID… But you must get stronger to protect us. We’re counting on you.”

“Thank you.”

Alec grabbed the ID and turned away. The leader gave him a strange look due to his sudden disrespect, but Alec didn’t care.

From that day on, he focused on lower-rank Gates, raising his level further. By association rules, hunters had to enter Gates with others, so he wore a mask to hide his face. As the young and handsome chairman of Yuseong Electronics, Ian Jung was already globally famous. Fortunately, Carlos, the CEO, was managing the company in his absence, so there was no need for him to oversee it directly. Before disappearing, Ian had instructed not to look for him, which worked in his favor.

After clearing D and E-rank Gates, Alec would quickly leave to train with swordsmanship and strength quests. Then one day, a notification popped up.

*Ding!*

[A C-rank Gate has appeared!]

[Join forces with other hunters and defeat the boss!]

[You will be transported in 10 seconds.]

[10, 9, 8…]

C-rank?

He had never attempted a C-rank Gate before. Could he handle the fight there? Still, other capable hunters would be with him, so it might be fine.

“Yes. I’ll go. I have to break my limits.”

Alec steeled his resolve.

He had already experienced despair deep enough to consider taking his own life, so what more did he have to fear?

As he entered the C-rank Gate for the first time, the tension was palpable. Even though it was just a C-rank, it was intimidating enough to require the presence of A-rank and S-rank hunters.

What kind of monsters were inside?

Alec could hear the other hunters murmuring when suddenly, a scream rang out.

“Ahhh! Over there!”

Everyone’s heads turned toward the source of the scream. At the same time, a heavy, rapid stomping sound approached, casting a shadow over them.

Without a moment to think, Alec instinctively drew his sword.

The long, sharp legs of giant spider-like monsters cast eerie shadows all around them.

Monsters this big right from the start?

How much bigger were the ones deeper inside?

Staying calm, Alec swung his sword toward one of the spider’s legs. The impact sent a jarring shock up his arm.

Their legs were incredibly tough.

The neck.

I need to aim for the neck.

As Alec quickly scanned for the spider’s neck, he swung at its legs again, intending to climb up the creature and strike at its vital point.

Then, he heard a scream close by.

“Ahh! Help me!”

He turned to see a D-rank healer on the ground, with the spider’s sharp leg raised high, ready to pierce through the person at any moment.

In a flash, Alec threw his sword toward the spider’s eyes.

*Skreee!*

The monster let out a pained screech, thrashing wildly.

It hit?!

He quickly grabbed the healer and rolled them both to the ground, just as the spider’s leg slammed into the spot where they had been moments earlier, narrowly missing them.

The sheer destruction was enough to send chills down his spine.

“Watch out!”

Suddenly, a shout came from behind him—a voice from an A-rank healer—and a surge of heat spread out.

At the same time, the spider monster’s body caught fire and crumbled into ashes.

“This… is the power of an A-rank hunter!”

Alec was secretly in awe.

Could he also become like that if he kept training? Given that he possessed enough mana to impress people from this world, it seemed possible with enough effort.

“Be, be careful.”

“Thank you.”

Alec extended a hand to the D-rank healer and helped him to his feet. The healer, who appeared to be about the same age as Alec, was trembling—likely because it was his first time in a C-rank gate.

Alec calmly reassured the healer.

“We, we’ll make it out safely. Don’t, don’t be scared.”

“I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have come. I’m only causing trouble.”

The healer swallowed hard, looking deeply apologetic.

No one could predict what would happen inside a gate. There were many hunters who never made it back or who lost their lives.

While it was impossible to escape the fear of death, the only option was to treat it lightly, even if they couldn’t enjoy it.

Just as Alec was about to move forward again, a menacing darkness descended over his head once more.

Alec’ eyes met the glowing yellow eyes of the spider monster, which had suddenly appeared behind the healer.

Where did it come from this time? With a sharp cry, the spider lunged at them in an instant.

No!

Alec yanked the healer toward him and swung his sword.

But the spider’s legs pierced through his heart faster than he could react.

*Ding!*

[You have died.]

…Huh?

What is this?

Dead?

I didn’t even get a chance to defend myself.

Could this be real?

No. It can’t end like this.

I haven’t even properly started yet!

Alec struggled in disbelief, but only darkness filled his vision, with not a single ray of light in sight.

Just then, the system window reappeared.

[Rebooting the system after death.]

?!

Before he could even finish reading the words, his vision brightened again.

With a loud gasp, like surfacing from underwater, the scenery inside the gate came back into focus.

“You’re awake!”

A voice, both tearful and relieved, called out.

Turning around, Alec saw the healer in tears, healing him.

Alec clutched his chest, relieved.

Never again. I won’t die again.

The gate was far more terrifying than he had imagined, and at this point, he was no more than an ant being trampled by humans.

All the more reason to get stronger.

Alec cut down his sleep to two or three hours a day and devoted himself to training quests.

However, he ended up dying two more times after that.

One time, he had been trying to carry an injured hunter, unwilling to leave them behind, when a monster ambushed him.

The other time, hunters began fighting amongst themselves inside the gate, and Alec was caught in the middle while trying to break it up.

“Damn it.”

Although the system had saved him from true death, he couldn’t shake off the overwhelming sense of self-loathing.

It only made him painfully aware of how weak and inadequate he was.

He began to wonder if, at this rate, he might eventually die for real.

I need to get stronger… to be the perfect husband…

Suddenly, his hunter watch chimed.

It was the alert sound for the appearance of an S-rank gate.

Simultaneously, the system window appeared again.

*Ding!*

[An S-rank gate has appeared in the middle of the city!]

[Dungeon break in 30 minutes!]

[Evacuate the people and join forces with the hunters to defeat the boss monster!]

…!

Emergency!

He dashed out immediately.

A dungeon break in the middle of the city in 30 minutes—every extra pair of hands would be needed to evacuate the people quickly.

Emergency posts flooded his hunter watch as well.

There were reports that the S-rank gate was unstable and the dungeon break could happen any moment.

Breaking news broadcasts had also begun.

By the time Alec arrived at the scene, using his wind-like skill to cover the distance in just a few seconds, he saw a familiar figure he had longed to see.

…Louise?

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories