The Forsaken Awakening

The Alpha Shadowfang towered over Jinhyuk, its glowing red eyes filled with unfiltered killing intent. Its black fur rippled like living shadows, its breath releasing a visible mist of mana-infused energy.

This wasn't just a bigger version of the previous beasts.

This was a C-Rank Dungeon Boss.

Jinhyuk's fingers tightened around his daggers.

"If I can solo this thing, I'm ready for C-Class dungeons alone."

The Alpha lowered its body, muscles coiling.

Then—it vanished.

Jinhyuk's instincts screamed.

---

The Hunt Begins

Jinhyuk twisted his body just as the Alpha reappeared behind him.

Its claws slashed through the air, cutting through the ground where he had been standing.

"Fast!"

He teleported with Shadow Blink, reappearing five meters away—

But the Alpha was already tracking him.

It lunged again, closing the distance instantly.

Jinhyuk barely had time to raise a shadow barrier.

CRASH!

The impact sent him flying, slamming him against a rock formation.

Pain shot through his ribs.

"This thing is almost A-Class in speed!"

Jinhyuk coughed, rolling to his feet as the Alpha stalked toward him.

If he played defensively, he'd lose.

"I need to go all out."

---

Abyssal Domain – The Battlefield Warps

Jinhyuk activated his strongest ability.

[ Skill Activated: Abyssal Domain ]

The entire dungeon shifted.

The trees darkened, their shadows stretching unnaturally.

The air grew thick with mana, distorting light and sound.

Jinhyuk grinned.

"Now we fight in my world."

The Alpha paused, sensing the shift in reality.

It snarled, shaking its head—as if trying to resist the illusions creeping into its mind.

But it was too late.

Jinhyuk moved.

His form blurred, shadows trailing behind him as he darted around the battlefield.

The Alpha snapped at an illusion—

A mistake.

Jinhyuk appeared at its blind spot.

SLASH!

His dagger sank into its flank, slicing through muscle.

The Alpha roared, spinning wildly—

Only to find Jinhyuk was already gone.

---

Pushing His Abilities – Shadow Summoning

Jinhyuk smirked.

"Let's see if this works."

He activated Shadow Summoning.

The dark mist swirled, and from the shadows—

A Shadowfang Beast materialized.

It wasn't as strong as when it was alive, but it retained its speed and fangs.

The summoned beast lunged at the Alpha, biting into its hind leg.

The Alpha howled in frustration.

It turned, slashing at the summoned creature—

But Jinhyuk was already moving again.

He teleported mid-air, forming a shadow spear.

Then, with all his strength—

He hurled it straight into the Alpha's exposed side.

CRACK!

The shadow spear pierced deep, sending a shockwave of dark energy through its body.

The Alpha staggered.

Its movements slowed.

It was still dangerous… but now it was injured.

"One last push!"

---

The Final Attack

Jinhyuk's mana surged.

He compressed all his shadows into a single, massive construct.

A gigantic wolf-shaped shadow formed behind him, its glowing eyes mirroring his own.

The Alpha snarled, lowering its stance—preparing for its final attack.

Both predators moved at the same time.

The Alpha lunged forward, claws aimed at Jinhyuk's throat.

Jinhyuk charged forward, his shadow beast attacking in sync.

One strike.

One chance.

BOOM!

The clash shook the entire dungeon.

For a brief second, nothing moved.

Then—

The Alpha collapsed.

A deep, final growl rumbled from its throat before its body turned to dust.

[ Boss Defeated. Dungeon Cleared. ]

[ You Have Leveled Up! ]

---

Victory & A New Power

Jinhyuk panted, dropping to one knee.

His mana reserves were nearly empty. His body ached.

But he had won.

He checked his system.

[ Level 18 → 19 ]

[ Shadow Summoning Improved: Now able to summon Higher-Rank creatures. ]

Jinhyuk smirked.

"That's more like it."

For now, Shadow Summoning was weak.

But if he could start summoning Higher-Rank monsters…

Then one day, he could summon an army.

As the exit portal formed, Jinhyuk stood up, cracking his neck.

"Solo hunting might be my new favorite thing."

And with that, he stepped through the portal, ready for the next challenge.

---

Preparing for the Next Step

Seoul, South Korea – One Day After the Shadowfang Den Raid

Jinhyuk sat on the rooftop of his apartment building, overlooking the city. Neon signs flickered in the distance, the streets bustling with life.

He took a deep breath, stretching his sore muscles. His body ached from the last solo raid, but it was a good kind of pain—the kind that told him he was getting stronger.

He opened his system window, scanning his stats and abilities.

[ Current Level: 19 ]

[ Combat Rank: Mid B-Class ]

His progress was undeniable. He had reached B-Class in just over a month.

But it wasn't enough.

"I need to push even further."

His next goal was clear.

A C-Class Dungeon.

Alone.

It was risky, maybe even insane, but if he wanted to become A-Class, he had to break through his limits.

"Time to get ready."

---

Hunter Supply District – Shopping for the Raid

The Hunter Supply District was packed with armor vendors, potion stalls, and weapon dealers. Hunters of all ranks walked through the area, some gearing up for raids, others just browsing.

Jinhyuk entered a small but well-stocked supply shop. The owner, an older hunter named Mr. Woo, greeted him with a nod.

"Back again, kid?" Mr. Woo asked, adjusting his reading glasses. "I heard you're making a name for yourself."

Jinhyuk sighed. "Yeah, not by choice."

Mr. Woo chuckled. "Fame follows those who survive. What do you need?"

Jinhyuk pulled out his shopping list.

Purchase List:

✅ High-Grade Mana Potions (5x) – 3,000,000₩

✅ Stamina Recovery Elixirs (3x) – 1,200,000₩

✅ Enchanted Dagger Upgrade (Increased sharpness) – 4,500,000₩

✅ Reinforced Lightweight Armor (Better mobility) – 6,000,000₩

Total: 14,700,000₩ (~$11,200 USD)

Jinhyuk winced as he transferred the money.

"Damn. Solo raiding is expensive."

Mr. Woo handed over the gear and potions. "You're planning something big, huh?"

Jinhyuk nodded. "C-Class Dungeon. Solo."

The shop owner's eyebrows shot up. "That's a death sentence for most hunters."

Jinhyuk grinned. "Good thing I'm not most hunters."

---

Light Training – Shadow Summoning Test

Seoul Outskirts – Private Training Grounds

Jinhyuk stood in an abandoned warehouse, testing his new abilities.

He activated Shadow Summoning, and the faint form of a Shadowfang Beast appeared.

It was stronger than before. The duration had increased, and its movements were smoother.

"Not bad. But still not useful in a real fight."

Jinhyuk focused his mana, summoning the Headless Knight from the Forgotten Crypt raid.

A dark mist swirled, and the towering skeletal warrior appeared, gripping its massive sword.

The Headless Knight moved sluggishly, but it reacted to Jinhyuk's commands.

"It's still weak… but it's improving."

If he could keep strengthening this skill, summoning would become a real weapon.

For now, though—

"I need to focus on my next raid."

Tomorrow, he would step into a C-Class Dungeon alone.

No teammates.

No backup.

Just him… and his shadows.