Original subtitles

Hello?

Jinwoo! You weren't still asleep, were you?

Yeah, I was a little worn out.

Do you realize what time it is?

Wakey-wakey! You're supposed to meet with my teacher today!

Uhh.

Are you my brother?

'Cause you look...

What? Bad?

It's been over ten years since gates began appearing.

Through these gates are dungeons inhabited by magic beasts,

and the battles between these beasts and the humans

who've awakened the abilities to fight them only continue to intensify.

To pay his sick mother's bills and little sister's tuition,

Jinwoo Sung took up work as a hunter,

despite being the lowest possible level, E-rank.

In most cases, a hunter's powers and rank remain the same

from the moment of their awakening.

However, in the aftermath of a horrific raid on a double dungeon,

Jinwoo gained the ability to level up, as though in a video game.

As he grew stronger in battle, he obtained the recipe for the Elixir of Life,

said to be able to cure any disease, as well as a new job class,

allowing him to command an army of shadows, the shadow monarch.

I... wouldn't say you look bad, but...

It's for a meeting, though, I can't wear a tracksuit.

You're living proof people can always change.

Wow.

Like, who is he?

Well, look at you, Mister Popular.

You going on a hot date later or something?

Shut up.

Ow-ow-ow-ow, ow! Ah-ow! Ow-ow!

Jinah's wonderful. Her behavior is exemplary, as are her grades.

And she's a role model to the other students,

which we teachers always appreciate.

Glad to hear.

She's excelled on her mock exams,

so she'll certainly qualify for the med school she's aiming for.

Just refrain from adding more pressure.

Yes, ma'am.

That was everything I needed to go over,

but um, do you have time for something less official?

Sure. What is it?

Just curious, but what if Jinah were to awaken?

Would you let her become a hunter and give up her current path?

No.

Good. That's what I thought you'd say.

So then...

Mister Sung, I realize this may be asking a lot of you, but please.

Mm?

Aah?

Did I miss something?

Huh. Do you know this girl?

Wait.

Are you... Jinah's brother?

It's a small world, isn't it?

Look, I dunno what our teacher told you about me, but I'm done with school,

and I refuse to give up on hunting.

You're an E-rank.

You can't earn a living like that.

Our strike team let you make some easy money, but that's not the norm.

If you're only here to lecture me, you can go home now.

Besides, you're E-rank, too, Mister!

I'm not trying to make you quit.

Huh?!

Come on.

Hello, Hunter Hwang.

Welcome home.

Like I'd call this outdated dump home.

But being met fresh off the plane by the chief manager of the Hunter's Association

is an unexpected treat.

Do you intend to stay very long?

I don't have enough love for this country to stick around. You can unclench.

You didn't come all the way back to the homeland you abandoned

just for the chance to find those two hunters?

"Find" them?

You know that's not the right word.

I suggest you Surveillance Team folks play dumb.

When it happens, it'll be inside a dungeon.

First the E-rank, then the D-rank.

Or are you stupid enough to try and stop me?

If you want, go for it, I could use a laugh.

I do what my job requires, let's just leave it at that.

So, they had wings.

The real issue at hand is the bodies fell into the sea and we didn't recover them.

But you are saying these giant ants are capable of flight?

Only over shorter stretches for now, but given time?

Hmm.

We'll have to look into it.

I'll make the arrangements.

Hm.

Manager Ahn. Mister Hyun.

Good to see you.

It's been a while!

I'll admit, I wasn't expecting to hear from you.

What a pleasant surprise!

Hello.

Oh!

You're that girl from the other day!

She's with me, I'm sorry to impose.

No, if you're the one asking, then it's never imposing, Hunter Sung.

Yeah, now I see why you wanted to sit in on some training.

-It's for her. -It is.

Well, your timing couldn't be better.

This area's designated as a high-frequency gate zone,

and as luck would have it, a C-rank one opened up just this morning.

Shut your mouths and let's move.

We're not here on a field trip.

Right, we're almost finished.

-Who's that guy? -A-rank Hunter Chul Kim.

And as you can see, he's a tank.

A-rank, huh?

He's new. Higher rank aside, a rookie is still a rookie and we train ours up.

And because every team needs a leader, Chul Kim was picked for this one.

We let him know you'd be tagging along.

-Been in a crap mood ever since. -Quiet!

What are they thinking? Forcing me to babysit a couple of E-ranks.

Unbelievable.

So, apart from our A-rank leader,

the rest of the strike team will consist of five B-ranks

and two C's, which makes eight hunters in total.

The addition of you two brings the count up to a nice, safe ten.

I was hoping she'd change her mind after she sees how brutal raids can be.

But... that lineup is stacked.

If it goes too well, it defeats the purpose.

-Hunter Sung? -Ah?

So, the goal's for our rookies to learn in there.

Just sit back and watch if you could, please.

Right, you got it.

Well, let the training begin!

Don't have to tell me twice.

Are we doing this? For real?

Yep, I'll be right behind you.

Hm.

Ah!

Something's not right, what is this feeling?

No. No, no, no!

What the heck's going on?

Hunter Sung?

Manager Ahn!

Contact your primary strike squad!

Do it now!

A red gate?

How did a C-rank gate turn red?

Never mind, I'm on my way there!

Where's the gate?

How do we get back?

Will someone explain what happened?

It turned red.

Is there a big difference between a red gate and a normal one?

They're more dangerous by far.

Once you step through one, you'll be completely isolated from the outside world.

You're trapped until the boss is defeated

or there's a dungeon break, and no one can send you help.

Trapped?

Uh-huh, and the magic beasts are usually stronger, too.

But this dungeon is C-rank.

Stay alert! It's an ambush!

Uh, thank you.

-Sure, you okay? -Mm-hm.

Ah!

Ice elves!

Ah, they're so high up!

Where most people wouldn't notice them.

They intentionally targeted our weakest links.

Which would've included me two months ago.

-Mister? -Ah!

What are ice elves?

A problem.

These elves aren't like the ones in fairy tales, they're much more cruel.

Hunters call them Ice Slayers.

All right, listen up!

As you know, a red gate means we're cut off from support,

facing B-rank beasts and above.

If you want to live, I presume you'll obey me, the highest-ranked hunter among us.

With that said, even I can't command all of you by myself.

We'll form two groups.

Mine will press on to clear the gate.

What?

It's our best chance of survival!

Stand around and debate if you're fine with freezing to death, or getting slaughtered!

But I guarantee anyone who follows me will make it out alive!

-Sir, I'll join you. -So will I!

Yeah, me, to--

You stay behind.

Same goes for the observers, the both of you.

The lower ranks will only slow us down.

One day in a red gate equals an hour outside.

Whether we end up defeating the boss or waiting for a dungeon break,

we'll be here a while, maybe even months.

Caring for deadweight's a waste of time and energy.

Don't look so depressed, you guys.

Survive till we clear this and we'll all go home.

Excuse me.

Any objections to me joining the B team?

Suit yourself.

Does she pity them? What a fool.

Captain Kim didn't notice the arrows in time, yet you did.

You aren't E-rank, are you?

He's an A, or possibly even an S.

Nice to meet you.

Um, hi.

Hey.

We're taking the path that leads through the clearing.

In that case, our group will head for the woods.

Best of luck, then.

Same to you.

Gonna need it.

Ugh!

Captain?

To your right.

Claw marks.

Made by an ice bear.

The E-rank's little squad is going to die faster than I thought.

Ahh, doubt the poor saps have had any proper training either.

How bad's your luck gotta be to die while observing a raid?

Hang on. They've got a C-rank, and Heejin Park, who's a B.

Why'd I say "the E-rank's squad," like he leads them?

Let's get ready to fight!

I want all of you to focus on staying alive.

Stop!

What is it?

What's on every tree? Claw marks.

So, this entire forest is ice bear territory.

We should turn back before we cross one.

I say that we keep walking down this path.

Why?

If all this is bear territory,

they should be the only threat we'll need to worry about.

Beats an intelligent enemy like elves, right?

Since ice bears thrive here,

there must not be a stronger creature that preys on them.

I hadn't considered that, but yeah, you're right.

Though, another threat... would be this damn cold.

Yes.

Here, put these coats on.

Is that summoning magic?

A high-ranked hunter can barely store two or three low-level items,

but he pulled out four of 'em like it's no big deal?

It's warm as toast in here!

Okay, who exactly are you, "mister?"

I'm the reason you got in this mess, so it's my job to keep you safe.

Just don't ask questions.

That also applies to you two.

Don't ask me about anything.

No questions, no demands.

Hmm.

All right... change title.

Ah! It's firmly sealed shut. Best case scenario would be Chul Kim

and a handful of B-ranks manage to make it out of there alive.

The outcome depends on Hunter Kim's ability to lead and fight.

Um, sir?

Two others accompanied our strike team inside this gate.

One is Jinwoo Sung. He, uh, caught my eye recently.

What's his rank?

He's E-rank.

H-However, I believe he had a reawakening!

Have you confirmed it?

Well... no.

Not directly, sir.

Hmm.

Would you get a load of this.

It's like a who's who of White Tiger Guild bigwigs out here.

That's gotta be an A-rank gate at least, yeah?

Been a while, Dongsoo.

It sure has, Yoonho.

Didn't think I'd run into you on this little business trip.

Why'd you come?

You're supposed to be in America, not in our jurisdiction.

Your "jurisdiction?"

I got a question for you, then.

If I'm not allowed on your turf, the hell is some unaffiliated E-rank doing on it?

What?

This wuss, Jinwoo Sung.

Hwang wants him, too?

Dragged myself all this way, and he's inside a red gate.

Didn't even get a look at the slimy bastard's face.

And now, he's probably gonna bite it in there.

You're a lucky man, Jinwoo Sung.

Even the mighty Dongsoo Hwang can't break through a red gate.

Question is, do you have enough luck remaining to escape with your life?

Well, guess that tracks.

A red gate beast gives a lot more XP.

So, you are...

what exactly?

Bear meat's better than I expected.

Can't help but notice the attacks have dwindled.

Hunter Sung put ice bears on the endangered species list.

There should still be some in their dens, so we can't let our guards down yet.

But what about that guy?

I can't believe after all that fighting, he still wants to work off his meal.

He's definitely strange.

He sure is.

This should be a fair fight.

Come forth.

It's time for your first mission.

Now go.

Powerful attacks.

Infantry regenerates quickly.

I'm quite impressed.

They do drain a ton of mana, though.

So, you're the leader of the pack.

Wiped out my shadow soldiers instantly.

And my mana.

You're up, Igris.

Oh, wow.

Okay.

If Igris had fought me with his sword, I'd definitely be a dead man.

But my current level must match his, right?

No, I'm probably still weaker.

Excellent work.

Help me!

This isn't real.

I'm set to join the elite of the White Tigers!

So, it's not real.

It can't be real!

Captain!