[Opening Scene: Waking to a Dead World]
Michael's apartment, Seoul - Five Years Before the Fall
The alarm clock blared. Michael's eyes snapped open, his body drenched in cold sweat. His hands flew to his chest—no gaping wound, no dragon's teeth marks.
MICHAEL: (whispering) "This... this can't be real."
He stumbled to the window and threw it open. The city skyline stood intact, no smoke, no screams. A news ticker on a nearby building flashed:
"Mysterious 'Dungeon' Appears in Gangnam Station - Authorities Investigating."
MICHAEL: (laughing hoarsely) "I really came back... to the day it all began."
His phone buzzed. A message from his old squad leader:
CAPTAIN JIN: "Michael, report to HQ immediately. We've got a Code Black."
[Scene 2: Hunter Headquarters - The First Briefing]
The Hunter Association buzzed with panicked recruits. Michael strode past wide-eyed rookies toward the war room where Captain Jin stood over a holographic map.
CAPTAIN JIN: "Listen up! This isn't a drill. Something came out of that dungeon an hour ago and slaughtered twelve civilians before retreating."
A fresh-faced Hunter raised a shaking hand.
ROOKIE: "S-sir, what kind of monster—"
MICHAEL: (cutting in) "A Phase 1 Shadow Lurker. Weak to silver and light. Its claws carry a paralytic venom."
The room fell silent. Captain Jin's eyes narrowed.
CAPTAIN JIN: "And how would you know that, Hunter?"
Michael met his gaze evenly.
MICHAEL: "Because I've killed hundreds of them."
[Scene 3: The First Fight - Subway Tunnels]
The squad moved through the darkened subway tunnels, their flashlights cutting through the gloom. Michael walked ahead, ignoring protocol.
SERGEANT PARK: (hissing) "Hey hotshot! Stay in formation!"
A guttural growl echoed from the tracks ahead. The Shadow Lurker emerged—a mass of writhing darkness with six glowing yellow eyes.
ROOKIE: (panicking) "Oh god oh god—"
MICHAEL: (drawing a combat knife) "Watch and learn."
The creature lunged. Michael sidestepped, his blade flashing silver as he severed three of its legs in one motion.
SHADOW LURKER: (screeching) "KILLLLLL—"
MICHAEL: (plunging the knife into its central eye) "Not today."
The monster dissolved into black mist. The rookie vomited. Sergeant Park's gun trembled in his hands.
SERGEANT PARK: "What the hell are you?"
[Scene 4: The First Ripples]
Back at HQ, Michael sat across from Director Kang in her office. Security footage of his fight played on loop.
DIRECTOR KANG: "That wasn't standard Hunter training. That was... preternatural."
Michael leaned forward, his crimson eyes gleaming.
MICHAEL: "In three days, a B-rank dungeon will open near the Han River. The Association will send 40 Hunters. Only 8 will come out alive."
The Director's pen snapped in her grip.
DIRECTOR KANG: "Impossible. That location hasn't even been—"
MICHAEL: "The 'impossible' is coming, Director. And I'm the only one who knows how to stop it."
[Scene 5: The First Spark]
That night, Michael stood on a rooftop overlooking the city. His phone displayed news of his "lucky guess" at HQ spreading through Hunter forums.
A shadow moved behind him. A woman's voice purred:
MYSTERIOUS WOMAN: "Predicting dungeons now, Crimson King?"
Michael didn't turn.
MICHAEL: "Took you long enough to find me, Seraphina."
The Monarch of Fate materialized from the darkness—but younger, less powerful than the being who'd killed him.
SERAPHINA: (smiling) "Oh? You know my name. How... fascinating."
Michael's sword slid from its sheath.
MICHAEL:"I know everything. Including how to kill you."
[Chapter End Hook]
Seraphina's laughter echoed across the rooftops as the first flames of Michael's vengeance ignited the night.