Dungeons are open to everyone.

Even someone without any qualifications can enter a dungeon.

By definition, a dungeon is an independent, otherworldly space detached from another dimension—a widely accepted theory.

It’s like an abandoned building in a deserted city.

Anyone can enter an abandoned building, but few actually do because you never know what dangers might be lurking inside.

The same goes for dungeons.

The difference is that dungeons contain monsters and, occasionally, valuable rewards.

Thus, humanity decided to classify dungeons by their levels of danger to manage them effectively.

This was done to prevent avoidable tragedies where someone recklessly entered and met an untimely death.

Thanks to these efforts, the Korea Dungeon Management Corporation, or “Han-Dun”, established one of the world’s most renowned dungeon management systems.

Perhaps because of this, Korea’s regulations were stricter than anywhere else.

“Excuse me. I think there’s been a mistake in this evaluation.”

“Pardon?”

I had come for a pre-assessment required to officially register as an explorer and was now pointing at the monitor displaying my result.

“Are you sure this grade is correct?”

The screen boldly displayed the unthinkable: “Grade F.”

It was saying I had been graded F in the pre-assessment.

Me—the hero once praised as the “Black Knight,” who had saved the world with nothing but a sword!

“Yes, the results are accurate.”

“What?”

The young examiner, who obviously had no idea about my history, rattled off the manual in a bored, mechanical tone, his face hardened with exhaustion.

“If you haven’t awakened any abilities, this is the default result. Our evaluation system is built around that criterion….”

His tone suggested he had explained this to too many people and couldn’t care less.

Clearly, I wasn’t the first person to complain about an evaluation.

“If you’re unhappy with the results, you can request a re-evaluation after undergoing further tests. It might get updated….”

At that moment, I realized I was just another disgruntled customer in their eyes.

‘I heard they’re stingy, but this is just ridiculous.’

High grades in the pre-assessment make future activities much easier.

They allow you to start just below the grade you’re evaluated at.

I had heard that, with rare exceptions, it was almost impossible to get anything above Grade B.

So, I had planned to settle for a reasonable Grade C.

But instead of Grade C, I got an F.

An F! Equivalent to being treated as a complete civilian—just because I hadn’t awakened.

‘Being a hero means nothing, huh.’

I let out a deep sigh and went through the registration process.

Soon after, I received my registration card and trudged back to my car.

No matter how skilled I was as a former hero, I couldn’t fight barehanded.

I needed a weapon for the dungeon.

“Welcome!”

Stepping into a well-known equipment store, I glanced around.

The store was packed with all sorts of gear: classic best-sellers like swords and bows, staves essential for mages, and even firearms that had recently gained popularity.

‘Still as flashy as ever.’

Having once brought Na-gyeong  here to get her equipment, I wasn’t particularly

Impressed.

“Is there something specific you’re looking for?”

“I’m here to check out swords.”

“Ah. Is it a gift?”

“No, it’s for me.”

“Hmm… please come this way.”

The employee gave me a once-over before leading me to the sword section, which spanned an entire wall.

“We’re currently offering discounts on swords.”

“Oh….”

The display was filled with swords boasting extravagant and striking designs.

“Since you’re quite tall, how about something in this size? Why don’t you give it a try?”

The staff member casually grabbed a sword off the wall and handed me the hilt.

Its blade gleamed in polished gray, accented with bold red highlights. Judging by its length, it seemed designed for both one-handed and two-handed use.

“Hmm…”

I held the recommended sword lightly, testing its feel.

‘Not bad.’

The blade was so light it didn’t feel like metal, and the grip fit snugly in my hand.

Ting, ting. Flicking the blade with my finger, I found it to be quite sturdy.

The design was simple yet elegant—something that wouldn’t grow tiresome.

…However.

The price was a problem.

59% Off

₩5,700,000 → ₩2,394,000

A big problem.

“This is 2.4 million won?”

I glanced at the tag attached to the sword’s hilt and let out a quiet, disbelieving laugh.

Of course, throughout history, expensive weapons have generally been better in terms of performance.

With today’s advanced technology, this principle holds even truer.

But honestly, the price was still over the top.

“Do you have anything cheaper?”

“If this one feels a bit pricey, what’s your budget?”

The employee, still maintaining a polite demeanor, asked about my price range as they took the sword back.

“Something around 100,000 won should be enough.”

That was before they heard my budget.

“Ah… 100,000 won….”

The staff member’s expression subtly changed. They gently placed the sword I had held back on display and gestured toward a corner of the sword section.

“We don’t have many products in that price range, unfortunately.”

At that moment, the store’s entrance chimed, signaling the arrival of a new customer.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

The employee left me to browse at my leisure and went to greet the new customer.

‘Oh, this one’s decently priced.’

Left alone, I started examining the swords within my budget.

Meanwhile, it seemed the new customer was also in the market for a sword, as they were directed to the same flashy model I had tested earlier.

“This model is extremely popular right now.”

The staff member’s subtle intent to clear out old inventory was apparent.

“Wow, it’s so light!”

“It’s made with special materials, making it the lightest in its size category.”

The customer, a young boy with a fresh face, looked like a student from the academy, much like Na-gyeong .

‘Probably a first-year.’

Thinking of Na-gyeong brought a small smile to my face.

“Do you like it, son?”

“Yeah! It’s awesome!”

The presumed parent and child continued examining multiple models, while the employee stayed glued to their side, completely forgetting about me.

‘This works in my favor.’

Thanks to that, I was free to browse without interruption. I eventually found a reasonably priced sword and asked if I could test it.

“You can try it out in the testing area over there!”

The employee pointed toward the in-store testing range, indicating I could test it on my own.

“Alright….”

I entered the testing area, set down my belongings, and carefully examined the sword I had chosen.

The blade, with its flattened diamond shape, had a solid, wide edge, while the handle was treated with anti-slip material.

The overall design was plain, and compared to the earlier sword, it felt noticeably heavier.

However, it was more than adequate for what I needed from a sword.

‘This is a steal at 110,000 won.’

Satisfied with my find, I stepped closer to the testing dummy.

The dummy, wrapped in core-removed slime, was riddled with shallow scratches but bore few deep cuts, indicating its sturdy metal composition.

I could strike it without holding back.

‘It’s been 12 years.’

Feeling a wave of nostalgia, I grasped the sword with both hands and assumed a stance for the first time in years.

Swish. Despite the time that had passed, the movements felt as natural as ever.

“Keep it shallow.”

Gripping the sword tightly, I swung it with controlled force.

Slash!

The sword sliced through with a smooth sensation, splitting the slime and cutting into the metal dummy beneath.

Unfortunately, I had misjudged my strength after all this time.

“Ah.”

The dummy, now halved, began tipping over.

“Oh no!”

I reached out to steady it, but before I could grab it, the torn slime peeled away, and the severed dummy crashed to the floor with a heavy thud.

“You can test it in here…”

Thud!

The loud crash reverberated through the testing area just as the employee entered, catching sight of me standing awkwardly next to the halved dummy.

Unsurprisingly, I couldn’t continue testing the sword after that.

Thankfully, the store didn’t charge me for damaging the dummy.

Instead, they handed me a business card and firmly insisted I come back to buy a weapon next time.

“As expected of a big company. They really do go all out.”

With everything prepared, I returned home in the evening.

“…Dad. What’s this?”

Na-gyeong  had caught me with the sword I bought.

“That? It’s mine.”

“…What?”

Since I hadn’t planned on hiding it, I confessed the truth.

I explained how I had asked Choi Yeon-jung for help after hearing about the temporary teaching position.

Of course, I left out anything about Chun Seo-hee or the hero business.

“Since she has some connections, Yeon-jung agreed to help me out.”

“So… the thing you mentioned before, that was….”

“Yeah, it was about this.”

Na-gyeong’s eyes widened in surprise, her reaction undeniably adorable—just like her mother’s.

“Wait… then what about your job?”

“I quit.”

“When?”

“Today.”

Her face showed a hint of shock, likely from the series of bombshells I had just dropped.

I thought she’d be happy that we might end up in the same place, but her reaction wasn’t as positive as I’d hoped.

“Why… didn’t you tell me?”

It seemed she was upset that I had kept this a secret from her.

‘Did I surprise her too much?’

To be honest, I wasn’t sure how to bring it up to her.

After all, she was still a student.

Our family depended entirely on my income.

Everything we ate, wore, and used came from it.

For me, the sole breadwinner, to suddenly take on a new challenge wasn’t something easy to accept—especially for Na-gyeong, who needed to focus on her studies.

That’s why I chose not to tell her in advance.

…Though it seemed she saw things differently.

“…….”

She looked at me seriously, a rare expression on her face.

Whenever she looked like that, I couldn’t help but think of my wife.

She looked so much like her that it startled me at times.

“Dad.”

Na-gyeong finally spoke, her voice soft and low.

“I think of myself as Mom’s replacement.”

“…Na-gyeong, that’s—”

“I don’t know what you think, but that’s how I feel.”

“…I see….”

“So, I hope you won’t hide things like this from me again.”

Her unexpectedly disappointed tone left me momentarily speechless.

Then, as if demanding comfort, she opened her arms wide and spoke in a sulky voice:

“…Hug me and say you’re sorry already.”

It reminded me of something my wife used to say to me during our small arguments:

“Hug me and apologize, you fool.”

“Oh, uh… right, of course.”

As if in a trance, I embraced her tightly.

“…I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

In turn, she wrapped her arms around me just as tightly and spoke.

“You promise you won’t do it again?”

“I promise.”

“I’m letting this slide because I love you more, okay?”

“Of course. Naturally.”

“…Aren’t you going to say you love me too, Dad?”

“I love you, my sweet daughter.”

“Hehe.”

For a moment, it truly felt like my wife was in my arms again.