Red Gate

Lore & Background

The Red Gate appeared without warning, displaying the characteristic red hue reserved for S-Rank dungeons. Standard protocol dictates only high-ranking parties should attempt such raids, yet an E-Rank party led by Choi Jong-In entered, believing it to be a manageable mission. Inside, they encountered a labyrinthine structure that defied typical dungeon layouts, filled with aggressive monsters and environmental hazards designed to kill intruders rather than yield loot.

The true horror revealed itself when the party reached what appeared to be the exit, only to find another gate within the dungeon—the Double Dungeon. This second layer contained far more powerful entities, including a Demon King-level threat. The trap was absolute; nearly every hunter inside perished in the ensuing slaughter. Only Sung Jin-Woo survived through sheer will and a mysterious intervention that granted him unique powers.

This incident remains a cornerstone of hunter history. It proved that Gates could harbor hidden mechanics beyond their visible rank, forcing the Hunters Association to revise safety protocols. The Red Gate's legacy is one of tragedy for many but rebirth for Jin-Woo, marking the day he ceased being the weakest hunter and began his ascent.

In Their Own Story

The air inside tasted of copper and old dust. Sung Jin-Woo gripped his sword, knuckles white as the crimson light from the gate pulsed behind him. There was no way out, only forward into the shadows that seemed to breathe on their own. Choi Jong-In's voice crackled over the comms, frantic and distant, but the walls of stone absorbed every sound. Jin-Woo stepped past the threshold of the second room, feeling a cold weight settle in his chest. The monsters did not roar; they waited. He knew then that death was not an end here, but a transaction.

Reader's Guide

As a dungeon rather than an organization, the Red Gate possesses no traditional leadership hierarchy or guild structure. Instead, it functioned as a hostile environment controlled by the Dungeon Core and its summoned monsters. The primary interaction involved the E-Rank Hunter party led by Choi Jong-In, who attempted to clear the instance without realizing the true danger level.

Their goal was simple: survive the raid and collect loot. However, the gate's internal mechanics defied standard dungeon rules, containing a hidden second layer known as the Double Dungeon. This trap eliminated nearly all participants except Sung Jin-Woo. Conflicts arose not between factions, but between the trapped hunters and the overwhelming demonic forces within.

The aftermath saw the Hunters Association investigate the anomaly, leading to stricter regulations on S-Rank gate responses. Ultimately, the location serves as a historical landmark in hunter lore rather than an active political player. The significance lies in how it shifted public perception of dungeon risks. It highlighted the necessity of high-rank hunters for S-Rank gates. No guild claimed ownership over the site post-clearance, as the gate vanished upon completion.

This absence of factional claim distinguishes it from permanent territories controlled by major guilds like Jin-Woo's later organization. The incident remains a cautionary tale taught to new hunters regarding underestimating gate colors and ranks.

Did You Know?

• S-Rank gates are typically depicted with red energy, leading fans to colloquially name this specific dungeon the Red Gate.
• The Double Dungeon mechanic is an extremely rare trap designed specifically to wipe out low-level parties sent into high-risk zones.
• Sung Jin-Woo was initially the only survivor of the raid before being rescued by Igris and awakened with the System.
• This event directly led to Jin-Woo's transformation from E-Rank hunter to the Shadow Monarch.