Shadows of the Past, Echoes of the Future

The afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the schoolyard as Itachi stood by the gate, his stoic demeanor a stark contrast to the animated chatter of his friends. Sung Jin-Ah and Park Min-Woo were engrossed in a lively discussion about their studies, their voices carrying on the warm breeze. Han Song-Yi's absence was notable, the E-rank hunter having left for a dungeon raid earlier that day.

Itachi observed them silently, his dark eyes taking in every detail. The way Jin-Ah's eyes lit up when she made a point, the enthusiastic gestures Min-Woo used to emphasize his words - these were the little things that made this new life so different from his past. As their conversation reached a natural lull, Itachi decided it was time to speak.

"I have something to tell you both," he said, his voice calm and measured, cutting through their chatter like a blade through silk.

Jin-Ah turned to him, curiosity evident in her expression. Her eyes, warm and inviting, met his, and for a moment, Itachi was struck by the openness of her gaze. "What is it, Itachi?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of concern.

"I registered as a hunter," Itachi revealed, his tone neutral, betraying none of the inner turmoil this decision had caused him. "I actually entered a dungeon when I was missing last days."

Their eyes widened in surprise, a mix of emotions flashing across their faces. The sudden silence that fell between them was heavy with unspoken questions and concerns.

"Seriously?!" Min-Woo exclaimed, breaking the silence. His voice was a mixture of excitement and disbelief, his glasses slightly askew as he leaned forward eagerly. "You? Why didn't you tell us?"

Itachi shrugged slightly, his expression unchanged. "It didn't seem necessary," he replied, the words feeling hollow even as he spoke them. "But I can handle high-level dungeons on my own."

Jin-Ah's brow furrowed with worry, her voice tinged with concern as she stepped closer to Itachi. "That's dangerous! You could get hurt out there. Didn't you tell me not to register as a hunter?" The worry in her eyes was palpable, and Itachi felt a twinge of something unfamiliar in his chest.

"It's nothing I can't manage," Itachi assured her, his gaze briefly dropping to the ground before meeting her eyes again. He found himself wanting to ease her worry, an unfamiliar sensation for the former shinobi.

Min-Woo's excitement took over, his words tumbling out in a rush. "This is amazing! I can't believe you're a hunter now, Itachi! Do you know how rare it is for someone our age to become a hunter? This is incredible!"

"It's not that amazing. I'm only E-rank," Itachi said, downplaying his abilities out of habit. Years of living in the shadows had taught him the value of being underestimated.

Min-Woo shook his head vigorously, his enthusiasm undimmed. "It's still incredible! You're a hunter, Itachi. That's huge! Do you know how many people dream of becoming hunters but never make it?"

Jin-Ah's expression softened slightly, relief mixing with her concern. "Well, at least as an E-rank, you won't be in too much danger. But still, please be careful. Promise me you'll be careful, Itachi." Her eyes searched his, seeking reassurance.

Itachi nodded, acknowledging their reactions. "I might be absent from school for raids sometimes," he added, preparing them for future absences. The thought of balancing his new hunter duties with his school life was yet another challenge he would have to navigate.

As the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Itachi's phone buzzed with an incoming call. Itachi made his way to a nearby café, his mind already working through possible reasons for this unexpected meeting.

The café was a cozy establishment, with warm lighting and the rich aroma of coffee filling the air. The soft murmur of conversations and the gentle clink of cups created a soothing atmosphere. Itachi spotted Jinho at a corner table, nursing a steaming cup of coffee. As Itachi approached, Jinho looked up, a mix of nervousness and determination in his eyes.

"Itachi, thank you for coming," Jinho said, gesturing to the seat across from him. His voice held a note of respect, tinged with a hint of awe.

Itachi slid into the chair, his gaze steady on Jinho. "How did you get my number?" he asked, his voice low and even, carrying a subtle hint of warning.

Jinho grinned sheepishly, running a hand through his hair. "I have my connections. But more importantly, I wanted to thank you again for saving my life."

Itachi nodded slightly, his face impassive. "It was thanks to you giving me all the essence stone, I was able to make so much money," he admitted, thinking back to the substantial sum he had earned. "Now, what's the real reason you called me here?"

Jinho's expression turned serious, his posture straightening as he leaned forward slightly. "I want to create a private strike sq-"

"No," Itachi interrupted, his voice firm and cold as steel. His eyes, usually dark and unreadable, flashed with a hint of the power that lay beneath his calm exterior.

Jinho's eyes widened in surprise, taken aback by the swift rejection. "Wait, please hear me out," he pleaded, his voice tinged with desperation. "Just 20 times, that's all I'm asking. NO, 19 actually, since you've already joined me once."

Itachi's eyes narrowed slightly, his keen mind already piecing together the puzzle. "Why are you so eager to enter dungeons again, after what happened last time?" he asked, his voice carrying a hint of genuine curiosity beneath the coolness.

A moment of silence hung between them before understanding dawned in Itachi's eyes. "You want to become a guild master, don't you?" he stated, more than asked.

Jinho nodded, a determined glint in his eyes. "Yes......."[explains the reason]

As Itachi rose to leave, seemingly uninterested in Jinho's ambitions, Jinho quickly added, "I can also help you go on raids while keeping your abilities hidden. And in return..."

He slid a set of papers across the table, the rustling of the documents seeming loud in the quiet café. Itachi's eyes widened slightly as he scanned the documents, his practiced composure slipping for just a moment.

"A building worth 30 billion won?" Itachi asked, his voice betraying a hint of surprise. The amount was staggering, even to someone who had seen the wealth of feudal lords and hidden villages.

Jinho nodded, his face set with determination. "It doesn't matter to me, as long as I can achieve my goal of becoming a guild master. This is how serious I am about this, Itachi."

Itachi closed his eyes for a moment, weighing his options. The secrets of the dungeons were something he wanted to uncover, a mystery that tugged at his analytical mind. But would accepting this proposal disrupt the peaceful life he'd been building? Would it draw unwanted attention to his abilities?

Finally, he spoke, his voice low and firm. "Only the two of us will enter the dungeons."

Jinho started to protest, but Itachi cut him off with a sharp look. "Forget it then," he said, his tone brooking no argument.

Hurriedly, Jinho agreed, adding that they'd still need to hire men to meet the minimum hunter quota. Itachi nodded his acceptance, already formulating plans and contingencies in his mind.

As the clock struck 8 PM, Itachi found himself at a hospital near Jin-Ah's apartment. The sterile smell of disinfectant and the soft beeping of medical equipment filled the air as he approached the reception desk. The fluorescent lights cast a harsh glow, making the white walls seem even starker.

Approaching the receptionist, he spoke in a low voice. "I'd like to pay some medical bills anonymously."

The receptionist looked up, curious. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of the young man before her, his presence somehow both unassuming and commanding. "Whose bills, sir?" she asked, her fingers poised over her keyboard.

"Park Kyung-Hye," Itachi replied, his voice soft but clear. "Please list the donor as 'Weasel'."

The receptionist nodded, typing the information into the system. As she worked, Itachi's mind wandered to Jin-Ah, to the worry in her eyes when she learned of his hunter status. This small act, paying for her mother's medical bills, felt like a step towards... something. He wasn't quite sure what, but it felt right.

Meanwhile, across the world in Washington D.C., in a luxurious office with a view of the Capitol, Hwang Dongsoo received the news of his brother's death. His face hardened with grief and determination as he decided to return to Korea in two months. The plush carpet muffled his footsteps as he paced, his mind already plotting his next moves. Korea, and those responsible for his brother's death, would soon feel the full force of his wrath.

The next morning found Itachi in his usual training spot, the pre-dawn air crisp and invigorating. He was unusually energetic during his daily quest, his mind buzzing with thoughts of dungeons, guilds, and the complex web of relationships he found himself entangled in. Lost in his musings, he unknowingly doubled his usual exercise routine, his body moving with fluid grace through forms and stances that would have left most people gasping for breath.

As he went to collect his rewards, he noticed a new option glowing on his interface: a random blessed loot box. Intrigued, he selected it, wondering what the system considered a 'blessing'.

From the box materialized a 'Key to the Demon's Castle'. Itachi raised an eyebrow, turning the ornate key over in his hand. Its weight was substantial, and intricate runes covered its surface. He wondered how this could be considered 'blessed', given its ominous name. Nevertheless, he decided to save it for later use, his instincts telling him that this key could be more valuable than it appeared.

Later that day, Itachi felt an inexplicable urge to test his new key. In a secluded corner of a public park, hidden from prying eyes by dense foliage, he activated the dungeon entrance. The world around him shimmered and shifted, reality bending and twisting until he found himself standing in the midst of a burning city.

The air was thick with smoke and the acrid scent of brimstone, making Itachi's eyes water slightly. Buildings of strange, alien architecture loomed around him, their surfaces flickering with otherworldly flames that gave off no heat. The sky above was a roiling mass of dark clouds, occasionally lit by flashes of crimson lightning.

A low, menacing growl echoed through the streets. He turned slowly, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his katana.

There, at the end of the street, stood a monstrous Cerberus. The three-headed beast towered over him, each head adorned with razor-sharp teeth and eyes that glowed like burning coals. Its muscular body was covered in thick, dark fur that seemed to absorb the light around it. Razor-sharp claws, each as long as Itachi's forearm, dug into the scorched earth beneath its massive paws, leaving deep gouges in the stone.

Itachi's eyes narrowed as he assessed his opponent. This was clearly an S-rank dungeon, and the Cerberus was a formidable foe, unlike anything he had faced in this world so far. The beast's chakra, or mana as it was called here, was immense, roiling off its body in waves that Itachi could almost see.

The Cerberus lunged forward with surprising speed for its size, its jaws snapping at Itachi with enough force to crush steel. But Itachi was faster, his body moving with fluid grace as he dodged the attack. He could feel the rush of air as the monster's teeth closed on empty space where he had been standing just a fraction of a second before.

Itachi's katana flashed out, a silver arc in the hellish light of the burning city. But to his surprise, the blade barely scratched the Cerberus's tough hide, leaving only a faint line that seemed to heal almost instantly. The monster's fur was like armor, far tougher than any natural material Itachi had encountered.

The Cerberus attacked again, all three heads lunging from different angles in a coordinated assault. But Itachi was always one step ahead. He moved like smoke, fluid and untouchable, as he analyzed the beast's attack patterns and searched for a weakness.

In a flash of inspiration, Itachi's hands blurred through a series of familiar seals. "Water Style: Water Bullet Jutsu!" he called out, his voice barely audible over the roar of the flames around them. A barrage of high-pressure water bullets shot from his mouth, each one aimed with pinpoint accuracy at the Cerberus's eyes.

The beast howled in pain and fury as the water bullets struck home, temporarily blinding all six of its eyes. It thrashed wildly, its massive paws gouging deep furrows in the ground as it tried to shake off the pain and disorientation.

Seizing the opportunity, Itachi channeled lightning chakra into his katana. The blade crackled with electric energy, casting a blue-white glow that cut through the hellish red light of the burning city. With a series of swift, precise movements that would have been invisible to the untrained eye, Itachi struck.

His blade sang through the air, slicing through the Cerberus's thick neck fur and tough hide as if they were paper. In three clean strokes, too fast for the beast to even register, Itachi severed all three of the Cerberus's heads.

The massive body crashed to the ground with a thunderous impact, shaking the very foundations of the burning city. As the beast's lifeless body lay before him, Itachi surveyed the hellish landscape around him. The city stretched as far as the eye could see, filled with more monstrosities and challenges. This dungeon would take days, perhaps even weeks to clear, and he had other responsibilities to attend to in the real world.

Without hesitation, he activated the return stone he'd received from the system in his first dungeon. The burning city faded away, replaced by the peaceful greenery of the park. The transition was jarring, the sudden absence of heat and the smell of brimstone making Itachi blink in momentary disorientation.

As he emerged back into the quiet park, the late afternoon sun warm on his skin, Itachi's mind was already racing with plans and strategies. This new world of dungeons and monsters was proving to be more complex and challenging than he had initially thought. But for Itachi Uchiha, former ANBU captain and master shinobi, it was just another mission to be accomplished.

He began walking home, his steps measured and calm, betraying none of the excitement and curiosity that burned within him. This S-rank dungeon, the Demon's Castle, was a mystery waiting to be unraveled. And Itachi was determined to unlock its secrets, no matter what challenges lay ahead.