The bus rumbled through the rain-slicked streets of Neo-Seoul, its windows fogged with the breath of weary commuters. Michael sat in the back, staring at the streaks of light from passing skyscrapers, his mind a whirlwind. The System's notifications lingered in his vision like afterimages—quests, stats, hidden objectives. It was all so surreal, like he'd stepped into one of those litRPG novels he used to read to escape his life. But this wasn't fiction. The faint itch on his arm where the goblin's dagger had sliced him was proof enough.
He touched his face again, feeling the subtle changes. His jaw felt firmer, his skin smoother. The acne that had plagued him for years was retreating, spot by spot. Even his glasses seemed less necessary; the world looked sharper without them. He slipped them off experimentally, folding them into his pocket. No blur. Just clarity.
**[Passive Effect: Vitality Increase – Enhanced Regeneration. Minor physical imperfections corrected over time.]**
The notification popped up unbidden, making him jump. A salaryman across the aisle glanced at him curiously, then looked away. Michael sank lower in his seat. How was he supposed to explain this to Mrs. Park? "Hey, foster mom, I fought a real goblin today and unlocked a video game system in my head. Pass the kimchi?"
The bus stopped at his block, the doors hissing open to release him into the drizzle. The neighborhood was a mix of old brick apartments and new warded high-rises, essence stone lamps casting blue glows on the wet pavement. He jogged to the diner, umbrella forgotten, rain soaking his uniform.
Inside, the bell jingled warmly. Mrs. Park's diner was small—ten stools at the counter, four booths, walls papered with faded Hunter posters. It smelled of stew and spice, a haven from the chaos outside. She looked up from wiping the counter, her face lighting up. "Mike! You're drenched. Sit, I'll get a towel."
"I'm okay," he said, but she was already bustling. He slid into a booth, the vinyl cool against his back.
She returned with a towel and a steaming bowl of kimchi jjigae. "Eat. You look like you saw a ghost. School okay?"
He hesitated, spoon midway to his mouth. The stew was perfect—spicy, hearty, with chunks of tofu and pork. "Yeah. Just... a Gate opened in the east wing."
Her eyes widened, hand flying to her mouth. "A Gate? At school? Were you near it?"
"Kind of." He stirred the soup, avoiding her gaze. "I... handled it."
"Handled it?" She sat across from him, apron twisted in her hands. "Mike, you're not awakened. What do you mean?"
"I am now." The words tumbled out. "It happened during the incident. I fought a goblin. Closed the Gate. Ms. Kwon saw the end of it."
Mrs. Park stared, then laughed—a nervous, disbelieving sound. "You're pulling my leg. My Mike? Fighting monsters?" But her eyes searched his face, noting the changes. "You look... different. Thinner? And your skin..."
"It's real," he said softly. "I don't know how, but I awakened. Something special."
She reached across, squeezing his hand. Hers was calloused from years of work. "Oh, kiddo. That's... wonderful. Scary, but wonderful. Your parents would be proud." Her voice cracked a little. Michael's real parents had been low-rank Hunters, killed in a dungeon collapse when he was twelve. Mrs. Park had taken him in, no questions.
They talked late into the night—her asking questions, him dodging the System details. He couldn't explain the blue screens, the stats. Not yet. By 10 p.m., she shooed him upstairs. "Sleep. School tomorrow. And no more Gates, hear me?"
In his attic room, Michael collapsed onto the bed. The water stain goblin mocked him from the ceiling. He willed the System open.
**[System Menu: Open.]**
A cascade of panels unfolded:
**[Player: Michael Park | Level: 2 | Rank: E-]**
**[Stats: STR 6 | AGI 4 | VIT 5 | INT 8 | MANA 2]**
**[Skills: Basic Strike (Lv.1) – +10% damage on melee attacks. | Inspect (Lv.1) – View basic data on targets.]**
**[Inventory: Empty.]**
**[Quests: Daily – Attend Raid Sim (0/1). Hidden – Impress One Ally (0/1).]**
**[Titles: Gate Closer – +15% rep with witnesses.]**
He poked at the air, experimenting. A tutorial popped up:
**[Welcome to the System. You are the sole user. Level up by completing quests, defeating enemies, or training. Stats improve abilities: STR for power, AGI for speed, etc. Morphing is progressive—reach milestones for major changes.]**
"Milestones?" he muttered.
**[Next Morph: Level 5 – Basic Physique Optimization. Est. Changes: -20lbs fat, +2in height, facial refinement.]**
His heart raced. From fat kid to... what? Handsome hero? But why him? Why now?
Sleep came fitfully, dreams of Gates and goblins blending with school hallways.
Morning dawned gray, rain pattering the window. Michael woke at 6:00, feeling... energized. No grogginess. He checked the mirror—acne nearly gone, belly softer but flatter. He did push-ups experimentally: 20, easy. Before? Maybe 5.
**[Training Detected: +1 Exp.]**
Downstairs, Mrs. Park had breakfast ready—eggs, rice, banchan. "You look taller," she said, eyeing him. "Or am I imagining?"
"Just standing straight," he lied.
She packed his lunch with extra care. "Be safe. If anything feels off, call me."
The bus ride to school was different. People glanced at him—not with pity, but curiosity. Whispers: "That's the guy..."
At Aether Academy, the gates buzzed with energy. Banners for the inter-class raid sim fluttered: "Team Up or Tap Out!" Michael headed to homeroom, backpack lighter on his shoulders.
Ms. Kwon was at her desk, grading. She looked up. "Park. Principal's orders—scans after lunch. And... good work yesterday."
"Thanks."
Classmates stared as he sat. Min-ji leaned over. "Hey, Mystery Mike. Heard you soloed a Gate. Pics or it didn't happen."
"It happened," he said calmly.
Jax slouched in, fire aura subdued. He shot Michael a glare but said nothing.
The morning dragged: Hunter Theory on dungeon ecology, math with mana equations. Michael aced a pop quiz—INT 8 paying off. During break, Theo Kim—the hacker kid from 3-A—approached in the hall. Thin, glasses, D-rank assassin vibes. "Heard about the Gate. You hack the wards or something?"
"No," Michael said. "Just fought."
Theo grinned. "Cool. If you need tech, hit me up."
Lila caught him before lunch. "You coming to the sim?"
"Yeah."
Her smile lit the hall. "Great. Meet at Room 3. Our team's me, Aria Lee (archer), and Ben Torres (buffer). You'll tank?"
"I'll try."
Lunch was in the cafeteria—Mrs. Park's bento drawing envious looks. Min-ji joined him uninvited again. "So, spill. How'd you do it?"
"Luck."
"Uh-huh. You look different too. Diet?"
"Something like that."
After lunch, the scans: Dr. Song's lab, machines whirring. "Mana core active. Unclassified type. Growth potential... S-tier?" She whistled. "Stay out of trouble."
Finally, the sim. Room 3 was packed—teams warming up, auras flaring. Lila's group huddled: Aria, optimistic with her bow; Ben, bookish with buff runes.
"Rules," Mr. Hale barked. "D-rank dungeon sim. Clear waves, grab the core. Teams score on time, kills, synergy. Go!"
Their portal activated: forest dungeon, trees twisting, goblins chittering.
Michael led, broom-handle staff replaced by a sim sword. "I'll tank."
Wave 1: Three goblins. He Inspected: **[Goblin Scout – Lv.3 | Weak to blunt.]**
One charged. Michael dodged—AGI 4 smooth—then Basic Strike. CRACK. Headshot.
**[Kill: +20 Exp.]**
The team stared. Lila's wind slashed another; Aria arrowed the last. Ben buffed: "+10% speed."
Wave 2: Five goblins, archer variant. Arrows flew. Michael shielded Lila, taking a hit—pain holographic, but VIT soaked it. He countered, leveling to 3 mid-fight.
**[Level Up! +1 All Stats.]**
They cleared faster than expected. Synergy high.
Boss: Goblin Chief, Lv.7. Massive club. It swung; Michael parried, STR holding. "Flank it!"
Lila wind-blasted; Aria pinned arms; Ben debuffed. Michael struck the core—victory.
Scores flashed: Top team. Crowd cheered.
Jax's team grumbled—second place.
Lila hugged him impulsively. "You were amazing!"
**[Quest Complete: +2 All Stats | Skill Point. Hidden: Impress Ally – Lila Han Affinity +20. Reward: Wind Resistance (Passive).]**
Principal Oh watched from the stands, eyes narrowed.
After, guild scouts approached—Eclipse Raiders first. "Kid, you're gold. Join us."
Michael shook his head. "Not yet."
Heading home, System pinged: **[New Quest: First Guild Run. Reward: ???]**
The rain had stopped. Neo-Seoul sparkled. Michael smiled. Friends. Power. The rise had begun.