A bloodline?
I stared at the word for a long time.
Wasn't a bloodline something only high nobles possessed? Even in this kingdom, there were only three known bloodline families. Their bloodlines were inherited, protected, and treated like priceless treasures.
Then how did I have one?
And why was it locked?
Did I belong to one of those families?Would they even acknowledge me?
…Not that it mattered.
Even if I really was from a noble family, no one would accept a Common-rank Mage.
I exhaled slowly.
"At least I have a cheat," I muttered.
[Ding! 10,000× system activated]
The system didn't show panels or explanations. Only short notifications.
From what I understood, the multiplier activated randomly whenever I killed a monster or obtained rewards.
×10×100×1,000×10,000
No pattern. No control.
"I don't even know whether this will help me or destroy me," I said.
Still, I had no choice.
Hunting was the only path forward.
The bloodline issue could wait.
"System," I said quietly, "can you tell me about the bloodline?"
[Ding! to unlock the bloodline, four requirements must be met]
I froze.
[Ding! requirement one: host must complete second job advancement][Ding! requirement two: three materials of mythical rank or higher][Ding! higher purity materials increase bloodline purity][Ding! material details will be shown once host reaches level 20]
"…Mythical rank?"
Did something like that even exist in this kingdom?
I shook my head.
"Future problem."
Right now, my priority was simple.
College.
To qualify for the academy entrance exams, I needed to reach Level 15. I had one month.
That meant hunting.
Just then, my phone rang.
A message from my homeroom teacher.
All students are required to collect the resources provided by the school before entering the hunting grounds.
"Tch."
I headed out anyway.
The academy was only a few blocks away. The moment I entered the main hall, dozens of gazes locked onto me.
They weren't even trying to hide it.
"So that's the Common Mage.""He definitely cheated.""No way someone like him topped every exam."
I ignored them and walked into my classroom.
The teacher frowned the instant he saw me.
"Why are you here?"
"I'm here for the resources."
He scoffed. "Do you seriously think those will change anything? With your low-rank Job?"
Then he smiled coldly.
"If you admit you cheated in the exams, I might give you one resource."
I clenched my teeth.
"What proof do you have?" I asked.
"Proof?" he laughed. "It's obvious. Someone with a Common-rank Job can't be the top scorer. John awakened a Unique Job—he should have ranked first."
Is this man insane?
I turned around.
I wasn't wasting my time here.
"Hey! Where are you going?" he shouted. "Leave now and you'll be suspended!"
I didn't stop.
I was already gone.
I took a taxi straight to the hunting grounds.
Outside the gate, vendors shouted, selling weapons and armor. Most of it was repaired junk with almost no durability left.
I entered the Awakener Association Store and bought the basics.
A staff.A set of armor.
Cost: 20,000 credits.
My entire savings.
Even then, both items were near breaking.
Equipment ranks followed the same hierarchy as Job ranks.
With my gear ready, I passed through the protective barrier surrounding the hunting ground. It shimmered briefly before closing behind me.
The forest was quiet.
I walked a few steps forward.
Then I saw it.
A Lv.3 Dire Wolf.
"Wolves usually hunt in packs…" I muttered.
The wolf noticed me and charged.
I stepped aside and raised my staff.
"Fireball."
The spell struck. Its HP dropped slightly.
"Fireball."
Again.
"Fireball."
The third hit killed it.
[Ding! killed lv 3 dire wolf gained 100 exp][Ding! 100× multiplier activated gained 10,000 exp]
"…That's good."
My body heated up.
[Ding! you leveled up][Ding! you leveled up][Ding! you leveled up]
I steadied my breathing and looked deeper into the forest.
[A/N] Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you like the story, please add it to your collection and leave a comment with your thoughts—it really helps and motivates me to keep writing.