The sky above Seoul was covered with heavy gray clouds, but these were not rain clouds. They were the reflection of "The Gate," lurking
in a deserted back alley. A Rank Gate, shimmering with a pale blue aura that hinted danger to those of Bae Do-hyun's rank.
Do-hyun, the young man with the tired features and thin frame, stood
gripping his rusty spear. He wore worn leather armor that was years past its prime. As a Rank Hunter, he was well aware of his place in the social hierarchy: a "consumable" tool.
"Are you ready, Do-hyun?" asked Park, the leader of
Team
The field squad of the Eagles Guild. Park was a Rank Hunter, with a massive, muscular build and gleaming armor.
Do-hyun nodded silently. He didn't have the luxury of refusing. As an orphan living in a run-down apartment, these cheap raids were his only means of paying the rent and avoiding starvation.
Inside the Gate: The Goblin Trap
As soon as they passed through the watery membrane of the gate, the smell changed. The smell of
rot, blood, and damp caverns. The cavern was wide, with sharp limestone boulders hanging from it.
Spread out! Park yelled.
Suddenly, sharp screams erupted from the darkness. Kkkkk
Dozens of small green monsters emerged.
Goblins. Their yellow eyes gleamed with malice, and in their hands were primitive but poisoned daggers.
The battle began. Do-hyun was doing his best, blocking a thrust here and thrusting his spear there. But the number of goblins was far greater than expected. This wasn't an ordinary Rank D portal; something was wrong.
"Commander, they're pouring in from everywhere!" shouted one of the hunters.
Park looked around and saw that the goblins were beginning to surround the exit of
the narrow cave they had entered through. If they didn't escape now, the entire team would be wiped out. At that moment, Park's eyes met Do-hyun's. It wasn't a look of concern, but a cold, calculating one.
High Treason
Do-hyun, go to that corner and get the attention of.The Group
The big one with the provocative skill," Park commanded in a booming voice.
"But... Commander, if I do that, I'll be trapped. I won't be able to get back," Do-hyun said, panic creeping into his heart.
Park stepped closer and whispered coldly, "Listen, kid. You're an orphan. No one's waiting for you at home. No wife, no children, not even a cat. We, on the other hand, have families. Your sacrifice will save five people. Be a hero for once in your miserable life."
Before Do-hyun could say a word, Choi, the team's mage, cast a powerful air thrust spell behind Do-hyun, hurling him straight into the middle of the goblin pack.
"Retreat now!" Park yelled, and the team began running toward the exit as Do-hyun's screams filled the cavern.
The Edge of Death and the Emergence of "The System"
Do-hyun fell to the ground, feeling a sharp blade pierce his
shoulder. The goblins didn't kill him immediately, but began slowly tearing at his flesh, laughing raucously.
Why? Do-hyun thought, tears mingling with the blood on his face. Because I'm alone? Because I'm weak? Is my life worthless just because I have no one?
As his vision dimmed and the sound of bone-crunching drew closer to his neck, everything froze. The goblins stopped in place as if time had stopped. A semi-transparent screen, pale gold in color, appeared before his eyes.
A strong will to survive in hopeless circumstances has been discovered.
The "Balanced Evolution System" is now being linked to the host.
Bae Do-hyun.
[Emergency Survival Mission]
Objective: Kill 5 goblins before you bleed out completely.
Time remaining: 5 minutes.
Reward: Activate skill (Self-Healing - Innate Rank), Level Up.
Failure: Certain death.
Do-hyun mustered every last ounce of strength in his shattered body. He let out a scream of despair that shook the cavern and, with a trembling hand, picked up a dagger that had fallen from a dead goblin beside him.
"I won't die... I won't die here to appease your filthy consciences!"
With every ounce of instinct, he stabbed the goblin above him in the throat.
[Goblin Killed (1/5)]
The stabbings came in quick succession. His movements were slow and painful, but rage fueled him. With each goblin that fell, he could feel the chill of death recede a little. When the fifth goblin fell, the screen flashed brightly.
Mission Completed!
Latent Skill Acquired: "Self-Healing"
(Level 1)
Warning: Due to your low rank (E), skill
and level progression will be very slow to ensure your body doesn't collapse.
Regeneration Begins...
Do-hyun felt heat coursing through his wounds. The cracks in his skin began to heal very slowly, not with instant magic like Rank Healers, but with the sensation of his cells being forced to grow rapidly.
Do-hyun stood amidst the goblin corpses, panting heavily. He hadn't become a superhero overnight, he still felt
Do-hyun stood amidst the goblin corpses, panting heavily.
He hadn't become a superhero overnight. He still felt the pain, his muscles still trembled, and the System's gaze told him clearly: "Your path will be long and arduous."
He looked towards the exit of the gate, which his former comrades had blocked with rocks
that had crumbled to ensure the monsters wouldn't follow them out.
"Park... Choi... and everyone who turned their back on me," Do-hyun whispered, wiping the blood from his face with a coldness he'd never known before. "The gate isn't broken yet... and neither am I."
Do-hyun emerged from the shadows, walking heavily into the depths of the cavern. He was no longer searching for an exit; he was searching for the "power" that would make the whole world regret leaving him alone.