The dust of the quarry still clung to Jinu's clothes, but the adrenaline had faded, leaving a dull ache in his chest. He pressed a hand to where the Core pulsed beneath his skin. It felt alive—like a heartbeat that wasn't entirely his own.
[System Notification 004: Orientation sequence initiated. Current rank: Novice-001. Weakest active Core user on record.]
Jinu froze. "Weakest…? What does that even mean?"
A faint holographic interface appeared before him. Numbers, bars, and strange glyphs glowed softly. His level was at the bottom, barely registering any stats. Even the energy reading of his Core was minimal.
[Step 1: Basic mobility test. Walk to the marked area 50 meters ahead.]
Jinu blinked. Walk? That's the test? He shuffled forward hesitantly, every step watched by the invisible system. When he reached the mark, the Core pulsed slightly stronger. [Test Complete: Experience +5, Core Energy +2.]
[Step 2: Basic manipulation test. Lift the training block.]
A small, nondescript block floated before him, lighter than a rock. He tried lifting it. Barely moved. His face flushed. The Core shivered in his chest. Slowly, almost painfully, he managed to hover it a few inches.
[Test Complete: Experience +10, Core Energy +5.]
Jinu gasped. "Is… this all I can do?"
[Affirmative. Your current rank cannot access more advanced trials. Experience accumulation and Core energy increase are required for upgrades.]
The portal shimmered open again, but this time a weak, harmless creature—a "training wisp"—floated toward him. Its movements were slow, its form small and unthreatening.
[Trial 3: First engagement. Defeat the creature using Core abilities.]
Jinu hesitated, then thrust a trembling hand forward. A pulse of energy made the wisp stagger… and then disappear in a shimmer of light. [Trial Complete: Experience +20, Core Energy +10.]
He sank to the ground, exhausted, but strangely exhilarated. He had barely scratched the surface, yet every tiny success felt monumental.
From the distance, a worker shouted, "Jinu! You okay over there?" He waved, but Jinu barely noticed. He was already scanning the interface, calculating, trying to learn.
The Core's pulse had strengthened slightly—an almost imperceptible thrum that whispered one undeniable truth: he was weak now. The weakest. But he had room to grow. And if he survived, there was no telling how strong he could become.