Before he can register to be a Hunter to the Hunter Association which runs the organization of the Hunters in general, he made his first goal to train his body before anything else.

The one aspect that most people didn’t realize about having a System that tracks one’s own stats is that it gave you motivation upon seeing progress being made. Especially when the System right now is being courteous to show his slow but sure progression in additional decimal separator.

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Name: Jihoon Hyunwoon

Level: 1

EXP: 112/200

Class: None

+Physical Attributes:

-STR: 3.3

-END: 3.5

-AGI: 3.4

-DEX: 3.1

+Non-physical Attributes:

-INT: 4.2

-CHA: 4

-MAG: 3

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At the beginning, all of his Physical Attributes are merely at 3 which is probably the average of any normal human being. And how did he earn EXP and increase his Physical stats?

Well… he has his first Song Magic, ‘Forgotten Melody’ which negates all negative mental status effects which can be surprisingly broad.

Tired? Forgotten Melody. Exhaustion? Forgotten Melody. Worry? Forgotten Melody.

One would genuinely think that he would have gotten sick of it after hearing it for weeks on end, but it having such a profound effect on his life in general and being his literal saving grace said of just how important it is to him.

He lived with a much better lifestyle than before now. Cleaning his room making sure that he is having enough sunlight, training his body everyday to his best. Having a much healthier diet even if it is going to cut into his dwindling lifesaving. The major directive is that he must get his life together before anything else.

And also, in the most cliché way possible. The System has generated a quest for him.

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Get Your Life Together

Difficulty: E

Your life has been in a turmoil for a while from circumstantial changes

beyond your reach. But time will not wait as you must prepare yourself

to take back the life that you lost.

Objective:

-Raise all your Physical Attributes to 6 at minimum.

Time limit: None.

Reward: 2,000 EXP

------_____{\\\\////}_____------

“Thank you, little goddess. You really underestimate how hard it is to get 6 in all Physical Attributes.”. Jihoon said as he could make his gauge of his own stats by comparison.

If 3 of all Physical Attributes make for a normal person, then 10 is the limit of an unawaken individual, probably extreme athletes or deadlifters, martial artists, anything that fit in the category.

On the brighter side, he still gains EXP just for training alone. Running, push-up, lifting weights, anything as such increasing his physical stats gives him 1 EXP per standard session. And just that alone is motivating enough.

There is one major problem though, with his current expense, his lifesaving will officially run out at 1 more month and he would not be at the minimum to register as a Hunter by then. Forgotten Melody did wonder for his mental, but he needed something to drive his growth forward more.

Jiwoon’s gaze turned toward the instrument of his old days again. He found it once more after he cleared his disheveled mess that was his belonging. A relic of peaceful time but no longer has its place in the new world.

The electric guitar that he used whenever he would compose any action and fast-paced soundtrack back at his previous job as a music producer/composer. Speaking of his old profession again, his old studio colleagues were separated when the Gates broke out and never once able to contact one another again in the restabilization era.

“I wonder what happened to them. Perhaps in the same mire as me or having a much better life as a Hunter than their previous profession”. Jihoon said as he recalls the familiar faces of old.

Strumming the familiar electric guitar again, it made its grand return as it has found its new purpose once more. The electric guitar has a unique tone and harmonic that no other classical instruments can emulate. The defiance and rebellious nature that it has makes one’s heart races upon hearing.

In fact, a lot of classical composers tried to emulate the what the electric guitar did with ease in their works but failed to do so. Only much later when the neoclassical is invented as a genre that the people learned by happenstance.

Getting himself familiar with its notes and sounds again, it truly felt like he has returned to what he was meant for. Then, within his mind, Jihoon started to compose his own melodic as all the accumulated experience resurged.

A Song Magic composed entirely out of electric guitar solo. Not his first rodeo but certainly one in an extended amount of time. His experience with his guitar may rust but as a musician certainly isn’t.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Within Jihon’s mind, an entire animated scene is enacted as if to represent the feelings he is about to transcribe into the Song Magic.

Kickstarting with an opening riff full of dread, as if one has suddenly been beset with an onslaught of dangerous foes beyond their capability. With nowhere to return nor retreat, the only way forward is to fight against the danger head on with all one has. If their best isn’t enough, then one must exceed their current limit or else!

The battle then starts in earnest as the electric guitar play its melody in the background, the leading actor within the scene initiate his combat as he fought against the onslaught with all he has. Yet with great vigor that temporarily equal the onslaught, that initial headstart started to wane as desperation reared its head.

Realizing the foreshadowing outcome if this is the direction this battle is heading toward, the leading actor started to recall everything that has led him this far. The experiences of the past flashback as they together converge with strength and defiance, together become fighting spirit. The melody progression shifted to reflect it.

Temporarily overcome the tribulation once more, the lead actor hasn’t yet out of danger as the guitar solo played displaying the tension still thick and suffocating.

The melody picked up once more as the danger become ever increasing once more as the chord progression become higher until it reached a climax before falling again. And thus, the initial melody at the beginning repeated, unclear if the lead actor can triumph against the overwhelming odds this time around.

The same desperation and threat of failure loomed again, when it seems that everything will fall to futility as the chord progression played. Instead of the usual momentary overclock however, as if an ember of hope started to ignite against the encroaching darkness as the chord played extremely high in comparison to the previous loop of overclock.

This isn’t just mere brief overdrive of fighting spirit anymore. It is the true exceeding of one own previous self! As if the lead actor can eventually overcome this dangerous onslaught that would have been lay him down low into the ground.

The melody replayed itself again, this time from the very beginning. But instead of the usual dread that is felt, one instead felt the confidence that nothing can truly stop them if they try all their best. That there’s nothing to worry about anymore.

The song slowly dies down as if the conclusion is obvious, and it comes to an end. From here, it is just repeat.

Jihoon opened his eyes once more, it felt like he hasn’t been truly alive before until he composed this song with all his heart and mind put into it.

The System notification pop up again, showing that he has made another Song Magic.

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Exceed!

Classification: Song Magic

Rank: Intermediate

Effect:

+35% to all Physical Attributes

'A music piece composed of unyielding defiance. Even if one’s circumstances have fallen into misfortune and ill-fate, hope only remains if one lives with determination. To surpass the previous self of yesterday, one must overcome challenges of today and tomorrow with confidence in self.’

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“Ah… To think that I would one day unironically compose my own character theme.” Jihoon said as he saw his composed song registered as Song Magic to the System.

Even if the increase of the Physical Attributes is temporary as long as this Song Magic is playing, it still means a lot when he needed strength to raise his strength. With the enhanced physical stats from it, he can train a lot more and effectively without worry. His growth will be evident in itself.

After making his calculation of the Physical Attributes that he will have, he knew that he will only need to raise his stats a bit more to get registered as a Hunter without worry. Hell, he’ll make a scene if it ensures his success.

Imagining himself stepping into the Hunter Association’s office branch will his theme blaring loudly, it normally would have embarrassed him to death back in his old day but now, he couldn’t help but just feel proud no matter how insignificant he himself is.

“One day, I can look back with a smile on my face”. Jihoon said as he falls to his slumber with a peaceful expression on his face.

A week later. This is the turning point of his life. Approaching an office branch of the Hunter Association, with the System about to play the Song Magic while he disguised it with an old music player that he carried on himself. With a deep breathe, he initiated his entrance.

The Song Magic played as Jihoon can feel his Physical Attributes being raised accordingly. Taking advantage of the time that ‘Exceed!’ is still playing, he makes his entry full of pride as he strides toward the reception desk much to everyone else’s annoyance.

“Uhm… sir? What can I… help you with…?”. The receptionist spoke as Jihoon’s theme played in the background. It felt like she was part of a video game scene that she didn’t ask to be.

“I want to register as a Hunter.”. Jihoon said without a hint of shame or embarrassment.

Seeing his shamelessness, the reception can only sigh as she proceeds with the usual procedure.

“Follow me, we will test your aptitude as a Hunter to see if you’re awakened or not”. The receptionist said as she guides Jihoon toward the testing area.

To be fair, there wasn’t a rule that you have to be an Awakened to register as a Hunter but even the strongest non-awakener can only attain F-rank at best. Mostly because actual Hunters can’t be everywhere at once to resolve some minor Gates when more dangerous Gates are yet to be cleared.

The reason why normal people can register as Hunters is because conventional firearms can fight up to D-rank Gates consistently. Anything else higher would have required heavy military equipment which most people don’t have or in short supply. Yet not everyone can register unless they are clearly physically and mentally capable at minimum or else.

No leader wants to drop a nuke in the middle of a metropolitan to solve a Gate Breakout, especially if it is one they reside in.

“This is a testing monolith which will measure your power output. All you needed to do, is to strike it as hard as you can”. The receptionist said as she really didn’t want to stay near him any longer while his theme is still playing.

Jihoon didn’t really need to make himself exceptional anything. Just enough to receive his Hunter’s certificate. With a punch prepared, he swung at the monolith with all he had.

The monolith shook lightly at the impact, and he has scored about… 5.4.

“Slightly above average for unawaken individual. It’s fine… we’re short on volunteers either way. Let us return to the reception area to have your certificate made.” The receptionist said as she made her hurried return. Right conveniently when the Song Magic reached its end. With a relieved breath that Jihoon exhaled, he followed suit.

After a rather uneventful turn of events, he left the Association’s office with the certificate in his hand. Sure, it is F-rank, and he is certainly in for a world of pain that is the Hunter business. Yet at the same time, he couldn’t be anymore glad.

All journeys of a thousand miles started with a first step. And what Jihoon needed now, is a suitable weapon for him. Although he had an idea of a gun in mind, he decided that he may as well get himself accustomed to melee weapons once he becomes more powerful than any conventional firearm.

“It’s fine… It will all passing on”.