The pungent smell of decay lingered in the air, a grim reminder of the nightmarish events that unfolded in the crumbling town of Siheung. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting eerie shadows that danced ominously on the walls of the dilapidated buildings. Lee Jun-seo stumbled through the desolation, heartbeat pounding in his ears like a war drum. He fought to hold back the tremor in his hands, a testament to both fear and adrenaline coursing through his veins.
Jun-seo had never sought glory. He had always been the type to hang in the background, a ghost at the edge of the spotlight. All he wanted was to support his family, to be a good son, a consistent student—nothing more. The chilling reality of being a Hunter had shattered that mundane existence. His fingers brushed against the tattered remains of flyers scattered across the street, announcing the glory of dungeons and the heroes that emerged. Heroes like Jin-Woo, the famed Shadow Monarch, who had reignited hope in the hearts of many. But for someone like Jun-seo, he was merely an afterthought, a rank F losing battle after battle.
“Why did I ever think I could do this?” he muttered, breathing heavily, his voice nearly drowned out by the haunting sounds of distant roars. Suddenly, shadows flickered near the alley ahead—a hulking silhouette with glowing red eyes that pierced through the dim light.
A cold sweat broke out across his brow. This wasn’t just another low-level monster; this was a Beast, a creature that could tear him apart with a single swipe. Panic surged within him, a tightening vice around his chest. Terror seized him, and he forgot about his dreams, his responsibilities—everything as primal instincts kicked in. He turned on his heel to run, but fate had other plans.
With a deafening roar, the Beast lunged forward, its maw snapping inches away from his face. Summoning the last remnants of courage, Jun-seo dove sideways, narrowly escaping its deadly jaws. He crashed into debris, pain lancing through his side, but he fought through it, scrambling to his feet as the beast pivoted, its predatory gaze locked onto him.
“Help! Somebody!” he shouted, frustration bubbling to the surface. Echoing cries for assistance sounded around him, but the chaos enveloped the area. What could he do against such overwhelming odds?
Just as he was about to accept his fate, a sharp voice cut through the haze. “Fight! Use your skills!”
Confused, Jun-seo hesitated, where did that voice come from? It felt like a whisper inside his mind. Shaking his head to clear the fog of shock, he realized something—a glimmer in his consciousness glowed bright in response to the urgency around him.
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“Skills?” He barely knew what that meant for him. He was an F-rank Hunter, useless in the eyes of the world. But the desire to survive burned fiercely.
“Awakening your potential is the key,” the voice urged, growing stronger. “Embrace it!”
Taking a deep breath, memories of countless training sessions surfaced in his mind, moments where he practiced basic techniques with fellow Hunters. He gathered his remaining strength, centering himself as the Beast charged again. As it lunged, he felt an ember of energy ignite within him. Instead of fleeing, he stared down the beast.
“Let’s go!” he growled, adrenaline pumping.
Just as the monster’s claws scraped against the ground, he sidestepped, instinctively raising his fist. His body seemed to move on its own as he channeled the surge of newfound energy into a single powerful strike. The moment his fist connected, he felt the feedback of his strength, raw and unrefined, expelling energy like an explosive wave.
The Beast staggered back, its eyes wide in shock. For the first time ever, he felt the thrill of power rushing through him.
“You’re gaining experience,”** the voice echoed. **“You are no longer just an F-rank; you are becoming something greater.”
Through the haze of battle, a screen materialized in front of him, bright and blinding, capturing his gaze.
[Name: Lee Jun-seo]
[Rank: F]
[Level: 1]
[Class: Shadow Keeper]
[Skill Growth: 0/100]
He was stunned. It felt surreal to visualize his status. Black tendrils of power flickered around him, coiling like serpents in an ethereal dance as the shadows responded to his cry for fight.
With renewed resolve, he charged again, launching himself at the Beast. Each punch felt like a fuse igniting, each kick was a declaration of his defiance. The world around him blurred, shadows and light mingling in chaotic harmony as he unleashed a furious assault.
In the face of insurmountable odds, he found clarity. For the first time, he wasn’t just a prisoner of fate but an instrument of change. His energy spiraled and augmented with every strike, his mastery growing as he defeated the Beast, breaking down its defenses.
And then, silence.
The beast lay defeated, its once menacing form fading into a pool of dark mist, leaving behind a sense of tranquility as the last echoes of a battle faded into the night. Jun-seo stood there, breathing heavily yet exhilarated, as a new notification appeared before him.
“Congratulations! You have completed your first battle. Gaining experience points.”
He blinked in disbelief. Had he really just done that? The tides had shifted, and with it, he felt something profound blooming within him—a sense of purpose.
**“Let them come,”** he whispered, eyes gleaming with determination. **“I will embrace the shadows.”**
As night fell around him, Lee Jun-seo knew there was no turning back. The shadows were no longer his enemy; they were his allies, and he would learn to wield their power. This was only the beginning, and the battlefield awaited him.
With the Shadow System awakened within him, he would carve out a path that distinguished him from everyone else, rising from the depths of his past and stepping into a future forged in power.