The wind whispered through the empty woods, carrying the faint sound of static in the air. Pieces of metal and debris covered the ground, shining under the pale dawn light. Jaehyuk sat beneath a broken tree, his clothes tattered and wet, his breath uneven as the translucent screen flickered in front of him.
> [Aegis Console: Prototype Activated.]
[Codename: ZERO]
[Initiating Tutorial Mode.]
The words pulsed in soft light, cold and mechanical.
His eyes narrowed. "Aegis Console? What kind of system is this?"
He reached out to touch the interface, and the screen rippled like water. Lines of data scrolled endlessly, a mix of human and machine language, yet he somehow understood it.
> [Welcome, Chosen User.]
[You are the bearer of the original core.]
[Would you like to begin the tutorial?]
He hesitated. A tutorial? Like a game?
His finger moved before his thoughts could catch up.
> [Tutorial Mode — Initiating Environment.]
In an instant, the world blurred. The forest disappeared. He found himself in a blank, weightless void filled with circuits of blue light, each strand forming an endless lattice of code stretching into infinity.
> [This is the System Field.]
[Within this interface, users can analyze, modify, and synchronize their core functions.]
A faint glow came from his chest, the same spot where the mysterious shard had pierced him.
> [User Status Window Unlocked.]
Name: Lee Jaehyuk
Codename: Zero
Level: 1
System Rank: Prototype
Attributes:
Strength: 12
Agility: 14
Endurance: 10
Perception: 15
Intelligence: 17
Skills:
System Override (Unique) – Manipulates or interferes with other system functions.
??? (Locked)
Jaehyuk's gaze lingered on the word Unique. A faint grin appeared, the first hint of emotion since the incident.
"System override, huh? Sounds like cheating."
The tutorial voice continued, but he barely heard. His mind raced. This wasn't just a random glitch. This system felt differentthe way it responded and integrated with his thoughts made it feel alive.
When the light faded, he found himself back in the ruins of the forest. The Aegis Console screen blinked softly before vanishing from his view, as if it had merged with his mind.
By noon, he headed back toward the city walls. The gates stood tall, reinforced with steel and shimmering barriers. Guards in dark military armor scanned every passerby with devices that emitted faint blue light system detectors.
"Identification," one guard demanded.
Jaehyuk pulled out a worn identity card, its edges cracked from years of neglect. "I'm here to register," he said flatly.
The guard raised an eyebrow. "Another stray wanting to be a hunter, huh?" He scanned the card, then tossed it back. "You'll find the Registration Center two blocks down. Try not to die in your first raid."
Jaehyuk walked past without a word. The streets were noisy, vendors shouting, system windows hovering over stalls, and holographic posters displaying famous hunters. The world had moved on from sanity long ago.
At the registration booth, a woman greeted him with a practiced smile. "Welcome to the Hunter Association. New registrant?"
He nodded.
"Please place your hand on the terminal."
A faint light scanned his palm, and within moments, a digital seal appeared on his wrist, glowing softly with the words: Registered Hunter: Rank F.
The woman tapped her screen. "Congratulations. You're now officially a hunter. You'll receive your first Soulmark allowance enough to rent a room or buy supplies. You can find missions on the board outside or through the Guild Registry."
"Soulmark?"
"Our universal currency," she explained. "Earned through raids, monster drops, or trading dungeon materials. Hunters usually join guilds to share rewards. The more raids, the more Soulmarks."
He nodded. "What's the fastest way to earn?"
"Guild raids," she replied simply. "But you'll need connections for that. Solo runs are riskier not that a Rank F should even think about it."
Her polite smile didn't reach her eyes. To her, he was just another stray trying to survive a bit longer.
He pocketed his registration chip and left. By dusk, he found a small inn at the city's edgean old building with humming lights and the faint smell of oil. He handed over his Soulmarks and entered the room.
The bed creaked as he sat. The Aegis Console reappeared, responding to his thoughts.
> [New Skill Detected.]
[Data Trace (Active) — Acquired.]
"Data Trace? So I can see other people's potential?" He exhaled softly. "Now that's useful."
He leaned back, eyes half-closed, the faint blue glow reflecting on his scar.
The world outside had fallen into chaos, ruled by monsters, systems, and corruption. But for the first time in years, Jaehyuk felt something awaken inside him.
Purpose.
He smirked faintly. "Let's see how long your little regime lasts."
As the lights dimmed, the Aegis Console pulsed softly in the dark, like the heartbeat of a god that had never truly died.