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Chapter 1 - Chapter 1 Title: The Weakest Candidate

Setting: Seoul, 2025 — rainy morning, crowded streets, Gate Exam.

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Narration:

The city of Seoul was alive with rain, its streets gleaming under the gray sky. Commuters hurried through puddles, umbrellas bobbing like black mushrooms, oblivious to the secrets hidden in the shadows of the city. Few would ever suspect that beneath this ordinary facade, a world of supernatural power, ruthless ambition, and deadly trials existed. And even fewer would know that today, a single boy—thin, messy-haired, unremarkable—was about to step into it.

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Han's Introduction (Appearance and Personality):

Han: "This year… I have to make it… no matter what."

The words barely escaped his lips, soft and trembling. His dark, messy hair clung to his forehead, partially covering eyes that seemed tired beyond his age. His frame was slim, almost fragile-looking, giving every impression of a weak, malnourished boy. In public, he had always been ignored, bullied, and underestimated. Yet beneath this harmless facade, a storm of thoughts, cold and calculating, churned within him.

Keep acting weak. Keep them laughing. Keep them underestimating me…

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Street Scene – Bullying & Society's Judgment:

A group of street kids shoved him aside without thought.

Bully Student: "Hey, loser! Step aside!"

Han (apologetically, trembling): "S-sorry… I didn't mean to…"

The boy stumbled slightly in the rain, and the gang's laughter followed him down the street.

Bully's Friend: "He's pathetic. He'll die in the Gate Exam this year too."

Let them laugh while they can, Han thought, hiding the dark edge that flickered in his eyes. Soon, everything will change… soon, they'll all kneel before me.

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Arrival at the Gate Exam Facility:

The Gate Exam building loomed ahead, its structure imposing even under the rain. Guards lined the gates, scanning faces with cold, unreadable expressions. The exam wasn't just a test of skill—it was a filter. Only those deemed capable could enter the Shadow District, the hidden city of the supernatural. Failure meant nothing. Literally nothing.

Narration: "The Gate Exam. One chance a year. Fail, and you wait twelve months for another chance. Survive, and the gates to a world unlike any you've ever known open before you."

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Waiting Hall – Social Pressure & Humiliation:

Inside, hundreds of candidates gathered. Some whispered in anticipation, some flexed their minor powers, summoning small auras or spirits to impress the exam monitors. The crowd was alive with tension.

Confident Candidate: "Look at that guy… the one standing there shivering. He's not going to last ten seconds."

Han (softly, stammering): "I-I just want to pass… please, don't…"

Laughter erupted. Humiliation washed over him, a sensation he had grown accustomed to. But his inner thoughts were anything but weak.

Keep acting pathetic. Keep them underestimating me. Let them feel superior. Let them think I'm nothing.

A tall, cocky candidate grabbed Han's collar and sneered.

Cocky Candidate: "Trash like you wastes everyone's time. Move aside, or I'll push you myself."

Han (voice trembling): "P-please… let go…"

One day, your arrogance will be the last thing you feel…

Han lowered his head, hiding the subtle smirk that played at the corner of his lips. No one would ever suspect what was truly brewing beneath that fragile facade.

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Exam Begins – The Arena:

The giant steel doors opened with a deep, echoing clang. Inside, the arena was a massive hall, its floor etched with glowing symbols that pulsed faintly. The air shimmered with an invisible power.

Announcer (booming voice): "Trial One: SURVIVE. Only the capable may proceed. Fail… and you will not leave this hall alive."

The candidates stiffened. Some prepared their spirits or aura powers, flexing and calling them into form. Han took a cautious step forward, hands shaking slightly, masking his internal excitement.

Pathetic… beautiful… chaos… he thought.

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Monster Emerges – Chaos & Panic:

Suddenly, the arena quaked. A fissure split the floor, and a shadowy, wolf-like creature emerged, eyes glowing red, massive claws scraping the stone. Candidates screamed and scattered.

Cocky Candidate: "Easy! I'll handle this myself—"

Before he could act, the beast's claw sliced across his chest. Blood sprayed. A horrifying, gurgling scream filled the hall.

Crowd: "W-what?! He's dead?!"

Han froze for a moment, his breath catching. But he forced himself to look terrified, trembling.

Han (voice barely above a whisper): "N-no… no… please…"

Beautiful. Chaos. Perfect.

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Han's Hidden Power :

The beast turned its gaze on Han. It lunged. He barely dodged, scraping against the arena wall. A shallow cut formed on his shoulder.

Han (thought, suppressing a flicker of black aura): Not yet… hide everything… let them see only weakness…

The shadow behind him stirred, subtle at first. Only Han can sensed it.

Shadow Voice (whisper, barely audible): "Use me…"

Han blinked, heart racing. No. Not in front of them. Not yet.

The beast lunged again, but stopped mid-air, sensing something invisible behind Han. Its glowing eyes widened.

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Mysterious Spirit Revealed – Cliffhanger:

The shadow behind Han began to take form, massive, terrifying, and vaguely humanoid, eyes glinting red. Only readers could see it.

Spirit (whisper, chilling): "Soon… Zero."

Han fell to his knees, blood dripping from a shallow cut. He looked up, maintaining his weak, trembling mask.

Han (softly, out loud): "S-someone… help…"

Han (thought): Keep watching. Let them underestimate me. Not in front of them… not yet.

The beast hesitated, confused and wary. Han's black flicker of aura momentarily pulsed, unseen by everyone else.

Narration:

The weakest candidate survived… barely. But the shadows behind him were watching. And their whispers promised a storm yet to come.

"Chapter One: The Weakest Candidate – END"

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