[Hiro Ludin's POV]
My name is Hiro Ludin, a normal boy who got reincarnated into a novel. Not a hero. Not the protagonist. Just a random extra who somehow ended up in the middle of the story.
At first, I thought it would be fun clearing quests, predicting events, and saving characters who were destined to die. I wanted to reach the best ending, so I changed everything I could. I stopped people from becoming villains, saved those marked for death, and guided the main cast away from destruction.
But my actions… changed the story.
The novel I once knew by heart no longer follows its original script.
Now, it's something completely different a broken story built to accommodate my existence.
And me? I somehow became a hunter.
---
In this novel fantasy world, hunters are like celebrities famous, respected, and feared. Especially in the imperial capital, Sylvean, they're treated like stars. They travel to dungeons, ancient ruins, and sometimes dimensional gates places filled with relics, artifacts, and unspeakable danger.
It's a job where your life is constantly on the line. You fight monsters, demons, and twisted beasts that don't belong in this world. But if you succeed if you clear those gates you earn titles, fame, and more wealth than you can imagine.
That's what real hunters do.
But me? I'm just a useless extra pretending to be one of them.
The only thing that's ever helped me survive is my knowledge of this world… knowledge that's now practically useless, since everything has changed.
Thankfully, there's one thing keeping me alive my so called system.
It's not strong. Not overpowered. But it helps… sometimes. It gives me quests, tasks, and occasionally rewards. Without it, I probably would've died years ago.
---
Today's quest was simple at least in words:
> [Quest: Attend the opening ceremony of your clan.]
[Reward: 1P]
I sighed.
If it weren't for this useless system, I would've stayed far, far away from that place.
Because, by accident, I somehow became the leader of a clan.
Yeah. Me. A powerless guy who can't fight a slime.
The clan's name is Blazing Dawn the most powerful and capable group in the entire capital. Maybe even the world. The hunters in it are elites, people who can solo dungeons or lead entire expeditions. And I'm their "leader."
The problem? They all think I'm a legend.
They believe I'm the strongest among them the man who defeated a level 8 star monster single-handedly, who commands respect from the empire itself.
Of course, none of that is true.
All of those victories were thanks to the people under me.
They fought, I watched.
They risked their lives, and I collected the glory.
If anyone ever found out that I'm completely powerless, I'd be finished.
---
There's a limit to how far a solo hunter can go unless you're someone like Sung Jin-Woo, of course. If you want to clear harder dungeons, you need to be part of a clan or a party, a group that trusts and fights together. That's why I created one back then except I didn't mean to end up as its head.
And yet, here I am, walking toward the Blazing Dawn headquarters for its annual ceremony a gathering meant to welcome new recruits and strengthen bonds between members.
I tightened my cloak and tried to blend into the line of people waiting to register. I wasn't in the mood for attention.
That's when a voice called out from behind me.
"Hey! Are you here to try your luck too?"
I turned around.
A girl about my age stood there, her brown hair tied neatly behind her head, sharp blue eyes scanning the crowd. She wore light armor with a worn blade at her side clearly a hunter, though probably a new one.
I decided to use the only skill I could afford to activate.
> [Skill: Insight]
Name: Ruby Rubi
Level: 3 star
Status: Normal, Friendly
"Yeah," I replied, lowering my gaze before she could read my expression.
She smiled and extended her hand.
"My name's Ruby Rubi. Nice to meet you."
I hesitated for a moment, then shook her hand politely. "Hiro Ludin. Nice to meet you too, Miss Ruby."
She chuckled softly. "No need to be formal. Just Ruby is fine."
I nodded. It had been a long time since I'd talked to someone outside of my clan. Most people either praised me from afar or avoided me out of fear.
Ruby, on the other hand, seemed completely unaware of who I was and that was a relief.
"There are a lot of people here today," she said, glancing at the crowd. "I heard the Blazing Dawn ceremony only happens once every few years. Think they'll accept solo hunters this time?"
I nodded again, quietly. I didn't want to say anything that might draw attention. The last thing I needed was someone recognizing my face.
Ruby didn't seem to mind my silence. She kept talking, cheerful and curious, filling the air between us.
I half-listened, half-scanned the area watching the lines of recruits, the banners bearing my clan's insignia, and the guild officers taking names. Everything about this place screamed power and prestige.
And yet, standing there, I felt completely out of place.
---
I sighed under my breath.
If not for the system's quest, I wouldn't even be here.
In every manga and light novel I'd read, the protagonist would reincarnate with overpowered skills, dragons, or divine blessings.
Me? I got a "quest system" that nags me to attend boring ceremonies and gives me a single point as a reward.
Still, I guess that's better than nothing.
Because in this world a single mistake could mean death.
And the leader of Blazing Dawn can't afford to look weak.