Orion High School — After Ranking TestThe Ranking Test changed everything.
Students began to look at each other differently.
Elite students became more arrogant.
Weak students became quieter.
And Jin…
Became "interesting."
"Did you see Jin's result?"
"Yeah, E-rank output."
"That's weird. He was F-rank."
"So he improved?"
"For an F-rank, that's fast."
Whispers followed him wherever he went.
But Jin didn't react.
He walked calmly, hands in his pockets, eyes indifferent.
To them, he had merely climbed one step.
They didn't know…
He had climbed far more than that.
⚔️ Minjae's SuspicionAt the center of the training ground stood Kang Minjae.
A-rank swordsman.
Strongest male student in Orion High School.
He watched Jin from afar.
"…That guy."
His friend frowned.
"What about him? Just an E-rank."
Minjae shook his head slightly.
"No."
His eyes narrowed.
"He doesn't move like an E-rank."
His friend laughed.
"You're overthinking."
But Minjae didn't laugh.
He had fought countless battles.
And instinct told him something.
Jin was hiding something.
Aira's Quiet ObservationNear the window, Aira stood silently.
Her silver-black hair reflected sunlight.
She watched the students sparring below.
Her gaze eventually landed on Jin.
He was not training.
He was not talking.
He was just… observing.
Like a spectator watching a play.
Why does he look so calm?
Most weak students were desperate.
Angry.
Jealous.
But Jin wasn't.
That disturbed her slightly.
But she quickly dismissed it.
Rank doesn't lie.
That was what everyone believed.
Night — The C-Rank IncidentThat night, Seoul was unusually quiet.
Jin walked alone through an abandoned industrial area.
He didn't come here by accident.
His shadow had guided him.
Shadow System Warning
Distorted Space Detected.
Jin stopped.
The air twisted.
A crack appeared in space.
This was not an ordinary dungeon crack.
It was unstable.
Dangerous.
From it—
Something stepped out.
A monster.
Not a goblin.
Not a wolf.
A humanoid creature covered in black armor.
Its eyes glowed red.
Threat Level: C-rank.
Jin's pupils shrank slightly.
C-rank.
This was far beyond what he had faced before.
Normally, even trained hunters would form a team to deal with it.
He clenched his fists.
I should leave.
That was the logical choice.
But his shadow moved.
Slowly.
As if whispering.
🩸 Shadow Devouring — Compatible Target.
Jin inhaled deeply.
"…Fine."
⚔️ Battle in the DarkThe monster moved first.
It disappeared from its spot.
Then—
It appeared in front of Jin.
Too fast.
Jin barely dodged.
The claw grazed his shoulder.
Blood flowed.
His eyes hardened.
Absolute Physical Constitution Activated.
His perception changed.
The monster's movements slowed in his vision.
Jin stepped forward.
He grabbed a metal pipe lying nearby.
Not with strength.
But with precision.
He aimed for the joints.
CRACK!
The monster staggered.
It roared and attacked again.
Jin's body moved again.
Faster.
Sharper.
Like he had fought hundreds of battles.
Finally—
He struck its neck.
The monster collapsed.
Dead.
Jin stood still.
His breathing was heavy.
His hands trembled slightly.
He had almost died.
Something AwakensThe monster's shadow began to move.
Jin felt it.
Stronger than before.
Deeper.
Darker.
🩸 Shadow Devouring Activated
Target: C-rank Entity
Black energy surged violently.
Jin's shadow expanded.
For a moment—
Something strange happened.
The shadow did not just devour.
It shaped itself.
A silhouette appeared behind Jin.
A vague figure.
Human-shaped.
Standing upright.
Jin's eyes widened.
"…What is this?"
Shadow Rise — Partial Awakening
Status: Incomplete
Requirement: Higher Attribute Threshold.
The silhouette disappeared.
As if it had never existed.
Jin stood frozen.
His heart pounded.
Shadow Rise…
He wasn't ready yet.
But he had touched it.
RewardsThe system responded.
✅ Attributes Gained
Strength +8
Agility +6
Vitality +7
Magic +5
His status changed again.
Strength: 33 (D)
Agility: 29 (E→D threshold)
Vitality: 29 (E→D threshold)
Magic: 16 (F→E)
He had stepped into D-rank territory.
Silently.
Illegally.
Dangerously.
Jin's FearJin looked at his shadow.
For the first time…
He felt fear.
Not of monsters.
But of himself.
If this continues…
I won't be able to hide forever.
He turned around and walked away.
Leaving no trace.
No witnesses.
Only darkness.
The Next Morning — Aira's Strange FeelingAt school the next day—
Aira felt something strange.
When Jin entered the classroom…
For a brief moment—
She felt a chill.
Not fear.
Not pressure.
But something subtle.
Like standing near a deep ocean.
She looked at him.
Jin sat quietly as usual.
Expression calm.
Rank: F (public).
…I'm imagining things.
She looked away.
But for the first time—
Aira felt uncertain.