The world was cruel to those without a 'Path.'
In the year 2026, the Great Awakening had changed everything. Everyone was granted a 'System Path'—Warrior, Mage, or Healer. But Kai? Kai was a 'Null.' At twenty years old, he was a mere porter, carrying heavy mana-crystals for elite hunters in dangerous dungeons.
"Move faster, Null! If we're late, the Boss Monster will spawn, and you'll be the first one it eats," shouted Thorne, a Rank-B Warrior, kicking the dust toward Kai.
Kai didn't say a word. He tightened the straps of his heavy backpack, his knuckles white. He was used to the insults. In this world, if you didn't have a Path, you weren't even considered human.
Suddenly, as they entered the deep cavern of the 'Crystal Grotto,' something strange happened.
A sharp, stinging pain shot through Kai's eyes. He gasped, dropping to his knees.
[System Error... Overriding...]
[Ancient Frequency Detected...]
[Unique Path Unlocked: The Secret Path.]
A golden, translucent trail appeared on the cold stone floor. It wasn't the blue path the hunters were following. It was a shimmering, golden line that led straight into a solid wall of rock.
The hunters moved toward the main chamber where the treasure chest was supposed to be. But above the golden trail, a glowing text floated in front of Kai's eyes:
[Hidden Reward Detected: Heart of the Ancient Dragon.]
[Distance: 10 Meters behind the Illusionary Wall.]
Kai stared in shock. The 'main treasure' the hunters were chasing was just a trap—a decoy. The real legendary item was right here, hidden in a place no one had ever looked.
"Hey, Null! What are you staring at? Move!" Thorne yelled from the distance.
Kai looked at the hunters, then at the golden trail leading into the wall. His heart hammered against his ribs. If he followed the hunters, he'd remain a slave forever. If he stepped onto the Secret Path... his life would never be the same.
With a deep breath, Kai ignored Thorne's voice and walked straight toward the solid rock wall...