Minjae's pen just touched the paper, signing the last page without really reading through it. The nurse took the clipboard from him, already moving onto the next patient before he'd even stood up.
"You're all set. Just take it easy for a few days."
"Yeah…thanks."
He got up and slowly put on his jacket before going back outside. The hospital hallway was busier than usual. Someone laughed in relief as a doctor spoke, their family crowding around them in a loose circle.
Minjae walked right past the commotion. No one waited for him outside the room or called his name. His mother was already busy with her third side job, not that he cared much if she was there or not. Circumstances were tough after all.
By the time the automatic doors slid open and the cool air brushed against his face, it already felt like he'd forgotten all about it.
The city moved on like nothing had happened. Cars flew right past his head and people crossed the street, getting to where they needed to go.
Above it all, a massive digital billboard flickered, bright enough to get his attention.
"February 23rd, 2073."
"—Authorities have confirmed another incident involving an unregistered awakener—"
The footage that followed showed a street not too different from the one he was standing on now—except parts of it were completely torn apart.
A storefront had collapsed inward, glass scattering everywhere across the pavement. Yellow tape stretched across the scene as emergency responders moved in and out of the building.
A figure was being restrained in the background, blurred just enough to hide their identity, but not enough to hide the way they struggled.
"—this marks the third case reported this week—"
Minjae watched for a second longer than he meant to.
"…Again?"
There wasn't much surprise in his voice. He'd heard the same news for the third time in a row already.
Just as quickly, the billboard switched over to Battle Arena highlights. Large, flashy explosions filled the screen as a Player flipped gracefully backward before securing an elimination.
Minjae stared at it for half a second. Then he looked away and kept walking.
***
He pushed the door open with his shoulder as the door unlocked. His apartment greeted him the same way it always did…cramped and a little bit messy from all his clothes that he never managed to clean up.
The keys clinked dully as he dropped them into the small tray by the entrance. The motion was pretty much automatic, almost like muscle memory at this point.
Minjae slipped off his jacket next, fabric still faintly damp from the outside. For a moment, he considered hanging it up properly. Instead, he tossed it over the back of a chair, where it joined the rest of its friends.
"...Man," Minjae muttered quietly as he collapsed onto the old sofa.
He stared at the ceiling for a second before reaching blindly for the remote on the table beside him.
The TV flickered to life immediately, and on the very first channel, the only face that he didn't want to see again today.
"Lee Taehyun!" the reporter said, putting the mic near him. "How does it feel to be the youngest rookie to make it to Tier-3 play? Could you please share some of your thoughts?"
Minjae's eyes narrowed slightly as he leaned back into the sofa, the faintest hint of annoyance crossing his face.
…Of course it had to be him.
On the screen, Lee Taehyun stood under the bright lights, looking as calm as ever. Not a single strand of hair was out of place. Minjae really couldn't find any flaws even if he nitpicked.
"Well," Taehyun said. "Our team was already expected to make it to Tier-3. It was just a matter of time along with some good luck on our side with some matchups."
Yeah…must be nice.
"We're not planning to stop here," Taehyun continued. "Tier–3 is just another step. We're aiming higher."
Minjae had heard enough. His thumb hovered over the power button…before pausing.
His gaze lingered on the screen, on Taehyun…and slightly lowered.
"Wait."
The word slipped out before he even realized it. Minjae sat up slightly, thinking about the hospital again.
He raised his left palm out slowly…and lifted it to the TV screen. Even to himself, the idea sounded stupid, childish even.
But somewhere in his subconsciousness, he was wishing that it'd work. That this was his answer, his last hope at success. Minjae's gaze focused on the screen, on Lee Taehyun, before his mouth opened slightly.
"...Analyze."
And to his surprise…it worked.
[Target: Lee Taehyun]
Strength: 17
Agility: 20
Endurance: 16
Mana: 42
42 Mana at his age? No wonder they call him a prodigy…
But the stats were relatively obvious, even if he didn't know Taehyun's exact values. What he was more anxious about…was Taehyun's skill.
[Skills: Red Mage (Passive)]
"…Red Mage?" he muttered softly.
A faint line of text appeared beneath it, most definitely the skill description.
[Red Mage – Increases the effectiveness of all Fire-type spells by 100%]
Minjae leaned forward as his eyes widened. Understanding immediately crept into his brain. "…One hundred percent?"
"So that's how he managed to trap me…" Minjae continued, almost rambling at this point. "Burning Chains should've broken with 6 Strength, but with his skill it was actually 12…"
"Ha! Hahaha!" he couldn't help the laugh coming out as he leaned back once more. "So this was what I was missing!"
With one hand over his eyes and the other reaching to the ceiling, Minjae realized a crucial fact. "Man… I really was walking in the dark."
For a long moment, Minjae just stared at the ceiling.
All those matches. All those decisions. What were they all for?
His eyes shifted back toward the television, toward the translucent panel still layered over Taehyun's figure. The numbers were still there, unchanged, as clear as they had been the moment they appeared.
Minjae leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees as a quiet breath escaped him. For years, he had believed that this was the result of his own shortcomings—that it was proof that he simply wasn't good enough. That he wasn't competent enough to stand among them.
He'd always asked what quality they had, that he didn't.
It turns out…I was never on the same starting line as the others.
But now…things are different now.
In one motion, he pushed himself off the sofa. Turning to grab his phone without a second thought, he quickly searched up on all the Battle Arena teams that were having tryouts.
Dozens of listings filled the screen, mostly Tier-4 competition that were looking for substitutes or short-term contracts. The same things he had looked through countless times before.
"…Closest one…"
He muttered under his breath, scrolling quickly before stopping on a listing just a few blocks away. Luckily, they were having an open tryout today.
Minjae didn't hesitate. He grabbed his jacket, pulling it on in one swift motion as he moved toward the door.
This time, sunlight illuminated his path as he took a step toward the future.