The world had cracked nearly a decade ago.
Overnight, portals appeared all over Earth, spewing forth monsters straight from the darkest nightmares: goblins, orcs, lycanthropes, dragons... Chaos ensued. Cities fell, governments collapsed, and humanity teetered on the brink of extinction.
But amid the fear, an unknown phenomenon gave birth to a new era: the Awakening.
Some humans changed. Their potential exploded. They were called the Awakened — capable of wielding supernatural powers, facing monsters, and surviving in this shattered world. Each received a class — a role defined by the System: Warrior, Archer, Mage... or rarer ones like Tank or Healer.
These classes were ranked hierarchically: from F, the lowest, to S, reserved for living legends. An S-Rank Awakened could destroy an army single-handedly. But an F-Rank? They struggled to survive even against a simple horde of goblins.
---
The Weakest of the Awakened
Rays, 21 years old, was one of the Awakened. At least, technically.
He had no class. No special abilities. His stats bordered on the ridiculous. Throughout the Association, he was known as the useless hunter.
And yet, there he was — standing in the main hall of the Hunters' Association, palms clammy, breath shallow.
The verdict had just been announced: he was to participate in a raid inside an E-Rank dungeon.
His legs trembled. He knew what awaited him.
His rusted armor was a leftover from a low-grade Tank set. He didn't even have the strength to take a hit. A single goblin could bring him down.
Around him, whispers slid through the air like blades.
— "That's him, the classless hunter."
— "He's going to get saved again."
— "Why does he keep coming if he can't do anything?"
But Rays no longer listened. He was used to it. It wasn't the first time, and it wouldn't be the last.
A hand landed on his shoulder.
— "You'll manage, as usual. Just stick close to me."
It was Ethan, his only friend — a B-Rank Swordsman. Unlike Rays, he was strong, respected, brilliant. He had always protected Rays in every raid, asking for nothing in return.
Rays smiled faintly. A question had burned in him for a long time. Why? Why did Ethan keep bringing him along? Defending him? Believing in him when even he himself had given up?
He didn't dare ask.
Not yet.
---
The Dungeon
The group entered the dungeon.
The walls dripped with moisture. A metallic stench lingered in the air. The narrow corridors felt like they were watching.
Goblins emerged from the shadows, cackling, armed with rusted blades. Ethan stepped forward without hesitation. Every swing of his sword was clean, precise. The monsters fell one after another.
And Rays?
He followed as best he could, hiding whenever a monster came near. He wasn't a fighter. He never had been.
But fate doesn't wait for the weak.
A goblin lunged at him. His foot slipped. He fell. The creature plunged its dagger into his arm, drawing a cry of pain.
Ethan appeared immediately. With a single, clean strike, he decapitated the monster. He crouched down, panicked.
— "Are you okay?!"
Rays gritted his teeth, the wound burning. He nodded weakly.
Ethan pulled out a potion and gently poured it onto the wound. His fingers trembled slightly. Rays felt his chest tighten. Not because of the pain... but because of that attention. That concern.
He looked up at him.
— "Ethan... why are you doing this? I'm weak. You could have a real partner. Someone who doesn't drag you down..."
Ethan looked away, a slight blush rising to his cheeks. His voice softened, almost hesitant.
— "If we make it out of this dungeon... I'll tell you."
Rays wanted to insist, but Ethan had already moved back into position, sword raised.
— "Let's go. Stay close."
---
End of the Raid – A Suspended Promise
The dungeon was cleared. They emerged, covered in sweat and minor wounds. Rays could barely stand. He had survived — thanks to Ethan.
But something had changed. It wasn't a power-up or a divine revelation.
It was deeper.
It was the fear of being a burden. The hollow feeling inside. The silence Ethan left behind after every mission. The unspoken mystery.
Before leaving, Ethan turned back to him, a crooked smile on his lips.
— "Let's go home. But I promise you... one day, you'll know."