Ji-hoon's eyes flickered open.
The ceiling above him was sterile white, the faint hum of machinery filling his ears. His body felt like lead—aching, weak, drained. For a moment, he thought the dungeon, the ruin, the glowing artifact… maybe it had all been a dream.
Then the window appeared.
[Welcome, User: Lee Ji-hoon.][The Evolution System has been bound.]
Ji-hoon froze. His breath caught in his throat. "…So it wasn't a dream."
His pulse quickened. If this was real, if this System actually existed… then what did that mean for him?
A new prompt blinked into view.
[Would you like to view your Status?][Yes / No]
His hand trembled as he reached out, tapping the glowing "Yes."
The air shimmered, and lines of text unfolded before his eyes.
[Status Window]
Name: Lee Ji-hoon
Age: 20
Class: None (Unawakened / Miner Permit)
Level: 1
Skills: Spark (F), Kick (F)
Strength: 5
Agility: 4
Endurance: 5
Intelligence: 6
Vitality: 4
Ji-hoon stared.
The numbers were pitiful. Lower than pitiful. This wasn't a Hunter's stats—it was barely more than an average civilian. The only reason he'd survived dungeons at all was because he was sent as a miner, never a fighter.
"…No wonder they all looked down on me." He gave a bitter laugh. Hunters his age were hitting Strength and Agility in the teens, even without evolving. He was starting in the gutter.
But as he scrolled further down, something caught his eye.
[Unique Trait: Evolution.][Allows user to evolve skills infinitely through trials.]
His breath hitched. "Infinitely…?"
The weak "Spark" and "Kick" listed beside his stats pulsed faintly, as if waiting for him to choose.
So that was it. His way forward. His chance to claw out of the pit everyone had shoved him in.
For the first time in years, Ji-hoon felt something stir inside his chest. Not dread. Not bitterness. But a small, burning ember of possibility.
Hope.
He clenched his fist, staring at the glowing window.
"Alright, System. Show me what you've got."