Han Jiwon woke up to the sound of someone knocking on his door.
"Hyung! You're going to be late again!"
The voice was loud, annoyed, and very familiar.
Jiwon groaned and rolled over on his bed. His phone screen lit up.
7:32 a.m.
"…Already?" he muttered.
The knocking turned into pounding. "Mom said breakfast is ready! And today is your Awakening test, remember?!"
Jiwon sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. "I remember," he said, raising his voice. "Stop yelling."
The door opened without waiting for permission. A boy leaned in, school uniform half-buttoned, hair messy from sleep. Han Minjun—his younger brother by three years.
Minjun looked Jiwon up and down and sighed. "You don't look nervous at all."
"Should I?" Jiwon replied.
"Yes!" Minjun said immediately. "Everyone says Awakening decides your whole life. If you get a combat class, you'll be rich. If you don't…" He trailed off.
Jiwon stood up and stretched. "Then I'll just live normally."
Minjun frowned. "You always say that."
Jiwon didn't answer. He grabbed his jacket and walked out into the small apartment. The smell of warm rice and soup filled the air.
Their mother stood at the stove, turning her head when she heard footsteps. "Jiwon, you're up. Sit down. Eat properly."
"I will," Jiwon said, taking a seat.
Minjun dropped into the chair across from him. "Hyung, what class do you want?"
Jiwon paused, spoon hovering over his bowl.
What class did he want?
Warrior? Mage? Archer? Any of them would be fine. Any of them would be safe. Normal. Accepted.
"I don't know," he said finally.
Their mother glanced at him. "Whatever it is, don't force yourself. Just come home safely."
Jiwon nodded. "I will."
The TV in the corner played the morning news.
"—another gate incident reported on the outskirts of the city. Casualties include three hunters—"
His mother quickly lowered the volume.
Minjun noticed but said nothing. Jiwon did.
"Dad would've complained about the reporters," he said quietly.
The room went silent for a moment.
Their father had died five years ago during a gate collapse. Low-tier dungeon. Unexpected surge. No survivors.
Their mother forced a small smile. "Eat before it gets cold."
After breakfast, Jiwon stood by the door, tying his shoes. Minjun followed him out.
"Hyung," Minjun said hesitantly. "If you awaken… you won't disappear like Dad, right?"
Jiwon stopped.
He looked at his brother—still young, still worried, pretending not to be.
"I won't," Jiwon said firmly. "I promise."
Minjun nodded, though his eyes didn't fully relax.
Outside, the city buzzed with quiet tension. Awakening day always did that. Some people would gain power. Others would go home unchanged.
Jiwon walked toward the testing center, hands in his pockets.
He didn't know it yet.
But by the end of today, his life would no longer be ordinary.